I always say that I am more of a “blogging runner” than a running blogger. I do like to write about running, races and tips/tricks for running but that is not enough to call this a running blog – not even close! That said, here is my running recap of the second quarter of 2016. It was a fun quarter but not a fast one (for me). I started strong but struggled in May and early June. I am feeling a lot better now and had solid training the last few weeks for San Francisco on hills (and in heat!) I am feeling ready and excited to #beat1996!
Races run this Q – 6 + one fun run 5K: two Half Marathons (Naperville Womens and Brooklyn), one 8K (Shamrock Shuffle) and one 10 miler (Quarryman Challenge) and two 5Ks + one 5K fun run – no chip. I will provide brief recaps below!
Miles run: ~655 – which averages to ~7.2 per day – though I don’t run every day.
Falls: 1 – I almost made it through the quarter on two feet. But like my dad used to say, “Almost doesn’t count except in horseshoes and hand grenades.” I tripped running home from Walgreens on the way home from Pilates. I gave myself a fat lip (see above) AND cracked my phone screen. Womp womp. In better news, all of my teeth remained intact and I had insurance so now I have a brand new iPhone 6S. Wish it luck!
Personal Records (PRs): 0 – can’t say that I expected any, but I was not even close at any distance. It was not that kind of quarter.
Pairs of Sneakers – Tried the Hoka Odyssey – another Hoka fail for me! Am liking the Hoka Clayton. My last chance Hoka shoe! I hear the next Bondi (#5) should be good, too. We’ll see! I have been racing in my Karhu Fast 4s and they are still winners! I have some Ampla Flys to check out, too!
New Running Goodies that I tried:
- Bolts Energy Chews – review to come
- Enertor Inserts – review to come
- Haeleum Insect Repellent Tech Shirt
- More Viewsport Sweat Activated Tanks
- Picky Bars’ Moroccan Your World Bar
Popular Running Posts:
- Summer’s Coming! Ultimate Direction #Giveaway
- Friday Five: 5 Reasons to Stay Hydrated #Giveaway
- Tried It Tuesday: Body Glide #Giveaway
- Sometimes Low Expectations Are The Best Kind!
- 1st Quarter ’16 – Running Round Up
Races Planned for Q3: 4 on the 4th, Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10, Esprit de She 5K (get $5 off with code GEDS16AMB000), The San Francisco Marathon (#beat1996! Get $10 off the marathon or ½ with code TSFM2016ERICA or $5 off the 5K with code TSFM2016ERICA5K), Chicago Half Marathon and who knows what else I will sign up for! I have not done a July marathon in almost exactly 20 years so I am not sure what August will bring. We are traveling a bunch in September so I will see what I can do on the road!
Brief Race Reports – I included a few “how I did” postscripts on posts that I wrote on race days. Here is a brief recap of the races I ran this quarter:
1. Shamrock Shuffle, Chicago, IL April 3, 2016
This huge 8K starts off the Chicago running season and it is always a ton of fun. It was pretty chilly this year but we had a good team turn out and a lot of fun. I ran a good pace – slower than last year, but no complaints. This is a rebuilding year and a year for celebration and milestones. All good!
Results: Net time – 34:35 (6:58/mile) Place – Overall – 958 of 23,459. Female 174 of 13,523. Female 40-44 – 8 of 1,592.
2. Good Life Race, Oak Park, IL April 10, 2016
This is another annual tradition. We run women and then men, so it is just like high school! I love being cheered on by the men’s squad and vice versa. It was SUPER windy and the race finished straight into the wind. I was about 20 seconds slower than last year but finished smiling so I was happy especially given the conditions!
Results: Net time – 21:13 (6:50/mile) Place – Female – 23 of 513. Female 40-44 – 1 of 76.
3. Naperville Women’s Half, Naperville, IL April 24, 2016
This inaugural half had a great sign up incentive. The first people to sign up got in for $1, then $5, $10 and so on. We had a nice little crew and enjoyed the hilly course and great race organization. I think we’ll be back to tackle this one next year.
Results: Net time – 1:40.51 (7:42/mile) Place – Female – 43 of 1,106. Female 40-44 – 6 of 234.
4. Quarryman Challenge 10 Miler, Lemont, IL May 7, 2016
I had some pain and stiffness in my legs before this most challenging local ten miler. There is a huge hill at the start that is so tough that they give a cash prize for the first people to reach the top. You have to run it twice. I felt pretty good at the start, then terrible, then better and then just OK. This was my fourth year and my slowest time by far (and my slowest 10 miler that I can remember in a while). The good news was that it was a tough day for a lot of people so I still won a rock trophy for 2nd in my age group! We had a great team showing and a lot of fun. Next year, I will not add more time to this race like the last 3 in a row – you heard it here folks! Back in the right direction!
Results: Net time – 1:18.31 (7:52/mile) Place – Overall – 75 of 369. Female – 15 of 121. Female 40-44 – 2 of 15.
5. Brooklyn Half Marathon, Brooklyn, NY May 21, 2016
I almost skipped Brooklyn this year due to my aches and pains and some general malaise. I’m so glad I didn’t. I had SO much fun and such a great weekend. For a while I was worried that it could be my worst time ever. It was not – not even close. It was a solid run and a great way to remind myself that this year is for fun, friends and celebrations. I love this run and hope to make it back next year, too! (See my recap HERE)
Results: Net time – 1:43.02 (7:52/mile) Place – Overall – 3,915 of 27,410. Female – 794 of 14,717. Female 40-44 – 54 of 1,419.
6. Super Sunny 5K – Last year I had a blast volunteering with Finds’ friend Annabelle at her Super Sunny 5K. It raises money for Garden Center Services, Annabelle’s agency that provides job training and projects for developmentally disabled adults. I had so much fun that I volunteered again. AB swung it so we could run as well as volunteer. I ran it for fun and placed first in my age group, too!
Results: Net time – 22:14 (7:10/mile) Place – Overall 13 of 207. Female – 6 of 130. Female 40 -49 – 1 of 34.
Jim Gibbons 5K (fun run – no chip!)
My running buddy Kristin is expecting! She PR’d at the LA Marathon (my recap) in the heat and now she is running for two! She wanted to do the Jim Gibbons 5K so I went down and ran with her. We decided no chip would take the pressure off. We had a lot of fun and it was for a great cause! We ran 26 minutes and change – unofficially!
How was your second quarter in running? Please tell me about it in the comments!
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!