These weeks have been flying by. I was nervous about Ragnar and before I knew where time went it was over and I spent the following days after in a Team Sparkle Hangover… Waking up wondering when I was going to run, sipping nuun at work, eating sharkies for snack time and wearing compression pants under my jeans. I kept thinking TAKE ME BACCCCCK! Alas, it wasn’t as scary as I thought it might be!

My ankle is pretty sore still though, which worries me. This weekend I’m heading to the big P (Pittsburgh to be exact) to tackle the Dick’s Sporting Good Pittsburgh Half Marathon, which will be interesting with a bit of an ankle issue going on. I got this last week and it made everything REAL that I’ll be running again and soon!

It made me so excited for race weekend, even with a bum ankle! Another super exciting piece of my trip is that I get to see my friend Lindsay in Pittsburgh! She recently took a job for the University of Pittsburgh as their assistant volleyball coach and is running the relay with her fellow coaches!! I can’t wait to see her and her new city as well as run the half on Sunday :)

As for the ankle… I have been icing and stretching a lot but still have slight pain in my tendon. I tried to get into my local sports therapy place for some ART but no luck and will have to wait until after my race. I am nervous of the injury but know I don’t have too much time to start rehabbing it now before the race and I have ample time after the race to take care of it and see the doctor. So this weekend will be interesting, and I’ll least I’ll be in a new place with new fun scenery to get me through the miles I’ll be running!

Also – If you haven’t seen the #RunFor Videos, the latest one is another great one! Check them all out here, I’ve been enjoying all the videos so much as the race gets closer and closer! They are all so different and inspiring for many reasons.

xoxo

Today is May 1, and May is one of my favorite months! It means summer is almost here, it’s Mother’s Day and I can celebrate all the important women in my life, this year, I’ll be traveling to Pittsburgh shortly, to visit one of my best friends AND run an amazing Race on Cinco De Mayo, and it’s also “Small Business Month” in America!

I love Small Businesses. There’s something special about taking the time to support a business that is working hard to be unique and compete with many bigger stores. I wanted to post a list of my favorite small running businesses, locally and online, and then a few of my favorite small business that have nothing to do with anything besides the fact that I like them :)

Legacy Running Store – Located in Long Beach and Lakewood, CA, offer amazing service, exceptional selection and online shopping! I love stopping by, talking about upcoming races and picking up the latest nuun flavor.

Nuun – To me they aren’t considering small business, but they probably technically are. They offer great sugar free hydration tablets that you add to water. These are great on my stomach when running! I swear by them.

Sparkle Athletics – I seriously love what this company stands for, and their products. Who doesn’t want to be a part of Team Sparkle! It empowers women to sparkle while they are working out or running, making workout out more fun, running more fun, and spectating much more easy at races. Their skirts also have the best fit and are the most flattering too.

Zensah – They have great products and I love their compression socks. They sports bras are one of the only ones I haven’t had issues with when running long distances too!

I also love Violet Love Headbands, Picky Bars, Flying Dog Collars, Activyst and many more that I probably have forgotten about right now! I also was recently informed that OpenSky, Dotbox, Dwolla, Edison Nation, Goodsie, ShopKeep and several other companies are joining forces for the month and awarding a Small Business a breakthrough prize! If you aren’t familiar with OpenSky, it’s kind of like pinterest for shopping, here’s a shot of how the screen looks.

You can follow things you like, and it will show up with small businesses that sell those products. It’s a pretty cool concept and I just recently signed up for free to check it out, but I’m still learning more about it!

Small Business Breakthrough, invites people everywhere to join the movement by taking to social media and telling their friends, family and readers about a favorite local business using the hashtag #sbbreakthru. Just shopping small business for the Month of May is awesome too!

I’m going to be shopping a lot of small businesses this weekend in Pittsburgh, can’t wait!

xoxo

Just a disclaimer, no one paid me for this post, I was just alerted that it was small business month and wanted to share!

It’s DAY 2! I was shocked that I wasn’t having stomach problems yet, and glad that I was feeling good. The night time runs were actually my best, which was shocking to me since I don’t normally like running at night out of fear and I was pretty nervous about these legs of the race. I had two more dark runs to complete before my final run of the entire relay. I was starting to feel tired. It was hitting me that we’d been awake for almost 24 hours.

I donned my headlamp (first time actually running with one, crazy I know) and my night time vest and off I went… at 1:07 at night! I thankfully only had a short leg to start it off and it was pretty flat. I ran with my friend Sandy, and she really pushed me to run fast. I think this may have been where my ankle started to hurt (not because of running fast but because of overuse and the hills). :/

I ran from 1:07 AM – 1:25 AM.

After being done with this leg, I knew I was more than half way done. A few things I didn’t know about Ragnar is that it’s basically an open course. You have to wait for stop lights, cars, everything. Luckily, there wasn’t much traffic out on my midnight run and my early morning run, which was nice! Made the stop lights much easier. The morning run was when the wheels fell off basically.

We slept as much as we could in the van, but needless to say that wasn’t much when you’re moving back and forth, sending off runners and having lights going on and off. I was really nervous for this run and got all geared up, I knew it would be relatively cold, but my stomach was starting to give me some issues. I started off and immediately knew I had to find a bathroom. Ruh-roh. I finally found a mobile station and took care of business  which helped, but my stomach was a bit angry for a few miles so I took it slow and this is also when my ankle was really hurting. It was a tough leg for me. I knew I had to push through it and just find the exchange and each step was closer to the final leg I had to run. The sunrise was amazing and I tried my hardest, but obviously my pace was slowing down :( I ran from 5:52 AM – 7:17 AM.

This was the LAST leg! I knew I would have to push through it and then I would be able to ice my ankle, eat normal food and cheer on Team Sparkle to the finish line. This was another tough run for me, but I knew it was almost done and I needed to try as hard as I could for my team. It was warm out again, and I ran from 10:55 AM – 11:49 AM.

I tried out KT Tape for the first time on my ankle and it did help a bit! I do now how to wear it for my next race to help when my ankle tries to heal.

It’s not everyday where a unicorn takes you into the finish line! I also pretty much LIVED in my Skins Compression pants after my third leg. I took them off between runs to air them out, but I am SO glad I wore them. I have never worn full on compression pants but wow, what a difference they make, and I’m not just saying that. I have great compression socks and sleeves but this helps with the quads and it band area.

The girls from the team all told me to wear them the night after the race, so I got home, washed them and put them back on to sleep and I felt about 90% back to normal the following day. It was a Team Sparkle Miracle! Smart ladies, I tell ya. I didn’t have any soreness in my quads or calves which I had throughout the race, especially with all the hills we were running. I’m now a firm believer and love how they fit. Thank you Team Sparkle for the Skins Hook up. I’m sure B won’t like my new checkbook draining habit.

I just ran 30 miles and didn’t sleep for 48 hours! The entire team was pretty exhausted at this point, but we knew we were only a few miles away from the finish. We cheered on the rest of the girls and before we knew it, we were nearing the finish line! We had planned a special tribute to the Boston Marathon and those affected by the bombings with Blue and Yellow Skirts and unicorn Team Sparkle visors.

I can’t tell you how amazing it was being with this group of women during this challenging event. There was not a time where I wasn’t inspired by their mile splits, encouraged by their attitude and energized by their spirit. They are all nothing short of incredible and I’m so thankful they were all by my side as we ran throughout the many miles, day and night. I couldn’t have asked for a better team and I truly appreciate all that they did for me. Big thanks to Kelly, Carrie, Elise, Brenna, and Linda for making this weekend so special to me!

Julie ran Ragnar too! It was great seeing her out on the course quite a few times and her husband was actually our driver, he was awesome!

I could barely jump, let’s be honest, my legs were barely working. I don’t know where these girls get their energy! In all honesty, I would definitely train much differently if I am to run a Ragnar ultra again. I was no where near trained for the hills or the heat, which I could change with a few simple adjustments. I felt confident only on two legs of my race. I know that now that I have one under my belt my next time I won’t be so nervous and will know what to expect. This experience reminded me a lot of my first marathon, where I was so nervous I psyched myself out and had a bad experience. I guess I am just a nervous runner and once I know what is going to happen I am much more comfortable with it. I know my ankle is having some issues because of the overuse on hills, which I was not prepared for at all, next time I would for sure train almost exclusively on hills. I would also increase the time on my feet with a few longer runs and more speed work.  I hope to one day be a part of Team Sparkle again soon, so I can redeem myself and my pace for the entire weekend!

Such a fun experience, and a challenge to say the least! I am so thankful I did it along side such a great team. Sparkle was abundant all weekend long, and I’m going to keep spreading the Sparkle, because it just makes things so much happier!

xoxo

The entire Team Sparkle ULTRA girls! I was so blessed to be on such an amazing team this weekend. These girls encouraged and inspired me with every mile they ran! We all ran thinking of Boston this weekend as well. The morning started early, I had to be out in Orange (about 20 minutes away) at 6 am! I woke up at 5, got everything all ready and left at 5:30. This weekend was really going to happen!

Allll of our legs to run ~ 36 in all and 195 miles… we were doing this together! It was insane looking at this each time I ran and knowing I checked another one off the list, and we just kept getting closer to the finish. That was what really drove me to keep going, the girls who had my back and knowing we were checking off the miles closer to the finish line each step of the way.

The Calm Before the storm… Little did I know what was in store for me! I was so nervous at the beginning, I didn’t want to let my team down and wanted to have fun doing the race. Another thing I was terrified of? Getting lost! Which thankfully didn’t happen! I was the red skirt the entire weekend, and let me tell you, running in sparkle makes running that much more fun. Everyone notices you, and remembers you from other parts of the course.

At the start line! Though I wasn’t leg one, we sent off our first runner of the race. There was a lot of excitement and it was really fun being there. It was then when I started thinking like ‘THIS IS REAL LIFE RIGHT HERE!’

Below are the stats from what was my first leg of the race! I couldn’t believe that this was actually happening, our team was starting the epic trek from Huntington Beach to San Diego and now I was officially on board with my first leg ran.  I ran from 10:07 AM – 10:49 AM.

This run for me was a bit difficult but once I found my groove I was okay. I ran with a guy most of the time, from Team Mayhem. He was nice and took my mind off the wind and heat. Running along the trail it was so windy! It was fun running by Angel Stadium and also the Honda Center.

This is what we spent the time doing between legs. Cheering on other runners and getting our girls to the exchange zone. It was a lot of fun and truly what makes ragnar so special. It’s like a giant painful party celebrating running!

Here’s a look at the exchange zone, every runner passes off a slap bracelet.  Let me tell you, that thing was gross by the end of the race!

Our Team Sparkle Van was pretty awesome… our driver rocked and I never even got carsick, which I was also nervous about with all the twists and turns we would be making to follow our runner and get to the next exchange zone.

The second leg of the race for me was tough! It was SO hot out, and I wasn’t prepared to run in the heat like that since I normally run early morning or late night and it’s been cool lately. I ran from 2:09 PM – 3:14 PM. I would say this was probably one of my harder legs of the run. I just felt slow and like every step the sun was zapping my energy. There was also a lot of dirt running which I wasn’t used to since I never run on dirt. If Team Sparkle lets me be on their team again I will prepare for that and many, many more hills!

Then it was quickly time for my 3rd leg. This leg was a good one for me I ran from 8:39 PM – 9:43 PM and though my pace seems overall like it was slow, I actually ran 2 lower 8 minute miles in this leg and I felt like I got my stride in this run. This was the first run I’ve EVER done with a headlamp… Shocking! Even though I was nervous of getting lost, I left out my headphones and felt good! I never was scared of not being with others and stuck with a larger pack for the remainder of the run. There was one steep dirt hill that I chugged up but there was also some downhill as well toward the end. I wish all my legs on the route I felt like this!

Afterwords I got to eat half a Carls Jr. Chicken Club Sandwich, and it was delish! My stomach was still doing great, another shocker, and I was feeling awesome about being halfway done with my legs ran thus far. The girls in the van were super encouraging to me too, always telling me how awesome I was doing, not to worry and making me laugh. Such an amazing group!!

Tomorrow I’ll recap the rest of the race including the finish!

xoxo

So I have to be honest. This weekend is Ragnar… and I’m completely excited but terrified. I am honored to be a part of Team Sparkle, and know that they will be great teammates and I am looking forward to the weekend with them, but beyond that, I really have no idea what is in store for me. With myself being a planner, meaning I like to know what is going to happen, it scares me. This may be one of the most unplanned things I’ve done. I really have no idea what is in store for me. I’ve looked over my ‘leg maps’ and trained but I still don’t really understand the concept. I’m thinking I also had these feelings the first time I ran a marathon, the fear of the unknown.

If you’re unfamiliar with Ragnar, it’s a relay that starts in one city and ends in another. My Teammates and I, Team Sparkle, are running from Huntington Beach to San Diego. Most teams have a team of 12, and because we are doing the ‘Ultra’ Relay, we are a team of six. You ride around in a van without really stopping or sleeping? Yea, sounds pretty crazy to me right now too.

Here are my leg assignments (and I’m the RED skirt, in case you’re also running!!):
Leg 4 – 4.7 miles – moderate rating
Leg 10 – 5.7 miles – hard rating
Leg 16 – 6.7 miles – very hard rating
Leg 22 – 2.2 miles – easy rating
Leg 28 – 6.6 miles – easy rating
Leg 34 – 4.1 miles – moderate rating

I printed out the schedule that was made for our Team, but I still have a pit in my stomach about what is actually taking place. I don’t get how this all ‘happens’. I’m also scared about letting my team down, my IT Band holding up, and getting lost. Over the past few weeks I’ve been really consistent with my training, which I hope allows me to run well this weekend, though this past week I’ve had little small things pop up in the back of my head. Is my shin hurting? What is going on with my knee? Is that a new pain in my foot? It might just be taper brain, but after last year I don’t want to do anything to hurt myself!

I’ve have had a great time training for the race, it’s really given me my running zest back. I’ll probably look back at this post and think about how silly these feelings are, but for now I’m incredibly nervous. I know once we start I’ll be doing better, and I am reminding myself that it’s doable and that people have done this all over the country, but I can’t knock my nerves. Every run this week I’ve thought about the relay and played over all the bad circumstances in my head. This morning I went for my final last run before the race starts tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. I felt good, I ran nice and slow and tried to get rid of some of my nerves.

Don’t fail me now legs!! Tonight I’m packing up my backpack (yes, that’s all you take) with a bunch of socks, a few sports bras and a sweatshirt. Minimalist is key here I feel like.

I just hope everyone is safe, no one gets lost and that my IT Band holds up. I know it will be a lot of fun being  a part of Team Sparkle, but 99% of the time, running is an individual sport, and this is the slim time when it’s actually a team sport. Knowing that these other amazing ladies are depending on ME is pretty intimidating.

You can follow the entire team along the route by following us on twitter! @brenbot, @thisiscarrie, @chicrunner, @cupcakeactivist & @according2kelly or by searching the hashtag #TeamSparkle. I’m sure there will be tons of pictures, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it once we start! It’s getting to the start line that freaks me out!

xoxo