Run Eat Tweet AZ News!

So Run Eat Tweet AZ has has a few updates! We've got a lot planned over the next couple months, so let's get you all caught up.

First up is a recovery run and Yoga in the park on March 8th. If you're running the Phoenix full marathon or half marathon on Feb 28th, what a great way to recover! If you're suffering from any kind of sore/muscle tightness, this'll be a great activity to join. It'll be pretty low key so it's also a fun time to come meet some of your local runners and CROs! Check out the event details here.

Next is the Kiss Me I'm Irish Run on March 14th. This race is stroller and dog friendly! The medal is also a bottle opener. Sign up now with code "RUNEAT10" to get 10% off. I know it's filling up, so get signed up now!

March is a pretty busy month for us! Our next group meet up is on the 28th and is gonna be a great one! It's Nuun sponsored and will have *TONS* of GIVEAWAYS!! There will be guests there to talk about the importance of hydration, and with our scorching summer temps right around the corner, there's no better time to learn more! Check out the event details here!

On April 11th don't forget about the Run3rd 5k happening in Mesa to benefit Mesa Public School District children. There is a virtual option available for those who live out of town but would like to show support, or for those who are unable to attend that day. Use code "RUNEATTWEET" to get 10% off and to be entered into a GIVEAWAY for a Sean Astin (from Goonies, Lord of the Rings, Rudy...) signed DVD copy of either "Goonies" or "Lord of the Rings". The first drawing happens March 1st, so get signed up now! Did I mention that Sean Astin will be at the race! You don't wanna miss that!

Thinking ahead and want to visit or run in Arizona when it's finally cooled off a bit? Well the Tucson Marathon is held at one of the best times here! They have a handful of race options between Dec 5-6 you can sign up for. I'm doing the half marathon and can't wait! I lived there for several years and look forward to racing there again. Code "RET10" will get you 10% off. Get signed up now before prices go up!

Finally let's talk about Girls Run Fast. I'm an ambassador for them as well and they're partnered up with Run Eat Tweet AZ. They've got an assortment of really amazing jewelry for whatever athlete lies within you! Apparel and stickers available as well! I finally got a few items and just LOVE them! "RETgrf20" will save you 20% off all items in their store. Check them out. They will also be holding a race in November. Go here to check out those details. Virtual option available and some pretty amazing swag!

Stay up with me as I'll be sure to keep you posted on anything else coming our way! You can catch me on instagram or twitter! Thanks for stopping by!

Run3rd 5k Plug/Saturday Long Run Recap

What a great day! I had my sweet husband drive me up to the starting line of the Phoenix Half Marathon so I could run the course this morning. I needed to see where my endurance was at after not being able to run for so long. I'm also getting anxious about the race, and I want to be as familiar with it as I can be. It wasn't a perfect run, but it sure felt good to get out there and move like that. I wasn't the only one who had the idea of running the course today. There were a lot of runners out there! It was so motivational to have comrades doing the same thing with the same basic goal as me.

The very basic breakdown of the run went as follows....

At mile .25 I realized I didn't have my IT band straps and had a minor panic attack, but kept going, no pain.

At mile 1.5 met three guys from the marathon drop off and chatted for a bit as we ran, they fist bumped me and off they went. So that was awesome.

At mile 3.5 I could feel some tightness in my right IT band, but it was manageable.

At mile 4.79 pit stop, felt pretty great!

At mile 5 another marathon drop off chatted for a bit, but she was cookin' so off she went!

At mile 5.5 texted most amazing hubz to bring me a strap. Just too much pain started and I needed to hold down the IT band.

At mile 6.80ish he met me before heading into downtown Mesa.

At mile 8 I noticed I wasn't able to get all of my breath in and out anymore (asthma) and started to panic again, which just makes it worse. I had my inhaler, but didn't want to use it. I got under control.
At mile 9 it started becoming a suffer fest, but I was DETERMINED at that point to finish. I paused twice to get some good breaths in and out.

At mile 10.5 it became a very vocal push myself to the end and lots of wheezing.

At mile 12, success! I did it. I'm tired. I'm sore, but I sang every song from miles 1-8 and then from 10-11. I enjoyed myself.

Since part of my problem with injuries is that I haven't been stretching well (or at all) I made it a point to stretch a bunch as soon as I got home. Then I grabbed some food (hard boiled egg and smoothie with Greek yogurt, oatmeal, almond milk, banana and strawberries) and headed straight over to my friend's pool to ice my legs. I also got some PVC pipe, because my foam roller just isn't getting the job done, and cried as I rolled out my poor sore muscles (kidding, but for real, it was intense).

I'm counting on the adrenaline of race day to push me closer to my original goal time. Despite the anxious butterflies, I'm so excited to run this race!

Also, don't forget to sign up for the Run3rd 5k that's happening on April 11, 2015. There's a virtual option as well for out of town folks or people who can't make it race day. Don't forget to use Run Eat Tweet AZ's race code "RUNEATTWEET" for 10% off registration, and to get entered into the GIVEAWAY for an autographed DVD from Sean Astin of "Goonies" or "Lord of the Rings". Get in before the price goes up again. It's for a great cause, benefitting the kids in the Mesa Public School District. Read all about it on their website!

New Race Goals

How do you deal with the disappointment of having to alter your racing plans and goals?

I've never had to deal with this. I haven't run since high school, competitively, and spent those years just running however I wanted. I've been training for the Phoenix half marathon to run it in a sub 2hr. I'm quite capable of doing that, I believe, if I was healthy and uninjured.

I haven't run much since Dec. Severe leg pain had me grounded for a month, now recently I've also had bronchitis or some sort of upper respiratory illness, and currently it seems, I have a sinus infection. I also have IT band pain in both legs. Obviously I'm not starting the year out real great.

Regardless though, I am doing my best to remain positive. Racing/running is only partly about the speed. For me it's also about being healthy, both body and mind, and doing something good for myself. So regardless of my previous goals for the Phoenix half marathon, I will toe the start line and just do the very best that I can. I will celebrate that I did something I used to be afraid of trying and I will congratulate all of my friends who cross that finish line as well. I will run for the enjoyment of running and I will run for my sweet buddy Jaylee who has to do hard things everyday. I will have plenty of time to achieve that sub 2hr goal.

I'm a CRO for RunEatTweetAZ!

Well, oh boy!  That escalated quickly!  I was made a #RunEatTweetAZ chief running officer!  If you look to the right bar of my blog, you'll see that badge for it which will take you to their Facebook page.  I'm so excited about this!  Since taking running back up in Oct 2013, I've been trying to get involved in the running community here in Arizona.  I stumbled on this group nearly a year after, and have enjoyed the runs I've been able to go on with them.  They are so welcoming and made me feel included right off the bat.  When they put out an application to join them as a running officer, I knew I had to try.

What that means for you, me, this blog and even my other social media feeds is that I will be posting about upcoming events (and discount codes) in the community that Run Eat Tweet AZ will be a part of, group runs, race info, contests and giveaways!!  Even product reviews as they become available!

Just this last Saturday I was able to attend a group run.  We were hoping for a trail run, but uncharacteristic of Arizona, we got rain for almost 3 straight days leaving everything pretty wet, muddy and washed out, so we road ran instead.  It was so great to see new faces and meet new runners.  We also had a new company, minoTOR come out and introduce us to their product.  Be on the look out!  I'll be doing a review of their drink!

Run Eat Tweet AZ has partnered up with a local store Fleet Feet Sports Scottsdale.  We are helping to promote a local event coming up that Fleet Feet Sports Scottsdale is putting on, Relay for V-Day.  Visit their website and sign up to attend!  Grab your running partner, spouse, or a friend and head on over for fun, fitness and prizes! You're guaranteed to have a great time! If you don't have a partner you can post in Run Eat Tweet AZ's Facebook page and we can match you up e-harmony style (no date required of course ). Click on my CRO badge to take you to the Facebook page.

There are two races coming up that we have a discount for. One is the Run3rd 5K which will take place on April 11, 2015 and will help benefit Mesa Public Schools!  The code for this race is RUNEATTWEET which gives you 10% off.  It also enters you into a GIVEAWAY for a Sean Astin (Goonies, Rudy, Lord of the Rings) autographed DVD of either "Goonies" or "Lord of the Rings"!!!  How awesome is that!!  I'm so excited about this one!  As an MPS employee and with children in this school district, it makes me happy to have something positive to help our local children!  There's a virtual option for anyone who lives out of state/town, or who just can't make it to the race, who'd like to support.  The great thing about a virtual run is that you can do it any day, any time, whenever it's convenient for you.  It just needs to be reported by the end of April.

Another race we are supporting right now is the Kiss Me I'm Irish Run which will take place on March 15, 2015.  The code for this race is RUNEAT10 for 10% off!  I was on their Facebook page this afternoon and they've reported that they're 50% full already, so jump on this one before you miss out!  It's a stroller friendly/dog friendly race!  They even have a 1K for the littles in your life who want to run!

One last code I have for you is a fun one!  Girls Run Fast has teamed up with Run Eat Tweet AZ this year also!  Did you know I'm an ambassador for Girls Run Fast as well?  Yup!  By the end of February I will be decked out with their products and I can't wait!  They have such amazing jewelry, something for the runner, swimmer, yogi, dancer....and more, in you!  Check it out!  I of course want the runner, but I'm thinking of getting a swimmer for my sweet IR4 buddy, Jaylee!  There's lots of variety and other products, surely something for everyone.  Come shop around and use code RETgrf20 for 20% off everything in their store!

Thanks for taking the time reading all this!  I'm excited to be able to share more with everyone as more becomes available.  Stay tuned, I'll keep you all up to date on new activities, races, codes and giveaways!  Don't forget to follow my instagram @runlikethewinded and twitter @runlikedawinded accounts as well!