a look back on summer

Hi all! I figured with October's arrival and the end of summer (I know, it was officially fall last week), I would take a look back on how my summer went as far as training, blogging, and just life in general.

By the date of actual summer, I was in the middle of my first ever Running Streak. I was participating in the Runner's World Streaking Challenge, which began on Memorial Day and was lasting until Independence Day – 40 consecutive days of running! I extended it by 20 days, and ended with a 60 day running streak. I really enjoyed it, and it was very motivating to get out and run even when I wasn't feeling it. It was also a great way to push myself and showed me that even when I'm tired, I can accomplish a decent run.

Summer also began my journey of training for not only my first marathon, but the Dopey Challenge. Maybe for some, a 29 week plan (week 28 is the challenge and 29 the week after) is extreme, but I really liked the idea of having a long time to train my body to run the long miles, while also (hopefully) avoiding injury. So far it's been going really well. I've had some aches and pains in my feet and hips, but I've been working on keeping them just aches. I really like how every other weekend is a long run, while in between are shorter ones to help the body rest and recover.

I'm proud of myself, because this is the first time I have been sticking to a plan to the T (granted, some days I have to switch the miles around, but I've gotten in every long run so far), and keeping up with the run/walk method consistently. I'm happy with how training is going, and am anxious/excited/nervous/all the feelings about my 'firsts' coming up – first 15 miler, 17 miler, etc.

This year, thanks to the running streak and being consistent with training, I have my first runner's tan! Now, I don't tan much. I have fair skin and generally just burn. This summer, however, I have actual tan lines, so to me, I am tan haha. I have the lovely watch white line on my wrist, visible shorts lines on my legs, and the racerback tank lines on my shoulders and back. As a reminder, I was very good with putting on my sunscreen, but for those long races, I didn't reapply. 

Another thing I began in the summer (well, late May... but that's really the feel of summer starting) is joining up with the DC Trifecta for Friday Five posts - Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney. Here is my first link up post on Five Places I'd Like To Run. A few other favorites include: Friday Favorites, Fall Preview, and Five Things I Love About Blogging. It was also very exciting to be featured on one of the hosts Friday Five posts: Blogs To Love!

I've run a handful of races in the summer, but I generally just have fun and don't race race because I have issues with the heat (pass out type issues - my Irish body hates the heat and humidity haha). I'm still in the process of recapping, but here's a few: 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon, Burgers & Beer 5k, Rock 'n' Roll expo/5k. For all of my races/recaps, click here.

Rock 'n' Roll Chicago 5k - Shalane Flanagan's autograph!

 

13.1 Chicago Half Marathon

In late August, I became a BibRave Pro Ambassador! It's been such a joy getting to know the co-owners, community manager, and the other pros over the past few months, and even more so now that I'm a Pro myself. I haven't had the chance to run any races officially as a Pro, but I've been rocking my tank and shirt during races I registered myself for and my training runs. I have had the opportunity to try out some amazing products, though, which you can expect reviews on in the next few weeks (Jabra Sport Wireless+ (went for the first test spin yesterday, which went well), Zensah Ultra Compression Leg Sleeves (will wear after my 15 miler this weekend), and Hoist (also tried yesterday – very tasty! Will bring on my 15 miler for more testing). 

Don't forget to head on over to BibRave.com and review the races – you can link back to your own blog posts as well! It helps other runners decide which races to register for :) I have a few discount codes for you for some races, so head over here to grab them and register. Also, set a reminder for every Tuesday night at 8PM Central Time for #bibchat! We discuss a different topic every week pertaining to running, nutrition, safety, obstacle races, etc. It's super fun!

Finally, in September, I became an Ambassador for ENERGYbits. I had tried these little green tablets back in June, being skeptical, but found out first hand how wonderful they are. You can read about my experience with it here. They help keep my hunger at bay, give me energy needed when tired, and help me to focus. 

I use them before running, in the morning when I need an extra boost (I'm not a coffee drinker), and before other workout classes. I've found them extra helpful for race mornings, as I have a nervous stomach and can't eat anything before the race – just pop some of these bad boys and I'm off (15 minutes later)! If you'd like to try a sample, send me an email, or if want to buy a bag (of any bits), you can receive a 25% discount using code 'HeatherRuns'. Let me know what you think!

It's been quite the whirlwind of a summer. A few fun personal happenings included a wedding for my college buddy, Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, girls trip to Michigan, dinners/drinks with friends, taking Bar Method classes (I still need to write up my review for that), and a lot of fun races.

Women Rock Chicago 10k - bubbly at the finish :)

Greenbush Brewing Co. with some great friends.

St Joseph, Michigan.

Summer in the city.

Riot Fest necessities.

How did your summer turn out? Did you meet the goals you set for yourself? Anything you missed out on? Hope this post wasn't too long and boring for you!

friday five: what's new

On Fridays, I link up with the lovely DC Trifecta ladies for Friday Five: Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run. This week's theme is "What's New".

1. I tried out Pure Barre for the first time this week. It was crazy intense, and I felt completely out of shape! If I had the money, I would go a couple times of week - I could really feel the burn. The class really worked my muscles – everywhere! You can read how the class went here.

2. Lollapalooza weekend is here! I can not believe that it is August already! I am super pumped for 3 days of awesome music. My schedule is jam packed with some pretty rockin' bands, and other than possible rain in the forecast, looks like it'll be perfect weather (knock on wood... it's usually about 100 degrees with 100% humidity, plus at least one big storm every year making the festival grounds a real mess). Anyone else headed there?

3. Heel inserts have arrived. As some of you may know, I've been having some issues with my arches being in pain. I ordered some heel inserts that are supposed to be pretty good at alleviating such pain. I wore them all day today, and though they felt a bit odd (I'm sure I'll get used to them), I did notice that they made my feet feel better. Here's hoping they continue to do so, and the pain subsides completely. I plan on being the girl in gym shoes all weekend, even though I usually like to wear my Toms at Lollapalooza. I really think it's necessary to have some good cushion and support over the weekend, especially since I'm starting off with pain before it even begins haha. 

4. I've become obsessed with American Ninja Warrior. I just enjoy the show so much! I love it when I see regular joe's do well. You know, the kind that have jobs like animation artist that means they aren't in the gym 24-7, such as some of the trainers. Not that that's not ok, I just feel like they have to work a bit harder to squeeze in the time for training. Either way, all of those men and women are awesome–super talented to be able to do any of the obstacles! I don't think I'd make any of them... especially since so many require upper body strength. I really liked the navy dude with the therapy dog on this week's episode, and I find myself getting super excited for the folks that make it far/to the end, and bummed when they don't.

5. It's another weekend of no races. Can you believe it? My schedule was so race heavy for a while there, it seems so weird not to have anything. Not that there wasn't a race this weekend I wanted to do, but having gotten a 3-day pass for Lollapalooza, I didn't think my body could handle any more beatdowns. It's crazy how exhausting this festival is, especially the older I get (not to mention all of the running back and forth in order to see all of the bands you want to see). Last year I went two days (unable to get the 3-day like I wanted... you used to be able to wait a few days prior to buying, but just like runDisney events, tickets began to sell like hotcakes and they sell out in hours, if not sooner)—so I did Lolla on Friday, a packet pick-up in the city Saturday, Biggest Loser 5k Sunday, and then Lolla Sunday afternoon. Saturday night I ended up with food poisoning (being up all night was no fun) so Sunday was pretty rough, but I wouldn't let myself not do the race or miss the festival. All was well after taking a nap after the race and drinking some ginger ale ;) I just got a later start for Lolla than I had intended. 

BONUS: A little something extra for you. I started reading 'Doctor Sleep' this week, which is the sequel to Stephen King's 'The Shining'. Great reads, if anyone is interested.

Any shows or sports you get super into when watching on tv (as in cheering and clapping)? Do you love concerts, too? Tell me one thing you have going on this weekend :)

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts (I'm on the train using the Blogger app to edit my original draft and can't figure out how to add links to their direct link up pages... I'll add them when I'm at a computer, but you can click above links to get to their pages) and link up if you are joining in, and then check out some of the other link up posts – so many great ones to choose from!