Illinois half marathon training weeks 1 & 2

February 19, 2018 / Amanda @fueling.veggie.athletes / 4 Comments

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Illinois Half Marathon 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 I’ve made it through the first two weeks of Illinois half marathon training! It has been tough to balance training with my (relatively) new teaching job…Things are going well training wise, though, and I really hope it stays that way! I’m nervous because of my injury history, but I am optimistic, especially after I wrapped up week 2 yesterday! So without further ado, let’s take a look at my last two weeks of training! 🙌🏻

Week 1: Monday February 5th -Sunday February 11th

-Monday February 5th: REST

-Tuesday February 6th: 3 miles @ 7:42 on the treadmill followed by strength work

-Wednesday February 7th: REST/XT

-Thursday February 8th: REST

-Friday February 9th: Unexpected day off work (snow day) resulted in a fun, but snowy/slippery 5 miles @ 7:59 pace

-Saturday February 10th: 4 miles @ 7:31 pace

-Sunday February 11th: REST

WEEKLY TOTAL: 14 miles

Week 2: Monday February 12th -Sunday February 18th:

-Monday February 12th: 3 miles after school at 7:18 pace followed by stretching

-Tuesday February 13th: REST

-Wednesday February 14th: 3 miles @ 7:07 pace. I ran by feel, but ended up with a run that was almost at tempo pace…

-Thursday February 15th: Late and dark 4 miler at 7:49 pace. This run didn’t feel great…

-Friday February 16th: REST

-Saturday February 17th: 1 mile w/u, 3 miles @ goal half marathon pace (6:49, 6:54, 6:48), and 3 mile c/d

-Sunday February 18th: 5 mile recovery run @ 7:39 pace followed by yoga

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WEEKLY TOTAL: 21 miles

Tonight’s question: What races are you training for this spring? Will any of you be joining me at the Illinois half marathon? They also have a 5k, 10k, full marathon, and marathon relay! So there’s a race for everyone!🤗 Use the code “2018bibravebonus” code for $10.00 off your entry if you want to join me!😉

Top 5 reasons why you should run the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k

February 18, 2018 / Amanda @fueling.veggie.athletes / 1 Comment

Disclaimer: I’m promoting the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k 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’ve lived in Chicago for 4 years now and this is the first year I’m running the Shamrock Shuffle 8k!😱 If it weren’t for all injuries over the last few years, I would have run it sooner because it’s a really awesome race! Don’t be like me-run it this year too! Need more convincing?! Check out my top 5 reasons why you should run the Shamrock Shuffle 8k below. And if you read the whole thing I’ll even give you a discount code!😜

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Run the Shamrock Shuffle 8k

1. You can’t beat the amazing city views on the race course! 😍 I may be biased because I live in Chicago, but dang the views are gorgeous! You get to run through scenic downtown Chicago where you get the best of both worlds: city AND lake views! And if you’re not up for the full 8k, the 2 mile walk course still boasts some stellar views! 😊

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2. Beer! 🍻 Need I say more? You get one free Michelob ULTRA beer at the finish line (if you are of age of course)! There is live music, great city/lake views for that post race insta 📸, and then you can head over to the post race party. This year the post race party is at the Scout Waterhouse & Kitchen (1301 S. Wabash Ave.). If you bring your race bib to the Scout between 2 pm and 1 am they will give you another free Michelob ULTRA!

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3. The race is such a big deal that NBC 5 Chicago covers it! So, if you’ve ever wanted to be on TV, now might be your chance 😉 The cooler your outfit, the better your chance of being featured on TV (ok I made this up…but dressing up is part of the fun 😝)!

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4. The race is competitive. There’s even an elite corral! So you just may be able to admire one of your favorite runners from afar! Each year over 30,000 runners run the Shamrock Shuffle! So, regardless of your pace, there is bound to be someone to race against and push you toward an ever elusive PR! And if you are extra competitive you can form a team and race in the team competition division. Plus, the finisher’s medal is pretty if I do say so myself!🥇

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5. You just might PR! An 8k is a unique race distance (4.97 miles) that you may have not done before. And anytime you run a new race it’s a PR, right?

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BONUS REASON: I’ll be there! I’m running it for the first time and you know you’ve always wanted to meet the Black Bean Queen in real life 😉😜

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Have you run the Shamrock Shuffle before?! If so, what’s your favorite part of the race? If not, are you joining me at the race this year?! If use the code “SHUFFLE” at the following link: http://haku.ly/dd2567 you can save $10 on your race entry!

Product review: AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones

February 14, 2018 / Amanda @fueling.veggie.athletes / 3 Comments

Disclaimer: I received an AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones 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’m not going to lie, I was skeptical about the AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones. I thought they looked a little funny and I was confused about how headphones that do not sit inside your actual ears would produce quality sound.🤔 I have never been more thrilled to be proven wrong! 🤗

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AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones delivered on every aspect and I was surprised by how much I ended up loving them after testing them on a few workouts and runs both inside and outside. I even ended up using them outside of running (I wore them in my classroom during my planning periods so I could listen to music, but still hear the door incase any of my students stopped by to see me)!

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Top 8 reasons why I loved the AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones:

No wires (With previous headphones I would get caught in the wires and knock the headphones out of my ears as I ran)
Rechargeable battery with a really long battery life
Excellent sound quality (You can even feel the bass if you turn the music up loud enough :P)
Safe (As a petite and young looking female I don’t always feel comfortable running alone in the city with music, especially at night. These headphones allow me to listen to my music and to be aware of my surroundings)
Durable (I’ve dropped the headphones multiple times since I bought them #clutz and they have not broken 😂)
Able to listen to music through layers of clothing (On cold runs I can wear a hat, put my AfterShokz OVER my hat, and still hear my music!)
A great conversation starter (Because they look unlike any other headphones on the market, I’ve had people ask me about them in person and over social media)
Easy to wear under hats (If any of you follow me on social media or know me in real life, you know that I have short hair. For this reason, I almost always wear a hat and the AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones fit and stay on under my hats!)

Have I convinced you to get your own pair yet?! Use the code “TRUCKER” to receive a bonus trucker hat with purchase of the AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones at http://bibrave.aftershokz.com. See for yourself what the hype is about! Let me know in the comments below if you have a pair of AfterShokz and what your favorite song to listen to on them is! 🙂

Finally, don’t just take my word, see what other BibRave Pros have to say about AfterShokz Trekz Air:

Product Review: BibBoards

February 11, 2018 / Amanda @fueling.veggie.athletes / 2 Comments

Disclaimer: I received BibBoards 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!

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I wish I had known about Bibboards a few years ago when I was a collegiate runner. Nothing made my soul sadder than poking my lucky jersey with safety pins week in and week out (except for a bad race, but those were rarer occurrences thankfully :P) ! By the end of the season, my jersey would start to fray and the micro sized pin holes would morph into a noticeable larger hole or a noticeable collection of smaller pin holes. Furthermore, during windy races my race bib would get caught in the wind and just generally annoy me by flapping around. There was even a race that my bib become partially unpinned 🙃 And let me tell ya, in those swift and competitive college races, the last thing I wanted to worry about my losing my race bib or being poked by an errant safety pin…

(Throwback to my college running days and the annoyingly large bibs. This was from the NCAA regional meet in 2012)

Unfortunately for me, Bibboards were not around when I was in college. Bibboards started as an idea in 2009 and came to the market less than two years ago in 2016! Read more about their story here. If they had been around then, I would have started using them sooner! As soon as I got my package in mid January, I knew they were a genius product and one that I would continue to use for months and years to come!

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Less than a week after I received my BibBoards, I had an opputunity to try them out and see if they lived up to the hype. I ran the F^ 3 Lake Half Marathon and 5k race on January 20th and used my brand new BibBoards. I received 8 BibBoards total: 4 with their original BibBoards logo and 4 with a red wine glass that said “will run for wine” (so much truth to that second set of BibBoards 😂).

I opted to race with two of each BibBoard just to mix things up. 🙂 I pinned the BibBoards my race bib the night before and was surprised by how strong they were! It definitely took some elbow grease to unsnap them and I needed my husband to help me the first time around. I think the strength of the BibBoard is a huge pro- I knew I would not have to worry about my race bib becoming unattached from my shirt during the race the next morning.

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(Flat Amanda the night before the F^3 Lake 5k race)

The morning of the race, I met up with some of my fellow BibRave Pros and they were intrigued by the BibBoards. I showed them how I attached my race bib and that the BibBoards did not leave any holes in my favorite RunJanji technical long sleeve top! Now, the final test that the BibBoards would have to pass was the race test. Would they annoy me during my 5k race or would I not even notice them?

(me during/after the race without a care in the world- about my race bib at least!)

I am happy to report I did not notice my BibBoards or my race bib at all during the race! They securely held my race bib to my shirt and allowed me to focus all my energy on racing!

This is exactly the type of product I love-one that makes running and racing easier. Furthermore, they are super cute, right?! 🙂 Let’s be honest, half the reason we race is for the post-race treats: whether it is food or alcohol. 😛 So, why not express your love of post race treats on your BibBoards? Furthermore, I even credit the BibBoards to helping me win the 5k- I was able to focus on catching the people ahead of me and not on worrying whether or not my race bib would stay attached to my shirt.

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Like what you see and want your own set of BibBoards?! The code #BibChat will save you 20% on your order. You can purchase one of their adorable pre-made designs (such as the “will run for wine”) or make your own custom set. The custom sets are perfect for putting your running club logo on, putting a favorite running quote on, or advertising a favorite race/product. Honestly the sky is the limit for what you can customize! I just ordered my own custom BibRave Pro BibBoards this morning, so I can support my favorite running group at all my upcoming races!

I would love to see what custom BibBoards you come up with in the comments below. Let me know if you try them out! 🙂

Also, see what other BibRave Pros have to say about Bibboards: