Race #8 went VIRTUAL!

Last minute decision to run a race right before the last one of the year. This race benefit the campaign for Obama and gave people who wanted to run but could not a chance to race. The actual race was on November 3rd but I ran it. . . yesterday!

My bib which was mailed to me.

The race was actually an 11.6 k because the election was on November 6th which is translated to 7.2 miles. This was actually the longest race ever for me since I cut it off at five miles. Well, after five miles I was getting ready to stop and just walk the entire way. Something kept telling me to keep going and I ended up running a little tour around Wicker Park neighborhood and see all the classic Victorian mansions that reside there. I even got waves from some of the kids there. Very cute! All in all I went past the 7.2 miles and I am a little sore but I did a demonstration Sun Salutation A sequence for my husband and I actually am not as sore anymore. So, this week is going to go pretty interesting since the last race is in two weeks. Luckily, it is a 5k so now, this should be no sweat. My focus is to beat my PR so my training will be focused on speed walking and fast sprinting to a slow jog. After this race begins my training for a possible 10k in January. Might as well keep going with running since it has been such a big part of me right? 

   So the race was interesting because it was just me going at my own time. The race was virtual. The race was 7.2 miles. This race also delivered me my first medal or Bling as I am learning from BGR! I am quite proud to have it. Would I want another one? Well, I am going to get more anyway with next years race schedule. Here are some pics that I took before, during and after my race.

3 minutes before running. Because the person who created this race is one of my BGR sisters I decided to wear a BGR shirt I just got since I didn't have an Obama shirt.

Me and my first "bling". Good thing I voted for Obama. This would have been a frustrating race! LOL!

Any glitches in this race? Just me and my run keeper app. A friend called that I really needed to talk to so instead of walking and hearing the GPS I paused my race and the phone froze and crashed. Luckily, runkeeper kept my time thus far which was good but I have two times for the race. My time was pretty slow because I was intimidated by the fact that I had to run 7.2 miles. I was running at like 12.30 min/mi. Could I have done more? Probably because I was not as sore as I was after I did the Shamrock Shuffle and that was only five miles. Man, I was sore for two-three days after that race right in the knees and thighs. I thought my shoes would do some serious damage to my feet and they actually held their own so me walking around the neighborhood when I was not training was good for my tootsies and shoes. So, my end thought- can I do a half marathon and a ten mile race? ABSOLUTELY! BRING IT ON!

You can run it! Just believe.

Run for Good Days

This was the temperature at the Chamber of Commerce building in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood this Saturday morning during my run. I had to stop and take a picture. Mind you, it was 7:15 in the morning. So, today was def a great time to run. There is also the package I received in the mail earlier this week.:

Complete with a Dri-fit shirt and a

I even posed with a leaf I snatched off a tree on my run

Also, to add to my last run cloth reusable menstrual pads are so much better than the disposable ones. Have a good run day!

run happy

Moon Cycle Running

"Moon Cycle" is a neat term I learned for menstrual cycle without all the menses into it. Menstrual cycles were known a long time ago to be in sync with the cycles of the moon. Here is the reason for the post. . .

For years, I dealt with dysmenorrhea which is a disorder filled with not knowing when my cycle was, extremely painful cramps and extreme bleeding. Once I became a vegetarian, my cramps went away and I my moon cycle regulated itself. I still have the heavy bleeding but it has dramatically decreased. But, this still makes me a little sensitive when going for a run or in a room with 25 people sprawled out in three-legged downward facing dog.

I have consulted with the internet about working out, running or yoga during my cycle and they all say the same time: it is okay. Actually these articles encourage working out while on your moon cycle Some people choose not too while others still work out but to their tolerance. I think I will listen to the experts and not let this affect me. Hopefully, I will report back on my exercise while experiencing my moon cycle.

So, here are some articles about it.

Exercise and Menstruation- Shape Magazine

Exercise while menstruating- Livestrong article

Hot Chocolate- Race #7

So, thus far I have completed seven races!

This has to be the "sweetest"!

This is also the race where I learned the most. I learned that RAM racing is not the best on organizing large races. 

I learned to talk to myself to "tough it out" when I think I am going to stop running when I can still hang in there longer. I learned that when you are cold and running you will get warm soon enough. DON'T remove your gloves- the hands will freeze while the rest of the body is still hot. I also learned that running with about three layers should do it- not four shirts, a tank top, a long sleeve shirt, a sweat shirt and a puffy vest makes you not want to run. Drink water- the gatorade will run out. Breathe but not as you would with summer running. Mouth closed unless you want a big heaping serving of cold air because that tends to make you cough.

I got a finisher mug but the words are already running together and it has been washed once.

Race #8 has already been determined. . . The Santa Hustle 5k- December 1st. After the Santa Hustle there are some decisions to be made- should I do an 8k to make nine races or do I just ignore that and sign up for the Polar Dash which is in January and have a great holiday? I have already signed up for a virtual 11.6K for Obama so I will receive my first ever bling. It will also be my longest race to date. December will also be a time for crafts as I will make a collage for all my bibs for this year. My race goal for this year is really coming to an end. 

Being tired and sore is temporary. Saying you did this is FOREVER! Keep running!