Rock ‘n’ Roll Race – Page 2

Category: Rock ‘n’ Roll Race

02
Mar
2018

Friday Five 2.0-Five “new” races for me!

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Friday Five 2.0, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running

Disclaimer: I am promoting these races 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!

Happy March! I am hoping that with January and February behind us, March will be better in the weather department. I am proud to say that running wise I did great in February. But I still want some warm weather! My first race, Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, is this month and I am excited about it. Read HERE to find out why you need to run this race and make sure to use code “SHUFFLE” at the following link: http://haku.ly/dd2567 to save $10 on your race entry.

I have added a couple of races to my calendar. Thanks to BibRave for giving me the opportunity to sign up and run these races this year. I’ve run 3 of them in the past and while I haven’t run in Denver, a Rock ‘n’ Roll race isn’t new to me. Hopefully you can join me in a few or all of these races.

1. Soldier Field 10 Mile, May 26. This race is always on Memorial Day weekend. It starts and ends at Soldier Field. I love the distance, flat course, and you get to run on Lake Shore Drive. There is some great food and beer after the race along with some live music entertainment. My PR is 1:41:56 in 2015 and it is time to set a new one this year. Use Code “BRSoldierField” for bonus RAM Racing sunglasses (expires 2 days before the race).

2. Tailgate 10K, August 11. This race used to be the BTN Big 10 and is held in Grant Park. Plans for this race are still in the works so be sure to check the website for updated information.

3. Fort2Base, August 26. I did this race in 2013. I ran 10 nautical miles which equals to 11.5 miles. It is a unique race distance and an automatic PR for those running this race distance for the first time. This race takes you through a military command and training centers. I remember there is a HUGE hill (Hero’s Hill) that wore me out.

4. Run Mag Mile, September 8. Last year was my first time running this race and I had a great time. The weather was perfect and I loved running along Michigan Avenue. We got a beautiful medal and some delicious food after the race. Use Code “BRMagMile” for bonus RAM Racing sunglasses (expires 2 days before the race).

5. Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver, October 21. Rock ‘n” Roll races are not new to me. I’ve done quite a few of them. 🙂 However, I’ve never been to Denver. My niece lives there and this race will give me the perfect opportunity to meet up with her (and maybe she’ll run with me). When I finish this race I will also cross off another state in my Race in the 50 States Goal. If you want to sign up for this race, use code “RNRBRP2018” for $15 off your registration fee.

Which one of these races would you like to run?

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

05
Jan
2018

Friday Five 2.0-5 Things I Am Looking Forward to in 2018

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Friday Five 2.0, Race all 50 states, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running

Happy New Year! How did you celebrate? I kept it very low key. Nothing exciting at all. My sister came over with my nephew. We ate and watched TV. Then they left and I went to bed at 10pm. Felt great to go to bed early and wake up early the next day. 🙂

Happy New Year 2018

The other day I was thinking about things that I am excited about and looking forward to this year. There are a few but for now I am picking five of them. Here they are in no specific order or importance.

1. The Illinois Marathon. This will be my 9th marathon. My last marathon was the Chicago Marathon in October 2016 where I ended up with at 5:12:59 finish time. I am working with a coach to get me to the finish line in April. I am hoping to finally get a sub 5 finish time. My training is going well. Most of my runs have been “easy” and short (30 and 45 minutes). I know this will get my body ready for when I need to do hard and intense workouts. This week I ran “specific” miles (3 and 4 miles).

2. Rock ‘n’ Roll Races. In 2013 I ran 14 RnR races. While it was fun, it was also tiring and expensive. As a BibRave Ambassador, I have the chance to run again a couple of these races. I picked Washington DC, New Orleans, Chicago, Savannah, Denver, Las Vegas, Seattle, and San Diego. There is no guarantee that I will get selected for all of them but I’ll be happy with 2-3 races.

3. Moving to a new apartment or house. I’ve been living in the same apartment for about 8 years. When I moved here, I told myself that that would be the last time I would move. Wrong. My landlord told me to start looking for a new apartment because he wants to remodel the apartment and sell the building. Part of me wants to move to another apartment because it is just easier and less responsibilities. However, another part says it is time to buy a house. I’ve looked at a few houses and have not seen anything that I like. My goal is to move no later than March/April (assuming that the landlord gives me till then to move. What I am most excited about is the possibility of having a bigger bedroom than the one I have now! 🙂

New House Image

4. Run a couple half marathons in new states. Currently I’ve completed 38 half marathons in different states. If I get picked for the RnR races (#2) then I will be adding Colorado and Georgia to my list. I am hoping to also add Delaware and Michigan.

Run all 50 states — Source: www.etsy.com

5. BibRave Ambassador. I was selected for another year as an ambassador. I am happy and excited about it! I’ll have the chance to provide you with various product and race discounts. I will also have the opportunity to run various races throughout the year and try out different and new to me race products. I also hope to meet more Ambassadors whether in Chicago or from another state!

Anything exciting you are looking forward to this year?

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

fridayfive

17
Jul
2017

Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon 2017

categories: Race Recap, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I’ve run this race before (2009, 2011, 2013). The last time I ran it, I swore I would never do it again because it is always HOT on race day. I remember in 2013 I almost passed out because of the heat.

Never say never, right? Thanks to Erica at Erica Finds I won a FREE race entry so you bet I signed up. The plan was to run it as a training run (16 miles on the calendar).

The expo was not fun at all. You can read about it HERE or just skip it.

Saturday morning was the 5k. I went to the lakefront to run 4 miles and saw the runners. I was hoping to see Kathrine Switzer since at the expo I found out she was running the 5k. I did not see her. But Wendy got to see her TWICE! Lucky girl!

Sunday morning my alarm went off at 4:15am, got ready, ate breakfast and drove to the train station. While there I saw the most beautiful sunrise.

2017RnRChicago3

Once downtown I dropped off my bag at gear check (I felt bad for the volunteers because there weren’t enough of them but lots of people were waiting to drop off their bag) then got in line to use the porta potties. Ugh, people were taking too long. I moved to another shorter line but they were taking too long there too. Finally it was my turn and I was in and out in about 15 seconds!

I went to get in my corral but there were so many people. That’s what I get for being “late”. Finally I got in and just when I was about to cross the start line, I saw Kathrine Switzer! It happened so quickly and I was shocked to see her. What I wanted to do was call out her name to get a picture but the line was moving and she was walking in another direction so I lost my chance. Later I found out she was on the course giving out water and at the finish line giving out medals. I did not see her. 🙁

2017RnRChicago4

It wasn’t as hot as it usually is and it was shaded. Thank goodness because it is known to always be HOT on that day. As you can see from my splits below, I did good for 7 miles. I drank water at every water station and had two water bottles filled with Generation UCAN Hydrate. I also took a salt tablet every 4 miles. Prior to the start of the race I drank 12 ounces of water with 2 scoops of Generation UCAN.

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Even though it wasn’t very hot, it was still hot enough for me to run through this fire hydrant. One of the best feelings!

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These pictures made me cry. I missed the beginning but went back and walked to look at every single picture.

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Before mile 7 I saw Charlene. Seeing her made me smile. Then past mile 7 I saw the Oiselle girls and they also made me smile. And then my feet began to hurt and I bonked. I was exhausted. I wanted to take off my shoes and walk. I didn’t.

I did not cringe when I saw these photos. No underpronation at all.

I kept running determined to finish the race. I loved the crowd support and the volunteers. I let out a big sigh when I reached mile 10. Three more miles and I would be done. Easy peasy, right? Nope.

The last mile felt like forever. The finish line looked so far away. Why, why? Can you see it? Trust me, it was there.

2017RnRChicago8

Overall, I enjoyed the race. I didn’t do as well as I expected but I know that not every race will go as expected. I loved running on the streets of Chicago. I rarely go downtown anymore so this was a nice treat for me.

My next Rock ‘n’ Roll race is October 15 in Denver. My niece lives there so I am excited to see her and to run in another state.

Have you run a Rock ‘n’ Roll race? Fan or not a fan?

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun

16
Jul
2017

Road to BQ Week #16

categories: Boston Marathon, Brooks Running, Hansons Training, Marathon Training, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running, Weekly Recap

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ. I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method. In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue. You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs. The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. I purchased a new Hansons Method Marathon Plan and now will be running 5 days (instead of 6) a week.

Week #16, July 10-16

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Ran 3.89 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 6.02 Miles
F OFF
S Ran 4.31 Miles
S Ran 13.42 Miles

Another great week of running! Took it nice and slow on Monday and rocked my speed workout on Tuesday and tempo run on Thursday. On Friday I went to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon expo and then ran the race on Sunday. The weather was great but I bonked at the last half of the race. I plan to have a recap on Tuesday.

I was disappointed with the expo. I’ve been to quite a few of them and they’re filled with lots of vendors. This one? Not so much. I was done in about 45 minutes. I kept walking thinking that maybe I might have missed a few vendors but kept seeing the same ones.

Surprised RnR still uses D-TAG for timing purposes. My fear is removing it from my bib and forgetting to place it on my shoe.

Medals from RnR races in other countries. My favorite is the one with the skulls which I think is from Merida (Mexico).

I got taped up. This brand lasts longer than KT tape.

Got a FREE Brooks hat because I am #BrooksEndorsed. 🙂

I bought 3 things: running belt from Fusion Belts (love that it is waterproof), RockTape, and BottleBand. As always, the race shirts are ugly. I’ve run so many of their races and have never liked their shirts.

My favorite race photo <FREE from Charlyn. The medal is cute in the shape of Cloud Gate or “The Bean.

I was supposed to run 16 miles today and was hoping to run 3 more after the race. My feet and legs were hurting and there was no way I was going to run more miles.

Total mileage for the week: 32.66 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 409.27 miles
Total mileage for the year: 457.46 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Janelle at Run With No Regrets. Please stop by her blog and show her some love! I am also linking up with Courtney for her Training Recap Link Up!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

15
Jan
2017

Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon Training Week 7

categories: Half Marathon Training, Hansons Training, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running, Weekly Recap

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

Hoping everyone had a good week!

Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon training is here! I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method for this race. In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue. You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs. The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. These plans are 18 weeks (I am starting a bit late so I will start with Week 4) and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day.

Week #7, January 9-15

Monday:

PLAN – 6 miles easy, 10:15-11:38 pace
ACTUAL – 1.33 @11:24 average pace

It was my first day back to work after 2 weeks of winter break. I was actually looking forward to going back. Yes, it is true. The day went by pretty quick and I left exhausted ready for a nap. Once home I laid in bed debating whether or not to go running. I checked the weather again (it was 29 degrees) and decided it wasn’t too cold for a run. I got ready and out I went. I wore my new Oiselle Vim Jacket and a Wazzie Wool Long Sleeve shirt underneath. I wasn’t cold and found myself comfortable. It had begun to snow so I made sure not to go off too fast for fear of falling. A little over a mile into my run I felt something pull in my left calf. It was so weird because I felt like I had hit a wall that forced me to stop. It did not hurt a lot but enough to know that I could not continue my run. I ended up walking back home.

Once home I ate and had a text conversation with a friend about what happened during my run. She told me to iced my leg and to wear compression socks. I also took an ibuprofen. I knew it could be an injury but also knew I had to see a doctor for an official diagnosis.

Tuesday:

PLAN –4 x 1200, 8:03-8:55 pace
ACTUAL – Did not run.

I went to the doctor. She asked me a bunch of question regarding my leg and pain. I pointed out a tender/sore area in my left leg and she told me that that area did look different from the other leg. She ended up giving me an order for an MRI for Thursday.

Wednesday:

PLAN – OFF
ACTUAL – OFF

Thursday:

PLAN – 4 tempo miles, 8:46-9:18 pace
ACTUAL – Did not run.

Another day of no running. Leg felt a bit better but it was uncomfortable to run.

Friday:

PLAN – 5 miles easy, 10:15-11:38 pace
ACTUAL – Did not run.

Saturday:

PLAN – 5 miles easy, 10:15-11:38 pace
ACTUAL – Did not run.

Sunday:

PLAN – 12 miles long, 9:53-10:29 pace
ACTUAL – Did not run.

Week 7 was quite interesting. I may or may not have an injury and cannot run. Even with no running, according to my FitBit, this week I ended up with over 47,000 steps. I miss running. I am bummed out because it will be over 40s this week (that’s warm in Chicago) and I don’t know if I will be able to run. However, I do know that my leg and health is much more important than running. Hopefully it isn’t anything serious and soon I will resume my training for my race in March.

Total mileage for the week: 1.33 miles

Total mileage for this training cycle: 126.89 miles

Total mileage for the year: 32.03 miles

Here’s how training has gone so far: