Category: Weekly Recap

Ready for Fall, running a 5k, and meeting two olympians and an ultra-ultra marathoner!

Friday was the first day of fall.  But it did not feel like it at all.  We’ve been having some HOT weather which is normal for July/August but NOT September.  We have a few more warm days and then it is supposed to cool down.  It looks like it will be cooler for the Chicago Marathon.

Weather Chicago

I am actually looking forward to fall.   For sure the weather.  I am excited to wear shorts/capris with a long sleeve shirt or thin jacket.  To me fall is the best season for running!Ready for fall since last fall

This week I ran 4 days for a total of 11.18 miles which includes a 5k today.  Tuesday’s 2 miles felt tough.  I had Open House at my school on Thursday and I knew I would not want to run afterwards so I ran early in the morning.  It was weird being out there so early.

I got a late start to my run on Saturday and paid for it later.  That afternoon I went to Soldier Field to pick up my bib for the Chicago 5k.  It was a good expo and I was tempted to buy a new pair of Saucony Kinvara 8.  They were only $95 and are very comfortable. But I have too many shoes and definitely do not need another pair.

running 9

Saucony Kinvara 8

Today I ran the Chicago 5k.  I had signed up for the half marathon but changed it yesterday to the 5k.  Although the medal for the half is much nicer, I am glad I ran the 5k. I didn’t get a PR (wasn’t planning due to the weather) but still pleased with my time.  

Then in the afternoon I attended the “Breaking Through The Wall: Marathon Preparation Seminar”.  Although I am not training for a marathon, I enjoy going to it and hear inspiring stories from various runners.  Last year I met Meb Keflezighi, Desi Linden, and Amy Cragg. This year it was Scott Jurek, Ryan Hall, and Amy Cragg.  It was cool holding Amy’s bronze medal from 2017 World Marathon Championships in London.  When it was my turn to take a picture with her, I asked her if she could hold her medal.  Instead, she asked ME if I wanted to hold her medal.  Yes!!

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  

Hoping everyone had a good week!

WeeklyWrap

Brilliant Reflective, my latest favorite running song, and I am still running.

Disclaimer:  I received Brilliant Reflective Safety Strips to try and review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I rarely run when it is dark.  During the summer it is bright as early as 5am and doesn’t get dark till about 8:30pm.  The few times I run while it is dark, I wear a reflective vest and a headlamp.  I was more than happy to test and review Brilliant Reflective Safety Strips.  The company sent me both Iron-On and Stick-On strips.

Brilliant Reflective 1

So what exactly are these strips?  They’re pieces of tape that you can stick on to your gear so that when light hits you, you are seen.  They’re easy to peel and can be placed on pretty much all of your running gear such as shoes, shirts, hats.  They’re available in black, red, blue, and purple so they either blend in or stand out.

My niece liked them on her shoes.

I used them in my shirt, shoes, and running hat.

Brilliant Reflective 4

Brilliant Reflective 5

Brilliant Reflective 6

I will admit that I removed them from my shoes to put on another pair and somehow one of the strips fell off during my race.  However, they stayed on the shirts even after washing them.

Brilliant Reflective 7

I haven’t used the Iron-On strips but am excited to use them on my Oiselle Power Stretch Beanie and Softshell Gloves.  <<Definitely not ready for cold weather as I am enjoying the cool and fall like weather we are having in Chicago.

Join us on Tuesday, September 12th as BibRave and Brilliant Reflective will be hosting a #BibChat at 8pm CST.  Come by and chat with us about this great product and you’ll have a chance to win some of your own.

My latest running song is “Mi Gente”.  Have you heard it?  Not a big fan of the video but I do like the beat and it makes me want to dance too.  🙂

I had some great runs this week.  Monday and Tuesday was 5.02 miles.  Fall weather is here and that makes the runs much more enjoyable.  I was pleased and surprised with my negative splits!

On Saturday I ran the Run Mag Mile 10K.  It was so much fun!  The weather was perfect and it was fun running down Michigan Avenue (it reminded me of RnR Las Vegas when the strip was closed for the race).  I didn’t get a PR (old one is from 2010) but I ran faster than I thought I could and also had a blast.  I think that definitely counts more than a PR, right?  🙂

So what did you think of the song “Mi Gente”?  What is your favorite running song now?

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Sara @ Sara Runs This Town.  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

WWGuest

Under Armour Horizon RTT shoes, back to work, and a giveaway!

Disclaimer:  I received a pair of Under Armour Horizon RTT Trail Running Shoes to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I don’t normally run on the trail.  However, when I was training for the Lake Michigan Marathon, I would do my long runs on the trail.  I wanted a different place than running along the lakefront.  Also,  I realized that I would recover much faster when running on the trail.  Plus, there is a certain smell (dirt) that comes with it.  It may sound weird but it is true and I actually enjoyed it.  

Last month I received a pair of Under Armour Horizon RTT trail running shoes.  Under Armour reminds me of Michael Phelps (and his cool video) and running clothes. Definitely not running shoes nor trail shoes.  I was still very interested to check them out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9jAD1ofm4

The Horizon RTT comes in 5 colors.  I picked marlin blue/neptune and I love the color .

UA Horizon RTT Trail Shoes 1

Product DNA (from the UA website)

  • Durable PU & textile upper for breathability & reliable protection
  • Reinforced welded synthetic material in critical areas for increased durability
  • Mesh heel with dual protective welds
  • Molded collar foam package for added comfort
  • Charged Cushioning® foam puck placed under the heel for responsive comfort
  • Lightweight, full-length EVA midsole for optimal cushioning
  • High traction rubber lug outsole for dependable traction on a variety of conditions
  • Offset: 7mm
  • Weight: 9.2 oz.
  • Imported

While they weren’t heavy, they felt more stiff than my regular running shoes.  My first run in them hurt my right foot.

UA Horizon RTT Trail Shoes 2

A few more runs in them and the shoes feel a little bit more comfortable.

UA Horizon RTT Trail Shoes 7

While they’re primarily trail shoes, they also did well on the road.

UA Horizon RTT Trail Shoes 3

I also wore them to work (in my skirt).  🙂  I like that they’re wide enough for my feet.

UA Horizon RTT Trail Shoes 6.jpg

Check out these lugs!  I have a feeling these will be great to run in the snow.

Overall, I am pleased with my shoes.  My only regret is not sizing up.  I wear a 9.5 and remember reading some people suggesting to size up.  I don’t know why I didn’t.  I have been wearing thin socks and no longer run more than 5 miles in them.

Monday was my first day back at work.  In the morning I worked in my room and then parents dropped off school supplies from 9-10 am.  Then meetings, lunch, and another meeting in another building.  Long day.  Thankfully we had a break to see the eclipse.  It was cloudy but did manage to see a bit of it.

Eclipse glasses

Tuesday was more meetings.  It went by fast.  I couldn’t stay late because I had a doctor appointment for my yearly checkup.  I had to step on the scale and was very surprised at the number.  No, it didn’t go down but instead went down.  I was tired so I didn’t really care.  But now I do.

My first day with the kids was Wednesday.  Some of the teachers used chalk to write messages for them.  Pretty cool!

I have 24 students in my room.  Wow!  At the end of the day I wanted to cry.  I was exhausted.  My back, feet, and legs hurt.  I have a rough group of kids.  I remember my first year and it wasn’t that bad.  These kids talk a lot and don’t know when to stop talking. They’re also distracted and looking elsewhere but me.   

Tired cat

The next two days were rough too.  Something new this year is that the kids eat breakfast in the lunchroom.  They come in at 8:30am, grab breakfast (if they want), and go to the classroom.  They have 15 minutes to put stuff in their locker and eat.  It isn’t enough time because they like to talk which in the morning is fine but they also need to eat.  In the meantime I take attendance and track who ate breakfast and who brought a lunch.  The kids need to stop eating at 8:45, throw away the garbage, and clean up because at 8:50 they have a special (gym, media, art, gym, or computers).

I know the first couple of days/weeks are rough.  I am ready for that.  I need to remember those moments that make teaching so worth it.

Teacher Inspiration

Now time for a giveaway!  The winner will receive a Momentum Jewelry inspire-ring.  I have one and love it.  

Momentum Inspire-Ring

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter.  This giveaway will run until September 2 at 11:59 pm.  The giveaway is open to US residents only.  The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Rafflecopter account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize.   All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you prefer road or trail running?  Or both?

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Teresa @ Finding Fabulous at Fifty .  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

WWGuest

Dry scalp, race discounts, and classroom setup.

I hope the term “dry scalp” didn’t make you cringe.  I’ve suffered from it for years.  I think part of it is my fault.  I finally wised up and am not having problems with it anymore.

cat

I was one of those people that would wash my hair EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Yep, winter, spring, summer, and fall.  I know, definitely not good.  I used various shampoos to help relieve the itchiness and dryness but nothing helped.  Someone suggested Yes to Naturals Tea Tree & Sage Oil Scalp Relief Shampoo and Conditioner and to stop washing it everyday.  What?  But I sweat a lot and run a lot.  How can I not wash my hair?  That is just GROSS!!  I decided to wash my hair every other day and to just rinse my hair on the days that I don’t wash it.  It’s been about 3 weeks and my scalp feels so much better.  

Yes Shampoo

Check out my new discounts page HERE.  There are a few Rock ‘n’ Roll coming up so make sure to use code “BIBRAVE15″ to save $15 off your race entry.  Want to run a Hot Chocolate race?  There are also quite a few of them in various cities.  When you sign up you can get a BONUS Hot Chocolate branded cap.  But each city has a different code so make sure to check out my discounts page.

I-Like-DisountsMy room is almost done.  I went back to set it up Monday-Wednesday.  I had a meeting on Tuesday so could only set up for a few hours.  I decided that I would finish as much as I could by Wednesday because I didn’t want to go again till Monday.  I still have a few more things to do but will get it done when I go back.

Can you tell that I like pens and Ticonderoga pencils.  If you have kids in school, buy those pencils for them.

I also managed to run a couple of days.  Monday afternoon I came home tired and took a nap.  Then I debated on whether to run or not.  Glad I did!  I wore my new Oiselle reflective top.  For sure drivers saw me on the street!

I ran Thursday, Saturday and Sunday again on the lakefront.  Total mileage for this week is 18.06.  

Running 4

It feels good not to have a specific running plan to follow.  I have two races in September that I am excited about: Run Mag Mile on September 9 and Chicago Half Marathon/5K on September 24.  Check out the sweet swag for these races!

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

Tomorrow is back to work.  Summer break is definitely over.  🙂

Back to work and netflix

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Madhuri @ Ponder ‘N’ Wonder.  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

WWGuest

Burpees challenge, a peek in my room, and some running.

I don’t like burpees.  Who does?

Still, my nephew and I decided to do a burpees challenge.  I like the fact that he is enjoying doing something with me.  He will be 15 years old in a few weeks and I cherish whatever moment he wants to spend with me.  Today, Sunday, will be day 7 which means 25 burpees.  I can do 5 in a row and then I start to get tired.  It does get easier, right?

Burpees Challenge

On Thursday and Friday mornings I went to my school to check out my room.  Thursday was the first day that the teachers could start setting up their room.  I went for about 45 minutes because I had to leave.  I am part of another committee and was meeting that week from 8:30 am-3:00 pm.  I didn’t go on Monday but did go Tuesday-Friday. Exhausting work but also rewarding.

I will be going back on Monday to start and finish setting up my room.  My goal is to have it ready by Monday, August 21, but if I don’t have it done then for sure by Wednesday, August 23.  <<First day of school for the kids.

It feels overwhelming because I have so many boxes.

Classroom 3

As mentioned last week, I am no longer training for a marathon so I haven’t been running much.  

On Saturday I went running but with no specific goal.  I just wanted to run as fast and as slow as I could.  I ran 2 miles then saw some friends heading back to Fleet Feet and ended up running back with them.  Total 4.02 miles.

Garmin 8.12.17

I did the same thing on Sunday.  Total 5.02 miles.  Total for the week is 9.02 miles.

Thanks to Facebook for reminding me of my love for the Brooks Launch (from 2015).

Brooks Launch 2

And another reminder of my first half marathon in 2006.  

Distance Classic Half Marathon

The Lion King is my favorite Disney movie.  I’ve watched it various time and have also seen the musical version, maybe 3 times?  I saw that the movie was again at the theater so yesterday I went with my nephews and niece.  Actually it was a sing-a-long so my niece and I were singing some of the songs.  Love it!

 What is your favorite Disney movie?  Want to do the burpees challenge too?

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Michelle @ Running With Attitude.  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

WWGuest