With all the marathon-and-BQ-buzz running (no pun intended) around the blog-world I thought I’d share some running inspiration.

Disclaimer: While this post might seem a little random at first, I promise that it will all make sense in the end…

I was literally born to run. My mom ran all 9 months of pregnancy – and even went for a (slow) 3-mile run on the day that I was born. I didn’t have a choice.

On my 26th birthday BJ bought me a Kindle, pre-loaded with one book: Born to Run. It’s one of my favorite gifts (and books) to date.

That same year, I bought & gifted 4 copies of Born to Run and gave them to friends and family.  This includes, but is not limited to, my mom. I gave my mom her very own copy of Born to Run for Christmas.

Four days before my marathon (April 27, 2011) my mom attended The Naked Tour, talk and book-signing with:

• Chris McDougall, author of Born to Run
• Eric Orton, bad-ass coach
• Scott Jurek, Ultra-god 

One day before my marathon, my mom gave me her very own copy of Born to Run, signed by Chris, Eric and Scott (for me and BJ), it’s full of running inspiration! It was seriously one of the coolest things ever – and really prepped me for my first marathon and Boston-qualifying dream.

So, if anyone needs some running inspiration here you go – because if this doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will. Many thanks to Scott Jurek, Eric Orton, and Chris McDougall for your words of encouragement – I got my BQ!

It’s never too far or too tough.  DIG DEEP! – Scott Jurek

Run Wild – Chris McDougall

Demand the Impossible.  Go Boston! – Eric Orton

Mom and Scott Jurek (rockin’ Brooks gear!)

After the marathon I took one week off. Here’s what I did:

Celebrated my 1st marathon with champagne

Cheers!

Sat on the couch

Had a margarita

Ate homemade truffles

Had another margarita

More couch time

Ate lots of steak

Even more couch time

Ate mushroom risotto…

sweet potato fries…

and homemade pizza

Then ended the week with one last margarita

A little over a year ago I met the most delicious nutritional, energy snack ever.  His name is Honey Stinger and it was love at first taste.

Let me first start by saying: I have a very sensitive stomach and I’ve never been able to take supplements while working out.  This includes, but is not limited to, Gatorade, Heed, Gu, and Clif bars/shot bloks.  One time I was accidentally handed a cup of Heed at the start of the run (of an Olympic distance triathlon) and threw-up the entire 6.2 miles.  Bottom line, my stomach kind of hates me…

…until I tried Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews. Now, my stomach can’t wait to go on a 23 mile run just to have some.

I’m trying to be funny – but honestly, Honey Stinger is the only thing my stomach can handle during a workout and for that, I’m a lover for life.

Honey Stinger makes honey-based nutritional foods, and since honey is a natural form of energy, this product just makes sense. Studies have shown that honey is just as good, if not better, than {other carbohydrate} gels on the market.

• Consuming honey before exercise leads to improved performance
• Honey is a good sugar that your body quickly absorbs into your blood stream and converts to energy
• Honey can increase power, speed and endurance

My favorite is the Organic Energy Chews in the Fruit Smoothie flavor. They are so delicious and I’m often found sneaking packs during the day (to eat) as an afternoon snack. The Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews are formulated specifically for health-conscious individuals and athletes seeking a great tasting energy snack. Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews are unique as they are the first to include naturally occurring fiber and protein derived from 100% organic tapioca syrup and honey. Smaller and softer than other chews. (personal commentary: easier to chew and swallow during a marathon)

In case you were wondering: yes, I ate Honey Stinger Organic chews during my marathon. And yes, those little chews really got me through the last 6-8 miles. Now, I can’t imagine eating anything else during a workout or race.

Sorry local running store, you need to order some more Fruit Smoothie

Giveaway time!!! Honey Stinger is giving away 2 boxes – 1×12 Organic Energy Chews (endorsed by I RUN LIKE A GIRL) and 1×16 Organic Waffles (inspired and endorsed by Lance Armstrong) to my readers. Okay, okay, I know that I’m not even close to being as cool as Lance Armstrong but still, I can endorse something, right?!

• To enter: Follow “I RUN LIKE A GIRL”, and if you aren’t already a follower – join my wolfpack (The Hangover style)
• Leave a comment: let me know which box you would like to win and why. Also let me know if you have ever used Honey Stinger and why you love it
• Bonus Entry(s): “Like” Honey Stinger on Facebook and/or link this contest on your social platform of choice. Leave a separate comment letting me know you did one, the other or both.

“My Favorite Things” giveaway will be open until noon EST, Friday, May 13th, at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 2 winners via Random.org and announce the winners with a (new) blog post.

Afraid to take your chances on the giveaway and want to buy Honey Stinger now?! Honey Stinger is available online HERE and at many local running/bike/grocery stores HERE

I never leave home without them (or hide them when I am home):

Secret stash at home, don’t tell BJ

In my purse

Office desk drawer

First things first:
I’m officially a marathoner
I qualified for The Boston Marathon

On Sunday, May 1, I ran the Potomac River Run Marathon – my first marathon – in Carderock, MD. It was a small local race, only about 300 runners, that ran along the Potomac River towpath. It was also, gasp, a double out-and-back.

Annie and me, around Mile 10

A little background:
I thought long and hard before registering for a double out-and-back marathon, especially since it was my first. A double out-and-back can be a really good thing (I know what’s coming) and a really bad thing (I know what’s coming). I think it can be mentally draining and challenging, too.

But once I decided to train for the marathon, I was too close to running a March marathon (I wouldn’t have enough time to train), and too busy for an October/fall marathon (weddings, Army 10 miler, etc.). So, May 1, small, local, double out-and-back marathon it was.

Race Day:
I woke up feeling nervous, excited, happy, and scared. 14 weeks of training, early morning runs, and sore muscles was all dependent on this morning. I ate breakfast, took a quick shower, dressed for the race and headed out. I was ready to chase down my woolly mammoth.

I could not have constructed, asked for, prayed about, wished upon more perfect weather for a race. It was a glorious day – overcast, no breeze and a high of 62 degrees. Around 7am I made my way up to the front of the start line – this was an old school race with no timing chip/system – and I couldn’t afford to lose any seconds once the gun went off. 7:15am race start – the gun went off and Annie (my pacer) and I were on our way. 4x10k: no big deal, right?!

Best hubs ever

I felt really good on the 1st out-and back (13.1 miles). We were on pace (8:00/mile) – it didn’t feel too fast or too slow – and I was still smiling. But, as I started my 3rd stretch (miles 13-20), I was not prepared for the mental challenge I was about to face. Miles 16-20 were hard. I mean really hard, both physically and mentally. While I was training I encountered physical pain and mental challenges – but I never experienced both at the same time or on the same run. Miles 16-20 scared me because I questioned myself, my training, and whether or not I was able to capture a BQ. I was thrilled when I saw the 20.5 mile turn-around point. I was also relived when I realized the following:
a) I could run 10 minute miles and still BQ
b) I only had a 10k left – and I knew I could run a 10k

Post-race, All smiles

Physically the last 6 miles were hard – I was tired and my legs were starting to fatigue -but mentally I was in a better place (than the previous 6 miles). I counted down the miles, thought about it in terms of laps around the track, put my head down and ran as hard as I could. With 0.5 miles to go, half of my support crew was waiting and cheering for me – all of this, in addition to the finish line, was a glorious site – I sprinted it in and finished in 3:32:42. My very first marathon complete, and a BQ! I could not be more thrilled or excited – permanent smile for the rest of the week.

• My mom – she is the reason I am a runner, and flew up from Florida just to watch me run my 1st marathon
• BJ – my very supportive hubs and water provider
• Annie – my training partner, marathon runner extraordinaire, friend, and pacer who would not let me give up
• Betsy – a dear friend, who hopped in at mile 13.1 and ran the rest of the race with Annie and me
• Allison – my best friend, one of my biggest fans, water provider
• Erika (and her dog, Tucker) – friend, runner, triathlete, major supporter
• Jared (Allison’s finance) – borrowed BJ’s running shoes to run the last 2.5 miles with us
• Julianne – a good friend and one of my biggest fans
• The K Family, including Julie – my 10-year friend and the best water girl around

Top L-R: BJ, Mom, Allison, Jared, Erika Bottom L-R: Annie, Me, Betsy, Tucker Not Pictured: Julianne, The K Family

Thoughts about the race:
It was really nice to run a small local race, sleep in my bed the night before, and go home after the race. It was laid back. I never had to wait for a port-a-john (this is the 1st race I didn’t have to wait in line for a bathroom). Everyone was nice and runners cheered for runners.

But, there is something to be said about race support and infrastructure, timing chips, and plenty of water stops. The volunteers were awesome, and I totally appreciate their time and support, but there just weren’t enough. Same with water stations, there was one every 2.5 miles but the last 1/2 of the race I needed water more than that.

Mom and me

I’m not sure if I’d recommend this race for a first time marathoner or someone trying to run a PR – but if you have a few marathons under your belt, this is a great race.  Jay Jacob Wind, the race director and long-time runner, is passionate about running and putting on a great race.  Thanks to Jay, the volunteers, and Marathon Charity Cooperation for putting on a great race.

Post-race grub down with mom

BJ – thanks for letting me selfishly train for my marathon and BQ dream

I did it – I qualified for The Boston Marathon! I’m SO excited, and I just can’t hide it (I’m about to lose control and I think I like it)!

Running a marathon is no easy feat (this was my 1st) – but the feeling of accomplishment after crossing the finish line is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced (finishing my 70.3 felt pretty cool, too but as a lifelong runner, there’s just something about running a marathon).

I’m pretty sore today and look forward to taking the day (and week off)! I plan on treating myself to a massage, pedicure, wine, happy hour, friends and fun – all the things I didn’t do while I was training 🙂

Race report to follow but I wanted to let everyone know that I BQ’ed and I really appreciated your blog support and words of encouragement – thank you, thank you, thank you!

Pre-race: nervous and excited!

I love fashion. I really do. So much so, that I was voted “Best Dressed” my senior year of high school and in my sorority (yes, we had fashion contests). I love everything about it – the way a fabulous pair of jeans and sexy high heels can make me feel, and pairing unlikely items together to construct an envious/totally cool outfit. Bottom line, I like feeling cool, trendy, fashionable.

All of that changed about 2 months ago. Right around the time I started training for my marathon…
First it started with a sharp pair around my ankle. I tried to ignore it but it wouldn’t go away. My doctor told me it was from wearing heels (que: the knife to my heart). He suggested that I walk to work in flats – but that I could change into heels once I was in the office. Fair enough. It took some getting used to – I only have 2-3 pairs of “work” pants that I can wear with flats. But then, a few weeks in, I started wearing jeans with flats; at first I only wore jeans on Friday but then it slowly morphed into Thursday/ Friday, and before I knew it, I was wearing jeans whenever I felt like it.  And sometimes, hold your breath, I’ve worn workout clothes to work.  Part of me feels bad, like I should “dress up” a little more for work (I work in a casual environment, unless we have clients in the office, in which case I would totally dress up) but, the marathon-trainer in me says “Eff it, I’m training for a marathon and my whole body hurts, all the time”. The funny thing is, no one in the office understands how I feel. So, I’ve occasionally gotten the “Oh, I didn’t know it was ‘workout clothes’ day – wish I would have gotten the memo”, to which I reply, “Yea, I ran 23 miles this weekend – what about you?”  I’m usually too tired to do my hair or wear lots of make-up, which clearly doesn’t help my cause.

I am, however, biting at the bit to wear wedges and heels again. I have a closet full of fabulous dresses and jeans and tanks waiting to be worn.  And I keep promising BJ that I’ll be pretty again on May 2 (sorry hubs, marathon training has me looking like a hot-mess). 

Countdown is on – only 11 more days and then I’ll be pretty (and fashionable) again.  I can’t wait!