Runderella

Journey through my love for running and everything in between

Just a Little Update

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Seems like it’s the same song and dance – “sorry I haven’t been around…”

I really enjoy sharing my adventures with you, and just as I was starting to get back running, life decided to take a turn in the wrong direction.

These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult; my parents, driving to enjoy vacationing in New England, suffered a major car accident, in which not only my parents were badly injured, their car was totaled. My life has been at a standstill. That whole week my mom was hospitalized, I hardly ate, I slept in uncomfortable chairs beside her, and I haven’t worked. My sister also had surgery the same week. Right now, I’m just really thankful everyone is alive and safe, and for that, I feel blessed.

And while I have spent my time caring for my family, the last thing I have done is take a moment to breathe, to do something nice for myself.

As someone who is in love with traveling and is fascinated with planes, I was excited today to get an email that there will be a 5K at Philadelphia International Airport. Immediately I signed up, since it is limited to 250 participants. My hip pain has worsened, probably from sleeping in chairs/sofa for over a week, and doing PT exercises have left me in even more pain. I have added glucosamine with chondroitin and MSM to my supplement regime, and will take it easy during that Runway 5K. Before my parents accident, I was easing back into running and could run 4-5 miles comfortably. I’m going to run 2-3 miles tomorrow just to clear my head and see how that goes. I’m hoping for some normalcy.

Anyway, Happy October!

Love,

Lindy x

Hot Chocolate 5K Philadelphia – 2015 Recap

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The Hot Chocolate Race Series are great races to participate in whether you consider yourself a beginner of an advanced runner. This is my second time participating in a Hot Chocolate Race and once again, I loved it.

This year, the Expo was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City Philadelphia, a much better option than last year. It was a small expo but very organized. Bib and packet pickup lines were not long at all and I was in and out in less than 5 minutes. There was a booth where you could exchange hoodie sizes, pending availability. The hoodie fit perfectly, and as last year’s hoodie, I sized up to a medium. It is heather grey with pink and oh-so-comfy!

I was good at the Expo – only spent $30. Bought a Roo Sport 2.0 (which is probably the best $25 ever spent!) and bought some Mamma Chia drinks, which I already loved.

This was a training run for me, and my running coach suggested not going past an 11-minute mile. I had been battling the sinus infection from hell – on antibiotics for the second time, and I was very tempted to stay home, and maybe I should’ve listened to my body and stayed in bed. I woke up with body aches and a hoarse voice, but anyway…the weather was sunny, chilly and very windy. The 5K is an out-and-back course starting at Eakins Oval to Martin Luther King Drive to finishing right in front of Philadelphia’s Museum of Art. It’s a beautiful course, with the Schuylkill River/Boathouse Row on your left as you make your way back to the finish line. I never get tired of running here.

Corrals were crossing the start line approximately 4 minutes apart. I moved back to Corral E to be with my friends (you can always move back, never up) and it was crowded. Crossed the start line at 8:04 AM and had to walk a bit because the course was so crowded. It did spread out just past mile 1 for a bit. I was running a 10:30-11:00 minute mile just until it was time to turn back. It was a fierce headwind. Finished in 35 minutes.

Didn’t feel well enough to stay around for the finisher’s party, just met up with friends and coworkers and chatted a bit while sipping a steaming hot mug of cocoa, which was just perfect after running not only sick, but under those chilly and windy conditions.

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I truly enjoyed this race. The swag bag is awesome, course is great, wonderful spectators and volunteers. Can’t wait to drag more peeps out for this one next year 🙂

Have you participated in a Hot Chocolate event? What are your thoughts on it?

Lindy x

 

Disclosure: Although initially invited by RAM Racing to be a Hot Chocolate 15K/5K ambassador, I did pay for this event myself and was not compensated in any way. My thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own.

Will Run for Chocolate! Philadelphia’s Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Ambassador

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Sweet News:

RAM Racing contacted me this week about becoming an ambassador for Philadelphia’s Hot Chocolate 15K/5K run, which will take place on Saturday, April 4th, 2015. I had such a wonderful time last year with my sister and our friends (it was their first 5K!) and we decided to participate once again, so these news made me quite excited 🙂

 

HC Blogger

Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Ambassador

 

Needless to say, I accepted.

The race:

Known as America’s Sweetest Race, the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K race series was established in 2008, having its inaugural race in the lovely city of Chicago. Each Hot Chocolate race features a 15K (9.3 miles) and a 5K (3.1 miles) race and it is perfect for both runners and walkers. Each participant receives a goodie bag filled containing a full-zip hoodie that is fleece-lined (they’re so comfy!) and if you use code RunderellaHat when registering online, you’ll also receive a Hot Chocolate Hat to go with your hoodie! Hint: Women’s hoodies tend to run a bit small, so size up.

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2015 Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Race Hoodie (Fleece-Lined!)

 

The Expo:

The Expo for Philadelphia’s Hot Chocolate 15K/5K will take place on Thursday, April 2nd from noon to 6 pm; and Friday, April 3rd from 10 AM to 7 pm at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, located at 1101 Arch Street, Hall G, Philadelphia, PA.

Due to the volume of runners participating in the Hot Chocolate Races, there will be NO race-day bib/packet pick-up. If you can’t attend the expo, you may have a family member or a friend pick it up for you as long as they have a copy of your confirmation email (limited to five packet pick-ups per person).

Post-Race Party:

Once you cross the finish line, you’ll receive your medal (if you’ve registered and completed the 15K) and have access to the chocolate tent, where you’ll receive your finisher’s mug (there’s a ticket attached to your bib, so don’t rip that off). The finisher’s mug has a cup of hot cocoa, chocolate fondue, a banana, graham crackers, marshmallows and pretzels to dip in the chocolate fondue. It is a chocolate heaven! There are several stations where you can take pics with the inflatable Hot Chocolate characters. Dance to rocking’ music and celebrate your accomplishment.

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New for 2015 – 15K finisher’s medal for every city!

 

Other tidbits:

Gear Check is available to all participants from 6:30-11 AM and start times for the 5K will be at 7:15 AM; 15K Start Time will be 8:00 AM. It is a wave start, with corrals crossing the start line approximately 5 minutes apart. Last year was well-organized and there were assigned people checking bibs to ensure people were in the proper corral.

Forgot Gear? They have tents set up in Eakins Oval where you can buy last-minute race merchandise such as gloves, winter beanies and sweaters. Last year was windy, and I ended up buying gloves.

Bring your kids! There is a Kid Zone complete with a bounce house and games. So everyone regardless of age can enjoy the day.

Pictures and Video:

From their website: New in 2015! We’ll capture you in high-resolution shots, and track those shots using your unique bib number. After the race, each registrant will be emailed free pictures and videos of themselves at the race. Share it on Facebook, tweet it, or download it and print it out.

So don’t miss out on the fun! Here’s my recap from the 2014 Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Philadelphia Race.

Register for any of their races at www.hotchocolate15k.com. Don’t forget to use code RunderellaHat to get your FREE hat at the Expo! The registration code isn’t limited to Philadelphia participants, so feel free to use it for any Hot Chocolate 15K/5K race.

Be sure to follow Hot Chocolate 15K/5K on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for up-to-date info on race in your city as well as upcoming races.

Hope to see you there.

Lindy x

Hot Chocolate 5K Recap

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Hot Chocolate 5k/15k Philadelphia

I was really looking forward to this year’s Hot Chocolate 5K in Philadelphia. It was my sister’s and my two friends first 5K, and I was so excited for them.

The race packet pick-up was at the Philadelphia Runner store in University City. I wished it were at the Center City location since it is a bigger store and closer to amenities. This store, while heavily crowded, everything was organized – from bib pickup, to packet pickup, etc. The volunteers for HC15K were very nice and friendly.

One of the nice things was getting to see all the discounted running shoes and merchandise at PR! I was good…I did see the Boston Adizero and was really tempted to take them home. Again, I was good 🙂

Stopped and picked up some Insomnia Cookies right around the corner in Drexel University campus. These cookies will change your life! This guy who reminded me of actor/performer Mos Def, took my order and proceeded to take these cookies out of the warmer. The chocolate chunk melted right in my hand and the sugar cookie was so buttery rich. I tell my sister, “Find out if the sugar cookies have jimmies.” She tells me, “Do you know that only Philly people say jimmies? Everyone else says sprinkles!” Hahaha….jimmies it is!

Sunday morning, I drove down to the Art Museum and parked a mile away. Roads were blocked off everywhere. I didn’t even drive for my marathon and I drove in for a 5K? I hate driving downtown, the congestion annoys me to no end.

Everything was easy to find – corrals were marked A-E had no walkers and the 5K participants lined up around 6:30, with a 7:15 AM start. It was well-organized and started right on time.

Race Line Selfie with my sister and my buddies!

We started right in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and ran west towards MLK Drive – Boathouse Row was on your right (starting out) with I-76 on your left. It’s an out-and-back course. There was a hydration station around mile 1.25 (maybe?). It was so cold and windy but once the sun came up, it warmed up a bit. I’m always cold.

Unbeknownst to me, my sister hadn’t trained for the 5K; she knew about this for months. She started out jogging and after 3 minutes just walked the whole thing. I stayed and walked beside her, I didn’t want to leave her behind. We crossed the finish line together in what was my slowest 5k ever: 46:03. It was worth it!

The Hot Chocolate Run hoodie was awesome, and also the finisher’s mug with the marshmallow, banana, graham crackers, pretzels, hot chocolate and chocolate fondue – a chocolate heaven!

After the run, we stayed and danced to the DJ and ran into David, the race director from Bucks County Half Marathon (nice guy) and chatted briefly. That run is coming up here in 5 days and I’m super nervous and excited! Can’t wait!! Weather is supposed to be nice, too.

Tried getting breakfast at Green Eggs and Honey’s and failed. Thank you, Silk City Diner for holding a spot for us until we got there. We were cold and hungry.

Can’t wait to do this run again next year.

Lindy x

Summer Giveaway: Entry into the coolest 5K – Run Drenched

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The Drenched 5K is all about bringing back those memories of summer fun. Participants will run or walk from dry to drenched through “hot zones” and drenched zones which may include mist tunnels, foam zones, sprinklers, spectator “sniper” zones, bubbles, fire hoses, and a 100 foot slip n’ slide.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to form teams, don crazy costumes, and bring out their biggest water guns for a little camaraderie and competition against other teams.

For those not interested in building up a sweat but who want to get in on the fun, Drenched has a free spectator zone where they get to drench the runners any way possible! Now that sounds like fun! 🙂

Children 5 and under run FREE!!!! and kids 12 and under receive discounted entries, making it great for families to do activities together and stay active.

Teams of 4 or more save $5 on each registration.

You can also save an additional $10 by registering and entering code DRENCHED2013.

What else is there?

At the finish line, the best summer party in town is staged, including the world’s biggest water balloon fight, music, drinks and dancing.

Drenched will be in 10 cities in summer of 2013:

Kansas City, MO – July 20th, 2013
Los Angeles, CA – July 27th, 2013
Denver, CO – August 3, 2013
Jacksonville, FL – August 11, 2013
Atlanta, GA – August 17th, 2013
Philadelphia, PA – August 17th, 2013
Huntsville, AL – August 24th, 2013

Drenched 5K benefits local Children’s Hospitals and fundraisers for local firefighters.

Ok, now what’s in it for you? An entry into this awesome 5K to the location of your choice. Two winners will be selected. Giveaway runs from July 15th until July 19th at 11:59 PM EST. Gather your friends, load the water guns, and run drenched this summer.

Have fun!

Lindy

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Thursday’s Run

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Today I started training my Mom for her first 5K. She is very passionate about autism and wants to run for autism speaks. For her, I downloaded the 5K app from Jeff Galloway, former Olympian and runDisney trainer. His method works by taking walk breaks as needed, ensuring that you’ll finish strong.

I got her on the road, wearing my half marathon tech shirt and all, Pandora on the iPhone, Nike Run app on and ready to go. She followed the program warming up with a walk for 3 minutes, then alternating running one minute, walking one minute for a total of 20 minutes. I am training for a run next weekend so I ran and kept coming back to her, making sure she was okay.

We did five miles. Woohoo!!!

Came home and drank lots of water, had some polenta and Swiss chard for dinner and a kind soul dropped off some cherry water ice from Rita’s to top this lovely day off.

Now for my run…I walked the first 5-10 minutes with Mom, gave her the instructions and then took off on my own. I ran my first mile at a 9:59 mm pace, at times getting as fast as a 8:45 mm for about 1/4 mile or so. Mile 2 and I started taking a bit of walk breaks for about 30 seconds or so (didn’t pack water or Nuun) to catch my breath and continued on. I passed some hills and I spoke to them, told them I wasn’t afraid of them and I ran up those hills. After about mile 4, my hips were hurting and I walked the rest of the way home.

I stretched, I rolled with the massage stick, got a foot massage and now some ibuprofen. I’m starting to think it’s my running form that’s keeping me from running pain-free. Three pairs of expensive running shoes and no difference whatsoever.

Time to rest; good night!
Lindy