It has been a while! Broad Street Run Recap :)

Before:

• Woke up, ate breakfast (oatmeal, banana, had some hot tea, drank a ton of water-- could've done without a hot tea).
• For whatever reason, I get so anxious before races. Doesn't matter if it's a 5k or not, I will have to poop excessively before a race. My body totally cleans itself out. (I think it goes back to my PTSD as a child doing track and field races in elementary school. I'm shuddering just thinking about it.)
• Went to my friend Hanna's house, where my sister, Hanna, Hanna's mom, and a friend from the YMCA, Monty all left from. Oh, and I pooped there, too.
• Got to the starting line with plenty of time to spare, we even saw a local news woman, Cecily Tynan, warming up with her husband before the race. We all had to shout her name, of course! She was so friendly.
• And then I had to pee. Like, really pee, but there was no way I was going to make it to a port-a-potty. They were swamped with people.

Before: What I had "on me" during the race. iPod shuffle & headphones (LOVE THIS THING),
GuChomps Watermelon electrolyte gels,  and my number 31247!  

During

• At the starting line, I was all hyped up and raring to go (I guess). Of course, with 40,000 runners it's hard to go fast so soon! They started off playing Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" over the speakers at the starting line. So sweet!
• There were so many security officers since it was just after the Boston Marathon and all. From helicopters flying overhead, to countless SWAT team officers lining the course, I felt totally safe. So many runners supported the marathon from wearing shirts, to donning red socks, and there were stickers that said "To Boston Love Philly" on them. It was hard to keep it far from my mind.
• It was a blur. I know I'm writing some of this way after the race, but it was a blur. You get in a zone, and I must've really gotten in the zone, because to this day I remember the endorphin buzz and the excitement, and I sigh thinking, "That was so much fun, the 10 miles really flew by!" Sigh. 
• When you run a race like Broad Street, there are just so many people that you are forced to move. You HAVE to move, or else you're getting trampled. Once you get to mile 8, the crowd thins out drastically, both on the sidelines and in the course. You become a much more lonely ranger of sorts, so once I got to South Philly, (which is a fairly unknown territory for me) it was all a mental game.
• I had my GuChomps during the race, and I walked through almost every water station because I was not about to slip on those damn plastic cups. 
• Seeing the finish line was a total dream come true! I can still remember my pace picked up and I just couldn't wait to get there. 

After

• Knowing I had to ride the subway back up to North Philly was kind of exciting (free subway, yay)! I got to sit down the whole time, which I immediately regretted. I stood up and everything hurt (this is where I start to think, hmm should've trained harder). 
• I was so proud of myself. My legs carried me, and I felt so unstoppable. 
• I went home, and I was spent. I spent the day eating, sleeping and I didn't stretch or foam roll, and MAN I WAS SO SORE. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT. I'm going to take much better care of myself next time. It was horrible. At one point, I wanted to flat-out fall down the steps because it was easier than walking. 
• I kind of felt like I underwent a major medical procedure with the whole "recovery" thing. However, within 3 days, I was fine!

After: Got my medal and finished in 1:42:47! 

Verdict: totally worth every step!

Gobble Wobble Race Results!

Place: 1006/2087

Top 50%

Chip time: 31:34 

(which is what I count because I was at a 2 minute standstill at the start)

I have been up since 6:30am working race registration and then I did the run! I always get anxious before a race and I peed twice within 30 minutes before the race started...

Anyways, I was fine with the race! The last hill was grueling, but I had so much adrenaline. Plus, ACDC's "Shook Me All Night Long" was blaring in my ears. I never, ever run with earphones but it helped me focus especially once I separated from my friend. It kept distractions away from my mind and it gave me my moment to just run the race, for me, like I originally planned.

5ks are getting to be easier, which is exciting. Maybe I will be ready for the Rock'n'Roll Half come September!

My running attire for the race (this was taken post-race, no way was I taking a picture at 6:30am). 

Top: Avia (blue long sleeve),  Nike (short sleeve purple, underneath), Aerie (sports bra). 

Bottom: Under Armour Coldgear Compression Tights. 

Shoes: ASICS

Honestly, I was dressed PERFECTLY for the weather. I debated whether or not to take my vest and I'm so glad I left it behind. Less is more when running a race, everyone!

I'm very thankful for my body and it allowing me to run this race with zero complications! I'm also thankful for my friend who I ran beside for about half of the run. Today was a great day!

I came home and stretched my achy muscles to "thank" them.

Now, I must go catch some ZZzzzs because I am opening tonight at the mall for Midnight Black Friday MADNESS!

Stay fit, healthy and full of food and happy Thanksgiving!

Katie

running and training gear purchases!

Yesterday, I realized that it is going to be chilly Thanksgiving morning. I'm running a 5k and I almost never run outside when it's cold (at least, not really). I'm kind of a wimp about it!

I figure I'd invest in a set of Under Armour Coldgear leggings! They are so beautiful and soft and warm and I just can't wait to take them for a test run (literally). So I bought these beautiful Under Armour Coldgear Compression Leggings. I'm patiently waiting for these babies to arrive soon via Fed Ex!

(source)

I need compression because it helps speed my recovery time (not as sore after longer runs, feel more supported when running and less muscle tightness). I also needed a pair of cold gear because all my other running tights were NOT SUITED for running in cold weather and the cold air just wooshes right through! Brrr...

Another purchase I made this weekend...which I am WAY too excited about:

(source)

I got a pair of ASICS Women's Gel- Envigor TRs! I live and breathe ASICS shoes, I've strayed from their wonderful products and only caused my feet pain and suffering! These blue beauties are my cross trainers. What that means is if I'm heading to the gym to just lift, maybe I'm going to take a Body Pump class, it's for less intense impact activity and I'll wear these. I normally wear my other running ASICS to to everything, but I don't want to wear them out from cross training, spinning classes, etc. I want to save my hardcore running shoes for hardcore running, races and long runs--where I really need them! 

Better yet, I found them at Nordstrom Rack, and they were only $55-- yes, please!

Happy Fitness :)

Katie

About Hit the Mat Running

Things to expect from Hit the Mat Running

            Hit the Mat Running is my fitness and active living blog. I hope to inspire others who come from all walks (or runs) of fitness.

 Posts will include:

• Workout tips and photos
•  Information about yoga and my yoga experience
•  Information about running and my running experience
• Recipes
• Photos
• Playlist information
• Motivation!
• Personal fitness posts 

About me and my passion for fitness

            I love keeping in shape and healthy. I find that I think more clearly and my mind and body are in-sync when I am more active. I learned the hard way that recovering from nerve damage is a difficult process that requires a lot of patience (just like any injury). It forced me to slow down, and I will do a lot of injury prevention posts.

Why Hit the Mat Running?

            I chose the title, Hit the Mat Running, because I run and participate in yoga. There’s something about Hit the Mat Running that resonates with me as a yogi and a runner, it shows that from the moment I start working out that I give it my all.

How often will you hear from me?

            My blog will most likely update either every other day to once a week. Maybe some weeks I’ll post every single day. It all depends!

 I will try my best to stay dedicated and maybe, if I get a small community started, I’ll post different challenges and giveaways.

            I hope to inspire others who may have difficulty staying motivated in the world of fitness. It takes a lot of  motivation to walk into a gym, go for a run outside or even put those workout clothes on. I’m here to show you what’s worked for me so far. This blog will help me stay motivated and will hopefully help motivate you all!

Stay healthy and active!

Katie