Fall is in the air, well almost. Mother nature is a little confused in my neck of the woods. We are waking up to crisp fall mornings but enjoying summer afternoons. This is also confusing to what we should be wearing, especially for my kids, the think it is still shorts and flip-flop season. Which is fine during the day, but not in the evening.
The reason I bring this up is because last weekend one of my cousins got married. She was having an outdoor garden wedding, which admittedly, this late in Sept in the Pacific Northwest is a real gamble. But this year has been really dry (too dry in fact) and extremely warm. The wedding was in the evening with the reception going on in to the night. So the question comes up, what to wear? The day will be warm, but it will get cold at night….
I didn’t want to wear a skirt, because I didn’t want to get cold, and because I didn’t like any of the tops that I owned. I could have gone and bought a new top, but I always have something in mind and then get super upset when I don’t find it. Plus I have this pair of super cute shoes with matching bag that my sis gave me that I wanted to wear and none of my skirts would work.
OK. Pants it is. {Don’t worry folks, there is a running side to this story 😉 }
I have lots of short pants (capris) but only two pairs of nice dress pants, one brown-ish and one black.
If I wear the brown ones I have a top to go with it and I can wear the shoes and purse.
If I wear the black ones I don’t have a top that would go with the shoes, but I could just wear a different pair of shoes.
The black pants fit. I know they fit. I wear them often.
The brown pants have not been worn in at least 4 years. The last time I tried to wear them they were too tight on my thighs and my waist gushed out over the top of the pants.
What do I do? Do I leave the brown pants in storage? Do I try them on again and get all depressed because they still don’t fit? Do I just go buy a new top to wear with my black pants and not even think about the brown pants again? What do I do? What do I do?
I pull out the bin from under my bed, unfold the brown pants. Look at them, love them all over again, sigh. Try them on.
They fit. Not only do they fit, but they fit like when I bought them.
I am going say that I have not seen a change in my body after all this running (so that 4 week thing is BS). I feel like I am the same size as when I started running almost two years ago (this month will be 2yrs).
I am not diligent in my other training habits, I don’t strength train like I should (I know I should). Some weeks I don’t get as many miles in as I would like. I don’t eat well, I don’t like food, fruits and veggies are like torture to me, just give me carbs all day long.
But there has been a change.
I didn’t start running just to lose a bunch of weight. Yes, I wanted to lose some weight, but really I just wanted to be healthier. I started run to find myself, to find my sanity. I run for me. Because I like to run. I did it so that I can take the stairs without having to pause for breath after one flight. I started to run so that I can chase my kids around the play ground, and keep up with them. I did it so I could have an hour alone every once in a while.
So while I look in the mirror and my eyes see me as the same size I was, my pants are telling me that I am changing on more than just the inside.
So remember don’t give up.
Just. Keep. Running.
For my loyal readers RunnerBox is offering 10% your purchase by using the code RUNMSRUN so go start your subscription today, or go buy one for that runner in your life.
This was one of those races that I have wanted to do for a while, even before I was racing. I love both of the sponsors for this race; The Old Spaghetti Factory and Widmer Brothers Brewing Company. I am also a fan of the company that puts on this race and others, The Hood to Coast Race Series. (This might be a bit of a “in their defense” write-up)
In the past this race has been ran by another company and the only distance you could run was 10k. The 10k course was a point to point course, meaning to start at a different location than you end. So you need to ride a shuttle bus to the starting point, and you run to the finish line. People liked the course because it was mostly downhill. I never ran it in the past, so I can say for sure how completely downhill it was, but I heard it was a downhill course.
This year the new directors of the race (this is not their first year running it by the way) decided to add a half marathon option, which I was thrilled about. They also changed the course of the 10k, which added some uphill climb to the route. Now, I don’t know if you have ever planned a race before, but you don’t get to just go out and put some cones down and tell the city the roads will be closed for runners. I don’t know why the changed the course, but I am guessing it had to do with permits and matching the 10k course up with the half marathon course. The city gets mad enough as it is when the roads are closed for runners, but to close of two different courses would have been a logistical nightmare.
So runners were mad. But get over it. Courses change. Enjoy the change, see new parts of the city, challenge yourself. Check the map of the course before you sign up for the race. You don’t have to do it. I mean look at the elevation I had to run for the half marathon, a steep hill at the end, not fun, but at least I get to finish coming downhill.
HTCRS set a time for the 10k to start after the half marathon, it was on the website, everyone knew about it. Then the city decided the roads needed to be cleared before the time originally set. So HTCRS had to move the start time up by 30 min. They sent out an email, and during packet pick-up (where you pick up your racing bib and shirt) each person was told about the change. I know, I was there telling people. They had two packet pick ups during the week, in two locations and also the morning of race day.
I volunteer at packet pick up for races. Races couldn’t happen without volunteers, so I like to do my part and give back. I really enjoy packet pick up because I get to see the diverse people who run races and chat with them (when there is time). It’s fun, people are excited for the events. At this packet pick up we informed each 10k racer about the time change. There was some confusion because they changed the website, but the time was on there in a few locations, and I guess one spot was missed, an understandable mistake. But when the city changes plans on you, you must adapt.
I don’t know how many people who ran this race came from out-of-town or how many people were from here. I don’t know how many people are familiar with the area or not. I just know my knowledge and my race day strategies. I know the area and I know there is limited parking, I also know on the race website they suggested parking on the other side of the river and taking the newly opened pedestrian bridge or riding the train over, both deposit you right by the event area. They did say there would be volunteers directing people where to park. I arrived early because I wanted to park, and I wanted to meet a friend who was coming from farther away and was leaving early. Both of had no problems finding the parking volunteers and were directed to park. Other racers were complaining about parking, but I feel like they should have known better, especially the ones that have done this race before; or came earlier, if they had never been there.
However, some people left early but got stuck in traffic because a major highway was closed. Which the event staff didn’t know about, which I didn’t know about and apparently the people who were stuck in traffic didn’t know about. But the people complaining about the all the issues with the race, they knew about the closure.
So this closure lead to probably the main issue everyone had at the race. There were 7 buses there to take the 10k participants from venue/finishing line party area to the start of the 10k race. They were to have been filled up taken across the river, emptied, returned to be filled again and take more runners to the start of the 10k. The issue was that the closure of the highway caused rerouting and delays and the buses couldn’t get back to get more runners in a timely fashion. This delayed everything, both races started late, and they had to do a rolling start for the rest of the 10k runners. So basically as you got off the bus, you went through the starting line and began your race. Was it ideal? No, but they were trying to make the best of a bad situation they could not control.
Someone asked a race director if she could drive to the start of the race because she didn’t have time to wait for the buses (I was there during this conversation) the race director told her of course, or if she didn’t want to do that the runner could start with half marathon runners, go 3.1 miles out, turn around and come back to the finish line. Ideal? No, but again, I feel this was a good compromise and they were trying to make the best of a bad situation.
I understand why people are upset, but at the same time, some things are out of control of the race directors hands. One person actually complained about the smells of the city, don’t get me wrong that area was bad, I almost lost it a couple of times, but that has to do with the fact that people who live on the streets are using the streets as a toilets. Not really something a race company can control. Could they have chosen a different route? Maybe, maybe not. The city has to approve of the road closures, so maybe this was the only route we could take. There is so much that goes in to planning an event like this, I just don’t think people see it. Which is why I think more people should volunteer for events, it is important to see what goes on to get a race up and going.
Now that I have talked about what other people have complained about, let’s talk about my running, which I will make quick.
I love preparing for my race the night before, getting all the gear set up and ready to go. I of course went to sleep a little later than I wanted to the night before, and 4 a.m. comes mighty early. Because this was the first year of the half marathon the first 400 people to sign up for the half also received a hat, pint glass and a bottle of bubbly.
Two of my friends ran the 10k event and I ran the half marathon. For one friend this was the farthest race she has done, which is awesome! My other friend ran her fastest 10k! Kudos to both of them. And I was super happy to have been there with them and to celebrate after.
I love the half marathon. It is my favorite race distance.
We typically try to do a long 8-10 miles on the weekend, so having a race that is a few miles longer is great. It gives me something to push for. Recently I haven’t done more than 8 miles though, since I hurt my knee. So I was a little nervous about this race.
I have been going to the treadmill at night and running to keep my pace around 11 min/mile and the all the downhill and mostly flatness of this course really helped with my time. Don’t get me wrong those steep hill at the beginning and the end were a bitch, but I was able to maintain a good pace for this race and make up time coming down.
The starting hill wasn’t too bad, because it was just out of the gate, so you were all revved up and ready to go. But the end was hard because, well it was the end and I was exhausted, and my feet were exhausted. But the downhills I made up some great time. There was a hill in the middle, but it was a gradual hill, so it wasn’t really that bad, and again, what goes up must come down.
I of course snapped some quick pictures along the way, and at one point stopped to change music. Which is when (I think) I forgot to restart my MapMyRun app, so my numbers are off. There were some streets were the odor from the homeless was so bad, but it just kind of made you run faster to get away from it. I love my city, and I love running races through it. I love running across the bridges spanning the water.
The after party for this was super fun. There was beer and pasta. It was glorious.
I am sorry so many people had such a bad experience with this race. But I also feel like you kind of get out what you put in, and you can choose your attitude. I have also seen many people who had a good time like I did.
I had a good time and I think the ladies I was with had a good time too. And, yes, I will be back again next year.
Just. Keep. Running.
Just a reminder that with my running I am raising money for St. Jude’s Hospital, click on the picture below to donate.
Be a HERO by clicking picture and donating today.
For my loyal readers RunnerBox is offering 10% your purchase by using the code RUNMSRUN so go start your subscription today, or go buy one for that runner in your life.
Want to find out what races I’ll be doing this year? Check out my list.
Recently I partnered up with a wonderful company The Runner Box and I am excited to finally tell you more about them!
Did you ever wish it was easier to hear about products that might benefit you as a runner? You know, when you find that one thing and wonder why hadn’t you ever heard of it before?!
Or you want to try some new fuel or electrolyte water enhancer but don’t want to commit to a whole box of them? How do you try just one?
Don’t worry, I have just the answer for you. You have someone else do all the work, put it in a nice little box and ship it right to your house.
Yes, you heard me. A box of samples shipped right to your house. And not just any samples, but samples runners, or tri-athletes or cyclists. I thought this was such a great idea! They do all the research, find all the cool products and send us samples.
Unlike other subscription box services there is no pressure to buy the products after, and pressure to review them for points! Which I love! If I like the product I will buy it, if I don’t then I won’t. And Runnerbox knows it.
So what do you get in a Runnerbox?
Inside the lid of the box is a motivational quote, always needed, I am a running quote junkie. There is also a sheet that lists all the samples with descriptions of the products and where to buy them directly.
Runnerbox doesn’t just put 4-5 samples in a box for you. They jam pack it full to bursting. They stuff that box completely full. It’s like a tent, once you take it out, the items never fit back in.
There are snack bars, mid-run fuel, electrolyte drink enhancers, ice pack, pain patch, sunscreen wipe, healthy chips and granola, to name a few.
If you want to give a gift of a Runnerbox but not necessarily a full subscription they also have birthday box! You can send someone one box that is specially designed for a birthday present.
It comes with confetti, birthday mints, a birthday card and those streamer party poppers to help celebrate.
The birthday kit not only comes with all the great running samples but other sample as well. There was a whey protein shake in cupcake flavor. Vitamins for woman (because I got the box for women), shampoo & conditioner, a set of running lights for running at night and an awesome bottle opener.
Know someone who is going be running their first (or fortieth) race? You can get them the gift a Limited Edition Race Survival Kit. Full of items that have been well thought of for pre- and post-race.
Image from RunnerBox
For my loyal readers RunnerBox is offering 10% your purchase by using the code RUNMSRUN so go start your subscription today, or go buy one for that runner in your life.
Just. Keep. Running.
Just a reminder that with my running I am raising money for St. Jude’s Hospital, click on the picture below to donate.
Be a HERO by clicking picture and donating today.
Want to find out what races I’ll be doing next year? Check out my list.
The heat, the humidity and the allergies have been hitting me pretty hard this summer and my runs have been getting slower.
The last week in June I started running early in the morning at the gym on the treadmill. It was horrible, but at least I was running, because when it was already 70° at 6 a.m. there was no way I was running outside that day.
But I had a virtual race and a long rung scheduled just before the July 4th holiday and didn’t want to do 8 miles on the treadmill.
So I got up early and hit the road, I picked a route next to the river for some cool air.
But my feet felt like lead weights. It was still too hot, my allergies was making it hard to breathe. It was the slowest run I had done in forever.
And I say that like I have been running forever…when really I started running again only a year and a half ago, and hadn’t run more than 8 miles before Aug of last year.
So I got my run done, and I was so disappointed in myself, but decided that I needed to get back to the gym and start using the treadmill again. This way I can set my pace, turn a movie on and just keep going.
After the holiday we went on our friends boat and slammed my knee on the fishing pole rack. I didn’t think it was that hard, it didn’t hurt, and I didn’t think anything of it. Then I woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain in my knee.
I couldn’t keep it bent for more than a minute, two at the most. If I hyperextended my leg it was equally painful, so when sleeping and stretching my leg I would wake in pain.
I couldn’t go up or down stairs, I couldn’t sit, and it was painful standing from a sitting position. I couldn’t drive without something propping my foot up (it was my left knee and I have an automatic). My leg at a 90° angle brought swear words flowing out of my mouth.
At first I didn’t realize what happened, how I hurt myself, but then I figured I must have bruised my kneecap (patella) when I hit the fishing pole rack. I don’t know if you have ever bruised a bone, but it isn’t sunshine and daisy’s. Walking was fine as long as I didn’t bend my leg too much, but running was out of the question.
That’s OK. I can rest an injury, as long as it isn’t too long…
Two weeks go by with no running and I can finally sit with my leg bent for longer than a few minutes. I can do stairs, my knee still hurts, but it is healing. I think I am finally safe to try running again…when I hurt my back and my allergies might really be a cold (but don’t tell anyone, cause I don’t actually get ‘colds’).
really?
*sigh*
this too shall pass.
But I am feeling slightly depressed about not running. Okay, I am feeling really depressed about not running. I am tired and I am grouchy. So this week is also going to be a rest week, and next week I will come back with a vengeance.
But there is good news in here too.
Recently I partnered up with a wonderful company The Runner Box.
This a subscription box company for runners, cyclists or triathletes. They send you a bimonthly box full of products and discounts like nutrition bars, gels, energy boosters, snacks, personal care and other running accessories.
For my loyal readers RunnerBox is offering 10% your purchase by using the code RUNMSRUN so go start your subscription today, or go buy one for that runner in your life.
*stay tuned to find out what came in my first RunnerBox
Just. Keep. Running.
Just a reminder that with my running I am raising money for St. Jude’s Hospital, click on the picture below to donate.
Be a HERO by clicking picture and donating today.
Want to find out what races I’ll be doing next year? Check out my list.
For my loyal readers RunnerBox is offering 10% your purchase by using the code RUNMSRUN so go start your subscription today, or go buy one for that runner in your life.
I Tri and Craft 