Three For Three

Sunday morning I woke up feeling better than expected but stiff and a little sore regardless. My stuffy nose from Baltimore has turned into a true head cold and sore throat so I was a little worried but figured I'd be okay. The last race of the Runner's World Half & Festival, the half marathon, wasn't until 8:30am so I didn't have to rush. I dressed, packed my car, and checked out of the hotel. I ate a bagel and drank my coffee while I waited for Katie.

At 7am we headed off to the expo for the final time. We parked and realized that bag check had been moved. This was the one snafu of the whole festival and it almost ruined my race. Katie and I speed walked around 3/4 of a mile to the start line and past it to the new baggage check. By the time we checked our bags and finished our final preparations I could hear the beginning of the announcements for the race happening on the road below us. We jogged back down to the start and made it to our corral just in time to line up. Then we were off on our final leg of an amazing journey!

Before the start

 

I started out at my goal pace of around 10:30 per mile. Katie and I were side by side for the first mile. We didn't say much, just focused on not doing anything to jeopardize our hat trick completion. At the end of the first mile the hills began. They wouldn't end until mile 9. I forged ahead while Katie, probably the smarter of the two of us, speed walked instead. I told myself I wanted to run the whole thing, even if it was slower than I wanted.

 

I don't remember much about the race. I was too focused on just keeping my legs moving and not giving in. After setting a new 5k PR just two weeks ago and a marathon PR last week and then running a 5k and 10k the day prior my legs were screaming on every incline. I told myself it just had to look like running even if I could probably walk faster. By the time mile 8 came I was really looking forward to seeing the end of the large hills.

 

I began trying to salvage my race and pick up the pace. As we came back into Bethlehem and I could see the SteelStacks I knew I was going to finish and I pulled the last of my reserves to try to break 2:20. As I sped to the finish line I saw Jo once again. We said hi but not much more as we tried to kick it in. My official time is listed as 2:20:07, just a few seconds slower than my goal.

 

I collected my medal, grabbed a Gatorade and a banana and then circled back to cheer in the remaining runners. I then headed for the gear check to collect my belongings, saying goodbyes along the way. It was hard to believe the festival was over and it was time to go. The last four days just flew by!

 

Katie and I after the half

 

There were two fire fighters that finished just ahead of me wearing their full gear. One of them was carrying an American flag and they were wearing 'In Memory Of' signs on their backs. I actually teared up because it brought back so many memories of my father and running for the IAFF Burn Fund. I had to catch them afterwards for a picture.

 

 

 

There was really nothing left to do except head for home. I just can't imagine how I'll ever top this weekend. Runner's World, Altra Zero Drop, Running Skirts, The Stick, Nissan, Swiftwick compression gear, and all of the sponsors, volunteers, and speakers really made this a weekend to remember!

 

Three For Three! 

 

Runner's World Festival

Today marked day 2 (find day 1 here) of the Runner's World festival for the bloggers covering this FIRST TIME event. I still am blown away that Runner's World has never had its own race before! For an inaugural event I have to say they are knocking it out of the park!

Today started with an easy shake out run with Bart Yasso in our new Altra Zero Drop shoes. We did roughly 3.8 miles and covered a little of the 5k, 10k, and half marathon courses that I'll be running this weekend. I took advantage of the presence of Craig and Golden from Altra to talk shop. I think we ran through all of the ultras on my bucket list plus ones I'd never even heard of! The Altra guys aren't just shoe geeks, they are full on hardcore running freaks! I think I might be in love! (Shhhh!)

After our rainy-but-fun run

 

After the run we were treated to some dry clothes from Free Motion apparel. I ended up wearing the jacket all day! It is absolutely incredible with soft material, attractive styling and thumb holes! I would seriously cut thumb holes in all of my clothing if I wasn't afraid of screwing up my favorite pieces. We also were able to enjoy another delicious (and healthy) breakfast. I haven't eaten this well since I became a mom! I think I might be a little spoiled by the end of this weekend.

 

Free Motion gear

 

Fruit, bagels, coffe, and water... YUM!

 

Once our body temperature returned to something resembling normal again we were once again hanging with the Altra crew. This time Golden Harper gave us some tips on running form and helped us figure out what we were doing wrong. We had a question and answer session on the Altra shoes and why zero drop (not necessarily minimalist) is helpful to runners who want to perfect their form. It was all really interesting and I can't wait to work on my posture so Golden won't have anything to pick on next time I run into him!

 

Altra form clinic

 

Working on our form barefoot

 

Watching the video of my form

 

After we finished dissecting our form we moved onto a seminar with ICON and their new iFit app. We learned a lot about what they are planning to introduce and the capabilities of their products. I just downloaded my copy of the iFit app so you'll have to give me a few days to really figure it out. All I can say for sure is that it has the potential to be one of the best apps for fitness freaks ever invented!

 

iFit seminar

 

After the iFit Q&A session the blogger group was taken to another building in the ArtQuest complex. Surprise, surprise! Shalane Flanagan was waiting to answer our questions and personally greet each one of us. She was extremely down to earth and honest and even a little shy. Shalane has a habit of twisting her hair as she talks that just reminds you how human the 'Assassin in compression socks' actually is. I got some great video of her answers to several questions and I can't wait to share them as soon as I get them uploaded!

 

Shalane and I. I look like an amazon next to her!

 

I got her autograph!

 

Shalane and the media group

 

After Shalane had graciously signed autographs for everyone in the media group and answered all of our questions two big names in Runner's World joined us. Jen Van Allen, co-author of the Big Book of Marathon and Half Marathon Training, and Megan, the Social Media genius behind RW's Twitter page, answered our questions and talked about Runner's World's first race and how they choose stories and articles. It was all really interesting and lots of fun to talk about the stories that struck a chord with us and ask more about them. Then it was time for my favorite part of the day! Lunch!

 

After lunch at the hotel (turkey wrap, pasta salad, salad, water, and cookies) it was time to go back to the expo to get our shopping on! I can say one thing for the FitFluential crew... We can sure clean out a running expo! I came back with a new stick, two more books, three shirts, a hat, and a running skirt!

 

I should have brought another bag to get this all home!

 

I also had the insanely good luck of getting two of my three books autographed. Jen Van Allen, Amby Burfoot, and David Willey all wrote kind words of inspiration inside the covers of their respective works. I haven't even read the books yet but they're already my new favorites!

 

 

Before we left the expo for dinner, I had the opportunity to get my picture taken for the cover of Runner's World. Well, not for real but I can pretend. Actually once you see the photo you'll see that I suck at pretending. My fake run looks more like I'm about to knock someone out. Maybe I should take up boxing?

 

Why is this arrown pointing at everyone's crotch?!

 

After my brush with fame we headed out to the Bethlehem Brew Works for dinner and socializing. I had fish tacos and a pumpkin ale. Both were amazing but the food didn't survive long enough to get it's picture taken. Twenty-six hungry runners don't take long to demolish good grub! It was delicious and I would highly recommend it if you're ever on this side of PA.

 

Carb Loading

 

Now I must try to sleep because tomorrow begins the true craziness! 5k and 10k in the morning and then a half marathon on Sunday! Bring on the Hat Trick!

 

 

 

 

I Can Die Happy Now

If this weekend is anything like today then I've reached the pinnacle of my running career. Just take me now so I can die happy lord! The Runner's World 5k, 10k, and half marathon are here and I am just unbelievably excited!

I drove 5 hours to Bethlehem, PA today and arrived at my hotel around 3PM. I checked in and was immediately presented with a STELLAR schwag bag. It has it all plus some vouchers for freebies at the expo and backstage passes for a few of the tents and demos. Runner's World and FitFluential really hooked us up!

At 5PM an AMAZING (am I using enough superlatives yet?!) luxury bus pulled up and whisked us off to Runner's World headquarters. I thoroughly enjoyed the leather seats and bar stocked with bottled water (what else for a group of fitness freaks). I got to chat with many of the bloggers I've admired and worked with but never met face to face before. I've never enjoyed a 30 minute drive so much in my life!

Snakes on a Plane Bloggers on a Bus

 

Runner's World HQ

 

We arrived at RW HQ just in time to greet the editors and then sit down for a fully catered meal of amazing local and organic foods. There were veggie burgers, real burgers, hot dogs, salad, pasta salad, potato salad, and plenty of desserts. I gorged myself while I gossiped with the other bloggers and the RW staff members. I got the low down on the courses for the 5k, 10k, and half this weekend. I ate a lot, learned a lot, and laughed a lot. This was exactly how race weekend should kick off!

 



It didn't take long to demolish the buffet

 

Hanging out with a blurry Amby Burfoot

 

Running legend, Bart Yasso

 

Editor at Large, Mark Remy

 

Once we had all eaten our fill it was time for our clinic with Altra Zero Drop shoes. These shoes are already in my arsenal as I use the Intuition 1.0 as my every day, casual shoe. But I never turn down a chance to try something new. I tried on the new Intuition and was thrilled that they're now PINK! However, I was wowed by the Superior. It's a light weight, neutral trail shoe with a removable rock plate. I chose to go with the Superior instead of the updated Intuition 1.5. Tomorrow the Altra guys promised to let me try out a pair of the Lone Peaks as well. Either way I'm going home with kickass new trail running shoes from Altra!

 

L to R: Provisioness (stability), Intuition (neutral), Intuition, Superior (trail), Intuition

 

After everyone was fitted we headed off for a tour of the Runner's World Headquarters. I got to see where all the magic happens, from photographers to editing to Bart Yasso's office. I even got to eat some of a giant Brooks chocolate egg!

 

Bart Yasso's office door

Picture in Bart's office (There's no "I" in team, but there's an ass in Yasso)

Giant Brooks Egg

Eating the egg

Men's Health covers from different countries

Apparently Men's Health Brazil is a little more risque than the US version

Rave Run pics

Runner's World covers

After the tour ended we gathered in the RW lawn for some s'mores over a small fire. RW's Laura Beachy tells us that tomorrow's going to be even more amazing but right now I just can't imagine how! It's going to be super hard to go back to real life after this weekend!

 

Apparently bloggers become possessed when toasting marshmallows late at night