Running and Laughing through the Garden State
If you’re like me and miss racing, you might opt to run a virtual race. Unlike in-person races, you can choose the time, location, and course of your own virtual race. Do you want 0 feet of elevation change? You can. Do you want 100000 feet of elevation change? You can.
Continue reading “How to Get the Most Out of a Virtual Race”
19154 3 Mile Race: 19:14/6:24 per mile
Last weekend I ran the 19154 5k. The course was short. I’m all for making progress, but it would seem fishy if the last time I ran a 5k was 20:33 and now I ran a 19:14. Not impossible, but I would have to make huge fitness gains. The 19154 5k is a challenging course with a few hills towards the end, plus a lot of turns. 19154 is the area code and the race is designed to show your highest allegiance to your area code.
Or for other locals like me, who just wanted to run a 5k. Even after looking, running, and typing this post, I’ve had to look up 19154 to make sure I got the right area code. Which…I didn’t at first.
Anyway, to the 19154 5k. The race itself ended up being exactly 3 miles. So even though it wasn’t a true 5k, I was able to get a good gauge of my fitness.
My husband and I arrived to the 19154 5k around 8:15. The race started at 9:15. We signed up, got the last two t-shirts, then did a 3-mile warm-up. It was difficult to find spots to warm up since the race was on a busier highway.
The 19154 5k started at 9:15, and it went off on time. In the beginning, there were a lot of people who took it out fast. I thought, “wow, I know I’m not in my best shape, but there are so many people ahead of me.” I repeated to myself: “run your own race, run your own race.”
The first mile went around a few turns. I crossed a race course clock at 6:07 and my GPS watch went off about 15 seconds later with 6:22. Another race director who was at the race, told me the course was typically short so I hoped it would be at least 3 miles.
The next mile went up and down several steep hills. I never felt like I got a rhythm. During the second mile, I passed 2 females who were running side by side. I didn’t know what place I was in and assumed somewhere between 2-5. I crossed the second mile in 6:19 and was proud.
The final mile was hilly. I told myself, just a few more minutes. For every downhill, there was an uphill. It didn’t feel like I was pushing myself the “hardest ever” and could continue at the pace for another mile. The hills and the turns beat me up, but my body felt fatigued, but I also felt strong. We can around the final turn and my watch beeped 3 (with a 6:30 last mile).
I crossed the finish of the 19154 5k in 19:14, which averaged into 6:24 per mile.
I’m pleased with my effort at the 19154 5k. Even though it wasn’t a full 5k, I was able to get a good gauge of fitness. If I had raced another .1, I know I would have snuck just under 20 minutes, which is nearly 40 seconds faster than last time I ran a 5k.
I’m looking forward to making more progress and being around 19:14 again in a 5k, and then faster.
Questions for you:
Have you ever run a short race?
What is your favorite distance to run?
I wrote this post almost a week before running the New York City Marathon. About 2 weeks beforehand, I realized I just didn’t “love” marathoning. Before New York in 2018, I thought maybe I didn’t like marathons because I hadn’t run enough. Maybe I just needed practice. So in 2018, I decided to run another. I did well and ran a PR of 3:07.
The truth is, marathons never swept me off my feet. I never felt like I “needed” to run marathons to be a runner. New York has been 3 out of 4 of my marathons. I’ve enjoyed those steps crossing bridges, through Midtown, First Avenue, and all of it. I liked the race, but I don’t enjoy the training, the exhaustion, and 20 miles run. I don’t “love the grind” of runs more than 15 miles.
I like to run. I don’t need anyone to motivate me to run, but I don’t like to run 20 miles. I don’t go to bed thinking about a long run the next morning. I go to bed, get up, run, and move on with my day. I like the rush of finishing a half marathon or 5k, knowing that I may or may not puke at the end. I don’t quite get that rush from marathons. I finish the marathon, half delusional from exhaustion, and think about what happened.
A few years ago, I decided after my second marathon (Pheonix); I was done with marathons for a while. It was before “Instagram running” was a big thing and not everyone was training for a sub-3-hour marathon or even 2:45. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for anyone going after those goals, but it’s not for me. Neither has ever been a bucket list or goal of mine.
After Phoenix, it took me about 3 years to want to run another marathon. Maybe it will take me three more years, maybe 5, maybe 20, I don’t know. I’m not into it and that’s okay.
Anyone who I’ve talked to in 2019 (about running), knows it has not been my year of running. I’m running 1:30+ half marathons when my PR is 1:22. sub 20 minute 5ks are working hard, when my goal used to be breaking 18 mins.
It hasn’t been because I don’t work hard, but things haven’t clicked. I’ve had outside stress and I attempted to start marathon training when I should have stuck to shorter stuff and gained speed back.
My goal from Big Cottonwood Marathon was to start and finish the marathon healthy. That didn’t happen. When the opportunity presented itself to run New York City for the third time, I jumped on it. I was beyond grateful from New Balance.
My goal from Big Cottonwood transferred to New York: Start and Finish healthy. It was never to “secretly PR” or to run X time. I simply wanted to finish a training cycle healthy. I was able to do that. The 1:36 a few weeks ago at the Atlantic City half or the 3:27 at NYCM is slower than I’ve run in a long time, I was beyond happy to finish my slowest marathon yet.
After some rest and recovery, my goal is to regain speed something I’ve lost since early 2018. I want to run fast. Gone are the days that a sub 20 minute 5k seems “easy” to me and it’s something I need to work hard to get back too.
I’m ready to start training for shorter things and gain speed back. I am ready for the rush of “feeling fast” and the feeling of a 5k. There aren’t a lot of winter fast 5ks so I’m hoping to get quality mileage, a base, and speed workouts and find some shorter races this spring.
I’m looking forward to shorter distances and a challenge that excites me. Running another marathon to finish or even PR, doesn’t.
Questions for you:
What’s your favorite racing distance?
Are you currently training for anything?
The New Balance 1400 is a consistent and established racing flat for many runners. There is enough cushion to race a marathon, but it’s also light enough to race a hard mile. In my quest to find a marathon racing shoe for the New York City Marathon, I tried the New Balance 1400v6. Ultimately, I think the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel will be my marathon choice, but I like the ride of the NB 1400 too.
Heel to Toe Drop: 10 mm
Weight: 7.2 oz
For the most part, the updates of the New Balance 1400 updates are in the upper and the fit. Like many brands and shoes, the New Balance 1400v6 now has an engineered mesh upper with no seams. The breathable mesh package helps to fit more feet (especially if your forefront is wider), but also, the New Balance 1400v6 is about an ounce lighter and a more airy feel.
A brand new update to the upper of the New Balance 1400v6 is also the internal “FantomFit support cage.” What is that? The FantomFit support cage is designed to hold the foot securely in place. I did run in the previous version of the New Balance 1400, and I find the NB 1400v6 to hug my feet more and slip less.
Lastly, New Balance did update the tongue of the NB 1400. A common complaint to the New Balance 1400 series is the paper-thin tongue. Many people struggled with it causing irritation or cutting the top of the foot. It’s been updated to lay flat on the foot.
The NB 1400v6 has minimal changes with the ride in the 6th version. The New Balance 1400v6 continues to the New Balance foam “revlite.” What is a Revlite midsole? The Revlite midsole is a durable, lightweight foam and smooth. Since New Balance is such a large company, they have many different foams, including “fresh foam,” “Revlite,” and “Fuelcell.” I appreciate how firm the New Balance 1400v6 is and that it responds well when racing hard.
Like the previous versions of the New Balance 1400, there is a plastic shank from the midfoot to the forefoot. The shank acts as a spring, which helps for a smooth transition from midfoot to the forefront.
One thing that is unique about the NB 1400 series is the stack height. The stack height of the New Balance 1400v6 is 25 mm in the heel and 15 mm in the forefront. The 10mm drop is almost unheard of in a racing flat. (Most racing lats are anywhere between 0-4 mm). It seems to work well, especially if you are using more traditional running shoes for the bulk of your training.
One thing I can appreciate with the New Balance 1400 v6, is the amount of blown rubber and traction in the NB 1400. It consistently performs well in the rain. If New York is rainy, the New Balance 1400 will most likely be my shoe of choice. There is plenty of traction and I won’t worry about sliding down the course on race day.
The New Balance 1400 is a classic shoe and it’s an excellent option for 5ks to marathons. The NB 1400 is a staple racing flat that I believe will be around in the running industry for a long time. There aren’t many speed workouts this shoe can’t handle. For me, it’s the best choice in a rainy race or marathon.
Easy/Daily Runs: Hoka Bondi 6, Brooks Ghost 12
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Hoka Rincon, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2
Long Runs: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Mizuno R2, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Reebok Run fast Pro,
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
Have you run in the New Balance 1400v6?
What is your go-to race day shoe?
The Nike Zoom Fly has been a staple since the Nike Fast Shoes like the Vaporfly and Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo came out. Of the three Nike Shoes, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 is the “most affordable.” After enjoying the original Nike Zoom Fly, I wasn’t sure if I would ever get around to doing a Nike Zoom Fly 3 Review.
I choose to get the “Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise” which is a different color of the Nike Zoom Fly 3.
I skipped running in the second generation of the Nike Zoom Fly but was in the minority of people who liked and appreciated the original Zoom Fly.
The most significant change to the Nike Zoom Fly comes in the upper. If you’ve run in previous versions of the Nike Zoom Fly, you’ll notice the new VaporWeave Upper (like the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2)
VaporWeave is the engineered mesh upper material which is made of plastics, specifically TPU and TPE. (TPE is also used in Yoga mats…neat!) Compared to the previous Flyknit upper material, Vaporweave is much more breathable, lightweight, and doesn’t absorb as much rain or moisture. If you run in a torrential downpour, your feet are less likely to be soggy. The lacing system makes you feel secure in place, and your feet aren’t sliding around.
The original Nike Zoom Fly was a staple workout shoe for me in 2017 and a good portion of 2018. I did a lot of workouts in the Zoom Fly.
The midsole of the Nike Zoom Fly 3 has gone through a few changes with the update. Nike has added more React foam with a higher stack height. What do more React Foam and higher stack height mean? The Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise is now slightly heavier but also has a low heel to toe drop (from 10 mm to 8 mm).
The difference between the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 and the Zoom Fly 3 is the lack of carbon plate in the Pegasus Turbo. The full-length Carbon Fiber plate is still there in the Zoom Fly 3 Rise. Together with the Nike React foam, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise feels faster and more responsive. My favorite addition to the Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise is the rubber traction. You are far less likely to slide around than previous versions.
It’s a great workout shoe, racing shoe, or even a full marathon racing shoe. I could see myself doing any of the three. I’ve run a few hard runs in the Zoom Fly 3 Rise and enjoyed the ride.
Of the Nike Vaporfly (Next%), Nike Pegasus Turbo 2, and the Nike Zoom Fly 3, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise is the cheapest and most durable. It’s designed to either race or train hard. If you are looking for a faster workout shoe, the Nike Zoom Fly 3 Rise is a great option. From the durability to the fit, it is definitely an improvement over the previous versions.
Easy/Daily Runs: Hoka Bondi 6, Brooks Ghost 12
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Hoka Rincon, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2
Long Runs: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Mizuno R2, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: Reebok Run fast Pro
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
What is your go-to fast shoe?
What is your favorite running shoe?