This week, we talk about Mo Farah setting a new record. Changes to the runDisney Avengers Half Marathon weekend. A great new addition to the Embrace Running store. Interesting observations from the National Runner Survey. Bia Sport is no more. And our week in training.
bia Shuts Down
National Runner Survey
Mo Farah Wins Lisbon
Cookie Cutter Races
Schools Try Standing Desks
Official Embrace Running Shirt now available
This week, we talk about warm temps at the LA Marathon. Jared Ward and Blake Russell win the USA Marathon Championships. Our race recap of the Badger Cove Half Marathon. Running nude, in the snow. A mayor creating his own race. An exciting day at the New York City Half Marathon with Molly Huddle becoming the first American woman to win and a mens photo finish. And our week in training.
Molly Huddle Wins NYC Half
How Blake Russell Crushed It
Mayor’s Marathon
New Jogging Stroller
This week, we talk about must do 5k’s in the U.S. Michael Wardian sets an interesting new record. Way Too Cool 50k was this weekend and new course records were set. LA Marathon makes some changes for their upcoming race due to a heat advisory. Charles Eugster sets a new 200 meter indoor age group record. Chicago Marathon lottery is open. Don’t forget to enter our race giveway for a See Jane Run race of your choice. And our week in training.
50K Treadmill Record
95 Year Old Man Sets Record
Must Do 5K’s
If you’re like me you probably have some type of running bag. Using it to carry your running gear to races, the gym, trail runs or wherever you are going to run. I for the longest time used an old Adidas duffel bag. It worked fine I suppose. My issues with it were that it wasn’t really large enough, no dedicated place for shoes and no organization. So my search for a new bag led me to purchasing the Ogio 8.0 Athletic Bag. Now this bag is actually intended for triathletes, which I am not. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great bag for runners.
The Ogio 8.0 has a capacity of 3000 Cubic inches and dimension of 12 H x 26 W x 11.5 D. The first feature that attracted me to the bag is that it has adjustable backpack style shoulder straps that when held together make a nice carry handle. It works great wearing it as a backpack especially when you need to be carrying other items in your hands. Although on your back it definitely feels like a very large backpack. The next feature is the crush resistant lockable armored pocket that sits on one side of the bag. Ogio cites it as a great place for your sunglasses. For me it’s where my car keys, wallet, headphones and sunglasses go. No more digging around the bottom of a bag to find my keys. One end of the bag has a dedicated shoe compartment, it keeps your dirty shoes separate from everything else. The opposite end has a small storage section and an external retractable bungee cord section great for a bike helmet. For me it’s usually a sweatshirt that goes under the bungees. On one of the long sides of the bag there is the nutrition storage. It zippers open and flops down providing an organized area for me to keep my gels, bars, pretzels or whatever snacks I want with me. The opposite side has a pocket for a water bottle. This pocket admittedly is kind of awkward. Only works well if you are carrying the bag on your back. The bottom of the bag if you flip it around has a wet/dry storage compartment with ventilation. Intended for a wetsuit, works great for any smelly post run clothing. Then of course you still have the large main compartment where you will throw the bulk of your items such as clothing.
I have used the bag for relays like Ragnar and overnights to out of town races and it has worked out great. Anything beyond 1 or 2 nights and you’ll need a bigger bag though. I have thrown it in overhead compartments on a plane without issue. The bag is a bit large for that but since it’s a soft duffel you can easily shove it in there. It the size of this bag isn’t quite right but you like the features Ogio does make a larger 9.0 and a smaller 4.0 version.
Now the one and only downside to the bag is its price. It usually retails for about $100. Now you get what you pay for in that the bag materials and zippers are all top quality. For some that is going to be too high a price when you can buy a cheap duffel for around $20-35. For me it works in keeping my stuff organized in a bag that can take a beating. So if you can accept the price then I recommend it as a great bag.
Ogio 8.0 on Amazon
Ogio Website
This week, we talk about the relationship between getting adequate sleep, and running. You can get an awesome “mega medal” if you run the Phoenix marathon or half marathon five years in a row, starting in 2016. More trails might be closed to runners. Several events were cancelled at the Cowtown Marathon weekend. An awesome race giveaway to a See Jane Run race in 2015. And our week in training.
Cowtown Marathon Cancellations
Phoenix Marathon Copper Star
Trail Closed to Runners
Sleep Better
Sleep and Performance
See Jane Run Race Entry Giveaway
Save 25% off a See Jane Run race entry with code SJRAMB246. Use the same code to save 10% at their stores, including online.
See Jane Run is a running store and race organization that really embraces women (and men) of all ages, sizes, fitness levels. They truly celebrate us all getting out there and being active. Although focused on womens’ fitness, men are welcomed into all of their events and no one is made to feel out of place. They have three race locations this year: SF Bay Area in Alameda, CA on June 21; Seattle, WA on July 12; and Pleasanton, CA on September 27. Their events in Alameda and Seattle include a half marathon, 5k and kids race. Their event in Pleasanton includes a Triathlon and Duathlon. I have run their SF Bay Area half marathon twice and had a great time on a flat fast course. The start near Washington Park in Alameda provides a great venue for pre-race activities such as a warm up and dancing-yes dancing. Running close to the water for the majority of the race for both the 5k and half marathon gives runners views of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge. It’s a great course for a PR. With the finish line just a few steps from the shore it’s a perfect place to celebrate and provides a beautiful backdrop for post race pictures. Of course, there is chocolate and champagne at the finish, as there is with all See Jane Run races. This race is in June so there is still plenty of time to train. Next on their calendar is there race in Seattle in July. With the start and finish at Gas Works Park, runners get to run along Lake Union. The last event of their 2015 race season is the See Jane Run Duathlon and Triathlon in September. I’m very familiar with the location of this race-Shadow Cliffs Regional Park in Pleasanton, CA and I will be at this race! The triathlon consists of a 400yd swim, 11.1mile bike, 3mile run. Since my swimming is subpar I figured it was better for all involved if I stayed out of the water so I will be doing the Duathlon- 1mile run, 11.1mile bike, 3mile run. Come join me! They will be expanding their races to several new cities in 2016 so stay tuned for that. I’m fortunate to have been selected to be a See Jane Run Ambassador for its 2015 races. Great news for all of you is that I have a discount code to share for 25% off registration to any of their 2015 races! Race entry includes a race shirt, finishers medal, post race champagne (for those 21+) and of course, chocolate. That’s a pretty good deal. The discount code is SJRAMB246. This code can also be used for 10% off purchases in any of their stores and their online store. I also have a race entry to giveway to one lucky person. See below for giveaway details.
We are giving away 1 free entry to the race of your choice. Just tell us which race you would run if you won (SF Bay Area, Seattle or Pleasanton). Enter the giveaway by doing one of the following (or do all three for a maximum of three entries):
1. Leave a comment below with which race you would do if you won.
2. Leave a comment on facebook with which race you would do if you won.
3. Follow us on twitter and tweet @embracerunning which race you would do if you won and include the hashtag #seejanerun
Rules: One winner will be chosen at random. Contest ends Sunday, March 15th at 1 p.m PST, and winner will be announced soon after.
See Jane Run Races
See Jane Run Store
Disclosure: As a See Jane Run Race Ambassador, I was provided a free entry. See Jane Run is sponsoring this race entry giveaway by providing a unique, single use coupon code for the winner. Winner must register themselves for the race . No travel or accommodations will be provided. Winner will receive registration code at end of contest.
