TrainingTruths: ZOOMA Week 1

For the first time I am feeling a little blah about my next half marathon training. It has nothing to do with the race or running. It's the weather and the bugs. The hot temperatures, high humidity, mosquitos, and deer flies are really taking the fun out of my runs. Running with a partner on humid days makes a huge difference on where my head is, but lately I've been whimping out and taking solo runs to the treadmill.

Monday - Instead of struggle with the high humidity and battle the deer flies, I took my run to the treadmill. My basement was a lot cooler and I could aim the fan on myself. This was also a chance for me to try my Mizuno Wave Sayonaras on a little longer run and on the 'mill. While my run felt good, I think my lower legs felt the effects of the lower heel drop afterwards. Nothing hurt, but my lower leg/ankle muscles were a little sore.

Tuesday - After noticing a new class time being offered at TI Fitness, mr. C and I decided to go to SurfSet. As usual we got our butts kicked by Christine. She really knows how to work the abs and squats on a surf board!

Wednesday - I convinced myself to run 5 solo miles in the morning to the Floating House. This is not my favorite route because there's a really big hill right in the middle, and the humidity only makes it more dreadful.  Later we went on a 3 mile hike to Purgatory Falls, although we didn't actually make it to the falls.

Thursday - It had been a while since I used my Polar HRM, so I decided to walk on the treadmill and just try to burn some fat calories. It still amazes me how inaccurate our treadmill calorie counter is.

Friday - A friend came to visit for the weekend, so mr. C and I got in an early 5 mile run. It was a repeat of Wed's run, but a little cooler. I don't think I would've gone out alone on this one, so I'm glad that he was available to run with me.

Sunday - After a busy weekend, I ran 7 miles after dinner on the treadmill. This was just one of those I can't get myself moving days. I almost didn't even get it done on the treadmill, but mr. C reminded me that I would feel better after I did it. He was right.

It turned out to be a good week. I ran a total of 22 miles (hitting my weekly goal of 20 for the first time since April!) and did a lot of cross training.

There's still time to enter to win a race entry to the Allstate 13.1 half marathon or 5K in Boston.

Boston 13.1 - Race Entry Giveaway!

Happy Friday! I'm excited to tell you about a great fall race and how you can be a part of it.

Two iconic marathoners will lead the charge in Boston this September in the Allstate Life Insurance Boston 13.1 Marathon. Five months after the Boston Marathon bombings, Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers will help honor the victims in this race dedicated in their honor.

The race, which will help raise money for THE ONE FUND, is set for September 15 and in addition to the half marathon distance, a 5K has been added to the event. Both distances start and finish at Suffolk Downs in Boston. The half marathon follows the McClellan Highway through East Boston and Revere.

Would you love to be a part of this event? Thanks to the organizers, US Road Sports and Entertainment Group, I have a race entry to giveaway for the Boston September 15, 2013 event! The race entry can be used for the half marathon or the 5K. Winner gets to choose.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This giveaway ends at 11:59 July 18, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday July 19, 2013. In addition to hosting the giveaway, I have been given an entry into the 5K.

It's Time to Start Training

I have been blissfully thinking that I had a bunch of unencumbered time before training for my next half marathon would begin. Then it became clear that the ZOOMA Cape Cod Half Marathon is actually just 12 weeks away. So with this weekend's long run, I will end my training vacation, and start increasing the long run mileage.

ZOOMA Training Care Package

It's not too late to join me for the half marathon or the 10K and if you register before July 14, you will receive a Training Care Package in the mail. Here's what's included:

• Samples of Muscle Milk & Cytomax
• 3-month pass to YogaVibes.com
• Samples of Bogy Glide & Performer Pain Reliever
• GU
• Training plan & playlists from National Blogger Panel

When you register, you automatically receive the ZOOMA Swag Bag along with an unforgettable weekend of a pre-race Mocktail Hour, After-Party Expo, and a Recovery Yoga Session. You will also receive a special room rate at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel, the official race hotel, if you choose to stay there. You can also get 10% off your registration by using my Ambassador code CCAMB3.


I ran this race last year and had such a great time that I knew it was one I would do again and again. You can read my recap here. So as the ZOOMA Half Marathon Challenge Athlete, Lara, says "It's time to put down the martini!"



And just to keep things interesting for those of you returning to Cape Cod for your second go at the 10K or half marathon, ZOOMA has issued a Personal Best Challenge: run a new distance best or PR your event and you will receive a special gift at the After Party Expo! All you have to do is indicate your eligibility when you register.
So will I be seeing you in September?

Swagtastic Virtual 10K Recap

I really enjoy virtual races. They're fun for all sorts of reasons as I mentioned when I talked about my first experience in 2009. Since then I have done a few more including the recent Swagtastic Virtual 10K.

This race is organized completely online and race bibs are emailed to registered participants prior to the five-day race window. Participants run the registered distance and self-report their results online.

I normally do long runs on the weekends. Since most of my "long" runs have been under 7 miles recently, it made perfect sense to run 6.2 miles on Saturday. To make it even better, we would be in Newport for the holiday weekend, so the route was going to be gorgeous.

The goal was to get out the door as early as possible: 1) to beat the heat and 2) we had a sailboat to launch at 11AM. So, a little after 7AM we laced up our shoes, grabbed our Simple Hydration water bottles filled with Cytomax and stepped out into the SOUP!

We made our way off the base and along the waterfront into town. Along the way, we passed numerous other runners, walkers, and bikers all out getting their workout done early. The sun was shining, the water was glistening, and the wind was...well, light. With little shade except through a section along America's Cup Ave, we pretty much felt like we were melting.

With each passing mile, the run got harder. At King's Park, our turn around point, we took a little break, used the port-a-potties, and took some pictures. It was difficult to get going again after that. On the way back, we walked and hydrated at each mile.

Mile 4: The Wave

This was a very tough, sweaty run. During the last mile, we saw a dog owner throwing a toy into the water for his dog to retrieve and I was ready to join the dog! I remember saying to mr. C, I just want this run to be over!

So we might not have made the smartest run decision on Saturday: it was warm, it was humid, it was sunny, and we were sunburned. We did it though. Fortunately receiving the swag from this race has nothing to do with how well you do.

What's your favorite virtual race? 

#TrainingTruths: Body on Fire

It feels good to not be training for something specific right now, especially since the summer heat and humidity is making it feel miserable. But I know it won't be long before I need to focus on getting ready for my fall half marathons: ZOOMA Cape Cod and BAA Half in Boston. For now I am happy spending the first part of summer just enjoying my runs and adventures as they come.

To kickoff summer vacation, the month of July, and the Sweaty Challenge, on Monday I took my Wave Sayonaras for another short run. Even out the door before 7:30, it was a sweat-fest. Afterwards I completed day 1 of a 30 day ab challenge that I am determined to complete along with another yoga-a-day pose challenge on Instagram.

Even though the humidity dropped some on Wednesday, we still elected to run on the city trails to ensure more shade. It was a much easier 4 miles, but that didn't stop us from cooling off with some fruit smoothies after.

Last year I ran the Manchester 5K with my friend Daisy and mr. C, and scored a crazy PR. This year mr. C and I decided to be spectators, so Wednesday evening we headed downtown to watch the 3.1 mile race and the Manchester Mile afterwards. If you watch the video, you will see the 3:42.97 finish of the fastest mile on American soil.

We spent Thursday morning at the local 4th of July parade and after sitting in the sun (getting sunburned), we decided to go swimming. Scobie Lake and Beach is only 1.5 miles from the house and we usually run by it, but the hot weather has been making it a more popular choice for swimming workouts.

We were in Newport for Saturday's long run. I picked 6.2 miles so that it could count for the Swagtastic Virtual 10K that I was signed up for. This was by far the toughest, sweatiest run of the week and the summer so far. It was warm, we were sunburned, and it was pretty much all sunshine along the waterfront. Gorgeous, but we were miserable.

King's Park Beach - I wanted to jump in at the half way point!

My first official week of summer quickly reminded me that we have to run smart when the heat and humidity start to rise. It's important to pay attention to both the temperature and dew point.

The good news is that my body will eventually acclimate itself to the warm weather and by the fall, I'll be loving the temps at my half marathons.

How do you keep your cool and get your runs in?