Category: Friday Randomness

Friday Five 2.0-5 Favorite Races

To date I’ve run over 150 races.  Most of them I’ve run in Chicago or nearby but more than half of my half marathons have been in other states.  Recently I ran a half marathon in Alaska.  I don’t have a recap yet but have written a few posts about my trip and you can read about them HERE.

So you bet it was kind of hard to pick and write about my favorite races.  Well, I thought about it hard and here are my 5 favorite races.

Chicago Marathon.  Definitely the best marathon ever!  I am kind of bummed that I am not running it this year but am excited to spectate and cheer for my friends. I’ve run this race 5 times and am always amazed at how well organized it is as well as the support and encouragement I get along the way.  Plus, it is a BEAUTIFUL course!

This is from my first Chicago Marathon in 2006.  Check out the iPod!

4, 2006 Chicago Marathon 2

Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. The race marks the beginning of the running season in Chicago.  I’ve done this race since 2006 and have missed it a few times due to weather and being out of town.  This race starts and ends on the same course as the Chicago Marathon and there are also many spectators along the way.  I remember the first time I ran this race, I was so happy because I had run the whole race and only stopped ONCE to get water.  That was a huge accomplishment back in 2007 when I was still kinda new to running.

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Elmhurst 4 on the 4th.  I love the distance and there aren’t too many 4 mile races. While I enjoy taking the train and running a race in the city, I also like getting in a car and driving to a different race location.  There is plenty of parking, cheap ($25-$30), and good crowd support.  Plus, I like the variety of running on small hills – different from running in flat land in Chicago.

In 2014 and a 39:39 PR.

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Soldier Field 10 Mile.  What’s not to like about running 10 miles?  It’s weird how when running a half marathon, I start feeling like crap past 10 miles.  That won’t happen when running this race.  I love that it starts and ends near Soldier Field. This year the start line was inside the stadium which was kind of cool and much more organized.  It is cheap if you register early (around $55) but then can go up to $90 in April.

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon.  I ran this race in 2014 and it was my last race of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series.  I enjoyed running on the Strip at night and checking out the view.  I ran for fun because when will I ever get the chance to run on the Strip and not have to worry about pedestrians and cars?

The best part of the experience was my VIP status.  I didn’t sign up for it but got it               because I signed up to run 15 RnR races that year.  I ended up running a total of 14             races because last minute I decided to skip Denver.

Would I do this again?  Absolutely!  A few bloggers are heading out there in                         November and I am tempted to go but do not want to pay the ridiculous price for               the race.  I could just go and hang out with them, right?

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

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Friday Five 2.0-Top 5 things I am looking forward to the Chicago Half and 5k

As you read this post, I’ll be on my way to Seward, Alaska to begin my trip on The Great Alaskan Running Cruise.  Follow me on Instagram as I will be posting pictures and some stories during my trip.

As I mentioned last week, I am a BibRAVE Pro Ambassador and one of the perks is signing up for the Chicago Half Marathon and 5k on September 24th.  Read along as I list the reasons why I am excited to run the 5k.

1. It will be my first race as a BibRAVE Pro Ambassador.  I am grateful to be chosen as an ambassador and excited to run for this amazing group.  I also look forward to meet more ambassadors at the race.

2. It is a local race.  That saves me time and money.  I sleep in my own bed and drive to the race.  I’ve run before the half marathon so I am familiar with the course.  I love that in this race you run through traffic free Lake Shore Drive.

3. FREE Race Photos.  I never buy any of my race photos (too expensive and don’t like how I look – that alone is another topic) but I’ve noticed that I do like the FREE ones. Regardless, whether I like them or not, they’re still FREE.

4. It is a short race.  I know people have a love/hate relationship with 5ks.  I personally like the distance because it is “only” 3 miles.  Doable, right?  Sure beats 13.1 miles.  🙂

Wallpaper of love hate relationship

5. I am hoping to PR!  My old PR is from 2011.  It is time to set a new one.

EXTRA:
6. You get a cool shirt and medal.  Love the color red!

2017 Chicago Half and 5K 1
Source: http://www.chicagohalfmarathon.com/

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

Will I see you at the Chicago Half Marathon and 5k in September?

Do you like/don’t like 5ks?

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

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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.

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Friday Randomness – July 31, 2015

1.  Is it weird to get excited when your coach emails you dates of upcoming long runs?  So far I have 18 on 8/22; 20 on 9/5; 18 on 9/12; and 20 on 9/19.

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Ha, it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything longer than 13.1 miles.  It must have been Spring 2014 when I was training for the Chicago Lakefront 50k.  Sigh, it’s been on my mind to do another one.  Maybe Spring 2016?  We’ll see.  Last Saturday’s run was supposed to be 14 but I managed 10.  I am scheduled for 13 tomorrow and I am sort of looking forward to it.  :=)

2.  Yesterday was my last day of summer school.  It was an interesting couple of weeks for me.  Let’s just say I have a deeper respect for special education teachers.  I thought my job was tough but now realize that my job is easier.

3.  On Monday I start my last class for my math endorsement.  It is Geometry and I am kind of worried because I HATE Geometry.  Plus, it will be intense since the class is for 10 days from 9am-12pm.  Oh well, I’d rather do this than go for 10 weeks on Wednesday from 5pm-8pm.

4. I told myself no more ProCompression socks but how cute are these?

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Do you like wearing long compression socks?  Have you ever run a 50k?

Friday Randomness – July 3, 2015

1. On Wednesday I started my summer job.  I will be working for the month of July from 8am-11:45 am.  I like it because it it for one month for a few hours in the morning and I still have the rest of the day to do whatever I want.  However, next month I have my summer class and then when it is over, it will be almost time to go back to school.

2.  Do you have anything planned for Saturday, September 20th?  Please plan to attend Bright Pink’s FitFest 2015 in Chicago.  You can read more about it here.

3.  Lately I’ve been buying so much Brooks running gear from REI.  I’ve purchased the Versatile Lite Tank Top in each color.  They run big – I usually wear a large but a medium fits me fine.  I also bought the Versatile IV T-Shirt in blue and green.  They also run big.  There are a bunch of other discounted stuff and you’ll save even more (cash back) if you go through the Ebates site.

Versatile Lite Tank Top
Brooks Versatile IV T-Shirt
Versatile IV T-Shirt

4.  I was out returning some socks at Kohl’s and found some great books for my kids.  I bought 4 different ones along with the stuffed animal.  I might go back to get another one.  Isn’t it cute?

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5.  Tomorrow is race #6 – Elmhurst Bank 4 on the 4th.  I LOVE this race and am very excited about it.  Here is a picture of my outfit.

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6.  Thanks to Timehop I can look back at what I did, ate, wore, etc., in prior years.  Last year I had a new pair of Newton Kismet while three years ago I wore a pair of Brooks Glycerin.

What are you plans for the 4th of July?  I am not sure if we’re staying home and my mother with BBQ or we’ll visit family members and they’ll BBQ.  Do you have Timehop on your phone?  How do you like it?