Spin for the Cure

The past few months, I've been organizing the first Spin for the Cure at the gym where I work, Landmark Recreation Center. This past Saturday, October 5th was the big night... and it was AMAZING!!  I was so moved by the women, the atmosphere, the stories.  It was a celebration of life - the ones we live and the ones we've lost.

Gosh darn it... I got all teary on the bike (which by the way, makes it really hard to instruct). I'm typically not one to get emotional, but there I was all choked up, unable to talk. Thankfully, I only led the first 30 minutes of the ride. I was somewhat relieved to hand over the conclusion to my fellow Spin Rockstar (and breast cancer survivor) Amy.

The Spin for the Cure event was set up similar to a race. Participants paid to reserve a bike, which was donated directly to the Komen for the Cure Peoria Memorial. Riders received an hour long Spinning class, goody bag, water and finisher's cupcakes. After each song, there were prize drawings (I believe we accumulated enough that everyone walked out with a prize!)  Afterward, we gathered in the adjacent Bullpen Bar & Grill for celebratory dinner and drinks, where 15% of the sales were also donated to our local Komen. I don't have final numbers yet, but I'm positive we raised over $600 with this little event.

Here's a video summary at our inaugural Spin for the Cure...

Thank you to all who participated and supported this amazing event.

Keep fighting... We'll definitely be back with a repeat next year!

Race Recap: BTN Big 10K

I caught notice of the BTN Big 10K too late in 2012, so I watched patiently this spring for the date announcement and registration to open. I'm a big football fan - specifically the Big Ten since my team is Wisconsin. I recruited some running friends to make the journey to Chicago with me for the 2nd annual BTN Big 10K (there is also a 5K).  Little did we know that the 3 hour drive would take us nearly 6 hours this trip. Ugh, construction traffic.

By time I got to the packet pickup on Friday, I was too cranky tired to take in the jovial atmosphere. The mascots were all there, putting on a little show when I arrived. Music was blasting and people were dancing. I scored a big hug from Bucky (Wisconsin mascot) and scooted through quickly, anxious to reach my hotel.

The next morning, we were up early (4:45am!), cabbed it down to Adler Planetarium, where the start and finish line were. I was expecting this race to be a sweat-fest; but the Midwest is experiencing an atypical COLD spell for late July. Morning temps were in the 50's, chilly just standing around but great for running!

Early morning on Chicago's lakeshore

I've run enough of these big city events to know that it's chaos. Lots of people, not enough room, long lines... patience required. It's nearly impossible to ever have a fast time or PR. I went into the BTN Big 10K looking for a fun environment, a comfortable paced run, and a good time with my friends. I got all that plus some great swag! The race was $45 and I certainly got my money's worth. Each registrant got a school-specific tech shirt, drawstring bag and chip-time bib. At the finish line, we also received a cool medal, sweat towel, beer and good tailgate food (the chicken sausages on a pretzel bun were delicious!). Plus, each Big Ten university had a tent onsite, where you scored a pair of sunglasses and other school specific swag.

I got school spirit; yes I do!   I got spirit; how about you?

The corrals entrances were a bit difficult to find, but we eventually squeezed into one. There were 7000+ runners in the 10K starting at 7am, and then another 4000 in the 5K which started an hour later. Yeah, a lot of people... so shocking when I say the start was slow. I purposely didn't wear my watch, but know our first mile was the slowest.  I really didn't care and just tried to run a comfortable talking pace.

According to the race chip, my first 5K split was 29:50 (9:36 pace). At mile three, there was a water slip 'n slide, which we bypassed due to the cool weather. This would have been an awesome treat on a normal 90 degree July day. Based on our finish time, we obviously picked up the pace on the way back. At the halfway turn, we entered the lakeshore path and had nice views all the way back to the finish line...

Honestly, my only disappointment with this race was the spectators at the finish. I've run many races in the past few years and this was the oddest thing ever. The finishing stretch was packed with spectators... that were absolutely QUIET. It was so weird. At one point, my running buddy KO yelled out, "Make some noise people!"

Official Chip Time 58:26

Avg pace 9:24

Overall #3597 out of 7269

Women #1386 out of 3937

Big Ten Finishers = Happy Winners!
Five friends representing three different schools

 We hung out for the tailgate after the race - drank our free beer, danced to the music, and indulged on food (forgetting that I only ran a 10k, not a marathon!). We walked the lakeshore path back to our hotel, taking in all the tourist sites of Chicago. It sure is a fun city to visit, but go on record that I would never move here. Too big for this country gal.

Jess on top of Chicago!

My Reverse Duathlon

Self portrait on the bike...
This takes extreme coordination!

Today is a rest day. It was pre-planned since my long run is set for tomorrow. However, I have a hard time sticking to my schedule, specifically abiding to the rules of a "rest day". To force myself into compliance, I wear myself out the day before. I earn my rest day.

Yesterday morning, I did an easy 3 mile run, testing out the final course for the Sole Sisters 5K this Saturday.  It was a perfect summer day - bright sunshine, warm but not-too-hot temps. By afternoon, I was craving a bike ride, but I already had my weekly run with the Sole Sisters on deck. Training for two sports makes for complicated decisions. The crazy idea hit me to ride to the run. I got on mapmyride.com and planned the safest route into downtown. Hubby was cool with it, so off I went.

A duathlon is an event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and then another running leg - in a format bearing resemblance to triathlons.

I flipped it around to make a REVERSE DUATHLON...

9.25 miles on the bike - It was the hottest time of day with heavy traffic at the 5 o'clock hour. I need practice riding my bike in traffic, so it was good for my confidence. I had one huge ass hill to climb, the kind I usually avoid. Again, I need the experience of hill climbing on the bike... I made it up, slow and steady without falling over.

5K (3.1 miles) run - group run with my Sole Sisters. We had a great bunch last night as we tackled the hills of Springdale Cememtery. My legs felt weird to be running and it took me a good mile to find a groove.

8 miles on the bike - By 7pm, the day was winding down. The setting sun brought cooler temps and not-so-bright sun glare (ideal for cycling!). Plus I had less traffic to contend with later in day. Unfortunately, on the way home though, I had to deal with two big hills this time. Now tired, my quads and glutes kinda screamed, but I crawled up them without stopping. Yes!

Photos from an awesome Sole Sister... Thank you Laura!

I dropped into bed exhausted last night (nearly 7 miles running and 17 on the bike). Thankfully, I got to sleep in this morning for a change!  Unfortunately, I awoke to the crying of my Big Girl. She lost another tooth yesterday... and the Tooth Fairy didn't come!  Oh-Sh*t, mommy fail!! The price we pay for hard training.

Jingle Bell HELL recap

The infamous Michael Sonnemaker statue was
our start/finish line for each hilly loop.

Last night I gathered up all the red, green and white that my running wardrobe had to offer in preparation for the Jingle Bell Hell.  I wish a trip to Berkley, California was in my cards to run the JBH with XLMIC herself.  Instead, I created a local fun run and invited my Sole Sisters to join in.

The objective of the Jingle Bell Hell run was to put together a challenging course of hills and run a 1/3 marathon (8.75 miles). I designed a winding course of 4.45 miles through Springdale Cemetery and Glen Oak Park.  I wanted to give the option of 1 or 2 loops, depending on individual abilities.

So this morning, we all bundled up and met at 8:00am to complete our hellish run.  It was a chilly 24 degrees at the start, but the sun was shining so brightly!  It was a beautiful morning and by time we were done, it was up to 40 degrees already.

Now I've been giving my foot a lot of rest this week - no running, all biking and boxing.  So I wasn't sure what to expect of my Jingle Bell Hell run.  The roads through Springdale aren't the best (broken cement, rocks, uneven), so I watched my footfall and concentrated on my steps.  The foot feels sore, but no pain, so I'm happy with that.

Eighteen ladies showed up to run Peoria's first Jingle Bell Hell.  We broke up into a couple different groups based on pace and tried not to get lost on my winding course.  I was so impressed on how everyone trudged up those hills.  Even with hill interval training on the bike the last two weeks, I could feel every muscle in my legs working to get up those hills.

Two loops of up and down, up and down = 1/3 Marathon baby!

There's a reason there is only one letter difference 

between the words HILL and HELL!

On the second loop, I started to feel the hills a bit more.  As my legs started to scream, I focused on a halfway point up the hill ... and crawl towards that until I slowed to a walk.  Even with a couple walk breaks on the big hills, my group maintained a pretty good pace of 10:31 average.  I was pleased with that for my first run back and ahem... the hills!

My Jingle Bell Hell stats

8.93 miles in 1:33:50

"Don't look up!"

Once we were done, I promised the gals hot chocolate waiting at the finish.  We laughed (mandatory for XLMIC!), we hugged, we snapped pictures, we told stories and discussed holiday plans over yummy hot cocoa.  Despite the hellish run, it was AWESOME to spend a Sunday morning with my Sistas.  I think we'll make the Jingle Bell Hell an annual tradition in Peoria.  Thanks for the great idea and hosting the virtual event XLMIC.

 We all look funny squinting into the sun!

 Happy to be done with Hills!

 Yeah, she's a crazy Bears fan, but I still love my Steph!

Hot chocolate for all - perfect warmup after a chilly run!

3 Things Thursday

1.  I'm so excited about a new running group in my town for women... Sole Sisters!  My friend Marianne is spear-heading the group, and asked me to be one of the group leaders.  Last night was our kickoff party at Running Central... The first hour was sport bra and shoe fittings, then after an quick speech and introduction, we ran our first mile together.  OVER 70 WOMEN showed up for the inaugural run! Many said it was the first mile they ran since high school.  I'm so proud of every one of them.  It takes courage to make those first steps... and I hope the comfort of a women's only group will allow beginners to find the love and empowerment of running as I have.

If you run, you are a runner.  It doesn't matter how fast or how far.
It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years.
There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get in.  You just run.
~John Bingham

2.  Tomorrow we leave for another camping weekend... but this time it's a Family Reunion - luau-style!  The kids are really excited, as am I to see my whole family.  I'm trying to plan out the food situation, so I don't totally tank this weekend.  Long run?  I have 15 miles to squeeze in, and am excited to run somewhere different.  I just love vacation runs.  Thankfully fellow blogger Rachel also lives in the small Wisconsin town where we'll be camping.  What's the chances that she also has 15 on her training schedule and we run the same pace?  Um, yeah... we were destine to run together.

3.  I got my butt out of bed at 4:45 am this morning.  No joke.  No emergency.  No sick kids.  But I did have my friend Angie waiting in the drive...  We got in nearly 7 miles before hubby had to leave for work.  Now showered with coffee flowing through my veins, it feels so good to have my run done for the day.  How many miles are on your agenda today?