Category: BibRave

Looking to Santa Rosa

My bad. (Do people still say that?) I swear I published this back in February. A search of my blog history told me I was crazy. Then I found it in my drafts. Oops. And now things have changed drastically.

This was supposed to be a post where I cagily announced I had my third marathon on the calendar. Actually I am still registered for the full but let’s be real here, the events of the last few months have changed so many things and least of all was my running. Like I kind of just stopped. I had less then 30 miles in March and April.

So instead- I really hope this race will be my next in person race and my 41st half marathon. I even have a real training plan for it. Like, real real. And if we have to go virtual- which the race is prepared to do if needs be- I will still run the 13.1 miles. Prove to myself that I can follow a training plan.

As for the original post or parts of it—

Disclaimer: I received an entry into the Santa Rosa 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!

In the spirit of running new and different things this year, enter Santa Rosa Marathon. So far every race I am running this year is north California- changing it up!

Also for a person who doesn’t drink, my favorite types of runs are those by vineyards. Or through them.

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Santa Rosa Marathon offers a full weekend of fun. There is a full marathon, a half, a 10K and a 5K. The 5K and 10K are on Saturday and the half and full on Sunday. Who knows, be crazy- run 2 races! The full marathon gives runners the chance to run through the barrel room at Deloach Winery. Ok, kind of bummed to miss that. Oh, and the full and half runners get a hoodie instead of a tech tee. I love hoodies.

Santa Rosa takes place the last weekend in August. Fingers crossed for good weather, but really, isn’t north cooler than where I am? Now fingers crossed it’s small enough to happen.

Also I need to find a hotel. Scratch that, that was true the first time I wrote this, I have booked a hotel since then… in February.

If you want to join me in August use code SAVE10 to save 10%.

What are you looking forward to?

Take a Moment

I had such a plan.

And it was a good one!

Disclaimer: I received a pair of special release Knockaround sunglasses to participate in a custom campaign 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!

Knockaround wants to talk about plogging and the planet? I’m in, sign me up! I’ve been toying with the idea of adopting a street in my town. This would just give me that last push! My mother and I were talking about a big trash pick up party- us and her tennis team- we were making plans.

Then the world went a little sideways.

While litter still drives me absolutely mad, suddenly the idea of plogging even with gloves was a little off-putting. Especially since I kind of didn’t venture outdoors except to go to work in the first weeks. Which was not good for my psyche.

Turns out I can’t just hide inside anymore, running has opened up so much more to me. You know, I was the treasurer of the hiking and environmental club in high school? Except I don’t remember any actual hiking. Hmmm. Then I graduated high school, started working full time and got lazy.

It wasn’t until I started running that I rediscovered how much I loved nature and being outside. Part of that came from the running of my first real trail race. Which was a complete accident. I swear there was nothing said about trails in the race description. Oops.

I digress.

With the change in circumstances, Knockaround decided to focus on how awesome the Earth is. And I needed the encouragement and reminder to take a moment (or few) and just take in what nature had to offer. I feel like I needed something else to focus on and just try to decompress. Which has become a lot harder these days. I’ve been sticking to my neighborhood but have been finding the beauty where it is. We could all use that right now.

Mother Nature is showing us how resilient she is right now and we need to take notes. I’ll keep taking in all the nature moments I can right now.

Of course in my favorite shades- Knockaround. And I just ordered myself another pair. You can’t have too many, right?

How are you decompressing these days?

It’s a Handful

Disclaimer: I received a Closer Bra from Handful 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!

Okay, let’s get honest here- I have a chafing problem. A real one. And it’s bad.

For now, lets talk the dreaded bra chafe.

I have numerous sports bras- some inexpensive, some very expensive. Pull over the head and front zip. The front zips while easier to get on and off rip me up no matter how much I slather up. I’ve used Body Glide, Vaseline, Squirrel’s Nut Butter- nothing works. I end runs and races with severe chafe to the point of slices at the bottom right of the front zipper and top left of the zipper. Any run over 4 miles and I would end up bloody. I’ve shoved my shirt up under my sports bra numerous times just to see if it helped.

Oh and the pull over ones? Chafe all along the back band. Not to mention how next to impossible they are to get off post run.

I had heard good things about Handful so when the opportunity came up, I thought why not? I opted for the Closer version as I really do love the ease of a front zip.

Here’s where things get tricky. I am currently up in weight- a lot- but all my sports bras are mediums. According to the Handful website you should choose your shirt size when ordering a bra. My shirts range from mediums to extra large. I chose a large. Once it arrived, I was excited. It seemed very soft and was super cute. Except… it didn’t fit. Like at all, there was no way that was getting zipped up. Nope. So I sent it back and exchanged it for an extra large. Which I won’t lie, stung a little.

Yeah, should have taken a pic of just the bra

Once it arrived, I tried it on right away. It felt big so I tightened the adjustable straps on the back. Took it for an 8 mile run, no chafe! It felt a little loose on the downhills though. So I tightened it again. Better. Took it for more runs. Still soft, still no chafe. Hmmm.

I gave it the ultimate test up in Napa this past weekend. Thanks to the temper tantrum that is my GI system, I was in the sports bra for over 5 hours. 3 of those were running hours… ok trying to run hours. Zero chafe!!!!! I didn’t even think that was possible. Who knew???

I am sold on the softness and the chafe free-ness. I do feel like I need it to be a little tighter but I can’t tighten the straps anymore. Handful does sell extra pads to insert so I could buy some and use those to make it a snugger fit. Or I can finally get my act together and to get to a point where I can buy the large. Plus that way I can get a fun pattern too.

Want your own? Use code BIBRAVE20 for 20% off.

How do you avoid chafe?

Napa Valley Marathon- Half Recap

Disclaimer: I received a VIP entry into Napa Valley 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 knew Napa Valley was going to be interesting, I just had no idea how much that was true.

In other words- a new personal worst! And a PR for port-a-potty stops.

Race morning dawned early and a little chilly. I dressed and headed off for the start line. My stomach literally spasmed the moment I got out of the car. Um, what?

I headed to the tasting room at Conn Creek Winery which was the VIP area. People- a warm room and real bathrooms are so worth it. However my stomach felt ok again. Hmmm.

I met up with Stephanie from Run Strong Run and we headed to the start. Actually a little late- most runners had already started- we crossed the start line with the 3:00 hour pacers. We soon separated but it was nice ststarting with someone.

There’s a really tiny balloon in this pic

Miles 1-2 11:35, 12:16
I was feeling ok, but I knew I was out of shape so after about half a mile, I turned on my run/ walk intervals. I was enjoying the perfect cloudy weather and watching hot air balloons rise with the sun over pretty vineyards. Exactly what I had hoped for.

Mile 3 12:49
We had reached the first aid station, water bathroom and electrolytes- but I was fine. Half a mile later I was not fine. Not at all.

Miles 4-6 12:45, 12:27, 17:20
Oh dear lord- where is next aid station?!?? This is a problem. Oh look pretty views, oh, ow, stomach bad. Just before mile 6- oh, hallelujah- an aid station.

Miles 7-8 12:45, 16:45
Ok, that was rough and I’m still not feeling great but let’s keep moving. Nope. Stomach doesn’t agree and now I’m worried there’s not another station until mile 9. Oh lord. Except, wait! Another station just before 8!

Miles 9- 11 12:50, 13:09, 13:51
Again I tried to run on. Nope- mostly walking. Stomach cramped again, badly a little after mile 10. And yes there was a station, but I decided to try and walk it out. I think I walked for 10 minutes straight somewhere in there.

Miles 12-13 13:07, 13:37
I am so close! Oh, here come the first and second marathon runners- ok that was kind of cool. Wouldn’t have seen them if I wasn’t having issues, right??? Trying to find the bright side here. The weather was still good, and I still loved looking at the scenery around me even if we were in town now. Oh— there’s the high school!! The finish!

Finish- 2:58:15

So yeah, that was not my best showing. Oddly enough, as rough as it was, I never once thought about quitting. I knew I was going to finish- eventually- it was just taking more energy than I thought. More energy to move slower but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and kept moving forward.

The course was so pretty, I really do love running by vineyards, I really do. Also this course is very PR-able- flat in a way that didn’t feel flat to me. I kind of feel like I need vindication- this is definitely a race I will run again. There were also VIP perks I missed out on post race- my stomach was not cooperating at all. Boo.

Napa Valley- I will run you again.

Ever had your body completely rebel during a race?

Onward to 40

No, not my age.

This weekend I am heading up to Napa Valley for the Napa Valley Marathon. It should be my 40th half. 40. From a person who said they were a 1 and done. 40.

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Napa Valley 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’m not gonna lie, I am a little anxious. Ok, a lot. If we’re keeping track, 40 should have happened last year. First in San Jose and then at Space Rock. The first became a DNS and the second became a 10k that tried to break me. So that means my last half was in August. That’s a long break.

Long.

And the last few weeks have been … a little rough. In so many ways.

My original plan was to just enjoy the scenery- I really do love running along vineyards- and just finish quicker than half marathon #1 all those years ago. Right now, that looks highly unlikely. Unless this leg pain is all my head??? I would be totally ok with that.

Now, my hope is that I can just enjoy a weekend where I can shut my brain off. Run a few miles a few thousand new friends. Enjoy my first VIP experience (yay!), meet some new people. Bring it 40.

Oh, and a stop at Hobby Lobby.