My GAP Relay Experience: #GapTrailBR Race Recap (part 2)

 I received team entry to the GAP Relay as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

We Conquered the GAP Relay!! #GapTrailBR Race Recap

I received team entry to the GAP Relay as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

The GAP Relay is IMMINENT!!!

 I received team entry to the GAP Relay as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Better Together: Why Running in Groups Rules

A common misconception that I hear a lot about running is that it is a solo activity. I mean, to a certain extent it is, but running with others is really amazing. I challenge you to find another group of people that cheer on each other as much as runners do. We understand the physical and mental challenges that running brings and if you spend enough miles together, no topic of conversation is taboo. There are so many benefits that there is no way I could mention them all, but here are my top 5 reasons that running with others is AMAZING:

1. 
   Motivation to Get Out There - I am WAY more willing to bail on a solo run than one where I am meeting others. Illness or injury aside, if I say I will meet you, I WILL meet you. 
2. Learning from Others - Actually training aside, you can learn about new gear, nutrition and hydration from others. Maybe your friend has an amazing new gel you've never heard of. Maybe they'll let you try a sip of their new electrolyte drink that you haven't wanted to spend the money on a full pack of if you don't know you'll like it. Oooh, that new top is adorable, but how does it perform? The knowledge runners can share amongst each other is invaluable. 
3. Improved Performance - Studies have shown that athletes consistently push themselves more when they run with others. There is definitely a psychological aspect to not wanting others to see you "slack". Peer pressure can cause you to run a bit harder when you might not otherwise (like walking that hill)
4. Social Benefits - Humans are social creatures. Being with others, sharing experiences, talking, these things all make what can be boring miles go by faster. Some of the best conversations I've ever had have been during runs. 
5. Safety in Numbers - Especially for female runners, but running with others can definitely offer safety benefits that solo running cannot. 

I have been lucky enough to run with some amazing groups of people over the years. My first run group was Run the Rock, a group that met at 5 am during the week (yes, AM) and on Saturday mornings at 7:00. Before running with them, pretty much every run I did was solo and let me tell you, running with others made the miles go by much more easily, especially that dang early. 

Run the Rock - 5 am Group Run

My 1st Fleet Feet Session as a Coach

After my initial taste of group running, I decided to sign up for a training group with Fleet Feet Fort Mill. I had trained for my first Half Marathon pretty much by myself. Let me tell you, it was HARD putting in those long miles on my own. Not only did I meet some awesome people, not only did I have accountability to show up at a specific time and place, but it was my first time working with an actual coach. The tips, advice and training plans I received from them made the world of difference in my running. I learned so much from them. And... it started a several year series of events that would eventually lead me to being a coach with Fleet Feet myself.

I also run with several other groups here and there for fun, mostly groups that start and finish at local breweries. These groups tend to be more socially focused with runs typically being around 3-5 miles and always finishing with a beer and a lot of laughs. 

And speaking of Run Clubs that end with a beer and fun, I, along with my training partner, Brian, are starting a brand new group in Rock Hill. The working title right now is Sunday Funday: Walk Bike or Run Day. We are in the preliminary stages right now (last week was our first official un-official meeting (as in we told some friends to meet us for a beer at Common Market after we ran). And I am pretty excited about it, with almost no notice, we had 11 people meet us - 3 ran, 5 biked and 3 more just showed up to hang out. And most importantly, fun was had by all. 

The first meeting of Sunday Funday at Common Market

So if you live in the Rock Hill, SC or surrounding area, I would love for you to drop in our new Run/Bike/Walk/Whatever Club. We will meet at the Common Market in Rock Hill (161 W Main St.) at 3 pm on Sunday afternoons. There will be a few different run/walk routes of various distances (1, 3 and 5 miles) and a bike route of 10 miles (more distances will follow in later weeks). Or, just want to hang out with the group? We will plan to all be back from our various activities by 4 pm. I hope to see you there! 

Have questions, comment below or shoot me a message. 

How About 40 Wild Miles Instead? - GAP Relay 40 Mile Relay

I received team entry to the GAP Relay as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Exploring the Greater Allegany Passage: 150 Miles of Pure Adventure

 I received team entry to the GAP Relay as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Do You Like Pina Colada and Running Long in the Rain? - New UCAN Pineapple Edge Review

I received a pair of a variety of UCAN products including the new UCAN Edge Pineapple as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

I started using UCAN products when I was training for my first marathon back in 2018. They have no sugar which can cause spikes and crashes in energy and instead use a corn based starchy base that delivers a consistent source of energy. When I was doing super long runs, I would mix up some of the Energy Powder (Cran-Raz was my favorite) with 10 oz of water, drink before my run and be good to go for like 10-12 miles. 

When I first heard about the Edge Fuel to Go gels, I decided to try those as well since I had such good results with the Energy Powder. Not only did they also have no sugar and use the same LIVSTEADY base (though back then it was called SuperStarch) but these were gels that you didn't need to chase with a bunch of water after. They are best when consumed 30 minutes before your run (or any exercise really) and then again after about 60 minutes if your workout is longer than 90 minutes. 

When I first started using UCAN Edge gels, there were 2 flavors, Orange and Strawberry Banana with Orange being my favorite.

Well, I am sorry Orange, you are gonna have to move over because Pineapple has just been introduced and it is SO GOOD! They taste like summer. Like sipping from a Pina Colada on the beach. Seriously, they are crazy yummy. I was given an awesome opportunity to share some with my friends at the Fleet Feet Running Club Open House to kick off their Fall Training season and everyone who tried them loved them. I opened one up and gave small samples on spoons for people to try the taste and every single person who tried it took a full pack to use on their next run. A couple even opened them right up to use for that evening's workout! 

Would you like to try a sample?...

"Heck Yeah" said Hannah!

My girl Terri here busted straight into hers and then ran 3 miles

The whole team had a fun time trying out the Pineapple flavor! I know it is going to be my go to flavor going forward for sure! 

UCAN also has Energy Bars which I am a bit sad to have not known about until very recently. See in the past I have eaten random energy bars prior to a race or run so when I learned about UCAN Energy Bars it seemed like a no-brainer to have one of them instead of whatever I randomly grabbed at the store since I clearly do well with their other products. Well I am happy to report that I am just as pleased with their Energy Bars as I am their other products. Cherry Berry Almond is my favorite flavor and they also have Salted Peanut Butter and  Chocolate Almond Butter. I recently gave them the ultimate test eating one before my last 10K and yay, all was well both energy and gastrointestinal wise. They are also really good as mid-day snacks to help curb hunger cravings. They have no added sugar and are also made with the LIVSTEADY base. 

So, do you want in on this yumminess? You can order your own UCAN products on their website at https://ucan.co/ and use discount code: BIBRAVE25 - to get 25% off your order (no bundles or subscriptions) good thru 10/9/2022.

The 11 Things I Race In: My Around the Crown 10K Kit

Last weekend I ran one of my favorite local races, the Around the Crown 10K. This race is an iconic Charlotte Experience, the I-277 Loop that circles the city of Charlotte is shut down for the morning for the race. It's just a really cool thing to be able to run literally around the city like that and get views that would otherwise be impossible as a runner since pedestrians are strictly forbidden on the interstates. There's no other race quite like it here in Charlotte. 

One way that I prepare for a race is to lay out all of my gear into a Flat Runner the night before in order to make sure that I have everything I need. This keeps me from rushing around in the morning and potentially forgetting a vital piece of gear. And of course, if I am going to go to the trouble of laying it all out, I'm gonna take a picture and post it. That's just fun.

Today I thought I would go through my Flat Runner layout from Around the Crown to show you my race day gear. 

First off, I would like to mention that on occasion I receive items as BibRave Pro, Fleet Fleet employee and/or brand ambassador for no charge. Please note that items that I received at no charge previously have been marked with a *. No items in this posting were provided specifically to review for this posting and are all items that I purposefully chose to race in. With that out of the way, here's my racing kit.

Starting from the top to the bottom, here's what I personally race in. Again, these are my personal preferences and I am not specifically promoting any of these items beyond saying these are the items that work best for me. Every runner is different and what works for me may not work for you, but if you have any questions about any of these items, just ask in the comments below and I am happy to give more details. I have provided links for each item's official website as well. 

1. So my first item, I totally forgot to put into flat lay but I always race in a visor, and my brand of choice is Headsweats. This is because simply, my head sweats, a lot when I run. Wearing a Headsweats visor keeps the sweat from running down into my eyes while the lip of the visor gives my eyes a bit more shading for either the sun or rain depending on conditions. I prefer a visor to a hat because, not sure if you have noticed but I have A LOT of hair. My head gets pretty hot with all of that hair.
   
   
2. Aftershokz Bone Conduction Headphones*. Music totally helps motivate my run, but it is never a good idea to not be able to hear your surroundings for a number of reasons, so that is why I am a HUGE fan of Aftershokz! The bone conduction technology allows you to hear your pump up jams while still being about to hear things like traffic, race instructions, your fellow runners, everything basically. Mine are the Aeroplex (now called Open Run) and they are super lightweight, comfortable and waterproof.
   
   
3. Knockaround Sunglasses* Lightweight, affordable and cute as all get out, Knockarounds are my sunglasses of choice. I especially like their Sport model for running as they have rubberized nose pads to prevent slipping and bounce. I ended not wearing them during the race because it was extremally cloudy and overcast which made me a bit sad. Typically, I never run without a pair of Knockarounds (full disclosure, I have about 20 pair). I am a Knockaround Ambassador and you can read more about that here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2022/01/from-sunglasses-hoarder-to-knocksquad.html
   
   
4. Muzino Racerback Tank Top. I am not even sure of the exact style nor if they even sell this exact item any longer as I bought this tank top from Fleet Feet Sports Fort Mill probably 5 years ago. It's super lightweight and comfy. I actually have 2 (the other is a different color). The reason I chose this tank top for this race for a rather silly one. This was my 3rd Around the Crown race (4th if you count the Virtual one in 2020) and well, I noticed in my Facebook Memories posts this past week that I apparently wore this same tank top to the last 2 live races, so why break tradition? 
   
   
5. Brooks Racer Bra and Shorts. Like the previous item, both of these Brooks items are no longer available for sale which is a shame as I love them. I have 2 pair of these shorts, they are the perfect length (5-inch tights) and have a back zipper pocket that fits my phone. I really wish they still made them. That said, I still buy Brooks apparel, they are some of my favortie things to run in. My advice for you would be to if you find something you like, buy multiple because they change out their apparel offerings frequently. Same with the Racer bra. Both items were bought at Fleet Feet Sports Fort Mill. 
   
   
6. Nathan Sports Speed Draw. Typically I do not carry water during races instead relying on the aid stations, however, Around the Crown is a race that focuses a lot on sustainability and does their water stations just a bit different from typical races (and from year to year). Not knowing exactly what to expect and with it being a pretty hot and super humid race, I carried my handheld to make sure I would have water when I wanted it. It was a good call too. The aid station was at mile 4 and I for sure needed water before then. The Speed Draw holds 18 oz and is comfortable to carry. I train with it regularly for runs over 4 miles. 
   
   
7. Another item not in the picture but clearly necessary for race day, my Garmin Forerunner. Prior to my Garmin, I used an Apple Watch and let me tell you, Garmin is by far the way to go for me. Apple Watches do lots of cool things and happen to track fitness as well. Garmin is designed to track fitness/running. There is no comparison when it comes to the GPS accuracy, stats you get and Garmin Connect Community. There is a reason that Garmin is the most popular running watch.
   
   
8. Pro-Tec Patellar Tendon Strap. If you've read this blog before, you may have seen me mention several times about my crap knees and how I've had a few surgeries to fix them up. The left knee seems to have gotten on board with being a functional limb while the right is still taking it's sweet time. Recently I started using this patellar strap to give a bit of extra support to my right knee and honestly it's helped loads. I wish I had been running with it sooner tbh. 
   
   
9. Feetures Socks*. Not only did runners get some cute Recover shirts, but we also all got a pair of Feetures socks. I love Feetures. And while these were brand new socks I got at the expo the day before and the rule is never run in something new, I have run in these exact socks for years so I wore them with no hesitation. Feetures have targeted compression, have seamless toes, are moisture wicking and are super soft.
   
   
10. Saucony Endorphin Speed 2*. These are my current go-to racing shoe. Light weight, responsive, comfortable and fast. I mean just look at the checkboard! A friend of mine referred to these as Ricky Bobby shoes and now that is just their name. They are bouncy and fast and best yet, hug my narrow feet in a way that makes them fit like a glove. These were my first pair of Saucony shoes and they will not be my last. They are used exclusively (almost) on race days. 
    
    
11. UCAN Energy Bar*. My pre-race snack to give myself a bit of an energy boost right before the race. I started using UCAN products when I was training for my first marathon back in 2018. They have no sugar which can cause spikes and crashes in energy and instead use a corn based starchy base that delivers a consistent source of energy. When I was doing super long runs, I would mix up some of the energy powder with 10 oz of water, drink before my run and be good to go for like 10-12 miles. I've used their Edge gels also mid-run and loved the results. In the past I have eaten random energy bars prior to a race or run so I figured why not try the UCAN Energy Bars since I clearly do well with their other products. Of course I tried a few before race day on longer runs, but was happy to find that these worked just as well for me as all other UCAN products. Cherry Berry Almond is my favorite flavor, but I ran out of these already (cause yum) so this one was the Salted Peanut Butter (they also have Chocolate Almond Butter). 

So there you have it. My race day kit. And here is everything in action! Taken at mile 5.5 of the 10K. 

And here you'll see one last piece of race day gear that I picked up after I finished... 

The Medal! 

Have any questions about the items I race in/with? Just ask. Do you have a go-to race day necessity that I didn't mention or might not know about? Tell me about it in the comments as well. 

So Just What Is This Crazy GAP Relay Anyway?

I received team entry to the GAP Relay as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Oops I Did It Again... (And Will Again)

I received team entry to the GAP Relay as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Trail Blazing: Coaching the Inaugural Summer Trails Training Group

 AKA: I Get Lost So Others Don't Have To

So this summer, Fleet Feet Fort Mill decided offer something a bit new, a Trails Training Group. And since I am, I assume, the craziest of the current coaching staff, they asked me to coach it. So I get to spend the summer building a new program from scratch and showing off some of my favorite trails in the area to run. 

Coach Lissa reporting for duty!

It was crazy fun and super challenging and I loved every moment of it, even if it was a lot of work at times. See trails aren't like roads. You can't quite trust where they go, so each week before I took a group out onto the trail, I would have to run it first alone (or recruit a friend to go with). That way you can learn things like, there's actually a down tree blocking this path or the trail is flooded, or in one rare instance, a new trail had been cut and the old one no longer accessible. We ran as a group twice a week so I was getting in 4 trail runs a week! 

My Trail Blazing Trail Blazers!

Since the full group consisted of 8 of us all different levels, I had to make maps and route directions in case there were gaps between runners and we got out of eye sight of each other. I even posted electronic versions of the route online on 2 different websites including Garmin Connect so Garmin users could download the route straight to their watches (if their watch version supported that). Overall, however, the runs were no drop and supported with a coach and at least 1 mentor so no one ever ran alone. We even made arrangements with out some trail vendors like Altra, Nathan and Hoka to do some demos. All in all, I feel it was a strong program.

On Thursday evenings we ran the trails in Baxter Village. These trails are easy to access from the store, Fleet Feet is directly across the street from Baxter Village, so they have the convenience factor going for them. Otherwise... well let's just say, they are a bit challenging. Most of that has to do with the fact that currently no trail maps exist (seriously, the Baxter Village HOA took them all down) and the trails are not named, or marked with the exception of some paint marks (red, blue or white depending on the trail) but those are crazy confusing as you can make like 3 turns and still be on the same color trail. I've run Baxter trails numerous times, heck I run a New Years race on them every January 1st, and I still get lost on them. And the lack of any markings makes it hard to make a route (turn right at the... um... tree). This is especially and issue when you have different abilities out there so the group doesn't stick together. While I may know the trail (because I pre-ran each route before the group run and even then, had a misstep or two) I couldn't lead everyone at the same time. Thus I relied on an "assistant". 

Is this the right way?

Bless my assistant. I handpicked her when I got this assignment. She and I have run trails together, including these trails, for years. And despite this. Despite having a map. Despite having written directions. She got lost every run she did in Baxter (and took the back of the pack with her). The last run epically so. But she insisted it was my fault for inaccurate directions. For example, I had put "Sharp Right" and she said it should have read "Hairpin Right" cause those terms are SO different. So there's that. We all managed to make it in and out of the woods safely though. And what more can you ask for really?

On Sundays we ran on trails I am way more comfortable on, the ones at Anne Springs Close Greenway. I love the Greenway. It's loads of amazing (and well marked) trails. I've been running there for years including several races and training for a 50K out there, and still I was able to find a few new trails to experience with this group. Five weeks was not enough to explore this property. Heck, there are 5 entrances, with multiple trail options at each. It was hard to narrow down which routes to run, but I made sure to hit the high points - Lake Hagler, the Horse Barns, the Grist Mill and Millstone and a major portion of the Millstone 50K route. My assistant also has run here with me, including training for the same 50K, but again, managed to get lost (but just once to be fair). The last run of the session I even had her lead and she managed to go the correct way. So obviously, these trails are way easier to navigate. 

You gotta touch the Mill Stone. It's the "rule"

The Summer Trails Group Session may now be over, but I am excited on how awesome the season went and hope to lead more trail runs in the future. I'd love to get the opportunity to share more trails with more runners going forward with my Fleet Feet Crew! 

**If you are local to the Rock Hill/Fort Mill area and interested in checking out training with Fleet Feet Fort Mill, check us out here: https://www.fleetfeet.com/training?s=fortmill We are just about to kick off the Fall Training season with groups training for 5L, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon. COME RUN WITH US!

Just Call Me Coach RunNerdGirl

 So last post I said that 2022 has been A LOT. That doesn't necessarily mean bad, just that a lot has happened over the first half of 2022. In fact, there were a few amazing things that happened in 2022. 

An early win that I experienced that I briefly mentioned in my January posts is that I sat for and passed my RRCA Running Coach Certification. And not only am I now a "Coach" on paper...

I was lucky enough to be brought on as a Program Training Coach with Fleet Feet Sports: Fort Mill.

In fact, it is all because of Fleet Feet that I decided to pull the trigger on becoming RRCA Certified in the first place. I had been toying with the idea off an on for a bit, but it was a short conversation after a race that really got the ball rolling. I mean, if you've not figured it out from this blog or my socials (if you don't follow me on Instagram or Twitter, please do, links will be at the bottom of the post) and when I love something, I learn everything I can about it. And that leads to wanting to help others love it as well. So I had given some advice when asked, written the occasional training plan for others here and there and even "trained" a friend who had just started running for his first few races (which he awesomely dropped 17 minutes from his Half Marathon time in 5 months!) But yeah, all of that was just one runner helping out other runners out. Then came Around the Crown.

Me after Around the Crown

One of my favorite Charlotte-area races is the Around the Crown 10K. It's awesome. They close down the I-277 loop around the city and let runners literally run around Charlotte. It is the coolest. I'll be honest, it is a Charlotte race which means it is hilly, so it is not an easy course, but the Around the Crown is my 10K PB just for the pure reason that it is the most fun 10K I've run. I spent the whole first time I ran it in 2019 (the inaugural year) just kinda giggling as I ran it. So much fun. Anyway, at the finish of the 2021 race, I swung by the Fleet Feet Sports Fort Mill tent to say hi. I had run off and on with Fleet Feet for several years. I ran in their Training Program, occasionally served as a mentor, was on their Racing Team and just kind of came and went as my race schedule allowed. As I was chatting with a few runners, the then Managing Partner asked if he could speak to me to the side. Turns out he wanted me to join the Training Program as a Coach. A bit surprised and flattered, I told him I'd think about it.

Obviously I decided that yes, I did want that. And when the next opportunity arose to take an RRCA certification course came up, I enrolled and the rest is history! I'm a Coach now! And it has been pretty awesome.

I'm currently coaching my 3rd session with Fleet Feet Sports Fort Mill the Summer Trails Training Group. So far, this has been my hardest session to coach for a number of reasons which I will be sure to blog all about it, but I do love it. Even when it's hard, its exactly what I want to be doing. 

Love leading this group through the woods!

If you happen to be local and are interested in checking out the Fleet Feel Sports Fort Mill Training Groups, visit this link: https://www.fleetfeet.com/training?s=fortmill for more information and to sign up for one of our sessions (Trails is ending in 2 weeks, but Summer Sizzlin' 5K and 10K programs just started with goal races of the Greek Festival 5K and Around the Crown 10K (both that I will be running). 

Find me on Socials here:

Instagram: @runderdgirl

Twitter: @runnerdgirl

Running Happy with Brooks Ghosts 14s - Shoe Review

I received a pair of Brooks Ghost 14s as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

2022 Hot Chocolate 15K Charlotte Recap

 I received entry into the Hot Chocolate Charlotte15K as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Scenes from the Sweetest Expo Around: Hot Chocolate 15K Charlotte

I received entry into the Hot Chocolate Charlotte15K as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Tips for Running in the Cold, so you can Run for Chocolate Most Efficiently!

 I received entry into the AllState Hot Chocolate Charlotte15K as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews. 

This coming Saturday I will be running one of my favorite fun races of the, The Hot Chocolate 15K in Charlotte, NC. This will be my 5th year running the Hot Chocolate 15K and my 6th Hot Chocolate race (one year I ran in both Atlanta and Charlotte the same year - actually the same WEEK!)

You may recall my previous blog about my Top 5 Reasons I LOVE to Run for Chocolate (if not, just click the link to go there). 

You may also recall, that I am not a huge fan of running in the cold (which I may have mentioned a time or a million). Anyway, I bring this up because right now the temperature is supposed to be below freezing AGAIN for race morning!! Not cool! Or actually TOO COOL. 

So to prepare, I am busting out my Top Tips for Running in the Cold.

• Layer, Layer, LAYER! Especially when it comes to race day, you end up standing outside for longer than a regular run getting into corrals and waiting for the start and hanging out, cheering on finishing friends at the finish. You may want to consider something you can remove and tie around your waist easily or something disposable if you feel you'll warm up a bunch when you start running. Here's a handy guide on how to layer for certain conditions:

• Make sure that you cover your head and your hands. Hats and gloves are LIFE, people!! If you do manage to heat up, they can be easily removed and stowed, but trust me, you are going to want hats and gloves. I recommend convertible items like gloves that can turn fingerless like these Turtle Gloves or Buff Multifunctional Headwear that you can fold in lots of different ways to cover your head. Both of which I plan to be wearing!

• Hydrate like it's the Summer. Sometimes it is easy to forget to drink enough water in the colder months since it doesn't seem like you are sweating as much, but you are. It is easy to get dehydrated quickly in the winter. Take extra steps to hydrate to make sure that doesn't happen.

• Bring a Post-Race Change of Clothes. When you finish your run, your body temperature will start to rapidly drop and all of that sweat on your clothes and body will quickly start to make you even colder. Bring a bag with you to gear check, if available, or stow in your car for a quick post-race change. And I mean everything. There is nothing worse than standing around in a cold, wet sports bra. No one wants to each post-race brunch in that!

• Give your Pace some Grace. Running in the cold is hard for a number or reasons. Added gear that is bulky and weighs more, harder to breathe, stiff joints, frozen roads, less daylight and so on. You may be slower with the same amount of effort. It's hard to, but try to remind yourself that in the Spring, you'll be faster again and that is ok. In the past, I've had to get 2 or 3 miles in before I was able to feel my toes! It's hard to run with numb toes for sure!!

It says 2021 and it's 2022, but this race is part of the 2021 season

But, I will say, as much as I HATE running in the cold, I cannot think of a better race to do it for than one that gives you a warm jacket and a piping hot cup of Hot Chocolate and chocolate fondue at the finish line!

And be sure to tune in on my Instagram and Twitter on Friday too check out the Hot Chocolate 15K Expo with me. If you'll be there yourself, I plan to be at the packet pick up around Noon and will be wearing an Orange BibRave shirt, so, if you see me, be sure to say HI! I'll also be racing in BibRave Orange on race day, so feel free to flag me down there too if you see me! 

And it's not too late to register if you want to join me still. Register here: https://www.hotchocolate15k.com/charlotte

Additionally, you can typically score some extra swag when you register with a BibRave coupon code. This year, with coupon code HC21 you receive a free Hot Chocolate branded Buff (above). 

And for your amusement, here's me at the last live Hot Chocolate 15K, where it was even COLDER (22 degrees!!!). See, I am NOT a happy girl...

Okay, so I gotta admit, I kind love this pic of me, lol
THIS is my winter mood summed up in one pic

Though I was MUCH happier after that race when I was all warmed up and eating chocolate as you can see here. 

Stuffing my face... SO GOOD

So I guess I am gonna end this by adding one last tip - Keep Your Eye on the Prize. Running in the cold is yuck, but when there is chocolate at the finish line, it's totally worth it! 

January Goals Recap

So time to reflect back on how January went. 

First a quick word on January. It's a lot, am I right? We all come in all hopeful that things will be better this year and we will be better this year and then BAM, we are smacked right in the face with the fact that January is cold and dark and basically just YUCK and thus sapping all of our forward momentum. It's tough to keep moving forward in the face of that. And yet we optimistic individuals solider on. Yay us! We all deserve a huge pat on the back for not giving in. And some warmth and sunshine.

So quick reminder, here were my January goals:

Here's how I did:

Renew CPR Certification. Big ol CHECK! I scheduled a class with the Red Cross that was a hybrid online/in person on January 26. First I had to watch 31 videos with practice activities to learn (or relearn) all the course materials and then go into the Red Cross facility for another 2 hours to demonstrate all of the lessons on the demonstration mannequins (I even kinda bonded with my infant mannequin, Tilly but alas, she had to stay behind to help educate others). And I passed, yay! I am certified Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED for the next two years!

Next up, Pass my RRCA Certification. Well... I technically haven't passed YET. I am hoping to today, however. And it is not that I have failed, it is just that I haven't yet completed my test. I took the RRCA Coaching Certification class last weekend (Jan 29-30) but you have 30 days to complete the 100 question test, and tbh, with all the running info running through my brain these days, I needed a small break (and to ya know, do some things around the house and what not) so I haven't rushed to complete the test. Currently, I have 40 questions answered and I feel pretty confident about how it is going so far. UPDATE: I PASSED!!!!!

Dry January. Well, this one I am also giving myself a partial credit for. I actually did have 2 beers in January, but at the very end. On the Saturday after sitting in my RRCA class all day long, I got a message from some friends that they were checking out a place near my house and to come meet them. Long story short, the place (Carolina Brewing Supply) was pretty amazing and they had all the nanobrew beers. I had one called Elvis's Sandwich (Peanut Butter and Banana beer) and a Grapefruit IPA that was pretty amazing. So technically I did fail Dry January, but again, I went most of the month and I did cut WAAAAAY down on the amount of beer I drink. It was a good reset. And I play to keep my consumption much lower in the future as well.

Whole Food Detox week. I plan to do an entire blog post on this, but yes, this one was a total success for me. I spent a week following a plan from Fit Girls Guide to basically from scratch prepare every single thing I ate from real, whole foods for a whole week. In a future (very near future hopefully) blog I will provide a full review of the week in detail. But this is a big CHECK!

15 Burn Boot Camps. Another big CHECK! 15 exactly! I am on course to hit my year goal of 175 camps.

Me, January 31, hitting 101!

100 Running Miles. On Monday evening after work, I logged onto my Strava to check my miles for January and I was at 99. So you know what I had to do! I changed into my running gear and hit the neighborhood. I actually run 2 just to make sure, but this one is another bigh CHECK. I ended January with 101 miles run. I needed to actually be around 105 in order for me to be on course to finish my year at my 1256 mile (or 2022 km) goal, but I plan to make up some miles later in the year. Y'all it is just HARD to get out there an run in the cold. Especially since this January was particularly brutal. We had snow/ice storms 3 weekends in a row! And they are calling for maybe another this weekend! I promise, I will make it up in July. But for now, as long as I don't get too far behind, I am okay being a bit short for the year. And a side note, I am honestly considering changing this goal as my priorities have been sort of shifting as of late so I am not sure cranking out massive mileage is really what I want to focus on in 2022. I may try a more quality over quantity approach. But for now, I'll keep moving forward.

Yoga every Sunday. Big ol CHECK here as well. Each Sunday morning, I did a 30 minute Beginner Yoga class each Sunday (with the exception of Jan 30, I was rushing to get to my RRCA class so only did a 20 minute class) via YouTube. My cats were very interested in my progress, which, alas I will say felt very minimal. Maybe I need to do it more often to see results, but y'all I am stiffer than a board and don't seem to be getting any better at stretching. I plan to keep on doing the Yoga going forward. Here's hoping for any progress in the future.

Two Blog Posts. Yup and Yup. You can see the 2 blog posts that I wrote in January here:

https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2022/01/starting-off-2022-right-goals-edition.html

https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2022/01/from-sunglasses-hoarder-to-knocksquad.html

So I guess that is that! A mostly successful January.

I am hoping to sort out my February goals this week and get those up and posted soon. In the meantime, what do you have going on that you want to get accomplished in February. Or even for the rest of 2022? Let me know in the comments below. 

From Sunglasses Hoarder to KnockSquad

 Hello. My name is Lissa, and I am a hoarder. Specifically, I am a sunglasses hoarder. 

I was going to tell you how many pairs I have, but I have lost count and have them kind of stashed all over so I am never without a pair. In addition to the 20 or so pair in my primary storage area (I'll get to that in a second), there are at least 2 pair in my car (including an emergency pair in my back window), a pair at my desk at work so I have them for random walk breaks away from the desk, a pair in my adventure bag, a pair in my purse, and random ones here and there. 

The majority or my sunglasses are on a special rack by my back door. These were made with these metal strip style knife holders and some spacers to hold them from the wall about 2 inches to hang the sunglasses on. I originally had 1. Now I have 3. I may need more still...

Would you believe my dad asked me when he saw this if I thought I had enough
sunglasses. Like that is a thing that can happen... 

And yes, while I have A LOT of sunglasses, I do actually wear them all. I love being out in the sunshine (I think I am partially solar powered) and have really light blue eyes so I am quite light sensitive. Plus, no matter your eye color, UV light is not fantastic for your eyes. So I wear sunglasses pretty much every time I go outside. And I love mixing up the different styles and colors with my outfits.

I would have to say that Knockaround Sunglasses make up about 90% of my collection. One reason for this is they have just so many different styles and colors. Not to mention they periodically offer some really cool Special Edition and Limited Release styles, several of which I have just HAD to get. And you have to watch out, they sell out FAST. Once, there was an adorable Hive Mind style I really wanted and they sold out as I was adding them to my cart. Sad times. But it's okay, I got the Celestials that came out last month in time. And I love them! 

If for some very unlikely reason you don't find a style/color combo you love, you can also create your own custom pair with their Custom Shop. I made a really cool pair of Teal/Orange Mai Tais once and just love them! You can customize the Front, each Arm the Lenses and the Logo all independently! There are so many colors, patterns and styles available! There are over 1,000,000 different possibilities! Check out the custom shop here: https://knockaround.com/products/custom-premiums-sunglasses#/p/_prod_vsgqd3p0h

Yeah, so you can tell I'm a bit obsessed. So when an opportunity arose to be a Knockaround Ambassador, you know I totally tried out. And guess what, they chose me! Yay! I am so excited to be a member of the 2022 #KnockSquad. I'm proud to join some really amazing people who, like me, love their Knockarounds and love spreading the word. And if you are interested in becoming obsessed with Knockarounds like I am, check out the Knockaround website here: https://knockaround.com/ 

And when you find your perfect pair, you can use my discount code to receive 15% off your order. Just use KnockSquad_Lissa at the checkout! 

Real quick, there are another couple of cool things to know about Knockarounds. First, every Friday, they give away a free pair of sunglasses! To get your chance to win, just post a photo on Instagram of yourself rocking a pair of Knockarounds and tag it #KnockFan. It's that easy! Second, Knockaround posts a super cool music playlist on Spotify each week. Make sure you follow them on Instagram and look for the weekly story for the opportunity to submit your favorite song to be included. 

Starting Off 2022 Right - Goals Edition

Here's me ringing in the New Year
how I always do, Baxter Trail 5K

I may be two weeks late in saying it, but HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

I want to say that I am going into 2022 optimistically but let's be honest, I am more or less trying to enter it cautiously hopeful. The last two years were a lot. But I am trying to convince myself that we are now going to take a turn away from, well all the things that were not super awesome the last couple of years and instead focus on the things that were pretty great and there were some pretty amazing parts of 2020 and 2021 that kind of go lost in the shuffle and I never took the time to write about and fully appreciate them. 

In fact, I am going to try harder at maintaining this blog this year (I know, I've said that before, but this time, I am going to stick to it. In fact, I have already made a list of several topics that I want to write about in the near future. These include (in no particular order):

1. Fit Girl Guide Detox Review
2. How I spent my Summer Vacation
3. KnockSquad 2022
4. Adventures in Hiking
5. The Absolute Worst Weekend of my Life (yes, I am being dramatic)
6. Becoming a Running Coach
7. Previews and Reviews of my 2022 Races

See one thing I am going to start doing in 2022 is keeping better track of my goals and writing them down so I am more motived to stick to them. And this year, I am going to set me goals a month at a time. This way, I can experience a more immediate sense of accomplishment and also not get overwhelmed by huge overreaching goals that may not manifest until the end of the year (looking at you Rock n Roll Savannah that is not until November that basically destroyed my whole running vibe and will discuss more in another blog post). So here is what I have on tap for January:

Truth be told, I've already met one of them and making good progress on some others 

How do you keep on track with the things you want to do? Do you keep a planner? A blog? Shout to the Universe? I want to hear all about it in the comments below. Also, if you have any topics that you would like me to write about in 2022. 

I'll leave you for now with this quote I saw. May you write an amazing story in 2022...