Leaving my comfort zone… one mile at a time.
Leaving my comfort zone ... one mile at a time.
Weekly Vlog - Dani Dishes - from Dani of WeightOffMyShoulders.com Featured Products Of The Week: EnergyBits --- http://www.energybits.com/ Vitalicious Chocolate Raspberry VitaCakes --- http://www.vitalicious.com/store-minivitacakes.html
What is with the compression craze? Why do runners wear compression socks/sleeves? What is the benefit? These are just a few of the compression questions I get on a regular basis.
So when Zensah offered me the chance to review their neon yellow Compression socks, I jumped at the opportunity.
A little about Zensah:
Based on the Italian word "SENZA" meaning to be "without" so too should athletes be "without limits." This mantra inspires us each and every day to create the most cutting edge sports apparel. All of our products are developed using seamless technology, simply meaning they are made without seams.
Zensah was created to help athletes at all levels improve their performance by utilizing innovative sportswear made with cutting edge technology.
I first learned about Zensah and compression socks/sleeves in 2011. I had major back surgery in January 2011 and during recovery researched products that would help with the side effects of the sciatica in my left leg caused by the herniated disc. The Sciatica left my left leg weaker than the right and I wanted to try anything I could that may help.
Since that moment, I started using a pair of Zensah Compression Sleeves during my training runs.
Compression sleeves and socks are designed to enhance blood circulation and oxygen flow before, during or after an athletic performance.
When I got my first pair of Zensah sleeves, I was using just the left sleeve while running to aid my damaged leg.
But as I did more research, I learned they also had benefits during pre-running prep and post-running recovery.
Now I use my Zensah sleeves and socks all the time. ;)
My first pair of sleeves were subtle - a nice black - that could blend in with my running pants.
But no longer - the brighter the better I say!
So I was pysched when Zensah offered up a pair of neon yellow socks.
Can you see me coming?
I took a casual recovery walk the day after the Boston Marathon and I took the Zensah socks along for the trip.
I could feel the aching and soreness in my legs slowly leaving as I wore the socks and kept my legs moving.
A few days after the marathon it was time to once again lace up the sneakers and go for a run. Again, I brought the Zensah socks along for the trip.
I had set out to run just a couple miles to shake the legs out, but wearing the Zensah Compression socks gave me the strength to run farther. My legs felt strong enough to leg out a 4 mile run - double what I had set out to do.
Not a runner or athlete, Zensah Compression socks can still work for you.
Since they are designed up help with blood flow in the legs, I love to wear socks under my pants when on a plane or around the house after a long car ride. They can easily fit under a pair of work pants so there have been times when I have rocked them under some work pants when I know I will be on my feet for an extended period of time during the day.
Or feel free to boldly wear them with whatever outfit you may be wearing. ;)
Hot, right?
The Zensah Compression socks will run you $50, but it is a true investment. They are versatile and improve both athletic performance and general health of your legs.
Plus, who doesn't need a little color in their lives?
So head on over to Zensah and check out the many different colors and patterns they offer for Compression Socks and Sleeves.
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Have you caught on to the Compression craze? When do you tend to wear them the most?
I heart Vitalicious.
I didn't know about the company and it's amazing products until I joined Weight Watchers in 2009. Since one of my fellow members brought them up in a meeting, I've been hooked.
Why you may ask?
Because they are freakin' amazing - that's why.
Duh! :P
And they sometimes offer a deal where you can get a special Vitalicious container to keep my Vitatop from getting smooshed in my bag.
As their website states:
Vitalicious® Inc. is the market leader of innovative "vital and delicious" baked goods that promote a healthy lifestyle, without sacrificing taste. First to market with 100-calorie servings, Vitalicious® is leading the way to a holistic approach to maximize satisfaction with minimum calories, with products that are low fat and high in fiber and nutrients ... Here at Vitalicious® our mission is simple: to make healthy and delicious baked goods that are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
And they live up to their claim.
Vitalicious offers a variety of products in a wide array of flavors ... all ranging from 1-4 Weight Watchers points each.
The company offers a full muffin - vitamuffin - which are available in three flavors: BlueBran, CranBran and Deep Chocolate. Personally, I don't each these all that often, but friends say they are all tasty.
Vitatops is where it's at for me. :)
VitaTop™ 100 calorie muffin tops have all of the healthy benefits of our delicious VitaMuffin™ - now even more convenient to carry and eat on-the-run. The VitaTop™, a "one-hand" satisfying snack food with the portability of an energy or granola bar, is easy to eat anywhere, anytime. At your desk or on the road, these handy muffin tops fit conveniently into a purse, briefcase, work out bag, backpack and lunchbox.
I can't say it better myself. Rarely will you find me without a Vitatop in my pocketbook. I love to snack on them before or after a morning gym trip. If I need to eat breakfast on the run, I will go with a Vitatop since it won't spill all over my car or the subway.
There are over 17 flavors of Vitatops to choose from, but my Top Two are easy: Banana Chocolate Chip (2 PP) and Chocolate Mint (3 PP).
Since there are no artificial additives or preservatives in Vitalicious products, they can be found in the freezer section of your local grocery store. In order to have my Vitatop ready to go for breakfast, I've made it part of my routine to put it out on the counter the night before with my vitamins. :)
If muffins aren't your thing, Vitalicious also offers VitaBrownies.
You pop one of these in the microwave and seconds later you have a decadent treat ... without the calories!
But, my latest find come through at just 50 calories a piece (1 PP) and are my FAVORITE dessert.
What are they?
When these little babies first launched, the only flavor available was Fudgy Chocolate.
Pop it in the microwave and 25 seconds later you have a ooey gooey chocolate masterpiece. ;)
And if you need a little more of a kick, I suggest pairing it with some strawberries and fat-free cool whip. (Whole dessert would still be just 1 PP on Weight Watchers)
Doesn't that look amazing?
And now Vitalicious is finally offering a NEW flavor of VitaCakes ... Chocolate Raspberry.
I was lucky enough to have a sample sent to me from Vitalicious!!
And let me tell you they are YUMMY!
The raspberry wasn't too overwhelming, which sometimes flavors can be. I like a good chocolate to raspberry ratio - and this was spot on.
I pop it in the microwave for 25 seconds - as I mentioned before - and it melty and amazing. :)
If you are interested in Vitalicious products, you can purchase them in the freezer section of your local grocery store or Vitalicious.com. Make sure you register for their daily emails as they are known to offer some great product deals!
Have you become a Vitalicious addict? If so, what is your favorite product and flavor.
... you've all been waiting for! Or not at all, but let me pretend you were all just hitting refresh over and over again on my blog until this very post hit the page. ;)
So I already did my emotional piece about what happened AFTER The Boston Marathon on that fateful Monday, April 15 - which you can read here - so this post is about the race itself.
I wanted to make sure I got one good night of sleep the night before so I hit the hay by 7pm thanks to some Tylenol PM. I needed to make sure I had plenty of time to sleep with this wake-up call waiting for me Monday morning.
How could I not LEAP out of bed with these notifications on my phone?
I was pumped.
I had to make sure I was at Boston Common in enough time to catch the 7am bus to Hopkinton. As we've learned, I'd rather be early than late so the wife and I hit the road by 6:15 so I could stop at Dunkin Donuts before waiting in the bus lines at Boston Common.
I've never been so excited to put on a race outfit as I was that morning. I was honored to proudly wear my Tedy's Team singlet with my Gramma and Grampa - my Stroke Heroes - on the back.
Since it was sooo early in the morning compared to when my wave of the race was actually taking place - 10:40am - I was able to get a Dunkins Iced Coffee and bagel to enjoy before the run.
The wife dropped me off at Boston Common and I got in the endless line to load the bus to Hopkinton. It was an amazing feeling being surrounded by so many amazingly talented runners.
I even made a friend while waiting in line. She was another charity runner, who thankfully had run Boston before so she was able to give me her thoughts behind the race.
We actually were able to board our bus just after 7am. As the bus began to pull away from Boston Common, I realized I left my Garmin at home.
You HAVE to be kidding me. On just the most important race of my life, I forget my watch.
I texted my dad and my wife to get their thoughts. My dad said "well one less distraction." Yeah, not what I wanted to hear.
Thankfully they love me more than I deserve and they got in the car to meet me in Hopkinton.
Since they left just 10-15 minutes after my bus, I knew - okay hoped - they would get to me before we headed to the start line.
The roads in Hopkinton close at 7:30 so they had to park at a nearby office building and take a Marathon Shuttle to the Start area.
I'm lucky - I know.
While they drove to Hopkinton, I tried to calm my nerves.
It was just a sea of bodies when our school bus finally rolled into Athlete's Village.
Thankfully the girl I was with knew how to walk around the crowd and get to the charity meet-ups spots, which were outside the village.
Once we parted ways (I wish I knew her full name so I could check in on her), I took out of Google Maps printout and made my way to the Tedy's Team pre-race house.
It was nice to walk up and see a bunch of familiar faces.
I headed inside and checked in with my teammates. It was great to have a roof over our heads (especially if the weather had been uncooperative), bathrooms and foam rollers.
My dad and wife arrived right on time ... for pics with Tedy Bruschi himself.
After getting final hugs and good luck wishes from my dad and wife, I headed back inside to try and calm the pre-race jitters.
I made the decision to run without headphones/music. I did however keep my headphones in the pocket of my pants JUUUSSTTT in case I needed some motivation.
It was great being surrounded by a great group of teammates, who were thankfully feeling exactly what I was. :P
Photo Courtesy Of Tedy's Team
Before I knew it, it was time to start heading to the Start Line.
Before we left the house, I made sure to take my Energybits.
I walked out the house door and it was time for a group meeting led by Tedy before we headed to the Start Line. Standing in a circle, holding hands with our running coach John and one of my teammates, I just started crying. I, and many others, couldn't hold the emotions in any longer.
We walked as a group to the Start Line area. Tedy opened the corral for us and we headed in as a group. It was great to get one last hug from Zack (Team Director) and Tedy before heading to our corral.
As I made my way through the crowd, I reconnected with some of the team in Corral 5. My running mate Nanci was shooting for the same finish time as I was - around 3:55-3:57 - so it was nice to find a running partner right off the bat. Nanci was wearing a pacing band so we could see if we were starting out too fast or not. It was specially designed for the Boston course. Why didn't I have one myself? Because I'm a slacker. :P
It was finally our time to cross the Start Line and Tedy was at the mic to wish us off.
And as I started my Garmin I once again made the realization that I was freakin' running THE Boston Marathon.
Wow!
The crowd was amazing right off the bat. There were guys offering Corona Lights at Mile Two. Thanks, but we really needed to wait til double digits for that. ;)
As Nanci and I cruised through the first Half of the race, we realized we were about 1-2 minutes ahead of schedule. We tried to reign it in a little since we knew we would need extra gas for Heartbreak Hill.
I was wicked excited to get to Mile 12 because that meant I would finally experience the Wellesley College Scream Tunnel. I had heard so much about it ... and the girls didn't let you down. The girls lined both sides of the street - mainly the right side - with signs in hand and offering up kisses to the runners. I've definitely never seen that before.
Entering Wellesley Center, we saw a group of soldiers running in full gear. I give so much credit to those folks.
As Nanci and I hit the halfway mark, Nanci had to make a pit stop so we parted ways. I hoped in the back of my mind that we would meet up again later in the race, but it didn't happen. :/
I thought about taking out my headphones since I was now alone, but I couldn't. The crowd was constant and empowering.
It was a lifesaver having my name written on the front of my singlet as well as on my arm itself.
Picture from post-race as you can tell by my sunburn :P
I was also got an in with the crowd thanks to my outfit.
The Sparkly Skirt from Team Sparkle was a HIT with the women and girls in the crowd - especially the teens. ;)
The Superman socks were a big crowd pleaser with the young boys especially.
So having some eye-catching running accessories really help with getting crowd encouragement!
It also helped people I actually know spot me in the crowd. One of my Weight Watchers members told me after the race that since I posted my outfit on social media before the race they knew what to look for ... and actually spotted me!
The crowd was carrying me through the run as right heel pain started taking over my thoughts during Miles 15-16. I didn't know what to do. I hadn't experienced pain like that before.
But, there was no way I was going to stop.
So as I approached Mile 17 and Heartbreak Hill, I bore down, dug deep and just ran.
And you know what?
I ran the entire span of Heartbreak Hill. I didn't stop or walk once. One of my goals for the race.
The crowd on Heartbreak was rowdy and having a good time. I wished I could've stopped to have a beer with them. :P
But, the idea of seeing Tedy's Team's Running Coach John at Mile 20 kept me going.
I saw the 20 Mile marker and just ran towards John. I blurted out everything that was going on - the pain in the heel, being scared of what it was, etc.
John gave me some Swedish Fish and told me to just dig deep and finish strong.
Simply put - "just run!"
It seems easy enough.
With that little boost from John, I was off to finish Heartbreak. I never thought I would be so happy to see a Mile marker as I was for Mile 21!
Thank you BC for the reminder! In case I had forgotten that the toughest part of the Boston Marathon was over.
The right heel pain continued, but I had to push on.
I knew the course. We've been running it every Saturday since December 1 - just 5 more miles to go.
My pace had started to slow. I knew it. I could see it on my Garmin and in the text updates from the BAA.
I wasn't happy. But, I wasn't going to let it stop me.
I tweeted when I hit Mile 22.
As the pain in the heel (which occurred every time I pushed off my right foot) continued, I made the decision to stop at each of the remaining medical tents to stretch out the calf as much as I could. It was a suggestion by John to help - so I was willing to try it.
Bravo to the people working the medical tents!! They immediately came to my aid asking if I needed anything.
I walked a tad during Mile 23 and 24. But once I saw the Mile 25 marker...
... I was going to run through WHATEVER pain I felt.
Seeing that sign just reminded me how close I was to the dream - the Finish Line.
And the crowd was AMPED! Many were still milling around from the Red Sox victory in Kenmore Square and they were happy to see us.
They could see the pain and the doubt, but they were there to give whatever they could to us.
(I am tearing up thinking about the energy and love I felt during that stretch)
My friends usually cheered from outside the bar Lower Depths in Kenmore, but as I passed by they weren't there. I was hoping for a familiar face, but at that moment everyone in the crowd sounded like a friend.
As we took that left on to Boylston, I couldn't help but smile. No matter what was happening in my foot - which was the ONLY piece of my body that hurt - I was going to finish this thing. Boylston St is the epitomizes the Marathon.
I caught a glimpse of the Mile 26 marker and tried to make my body go faster. In my mind, I was Kim Smith out there. But, as you can see in the pictures I was just kinda trekking along...
Just after Mile 26, I waved to my dad and wife on my left-hand side and then turned to my right to wave to Tedy and Tedy's Team crew on the second floor of The Lenox Hotel before passing over the Finish Line.
And promptly trying to catch my breath. Not sure why I get so winded after marathons - same thing happened in Savannah in November. But as I walked through the Finish shoot, I found my mom in the crowd on my left. I stopped to chat with her ... when the explosion happened.
Just before the explosion, in the moment when I was catching my breath - I was angry. I officially finished in 4:04:08 for a 9:18 min/mile pace.
Dammit! I really wanted to finish under 4 hours again. If we took out my stop my with coach and the medical tent stops, it would've been under 4.
But, I let that go with what was happening around me.
Again, that experience is recapped here if you need it.
But, as my mom told me to get much-needed water - we were separated. So I grabbed a space blanket and my medal and tried to find my family.
This picture was taken after my family and I were FINALLY reconnected. It felt like hours. This is the smile of 1) Finishing the Marathon and 2) Jubilation of being with my Family again.
We thankfully found a cab and headed home, where I was greeted with gorgeous flowers from my parents. :)
After some much needed family snuggle time in bed with the pups and doing some media interviews with old colleagues from Chicago, it was time to have some celebration/thankful family dinner with my parents.
Enter BBQ and some Sam Adams.
Oh that beer was delicious... :)
My final stats weren't what I wanted ...
... but I will have redemption in 2014!
Overall, the Boston Marathon was like no other race I have ever - and probably will ever - participate in. The crowd, the love, the excitement, the sounds, the smells, and the unity shone through during each and every mile.
Was I happy that of all days a random heel pain had to occur then? No.
But such is the life of a runner right? Not every race will be perfect and you never know how your body will perform on a given day.
So in the end, I am pleased with how I did because I represented myself, my family, my Stroke Heroes, my teammates and my followers to the best of my ability. I also completed my third marathon - not bad for someone that used to weigh in the 230s and not bad for someone who ran their first marathon in 5:59:27.
I gave 110% on that pavement!
But Boston BE READY ... I'm comin' for ya again!
Yes I ran a 5k the day before The Boston Marathon. But, here's why.
1) I love the race. I did it last year and was psyched that the race started/finished on The Boston Marathon Finish Line. Plus, last year they had chocolate chip bagels at the end - you had me there. :P (2012 Recap)
2) I needed to do a shakeout run the day before the marathon any way so why not get a medal for it. Right?
3) My BFF's birthday was Marathon Monday and I couldn't celebrate with her on the day of SO we I treated her to the 5k race as a birthday present.
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After a fun Saturday morning run with Runner's World and a Saturday afternoon with friends and teammates, Sunday started with a 6:15 wakeup call. Sarah was to arrive at my house by 7am - and she is usually pretty prompt. Thankfully the wife was going to give us a ride in town and with road closures for the Marathon, we headed out just after 7am for the 8am start time.
Yeah, it took us about 10 minutes to get there so we were niiiice and early. :P Well, better than getting there late, right?
Being there so early meant we could mull around the Marathon Finish Area and snap some good pics.
Just stepping on that Line gave me goosebumps for the following day.
I wanted to just jump in a time machine and fast forward the 26 hours til start time.
Can you see the excitement in my face?
I am rocking my orange Pro Compression socks for the event.
We met a nice woman who was more than happy to take our pic. After grabbing this shot, she asked if she could get creative. She asked us to sit on the Finish Line and pose. I was game because I knew I wouldn't be able to do that the following day.
I can't believe now how much this picture now means to me after the explosions that followed the Boston Marathon.
It is a picture and a moment in time I will cherish forever.
Once we snapped some pics, the chill in the air started wearing on us so we had to get moving. There was still a good 30 minutes until the start of the race.
Why oh why do I make us get to races so early? ;)
But this did allow us plenty of time to people watch, hit the port-o-potties and get right where we wanted to in line.
Now, the other reason I needed Sarah there was to keep me on pace.
I have a hard time holding back - especially in a race - and Sarah is my voice of reason. The one that can get me to scale back.
Our goal was to run around 9ish min/mile pace. Much slower than my now normal 5k speed so it was going to be a mental exercise for me as well. Since we know I really needed to keep the energy for the following day - the BIG SHOW.
After a great rendition of the National Anthem it was time for the race to finally start.
I hit Start on the Garmin and it was go time.
And we immediately started out too fast.
We are just too darn speedy ... or so we told ourselves. ;)
But, we tailed it back to about a 9 min/mile pace.
It was comfortable. It was nice.
It was fun to just run with a friend and have a conversation without any sort of shortness of breathe.
Let me tell you when I started running back in 2005 and could barely handle a 12 min/mile pace - I never thought I would call 9 min/mile pace comfortable.
We were really able to enjoy the scenery and the time together.
Sarah is leaving me for Maine at the beginning of June so we are trying to make the most of our time together as we can.
As we ran along the Boston Commons and weaved ourselves through the streets of Boston, we noticed some pairings participating in a "Blindfold Challenge." One person wears a blindfold and their partner acts as their guide - it is an amazing concept.
But, as we took our left turn on to Boylston Street, we noticed a pair in front of us. Sarah and I looked at each other, locked eyes and at the same time made the comment that we couldn't let them beat us.
We had been great all race about keeping the pace down. BUT, we both decided that a little sprint at the end wouldn't hurt anyone. Right?
So we locked in and put in extra effort for the last 0.2 miles.
It was thrilling to run down Boylston Street and know that the following day it would be lined with fans and my family cheering me on. And when I crossed that same Finish Line the next day I would conquer the Boston Marathon - something I never thought possible when I topped the scales at 235 lbs.
We finished with a time of 27:35, which is a 8:54 min/mile pace. Again, a tad faster than we wanted BUT good for us.
My legs felt great afterwards and were ready for the next day.
I also got to FINALLY show off my Got Chocolate Milk Team Refuel singlet in an actual race. Doesn't it look good with my orange Pro Compression socks. :)
We grabbed our post-race goody bags (as you can see in the picture above), but where was my chocolate chip bagel?
NO WHERE!!
There weren't any bagels post-race. You've gotta be kidding me. I had my little heart set on a post-run chocolate chip bagel. Ouch! Boo! Wahhh!
I picked up the pieces of my little broken heart and Sarah and I headed to the T stop to head home.
We met Tori and headed to Dunkin Donuts so I could at least have my Iced Coffee. I mean I do Run On Dunkin.
After Sarah headed home, it was time for a RELAXING afternoon.
Putting the legs up was my Number One Priority for the afternoon.
But, eating was also important ... so the wife and I headed out for a quick lunch before it was back to the couch.
Yup nerves were starting to kick in!
I wanted a good night of sleep so I laid out my outfit for the following day, took a couple Tylenol PM and was asleep by 7pm.
Ready to ROCK the Boston Marathon...
After kicking off Saturday, April 13 with a great shakeout run with Runner's World that morning, I had a big afternoon planned. The wife and I headed back into town to enjoy lunch with a couple of my favorite bloggers: Colleen from TheFitBee.com and Samantha from RunningAndCupcakes.com. We had planned on MJ O'Connor's Pub, but it was so much easier to just head to Whiskey's across from the Boston Marathon Expo - since everyone wanted to head there afterwards.
Yes, I was planning a second trip to the Expo. :P
I owe Twitter for bringing me together with these two lovely, amazing, inspiring and just overall kick ass people. They push me to be a better runner, person and blogger every day. It is so fun when online relationships turn into real life friendships. :)
Samantha lives in Rhode Island, but was volunteering at a water stop along the Marathon course on the Monday. While Colleen was going to rock a 50k the following day then run - sorry own - the Boston Marathon the next day.
Rock Stars!!
After a great lunch and some yummy beer, we headed back over to the Expo. We were walking around as a happy little group until I saw something shiny and of course got separated from everyone else. Oops!
The wife and I did another loop around the Expo before having to head home to get ready for our evening plans.
We had just enough time to get home and change before heading back into town for the Tedy's Team Pasta Dinner, which was being held at the Lenox Hotel.
The Lenox Hotel would be our post-race reunion location as well. Such a great feature offered by Tedy's Team. Plus it was RIGHT by the Finish Line, which meant we wouldn't have to walk too far following the race.
(Note: We obviously didn't get to enjoy The Lenox Hotel as a post-race location because of the bombings that took place, but I thank the Hotel for all the help they offered for my teammates and their families on that day!)
It was great to be surrounded by the whole team.
Photo Courtesy Of Tedy's Team
Aren't we one good-looking group? :)
We had a delicious pasta dinner in the Dome Room, which sported a beautiful blue ceiling.
The centerpieces were plants cradled in the official Boston Marathon Sneakers from New Balance.
After dinner, Zack (our fearless leader), Tedy's wife and son, and two of my teammates (Christine and Nate) all gave moving, motivational and inspiring speeches to get us pumped up for Monday's run. With tears in my eyes and pride in my heart, I was ready to face that Boston Marathon.
I was ready to make myself, my family, my Stroke Heroes and my team proud.
The team dinner wrapped up about 9pm and the wife and I headed over to the Runner's World party, which was being held just a few streets away.
Do you think my KT Tape went with my black dress? ;)
We walked the 0.4 miles to Lucca Back Bay to attend the Runner's World party.
I loved seeing large blowups of the magazine around the restaurant then seeing the people from the cover there in person. Surreal.
Since I had an early morning the next day - running BAA 5k - we hung around for about 30 minutes or so then headed home. It was cool to see so many running celebrities in one room.
It was a great day being surrounded by motivating friends and fellow runners!! A great pump up for the BAA 5k on the Sunday and the Marathon on the Monday!
This will be one BORING wind up as I took it easy the week after the marathon. :P
Thursday, April 18: Rest Day
Friday, April 19: Rest Day (trapped inside due to lockdown)
Saturday, April 20: 26:20 min run in honor of Marathon Victims
Sunday, April 21: 60 min Spinning
Monday, April 22: 2.62 mile Run with the pup
Tuesday, April 23: Rest Day
Wednesday, April 24: 4 Mile Run
I love meeting other bloggers. I love running. I love reading Runner's World. So an invite to a couple of the Runner's World events during Boston Marathon weekend was an honor.
I thank my friend Robin for suggesting my little blog be able to attend. :)
The run was later opened up to all runners as it was posted on Runner's World's Facebook page the day before.
The more the merrier right.
The event kicked off at the New Balance Store on Boylston St at 7:30 Saturday (April 13)morning.
My dad was dropping me off (again I am a cool 30 year old) and we of course got there early so when I walked in only the New Balance employees were at the store.
Oops!
Originally Bart Yasso was said to be attending the event, but after tweeting with him he said he wouldn't arrive in Boston until Saturday afternoon. Darn, I wanted to meet him.
As the store started slowly filling up with Runner's World staff, I met a couple bloggers that I hadn't known before. I met Brittany from Btypes.com, who qualified for Boston while running her first marathon (Wow!) and Katherine from NeonBlondeRunner.com, who I actually already followed on Twitter and Instagram.
I love finding new blogs to follow and new runners to use as inspirations.
Very quickly I realized I was the only person in the store who was running The Boston Marathon as a charity runner. IE, I was the slow poke in the store. The only person in the room/run that didn't qualify for the Marathon.
Ouch! Nothing quickly cuts down your confidence than the question: "So where did you qualify for Boston?"
Yeah, nope I didn't qualify. I am a charity runner. In the moment it hurt, but as I thought more about it that night I was/am honored to run for a cause. I raised over $5k for the American Stroke Association. I was running in honor of my grandparents.
Not qualifying for Boston is not something I should've been ashamed of.
But when you get asked that question rapid fire in a morning, it cuts you down just a little.
How can it not?
After mulling around, it was time to actually get out and run. I had no idea how long the run would be or where it was going. It was kind of nice to just follow the crowd. :)
We kicked off the run so quickly that my Garmin didn't have time to locate satellites (shocking) so I used Runkeeper to track our run.
We headed out down Boylston St towards Boston Common. We did a big lap around the Commons before heading to the oldest street in Boston. Even I - someone that grew up in Boston - had no idea where they were taking us.
Everyone was extra cautious on this part of the run since no one wanted to get injured two days before the big race. It was cool to run up and down the old cobblestones - slippery, but cool.
We ran back through the Commons before hooking a right onto Boylston St to the New Balance Store.
We ended up doing a 2.5 mile loop, which was relaxing and good for the legs as I was running the BAA 5k the next morning.
Runner's World had a nice little breakfast spread after the run, where I chatted with some of the Runner's World folks I actually followed on Twitter. It's always nice meeting social media contacts/friends in real life.
Mmmm snacks!
The New Balance store is pretty sweet if you haven't checked it out before...
And it looks like they like to #Sweatpink like my FitApproach ladies and I do!
I especially had a great time chatting with Caitlin, one of Runner's World web producers. Thanks for hanging out with me as I stood around not really knowing anyone!! Much appreciated...
Once the event was over, I wondered around Boylston St near what would be the Starta Area for Sunday's 5k and the Finish Area on Marathon Monday as I waited for my dad to get me.
(Looking back it is crazy to see how much this would change on Monday afternoon)
I want to thank Laura from Runner's World for extending a Shakeout Run invite to me. It was a great experience and a nice casual run to help simmer my nerves for Monday...
The Boston Marathon festivities kicked off with the Boston Marathon Expo.
I looove expos ... but my credit card doesn't! ;)
On Friday, April 12, my car was in the shop so my mom was my driver that day. ;) She picked me up from my final Weight Watchers meeting of the week at 12:20pm, we headed to grab a quick sandwich for lunch then she dropped me off at the Hynes Convention Center just before 2.
I figured the expo would be pretty empty at 2 since that is when it started.
BOY was I wrong.
I walked in the front door to meet my friend Sarah and her daughter Joanna - we were running the 5k together so she had to pick up her number too - and the line to enter the Expo wrapped down and around the corridor.
I was shocked. But, thankfully I had to get my 5k number first so the line to pick up my Marathon number was gone by the time I was done. :)
My 5k bib:
I had forgotten my BAA card with my Bib # on it to pick up my 5k bib so I had to wait in line to speak with Runner Services. I was so focused on remembering the necessary paperwork to pick up my Marathon Bib that I got lazy with the 5k info. Oops!
Thankfully the line was pretty short and the whole process was pretty painless.
Once, I had my bib I headed back out to meet Sarah so we could enter the Expo.
I had to keep this photo because I love the photo bum ... I mean photo bomb ... by the random gentleman.
There was a separate entrance for number pick-up so I headed to the right, while Sarah and the stroller headed into the Expo.
With over 27,000 runners participating in the 117th Boston Marathon, I should've expected long lines at the onset. I also should've known that it would be mainly people like me - local charity runners - getting the number pick-up out of the way early.
But once I walked down to my end of the pick-up area (22,000+ numbers), I saw that the longest line of them all had to be mine. The line for people with bibs 22,000-22,600 ... I was bib 22010. Yay - NOT! :P
I finally made it to the front, handed over my signed bib card and was handed my Boston Marathon bib.
Ahhh... it was such a surreal moment.
I was really going to be running in the Boston Marathon.
Still smile looking at this picture.
After securing the bib, it was time to pick up my official race shirt and head into the Expo. :)
It was awesome to walk into the Expo and see this right away:
I sure was All In For Boston.
The first place I had to stop was the New Balance booth. I was going to get a pair of the official Boston Marathon New Balance sneakers.
I mean hello, they glow in the dark! SOLD!
MINE! I got 'em. :)
Aren't they sweet?
Finally, Sarah and I connected at the New Balance booth and were able to walk around the Expo a little together before she had to get back to her car - damn running out of quarters.
Once Sarah left, I got myself to the front of the Expo and started with row 1 and did a run through the entire place. :)
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series booth was right at the front of the Expo. I showed them the Rock 'n' Roll bag I was wearing and they gave me a free water bottle! Score!
There were guys jumping on a trampoline in skis to demonstrated that their brand of headphones really didn't fall out of your ears. I mean that was some marketing genius there. Granted I cannot remember the name of the headphones so maybe it wasn't that good. Haha.
I turned my head to the right and there was the Brooks booth. These mannequins at the top of the booth actually moved their arms/legs to make it look like they were all running. Pretty cool.
After spotting markers and the large Boston Marathon banner, I knew I had to sign it.
I wrote: "Dani Holmes-Kirk in honor of my grandparents! Go Tedy's Team!!"
I made my way into the Addidas official merchandise section of the Expo. Ooohhh everything was blue and yellow and shiny!
It was just before walking in there with help from a season pro like Robin that I found out you didn't automatically get the Boston Marathon jacket, but rather you had to buy it.
I tried one on. I walked around holding it. I kept texting my wife and parents about it. Should I spend the $100 on it? Was it worth it? Could we swing it? I mean I had just bought the New Balance shoes.
But they all said to go for it. This could be the ONE time I run the Boston Marathon so I should have the jacket as a reminder.
(Who would've known how important it would be for me to have that jacket in the next week?)
I almost bought this little guy for my friend Ellie, who loves unicorns - but once I looked at the price tag I just sent her a pic instead. ;)
How cute?
I loved the Marathon Sports signs all over the Expo.
So motivating!
I saw it and just kept telling myself that I would RUN every step of Heartbreak Hill on Marathon Monday! No matter what...
Once I had done a good once over of the Expo, I headed to the main booth I had to get to ... Sparkly Soul!
I have the honor of being a Sparkly Soul Ambassador, but since the company is based out of New York I have never met the two women behind the company ... until the Expo.
I knew Pamela would be there and we had tweeted/emailed so often it was like we already knew each other.
Sparkly Soul is a wonderful company created by Pamela's sister Dari (a marathon runner) and I am honored to be a small part of it.
Once I met Pamela, I had just one final thing on the Expo to-do list ... visit the KT Tape booth!
I had been experiencing some slight knee pain in the weeks leading up to the Marathon and didn't want to take any chances. KT Tape can be worn for up to a week and go through a shower without coming off. So I knew I could get it done Friday and it would still be in place for Sunday's 5k and Monday's Marathon.
The tape even matched my Saucony sneakers. :0)
It was about 4:30pm by the time I left the Expo and my mom was picking me up at 5pm (as a 30 year old rolls) so I had a beer at The Pour House across the street while I waited.
It was an amazing feeling being surrounded by so many talented runners both in the Expo and the bar after. I was getting super pumped for the rest of the weekend's festivities.
***
What is your favorite part of a race Expo?
A couple months before the marathon, I saw a blogger on Twitter asking people to get involved in a 30 day photo challenge leading up to the Boston Marathon. I couldn't pass it up. My joy of running The Boston Marathon was boiling over and I wanted to be a part of anything that had to do with the race. So with Seeking Boston Marathon and a couple other bloggers, the #30DaysToBoston #photochallenge was born...
With the events of the past week ... I write this while in lockdown mode here in Boston ... I thought it would be great to look back and see what the 30 days before the biggest race of my life really looked like.
Enjoy! :)
Day #1 - these ASICS #Shoes will be giving me support from Mile 0 to 26.2 on April 15!
Day #2 - Dunkin' Donuts Iced Coffee is a must have every morning with #Breakfast!! :)
Day #3 - #Speedwork I have on tap for tomorrow - 8x800s!!
Day #4 - My grandparents (aka my Stroke Heroes) #Inspire me to join Tedy's Team & run The Boston Marathon in the first place!!
I hope to #Inspire other people that anything is possible in running!! Here are the times for my first 2 marathons - left September 2006 and right November 2012!
Day #5 - Thanks to Tedy's Team I now #Snack on Swedish Fish during a long run!!
Day #6 - Of course NKOTB is on my running #Playlist for tomorrow's 21-miler!! :)
Day #7 - Post 21-miler - the final #Longrun before The Boston Marathon!! :)
Day #8 - My biggest supporters are my #LovedOnes, who show up to races no matter the weather or travel!! :)
Day #9 - My total #Distance since starting The Boston Marathon training with Tedy's Team on Dec 1!
Day #10 - no #Sweat today, but I'll make up for it with hills tomorrow!!
Day #11 - Through stretching, foam rolling & The Stick - I keep myself #Pain-free while training!!
Day #12 - One benefit of #Early morning training runs are gorgeous sunrises like this (from a run last summer in Chicago)!
Day #13 - Race bling can always #Motivate me through any race!! :)
Day #14 - I will be taking the day after The Boston Marathon off as a #Reward & taking part in these relaxing/celebratory activities!
Day #15 - What did I #EatToday for dinner? Big 'ol salad - no Easter plans this year.
Day #16 - I think it's obvious that my FAV way to #CrossTrain is Spinning!!
Day #17 - You know it's #Taper time when your next 2 Saturdays look like this!
Day #18 - My choice for in-run #Fuel!
Day #19 - I #LoveThis new Tedy's Team jacket & long-sleeve T we got last night!!
Day #20 - Being #Smelly is proof of a successful run! ;)
Day #21 - In 9 days, these #Feet will help me live out a dream: running The Boston Marathon!! :)
Day #22 - Can wearing these heels all afternoon count as a way to #Crosstrain? ;)
Day #23 - #DontLikeThis = Tapering!
Day #24 - A sample of my Race Day #Gear: Tedy's Teamsinglet, Team Sparkle skirt & Superman socks!
The most prized #Gear I will wear on Monday - aSparkly Soul headband w/ Grampa written on the inside!! I will also have my The Boston MarathonSparkly Soul headband on as well!
Day #25 - I am SO thankful to have SO many #RunFriends and love making new ones every day!!
Day #26 - My Boston Marathon #RaceDayShirt is my Tedy's Team singlet! :)
Day #27 - Yet another reason to #GetToBoston baby! ;)
Day #28 - #BAAExpo
Day #29 - Mmmm #CarbLoad...
Day #30 - #LetsDoThis
My name is Dani and I am blogging out of the Boston Area. I started this blog in May of 2011 after suffering a back injury and subsequent back surgery in December 2011-January 2011. This space was to serve as a way for me to release the inner feelings I was carrying around and maybe help some other people going through similar situations: eating disorders, depression, weight loss and more.
