Running

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.

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!

Knockaround: A Review

August 21, 2020 by Jaimelee Steurer Leave a Comment

"Disclaimer: I received a pair of Knockaround Fast Lane Sunglasses 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!"

Summer running, while most people tend to try to beat the heat of the season with early, pre-dawn runs, I am the opposite. Bring on the heat! With that heat comes the sun, so I am never running without a pair of sunnies, so when I got the chance to try out a pair of the new Knockaround Fast Lane Sport sunglasses I was all in.

Who is Knockaround?

In 2005 Adam Moyer, the founder of Knockaround, came up with the idea to create affordable sunglasses that wouldn’t be a total loss if they got knocked around a bit. The idea is based on his dad’s knock around sneakers. He was looking for affordability so if they were lost or broken it wasn’t as big of a deal. So out of this came some pretty stylish and practical sunglasses.

Fast Lane Sport

I was given a pair of Fast Lane Sport Sunglasses in the Spearmint/Red Sunset colorway. First off, this color is fire y’all, straight fire. They look amazing and photograph so well I just can’t stop (see gallery below). Second, let’s talk about features. These glasses are made with runners in mind, with a lightweight frame and rubber nose pads, these glasses stay put while running. They also feature FDA-approved impact resistant lenses with full UV400 protection, that are polarized (think HDTV for lenses) all for $25.

So why wear sunnies while running?

Let’s talk about why it is a really good idea to wear sunglasses while running…

First & foremost, UV protection! I wouldn’t be a good ophthalmology employee if I didn’t start here.
Speaking of protection, how about shielding our eyes from foreign objects like dirt & debris, bugs, even the rogue branch on trails.
Fashion…c’mon sunglasses look hot.
Rain protection, there is nothing worse than rain pelting you in the eyes.
Frees energy from your face, hear me out…straining & squinting uses energy, by wearing sunglasses you are preventing squinting, relaxing your facial muscles naturally, therefore eliminating wasted energy.
Keep your eyes warm in the winter, there is a reason most skiers wear goggles.

I always wear sunglasses when riding my bike, road debris is no joke!

The good, the bad, and the sunny

First let’s talk about what I like about my Fast lanes…

This color, I can’t say it enough, this color. This line has some really hot color combos that I just love, so there are lots of choices. Don’t see a color you like, they have the option of creating customs.
They are hella comfortable, seriously I have worn them for hours without them sliding, pinching, or giving me a headache
The polarized lenses give you great clarity in the sun and shade, polarizing a lens gives you what I call high def vision, it makes everything crisp, and vibrant.
They are durable, I am not a graceful person. I drop things, a lot. I dropped these sunglasses the first day I got them and just knew that before I took my first photo they were scratched because they landed lens down on the pavement, but they weren’t. I have dropped them a good dozen times, and so far they are looking good.
They come with their own bag/cleaning wipe. I am notorious for cleaning my glasses/sunglasses with my shirttail, the optical people at work call me out on it. Don’t do it. It ruins your lenses, so I can appreciate the storage bag they give you that doubles as something you can clean off the blood, sweat, and tears from your run with.
They do not move…head over to my IG reels and see my shake test. I jumped, shook, and nodded like crazy and they stayed put. Bonus, when I run in the woods sometimes it is shady and I pull my sunglasses up, these will stay put on top of your head too.

Knockaround logo, and fabulous highlights!

Okay what I don’t like about Knockaround…

To be perfectly honest I cannot find really anything to complain about. I have tried. They do sell out of styles really fast it seems, so if you don’t act fast you may miss out on a pair you just have to have. I was going to say I was bummed they didn’t have Plano/clear lens offerings but they do have blue blockers glasses that would work. Why on earth would I want clear sunglasses? Because I wasn’t joking when I said eye protection, so I like to wear them even at night, especially on the trails, so a clear lens makes that possible.

Final thoughts…

All in all, I am super happy I was given the opportunity to try out these glasses, they have a fan in me! The concept, the back story, the product…I am into all of it. My kids are already asking for their own as well, and my better half found some he likes. Expect to see these hanging around my face often!

Want your own pair, go here to get yours, and while you are at it use the code BibRaveKnocks5 to get 20% off of your entire order (one use per customer).

Hotter Than July – Race Recap

July 30, 2020 by Jaimelee Steurer 2 Comments

I ran the Hotter Than July trail half recently for the second year, and as always it did not disappoint. While last year I ran the 1/4 marathon distance, this year I decided to go all out with the half marathon distance, you know in the oppressive heat!

The Hotter Than July lives up to its name as it is plenty hot on race day, and hot in the fun, awesome race sense. While this year’s race was run on a different course due to COVID restrictions in our state, DC Race Timing was able to keep the route fun and interesting as usual.

COVID-19

After many race cancellations, and virtual runs aplenty, this was my first in-person race. While this pandemic seriously diminished the race day energy and affected the pre & post-race fun, it did not touch the race itself. While the venue changed, there was still a start line, clock to run against, and the nearly famous finish chute!

The Good

DC Race Timing did a really fantastic job of keeping all runners safe, and distant for this event. Runners were set up in time heats which we were able to select via our race registrations page. Bibs were picked up on your way to the start line to avoid the crowds of packet pick up, and everyone had masks or buffs covering their face until the gun went off. On a scale of 1 to quarantine, I felt pretty safe.

DCRT is great about having on course photogs which is one of my favorite things about their races. I can’t take selfies and run trails, and I always like a good race photo memento! This race had their staple photographer, and since the race was spread out in heats, it was almost like getting your own personal race portraits.

As for the course, this is a great beginner’s course. Not very technical with small elevations, and you are running single track most of the time. Luckily the week’s rain didn’t linger in the dirt and there were rarely any sloppy spots. Finishing this race was so amazing since it was my first trail half!

The Bad

The fact that DCRT was able to host this race during this pandemic makes me want to skip this part, but full disclosure and honest reviews are my goal here. That being said, the only thing I can really critique was the course distance. This race is a looped course that was to be measured at the 1/4 marathon distance when it actually measured over 7 miles bringing my total distance closer to a 25k. Trail distances are always “ish” but this went past that to a point where the RD wasn’t liking it. But hey, it was what it was.

Outside of this my only let down was the race fuel, again this is really no reflection on DCRT and more of the pandemic times. While we were notified this would be a self-supported race, I missed my handful of peanut M&Ms which is always a staple at their aid stations. However, the aid station did have a giant cooler of sealed, ice-cold water bottles which I was grateful for on loop 2 after my pack was bone dry.

Swag

Now for my favorite part of races ~ the swag~. DCRT has this part of their races down, their medals are always amazing. Some of my favorites are from their events, I even have a glow in the dark one. This year’s Hotter Than July Medal had translucent pieces and a great summer theme.

Their tee shirts also get my enthusiastic thumbs up because nearly all of them have been soft vintage style shirts. For the record, I am team wear my race shirts as part of my wardrobe. I like to wear them like a badge of honor for my accomplishments because lets be honest, walking around in your finisher’s medal is just weird.

All in all, it was a great race, while it felt different (everything is different these days) it was still the fun time and great race experience I have grown to know from DC Race Timing events. One additional bonus of a pandemic run is having your own personal finish line photog!!

What’s next?

Currently, I am resting my foot from an acute case of plantar fasciitis that flared up after this race, however, the Run for the L of it from DCRT is next on my calendar. It is a local 5k benefiting the University of Louisville, and I plan on attending even if I am walking it in.

So until then, love life, and be good to others!

Jaimelee

Just a few photos from the day!

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