New Bedford Half Marathon

Well no pr to proclaim...but a lot of pride in myself...a lot of reminding myself of where I have been and where I have yet to go!!  This St. Paddy's Day instead of hitting the streets in Southie, I hit the streets in New Bedford for my 4th running of New Bedford Half Marathon.  I wasn't sure how the weather would be (yes I watched the weather reports but you know this is New England and a lot of the course is along the water which equals cold wind) so I set out my clothes and hoped I would be warm enough!

Under Armour capris

Reebok Skirt

Under Armour shirt

Old Navy vest

Target socks

Active Band headband (ending up wearing my Bondi Band Ponytail hat)

Saucony Virrata shoes

The day started off pretty normal and continued that way since this race didn't start until 11am!  You know how I feel about late starts...no good!  I would rather get up and get it done like I am with my long runs.  Waiting around really just made me more and more nervous.  I have run many half marathons (this was my 20th!!!) and I have run this particular race now 4 times but for whatever reason I ALWAYS get over-the-top nervous for this one.  Maybe it's the hills (I'll get into that later) or maybe it is just that the race means more the more you put into it!  Either way I was up with the ladies and spent the morning with them trying to keep my mind off the race ahead!  Before I knew it it was time to suit up and head out the door to meet up with Jill in New Bedford.

We also ran this for Jill's St Patrick's Day Virtual

After getting our numbers and finding a warm spot to stand we waited around a bit before the start.  Quickly it was time to head to the start and go!  There were about 3000 runners and the starting line quickly filled with people trying to stay warm!  Before I knew it we were counting down to the start and off we went!

Now while I normally would take off like a dart at the start, this race was all about covering the distance and not stopping...ever!  The first 3 miles went smoothly but I still had the thought of those first 3...yes 3 all at once...hills.  I remember turning to Jill and saying "Here we go!"  I pushed...and pushed up those hills.  I fought back the thoughts of stopping and I made it to the top of the last hill knowing the course was evening off. 

I have to say miles 4-10 really went so quickly!  I'm so thankful to have had Jill there with me!  She was with me on my first race back after having Emma and she was LITERALLY pulling me faster over the finish line for this race back!  There is just something I miss so much about running with my BRF...like the miles and time can just fly by in a blink while we catch up on life and laugh with each other!  Our favorite sign was by far the one that said, "Smile if you peed a little on that last hill"!  With this being my first big race back after having a baby 5 months ago I LOVED this! 

Miles 10-13 were tough...mentally and physically mostly mile 12.  We ran along the water for miles 10-11 and the wind was blowing right in our face...like the make my eyes water wind.  I just kept my head down, turned on my music in one ear, and jammed out to the Harlem Shake until I saw it...my arch nemesis...the big, giant, stupid hill at mile 12 (one day you will be mine hill!!!).  I put my head down and just plowed on smiling at Jill from time to time to let her know I was still trucking!  I knew reaching the top meant a quick downhill to the finish (yes that hill IS that long).  We hit the downhill and I let my legs go...rounding the corner I knew I had done it!  I did it...I blew past my limits and smiled the whole way!!  Jill grabbed my hand and pulled me even faster over the finish line!!

2:14:34

Not my fastest time here (1:52:12) but not my slowest here (2:34:05).  I met two of my goals....I didn't stop and I was under 2:30.  Next race I'm shattering that time....totally shattering it!!!  I'm getting it back and I'm hungry for speed!  Thank you so much for your support here and on Facebook and Instagram! It means so much!!!

#FindYourStrong in Zero Drop Love-Saucony Virrata Review

I have never been one to hide my love of Saucony sneakers....I mean really look at my blog header!  However, I have always tended...ok never strayed from the same model of shoe.  This past summer I made a daring jump to the Saucony Kinvara and was pleasantly surprised at how comfy a more minimalist shoe could be.  Fast forward to this week and the arrival of this at my front door.

A brand spankin new pair of Saucony Virratas!  Out of the box my first reaction was that these sneakers were clearly made for me!

Hot pink and black...welcome to just about my entire running wardrobe!  They come in a few other colors too if you aren't digging the neon dream I so clearly love!

Holding these bad boys you can help but be surprised at how incredibly light they are...just 6oz(women's) and 6.5oz(men's)...and flexible!

I mean really when was the last time you folded your running shoe in half?  Yeah why would you!  The shoes came at the perfect time since I had just put dinner in the oven and was heading downstairs in an attempt to sneak in some miles.  Immediatly they jumped out of the box and onto my feet!  Initial thoughts were...Oh Saucony you never let me down!  These shoes are not only amazingly light but so comfy!  The have the right mix of cushion and minimalism in this zero drop shoe!  I have worn them for all my shorter runs (since I was nervous to get used to them which really has not been an issue) and they feel awesome!  I barely feel like there is anything on my feet and I'm happy to see this sight in the morning...

Here's the skinny on the new Saucony Virrata....

• They are a zero drop shoe.  Yes I needed to look this up since I wasn't certain what that meant! For those of you like me but don't want to admit it, here is the definition... Zero Drop – refers to the thickness of the sole which features a heel that is less than a half inch in height, allowing the forefoot and heel to be the same distance from the ground. This allows for natural running experience in which footfalls are in the mid to forefoot area instead of the unfavorable heel strike.  Yes this shoe helps your feet do their job!!!  I love the description from the website: Stripped down to strong. The Virrata is our lightest and most flexible training shoe and allows your foot to move naturally. We removed everything that isn’t helping your run improve. What remains is a feather-light, ultra flexible shoe with advanced cushioning that promotes a powerful stride and allows your foot to move the way it was meant to.
• While they are light as can be they have just the right cushion to hug your feet and give you protection from the road.  A big difference I noticed from the Kinvara is the cushion!  Love it!
• The internal fabric is made from Hydromax which is a moisture wicking fabric keeping your feet dry.  The mesh is a little chilly but I love that my feet stay nice and dry!
• They ring in at $90 which for me is a great price for a running shoe!  
• Just a note...I would order a half size up.  I normally wear a size 7 but I ordered a half size up after reading reviews and it was a perfect fit!

So yes...I'm sold and more than excited to add these to the rotation of Sauconys in my house! 

Have you ever run in zero drop shoe?  What has been your thoughts?  How do you #FindYourStrong?

Disclamier:  I was provided a pair of Saucony Virrata for the purpose of a review through FitFluential.  I was not compensated for this post.  All opinions expressed here are 100% my own. 

Almost Wordless Wednesday....A Choice

Each morning I look at the line-up and make a choice....

...am I going long or fast?  These two are always waiting whichever choice I make!  Stay tuned for a review of the new Saucony Virratas coming up Friday!!!

TTT...What I'm Loving Today

Now that my long runs are back in full swing and half marathon training is in full effect...oh yeah and in honor of the big Valentine's Day, I thought I would share a few things I am loving these days!

Saucony....OK so this is nothing new.  Actually it has been a 15 year affair but I am loving the bright colors and well just how awesome they make my feet feel!  Seriously there must be someone on their design team that is thinking of me with each shoe...I mean really neon and pink!!  My go to tried and true has been the Ride but this past summer I checked out the Kinvara and LOVED them.  Now I am super psyched to try out the new Virrata!!  They are only 6.5 oz and amazing!  Stay tuned for a review!

 

Podcasts...Now that I have gotten into the habit of running with my iPhone (since I want to be uber safe!), I have really loved listening to the podcasts from my two favorite ladies, Sarah and Dimity from Another Mother Runner!!  

They not only give me lots of great info but they crack. me. up!!!  It is like you are sitting there having a coffee with them...takes my mind off my freezing face and burning lungs! I'm so glad they went to once a week so I have a new one waiting for me each week!!

Nuun....So maybe I'm a little late to the Nuun party but I had resisted it before due to a very cranky belly.  I still do not drink it during a run for the same reason but I have found a new use for it that works wonders for me post run!  

In the past, I would finish a run and about an hour later have a horrible headache that would last all day.  This is probably due to my lack of drinking during the run coupled with not properly refueling after.  Lately I have been walking in the door and making myself a big bottle of Nuun....problem solved!  I keep the headache away plus get a little jolt of energy!

What are you loving on this Valentine's Day???