BCT Harpers Ferry Half Marathon

Last weekend I traveled to West Virginia to run the BCT Harpers Ferry Half Marathon which makes it state #35.  While it was a hilly and challenging course, it was still beautiful.

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon1

I left Friday morning for Baltimore and met up with Jaime for lunch.  She went back to work and I went to the National Aquarium and was very impressed with it.  I saw turtles, sharks, frogs, so many types and fish and birds.  The best part was touching the Moon Jelly.  They felt so weird sort of slimy.  I found Nemo but could not find Dory.  Afterwards I got a coffee from Corner Bakery and waited for her to get off work.

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon3

After work we met her husband and went to a bar while enjoying the best crab pretzel.  Yummy. Then we relaxed and enjoyed a baseball game between Baltimore and Detroit.  We did not stay too late because we had an early wake up call in the morning to drive to West Virginia.

The next morning we were out the door by 5:45.  We knew it was about an hour drive to Harpers Ferry but didn’t really know how much longer it would take to get to the start line.  We were there by 7, met her friend, Justin, picked up our bib, used the restrooms and waited for the race to start.  It was a small race with no more than 400 registrants.

A quick announcement from the race director (no National Anthem but there were playing “Take Me Home, Country Roads which made me smile) and off we went.  There was no special mat at the start line so my time started right at 8am.  I had a timing chip secured with ziploc twist ties and was afraid of it becoming loose and actually losing it.  Throughout the race I made sure to look down a few times to make sure it was there.

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon7

Here is the race description:

“Local runners have crafted one of the most challenging and beautiful half marathons in the country. The half marathon course is almost completely enclosed in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the preserved Civil War era towns of Bolivar and Harpers Ferry.  The route includes close to 1000 feet of total elevation gain and 2000 feet of total elevation change.  You will experience a mix of trail, road, and crushed gravel paths.  You will view the confluence of the Two Rivers- the Shenandoah and the Potomac.  The steep uphill portions will test each runner’s strength and will. The fun and challenging downhills will be a wild ride you’ve rarely experienced in a run.  Breathtaking views of the rivers, historic buildings, mountains, scenery will stimulate the senses and inspire you to reach the finish line.”

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon8
Harpers Ferry Battlefield

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon9

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon10
I think this is The Shenandoah River.

Running through Harpers Ferry.

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon14

This is how I felt going down and up the hills.

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon18

It may be a simple medal but let me tell you that I earned it.

HarpersFerryHalfMarathon19

Even though it was challenging and tough, it was a beautiful course.  I did like the variety of running paths.  The volunteers were wonderful.  I knew I wasn’t going to PR so I took my time, walked up the hills, took pictures, and simply enjoyed the race.  I wore an Oiselle shirt and shorts along with a blue Sparkle Athletic skirt and got many compliments on it.  I was so happy it wasn’t hot and that it did not rain.  I did get warm while running but was never uncomfortable.

Post race I had two slices of pizza and a bagel.  I was very hungry.  We stuck around for a little bit longer and left after the start of the One Mile Fun Run.

Next race is the Buffalo Half Marathon on May 29.

Good Life Race 5k

I realized this post is late.  I usually try to write a race review within a few days of said race but somehow I slacked off with this one.

************************************

Last month I ran a 5k.  The last time I ran a 5k was the Strike Out ALS 5k on July 15, 2014.  And my last PR is from 2011 with a finish time of 29:48.  The original plan was to run it easy and for fun due to 8 miles I had to do the day before.  Well, thanks to Mother Nature, she decided to leave us with ice on the lakefront that I had so much trouble walking much less running in those icy conditions.  I decided it was not worth risking me falling and injuring myself knowing I had a race the next day.  I left my running group and decided to go home.  

Thankfully it wasn’t icy anymore on Sunday but it was still cold and windy.  I arrived with plenty of time to the Oak Park/River Forest High School to pick up my bib and to wait for Lisa. Once she got there we found a bathroom and then waited for the race to start.  We talked and talked some more.  Finally it was time to run.

Saw this on the wall of the bathroom stall.

GoodLife20165k3

I decided to run with Lisa hoping that I could keep up with her.  No, she is way faster than me.  I held on for half a mile and I told her to just go ahead without me.  It was a small, neighborhood race so it was nice to run through Oak Park.  There were a few spectators but nothing compared to the bigger races.  There was a water stations around 1.8 miles and by then I was very thirsty. It was also windy.  I wore a long sleeve Oiselle shirt and a jacket.  I got hot and took off the jacket and wore it around my waist.  I ran and walked and 3 miles sure went by fast.  Finally I saw the finish line and I was done.

I went inside to wait for Lisa and was amazed at all of the post race goodies.  There was Nestle chocolate milk, pizza, Jimmy Johns sandwiches, hummus and chips, and KIND bars.  I also got a flower.  All of this stuff for a 5K?  The last race I remember having this much food was at the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon.

GoodLife20165k6

A few days later I found out that I had placed 3rd place in the Athena A Division.  For sure I was surprised but also happy about it.  

GoodLife20165k8

Overall, it is a great race.  The cost is reasonable, free parking, close to Chicago area, and amazing post-race food.  I will definitely plan to run this race again next year.

Green Blender Review

I first heard about this company from Erica.  Check out her review here.  I liked the idea and immediately signed up.  However, once I realized exactly how much it was going to cost me, I cancelled my order.  Fast forward a few weeks later and I found a great deal on Groupon so I signed up again.

So what is Green Blender and how does it work?  Green Blender is a smoothie delivery service (kind of like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh).  “Each week, you’ll get 5 new smoothie recipes and all the pre-portioned ingredients you’ll need to make 10 smoothies.  Our recipes are hand crafted to ensure they’re packed with flavor and nutrients.  We only use the best produce and superfoods, and focus on working with organic and local farms, to create a uniquely balanced menu.” Source: https://greenblender.com/

Each weekly box includes:

  • FREE delivery 
  • 5 original recipes per box
  • 10 servings (12oz) per box
  • Pre-portioned ingredients

I received my box last week with all of the ingredients to make the following smoothies:

  • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  • Blackberry Apple Pie <———Delicious!
  • Rose Beet <——– My favorite one.
  • Kumquat Tart
  • Honey Grape Cordial

GreenBlenderReview1

Each shipment includes a sheet with information about each smoothie and the ingredients needed for each one.

GreenBlenderReview2

All of the ingredients are measured and stored in plastic bags.  I did have to cut some of the fruit and vegetables.  No big deal.  Note:  To peel and cut the beet was messy.

GreenBlenderReview3

There was also a booster bag filled with items such as hemp seeds, cacao nibs, pea protein, and rose hips.

GreenBlenderReview4

I put everything in a large glass bowl and stored it in the fridge.

GreenBlenderReview5

What is it with cats and boxes?

Most of the smoothies I made using my NutriBullet.  However, I also made a couple with my Blendec.

So what’s the verdict?

  • Each smoothie was very easy to make, fresh and delicious.
  • I like that all of the ingredients were selected, pre-packaged, and sent in one box. Definitely convenient for those that do not want to go to the store to buy the ingredients.
  • It was interesting and fun trying out new flavors and ingredients such as hip rose, white mulberries, kumquats, and moringa.    
  • I don’t like my drinks to be too cold so I did not add the ice as instructed in the instructions sheet.
  • I also like that there was different smoothie for each day.  Mine tend to be pretty boring with just the basics such as spinach and /or frozen fruit, almond milk, and protein powder. I use Vega One Nutritional Shake and Vega Sport Performance Protein.  

Green Blender has weekly, monthly, and quarterly plans with a cost of $49 per week which comes out to $4.90 per smoothie.  You have the option to pause or cancel anytime.

I ended up canceling my subscription.  While I enjoyed the convenience and deliciousness of the smoothies, I couldn’t justify spending that much money per week.

Hansons Training Plan

I am sure you’ve heard of this method right?  Well, in a nutshell it is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run successfully when you are tired at the end of a race.  These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day.   Sounds exhausting right?  I know, I know.

HansonsTrainingPlan

I’ve heard so many great things about it and well I decided to go ahead and try it out.  For now I am slowly getting into the groove of running so many days per week.  My goal is to also implement this as I train for the 2016 Chicago Marathon which starts the first week of June.  I finally registered!

Chicago Marathon Entry 2016

Am I scared?  Yes.  Nervous?  Absolutely!  I’ve never run 6 days a week.  During the last few weeks of my training for the RnR NOLA in February, I was running 4 days a week and I had days in which I was tired but then also had days in which I felt great. 

A few weeks ago I put together my plan and added my runs to my calendar.  I am two weeks into it and so far it is going good.  Part of it could be that I was on Spring Break last week and was taking it really easy.  This week I’ve been more tired than usual (I realized I need more than 8 hours of sleep each night).  I do not feel sore and surprisingly am recovering better than I expected.  

SpringBreak

Lolaonspringbreak

Have you used this plan before in your training?  How did it go?  Thoughts and/or advice?

2016 Shamrock Shuffle

Today I ran one of my favorite races, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle.  It was my 8th time running it.  As mentioned in yesterday’s post, the goal was to take it easy and have fun.  So yep, that means no PR which is fine with me. 

We had some crazy weather on Saturday.  It seemed like every two minutes it changed from sunny, windy, snowy, repeat.  Definitely crazay.  I am so glad it was like that on Saturday instead of Sunday.

2016ShamrockShuffle1

Sunday morning my alarm went off but I hit the snooze button twice.  I did not want to get up. Eventually I did and I made coffee and a peanut butter sandwich.  I felt so full afterwards. Around 7 I drove to the train station to get downtown.

Once there I made my way to The Congress Hotel to use the bathroom and wait in a warm place for the race to start.  Well, at least till 8 or so because I had to check in my gear bag and be at my corral by 8:20am.  I made it with less than 2 minutes to go.

I saw Lisa in the bathroom and then met up with her afterwards.  I met her husband and a few of her friends.  We talked for a  bit and then it was time to go.

2016ShamrockShuffle2

It was cold but yet I wore two long sleeve shirts, my Oiselle singlet, shorts, sparkly skirt, and compression socks.  I knew that I would warm up once I began running.  And yep that is exactly what happened.  I don’t think I ever felt really cold like I did last year.

2016ShamrockShuffle3

My Garmin lost signal underneath the tunnel on Columbus.  It happens every single year.  Once I regained signal my splits were 1 minute faster.  Of course I did not know this then but was in disbelief when I would see my splits.  I reminded myself that it was supposed to be an easy run and not a PR race.

2016ShamrockShuffle8

I stopped to walk, got Gatorade at the water stations, and simply just enjoyed the race.  I saw Lauren and she passed me up.  I am surprised I saw anyone I knew with a race of over 30,000 runners.

2016ShamrockShuffle4

Once I turned into Michigan Avenue I knew I was close to the finish line.  Well, maybe not that close.  You see, this race has one of the worst finish lines.  There was an incline which I walked (I call it Mt. Roosevelt) and then once you get to the top, you still need to run about an additional quarter mile to the finish line.  Terrible, terrible.

After the race I waited for my friends to finish so we could get our beer and then have brunch. By then the sun was out and it felt really good to be out there. 

2016ShamrockShuffle6

2016ShamrockShuffle7

According to my watch, I ran 5.55 miles in 52:40 with a 9:29 average pace.  However, my official finish time is 52:38 with a 10:30ish average pace.  So weird.

2016ShamrockShuffle5

I enjoy reading about race recaps and I’m hosting a linkup for the Shamrock Shuffle 8K.  The rules are simple: linkup your race recap from this year.  It’d be great if you linked back to this post, but no pressure. This is just for fun — but remember: only Shamrock Shuffle Race Recaps. 

I hope this works.  This is my first time doing this so just bear with me.  Thanks.