Thursday Training Update with Buff Thermonet

I received a Buff Thermonet hat and multi functional headwear as part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews!



When I received these awesome pieces, we were having a bit of a cold spell, but then it went right back to being the South, and I was worried I wouldn't have time to wear them before the review was due! I don't know why I worried, because it has been cold enough the last couple of weeks to give them a good try!



These pieces are both so comfy! I have worn the multi functional headwear as a hat and as a scarf. They work so well, and you are so comfy in them, that you barely notice that they are on! They are moisture wicking, so you don't get all sweaty around your neck and head which is so important when you travel for your long runs. You don't want to end up with a sweaty head when it's cold out!



These are 4 times warmer than micro fiber, but they are so thin, you almost won't believe how well they work!



I love the colors I chose, but there are so many others to choose from. I'm seriously considering the camo multifunctional headwear! The hat's come in 3 colors, and the black one will go with anything!



These are definitely a must have for anyone running in cold weather. These will be getting so much use this winter! We may have warm afternoons here in the South, but our early mornings can be frigid!

Want to try this out yourself? Head over to their website, and if you buy something from the Thermonet collection, you can use the code BIBRAVETHERMONET20 for 20%off your entire cart!

What piece will you be buying?


Now onto the workouts!

Thursday I ran 6 miles with the group. I bought little flag stickers for the days when I keep the pace under 14 minutes, and I got one that day!



Friday I took a walk with the hubs and that was about it. Total lazy day!

Saturday was a 10 mile run with my pace group. No sticker because we ran their pace, not mine. 10 miles is 10 miles though.



That fun mail came after my run!

Sunday was a rest day, and a 60 minute walk. So was Monday. Seriously. I'm being so lazy.

Tuesday I slept in and ran in my neighborhood. 3 miles and a flag sticker.



Wednesday I did a booty workout from a challenge I'm doing, and walked a bit. I volunteer at a book store on Wednesdays so it's a pretty light day.



I've joined a few Holiday challenges so I'm hoping to increase my activity in the coming weeks.

What's your favorite cold weather activity?

Wordless Wednesday

My Favorite Rock n Roll Race Moments

I received free entry into Rock n Roll LA as part of being a BibRave Pro (ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews!


My first Rock n Roll race was in Philadelphia in 2012. It was supposed to be my first half marathon ever, but a friend convinced me to run one that May instead, and then I added more, and it became my 3rd instead. It was a great race through one of my favorite cities, but what it the best was my cheering squad. The race ran right past our hotel!

My 2nd race with Rock n Roll was in DC in 2013. It was an amazing course, my kids came again, although they missed me running by, and we had a great visit to our nation's capital! I also wore a tutu, which makes everything better.

My next race was also in 2013, in Providence. This was the last year they held it there, which is too bad, because I LOVED it. The scenery was amazing, the course was fabulous, and it was the first time I met Jen from Final Forty, now known as Lesser Known Runners.

Back to Philly again in 2014, probably my favorite location to this day. I love running this race with friends!

Back to DC in 2015, this time with friends. The weather was horrible, but when you are with great friends, you don't really care!

Because I couldn't run NYC in 2015, I ran Philadelphia again, this time as a fundraiser for MDA. It was held on Halloween that year, pushed back because of a Pope visit I believe. We ran the 5k and the Half that year. After all, who doesn't want all that extra bling?

2016 brought us to a new state to live and opened me up to all new states to run in! First was Raleigh, where I met up with my friend Brandi and ran the 5k and half marathon! It was legit freezing that morning and I ran the first mile wrapped in a blanket!

Then it was on to Nashville, where the weather was hot and humid and I wanted to die! What a crazy switch! Amazing scenery, great crowds, and I loved every sweaty minute!

My 3rd RnR of 2016 was in Virginia Beach and Hurricane Hermione played a small part in the weekend. They had to cancel the mile on the beach, which I ran on the hotel treadmill instead. The half went on as planned, and it was such a fun day. The crowds were insane, and running through the barracks was the highlight for me, along with finishing at the beach!

This year I was able to make it to Nashville again, but my plans to run LA were canceled due to some family issues. One of these days I will make it to the West Coast, but for now, I'll leave you with my fave pic from Nashville 2017. 

What has been your favorite Rock n Roll location?

Hot Chocolate Charlotte 15k

I received an entry into Hot Chocolate Charlotte 15k as part of being a BibRave Pro (ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.



I am super excited to be doing back to back Hot Chocolate weekends as a BibRave pro! I will be adding the Charlotte race to my calendar on February 10th! This makes me so happy! This race will be a hop, skip, and a jump from my house and the bling is a-mazing!



I will be training for a 50k during this time and the race fits right in, plus I will get to meet up with other BibRave Pros! I am also all about races that involve costumes! For every Hot Chocolate race I've done, I always dress up like candy!



You also get some pretty sweet swag! The jacket is always so comfy, and if you use my code to register, you will also get a free hat!



Will I see you at the most delicious race on the planet?

Tips for Enjoying Rock n Roll LA

Ok y'all, BibRave and the folks at the Rock n Roll race series hooked me up with a free entry as part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Unfortunately, due to some personal issues, I had to stay home. However, I have run a ton of Rock n Roll races so I feel like a pro anyway!

Here are a few tips for enjoying any race, but especially a Rock n Roll race.

Don't wear anything new on race day. This is probably the most important one of all. This can be tricky with a costume race, but it's so important. Find a 5k before the event and wear your costume.



I have the best luck using running clothes and changing them up a bit, but that's not always possible.
Also, no matter how much you love the finisher shirt or the cute stuff you bought at the expo, don't wear it on race day. Chafing at mile 8 can make those last 5 miles torture.

Read every email they send you, and sign up for race day texting. If there is a weather delay, you don't want to find out when you get to the start and are wondering where all the people are. And why the sky looks so scary. I speak from experience!

Line up in the proper corral. They gave you that assignment for a reason, they know what they're doing. Also, use a recent race finish time when you register. That race you ran last year that was totally flat and you haven't run as well since is not the race to use. Lining up in the wrong corral can get you jostled and knocked over by faster runners and it is not fun!

Take all the pictures!



Unless you are aiming for a PR, I highly recommend it. I do a 2:1 run walk and I take pics during that 1 minute walk break. It's so much easier to remember bits of your race that way!

Check a bag or leave one with your sherpa. I always put my Oofos, a change of clothes, band aids, and shower pills, as well as some body glide in case something chafed.



Don't eat anything new the day before the race. Stick with something simple like pasta or a burger. Now is not the time to try out some spicy Mexican food or Thai food.



Hydrate for days. For real, people, drink all the water. You don't want a migraine after the race! Also, drink a lot post race. Nooooo, not a pina colada.... water! If you are dehydrated, you can experience that pesky migraine, and you can also get really sick. It is not fun!



If you are visiting the area for the first time, try and resist seeing all the sights the day before the race. You don't want to run on tired legs, and seeing those sights after the race can be really good for your stiff legs.



Wear that medal proudly on race day, and even the day after. It's a proud moment, you should show it off. Plus, it explains why you are walking so funny...



I'm sure I could go on for days, but this will give you a good start. Remember to have fun! Pain is temporary but bling is forever. Enjoy the crazy signs, take some candy from strangers, and enjoy that post race beer of chocolate milk. You earned it!



What advice would you give to someone running their first race?

Boco Head Gear for Sunny Running

*I received a Boco Gear hat and visor as part of being a BibRave Pro (ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.*



I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people that finds something I like and then I stick with it. I'm super brand loyal.
I wear one brand of running shoe, one brand of running skirt, and one brand of socks... well, 2 I guess, since I wear one brand of regular socks and another brand for compression socks.
A couple of years ago, I started wearing Boco trucker hats. That was pretty much my introduction to my forever hat brand!



When I was asked if I wanted to try their hat and visor for BibRave, I pretty much started fangirling!



I wear them all the time! I mean, I don't have a problem or anything... I'm not addicted....



OK, but there are worse problems to have, right? Should I not mention here that those aren't even all of the Boco hats that I have? There might be one more in my bathroom for tomorrow's run, and one more that I keep in my car for when I coach Girls on the Run. Maybe.

Anyway.

Let's talk about why I have this...um...addiction.



Trucker hats.... they have a wicking internal headband so you don't sweat into your face, the side and back are mesh, it has a flat bill, and the back has an adjustable snap closure. I wear these on runs, hikes, or because it's Tuesday. Or Thursday. Ok. Any day. This is my favorite style. I might have 3.



Run hats.... super lightweight, mesh side panels to keep your head cool, wicking sweat band so you don't go blind when the salt drips into your eyes, adjustable buckle strap in the back, machine washable. Machine. Washable. Yesssss. I wear this on swampy runs, or when it's super sunny out. You know, so I don't die. Or sweat into my eye balls, which is worse than dying. For real, y'all, running in the South is rough!



The Visor.... I think I have the most of this style. It's lightweight, it has that awesome wicking internal sweat band I mentioned before, it has a super comfy elastic back for a nice fit, curved bill, machine washable. I love the machine washable part for real, people. This is the one I grab for those hot runs in the early morning or evening, since I don't have to worry about scalp burn! I also prefer this hat on trail hikes. The sweat band is super effective, and it fits like a glove. I also grab one for coaching Girls on the Run because it goes on easy, doesn't blow off of my head on windy days (neither do the others, for that matter) and I can sling it over my arm while I juggle all of my other coaching materials.



Again, let me reiterate, I do not have a problem, or an addiction..... right? This is totally normal!

What piece of gear are you addicted to?

Thursday Training Update and the Mount Dora Half Marathon

I'm so excited y'all!

* I received entry into the Mount Dora Half Marathon as part of being a Bib Rave Pro (ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews*

I just found out last night that I'll be traveling to Mount Dora, Florida in December to run their Half Marathon. It's the week before Christmas and I'm going to try and turn my orange BibRave tee into some sort of Christmas themed costume! Any ideas?
The race winds around Mount Dora and their two lakes, so I'm really looking forward to the scenery.



PLUS
I'm already training for Goofy, so the race fits right in to my training plans. I had to tweak it a little bit, but it's totally doable!

Let's get down to last week's workouts.

Thursday I ran 4 hilly miles with the Speed Demons. These were legit hill repeats and I just about died.



Friday I mostly recovered from doing hills 2 days in a row. I walked for about an hour, but that's it. I also packed for my weekend in Myrtle Beach since we were leaving right after Saturday's training run.



Saturday I ran with the Speed Demons, but I cut it down to 6 miles on the Greenway since I had the half on Sunday. Great training for Goofy weekend! We also kept it under 14 minute miles, which I will need to maintain at MCM next Fall.



Sunday, we ran the Myrtle Beach Mini. It was a beautiful course, and I would definitely run it again.



Monday was a rest day. I did 30 minutes or yoga with Adriene and a little over an hour of walking.



Tuesday was a track day. My legs were still tired from Sunday so we just stuck to a 2:1 run walk, keeping it under 14 minute miles!



Wednesday I totally planned to run a few miles, but it was cold and I stayed snuggled in bed with the hubs instead. I volunteered at the book store and walked for an hour instead.



All in all, not a bad week!

Have you ever run a race at Christmas time? Any costume ideas that go with an orange shirt?