FroYo 5k Recap–Spouse Edition

Posted by hellyontherun in 5k, Race, Running and tagged with 5k, FroYo 5k, Race, Running, Will Run For FroYo March 9, 2015

I was given a free race entry to the FroYo 5k but because I was still not feeling 100%, I decided to let my other half run it.

So long as I ate the yogurt.

You guys know my husband also runs. He doesn’t race very often, usually because he’s on kid duty while I’m racing, but when he does, I absolutely love cheering him on.

We arrived at the race site about an hour early as the website suggested. We had our printed ticket and waiver on hand, but saw they had a waiver station in case you forgot. I thought this was a smart organizational tidbit as I’d totally be someone who’d forget.

In fact, the entire race seemed to be very well organized.

The registration station, the swag bag pick-up, the yogurt station, everything was clearly marked and spaced appropriately so that neither was crowded. I appreciate those types of little things.

Check Yoself

Race organizers had sent an e-mail a few days before informing us there’d been a hiccup with two items part of the swag–the drawstring bag the items would go in and the sunglasses. Both had some kind of misprinting issue. They assured runners the items would be available for pick-up a few days post race. I appreciated the e-mail and not a surprise come race day. The swag that was ready was pretty cool and my daughter is in love with the slap bracelet (we had already used the free yogurt coupon that was also inside 😀 )

swag.

Then my husband and I took a pre-race pic

❤

and I snagged a pic with local Moms Run This Town girls (if you haven’t heard of this women’s only group, check out the website to see if there’s a chapter near you! Stateside only.) I’m a chapter leader for my city and it has been so much fun meeting moms 🙂

MRTT!

While we waited for it to get closer to go time, race organizers had a quick zumba/warm up session, a costume contest, pre-race stretching, and giveaway sign-ups. I thought all of this was cool and a fun way to keep people busy and not just standing around.

When it got close for the runners to start, the emcee instructed everyone to walk together to the start line which was about a half a block away (the finish line was where all the party was). As we approached the main start line, I saw that they had organized the “corrals” by what you were planning on doing: walkers, strollers, runners with strollers, runners.

I thought this was thoughtful and people were pretty good about adhering to their “station”.

Everyone lined up and I gave my husband a quick smooch and soon after, they were off!

There he is!

I waited until everyone started as I was cheering on a few moms with strollers from MRTT. But then I hurried back to the finish line as I figured I had about 20 minutes til my husband would start to make his way.

The race was a good size (400 or so) but it wasn’t difficult to find a place to catch the finishers. I hoped my husband would be towards the first of the finishers and soon enough, I began to see people making their way. I saw the first place guy turn the corner. He was going and I cheered him on to first place. About 30 seconds later, the second place guy came around, and then another 30 seconds, the third. I didn’t really pay attention to him because not a few seconds after I saw the third place guy make his way, I saw my husband! He was doing so well and I began to ~~scream~~ cheer my little lungs out!

I was so proud and I wanted the whole world to know that was my husband coming in like a speedster 😀

He finished the race 4th overall and with a brand spanking new PR– 21:07!

Just to be clear, my husband didn’t just roll out of bed and run lol! People ask me that all the time–does he even train? How does he run so fast and not run? He does train but just not as often as I do. He had done about 10 days of mini training for this 5k as I had thought I’d be okay to do it until my marathon failure. I tell him that if he was to really, really train, he could have some amazing times and races. I’m looking forward to giving him his turn now that I’m done with my marathon training.

My husband used to run track in high school (I ran cross country). So we’ve learned a lot from each other continuously teaching one another. He’s given me a lot of speed work knowledge and I’ve given him advice on endurance and pacing (he was a little excited at the start of this race!). It’s one of the many ways we complement each other ❤

After the race, I headed over to the yogurt tent to get my yogurt. The race was generous with its toppings (you can choose however many you wanted) but I still went with strawberry and only gummies.

The choices.

Nom.

My husband snapped a pic of me mid bite and then we were on our way. FroYo 5k DONE!

😀

–Have you ran a food related race before? (The Hot Chocolate race series is also a good one!)

–What food would you want to have waiting for you at the end?

I received a free entry to the FroYo 5k. All opinions expressed in the blog post are honest and my own.

5 Thoughts About Phoenix Marathon

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon, Phoenix Marathon, Race and tagged with Marathon, Nerves, Phoenix Marathon, Race February 27, 2015

The day has arrived. We are less than 24 hours til marathon #3! It’s crazy to think that in one year, I will have ran three marathons! It all started with Phoenix Marathon one year ago 🙂

I’m linking up with the DC Trifecta trio Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for their Friday Five–this week’s topic: Friday Free For All.

I’ve already relayed to you that I was nervous about the race because of my sickness, I’ve got some news on that as well as some other things that are on my mind race related.

1. I’m still sick, but……I’m definitely feeling better!

I’m not as bad as I was and this makes me very, very happy. I didn’t want to have any excuse to not run well. If for whatever reason I don’t, I want it to be because of it happening the way it was supposed to. Of course, I’m hoping to run well, but I don’t want any of the “I wonder how I would’ve run if I wasn’t sick?” No, no, no. I’m going to go out there as if it were a run with my partner in crime like any other day(I’m running with my training partner 🙂 I call her Runner Jenny) and just go with the flow. We always have fun running together and this is going to be no different. Well, there will be some differences lol

2. I’m super pumped to meet some awesome bloggers/runners.

A TON of people are running this race. Let me forewarn you, you will see your Insta feed blow up with pics of/from the Phoenix Marathon. The full and half both sold out. I know I probably won’t be able to catch all of my faves, Suz, Emily, Meg, and soooo many others but it’ll be fun to at least meet some.

If you want to follow the fun and amazingness that will be the Phoenix Marathon, check out the hashtag #ItsGoingDownAtPHX There will be some epic pics for sure.

3. The weather looks like it’s going to refuse to cooperate.

There have been rumors of rain and it seemed like the weather gods would wait for the afternoon and the start time would be cool and dry but…..

Last year, the first 4 miles were raining and then it was just damp the rest of the way. When I crossed the finish line, about 20 minutes later, it poured like someone had opened up a faucet! I felt so bad for the people still running.

I really, really, hope that the rain waits til later, waaaay later.

4. Time goals have been set.

That’s goals, plural. I have my ultimate “A” goal if all the starts align and that would be to finish in 4:15. My training has shown that I can do it and it’s a possibility but….you just never know with marathons. That would mean a 9:43 ish pace and I really feel that could that, but again, we shall see.

My “B” goal would be sub 4:30. I would be VERY happy to see a four twenty something. Very happy. Ecstatic.

And then my “C” goal would be to PR. My fastest marathon to date is 4:44 at last year’s Phoenix Marathon. I really think I can beat that and if I did, I would consider this year’s marathon a success.

If I get worse than last year, I’m being completely honest, I’ll be disappointed. I feel like my training for this marathon was on point, I feel strong, I feel prepared (despite my sickness) and anything but a PR would be heartbreaking for me.

5. My husband is once again, my cheerleader for this race.

There is really no way that I could put into words how much it means to me that my husband is so supportive of my running. His constant motivation and encouragement is what gets me through training, through races, and through post races when I might not be satisfied with my results. He always reminds me how amazing I am to be doing this, something a lot of people will never do in their life. I forget that.

I’m not sure, I do try to express to him my gratitude, but I don’t think he knows how much his support means to me. When I’m running, and in pain, it’s thoughts of him that keep me going. I know that that will be the case again. In times of struggle, he’ll be there, either physically–running alongside me cheering me on–or in my thoughts reminding me that I’m okay, I got this. I’m forever grateful.

Me and my #1 fan ❤

Thanks also to YOU for your encouraging words and advice as I prepare myself for the big day. Sometimes I think no one reads my lil ‘ol blog and it always puts a smile on my face when I read a comment. I can’t wait to come back on Monday (or sometime next week lol!) to tell you all about how it went. You can also check facebook or instagram as I’ll be updating there over the weekend 🙂

I hope you all have a good weekend whether you’re racing or training!

❤ , helly

5 Arizona Races You Should Run {link up}

Posted by hellyontherun in 10k, 5k, Half Marathon, Marathon, Race, Running and tagged with 1/2 Marathon, 10K, 5k, Araivaipa, Esprit de She, Local Race, Marathon, Pat's Run, Phoenix Marathon February 20, 2015

So I’ve been slacking on my Lost Dutchman 10k Recap–not because I did so poorly I swear!–but because I’m still sick 😦

After quite a few days of yuckiness, I’m finally starting to feel like I’m on the mend (don’t want to jinx it though!).

I absolutely love the Lost Dutchman race and have done it twice, both times running the 10k distance. Instead of recapping just the race though, I’ve decided to include it in Cynthia, Courtney, and Mar‘s Friday Five: 5 Races to Run in 2015 🙂

Now I know the race is in the past, so technically you can’t run it in 2015, BUT, it’s still a race that I super highly recommend, especially if you want a beautiful Arizona race.

1. Lost Dutchman

I love this race because you get a lot of options. There’s an 8k trail race, a 10k, a 1/2 marathon, and a full marathon to choose from. Tons of people from my run club love and swear by the half marathon raving on its stunning views and overall fun course. I have yet to do the half because this race is 2 weeks before Phoenix Marathon and I’m always scared to race race so close to a full. So I stick to the 10k.

The 10k has some small, rolling hills (and from what I’ve heard, the 1/2 and full as well). It’s an out and back and the first 3.1 miles has you running with a huuuge mountain as your scenery. It’s gorgeous.

Seriously though

The race is super family friendly with the start line for all races at an actual park. My husband took my daughter to cheer me on and they played on the playground while I ran 🙂

This year I didn’t run so well, unfortunately. In fact, I might venture to say it was my worst race 😦 I think the fatigue of training and my sickness caught up to me and I just couldn’t muster the energy to run fast. Last year I place 2nd in my age group and snagged a 10k PR so I had a lot to live up to. Wasn’t even close this year. Oh well…it was still a super fun race. One that I love because of it’s small size and homey feel. And killer views 🙂 I’ll do this race every year for sure.

and she loves it too!

My fave cheerleader

2. Esprit de She 5k/10k (and du and tri)

This is another smaller race that I really like. There are several states that this race is held in but it’s def not a super big one. It’s an all female race, which I kinda, really like. It’s basically a party with bunch of girlfriends. Wine included!

There’s a 5k and 10k option and the one in my city was a loop you circled twice (for the 10k). This was another race I didn’t do so well in (damn 10ks!) but it’s still another that I’ll do every year because of how much fun it is. The post race party is THEE best.

Me and my beautiful friend, Nadia (who placed 4th overall!)

Esprit de She also holds triathlons and duathlons. Someday, I might get crazy and attempt the du 😀

I’m an ambassador for EdS and while I don’t have a coupon code to offer for the race, you can use my track code, EDS003 It’s NOT a coupon code, it just tracks how many people I send to the race (in any city).

If you do want to do the du or tri, that I do have a code for: AMBASRD will save you 15%.

3. Phoenix Marathon

I’m kinda biased 😀 This was my first marathon and I’m so glad I chose it as my first. I love that it’s not a HUGE race ala Chicago or Marine Corps (although those are amazing) and you can’t not like the elevation chart

The race has a 10k, 1/2 marathon, and full marathon option and it’s quickly become a top marathon to run if you’re attempting a BQ. Duh right? With an elevation chart like that? The full sold out for the second year in a row.

There are a gazillion bloggers/IGers who are doing this race next weekend so you will def be seeing a lot of pics leading up to and the day of. You can also follow #ItsGoingDownAtPHX if you want to see double the fun. Seriously though, a TON of people are doing this race. Except this person who should be doing it, dammit.

4. Aravaipa Trail Race (or find a trail race near you!)

I love, love, love trail running and the trail races to do here in Arizona are put on by Aravaipa. I plan on doing more of their races in the future but the one I have done was SO FREAKING ~~HARD~~ AWESOME. It was a night 27k trail race. Yes, night. I had no idea what I was doing; it was my first trail race and my first race at night and it was def hard. But something totally cool and something I will totally do again.

Aravaipa Adrenaline 27k

Wouldn't this distract you too?? Photo Cred: B. Swanson

I ❤ the desert.

If you haven’t done any trail running, I highly recommend it. There’s something so liberating about the trails. It’s like there’s less pressure running on the trails then the roads. Less focus on time, more focus on the love of running. On the feeling of awesomeness that is running. Just do it. You’ll love it.

5. Pat’s Run

This is the race to run in Arizona. I can guarantee if you’re in a room with people someone will have run this race at some point. Maybe all of them will have.

It’s a 4.2 mile course in honor of Pat Tillman, former ASU and Cardinal football player who wore #42. He left the NFL to defend our country after the events of 9/11.

This is not a race to run if you’re super focused on time. It’s just way too crowded. There are TONS of people who run this; it sells out every. single. year. Pat’s Run also has “shadow runs” in different states where runners run the same distance, 4.2 miles. Check out the website to see if there’s a Pat’s Run in your are (those stateside).

This will be my little girl’s first race! We signed her up last year but then had to cancel when we took our impromptu trip to Spain. She’ll be doing a 42 yard dasher ❤

The race ends inside Sun Devil Stadium (Arizona State University) at the 42 yard line. So you get to run through the tunnel and enter the stadium as you finish. It’s pretty awesome.

I’ve also written more about this race here 🙂

I stayed local and that’s because there are so many awesome races here! So if you’re ever in Arizona and wanna race, make sure you let me know you’re coming though so I can run with ya! ❤

–Do you like small, local races? or larger, more well known races?

–What is the race to run where you’re from?

Thanks to the DC Trifecta ladies again for hosting!