Disclaimer: I received free race entry into the All State Hot Chocolate 5k 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


1. The swag is AMAZING. Seriously, there isn't another road race that compares to what you receive from the Hot Chocolate runs. I still wear all of my jackets I've received. They're the perfect weight for running in the cooler temperatures or just wearing when you're out and about. Another fun feature is that you will almost ALWAYS run into someone who will say, "Hey! I ran that race too." BAM! Instant connection with another human being. You'd be surprised at the amount of runners there are out there.

2. The course in St. Louis is gorgeous. Through Forest Park is always scenic and beautiful. Definitely hilly but gorgeous nonetheless. Anytime a race comes up and I know the course will be in Forest Park I know that a PR isn't exactly going to happen but I'm guaranteed a lot of beauty and a fun environment to run in!

3. Hot Chocolate afterwards. I mean, need I say more? Who doesn't love hot chocolate on a cold morning? Sure, beer usually is the go-to post run beverage but try it out and you won't be disappointed in the least, I can promise that.

4. Free race photos. You have the option to purchase high resolution photos but if you want a free version, it's there and easily accessible almost immediately after the race.

5. Parking and transportation is a breeze. I love the availability of bus tickets to take you from off site parking to the race start and back afterwards. Forest Park can get pretty congested especially with road closures so having the option to park off site and get to the race extremely easy is such a perk. I can't tell you how many races I was worried about making it to the start in time due to the lack of transportation or the poor planning on the transportation part of the race direction.

6. It's just fun. This is a race that people do just for fun and that means something to me personally. I love races where there are a lot of serious runners as well but there's something about tons of people coming together to run or just to walk and have a great time. These races are super laid back and chill, you feel this throughout the entire race from the packet pick up to the post race party.

Next year don't miss out on the Hot Chocolate race here in St. Louis and also bee on the lookout for this race in a city near year!

"Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Scooby Doo Run Series (DooGood 5k) and I received my entry 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!"

Unlike the Doo Good 5k, this run didn't go quite as planned.

The idea was to get this run done on Halloween. It was SCOOBTOBER after all! Plus both the boys had school that day so I was able to get out there with the dogs without having them tag along. We woke up that morning and it was raining on and off, cold and windy.

We dropped the boys off at school and it was raining by the time we got back to do the run. I knew that we only had a couple hours so I pushed it off as long as I could. Alas we ended up having to get this run done in the rain. It was more of a brisk walk while I drug the girls along but we got it done, freezing and wet and all!

They weren't entirely thrilled with the hats that I made them wear but I thought they were super cute so they didn't really have a choice. I know that they just humor me and they realize if they just give me what I want, I'll eventually go away and leave them be.

This run was definitely more trying than the Doo Good 5k, however isn't that how running goes?! It's not always perfect or easy but we get it done, someway somehow we get our runs done and feel way better afterwards!

These medals meant a lot to us because of the elements that we had to go through in order to complete the virtual run!

*CHEERS*

"Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Scooby Doo Run Series and I received my entry 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!"

I'm sitting here, it's race week, I'm a ball of nerves and emotions. This seems like the perfect time to catch you all up on my journey these past two weeks!

Here we go...

WEEK FOURTEEN

Day 1 : Monday 10-22-18

Day 2 : Tuesday 10-23-18

8 Miles to recover! Had to make sure I kept the pace steady and slow, it's really easy for me to get on that treadmill and just go! I have to constantly remind myself that I have to slow down and take it easy for training purposes, slow recovery runs are essential to the training process!

Day 3 : Wednesday 10-24-18

60 minutes on the bike to cross train! Both the boys were in school so it was a nice 60 minutes of peace and quiet while I rode. 

Day 4 : Thursday 10-25-18

7 mile progression run. Keeping the first 3 miles steady and increasing the last 4! These runs are hands down my favorite. I love pushing the pace and just seeing how fast and hard I can go for an entire mile and then not stop, but keep going! I can absolutely see a difference in my runs by incorporating this speed work weekly!

Day 5 : Friday 10-26-18

REST DAY!

Day 6 : Saturday 10-27-18

Completed the Quivering Quads II 8.1 mile trail run! I was able to run this race 20+ minutes faster than last year which boosted my confidence immensely! My mom ran this race with me and my incredible coach was there cheering on along the course and then at the end! I love these races and I love this running community!

Day 7 : Sunday 10-28-18

10 miles to recover. My legs were a little more tired today than I had originally thought they would be. I pushed at the race yesterday so it was interesting to be that sore from relatively low mileage! Either way I got it done and am starting to really understand what it means to run on those tired legs. Guess I should get used to that, right?!

WEEK FIFTEEN

Day 1 : Monday 10-29-18

REST DAY

Day 2 : Tuesday 10-30-18

6 easy miles and 4 strides! Followed by some fun pictures with Charlie, taken by Oliver. They're growing up so fast and I love that they get to watch me run, chase goals and live out my dreams when in comes to running. I hope that I can set a good example for them and teach them that goals and achievements are all possible as long as you put in the work every single day!

Day 3 : Wednesday 10-31-18

Day 4 : Thursday 11-1-18

6 easy. He's such a ham! I love how much he loves to take pictures with me, Oliver is over it mostly so I'll hang on to this one and never turn him down!

Day 5 : Friday 11-2-18

Day 6 : Saturday 11-3-18

Day 7 : Sunday 11-4-18

Day 2 of the craft show so I had to get up extra early and get in my recovery miles! Also, it was like Oliver read my mind and understood how sad I get when he doesn't want to be in my pictures. I came upstairs after my run and he goes "MOM I WANT TO BE IN YOUR PICTURE TODAY TOO!" I count that as a huge win!

SUMMARY:

Surreal. That's what I'm feeling right now, the fact that I'm writing a recap for week FIFTEEN is surreal.

These last two weeks flew by. I'm sitting here reminiscing over these miles and runs and realizing just how crazy it is that this race is 6 days away! It feels like yesterday I started this training cycle. I'm nervous, I'm excited, I'm prepared, I'm beyond scared.

Thank you all for following along so far... I look forward to sharing week 16 with you all this Friday and then recap the race next week.. I promise I will do my absolute best to share every single moment with all of you, after all, you have all been such a huge part of my journey and I appreciate all of your love and support along the way!

*CHEERS*

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This run was so much fun! We completed this run in September with my sister-in-law and her dog, Roxie!

It was so nice to get out together and hit the trail for a fun 5k!

These dogs don't get to hang out a lot so it was so fun seeing them together, getting in this virtual run and just hanging out!

We completed this 5k and the dogs were so tired, I swear my girls were tired for a couple days afterwards! They're not exactly used to all that exercise.

Once the run was over we anxiously awaited the arrival of our medals! Once they came the girls couldn't wait to try them out. They were so happy to receive a shiny medal, Mab even tried to eat hers!

We were thrilled to be a part of this race and were super pumped to complete the Scoobtober 5k in October as well (that race recap will be live right HERE tomorrow!)

Please Follow Along

Week Nine

Day 1 : Monday 9-17-18

Day 2 : Tuesday 9-18-18

7 treadmill miles done today! The boys were going crazy the entire time so there were quite a few breaks taking to stop the boys from fighting one another. There was even once when Oliver had Charlie in what resembled a complex wresting hold... I swear, boys are insane. One minute they're fighting and the next they can't stop hugging and kissing each other. I also was dealing with a bit of a sinus infection so my head was a little fuzzy and my breathing a bit difficult. All in all I was glad I got the run in, there wasn't any way that I was going to make an excuse and push this workout.

Day 3 : Wednesday 9-19-18

I haven't ran a timed run since my Double Chubb training. So I started out with a 20 minute warm up, followed by 20x 1 minute hard then 1 minute easy, then a 10 minute cool down. I got in a total of 6.81 miles and it felt really good. I enjoyed not having a mileage hanging over my head but rather a time. I knew I was going to be running for a certain amount of time and that was really comforting and helped me get in a mindset for this run. I was happy with my mileage on top of it all as well!

Day 4 : Thursday 9-20-18

Holy heat. This run was intense. We ran faster than expected and dealt with the heat and humidity! I couldn't wait to get home and rinse off, I could ring out my clothes as if they had just come out of the washer! Cool, right?! Got in 4.2 miles and was happy to have gotten that run out of the way in the early AM before the heat kicked up a bit in the afternoon. Also, shout out to this lady for being on SO many of my runs this training cycle. She's been a kick butt running partner and have enjoyed every minute of our time together!

Day 5 : Friday 9-21-18

I didn't stop this entire day! I swear I was go-go-go from sun up until sun down! Got in my yoga cross training thankfully! I knew I was going to need it since I had a HUGE long run in store the next day!

Day 6 : Saturday 9-22-18

This run scared me. I saw 20 miles on my plan and I knew that I was going to have to mentally prepare for it. During my entire Double Chubb training my highest mileage I ran was on a treadmill. Other than my 50k, this training run was the farthest run I have ran outdoors and it was terrifying but after it was over I felt great! The first 14 miles I ran with my running partner! We talked, we saw tons of dead birds on the trail (still unsure what that was all about but there were at least a dozen of the same breed bird dead all along the same small stretch of trail), and we dealt with all of the crazy bikers! 14 miles in and I decided to get in the last 6 on my own on the trail instead of heading home and using the treadmill. I wanted this run all outdoors!

Nutrition is going great, I'm eating roughly every 40 minutes and every time I hit my aid station/car! PBJ's, peaches, plums and banana nut muffins have been my favorite go-to foods so far! I've also been paying attention to my hydration and electrolyte intake as well. I can honestly say that by paying attention to these things I feel like I could run forever! I don't ever let myself fall behind or tell myself to just hold on a few more minutes, if I feel hungry or thirsty or deficient in any sense, I slow down and take in what I need! I've never done this before so it has taken a bit of practice for me, nutrition and me have never meshed well!

Day 7 : Sunday 9-23-18

Recovery miles today! Took it easy, got in 4 miles and was just happy that I wasn't really sore from the day before! Again, a first for me, hitting such a long distance on Saturday and not feel sore the next morning! I can feel my body getting stronger each week and it always seems to surprise me!

Week Ten

Day 1 : Monday 9-24-18

REST DAY!

Again, another day of rest and attempted relaxation! 

Day 2 : Tuesday 9-25-18

I really didn't want to do this run. Same timed workout as last week and I was dreading it. I was tired and just run down from chasing the boys around all day. They take it out of me on a daily basis and I am constantly feeling like I have to fight the urge to just pass out at every given chance!

So again, 20 minute warm up, 20x 1 minute fast then 1 minute slow, and a 10 minute cool down. The awesome part about this run is that I hit the 7 mile mark! Upped my mileage from last weeks timed run and it felt great! After the warm up I just got into a groove and kept going!

Day 3 : Wednesday 9-26-18

5 treadmill miles. The boys cooperated more on this run but the motivation just isn't there lately. I can't explain it but it's been taking much more self motivation to get my butt on that treadmill or out on the roads! I'm always much happier after my runs so for my sanity and my families sanity I just have to make myself get these workouts in!

Day 4 : Thursday 9-27-18

I needed to get this run in before work. I knew that the day was going to be packed so planning strategically was a big deal. Thankfully I was able to do it and didn't have to get on that treadmill post work! Another speed workout for the week. First 5 were steady and the last 3 I increased a bit each mile! Felt good, felt right, got into a groove and let this run just flow!

Day 5 : Friday 9-28-18

Oh my gosh, the DooGood 5k was such a fun run that I got in on Friday! I was so lucky to have my dogs, Charlie, my sister-in-law and her pup along for the ride! Being part of BibRave I've had the pleasure of testing out some incredible products and ran one other FUN race, but this whole Scooby Doo Run series has been such a blast! I'm able to train and race whenever is convenient for me being as the race is virtual and basically all on our own honesty! I was so happy that my sister-in-law was willing and able to join us today, we had a blast with the dogs getting it done and us being able to chat and just hang out. Let's be real, we could just drop the "in-law" at the end of that because it's definitely a much closer relationship than that title tends to convey!

Coming up in October we have the Scoobtober 5k as well so I'm hoping we can plan it out to have this group back together again to tackle that 5k as well!

Day 6 : Saturday 9-29-18

First I just have to say that I feel so incredibly lucky to live in a city where the running community is beyond inviting. I am part of a few amazing running clubs through Facebook and have never once felt judged or anything of the sort. Not only do these run clubs feel super inclusive they also host group runs very regularly. One of my FAVORITES is Arch City Run Club's LADIES TO THE TRAILS events. Basically it's a ladies run that meets once a month at a different trail in the area. I've met some awesome ladies through these runs and love showing up on my own and just seeing where the run takes us. I always feel like I walk away on cloud 9 having just run through the woods, no matter the temperature or weather, with ladies who completely understand my love for this sport.

On Saturday I was able to meet up with the ACRC LADIES TO TRAIL run group and I got in 8 miles. On top of just having an awesome group of ladies, the leader of this group and the coordinator of the event is none other than my COACH, Jaime! So not only did I get to hang out with some kick butt ladies, I was also able to get some one-on-one run time with my coach and mentor! I can honestly say I think of her as a friend and mentor who just happens to be my wonderful and knowledgeable coach! She just has that personality you want to be around, she is positive and welcoming and it's impossible to NOT want to be around that energy!

The rest of the day we were crazy busy so I got in the last 7 miles of my long run that evening on the treadmill before the boys went to sleep. Those miles went really well! I was hitting times I didn't even plan on and afterwards felt like I could take on the world! All in all I can say my motivation came back like crazy today!

Day 7 : Sunday 9-30-18

*CHEERS*