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 2023.
Races run this Q– 4. F3 Lakefront Half Marathon, Toyota Miles Per Hour, NYC Half Marathon and Shamrock Shuffle.
Miles run: 664.1 – which averages to ~7.25 miles per day.
Miles run in races: 38.4
Run Streak Days: 1,135 – I hit 3 years on 2/20/23 and am still trying to decide on ending or keeping the streak – 😉
Falls: 0! Whoo hoo.
Personal Records (PRs): 0 – no surprise there! Unless you count 1 hour indoor timed run. I ran 7.2 miles (3 loops) but was mostly running for the novelty of it. It was at the Auto Show.
Rave Run Spots: NYC and San Francisco
Star Sightings: None.
Other Exciting Stuff: I’m training for the Boston Marathon for the first time since 2007. I joined a CARA (Chicago Area Runners’ Association) training group and that’s been super fun!
Pairs of Sneakers: 3 – Currently in the rotation Saucony Ride, Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 and Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 (for races). The latter two are discontinued so I bought a closet full. I don’t care for the version 3 updates.
Running Stuff I Tried:
- WIN Activewear Detergent
- RunnerBox
- Essential Elements ACV Hydration
- Run Locker Box
- PROBAR Starter Pack
- FlipBelt Tights and Starter Bundle – Get 20% off with code ERICAAGRAN20
Popular Running Posts:
Races Planned for Q2: Boston Marathon (4/17), Good Life Race 5k (4/30), Mountains2Beach Marathon (5/21) and Chicago 13.1 (6/4).
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. F3 Lakefront Half Marathon – January 28, 2023
I opted for Chicago over Miami for my first half of the year this year. We got 22 degrees and low wind. It was pretty much perfect conditions for me. I ran the first 5K with Wendy and then tried to keep at 8 min/mile pace. It was my best half since the same race in 2020. [See my reel here.]
The Results: Net Time – 1:46:47 (8:09/mile). Overall place 354 of 1,527. Gender place 71 of 644. Division place 2 of 62.
2. Toyota Miles Per Hour – February 12, 2023
Some friends and I decided to do this event that runs through the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. It’s 2.4 mile loops with timing pads at every .4 mile increment. You get credit for the last timing mat you cross when the hour is up. It was really fun and my first visit to the Auto Show. I ran 7.2 miles but got credit for 7 at 8:16 pace.
The Results: Net Time – 57:45 (8:16/mile). Overall place 87 of 113. Gender place 19 of 30. Division place 2 of 2.
3. NYC Half Marathon – March 19, 2023
I ran with Team Alex again this year and got to see a ton of friends. It was cold and blustery with a strong wind coming from the west. I don’t mind the cold so I was OK with it. I had a mild case of COVID at the beginning of March so I set a B goal of qualifying for next year (sub 1:49). I hit it and had a really fun race. [See my reel here.]
The Results: Net Time – 1:48:43 (8:18/mile). Overall place 5,776 of 24,786. Gender place 1,541 of 12,712. Division place 75 of 978.
4. Shamrock Shuffle 8K – March 26, 2023
This was my first Shamrock Shuffle in 4 years because last year it conflicted with the NYC Half and it was cancelled the previous two years. Since I’m doing Boston training and not much speed work, I set modest goals – don’t run a personal worst and don’t yell at any newbies/walkers who somehow start in the front (happens every year). I nailed it! And I had fun so it’s a win-win. [See my reel here.]
The Results: Net Time – 38:07 (7:40/mile). Overall place 2,164,of 19,515. Gender place 438 of 10,020. Division place 8 of 720.
How was your first Q in running? Please share in the comments.
Have a great weekend!