June Stridebox!!!

I got my first installment of my stridebox subscription (products geared toward runners).  I was excited to tear into my box.  It cost me $15 but the value is around $27.  The box has goodies I can't wait to try. 
Contents include: a shoe lace system, a massage ball, 2 citrus energy bars,  a hydration mix, an electrolyte ice bar, packs of anti-chafe cream, and almond butter pocket fuel.  So far I've had the ice bar and one energy bar and both were fantastic.  Looking forward to trying out the shoe lace system because one of the ones I have on a pair of my current shoes I am not liking so much.  I will update once I try out more of the products. 

Oakley NYRR Mini 10K

This was second time running the Mini.  I was hoping to run a 1:02 but knew regardless I would pr over last year's 1:10:03.  Thankfully, the rain from Friday's monsoon departed.  The sun teased us through some overcast skys.  Again, BGR! was well represented.  I planned to try to keep the 1st 5k in the 10+ min/mile range and then push down to 9:30 for the rest.   As soon as we entered the park from CPW the humidity hit hard.  After the 2nd hill, I really started to feel it.  By the time I got to the 5K marker, I had to stop for a walk break.   I took several more because I got so hot.  I hadn't anticipated needing to drink on the course, but I did and even dumped some water on myself.   I got to the finish and whipped off my singlet.  There was Gatorade at the finish.  I felt like a calf cramp was about to develop and quickly downed a banana.  I finished in 1:04:10 despite the walking!  Almost a 6 minute pr!  No 1:02 but we will see what I can do in Charlotte in September. 

The Mini 10K.

I am looking forward to the Oakley 10 K on Saturday.  Celebrating the first women's only distance race.  The race has been in existence since 1972 just prior to Title IX.  Not sure how I got to go up 2 corrals but should help me get a nice pr. 

Brooklyn Half 2013

What can I say.  Regardless of how many people were running,  I knew I was going to enjoy it.  This Brooklyn girl loved running through her borough.  I went into the race having quite a bit of tightness in my left calf.  The start area was crazy with all the people.  The two wave start was key to keeping the race comfortable. The weather was good: cool and overcast.   I started off a little to fast.  I was pacing with two members of BGR! One ended up taking it easy due to some pain.  I ended up holding back and taking several walking breaks as well but my girl Annella kept with me even though I told her to go ahead.  The energy around the park was awesome!  Ocean Parkway was of course quieter.  It felt a little strange to have the Hasidic families out just staring at us.  Seeing the 800 m to go sign just made me angry but that 400 m was on the money.  Once again the BGR! cheer squad made the difference.  They were there for all the runners BGR! or not.  I capped the day off my cheesefries and a beer with my sole sistas.  I will be going on a half hiatus until RnR Philly.  Only 10 k or shorter races until then.

Excited!!

I have half marathon #6 and my fourth in as many months coming up on Saturday.  I am running the NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon.  This is my first time running in this event. Last year I had just completed my first ever half marathon 3 weeks prior to the 2012 event.  I was out and about on the course as I cheerleader for my BGR! sole sisters.  I was so jealous I couldn't run it because it seem like so much fun.  Now it is just 4 days away and I  can't wait.  This year the event is "bigger" than ever.  With over 20,000 runners registered, the Brooklyn Half Marathon will now be the 2nd largest half marathon in the U.S.   Great news of course for Brooklyn but also a little intimidating for runners.  To accommodate the extra runners there will be two wave starts.  Additionally there are all the extra security measures that are now in place after the Boston bombing.  I am hoping to knock of my Rock and Roll New Orleans half marathon time.  It will be quite tight in the first half of the race, so I will have to run this smart.  If I do it correctly I should be able to kick up the pace and hit a negative split once we get onto Ocean Parkway.   Either way PR or not, I plan to enjoy it!

Photos of the BGR! Cheer Squad at the 2012 Brooklyn Half Marathon.  Three members of the cheer squad are running it this year!

Broad Street Run

This was my first time running the Broad St run.  Loved it!  I was concerned I would not like running admist nearly 40,000 people but I was wrong.  I got there pretty early and it was quite cold.  I wish I had brought my mylar sheet with me.  I met up with BGR! Philly and we set it off with a large group stretch and prayer.  I was in the corral and we didn't cross the start until after 9am.   The crowd support was amazing!!!  We when ran past Children's Hospital there were some pediatric patients with their nurses cheering us on.   Tons of signs including the usual "worst parade ever".  Two that made me chuckle were "run faster, that guy farted" and around the 9 mile mark "shut up legs".  That second one was so true because my legs were very angry with me.   Overall great race.  I finished in 1:49:48, a 10:59 pace which was good.   I would love to run this again next year.   13 days to Brooklyn!! I will be taking a break from long distances after that. 

Half Fanatic #4095

I have completed 3 half marathons in 64 days and that makes me a Half Fanatic-Neptune Level.   This is the first entry level of the club.  I am looking forward to climbing levels in the future!.