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. That said, like I did in Q1, here is my running recap of the second quarter of 2013. It is a doozie!
Races run this Q– 11! 4 more half marathons (yup, that is 8 in 2013) 2 10 milers, an 8K, 2 5Ks, a 3.5 mile run (Corporate Challenge), a 7.6 mile run up Mt Washington!! I will provide brief recaps and photos below!
Races run 2013 so far: 15
Miles run: 1108 (which averages to ~6 per day – though I don’t run every day)
Falls: 1 – in the Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas. Down hill on a trail. It was a big fall, but luckily only a bad road rash!
Personal Records (PRs): 1!! – One of my goals this year was to run a PR. So I ran a 7.6 mile race up a mountain! In 14 minute miles! PERSONAL RECORD! Don’t laugh. It is very, very hard!
Warmest Outside Run Temp: 96 degrees in Vegas. It was a dry heat. And a very short run!
Pairs of Sneakers: 2 used up Karhu Fast 3s and Mizuno Wave Rider 16s. Started a new pair of Hoka One Ones. So far so good. Soooo cushiony!
New Running Goodies that I tried:
- CEP Compression Short Socks – Full review and giveaway to come. Short review: These feel awesome – especially if you need a bit of extra toe or ankle support. Ran a 5K in them at the Gospel Run and biked a bunch. Felt like a million bucks. On the downside, I looked like I was a business man who forgot his pants. Not the most flattering in photos and a I am pretty vain! So… I did not wear them for the Women’s Half the next day. I will wear them though.
- HB Tune iPhone holder – Full review and giveaway to come. Short review: I really like running with this holder. It is no bother and makes holding the phone feel very comfortable and natural. My case is too big to fit in easily, so I had to take it out – which worries me because I am clumsy! I will definitely use this, too.
- Infinity Strap – see review, giveaway and deal. Loving this for stretching!
- Mission Athletecare Cooling Sleeves – these are super comfortable but I did not soak them enough before and got a bit warm. Need to try again! I think I will like them a lot!
- Kindrunner – I also became an ambassador (and 1st 500 customer – so I get free socks for life with every shoe purchase) for Kindrunner. Kindrunner is a new online running store that has a mission. Kindrunner wants to make running as fun, enjoyable, and injury and stress free as possible for all of their customers, reduce the running community’s impact on the environment as much as they possibly can and help people in need all around the world by repurposing used running shoes. With Kindrunner, you get free three way shipping and rewards credit for sending your old shoes (at no cost to you) to people in need. Read my post for all the dets!
Popular Running Posts:
- Hey Yogis & Runners – Infinity Strap Review and Giveaway!
- Do I Look Fat In This Post? A Fat Talk Discussion
- There Are No Words…
- A Running Dilemma
- OMG – I Actually Did That – Mount Washington Road Race Report
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 7, 2013
The Shamrock Shuffle is Chicago’s Peachtree Road Race. Meaning it is a huge marathon sized event. They have gotten the corrals down to a science. It is very crowded and the first runners finish 30 minutes before the last runners start. That said, it is really well organized and fun. It runs through the city which is awesome and it is not hard to run a fast time despite the crowds. The temps were nice this year and it was a good run. My TTAU women’s team won our division (and all we got was bragging rights and a little key chain!). My time was 17 seconds faster than last year. I’ll take it!
- The Results: Time: 33:53 (6:48/mile) Overall 954 of 33, 257. Female: 155 of 19,248. Age Group: 6 of 2,198.
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I won an awesome rock AND $75 – woot woot! 2. Quarryman Challenge – Lemont, IL – April 13, 2013
This race is billed as “one of the most challenging, unique and scenic road races in the Chicago area.” It is definitely challenging. It starts with a king of the hill competition. There is a 3/4 mile, very steep hill in the first mile. Then there is all down and up hill in a loop and then you do the big hill again! It was also freezing on this day and even snowing at one point. If you live in Chicago, this is definitely a challenging course. To make matters more challenging, I drove to the wrong location (Packet pick up) and then took Diane on a crazy, speedy ride to get to packet pick up on time. We did, but sheesh. I was a mess. Diane was a rock. That said, I had a great run. I was even in the top 3 females for a while. I run down hills very fast and this was to my advantage. I was very surprised to see a 1:11 time and was super happy to be the first Masters female. I won an awesome quarrystone award and $75 big ones!!
The Results: Time: 1:11.12 (7:08/mile) Overall 29 of 333. Female: 5 of 116. Age Group: 1 of 23. Masters 1st Place!!
3. CARA Lakefront 10 miler – Chicago, IL April 20, 2013
This is a very flat 10 miles a few miles from my apartment. It is scenic, but not particularly challenging – totally flat. The only challenge for me is that it has a lot of turns and goes right by my bed! It can sometimes be windy. It was better than last year for sure. It was cold and there was snow on the ground when we got there. Oy. I had an OK run in this one, but did not feel quite as good as the week before. My time was slower despite it being a much easier course. I did have Stacy and Molly run me in from mile 7 – 9 which was really a nice boost. All in all a fun morning.
The Results: Time: 1:11.28 (7:09/mile) Overall 128 of 1383. Female: 25 of 725. Age Group: 4 of 105.
4. Universal Sole 4 Mile Classic – Chicago, IL April 25, 2013
This is a brand new race right next door to my office. It was really reasonably priced, too. A win-win. And Wendy, Ed, Anu, Michelle and Dave ran, too. It was a nice, cool evening and we enjoyed the out and back Lakefront course. I ran my fastest pace per mile at any race this year in this one. It was a good, small, fun event. And, I won my age group. Yay.
The Results: Time: 26:57.9 (6:45/mile) Overall 33 of 262. Female: 9th. Age Group: 1 of 13.
5. Indy Mini 500 Festival Half Marathon – Indianapolis, IN – May 4, 2013
This was the first warmish run of the season and I had a big blood blister on my left foot (from walking to the dentist in bad sock/shoe combo.) Not to make excuses, but I was definitely not feeling fresh and good. I ran well through the “brickyard” and then was feeling myself slow (at mile 8). I got super lucky that my friend, Emily, decided to “drop out” (really just not race) and she ran me in from 9 to the end. Her company helped keep me at a decent pace and I finished under 1:40 (which was my goal). This is a great, well organized event and it was a lot of fun!
The Results: Time: 1:39.23 (7:36/mile) Overall 1290 of 30660. Female: 145 of 16,030. Age Group: 13 of 2,102
6. Cleveland Half Marathon – Cleveland, OH – May 19, 2013
It was our 3rd annual trip to visit Kim, Jonathan and Sadie to run the Cleveland Half. This year’s race was warm but not as bad as last year. I had a great run – it was not my fastest but I felt great compared to Indy. My legs and mind were feeling so much better! I was really pleased with it and enjoyed the weekend with friends, as well. The chip timing got screwed up. First they gave me too much time back and then they took it all back except 2 seconds. I came in 2nd in my division, but with the extra time, I was first so I “turned myself in” so that the rightful winner would win. I got cheated of about 20 seconds in time. Oh well!
The Results: Time: 1:37.34 (7:26/mile) Overall 224 Female: 35. Age Group: 2
7. Chicago 13.1 – Chicago, IL June 8, 2013
I have never done this race and last year it was “black flagged” for heat, so I was reluctant to consider it. I won a free entry on Kelly’s blog so I decided to give it a shot. The day was PERFECT for running and my friend, Don, agreed to pace me. I was not looking for any records, but was hoping to continue my sub 1:40 half streak. We had a lot of fun, enjoyed the beautiful day and came in just under 1:38. Pretty awesome! Liz, Lynn and Liv did great as well. Awesome morning!
The Results: Time: 1:37.54 (7:29/mile) Overall 175 of 3267 Female: 21 of 1835. Age Group: 3 of 195
8. The Mount Washington Road Race – June 15, 2013
Race Motto: “Only One Hill” – yes a mountain! This experience was AMAZING. I wrote a 2000+ word recap: OMG – I Actually Did That – Mount Washington Road Race Report. Definitely check it out!
The Results: Time: 1:45.01 (14:00/mile) PERSONAL RECORD 😉 Overall 395 of 1086 Female: 68 of 327. Age Group: 13 of 57
9. Inaugural Gospel Run 5K – Chicago, IL – June 22, 2013
My friend, Carolyn, volunteers at the Inspiration Corporation which is an awesome local charity that feeds the homeless and also provides job training to homeless/formerly homeless men and women in the food service industry. Inspiration Corporation was the beneficiary of this new run held in Jackson Park in South Chicago. This race was in a word – AWESOME. The ceremonies were led by a charismatic community member (I think a pastor) who led the most positive, fun pre-race festivities that I have ever participated in. The run was well organized with lovely volunteers. My friends came in 1 – 5 (and 4 of us were ladies – woot-woot). So much fun and a great cause.
The Results: Time: 21:00 (6:46/mile) Overall 5 of 196 Female: 4 of 141. Age Group: 1 of 48
10. Chicago Women’s Half Marathon – Chicago, IL – June 23, 2o13
For the second year in a row, the weather for the Fleet Feet Chicago Women’s Half was STEAMY! It seemed better at the start to me than last year. I started out slower and ran smarter this year. That was a help. I met a new runner friend, Erin, midway and enjoyed chatting with her. I felt great until the sun came out at mile 10. Then I switched to “hang on for dear life” mode. It was not that terrible, but when I saw Ryan at Mile 11 and Dave Z at Mile 12, they both suggested that I was “not as cheerful as usual”! Ken and Lake (in her stroller) jumped in at mile 12 and with about 3/4 a mile to go, I tucked in and ran as hard as I could. Charlyn’s boyfriend snapped the above pics inadvertently (he was testing his camera)! I look fierce – no? All in all a great morning and another fun event!
The Results: Time: 1:38.46 (7:33/mile) Overall 51 of 3,424 Age Group: 7 of 458
11. Disco Dash 5K – Chicago, IL June 27, 2013
Last but not least, a Living Social deal + Wendy’s love of this run + the Village people = 11th race of the quarter. We had rough weather. As Jeff and I drove there, the temp went from 89 by my house to 94 on Lake Shore Dr back to 89 at Soldier Field. Then it down poured and thundered and the race start was delayed 45 minutes. Once we got running, it was actually fairly pleasant. In an odd race decision, the 10 started and 4 minutes later the 5k started. Jeff, Wendy, Ryan, Brooke and Linda did the 10K. I did the 5K (so did Maggie). This race is fun not only because of the Village People, but also because of fun costumes (which you KNOW I was not wearing — but Maggie looked awesome in her H & M “running” skirt!) This was a tough run after all of the wear and tear of the weekend, but I did well and kept it together. I thought I might be first woman but there was a woman way in front of me at the turn around (she may have started with the 10K and beat me net- I guess), so I was 2nd woman. Not bad!
The Results: Time: 21:16 (6:52/mile) Female: 2 of 479. Age Group: 1 of 104
On the 3rd Quarter 2013 Race Calendar: ‘Merica Trail Run, Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10, Athleta Esprit de She 10k (Ambassador), Seawheeze Half Marathon, North Country Trail Half Marathon, Michigan Wine Trail Half Marathon, Chicago Half Marathon… and ???
So that’s all I have. That’s A LOT. Maybe I am a running blogger after all, huh? Have you raced this year? Tell me about it! And don’t forget to check out my Cookie Department giveaway – ends 7/1!