Werking it in FitWerk Fit Diva Retro Tights

 I received a pair of FitWerk Fit Diva Retro Tights as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Drankful of Awesomeness!

I received a Drankful Adventure Pack as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews.

Women's Half Marathon - Rock Hill Edition

By now, you've learned that I love any excuse for a party. Like I am literally game for about anything. So when I was asked about hosting another live event for a virtual race, I was totally in. This time, I hosted a Women's Virtual Half Marathon event. 

So there were a couple of things that appealed to me about this event.

1. The event celebrates ladies. Not saying that men were not welcome to join in, but hey, ladies celebrating ladies is an awesome thing. Of course I wanted to gather my girl squad together for this race!
   
   
2. The race benefitted Girls on the Run. Love GotR! I typically volunteer at their local races here in Rock Hill but due to the whole Covid thing, there haven't been any GotR races, so this was another way to throw some support their way.
   
   
3. The SWAG for this race was NEXT LEVEL! I'm talking $100+ worth of cool stuff including tech shirt, Bondi Band, adorable medal with detachable charm, reusable shop bag, Ultima Replinsher powders and sunscreen. Some really cool stuff. Everything was really brightly colored and everyone received a different Bondi Band so it was fun to see everyone's. (Fun fact: my daughter has already stolen mine)

Next level SWAG

About 15 of us registered for either the 5K or the 10K cause options are awesome and welcoming for every level. I am still on injured reserve or I'd have done the Half (next year). I was registered for the 10K, cause I'm totally fine with walking 6.2 miles. You could even do double and triple play events to earn multiple medals.

For the race day event, I came up with some scenic routes in downtown Rock Hill and gathered supplies for a finish line party on our race day of April 10. The official race dates were the 10th and 11th. The weather was a bit damp, but another beauty of a Virtual is that you can play with the time. 2 ladies decided to do their races the day before to stay dry and 1 was out of the area so she did hers solo but posted on our FB event page. We had coffee, donut holes, Ultima, water and bananas to celebrate after. 

And since I was technically RD for my event and manning the finish line I went out the next morning to put in my 10K at my favorite local trail. Again, Virtual Races = Flexibility.

My solo 10K the next morning

I was very impressed with everything about this Virtual Race. As far as the race management, they were super communicative and supportive. If you tagged them on social media, they always commented. They had a Facebook group for the event that encouraged lots of posting and even had photo tags to decorate your pictures. They held several giveaway events, one of which I won a visor. A friend of mine also won a visor as well so that was cool. One of the ladies was missing something out of her packet and sent them a message and it was immediately resolved. You could tell that they really cared about their racers. 

It was a great event and I'd for sure do it again. I am not sure what next year will hold, whether the event will go live or stay virtual, but either way, I would highly recommend this one. 

A Few Photos From Race Day

*You may have noticed, no disclaimer at the top of this one like many of my other race reviews. As a BibRave Pro, I get lots of great opportunities to run cool races for free in exchange for my honest opinion. This was not one of those opportunities. This race was one I chose to register personally for. Just thought I should mention that so there was no confusion. 

Throwback Thursday: Global 24 Hour Relay Recap

I received entry into the Global 24 Hour Relay as a part of being a BibRave Pro. Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews. 

So just over a month ago (back when I was still one of those runners who ran, we celebrated Global Running Day on June 3rd. This year I celebrated a bit differently, instead of meeting up with a group of friends to run together, I participated in the Global 24 Hour Relay. Runners from all over the world came together to participate in a relay that started at midnight and finished at 11:59 pm. The relay was broken into 30 minute increments and runners virtually passed the baton from runner to runner. (For more detailed info about the breakdown of how the even was organized, see my previous blog post here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2020/06/global-running-day-24-hour-relay.html) 

I was assigned to Team Philly, where I actually had several friends, a few other BibRave Pros and a couple non-Pro friends, on my team. Even better, I knew both the runner before me and the runner after me! I was assigned for the 9:30 am time slot. Meredith, a fellow BibRave Pro was my hand off. We had texted the evening before to coordinate so I knew she and her son were going to text me as soon as they finished their 9:00 to 9:30 am run time. I was outside at 9:29, ready to go. Right at 9:30 on the dot, I got a text, started my watch and took off. 

I have been running pretty much exclusively in my own neighborhood for the few months prior, so I had a pretty good 5K route mapped out that I decided to follow. I figured that once I finished that, I would just finish out whatever time I had left. I keep a close eye on my watch, closer than usual, because I wanted make sure that I handed off to Bill, the 10 am runner, right on time. 30 minutes and 3.25 miles later, I was done! I texted Bill and wished him luck.

Overall, it was a pretty fun event, especially at a time when pretty much all events are virtual. By being put on a team and passing a baton from person to person it felt much more social, more interactive than a "typical" virtual event. 

And did I mention that the swag was pretty cool? Soon after the event, the organizers sent each registered participant a beautiful medal and shirt to commemorate the event. Seriously, the colors are really beautiful. The shirt was 100% cotton unisex. 

Overall, I really liked this event. I heard that some of the teams were not quite full, but since the legs were based on time of day, then runners were not tied to waiting on a specific person. Another great thing about the legs being time, rather than distance, it was an event that felt inclusive to all runners, regardless of pace. It was a great way to connect and celebrate running in a very atypical year.

Release the Runner: Breaking Down Barriers

So last week, as a part of the Release the Runner series that BibRave is hosting, I posted about My Running Story here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2020/04/release-runner-my-story.html

This week we'll be talking about some of the Barriers that new runners can face and discussing some tips to overcome them. 

Barrier 1: Thinking you need fancy gear or expensive gear? Nope, all you need is the desire to go out and do it. While it is helpful to have some quality shoes to get you started (my number 1 tip would be to get yourself fitted by a professional for running shoes, this will save you from lots of potential injuries and uncertainty) as far as fancy, expensive gear like running watches and designer clothing, none of that is truly necessary. In fact, I say, wait on all of that, find out what kind of runner you really are before you invest in gear and tech. A lot of it won't fit your style, once you discover what it is. A good pair of shoes, some breathable clothing and a free phone app like Strava to keep track of your miles are all you need to get started. 

Barrier 2: Maybe you're not sure how much you should be running as a beginner. There are so many free training plans available online though a quick Google Search. Or, how I personally got started was by downloading the Couch to 5K app on my iPhone. It was free and it walked me right though exactly what to run and when. It was the perfect training tool for a beginner and again totally free. 

Barrier 3: Finding the time to run. This is a big one, perhaps the biggest in normal circumstances. Our schedules are so busy, but trust me, if it is important to you, you will find a way to fit in 30 min to an hour a few times a week to run. After all, this is your health we are talking about, what is more important than that? This is why now, when it is more likely that you are working for home, or maybe like me on a furlough from work, that makes it a good time to get started. Once you learn to love it, and I bet you will, you will find the time, be it after work, early mornings, maybe during your lunch break, or during your child's activities. When I was on my regular schedule, I would plan out my week of which days I needed to do morning runs and get up early and which days my daughter had Taekwondo class and I could run then. Once you get going, trust me, this part becomes easier. 

My first race EVER, the Come See Me Road Race 5K

Barrier 4: It seems too hard. Well, I am going to be straight with you, yes, running is hard. But, it will get easier. I promise. When I first started running, I couldn't run more than about 30 seconds at a time. But like with anything, with practice, you will get better. It will get easier. You will hit milestones in your running that will make you feel amazing and push your to want to do more. Today is the 6 year anniversary of my very first race. It was a 5K and the first time I ever ran the distance without stopping to walk. 6 years later, I've since run a marathon and trained for an Ultra. I will never say that it is easy because you will find ways to challenge yourself, but it does become easier. 

Barrier 5: Need motivation to get started and don't know where to look? If you need motivation, trust me, the online running community has your back. Get on Twitter and search #BibChat. We'll be there to get you started and before you know it, you'll have more running friends than you know what to do with. Find a local running store, most communities have at least one and ask if they do group runs. Most do. Ask at your local bar even! Where I live almost all of the local breweries have a weekly run club. There are people out there who can steer you in the right direction. Trust me, there is no one friendlier than a runner talking about running!

Did I miss a Barrier that is effecting you? If so, what is it? I'd be happy help you brainstorm ways to overcome it. And be sure to check out the BibRave Pro community by following #bibchat on both Twitter and Instagram for more tips on how to Release the Runner in you. 

Comfort Meet Style: Nabee Compression Sock Review

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Nabee Socks 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! 

There's a question that I see a lot online - Should I run with Compression Socks? It's a question that can spark lots of debate with runners. Scientific studies have shown to be inconclusive, but in general, purely on anecdotal evidence, many runners believe that compression during a run helps them with muscle fatigue and for recovering much more quickly. Most agree that post-run, they are for sure super effective.

For me personally, I primarily wear compression socks for main 3 reasons: 

First, and probably foremost, I use compression socks for long runs (those over 10 miles). I suffered from reoccurring shin splints when I first started running and compression seemed to really help me. For the past several years now, I have worn compression socks for pretty much all of my longer races, Half Marathons (and my single Marathon) and occasionally for shorter distances too. Maybe it is just the mental aspect of them, feeling the snug comfort brings a bit more confidence more so than actual science based reason, but for whatever reason, they do well for me in preventing muscle fatigue. 

Second, I use them for recovery. When I have had rough run or race, nothing feels as good as wrapping my sore legs in an nice warm hug of compression socks. They work to increase blood circulation in your legs helping to aid in quicker recovery. The times I remember to slip on a pair of compression socks after a particularly long or rough run, I have always felt better faster than the times that I haven't. They are awesome.

Third, I wear compression socks when I go trail running, especially when wearing shorts. This is for two reasons 1) for the same reason as mentioned above in my first point, my trail runs tend to be longer and they help with muscle fatigue and 2) to help keep bugs, thorns, sticks, and poison ivy away from my legs. I cannot tell you how many times I have avoided scrapes, bites or plant irritations thanks to tall compression socks. 

I've tried several brands of compression socks, so I was very interested when given the opportunity to try out Nabee Socks recently. So what did I think? I can honestly say that Nabee are the most comfortable compression socks that I have ever worn. Seriously, they are super soft and feel amazing on.

One of the reasons that Nabee Socks are so comfortable is that the company founder of was a nurse and originally created this product for nurses who would wear them for super long shifts. Nabee uses its own non binding, non slip design to keep the socks from sliding down but also doesn't constrict by loosening the cuff so it doesn't bind. I literally wore these after a crazy rough trail run all the rest of the day (under a pair of PJ pants) and totally forgot I had them on they were so comfy.

Another huge plus for me is that they come in super cute designs. Seriously, it was so hard for me to pick one when placing my order and I finally defaulted to classic black stripes since most of my running shorts are black, but I so plan to order some more of the brighter, more fun colors now that I know how amazing they work for me. Nabee Socks are one of the only FDA-registered, medical-quality, designer compression socks on the market. Fun, fashionable and super effective, what's not to love!

What about you? Do you wear compression socks? 

If you are interested in checking out Nabee Socks for yourself, I can pass you a discount code - BIBRAVE20 for 20% off good for any sock purchase, but it is only good for one use per customer. I am thinking about getting the Louie style for my next purchase. 

And for a limited time, when you buy one pair of Nabee Socks, they will donate two pairs to frontline healthcare workers who are fighting the COVID-19 virus! Help yourself and others at the same time! How awesome is that?

Release the Runner: My Story

So things are weird right now, yeah? Most places are on Lock-down or Stay at Home orders that allow us to only leave home for a few situations - essential workers (thank to those!!) and exercising are pretty much it. 

For both physical and mental well being, it is important to stay active and get some movement into your day. While some situations have made this harder, gyms closing, group activities and classes being cancelled, there's one major, popular option this is open and accessible to almost everyone: Running!

Maybe you are already a runner, AWESOME, go get those miles. 

Or maybe you are someone who has stopped running, well, there is no better time to get back out there and go get you some miles, the road is just waiting for you. 

BUT, maybe you've never run before. Now is the perfect time to get started. Think you need fancy gear or that it is hard to get started? Nope, all you need is the desire to go out and do it. To prove it, let me share with you my story, and how just over 6 years ago I had never even run a single step in my life outside of PE Class. 

My Running Story:

I had struggled with being healthy for most of my adult life, never really happy with how I looked or how I felt, but not really unhappy enough to do much more about it than sporadic dieting and/or exercise. I wasn't really obese, but I wasn't thin by any stretch of the imagination. Just in that zone where you get comfortable.

For reference, me on the left, photo from that 2014 Disney Trip
Me on the right, same shirt, 6 years later

In Feb. 2014, we decided to take my little one on a birthday trip to Disney World. When we got home, I started the daunting task of going through the over 1,000 photos we (and others in our group of 9) took during the week long trip. Looking at photo after photo after photo, there was no denying it, I looked FAT. I felt awful and right there, right then I decided that was it. I was going to get into shape. I didn't have a whole lot of disposable income due to just dropping $5,000 on a week long Disney trip, so I figured, hey, it's free to run, I should do that. 

I used a gift card left over from Christmas to Kohls to buy a pair of Nike running shoes and downloaded a free Couch to 5K app on my phone and hit the road. Just over 6 years later, I have learned so much more about being a successful runner and I'm still at it. I've lost around 60 pounds, become so much healthier, accomplished a number of huge goals (see some of my other blog posts) and made life-long friendships. Running has literally changed my life in every way imaginable.

  

  

Just a few of the friends I've made along the way

So for me, ultimately it started as a free/cheap way to lose weight, but running has become a bit addictive to me now. I start to get antsy if I go to long without a run now. It has become a part of who I am. It brought me to other activities such cross training at Burn Boot Camp and becoming so much stronger and meeting even more incredible people. This is a warm, fun and welcoming world, and we'd love for you to join us. 

What about you? If you are a runner, why did you get started? Or, if you are not, why not? Is there something that is holding you back? Let me know if the comments below. In my next Release the Runner Blog Post, I will talk about overcoming some of the barriers to getting started running. 

And you can read more about the BibRave Release the Runner Movement here: https://blog.bibrave.com/2020/03/27/bibrave-release-the-runner/ 

Moving Through It with Some Support from Body Helix

 “Disclaimer: I received a Body Helix Knee Compression Sleeve 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!”

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you may remember that I have what I refer to as a dodgy knee. The technical term for what my issues is actually, Osteoarthritis, which I was diagnosed with about 15 years ago, so I am no stranger to various methods of both knee support combined with varying degrees of pushing though the pain and denial. But mostly, I try to be a good girl (hi Mom) and take care of my dodgy knee so I can keep running. So yeah, finding a good knee support is something that has always been important to me to keep me moving through it. 

It became especially important to me in the last few months because I was training a lot on trail for an Ultra and the extra wear and tear of elevation changes and uneven surfaces have been havoc on my knee. I'm not gonna lie, I've struggled a bit, even with using my usual Kinesiology Sports Tape (which has actually started to really irritate my skin lately - has anyone else had this problem?.

Anyway, with a really aggressive race season coming up (seriously, I have WAY too many races on my Spring Calendar 9 races of varying distances in the next 2 months) I was getting a bit worried about how I would hold up. Enter Body Helix Full Knee Compression Sleeve to the rescue! 

First off, I have to mention just how fast my order arrived. I received an email from Body Helix confirming my order. The same day I got another saying it had shipped. I received it 2 days later, which was awesome, just in time for my weekend long trail run. It actually came on a Friday, so I decided to take it right out for a run to make sure that it would feel good before committing to wearing it for a 15 mile run. And how did it work for me?

What about you? Can you tell which leg
has the Knee Compression Sleeve on it?
Let me know in the comments.

Pretty darn awesome to tell the truth. First off, it's super easy to slide on. It stretches a lot, but once in position compresses and stays in place. There's a handy sizing chart on their website to make sure you order the correct fit. It's also super thin, which I was concerned about when I first ordered the sleeve. See, it's winter right now and my running wardrobe consists mainly of tights currently and I wondered how bulky this would be under tights. Not at all! In fact, you wouldn't even know I was wearing them. I actually posted a pic of my legs on Twitter asking people to guess which knee had the sleeve on it and it was pretty impossible to tell. 

The first thing I noticed when running with it was that it seemed to generate a sort of heat. Like not in a distracting way, but in a, hey that feels nice kind of way. It provided awesome support, wasn't awkward when bending my knee and I felt pretty great throughout the run. 

Anticipating no issues, I was enthused about taking it out on the trails the next day. And it worked out great! Snug, supportive and a much better option than tape. Plus, a serious added benefit over tape is that the sleeve is reusable. In fact, it is machine washable and dry which is a HUGE plus for me. 

I've been using it regularly for about a month now, including my trail training and a super HILLY road race last week, and have been really impressed with how it works for me. And my run bestie, Kim, recently clued me into using it for things other than running, which, duh, hadn't occurred to me for some reason, so I have started using it on heavy cardio and lower body strength days at Burn Boot Camp as well. 

Body Helix makes a wide variety of compression products so if you have an injury, recurring pain or a joint disease like osteoarthritis like me, no matter what part of your body, odds are they have something that will help you. Check out their wide product range here: https://bodyhelix.com/shop/. And for a bit of added incentive, you can use this discount code to save 15% off your order: BH15BR. Plus, not that it is important really, but let's be honest, it low key is - they come in all kinds of cute colors. I just love my pretty teal sleeve! Super cute and super functional. 

Some of my other BibRave crew have tried out other compression products as well and you can read their reviews here:

Kim - https://barkingmadaboutrunning.blogspot.com/2020/02/living-with-osteoarthritis-body-helix.html
Corey - https://husbandfatherathletemarathoner.blogspot.com/2020/03/my-body-helix-arm-compression-sleeve.html

Michelle - http://www.runningwithattitude.com/2020/02/body-helix-thigh-compression-sleeve-review.html

Two of the smiling BibRave Pros are rocking Body Helix Knee Sleeves, Kim in the middle and me on the right

A Running Horror Story- The Tale of Ultra Chafing 😱

Disclaimer: I received Handful’s The Closer Bra 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!

Gather round close kids, for I am about to tell you a horror story. But don't worry, this one has a happy ending. It's about one of the most scariest things that can happen to a female runner... CHAFING FROM YOUR SPORTS BRA!!!! /cue dramatic scream 😱😱

Let's go back to the beginning shall we. Once upon a time (like 3 months ago actually), I had a super crazy idea that I was going to run an Ultra. I wrote a blog post about it here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-ultra-that-wasnt.html. It's a long, sad story, but I will summarize - I trained a lot, in the cold of winter, for lots and lots of hard trail miles, and ultimately, the Ultra was cancelled due to a massive storm. /cue sad noises 😢😢

Here I am about 6 miles in, all layered up with
the race's namesake Millstone

So before the cancelling happened, however, came the story that I came to tell you today. I'll set the scene for you. I'm planning to spend long hours in the woods, in the cold, running hard technical trails. I need water for my run. I need warmth for my run. Meeting this will require many, many layers (did I mention, I'm a Southern girl who HATES being cold?). So I'm all geared up - on top I've got a sports bra, base layer, jacket, vest and hydration pack on. And I do my 21 mile run. And it is long and sweaty (I do end up tying the jacket around my waist at one point). 

And as I'm running, I start to feel, something. Something on my shoulders isn't quite right. It feels pinchy. And itchy. And just wrong. You ladies know what I am talking about I bet. I adjust as I run, but I suspect that I am in for a world of hurt later. 

Smiling cause I'm done with 21 miles
Gritting my teeth a bit, cause OW!

So I finish my LOOOOOOONG run. And I'm feeling accomplished. But by now, I know that I am chafed. And not just a little. But I'm completely sweaty and starting to cool down in the cold and need to get into a hot shower before I start to loose feeling in my fingers. There is no delaying the SHOWER OF PAIN!!

I remove my clothes. Yup, there are large red welts on my shoulders, one much worst than the other. I turn on the hot water. I take a deep breath knowing what is about to happen, and step into the shower...

So yeah, on January 29th around 1 pm, if you heard a strange high pitched noise that you couldn't identify, but made every dog in the neighborhood stop for a moment, that was probably my scream of the shower water hitting my sweaty, chafed shoulders. The pain was the worst chafing I had ever had in my time as a runner. It was insane. I cursed the entire shower. There was some sobbing. My shoulders were not just red, they were welted and bloodied. Afterwards, I took that sports bra from out of the laundry and threw it into the trash. I am not even kidding.

This was taken 2 days later. 😭

Luckily... I had just ordered a brand new Handful Closer Bra which boasts having - "Smooth, non-chafing, quick-dry fabric"- from the Handful website. And even luckier it arrived the next day, because I'll be honest, I was a bit terrified to run again with my shoulders, and since I'm doing a daily running challenge, I couldn't wait it out to heal up. So on went my Handful bra and off I went on the road.

Same gear, same trails, different result!
No chafing AT ALL

And like I said, HAPPY ENDING, it worked like a charm! It was supportive, comfortable and not only no chafing, but no pain on my already pained shoulders. I've worn it for every long run I've had since (plus a few other activities like Boot Camp classes and a 2 hour Self Defense Class).

So if you do not want to end up like poor me and take the world's most painful shower, you should try out a Handful Closer Bra for yourself. Or any of their other bras, all of which have the chafe-free bands. Some of my other BibRave Pro Sisters have tried out the Y-Backs and have all reported good things. I've even have a 20% off discount code to share for a bit of added incentive, if not fearing the shower isn't quite enough. Use code BIBRAVE20 on the handful.com website.

Win a Magical Racecation from AfterShokz

Win a Magical Racecation from AfterShokz

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Aftershokz Aeropex 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!

Can you believe that it is just over a week away from 2020!?!??! 

2020! That it is like the freaking future, I swear! It's one of those dates from futuristic SciFi shows. Like I remember when I was a kid in the 80s that 2020 seemed so distant, like we'd have flying cars and jet packs and world peace. Well, here it is. And we may not have those things, I can promise you that 2020 is going to be an amazing year!

And guess what? Aftershokz is going to make someone's 2020 even more amazing by giving away a magical prize package as a part of their Run, Sip & Savor Sweepstakes.  

And when I say this is a Magical Prize Package, I mean MAGICAL!!

Here's what it includes:

GRAND PRIZE (Value of $3,800)

RACE ENTRY

(2) Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K 2020 entries

AIRFARE + HOTEL

Round-trip airfare and 2-night hotel accommodations for two at the Walt Disney World® Resort

(2) one-day theme park tickets with Park Hopper® option to Walt Disney World® Resort

Provided by AfterShokz

Plus this amazing Prize Bundle: 

• From AFTERSHOKZ:  (1) Aeropex Endurance Bundle

• From OTTERBOX (1) Adventure Pack including a Symmetry Phone Case, Amplify Glass, 20,000 mAh Power Pack, 36 oz Tumbler, 20oz Tumbler, and Hydration Lid

• From NATHAN (1) Trailmix 12L Pack and SpeedDraw Plus Insulated Flask

• From KT TAPE (1) Performance Recovery Bundle including KT Performance+ Blister Prevention Tape, KT Performance+ Blister Treatment Patch, KT Performance+ Chafe Safe Gel Stick, KT Recovery+ Ice/Heat Wrap System, KT Recovery+ Timed release Pain Relief Gel, KT Tape Pro, KT Tape Extreme, and KT Tape Wide

The sweepstakes is only open until 11:59 pm on January 2, 2020, Follow this link to enter: bit.ly/2QSVXYr

And as far as Aftershokz go, if you've not tried them before, they are freaking amazing. They are my absolute favorite piece of gear, the one item I use for EVERY single run I do. Instead of sticking in your ear or covering it, these headphones use bone conduction to channel your tunes straight into your brain. 

I've been using Aftershokz Airs for 2 and half years now and love them. Just recently, they released the new Aeropex and they somehow made an amazing product even more amazing. The Aeropex are lighter, have enhanced audio, sweat and waterproof and use a magnetic charging system. I've used my Aeropex a few times now and they are also more comfortable, especially under a hat or headband which can be an issue in the colder months. 

For a great deal on Aftershockz, check out: https://bibrave.aftershokz.com/ and get $50 any wireless bundle. 

And do make sure you enter the Run, Sip and Savor Sweepstakes. And if you are the lucky winner, make sure you remember who told you about it! The prize package has Wine & Dine entries and park passes for 2. And I have my own Mouse Ears already! Just saying!! 

Turkey Trotting - Virtually

Disclaimer: I am participating in the NYRR Virtual Turkey Trot 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 love running races. There's a certain excitement to running with a big group of people, all focused on the same goal of getting to the finish that just cannot be beat. But I will be the first to admit that racing isn't easy. 

Racing is fun, but a bit chaotic

Besides the actual running part of the race, which of course is hard, racing can be difficult for the sheer amount of time involved. You've got to drive to where the race is, find parking, get there early enough to wait in line for the port-a-potties, and be to the start line. Then after you run the race, there is usually the after party, while fun, is even more time outside in the elements, which I don't usually mind unless the weather is bad. For example, last weekend, I had an 8K. The actual running portion of the race only lasted me 40 minutes. But when all was said in done, the race experience lasted almost 4 hours! 

Sometimes, I love it, but some days I've got things to do! One of these days was today, Thanksgiving Day. I really really wanted to do a Turkey Trot, cause, FUN! but I really really needed to get on the road to drive to my brother's house 2 hours away for our big family meal. Solution - Virtual Turkey Trot!

The NYRR, who host all kinds of fun (and usually free) Virtual Races (see here for my blog on the Virtual 13.1 Half I ran in September: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2019/10/virtually-crossing-that-finish-line.html), is sponsoring the NYRR Virtual Turkey Trot 5K. All you have to do to participate in this FREE Turkey Trot is to register on the NYRR Virtual Race site (https://www.nyrr.org/races/nyrrvirtualturkeytrot5k) and accept the Challenge on your Strava account. That's it. All you have to do is run your 5K anytime between the challenge dates (Nov. 23 - Dec. 1) and mark your run as a Race on Strava and you've done it! You'll join over 14,000 other Virtual Turkey Trotters all over the world in Virtual Turkey Trot glory.

So, today, I got up bright and early and bundled up for the chilly Fall morning to put in my Turkey Trot 5K. It was really awesome to just get up, head out, run my 5K and then be done. No fuss, no muss. I was able to get home, get cleaned up and get on the road in time for a yummy Thanksgiving lunch with my family. All bases covered. 

And more good news, you can still compete! You can register for the NYRR Virtual Turkey Trot until December 1st. Just head on over here: https://www.nyrr.org/races/nyrrvirtualturkeytrot5k and register.

How about you? Did you celebrate Thanksgiving with a Turkey Trot, virtual or otherwise? Maybe you decided to sleep in and focus on the meal instead. Either way, I hope that you have and amazing Thanksgiving. And hopefully, unlike me, your 9 year old won't lick the drumsticks before your meal is served! 

Really, kid!!