If You're Not The Fastest, Why Run If You Can't Win?

A child asked me, "if you're never going to win, why run in a race?"

And I feel like that might be a really good question, but a better question is:

As a runner, when do you feel like you have won?

Here's my answer.

When I finally ran my first mile straight through, I won.

When I surprised myself with a finish time that was better than I expected at my very first 5k race, I won.

When I stopped running for fitness and weight loss, and started striving to stay fit so that I could keep running, I won.

When I started to enjoy watching others accomplish their own goals involving running, no matter how different their goals are from mine, I won.

When I met unique, intelligent, inspiring, uplifting people at races and group runs, I won.

And the best part of this type of winning, is that I can win over and over again. Every time it feels like the first time.

So if you think you're a slow runner, consider looking at all the other ways you've won since you started running.

Run For Dignity. Days for Girls Virtual Race

We are at it again! For the Love of the Run is launching a new virtual race to raise money for Days for Girls International. You can register here: www.racevirtually.com

For those who don't know how a virtual race works, here are the basics:

Register for the race. You can run or walk wherever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want or you can simply go it solo. You will be supporting a great cause and you will get a sweet medal for your running accomplishment! We suggest getting a few friends together, committing to a date and running together. Challenge each other or enjoy the run together, either way make the best of the run. Pick your favorite trail, park, or plan a route and run the distance of your choice (marathon, half marathon, 10k or 5k). Just be safe, have fun and enjoy your run!

After registering we will send you a custom numbered bib via email for you to print out and wear on the day you run your race. Obviously wearing the bib is not mandatory, but it's a fun way to take part in the run. Also, if you take a photo wearing your bib we will add it to our photo gallery. Actually, bib or no bib, if you want your race day pic in the gallery we will gladly add it.

When you have completed your race submit your results using the "submit your race results" link at racevirtually.com.

Don't forget that ALL registered participants will receive our custom medal and will be entered in our random prize drawings.

Instead Softcup Reviews | Soft Cup Testimonials |

The Instead Softcup Challenge was such a great opportunity for so many. We hope you enjoyed the challenge and we thank you for all of your Instead Softcup reviews. 

Again, a big thank you to all who participated in the Instead Softcup Challenge and a big thank you to Instead Softcup.

A Journey To Health and Half Marathon

Do you remember your first race? Your first half marathon? Your first full marathon? Even if you haven't run your first half marathon or full marathon YET, if you are a runner, you are probably a sucker for an inspirational story about.... running.  We have been thrilled to watch a transformation right before our eyes over the past year. 

On Building A Better Body

 Haven't you had enough? Go.  Get yourself back.

I wrote this for This Is A Woman.

On Building A Better Body

For as long as I can remember, the media has been selling a perspective to me.

The perspective the media sells says I'm flawed.  I need to look better.  I need to be thinner.  I need to hide my imperfections.  I need to pretend they don't exist.  I need to pretend I'm something else:  maybe taller, lighter, brighter, wealthier, more educated, more interesting.  I have to look they way they say I should look.  I have to wear what they are selling.  If I can't wear it, I have to try and change myself so that I can.

And if I buy what they are selling, I can't do all of this.  It's impossible.  So there have been times in my life when I have been trapped.
Have you ever been trapped by what they are selling?

How many shoulds do you have? 

I can't go to the beach because I don't look they way I should in my bathing suit. 
I don't want to go out because I should look better than I do right now. 
I will not graciously accept your compliment because I know what I should look like, and I don't believe you.
I can't enjoy the day until I have my makeup on, my hair just right, my clothes covering anything that isn't as small as it should be.
I won't be photographed because I don't like how I look, I believe I should look better than I do.

Don't mistake me.  I am not a helpless victim to what the media sells.  I chose to buy it.  There is no gun pointed at my head.  There is no one forcing me to believe what I see/read/hear.

Dear Boston Marathon Supporters (a letter to you from the mother within me)

If the Boston Marathon means anything to you at all, I am writing this for you. Even if you only watched the race from your smart phone, computer, tablet, or television, please read this note. Even if you will never qualify for Boston, or don't even know what I mean when I say "qualify" this is for you. If you were there, whether miles away or right at the finish line, this is especially for you.

Dear Boston Marathon Supporters,

You did not deserve this. In an instant you were robbed of your joy. Without warning, you became victim and witness to something no one should experience. I hope you are now in a place where there is some comfort and some solace.

You don't have to be strong right now. You don't have to decide that you are going to show the attacker(s) you aren't afraid by running a race every other weekend as proof that they didn't scare you. There's no shame in crying and obsessing and making a list of everyone you know who might have been out there and checking on them to see if they're ok. You are allowed to be relieved and happy for awhile, in spite of this tragedy, upon discovering that your friends and loved ones are safe. You are allowed to feel angry, betrayed, ripped off, and hurt- even while others are less fortunate than you right now. All of these things still hold true even if you don't personally know anyone who was in Boston on this horrific day. I am so sorry this ruined your spirit and excitement. I am so sorry this happened to you.

It's ok if you are wishing you could do something to help, but you aren't sure what you can do. It's ok if you are doing nothing to help right now. If you need time to process this, take it. You don't have to be a tough guy or a hero right this second.

Tell someone how this is making you feel. Talk to someone/e-mail someone/text someone, or tweet or facebook rant. Whatever you need to do. Get it out in the open. You do not have to mourn or suffer alone.

Set down and take the time you need for sadness, fear and anger, but do not let any of these own you. Set down and acknowledge the presence of these emotions and allow them into your world for awhile, but make a promise. In the name of those who were lost, all who were injured, all who were eyewitnesses, and all who ran their hearts out and were brought to a screeching halt, promise that you will rise and run and continue to believe in this sport. Promise that you will someday soon stand at a finish line and cheer for friends and complete strangers in the wholehearted way that only runners understand.

It's ok if you're down right now, just make sure you never ever count yourself out of the sport you love the most because of one horrifying act.

I love standing at the finish line waiting for you just as much as I love crossing the finish line myself. So no matter which side of the line you and I are on, I hope to see you very soon.

With love and hope,
Tina

Seven Things I Learned The Hard Way As A Runner

I started thinking of all the random things that I learned AFTER running a handful of marathons.  In November 2011, I wrote a list of what your mother never told you about running marathons, I had only run two of them.  Now that I have planned my sixth marathon, I have more to add.  Opting not to follow these suggestions won't kill you. But why make unnecessary trouble for yourself?

1. Wear sunblock for every long run, even on a cloudy day.

My NJ Marathon "tan."
Hey, at least I'm not Snooki-orange.

Our First Spring Celebration Virtual Marathon Finisher

Congratulations to our first Spring Celebration Virtual Marathon finisher Sutah Robins! While most of us are still planning our virtual race date, she signed up and ran 26.2 miles the next morning! What an inspiration! Thank you for supporting Jersey Rising!

*****

Check out our race:
The 2013 Spring Celebration Virtual Marathon (26.2, 13.1, 10K, 5K)

Our First Virtual Race! Registration Is Open!

Spring is finally here and registration for our first virtual race is officially open! Visit www.racevirtually.com for all the details. Get some friends together, sign up and celebrate the season with us!

We are mulling over the details of the custom medal we are having made just for this race and as soon as everything is finalized, we will show you the bling! Medals are guaranteed to the first 200 particpants.  Let me stop babbling on this blog.  Click on this link (or either of the other ones up there) and read all about the race, the organization it will support and the awesomeness!

Say Whaaaaat? Where Have We Been? (And our first VIRTUAL RACE!)

Jersey Shore, battered and broken, but still standing!

Did I really just let an entire month go by without a new entry?

That is just crazy.  I know you have all managed to continue to prosper and carry on without me, but really...   Totally inexcusable.  I hope I am still on your list of favorites.

Are you wondering if we are running? Well, we are.  Here's some photo evidence:

Hot Chocolate Race. I am only pretending to grab her butt.

What I Love About Being Sick

This year, the flu epidemic is supposedly at it's highest since, I don't know- 2001 or something. My entire family has been knocked down by this illness. My little one first, then all at once, the rest of us. Ho. Ly. Crap.

I have spent the last few days doing a lot of nothing. There have been moments where I was so done with feeling horrible that I practically talked my body out of feeling weak and achy. Hurriedly attempting to reclaim my health, my hopes were smashed to tiny bits when I realized that I was completely drained of energy from walking down the stairs and preparing a cup of coffee.  

I have had dreadful nights of very little sleep and (even worse) wasted days of sleeping and resting all day long.  I can't get comfortable. Too hot. Too cold. Too achy.  Too congested. Wahhh wahhh waaaaaahhhh...

CASTING CALL! Models Needed!

(This could be you!)

WHO: You! Or anyone you know who wants to be in the Woodstock Triathlon Festival ad.

WHAT: Take a photo (or have someone take it for you) of yourself in the position shown (from the back) in triathlon gear. You do not need to hold your bike.  Just have your hands positioned as though you are holding a bike.

WHEN: BY MIDNIGHT (PST) January 20th

WHERE: Anywhere with a light colored blank background.  

WHY: Why not? Split Second Racing would love to see you in this ad. (...and mostly because SSR needs a couple of good men and women for this ad campaign.)

BODYGLIDE Giveaway... And the winners are: ALL of you!

Yes, that is right.  If you commented on the previous post (before today, don't be all sneaky and trying to pull a fast one on us by commenting now) find my e-mail in the "about" tab and give me your mailing info.  Everyone will get at least one of the three types of Bodyglide that we are super excited to give away.

Yahoo!  Hop to it!

Gliding out with a... BANG? Bodyglide Giveaway!

Here's my favorite description of runner's chafing.  It comes from Greg at Just Don't Stop Running.  He wrote a blog post about a 20 miles on a treadmill (yeah, I know, who does that?!) and here is his take on chafing:

I have met the monster called Chafing, and it is a bitch.  Holy crap !!!  During any run I've always been really lucky in that once I get into my rhythm my pain threshhold goes way up.  Sometimes this is bad, as I don't realize I'm getting a killer blister until it's huge or formed and broken. Most of the time, it helps keep little nagging nuisance issues from slowing me down.   The only thing I was aware of during the run was muscle fatigue, and how soaked my socks and shorts were.  No pain, no discomfort, nothing.  I got off the treadmill after a cool down walk and became aware of some irritation on my upper thigh.  No biggie..it wasn't even red, it just stung a little.  I chatted a little, went home and got in the shower for a nice relaxing rinse off of the run.  I've never actually been on fire before, but that's the best way to describe the sensation when I stepped got in the shower.  The water stung my chest, stomach, thighs, nipples, and manly parts in such a way that I wasn't sure if I could complete the shower.  It was BRUTAL !!!  Today everything seems to be ok except between my thighs, and the nipples are still a little tender.   I don't know how to address this issue except to use a little body glide, and switch around some of the clothes I wear...but man oh man.  So...my final words of wisdom for today are:  BEWARE THE CHAFE !!

I hope this doesn't happen to you.  If you are running regularly and in all temperatures, Bodyglide ought to be  totally non-negotiable.  If you don't have it, go get it now, unless you want to be like Greg.

And I would like to add that Bodyglide is not just for athletes.  This stuff is great when you're wearing uncomfortable blister-maker hot and sexy shoes.  It's helpful in "chub rub" situations.  It does not stain your clothes and it's not greasy at all.

Oh, what's that?  You don't know where to get it?  Or you have the regular Bodyglide, but you've always wanted to try the Bodyglide Anti-pain WarmFX or the Bodyglide Skinglide?

Lucky you, because there's a chance that you can win it right here!  We have three different kinds:

My husband's current favorite.

This is better for sharing than the other BodyGlide products.
Think about it.  

And all you have to do is tell me what you can't run without.  Anything: a ritual, a song, a specific sports drink or fuel, a friend, prayer, situation, you get the point.  What ONE thing MAKES or BREAKS your run?  Ok, ok, you can list more than one thing.  Winners will be chosen at random, but we occasionally give a tad bit of preference to creative/interesting responses.  Oh, and you must be a blog follower.  Either here on blogger or on our facebook page.  Oh and one more thing, go and like the Bodyglide Facebook page and tell them that we sent you and say something like running is awesome, or how without them you'd be a bloody mess, or how you don't want to be like Greg.  Winner is announced in a week!

My Last Race and YOUR Last Chance to Race (anywhere) For Free!

I haven't tallied up my races this year and I don't keep track of my miles.  My husband ran just close to 600 miles this year (not bad for a noob) so I will assume that my total is roughly... double or triple?  I have no idea.

This is my third consecutive year of running the Polar Bear 5 mile in Asbury Park NJ.  In the past 3 years it has only been a true 5 mile race once.

Polar Bear 5 mile turned 5k in 2010.  Guess why?

Polar Bear 2011- 5 miles followed by quick dip in the
Ocean on New Year's Eve!

This year, because Hurricane (understatement of the century) Sandy wiped out most of the boardwalks, the Polar Bear 5 mile was once again turned into a 5k because of repairs and construction.  (or something)  I have to admit, my kid and I were relieved that the distance was shortened.  I had just run 8 miles the day before and 12 miles two days before that.  I knew I wasn't racing this race.  I was just in it for the fun and tradition it has become for us.  Oh, and I thought my kid was going to jump in the ocean like last year:

Last year it was 55 degrees and tolerable. 

With 30 mph wind gusts while sand relentlessly pelted you in the face, oh and the windchill factor bringing the temps into the 20's, let's just say we, without reluctance, decided to skip the plunge this year.  At one point in this race, I stopped to see if the wind would support me if I leaned against it.  It did!  This was not your everyday 5k.  The boy and I finished in just over 30 minutes!  (We are usually faster than this.)

4 loop 5k on the ROAD thanks to
Hurricane Sandy.

2012 has been great to me as far as my love for running.  My husband ran his first "real" race in April and since then has finished 4 half marathons and about 16 races total.  I have a new marathon personal best, and will run my first 50k next weekend.  The fact that my fifteen year old son was even willing to run 5 miles with me in the freezing cold and wind is a gift that I will not take for granted. And speaking of running and races and goodness, one of my main sponsors, Instead Softcup, is giving bloggers one last chance to run a race for free!

As you know, we launched the Instead Softcup Challenge in April of this year.

It was supposed to end on Dec 31st 2012. But if you register TODAY (now!) you can still write a review and have them pay your next race registration, as long as you write your review by June 1st 2013.  If you already signed up but have not written your review yet, you now have til June 1st to write it and get reimbursed for a race of your choice!  If you don't know what Instead Softcup is, take a minute to read a few of many awesome reviews that were submitted by our Instead Softcup Challenge Participants:


Woman in A Wheelbarrow
Running Naked On Sharp Pointy Stuff
Jersey Girl Adventures
Always A Good Time To Lose
Mama Needs To Run
Running For Grace and Hope
Road Runner Girl


Don't miss out!  Sign up by filling out this contact form.  Be sure to include your blog URL and your address.  Free samples will be mailed for you to review!  You MUST sign up before New Years Day!  Do it now! You have nothing to lose!

Handana WINNERRRRR! Race Day Ready #6

Woohoo!  I am sitting in bed wondering what the heck happened to me today.

The good news:  I ran fifteen miles at a pretty decent pace.  I haven't run longer than 13.1 in over a month.

Fast or slow?  It's all depends on your perspective!

The you-can't-be-serious news:  I am planning on running my first ultra on January 5th.  It's *only* 50k, but it counts as an ultra.  We can look at this in many ways.  It's just about 5 miles more than a marathon.  Only about 5 miles on top of 26.2.  Piece of cake! (that's sarcasm)  It's 18.3% of a marathon added to a marathon.  Yikes.  And it is also about 1/5th of a marathon to run on top of a marathon.  The NJ Trail Series Watchung Winter Races is holding their 5th annual Winter Ultra.  Shhh... Let's not talk about the fact that it is 5 loops.  K?  As long as it's not actively raining or snowing that day, I plan to run this race.  (Sorry, but I'm a big wuss when it comes to cold weather.  And when something cold and wet is falling from the sky, my wussified-ness increases exponentially.)  During training, I plan to learn to deal with the cold air.  I just can't commit to my first 50k in rain or snow.

The bad news:  A shooting stopmedeadinmytracks pain came clear out of no where pretty early in this 15 mile run.  It was in my lower back.  I had to stop because it was that bad.  My imagination proposed the idea of someone having a voodoo doll of me that they just jabbed a pin through.  I had NO IDEA what to do.  I'm not a back problem person.  I just stopped and stood there for a minute then decided to check my range of motion.  I decided that I'd rather finish the run no matter how slow, then give up since the pain seemed to dissipate.  It was never totally gone, but it didn't feel like a dagger in the back after that.  Has this ever happened to you?

Anyway....

So I had the random number generator thingy choose my winner.

DebsDailyLife is our Handana winner!!!!!!!

Deb, please find my e-mail address in the "about" tab on this site and send me your mailing address!

We have another giveaway coming soon, of course.  After all, it's the season of giving!

Anyone have any crazy goals for the 2013 race season?  In addition to the ultra, think I'm shooting for 2 or 3 marathons next year.  I'd like to have 10 done before I the end of 2014.  These darn cute kids (I mean my man-sized teenagers and my sweet 11 year old boy) make it hard to train and travel for races on a whim!  But honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way...

Race Day Ready Giveaway #6- Handana!

November has been a strange month.  It feels almost non-existent.  It has flown by with impressive speed.  That is particularly odd to me because time usually goes quickly only when you are dearly trying to preserve it.  This month has been a mad rush of trying to get back to regular routines.

Here on the NJ Shore we are balancing getting back to reality, helping one another, and providing comfort and consistency to a place that was shaken by a hurricane.  Just when you trick your mind into believing things are getting back to normal, all it takes is a little walk down the street, a facebook post calling for volunteers or donations, or a news article showing unimaginable damage that is so beyond repair that it looks as though the only solution is a giant bulldozer.  It's going to be all right.  We have to believe that, and we do.

As far as running goes, for us, this should be dubbed a good month:

1.I have a new half marathon PR

Rounding the bases at the Trenton Half Marathon finish line.
Look at my hands.  Weird...

"Wow, and you're here?" Inaugural Trenton Half Marathon Race Review

The first sentence in the title is the response (perhaps not verbatim) that I got from 3 different people at Trenton Half Marathon after I responded to the question "Where are you from?"

And don't think that there was no hesitation on my part.  The day after Superstorm Sandy flipped our neighborhoods upside down, I wondered how in the hell I would muster up the ability to give a ____ about running a half marathon.  I had just run my best marathon one day before we were evacuated, and could not be bothered to bask in the glory of my accomplishment.  Managing to (reluctantly) squeeze in ONE training run for Trenton, I realized that if I were going to show up at all, I needed to figure out a way muster up the drive, adrenaline, and energy to give 100% to this race.  I also knew that my world would not come crashing to an end if my 100% on this race day did not yield the same results as a "normal" (before Sandy) race day.

Enough with the emotionally driven keystrokes. (For now.)  Let's talk about this inaugural half marathon.

The idea of being part of a first time event is always exciting to me.  We headed to packet pickup, which was hosted at the New Jersey State Museum, on Friday afternoon.  It went smoothly and seamlessly.  Race swag was sweet!  The drawstring bag and half zip (WOMEN'S) pullover impressed me and made me wonder how much more impressive the race itself would be.

Inside the NJ State Museum

I got a glimpse of the medal at the Trenton Half Marathon merchandise table and HAD TO snap a picture.

Nice, right?

This medal is one of the classiest, highest quality and possibly the prettiest (hey it's my blog so I can use whatever descriptive I like) medal in my half marathon collection thus far.

The Trenton medal kicks my other favorite half marathon
medals' butts.  

We carb loaded with friends afterward and headed home so I could pull my race day wear together and get some sleep.  Trenton is not even a one hour drive for us and I was so glad to sleep in my own bed the night before a race!

Even though we were pressed by a volunteer at the Expo to arrive by 6:30am, we decided we didn't need to do that.  Being absurdly early only to wait in the freezing cold at the start just did not seem necessary.  We decided that arriving 45 minutes early would be more than sufficient.  We ended up waiting in an endless line of cars waiting to turn onto the street where parking was designated.  By the time 40 minutes went by, we were almost close to the parking lot.  I was confident that even though we would not make it the 7:45 start that this was fine as it was evident that the endless line of cars behind us wouldn't make that start either.

As someone who works for a race and timing company, I have a lot of grace for race day hiccups.  And in an inaugural race, you kind of have to expect them.  And you have to keep things in perspective- a late start doesn't end the world.  That life and death do not depend on instant results.  That volunteers may be clueless.  Something that was supposed to be "here" might end up "all the way over there" instead.  It's just a race.

Race Day Ready #5 winner!!! (all kinds of awesome stuff!)

Sorry to make you all wait so long.

Everything is progressing forward here.  Beaches and boards and marinas and businesses and homes are getting cleaned up.  There are mountains of "remains" (wood, roofing, personal items, furniture, and who knows what else) as high as my roof in some areas.  We did not lose power during the second storm (Athena) but my sons' father did.  We hope he'll have electricity before the weekend is over.

To make this short and sweet, our winner is:

Jogging Jawa

The image is appropriate for those of us trying to find our center while dealing with the destruction that surrounds us from this damn hurricane.

And we will also award a coupla things to:

Natalie Torres
Guardian
Frickin' Fabulous at 40.

Words are and visualizations are all the more needed now that I run without the distraction of music. Thank you for fueling me with encouragement! Ladies, find my e-mail address by clicking on the "about" tab up there in the menu bar. Send me your address!

Race reports and the next giveaways are coming soon!

Finally Back On The Grid (New Jersey Shore post Hurricane Sandy)

So I ran the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 28th with a PR of 4:30:22.  I didn't sleep a wink the night before.  I wish I was exaggerating.  And yes, it was difficult and I will write a race report, but that is not what this entry is about.

I rushed home to prepare for Hurricane Sandy. This was being dubbed the most destructive storm the NJ Shore has seen since early 1900-something. Our original plan was to stay in the Washington DC area until Monday afternoon. We watched the weather closely and just shy of two hours post race, we checked out of our hotel room and headed homeward. While I was confident that the rain would hold off until I crossed the finish line, I was anxious over the mere thought of being stranded in DC while my children were in NJ during the worst storm in (our) history.