Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Missoula Half Marathon and the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Half Marathon 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 am excited about my races this year. So far I’ve run an 8k and a half marathon. My next race is the Missoula Half Marathon on June 30th. Yesterday I signed up for the Elmhurst 4 on the 4th in July. It is another of my favorites and have been doing this race since 2013. My PR is from 2014 (39:39) and each year my time has been slower (40:47, 41:24, 42:37, and 44:17). Can I get a PR this year? Who knows since I will be running a half marathon a few days before.
The Missoula Half Marathon is flat, fast, and point-to-point. The course looks so pretty! Check out the video below. If you want to sign up, use code BibRave19 to save $5 off your registration fee. I am excited that this will be state #41 for me.
Another race I am looking forward to is the Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Half Marathon. At the moment it looks like it will be state #45 (depending if I do end up running 3 half marathons in August). I have never been to Detroit and am excited to run in the U.S. and in Canada (I signed up for the International Half Marathon). I read online that runners will be required to run with their passport. I am a bit nervous about this because it has been years since I have used my passport for travel. What if I forget to pack it? 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Want to run with me? Use “2019DETROCK” for 10% off your registration fee.
I don’t know what the course is like, but I’ve written about how I’ve recently started running in a new place (The Morton Arboretum). I was so frustrated during my last race because of all of the ups and downs. Chicago is FLAT. See below for a comparison while running 6 miles by my house (top) and 7 miles at The Arboretum. 🙂 The Arboretum has lots of hills and my plan is to go there every Saturday morning. For sure it will help me, right?
Another change I’ve been doing is watching what I eat. My goal is not to lose weight (thought I could benefit from losing a few pounds), but not overeat so much and to eat more fruits and vegetables. For breakfast I make overnight oats with strawberries, almond milk, and nuts. For lunch I usually take spaghetti, beans, or a salad. Dinner is where it gets tricky. Baby steps.
I am working on drinking more water and getting more sleep. I take my Contigo water bottle (32 ounces) to school and usually finish it by lunch time. The problem is “going to the bathroom”. I have a break in the morning and during lunch. The rest of the day I either have to call the office for an administrator or ask a teacher to watch my class while I run to the bathroom. Sleep is hard too. I am usually in bed by 9pm since I need to be up at 4:30 to run. Sometimes my body likes to play games and I wake up at that time even on the days I don’t run.
I used to be very good about taking a multivitamin every single day. I don’t remember the last time I took one. I need to read Wendy’s post again about the various supplements for inflammation. With the hard workouts I’ve been doing, sometimes I’ve had to take a couple of pain pills. No bueno. I remember I was very sore after running the Delaware Half Marathon. Kim’s mom gave me Motrin and while it did help, I don’t want to make it a habit of taking something after a tough run.
I am hoping these changes help in my training. I know I could add a few more things but am OK with these for now.
This week’s Tuesday Topic is a How has running made you a better person? You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!
I am sure that all of these positive changes in your training will pay off, especially running in more hilly areas.
Thank you. I hope so.
You have quite the exciting schedule coming up! I’m excited you’re getting to knock so many states off your list!
Thanks. I am excited too. I really hope I can finish all of them by next year. Then I can focus on something else…or not. 🙂
Changing your eating habits is definitely challenging. Little changes can make big differences. Good luck!
It is hard. You did see my list of indulgences, right? 🙂
45 states!! Just wow!
I train on flat surfaces as well. I am resigned to walking on the hills in a race.
Hope your changes work out well. I wish I had your motivation.
Thanks Darlene. So far it’s been going well. We will see how the rest of the training goes. 🙂
You’re almost there.
Yay on states! I’m chasing state 40 visited, but not run in. I might do all 50 in all.
That is awesome!
I’ve heard great things about the Detroit Free press half marathon. How fun to run a race in two countries 🙂 These sound like good changes, especially training on those hills at the arboretum.
Thanks! I am excited about the race too. So far training is going well and I hope it continues to go well too.
So many exciting plans! Lucky for me, I guess, we’re not flat. It’s not at all hard to find hills here. But running in an arboretum sounds really lovely!
I wondered about those races that go into Canada. Will a photocopy of the passport suffice? Even if it doesn’t, you might want to make a couple of copies — just in case!
Thanks! While I like running on a flat surface, I do like the change. I have to look into it more about the whole passport thing. Definitely don’t want there to be any problems with me crossing the border.
I hope the changes in your training bring the rewards you want! You inspire me to give a half marathon a try. I may have to start looking for one I can do this summer.
Thanks! Yes, do it.
I hope you get that PR at Elmhurst this year! I’ve never run at the Morton Arboretum. Another hilly place is Waterfall Glen. It’s very pretty too.
Thanks for the link to my post!
Thanks Wendy! I’ve also run at Waterfall Glen. Someone else told me about Swallow Cliffs. I have two other options in case I ever get bored of the Arboretum.
I have heard a lot of good things about the Detroit race. I’m hoping to get there someday. I think you’re smart to run those hills regularly, even if you go every-other week. A little hill training does a body good, regardless if you have any hilly races coming up or not.
Wished you were joining us this year. I like the idea of going every other week. Maybe I’ll change it up during the summer.
Those sound like the kind of “small” changes that can make a big difference. Running on those hills will make you stronger for sure. Those races sound fun!
Thanks! I am excited to finally run and train on hills after running for so many years on a flat surface.
Good luck with your PR! I love the look of your schedule this year! I need to get some bigger races on my agenda, but it’s tough to schedule without knowing how the fall is going to look with PTA and middle school and all that.
You are making some incredible changes and I am sure you will see some results soon!
Thank you! I hope you can add a bigger race to your agenda. Something to look forward to.
Eating healthier and adding hills to your training will for sure help you run better. I wish I had done a little more of both before my last half! 😉
Well, you can start doing it now. Do you have another half coming up?