Marathon training, 4 weeks out.

My hair is Awesome!

What's happening running friends? As a Bib Rave Pro, I am sometimes able to opt in to run events and promote and write about them. So in 4 weeks I will be running the Rock n Roll Marathon in D.C. If you want to run, use code RNRBRP2018 and get $15 off.

I started adding a long run to my weekly miles about 5 week ago, so I've had nine weeks to get ready. The usual training plan is 16 weeks but with an average weekly mileage of 25 miles or more I can be comfortable in ramping up on short notice. The funny part about running another marathon was I said earlier in 2017 that Richmond would be my last marathon after the scare I had in the Spring. Well, I lied. The lure of the marathon is too strong to resist and I'm at it again but better prepared.

Training is going well, even with the weather  we have been experiencing here in Virginia. I'm running with a group more and that has really helped me improve. We run at least twice a week on different 7 mile routes and practice 'first to last' so nobody gets left behind. One day a week I set aside for track work, which is usually based on 10k or half marathon pace, so we are going much faster than I plan for the marathon.

Saturday long runs are broken up with helping to coach a local 10k training team. Seeing first time runners out going further then they ever have before is rewarding and inspires me to do better.

That's enough for today, I will see everyone next week for 3 weeks out and look at the course and my plan of action.

Lace up and get out...


Ben

Pins are so 2017

How many sets of 4 pins strung together do you have? As a runner I have 2 in my car, several in the house somewhere and at least 2 pinned to the kit bag. Well that was 2017 me. 2018 me is rocking the Bib Boards and let me say these little things are awesome!

So what are Bib Boards? They are a snap that goes through the hole on your race day bib and the other half is on the inside of your shirt. They can be branded or logo and have several phrases or images to choose from. As I didn't have a race scheduled until mid-February I was trying to figure the best way to test.

First was the the snap test. While watching football I snapped and unsnapped for about 15 minutes. They still held shape and  leads us to test number 2, the shirt test.

I went for a 13 mile training run and attached two Bib Boards that I used during test one. I was worried about chafing from the inside of the snaps, but actually I forgot they were even there. At one point I had to check my shirt to make sure they were still attached.

Test 3 was the bib test. Since I didn't have a race scheduled during testing, I just grabbed an old bib and put it on. I went to the local track and just did 800 repeats for marathon training and the bib stayed in place and didn't really bother me at all. Normally I wear a bib on my shorts, but I was okay with the shirt. I never hit the bib with my arms and it stayed in place.

Pin Free

So far I'm really liking Bib Board and I would recommend checking them out.


Until next time, lace up and get out...

Ben

Be Seen! Be Safe!

Hello again dear readers! Ben here, back with another episode of Run, Bigfoot, Run and today we are talking about safety. As a sometimes instructor, I always stress the importance of wearing reflective clothing, bright or white is not good enough. When I go out for early morning runs before the sun comes up I'm wearing something reflective, and a headlamp. I'm amazed at the number of people that are in all black or just a white shirt and think that's enough. It's a good way to get hit.

 As a BibRave Pro, I sometimes get to test products and offer a review or chat them up on the social channels. I recently received some Brilliant Reflective strips to test and here are my thoughts. Being a Pro with BibRave does not influence my decisions and if you want to learn more about BibRave visit www.bibrave.com.

Don't hold the iron up to your face to see if it's hot. 

So Brilliant Strips are super easy to apply. Simply remove the backing and apply them wherever you feel the need to be seen. Included on the packaging is a front/back image of the best places to put them. Or you can iron them on. I used the iron on strips in my testing and they held on tight, and were super easy to put on. Simply get your iron hot, they provide the temps that work best, place the strips where you want them and cover with a paper towel. I used 2 towels on top of each other and it worked fine. Press down for 30-40 seconds and BOOM, you will shine like a rock star at the Grammies!

If only I ironed everything as well as this.

Once your done, peel off the protective plastic and your reflective. The photo at the top of the page is taken with the flash on my phone so they certainly are bright.

If you want more information, or want to order your own go to Brilliant Reflective and pick up some for yourself. You can get single packs of one color or multi packs.

You can also follow Brilliant on Instagram or Twitter with the handles below.

Insta: @brilliant_reflective
Twitter:@brilliant_safe


As always, thanks for stopping by and hope to see you hear again soon.

Got Gum? Run Gum review

Welcome to the blog, today I tried a new product called Run Gum. I received free samples, but had to pay S&H, so it was somewhat free. Anyway, that fact did not influence this review.

 I received 3 flavors and tried the Mint this morning. The package contains 2 pieces of gum and each one is about the size of a nickel and slightly thicker. The taste starts off like an energy drink, and after chewing for a few minutes you can taste the mint so it's not too bad.

 After about 15 minutes the gum starts to get that stale feel and your ready to spit it out. Since I was running and didn't want to spit it out on the road I just tucked it between my gums and lip and kept going until I found a trash can.

Did I feel anything? I had one piece which is about the equivalent of a soft drink, so I did feel a little like I had more energy. I will have to try with 2 pieces and see if there a noticeable difference, but from first impression I would Run Gum
a shot. It will not replace an energy gel during a half or full, but at the start of a race could give that little boost your looking for.

back of package

All the Goals!!!

So it's 2018 and everyone and their mom are making resolutions for the coming year. While I don't resolve to make resolutions I do believe in making goals for the coming year. I always try to set some attainable goals, such as PR'ing certain races, and others like running 2018 miles for the year.

About 10 years ago I was working as a manager at a Sports Bar and the company culture used the book Raving Fans, which worked toward setting your goals at 15% increments so they are attainable. Once you reach that goal just set a new goal. It's the one self help book I've enjoyed and followed and still try to to this day. Setting a simple goal gives accomplishment and you're not beating yourself up trying to reach something unattainable.

So let's get to my goals for 2018.

1. 1. PR Everything. I've noticed that as I've gotten older and   started running with a group (Thank you Rogue!) I PR'd several distances last year. Two of those, the half marathon and 8k were over 4 years old! I PR'd my full distance but I know I can do better as I was pacing someone to get them a PR. This year I'm looking to get them all.
2. Well, I will run 2018 miles and maybe a little more. In 2017 I managed 1300+ miles but battled with injuries and health problems. I don't foresee that happening this year. I'm working on my hips and core more and cross training so I can get this goal. It comes out to 5.52 miles per day, or 38.6 miles a week.
3. Break 20:00 at a 5k. This is my white whale and I was planning on doing this in 2017 but other things came up and I only ran one 5k, which I PR'd for the course. Track work and the increase in mileage will help me get there so we shall see.

Granted none of these are the 15% I spoke of earlier, but if yo're just starting set some easy goals like running your first 5k or 10k or maybe that first half marathon. Always try to set something easy for yourself and then the harder goals will themselves become easier.

Until next time, lace up and go run!

Ben

Last 5k and The Big Announcement!

So this weekend was huge! Not only was it my first and last 5k of the year, but I also had 2 reveals I made over on Twitter and Instagram Sunday and Monday.

 First the race. This was the local Toys for Tots 5k which I have ran for the last 5 or 6 years so it's my streak race. Over 600 people came out and filled a van several times with toys for the Marines to give out as part of Toys for Tots. Since the entry was a toy there were no shirts or medals but the directors do give out ribbons for age group awards. The course is a lollipop out and back with a hill coming back around mile 3. This is also a goal race for several local Girls on the Run groups so there were plenty of reasons to stay after and cheer.
 It was a 5k so I don't have a lot of details but I finished 2nd in age group and beat my course PR by about a minute, so I finished the year strong. I plan on having a year in review after Christmas and talk about some goals I will carry over to 2018.

The other bit of news that I already posted on Instagram and Twitter is that I was accepted as a Bib Rave Pro and a Nuun Ambassador. I consider this a huge privilege and look forward to sharing the experience with everyone.
 As another bonus I will have a page for race discounts up this week and sharing product discounts with everyone as well.


Until next time, keep the laces tight

Ben

Discounts!!!! Get Your Discounts Here!!!

Welcome to your one stop shop for Race and Product Discounts. As this is updated all the time, check back often and I will post on Twitter as well. Follow me @bwachter70

   

I am also an ambassador for the Blue Ridge Marathon. Use BRMBEN20 for 20% off any distance!