Spirit of The Marathon II: In Select U.S. Theaters on Wednesday, June 12

Thinking about the movie, The Spirit of the Marathon, sends me back to that random candy/ ice cream store where I first watched the movie with my TNT family right before my first half marathon. 2+ yrs later it's now my go-to movie to watch during taper week. Just watching the trailer for the original Spirit of the Marathon gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes. It's super inspirational for any runner.

If you haven't seen the original, you should do it today or tomorrow because the creators of the original are bringing us a sequel! It's screening in theaters nation wide this Wednesday, June 12!

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A description from the press release: Set against the sweeping backdrop of a 26.2 mile marathon race through the historic streets of Rome, Italy, “Spirit of the Marathon II” focuses on seven inspiring individuals whose lives will forever be transformed by the experience. Audiences will be transported to six countries for an intimate “up close and personal” look into the runners’ lives and the challenges they face – both physical and emotional – on an epic journey where finishing the Rome Marathon is anything but certain. The event also features inspirational interviews with marathon greats Stefano Baldini, Paula Radcliffe, Frank Shorter, Kathrine Switizer and others as they offer perspective and insight into this legendary race and its history. This one-night event will include behind-the-scenes interviews, deleted scenes and memorable outtakes from the filming of the documentary.

For tickets to “Spirit of the Marathon II” and a list of all the participating theater box offices go here.

Also, A portion of the proceeds from the “Spirit of the Marathon II” event will be donated to The One Fund Boston to assist those families most affected by the tragic events that unfolded during the 2013 Boston Marathon on April 15. The Competitor Group, along with organizations representing all facets of the running industry, has launched RunNow.com to raise money for The One Fund Boston and promote the sport of running.


Disclaimer: I received passes to see this movie, but was planning on seeing it anyway.

Are you excited about the viewing? 

Dumbo Training week 6

MON: Rest

TUES: Yoga

WED: 3.5M for National Running Day

THURS: Zumba

FRI: Rest

SAT: Oakley Mini 10K

SUN: Yoga: Wanderlust Festival

This week was definitely a break from the usual. Even though it was very busy outside of and on top of the training schedule switch up, it was nice to be out of the comfort zone. 

This upcoming week will be different, also. I need to get a few more classes through my classtivity passport before it expires (even though literally 2 classes and it pretty much paid for itself) and I'm going to just suck it up about not getting as much running in. I put it off because I didn't want to not go to the gym/run; or more honestly, I didn't want to switch up my routine too much. This week really helped throw me into the deep end of different things, so I'm hoping I can continue that streak. Sometimes I swear worrying about trying something new ends up being the silliest waste of time ever. It's really just about keeping the pre-jitters from stopping you. Once you're in it, none of that stuff matters anymore. But then again, sometimes those pre-jitters can be really powerful. Anyone have any tricks to fight this?

I am a little concerned that I'm not running as much as I should be, but I am rationalizing it as it's still pretty early in the training. I'm sure as long as I'm actually doing something it won't matter in the long run, right? No pun intended ;)

How was your week? 

Celebrate Israel Run 4M

No PR; I just feel lucky I got alive! 

Running a race when I've been training on a treadmill in a heatwave is probably not a smart plan. It was a little bit of deja vu from the previous week's 4M. The same middle loop of Central Park. The same 5(ish) hills. Start and Finish line, the same.

NOT the same weather.

Not my favorite type of email 2 days before the race.

Nothing gets you thrown into summer weather like the first heatwave of the season. It was miserably hot. The familiar sweating before you do anything feeling reemerged. Have I mentioned I'm not a fan of sweating? Or the heat? Why do I continue to sign up for races that require summer training?! 

The race itself wasn't bad. Nothing on my body hurt (Thank you, new shoes!), I just couldn't breathe. I was a fan of the shaded side of the park and thankful for the constant breeze. It stopped for a second at one point and that was when I realized how much help it was. I didn't foolishly try to race anyone to the finish line, definitely not in that heat. I also noticed the pollen count was down, too, because I wasn't incredibly sick, like I was after the last couple of outdoor runs. Just wiped out from the sun.

Yes, I was sad my pace suffered but what's to be expected when you get thrown into acclimating to summer training?

There was some on course entertainment that helped. It was a family of runners and the older daughter (I'd guess around 10) was not  a fan of running. It really made me sad because you could tell the parents just wanted their children to enjoy the sport they loved, they were just going about it the wrong way. After a mile, the mom got too frustrated and left the dad to deal with her. I really felt for her, because if my parents made me run a race at that age, I'm pretty sure my reaction would've been a spitting image of what I was watching. Sadly, that was a fleeting moment. When the daughter proceeded to cry loudly, I almost lost it for her poor dad. My internal monologue went something like "oh no, girlfriend. You cannot cry and run; that's too hard and it's not cool. Ger your shi$t together, we still got 3 miles". I believe she finished the race, but I'm pretty sure it'll be her last. Wowsers.

 

SO thankful for my Under Armour heat gear tank. 

Tested, and approved for hot summer long runs. 

I'm another week closer to my Under Armour What's Beautiful goal, even if I didn't PR, and another week closer to Dumbo Dare Challenge weekend. Let's hope the Mini10k this weekend has better weather. 

Are you a fan of summer training? How do you deal with the heat?

Special Edition: WoW. Happy National Running Day!

Happy National Running Day! 

Running has taught me to love myself for who I am, which I've discovered is the ultimate key to happiness. If I hadn't watched my best friend run Boston or if I had dropped out of training with TNT for the NYC Half, I don't think I would be in the place I am today. I don't think I would've learned the true meaning of happiness or who I am. I'm thankful everyday I am lucky enough to realize that. 

Tonight in honor of the holiday, Run by Foot Locker in Union Square was hosting a run from the store. I signed up in the excitement of the day and then I realized: hello lady, you are slow. I debated for most of the afternoon if I was actually going to go, but in the end I went. I'll be honest, after I checked in and got my tshirt, I almost snuck out of there. No lie. These are pretty much THE situations I dread being a slow runner.  

Luckily, there was a fabulous woman who was willing to slow down for me. We ran about 3.5 miles from the store to the Westside highway, up to 23rd and then back. Thank you, Baby Jesus, for creating crosstown red lights; that helped us sort of keep up with the group. 

Holy cow, guys, I did it! I survived to tell the tale after all that anxiety! I'm super proud of myself. On top of that, I didn't bring my gymboss and ran as much as I could- which means one walk break not counting all the red lights. What What?! And that my friends, is why I run. 

Did you do anything special for the holiday? 
Why do you run? What's one thing about running that scares you? 

Summer Training: Hydration Vest?

Summer training is coming faster than I'd hoped here and if last year taught me anything, it's I need to have access to lots and lots of water and shade. Luckily, I've gotten the water fountain locations down in Central Park and even on the part of the West and East highway paths, but it's all the places in the middle that can get tricky! Sadly, I can't drive around and leave water along my route and I will only buy bottled water in desperate situations. What's a girl to do?!

So, this has lead me to think I want to venture out and get a hydration pack (and the fact that The Clymb has some of the Nathan brand on sale last week), but I have no idea where to start! I don't want to spend too much money on one because I know I won't be using it that often, but I want something with storage so I can get rid of my race belt and my handheld water bottle. I've been doing some research but I think it's going to have to be a personal preference and ultimately need to see in person. 

Jaime helped me narrow it down to one with storage but with zippers like the Camelbak's MULE.

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Isn't is cute?! I'm pretty sure, just like anything having to do with long distance running, it doesn't matter what it looks like but how well it does it's job. Plus we found out, this is the youth sized and nothing about me is youth sized, but the adult sized looks a little big for running.

Help! Recommendations? Thoughts?

Kindrunner.com has launched!

Disclaimer: I am an ambassador for kindrunner.com and will be doing ongoing campaigns with the site. This will include reviews of products and giveaways provided by kindrunner. I will be providing my 100% honest opinion, per usual. 

Following up from my previous post, Kind Runner has officially launched!

Since the launch and spending a good amount of time poking around the site, I've learned some cool new things about Kind Runners that I'd love to share with you:

Confident Runner Pricing- this option is available to you at check out. If you know the running shoe you're buying is exactly what you want, you can waive the free return shipping in exchange for a below retail price of the shoe.

More details on the Kindness Cash Rewards Program:  

They're working with Soles 4 Souls and The More Fountain Group to get your old running shoes to people in need. For every new pair of shoes you buy, you will be shipped a return label with your purchase, to send your old shoes to kindrunner. This will get you $10 in credit to any of your future purchases on anything that the site sells and your credits never expire. 

The Expert Product Reviews- I love that you can get more information on the shoe from actual people, even better they know what they're talking about!

The return policy is pretty sweet! As long as they're in the original packaging and condition, you have a year, no questions asked! How nice is that?

My favorite feature so far is the approved alternatives. I've been having such a hard time switching my shoes because it just gets too overwhelming to think about the possibilities. Thank you, Kind Runner, for making this easier. 

Remember, the free 3 way shipping is in effect! Free shipping for your old shoes, your new shoes and returns (if needed)

Be one of the first 500 customers and get free socks for life!

Have you checked the site out? What's your favorite feature?

Dumbo Training week 5

MON: Rest

TUES: The Memorial Day virtual 5k (3.1M on a treadmill somewhere in NYC)

WED: Rest

THURS: 2 Zumba classes because after the first one, I decided I hated running.

FRI: Rest

SAT: Rest

SUN: Isreal 4M

This week, I declared I hated running. Even though I bought new shoes (which totally helped! No more pain! YaY!), I clearly still need a new attitude. Tuesday's 5k was actually awesome, I got really close to my PR and my legs felt great. But once Thursday rolled around, I just couldn't bring myself to get on the treadmill. Maybe it's time to stop being lazy and actually start going to the park for weekday training. I really need to get my mojo back because this does not bode well for the next 3 months. 

How'd your week go?