I always say that I’m 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 first quarter of 2019.
It wasn’t that cold in January this year, so I easily got in the 80K in the Lululemon Strava Challenge. I didn’t run much/do many races after NYC Marathon last year, so I felt good this quarter.
Races run this Q– 6 + 1 fun run 5K. I did the Carlsbad 1/2 Marathon and the F3 1/2 Marathon in January. It was a Goldilocks experience. The first was too hot and the second was too cold. They were both fun! Like last year, I ran the Mardi Gras 10K with Back on my Feet in February, a fun run 5K with Nuun at Expo West and the NYC Half in March. This year, the Shamrock Shuffle had a new mile race and I ran the 8K the next day, too. I’ll provide brief recaps and photos below!
Miles run: 559.6 – which averages to ~6.2 miles per day – though I don’t run every day. This is 68 miles more than 1Q18.
Falls: 1 – slipped on ice one day on the way home from Pilates but luckily no blood was shed!
Personal Records (PRs): 0 – no surprise there!
Star Sightings: Kathy and I ran The Mile at the Shamrock Shuffle. We met Deena Kastor, Alexi Pappas and Carrie Tollefson. They were all super gracious to chat and take photos with us. Becca and I also met Triathlete and Picky Bar CEO Jesse Thomas at the Nuun 5K fun run (photo in highlights at the top.) He was also so gracious and really fun to chat with.
Pairs of Sneakers: 3 – Currently in the rotation Mizuno Wave Rider 22, Hoka Mach and Karhu Fast 7s (for races).
Running Stuff I Tried:
- Biopod Stimsoles
- Heatholders Socks (Thermal – F3 Race)
- Hoka Mach Sneakers
- Smartwool Ear Warmer
Popular Running Posts:
- NYC 1/2 2019 Race Recap
- Tried it Tuesday: Biopod Stimsoles
- Need a Better Sports Drink? Try NOOMA #Giveaway
Races Planned for Q2: Milwaukee Half Marathon, Good Life Race 5K, Lakefront 10 and/or Quarryman Challenge and Mountains 2 Beach Marathon
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. Carlsbad Half Marathon, Carlsbad, CA – January 20, 2019
The Carlsbad Half was the same weekend I was planning to by in Southern California for a Bar Mitzvah. I signed up and Kelly decided to join me. Carolyn D. was also out on business and ran the 5K. It was pretty warm (high 60s) and the run felt tough. I was about the same pace as when I did it in 2016. It wasn’t fast (for me) but it was fun and I’m glad I ran and got some Vitamin D and time with friends.
The Results: Net Time – 1:48:34 (8:17/mile). Overall place 574 of 4,852. Gender place 150 of 2,796. Division place 12 of 371.
2. F3 Half Marathon, Chicago, IL – January 27, 2019
I was going to bail on F3 when I heard about the sub 10 degree forecast. Dave convinced me to run because it was going to be sunny and not too windy. I’m glad I did. I had a ton of fun and got to spend time with Wendy and Dave. I also did better than I expected to and was over a minute faster in the cold than in the heat the week before!
The Results: Net Time – 1:47:19 (8:11/mile). Overall place 314 of 1,589. Gender place 74 of 781. Division place 4 of 93.
3. Mardi Gras 10K, Chicago, IL – March 2, 2019
I signed up for the Mardi Gras 10K again this year. Don and I decided to run this as a pace run for my NYC 1/2 race and to test our winter fitness. The first 5K was fab with a very nice tailwind. We turned around and battled the headwind back to the finish. We had a lot of fun and I was only 17 seconds slower than last year despite the bad wind. I was pleased with that!
The Results: Net Time – 46:30 (7:29/mile). Overall place 20 of 174. Gender place 5 of 99. Division place 1 of 8.
4. NYC Half – New York, NY – March 17, 2019
I joined Alexandra’s Playground again this year and supported fundraising by hosting another an awesome charity class at SWEAT. I raised over $3600! Woot Woot! Our team raised over $30,000! I loved the updated course. It was still the Brooklyn to Manhattan course from last year but the initial 2 miles in Prospect Park were great and made it a faster finish in Central Park. I felt awesome the whole run and ran over a minute faster than last year and ran my fastest time since 2017!
[Here’s my full race report.]
The Results: Finish: 1:42.17 (7:49/mile). Overall: 3,512 out of 24,645. Women: 748 out of 12,339 F 45-49: 49 out of 1,298.
5. The Mile – Chicago, IL – March 23, 2019
Shamrock Shuffle added a mile race the day before to its line up this year. The course was a bit unorthodox with two 180 degree turns. It turned out that it was perfect weather and a pretty small, intimate race. Plus, Deena Kastor, Alexi Pappas and Carrie Tollefson were there and Kathy and I got to chat with them and take pictures. We also finished 1st and 2nd in the women’s competitive master’s race out of 10. Whoo hoo! What an awesome opportunity that turned out to be. [If you’re wondering, two 180 degree turns make the mile slower. My time was 6:46 and I expected to run 6:30. I was 2 of 9 Master’s Competitive women.]
6. Shamrock Shuffle – Chicago, IL – March 24, 2019
They were expecting rain for Shamrock this year, but we just had overcast skies. My legs were not feeling fresh after running the NYC 1/2 and The Mile. I felt OK, but never got in the groove, and ran my slowest Shamrock Shuffle since 2011. BUT, the craziest thing happened. Despite my not-best effort, I was “on the podium” with Deena Kastor and another elite runner. I was 3rd place in 45 – 49 F age group out of 1,050. I typically run faster and barely make the top 10, but the local fasties in my AG did not show up. That said, I’m not complaining. I’m just enjoying it as something like this is VERY unlikely to ever happen again! Our team of Masters F runners finished 3rd in the open division, too!
The Results: Finish: 36:24 (7:20/mile). Overall: 1,386 out of 20,620. Women: 268 out of 11,279 F 45-49: 3 out of 1,050.
How was your first quarter in running? Please tell me about it in the comments!
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!