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. 🙂
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!
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.
I woke up Monday morning to find out I wa selected to be a BibRave Pro Ambassador.
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.
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.
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.
5. Do you want to get paid to be healthy! Join Achievemint, connect apps, and start earning money. Use THIS LINKto 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.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post below are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
In December I ran 90.71 miles compared to 69.82 in November. Last year (December) I ran 142.39. Big difference but I remember that I was training for my 50K in April.
Here is my 2014 running year in review:
# of Miles Run:1001.48. I did my last run yesterday morning.
Fun Race Destinations: All Disney races except the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. Also, Des Moines and Tulsa (basically all races with Jaime).
Best Races:I had a great time at both the Shamrock Shuffle and the 4 on the 4th. I felt really good in both races and definitely enjoyed them. Also, I enjoyed the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon because I also felt great (besides some pain in my glutes) and did well despite my lack of running/training.
Running Shoes: I started off the year running in Brooks PureConnect 2 (315.35 miles). Then switched to the Brooks PureFlow 2 (346.28 miles) and then back again to Brooks PureConnect 2 (65.18 miles). I then needed more support so I got a pair of Mizuno Sayonara. There were OK. I guess I was used to lightweight shoes and found the Sayonara too heavy. I went back to Fleet Feet and was fitted with a pair of Newton’s Kismet. Wow! I really loved those shoes. Everything was going well until I experienced some toe numbness in my right foot. I went to the podiatrist who diagnosed me with Morton’s neuroma. I don’t think that’s accurate since I did not experience many of the symptoms. “Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, most commonly the area between your third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or on a fold in your sock. Morton’s neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. This can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. Your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb.”
Luckily, I only experienced the numbness but it was enough to take me back to Fleet Feet for another pair of shoes and I walked out with the Brooks Ravenna. Really comfortable shoes but somehow I experienced some discomfort on the right side of my right foot. I really tried to make them work (because I did not want to buy more shoes) and used several different pairs of socks but no luck. In November I bought my last pair, Saucony Ride. My feet are happy and I am happy.
Star Sightings: I met Scott Jurek, Deena Kastor, and John Cox. Plus, I got to see Bart Yasso again in Chicago and Tulsa.
Ambassadorships:Zooma Chicago Half Marathon and Fort2Base. I did not run Fort2Base but instead volunteered at gear check which was fun but also exhausting.
