Race Recap: Nike Women's Half Marathon DC

On Sunday April 28th I completed the Inaugural Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC. But it wasn't as easy as that sounds. First of all I ran it with Team in Training. And because I ran it with Team in Training that meant many months of fundraising. I started back in October and completed my goal of $2700 or more in March. I officially raised $3065.75 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Now let me recap the race for you.

Saturday was the expotique and race check in. We got to DC around lunch time and met up with some dear friends. Friends who also happen to be our daughter's godparents. Our daughter's godfather went to seminary with my husband and he has a church in DC. After lunch they put us on the correct bus to Georgetown so that I could pick up my race stuff. The line to check in for the race was crazy long but Nike did a good job hurrying people through it. I only waited in line for about 25 mins then we were off to the expo

Outside the race expo.

My husband and I don't do well with large crowds of people we don't know. So we walked around inside the expo for a few mins, I signed my name on the wall, well more specifically I wrote "Anna runs 4 Abby" and then we headed out to Niketown.

The Wall of Racers outside Niketown. So cool!

I told my husband that we HAD to go to Niketown because I wanted to see my name on the wall of racers. It didn't take that long to find it, we snapped some pics and then headed inside. It was insanely busy inside Nike but I quickly found someone to help me find the shirt I wanted then I got in the long line to check out. Big kudos to Nike on their speedy checkout service and customer service members helping throughout the store. Then off we went to the Team in Training Inspiration dinner. I had no idea what to expect at this dinner but it was quite awesome. They had a leukemia survivor (who was also running her first half!) and the world class runner Joan Benoit Samuelson.

Joan Benoit Samuelson on the big screen!

I left that dinner kind of in awe of what I heard. I had the honor of hearing an olympic athlete, the last American woman to win the Boston marathon. What a great night! Immediately after the dinner my friend and fellow phattie found me so we could say hi.

My friend Lynne and I. We met in FL but now we both live in VA.

Lynne and I met while running with the Phat Girlz in Pensacola. She moved up to VA so that she could attend George Washington University. She is studying Physical Therapy. I was so excited to see her. She is super speedy so we didn't run together but it was so nice to see her again.

The back of my race shirt. Virginia TNT Rockstar

After I said my goodbyes and good lucks to Lynne we headed back to the hotel so that I could lay out my race stuff and make sure I had everything. 

My race bib. Running for God. Praying for Abby.

I even took the time to write on my race bib.

My race bib and the shirt I bought in Niketown.

Then I headed off to bed. I woke up the next morning at the nasty time of 3:45am. I am not a morning person, but I will do it for a race. We headed to the metro and followed some fellow TNTers to the TNT race bag drop off. I hit the portapotties then did some stretches. After I stretched my husband I decided on a place to meet, prayed and then I headed to my start corral.

I'm in the orange hat!

I'm lacking any great race pictures because my husband said he always spotted me too late and I always seemed to be on the opposite side of him. But if you look at the picture above, taken near mile six, look directly down for the tree trunk and I am in the orange hat.

My race started really well. I was running with a TNTer from South Carolina. She was looking to run the same pace as me so we decided to run together but made no pact to stay together. I can't tell you how beautiful the course was. There were people and bands everywhere. I ran by the Bureau of Engraving & Painting, the Washington Monument, the WWII Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, over the Arlington Memorial bridge and back, the Kennedy Center, the MLK Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, George Mason Memorial, the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art, and the US Capitol. When I crossed the 15k marker I was thrilled to see that I was on pace to tie or beat my PR from Richmond. Just after mile 11 I felt a small twinge in my right calf. It quickly went away so I ignored it. A half a mile later it came back with full force. I stopped for a split second shook out my leg and pressed on. I finished the whole rest of the race with the worst cramp in my calf but I refused to walk. I ended up finishing the race ten minutes slower than my PR in Richmond. My official time was 2:04:17.

Post race pic. Dead tired but still smiling.

After crossing the finish line, holding back tears literally, I grabbed my post race food picked up my awesome Tiffany's finishers necklace, my Nike finishers shirt and headed to the TNT tent. I was required to check in there post race, so I did then I found my gear and my husband. As soon as I found my husband I clung to him and cried. I don't know if I cried more out of pain or out of frustration. When I pulled myself together we headed over to the Nuun station so that I could rehydrate. I drank four full glasses of Nuun and then told my husband I was good to go. We left the course and not a half a block from the course I said that I needed to put my warm up pants back on. I stopped undid my right shoelace kicked off my shoe, picked up my foot and immediately doubled over in pain. The pain shot up from my foot all the way to my knee. My husband told me to lie down, I got down in the middle of the sidewalk as quickly as I could. Thankfully my husband used to coach track so he knew how to stretch me out. Someone walked by and asked if I needed a medic, I softly said no and just laid there and cried while my husband held my leg. After about five minutes the pain subsided, I got up and hobbled to the hotel.

My finisher's gear.

The pain in my calf is still there but nothing like it was. I am slightly kicking myself for not seeing a medic but I think I just pulled something as there is no bruising or swelling.

Side One.

I was really beating myself up about my time until I realized yesterday how badly my leg hurt. I am proud that I finished, when I could have easily given up.

Side Two.

I earned this medal and shirt! And I will wear them both proudly. Plus, I was running in honor of Abby in PA. She is five years old and fighting leukemia. 

Everything I brought home.

I came home from the race with a Nike tank, a Nike Finishers shirt, a Tiffany's finisher necklace, a Rockstar TNT pin and certificate, a TNT 13.1 pin and a TNT 25th anniversary pin. Plus, I have the many good and bad memories of the race. It was a race I will truly never forget. I am blessed to have the experience.

Have you had a race experience like mine? How did you handle it?

God Bless.

Esprit de She, Cary NC

As I prep and taper for the Inaugural Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC, I try to rid some of the nerves I have by looking past the race to my next race. My next race after NWHDC will be Athleta Esprit de She in Cary North Carolina. The Cary NC event is on June 27th.

I was chosen as a blog ambassador for the race in Cary. I'm stoked about this race. I will be running the 10k. This event features a 5k run or walk and a 10k run or walk. This is an evening race that is followed by a post-race rendezvous and night market. The race features personalized race bibs (if you register before 5/9), a tri-blend workout tank and a race bag. And this is a women's only race series. So if you were/are ever intimidated about running a race with a bunch of dudes here is your chance to run with all women.

Besides the awesome race amenities  Esprit de She has partnered with other organizations that share their beliefs. One of those organizations is their official charity party Girls On The Run. Check out their website, it is an awesome organization that encourages girls both physically and mentally.

Want to find out more information for yourself? You can here.

Look for my NWHDC recap soon. Happy running!

God Bless.

Boston on my mind...

What a scary day in Boston yesterday. I had multiple friends running the Boston Marathon yesterday but it really hit home when I talked to my current training buddy yesterday evening. He told me that two years ago when he ran the Boston Marathon his wife was standing in almost the exact spot of the first explosion and that he wouldn't have finished the race because he was not having a good race. They would have diverted or stopped him completely from running, and it would have been just a minute or so after the blast that he would have reached that spot. I can't even fathom the thought of what racers, families and spectators are going through.

I'll probably never run the Boston Marathon. I don't have any desire to run a full marathon at this point in my life. But I can run in their honor. So today I set out on a run in honor of those in Boston. I ran 4.09 miles because that is what the marathon clock read when the first explosion occurred.

I have no other words to express how I feel about the events that took place in Boston. I have only been to Boston once but it holds such a special place in my heart. My husband went to seminary outside Boston so it was a great joy for him to take me there on vacation. I'm so sad for the city, the families and the runners.

God Bless.

Praying for Boston

I can't begin to express the sadness I feel about today's events in Boston. What an amazing day that was turned so quickly into a tragic one. I am a runner and I will probably never run Boston, but I have friends that have run it. And I even had friends there this year. But that means nothing. I don't need to know any of the runners to tell you how hurt I am. It makes my heart ache to think about the lives that were lost because of this tragedy.

As I prepare for my next big race in 13 days I never thought I would have this looming in the back of my mind. I find myself praying while I run and I always pray for my safety and those running alongside of me. But now that prayer will seem even more warranted. That prayer will seem even more deep.

Please pray for the families and runners affected. Pray for the city of Boston and it's officials. Pray for our country and our officials. PRAY. 

God Bless.

17 days til race day!

Ok, it's 17 days until the Nike Women's Half in DC. I'm so excited but I'm also getting ready to just be there all ready. I'm excited and nervous but also a little tired of following a training plan. Don't get me wrong, I love to run, but I feel I have been training for this race forever!

I have my last long run this Saturday. 13 miles is the plan, and that will go down as my longest training run ever. I have run a half marathon but the last time I trained for it my longest training run was 11 miles. I'm excited and scared to run the 13 on Saturday. I'm hoping and praying my allergies clear up some. I'm also actively working on hydrating earlier in the week. I let myself slack at the end of the last week so last weekend's 12 miler was terrible.

Anyone have any advice? Any other runners deal with over training?

Have a great week. God Bless.

Accel Gel

It's time to announce the winner! Shay over at Whine Less, Breathe More is the winner. Shay please contact me with you mailing information. 

Thank you everyone who entered.

Have a great weekend. God Bless.

Esprit de She

I'm so excited to announce that I will be a part of the Esprit de She race series bloggers. I will be participating in the Cary, NC 10K. I don't have all the details just yet but I'm super stoked about it.

Check out the video link about the series!

Have a great day. God Bless!

Favorite Things Round Three + Giveaway

Round Three of my favorite things is all about nutrition. And I mean this as nutrition that works best for me, not for everyone! I have a very sensitive stomach when I run so you'll see that I don't do much pre-run or mid-run.

Pre-Run:

• Accel Gel, if long run I am prepping for a long run this is my go to product. I have a really sensitive stomach so I can't have real food in my tummy. **Check out the giveaway**
• Honey Stinger Waffles, I like to use these as "breakfast" on race days. I really can't have much in my stomach but this gives me something besides gel.
• Water

Mid-Run:

• Accel Gel, ok so depending on the race I not only use Accel Gel before races but I also use it for mid-race. With my first half marathon I used on at mile 4 and then again at mile 8. I am working on spacing that out farther though. Last week when I ran 12 miles I only used one at mile 6. I think this weekend when I run 13 I will try to use one at about mile 6 again, but we will see. My flavor preference is key lime.
• Water, of course, this is kind of a given. I carry it in my amphipod handheld.
• Honey Stinger Chews, when I need some variety in my training runs I pick up some of these bad boys. I love the flavor and texture. I haven't used them yet for a race but I have trained with them multiple times. I like the orange flavor.
• Nuun Active Hydration, this is one of the best ways I keep hydrated. It gives my water an added extra umph. I love it. And so far, I haven't really found a flavor I don't like. I have not tried tri-berry or strawberry lemonade though as I am allergic to strawberry.

Post-Run/Recovery

• Endurox, my husband got me to try this recovery drink. It's easy to make, you just mix two scoops with cool water, shake or stir then chug away. We like the fruit punch flavor when mixing it with water. We have also bought the vanilla to use it in a protein shake.
• Nuun Active Hydration, this go to after I do any kind of workout to help rehydrate. It takes great, is easy to make and I just enjoy it. I can't say enough good things about Nuun.
• Water, again it's a given. Need I say more?
• Chocolate Milk, they say that chocolate milk is the perfect mix between sugar, carbs and protein for a post workout recovery drink. I just like the excuse to drink chocolate milk.

So what do you prefer for nutrition while you run?

Ok, now do you want a chance to win some of my favorite pre and mid run fuel? You can with rafflecopter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends on Friday April 5th. Winner will be announced on my blog and emailed. If I do not receive a response from the winner within 24 hours a new one will be chosen.

Have a great week. God Bless.

Favorite Things Round Two

Happy April Fools Day!

Here is my favorite things the accessory list, no fooling ;). Again, I have broken it down by weather. If you want to see the clothing list you can here. 

Cold Weather:

• Oiselle Arm Warmers, one of the best purchases I ever made! They are great for that "I don't know" weather. I can wear short sleeves and add the armwarmers then either roll them up mid run, push them down or take them off completely and tuck them in my waistband. Big recommendation!
• Headsweats Earband, mine is customized with the Phabulous Phat Girlz logo on it. But it is a great winter accessory. It keeps my ears warm until they warm up. Then if I need to I just pull it down and let it ride on my neck. If I get too hot then I wrap it around my wrist.
• Gloves, Eeek I lost one! I had an awesome pair of Adidas ones that my husband bought me Christmas 2088 but I just lost one this month. So I'm on the hunt for a new pair. Any suggestions? I want lightweight as my hands get warm pretty quickly. And I'm looking for a  pair that clips together or something so I'm less likely to lose one. My old pair had a clip on it.

Warm Weather:

• Sunscreen! I don't really have a preference as long as it is spray on and sweatproof. But it is a must for this pale girl!
• Hat, I'm in the market for a new hat. I have been looking at the Brooks Nightlife Mesh Cap but I have yet to purchase it. I really want the new Oiselle hat but it is not being sold yet. It is only out to their athletes.
• Handana, if you read my blog regularly (I know very few people do!) you may have already seen my review on Handana. If you have not, you can see it here. But it's great for snot, sweat, blood or whatever else you need to wipe off.

Year Round:

• RoadID, I never leave on a run or walk with out it! Click on the banner above or in the sidebar to get one.
• Soleus GPS 2.0, I can't tell you how much I love my watch. It's so easy to use the GPS is so accurate. It is one of the best running birthday gifts I have ever received.
• Locklaces, the fastest and easiest way to get your shoes tied. 
• Amphipod Hyrdoform Handheld Pocket, I use this on any run when I need to use a gel, any run longer than eight miles or any warm weather run. The pocket works great for a gel, keys, lip balm, just about anything. And I love the way the bottle is formed to fit your hand. It took me a few runs to get used to it but now I feel sort of naked without it.
• Amphipod AirFlow Microstrecth Belt, depends on distance, race and shorts whether I wear this or not but it's a good belt. Because it's stretchy it very rarely rides. I can store gels, my phone or keys in it.
• Body Glide, never ever go on a run without it! I use it on my inner thighs, my bootie, under my sports bra band and on my toes. It has saved me from so much pain.
• Brooks Ravenna 3, I know Brooks has come out with Ravenna 4 but happened after I bought my second pair of 3s. I will buy 4s the next time around probably but I love these shoes. I have never had a problem with any of my Brooks shoes. I'm a huge fan.

Did I miss anything? Have any suggestions for me?

Have a great week. God Bless.