St. Jude Memphis Marathon

I got all of my ducks in a row the night before.  (I say ducks because we’re staying at the Peabody…I quack myself up!)

Saucony Kinvara 5’s, Fleet Feet Racing Kit, Swiftwick Zero Socks, Oiselle Strappy Bra, and Garmin 620

Amphipod Handheld, Picky Bar, Gu, and Cocogo

Woke up at 5:30 for coffee and banana bread.  I’m superstitious about this pre-race breakfast.

Met up with my Run 4 Others friends at 7:30!  It’s so fun to do a destination race and still have so many friends.

Temps were in the low 50’s with a cold 15mph wind!

The race started at 8am.

After running the Flying Monkey Marathon two weeks ago, I wanted to go out easy.  I started with the 3:55 pace group.  I stuck with them for around 6 miles and realized I wanted to pick up the pace.  I really tried to run this race by feel.  I stayed talkative and gave lots of high-fives!

Here are my splits:

9:10, 8:46, 8:46, 8:27, 8:20, 8:50, 8:44, 8:43, 8:45, 8:35, 8:40, 8:39, 8:33, 8:23, 8:25, 8:26, 8:15, 8:08, 8:12, 8:16, 8:04, 7:58, 7:51, 7:52, 7:37, 7:34

You get to run through the St. Jude campus at miles 5 and 24.  I teared up both times feeling such gratitude for my health.

Finish Time: 3:41:42

I got really cold immediately after the race…probably from the strong wind.  I took a hot shower and ate pretzels in bed.

I loved getting to wear some of my race swag afterwards:)

I always crave chips and dip after a race (must be a salt thing) so I inhaled this spinach dip…

over a glass of wine!

Nutrition:

Gu 15 minutes before the race and then at miles 8, 15, and 21.

Cocogo in my handheld and sports drink at the water stops on the course.

Muscle Milk immediately after the race for recovery.  It’s not my usual, but it got the job done.

**I walked every water stop…still haven’t mastered the pinch the cup running technique.

Can you drink and run at the water stops?

What’s your favorite recovery/protein food and drink?

Do you have a reward food after you race?

#choosejoy

The Franklin Classic

We started the day with a 4am alarm to bake for the post-race brunch. My husband requested his favorite breakfast casserole.  I also took the brown sugar bundt cake that I posted yesterday.  I’ll post the recipes shortly:)

I had a Picky Bar and coffee before we left the house.

The new Cookie Doughpness is SO good!

Time to race: The Franklin Classic! We met up with so many awesome friends. Our entire community runs this race.
I ran in my favorite Saucony Kinvara 5’s. The yellow makes me so happy:)

 

Lots of love for Fleet Feet Racing!

This was my first time running both the 10k (7:00 start) and the 5k (8:30 start).

***Preface: I don’t run short, fast races very well.  My stubbornness lends itself to endurance!

I didn’t taper for these races and I’m in the middle of training for the Chicago Marathon.

 

My husband had a great 10K race!

The course is hot and hilly.  Every year I question why I run it.  It’s mostly because I want to run with my friends (peer pressure at it’s finest), but also because it supports Mercy Community Healthcare. I beat last years time by 27 seconds. Not a huge difference, but this year I had so much more breath control. I felt more relaxed. Progress.

10k splits: 7:49, 7:50, 8:04 (hills), 7:47, 7:36, 7:28
Finish time.  10th in AG.  48:14

I probably should have found a seat in the shade, but instead I stood around socializing in the sun.  I felt a little stiff for the 5k, but I just reminded myself that it was temporary. Also, the hills weren’t as bad on the 5k course.

5k Splits: 7:31, 7:34, 7:37
Finish time.  5th in AG 23:45

This was only my 2nd 5k.  My first was in July and I ran a 21:xx.  My friend Corrie said that I was on the 50k to 5k plan!

Conclusion:  Short-distance runner are badasses. Today’s races just made me want to puke.  Can you tell it was hot?!!!

Just finished the second race…wiped out!

I drank Cocogo Lemon-Lime in my handheld for both races.  I definitely needed it today!

Use code: JENCHOOSESJOY (all caps) for 10% off your order!

We stayed to cheer on our friends for their awards and then the best part of the race…brunch afterwards hosted by our friends Alex and lauren!!!! Thank you SO much for hosting a bunch of stinky runners!!!  Everything was incredible!

Just look at this spread!

My friends are seriously good cooks.  I made sure to try it all!

The obligatory post-brunch pic…

We took our full bellies home for a much needed shower and rest.

After a full day, I didn’t really feel like cooking so we headed out for celebratory pizza at Mellow Mushroom. I love their build your own salad menu!

Romaine with cucumber, shredded mozzarella, and portobello mushrooms

And of course their pizza!

Tell me about your Labor Day!
What’s your favorite race distance? Do you stick to that distance or run others?

#choosejoy

Drop Week…BOOM!

Because of a big Labor Day race, my Chicago Training Group didn’t have a formal training run on our schedule.  This week also happened to fall on a drop week, and my long run called for 16 miles.

I ran 4 very dark solo miles.

I love that my Cocogo packets fit in my handheld sleeve!  Lemon Lime kept me hydrated today.  Cocogo is offering free shipping through Labor Day.  AND…you can use my discount code: JENCHOOSESJOY for 10% off your order!

I met these ladies for 8 miles.

The sunrise was spectacular!

We had awesome zucchini muffins baked by Lauren…I love friends that bring baked goods to a run!!!  I brought these little bags of granola for everyone.  Apparently, food is our love language.  (I’ll post the granola recipe this weekend.)

Then, I headed out to run 4 more miles.  I got super lucky and ran into the Run 4 Others training group. They were kind enough to let me jump in with them and I ended up with 17 miles.  I’ve said it a million times, but I feel so blessed to have this incredible run community!
I loved that today’s run was so relaxed. No set pace. No preset routes. Just great company. I don’t want every run to be loosey goosey but this was a nice reprieve. Also, when did 17 miles become my relaxed drop week?!!  Progress is beautiful!

After an ice bath and shower, I propped my feet up on my porch swing in my LF Oiselle sweats.  They are so comfy!!

 

After some rest, I went to Fleet Feet to pickup my packet for the Franklin Classic.  I signed up for the 10k and 5k.  With a broken toe, I won’t be speedy, but I still plan to run it for fun.

Of course I needed to buy this cute Nike pullover. It’s impossible for me to go to Fleet Feet without buying something.  Who’s ready for crisp fall running?!!

We went to Costco and I couldn’t resist this black bean “pasta”.  I have no idea what I’ll do with it,but curiousity got the best of me.  Side note: do NOT go on a Saturday afternoon. It was a zoo.

When I got home, I had to ice my foot.  It was a little cranky from my long run:(  Just another reminder that I won’t be racing on Monday.

We had a Mexican dinner with the tastiest blackberry margarita!

And a slice of birthday cake from Whole Foods…just because.

And then…Lauren Fleshman favorited my tweet!  I am definitely a big nerd.

I hope you’re having a super long weekend!

Have you tried Black Bean “pasta”?  Let me know if you have ideas for it!

Are you a COSTCO or Sam’s Club shopper?  Those stores are always crazy and stress me out.

#choosejoy

Cumberland Plateau Stage Race

The Cumberland Plateau Stage Race (aka Summer camp for runners) was a three-day stage trail race in Jamestown, TN .  It took place on the East Fork Stables property, and the event was hosted by Hardwin Adventures.  I cannot say enough kind words about the organizers, John Hardin and Cody Goodwin.  They are the nicest guys, put in a lot of hard work, and made this a great event!

Day 1- 13 miles

Day 2- 22 miles

Day 3- 15 miles

You could run all three days as a solo runner, or register as a team of three where each member runs one day.  I chose to join a team with some of my favorite people and we called ourselves “Naughty By Nature!”  We’re all training for fall races and used our stage of the race as a training run (not a race).

Friday, Day 1

I met my team and the other runners for registration at the start line around 3:00.  It was a HOT afternoon and I knew it would be a tough 4:00 start.

This is just a small portion of the group of runners that drove from Nashville.

Each race day was started with “The Runner’s Oath” and it was one of my favorite parts of this event. (Click on the pic to play)

Just look at how beautiful this property is!

We cheered on the runners as they finished the first stage.  My teammate, Corrie, ran an awesome first leg!  All of the runners said that this was the hardest 13 miles that they’ve ever run.  Cue my fear for my stage on Sunday.

We met up for a pasta dinner at the mess hall.

There were a lot of course recaps, laughter, dance music, and beer drinking.

Saturday, Day 2

We met back up for breakfast at the Pavillion.  There was a nice light rain and even a rainbow over the Mess Hall.

 

The food at the race was country cookin’ at it’s finest.  Definitely the best race food I’ve ever had.  Check out the mountain of biscuits and table of fruit!

We all took the Oath and my teammate Roy was off for his 22 mile leg of the race.

 

 

I actually joined Roy for the first 5 miles until we reached an aid station.  I turned around and ran back while he continued on to run a strong second leg.

The top picture was a before.  The bottom picture was an after.  You can’t even tell that he just ran an uber difficult 22 miler!

Yet again, the runners were saying that this was one of the toughest races they’ve ever run.  A few of the three day runners said that they were finished and wouldn’t be running the third stage.  Again, terror set in for my upcoming run.

Just like summer camp, the race organizers had a list of activities for us to choose from during our down time:

Yoga

Movies

Repelling

Wine Tasting

Massages

After the race, we met up for a sushi lesson from James Suh.  Sushi…at a trail race?  It was incredible!  He had all of the ingredients prepped, gave us a demo, and we were rolling away…sushi shenanigans!!

We got a little carried away and made a lot more rolls than we could actually eat.

Because we’re runners with crazy appetites, we headed over to the mess hall for dinner!  I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Hardwin for accommodating the vegetarians!!!

 

Sunday, Day 3

I had an 8am start time.  The group met for breakfast beforehand and then walked over to the start line for the Oath.

We realized that we share a mutual love for the Nike Terra Kiger.  (I am loving my new Kiger 2’s and ran in them this weekend.)

I was blessed with clouds for my entire run!  It was humid and muggy, but much better than the previous two days.  We ran on this gravel road for 2.5 miles and then hit the top of the plateau.  I was amazed by the amount of sand.  It had rained overnight and it felt like we were running in a mud/quicksand combo.  My legs were burning early…definitely not used to sand running.  We then had a steep and slippery rock decline into the valley.  After 3 miles, we headed back up the bluff line for 1.25 miles.  The 11% incline was no joke and my buns were burning!  I was running with one of my favorite people in the whole world, Christi Beth (amazing person, runner, and she owns Fleet Feet Nashville) for my entire run and I was so thankful for her company.  We met my husband and friends at the third aid station and he decided to run with us to the finish line.  If you can’t tell, we were so excited to see our friends at this aid station!

 

With only 2.5 miles to go…we got lost…doh!  Our “detour” tacked on another 2 miles, but we stayed in good spirits, got back on course, and finished the race!

“Naughty By Nature” ended up getting third place!  I’m a hot mess after running…just ignore that!

 

This pretty much sums up the following video clip…

This is what my teammates do while waiting for runners at the aid station.  These weirdos are definitely my tribe! (Click on the pic to play)

If you can’t tell, I had a blast.  If you want a challenging trail race…come out next year.  An even better reason to run next year…the people.  From the organizers, volunteers, to the runners…this was the nicest group!

Cheers!

Have you ever run a stage race? Did you run solo or with a team?

Did you race this weekend? Tell me all about it!

#choosejoy