BOA Chicago Marathon and Active.com -You Get a Big Fat F!!!

Jim and I have been planning to run the BOA Chicago Marathon for well over a year now.

We had heard that the race would likely sell out in the first day this year and this might be the last year that it wasn't a lottery or time qualified.  So we knew if we wanted to run Chicago it would probably need to be this year.

So, I have been stalking their website for months waiting on the registration date and time.  Finally a few months ago it was announced.  I put it on my calendar and planned around it.  We were planning an AZ trip, but made sure we were home yesterday and not traveling today in order to be online promptly when it opened.

BOA partnered with Active.com for registration...you know Active.com - the largest online registration website out there.

Registration opened today at noon CST.  I was online at 11:45 and kept hitting refresh until about 11:58 when it actually opened a few minutes early, I was so excited...maybe that was a good sign I would get in.

NO!!  I don't know if anyone else tried to register today but what an EPIC failure on the part of Bank of America, the Chicago Marathon, and Active.com

The website crashed all day.  You would get into the registration site over and over and go through the full registration process just to have it crash at the end.  Finally after a couple of hours they shut down the registration link....then they brought it back up...same issues.  They finally took it down again and everyone waited patiently for the 6pm update on what they were going to do about registration.

Here is there update from their website:

We are incredibly sorry that runners interested in signing up for the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon experienced such difficulties today. We have been working nonstop with our registration provider to find the root of the problem and a solution. Many runners were able to sign up before the registration process was suspended. There are currently 15,000 entries remaining. Before we re-open registration, we need to make sure all technical issues are permanently resolved. We will provide ample notice regarding when the registration process will re-open.

For those who were able to successfully complete the registration process, you can confirm your registration by going to www.chicagomarathon.com/confirmation. For those that were charged more than once, our registration provider Active.com is in the process of refunding any duplicate charges and will notify these participants.

We do not plan on reopening registration within the next two days. We will provide another update on registration by 5 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday.

I wasn't one of the lucky people to get registered.  I tried for hours and hours.  I waited and waited for updates.  It's frustrating to say the least.  I even tried calling Active.com to see if I could register over the phone.  I waited on hold for 45 minutes only to be told there was nothing they could do.

Many people (according to Facebook) got registered 2 and 3 and even 4 times.  Nothing about this process worked.

It's not looking good that there will be a 2013 BOA Chicago Marathon in mine and Jim's future and it's really just not fair.  Now when they re-open registration - people who didn't even try to register today will have just as good as a chance to register as me.  That's NOT OK.  And, the chances of getting not just one, but two of us registered....seems almost impossible to me.

There is just no excuse for the technical difficulties they experienced.  They knew there would be massive amounts of people trying to register for this event today.  It's happened to many times at races recently, but this one was EXPECTED to fill and fast.  They had to know that hundreds of thousands of peopel would try to get into the site at the same time.  As my friend Coy said - If TicketMaster Can do it - they should be able to do it too.    Ridiculous!

Anyone else try to register today??

"You've Gotten So Big!"

So last night, my subconscious told me what my conscious has been telling me for some time now......I'm "fat".

Last February, I was 17 pounds lighter than I am today.  That's alot of added weight.  Last February I was motivated, and I was within 5 pounds of where I would ultimately like to be.  Today I am more than 20 pounds from that goal.

I know I have been gaining weight...obviously.  I get on the scale and it tells me.  I try on my clothes and they tell me.  But I look in the mirror and it does not tell me.  I see the same person, I don't look "that" different.  But pictures tell a different story.

This past week Jim and I were on a racecation (review coming soon).  In many of the pictures I just look at myself and think, man do I really look like that?  I have gained alot of weight.  I am not happy with how I look, but more importantly I know that the added weight is because I am not eating the right things - which is unhealthy.

I know by conventional standards I'm not "fat".  I'm at the high end of my ideal body weight range, but for an endurance athlete I am heavy.  I am already slow, and adding weight to the scenario is not going to make me faster. 

Last summer while training for my Half Ironman I realized I could pretty much eat anything I wanted.  I was training 2 to 3 hours per day and I needed calories.   And that developed into unhealthy habits that are still with me.  I have and always have had an addiction to sweets.  Training for my Half allowed me to indulge that addiction, and it just hasn't left.

Last night I had a dream.  I saw a friend I hadn't seen in a long time.  She looked at me and the first words out of her mouth were "Oh, You've Gotten So Big!".  I just replied "I know" and ran off feeling sorry for myself and wondering how someone could be so mean.  But, I knew she was right.

Yes, it was just a dream, but between pictures and the dream, it's a wake up call.  It's time to get my healthy eating back on track and drop a few pounds.

It's hard to share these things some times, but I know many of you have been there before too.

So sorry Starbucks, but we have to break up.  It's been nice knowing you. 

On a brighter note.....don't forget to enter my StrideBox Giveaway.  It ends this Sunday!

StrideBox Review & GIVEAWAY

About a month ago I was on Facebook and you know how they have ads on the side now?  Well I saw an ad for StrideBox that said it was a monthly subscription box for running products.  I was intrigued so I clicked on the link.  I thought it sounded pretty great, so I contacted them and asked about doing a review and giveaway to help get their name out and they said yes!!

Image courtesy of StrideBox.com

So what is StrideBox?

"StrideBox is a fun and exciting way to discover running products and accessories. Each month, as a member, you will receive a curated box of apparel, accessories, and nutrition products to fuel your training sessions, workouts, and races."

How much does StrideBox cost?

It's just $15 a month and shipping is free or just an additional $5 to Canada.  You sign up for autopay/shipments, but you can cancel at any time.

Want to learn more about StrideBox?  Find them at:

https://stridebox.com/
http://www.facebook.com/Stridebox
http://pinterest.com/stridebox/
https://stridebox.com/blog/
http://instagram.com/stridebox

They are also on Google+ and Twitter.  They are everywhere!

StrideBox just got started and their very first boxes went out in February.  I was lucky enough to get one of these first boxes to review. 

So what did I get?

Gu Chomps Energy Chews, Lemon Flavor

Hammer Bar Ultimate Energy Bar, Cranberry Flavor

Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes Fizz, Peach Flavor

Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel, Acai Pomegranate Flavor

Mazama Bar High Performance Energy Bar, Wild Berry Flavor

Skratch Labs Exercise Hydration Mix (2), Lemons And Limes, Oranges

Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel (2)

Lock Laces – Shoe Lace System (in pink)

On The Go Towels (3), Unscented, Am Rush, and After Hours Scents

StrideBox Bend-A-Bottle Soft Water Bottle

They guarantee the value of the box is at least $20.  I estimated it to be somewhere between $22-23.  You also get a card that has discounts for many of the products.  It didn't include a discount for everything, but you could get discounts from 15 to 25%.  The products that were eligible for a discount were Hammer, Honey Stinger, Mazamabar, and Skratch.

So what did I think about the StrideBox?

Pros

• Convenience.  It comes right to your door.
• Great way to try new products you may not even know exist
• Discounts available for some of the products you like
• Reasonable price
• It's fun to get a box in the mail with a "surprise" inside.  Makes it feel like Christmas!

Cons

• You can't choose the colors or flavors you receive so you may get stuff you do not like or can't use (I didn't like the flavors of either of the energy bars)
• Products received monthly "could" be very similar.  This is just an opinion since I've only received one box, but it seems like it would normally be bars and gels, etc for the most part.  If you need these anyway and you don't want to go out and buy new items - this could be a pro.

Would I sign up for a monthly subscription?

Yes.  I think it is a very reasonable way to try new products and I would definitely like to try it again.

Would you like to try one for yourself?????

Of course you would!! 

Details of the Giveaway

Please leave 1 comment for each item you do.

Required 

 

1.   Be a follower of this blog AND leave a comment telling me why you would like to try StrideBox.

AND

2.  "Like" StrideBox on FB http://www.facebook.com/Stridebox AND leave a comment on their FB page saying I sent you! (and leave a comment here saying you did so).

Remember 1 and 2 are REQUIRED for entry.

 

Bonus Entries (1 additional entry per item)

1. Share this giveaway on your blog, FB, etc. (leave a comment for each one you do; each is worth a bonus entry).
2. Follow StrideBox on Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter (leave a comment for each one you do; each is worth a bonus entry).

Giveaway will end on Sunday, Feb 24 at 8pm CT.  Winner will be announced Monday, Feb 25.

Disclaimer:  I was given a StrideBox to review for free.  I was not compensated for my review or asked to provide a positive review.  All comments are my own.



I'm Still Alive!!!

Laughing the hours away these days :)

I just wanted to check in and let everyone know I'm still around.

Life gets crazy sometimes you know.

I started a new job on Jan 15 and I've been traveling and just getting acclimated.

I'm still training and doing well over all.

I will do a catch up post soon, but just wanted to say a short Hi for now.

Hope all you guys are doing well!!!

I do have an awesome giveaway starting soon.....so stay tuned!  I'm pretty excited about this one.

Starting the Year Off on a Not so Positive Note

Like most of you, the New Year rolls around and you have plans, big plans.  You want to get faster, lose weight, do more races, etc.  That was my goal.  Start 2013 out strong and go strong all year. 

Well, sometimes, no matter what the plan your body/life has other plans. 

My first few days of the year were fine, but for the last 10 days I've been fighting a sinus infection and bronchitis.  It knocked me out pretty good.  And I missed 7 solid days of working out.  I haven't done that in I don't know how long.  Finally on Saturday, while still not feeling 100% I decided to get on the treadmill and do something - even if it was just walk a couple of miles.  I felt sluggish, but ended up run/walking 5 miles.  I got in a good sweat and started to feel normal again.  I was able to do another 4 miles the next day and then 2 and a half yesterday. 

I'm definitely feeling better, but still not at 100%.  But you can't use sickness as an excuse forever so I'm moving forward like I always do.  Tonight I have cycle class.  This class is SO HARD!  It's a hard core class for cyclists.  There are about 75 people in the class and only about 8 females.  It's not a spin class, it's truly a cycling class as everyone has their own bikes and trainers.  It runs 1:45 minutes to 2 hours, twice a week.  It's tough.  It's gonna kick my butt, especially since I missed all last week.  Oh well, frankly I need a little butt kicking.

So, I'll be biking and running this week.....now I've just got to make myself get back in that pool!

I will be traveling for work all of next week and part of the following week.....so that is going to further complicate me trying to get into a good routine again, especially swimming, but I'm going to do my best. 

Hope every one's New Year is starting out a bit better than mine.  But if it's not, it's ok.  Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get going!!!

On a separate note, the Walt Disney World Marathon was this past weekend.....brings back so many memories from last year.  Congrats to all of you who might have ran it!  It helps remind me I'm capable of great things, even if the year didn't start off so hot!

2013 Goals and Tenative Race Calendar

Last year, for the first time, I put goals on paper for 2012.  I have to say they helped me stay motivated because I wanted to be able to say I achieved them.  I had 8 goals and achieved 7.  I was pretty satisfied with that.  If you missed my recap you can read it here.  So I wanted to do the same thing again.  I want these to be stretch goals, not something I know that I can do, but something I know I'll have to push myself to do.  I'm not so sure I have some of these in me....time will tell.  So I've given these some serious thought and here goes:

2013 Goals

1.  Log 1000 running miles.
2.  Complete 2nd marathon and set a 15 minute PR.
3.  Run a 5K with a pace in the 9s.
4.  Shave 3 minutes of my half marathon PR (2:20)
5.  Get to my goal weight by April and stay there through year-end.
6.  Swim 52 miles
7.  Bike 1900 miles

So that's it.  All mileage would be an increase from 2012...and swimming is almost a 100% increase, but I put that there to keep me swimming even outside of tri season.  It's kind of the same for biking, the mileage is only about 100 more miles, but I won't be training for a Half Ironman this year, so my miles won't be that high over the summer, but I want to keep cycling even in the Winter months (probably on the trainer)

Here's my Tentative Race Schedule for 2013

Jan - ??

Feb - Lost Dutchman Half Marathon, Apache Junction, Arizona

March - Tatur 3 hour Snake Run (Trail Run)

April - Rock the Parkway Half Marathon, Kansas City, MO

May - Indianapolis Mini Marathon, Indy, IN

June - Hospital Hill Half Marathon, Kansas City, MO; Topeka Tinman Triathlon, Topeka, KS

July - WIN for KC Triathlon, Smithville, MO

Aug - ??

September - Hyvee 5150 Triathlon, Des Moines, IA

Oct - Chicago Marathon

 

Nov - ??

Dec ??

I'm sure more will be added to the list. But that's where it stands right now.  How about you?  What races are you planning for 2013.  Any new distances?

December 5K a Day Winner & Recap

The December 5K a Day Challenge officially ended on Monday, December 31.  We started with 12 daring ladies, including myself.  In the end 3 AMAZING women were able to complete the challenge.  Serious Congrats go out to

Raina @ Small Town Runner
Bobbi @ Zero to 26.2
Kim @ ilaxSTUDIO

You ladies are seriously amazing and inspiring!  But sadly, there can only be one winner.  I really hate that because I think you are all winners......but I can only afford one winner.  So, by virtue of random.org the winner of my first annual December 5K a Day Challenge is.....

Bobbi!!  Congrats Bobbi you have won a $25 Amazon gift card. 

But wait there's more.  There also had to be a week 4 winner.  And you ladies were also the only ones who streaked in week 4.  So the week 4 winner is.....

Raina!!  Congrats Raina you have won these reflective Road ID wrist bands.

 

Sorry Kim :( but I'm glad that you at least won one of the earlier weekly prizes.  You ladies were amazing during this challenge and really logged some incredible mileage!

In total everyone combined logged an impressive 1191 miles during this challenge!

Thanks to everyone who participated.  I hope it helped keep you motivated and active during December.  I'm thinking maybe I'll do this again next year.  What do you think????  Any ideas for improvement??