Repeat One, Repeat All

Weekend - Team Shake Weight at the Ragnar Relay, Cape Cod

Wednesday - Ragnar Shirts

Our Ragnar Shirt have arrived. I love my design. Look out for Team Shake Weight next week in Cape Cod! 

Thursday - Niketown Runs & Ragnar Ambassadorhood

I’ve been looking for ways to branch out my workout routine and I think I found the perfect group to join, in addition to the occasional drop-ins at Team in Training and the Team in Training Alumni runs. After recommendations from a few friends I came across the Niketown Runs. They meet three times a week, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday and absolutely kick your ass with their workouts.

My initiation was a failure on my end. In my mind I thought the workout would be more casual and I decided to throw caution to the wind and jump into the 8 minutes group. We were doing three lower-loops with sprints for 2 lampposts and jogging 2 lampposts. They encourages us to go a minute ahead of our comfortable pace. So, I said “Sure, why not?” and joined my friend DS in the faster group.  

Big mistake. I started out leading the pack but was dragging behind at the end of the first loop. There was no real slow down. I decide to finish the workout on my own and caught up with a few girls behind me who slowed down. I think next time I’ll follow my instincts and go for the 9 minute pace group. I crapped out after two loops and hightailed it back to Niketown for my bag and much needed inhaler (I completely forgot to take it before the workout! - it definitely helped to slow me down even more).

You’ll notice I said next time. There will definitely be a next time as it was such a good work out. It will definitely prepare my well for Ragnar. And speaking of Ragnar…have you picked your race yet? Have any questions about the race or want to talk to someone who has been through it before and can’t wait to do it again, don’t hesitate to contact me. Who’s ready for 200 miles of relay fun?

Monday - Ragnar Relay Essentials

Now, that my team is getting in gear for our second 200 mile relay race I’m starting to think about all of the essentials that I’ll be needing during the race. Of course, we want to stick to a budget for this as well. 

1. Custom Team Dri-Fit T-Shirt - Last year we designed shirts and purchased three for each person. This year we’re going to cut costs by purchasing only one per person. And I’m thinking about maybe iron-ons with our design instead of paying for printing. I need to cost it out but, that would mean on $10.16 per shirt! 
2. Petzl Headlamp - Definitely an essential (and requirement) for night running. This headlamp worked great. And comes in fun colors. $0 for me, $19.95 for you. 
3. Nathan Safety Strobe Tail Light - Last years vests were a bust, many had broken L.E.D. lights and we had to trade ‘em between runners during the race. So we’re going with a reflective vest and tail lights this year. This one is great $6 and comes in multiple colors - of course my favorite is berry!
4. Nathan Streak Reflective Vest - Light weight and lots of reflective portions. Perfect! $18.97
5. Asics 2170s - New running shoes are ideal. My current ones are running out of mileage. It’s time for the next pair. And these are a great color! $110 (I’m trying to find them cheaper - So far runningwarehouse.com is the cheapest!) 

Sunday- Ragnar Team Get Together

This weekend went by so quickly with so little yet so much accomplished. I did a 6.75 mile run on Saturday and a 5.5 miler on Sunday. A lot of running but not much else. I did however have the wonderful brunch with my Ragnar team that I spoke about after a team run. We had green eggs, pancakes, turkey bacon, potatoes, bagels & cream cheese, donuts (the most amazing homemade donuts from Orwasher - see the pic), fruit and crackers and cheese. To drink we had Hawaiian coffee, bellinis and wine.

The food and friends were amazing and we were able to dole out tasks for Ragnar and assign legs of the race. I’m even more excited for the race. Two friends spent the rest of the day with me and we relaxed, listening to music, and not a whole lots else was accomplished. I hate it when the day gets away from you like that. I have so many left overs I’ll have breakfast for the rest of the week, if not longer! Pot lucks are great that way for the host.

Best part of the week, I kept to my $50 budget (even with the unexpected donation)!

Wednesday - To Race or Not to Race

My addiction to endurance races continues into 2012. For this year I am already signed-up for the New York City Half in March (yes! I got into the lottery), the Eugene Marathon in April and will be signed-up for the New York City Marathon in Nov. Could I dare add another race?

My main issue is not with actually training and racing, but with the expense of going to the races. There’s the flight, the hotel, the eating while you are there, the fun stuff that you want to buy at the Expo, and of course going out to celebrate after the race! Oh my! I just also got accepted as a Ragnar Ambassador. They are going to give me gear and a free entry into a 2012 race in exchange for promoting the race in NYC. The Crazy Kids want to Ragnar Cape Cod, so this is the prefect opportunity. But the race is a mere two weeks after Eugene. 

Ragnar cost less than $200 (after the entry fee) in 2011. So it is definitely possible for me to use my new money making methods to get enough money to cover than and add it to the list of races I can commit to. Eugene, on the other hand is sure to cost much much more with hotel, flight, food and fun. I’m estimating around $800. I think the cost conscious gal in me know the right move to make here. I want to do both, but there is a more important goal to save for. So sacrifices will have to be made. There is always 2013 or 2014 to run Eugene. 

So 2012 races have been updated: 

• Miami Half Marathon
• NYC Half Marathon
• Ragnar Relay, Cape Cod
• Eugene Marathon
• NYC Marathon 

If I find a way to make loads of money in the next few months, maybe we can re-add Eugene to the list. I’m also sure there are going to be a lot of smaller races added to this list. I’ll keep you posted.