"Disclaimer: I received OOFO’s Fibre Low’s 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!"

I would bet that if you are a runner you have heard of OOFOS, if not then you really should look into these INCREDIBLE recovery shoes.

These recovery shows are scientifically PROVEN to help you recovery faster AND feel better!

 OOfoam recovery technology absorbs 37% more impact than other footwear foams. OOfoam impact absorbing recovery technology has been scientifically proven to reduce stress
on your body while walking, allowing you to recover faster after a workout and feel better all
day.

Now, I don't know about you but all of that sounds awesome.

Not only does it SOUND awesome, but it IS awesome.

These shoes are my go-to's.

I have multiple pairs and wear them all of the time, especially during my current training cycle because let's be real, going from roughly 10ish miles a week to 30+, my feet and body need a little extra help in the recovery department.

If that wasn't enough of a reason to check these shoes out and invest in a pair on it's own, OOFOS also partners with Breast Cancer Research. 3% of all oofos.com sales goes to breast cancer research THROUGH Project Pink!

From OOFOS:

Duncan Finigan is a longtime member of the OOFOS Family. As the Director of Marketing, she embodies the Make yOO Better ethos of the brand. In 2014, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer and we knew that we had to get behind her. We believe in contributing to making others feel better beyond our product - through our actions and support we offer. We also believe strongly in the power of research, which is being held back by a lack of funding. That’s why 3% of every pair sold on OOFOS.com, will be donated to Project Pink. This contribution goes directly towards to the critical work the Dana Farber Cancer Institute is doing in their research department to increase the survival rate of women with breast cancer around the globe.

What is also really cool is that OOFOS has a Project Pink Collection on their website and for every purchase from that collection specifically, $10 will go directly to the Project Pink!

So basically you need these shoes because not only are they the most comfortable thing you will put on your feet, they also support an amazing cause.

"OOFOS. Because your family's feet deserve the best!"

*CHEERS*

I am running The Alpine Shop Trail Series sponsored by SWORKIT

Trail running, oh how I love trail running.

The past few months I've been exclusively road and treadmill running so last week, getting back out in nature, I was immediately at peace.

I can't really describe it other than that, pure peace.

Trails are definitely my happy place!

So, The Alpine Shop Trail Series is one that has been put on for some years and it's the first year I'm participating.

It's 4 weeks, 4 races, 4 different courses.

We find out the course the Monday before the race!

The first two weeks have been such a huge success and such big ego boosts for me personally!

WEEK ONE:

WEEK TWO:

*Course Map*

OY! This course was a tough one. Not only was it super hilly, it was hot and humid, making this race definitely a test of will and strength on everyone's part. I had ran part of this trail before, the first intense uphill section. I ran in a couple years ago with my best friend and it was actually the first trail I ran, ever! So a little nostalgia was in play along with the dread of knowing the steepness and the fact that, when you think you're at the top, you're not, it just keeps going!

Along with so much ascent there was plenty of descent as well, and again, downhill is my jam, I can fly and I love it so much! I was a little nervous about the course being wet and muddy due to rain the day before but it really wasn't bad at all in that regard!

I do have to say, my legs are a bit sore this morning, so I'll be cross training and resting today to gear up for tomorrows long run!

Week Two Results:

Overall : 168/246

Age Group Women : 29/45

Time : 53:07

Pace : 13:17

SWORKIT WORKOUT OF THE WEEK:

So along with running to train for this series, cross training is KEY to any runner. I am so lucky to have an incredible partner in SWORKIT and have the ability to use this app to strengthen up my body to be able to crush this trail series. Each week I'm going to highlight a new workout from the Runner's Series of workouts Sworkit has put out!

Since I didn't get a full review up last week, I'm going to highlight TWO workouts this week.

These two workouts are two of my favorites, two of my GO-TO workouts from the app!

WEEK ONE WORKOUT:

click here for workout

Stretching, my one downfall. I'm so bad at stretching, not that I can't do it but that I always forget and by the time I remember I am so run down it just isn't something that I want to do, therefore skipping it all together. SO I've been trying to incorporate this workout into my routine and NOT letting myself skip it! So add this workout to your SWORKIT queue and join me in working on the stretch!!

WEEK TWO WORKOUT:

  click here for workout

It's so easy to fall into the trap that running is enough. After all, we're training for a race, running should be the only thing we need to do, right?! WRONG! It is SOOO important to strengthen up every muscle in your body to prepare for those long runs and races. Running incorporates every single muscle in your body so by strengthening those muscles up you're going to make the experience better, easier and more fun all around! I love strength training and specifically strength training geared towards runners so this is definitely another GO-TO workout of mine!!

Well that's it for this week, be sure to check back next week for my race recap and the Sworkit workout I'll be promoting!! Also be sure to follow along on my Instagram where I'll be sharing the workout in my stories as well!!

Happy Friday!!

*CHEERS*

Coming off of last weeks long run I was in a little bit of a negative head space.

I knew I would bounce out of it after a while but it was still there, bothering me.

Why was that run SO horrible? It's not like I'm not used to running 6 miles.

I needed to shake it off.

Day 1 : Monday 8-6-18

Like I said, I just needed to shake it off. I took Sunday as a rest day and was ready to just get back at it on Monday morning. I met my friend at 5 a.m. to get in some miles. I did my best to slow it down a bit, not push so hard and it worked. It felt awesome! I got in 5 miles and I couldn't have been happier and more at ease with myself. It was definitely what I needed to boost my ego!

Day 2 : Tuesday 8-7-18

Got in this run after work, so I didn't start until about 9 p.m. or so. I really wasn't looking forward to working all night and then coming home to run when all I wanted to do was sleep. But I knew I had to do it otherwise I would be so mad at myself! So I got in the miles, felt great and slept great!!

Day 3 : Wednesday 8-8-18

Okay so this day got away from me. The plan was to crosstrain and use my parents stationary bike. I never got out to their house and before I knew it, it was bed time and the day and evening was just gone. I did get in a SWORKIT core workout and a workout put together by my coach!

Day 4 : Thursday 8-9-18

If you've been following along you know that I'm participating in the Alpine Shop's Summer Trail Running Series. Basically it's 4 Thursdays in August, each course is between 3-5 miles, we found out the course map on the Monday of each week. This Thursday was race one of the four! The race was AWESOME, I love the trails so much and realize just how much I miss them when I get back out there after months of running roads and tracks!

I am running this series as a sponsored athlete by SWORKIT, I'll have the full race review up this week before race two! Long story short, Charlie got sick in the car on the way home so my night, instead of writing my blog post, I was taking care of him and just making sure he was okay. Then life has just taken over but it'll be up soon and I'm so excited for that and for the rest of the races in the series!

Day 5 : Friday 8-10-18

Another late night run.

Technically this run was after midnight BUT I hadn't been to bed yet so I still consider this Friday's run!

I went to the Muny with my Mom to see the last show of the season, Meet Me In St. Louis so the entire day was full of getting house stuff done and making sure the boys were ready to go for Andrew when he got home.

I was really happy with that run, though, so there's that!

Day 6 : Saturday 8-11-18

I finally got on the darn bike!

I got in 7 miles in 30 minutes, is that a good ride?! I have no clue. I don't ride bikes ever so I was just happy I got something in after missing out on Wednesday!

Also, my butt has been entirely sore since this ride!

Day 7 : Sunday 8-12-18

The dreaded long run was upon me. After last week I knew I had to be 100% prepared. I planned it out and made sure I was going to have enough water and fuel in my body prior to going out. My path was way better thought out and my timing was better as well.

The 8 miles went quite seamlessly and I felt vindicated from last week. I walked away feeling really good about myself and my running journey. I did keep it a little slower again but that was the plan, to keep it slow and steady and not overdo it! I'm learning how to pace myself and it's really making a huge difference!

Here's to week FOUR!!!

*CHEERS*

Boy has this week been a roller coaster of emotions.

Coming off of a great first week I was super pumped to jump head first into week two.

I was feeling super good about everything, physically and mentally.

I can honestly say that I have never felt that good at the beginning of a training cycle, usually I'm super tired and just burned out from kicking it up a notch.

Little did I know, my body was going to send me the message loud and clear during this weeks long run, that I may have pushed it a little too hard out of the gate.

Which truthfully is always my issue at races so it seems a bit poetic that it may have been the case during the training of my biggest race yet.

Let's break down the week...

Day 1 : Monday 7-30-18

Rest

Day 2 : Tuesday 7-31-18

Fartlek

Got in my fartlek miles on the treadmill. Still was feeling quite upbeat and felt as though I was pushing myself just enough but not too much. I was super happy with my times for this run!

Day 3 : Wednesday 8-1-18

Easy trail miles

I was so excited to meet up with a group of runners for this run! We met at 4am, which was a bit daunting but I couldn't wait! It's always fun to find a group of people who have just the same amount of crazy in them, that they, too, will get up that early just to get in a run! I definitely plan on meeting up with this group from time to time during this training cycle. I can't wait to get in more runs with them and learn from them along the way!

Day 4 : Thursday 8-2-18

Easy miles and Strides

I have never done strides before but was pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had with them! I'm a fan of speed work and playing around on my runs so these were right up my alley. Whenever I can get out and do something different, it keeps me motivated to keep going!

Day 5 : Friday 8-3-18

Easy track miles

Got out on the track with my track running lady! Again, I can't stress how lucky I am to have a friend who meets me at the track at 5 am pretty much any day of the week! Neither of us like the idea of being out there on our own so running at the same time is just perfect. We both have the drive and need, but also love the accountability of having one another to lean on! 

These miles were easy, I didn't feel like I was pushing too hard or anything, I was just having fun!

Day 6 : Saturday 8-4-18

Long Run

Okay. So this is when it all started to unravel.

I woke up and felt okay. I decided I'd wait until the afternoon to get my run in, not the best decision I've made, it was HOT and I mean HOT and HUMID.

By the time I was getting out there I knew that I was going to have to slow it wayyyyy down.

First 3.5 miles of the 6 were fine, slower than what I've been hitting but I knew I needed to preserve my energy.

At mile 3.5 something in my body just said "Enough is enough!" and my legs started cramping and tightening up.

I stepped to the side of the road, took a Gatorade Endurance Gel and shook it out.

I decided to slow it down even more in hopes that I could hold a decent time but still feeling good.

This didn't happen.

Mile 5 was no fun and by mile 6 I was basically walking more than I was running.

It was a reality check basically.

I had been feeling so great, I felt totally and utterly defeated.

To top it off, I was running an out and back from my house and overshot my out by about a mile and a half!

So I hit my 6 mile long run and had to walk about 1.5 miles back home.

Defeated.

Tired.

I immediately texted my coach on my way home and she was there for me the entire way. Helping me get through it, giving me the advice that I needed to get through it.

I got home, hydrated like crazy, took an ice bath and chilled out the rest of the night.

This run was definitely the first hurdle, of what I'm sure will be many, of my training cycle.

I am proud to say that I have it behind me.

I'm looking forward to this next week, taking it a little slower and just letting my body get used to the mileage and workouts.

Reigning it in has never been my thing, but I'll do my absolute best to do what I need to for my body and training!

Day 7 : Sunday 8-5-18

Rest

Due to Saturday's run, my coach instructed that taking Sunday off may be the best choice! I had to agree with that assessment and let myself rest and recuperate! 

Here we go again!

Another race, another round of training diaries!

This time I'm training for my longest and most grueling race yet.

In November I'll be running my first 50 miler at the Tunnel Hill race in Vienna, IL!!!

They also have a 100 miler as well!

If you don't know, this is the race that Camille Herron KICKED BUTT last year crushing the record for the fastest 100 mile race for a female, by clocking a 7:37 mile for 100 MILES, finished in 12:42:40. Taking the record by over an hour and 3 minutes. This was the fastest 100 mile run in North America by male or female for 2017, and also the Fastest Known Time for 100 miles on a trail by anyone, ever, in North America!! (Source)

As stated above I'll only be tackling the 50 miler this go around, but you bet I'll have my eye on the 100 mile distance!!! This race is a Western States qualifier after all, long term goals people!!!

This is the first time I have EVER worked with a coach and I thought it would be a great idea because this distance is going above and beyond anything I could have ever imagined I'd attempt. Completing the 50K earlier this year was a huge accomplishment due to the terrain and the elements, however it was 30 miles and I had trained for a full marathon before (never having actually raced one, however due to injury)... I just know that 50 miles is such a leap that I desperately need the advice and coaching of someone I completely and totally admire and trust!

My coaches name is Jaime and I can't say enough great things about her, she's an incredible athlete and such a warm and inviting person all around! I had been wanting to work with her since I found out she was a running coach and I KNEW this was the perfect opportunity! She ran this specific race last year herself and crushed it, further proving why she's just the perfect coach for me in this situation!!!

Now that we have that all taken care of let's get down to business.

Training, Week One:

Day 1: Monday 7-23-18

REST DAY

Monday's are going to be rest days, which is perfect because that's the one weekday Andrew is off work so we can do family stuff and just lounge around together (especially once school starts and both boys are gone all morning!)

Day 2 : Tuesday 7-24-18

4 Miles

I did this run on the treadmill because the day was hectic and I didn't make it outside. The treadmill is always easier for me, I'm not sure if that's the case for anyone else but I can just run faster. I can only conclude that this is because the ground is moving underneath me instead of my hitting stationary pavement and the fact that I'm in a controlled environment in a nice cool and zero humidity basement. However, I did average an 8:07 treadmill pace and I'm not complaining!

Day 3 : Wednesday 7-25-18

3 Miles : Fartlek

Got out on the track for this one!! I love fartlek runs so much, speed work in general is my jam! Not going to lie I kept my pace pretty darn even too which NEVER happens on the track!

Day 4 : Thursday 7-26-18

3 Miles : Tempo

Did this one on the treadmill! This run was actually scheduled for Friday, however I switched Thursday and Friday up because Charlie's birthday was on Friday and I was meeting a friend to run the track. We meet at 5 am and I wasn't sure I'd be able to get the full 3 miles in before having to leave to get home (my kids wake up SUPER early and since it was one of their birthday's, I knew I had to get home SUPER early to make it before they woke up wanting presents!)

Again, super happy with the splits given the fact that I worked that night and had to come home and get it done after 9pm!

Day 5 : Friday 7-27-18

2 Miles

Got these done on the track with my track running buddy! Hit a 9:28 pace and I'll take it happily out there on the track! Also, I did get home before either kid woke up and spent the ENTIRE day running around doing everything Charlie wanted to do!

Day 6 : Saturday 7-28-18

2 Miles

Another treadmill day for me! We had Charlie's birthday party on this day so I squeezed in the run post party but pre bed time! There wasn't much time to get this done and I seriously considered just skipping it but I knew I couldn't do that, I would totally be down on myself the entire night and next few days about it if I didn't power through! 8:50 pace, I was tired and hungry so I just wanted to get it done so I could eat something, get the boys to bed and rest the rest of the night!

Day 7 : Sunday 7-29-18

6 Miles : Long Run!
First long run of this cycle!! I was ready for this run, I mean extremely ready! I hadn't run past 4 miles in quite a few weeks, my legs were loving the distance and even though I forgot my headphones and didn't have my trusty BibRave Podcast to listen to, it was so nice to just take in my surroundings! My mom got in a run at the same time so meeting up with her at the end and doing our warm up and cool down together was just so much fun!