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 and Q2, here is my running recap of the third quarter of 2013.
Races run this Q– 12! 4 more half marathons (yup, that is 12 in 2013 – one more for goal of 13) 1 10 miler, 4 5Ks, a 1-mile run in a relay and a duathlon – my first! I will provide brief recaps!
Races run 2013 so far: 27 – whoa. I think this is the most races I have done in a year and I still have a few to go!
Miles run in 2013 so far: 1648 (about 6 miles per day but I don’t run every day)
Falls: 3 in the North Country Trail run! It was worth it – see report below.
Personal Records (PRs): 1!! – I did 1:20-ish in a duathlon. It was 3 mile run – 10 mile bike – 3 mile run. The biking was on the Lake Shore Drive path which was not closed to traffic. I have never done a duathlon so kind of a cheater PR!
Warmest Outside Run Temp: 96 degrees on a 14 mile training run. It. was. awful.
My “Go To” Running Product of the Quarter and GIVEAWAY: You may remember my brief bullet on CEP Compression Short Socks from last quarter. “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.”
Well… I did wear them and I loved them. I wore them in all of these races: ‘Merica Trail Run, Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10, Seawheeze Half Marathon, North Country Trail Half Marathon, Michigan Wine Trail Half Marathon. I love them for ankle stability and foot support. I especially loved them in my trail races. I pretty much sold the heck out of these when I worked for CEP at the RnR Chicago Half expo and got a bunch of my friends to buy or try them, too. I was such and evangelist that CEP offered me 4 pairs to give away – one per color red, blue, black and white! They are available in men’s and women’s sizes.
Enter with the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway open to US residents 18 and over and void where prohibited. 4 winners will be selected and notified on Tuesday, October 8th. If you already like me and CEP Compression on Facebook or follow on Twitter, don’t forget to click the green button on those options to get credit!
Cool Running Wins: I won $25 Swiftwick coupon for awesome running socks from Lisa Runs for Cupcakes (I love the Vibe socks! We tried them at the Austin Half Marathon) and a really cool Janji outfit from Debbie at Healthy Running Mom. Janji also sent me another awesome T. They are an awesome company. I am planning to do a full write up and giveaway soon – for every piece they sell they support an initiative in the country of your outfit choice! Stay tuned!
Popular Running Posts:
Great New Finds from CEP Compression – Review & Giveaway
Summer Running Helpers – Reviews & Giveaways!
“VanSweaty” Seawheeze Race Report – We’re Back
Check Out/Support Swirlgear For a Chance to Win Some!
Survey Says: Want to Run Faster? Work On Your Cadence
Leaving my (Running) Comfort Zone
Mini Race Reports:
- ‘Merica Trail Run – 7/6/2013. Olivia thought a 5 mile, redneck themed trail run would be a perfect way to celebrate her birthday. Who am I to say deny a friend a birthday wish? It was a 10 AM start and as humid as humid could be. It was a super fun, mildly technical trail with awesome loot. The Muddy Monks did us right: t-shirt, mason jar, koozie, great food and more. I was the third female and won an awesome REI backpack and headlamp, too! (Time: 36:44 – 7:20/mile – Place 16th overall, 3rd female, 2nd age group)
- Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 – 7/13/2013. The second of the Double Dare 10 milers, the Xtreme 10 is a favorite of mine. 10 miles at Waterfall Glen, our local hilly trail (crushed gravel road closed to cars), is always fun. And hard. It was not as hot as last year, but it was July. I ran WAY too fast in the beginning and unlike Annabelle, I did not beat Peter Sagal. I was a few seconds off of last year and won the Double Dare (female) on a technicality. I was first of the female runners to do the Double Dare in Quarryman in April, but the second woman there was WAY ahead of me here. She did not register for the Double Dare though. Tried to give her the trophy! No luck yet. (Time: 1:13.57 – 7:23/mile – Place 70th, 10th female, 3rd AG)
- Athleta Esprit de She 10k – 7/18/2013. The 10K became a 5K due to very, very hot temps. This hot, humid slog was a tough one. The race was really fun though. It was all women, great looT from Athleta and Lifetime Fitness. Champagne and nice food greeted finishers. Very good first-time event despite the conditions! The heat warnings may have caused a low turn out. I was 3rd so I got a cool hat, free Skechers shoes and $10 Athleta card. A great haul with cute tank and tote that came with the race! (Time: 21:10 – 6:48/mile – Place 3rd overall, 3rd female, 1st age group)
- Seawheeze Half Marathon – 8/11/2013. Second trip to Vancouver for Seawheeze. Great city. Fun race. See full report here: “VanSweaty” Seawheeze Race Report – We’re Back (Time: 1:39.57 – 7:37/mile – Place 254, 99th female, AG – N/A)
- North Country Trail Half Marathon and Michigan Wine Trail Half Marathon – 8/24/2013 and 8/25/2013. In the spirit of trying new things, Stacy, Kristin and I did back-to-back half marathons in a weekend and one was a full on trail run. We had a blast! Full report here: Leaving my (Running) Comfort Zone. (Time 1: 1:47.37 – Place 15th, 3rd female, 2nd AG and Time 2: 1:40.42 – Place 34th, 9th female, 2nd AG)
- Nike Get Fly – 4 x 1 mile relay – 8/28/2013. I joined my fellow bloggettes Maggie, Erin and Jen as “Team Blogger” with the Nike Get Fly program. I stole Maggie’s Recap in the link. So… we tried the Nike Fly Knit sneakers in a mile time trial in July and then after 4 weeks of training (full disclosure – I did not do any extra training), we participated in a fun relay race. The most improved team and the fastest team won awards. We were neither but we had fun! I ran pretty much exactly the same pace (no surprise – I did nothing to improve!). Mile times: 6:11. Not bad!
- Chicago Half Marathon – 9/8/2013. Half number 12 this year! It was pretty humid out. I tried to do a do-over of my run last year with Abby. I was not able to stick with her as long, but still had a good day. I was proud to run with Honey’s Runners! Our American Cancer Society team raised over $20,000 in honor of Honey Gutfeld. (Time: 1:38.43 – 7:32/mile – Place 556, 113th female, 7th AG)
- Advocate Fitness Duathlon – 9/14/2013. It was a goal of mine to do a duathlon this year. I found a very small local one that I could ride my bike to. It was 3 mile run – 10 mile bike – 3 mile run. I recruited Carolyn and Mike to run with me. They are old pros and they gave me some pointers. I followed my friends in the run and averaged about 7 minute miles. The 10 mile bike ride was on the Lakefront Path which was not closed. That was a bit of a cluster, but I came through unscathed and averaged about 17 miles an hour. Running the second leg was tough at the start, but it was OK after about a mile. My pace was close to the first leg. Small races are kind of awesome. I was 5th overall and 2nd female behind Carolyn.
- Bucktown 5K – 9/15/2013. I have always wanted to do this race and I signed up when it opened. I decided to make a game time decision and see how I felt when I got up since I did the duathlon on Saturday. It was raining, too. I felt fine, so I joined Annabelle and Meredith and clocked my fastest 5K since 2006! (Time: 20:51 – 6:43/mile – Place 115, 16th female, 2nd AG)
- St Michael’s Oktoberfest 5k – 9/18/2013. I joined some of my running blogger friends as a part of the “Wurst Running Club Ever” team for this Oktoberfest Run in Lincoln Park. Third race in 6 days on tired legs and very warm, so my expectations were low. Did fine, though. (Time: 21:39 – 6:58/mile – Place 30th, 6th female)
- AIDS Run Chicago 5k – 9/28/2013. I did this 5K in the middle of my long training run this week, because I do it every year with Richard’s TPAN team. 7 mile run, 5K race, then 4.5 mile run. It was a beautiful morning for running. I felt very good! (Time: 21:27 – 6:55/mile – Place 11th, 2nd female, 1st AG)
DONE! Phew! Good quarter of fun racing!
Still to come: My 13th 1/2 marathon to meet the 13 in ’13 goal Prairie State Half Marathon and my 14th New York City Marathon. And I am not sure what else, but I will be sure to let you know!
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!