Is running a 1/2 Marathon Fun? Not really, but the Pre-race prep was a blast!

 

I ran my very first race on Sunday with Jenny, a great friend, and my running partner. We left the husbands at home and had a blast! 

 

It just happened to be a half marathon, and It was one of the best experiences of my life! The Chicago 1/2 marathon was completely full with 20,000 registrations and 18,000 actual runners. Factor in the family and friends of the racers, the race volunteers, and the medical staff, and you can imagine the crowd, the excitement, and the energy. I Loved it, I’m hooked!

 

13.1 miles is a pretty decent distance to run/race for someone who just began running Memorial Day, so I was pretty proud of myself when I RAN the entire race. I did not walk. Running the 1/2 marathon this weekend was a great way to experience running a race and getting my feet wet for the full marathon on Oct. 11th. There are a few pre -race preparations I’ll do differently next time, though. 

 

I’ve been told that I need to get a bit more serious about my pre-race preparation, because for this race, I completely blew it! Apparently, 24 hours before the race, I should’ve been resting and relaxing with my feet up all day long and eating pasta. That didn’t happen! The day before the race, I was up at 6am and headed to the gym to do a kettlebell workout. That was mistake #1. Then, we celebrated my son’s 4th Birthday that afternoon and I ate a piece of birthday cake (no, it wasn’t RAW or organic). That was mistake #2. By the time the birthday party was over, we had just a few hours to drive to Chicago, check into our hotel, and pickup our race packets. We were hustling and made it to Navy Pier just in time to pick up our packets, but were in such a rush we forgot to secure transportation to the start line! Mistake #3. Then, off to water tower place for some power shopping and power eating and more time on my feet. It had to be done- who goes to Chicago and doesn’t shop? Seriously…mistake #4.  Finally, when we should’ve just gone back to the hotel and hit the sack, we instead scored some last minute tickets to the U2 concert at soldier field and Partied all night! I only got about 5 hours of sleep the night before the race, but seeing U2 was totally worth It. The concert was awesome, and I have no regrets, so I cannot consider this one a mistake. 

 

I don’t know if I’ll ever be a serious or competitive runner. This whole running nonsense started because of a big birthday I have coming up. Trying to prove something to myself? Maybe. But I can say one thing for sure: all this marathon training is a hell of a lot of fun. 

 

Feel free to email me with your pre race tips and tricks. And hurry up! My marathon is October 11th…Also, If you email me, I’ll tell you my story about peeing behind a tree during the race! Apparently SERIOUS racers do not have time to wait in line at the port a potty’s along the race course. Who knew?

 

 

We’ve decided to give Stefanie a break this week so she can get some much needed rest after her win in Atlantic City and her grueling training schedule preparing for her next Strongman Competition in mid October. Never wanting to leave you guys hanging she sent in this week’s workout, one she designed for herself while getting ready for her York Barbell Strongman Competition in June.

 

Shoot me an email at kettlebellstef@aol.com to let me know how you did.   

 

 

If you’re here on the east coast with us you’ll know first hand that summer is on its way out as the chilly days of autumn seem to be creeping in. Never one to be ill-prepared, Staci is ready with the perfect chilly weather gear. New from San Diego Fit, Staci grabbed these post workout warm-ups, perfect for taking it easy on off days or to throw on right after class.

 

 

Staci, being in the unfortunate position of having to give up her morning fix of coffee and the much needed caffeine was forced to find not only a tasty alternative but one that packed that PUNCH she was missing. Enter, Mate Tea, from Argentina. It’s not only rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants but it’s also loaded with natural chemicals known to react in the body to give you the same caffeine kick without the jitteriness crash or even the addictive tendencies that many experience with coffee. Now in flavored varieties, natural Mate Tea has a vegetal and grassy, very reminiscent of Green Tea. Get your fix here at Teavana.com