Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! While each day feels like a Friday to me, I still look forward to the real Friday at the end of the week. We don't have anything on the agenda for this weekend yet but I'm sure we'll figure something out. Depending on the weather, maybe we will relax at his parent's pool. I'm not a pool person at all but lately it has been a nice escape. Before I get into full-on Friday mode, I'm sharing some things I've been loving this week!

The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais

Dawn was a woman who never thought she  would ever want to run, let alone actually run a marathon. She shares her experience, from the moment she signed up until the actual day of the marathon, in the most fun and entertaining way possible. Along with tips about gear, fueling, and motivation, she shares her honest thoughts throughout the process, which can make the experience a lot more bearable and fun.

I've had this book on my shelf for years and finally picked it up to read between the non-fiction books I've been reading. It had me laughing from beginning to end because Dawn was just so freakin' relatable. Although I'm a 4x marathon runner, I still found some of her tips interesting and definitely enjoyed reading her point of view on certain topics. Something I found funny was that it had a handful of low ratings on Goodreads from people who were mad that this wasn't a legitimate marathon training guide when I was honestly shocked on how informative this was while also being hilarious. I'm not sure how one would mistake this for a hardcore training guide when it says "get off your butt and on with your training" right on the cover, but maybe that's just me haha.

Customized Sweatshirt

Back in the beginning of quarantine (can you believe that was almost 4 months ago?!), I decided I wanted to treat myself to a new sweatshirt since I was spending a majority of my time in my office, which can get chilly. After many days of searching and thinking way too into it, I finally stumbled across an Etsy shop called This One Life that made customized sweatshirts using my favorite sweatshirt brand, Bella + Canvas. I reached out to the owner on Instagram and she was an absolute angel with helping me design my custom sweatshirt that would have "marathoner" embroidered on it. It took awhile to come in since it was handmade and then shipped from Canada, but I was so thrilled once it arrived that I didn't even care. The quality of the sweatshirt along with the embroidering is amazing! I love that "marathoner" is stitched into the fabric and not a screen print since it will last much longer. I've been wearing it nonstop since receiving it! It's perfect for this slightly chilly summer nights because it isn't extremely heavy. I highly suggest checking out her shop if you're in the market for a new sweatshirt that is amazing quality for a reasonable price!

Palmolive Soft Touch Dish Soap

Total adult moment over, but I had to open a new bottle of dish soap the other day and it was the first time in years that I was using something other than Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay. I'm picky with any type of soap because my eczema can be irritated so easily. This was the perfect replacement for my Dawn because it is just as gentle on my skin while also thoroughly cleaning my dishes. My favorite thing about it is the scent, Aloe + Citrus. It is so light and pleasant that it almost makes washing dishes enjoyable... almost.

Question of the Day: What is something you've been loving lately?

Marine Corps Marathon 2020?

Yes, that question mark is supposed to be part of my title. It's not a typo. The reason it's there is because I am questioning my participation in the 2020 Marine Corps Marathon along with the likelihood of it actually taking place live and in person on October 25, 2020.

Let's start from the beginning. The MCM has been on my bucket list for awhile now. My brother becoming a Marine in December was the final push to put in for the lottery this year. I eagerly registered for the lottery on the first day it opened in the middle of March. When I received the e-mail on April 1st telling me I was selected to run the race, I was ecstatic! 

WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!

Obviously during this time COVID-19 was slowly becoming a bigger deal than anyone anticipated. When I registered on March 18th, I was in my first week of remote teaching but there was limited information so the idea of registering for a race about 7 months out seemed safe. By time the selections were made on April 1, I had already had to defer my entry for a marathon that I was planning to run on April 19th but had been cancelled. Once again, the race was still 7 months away so I was too worried.

Fast forward to May 15th. The MCM Organization sent us an email regarding the race, which you can see below. To sum it up for you, they let us know that they were still proceeding as planned but we had the option to defer early if we wanted. The deferral fee would be discounted and that deferral would be valid for 2021, 2022, or 2023. Score! Oh, and the even better part? If we defer now but the 2020 event does remain live, we will be allowed to come back, as long as space remains. Sounds like the best plan, right?!

I was all set to go with this plan. I discussed the options with John, my family, and my one friend and all said deferring was the best option. With so many unknowns, deferring would allow me to wait and see without losing out on ever using this registration fee. Plus having THREE different years I could choose to use my deferral is awesome!

Well, I was all set to hit "defer" when the MCM put up a post on Facebook the day after the Boston Marathon officially cancelled their race that was originally scheduled for April 20th and then rescheduled for September 14, 2020. It's pictured below, but in summary, they are being optimistic as they continue preparation for the October race. They are investigating ways to assure a healthy and safe environment for all participants. Would that mean we'd have to wear masks? I could not imagine running 26.2 miles in a mask. But how else would you maintain social distancing and safety at an event with close to 30,000 runners? So. Many. Questions.

You're probably starting to wonder if I'm going to answer your question "sooo did you defer?!" I thought by now my answer would be yes, but due to me being super indecisive, I haven't gone through and actually deferred yet. After much though and discussion with anyone who would listen, I know it is the best decision, but I have until September to make a choice so I am planning to give myself some more time to see what is going on. I just fear I will defer and then not have the opportunity to join back in if it stays live and as close to normal as possible. As much as I am eager to run the marathon, if waiting a year or two allows me to run the race as close to as normal as possible, then I'm all in with waiting. As for training, my training schedule would begin on June 22nd. I am planning to follow along with my training schedule as closely as possible in hopes that by time I hit my longer distance runs in August, I have an idea if the race is a go or not.

Question of the Day: Have you had any races cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19?

Coastal Delaware Marathon Training Week 12

Happy Tuesday! We got back late from Rhode Island on Sunday night so I figured this post could hold off until today. This week was a tough one. While it start out strong with some strength training and solid runs, I ended up with some pretty nasty knee pain towards the end of the week. I made the executive decision to skip my long run over the weekend. It was already going to be hard to fit in while in Rhode Island so this made it easier. I figured I’ve put following my training plan super closely the past 12 weeks and one missed workout wouldn’t kill me. This gave me the chance to really explore the area and I even squeezed in an easy 3 mile run by the bay!

Monday: strength training

Tuesday: 4 miles

Wednesday: REST

Thursday: 4 miles with strides at the end

Friday: REST {left for Rhode Island}

Saturday: 3 miles + TONS of walking

Sunday: REST {left to head home to NJ}

Weekly Total: 11 miles

Question of the Day: Do you like to run while on a vacation?

Coastal Delaware Marathon Training Week 11

Happy Monday! This past week was unintentionally a low-mileage week with lots of rest but I guess it paid off because my long run on Sunday was completely pain-free! I did a lot walking throughout the week so I kept myself moving. The marathon is quickly approaching so I need to be more intentional about adding in strength and speed work. I hope you all have a great day!

Monday: 4 miles

Tuesday: REST

Wednesday: 3 miles

Thursday: REST

Friday: REST

Saturday: REST

Sunday: 16 miles + strength training

Weekly Total: 23 miles

Question of the Day: Are you excited for the time change this weekend?

#sharetheSPARK Campaign

Source

As many of you know, I became a Momentum Jewelry Ambassador back in March, giving me the chance to be part of the #sharetheSPARK campaign! As an ambassador, we were sent the 2 new 2019 #sharetheSPARK momentum wraps, as well as given the opportunity to purchase last year's wraps at a steep discount. We were instructed to share these wraps during the campaign {April 23-May 6} with anyone we wanted to share the spark with! I chose two of my friends, one of which I met through blogging and another who I've been best friends with since we met in college 5 years ago. Today I am sharing with you my reasoning behind choosing these two ladies :)

Maureen and I met through blogging sometime last year. I'm not entirely sure what led me to start reading her blog, but I'm thankful for whatever did because it helped us form such a great friendship. Maureen and I both trained for and ran the Philadelphia Marathon together back in November. I loved virtually following along with her training because at points it was what kept me motivating. At the end of April, Maureen ran her 2nd marathon! Once again, I enjoyed following along with her training updates because although I wasn't training for a marathon at the time, it kept me motivated while just following a regular running schedule. 

When I saw the "You got this!" Momentum wrap, I knew I had to send it to her! Maureen put a lot of work into training, especially during the colder months! I wanted to share some good vibes with her for race day, so what better way than with a wrap?! Now that she has finished the marathon, I hope the wrap continues to serve as a motivational reminder that she's got this as she continues on with her running journey.

Rachel has probably been mentioned on my blog more times than anyone. We met back in 2014 when we were both RA's in the same dorm. Since then, we have become pretty much inseparable even though we live in different states at the moment. Rachel and I ran the Philadelphia Marathon together this past November {her first full!!} and she will even stand by my side as I marry my best friend in August. 

I knew the "Keep Reaching Higher" wrap was meant for Rachel the moment I took it out of the package. Along with training for and running her first marathon, Rachel spent the past 2 years in graduate school and will be graduating with her MSW this Friday! After graduation, Rachel will be starting her career as a social worker in a wonderful hospital. I couldn't be more proud of her! Rachel always knows what she wants in life and puts full efforts into working toward these goals. I just wanted to send her this little surprise as a reminder to keep reaching higher, no matter where life takes her!


Question of the Day: If you could put any mantra on a Momentum Wrap, what would you put?

How to Annoy a Runner Part 2

Since my Part 1 of How to Annoy a Runner was such a big hit, and I had an abundance of ideas for it, I now present you with Part 2! Most of these were part of my original list, but some were added after I got some input from Part 1. I hope you enjoy and maybe you can even relate for a few {or all!} of these.


I ran a 5k marathon once. Hmm, I don't think you did but okay.

Haven't you heard about the guy who died from running or the woman who was attacked on a run? Yes and yes. I've done my research and I do what I can to stay safe during a run.

Are you one of those joggers? How dare you use the "J" word!

I wish I could run like you. You could if you tried!

Don't you get bored? Actually, I don't! It's my time to think, listen to podcasts, people-watch, and honestly get some peace and quiet!

I wish I had the time to run, but I'm so busy! Are you implying that I am not busy? I actually am, I just make sure to make time for something that is important to me. Everyone has different priorities.

You can eat whatever you want, you're a runner! If only that was the case...

When are you running another marathon? Just because someone runs a marathon, doesn't mean they will start running one every weekend. Let them focus on this accomplishment first!

Do you have to run today? I mean, I don't have to, but I want to.

Question of the Day: Have you ever been asked any of these questions? 
Is there something you've been asked that I didn't mention here?

How to Annoy a Runner Part 1

Odds are, the moment someone finds out you're a runner, they're going to make some sort of comment or ask a question that makes it very obvious that they have little knowledge when it comes to running. Or they just truly think they're being funny. As much as it can be annoying, the comments/questions can become funny after you've heard them many times. Today I am sharing with you some things that have personally been said to me that I have found both annoying and funny at the same time. While compiling this list, I realized I had a lot of things to add so I decided to split this into a two part post to spread out the funny. Part two of this post will be coming soon!

How long is the marathon you're running? A marathon is, and will always be, 26.2 miles. 

I can't run because *insert excuse here*. You do not need to justify to me why you don't run. I'm not judging you if you choose not to run. Also, most times the excuses are pretty lame.

I can't even run to the mailbox! I honestly bet you could run farther than that. Don't underestimate yourself!

Did you win? I wish, but the odds of me winning a race with over 10,000 participants when I run slower than a snail are very low. Instead, I won a cool medal, post race snacks, and the satisfaction that I did it!

I only run if something/someone is chasing me! *insert fake laugh here*

Running is bad for your knees. I only want to hear this from an actual doctor. 

Oh, you run marathons? So you've run Boston? First of all, that is not the only marathon. Second of all, you'd probably know if I did.

When are you running the Boston Marathon? Probably never, tbh.

Question of the Day: Have you heard any of these before? Are there any things people have said to you or asked you related to running that was annoying?

My Top 5 Favorite Races

Over the past few years I have ran my fair share of races ranging from “OMG I’ll never do this again” to “I could run this each year and never get tired!” While this was a tough task, I took the time to pick out my top 5 favorite races and wrote about why I chose them. I hope this list may encourage you to try out a new race or two :)

1. Philadelphia Marathon (Philadelphia, PA/Typically the Sunday before Thanksgiving)
This probably doesn’t come as a surprise that this is one of my top 5 favorite race and it  has a special place in my heart for many reasons! Number one being this was my first marathon. I’ve also spent my whole life living super close to Philly, so there are a lot of memories tied in with the city. If we’re gdtging technical, though, this race is great because it’s a primarily flat course with great scenery. You run all throughout the city of Philadelphia, and the sights are definitely worth seeing, from University City to Old City to Manayunk. This marathon can be comparable to one big party as the music and spectators are plentiful! If you’re looking for a perfect first marathon, look no further because Philadelphia Marathon is your race!

2. Hershey Half Marathon (Hershey, PA/Late October)
This was my first half marathon and what a perfect first it was! There are so many amazing perks to this race. For one, you get two free tickets into the park (they have to be used either race weekend or the following weekend, if it's still the same) which makes for a very eventful weekend! Second, the area around Hershey is beautiful so the course is just great. Third, you get chocolate before, during, AND after the race! They typically throw some candy in your bag at packet pick up, they had out mini Hershey bars on the course around mile 11 or 12, and then at the end, you get a whole reusable lunch bag full of snacks and candy! I'm all about the post-race snacks so the bag at the end is perfect. If you're looking for a fun race weekend and maybe even a racecation, this is it!

3. Garden Spot Village Half Marathon (Garden Spot, PA/April)
Most people would probably be shocked that I'm putting this in my top 5 because the course is hills for days and the year I ran it, it snowed... in April! Not gonna lie, the snow made it so much fun and added to the experience. My main reason for choosing this race is because the the overall hospitality of the race directors and other people who help run it. From sign up to crossing the finish line, this race was phenomenal! The swag is incredible. They give you not only one, but TWO race shirts. "One for running in (tech shirt) and one for running around in (regular t-shirt that comes in men AND women's fit)" is how they explain why. The non-tech shirts are always so nice and have cute sayings. I actually went back a year I wasn't running it and purchased one of the shirts because I thought it was awesome. And this comes by no surprise, but the post-race food is spot on! Oatmeal, soup, chocolate milkshakes, and more. They have so much, I honestly can't remember it all. I could go on for days but I'll end with this: if you run this half along with the Bird in Hand half (a close contender when it came to making my list) in the same calendar year, you'll get the Road Apple Award. Wondering what that is? It's literally a plaque with petrified horse poop on it. I know it sounds strange, but it's so cool!

4. Rock N Roll Half Marathon/5K (Philadelphia, PA or anywhere else the Rock N Roll series takes place)
I wish I had all the money in the world to be able to travel and run all of the Rock N Roll series races! I've had the opportunity to run the Philly twice and the 5K twice. Both were awesome races with cool swag and great music along the course! The courses are similar to many Philadelphia races but I can't complain because it's the coolest route in my personal opinion. Like many Philly races, it has a cool expo! I wish I had more to say but it's hard for me to explain just how fun and awesome the Rock N Roll races are.

5. Broad Street 10-Miler (Philadelphia, PA/First weekend in May)
This was my first long distance race and what a great race it is! Everything from the expo to the finish line area is amazing! The course is pretty much just 10 downhill miles of parties. Seriously, everyone comes out to cheer on runners and the vibes are phenomenal! I'm totally motivated by people cheering me on so I have no problem at any point during this race. This is the perfect race for anyone who wants to run something longer than a 10K but isn't quite ready to go for the half marathon. Broad Street is the race I have to thank for getting me into running longer distance. I had so much fun running for more than just a 5K and it made me realize I could definitely run a half marathon (and even longer!).

Question of the Day: What is your favorite race?

How to Beat Post-Marathon Blues

Over a week ago I finished my third marathon and like I have in the past, I am finding myself having the post-marathon blues. What do I mean by this, you may ask? I feel like that after 18 weeks of putting my all into marathon training, I now feel like I have nothing to do. If you feel the same way as me, then keep reading to get some tips on beating these blues!

My gym has the coolest massage bed that I definitely took advantage of the day after the marathon!

Focus on recovery. After 18 or so weeks of working your body to the extreme, it's time to thank it by recovering properly! This can be done by stretching, foam rolling, epsom salt baths, and any other way you feel helps your body recover from running 26.2 miles (plus hundreds of training miles!).

No training = a restful trip to the Poconos!

Find something to do during the time you'd usually be running. We can all agree that training for a marathon takes away a lot of our free time. I used the excuse "I have to run" way too many times these past few months when it came to all the books I've been wanting to read and things around the house I should've gotten done. Now that I find myself with a lot of free time, especially on my weekend morning, I have been crossing a lot more off my to do list and have been getting some more "me time" in.

Make a new running/workout schedule. If you're like me, then you probably work best by following a schedule. Without my marathon training schedule, I feel absolutely lost! I've been using my new-found free time to put together a running and workout schedule for the next few months that focus on the aspects of running I want to work on (speed, strength training, etc.). This has not only distracted me from missing my intense marathon schedule (yes, you read that right) but it also has allowed me to come up with a schedule that is best for me.

Sign up for another race. Come on, I know you want to! The first thing I always think after crossing a finish line is "when can I do this again?!" (after I think about what post-race food I am getting first, of course!). By signing up for a new race, you'll have something new to look forward to. The best part of marathon training is working towards a goal so why not set a new goal?

Philadelphia Marathon 2018 Recap

Now that I've had a few days to think about the marathon on Sunday and gather my thoughts, I figured I'd put together a little recap of my race! Like always, I had a ton of emotions all day and it took me some time to sort those out and put the days events into words.

I'll start with the expo! Since my friend, Rachel, was coming down for the weekend to run the marathon with me (her FIRST marathon!!), I waited for her to go to the expo on Saturday. John and my little brother decided to tag along with us because they love the free stuff (at least they're honest, right?!). My brother was actually supposed to run the marathon but after getting injured right before our 20 miler, he opted out due to not feeling prepared. He still picked up his race shirt so maybe I'll end up with two shirts?!

We got to the expo around 1 or 2 pm and it wasn't over until 7 pm so we expected it still to be pretty crowded. I was honestly shocked that it wasn't too crowded and there didn't seem to be as many booths as there had been in the past. It was still a good time, though! We ended up enjoying looking at the display of previous years shirts and medals. The evolution of medal designs from 25 years ago until now was really interesting! I'm bummed I forgot to get some photos of that display and other parts of the expo but I was focusing on enjoying the moment.

Did you even go to the expo if you didn't get a bib picture?!

Now on to race day! We had a nice and early wake-up call at 4:30 am. Surprisingly I jumped out of bed feeling pretty awake so that felt good. Our goal was to leave for Philly by 5:15 am which we were able to do. Once arriving in the city, we parked at the same lot we have in the past which is only a few blocks from the Art Museum (where the start and finish is). Since it was pretty cold out, both Rachel and I decided to wear our sweatshirts to the start and then give them to John to hold in a backpack before we got in our corrals. We also wore some cheap gloves we picked up at the expo with the plan of tossing them sometime after the start (we ended up just putting them in the backpack with our jackets because we didn't feel like we needed them at the start).

The security guard who checked my hydration pack entering the starting area gave me hand warmers because he could tell I was cold. So sweet!

We got through security a lot quicker than we anticipated, which left us with a good amount of free time. I didn't want to use the bathrooms too close to starting in fear that I'd still have to go again (spoiler alert: this idea comes into play later in the day...). We pretty much just walked around until deciding to get in the port-o-potty lines. There weren't as many port-o-potties as usual so we waited a lot longer than we thought we would. Luckily we still were able to make it to our corrals by 7 am!

Once in the corral, we stood around for awhile until it was our corral's turn to start. I honestly don't remember there being as much time between each corral in the past. We didn't cross the start until sometime after 7:30 am.

I was so thankful I decided to wear an ear warmer headband for the first few miles! My ears always get SO cold!

The first half of the marathon was a good one for me! I did feel like I was going a little too fast at times but I did feel strong. It was nice to have Rachel to run with and have someone to talk to. There were some parts of the route that seemed different from last year, like we totally ran on a cobblestone street in the first few miles. I also missed the cool drummers that were outside the zoo in years past. The spectators that were out cheering were phenomenal, though! I love reading all their signs. Between miles 7 and 10 were where the hills kicked in. By this point, my legs were already a bit heavy so I tried going easy up them to conserve some energy.

The second half was where things started to go downhill for me. We saw John and Dale around mile 14 which gave me some extra energy to keep pushing until my stomach started hurting. I knew it meant I had to stop and pee so I was on the lookout for a port-o-potty (curse my super hydration and small bladder...). The location of the port-o-potties were a bit inconsistent this year so I didn't know when we would find one. I finally found one after mile 15 and rushed over to it. I told Rachel to go ahead so I wouldn't hold her back. 

I was in and out of the port-o-potty (surprisingly) within seconds and finally felt MUCH better. I could pretty much see Rachel for the next few miles. With tired legs, hills that came out of nowhere, and my motivation drifting away, it was pretty much impossible for me to catch up to her. The crowd support kept me going, though. I passed her just a minute or so before I got to the turn around so that gave me some motivation!

The rest of the race was a total mental game for me. Once I left the party that is called Manayunk, crowd support started to dwindle and so did my motivation to get to the finish line. Each mile seemed to last forever and I had to give myself many pep talks to keep my head in the game (I may have also Face timed my nephew for some extra support...). After passing the marker for mile 24, I knew I wasn't going to finish in under 5 hours unless I really picked up my pace. As much as I tried, it felt impossible. My legs were heavy, my body was tired, and the finish line felt too far away. 

I crossed the finish in 5:02:51! As much as I was disappointed in that moment that it wasn't sub-5, I'm still super proud of my 53 minute PR and being pretty darn close to under 5. I've been thinking a lot since Sunday and #RealTalkTime I acknowledge that I'm a slower runner and I'm okay with that. I don't run a marathon to beat anyone or win, I run them to prove to myself that I CAN do this. I'm only trying to get faster for myself. The fact that I finished my THIRD marathon when I over four years ago I couldn't even imagine running one is amazing to me.

Did I mention it was this girls FIRST marathon?! She rocked it!

In summary, the Philadelphia Marathon will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my first marathon in 2015 and the marathon I keep going back to. I felt stronger than years past going into this race and my time reflected that. It may not have been the performance I planned, but I was thankful to not have any random pains like I've had in the past and ran good paces for a majority of the distance! I was pretty surprised there wasn't much added to the weekend to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Philadelphia Marathon and a lot felt different than previous years, but it was still an amazing weekend!

Third time marathoner right here :)

Marathon Training: Week 18

W18D1: REST DAY

W18D2: Easy Treadmill Miles

W18D3: REST DAY

W18D4: REST DAY

W18D5: Easy Run

W18D6: REST DAY

W18D7: PHILADELPHIA MARATHON DAY!
Finished in 5:02:51!

Total Weekly Mileage: 31.2 miles
Well, that’s a wrap! After 18 long training weeks, the big day has come and gone! I had a blast and even if I missed my goal time by less than 3 minutes, I’m still super proud of my time. I still had a PR of close to 53 minutes! That’s a win in my book :) I’ll post more about the race later in the week. For now, it’s time to relax!

Friday Five: 5 Thoughts Going Into Marathon Weekend

Welp, it's finally here! Both Friday AND marathon weekend! To be honest, I wasn't sure if it would ever get here and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I think it's safe to say that I'm super excited for marathon weekend for a number of reasons! I'm running this with one of my best friends, we are going to have such a fun weekend, I feel like I am very prepared, and more. I'm switching things up this week. Instead of my usual Friday Five, I'm sharing 5 thoughts I have going into marathon weekend. Read on! And if you're racing this weekend, whether it be Philadelphia or anywhere else, good luck!

1. This is going to be such a fun experience!
Everything about this weekend will be fun. The expo, being in Philly, spending time with friends, running my favorite distance, the post-marathon meal, etc...

2. I am so pumped to share this experience with one of my best friends.
Those who have ran a marathon in the past would agree that the marathon, from training to crossing the finish line, is a unique experience non-marathoners wouldn't understand. I can't wait to share that!

3. A PR is very likely as long as I keep a positive mindset.
I don't care if I wake up on race day and it's torrential down-pouring with wind gusts that could blow me across the Delaware River. This WILL be a good race! A positive mindset will go a long way for me.

4. Trust the training!
My training may have been rocky at times, but I worked my butt off. I need to trust that what I did prepared me for a great race.

5. USE THE BATHROOM!
The line for the port-o-potty could be 30 people deep before the start but I still have to use it to avoid what happened last year. I didn't think I really had to go and thought I could just wait until later in the race. WRONG! I spent a good 15 minutes around mile 3 waiting in line for a bathroom. Then I thought it was a fabulous idea to sprint ahead after to try and catch up with the pace group I was with. This really set the tone for my race... Whatever I do before the start, the bathroom between be top on that list!

Marathon Day Essentials

I can hardly believe that this weekend is finally the Philadelphia Marathon! With this being my 3rd year running it, I have high expectations for a fun weekend. This will be my friend’s FIRST marathon and I am super pumped to be able to share the experience with her! As the day approaches, I am certainly in a whirlwind of getting everything together so race day goes flawless. There is no way I could do this smoothly without a list, of course! Today I'm sharing with you my marathon (and other distance races) day essentials that I am personally setting aside now so that way I'm not scrambling around, looking for my socks, at 5 am! :) If I'm missing anything, let me know!

Before you read on, I just want to remind you of the one golden rule of racing: do NOT try anything new on race day!!! Whether it's clothing, fuel, or any other product, it is highly recommended to not try anything new due to the fact that you do not know how you will react to the new item. I just wanted to state this now instead of repeating it after every item on this list!

Weather appropriate outfit that was already tested - Try your best to wear an outfit you've trained in and know is comfortable! I ran all my long runs in the same clothes, depending on the weather, and those will be the clothes I have set out for Sunday morning. I'll make my decision that morning between shorts vs. capris :) I suggest doing a "flat you" days leading up to the race as both a cute Instagram post AND a way to see that you have every part of your outfit! Your running shoes should go along with this!

Your bib and/or any other tracking device- If it helps, pin the bib to your shirt ahead of time! Some races give you a shoe tag as well (Philadelphia Marathon does NOT), so remember to attach that in advance.

Sunglasses- I typically put these in my hydration pack for when the sun actually comes out.

Hydration belt or pack- I fill mine up the night before and have it ready to go on race morning.

GPS watch- Make sure whatever device you are using the track your run is fully charged and ready to go!

Phone- Whether it's for music (remember your headphones!), tracking your run, or calling someone at the finish, make sure it's fully charged and ready to go! When it comes to using headphones for music, be sure to check your specific race's rules to see if headphones are banned or not.While the Philly Marathon does not ban headphones, they are highly discouraged for your safety!

A good tried and true breakfast- Hopefully during training you found a breakfast that fuels you right! You will most likely be getting up earlier than usual and have a good amount of time between waking up and the race starting so take this into consideration when eating your breakfast. I try to wait awhile to eat after waking up because I know we have awhile until we even get to the race start and I do not want a rumbly tummy before the gun even goes off!

Fuel of choice (extras if possible!)- Whether you use gels, gummy's, sports drink, or any other form of fuel, be sure to have enough with you to last 26.2 miles! Depending on what kind of belt or pack you carry, pack extras if possible! You never know if you'll need more and the last thing you want is to be at mile 22, needing fuel, and not having any.

Water- This is for before, during, and after the race! Keep hydrated!

Body Glide- I actually keep a mini version of Body Glide in my hydration pack just in case the need arises during the race.

KT Tape- I put mine on the night before so it has time to set and also saves time in the morning!

Throw away gear- If it's cold the morning of your race, you may want to wear something old that you don't mind getting rid of so that you can ditch it at the start. Many races, such as the Philadelphia Marathon, collect the clothes left along the sidelines and donate them.

Post-race outfit- Depending on your plans after the race, you may want some clothes to change into. I suggest something warm and comfortable!

Recovery shoes- If you own any recovery sandals, pack them for afterwards! If you don't own any (like me), you might want to pack other shoes to change into after the race in case your shoes are wet or hurting your feet. Remember extra socks!

Money- It's always good to keep a couple bucks on you just in case!

Positive attitude- Last year, when I woke up the morning of the Philly Marathon, it was down pouring. I was a little discouraged but still kept a smile on my face because this was the day I had been working my butt off for! No matter what the situation is, go into race day with a positive attitude and you'll have a great time! Luckily for me, the rain stopped right before the start :)

Marathon Training: Week 17

W17D1: REST DAY

W17D2: REST DAY

W17D3: Easy Run

W17D4: REST DAY

W17D5: Easy Run
My brother has been resting his ankle for awhile now so he used today to see how he felt with running. It didn’t go as well as we planned so the run was cut (very) short so he could get back and ice and rest. I wasn’t complaining since it was freezing and raining haha.

W17D6: REST DAY
Does walking ALL over Philly in heeled boots count as a workout?! Being in Philly really got me pumped for next weekend considering we were around most of the areas we will be running through!

W17D7: 8 mile long run

Total Weekly Mileage: 11.4 miles
Is week 17 of marathon training REALLY over?! I'm pretty sure this training cycle flew by for me and I'm not really sure how. This week wasn’t my best week of training but I’m pretty confident that my previous 16 weeks of training have properly prepared me for next weekend :) Tapering is tough for me because I feel like I should just sleep all the time. Or eat. Both are good for me!

ABC’s of Running

Happy Wednesday!! I can’t believe we are less than 2 weeks out from the Philadelphia Marathon! I’m feeling great and looking forward to my last few runs on my schedule. I’ve had these past few days off so along with getting a lot of stuff done, I’ve gotten a lot of relaxing in! Read on for some entertainment on this lovely Wednesday!

On a recent long run I decided to play a little game with myself to help pass the time. Even if I am listening to music or a podcast, I still tend to zone out and think or play mental games with myself. Sometimes I count things, like other runners, dogs, specific lawn decorations, etc., but this time I decided to come up with a word or phrase related to running for each letter of the alphabet. The word is either something that is used for running, a running tip, or any other random thought that popped into my head that somehow relates to running. I had so much fun doing this that I figured I should share it with everyone!

Ankles. Your ankles tend to be the weakest part of your legs so keep them strong to avoid injury!

Breathing. Focus on your breathing so that you don't wear out too quickly.

Cross Train. Keep working other muscles!

Dreadmill AKA Treadmill. A magical piece of equipment that makes one real-time minute equal 10 treadmill-minutes. 

Epsom Salt Baths. A must for after long runs.

Fuel. Eat what is right for you and keeps you going before, during, and after a run.

Gu. Some people love it and some people hate it. I love what it does for me during a run but sometimes don't enjoy consuming it, especially at mile 18 when I can't even imagine eating anything solid let alone gooey.

Hydration Pack or Belt. The best way to keep yourself hydrated on a longer run. Also a great thing to have during a race so you don't have to waste time at water stops.

Ice Bath. I've personally never tried one but they seem to be a great way to recover.

Jogger. No, we are runners! 

KT Tape. My lifesaver for my ankle during a long run.

Long Runs. Personally my favorite part of training.

Marathon. 26.2 miles of feeling every emotion imaginable. 

Never Try Anything New on Race Day. A golden rule of running. Also a rule I have broken but luckily benefited from.

Oofos. Recovery sandals that have been on my wish list for awhile now! Maybe I'll break down and buy them before Philly next weekend!

Port O' Potties. A place at races where I see longer lines than those at Walmart on Black Friday.

Quitting. Something you're not allowed to do in running. Unless you're injured, of course!

Reflective Gear. A must-have if you're going to run in the dark.

Strength Training. Because running doesn't work out all the muscles.

Trust Your Training. Don't doubt yourself the day of a race. You trained for this. You've got this!

Ultra Marathon. Any distance longer than a marathon. Something on my bucket list!

Virtual Race. A race that you do on your own time but can still get a medal, bib, and sometimes a shirt for doing it. 

Water. I can't emphasize it enough... DRINK YOUR WATER.

X-Rays. Hopefully you never need to get one!

Yasso, Bart. The (retired) Mayor of Running and overall coolest runner in my book.

Zzzz. Running makes you sleep A LOT. Whether it's the night before a run or right after a run, sleep happens.

Marathon Training: Week 16

W16D1: REST DAY

W16D2: Easy Run
 3 after work tired miles.

W16D3: REST DAY

W16D4: REST DAY

W16D5: Easy Run + Strength Training + Cross Training
3 early morning miles.
20 minutes strength training
2 miles on the rowing machine.

W16D6: REST DAY

W16D7: 10 mile long run

Total Weekly Mileage: 16 miles
Tapering is always so weird for me! I enjoy the lower mileage and having more time for other things (like rest!!) but then I feel like I’m not doing anything to prepare for the marathon. I know rest is best but it’s a mental game over here for me. I’m feeling really good about my training right now, though. I had an overall pace of 9:53 for my 10 miles and I felt great the whole time! I can’t belive we’re already 2 weeks out from the marathon?! This time will fly!

Runner’s Aid Kit Essentials

Happy Halloween! We’re less than 3 weeks out from the Philadelphia Marathon and I am getting so pumped up! I am literally eating, sleeping, and breathing marathon training to ensure November 18th goes as planned. To go along with the theme of running, I’m sharing with you one of my running tips today. I hope you enjoy!

If you're like me and you run a lot, then a "Runner's Aid" kit is a must-have! I came up with the idea for a "Runner's Aid" kit (which is exactly what you'd think, a first aid kit specialized for runners) when I was in college and would drive to various locations to do my long runs. I gathered supplies that I felt like I could need at any point before, after, or during a run, and put them all in a small bag that I stashed in my car. They're also good to keep in your gym bag or any other bag you have with you during a workout or in your house. Everyone's kit can be different, but I'll be sharing with you the items I feel are necessary to keep in my own personal "Runner's Aid" kit.

Icy Hot or BioFreeze- This is great for on-the-spot pain relief when it's just a minor ache or pain.

Pain Relief Medicine- I tend to keep Aleve in my kit because that seems to work best for me.

Snack- You never know when hunger will strike! Try to choose a snack that can last for awhile, like a granola bar or pretzels, just in case you don't eat it for awhile.

Fuel- Depending on your fuel of choice (gel, gummies, Nuun, etc.) and where you store the kit, you may be able to keep some back up fuel in there. I like to have some on hand if an opportunity for a long run ever arises or I just need some energy for a shorter run.

Water Bottle- It may not be as cold as you like it, depending on the time of year, but when you're super thirsty you may not really care!

Deodorant or Any Other Sprays- Just in case you aren't feeling the freshest after a workout or run!

Baby Wipes/Cleansing Wipes- Another way to freshen up after a run or clean dirt off your legs after a trail/muddy run.

Extra Socks- Who wants to stay in wet socks?! These have been a lifesaver for me in so many situations, some not even running related!

KT Tape- If you're someone who uses KT Tape, it's a good idea to keep some on hand in case the need arises.

Sun Block- I try my best to remember to put on sunscreen before a run but sometimes I forget. I like the little sunblock sticks they sell because it's easy to apply in a rush.

Hair Ties- Because we’ve all been there when our only hair tie breaks!

Golf Ball- For on the spot foot rolling or any other target spot rolling.

An Actual First Aid Kit- It's a great idea to keep some first aid items on hand, like band aids, moleskin (for blisters!), and triple antibiotic ointment.

Question of the Day: What would you keep in your Runner’s Aid Kit?

Marathon Training: Week 15

W15D1: REST DAY

W15D2: Easy Run
I really thought I felt good enough to go do a speed run but that obviously didn’t happen... 2 miles in and I was DONE!

W15D3: REST DAY

W15D4: REST DAY

W15D5: Easy Run
My schedule was a bit messed up this week, which lead me to a 3 mile treadmill run on a Friday night. I usually try to avoid the treadmill so any run over a mile is a huge accomplishment to me!

W15D6: REST DAY

W15D7: 13.1 mile long run

Total Weekly Mileage: 18.1 miles
I may have focused on recovery a little bit too much this week... I felt completely fine after Sunday’s 20 miles but I still started the week out with a not so strong run. This cold definitely has turned me into a whimp lately! I ended the week strong with a half marathon PR! 13.1 miles at a 10:15 pace (2:14:16) which is about 5 WHOLE MINUTES faster than my previous record. Needless to say, it ended up being a good week!

Marathon Training: Week 14

W14D1: REST DAY

W14D2: Speed Workout (2:07 interval goal pace)
Half mile warm up, 10 x 400 (2:10, 1:59, 2:07, 1:56, 2:08, 2:02, 1:58, 2:03, 2:03, 2:02), .1 mile cool down (just so I could run a total of 3.1 miles and get a 5k PR)

W14D3: REST DAY

W14D4: REST DAY

W14D5: Easy Run
I planned an easy run with my brother to shake out for Sunday and he ended up having a lot of leg pain. The run was cut short at .45 miles so he could get back and ice his leg.

W14D6: REST DAY

W14D7: 20 mile long run

Total Weekly Mileage: 23.55 miles
I started out the week with a strong speedwork, surprising myself with my interval paces. The rest of my week somehow ended up being super lazy up until my 20 miler. The rest paid off and let me run a 10:48 average pace! Time to really put in some work for the next 4 weeks to get me even more ready for race day!

Lessons I've Learned During Marathon Training

Happy Hump Day, everyone! And for anyone training for the Philadelphia Marathon, can you believe we are less than 6 weeks away from the big day?! Even though this will be my third marathon, I'm still learning a lot of new things during this round of training! I was definitely busy during the other 2 rounds, but for some reason this round has just been rougher. Throughout all this, I have learned a couple things that have changed the way I continue with my training.

Rolling my legs right before I fall sleep because it's the only down time I get some days!

Be flexible. Up until September, my training schedule went exactly as planned. I ran the exact miles on the exact day I had planned. Now that I've added in my work schedule, my runs aren't happening exactly as I planned. I'm learning to just be flexible and fit in the runs when I can. This has resulted in running super early in the morning or later in the evening, running some miles on the treadmill, splitting a longer distance up into shorter distances through out the day, running two days in a row, having a gap of 3 days between runs, and so much more. Basically, I've just made it work!

Epsom salt baths +  catching up on This Is Us = perfect "me" time!

Give myself more "me time" other than when I'm running. I love running enough that I see it as "relaxing" and "me time." I look forward to getting lost in thought as I pound the pavement. That relaxes me. It can also wear me down though without any other forms of relaxation. Due to my limited free time, I've had to sacrifice a lot of my "me time" in order to squeeze in my runs. While I love that time, I also need to give myself time to recover since I'm constantly on the go. I've been trying my hardest to take some time each night to either relax in the bath or just chill on the couch but I definitely need to find some more time. 

First step for me is to make sure I have a good breakfast each morning to start my day right!

Fuel myself better. Usually food is no problem with me. I love to eat and I love to eat foods that are good for my active lifestyle. Lately I've been struggling with eating enough to keep me full. On a lot of my runs lately I've been finding myself getting hungry very early on. I'm chalking that up to not taking the time to eat a full meal. More often than not, my lunches consist of a salad without protein because I've been too lazy to make chicken, veggies, and fruit. Sounds great, right? It's healthy for sure but definitely needs to be amped up with protein! My goal for the rest of training is to make sure all my lunches have a good amount of protein in order to keep me going throughout the day.

Sometimes I feel like I'm falling apart with the amount of pain relief items on my night stand...

Listen to my body. This wasn't too hard to figure out but I tend to ignore what my body is saying for the sake of my training schedule. Lately I've been evaluating how my body feels (more importantly, how my right ankle feels) and decide from there if my workout that day is appropriate or not. I have changed so many speed runs into easy runs and have even altered a couple distances. In years past I would've just pushed through the pain but that has only resulted in injury. This year I'm learning and listening to my body so that I can go into my third marathon uninjured and feeling great! 

Question of the Day: What are some lessons you have learned through any kind of race training?