Packing for a Running Racecation

Disclaimer: I was recently sent an Eagle Creek Pack-It Sport Active Set to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. I also received a free entry to the Buffalo Marathon. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I’m off to Buffalo this weekend for Buffalo Marathon race weekend.  This weekend combines 3 of my favorite things: running, traveling and my family.  It also includes one of my least favorite things: packing.  Man, I’m the worst.  Not only do I over pack but I always over pack the wrong stuff.

The good thing about traveling for a race by car, is that you can stuff a ton of extra stuff in the trunk and that’s ok.  Extra shoes, extra jackets, an extra pillow… I have not even started putting together my everyday clothes yet but my giant Orange Mud Gym Bag is packed up and ready with my Eagle Creek Pack-It Sport Active Set and all my running clothes. 

Run Jen Run Tip #1: I like to keep my running gear separate from my everyday clothes because organization means less stress on race day!

If you’re flying to a race destination, things could get a little trickier.  You have to figure out what to pack to still keep your suitcase light—or you may decide that you are not even going to check a bag—and still leave some room to bring back some race merchandise and souvenirs.

Run Jen Run Tip #2: Make sure to carry on all of your race day essentials.  Don’t take any chances!

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In addition to the usual packing of everyday clothes, bathroom stuff, make up and jewelry, here is my Running Racecation Check List…

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

License

Passport (Especially if you are traveling to Buffalo! Niagara Falls, Canada is so close!)

iPod/Headphones

Water

Run Jen Run Tip #3: If you are traveling by plane, bring a reusable water bottle to fill up once you get through security.

RACE DAY ESSENTIALS

Watch

Shoes

Socks (Balegas of course!)

Compression sleeves

Shorts/Capris/Pants

Shirt

Sports Bra

Pre-Race Throwaways

Headband/Hat/Gloves

Body Glide

Deodorant

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Belt/Pouch

Race Nutrition

OTHER

Packet Pick Up Info

Jacket(s)/Rain Gear

Chargers (watch, phone, iPod, etc.)

Race Morning Breakfast/Snacks

Post-Race OOFOS & Dry Clothes

Orange Mud Transition Wrap

Bathing Suit

What am I missing?

[Related Post: Buffalo Marathon: Things To Do & Places To See Race Weekend]

Weekly Roundup 3.6-3.12

 

4 runs this week. Monday was cold. Wednesday was nice. Friday was snowy. Sunday was windy.

I had a progression run on the schedule for Monday and it ended up being a pretty aggressive progression run.  My splits were 7:48, 7:14, 6:57, 6:34.  It felt good but I was definitely pushing the pace breathing hard and because of that I went pretty easy for Wednesday’s 1 mile Fartlek.  I was still working but I wasn’t as aggressive.

Friday we saw more snow so I thought that may help get Georgie back to running—if you haven’t been following along, she’s been pretty stubborn lately.  Snow would make this a fun, adventure run and I thought maybe we could even visit the trails.  It took us quite awhile to get going but once I got her out of the driveway, I was able to get her to a little trot and then just tried to keep her moving.

Saturday was one of the coldest days of the year and I for whatever reason actually agreed to run outside for 14 miles along the Road Race course with Matt.  I only had 8 miles on schedule but we took it easy.  It was about 14 degrees at the start and warmed up to 18 by the finish.  Winds were gusting at 20-30mph.  It was brutal but the sun was shining and I was in good company.  It had been awhile since I saw Matt and we had a lot to talk about.  He’s currently in marathon training mode—he runs the Boston Marathon course with Dave McGillivray after the race and then looking to PR at Vermont City in Burlington, VT.

Other highlights:

·      Next week is my birthday week! I received a surprise package with birthday socks in the mail from Balega. Aren’t they the cutest?!  #ImpiPerks #LoveMyBalegas

Upcoming events:

·      5 weeks until the Newport Rhode Race!

·      11 weeks until the Buffalo Half Marathon!

Monday 3.6.17

4 miles (28:34)

100 TRX squats, 15 TRX single leg squats, 15 TRX lunges

14,029 steps

Tuesday 3.7.17

Taught spin class

7,596 steps

Wednesday 3.8.17

5 miles (37:33) with 1 mile Fartlek

19,388 steps

Thursday 3.9.17

Taught spin class

Power Water

10,785 steps

Friday 3.10.17

2.97 miles with G (29:03)

11,466 steps

Who ran 14 miles?

Saturday 3.11.17

14 miles with Matt (1:58:19)

32,501 steps

Sunday 3.12.17

Taught spin class

Burdenko H2O

12,531 steps

This week’s mileage: 26 miles

This week’s G mileage: 3 miles

March Totals: 41 miles

2017 Totals: 213 miles

Run Jen Run's Friday Five 3.3.17

What’s up everyone?

I’m back for the second installment of #FridayFive where I will be sharing 5 things I’m currently loving…

Balega

So I mentioned a few Weekly Roundups ago that I was selected as a 2017 brand ambassador for Balega.  Balega has always been my go to sock brand but I always ended up buying from the Hidden Comfort line.  Our Impi welcome package was filled with 8 different pairs of socks—and I am falling more and more in love with the brand with each and every pair of socks I try on.  From the pretty colors of the Hidden Contour and Enduro No Show to the warmth of the Blister Resist No Show (shown in pic), each sock has a new purpose for me and I love them all!

New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v2

The Zante v2 is my current favorite running shoe and they carried me 26.2 miles through the streets of Miami.  Mega comfort—they are supportive enough for a long run but so lightweight that they make a great racing shoe.  The v3 just dropped and I can’t wait to try them next.

Rock Tape

Do you get injured a lot like I do?  Have you ever used Rock Tape?  There are many uses for Rock Tape including support and assisting movement along with increasing the blood flow to the area to decrease pain and swelling.  There are also a lot of great YouTube videos on how to apply it if you aren’t lucky enough to be surrounded by Physical Therapists all day like I am.  Give it a try.  It’s seriously a miracle workout.

Fitbit

I’ve had my Fitbit for so long I was starting to get sick of it.  I had plans to retire it after Miami Marathon training but now I am totally obsessed with it.  So what happened?  Two of my coworkers got a Fitbit and I am way too competitive to sit back and let them talk about their stats.  We’ve been counting calories, upping our water intake and challenging each other to the Weekend Warrior and Work Week Hustles.

TRX Suspended Lunges

I love this advanced TRX exercise that is great for runners!  It challenges your balance while strengthening the quads, glutes and hamstrings.

That’s all for this month.  Check back on the first Friday of every month for 5 more of my favorite things!

Weekly Roundup 2.13-2.19

 

I’m back at it!  After 2 weeks off, it feels good easing back into training.  My next goal race will be the Buffalo Half Marathon in May but I am also running a half in Newport on April 15th.  I will treat Newport as a training run with my focus on ringing that PR bell in Buffalo.

I started the week off with 3 miles on the treadmill.  I dug up an old workout from Eric and intended to do it two times through but OH EM GEE I was already sore and starting to feel cramping coming on after only 15 reps of each exercise so I called it a day.  Don’t want to overdo it.  Hey, gotta start somewhere.

I was going to do a complete repeat of Monday’s run and workout on Wednesday but I was still SO SORE.  I got in the 3 mile run, thinking maybe I would TRX a little Thursday morning but NOPE—still sore.  It was horrible.  I finally felt back to normal on Friday but it was a wake up call that I need to be doing more strength training.

Friday I brought Georgie out for another 3 miles.  That was never the plan but she was running so well and wasn’t stopping.  That was not the story on Saturday.  I thought maybe I could get 2 miles out of Georgie then run 5 alone but she was not having it.  She was excited to get out the door but end of the driveway she refused to go either direction.  I got her to just walk for a while then a eventually slow trot but it was literally one of the worst run/walks we’ve ever had.  Every few houses she would stop in the middle of the road and refuse to go any further.  We’d turn around and she’s walk a few houses then sit in the middle of the road again.  She didn’t know where she wanted to go and for an “elapsed time” of 27 minutes, we were only “moving” for 9 on them.  Who knows what was up with her!

After what seemed like forever to get back home, I headed back out for an easy 6 miles.  It was my first real outdoor run since Miami and I’m not going to lie, it was a struggle.  My legs were heavy but I got it done.

Other highlights:

·      I’ve been selected as a 2017 ambassador for Balega.  What’s Balega?  Pretty much the best sock brand ever.  Their products are manufactured in both North Carolina and South Africa and the ambassadors are called Impis—which is a Zulu word meaning “warrior.”  I received the Impi welcome package last week.  It was filled with 8 pairs of Balega socks along with some other fun accessories like the Lesedi bead bracelet, which is made by the children of the Ethembeni School in South Aftica.  Ethembeni means “place of hope” and is a home for 300 severely disabled and disadvantages children.  The Lesedi Project directly supports the children at the Ethembeni School.  Pretty cool.

Upcoming events:

·      8 weeks until the Newport Rhode Race!

·      14 weeks until the Buffalo Half Marathon!

Monday 2.13.17

3 treadmill miles (23:27)

Workout from Eric: 15 kettlebell deadlifts, 15 kettlebell side lunges, 15 kettlebell dipping birds, 15 TRX rows, 15 TRX chest presses, 90” TRX plank

12,484 steps

Happy Valentine's Day from Georgie

Tuesday 2.14.17

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Taught spin class. The playlist: We Found Love Spin Playlist

9,137 steps

Wednesday 2.15.17

3 treadmill miles (23:49)

12,539 steps

Thursday 2.16.17

Taught spin class. The playlist: The Heart of Rock & Roll Spin Playlist

10,839 steps

Friday 2.17.17

2.92 miles with G (26:01)

Mini home workout: 25 TRX squats, 10 TRX single leg squats, 15 TRX chest presses, 15 TRX roll outs, 15 TRX rows, 3x60" planks, 15 tricep dips, 50 crunches

12,865 steps

Saturday 2.18.17

0.95 miles with G (9:53)

6 miles (48:34)

19,463 steps

Sunday 2.19.17

Taught spin class. The playlist: Heartbreaker Spin Playlist

Burdenko H2O

12,471 steps

This week’s mileage: 16 miles

This week’s G mileage: 4 miles

February Totals: 20 miles

2017 Totals: 149 miles