Hey there!  How is everyone doing?  Cannot believe tomorrow is the last day of July.  Soon it will be August.  To me August means back to school; I am ready but also not ready to go back.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your favorite summer drinks to stay hydrated?  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!

The number 1 item on my list is water.   Thankfully I am on summer break and can drink as much water as I want to.  During the school year is when I struggle.  Well, drinking water isn’t the hard part, it is finding someone to watch my classroom while I run to the bathroom.  Luckily the bathroom isn’t too far from my room but I either have to call the office or ask my coworker.

Something else that I am enjoying is hibiscus tea.  I drink mine cold and it is delicious.  My sister brings the flowers from Mexico and I make it several times a week.  Some benefits of drinking hibiscus tea are that it may lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar levels, and also lower cholesterol level.  A friend of mine also mentioned it is good for the swelling in my feet.  Not sure how accurate all of these reports are, but I drink it anyway because I like the flavor of it and it gives me a break from drinking just plain water.  <

I fill a pot with water (I think the one I have is 8 cups) and add 1/2 cup of dried hibiscus flower.  I let it boil and then let it steep.  Once it cools down, I then pour it in a plastic pitcher.  This pitcher usually lasts me a few days and then I make more.  You can also add honey or sugar to sweeten it but I prefer to drink it without it.

I don’t drink milk but do add it to my cereal or when making a smoothie.  A few years ago I switched to almond milk because cow milk would leave me bloated.  No bueno.  A couple of months ago I purchased almond milk chocolate milk and liked it a lot.  Sometimes I use it to make a smoothie or I add it to my coffee instead of coffee creamer.

While it maybe not be the best way to stay hydrated, sometimes I like to have a beer or wine.  🙂  A nice and cold beer with a burger is so refreshing after a race or a run.  Oh and I like apple martinis too!

Beer or wine? Both?  Have you tried hibiscus tea?

Happy Tuesday!  How is everyone doing?  How many days till fall?  Please bring me some cooler weather.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s a great new running product that you’ve tried this year?  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 haven’t tried anything new this year but am very excited to try two new products on Sunday for my race.  I know, I know, I am not supposed to try anything new on race day.  It is going to be HOT on Sunday so I am planning to do this race as a training run.  No pressure.  I like it!  🙂

• BibBoards – I always use my Fitletic belt in a race.  It has pockets to hold my ID and gel.  It also has toggles for my bib.  I first heard about BibBoards as a BibRave Pro but was not interested in trying them out.  Now a few months later I am interested.  There is a great sale going on right now and I purchased two sets for $8.99 each (regular price is $16.99).  How do these work?  BibBoards are bib fasteners.  “BibBoards have a flat smooth surface that will not chafe.  A second piece works by pushing part of the garment into a recess, providing a secure fit.  When the event is over, they pop off.  BibBoards can be reused, and their special shape holds down a bib MORE secure than without the fuss or holes.” (Source: https://bibboards.com/)  The nice thing about these is that you don’t need safety pins hence no holes in your race shirt.  There are so many different and fun designs to pick from.  I had a hard time deciding but ended up buying the two below.

• Koala Clip – Another new item I am excited to try out is the Koala Clip.  It is a pouch that holds your phone, keys, ID, etc.  It has a magnetic clip that you clip inside your sports bra.  The Koala Clip does not chafe nor does it bounce.   It also keeps the items inside dry so no worries if you get wet.  I’ve heard so many great things about it and cannot wait to get it.  I ordered it Sunday night, was shipped on Monday and should get it on Thursday.   The blue one is the one I ordered.  Check out the video to learn more about it!

Have you tried any of these products?  Thoughts?

Happy Tuesday!  I hope that everyone had a great weekend.  It finally cooled down in Chicago but we are expecting more HOT weather tomorrow.  I hope it cools down for the RnR Chicago Half Marathon on the 21st.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your tips for a strong training cycle?  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!

For this week I am going to write about my race on Thursday – Elmhurst 4 on the 4th.  It is one of my favorite races and highly recommend it race to everyone.  It is cheap, plenty of free parking, and somewhat in a central location for those living in the Chicago area.  

I got home later than I wanted to on Wednesday night and I didn’t not want to get up.  I thought about sleeping in and missing the race.  I guess I must have been feeling guilty because I couldn’t go back to sleep and so I quickly got up, got ready, and drove to Elmhurst.  Google Map said I would arrive around 6:45am.  Yikes, that was the time for the Oiselle group photo.  Oh well.

Somehow I made it to Elmhurst about 6:38, found a parking spot, and sent a message to one of the girls letting her know that I was on my way.  I found the group and while waiting for a minute or two in case someone else showed up, I picked up my bib since packet pickup was located next to us.  I got number 23.  I was happy!  It is Michael Jordan’s number so it must be a lucky number, right?

After the photo I went to use the port-a-potty and then lined up to wait for the start.  I saw a few friends and chatted with them for a bit.  I was happy to meet/see Becca.  We both looked at each other and stopped because we recognized one another from reading each other’s blog.  

I remember hearing the National Anthem and then still waiting a few minutes for the start.  The race director had a countdown going.  Finally it was a minute to go and we all got ready to run.

Finally at 7:15 it was time to run.  I started close to the front knowing that many people would pass me.  And yes they did.  The beginning of the course has a slight downhill and coming back it is an uphill leading to the finish line.  Definitely no bueno.  It was humid and I was sweating already, but surprisingly I was feeling good. 

My 1st mile was my fastest.  I thought I could run the whole race at that pace but soon realized that I couldn’t.  

The first water station was 1/2 mile into the race.  It was much needed.  The next one was about a mile later under the underpass (??).  I got two cups of water, one to drink and another one to dump over my head.  I walked to catch my breath and then continued running.  I was slowing down and I could not make my legs go any faster.  I saw Kathleen at the turnaround point and she encouraged me to keep going.  

I am smiling because I saw some friends but inside I was struggling.

Halfway through the race I had a headache and was shivering.  Definitely not a good sign.  I was dehydrated and overheated.  I just wanted to be done.

With a mile to go I picked up the pace a bit.  Not much but anything to get me closer to the finish line.  The volunteers were encouraging.  I knew I was close to the end but I had to go up a little incline.  Right before the incline there was an ambulance and a girl on the stretcher.  I think I remember seeing that girl on the course ahead of me but I’m not sure.  I hope she is OK.

Almost done!  I ran as fast as I could.  Smiling because I was almost done.

I did a bit better than the year before.  

After the race I got some water and then went to get my bag at gear check.  The only thing I had there was my shirt.  Not sure why I picked up the shirt since I don’t keep them anyway (I gave it to my mom).  I saw a coffee company giving out free iced coffee and got a cup.  Yeah, coffee after a HOT race is probably not the best idea but the ice was so good and the coffee was delicious too.

As I’ve mentioned before, I love this race.  This is the only 4 mile race I run since not many are available.  It is a competitive race but I know I will never win nor place in my age group.  🙂  It is cheap ($25 then $30 after the price increase) and easy to get to.  Perhaps one day we will get a medal?