Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Monday, May 29, 2017
Jimmie Johnson Fit Fest 8k Trail Race
Wow! That's a mouthful!
I almost don't know where to start with this! Are you a NASCAR fan? I'm not, so I had no idea who Jimmie was. I spoke to more than one person who drive in from our of state just because he would be there. (As well as Lance Armstrong and Jason Sehorn!)
The event was amazing, I'm not gonna lie. You definitely don't need to be a fan to appreciate it. There was a 5k and 8k trail race, a 2k Spartan Kids race, and 2 bicycle trail races. The Spartan races ran all day, the 8k started at 8, with the other races following.
We had to park at a nearby high school and take a short shuttle ride to the park, so I got there nice and early. Maybe a little too early, but that's okay.
I walked around a bit, checking everything out, and met up with some friends....
We talked until it was time to line up. The race director gave directions, the anthem was sung, Jimmie made a speech, and then we were off.
Most of the first mile was a rocky road, but then we hit the actual trail, and then it got real. I have Ragnar in less than a week, so I was super cautious. I walked a lot. It was beautiful, and I enjoyed the view.
The humidity also took its toll, and there was a group of 5 back of the packers all walking together for mile 4. We all separated at the end, so we could finish strong.
One of my friends placed in her age group and the prize was pretty great. A cap and a cooling cloth with Jimmie' s number on it.
There was live music and food trucks at the finish, but I high tailed it out of there and met the hubs for waffles instead.
I really enjoyed the race and I'll definitely try it again next year! It was super well marked and the volunteers are awesome!
I almost don't know where to start with this! Are you a NASCAR fan? I'm not, so I had no idea who Jimmie was. I spoke to more than one person who drive in from our of state just because he would be there. (As well as Lance Armstrong and Jason Sehorn!)
The event was amazing, I'm not gonna lie. You definitely don't need to be a fan to appreciate it. There was a 5k and 8k trail race, a 2k Spartan Kids race, and 2 bicycle trail races. The Spartan races ran all day, the 8k started at 8, with the other races following.
We had to park at a nearby high school and take a short shuttle ride to the park, so I got there nice and early. Maybe a little too early, but that's okay.
I walked around a bit, checking everything out, and met up with some friends....
We talked until it was time to line up. The race director gave directions, the anthem was sung, Jimmie made a speech, and then we were off.
Most of the first mile was a rocky road, but then we hit the actual trail, and then it got real. I have Ragnar in less than a week, so I was super cautious. I walked a lot. It was beautiful, and I enjoyed the view.
The humidity also took its toll, and there was a group of 5 back of the packers all walking together for mile 4. We all separated at the end, so we could finish strong.
One of my friends placed in her age group and the prize was pretty great. A cap and a cooling cloth with Jimmie' s number on it.
There was live music and food trucks at the finish, but I high tailed it out of there and met the hubs for waffles instead.
I really enjoyed the race and I'll definitely try it again next year! It was super well marked and the volunteers are awesome!
posted from Bloggeroid
Friday, May 26, 2017
Flat Mama Friday and a Pro Compression Raffle
Monday morning I'm running the Jimmie Johnson Fit Test 8k trail race. I'm pretty excited about it, because I've never run an 8k trail race so it's an automatic PR. I'm also pretty terrified because I kind of suck at trail races. I really hope I don't die.
Aren't my new socks cute? Pro Compression had one of those awesome Buy 2 get 3 free sales so I got some cute new socks. Two days later they had a grab bag sale. I've had some decent luck in the past so I ordered one. After all, who doesn't need 8 new pairs of compression socks?
I'm kind of bummed, I'm not gonna lie. I already have black and gold and I don't do white socks. I'm such a hot mess, they wouldn't be white for long. I thought I would raffle them off, since not everyone already owns black and gold socks. I'm still fundraising for MDA Team Momentum, so let's put the two together so everybody wins! For every $5 donation, you will get an entry into the raffle. I will draw three winners on Tuesday, June 6th and announce the winners for Wordless Wednesday on the 7th. The first name I draw will get first pick, and so on.
Here is the link to donate:
http://www2.mda.org/site/TR?px=2919245&pg=personal&fr_id=23378&s_src=boundlessfundraising&s_subsrc=:sub_source
Good luck! Have you ever bought the grab bag before? What colors did you get?
Aren't my new socks cute? Pro Compression had one of those awesome Buy 2 get 3 free sales so I got some cute new socks. Two days later they had a grab bag sale. I've had some decent luck in the past so I ordered one. After all, who doesn't need 8 new pairs of compression socks?
I'm kind of bummed, I'm not gonna lie. I already have black and gold and I don't do white socks. I'm such a hot mess, they wouldn't be white for long. I thought I would raffle them off, since not everyone already owns black and gold socks. I'm still fundraising for MDA Team Momentum, so let's put the two together so everybody wins! For every $5 donation, you will get an entry into the raffle. I will draw three winners on Tuesday, June 6th and announce the winners for Wordless Wednesday on the 7th. The first name I draw will get first pick, and so on.
Here is the link to donate:
http://www2.mda.org/site/TR?px=2919245&pg=personal&fr_id=23378&s_src=boundlessfundraising&s_subsrc=:sub_source
Good luck! Have you ever bought the grab bag before? What colors did you get?
posted from Bloggeroid
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Thursday Training Update
I love marathon training..... in the beginning! Don't get me wrong, I love the challenge of marathon training, I love that I can make my body run for hours on end. There is something special about the beginning of a training plan, though. The runs are short and yet I'm still knocking out that plan!
I've been following the Chicago Marathon plan that Run For Your Life has for members. (RFYL is a running store in Charlotte, it's the company that I coach for.)
My daughter is visiting from college for a couple of weeks, so I pretty much just ran, but I've tried to move a little every day.
Wednesday.... Trail hike to the Little Free Library. It was about 3.5 miles and pretty warm out, but it was about to start raining pretty much every darn day since, so I'm glad I got out there!
Thursday.... 5.3 miles coaching. Seems like a strange number, right? One of the ladies dropped her phone, but she didn't know where, so we had to go back to look for it. Turns out she dropped it at the start! Our 4 miles became a little longer.
Friday..... total lazy day with my daughter, I'm not gonna lie.
Saturday.... Run Ballantyne 8k, and a 5 minute PR! It was a hot and humid day, but I loved every minute!
Sunday.... rest day
Monday.... 3.5 mile walk on the trail. It was a little muddy, so we walked back on the street.
Tuesday.... heavy rains kept me from running with the group, but I got in 3 miles once it stopped. It was so nice and cool out that I walked an additional mile.
Wednesday.... Morgan and I went for another walk, this time on the road since the trails are too muddy. It was a little misty, but otherwise a great day. We walked to the park and did all the stretchers and then walked back. 3.1 miles plus the stretches.
Not a terrible week, but I miss 9 Round! I hope to get there soon, so I don't lose too much of my training. Next week is Ragnar, so be warned.... many crazy posts will be coming!
I've been following the Chicago Marathon plan that Run For Your Life has for members. (RFYL is a running store in Charlotte, it's the company that I coach for.)
My daughter is visiting from college for a couple of weeks, so I pretty much just ran, but I've tried to move a little every day.
Wednesday.... Trail hike to the Little Free Library. It was about 3.5 miles and pretty warm out, but it was about to start raining pretty much every darn day since, so I'm glad I got out there!
Thursday.... 5.3 miles coaching. Seems like a strange number, right? One of the ladies dropped her phone, but she didn't know where, so we had to go back to look for it. Turns out she dropped it at the start! Our 4 miles became a little longer.
Friday..... total lazy day with my daughter, I'm not gonna lie.
Saturday.... Run Ballantyne 8k, and a 5 minute PR! It was a hot and humid day, but I loved every minute!
Sunday.... rest day
Monday.... 3.5 mile walk on the trail. It was a little muddy, so we walked back on the street.
Tuesday.... heavy rains kept me from running with the group, but I got in 3 miles once it stopped. It was so nice and cool out that I walked an additional mile.
Wednesday.... Morgan and I went for another walk, this time on the road since the trails are too muddy. It was a little misty, but otherwise a great day. We walked to the park and did all the stretchers and then walked back. 3.1 miles plus the stretches.
Not a terrible week, but I miss 9 Round! I hope to get there soon, so I don't lose too much of my training. Next week is Ragnar, so be warned.... many crazy posts will be coming!
posted from Bloggeroid
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Run! Ballantyne 8k
Last month, one of the ladies in my running club asked us all to run this race on her team. Her goal was largest team, which she won! When she sent out the info on how to get our bibs from her, she told us her next goal was to win fastest team. We all laughed.
Parking was a breeze and I grabbed my packet from Hope and ditched it in my car easily enough as well. We all hung around and waited for our group photo. We had to immediately jog to the start so we would start on time. After a prayer and the anthem, the race started.
The course started with an out and back, the we turned into a parking lot. We ran the perimeter of the lot, turned right and ran another out and back.
8k runners then turned back into that lot, while the 5k runners turned towards the finish.
The volunteers were amazing. I had upgraded to the 8k at the last minute so my bib was the wrong color. At least 3 volunteers noticed as I turned away from the finish and tried to steer me the right way.
Back around the parking lot I went. This is when the math starts in your head. I checked my PR before I left that morning. I had it in my head to beat 1:08 and around mile 3.5 I started figuring my possible finish time in my head. Because I had my watch set to intervals, I had no idea what my pace was each mile, but I knew they were all around 13 minutes. I knew that if I kept up my pace, I would PR for sure, it was just a matter of how much of one it would be.
I passed mile 4 with another 13ish minute mile and headed for the final out and back. It was hilly and I was so hot, but I had a goal and I was determined to meet it.
I turned the final corner towards the finish and I could see the race clock was at 1:04, which was good for me, since I started at the back.
I crossed the finish in 1:04:07
They had all kinds of food, but all I wanted was water. You had to walk really far to get to it, which I was not a fan of. They had tons of it though, and Gatorade as well, so it all ended well!
Our team won fastest team! Holy heck! I think 4 people from our group also won age group prizes as well!
It was a great way to start the weekend!
Oh.... and my original PR was 1:09 so my PR was actually 5:15 faster!
Parking was a breeze and I grabbed my packet from Hope and ditched it in my car easily enough as well. We all hung around and waited for our group photo. We had to immediately jog to the start so we would start on time. After a prayer and the anthem, the race started.
The course started with an out and back, the we turned into a parking lot. We ran the perimeter of the lot, turned right and ran another out and back.
8k runners then turned back into that lot, while the 5k runners turned towards the finish.
The volunteers were amazing. I had upgraded to the 8k at the last minute so my bib was the wrong color. At least 3 volunteers noticed as I turned away from the finish and tried to steer me the right way.
Back around the parking lot I went. This is when the math starts in your head. I checked my PR before I left that morning. I had it in my head to beat 1:08 and around mile 3.5 I started figuring my possible finish time in my head. Because I had my watch set to intervals, I had no idea what my pace was each mile, but I knew they were all around 13 minutes. I knew that if I kept up my pace, I would PR for sure, it was just a matter of how much of one it would be.
I passed mile 4 with another 13ish minute mile and headed for the final out and back. It was hilly and I was so hot, but I had a goal and I was determined to meet it.
I turned the final corner towards the finish and I could see the race clock was at 1:04, which was good for me, since I started at the back.
I crossed the finish in 1:04:07
They had all kinds of food, but all I wanted was water. You had to walk really far to get to it, which I was not a fan of. They had tons of it though, and Gatorade as well, so it all ended well!
Our team won fastest team! Holy heck! I think 4 people from our group also won age group prizes as well!
It was a great way to start the weekend!
Oh.... and my original PR was 1:09 so my PR was actually 5:15 faster!
posted from Bloggeroid
Friday, May 19, 2017
Flat Mama Friday
Tomorrow is the Run! Ballantyne 5k and 8k. I was originally registered for the 5k, but some of the ladies I coach for and with asked me to bump up to the 8k. The RD was more than nice about it and switched me with no problems!
Are you racing this weekend?
Are you racing this weekend?
posted from Bloggeroid
Thursday, May 18, 2017
OOmgs by OOfos, Recovery Shoes!
I received a pair of super cute OOmgs by OOfos as a BibRave Pro for the purposes of this review. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews!
If you're a runner, especially a distance runner, you've most likely heard of Oofos flip flops. I have 3 pairs. Yes, three. In the space of about 3 weeks, I bought a new pair, won a pair on Instagram, and was given a pair by a friend. Winning!
When I was given a chance to check out new OOmg shoes, I did a little jig and signed right up.
Okay, maybe it was a big jig. For real, y'all, they are seriously cute. They also arrived right on time for me to pack for my trip to Nashville for the Rock n Roll Half.
I put them on in the parking lot after the race and wore them for the rest of the day. They are so comfy and they really helped my legs after all those hills. I may have even taken them mini golfing that night. Yes, I mini golfed after running a half marathon. I worship mini golf.
What makes OOmgs so great? They absorb 37% more shock than traditional foam footwear. It's the Oofoam that does it.
The footbed cradles your arches and relieves pressure on your legs, which reduces stress on your aching feet, knees, and back.... which is why they flew with me to Maine for another hilly half marathon.
I wore them all around Portland that afternoon. Have you been to Portland? It's super hilly, but my legs and hips were sooooo happy!
The flexible Oofoam also allows your foot to move more naturally, which is what made them great for cornhole on Wednesday night!
I lost in the first round, don't judge me...
I'm obsessed, I'm not gonna lie. When I pack for Ragnar in a couple weeks, they are the first things going in my bag! I'll wear them between legs, and my feet will thank me!
They come in other colors, so if you aren't into crazy bright colors like I am, there are still OOmgs for you!
What color will you get?
If you're a runner, especially a distance runner, you've most likely heard of Oofos flip flops. I have 3 pairs. Yes, three. In the space of about 3 weeks, I bought a new pair, won a pair on Instagram, and was given a pair by a friend. Winning!
When I was given a chance to check out new OOmg shoes, I did a little jig and signed right up.
Okay, maybe it was a big jig. For real, y'all, they are seriously cute. They also arrived right on time for me to pack for my trip to Nashville for the Rock n Roll Half.
I put them on in the parking lot after the race and wore them for the rest of the day. They are so comfy and they really helped my legs after all those hills. I may have even taken them mini golfing that night. Yes, I mini golfed after running a half marathon. I worship mini golf.
What makes OOmgs so great? They absorb 37% more shock than traditional foam footwear. It's the Oofoam that does it.
The footbed cradles your arches and relieves pressure on your legs, which reduces stress on your aching feet, knees, and back.... which is why they flew with me to Maine for another hilly half marathon.
I wore them all around Portland that afternoon. Have you been to Portland? It's super hilly, but my legs and hips were sooooo happy!
The flexible Oofoam also allows your foot to move more naturally, which is what made them great for cornhole on Wednesday night!
I lost in the first round, don't judge me...
I'm obsessed, I'm not gonna lie. When I pack for Ragnar in a couple weeks, they are the first things going in my bag! I'll wear them between legs, and my feet will thank me!
They come in other colors, so if you aren't into crazy bright colors like I am, there are still OOmgs for you!
What color will you get?
posted from Bloggeroid
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Monday, May 15, 2017
Maine Coast Half Marathon Recap #bibchat
I received entry into this race as a BibRave Pro (ambassasor) for the purposes of this review. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.
Because we were staying so close to the start of the race, we got to sleep in, which was nice. By sleeping in, of course I mean that instead of getting up at zero dark thirty, we got to sleep until 6. Apparently the sun rises way early in Maine, and we didn't draw the curtains shut, so we were up by 5:30. Oh well. It was a nice thought.
The hotel has free breakfast starting at 6 so we went down to meet up with some other Pros, and with my friend Shannon, who flew in from Jersey to run with me.
After some breakfast, the hubs drove us to the start and we hung out in tne car for a bit before going to the start. There were plenty of potties and pretty much no line, which was nice.
We got into our corral (the last one) and waited to start. They started each wave by blowing into a conch, which was a nice touch, and surprisingly loud. They also mentioned that the course was open, which means traffic is flowing all around you. This did not thrill me.
We started off doing a 2:1 run walk. Shannon has been working way too many hours and not training, so she was worried about pace. I told her we would play it by ear, and not to worry.
The hubs followed along with us for the first couple miles, until it became too hard, because of runners in both directions.
The first 2 miles were terrifying. Traffic was flowing all around us and there was little to no shoulder to run on, so cars were whizzing by us. Many honked angrily and drove way too fast, and way too close!
The view, though.
The course brought us through some neighborhoods from miles 3 to 6, and the marshes were beautiful. The roads were a nightmare but the view was divine. One of the water stops had a Survivor theme which was fun, just after mile 4 where we turned around for one of a few out and backs.
Once we got to mile 6 we were back along the ocean and that is when Shannon and I started making it a goal to pass whoever was in front of us....
First was lady in black...
Then sparkle skirt lady.....
We had our sights set on blue shirt girl for awhile. Although the game was fun, it couldn't distract Shannon from the pain in her feet and she started running less and less. Around mile 9, she actually hooked up with black shirt and sparkle skirt and I ran on ahead.
I passed blue shirt lady at mile 11, and also passed Power Ranger girl right after.
Around this time, I stopped being able to see Shannon behind me, but I knew she was back there kicking butt.
Around mile 11, the course turned away from the ocean and headed back towards the University of New England.
There were lots of locals in their yards over the last couple miles and I passed another 4 runners or so. I was winning that game if it killed me.
The final tenth of a mile was a little precarious, there was a rickety bridge like apparatus that they constructed to help us over a gully on the side of the road. It bounced as I ran over it.
Someone announced my name and home town as I finished and I was given my bling and a reusable water bottle.
I waited at the finish for Shannon, and watched as they started to pack up the finish line. They kept up the microphone and speaker until the last minute so Shannon got to hear her name and cross the finish.
The after party was still going and they had live music, massages, food, a beer garden, and a place to refill your water bottle. The food was slightly stale bagels, bananas, watermelon, yogurt, and oreos. It's the most food I've seem at a finish in awhile, with the exception of Nashville.
Overall it was a good race. I enjoyed the views, the water stops and porta potties were plenty, and the medal was cool. I was NOT a fan of the open course, it was super unsafe and scary.
Have you ever run on an open course?
Because we were staying so close to the start of the race, we got to sleep in, which was nice. By sleeping in, of course I mean that instead of getting up at zero dark thirty, we got to sleep until 6. Apparently the sun rises way early in Maine, and we didn't draw the curtains shut, so we were up by 5:30. Oh well. It was a nice thought.
The hotel has free breakfast starting at 6 so we went down to meet up with some other Pros, and with my friend Shannon, who flew in from Jersey to run with me.
After some breakfast, the hubs drove us to the start and we hung out in tne car for a bit before going to the start. There were plenty of potties and pretty much no line, which was nice.
We got into our corral (the last one) and waited to start. They started each wave by blowing into a conch, which was a nice touch, and surprisingly loud. They also mentioned that the course was open, which means traffic is flowing all around you. This did not thrill me.
We started off doing a 2:1 run walk. Shannon has been working way too many hours and not training, so she was worried about pace. I told her we would play it by ear, and not to worry.
The hubs followed along with us for the first couple miles, until it became too hard, because of runners in both directions.
The first 2 miles were terrifying. Traffic was flowing all around us and there was little to no shoulder to run on, so cars were whizzing by us. Many honked angrily and drove way too fast, and way too close!
The view, though.
The course brought us through some neighborhoods from miles 3 to 6, and the marshes were beautiful. The roads were a nightmare but the view was divine. One of the water stops had a Survivor theme which was fun, just after mile 4 where we turned around for one of a few out and backs.
Once we got to mile 6 we were back along the ocean and that is when Shannon and I started making it a goal to pass whoever was in front of us....
First was lady in black...
Then sparkle skirt lady.....
We had our sights set on blue shirt girl for awhile. Although the game was fun, it couldn't distract Shannon from the pain in her feet and she started running less and less. Around mile 9, she actually hooked up with black shirt and sparkle skirt and I ran on ahead.
I passed blue shirt lady at mile 11, and also passed Power Ranger girl right after.
Around this time, I stopped being able to see Shannon behind me, but I knew she was back there kicking butt.
Around mile 11, the course turned away from the ocean and headed back towards the University of New England.
There were lots of locals in their yards over the last couple miles and I passed another 4 runners or so. I was winning that game if it killed me.
The final tenth of a mile was a little precarious, there was a rickety bridge like apparatus that they constructed to help us over a gully on the side of the road. It bounced as I ran over it.
Someone announced my name and home town as I finished and I was given my bling and a reusable water bottle.
I waited at the finish for Shannon, and watched as they started to pack up the finish line. They kept up the microphone and speaker until the last minute so Shannon got to hear her name and cross the finish.
The after party was still going and they had live music, massages, food, a beer garden, and a place to refill your water bottle. The food was slightly stale bagels, bananas, watermelon, yogurt, and oreos. It's the most food I've seem at a finish in awhile, with the exception of Nashville.
Overall it was a good race. I enjoyed the views, the water stops and porta potties were plenty, and the medal was cool. I was NOT a fan of the open course, it was super unsafe and scary.
Have you ever run on an open course?
posted from Bloggeroid
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