So far I have had a blast this weekend, even if it was really busy. Friday I attended the VIP reception for the Cleveland Marathon.

Not a bad way to start the weekend with drinks and dinner but also got to spend it with the Official Cleveland Marathon Bloggers. As well some important people who work their guza’s off to make the Cleveland Marathon weekend a success.

Cleveland Marathon Bloggers

Watching the 5K pumped me up for my own race tomorrow. After the 5K I headed out to the expo for packet pick up and shopping.

Expo Goods

Instead of heading home to rest after the expo, I headed out to help my Mom with some baking. Not my usual pre-race ritual but nice to hang out with my Mom and Sister for a bit. They’ll be at the race cheering tomorrow and handing out ice to help cool down runners. Look for them around mile 17 and mile 23. Thanks Logo Mom and Logo Sister!

Phew! I’m tired just looking at how busy this weekend was. Luckily, I have my race day outfit picked out and carb loaded with friends. I feel as ready as I’ll ever be for the marathon tomorrow.

Eventually, I found some time to relax and have a few laughs with Ryan as we tried to take selfies with our pickle jars. We swear by pickle juice before long runs and marathons.

Good Luck tomorrow everyone running Cleveland. Please remember to hydrate and adjust your goal times if you need to. Run Safe and HAVE FUN!!!

From Wella Hair USA Facebook page

I’ve been to Charles Scott Salon many times to get my hair and nails done and I’ve always been mega impressed with their salon and professionalism. When Canopi contacted me to attend an event, hosted by Elle Magazine and Wella Hair Professionals, I jumped at the chance to go.

I was aware that they were doing lite apps, drinks and a D.J. but I did not know they were doing hair, makeup and nails for the attendees! I went back with a stylist to get my hair done and she asked what I wanted to do. I responded “just do whatever”. When it doesn’t involve cutting or coloring my hair, I can be pretty brave.

Hanging with some hotties

My stylist, Christine, gave me some beach waves and I love dthem!!! I wear my hair 3 ways, straight, curly or pony tail. But now I need to get myself a styling wand ASAP, to master beach waves for the summer.

I also had the chance to get my nails done. If you know anything about me, I love getting my nails done. When I do my own nails, it looks like a toddler painted them. When I get them done though, I usually chip them within the first 12 hours. But guess what??? It’s been almost 24 hours and I have yet to chip them!

As I was leaving the event, I was handed a goodie bag with hair products from Wella and an issue of Elle Magazine. Looking forward to testing out their products and kicking back with a girlie magazine.

Swag bag

I’d say the worst part of the night was when it was time to go to bed. I loved my hair and didn’t want to mess it up.

So sad

I was hoping I would wake up in the morning, my hair would have stayed and I could have gone to work with my beach waves. It did not, so it’s back to straight hair for now but I’m coming back for you beach waves!

What’s your favorite way to wear your hair?

Finisher’s Medals

Hopefully, everyone has their bib number by now but don’t forget to pick up your packet at the expo. Every year I try not to spend too much at the expo. Every year I come back with new headbands, gu, water bottles and clothing items. Last year I couldn’t even run but still got myself a 26.2 shirt from 26.2 apparel and an awesome bag/purse from the Cleveland Marathon official merchandise area. The official items are always stellar! It’s really hard to hold myself back.

My “run” purse/bag

Please remember bags and backpacks are not allowed at the expo or at the start/finish area of the marathon. Also bags are subject to be searched.

Speaking of the start line. GET. THERE. EARLY!  The roads close early and some close earlier than listed. Save yourself the stress and leave early so that if your route is closed you still have time to find an alternate route (happened to me last year). Also get to the starting line and in your corral EARLY! The weather is looking to be nice so there is no excuse. Go to the bathroom, shed some clothes and get in your corral.

Perhaps your view will look like this on race morning

Lastly, line up where you belong. Do not line up at the front because you want to be up there. Runners in the front, walkers in the back and then line up according to pace groups. If you line up where you don’t belong it jams up the entire start line. I’ve seen it happen at many races and can be frustrating for all participants. The race is chip timed so you don’t have to be close to the front, your timing chip doesn’t start until YOU cross the start line (not when the gun goes off).

What are you most looking forward to this weekend? What is your starting line etiquette?

Good Luck to everyone! Can’t wait to see you all this weekend! Remember to have fun and make your own CLEVELAND EXPERIENCE!

Weather as of Thursday Morning.

This looks pretty good!

10 days ago, when the weather released the 10 day forecast, I immediately checked the weather. This is the time of year where I religiously check the weather.

10 days ago forecast for Sunday

Today I checked the weather again.

Tuesday’s weather prediction for Sunday

Little bit of a difference in weather in just a couple days. So for now I will check the weather once a day but will not freak out about it. I am checking out of curiosity at this point. When I check the weather on Friday and Saturday, it will be to narrow down outfit choices. I’ve trained in the hot and the cold and the snowy and the rainy. I’ve ran marathons in the 30s-40s and in the high 70s. The weather may not be ideal but as a runner you learn to adjust and deal with it.

Last week’s training:

Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday: Speedwork, 1 mile WU, 4-800s at 3:30, 3:28, 3:24, 3:23, 1.5 mile CD
Wednesday: Yoga and football
Thursday: Yoga
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: 10 mile longish run at 8:36 pace
Sunday: Rest Day

Total Mileage: 15

I didn’t plan to run only 2 days last week but I did a lot of running at football on Wednesday night and felt like I pulled something in my quad. It ended up being nothing. Probably just me getting old. To be safe I babied it the next couple of days to make sure it had healed.

Good Luck to everyone running any of the Cleveland Marathon Races this weekend!

5 Days! or 4 days 16 hours and 48 minutes.

1. First Cleveland marathon was in 1976 and Jesse Owens fired the gun at the starting line.
2. Cleveland Marathon has gone through many name changes/sponsors. “The Revco” Marathon and 10K, the CVS Marathon and 10K and now the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K.
3. The original marathon course started in Hudson, traveled through Twinsburg, Solon and then ended in Cleveland. No offense but that course sounds terrible and hilly. I don’t want to hear any complaints about the Cleveland Marathon course now.
4. At the start of the Revco Marathon in 1992, the temperature was 68 degrees and as the winners crossed the finish line the temperature had risen to 77 degrees! (sounds similar to the 2012 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.)
5. The half marathon was not added until 2005!
6. 16 year old running sensation Alana Hadley,  is making the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon her debut marathon. Her half marathon time is 1:16:41. I wish I could be at the finish line to watch her finish the marathon.

Cleveland Marathon Experience No. 1- Sometime in the 1990s

The reason I was researching the Cleveland Marathon was because I wanted to share my many Cleveland Marathon Experiences. Out of nowhere I remembered my very first Cleveland experience was as a spectator in the early 90s! I don’t remember the exact year but I remember going with my Aunt Denise and little cousins to downtown Cleveland very early in the morning. We stationed ourselves around Public Square (I think) and anxiously waited for my Uncle Tom to run by us. He had been training to run the 10K. I still remember when you could see the first runners coming in. My cousins and I got all excited, “is that him? is that him?” My Aunt laughed as a bunch of Kenyans flew by us, obviously not him. Sometime went by and we eventually saw my Uncle. We cheered and were excited to see him. I remember at the time I didn’t know how far a mile was, let alone 6.2 of them.

Found this on Ebay! Who sells past medals!?!?

Cleveland Marathon Experience No. 2- May 1999

My next Cleveland Marathon Experience was as a volunteer. My high school track team volunteered on the course every year. It was 1999 (wow do I sound old) and all we had to do was stand on our assigned street and make sure cars didn’t go onto the course. At the time I was a sprinter and pole vaulter on the track team. I whined when I had to run more than 400 meters. Yet here I was watching the marathon. I definitely had an itch to run more after watching the race. Yet still I had no idea how far a marathon was. I knew it was many miles but couldn’t tell you the exact amount.

Cleveland Marathon Experience No. 3- May 18, 2008

In 2008 I began training for my first marathon. Being from Cleveland, I couldn’t imagine any other race for my first marathon. My Uncle Tom, who I watched run the 10K in the 90s, was also running the marathon. I was so excited that we would both share our first marathon experience together. Sadly, a couple weeks before the marathon I got sidelined with an injury. Luckily, I was able to take a few weeks off and come back to run the half. I remember it rained that morning but stopped just before the race started. I had not run a race in the rain before so I was happy it cleared up. It was only my second half marathon but I shaved 10 mins off my PR and ran a 1:43:23.

Picture of my Uncle’s medal.

 Cleveland Marathon Experience No. 4- May 17,2009

This was “The Marathon” for me. Everything had lined up perfectly, weather was amazing and I didn’t over dress. I had glued myself to the 3:40 pace group and stayed with them for as long as I possibly could. I eventually lost them but held onto my pace as best I could. I saw my family at mile 23 and my Mom jumped around like a crazy person yelling “it’s only a 5K from here! You got it!”. I think she even jumped in with me for a couple seconds. But that was all I needed to hear. “Just a 5K”. I crossed the finish line in 3:40:12. BOSTON QUALIFIER! Just barely but I did it.

Cleveland Marathon Experience No. 5- May 16, 2010

I ran Boston in 2010 and really wasn’t sure how my legs were going to be after that. So in 2010, I decided to run the half instead. I couldn’t imagine not being a part of The Cleveland Marathon Experience. This was another perfect weather day but I barely made it to the start line. I had waited to long to get in line for the bathroom and made it to the start line less than 30 seconds before the gun went off. I learned my lesson to always go to the bathroom early and get to your corral on time. For this race, I ended up running a 1:45:14, about a month after running Boston.

2010 Finish Line

Cleveland Marathon Experience No. 6- May 15, 2011

This was the year I became an Official Cleveland Marathon Blogger! I’m not sure they could find a bigger and more loyal fan of their race. This was also the year I raised money for Autism. Great foundation if you want to raise money. The weather for this race was less than ideal. It was cold, rainy and windy. I am always cold so I was freezing during this race. I started having some shin pain early on in the race. Odd for me because I didn’t have any problems during my training. By mile 20, I had my doubts on if I would finish. I kept thinking my legs were going to quit. I stuck through it though and made my way to the finish. Not my best time, 4:00:04 but if I wouldn’t have finished, they never would have snapped this picture that became “The Logo”

The original “Logo” picture

Cleveland Marathon Experience No. 7- May 20, 2012

In 2012, I signed up for the Cleveland Marathon again and was also asked to be an Official Blogger for the second year in a row. I had big goals for this race and trained my heart out. I trained hard, saw major results and was expecting a huge PR. Sadly, about a month before the race, I started having IT band issues. I did everything I could to get healthy so I could run. However, on race day, all my friends toed the line for the race and I was left spectating from the sidelines. I was crushed. Cleveland is my race. Still, I cheered my heart out for all of my friends that day. I couldn’t run but I was armed with my cowbell and cheered them on as they ran. I felt awful for them as the temps climbed that day. It reached 78 for a high and when you are running that feels awful but all of my friends trudged through and finished! 2012 wasn’t all that bad because it was also the year that I became “The Logo”.  My picture above from 2011 was on promotional material, posters flyers etc for the 2012 race.

The Logo

I can’t tell you how my Cleveland Marathon Experience No. 8 will be for another 10 days. However, I think it is safe to say that I am a Cleveland Marathon lifer. I plan on running this race every year for as long as I can. When a time comes that I can’t run, you’ll see me volunteering or spectating.

Cleveland is my city and I will run it. When I can’t run it, I will support it.

Sources:
Cleveland Marathon History
Temperature 1992
Revco Marathon

I forgot to take a picture of the shirt, so imagine the above logo on a light grey t shirt. Then imagine the shirt being a perfect fit. Then imagine me wearing it everyday since Saturday. Hello, new favorite t shirt!

Saturday May 4th was the first annual Run Puritas 5K put on by Peace Racing. I’ve done a couple Peace Racing events in the past and for a small company I am always impressed. Great races, accurate courses, flat courses and fast awards after. They also have a giant inflatable finish line. Ryan and I always joke that we want one to run out of for our wedding.

My goal for this race was to run even 7 minute miles. Not run 6:30 for the first mile, 7:30 for the 2nd mile and want to crawl for the third mile. My second goal was to run faster than the 5K last week.

The gun went off and I immediately started out too fast but was able to get it under control fairly quickly. I paid attention to my breathing and how I felt and aimed to push myself but not kill myself. I wanted to have something in the tank for a strong finish. First mile was in the 7′s so I was happy with that and tried to pick it up for the 2nd mile. The course goes through a neighborhood I haven’t been in too much so there was a lot of new things for me to check out. I also ran with music for this race to keep myself in the zone.

Running with my eyes half closed and almost smiling. Makes me look special.

The last mile is a very long straightaway and parts are on a brick road. Running on bricks can be a little tricky but I barely noticed them. I concentrated on pushing the last mile and as I got close to the last turn I realized I was in first! I had no idea how close the next female was but a good rule to remember while running is “NEVER LOOK BACK”. You mess up your form and lose time when you look back.

I couldn’t hear anyone but decided to push for a strong finish. As soon as I started to push the pace, I realized I was going to puke if I kept that up. If there was someone else close by, they would have taken the lead. As I made the last turn, I could see the finish line up ahead. The turn was onto a very smooth parking lot so it felt good and helped me to pick up the pace to finish. (even if I ended up puking at the finish)

Moja Finish

I crossed the finish line in a time of 22:21 a 7:11 pace, 7th overall and 1st overall female. 40 seconds fast than the 5K last week and didn’t puke. This time is still far from my PR but I am still recovering from the Athens Marathon and gearing up for the Cleveland Marathon on May 19th. I will be going after a 5K PR after the Cleveland Marathon.

The race recap doesn’t end there. After I caught my breath I asked Ryan how he did. He was the first overall male!

First Overall Male-Ryan

Very exciting day for us as it was our first win as an engaged couple.

Overall winners

I think it’s safe to say we’ll have to come back next year to run as a married couple.

I love how we are smiling and laughing in this picture from our cool down.

Next race up is the Cleveland Marathon!!!

I’ve been continuing my 3-4 runs a week and not over doing it. I am close to race day and the IT band is still hanging in there so no need to change anything now. However, after I recover from the Cleveland Marathon, I am planning on increasing my mileage to see what the IT band can handle.

Monday: 90 mins yoga at Prana Bodhi
Tuesday: 3.07 miles in the morning. Speedwork after work. 1 mile WU, 4-800s at 3:15, 3:25, 3:28, 3:27 and 1 mile CD.
Wednesday: 90 mins yoga at Prana Bodhi. Flag football game after that.
Thursday: 3.07 run in the morning, 3.16 after work
Friday: Full Rest Day!
Saturday: 1.5 mile warm up, 5K race, 1.5 mile cool down, 12 miles to complete a long run of 18 miles! Last long run before Cleveland.

Overall winners at the 5K on Saturday. Squinty eyes because allergies attack me.

Sunday: Rest Day

Total Mileage: 32.3

Tuesday’s speedwork was comfortably hard. I’ve only been doing 4 800s the past couple weeks so that I don’t over do it and I aim to have them all around 3:30. oops on that first one at a 3:15. Saturday’s long run wasn’t too bad. I normally have a hard time running long after a speed race but this one was comfortable. It got a little warm at the end of my run but I am glad I got to run in the heat a little bit. Makes me feel like I am fully prepared for any weather that Cleveland will have this year.

How is your taper going?

From http://bestracesigns.wordpress.com/tag/cleveland-marathon/

I’m being 100% serious in saying that WATCHING A MARATHON IS FUN!!!! I’ve watched quite a few marathons and get completely sucked in every time. You get to watch the top/elite runners come through, then you get to see the top women (they are amazing), then as time goes on you get to see normal everyday people who maybe are running their 12th marathon (raises hand) or maybe it’s their first marathon. Either way it’s inspiring and entertaining to watch runners of all shapes, sizes and ages run by.

Excuse my lack of MS Paint skills but I marked in red some areas that need support. You can find a PDF map here

In past years, the Cleveland Marathon has the best spectators on the Westside, downtown and Tremont area. This is the beginning of the race and majorly pumps up the runners. For the second half of the race, we head to the Eastside and every year there are very few spectators. There are many stretches on the second half of the course where there is no one. The second half of a marathon you are tired, perhaps hitting a wall and really need support. So I’m calling out the Eastsiders to come and show your support for the marathon!

On the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Site, they have a list of “Best Spots to Watch“. The list is spot on!

1. Lakeside and W. 6th
2. West Blvd and Edgewater Dr.
3. West Side Market – Lorain and W. 25th
4. Lincoln Park – Starkweather and W. 11th
5. 2078 W. 25th Street/Lorain @ Room Service
6. Carnegie and Ontario by Progressive Field
7. W. 6th and Superior
8. Euclid and E. 14th
9. Wade Lagoon
10. Martin Luther King and State Park Path
11. E. 40th and St. Clair (marathon passes twice)
12. E. 9th and St. Clair

I highlighted number 11. HELLO!!! This is a perfect Eastside location to watch from. The marathon passes through twice! That is the marathon spectating lottery right there. A spot not listed but that I want to mention is on Chester between E. 40th to E. 105th. This spot is very easy to get to and when you are done you can head up to University Circle for a late breakfast or lunch. Better yet, pack a lunch and picnic while watching the race.

If that’s not enough, check out one of 16 “Neighborhood Parties“. Some are part of a water station while others have live bands and entertainment!

Love this. Color coordinated and creative signs! http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2011/05/cleveland-marathon-2011-race-report.html

If that’s not enough check out the list of restaurants that are open in the St.Clair/Superior area on the near Eastside. I highly recommend Siam Cafe and Sterle’s Slovenian Country House.

So bring your signs, cowbells, clapping hands, smiles, cheers, encouraging words and spirit and show some support for the 2013 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.

P.S. I have a really good feeling that the weather will be perfect this year.

Where will you be cheering? Do you have a go to spot every year? My Mom goes to the same spot every year and it’s on the Eastside! Way to represent Mom!

Favorite sign? A few years ago I saw a girl holding  a sign that said “Single & Supportive” that one has stuck out in my mind ever since.

Last week’s training wasn’t quite where I wanted it to be. My legs were still recovering from Athens. Looks like I am getting old and not recovering as well as I used to. I had horrible allergies and migraines all week. Then I had a slight injury Saturday and Sunday but it’s all better now.

Monday: 45 minutes of strength training with the NTC app
Tuesday: Speedwork (super tired legs). 1 mile WU, 4-800s at 3:28, 3:30, 3:31 and 3:29. 1 mile CD.
Wednesday: Rest day (migraine/allergy day) but then I rallied to play flag football
Thursday: 3.07 run in the morning
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: 1.5 mile warm up, 5K race, 2.5 mile cool down.
Sunday: 4.70 run

Total Mileage: 19.27

My “slight injury” was from playing football Wednesday night. I over extended my knee while running down a muddy field. It felt funny and annoyed but not really painful. Until Sunday when I went to go for a long run. It was weird because it was hurting behind my knee and pulling on my hamstrings. Instead I went for a short run and spent the day icing and putting heat on it. It’s felt fine every since. I’m happy that I listened to my body and didn’t push it. I needed to get a long run in but not at the risk of a full blown injury.

I saw this picture on pinterest. It has nothing to do with this post but I wanted to share it.

The Cleveland Marathon is still looking for volunteers!!!! If you are able to, please volunteer. It’s actually a lot of fun to volunteer at races, you get special volunteer shirts, refreshments, free parking and a million thank you’s from me!!!

19 days to go, who is tapering? Ever volunteer at a race before???

After a short 1.5 mile warm up, I shed some layers and headed over to the start line. Looking around I felt like I was the only adult running. I felt like it was me and a bunch of little kids. Parents were urging their kids to be in the front. It was a little weird because normally you’d want kids lined up so they didn’t get trampled. Anyways, the gun went off and I immediately took the lead for the females and escaped all the little kids.

I thought I knew the course and that it was all flat except for one very small section. I was wrong though. We ran through a neighborhood and there were a couple small hills. Just enough to slow you down if you weren’t expecting it. As I passed the 1 mile mark everyone said I was in the lead! Woohoo! As I passed the water stop they all said there was no one even close. Woohoo!

Somehow, right before I reached mile 2, I heard some breathing to my left and saw this teeny tiny runner. She looked great! Not winded or tired and ready to go. I was planning on holding my pace for the rest of the race so if she picked it up then she easily had the lead. Not sure if I picked it up or if she just dropped back but she wasn’t next to me anymore. But instantly I was thinking in my head that I had to let this girl win if she was close to me. I would look like a bad sport if I out sprinted her to the finish. At mile 2.2 she had creeped back up and was next to me again. As we passed through the neighborhood, everyone cheered for her and knew her by name. I decided right then that if she kept up that pace and we got to the finish together, that I had to let her win. This was her race.

Luckily, I didn’t have to worry about that because at mile 2.3 she started kicking! I thought maybe she didn’t know where the finish line was or something. I wanted to tell her she had time before she needed to pick it up. As we neared the finish line she kept getting farther away from me and she took the win for overall female! In other words I got owned by an 11 year old! I’m ok with that though, she ran a good race, she ran better than me and I realized my legs were still majorly recovering from the marathon.

I ended up with 2nd overall female and first in my age group. With a not so great time of 23:03 but also less than 2 weeks after running a marathon.

I probably won’t do this race again. I highly recommend it if you have a little kid that wants to race but I didn’t feel like it was like other 5Ks in the area. If you have to walk this race I also wouldn’t recommend it. You have to cross a major intersection and the police directing traffic did not stay til the end. There were runners and walkers who had to stop at the corner and wait for the light (it’s a long light too).

Would you be mad if you didn’t get a race t-shirt? I’ve got a TON so I love when I don’t have to have one.

Would you let a little kid win? Luckily she beat me fair and square but I was a little nervous we’d get to the finish line together. Also, she one 2 massages!