Just Finish (A Rock n Roll Marathon Recap)

Hey everyone, Ben here and before I get started here's the disclaimer.
 As a BibRavePro I was selected to run and write/promote the Rock n Roll DC Marathon in return for free entry. This fact does not change how I feel about the race and organizers and for more information about being an ambassador go here.

 So I arrived in DC the Friday before the race and immediately got lost. Apple Maps gets confused and had me going everywhere but to the hotel. I was finally able to stop and get that straight and checked in and parked my car. If you plan on staying inside the District, I would research parking, it can cost a lot if you're not careful. After unpacking and changing, I decided to run to the expo, as it was only 2 miles. The weather was chilly but sunny and I made it to the Expo at the DC Armory in about 20 minutes. Once you got through security we went downstairs and got our bibs. One feature I liked was the scanner before you went back upstairs to verify your information was correct. Back on the main floor, you got your shirt and gear check bag, and could enter the expo.

SWAG CENTRAL!!!

 Divided in 2 parts, we had the Brooks Swag area where you could get race specific merch and Section 2 where the vendors and other sponsors were located. I enjoyed walking around and talking with some product reps, especially the ones that I use but after awhile I headed out and went to the Metro stop to go back to the hotel.

But first a visit to the Smithsonian. If you've never been, go and if you've been, go again. I saw a lot of things I missed when I was here last year and love wandering the Natural History Museum.

Race night dinner was my usual pizza. I went to We The Pizza on Penn Ave and it was really good. If you get a chance check it out.

Yummy

Race morning was cold. I checked out and put my gear in my car, then walked to the start of the race which was about a mile or so. The gear drop was located about a block away from the start and was well run by UPS. The start was a long fenced in area, about 2 blocks behind the museums and corrals were well marked. One thing I didn't like were the race announcers, I know there are a lot of sponsors but you don't need to mention them every 4 minutes. The Rock n Roll kicked off about 30 minutes before the start of the race and we had the singing of the National Anthem. Then we were off. The race winds throughout the city and is mostly flat. Until mile 6 or 7 when you start up the hill to Calvert House. The Blue Mile was set up along the route here and the support and encouragement to continue was super. After that, not so much. I've done races of all different distances and this was one of the sparsest as far as neighborhood support. If you want to run miles with just your thoughts, this is the race for you.
 There is a second large hill at mile 23 in Fort Dupont Park and it was there my legs said enough. I walked the last 3 miles and jogged/limped across the finish. Somewhere along mile 15, I started feeling off and stiff so I started walking/running to rest some but I'm thinking I didn't eat enough in the days leading up to the race. That's my fault and not the races so just remember to fuel up properly before any event. I will keep it mind too.
  I didn't get to spend a lot of time at the finish area. Once you crossed the line you got your medal, and headed to the food and bag pick up. I had to get my car so I walked through quickly and headed out.

Cool Pick Shape.

Overall, the race was fun, well supported aid stations and a friendly group of volunteers. I wish I had more time to explore before and after, but that happens sometimes when you go to events out of you area. The course had music playing at every mile through the mile markers and several bands scattered about.

If your looking for a good Spring marathon on the East Coast I would give the Rock n Roll DC a try.


Lace up and get out....

Ben

2 weeks out and looking at a PR

Hey everyone, Ben here and lets talk about weather stalking and setting a PR at the Rock n Roll DC Marathon. As a Bib Rave Pro I was asked to write a blog post about Athlinks.Com so we will talk some about them also. I was also selected to run the Rock n Roll Marathon as a rep of Bib Rave for free. For more info about Bib Rave and being an ambassador go here.

So the marathon is about 2 weeks out and I have started checking the 10 day forecast twice a day. It has gone from 30's and snow/rain to 30's and partly cloudy. I'm really hoping for the latter, as I hate wet socks. Most people will tell you that you should have everything locked down as far as race day wear is concerned, but things change. I do agree with not buying anything new for race day without testing it. I will admit I do get a new pair of socks before a big race, but they are the brand and model I already wear.

You know, I dislike 2 things about running, tight socks or wet ones. I'm just that way. So back to the weather. I know I'm wearing shorts and calf sleeves. As for the top half it's either a shirt and gloves or singlet and arm warmers. I'm still not sure.

Time to check the weather again. It's warmed a few degrees and will be mostly sunny. Do I wear a hat or shades and a buff? I'll decide next week.

So on to the PR section. I've been running for 7 years now and started using Athlinks when our local RRCA chapter began posting results to the site. I signed up and started finding my races, and other people with the same name in Europe. Don't worry I didn't claim those. The funny thing about this marathon is it will be the first since 2014 that I'm not a pacer so I'm looking to PR. Looking at my Personal Records on Athlinks I see that 4:46:56 is my current PR for the marathon. I'm shooting to finish under 4 hours this time and get a new number on the board.
 My trail marathon was actually my first marathon ever. I know how to pick a tough one. I do see one thing on this. The race that is listed as my 5k PR was actually a 4k but still credited as a 5k.

Looks like I have to email Athlinks about changing that. Good thing they have great service and can help you with most anything.

Except the weather.

Lace up and go running...

Ben W

Chafe Free, it's the Only Way to Be

So I'm a sweaty person when I run. During the summer I go shirtless and my shoes are usually soaked by the end of it. It's gross but it's the way it is. I have used a stick anti-chafe solution before and it never worked that well. You know the scream you let out when the shower water hits your chafe.

"Disclaimer: I received pjuractive 2Skin to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

Bottle 

So 2skin is a gel. It comes in a bottles or moistened towelettes. I have the towels in my gear bag for racecations so I haven't used them yet. I was also sent a travel sized bottle that will come in handy.

2skin is colorless and odorless, so if you get into a battle of wits best stick with the iocane powder.

I've used this with three different pairs of shorts and have had no issues with stains or discoloring so we're good there. After applying just wash with soap and water and your good to go. When I first received 2skin I was in my car and put some on my hands. 

DON'T DO THAT!

It's slick.

As far as runs, I have tested on runs from 7 miles to 18 miles and in various temps, from freezing to 60+.

2skin has held up and I have not needed to reapply during my run. I'm not sure how I would apply more during a run, but where there's a will there's a way.

At the most just a squirt in my hand is sufficient enough to provide coverage to the places that tend to chafe but your needs may differ.

So I have to give 2skin a big 2 thumbs up, this is a great product and I look forward to a chaff free summer this year, and many years to come.

Lace up and get out....

Ben

If you want to check out the website, click here

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.

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