Tuesday, April 18, 2017

illinois marathon race week

Disclaimer: I received an entry for Illinois Marathon to review 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 can't believe that the big day is almost here. It seems so long ago that I chose my spring marathon and registered, and now suddenly, it's days away. You may or may not have noticed that I, as usual, fell off on my training recaps. I was doing going for the first few weeks, up till November, and then it went downhill. December was a a trip to Mexico, and then I was sick for basically the entire month and I did very little running. January came longer mileage, and suddenly here we are, at the middle of April. Anyway, all of my training runs were recapped on Instagram, so I don't feel too bad about not writing blog posts about it just repeating myself haha.


Overall, I am very happy with this training cycle, and I think if all goes well, I'll be getting a new PR on Saturday. My main goal is 6:10, but I would be so ecstatic if I could hit a 6 hour finish time (which is sort of the pacing requirement, but they say the finish line will stay open for 7 hour finisher, you'll just need to follow pedestrian laws as I think the streets open back up). I just finished my last training run and I'm feeling good.

I of course started looking at race weekend weather about a week ago. Yes, I know everything can change by the time the race appears, but I like to have a general sense of what we might get. And even a week later, it's still saying rain. Oh well - if it's warm that might feel good. I'm just hoping for light rain and not downpours, because squishy shoes are annoying haha. Also, it's calling for 20–30mph winds, so I might change my race goals a little. If I'm pushing against winds I think 6:10 will be what I'm chasing. Whatever comes, I'll make the best of it. Weather cannot be controlled, but my mindset and how I choose to deal with the hand we are dealt on race day can be. And I'll choose to be positive and happy. I did the training, now I just need to run the race. 

Here's some information you might find useful come race day.

Official Race Guide:
http://illinoismarathon.com/wp-content/uploads/RaceGuide.pdf?x16837
Basically, you'll find anything and everything you need to know in this guide.

Expo:
Thursday, April 20, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

The expo will take place at the University of Illinois Activities and Recreation Center (ARC - 201 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820) and feature national and local vendors, as well as national organizations and prominent running events. Most importantly, the expo is where you pick up your packet (race number, goody bag, and race shirt). Parking for the expo is at the State Farm Center, bordered by Kirby, First, and Fourth.

I received an email with my unique QR code today. If you haven't received yours yet, just keep an eye on your email (and check that Junk Mail folder). You'll grab your race number in Gym 2; you'll grab your race shirt and goody bag in Gym 1.


Guest Speakers:


Pasta Feed:
The awesome Biaggi’s Pasta Feed will be held on Friday, April 21, in Gym 3 at the Activities and Recreations Center (ARC) on the U of I campus. The pasta feed will run from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Come any time during that window to enjoy your meal.

Purchase a Pasta Feed ticket here.

Menu:
  • House Salad
  • Bread
  • Choice of Meat Lasagna or Penne Marinara*
  • Iced Tea / Lemonade
  • White Chocolate Bread Pudding or Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

$16 for adults, $7 for kids. (Note: The pre-race pasta feed is not included in your race entry fee.)

*If you need gluten-free pasta: Send Jan Seeley (jan@illinoismarathon.com) a note to reserve a gluten-free meal.

Tickets
You can pick up pre-purchased tickets in the lobby of the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC), where the expo is located. Additional tickets will be available for sale in the same location on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pasta feed speaker 
We are thrilled to welcome Marathon champion Dick Beardsley as our 2017 guest legend. Dick will give a brief talk at the pasta feed at 6 pm on Friday, April 21. Learn about Dick’s visit here.

Tracking
Track your favorite runner(s): http://illinoismarathon.com/logistics/tracking/

Course Maps
All the maps you need for race weekend can be found here: http://illinoismarathon.com/course-info/


Parking
We will have free parking for runners and spectators. See the map.

Hydration Stations/Gu & Snack Stations
There are 16 hydration stations on the course. Hydration stations will be stocked with water (all stations), Lemon-Lime Gatorade (most stations), and GU (at mile 6.7, which is shortly after marathon relay exchange zone A; mile 13; mile 17; and mile 21). Each GU station will have the following flavors of GU: vanilla bean, strawberry banana, and chocolate outrage. All flavors of GU have caffeine except strawberry banana.

Fruits on the course
There is also an official oranges stop (thank you, Meijer, for the oranges) at approximately mile 6, hosted by The Atkins Group. There is also an official oranges and banana stop at mile 21.5 (thank you, County Market and Meijer).

Toilets
Relax. There will be plenty of portable toilets at the start and even more along the entire course than in 2016. Course Porta-potties location/quantity map

Entertainment
You will not be able to run more than a couple of miles without being entertained by musicians, cheerleaders, or other performers. Check the entertainment page for more information as it develops.

Race Photography
Our official race photographer is MarathonFoto, the leader in sports photography around the world. Photos will be available for purchase shortly after the completion of your race.

ARC Day Pass
You can buy a day pass for ARC ahead of time online, or at the ARC lobby during expo hours. This pass gets you a locker and access to the facilities – pool, showers, weights – for $6. I'm very tempted to get one of these so I can shower before driving back to Chicago. The thought of being in the car two hours after running a marathon without a shower makes me feel gross haha.


Honestly, all of the information you need to know can be found on the website and race guide, but I thought it might be helpful to go over the main pieces you might want to know about. I am very impressed with how much info is provided online – not all races are as organized and communicate as well. Not to mention the emails keeping us up to date.


Who else is running a race that weekend? You'll find me at the expo Friday, the pasta feed around 5, the 5k Friday evening, and the marathon Saturday! I'll probably be in BibRave orange everywhere I go, and with my pal Angie at all times (except for racing, because she's faster) ;) 

Friday, April 14, 2017

peace of mind: wrist id elite review

Disclaimer: I received the Road ID Wrist ID Elite to review 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!


All the bright colors! Clearly I enjoy neon orange and lime,

No one likes to think about bad things happening when we are out running, but the reality is, there's a lot that can go wrong. We won't go into the depressing details (and how unfortunate and frequent they are), but we all need to do as much as we possibly can to stay safe on our runs. And for those time where we can't speak for ourselves in a medical emergency, your Road ID can speak for you. 

The top left and bottom left photos show the inner clasp closed and opened.

I've loved Road ID for quite some time now. I honestly don't remember how I first came across their products, but I purchased pretty much immediately. They have a variety of different IDs, including shoes, slim bands, neck, etc. I was able to order/customize the Wrist ID Elite.


I went with the Black edition badge (other options are classic or rugged) and the  lime badge. I love bright colors, and thought that black would look cool on neon (which I still think now that I've gotten it). The band color was tough - lots of fun choices including: black, grey, blue, lime, red, and purple. The Black Collection colors: black grey, black blue, black lime (almost went with this one), black red, or black purple. Or Leather: black or brown.


And then you can choose some badges to add on to your band. I bought the 26.2 and 'Shut Up Legs' black badges to match my black name badge (note, I paid for my badges on my own). They have a ton of options for badges including black editions, distances, sports, etc. You can also customize a badge (limited to 15 characters). You can order other band colors for $4.99, an elite clasp for $8.99 (if you don't want to swap the clasp you already have), or the elite clasp black for $13.99. There are 100 badge images available for $4.99, or you can do your custom for $5.99 (regular or black edition).

Always part of my race gear! In addition to filling out the back of my bib,
I also write on there 'see Road ID on left wrist'.

Once you have your strap and badge options chosen, you fill out the information you want on your band. For the Wrist ID Elite, you have 6 lines available. Typically, you'd put your first and last name on the top row (perhaps adding your birth year as well since it's helpful to first responders to know your age), second line can be your city, state, country, and then you can have four emergency contacts, or maybe you only want two or there, in which case you can add some of your favorite short quotes or inspirational lines (never give up), and add any medical information (such as asthma, allergic to bees, or whatever).

OR you have another option. Go with an interactive ID (which I did), and you have 4 lines to personalize and then the last two lines are for 24/7/265 emergency response support info (FOR ID INFORMATION and then there's a phone number and website. On the back of your ID is your serial number.). Included is a 6 month membership, and during the customization period, you can extend your membership to a year for $9.99, 2 additional years for $18.49, 5 additional years for $44.99, or 10 additional years for $87.49.

Featured in my post-race Chi Town Half Marathon photo.

Use the checkbox towards the end for free text proofing (recommended). I always like someone else to proof read, so I checked that. When you receive your interactive ID in the mail, you'll want to go to the website on the packaging to set up your profile – you can fill out everything or just some, but it includes Doctor information, emergency contacts, health information, insurance information, as so much more. It's nice to know that if I'm at the hospital and can't speak for myself, they can get all the information they need just off using my ID and either calling the Road ID response team or going to the website to get everything needed. 

Arm candy on point.

Once your Road ID Wrist ID Elite arrives, you'll need to cut the band to fit your wrist (and specifically, where on your wrist you'll be wearing it). I left mine much larger than my actual wrist, because I'd be wearing it on the inside of my watch, and therefore a larger part of my arm. I measured it out twice, checking which number I should cut at each time (and maybe even a third time), and then made the cut. Having the numbers on the back, along with slits, made it easy. If you are unsure, start out a little big, and then cut one at a time until you are at your desired size. Measure twice, cut once!

Once it is to your desired size, put all of your badges on, then you'll slide the end that isn't connected to the clasp into the clasp. Line it up so that you bend down the clip into a slit so it's secure. Boom. All done. It may seem more complicated than it really is. They have a video you can watch too, if you are confused. 

There are those bright colors again.

I seriously recommend that EVERYONE have a Road ID. Cyclists, runners, walkers, hikers... anyone that spends time outside. I even wore mine for Lollapalooza in case something were to happen. One year I was having a sinus infection (before I knew what all the symptoms were for me), and I felt lightheaded and dizzy, and so knowing that was on me if I needed medical attention made me feel better. It calms the anxiety a little bit. They aren't that expensive, and if you read any of the stories on their website, can see that the small price tag can save lives. So just do it. 

If you need more incentive (but seriously, do you?!) - here's a $5 gift card to use on your next purchase. You'll fill out the quick form, receive your code in an email, and it is valid for 2 weeks. Enjoy the options! 


PS They just came out with badges for Garmin watches! I might be investing in one for my Fenix 3 ;) Also, can we just say, how beautiful the rose gold badge is for the Slim2? It also has some cute limited edition color bands. I need them all haha. A girl needs to accessorize, right?

Connect with Road ID:

What other Pros had to say:

Sunday, March 26, 2017

quick, healthy meals: luvo review

Disclaimer: I received Luvo meals to review 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!

Mac and Cheese! Yum.

One of my biggest problems is eating healthy and feeling full. Marathon training usually means I'm hungry NON STOP! I want to eat all day, and sometimes (often) my cravings are for something that's not good for me (cheetoh puffs, fast food). Life is sometimes quite busy, too, which makes stopping for fast food a quick and easy option. Luckily, there is Luvo, a quick and healthy option for people needing something to eat without the time to cook. 

Luvo sent us coupons which we redeemed at the store.


You can find Luvo at most local grocery stores. Around me, both Jewel-Osco and Mariano's carries them. Jewel surprisingly had more options to choose from. I'm an extremely picky eater, and to be honest with you, I'm not into veggies. There's a few I enjoy, but mostly, they just aren't my thing. I'd much prefer to be eating fruits. I can eat veggies when they are, we'll say, 'snuck' into the meal. By that I mean the flavor isn't too strong and I barely notice them haha. I have a weak pallet – I can't eat anything spicy (lots of mild BBQ sauces are too hot for me haha). I don't enjoy peppers of beans... and I could continue, but let's just say I often eat like a kid.

A pretty good set of options to choose from at Jewel-Osco.
Hard to get a full photo without a bunch of other brands in there.

Lucky for me, even though Luvo contains an entire serving of veggies in their meals (along with whole grains and quality protein), there were quite a few options that I could eat and I enjoyed. I doubled up on a few that sounded like they'd be up my alley – I tried the Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese (bowl), Kale Ricotta Ravioli (bowl), Orange Mango Chicken (steam pouch), and the Red Wine Braised Beef & Polenta. I was searching high and low for the breakfast foods, mostly the Steel Cut Oatmeal with quinoa and mixed fruits, but I couldn't find them anywhere. I was a little nervous about the Ravioli, as it mentions fire roasted tomato sauce, but it wasn't spicy, so I was good.

The Mac & Cheese cooked, but before mixing it up.

I think my favorite was the Mac & Cheese. The rest were all about the same – I don't think I could pick one over the other. And that's a good thing. I loved how quick they were to heat up. I've been spending a lot of time out of the house lately, which used to mean just stopping for dinner on the way home, but knowing I had some Luvo in the freezer meant I came home, popped one in the microwave for about 5 minutes, and dinner was served. 

After a 'quick' post-work run, Luvo came
in handy so I could eat before 9pm.

The bowls were covered with a plastic sheet like a lot of frozen meals, and then after 4-6.5 minutes in the microwave, you let it sit 1 minute, then peel off the plastic, mix and eat. For the steam pouches, you place on a microwaveable plate, microwave about the same time as the bowls, and then when finished you cut open the pouch with scissors (carefully as the steam is HOT), and then grab the closed corners and shimmy out the food. It comes out looking pretty close to the photo on the packaging, which makes you feel like a good chef (which I am far from ha). They also make planted power bowls, which didn't appeal to me, but I know it would to most other runners.

The ravioli before going in the microwave. Love the ease of
cooking and eating out of the paperboard bowls.

Other than the convenience, it's nice to know you're getting some healthy food into your system. I am in the heart of marathon training right now, so knowing that I'm eating something with nutritional value, fueling my body properly, means a lot. And I am actually noticing a difference in how I feel during my runs, which is huge. Also of note – the chicken and beef were raised without antibiotics. 

The two sides of the pouch. They make it easy for you to k
now which side is up and which side is down.


Here's a few nutritional info on a few of the meals so you can get a feel of what's in them:





If you are looking to stock your freezer up with some quick, easy, healthy meals to make when you are in a pinch (or even when you aren't – they are great for lunches at work, or just a regular meal when you don't feel like cooking), I would suggest looking at your grocery store freezer aisle for these entrees. There are a lot of options, and it's a nice change of pace from a PB&J sandwich that someone (read: me) eats everyday. They are reasonably priced, and I often see them on sale, so stock up then. You can go here to see if they sell them at a store near you. They also have an online store with $9.99 flat rate shipping on orders over $28.99. 

Orange Chicken Mango. Mango with chicken is an awesome combo!

Red Wine Braised Beef & Polenta.

Connect with Luvo:
website | twitter | facebook | instagram | pinterest 

What the other BibRave Pros had to say:
Mai | Lindsey | Jeannine | Ang | Sam

Sunday, March 19, 2017

hyper pink amazingness: xx2i france 2 review

Disclaimer: I received a pair of XX2i France2 Hyper Pink sunglasses to review 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!

Angie and I sporting our France2 frames at Mardi Gras Chaser 10k.

Are you tired of my reviews for sunglasses? I sure hope not, because I have another one for you! This time it's for XX2i Optics France2. You know how much I love the USA1, so I was excited to try the France2 which I had been eyeing for about a year, but never had the money in my budget for sunglasses when I had a pair I already loved so much. Thanks to BibRave and XX2i, my dream of owning these sunglasses is now a reality – and in the color I had wanted – pink!


I knew these sunglasses were great before receiving them, as one of my best running friends and BAMR Amy had them (also in Pink) and wore them all the time – even for her ultras. If they held up to her 24 hour races (obviously she wouldn't need them for night, but still), then I felt they would be acceptable for me. The main issues with most sunglasses is fit. Is the frame to big that the arms are too wide that I don't get that snug fit (without being too tight)? While I enjoyed the Hawaii1 a lot, as they were very lightweight and comfortable as far as no bounce and they didn't hurt my ears or nose, but they were a little too big for my smaller head size.

Cuties and XX2i France2 sunglasses.

Lucky me – the France2 are perfect. The frame fits well and sits nicely on my ears/nose (the nosepiece is adjustable which is nice – you can fit it easily to your face) and they never bounced. They blocked out the right amount of light and I think they look cool. I feel sort of badass in them, as if I'm channeling my inner Amy. 

They were perfect on my 14 miler. Can you tell I like pink?
Pink visor, pink earphones, pink sunglasses haha.

I've worn them for a lot of long runs and they have been awesome. Even when wearing a BUFF® to protect my face, since the frames are open on the bottom, they might fog briefly, but with enough air flow they cleared up quickly, so I never had any issues not being able to see. They never annoyed me – no bouncing, no fogging, not too tight or too big – they were just right ;)

Even wearing a BUFF® to cover my face, the France2 barely fogged up.

Some information about the frames/lenses (from the website):
XX2i France2 Pro Racing Sunglasses comes in Hyper Pink with Blue Flash lenses and Blue temple tips. Included with these frames will be a tank protector case and one microfiber soft carrying bag that can also be used as a cleaning cloth. Features on these sunglasses are perfect for running, cycling, golfing or just about any activity that requires the sunglasses to stay on your face and remain fog free. 

FEATURES: interchangeable lenses, adjustable temple tips and adjustable nose pads. 

WARRANTY: Lifetime Warranty! No questions asked, you break or scratch them, send them back to be replaced for a nominal shipping and handling fee! 

RETURN POLICY: 365 Days! We know it may take some time to try on and get comfortable with a pair of sunglasses bought online so that's why we give you a full year to do so! That's right, take up to 365 days to determine if you want to keep them and if not, send them back for a full refund less any shipping and handling fee.


I can tell you first hand that the XX2i customer service is FANTASTIC. It's an amazing company with great, durable, comfortable, high-quality sunglasses that come with a lifetime warranty and a 365 day return policy. I think their warranty and return policy speaks volumes of the type of company they are. They want to make sure you are happy with the product and shows they actually care. 



Not a super sunny day for the Lakefront 10 Miler, but it sure was windy,
The France2 helped protect my eyes from the wind/dirt so I could get this race done.

I love all of their frames and that all of them have some fun options in colors. White and black are great, but sometimes I need a little pop of color ;) The France2 come in a variety of frame and lens colors – it was hard to pick a favorite, really. Besides having my eyes on the Pink, I was also considering the crystal green flash lens green tips pair, but since I had wanted the pink for a long time, that's what I chose. I am very happy with them and will continue to wear them for plenty of runs (switching off with the USA1 of course).

16 miles done. France2 sunglasses hold up.

Get a pair (or multiple) of XX2i using code 'marchbibrave' and you'll receive 50% off. Act fast – the code is only valid through March 28.

Connect with XX2i Optics:
website | twitter | instagram | facebook

Check out what the other Pros had to say:
Tedrick | Amy | Angie | Mai | Jessica | Vanessa

Sunday, March 5, 2017

mardi gras chaser 10k recap

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Back on My Feet Mardi Gras Chaser 10k to review 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!

You can read my BibRave review here – it's on the shorter side ;)


I ran the Back on My Feet Mardi Gras Chaser 10k for the first time in 2016. It was a great race, benefitted a wonderful cause (all proceeds go to BoMF Chicago), and delicious post-race snacks. I had such a great time, I knew I would be back for 2017 if my schedule allowed. Thankfully, it did. 

This year's race was held on Saturday, February 25 at the same location as 2016 – Montrose Harbor. The course was pretty much the same as well. What wasn't the same? The weather. I wore SHORTS in 2016... and this year, well, I had to bundle up a lot. Good old Chicago in February. Just three days before the race, the weather was in the upper 60s. Race day called for a high in the low 20s and about 16–20mph winds. That equalled a windchill of 9 degrees at the race start. 9! It was pretty dang cold. I think it would have felt more manageable if it was 9 degrees and no wind, but that wind just cut you. When the race began, it started snowing pretty heavily too. What a difference from 2016 haha. Oh well, no matter the weather, I always have a good time.


I was so happy that a few other running friends and fellow BibRave Pros and family members would be there too. I met up with Frank, Mark, Tina, Angie, and Josh. My aunt and mom ran as well. 

My mom and I got there around 8:15 (only took about 40 minutes to get there). There was ample free street parking near the start/finish line. We went to grab our packets. Mom got hers easily, but to my horror my name wasn't on the list! I knew I had registered for the 10k, but she checked the 5k in case – wasn't on there either. Of course I wasn't prepared and didn't flag the confirmation email, so I had to do some digging to find it. Luckily, I did in a few minutes (though at that point my hands were frozen as I left my gloves in the car thinking). I had to fill out a registration form (but not pay again) so they could get me a bib number and put me in the system. Not very painful, but strange nonetheless. I got a unisex medium white 1/4 zip tech pullover (the swag for this year – last year was a white long sleeve shirt).


We ran into Angie and Josh as we headed back to the car. We all said we would reconvene and chat via text so we could get warm again after pickup in our cars haha. Around 9:15 we got out of the car again to take some photos and chit chat. I went to the bathroom around 9:30 – no wait. There were about 10 porta potties near the start with a hand washing station. I think I went back to my car after for 20 minutes to warm back up before the start. And then, before we knew it, we had to line up. 

Looking good in our XX2i France2 sunglasses!

Both the 5k and 10k began at 10am. They had some pace signs so people could line up accordingly. The National Anthem was sung and we were off. The first .25ish mile was on the street on a small, coned off section. I think this was because of some potholes/cracks in the sidewalk area. We could have used a bit more space, as it was pretty congested that first part, but soon we were on the lakefront path and it started to thin out. I began my run/walk intervals of 50/15 around .5 mile. It's also then I noticed my watch was set on walk mode! NO! I would have left it, but it doesn't have the data screens I like to use when I run, so I stopped and re-started it in run mode. Womp womp. This made it hard to really know what my pace was each actual mile, but I could tell I was running a good pace for me. I was able to keep Tina in my sights, and we did a few pass each other moments, and I said if I was able to keep up till mile 4, I would try running with her the rest of the way without my walk breaks. Somehow, I did just that. 

Me, Angie, Josh, and Frank :)

Four of us wore 2XU Hyoptik tights! Ha.

I love out and backs because it gives me a chance to cheer on other runners and look for my friends. I high-fived Mark, shouted out to my aunt and Josh, waved at Angie. It's awesome. The turn around came a little after mile 3 with some Clif Bars (and my mom wasn't too far behind me, as I knew she would be), and then I hit mile 4 and started running with Tina. We chatted a bit and enjoyed each others company. It was really nice to be able to run with someone that could help me keep my pace and not go too fast, which is my problem when I try to run continuously. We stopped at mile 5 for some water. The volunteers weren't handing it out, and when I asked if there was any, they said it had frozen over. I took a cup anyway, and with a light squeeze the ice broke down and there was water underneath. Very cold, but I needed to wet my whistle. Mark met up with us around 5.5 and ran the last bit with us.

Mark and Josh.

I thought that I had a PR, but wouldn't know for sure until I looked up my official results. I was able to get Tina's watch finish time (since we started and finished together), and that pretty much told me I did, but I like the official results to tell me for sure and by how much haha.

Angie and Frank.

At the finish line I grabbed a cup of Gatorade, a banana, Clif mini bar, medal (instead of a ribbon it was beads, which was cool), Bai, Entenmann’s Mini Bagels (plain and cinnamon), Entenmann’s Little Bites, and a cracker type thing. Shortly after grabbing everything, we cheered on Frank and my mom finishing. Oh yeah at the finish line they also had mylar blankets.


We took some photos, said goodbye to Frank, and then decided to head over to the after party at Fat Cat. We were able to find a small parking lot for $2 an hour, so did that and then crossed the street to get to Fat Cat. When you walked in, they had the BoMF table with raffle tickets for sale (lots of raffle prizes – shirts, hats, jackets, etc) and you could also grab your beer with your bib beer ticket. After maybe 10 minutes, we were able to get a table large enough for our group and then hit the $15 buffet. 




The buffet was stocked with some delicious food  – Yogurt bar: Greek yogurt, house made granola, fresh fruit, sliced almonds, sprinkles, and honey, bananas foster brulee french toast, chicken fried chicken with gravy, red beans and rice, house made biscuits with Fat Cat home made jam and whipped butter, scrambled eggs, brunch potatoes, bacon. My favorite was the french toast, bacon, and potatoes (oh and the biscuits with jam and butter haha). I think we all ate enough to get our money's worth ;) 


I didn't like the beer options, so just drank water to rehydrate. Even though it was a cold day, I still sweat plenty haha. 

Some of the plates of food. We were hungry.

Mark and Tina had to get going before the hour was up (for parking), but my mom, Angie, Josh and I hung out for about another hour or so. It was great to chat and catch up with some of my best running friends. My mom had some friends there too, so after parting ways with my crowd we chatted with them for a few minutes before hitting the road.

I enjoy all races, but races where you have friends are even better. I loved spending time with everyone, cheering each other on, and of course, taking all the photos possible :)

One last photo of the group wearing orange :)

I'd definitely keep this race on your radar for 2018. It's really fun and is for a great cause (you can read more about that here).