Mid-Week Musings: Meeting Online Friends

Posted by hellyontherun in Bloggers, Running, Travel and tagged with Blog, Blogging Buddies, Meet-ups, Online Friends, Running September 23, 2015

Happy Hump Day!!!

I’m nearing the day I have to renew my “website subscription” and it’s always a reminder of how long I’ve had this page (2 years!). It always makes me think about how I’ve met so many awesome people through my blog and it’s a big reason I keep writing–even though sometimes I feel like I’m not exciting enough to have a blog, lol!

Anyway, there’s so many people who I’ve “met” online and have followed their journeys and have been inspired. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some people in person and cross some bloggers off my list, but it seems as I check people off, I “meet” more cool people online.

At Phoenix Marathon, I got to meet Pavement Runner, Maxfitgirl, RunEMZ, The Athletarian (how hilarious is it to call people by their blog names?!!).

This past summer, I got to meet Hailey@StridingStrong and last October, I got to meet Sue@ThisMamaRunsForCupcakes at Marine Corps Marathon.

It was at MCM that I got to meet my BRF, Salt who I had actually “met” on an online mommy’s group before we became running bloggers 🙂

My BRF and sole sister–Salt ❤ (fave meet-up!)

As race season approaches (for me, it starts this weekend!), I am going to be crossing off quite a few people on my Bloggers I’d Like to Meet In Real Life list (don’t we all have a list like that?)

This weekend, I’ll be racing in Vancouver (what?!) and I’ll meet Suzy@SuzyHasTheRuns. She’s a new find for me and it was instant love–she’s so rad (and fast!)–and I’m so pumped to meet her. There might be some uncomfortable closeness as I hope some of her speed rubs off on me.

In Chicago, oh boy….There are SO many bloggers who are running, I just hope that we can make the meet up work. I’m hoping that Sarah@RunningOnHealthy, Scott@PirateBobcat, Kristina@BlogAboutRunning, Amber@PbandPrs, and Suzy@SuzLyfe rearrange their schedules for some Helly time.

Mike from RunNerdsRock will be there, Jenny from RunJennyRun will be there–I’m sure I’m missing a whole bunch of people and I know that trying to meet everyone will be close to impossible, d~~ammit~~!, but with the help of social media, I’m hoping we can make it happen.

After Chicago, the fun continues as Mar from Mar On The Run will be coming to meeeee!!! She and I will be running Rock n Roll Arizona 😀 and when she tweeted me confirmation, I totally squee’d. Mar knew she owed me since we didn’t make a meet-up happen when I went to her at MCM 😉 (Love ya, Mar!)

And Suzy@SuzyHasTheRuns will also be coming to me at RnR! Double meet-up!

Race season on its own is exciting. Having the chance to meet awesome people on top of it …

–Have you met bloggers in person?

–Do you have a “list” of bloggers you’d want to meet?

–How often do you refer to your online friends to friends in real life? (Um me, all the time, lol!)

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I’ll be crossing the border tomorrow and will be MIA from my blog–but, if you miss me, follow me on Insta for some Canadian pics 🙂

❤ , helly

Chicago Marathon Training: Week 15 Recap

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon Training, Running and tagged with 20 Miles, Chicago Marathon, Long Run, Marathon Training, Running, Running Shoes, Team RMHC September 21, 2015

Taper taper bo baper, fee fi fo faper…..taaaaaaper!!!!!

I love that little jingle. 😀

It was a great week of training and now I’m in the home stretch–eeeep!!!!

I had the day off on Monday and I took advantage of it by going for a 5 miler. I’ve been limited to 4 miles during the week because of time/work/kid constraints (and husband work travels) and I would’ve liked to have done 6, but I was very happy for 5.

Almost a negative split run 🙂

I took the day off from running on Tuesday as my husband was leaving out of town for work and I wanted to hang out ❤

Wednesday I was solo parenting so I had to squeeze in a run after work and before kid pick-up. It was so hot, yet it wasn’t even in the triple digits. I struggled but got it done.

Thursday I was feeling all sorts of blah but then my brother texted me his run. I wrote about how much he’s been inspiring me here and after reading his text/stats, I put my running shoes and went for it. It was a much better run than I’d had in a while 🙂

Throughout this training, I’ve been rotating my Brooks Ravennas and Asics Kayanos, using my Asics for my long runs. As I approached my second 20 miler, I knew I needed to break in the shoes I’d be using for race day. I planned on racing in my Brooks.

BUT, when I went to Nordstrom Rack (where I’d bought my shoes on sale for $70!), they didn’t have any more. Crushed, I went to one of my local running stores prepared to try on and buy the newer model. Except they felt weird!!

My beloved Ravennas but the new model fit weird in the toe box 😦

I just couldn’t commit to the new model with them feeling the way they did, so I reluctantly bought the newest model of Kayanos and decided since that style has been a part of my rotation, I’d race in them.

They’re def easy on the eyes 🙂

I ran in them on my Wednesday and Thursday runs, but they just didn’t feel right either. I always felt they were heavier than my Ravennas but the newer model felt even boxier. It also could’ve been that I already was sad about my shoe issues, lol!

So on Friday, I returned them. I asked what was most comparable to the Ravennas and I was told the Saucony Guides. I was VERY apprehensive about trying a brand new brand/shoe so far into training, but when I slipped them on, they felt good. And even though they weren’t ~~purple~~ pretty, I decided to give them a shot.

And on Saturday I ran 20 miles in them. 🙂

It was another 3 a.m. start time and the first 10 miles went smoothly. Shoes felt good, I felt good.

With the exception of miles 1 and 8, I stayed within my 10-10:30 LSD range and I did not stop at all, fueling at mile 5 on the run.

I met up with my back 10 crew and I did have to stop my watch a good 15 minutes or so while I waited.

And it took me a few miles to get back on track …

but once I was warmed up again, the run just felt good. I even negative split the last 7 miles!!!!

I was so happy at the end, and my friends commented on how strong I looked–it didn’t seem like I’d just run 20 miles, lol! I really did feel good too; it was such confidence building run 😀

My and a buddy wearing our charity singlets–we’re ready for Chicago!! 🙂 #TeamFox #TeamRMHC

Overall, exactly what I would’ve hoped for going into taper time. So happy!!! 33.25 total miles

I hope everyone has a great week!! ❤ , helly

–Have you switched shoes mid-training?

–Are you brand loyal? Or do you go with what feels right?

–When’s the last time you had a stellar long run?

Brother Update

Posted by hellyontherun in Family, Running and tagged with Change, Family, Hope, Inspiration, Motivation, Running, Transformation, Weight Loss September 16, 2015

So, this past May my brother ran his first ever half marathon and totally blew everyone away. I wrote about it here and about his weight loss here. It’s worth a read to catch up and fully understand his awesomeness.

Anyway, he said he was one and done but you know how that goes. His badassery continues.

He signed up for another half marathon!!!!! And this time, he’s going sub 2– Yeah, he’s going there.

He’s lost about 15 more pounds bringing him to right around 80 pounds total.

I just can’t believe it.

310 to 233

His transformation is seriously one of those where if someone told me this would happen, I would say, “There’s no way in hell.” And mean it. All those idioms, expressions, sayings–“When pigs fly.” “When hell freezes over.” “I’ll believe it when I see it.” All of those.

But he did it. By golly, he’s doing it.

In fact, I’ve got an admission.

He’s faster than me.

I’ve never been so ridiculously happy someone is faster than me.

He ran that 5k this summer in 23:49 beating my 5k PR by 15 seconds!!!!

It was a small, local race–no medals or glitz– but he was able to pull off a 5th place overall finish and 3rd in his age group.

No medal, just pride

Freaking amazing.

I know I keep saying this, but I just never thought my brother could transform himself in this way. And he’s done it all by himself, just diet and exercise–no gimmicks–just hard work.

I couldn’t be more proud of him. Anytime I start to get down or am in a funk, I think of my brother who is kicking so much ass, and he just inspires me to keep going. He is living proof that ANYTHING is possible.

Believe in miracles. Believe in change. Believe that people can change. I hope you guys have a great weekend!

❤ , helly