Rave Review: 2XU Hyoptik Thermal Compression Tights

Disclaimer: I received a pair of 2XU Hyoptik Thermal Compression Tights 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!

The two biggest challenges to keeping up my run streak during the long Wisconsin winter are darkness and cold. I'm an early morning runner, and currently sunrise is after 7 a.m. which means that I am running in the dark five days a week. Visibility is a big, big issue for me. And since I live and run in Wisconsin, it goes without saying that cold is the other issue.

So when I was given the opportunity to review 2XU's Hyoptik (think "high-optic") thermal compression tights, I jumped at the chance. Reflective? Sweet. Thermal? Yes! Compression? Fantastic! Three of my favorite things.  I was definitely excited to try these out.

Sizing

And then I got the tights in the mail and pretty much had a panic attack. Despite my careful measurement and selection of Size Medium based on their sizing chart, these looked tiny. Like, super tiny. Itty bitty. This is something that is always a struggle for me. I have super long legs and I'm...shall we say..."gifted" in the thighs and calves so I often have a really hard time finding tights that fit properly, that don't have seams that split or chafe, and that are long enough for me. And when I saw my much-anticipated Hyoptiks, I thought there was no way they would fit.

Fortunately, I've never been so happy to be wrong. They fit perfectly. In fact, I have to rave about the length:  I wasn’t constantly struggling with them riding down while I ran, nor was I continually stopping to pull them down because I was getting cold ankles.  Until now, I have experienced at least one of these annoyances (and often both) with nearly every pair of compression tights I’ve owned.  There’s nothing more irritating than having to hike up tights that are riding down, or finishing a run only to find that your ankles are red and raw from windburn because your tights rode up too high.  To be free of those issues was a huge relief. 

So trust the size chart! 

Running in the Cold

I decided to test out my new Hyoptiks on a short six mile run in 30 degree (fahrenheit) temps.  Because I am totally a skeptical nonbeliever, I used the tights as a base layer with a pair of Adidas sweatpants over them.  After all, my other thermal tights seem to work best as a base layer, so why should these be any different?

Well, I learned my lesson.  They aren’t called “thermal” compression tights because they like lots of words in their name.  By two miles in, I was warm.  Really, really warm.  Almost too warm.  For someone who always suffers from cold legs/cold butt during my winter runs, it was a new experience.

I wised up for my second foray with the Hyoptiks and wore them with nothing over them.  The temperature was about the same – 30 degrees with little wind – and I felt fine.  I wasn’t uncomfortably warm, but I wasn’t cold. 

Unfortunately, those 30 degree days came to an abrupt end and January brought on new blasts of cold.  As the temperatures dipped below 15 degrees I found that wearing the Hyoptiks as a base layer under either yoga pants or sweat pants was perfectly adequate, even when the wind chill brought the temperature down to about zero. 

Comparing and Contrasting: 2XU versus Old Navy

I had a great opportunity to compare the Hyoptiks to my Old Navy “thermal” tights that got me through last winter by doing some back to back long runs over a cold weekend.   My Saturday run with the Hyoptiks as a base layer went quite well – the Hyoptiks under yoga pants did a wonderful job of cutting the sharp wind, and I made my mileage with minimal complaints about the weather.  I even got snowed on!  My Sunday run with the Old Navy tights as a base layer was less stellar.  The wind cut right through them despite wearing heavier sweatpants over the top, and I again had the ankle-rise problem, despite the tights being otherwise properly sized for me.  I feel like the Hyoptiks have spoiled me a bit – while the ON tights seemed fine before, I now realize just how inadequate they were.  

Of course, the counter to this is that the Old Navy tights come with a much smaller price tag.  In most areas of life, I don't mind pinching a penny, but when it comes to running I have no problem paying more for quality products.  After all, I run every single day.  Why wouldn't I want something that keeps me warm and comfortable when I'm getting those miles in?  This is one of those times where paying a little more is well worth it.

Overall

The 2XU Thermal Compression Tights are a great option for those of us who live and run in cold climates.  They make an incredible base layer, yet they work well alone.  They are comfortable and well made (no splitting seams, no rough edges to chafe the skin) and the reflective pattern is actually rather flattering.  

Running With Podcasts

I'll say it:  I'm not sure I'd be a runner if not for podcasts.  Listening to podcasts has gotten me through some of my most tedious treadmill slogs, my most gloomy runs at the Pettit, and my most arduous training runs.  I used to be committed to my music playlists when I ran, but now I rarely turn on the tunes (unless I need a little extra burst of speed  - then you betcha I've got some Taylor Swift ready to go. #trueconfessions).

To state what might not be obvious to everyone, a podcast is an episodic digital audio file not unlike a radio show or serial.  There are podcasts out there about everything:  running podcasts, human interest story podcasts, Star Wars podcasts, Sudoku fan podcasts, hiking and mountaineering podcasts.  Basically, choose your interest and there's probably at least a half dozen podcasts on the topic.

Podcasts can be downloaded to your iPhone either through the iTunes player or through a third party podcast app.  I use an app called Podcruncher.  Podcruncher has a simple interface and a lot of options that make it easy to download and listen to podcasts.  My favorite feature is the playlist creator.  (If you have an Android phone or some other device, sorry: I know nothing about them but I suspect through the use of voodoo and good vibes you can listen to podcasts on your weird non-Apple device too).  #nothelpful

So, how about some podcast recommendations?  I have plenty.

Running podcasts

If you are reading this at all, you probably have at least a passing interest in running, so let's start out with some great running podcasts.

Ten Junk Miles - TJM is my favorite running podcast.  The podcast is created by a group of mostly ultrarunners who talk about everything from chafing to karaoke to some of their weird and crazy race experiences.  (I want an invite to the Retaste of Chicago someday!) They typically have guests from the ultrarunning world who are always interesting and entertaining.  The podcast can get laugh-out-loud funny at times, and it really makes the miles go by.  I save this one for my long runs.

Ultrarunner Podcast - URP takes on ultrarunning from the speedy side of things by interviewing mostly accomplished ultrarunners.  While I can't relate to their speed, I enjoy listening to their take on various races around the world, and it is a neat glimpse into how the other half lives and runs.

Trail Runner Nation - This podcast is a little more diverse.  It has interviews with accomplished trail runners, but it has plenty of episodes featuring Q&As with sports medicine folks, nutritionists, coaches, races directors, and people from all sides of trail running.

Okay, it can't all be about running, can it?  Let's switch it up.

True Crime Podcasts

True crime is all the rage right now.  The Netflix documentary Making a Murderer is everywhere, there has been a surge in true crime podcasts of all stripes, and Serial, the podcast that added the word "podcast" to the lexicons of millions of people is in its second season.

Serial - You just can't talk about podcasts without taking on Serial.  In fact, if you are new to podcasts, Serial Season One is probably the best place to start.  Created by the creators of This American Life, Season One featured journalist Sarah Koenig's investigation into the 1999 murder of a young woman named Hae Min Lee.  Through compelling storytelling, Koenig leads listeners through the evidence in a way that calls into question whether the man who is doing time for her murder is really the killer.  It is a great listen and it truly deserves the accolades that it has received.

Sword and Scale - This is one of the grittier and more graphic true crime podcasts that I have come across.  Each episode features a strange and awful crime, ranging from the Jonestown massacre to "satanic panic" to more obscure and strange murders.  The episodes can be a little hard to listen to as they often include "real" media, like 911 calls and interviews, but that's also part of what makes this podcast so compelling.  I have actually fallen out of love with this podcast recently as I feel as though the quality has declined a bit, but I still recommend the earlier episodes as they are very well done.

Criminal - Criminal takes on the subject of crime from all angles.  In one episode we hear about the beautiful relationship between a police officer and his retired K9 partner.  In another we hear about a woman who was duped by an online love interest.  In another we learn more than we ever wanted to know about the theft of wood from the Petrified Forest National Park.  You never know what you'll get with Criminal, but it is always a solid, entertaining listen.

Too serious?  I'll admit that I scared the heck out of myself when I made the mistake of listening to a certain episode of Sword and Scale while on a long, lonely run on the Glacial Drumlin Trail.  #boo! If true crime is too real for you, there are other options.

Offbeat Podcasts

The Mystery Show - The Mystery Show tackles a new, slightly wacky, totally inconsequential mystery each episode.  Despite the stakes being about as low as they could possibly be, every single mystery unfolds in such a compelling way that you can't help but be engaged.  From reuniting a weird belt buckle with its owner to figuring out what Britney Spears is reading, The Mystery Show is always delightful.

Reasonable Doubt - I can't say that I'm a huge fan of comedian Adam Carolla or attorney Mark Geragos, but when they are together for the Reasonable Doubt podcast, they put on a great show.  They tackle the legal side of current events without ever getting dull or bogged down in the uninteresting side of the law. Mark always has great insight from some of his high-profile cases, and Adam's off-the-cuff remarks make the show very listenable.  New episodes are released every Saturday, and before I take on my Saturday long run I always make sure I have the latest Reasonable Doubt loaded up.

The Moth - The Moth is about all about storytelling.  Great storytellers share their stories that are sometimes grand, sometimes mundane, but always entertaining and often moving.  I have been moved to tears by this podcast and I have been reduced to laughter by it as well - sometimes within the same episode.

Limetown - Limetown takes Serial's compelling investigative format and turns it on a fictional storyline.  The result is an incredibly immersive adventure which goes well with a good, long run. I can't say much about the plot without giving it away, but I suspect you'll be hooked after an episode. Season one recently ended with little closure and I am looking forward to more Limetown in the future.

The world of podcasts is booming right now, and because I listen to so many podcasts, I'd like to make podcast reviewing a regular feature on the ol' blog.

Do you listen to podcasts?  What are you listening to these days?  Recommend something - I'm always looking for more things to listen to.

Not just cold: Wisconsin cold.

Disclaimer: I received a Buff Hoodie 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!

Winter in Wisconsin is no joke.  As I write this, I'm looking out my window at a temperature of -7 degrees Farenheit with a wind chill in the negative thirties.  While this is a particularly cold spell, December through March can be pretty brutal here.

But we're mostly used to it.  And that's why we run outdoors every chance we can.

I am always in the market for new cold weather running gear, especially now that I'm in the middle of a run streak (day 230 #whatwhat) so when I had the opportunity to review a Buff's new hoodie, I couldn't say no.  I absolutely love the Buff headgear (some might say I have a bit of an addiction) but crazy enough, I hadn't tried any of their cold weather products.

Why did I wait so long?  Of course Buff hit a home run in the cold weather department.  I am in love.  The Buff Hoodie is a winner.

The Buff Hoodie three parts: a soft, stretchy, double layer that goes around your neck, a super soft Polartec® Thermal Pro® hood, which may be the softest material on the planet, and a stretchy wool collar that you can pull up over your face or tuck down around your neck. The hood has adjustable drawstrings so you can pull it tight or wear it loose. Like all of Buff's products, it is super-versatile.

The stock photos of the Hoodie from Buff's website make it look a little weird. I promise, it is actually really cute. Here's a picture of the Buff Hoodie in action out on the Ice Age Trail:

The temperatures were in the high 20s but sunny with almost no wind for my first outing with the Hoodie, so I was able to tuck the facepiece down around my neck comfortably. With temps down to the low 20s I didn't even need to wear a stocking hat under the hoodie - the hood was warm enough by itself. When the temps fall to the lower twenties and below, I prefer to have a stocking cap under the hood, although I often find myself either ditching the cap or tucking the hood down because it really is that toasty.

And tucking the hood down doesn't mean making a time-wasting stop to readjust anything - I can literally whip the hood up or down and adjust it on the run with no difficulty. The hood isn't bulky either, so tucking it down isn't cumbersome.

I've used the Buff Hoodie for runs as cold as 0 degrees, and I've run with it in the snow. I actually find myself reaching for it when I need to go run errands in the cold because it is cute and unlike most running gear it actually looks just fine with regular street clothes. I took my son to the art museum last weekend and got lots of compliments on my cute hood (#thathappened).


If you are in the market for that one piece of running gear that will make winter running much more tolerable, the Buff Hoodie is the way to go. It is versatile, it looks great, and most important: it is so very warm.

Running Safety Strategies

As the days get shorter I find myself starting many of my runs long before the sun is up.  It's a little terrifying, and not because I'm afraid of the dark.  Well, maybe a little bit because of that, but more because running in low visibility can be dangerous.  And the danger grows as winter approaches and drivers become more preoccupied with navigating snow and ice and less noticing of foot traffic on the road.  Adding to the problem, colder weather brings frosty car windshields, and not all drivers are diligent about cleaning their windshield sufficiently before they drive.  I've had a few close encounters with cars in the past year, all of which involved inattentive drivers.  And because I'd rather not be in the hospital anytime soon, I've done a lot of reading about safety strategies for runners.

Visibility is your friend.  Be seen.  Be a peacock lit up like a Christmas tree on fire.  Or something.

Face it - fashion isn't a high priority for most runners.  We choose function over style.  I'll use my shoes as Exhibit A on that point:

If you would have told me five years ago that I'd be wearing purple and orange clown shoes on purpose and loving it, I would have pulled a muscle cringing.  But, such is the #runninglife, so let's embrace that fact and use it to our advantage.  If you are running in the dark, you want to be seen.  Light, bright colors are your friends.  Running clothes come in plenty of neon colors - embrace them.  Better yet are lights and reflective materials.  A cheap, reflective running vest is a great investment.  I have a Runner's World branded version of this bargain deal from Wal Mart, and it lights up wonderfully in headlights.  There are a ton of products on the market now that blink and wink and light the way. You may look ridiculous, but that's okay.  I think you look great (and that counts for something, right?  RIGHT?)  Plus, all of us night-runners are right there looking ridiculous with you.  The bottom line is:  give drivers no excuse for not seeing you.

And trust no cars

Always, always, ALWAYS assume that drivers cannot see you.  Always give the car the benefit of the doubt, as even if you have the right of way, your bones are far more breakable than a car, and the car will always win regardless of who was "right."  In my worst me vs. car experience, I actually made eye contact with the driver - I know she saw me - yet she pulled out anyway and knocked me to the ground.  You'll lose a few seconds off of your time waiting - that's life, it happens.  Hardships make you stronger, or something.  But it is far better than being knocked out of training for a few weeks - or worse - because you lost a game of you versus car. #thecarwins 

Stranger Danger

Darkness and bad drivers aren't the only enemies.  There are bad people in the world too, as this recent piece of tragic news has reminded us.  I don't think that there's any surefire way to prevent a horrible attack like that one, but there are things that runners can do to make themselves a little bit safer while they are out there.  Running with a group is a great idea for those who have the option.  Meetup.com is a good resource for local running groups, and many running stores and clubs offer weekly fun runs, especially during race season.

But what if running alone is your only option?  One strategy is to take everything you know about not talking to strangers and throw it out the window.  Well, maybe not everything, but hear me out:  be memorable.  Say hello to people as you pass them on your run.  Hello, good morning, good evening, hi, whatever you can huff out at the pace you are running.  Why?  Because if something happens to you, you'll be more memorable.  Did that sound morbid?  It kind of is.  But if the 6:00 news is talking about a runner who went missing from the park, I want everyone who was at the park to say "Hey, I think I saw her.  I saw her right by the restrooms around 3:00. She said 'hi' to me right before she misfired a snot rocket." #idontdothat  Saying hello is such a relatively effortless thing, and if nothing horrible ever happens to you while running, then at least you'll seem like just a friendly person who talks to strangers.  There's nothing wrong with that.

Give A Loved One an ETA and a Route

I'm honestly not much of a route planner.  I usually go out with a vague idea of the mileage that I want to run, and then I plan my route as I'm running it.  This drives my husband bonkers.  Fortunately, Road ID has come out with a wonderful free app that lets you advise a loved one via text message where you are and provides a real-time map for tracking.  There's also a setting that will send an alert if you stop moving for a certain period of time.  It is good, it is free, and there's no excuse for running without it.

Santa Hustle 5K - Milwaukee

Santa Hustle Milwaukee, December 5, 2015

This was a last-minute add-on to my race schedule, courtesy of Bibrave (I am a new Bibrave Pro, and received a comped entry to this race).  I had no intentions of racing this one, as my "goal" 5K was the following day, but I did want to enjoy it as a fun run and from what I could tell from the Santa Hustle website, this looked like a perfect race to just go and have a good time.  The Santa Hustle promised aid stations with cookies and candy, and Christmas music along the route.  Plus, it offered some of the nicest race swag for a 5K:  a really cute red half-zip jacket (plus a Santa beard and hat).  I can't say enough about the jacket - it is really adorable and I'm quite frankly amazed at its quality.  It is a huge step up from the usual race t-shirt.  Based on the promises made about the course itself and the apparent quality of the swag, I went in to the race looking forward to a fun time.

Of course, things don't always go as planned and I ended up running late the morning of the race.  I was really worried about parking and packet pickup, and I thought I might actually miss the start time.  It turned out that I didn't need to worry about either:  there was plenty of free parking around Veterans Park, and packet pickup was incredibly smooth.  I got from my car to packet pickup to the start line in less than ten minutes.  Not bad for a race with over 1000 participants!

I put on my race swag and my number, and was ready to go.  Most runners wore the race jacket and hat for the run and it was fantastic to see this sea of Santas lined up to run along Milwaukee's lakefront.

There was a costume contest too, so aside from a few very well-dressed Santas I saw some people dressed as gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and a very enthusiastic Buddy Elf.  He was adorable.

It was chilly at the start:  the temperatures were in the 30s and being right next to Lake Michigan the air just felt cold.  But the sun was shining and overall the weather was nothing to complain about for a December day in Wisconsin.  The pre-race set up was great:  a giant inflatable Santa and other fun props for photo-ops, real reindeer, and some fun Christmas music.  All we needed was a little snow!  (Just kidding - go away snow!  I'm loving this non-snowy December).

The race had a corralled start, and because I planned on taking it easy and enjoying the run, I lined up with the 9:00 mile corral.  However, in spite of the corrals, my first few blocks were spent pushing through a crowd of walkers.  Oh well - this was just a fun run.  Eventually I made my way out of the crowd and settled into a 9-minute pace.  This was my first race with my new Garmin, and it was nice to actually know my pace rather than just feel it and hope for the best.

And because I'm never one to say "no" to a cookie, I did grab a cookie at the first aid station.  Do you know what it feels like to eat a cookie while running?  It feels like choking.  But I tried.  And I even took a mid-run cookie selfie.  Please appreciate it - I had to take off my mittens, hold up the cookie, hold my phone still and keep running.  It took a lot of work to get that picture.  :p

So obviously the Santa Hustle was more of a fun run/walk than it was a race, and the results definitely showed it.  My 9:10 pace merited me 4th place in my age division out of 139.  Huh.  I'm a little bummed on that actually - they had age group awards that went three deep, so I missed out on an age group medal by 10 seconds.  Judging by how cute the race swag was, I would bet the medals were adorable.  Who knew?  My time was 28:29.

I'd recommend this race as a fun thing to do with a group of friends before brunch, or as a first race for someone who just finished Couch to 5K.  This isn't a place to PR, it is a place to have fun (and there's nothing wrong with that!)

Interested?  Check out the Santa Hustle website for the various events in other cities around the USA and even a virtual event.

A Tale of Three 5Ks

I like to run far, but I'm not so good at running fast.  For that reason, I'm not much of a 5K runner, which made it especially weird that I recently had three 5K races within a span of ten days.  I did want to run one 5K before the end of 2015 as a sort of an evaluation of my progress.  A year ago I was struggling to go sub-30 on the 5K, and I wanted a yardstick by which I could measure my 2016 goals, so the 5K seemed like a good idea.

So I signed up for three.  Because...well, it just sort of happened.

Pewaukee Turkey Trot, Thanksgiving day.

I love a good small-town turkey trot.  There's something just plain fun about a no-frills race through a small town with a hundred or so other runners, and the Pewaukee Turkey Trot totally fit that bill.  Plus, the race started at 7:30 a.m. so it was clearly aimed at those of us who actually had stuff to do on Thanksgiving.  (Seriously, who can run at 11:00 on Thanksgiving Day?)

The course was a total mystery to me.  In fact, it was such a mystery that I very nearly didn't find the start line.  Nettesheim Park didn't come up in Waze, and it showed up on Google Maps in a totally different location.  I literally found the race start, parked my car, sprinted to packet pickup, pinned on my bib, and ran to the start line, and barely made it on time.  Totally my own fault, but big kudos to the folks working packet pickup for getting me in and out in less than 60 seconds.

The route was a little hilly and took us through some nice neighborhoods.  It was a gray morning and cool but not cold, which made for great running weather.  I went out a little fast in an attempt to get away from one runner who was running with her dog for the first time and having a hard time controlling him, and I paid for it later in the race when the hills came, but overall I did better than I had expected.  Age group awards were given out for 1st place in each age group in 10 year increments.  No award for me but I was very close.  Despite what Strava says, my official time came in at 26:14 which was a new PR.

Santa Hustle Milwaukee, December 5

This was a last-minute add-on to my race schedule, courtesy of Bibrave (I am a new Bibrave Pro, and received a comped entry to this race).  I had no intentions of racing this one, as my "goal" 5K was the following day, but I did want to enjoy it as a fun run.  The Santa Hustle promised aid stations with cookies and candy, and Christmas music along the route.  Plus, it offered some of the nicest race swag for a 5K:  a really cute red half-zip jacket (plus a Santa beard and hat).

Most runners wore the race jacket and hat for the run and it was fantastic to see this sea of Santas lined up to run along Milwaukee's lakefront.

There was a costume contest too, so aside from a few very well-dressed Santas I saw some people dressed as gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and a very enthusiastic Buddy Elf.  He was adorable.

It was chilly at the start:  the temperatures were in the 30s and being right next to Lake Michigan the air just felt cold.  But the sun was shining and overall the weather was nothing to complain about for a December day in Wisconsin.  The pre-race set up was great:  a giant inflatable Santa and other fun props for photo-ops, real reindeer, and some fun Christmas music.

The race had a corralled start, and because I planned on taking it easy and enjoying the run, I lined up with the 9:00 mile corral.  However, in spite of the corrals, my first few blocks were spent pushing through a crowd of walkers.  Oh well - this was just a fun run.  Eventually I made my way out of the crowd and settled into a 9-minute pace.  This was my first race with my new Garmin, and it was nice to actually know my pace rather than just feel it and hope for the best.

And because I'm never one to say "no" to a cookie, I did grab a cookie at the first aid station.  Do you know what it feels like to eat a cookie while running?  It feels like choking.  But I tried.  And I even took a mid-run cookie selfie.  Please appreciate it - it took a lot of work to get that picture.  :p

So obviously the Santa Hustle was more of a fun run/walk than it was a race, and the results definitely showed it.  My 9:10 pace merited me 4th place in my age division out of 139.  Huh.  I'm a little bummed on that actually - they had age group awards that went three deep, so I missed out on an age group medal by 10 seconds.  Judging by how cute the race swag was, I would bet the medals were adorable.  Who knew?  My time was 28:29.

I'd recommend this race as a fun thing to do with a group of friends before brunch, or as a first race for someone who just finished Couch to 5K.  This isn't a place to PR, it is a place to have fun (and there's nothing wrong with that!)

Last Call 5K, Waukesha, December 6

I had pinned my hopes and dreams, so to speak, on this 5K.  I knew the course well and frequent it often, as the race started just blocks from my house and ran along a small section of the Glacial Drumlin Trail, which I frequent.  The course was flat with no surprises, and the weather was predicted to be chilly but just fine for a run.

The Last Call included a half marathon that began at 9:00 and the 5K which started at 9:10.  I made a last-minute decision to run without music, regretted it, and ran back for my headphones which got me to the start just a few minutes before the race began, but that was fine.  It was better than standing around and freezing.  The field was small - maybe a hundred runners, and with age group awards three deep, I had a pretty good shot at finally getting an age group award.  But what I really wanted to do was anything under 26 minutes.  A time that started with 25:XX would be a victory in my book.

I started out at an 8:40 pace which was pretty good with the intention of pushing it after the turnaround.  I passed a few people along the way and stayed steady, with few people passing me.  There was one woman just a few feet in front of me the whole race that I was trying to catch up to but I felt like she sensed me behind her and sped up when I did and slowed down when I slowed.  I spent the last mile at just over an 8:00 pace but she still stayed out of reach.  The timing clock at the finish line was set up for the half marathon so I had to wait around for the official results to learn my time.  It was a short wait to learn that I came in at 25:25 - victory!  My time was good enough for 3rd place in my age group.  The woman I was chasing through the whole race took second in our age group, finishing at 25:24.  I thanked her for setting the pace and told her I spent a good 2.5 miles trying to pass her with no luck.

So now it is time for me to set my goals for 2016.  I will be running the Trailbreaker 5K on March 28 and I'll use that as the "starting point" for my 2016 race season, but for now I'd like to set my sights on finishing a 5K in 24:XX, which I think is very doable, possibly even by the Trailbreaker.

As for the rest of the 2016, I am currently signed up for no races.  I'm evaluating my options but I'll have to start finalizing plans soon:  two races on my list have registrations opening soon, and they both have reputations for closing quickly.  So whether 2016 is the year I focus on shorter, faster distances or whether I continue running my long, slow races is something I'll have to figure out soon.

Race Report: Milwaukee Running Festival Marathon

On November 1, 2015 I ran the Inaugural Milwaukee Running Festival Marathon. The race events included a 1-mile race on a very cold, rainy Saturday, and a 5K, Half Marathon and Marathon on a beautifully sunny, slightly windy Sunday.

That the MRF actually exists is a testament to the race director's dedication to a dream because he had to go through a ridiculous amount of obstacles to make this race happen.  I won't rehash the dramatic backstory, but despite some unreasonable opposition from the most unlikely sources, the MRF prevailed and Milwaukee is a better city for it.

My training

This race was an add-on for me. My "A" race was the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K at the beginning of October, but I thought I'd add on this marathon because I like trying new races, and the chance to do an inaugural event like this is something I didn't want to miss. Plus, I love Milwaukee and I liked the idea of treating this as a "fun run" tour of the city. So I more or less maintained a base of 35-40MPW plus 3-4 days of CrossFit every week between the 50K and the marathon.

I only have one previous marathon experience - it was a trail marathon in 2014 where I came in at a stunningly slow 5:36. My half marathon PR that year was also 2:22, and I've refocused my training and have since knocked 16 minutes off of that half marathon PR, so I knew I could shoot for something better at this marathon.

The plan

My plan was to start out with the 4:40 pace group and then drop down as needed, hopefully finishing before 5:00. In theory, that's great because the 4:40 group should have been running 10:20 - 10:40 miles. In reality, my first 3 miles with the pace group were all under 10 minutes, and they weren't walking through the aid stations, so I knew I couldn't stay with them. I hung back and tried to enjoy the run.

The race route itself was pretty great. Milwaukee's lakefront is beautiful. Brady Street (think: indie coffee shops, tattoo shops and lots of great bars) was full of energy, naturally. As a two-time Marquette grad, I thought the run through Marquette University's campus was great. The run through area added on at the alderman's suggestion was okay: it was mostly city streets but there was a really pretty park in the middle that made that segment of the run very worthwhile.

By mile 15 though I was really hurting and I really stopped enjoying the run entirely. My previous long distance ventures had all been on trails, and I totally underestimated just how much different running on pavement for so many miles can be. Everything hurt. I even got a blister for the first time in my life. After mile 15 I swore off running. I mentally quit my runstreak. I swore off exercise and decided I was going to devote my days to watching television and eating chocolate. I even spent a few miles considering dropping out of the race. Then I got a text from my husband with a picture of the World's Best Running Buddy and I knew I should at least death-march it in.

The race route eventually wound back past the Wood National Cemetary and VA Center, Miller Park and the Hank Aaron Trail. Around that point I saw the 5:00 pace group behind me. By that time I was mostly run/walking at a 13:00 pace.  I don't have an excuse for the run/walking except to say that I had given up.  I was hurting and I just wanted to be done.  But I knew that the pace group could give me a chance to turn things around.  I told the pace group that I really wanted to hang on with them, and they talked me back into the race. Their pace was on point, they were cheerful and encouraging, and I was back at it. The remaining miles were in the 10:30 range with walks through the water stops, and it was totally doable. I loved the views of Milwaukee's riverfront and the finish line at Summerfest was a welcome sight. I pulled ahead of the pacers after the 25th mile marker and ended with 4:56:57. Yep, still slow, but I'm getting better.

Huge kudos to this race for many reasons, not the least of which is the free race photos.  I hope more races follow that trend as it was great to be able to have nice, quality race photos that I didn't have to pay an extra $30-$50 for.  This race is back on my calendar for next year, although after hearing such great things about the half marathon route I think I'll try that next time.  (Plus, uh, it is shorter.  I think I'll save my longer distances for the trails).

Going forward, I'm rethinking my goals. I'm going to work on getting faster at the shorter distances, from 5K to the half marathon, before I consider tackling this distance again. Once I'm in the 24-25 minute 5K range (previous best is 25:41 during a 4 mile race) and around the 1:55 range for a half (previous best is 2:06) I will get back into the long run game.