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 first quarter of 2015. Compared to last winter, this one was not as bad, but we had plenty of cold days (including this past weekend’s Shamrock Shuffle!)
Races run this Q– 4 – 1 marathon (Phoenix), 2 Half Marathons (F^3 and NYC) and 1 8K. I will provide brief recaps and photos below!
Miles run: 624 – which averages to ~6.9 per day – though I don’t run every day.
Falls: 1 on March 29th before the Shamrock Shuffle. I jinxed myself when I almost fell on our Saturday run a few weeks ago and I mentioned that I had zero falls this quarter. Yeah, not so much. Luckily, I was wearing pants and gloves so not too much damage – Phew!
Personal Records (PRs): 0 – I did run my best marathon since 2006 so it is a “Masters PR.” More on that later. I may have an “HR” (happiness record) for a positive attitude and elation in said marathon.
Coldest Outside Run Temp: ~7 degrees ambient and -2 with windchill. I really love my friends and supported Olivia for 6+ of her 20 miler in that weather. Yup, runners. We’re just different.
Pairs of Sneakers: 2 used up. Karhu Fast 4s and Hoka Cliftons. Started a pair of Hoka Bondi 3s and planning to go back to Cliftons.
Exciting News: I was selected to be an ambassador for the awesome running brand, Janji. Janji, which means “promise” in Malay, donates a portion of every sale to organizations who are providing on-the-ground solutions to real problems all over the world. For example the purchase of a the purchase of the Rwanda shirt provides 3 days of nutritional medicine to a malnourished Rwandan child by funding the group MANA Ready to Use Therapy Food. Not only does your purchase provide a tangible relief for hunger and thirst around the world, but wearing the brightly colored clothing helps raise awareness. Plus, you look awesome. Here is my original review post. What does this mean for you? Some great posts and giveaways and fun stuff from Janji so stay tuned!
New Running Goodies that I tried:
- ThermXRoller
- Moji Foot Massager – Review to come
- Wigwam Ironman socks – I met a Wigwam salesman at the NYC 1/2 expo and told them that I loved them for years and had given them up when they changed the fabric 6 or 7 years ago. He gave me some to try and asked me to come back. I have been testing them out. Review to come
- Injinji Women’s socks – Injinji started making gender specific socks (read smaller toes – yay!) Review and giveaway to come!
Popular Running Posts:
- The Power of Positive Thinking a/k/a My Phoenix Marathon Report
- A Running List: My 2014 Running Year in Review
- Happy Places, Happy Races
Races Planned for Q2: SLO Half Marathon, Quarryman 10 miler, Ridge Run, Grandma’s Marathon and we’ll see whatever else I wind up running! 🙂
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. F^3 Lake Half Marathon – Chicago, IL, January 24, 2015
Last year, I volunteered at F^3 (The Fs stand for an expletive, freezing, frozen) on one of the coldest days of the winter. And, I vowed never to get near it again. Well, they offered me a free entry and giveaway, and I was signed up for the Phoenix Marathon, so I figured what the heck. I gave myself a mental out if the weather was too cold or miserable like last year. Well, it was actually, super mild and there was nothing freezing or frozen anywhere in sight. I helped Allison to run a personal best and had fun doing it. It was not a best or a worst, but it was a good strong run to prepare for Phoenix. The lessons – never say never and don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
The Results: Net Time – 1:39.38 (7:37 pace). Overall place 158 of 1867. Gender place 37 of 984. Division place 2 of 134 (but I got first in age group because the 1st place 40-44 was the 2nd female. She beat me by 14 minutes. Ouch.)
2. Phoenix Marathon – Mesa, AZ – February 28th, 2015
I won the entry to Phoenix via Carlee‘s blog and then convinced Susie and Don to join me. Smitha and a bunch of her friends and other bloggers were there. The festive atmosphere and a super downhill course profile set this up to be a great success. Many of my friends texted me to wish me luck and to remind me that this race was “made for me” and “my kind of course.” My mantra “my kind of course, my kind of day.” It was! It was my best marathon in 9 years. Read my full report HERE.
The Results: Net time: 3:31.32 (8:05/mile pace). Overall place 295 of 1991. Gender place 66 of 851. Division place 11 of 150 in women 40-44. (Can I get a whoo hoo?)
3. NYC Half – New York, NY – March 15, 2015
I joined Alexandra’s Playground again this year and supported fundraising by hosting another raffle. I raised over $2000! Woot. Woot! I was not sure how this would go given that Phoenix was two weeks before. I tried to remember that this was one of my favorite races in one of my favorite places. Positive thinking WORKS! I met the Alexandra’s Playground team for pics and headed to the park. I started a bit fast and then settled in with our friend Jonathan. Andrea yelled out around mile 3 and Jonathan was running next to me and said “is that my Erica?” and it was! We caught up and then just before 10K he ran ahead. I thought of my mantra (“happy place, happy race”) and enjoyed the park, Times Square (still cool after running the race at least 7 times) and the West Side Highway. I concentrated on keeping an even pace and I did it! (after the first fast 5K). I was proud to run for Alexandra’s Playground and to run strong, positive and inspired. I was a wee bit slower than last year, but since I ran a marathon 2 weeks before, I will gladly take these results!
The Results: Finish: 1:37:32 Pace: 7:26. Overall: 1,678 out of 19,452. Women: 332 out of 10,150 F 40-44: 31 out of 1,340.
4. Shamrock Shuffle – Chicago, IL – March 29, 2015
I normally don’t like big races. Shamrock Shuffle is HUGE. Usually 30,000+ runners over 8K (“only ~23,000 this year). For some reason, though, I really enjoy it. I think because it is the start of spring and lots of my friends do it. We had a good team out (we were 2nd in one of the women’s divisions and scored in both men’s divisions.) It was very cold for the end of March and the forecast was for crazy wind. (And you know that I am still traumatized from NYC Marathon.) It was not as bad as we expected and except for mile 4 (into a crazy wind), I felt very strong and ran happy.
The Results: Finish: 34:21 (6:55/mile) Overall 867 of 22,882. Female: 162 of 12,851. Age Group: 10 of 1,449.
Speaking of running happy, I am linking this post up with Katie. It is “Take Time Tuesday” – a monthly link up to express gratitude. This month’s theme is “feelin’ lucky.” I am beyond grateful that I am able to run and to run strong and with a positive attitude. I also feel so very grateful for my running friends – old and new – who make being out there so much fun. I am grateful for the endless support of The Husband, our family and friends. I am grateful for all of your support for Alexandra’s Playground and Cycle for Survival and that I can continue to contribute year after year. I feel very, very lucky overall these days. I hope you all have a moment to feel lucky, today (and every day!)
 How was your first quarter in running? Please tell me about it in the comments!