Tag: racecation

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.

Hey Hey Oakland

Just like that, race week arrived.

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Oaktown Half 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.

Part of me wants to say it snuck up on me and the other part feels like I’ve been preparing forever.

This week has been all over the place. My plans changed pre race and I canceled my hotel. Then they changed again and I was booking a hotel on Thursday evening again. My bib was supposed to arrive this week but there was a shipping snafu. Now I am picking it up on race morning.

I’m just rolling with the punches here. Maybe. Maybe I’m just wobbly.

I am looking forward to running around Oakland again. Now, I know to be prepared for all the street art. I may keep my phone out the whole time. I’m also not sick this time so yay! (knock on wood) This is also a different course so I am looking forward to checking out the differences.

That said, I am unsure if I have a goal. I originally was aiming for a 2:12 with my training plan until I realized I was over reaching. A lot. I am not sure what to aim for now or if I even want to have a goal. I also don’t know what shoes to wear. Well, no- I do. It would be insanity to run in my new Ghost’s. They only have 5 miles on them.

Decisions, decisions.

Anyone else racing this weekend?

No Sleep til Oakland

Disclaimer: I received an entry to Oakland Running Festival 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!

It’s race week!

How did that happen? Then again the last few weeks have kind of been a blur so that explains that.🤣

Speaking of sleep, it hasn’t been going so well this week. I just tell myself that it’s all the more reason to love the Oakland Marathon start time. 9:30. Which is one of the latest times I have ever started a race.

It kind of makes me nervous- I’m going to be running until when? Haha. I am sure I will appreciate the late wake up call on Sunday but it’s odd. I’m used to 6:30 start times, 8 is late. Maybe race mornings are the reason I can’t run early? Nope, just lazy.

I am staying at the race hotel so that’s going to be new too. I feel fancy. Just kidding. I may or may not have my mother traveling with me- it’s up in the air. 🤷‍♀️

I have increased my mileage but not by much so I am treating the race as a well supported long run. And fingers crossed none of the issues from Surf City pop back up. I know I said I was cool with my slower time but it doesn’t mean I want to do it again.

The only thing I am mostly stressed about is driving to Lake Merritt on race morning, I know I am going to run into race detours but I am not sure where or how many times. The marathon on the 5K start at 7 and 7:30 respectively. Fingers crossed for smooth sailing!

Oh and what pair of shoes to wear. Can’t my feet just be happy?

Ever run in Oakland? Any shoe advice?

little less conversation, a little more action

Disclaimer: I received an entry into the Rock n Roll Las Vegas 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!

Holy crap people, it’s Vegas weekend!!

How did that happen?

My bags are packed, I’ve purchased my monorail pass, my race confirmations have been printed- twice, once for each bag- I’ve checked into my flight, I’ve charged all my devices.

What have I forgotten?😛 How did I pack wrong?

I am heading into my first double digit double race weekend- while I’ve run 2 races the same weekend before, once I ran 3, but I’ve never crossed the 10 mile mark when combining those races. This weekend I will run 16.2 miles along the Las Vegas Strip. And I recently discovered that the Strip is not flat. Not sure why I thought it was.😛 Oh well, I don’t like flat anyways.

This will also be my first time in Las Vegas so this will probably be very much “small town girl lost in the bright lights” situation. Whatever am I going to do with myself? Luckily Kate is coming in on Saturday. Yay!!! Follow along on Instagram as we run 13.1 miles of lights and sounds and Kate runs her first half marathon!

I am also having a shoe dilemma. I think my Ultra Boost are dead. But I’ve never run more than 5 miles in any other pair of shoes. Do I take 2 pairs of shoes? Can I fit two pairs of shoes? Even then that would leave me running the half in the Ultra Boost. My last 8 miles in them left me with screaming shins for 4 days. More on that in my weekly recap. Or lack there of. 😛 So do I wear old shoes that definitely hurt me or newer shoes that could hurt me?

I am looking forward to the expo. However I am hoping to not spend too much. Rock n Roll knows how to do an expo and I can be very easily tempted. Shiny new gear! Except I have to remember that I have to be able to pack it all and bring it all back. Bummer.

Plus I get to meet more BibRave peeps! Yay! And hopefully some blog buddies too!

Any tips for Las Vegas?

New shoes or old shoes?