In case you missed yesterday’s post, here’s the link.
I loved how Runner’s World structured the weekend to be more than just a road race. True to it’s name, it really was a festival, complete with informational sessions, workshops, book signings, and talks on Saturday afternoon that anyone who was signed up for the race(s) could attend.
Plus the Expo was one of the best I’ve ever attended.
Here are some of the highlights:
Sarah Reinertsen
Late Friday morning, my fellow bloggers and I were treated to a private meet and greet with Paralympian and Ironwoman Sarah Reinertsen (who just also happened to be the keynote speaker on Saturday night).
I was familiar with Sarah’s story, having rooted for her during season 10 of The Amazing Race, but in case you don’t know it, she is an amputee who lost her left leg as a little girl because of a tissue deficiency.
Yet she didn’t let that stop her, going on to race with the U.S. Disabled Track Team, competing in the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, and, in 2005, making history as the first woman to finish the Hawaii Ironman (a 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, followed by a FULL MARATHON) on a prosthetic leg.
That is fierce.
Her story, her optimism, and her determination is so powerful. She also works with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a non-profit that supports athletes with disabilities. Sarah also mentors and inspires other athletes through hands-on sports workshops around the country that teach amputees how to run, spin, bike and swim.
And it’s not just talk. Later that day, Katie and I happened to look out our dorm room window to see Sarah working one-on-one in the adjacent parking lot with an amputee, running drills and sprints and showing the woman how to move with her new leg. There were no cameras, no reporters, no audience. It was incredible to see.
Shalane Flanagan
Shalane was so gracious, answering all our eager blogger questions during a special Q&A Runner’s World had arranged for us.
She talked about this year’s Boston Marathon, how she gave it her all and stuck to her game plan. She also shared how eventual winner Rita Jeptoo said Shalane’s blistering speed from the very start had paced her for the entire race, and she knew she had to keep Shalane in her sights if she had any hopes of winning.
But rather than dwelling on the negative, Shalane said she is not disappointed, and is instead choosing to focus on the fact that her performance helped motivate others to do their best (and her 2:22:02 Boston Marathon time would have won the whole darn thing most years; instead, she came in seventh).
Okay, so I’m not putting myself on the same level as Shalane by any means, but I’m still disappointed (and beating myself up a bit) about coming 27 seconds short of breaking a two hour half marathon a few weeks ago. But if Shalane can be optimistic and see the positives behind her Boston Marathon experience, then I can do the same with my Boston’s Run to Remember experience.
I needed that pep talk, Shalane. Thank you!
But on the lighter side, Shalane admits to enjoying a post-race beer, burger and fries … just like the rest of us! Seriously, she was so nice and down-to-earth. Thank you, Runner’s World, for setting this up! (Also, Shalane, like Sarah, also participated in the Saturday sessions that were open to the public at the Festival, so other runners also had the pleasure of meeting them).
Runner’s World Cookbook Lunch and Running Skirts Runway Show
The team at Running Skirts presented us with a Project Runway-like challenge, which we eagerly accepted. Let’s just say it included wearing as many cute and festive Running Skirts gear (which also includes tanks, pants, arm warmers, jackets, headbands, etc.) as we could and strutting down a pink runway.
Because we were all kooky enough, both teams of bloggers were declared winners, which is good news for you (hmmmm, I think I hear a Running Skirts giveaway coming soon).
We were also served a delicious lunch consisting of recipes straight out of the Runner’s World Cookbook, which features 150 recipes created to maximize a runner’s performance.
My favorite was the chilled zucchini soup, which I don’t have a picture of, but was really tasty. The watermelon-feta salad was a close second.
Saturday Seminars
After the 5K and 10K (which I’ll recap tomorrow), I headed to Bart Yasso’s session titled “My Life on the Run,” based on his book of the same title.
Bart is the chief running officer at Runner’s World, and whoa, this man has done some CRAZY things, like run 100+ mile races and racing in places like Antarctica and Mt. Kilimanjaro. He is fascinating and inspiring all at the same time.
Oh, and he’s also one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.
I bought Bart’s book at the little Runner’s World store on site at the Expo, and after getting my selfie with him, I had to get an autograph.
I also sat in on a seminar titled “Fuel: Priming Your Body for Peak Performance,” led by Nancy Clark, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D.
Nancy answered ALL our questions about food and running, including pre- and post-race meals, mid-race fuel, the ideal number of caloric intake based on activity, why some runners tend to gain weight while training, etc.
One thing she said that stuck out for me is Food is one of life’s pleasures. You don’t have to have a perfect diet to have a good diet.
Amen to that.
I asked her about protein intake for vegetarian runners, and she mentioned legumes and soy, but added that it’s important to make sure you’re eating more than just a small scoop of garbanzo beans on top of your salad. If you’re training, you should be eating more like a half a cup to even a cup of beans at a serving.
She also stressed the importance of eating most of your calories as part of your breakfast and lunch to avoid the “crescendo” effect that happens when you eat lightly during the day, then feast at night …. which is what I totally do.
In fact, Nancy herself eats every four hours, which means having breakfast, lunch, a second lunch, and then when dinner rolls around, she’s not as hungry and you don’t overeat. She said when runners (or really, anyone) talks about gaining weight, it’s because they let themselves get too hungry at the end of the day.
Nancy was an excellent speaker and she definitely gave me a lot to think about, in terms of how (and when) I fuel my body.
Expo
Holy awesome vendors, Batman!
Everywhere I turned, I found a booth I wanted to stop in, including:
- SparklySoul, who provided our blogger group with a gorgeous slate gray headband PLUS a special headband designed especially for this race!
- The Stick, which is advertised as a “toothpick for muscles” and provides relief for muscle pain and soreness, improves muscle strength, increases endurance and accelerates recovery time; I took one home to help my cranky glutes.
- Health Warrior Chia Bars, which I tried at the Run to Remember Expo …. so delicious.
- BelVita snacks, which Buddy is obsessed with.
Poland Spring was also there, handing out cowbells (which I brought home for the kiddos and am kind of regretting), T-shirts, and providing a chance to pose for a silly picture … which, of course, Larisa and I did.
Geneia was also there, giving all participants an opportunity to pose for their own Runner’s World cover.
Where were the hairstylists? I obviously needed one 🙂
After the Expo, we learned the Runner’s World gang had arranged for us to move to different accommodations on campus (apparently we weren’t the only ones shivering the previous night), so I moved into a new suite with Katie, Dani, Larisa, Anne, Presley, Marnie and Karla. We had a great time hanging out in our dorm suite that night, sharing stories and watching silly videos on You Tube.
A big thank you to Runner’s World for having me this weekend. Tomorrow I’ll share my recaps from my Five & Dime experience … my first time running two races in one day!
Next up on Thursday: My Five & Dime race recap!
Larisa Dixon (@0to26point2) says
Such an epic trip. I miss you all ready. Thanks for the shout outs. XOXO
Jessica says
It was the least I could do since I totally stole one of your pictures 🙂 LOL. Miss you girls. Hope the rest of your Beantown trip is going well!!
Kaella says
Hi there– I found your blog today on twitter thanks to a Bart retweet 😉 I love it! It sounds like you had a blast! I would love to do the hat trick one year! Can’t wait to read your race recaps! 🙂
Jessica says
Awww, thank you. Love that Bart 🙂 It was sooo tempting to do the full Hat Trick but the half marathon fell on my daughter’s birthday, and I couldn’t miss it. Ahh, maybe next time. Thanks for reading!!!
Karien @ Running the Race says
Sounds like a fantastic weekend! Would have loved to be there!
Jessica says
It was a TON of fun … such a strong turnout of the running community! It was awesome how many people traveled from across the country to be there. Can’t wait for next year’s event!!
Melissa Hillas says
Sounds like such a great opportunity! 🙂
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
As I sit here, big as the day is long, waiting to walk (because I’m on limited activity) my 5k this weekend, I feel SO blessed to have relived your experience with you. Runner’s World is a favorite of mine, and I cannot wait to get back to longer races- hopefully, sinally, doing a marathon!
Jessica says
Maybe I’ll join you!!!! 🙂
Leah DeCesare - Mother's Circle says
I so WANT to like running! This is so inspiring – and cheering on people in half or full marathons is exciting – and seeing people FINISH! I’d love to have that feeling – but I don’t want to do the running part! 🙂 I really admire you and your dedication!
Jessica says
Awww, thanks, Leah 😉