Tuesday Topics – Page 51

Category: Tuesday Topics

09
Apr
2019

Tuesday Topics: My favorite cross training activity

Disclaimer: I am promoting the Ravenswood 5K as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I will confess that I am bad when it comes to cross training. Thanks to my insurance I got a great deal on my gym membership, but have not taken advantage of it. I think I’ve been to the gym less than 5 times since I joined back in January.

Right now I am a member of Planet Fitness and LA Fitness. I am aware that the latter has awesome classes such as zumba, spinning, and boot camp. I know, I know. It is a waste of money if I am not going to take advantage of the memberships.

However, I do enjoy walking. Well, not too long of a time because then I get bored. 🙂 How is it that I can run for an hour but easily get bored when I walk for an hour. But throw in some money incentive and I could walk for hours. Remember the step challenge I did a few months ago?

Some benefits of walking include:
• Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
• Lowers stress and improves mood
• Supports your joints and strengthen muscles
• Can lead to weight loss
• Improves sleep

Right now most of the walking I do is in my classroom. Now that Spring is here and a bit warmer, I am hoping that I can get out more often for a walk. Did I tell you that Target is about 1/2 mile away from my house? It is good but also dangerous.

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For those in the Chicago area, make sure to sign up for a fun 5K on April 28th. Unfortunately I won’t be in town for this race since I will be in Wilmington for the Delaware Half Marathon. It is my first half marathon this year and I am excited (but nervous) about it.

Check out the cool blue shirts for all registrations. Aren’t they lovely? Make sure to use code “RAVENSBR” for a FREE stainless steel water bottle! Pretty cool, right? Even I want one. 🙂

Proceeds from this race help support the Ravenswood Community Services Food Pantry at All Saints Episcopal Church and the student health centers at Lakeview and Amundsen High Schools.

Here is a short clip from the race:

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What’s your favorite cross training activity? You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

02
Apr
2019

Tuesday Topics: The best and worst race swag I’ve received

categories: Tuesday Topics

Hello April! Where did you come from? I am on Spring Break and really not complaining. When I return to work next Monday, it will only be 40 more days of work. 🙂

I will admit that I don’t care much for the race swag. After the HUGE disappointments with the swag from the RunDisney races (the shirts are nice but that is pretty much all you get), I just stopped caring about it anymore. Sure I like the race shirts but rarely keep any of them.

I remember when the shirts were cotton, long sleeve shirts. I kept a few and used them for sleeping. I am sure I must have donated them because I don’t have them anymore. There are two shirts I still have in my dresser drawer.

This is the one I really dislike.

Well, what race swag do I want? As someone that runs various races, I want something that I could really use. No, not another shirt. I guess I do have something against race shirts. 🙂

• A bottle of wine or wine glass

• A necklace or bracelet

• Pair of flip flops

• Pair of socks

• Hand lotion or shampoo

• FREE meal vouchers to a restaurant

• Gift card to Target, Starbucks, or Dunkin

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What’s the best and worst race swag you ever received? You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida!
Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

26
Mar
2019

Tuesday Topics: 2019 Shamrock Shuffle Race Recap

categories: BibRave Pro, Race Recap, Tuesday Topics

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

This week’s topic is “What are your favorite non-running or non-fitness hobbies?” I ran a race on Sunday so I am going a different route and writing my race recap. I hope I don’t don’t bore you!

On Sunday I ran one of my favorite races! Love, love this race! This was also my first race of the year. This year was also the 40th Anniversary.

I’ve been running this race since 2006, but missed it in 2009, 2012, and 2013.

I picked up my bib on Saturday morning along with my race shirt and a bright green hat just like last year.

The forecast on Saturday morning was that it was supposed to rain. I was debating between shorts or tights. I also had a jacket for the rain.

I woke up Sunday morning at 6am and quickly checked the weather. No rain! I got up, drank coffee while eating a Clif Bar, and got ready. I left my house at 6:45 and drove to the train station. Luckily I didn’t have to wait too long for the train. When I arrived downtown I stopped at the Congress Hotel to use the restroom and then went to drop off my gear.

I had planned to meet up with a few BibRave friends and as I was running towards Buckingham Fountain, I heard my name and saw Wendy. Then I realized Marcia was also with her and Stephanie (Wendy’s friend). We chatted for a bit and also took a picture.

I then saw my BibRave friends! We chatted for a bit and then went to our corrals. We were in Wave 1 and had to be there by 8:20 to start at 8:30.

My goal was to have fun and finish in under an hour. I had my watch on manual lap because I knew the building always mess up the satellite signal. I also set my watch to just see the current time because I didn’t want to stress out about my splits.

Time to run!

I took my time with this race. I stopped at the water stations and also walked. I soaked it all in because I rarely go downtown anymore and it was nice to be there. Also, I did get tired, not sure why but my legs just wouldn’t run faster. 🙂 I did warm up a bit but then would also cool down and warm up again. Still it was much better than being too cold or too hot. And definitely better that it wasn’t raining.

I was surprised to see my time for my 1st mile because I didn’t realize I was going that fast (I also had to stop before mile 1 because one of the shoelaces came untied). I then just made an effort to slow down because I knew it was going to bite me later on. Yep, it did. I ended up with positive splits. 🙂

This race starts and ends in the same place as the Chicago Marathon. While the crowd support isn’t like the marathon, there is plenty to cheer and support you.

Once done I had planned to meet up again with my BibRave friends at Buckingham Fountain, but as I was walking towards gear check, I saw Stephanie and Wendy again. Then I saw Marcia. We wanted a picture of our medal with The Bean. It took us a while to get there because some streets were still closed and we had to find an alternate route. Anyway, by then I was hungry and cold and then decided to head home after the picture.

In case you didn’t know, I love this race. My plan is to keep running it every year unless there is a reason that I cannot do it.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What are your favorite non-running or non-fitness hobbies? You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

An InLinkz Link-up

19
Mar
2019

Tuesday Topics: What I bring along on my run

categories: Tuesday Topics

Last week I mentioned that I was a morning runner. I am a morning person. I like the feeling of knowing that I am done with my workout and don’t have to “worry” about it later.

Besides a watch, there are a few things I bring along with me on my run. I may add a thing or two (depending on the run) such as money, energy gel, or water.

• Oiselle Lightning Layer – I know I have mentioned it here in other posts, but it is one of my favorite items from Oiselle. I can wear it over another top or a sports bra. I love how bright it is to make sure drivers see me when it is dark.

• Black Diamond Headlamp – I bought this last year and love how bright it is.

• SABRE Pink Pepper Spray – I understand why I have to carry it with me but I still hate that I “have” to. Luckily I have not had to use it. However, once I was testing it, and accidentally sprayed it in the bathroom. Boy, that stuff is strong!

Pepper Spray-1

• Fitletic Running Belt – I love their running belts. I have a few other ones that I use for races or longer runs (one has two water bottles). These belts are water resistant, do not bounce at all, chafe, or ride up while running. The one I use for races also has toggles for my bib. No more pins or holes on my shirt!

Running Belt-1.jpg

Running Belt-2.jpg

• Wrist ID – There are so many to choose from, but the one I have is the silicone stretch. Simple and stylish, right? 🙂 I feel better knowing that in case of an emergency, my sisters will be notified. I also purchased one for my mother, because well, my mother is in her 70s and we want to be notified right away in case something happens to her.

Road ID-1.jpg

Tuesday Topics

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What do you bring along on a run? You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

An InLinkz Link-up

12
Mar
2019

Tuesday Topics: Happy to be a morning runner

categories: Tuesday Topics

Thank you again to everyone that has been linking up with us each week. I am enjoying reading everyone’s post whether it is on the topic of the week or a totally different topic . I have updated the Tuesdays Topics Linkup page (as well as listed them below) to include our topics till June. Kim and I hope that you’ll continue to link up with us!

March
19-What do you bring along on a run?
26-What are your favorite non-running or non-fitness hobbies?

April
2-What’s the best and worst race swag you ever received?
9-What’s your favorite cross training activity?
16-What are your favorite recovery tools?
23-What are some new fitness gadgets you’d like to try?
30-Free topic

May
7- What’s your favorite cheat meal?
14- How has running made you a better person?
21- Are you a solo or group runner?
28- What are your tips for surviving your first {pick a distance}?

June
4-How will you celebrate Global Running Day?
11-What are your Summer running tips?
18-What are your Summer running plans and/or race schedule?
25-Free topic

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In previous years I remember doing my runs after work. However, since about a year and a half, almost all of my runs have been in the morning before work. I am a morning person. Even on days when I don’t have to go to work, I am up between 5:30-6:00 am. But there are days that I do like to sleep in. Who doesn’t? I also prefer running in the morning because then I am done with it and don’t have to worry about getting it done later. Sometimes I have plans after work with no time for a run or sometimes I am too tired after work and just want to get home and rest.

I am not training for a marathon so my runs on the weekdays are no more than 5 miles. My long run is on the weekends. On the days I do run, I wake up at 4:30 am. I hate rushing and waking up that early gives me enough time to make coffee, use the bathroom, and get ready. Sometimes I sleep a bit longer for about 5-10 minutes. I like to be back by 6am so I can shower, get ready, and leave for work. I get to work by 7am even though my official start time isn’t till 8:30.

There are days in which I have absolutely NO desire to run in the morning. It is either too cold or I am tired. In that case I run after work either outside or at the gym. And if that doesn’t happen, then I don’t fret about it and see if I can run the next day. My coach tells me to “Move on”.

Below is what I do to prepare for my morning run. You may think “Well, duh”. 🙂 I know, I know.

• I have my clothes ready for the next day. I check the weather for the next day so I’ll know how many layers I will need (during the winter). Warmer weather is the best because all I need are shorts and a top!

• I have a mug and pod ready to make my coffee in my Keurig. All I do is turn it on. Sometimes I drink my coffee while getting ready.

• Along with clothes, I need my watch, belt, headlamp, lightening layer, pepper spray, and headphones. I have a crate in the living room where I keep those items and put them on before walking out the door. That crate is also Lola’s condo. 🙂

• I keep my shoes in the hallway. Actually, I take them off before coming inside my apartment. No sense in walking inside with them since I will use them again the next day or sometime that week.

• Go to bed early! To me that means in bed by 9pm.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Are you a day or night runner? You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

An InLinkz Link-up