Failed Fit: Running in the Rain

By Cool J in Minneapolis

Just as Sven Sundgaard predicted, our long run this morning was plagued by lots of rain. Though the rain did finally let up after 12 miles (out of 17 total), we were all quite soaked by the end.

So how does one survive a rainy run? I have a few tidbits of advice. Please share any others that you have!

1. First, invest in a nice waterproof or water resistant running jacket. I have the Brooks LSD Lite III. This jacket was built to withstand the elements, as long as those elements are between 40 and 65 degrees. 

Today's temperature was in the mid-40's, 

so I layered the LSD Lite jacket over a tank top and a long sleeve dri-fit Nike shirt.

Just as advertised (above) the jacket does a good job of deflecting the rain.

2. Second, wear a brimmed hat. It helps keep the rain out of your eyes.

...and/or a hood? that works too.

3.  As for your electronics, put them in a plastic bag, or consider not bringing them at all. My garmin is pretty water resistant (I think even waterproof?), but if it's really coming down, I'll be sure to wear it under a long sleeve. I usually leave the iPod at home on the really wet days.

4. Lube up! When you're wet, there's a lot more chafing, so bust out the Body Glide. 

5. Bring dry clothes to change into post-run! You'll get the chills quickly, so it helps to have your Uggs and comfy sweatpants ready to throw on post-run.

6. And be sure to stuff your wet shoes with newspaper to help them dry out faster.

And for those of you who may have thought that my husband and I had matching outfits on today....

Duster's jacket for today's run

Yes, his rainy running jacket is also blue, but rather than Brooks brand, it's the Salomon Fast Wing Hoodie, which offers "very light wind protection that packs small but retains a soft, comfortable feel and full features. Hooded, single pocket, vents at pits and thumb loops make this hoody great for running at altitude where temperatures and wind can change quickly." He bought it last year at the TC Running Company. He said it kept him pretty dry, though it definitely trapped in the heat, and he got a little warm with temperatures in the 40s.

7. And my final bit of advice? Just embrace it! Jump in the puddles, have fun, and when you're done with your run, you can feel proud of how tough you are!

Fits Do Fitness Class Reviews: My New Obsession!

By Cool J

Happy Good Friday! Do you have the day off of work today? Unfortunately, I do not, but lucky Dusters does (I’m hoping he does a little cleaning and laundry, if-ya-know-where-I’m-coming from…)

So, if you have been reading the Right Fits at all over the past few months, you’ll know that I go through some frequent (yet passionate!) phases with different fitness class obsessions. There was my obsession with Corepower Yoga Sculpt, Corepower boot camp, Pure Barre, a dabble in Orange Theory, and kettlebells (which I still do regularly!) Now, I have decided that my newest obsession is Balanced Barre!

I went to Balanced Barre for the first time back in December when my sister Erin was visiting (read that review HERE).

 

She and I both really enjoyed the class. At the time, she said that she loved how the class incorporated all the core and booty exercises that she was doing for her IT band injury at the time. Well, flash forward 4 months, and here I am struggling with IT band pain. Both Dr. Jenna Boren at Uptown Natural Care Center and my physical therapist, Toni Dauwalter at Accelerated Sports have told me that the primary cause for the pain is a weak core and butt (and the fact that my left leg is shorter than my right? Weird!)

Well, it seems to me that barre classes are the best way to strengthen those two areas! In fact, just like Erin’s experience, a lot of the exercises that my PT has me doing are things that we do in barre (or yoga) class…

 

See? Side planks, planks, bridge…all yoga and barre moves!

Additionally, I was very consistent with barre classes during my training last summer, and didn’t encounter any IT band issues. I think that’s enough evidence for me to start incorporating this type of workout back into my regime.

Here’s how my week has worked out (get it? Worked out?)

Sunday- Run

Monday- Morning run and evening barre at Balanced Barre

Tuesday- Hill workout/run

Wednesday- Hot yoga at Corepower

Thursday- Morning run

Friday- Morning barre class at Balanced Barre

Saturday- 17 mile long run on tap tomorrow! (hopefully not in the rain)

What I love about Balanced Barre is that you don’t get crazy sweaty, but you definitely feel the burn. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a sweaty hot yoga class; I love the sweat pouring from everywhere; I love the detoxification of it all; I love the feeling of being completely drained afterwards.. But I also like having a workout option where you can really focus on strengthening your bum and core for a solid hour, working those muscles until they are shaking like a Polaroid picture! But then afterwards, you can still go out in public without looking like a wet rat!

Balanced Barre has locations in both Wayzata or St. Louis Park. The St. Louis Park studio is really convenient for me, and there’s plenty of parking behind the building. So far, the classes have never been too crazy busy, and they are always a little different. I love the upbeat music and the tough moves. And it doesn’t hurt that the instructors are all extremely toned- it’s inspiring!

The one downside? The cost. I have been purchasing packages of 4 to 8 each time, and they’re not cheap. Add this to my monthly YMCA membership, my Calhoun Beach Running Club membership, a package at a yoga studio or two, kettlebells, and it’s a hefty sum that I am putting towards fitness. 

Pricing:1 Class $20
4 Classes $74
8 Classes $140
12 Classes $198
24 Classes $360
New Client Special 1-Month Unlimited $99
1-Month Unlimited $179
6-Month Unlimited $159 per month (contract required for 6 months)

Despite the cost though, I think barre is a good option for runners. It's low-impact, and it definitely helps strengthen the areas that can cause us issues when they are a bit weak. So I plan to budget accordingly, so I can keep up this recent obsession!

Fresh New Fit: Kona Kase Follow-up

By Cool J in Minneapolis

Two weeks ago, I posted about a Fresh, New Fit- Kona Kases!  My friend Meggan highlighted this new monthly club to me, and I signed up for a three month subscription to check it out. I was excited to find that my first box arrived a few days ago. I thought it wasn't supposed to arrive until mid-April, so extra points for early arrival!

The orange box was a bit smaller than a shoebox.

 It included a variety of snacks and goodies: Cliffshots, chocolate squares, a Clif bar, caramel cups, chocolate almond butter, and more.

Yesterday, I  tried this bite sized "Perfect Foods Bar" mini.

It was almond butter flavored. I thought it was good, and a bit tastier than a Powerbar. However, the D-man didn't like it; he thought it was too dry. I tried this bar before 9 miles of hill repeats with the Calhoun Beach Running Club. It didn't upset my stomach at all, but it was pretty small and not very filling (especially since I spared a bite for the D-man!)

Today, I tried the BRUBAR, made with barley malt.

I didn't mind this bar either, but I'm sure Dusters would have hated it! He is much pickier than I am with snacks, I guess. I don't really mind the taste of energy bars in general. I ate a lot of Powerbars in college, for whatever reason (maybe they were cheap?) 

So the BRUBAR was also a little dry, but it seemed easily digestible. I ate half of it before a hot yoga session this evening, and it filled me up until it was dinner time.

Next up? Maybe this organic, nut free, gluten free caramel cup.

I'm also excited to try the chocolate almond butter. Perhaps I will try it tomorrow for breakfast on a piece of toast. 

The Kona Kase included a lot more chocolate than I would have expected. I suppose true athletes love their chocolate (just like Jenna Boren in this interview) but I'm not a huge chocolate person; I prefer a salty snack. Even so, I found my first Kona Kase to be an interesting mix. However, I'm not sure it was worth my $15/month. I'm sure the retail value of all the items added up to more than $15, and I did enjoy the variety of items. It's nice to have a little shoebox full of snacks to try before a workout, and I definitely appreciate the convenience.  But I'm not 100% sold on this yet...

*Has anyone else tried the Kona Kase? What do you think?

Featured Fit: An Interview with an Elite Runner: Jenna Boren

By Cool J in Minneapolis

If you're like me, you LOVE the interviews in Runner's World with elite runners. I find it fascinating to hear about how these amazing athletes first got into running, what they eat, how they work out, and more. It's nice to hear that they struggle with injury, motivation, etc, just like us middle-of-the-pack-runners!

I love these types of interviews, and I hope you do too, because I am very excited to post the Right Fits first Interview with an Elite! 

The Right Fits proudly presents....Jenna Boren!

Jenna recently ran the Olympic marathon trials in 2012. She also ran in them in 2008! So impressive!

Here is a quick bio, before we move onto the Q & A!

Marathon PR: 2:40

Half- marathon PR:  1:16

Born and Raised: Just south of Green Bay in Menasha, WI.  The Right Fits say, YAY for Wisconsinites!

Occupation:  Competitive runner and doctor at Uptown Natural Care Center

Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and Education from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Doctor of chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN. Certified in Active Release Technique (A.R.T.) and chiropractic care

1. When did you get into running? Have you been running your whole life? What motivated you to start? 

I started running in college.  Fortunately, I went to a Division 3 school with an excellent cross country program.  I started in track as a terrible sprinter but they were afraid I would die if I ran anything longer than 400 meters.  I was horrible.  But, I was lucky because the coach (Chris Daymont) allowed everyone to run cross country as long as they were committed.  So, I went home that summer and built up my base and joined cross country.  From that point on...I was hooked.

  

2. What was your first marathon? 

Twin Cities Marathon

3. What is your favorite marathon?

Grandma's Marathon (Duluth, Minnesota)

4. Tell us about the Olympic trials- what was the coolest part? 

I ran in 2008 and in 2012, and they were each very different.  I was injured going into 2008 and but was just happy to be part of the trials.  In 2012, I didn't run as well as I had hoped but the actual event was amazing.  Being in Houston, it was much easier for friends to come and be part of the experience (compared to Boston) so we had a huge crowd from Minnesota.  Also, it was awesome sharing it with the men (which was a first for the Trials).  Having friends and family down there made it extra special!  I also trained with a good friend of mine, Nicole Cueno.  I really enjoyed the process of training for it because Nicole, Chris (my husband) and I had some great long runs!  Those are the things that make it memorable!

5. So your husband is a runner too- do you train together? Do you ever get competitive with him? Who’s faster?? 

Ha ha!  We run together quite a bit.  He is faster but has a crazy schedule as he is in residency. He didn't start running regularly until 2007 and it is still pretty new to him. I actually don't feel competitive with him at all but he did pass me in a race running with another woman.  ;)   It is really fun for me to watch him get faster.  I don't want to pass him in a race because I would worry that something is wrong. 

6. Did you change your diet early on to help you become an elite marathoner?

I did some crazy things with my diet when I was first running (before marathon days) which were probably more detrimental than healthy. Limiting foods, restricting calories, etc.  It wasn't a major problem but something I think we all deal with at times.  And, being a taller/heavier runner, I had to learn to accept that I would never be as small as my running friends.   I have since learned that to be healthy long term and fun in social environment, it is good to just enjoy eating and not worry so much.   I did go through a phase when I struggled to recover after workouts.  I have found that a higher protein/higher fat (nuts, seeds, seafood, olive oil, chocolate of course, tabouli) diet seems to help with recovery.  I don't follow anything specific now.  I try to just make healthy decisions and try to keep things in perspective.

  

7. What’s your favorite way to recover after a race? What is your favorite post marathon indulgence?

Definitely after a marathon, I usually have a beer with friends. I don't go a day without eating lots of chocolate so I really don't limit myself before a race. So, I guess I indulge all the time! 

8. How many miles a week are you running at your peak in marathon training?

110-120 miles per week

source

9. What’s your best advice for preventing injury? 

Beyond the obvious (good shoes, good stability and core strength), I think recovery between workouts is key.  Slowing down on easy days and knowing when to back off.  I learned in college that hard workouts at 100% all the time is not ideal. Being able to race at 100% requires managing training intensity and recovery.  So part of recovery is knowing when something is sore or your "usual" areas of soreness and when something is different or on it's way to injury.  I have, what I call, "vulnerable" areas in my body in which I know flare up from time to time.  I keep these areas in check with soft tissue work (ART and massage).  I can train through these flareups usually but take the time work them out.  I have also pushed through things that weren't my typical areas and then ended up injured.  Listening to your gut is key and, when in doubt, have it checked out.  It is a fine balance of stressing your body to improve and overstressing. 

 10. How do you cross-train? What other exercises/ strength training do you do to supplement your running? 

I cross train on the elliptical.  It is really helpful when my legs are feeling tight.   I swam once a week last summer for 20-30 minutes and really enjoyed it.  I am not efficient at all so it felt like a harder workout to me. 

 11. How do you survive training during the cold Minnesota winters? 

I love running easy in the winter, even on the coldest days.  The harder part is doing workouts.  I use the dome for harder workouts and do some of my long runs on the treadmill. The dome has been great because it is so social.  The darkness of winter can be tough!  However,  I think the winter is a great time to build base with easy mileage.

12.   What’s your least favorite type of running workout? What’s your favorite? 

Ironically, my least favorite is probably the workout that gives me the most fulfillment.  The long LT paced workouts can be really tough mentally but feel the best when finished.  So, 3 x 3 miles at LT pace within  a 15 mile run is a tough one for me.  Chris Lundstrom (my coach) had be do 3 x 5 miles with marathon and LT pace in all 3 sets which was hard to rally for.  But, I felt like I could conquer the world afterwards.  I think we were built to challenge ourselves....to get out of our comfort zones.  So, even though they are tough, it gives me confidence and a sense of accomplishment!

For another interview with Jenna, check out this article:
http://runnersfeed.com/for-jenna-boren-sometimes-sleeping-and-eating-well-take-a-back-seat/

Thanks again Jenna for your time!

source

Failed Fit: The People Who Tell You Running is Bad For You.

By Cool J in Minneapolis

(Forewarning- Cool J does not keep her cool in this post. I apologize in advance if I offend anyone!)

The other day I was explaining to an acquaintance that I was doing some physical therapy for my IT band, which is an overuse injury from running. I was venting a little bit to her about the frustrations of a running injury, to which I received a blank stare.

Then, this person bluntly stated, "You really shouldn't run. It's so bad for you. You're going to ruin your knees."

What? Bad for me? Worse than the pack a day that you smoke? What about that extra 20 pounds you're carrying- think that might be hard on your knees?

Okay. Those thoughts were a little harsh (what can I say? My inner self is not always the nicest). So even as my blood boiled, I used every ounce of my willpower to be polite, and I resisted expressing my mean thoughts out loud.

Yet even though I didn't react at the time, I couldn’t stop thinking about that comment.  It wasn't just this one person; so many other people in my life seem to suddenly become experts in healthcare overnight. They unabashedly share their point of view on running, informing me that running is terrible for me. They ever so kindly tell me that by the time I’m 60, I’ll be crippled from all the running.

So what is behind these types of comments? Why do people say these things to runners? Here are my thoughts:

1. Maybe it’s coming from a good place.

This is the hardest one to believe sometimes, but it could be true. Perhaps these remarks are not actually meant to be hurtful. It’s possible that these people actually have good intentions. They might be saying this out of genuine concern for my well-being. They probably really do know a person who experienced a serious injury from running, and they want to warn me against the same. I am not here to say running is risk-free, it's not. I have had my fair share of injuries.  I often deal with an assortment of aches and pains.  In the end though, exercise is not bad for you and running is exercise. The majority of the runners I know are some of the healthiest people I know. Sure, running in extreme heat or extreme cold might be dangerous, but running in itself is not dangerous.

And let’s think about this…does this commenter have other acquaintances who are obese? Does she tell them how bad it is for them when they grab the extra large fries?  Or does she know anyone died from preventable heart disease due to a sedentary lifestyle? Does she have any friends plagued by diabetes due to an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise? Those are real issues that I think should be a bigger concern than convincing me that running is bad.  

“But what about that story of that guy who died right after the marathon?” Sure, I heard that story too. These deaths are publicized precisely because they’re a rare occurrence.  How many millions of people are finishing marathons every year, and you’re focused on that ONE story about that ONE person who died (who, most of the time, did indeed have a pre-existing condition. It wasn’t the running that killed him.)

So maybe the person is genuinely concerned for me, but her worry could best be redirected towards reducing the record high obesity rates in this country.

2. Jealousy.

I think the second reason for these negative comments stems from a little bit of jealousy. After all, we runners are a passionate group. We have drive. We have goals. We are relentless in our training. We also form amazing friendships and bonds around our passion, through our running clubs, our running blogs, and other parts of the running community. We take amazing trips to fun places, where we get to see 26.2 miles of the best a city has to offer. We experience the thrill of the finish line again and again. We gain self confidence and pride in our accomplishments and improvements.  Who wouldn’t be jealous? The bitter outsider can only rain on our parade.

And maybe, just maybe, they’re a little jealous because we fit into those skinny jeans. Maybe they are a tidbit annoyed that we’re not the ones counting calories.

You go ahead with your diet of Greek yogurt and raw veggies; I'm going to grab a slice of that birthday cake because I already burned 1200 calories this morning on my tempo run while you were still in bed.  Burned.

3. Lack of understanding.

The third reason for these comments could possibly be considered an extension of #1, but I’ll call it the lack of understanding. It's not necessarily up to you to educate your acquaintances of the joys of running, but you might be able to open their eyes just a tiny bit so they could at least respect this part of your life.  If it’s coworkers that are bringing you down, could you organize a weekly walk during the lunch hour? Could that walk turn into a run/walk? My family hosts a Thanksgiving 5k for all the different runners, non-runners, and naysayers, and I think it has helped the whole family learn to understand those of us with the crazy passion for running…at least a little bit.

Family Turkey Trot 2012

4. Laziness

This is a little harsh, but truthfully sometimes those Negative Nancies are just lazy. I mean, running looks like hard work because it is hard work! And hard work scares people. People don’t like admitting they’re scared of hard work so they come up with other reasons. “I’d love to run but it’s so bad for the knees” is an easy cop out. If you can’t run because you already have knee issues, that’s different.  But it’s easier for people to come up with an excuse than admit they’re just lazy.  Your knees, like everything else in your body, are going to get stronger from running and exercise.  Spending the whole weekend with your snuggie and a pint of ice cream? Probably not going to help your knees.

I suggest you direct these Debby Downers to this article from NPR about how running actually is NOT bad for your knees:

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134861448/put-those-shoes-on-running-wont-kill-your-knees

The next time I get a comment like that, I think I know my response.

“Thanks for your concern, but I think I'll continue to get my healthcare advice from a doctor.”

 I’ll look to doctors like Dr. Jenna Boren who has run multiple 2:40 marathons, and has been running very hard for many years with no injuries. I’ll read advice books by Jeff Galloway, who is in his 70's and is still running strong, with a marathon nearly every weekend.  All these amazing stories of healthy people running well into their elder years…tell me again that story about the couch potato who lived a longer and a healthier life by not running?

Dusters and me with Jeff Galloway at Big Sur 2009

And if you’re still feeling stressed out by the people and their comments, I have one suggestion for you.

Go for a run.  You’ll feel a lot better afterwards.

Marathon to Marathon, 2012

Fitting Debate: Coordinating Race Tees

{Or on your blog ;-) }

By LL in KC
Yes, another Fitting Debate, but I hoped that all you experienced runners might have some valuable input on this issue. Jess and I are joining my dad on his first half marathon this spring. It is an amazing feat that we are very excited to share with him. To honor his inaugural distance race, we talked about getting coordinating race tees. You know the ones - where the full team will run in matching bright shirts so that the spectators know who they are. Or, comic phrases to commemorate a particular race. Sometimes I laugh; sometimes I cringe out of cheesiness; sometimes I get emotional for the story behind the shirt.

Thinking about the shirts and whether we should subject our dad to the obvious statement of the fact that this is his first race and that he is running with two of his daughters - should we do it?

Here are a few ideas I stumbled across:

{Simple and straightforward} 

{Swapping out "mom" for "dad"}

{Taken from a Father's Day race}

What are your thoughts? What do you think of people who wear matching shirts for races? Annoying, cute, obvious attention seeking? Any unique ideas?

Fitting Debate: What Constitutes as a Rest Day?

By Cool J in Minneapolis

My sister Erin is training for a spring marathon (Green Bay!). She did THIS GUEST POST last year about the challenges of training for a marathon with two young kids. Additionally, (just like me), she struggles with IT Band Syndrome. Therefore, along with the time she has to allocate for running, she needs to find time to do enough cross-training, core strengthening, and PT exercises to keep the IT band from acting up. She needs to schedule all of this in, as well as those ever- important REST DAYS!



My sister and me at a holiday party



When planning out her training schedule for her spring race, she asked LL and me, What is a rest day? Is it a rest day if you do yoga?  Is it a rest day if you go for an easy run? What if you cross train a different way, such as biking or swimming? What if you do a bunch of core work? Is that still rest?

 She wasn’t sure how she could fit it all in, or what the expectation was for a “rest day.”



Does snowboarding count as a rest day?



I think the most important thing to remember is that everybody is different. While some runners’ bodies do not require any complete rest days, other runners definitely need 1-2 rest days, or one full rest day and one cross training day. Everyone is different, and you have to listen to your body. I have friends in the Calhoun Beach Running Club that rarely take rest days, and even run on Fridays before the long run. And then I have other friends who are just as successful in reaching their goals, while taking 3-4 rest days, and only running hard on 3-4 days a week.

With that said, generally, rest days can involve some light activity. Yoga, core work, a brisk walk, swimming- these are all okay options for "rest."  It all depends on your level of fitness and what your body is used to.  A more experienced athlete with a high fitness level may be training on six (two training sessions some days) days a week, but most sources agree that everyone should have at least one day of complete rest each week.

How do you know what your body needs?

I can’t really tell you that. My number one sign that I haven’t been recovering enough? IT band pain. It’s a deal breaker. When it acts up, I know I need more cross training, more rest days, and potentially more time at Uptown Natural Care Center for Active Release Technique.

Some other common signs that you may want to watch out for:

Persistent muscle soreness: You need to let your muscles repair after a long run or a tough workout. Pushing through the pain might be a good mantra on race day, but not when training. By skimping on rest, complete recovery will never occur. Your muscles will never have time to rebuild and become stronger.

Elevated resting heart rate: Take your pulse when you get out of bed in the morning to see what’s normal. An elevated resting heart rate is a sign of stress, and that stress may be from running too much or too hard.

You’re sick: If you’re sick, your body will be using energy to recover. It’s wise to take an extra rest day you’re your cold just won’t go away. Ladies, this even applies to that special time of the month, which does indeed require more energy to refuel during this time. Rest is even more important then.

You’re cranky, or unmotivated: Running is supposed to be fun and if it’s making you cranky, you may need a break.

Low energy level: Be honest with yourself and listen to your body. Sometimes we runners block out signs of fatigue, because we are so hell-bent on sticking to the training schedule and getting in those miles. Even Dr. Jenna Boren at Uptown Natural Care Center, who runs a 2:40 marathon, has told me that she doesn’t follow her coach’s schedule perfectly. If she’s feeling tired, she listens to her body and skips a workout.

Poor performance: You had a terrible workout last night. Well everyone has a bad workout, but multiple poor workouts in a row could be a sign that your body needs a rest.

Currently, I am taking one complete rest day and one cross training day. For me right now, I feel like I have to be a little conservative, as I really don’t want my ITBS (IT band syndrome) to prevent me from running Newport…or Berlin, Germany next fall, or whatever is after that! I want to continue running marathons for decades to come, so my personal preference is to err on a slightly conservative side to prevent injury. My husband (who is a ~3:15 marathoner) currently takes one full rest day, and potentially a cross training day as well.

How many rest days do you take? What do you do on your rest days? Let me know!



Yoga- one of my favorite "rest day" options!



Fitting Remarks: "An Elite State of Mind"

By Cool J in Minneapolis

I recommend this article from Runner's World if you're looking for some inspiration.

http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/elite-state-mind?page=single

Great article for runners- a must-read! Even if you don't have time to read the whole article, take away these 4 points:

4 Keys to An Elite Attitude

1 - Don't treat training runs or race times as indications of your self-worth

2 - Value every runner's efforts, success and potential

3 - Don't beat yourself up in training or in evaluating your workouts and racing

4 - Recognize that your running ability is a result of many factors, not just how serious you are or how hard you push

SOURCE: http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/elite-state-mind?page=1

Fit the Bill: J.Crew Knockoffs...

By Cool J in Minneapolis

It's no surprise that LL and I are both fans of J.Crew. We love their clothes and we love their accessories! We both have multiple versions of the bubble necklace (like the yellow one below).

Yellow bubble necklace

The problem is that J.Crew accessories can be a little pricey. I had been admiring the flower bib necklace (check it out here). Its actually on sale right now for $50, which isn't that bad. But I wanted it in multiple colors, and I already have a lot of necklaces. Should I really be spending $50/pop on more necklaces? Probably not.

Lots of necklaces...

So, I'm going to let you in on a little secret...

Go to ebay, and type in "J.Crew Flower Bib Necklace," and guess what? You can find knockoffs for $10/pop. Yep, only $10. So I bought three!

I know J.Crew would not be pleased if they knew I was encouraging you to buy knockoffs, but can you even tell the difference?

Genuine JCrew Flower Bib Necklace

My Knockoff Version:

Don't get me wrong, I'm still giving J.Crew a lot of my business. In fact, I paired that knockoff necklace with a genuine J.Crew Jules Dress in Trompe L'oeil Lace (now sold out) for a dinner and a play last night.

On a side note, I brought my Stella and Dot Gold Metallic & Black Snakeskin Tech Case Wallet. I bought it a few months ago at a party hosted by Erin O'Leary of Denim and Ink.  It even fits your iPhone! I love it.

So that's my fashion secret for you. Ebay. Knockoff J.Crew necklaces. It works for several other styles that you find in your J.Crew catalogue!

But don't tell anyone else, I don't want everyone to know how I scored so many different version of this funky statement necklace. 

Fits Do Race Reviews: Get Lucky 1/2 Marathon

By Cool J in Minneapolis

This morning, I ran the Team Ortho Get Lucky 1/2 marathon. I did a preview of this race HERE. 

Remember the nice sweatshirt I wrote about? 

Nice sweatshirts!

There was also a 7k race at 9 am today, which is quite popular (11,000+ runners) but we had 15-17 miles on the marathon training schedule, so most of the spring marathoners in the Calhoun Beach Running Club ran the "21k" or half-marathon instead. It started at 8 am in St. Paul at the Ford plant.

Dusters, Abby, Kelly, and I arrived around 7 am, and paid $10 to park in the Ford parking lot. (For the price we paid for the race, you'd think parking at a Ford plant would be free!). It was pretty chilly outside (about 20 degrees) and there was a thin layer of snow and ice on the ground- not ideal conditions for a race. We waited in the car until about 7:30, and then did about a 2 mile warmup. The line of cars to get into the parking lot at that point was several miles long. We thought for sure the race would be delayed to allow for everyone to arrive. There were a lot of port-potties available, but the line was super long there as well....

Alas, the race did start on time- well, at 8:05 am. I was anxious about how my IT band would feel, so I didn't have high expectations for this race. I was just going to be happy to run (hopefully) without pain. I didn't want a repeat of last Saturday. The IT band was definitely tight, and it is sore now post-race, but nothing like last Saturday. Thank goodness!

It was a chilly day for a race, and I'm not sure I dressed warm enough. Luckily, Abby lent me her warm Craft hat. Craft makes awesome gear- some of the best winter gear out there, in my opinion. Thanks Abby!

Lindsey, me, Abby

I didn't particularly care for the out-and-back course on Ford Parkway, and there were some really slippery spots. However, I do think that the race was very well-organized (except for the parking situation), and there was plenty of support on the course.

And my time? Well, my mile splits weren't very consistent. I think I need to start a little slower to finish stronger. What do you think? The two slowest miles were the two hilly miles, so that's my excuse ;-)

Mile 1: 8:11
Mile 2: 8:07
Mile 3: 8:18
Mile 4: 8:10
Mile 5: 8:37
Mile 6: 8:24
Mile 7:  8:13
Mile 8: 8:36
Mile 9: 8:13
Mile 10: 8:08
Mile 11: 8:22
Mile 12: 8:27
Mile 13: 8:24
Total time: 1:50 even.

Not a PR, but that's okay. I made it with minimal pain of the IT band. I am grateful to be running. We ended with another 2 miles for a cool-down, for total mileage for the day of about 17 miles. Not too shabby.

I would rate the overall race experience of the Get Lucky as a 6 out of 10. Dusters gave it a 5 out of 10. He said he just doesn't like winter races, and hates the out-and-back course, and also didn't enjoy the rolling hills. Abby and Kelly gave it a 7- they are much more generous, I guess. So that averages out to a 6.25 overall rating for the Get Lucky Half Marathon, based on four people's opinions! Hey, it's usually just MY opinion.

Some definite pros:

They had plenty of post-race goodies. Yes, that is a peppermint pattie, yum!

And in true Team Ortho style, they had a nice finisher's medal.

Thanks for taking the pictures Andrew! 

Happy to be done with our run!

In my race preview, I had mentioned the post-race party (free beer!) but we were so freezing after today's race that we decided to come right home for a hot shower. We'll have a beer tonight to make up for it. We're heading to dinner at Cafe Maude with some friends, and then to the Orpheum for Spamalot! But first, time for some more foam rolling.

I hope you are all enjoying your St. Patrick's Day. 

Did you do a St. Patrick's Day themed run today? Did you wear a costume? Or are you doing one tomorrow? Please share!

I wore the only green top that I had. And my shamrock BIC band again too, though it was covered by the cozy Craft hat.