Sunday, November 28, 2010

Have I Got a Deal For You...

I refuse to pay full price for anything.  


Unless it's the end of the world, I will not buy something unless it's on sale.  Clothes, food, airline tickets, cars, books, music...you name it, I will do whatever it takes to get it for as cheap as possible.


So...when my roommate Daniel invited me to go the Williamsburg Factory Outlet stores on Black Friday, I couldn't say no.  




All the shops open at midnight...and it's INSANITY!  Last year we went and I got some amazing deals...so I was definitely up for another adventure.






Thanksgiving night we pile into Daniel's truck and leave Richmond around 11pm.  An hour later we park at a high school in Williamsburg. 



Because a HUGE amount of crazy shoppers participate in the madness, school busses are transporting people back and forth to the stores.


We wait for the bus about 20 minutes.  The weather is perfect (last year it started to pour rain a few minutes into our journey) and I am excited to have Erica by my side.  For a girl who must be in bed by 9pm, she's a GREAT sport to stay up until midnight, endure thousands of people, and not get sleep until 6am.  Then again, she is shopping (her first love) with her fiancee (her second).


Some of the stores are having some incredible sales.  I'm looking for new running shoes and score BIG TIME at New Balance.  Not only is there no line to check-out, but I get shoes for next to nothing!


These babies retail for $70...but I get them for $14!  Yes, $14!  
Such an out-of-this world bargain that I buy five pairs.  I'm selling four of them on Ebay right now.  (Bid here)
I also get some running shorts at Adidas for $7 a piece...and my favorite deal: a buy-one-get-one-free pretzel at Auntie Anne's!
The rest of us get some great bargains too and after three hours of shopping, we decide to head home.
But the adventure's not over yet.
We drop Erica off at home and I head straight to Target.  4am.  The store opens as I pull in.  I get some pajamas for Erica and don't have to wait in any lines.  Perfect.


I hop in the car and drive to Walmart.  5am.


ABSOLUTE CHAOS.
I have never, ever, EVER seen anything like it.  I can't describe the lines.  I walk in and out in less than three minutes.


I go to JC Penney.  5.04am.  Purchase dress shirts for $10.  Again, no line to checkout.  
I visit Macy's.  5.30am.  Buy nothing.  
Last stop: Staples.   6am.  Get blank CD's (to produce and sell this rap) and DVD's (to make more movies like this).  Wait in line 10 minutes.


I finally get home around 6.30am with all my treasures.  I go straight to bed. 




I know a lot of people think Black Friday shopping is crazy.  It is.  
I know most folks would rather stay in bed than fight a crowd.  I don't blame you.  
I know shopping online or paying a little more instead of searching for a parking spot and waiting in line for an hour is more convenient.  I agree.  


But...this Black Friday I got some unbelievable deals and made some unforgettable memories.  If every day-after-Thanksgiving is as fun and adventuresome as this year, count me in!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Finished

26.2 miles
3:57:06
DONE
AFTER
16 weeks of training
60+ hours pounding the pavement
405 miles in heat, humidity, rain, sleet, cold, wind
Countless blisters, knee injuries, cramps, sore feet

TODAY
I finished conquered the Richmond Marathon.
23 minutes faster than last years time.
Under my four hour goal.

WHY DID I PERFORM SO WELL?
I knew who was waiting for me at the finish line.