Month: July 2017

Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon 2017

I’ve run this race before (2009, 2011, 2013).  The last time I ran it, I swore I would never do it again because it is always HOT on race day.  I remember in 2013 I almost passed out because of the heat.

Never say never, right?  Thanks to Erica at Erica Finds I won a FREE race entry so you bet I signed up.  The plan was to run it as a training run (16 miles on the calendar).

The expo was not fun at all.  You can read about it HERE or just skip it.  

Saturday morning was the 5k.  I went to the lakefront to run 4 miles and saw the runners.  I was hoping to see Kathrine Switzer since at the expo I found out she was running the 5k.  I did not see her.  But Wendy got to see her TWICE!  Lucky girl!

Sunday morning my alarm went off at 4:15am, got ready, ate breakfast and drove to the train station.  While there I saw the most beautiful sunrise.

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Once downtown I dropped off my bag at gear check (I felt bad for the volunteers because there weren’t enough of them but lots of people were waiting to drop off their bag) then got in line to use the porta potties.  Ugh, people were taking too long.  I moved to another shorter line but they were taking too long there too.  Finally it was my turn and I was in and out in about 15 seconds!  

I went to get in my corral but there were so many people.  That’s what I get for being “late”.  Finally I got in and just when I was about to cross the start line, I saw Kathrine Switzer! It happened so quickly and I was shocked to see her.  What I wanted to do was call out her name to get a picture but the line was moving and she was walking in another direction so I lost my chance.  Later I found out she was on the course giving out water and at the finish line giving out medals.  I did not see her.  🙁

2017RnRChicago4

It wasn’t as hot as it usually is and it was shaded.  Thank goodness because it is known to always be HOT on that day.  As you can see from my splits below, I did good for 7 miles.  I drank water at every water station and had two water bottles filled with Generation UCAN Hydrate.  I also took a salt tablet every 4 miles.  Prior to the start of the race I drank 12 ounces of water with 2 scoops of Generation UCAN.

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Even though it wasn’t very hot, it was still hot enough for me to run through this fire hydrant. One of the best feelings!

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These pictures made me cry.  I missed the beginning but went back and walked to look at every single picture.

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Before mile 7 I saw Charlene.  Seeing her made me smile.  Then past mile 7 I saw the Oiselle girls and they also made me smile.  And then my feet began to hurt and I bonked.  I was exhausted.  I wanted to take off my shoes and walk.  I didn’t.

I did not cringe when I saw these photos.  No underpronation at all.

I kept running determined to finish the race.  I loved the crowd support and the volunteers. I let out a big sigh when I reached mile 10.  Three more miles and I would be done.  Easy peasy, right?  Nope.

The last mile felt like forever.  The finish line looked so far away.  Why, why?  Can you see it? Trust me, it was there.

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Overall, I enjoyed the race.  I didn’t do as well as I expected but I know that not every race will go as expected.  I loved running on the streets of Chicago.  I rarely go downtown anymore so this was a nice treat for me.  

My next Rock ‘n’ Roll race is October 15 in Denver.  My niece lives there so I am excited to see her and to run in another state.

Have you run a Rock ‘n’ Roll race?  Fan or not a fan?

I am linking up with MarciaErika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun

Road to BQ Week #16

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ.  I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles.  I purchased a new Hansons Method Marathon Plan and now will be running 5 days (instead of 6) a week. 

Week #16, July 10-16

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Ran 3.89 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 6.02 Miles
F OFF
S Ran 4.31 Miles
S Ran 13.42 Miles

Another great week of running!  Took it nice and slow on Monday and rocked my speed workout on Tuesday and tempo run on Thursday.  On Friday I went to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon expo and then ran the race on Sunday.  The weather was great but I bonked at the last half of the race.  I plan to have a recap on Tuesday.  

RoadtoBQ103

I was disappointed with the expo.  I’ve been to quite a few of them and they’re filled with lots of vendors.  This one?  Not so much.  I was done in about 45 minutes.  I kept walking thinking that maybe I might have missed a few vendors but kept seeing the same ones.  

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Surprised RnR still uses D-TAG for timing purposes.  My fear is removing it from my bib and forgetting to place it on my shoe.

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Medals from RnR races in other countries.  My favorite is the one with the skulls which I think is from Merida (Mexico).

I got taped up.  This brand lasts longer than KT tape.

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Got a FREE Brooks hat because I am #BrooksEndorsed.  🙂

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I bought 3 things: running belt from Fusion Belts  (love that it is waterproof), RockTape, and BottleBand.  As always, the race shirts are ugly.  I’ve run so many of their races and have never liked their shirts.  

My favorite race photo <FREE from Charlyn.  The medal is cute in the shape of Cloud Gate or “The Bean.

I was supposed to run 16 miles today and was hoping to run 3 more after the race.  My feet and legs were hurting and there was no way I was going to run more miles.

Total mileage for the week: 32.66 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  409.27 miles
Total mileage for the year: 457.46 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Janelle at Run With No Regrets.  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!   I am also linking up with Courtney for her Training Recap Link Up!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

Friday Five 2.0-Five Things Friday

I cannot believe it is already Friday!  And to think that we are halfway through the month.  I am kind of excited and looking forward to another school.  

I had an exciting week filled with good news and some fun and new running products.

  1. I woke up Monday morning to find out I wa selected to be a BibRave Pro Ambassador.  

BibRAVE Pro

2. As an Ambassador, I have the chance to run the Chicago Half Marathon and 5k on September 24th (I signed up for the 5k).  I would have signed up for the half marathon but I am running on marathon on September 3rd and I don’t think I’ll be ready for a half marathon.  

If you would like to sign up, use BRCHI17 to get $15 off the half and $10 off the 5K.

2017 Chicago Half and 5k

3. Do you cringe when you see your running photos?  I knew I was an underpronator but seeing pictures is just something else.  I was worried that I was wearing the wrong shoes but my friends at Fleet Feet confirmed that I have the right shoes.

Underpronation

4. I love my Oiselle tops and purchased 8 new tops (and some new shorts).  They’re gorgeous!  And I love running shoes so I bought the new Revel from Brooks.  I am supposed to get them today and can’t wait to run in them.  I’ve read that they’re similar to the Launch which are the shoes I use.

There is a summer sale going on right now.  You save 30% off already marked down stuff. Check it out!

Brooks Revel 1

Brooks Revel 2

5.  Do you want to get paid to be healthy!  Join Achievemint, connect apps, and start earning money. Use THIS LINK to join and we both get 250 points.  For every 10,000 points you accumulate, you get $10.  I’ve connected it to FitBit, Strava, and Garmin accounts and already made $10.  Seriously, you have NOTHING to lose.

Achievement

I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 2.0.

fridayfive

Quest Nutrition Beyond Cereal Bar

I am pretty new to Quest Nutrition.  I had heard of them but thought that it was just another protein bar that everyone eats and raves about.  It wasn’t until I read Marcia’s post that I decided to try them out.  Delicious!

When Quest Nutrition asked me to try their Beyond Cereal Bars, I couldn’t say no.  I already like the protein bar so this one must be just as good or even better.  

One of the cool things about these bars is that you can get them at your nearby 7-Eleven.  This is perfect when going on a road trip or running errands and you are in need of a snack or a quick breakfast.

Quest Cereal Protein Bars 1

For me these are perfect as a pre-and-post workout snack.  They’re tasty and filling.

Quest Cereal Protein Bars 3

I am taking swimming classes in one gym and then go to another one to run.  These are great to eat in between workouts.

Quest Cereal Protein Bars 6

There are 3 flavors: Chocolate, Waffle, and Cinnamon Roll.  I love chocolate so naturally the one I liked the best is the chocolate flavor.

Quest Cereal Protein Bars 2

Each bar has 110 calories, 2 grams of carbs, 6-7 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein. Plus, they’re sweetened with allulose which is a sweetener that is found in small quantities in foods like figs and raisins.

Even my cat was curious about them!  <<She did not eat them but was very curious about it.

Remember, you can buy the Quest Nutrition Cereal Bars 24/7 at 7-Eleven.  

Have you tried these bars?  What did you think of them?

I am linking up with MarciaErika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun

Road to BQ Week #15

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ.  I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles.  I purchased a new Hansons Method Marathon Plan and now will be running 5 days (instead of 6) a week. 

Week #15, July 3-9

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Ran 4.03 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 6.00 Miles
F OFF
S Ran 5.02 Miles
S Ran 12.02 Miles

Monday’s run felt good.  My legs were still sore from Sunday’s long run.  I love it when I have an “easy” run.  I even managed to get negative splits.

On Tuesday I ran one of my favorite races – the Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th.  You can read my recap HERE.  It was lots of fun.  Then in the afternoon my sisters and I headed over to my cousin’s house to eat, talk, laugh, and have a good time.

The rest of the week went pretty fast too.  I did my tempo run on Thursday and felt pretty good.  Well, it was done on the treadmill so I’m not really sure how accurate it is.  

On Friday I met up with a friend to finalize our plans for Alaska.  We leave on the 19th!! We talked about how we booked this trip in August of last year and now it is almost time for us to leave.

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Saturday morning was another gorgeous day for a run.  It was sunny but in the low 70s. Perfect!

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Sunday was back at Waterfall Glen for 12 miles.  Can I tell how how happy I was that it was “only” 12 miles?  The night before I filled up my hydration vest with water and left it in the fridge.  In the morning I added 2 packets of Tailwind.  I figured that was enough for my run.  It was.  I still had some water left over when I was done.

Total mileage for the week: 32.09 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  376.61 miles
Total mileage for the year: 424.80 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Christine at Into the Glimmer.  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!   I am also linking up with Courtney for her Training Recap Link Up!

Hoping everyone had a good week!