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5 Questions to Help Refocus Your Running

November 13, 2020 by Jaimelee Steurer Leave a Comment

2020 has hit hard, it has literally sucked the life out of my running and race goals. To top off all of the canceled races, I ended up with a stress fracture, which completely sidelined me from running. Poetic don’t ya think?

Currently, I am at the end of my injury healing, watching 2021 races already being postponed or going virtual, feeling lost, and then I realized…I need to refocus my running and running goals. Ever since I started running in my 20s, I have always had a goal race. My on/off seasons naturally ebbed and flowed based on the 1 or 2 races I ran a year, and while I can find plenty of virtual races to run, I just don’t feel like racing is my drive anymore. I need a new run focus, and to find that I asked myself these questions.

What motivates me to lace up and run?
What type of runner do I want to be & why?
What’s the greatest thing about my running?
What can I do to keep myself injury-free?
Where do I want my running to be in 5 years?

What motivated me to lace up?

My love of running! Notice I didn’t ask myself why I ran. Over the years I have said things like “I run for my kids” “I run because it is me time” “I run to lose weight/stay healthy” but at the end of the day I can have a million reason why I run but what I need is what motivates me to run. Love…I love to go for a run knowing that in the end I will feel exhilarated and tired and energized all at the same time.

What type of runner do I want to be?

Simple answer…a healthy one. I want to go back to being a runner free of injuries. The why of this is simple…#1 not running sucks. #2 I don’t want to have to stop running, ever. So keeping myself healthy and running injury free is a huge focus item.

What is the greatest thing about my running?

This is another easy answer… accomplishment. People get so wrapped up in the minutia of their running. I have been there. Pace, distance, speed, style, all of it. But at the end of the day, whether I sprint 1 mile or slowly hammer out 20, it is a huge accomplishment. This is one reason I personally love virtual races (besides the bling), they may not be done with huge crowds of people, but the distance run and the accomplishment of running it is still very, very in real life. I am out there doing a hard thing, and I am not giving up.

What can I do to keep myself injury free?

Take my sport serious. Running is notoriously known for injuries because it is a hard activity. It isn’t bad for your body, it just requires a level of respect and…body maintenance. I am horrible at this. It’s boring. Running is fun, and challenging; stretching is not. But if I look at strength and mobility as part of my training, and a necessity of my sport, it looks a bit more appealing. In addition to this, I need to accept that I am 45. I am completely comfortable with being 45, but I don’t always accept it as much as I should when it comes to running. My brain remembers that 21-year old who could sit on the couch for a month and then get up one day and go run 10 miles because why not, but my body reminds me I am not that person anymore. So taking time for maintenance of this body, carrying all of these miles, will keep me in for the long run. (see what I did there?)

Where do I want my running to be in 5 years?

Consistent. I want to be running with the same vigor and health in 5 years that I am working on developing now. I want to have the solid respect I am trying to work on at the moment, along with an iron-clad maintenance routine, that is not optional. I want the next 5 years to set the stage for my running well into old age.

What now?

Oh, I threw one more question in. I have decided that my focus is to be a healthy, consistent runner, but what do I do now? Well, now I will take the time to write out some definable goals for my running. S.M.A.R.T. goals that can help me with my newly defined focus. Setting my goals off of my focus will give my running a different look in the face of this pandemic. I won’t be so focused on a race calendar that may be canceled or changed at a moment’s notice; I won’t have the stress of trying to find the right training program that will fit in the 10 races I want to do. I will focus on each run, the maintenance work after that run, and adding more cross-training activities. Then once I have those goals laid out, I can start to sprinkle in races, virtual or otherwise.

Go find your focus

Now that you have read all about what I plan to do go find your own focus. Maybe your motivation is dead, or you just aren’t into your goals anymore. Take the time to ask yourself these 5 questions and see where it takes you. Take the time to journal each one and see what you come up with. Most of us have a deep-seated love of running (even if we actually hate it) and don’t really want to stop running. We just need a new focus, new ideas, fresh motivation. So take some time and get to know your running.

3 Tips to Help You Choose the Right Virtual Turkey Trot

October 27, 2020 by Jaimelee Steurer Leave a Comment

Image from America’s Turkey Trot Website

“Disclaimer: I received an entry for this race to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

We are in the final stretch of the year of canceled races, and while many race companies are trying to resurrect in-person races, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding them. Cases are rising as the temperatures are dropping so regulations seem to be changing again, putting doubt into the minds of runners regarding large in-person races.

With this in mind, as well as, an overabundance of caution regarding family members we may be in contact with over the holidays I have decided to participate in America’s Virtual Turkey Trot this year with my son. I was given my entry as an opportunity to try it out, and I can tell you we are pretty excited.

My son and I run a local turkey trot each year we are in town with my brother-in-law and some other friends. First I am kicking myself for all of the “off” years we could have run virtually while out of town. Second, my kid and I run exactly 2 races together each year. The Spring race we run was canceled, and his comment about “guessing our turkey run would be too” made me even more excited about keeping our turkey day tradition.

Thinking about running a virtual turkey trot to keep your tradition going? Check out these tips on how to find just the right one.

3 Tips on choosing the right Virtual turkey Trot!

Check to make sure the race you are looking at has distances all of your family members can join in. You may be ready to hit 13.1 miles for that Turkey, but dear Aunt Edna may only be looking for a 5k. A selection of distances brings more familial inclusion.
Make sure you love the swag! Shirts, Medals, Hats oh my! Wearing your badge/medal of honor along with your race day shirt is half of the fun! Order a size up if you really plan on packing on the holiday pounds. Plus wearing matching race shirts/jackets = epic family photos (or awkward family photo your choice)
Look to choose a virtual race that gives back. Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what we have. The best way to show this is by giving back to others who may not have as much.

Sound like a good time? I recommend that you check out the Virtual America’s Turkey Trot from Ram Racing. Their events are amazing and the swag is fire! Go here to check it out. They have various distances and contribute to Feeding America I’d call that winner winner turkey dinner!

Don’t delay there are only 30 days left until registration closes!! Hope to see you out earning your turkey!!

Why you should run a virtual Hot Chocolate!

October 16, 2020 by Jaimelee Steurer Leave a Comment

“Disclaimer: I received a race entry to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

So this past weekend my neighbor and I ran our virtual Hot Chocolate 5k around our hood. Well, we didn’t actually run it, we walked while I hobbled in my boot. This is one of my favorite virtual races because their race swag is amazing and I love their goodies! And let’s be honest…when it comes to virtual racing the swag is a major draw!

I have never been able to run a Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race in person, my first was supposed to be March of this year, it was the first canceled race on my calendar. It was also the first virtual race on my calendar. The photos of the after-party are what inspired me to create a yummy hot chocolate bar and have sweet treats for our post-run party of 2.

Why you should run a Virtual HC5k

Let’s start with the swag, Ram Racing does a fantastic job at providing amazing race swag with your sign up. Besides their sweet medals, and pretty nice Zip ups, you get the best tasting hot chocolate, along with pretty tasty chocolate bars and race bib.

You can participate from anywhere! Want to run in the park, you can. Want to go around your hood and wave to neighbors, you can! Want to run the actual racecourse, you can do that too. The thing about virtual races is you can run them on your favorite course. Where you want, when you want.

The next thing to consider is this, while the race is virtual the achievement is real. If you need a reason to keep running or stay motivated virtual races are great for that. Sure you may not get the race day experience, but you can create your own experience and you have still run the distance of the race. So looking to PR your 5k, you can do that during a virtual race. Want to PR a distance…there are miles of road/trails waiting for your feet.

I even got race day high fives (virtually)

If you need yet another reason to run the Hot Chocolate virtual races…let’s talk legacy status…it still counts. So if you have been running these races and getting that legacy medal, guess what? Virtual races still count. See even to them you are hitting the achievement of a real in-person race!!!

So besides all of this, another great thing about the Allstate Hot Chocolate races is their training emails. Yeah, you read that, they send you training emails. Beginner, or advanced there is something for you. Is this a total package or what? Race, Swag, training, and…chocolate.

Interested in checking this race out? Head here to register. They have races nationally so register where you live, or in a city you love. You could even run multiple races in a year!! Then you get all of the chocolate!!

5 things you most likely didn’t know about ROADiD

October 12, 2020 by Jaimelee Steurer 2 Comments

“Disclaimer: I received a ROADiD Sidekick to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!”

Story Time! In 2011 I walked into the hospital with my kidneys shutting down and a lethally low level of Potassium. I had lost 23 pounds in 36 hours from blood loss due to having Salmonella poisoning. I was so sick from this bacteria I was placed in isolation and was visited by various doctors including the CDC because, in the beginning, they weren’t sure what they were dealing with. It was a very 2020 scenario.

Fast forward 6 months where I found myself still sick, weak, and unrecovered. After hours of research and endless doctor appointments, I was finally diagnosed with Celiac disease and various food allergies, some of them requiring an epi-pen. So for me, safety and peace of mind are huge on my list.

ROADiD

When I was presented with the opportunity to test out ROADiD as a BibRave pro I jumped on it, it was a piece of run gear I had been thinking about often. There are many reasons I wanted one – I am a solo runner, I run on very busy streets, I am a female runner, and most importantly I have some raging food allergies. To me, it was a way to keep the info I needed right on my wrist in case there was ever an emergency.

I work hard to prepare for the worst-case scenario regarding my food allergies, I have lots of information filled out in my phone, all of my emergency contacts flagged, I had even trained my kids on what to tell people if I ever go down due to an accidental ingesting. The ROADiD just made sense. But when I got my sidekick and started using it there were things I didn’t know were part of this great run tech.

1. There is more than just an iD bracelet

ROADiD is known for being a wrist ID for runners, however, there is so much more available. First and foremost is the sidekick which slides on to any watch or fitness tech band. I really liked this idea because I am particular about what is on my wrists. But wait, there is more…they also have pet IDs as well as a shoe ID option, so if you were looking for a jingle free ID for your pooch or a way to have an ID without wearing it on your wrist they have you covered.

2. Engraving is guaranteed for life

Say what? Yes, you read that right. The stainless steel engraving is guaranteed for life, giving you the peace of mind that your information won’t wear from the faceplate of your ROADiD, and if it does it will be replaced!

3. There is a corresponding app

The App was created by the makers of Road ID, the world’s leading provider of safety identification products for outdoor enthusiasts. Like our physical ID products, the App is designed to provide safety and peace of mind to the user and their family. The App achieves this with two amazing features. The first App feature allows you to send an eCrumb (electronic breadcrumb) to family members and friends whenever you head outdoors for an adventure (run, ride, hike, walk, etc). The eCrumb can be sent via email or text message and allows your contacts to track your adventure, in real-time, on a map. The eCrumb feature also has an optional “Stationary Alert” that can notify select contacts if you stop moving for more than 5 minutes. The second feature is a personalized LockScreen that allows you to put your emergency contacts and other important information on your phone’s lock screen. This can provide vital information to First Responders in an accident, even if your phone is locked
From ROADiD.com

4. If you are injured ROADiD can speak for you

In the event that you are knocked unconscious or say eat something you are allergic to, ROADiD can inform medical personnel of vital emergency information. In my case, I have the location of my epi-pen, but I also have information on who needs to be called immediately, which can not only unite you with loved ones faster, it can help provide consent for medical intervention if needed. You can even add a special code to your ID that will put you in an emergency staff accessible database, adding yet another layer of information.

5. ROADiD is more than just an ID

ROADiD is more than just a medical or emergency ID wearable. It is a stylish way to wear your emergency contact information, your word or motivational quote, and even add badges showing who you are and what you have accomplished!

So far I really love the sidekick, most of the time I forget it is even there because it is so light and lays flat on my watchband. I love the enthusiasm behind the company and their commitment to safety for active humans and canines. They are focused on quality options for IDs as well as systems to keep you safe. I highly recommend you check them out.

If you decide to give them a try use the code SHIP4FREEBRP for free shipping on your order!

Virtual Fargo – a recap

September 2, 2020 by Jaimelee Steurer Leave a Comment

One of the first BibRave races I was able to get involved with was the Fargo Virtual Marathon, due to injury I opted for the 5k distance to play it safe. I have said countless times that virtual races are an amazing way to keep yourself motivated during the year of canceled races, so adding this to my training calendar just made sense. Plus the odds of me ever running a race in Fargo are pretty slim, so getting Fargo race bling was also a big draw.

When I sign up for a virtual race first thing I do is select the date I will run it on the calendar, this is usually the actual date of the race, or the due by date for entering results. Having the race on my calendar makes it seem regular. Next, I treat it just like a race day. I set out my race flat the night before, making sure to forget socks as always and eat something spicy for dinner ( I am superstitious). I pick my start time, designate a course, decide what fuel I will have post-race, and even try to hit the bed early. This helps get me in the mood to run the next day.

The next morning I go through all of the steps I usually would. Wake up (late) grab a fat coffee, chug water, try to get things moving, if you catch me. Again trying to keep that race day vibe. This time however I woke up not feeling it, at all. Since I am healing I am unable to run more than about 1-2 minutes at a time and keep my foot healthy, pushing any longer without rest and the thing starts to burn. Plantar Fasciitis is no joke. So I woke up, pouted a little bit, and then decided to put my big girl pants on with my BibRave tank and get moving.

I decided to hit my favorite 3-mile loop from my house. It’s very fast, flat, and the scenery is never boring. It’s also a route where if I wasn’t feeling the run I would still have to finish the distance because once I am out I have to loop back to get home.

During a virtual race, I like to play power music and really see what I can do. The thing about virtual races is, the race is virtual, but the achievement is real. After run/walking my 5k I am still uploading a time for all to see, as well as, getting to see how I rank with other virtual racers. Another aspect I focus on is that I have a course all to myself and so I am not needing to dodge other runners and so when I want to open up the throttle, there are no obstacles to go around. For the record, I am usually one of the obstacles.

While this was an in-person race that went virtual due to 2020, and not a seasoned virtual race there are a few things I would have liked to see done differently. There was not a lot of communications from the race regarding the event, none of those hype emails, I like hype emails. The other thing that is a little disappointing was not getting my race kit before race day. Virtual races are even more fun when you can take photos with your bling, maybe even a bib if provided, and the race website said that it can take 6 weeks to get your goods. However, let me be clear, this is not me complaining about the race, I am sure that RDs in these scenarios are scrambling trying to get the logistics of all of this newness figured out. I always like to add Yin and Yang to reviews so there it is.

In closing, this was a fun experience, and soon I will have a race medal I might not otherwise get because again, I doubt we will travel to Fargo for a race. Virtual races get a lot of flack, I get it, the 7 days surrounding races are my favorite! Getting hyped up, the race expo, the race environment, post-race, sleeping all day after…I miss all of it. However, I think if people look at them as viable challenges, and chances to perform, they will see that they aren’t all that bad. You know kind of like the middle row on a roller coaster, it isn’t the front row but still a good time. Plus if you are new to running, a shy runner, or someone looking to start running embrace the heck out of these virtual races!! There is no stress and clean bathrooms!!

I’m a BibRave Pro!

August 14, 2020 by Jaimelee Steurer Leave a Comment

Following me on social media you have to know by now that I have become a BibRave Pro. What is a BibRave Pro You ask? Their website tells it like this…

"BibRave Pro Ambassadors are active, enthusiastic, and savvy social media influencers who help spread the word about BibRave and BibRave-partnered races and brands."

But what is BibRave? You don’t know? I am kidding, let me break it down for you. BibRave is a digital running community and endurance-focused marketing company. They help races and brands reach more runners via digital word of mouth through people like me, A BibRave Pro, and I help through sharing my experiences with brand testing, races, etc.

Why did I want to be a Pro

BibRave is a great platform to bring information about races and run related products to runners. When I first saw BibRave I thought it was brilliant. I could spend all day scrolling through the reviews about races around the States, and reading run related info on their blog (oh, and don’t forget their podcast!). Getting into following their Pros on social allows you to learn of new products and even get discount codes to great gear for runners as well as races. To me, it is like this amazing cornucopia of greatness for runners.

Wearing my Buff Hat and new Knockaround sunnies

The best part about BibRave and their ambassador program is that they are interested in your everyday runner for their pros, they want people who will be authentic in their reviews and experiences. They look for people passionate about everything running, like me!!

Think you’d be a great pro? Apply here!

So what’s next?

Well as you see I have a blog now?!? I will still do the majority of my posting on Instagram and Twitter but will start dipping more than my toe into the pool of writing here. I hope I can bring some great experiences to you with this new journey, and some good races as well, because after all this is all about running!