Running in a skirt...

I LOVE running skirts!
So what's the benefit of wearing a running skirt?
1. COMFORT
** many of the skirts come with long shorts, or even with full tights
** you can wear your favorite fitted shorts underneath
** it is like running in spandex or compression shorts without the worry of how your tush looks

2. POCKETS
** running skirts all come with extra pockets (huge bonus)
** always plenty of spots for things like your iPod, running GU, cell phone, pepper spray

3. CUTE
** there is nothing wrong with looking good when you work out
** gives you a very "girly" way to be successful at a "masculine" sport


So where can you find the right running skirt for you? Well I was lucky enough to have the skirt I wore on race day given to me by an amazing friend. But they're sold all over the place now!!! And, if you've already found one you love, leave a comment and tell me all about it!

Official race photos...

Here is the link to check out my official race photos and 2 videos.

Click HERE

KT Tape

KT tape is amazing!!!! I found it online and researched it a bit when I knew I had to face my first half marathon with a foot injury. I found out that they would be taping up athletes for free at the fitness expo the day before the race so I was sure to get it done.

It was AMAZING!!!!!! Sweet pain relief almost instantly. I purchased a roll and will be using it anytime I have any little ache or pain.

Philadelphia Rock N Roll Half Marathon

My first half marathon was an amazing experience. My husband, my sister, and my daughter were all there to support me wearing bright pink shirts that matched mine. Having them there meant a lot to me.

We had about a mile walk from the parking garage to where the race start was. I was actually really grateful for this walk. It gave me a chance to settle my nerves and hear many motivating words from my amazing husband.

The race Start/ Finish lines were close to the famous steps where Rocky trained.

Probably my most favorite moment of the whole day was right before I stepped into my corrall. My husband hugged me and said a quick prayer for me to be protected and safe during this race.
Nerves were gone and I was ready to run.

We had planned to do a water bottle switch off at mile 5 where the route curved back around to where the start of the race was. There were so many people running and so many spectators that I doubted this would work. I thought there would be no WAY I would spot my family. Well thanks to the cluster of bright pink shirts and Ella being on top of Elliott's shoulders, I spotted them and we made the switch mid stride. :)

Crossing the finish line was the most thrilling rush of my whole life. I felt like such a champion. I was so proud and felt so good.

Finding my family and enjoying this special time with them was the best reward ever.


I WILL be doing this again... someday...

Race Results for Philadelphia Half Marathon

Participant Detail

Angie Lingo #18368

Age: 33 | Gender: F

Finished In:
02:23:00

Overall: 12478 out of 16476 ·
Division: 1221 out of 1743 ·
Gender: 6506 out of 9496

Pace
10:55

5 Km
31:34

10 Km
01:04:28

10 Mi
1:47:23

Chip Time
02:23:00

Clock Time
02:50:36

The race is ON!!!!!

My Doctor called last night and said that my x-ray is NORMAL!!! The race is on!!!!!!! So exciting!!!!
So with 3 days to go here is how I am preparing...
TONS of fluids. Water and of course my favorite Powerade Zero. Zero calories and Zero sugar. Very refreshing during training, pre race, and post race.

I also just made a jamming playlist. I always make a new one before each race. I try to put my favorite more upbeat jams when I know I will need the extra beat pumping through me. Mile 4 and 7 and of course the best for last so I can run my last half a mile harder than any other. :)

Here is a link to my current favorite running song if you care to know what I will be running across the finish line listening to...
Party Rock Anthem

4 days

My first half marathon is in 4 short days

I will decide today if I will be running the race or pulling out of it. I am awaiting the call from the doctors office with the x-ray results. I am very optimistic because the last 48 hours of ice, rest, and of course the steroid shot have worked wonders. Honestly I am itching to go out and run right now. Instead I will sit her with more ice and more rest with cell phone in hand waiting for the call. I am thinking it is going to be a good outcome.

Bad news is BAD NEWS

I went to the doctor last night to see if there was anything they could do about my foot injury. He thinks that it could be one of two things, Retrocalcaneal bursitis which is swellin g and inflammation of the bursa.

He treated me for this right in the office with a HUGE cortisone injection which has made the bottom of my foot and 4 of my toes completely numb. Most of the horrible pain I was feeling from the injury has gone way, but I am having trouble walking because of the incredible numbness.

The doctor also said there is a chance it may be a stress fracture on the top of the calcaneus bone. He has ordered an x-ray which I am terrified to go get because if there is any type of fracture then running the half marathon this weekend is completely out of the question.

Why now? This has been so heartbreaking for me. I have trained so long and hard for this. Mentally I feel like I have been training for this my whole life. I have never been this motivated about exercise and fitness. The confidence I had a few days ago is slowly slipping away from me. I am trying to stay positive but it is hard. I still have faith though that things will improve within the next 5 days.

Uh oh...

Taper week for me was supposed to look like this:
Monday - 5 miles
Tuesday - cross training
Wednesday - 3 miles
Thursday - cross training
Friday - 3 miles
Saturday - rest
Sunday - HALF MARATHON

INSTEAD it looks like this:
Monday - 5 miles (foot / ankle injury during the run)


What timing.
Who knows what the rest of the week will look like now.
If I have to hobble down the race route I will be running on Sunday.
Hoping the rest, ice, compression, and elevation heals me up soon.

Re- Fueling

It has taken me awhile to figure out which electrolyte replacement gel works best for me. I have tried several. I prefer something lower in sugar and calories but higher in carbohydrates to give me that burst of energy I am craving. I have found my favorite...



These gels are made from complex carbs and, in combination, are flavoured with real fruit. I really love that they do not feel thick and gooey in your mouth like most energy gels.

Old Dominion Trail

There is a 45+ mile trail that goes from Purceville, VA to Arlington. I was out there this past week visiting my sister and it is AMAZING!!! I would move there just so I could do all my running on this trail. It is all paved, very wide, no cars allowed, tons of runners, tons of bikers, tons of walkers, some mild hills, tons of trees, some shady areas, some sunshine... PERFECTION!!!!

I only ran 10 miles of it. WOW! I wanted to run for days. It was amazing. Peaceful and exhilarating all at the same time.

***WARNING***
Bring your cell phone with you just in case you get carried away and run a few miles past where you parked your car and then get lost like I did. :)

The dreaded treadmill

Just for the record...
I HATE THE TREADMILL!!!!!!!
With all the rain out here on the East Coast this week and my first half marathon only 11 days away I had no choice. I headed to the apartment gym to pound out 4 miles on the treadmill.
My 3 year old even joined me. Look at how far she went walking on the treadmill in rain boots...




She was so proud of herself!!! She wants to be a runner like Mommy and that makes me so happy. It makes me feel like I am being such a good example to her. Just another reason to keep on running.

Running Shoes...

Last Saturday I ran 12 miles. I felt really good. When I got home I had this horrible ache in the arch and side of my foot so I iced it and tried to ignore it the rest of the weekend. Monday morning I headed out for a 7 mile run. Well I got about half way through the run and the ache had turned into a piercing pain that I could NOT ignore. I called my hubby to come pick me up. I immediately knew what the problem was. My shoes..

Typically a running shoe should last 300 - 500 miles. After adding up the calculations (thanks to my Nike+ sensor) I realized I have close to 700 miles on these shoes. Time for a new pair ASAP!!! I frantically called every running store from Pennsylvania to Virginia looking for the shoes that I have LOVED running in. After 2 days of calling around I found them!!! I drove immediately to get them. Once I put them on I instantly knew the support in the pair I had been running was shot! I am so glad I purchased a new pair. The tread on the bottom of my shoes is almost completely gone in some areas.




What a difference a shoe can make. I just hope this ache in my foot goes away before race day. I LOVE my Brooks Dyad running shoes!!!!! Lucky for me they just came out with this new fun color last month too.

Last 2 weeks of half marathon training...

I have been training for a half marathon since June.
One thing I have learned is you can NEVER drink enough water!

Another thing I have learned:
WEIGHT DOES NOT DICTATE HEALTH
According to BMI charts I am still "overweight". I can run over 100 miles in a month so if you ask me, I am healthy. However there are plenty who are in a "normal" weight category who do not have the endurance to exercise like I do. I feel really good all the time. I am trying to convince myself that HEALTH is more important than WEIGHT.

Fresh Burst 5 mile run

Lititz, Pa.
51:40

Red Rose Run

Lancaster, Ca.
52:44
This is the first time I have had family members join me for a race. I was so excited. My sister Tatia and my husband decided that they would run the 1 mile fun run while I was out running the 5 mile comptetive run. I was so proud of them for doing it. Elliott does not run, ever.





This was the hardest race I have ever run. It was only a 5 mile run and in the past I have run longer races but for some reason this one killed me. I was prepared physically but not mentally. I got to the mile 2 marker in 19:20 so I felt like I was doing well but about mile 3.5 the hills came and the entire 4th mile was a slow uphill climb. My calves were on fire!!!! So crazy. I think next time I will get to know my course a little better. :) I am pretty happy with my time. On to the next...