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 here is my running recap of the second quarter of 2014. It took some time, but we have finally thawed out!
Races run this Q– 10! – 2 Half Marathons (Egg Shell Shuffle and 13.1 Chicago), 3 10Ks, 4 5Ks and a 10 mile race. I will provide brief recaps and photos below!
Miles run: 575 (which averages to ~6.3 per day – though I don’t run every day)
Falls: 1 while running in a very muddy trail race. I also had a bike crash/fall last weekend but I am OK!
Personal Records (PRs): 0 – I have felt good in all of my races but so far have been a bit slower in everything this year. I was blaming winter. Truth be told, Inthink I may have been overtraining a bit, so I am ratcheting back a bit.
Pairs of Sneakers: Used up my Hokas and Karhu Fast3s. Had two misses with Karhu Flow Trainer and Mizuno Sayonara. Both were too flat and firm for me. I have been using the Flow Trainers for biking and gave the Sayonaras to friends to try. One rejection and one maybe. I am back in the saddle again with a new pair of Hoka One Ones Conquest – I got a screaming deal with Backcountry coupon code and cash back from Active Junky. I like them but they are not as “easy” of a ride as my Hoka Bondis. I also started wearing a new pair of Karhu Fast 3s from my stash closet and still love them. Phew!
New Running Goodies that I tried:
- Bottlebark – waterbottle/foam roller combo
- BANDI belt
- Clothes from I Love to Run (and my Ebib!)
- Feetures socks– – thanks to ZOOMA!
- Ultima Replenisher – thanks to ZOOMA!
- More Fabletics gear (get 50% off your first outfit with this link)
Popular Running Posts:
- Tried it Tuesday Running Fun: Strava, Bottlebark and BANDI
- Friday Finds: #IfEverybodyRan, My Ebib and more
- CARA Discounts (and oldie but a popular one!)
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:
April
1. Rockdale Ramblin Run (10K)- Joliet, IL – April 12, 2014 – I wouldn’t usually drive 30+ miles for a 10K, but Olivia and I were offered free entries in CARA’s secret runners program AND it is billed as “The Toughest 10K in the Midwest.” Why? HILLS. Big ones. So we went and had a blast. This is a super friendly, small town race. Everything was simple, convenient and the people were so nice. The course was challenging for us flatlanders, but we fared well and had fun doing it. I was 3rd female overall and 1st in my age group and Olivia ran a PR and was 5th overall and 1st in her age group! Super fun and worth the drive. We got a sweet sweatshirt, dogtag medal, lots of food and nice backpacks for prizes.
The Results: Net Time – 44:42(7:12/mile pace). Overall place 47 of 666 (really), gender place 3 and division place 1 of 56.
2. Egg Shell Shuffle Half Marathon – Elk Grove Village, IL – April 19, 2014 – This was my second go at the Egg Shell Shuffle. Last year, Kristin and I ran and had a blast. It was my best time of the year by seconds. This year the race was the same weekend as the Boston Marathon (it is tied to Easter) so it was much less competitive. It was a nice, chilly day. I enjoyed hanging out with Maureen and Marcia and had a good run. I was alone much of the time and pushed the very end when a woman passed me. I thought I was running about the same pace as NYC (7:27/mile) but I was a bit slower and finished in 1:39.25 (7:37 mile)
The Results: Net Time – 1:39.25 (7:35/mile pace). Overall place 34 of 407, gender place 5 of 280, division place 1 of 39.
3. Ravenswood Run 5K – Chicago, IL – April 27, 2014 – This is a super fun local 5K in the Ravenswood neighborhood. I have done it a few times with friends but never as a “race.” Now it is on the CARA Circuit so the competition level was was high. I had the opportunity to run with my TTAU teammate, Dan O’Connell, and he was awesome. We started a bit fast but we finished strong. It was a great effort for the first 5K of the year!
The Results: Net Time – 20:58 (6:45/mile pace). Overall place 179 of 3348, gender place 30 of 1879, division place 6 of 258.
May
4. Chicago Police Memorial Run to Remember – May 3, 2014 – This is always a great run to support the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. We missed a few years to run the Indy Mini, but enjoyed a beautiful morning this year. Stacy, Emily and I met up and enjoyed the run. Afterwards, we mugged with police, SWAT team and a dog dressed in uniform. Then, we ran home and hit the farmer’s market. A great morning!
The Results: Net Time – 21:16 (6:51/mile pace). Overall place 68 of 3,601, gender place 6 of 1773, division place 1 of 243.
5. Quarryman Challenge – Lemont, IL- May 10, 2014 – This is one of my favorite local races. It is really hilly – especially for Chicagoans. Like Rockdale, it is also a really fun local race with a great vibe. This year it was on the CARA circuit so I was not likely to win the Masters division like last year (which was also on the same day as Boston). This year, Kristin, Don and a bunch of our TTAU teammates and other friends joined me. It was another tough run (and much warmer than last year.) I had a harder time than last year, but I finished strong and was really happy to stay tough.
The Results: Net Time – 1:13.55 (7:24/mile pace). Overall place 85 of 421, gender place 15 of 156, division place 2 of 22. (Still won another rock!)
6. Mt. Airy Ridge Run – Cincinnati, OH – May 18, 2014 – We visited the husband’s aunt and uncle in Cincinnati and I looked up some local runs. I found a 5.4 mile trail run (and a 10.8 mile one, too) and decided to give it a shot. The park is beautiful and it seemed like the elevation changes were not too bad. I met some nice local folks and heard that the times were so slow last year was because of mud. Well, that was the case again. I started and ended strong, but I had to stop/walk a bunch so that I did not fall. I did fall once. I had to concentrate to get through this one! It was a fun challenge but I’m glad I did the 5.4 or I might still be out there stuck in the mud.
The Results: Net Time – 55:52 (10:21/mile pace). Overall place 33 of 106, gender place 6 of 46, division place 2. Tough one but I am glad I did it!
7 and 8. Ridge Run 10K and 5K – I always wanted to run the Ridge Run in Beverly as I had never been to that neighborhood. Kristin and I signed up and when we got there we found out that there was still time to sign up for the “Challenge.” Basically, you run a 5K race after the 10K. 10K at 8:00 AM and 5K at 9:30. So, we signed up. It was the first really warm and humid day this year that we raced. I am not going to lie, the 10K was tough and I felt like I had lead in my legs. The 5K on the other hand seemed like a piece of cake. Who knows, right? We were glad we did both!
The Results: 10K Net Time – 45:45 (7:22/mile pace). Overall place 49 of 666, gender place 10, division place 1 of 31. 5K: Net Time: 22:16 (7:10/mile pace). Overall place: 66 of 1302, gender place 10, division place 1 of 76.
June
9. 13.1 Chicago – June 7, 2014 – I enjoyed this race last year and was given an entry for hosting a giveaway this year. I recruited Don to run with me and several TTAU teammates were way ahead of us. We enjoyed catching up on the run and I felt good through half way. The sun and heat really got to me – especially the last 5K. Some nice folks at the end and my friend, Grace, helped me get through it. I enjoyed the run, but was a bit disappointed in the last 5K.
The Results: Net Time – 1:41.46 (7:47/mile pace). Overall place 209 of 2,895, gender place 38 of 1,676, division place 4 of 186.
10. The Gospel Run 5K June 21, 2014 – A bunch of our friends work with Inspiration Corporation an awesome non-profit in Chicago that helps teach people self reliance through job training in the food industry. This is the second year I have participated on the IC team at the Gospel Run. It is an awesome, inspiring 5K in South Chicago. This race has the best pre-race warm up and awesome volunteers and cheerleaders. It is a feel good, super fun event. We had a blast!
The Results: Net Time – 21:03 (6:47/mile pace). Overall place 10 of 646, gender place 4 of 494, division place 1 of 178.
Good stuff! Did you race alot this quarter?
The giveaway has ended. The winner was Katrina J. Didn’t win? Get 20% off at uberfit with code ERICA20 through 7/14.
I was contacted by uberfit to see if I wanted to try out one of their tanks and give one away to a reader. Of course, I said “YES.” They sent me a bright blue, “no excuses” burnout tank. Of course, I love the sentiment.
Here is a bit more on uberfit. They say:
“überfit was designed as an expression apparel. überfit is for those who dig deep day in and day out to better themselves through fitness and health. We want you to look good and feel good when wearing our apparel. über is a german word coming from over and beyond. Let’s take our fitness over and beyond. Push past your limits and strive toward futire goals.
We are striving to create expressive yet very functional apparel that can be enjoyed by elite athletes down to athletes just starting out. Our main goal is to create a sense of community. Established in January 2012, we started this company for our love and dedication to fitness, health and community.”
uberfit makes a performance line and a ton of cool t-s and tanks for men and women. I tested out my tank on a short run and bike ride to cheer for friends in the ITU triathlon this weekend. I like the fit and it is super comfortable. The bright color was fun, too. Of course, I love the sentiment. The husband liked it, too! The top has a great cut for movement and is lightweight. It can be used for layering. It is also moisture wicking which we need around here at the moment, too.
The nice folks at uberfit have offered to send one winner a tank top with choice of slogan. The core audience for these may be cross fitters, but the sentiments definitely apply to runners and all other athletes! Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. The giveaway will run through July 5th. A winner will be selected and notified on July 6th. Valid for US participants, 18 and over and void where prohibited.
You can keep up with uberfit on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Also get 20% off on one order with the code Repeat20.
Please note: I was not compensated for this review or any others in this post. All opinions are my own.