What is Run Far?

"An arrow reaches it's destination only after it's been pulled back"

If you follow me on social media, you’ve seen me rock gear that says “Run Far.”  From bracelets to tank tops to trucker hats, I have Run Far with me on most of my runs.  Recently, I’ve been getting questions like, “So how far do you have to run to be a part of Run Far?” or “So, you’re all Ultra Runners?”  Though it’s true that I am an ultra runner, Run Far is so much more than that.

Run Far has my heart.

So What Is Run Far?

Run Far is a registered 501©(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide scholarships to children of US Military Veterans who have taken their own life.  The statistics real—an average of twenty-two Veterans commit suicide each day.  Those Veterans leave behind family, often times children.  Often times when suicide is the cause of death, survivor benefits are voided.  But the financial responsibilities still exist for the families and part of that is education costs.   Run Far strives to make sure those children are not forgotten.  

Who Is Run Far?

Run Far isn't just a group of people who like to run far.  Some of us run 5Ks, some of us run 200 mile races, some of us swim, some of us bike and some of us participate in obstacle course racing.  Some of us run everyday, some of us run once a month.  We all have different backgrounds, different goals and different interests.  But the one thing we all have in common is the desire to make a difference in the lives of those left behind.  Run Far isn't one person-- it's a collective.  It's you.  It's me.  It's us.  We are Run Far.

With Run Far Athlete Missy

The Sergeant Sean Northcutt Scholarship

Earlier this year, Run Far awarded it's first Sergeant Sean Northcutt Scholarship.  Scholarship recipient Hannah Kershner shares her story in the video below.  In February, I had the joy of meeting Hannah.  She is definitely someone who is going to make a difference in this world.

Why Run Far?

I've always believed that things come into our lives for a reason and sometimes it's better not to question the pull you feel towards something.  This is how it was with me for Run Far-- as I first learned about the organization and continued to learn about the organization, I knew I wanted to be involved.  It was just something that felt right.  The cause gives my runs more meaning-- no matter how much I may struggle, I am reminded that the run is for a greater purpose than me.  That purpose gets me through every time I struggle. With Run Far, I have found my why.  I am grateful everyday to be involved in the organization- not only for the support it gives to the families of Veterans but also the support we give each other as a team.  My dream is that one day, there will not be children who need Run Far but until that day, I will continue to Run Far.  

How Can You Help?

There are several ways to help Run Far and it isn't always just about the money. You're continued support and encouragement is everything.  You can also support the organization by rocking gear and spreading the word using the hasgtag #WeAreRunFar.  If you would like to make a financial contribution, you can click here and make a donation. 

Run Far also has a fun virtual race coming up-- run, walk, bike or swim 22 miles in 2 weeks. For $22.00, you get a print at home bib and certificate of completion, a limited edition Run Far shirt, a Run Far bracelet, stickers and a virtual goodie bag.  How awesome is that?! And what's even better-- it's for all abilities!! Registration opens Monday, May 7th! (Don't worry-- I'll make sure y'all see the link to register) 

What gets you to Run Far in your life?

Until next time, happy running!
Jenn13.1 

Runner's High Herbals Review

Last month, I participated in an Instagram giveaway hosted by Missy and I won!! My prize? A prize pack from Runner’s High Herbals and it was full of so much awesome!  I’ve heard great things about their products and I couldn’t wait to try them. My prize pack included:

• Super Herb Plus+
• Chill AF Muscle Rub
• Bee Healed!
• Heel the Sole
• Wildcrafted Pinon Salve
• Peppermint in the Pines Lip Balm
• Super Herb Oil Blend
• Stickers
• Cinch Bag

The first thingI did when I received the items was open them and smell them.  I am super sensitive to smell – if a product has a smell I don’t like, it is definitely a deal breaker for me, no matter how amazing the product might be.  These all smelled amazing!  I love earthy and natural smells- these products have just that.

Each product is designed to do something different and I gravitated towards using the ones that aide in muscle recovery with anti-inflammatory and pain relief ingredients. My favorite has been the Super Herb Plus+ stick-- I used it post runs on the areas where I sometimes have muscle cramping issues.  Let's be real-- I'm on a run streak and sometimes my legs get tired.  I try to be proactive in maintaining my recovery and remaining injury free.  I'm not a medical professional and can't honestly say if this has medical benefits.  But I can tell you that it's not hurting me and I'm happy to add it to my recovery and training process.

Another one of my favorite products has been the Peppermint in the Pines lip balm.  I love a good lip balm and you can never have too many.  It left my lips feeling hydrated without feeling waxy.  It also passed my "on the run" test-- I've had lip balms melt in my running pack when I'm running and this one didn't do that!  

After one of my long runs, I had a small flare up of the tendonitis in my foot-- I used the Super Herb Oil Blend with my other recovery methods and loved it!  The mix of arnica flowers and turmeric have an amazing smell and it wasn't too oily. It's also easy to use in a convenient roller bottle.  

I can't wait to use the rest of my products when I need them.  I love the simplicity of the Runner's High Herbal packaging but in that packaging comes an amazing product.  Sometimes less is more and that is definitely true with these.  

Have you used Runner's High Herbals products? What do you use to help in your recovery?

Until next time, happy running.

Jenn13.1

San Diego Half Marathon Recap

When people ask me what my favorite local race is, I never hesitate to say the San Diego Half Marathon.  So it’s no surprise that I was back to run it for my fourth year in a row.  Because I’ve run this race before and not much has changed about it, I’m going to talk about the things I love about it and a couple things I think can be improved. So what do I love about the San Diego Half Marathon?

#FlatJenn was ready

Legacy Perks

Unlike some races that consider you a legacy runner if you’ve run every year, the San Diego Half considers your legacy status based on consecutive years run.  And you get extra perks from year 3 and up.  Since this was my fourth year, I received a ¾ zip long sleeve tech shirt.  These legacy perks definitely encourage me to come back each year.

Source: www.sdhalfmarathon.com

Runner Perks

The legacy runners aren’t the only ones who get perks with this race.  Not only does every runner get a tech tee and medal, but this year we also got one ticket a San Diego Padres game and a ticket for the USS Midway Museum.  How awesome is that?!  This year’s medal was a little different than previous years and started a four year series of medals that complete the course map once you earn all four—I know I’ll be back! (each medal is pretty awesome on it’s own too!)  There are also several restaurants around the downtown area that offer $1 pint beers and deals on brunch for runners—it’s a win-win for everyone!

Source: www.sdhalfmarathon.com

Communication

From the time you register to race day, the communication is on point.  Every question is answered before you realized you have it.  I even received a text reminding me to change my clocks since the race always falls on the weekend of Day Light Savings time. 

The Course

The course for the San Diego Half takes us through some of my favorite places to run in San Diego and if I’m being honest, I don’t completely hate the hill at mile 9.  (And how awesome is November Project San Diego who runs runners up the hill, encouraging them and supporting them)  This year’s race brought back something that hasn’t happened since it’s first year and that was the finish inside Petco Park.  I love our local baseball stadium and it was fun to run into the park, shown on the big screen with supporters in the stands cheering for you.  After I finished, I hung out for a bit catching up with friends, taking fun pics and watching other runners finish.

Source: www.sdhalfmarathon.com

The Aide Stations and Volunteers

I have never run this race and thought afterwards, “I wish they had one or two more aide stations.”  Not only do they have enough aide stations, there are amazing volunteers handing out the electrolytes and water along with words of encouragement.  The best part of the stations—they have signs telling you when the next aide stations and restroom would be available, for example you next water stop might not be for two more miles.  In areas of the course that are a bit harder for spectators to get to, they have local high school cheer groups and bands for entertainment.  It feels like there is someone cheering you on for the entire 13.1 miles.  I also like that they have medical tents as well as Race Guards on the course—after the half I ran last year when I needed medical attention, I am now always grateful to see this.  I hope I never need them again, but I feel better knowing that they’re there. 

The People

Running a race where you live means you’ll usually see a few people you know.  But this race (as well as the Rock n Roll San Diego race in June) seems to bring out so many of my local runner friends.  I love being able to see so many of them in one day, whether they were out running the race, on the course spectating or just happen to be running in the area. 

  

Runners make the best friends.

 

With so much that I love about this race, it really is hard for me to come up with things I think need improving.  The only thing that really comes to mind is the expo—in my opinion, it’s a little small and a little chaotic to get to.  Although the location is nice, having to find parking in a touristy part of San Diego can sometimes be difficult.  The long, narrow space of the Broadway Pier makes some of the booths harder to access especially if it’s a busy time at the expo.  For these reasons, I usually grab my bib and shirt, bypassing the booths all together.  But really in the big picture, if the expo is the only thing I don’t love about a race, then it’s a good race. 

Fun photo spots inside Petco Park

Without a doubt, I will be back to run this race next year.  Do you have a race you love running every year?

Until next time, happy running.

Jenn13.1

Mesa-Phoenix Marathon Race Weekend

Have you ever run a race and thought to yourself when you finished, “I’m never doing that again!”  For me, the marathon was that race.  In 2016 I ran the LA Marathon and it was not the experience I had hoped for—I was undertrained (completely my fault!), got injured during the race, had a bloody nose during the race and cried when it was over, not of joy but of frustration and disappointment.  I took some time off from running after that race until I started my Run Streak and during 2017 focused on distance and Ultras.  But it in the back of my mind, there was always that little voice telling me I needed to redeem myself in a marathon.  So a few months ago when my friend Justin asked me if I wanted to run the Mesa-Phoenix Marathon, I said yes.

Friends make running more fun!

The race was on a Saturday so I decided that I would drive to Arizona on Friday morning, hit up the expo and hang out for the #WeRunSocial meet-up.  The weather in Southern California has been a bit odd this winter and I actually had snow on my drive through the mountains.  I made my way to Arizona in good time, checked into my hotel and headed over to the expo.  My only other marathon expo experience was the LA Marathon and that expo was huge! The expo for this race wasn’t that big, but I did see some of my favorite brands and even scored an awesome deal on a pair of Altra shoes.  After picking up my bib and shirt, I had some time before the meet-up so grabbed some lunch at a nearby restaurant.  As I was making my way back to the expo, I heard, “TwoPairDontCare and a We Run Social hat—you must be Jenn!”  This is how I met Elle—if you don’t follow her on social media, you should.  She’s so much fun!  

Elle!

We made our way to the meet-up—it’s always fun to catch up with people I only see at races and meet new people.  If there is ever a #WeRunSocial meet-up at a race you’re running, go!  It’s one of my favorite parts of race weekends. After the meet-up, it was time to head back to my hotel, put together my flat runner and get some sleep. 

 

#FlatJenn ready to run!

I woke up race morning ready to go—I’m an early bird so I arrived in plenty of time to find parking and catch the bus to the start line.  I had plans to meet some friends at the buses, but they both got stuck in race traffic so the plan shifted to meeting at the start line.  (parking and race morning traffic can be a bit of a cluster so if you ever run this race, I would definitely get there early)  The start line was up a mountain and despite my extra layers, it was cold!  Thank goodness for the bonfires and heaters they had set up for us.  I had worn a throw away sweatshirt and pants—I ditched the pants shortly before the 6:00am start but decided I would start with my sweatshirt on.  I’ve never started a race wearing a sweatshirt but it was definitely a smart decision—I ended up tossing it between miles one and two.



Always have fun!

One of the things I was most excited about for this race were the views, but with the 6:00am start, it was dark and once the sun came up, the views were residential areas and businesses.  I was also excited about the downhill aspect of this race—I love downhills.  There were definitely downhills, but not quite what I was expecting.  Overall, I would say this course is flat.  The course is a little boring and there weren’t a lot of spectators, but I was running with friends so that made it a good time.  The aide stations also seemed to get a little more sparse in the second half of the race which surprised me since that portion of the course saw both the full marathon and half marathon runners.  I was also surprised at what seemed to be the lack of medical support on the course—I did not see any medic tents or anything available at the aide stations.  (I also wasn’t looking for it, so maybe it was there, but usually that stuff is quite visible) There were a few fire trucks parked alone the course so maybe that was the medical support.  Overall, this race is pretty organized.  The pre-race communication was on point and the volunteers were amazing! (Have “traffic” control at the pre-race porta potties is a big plus for me! No confusion as to whose turn it is)  The medal is simple, but I like it.  (and kind of wish I had started this race two years ago so I could earn the star)  I think the race shirt is really basic, but do like that it’s a tank.  I would definitely do this race again and would encourage other people to do it.

 

 

I went into this race with one goal—do better than the LA Marathon.   My time was less than stellar there so I knew it was possible but I also know that I’m very much a mental runner and didn’t want to be over confident.  I ended up taking  98 minutes off my LA Marathon time!  I was stoked (and am still on my runner’s high as I type this!)  I run every day, but didn’t specifically train for this. I stopped a few times during the race for pictures and to talk to people.  I had a blast.  And better yet, I had the redemption I wanted.  And a renewed desire to see what I can do if I train and push myself a little harder.  This is the first race in a long time that I was truly happy with everything I did on race day and that is one of the best feelings!

After the race, the ProCompression ambassadors that were in town for the race met up for lunch and it was a blast!  ProCompression rocks my socks and I love being a part of this group—it was great to talk with everyone in person.  I can’t wait to do this again!



They rock my socks!

I also had a chance to meet Run Far founder CJ and his wife Mallory for dinner that night.  What I didn’t know is that Hannah, the first recipient of the Run Far Sergeant Sean Northcutt scholarship, would be there. (See Hannah’s story here)  And fellow Run Far Ambassador David joined us to!  So much inspiration at one table full of all the feels. I even got to "meet" Hannah's mom as she FaceTimed in.  It was the best way to end such a good day! I am grateful to be a part of such an awesome organization.



Run Far



 

Sunday morning I woke up early to head back to San Diego.  One of my favorite things about road trips is exploring so I made some stops, ran some trails, stopped for lunch at a cute little small town restaurant and took my time getting home. 

 

Never stop exploring!

The only bad thing about this race weekend is that it had to end.  It was such a good time full of good running, good people and good vibes.  I am so grateful to all the people who were a part of it, from those at the meet-ups to the people who sent me messages of encouragement and support.  I truly believe that the people are what makes running so amazing.

What makes running amazing for you?

Until next time, happy running!

Jenn13.1