Hello! This week has flown by and I have a week of marathon training (and Dopey Challenge training) to update you on tomorrow. But first – I received some great questions from other runners/eaters and want to answer them in front of the group [as in… here].
Questions from Aug 27:
- Do you think the Long Beach Marathon will happen in person this year?
- Favorite / go-to brands of Running Clothes?
- Are you in the OC or LA?
- Do you monitor your heart rate? While at rest and while running? I just got a Garmin!
- Weird question, what is your job?
- Marathon Taper Tips?!
Run Eat Repeat Q&A – Aug 27:
Q: Do you think the Long Beach Marathon will happen in person this year?
A: Good question! I’m leaning towards YES.
I would’ve been completely on the fence about this if not for the fact that I just ran the AFC Half Marathon in San Diego. I was skeptical it was going to happen after everything has been cancelled or on hold for over a year in southern California.
But the AFC Half Marathon is a point to point course too – so all the runners had to take a bus to the starting line. [We were required to wear masks on the bus, but that was the only Covid related note about the race.] That’s an obstacle the Long Beach Marathon doesn’t have to deal with.
So, I think they’re able to host an in-person running event safely right now. The only thing that may stop it would be the city blocking it or denying permits. But, I think it’s going to happen. Are you registered?
BONUS: If you’re in SoCal – the Surf City Half Marathon is Sept 11th and registration is closing soon. I have a discount code for RER followers. Register now and save using Discount Code: MONICA10
Q: Favorite / go-to brands of Running Clothes?
A: It changes depending on the season and/or what I’m training for but this is right now this is what I’m wearing from head to toe…
Favorite Running Gear Brands:
VISOR: Visor from RunEatRepeat.com
SUNGLASSES: Oakley Women Sunglasses for long runs / Goodr Sunglasses for shorter runs
SPORTS BRA: I always pick a sports bra that has adjustable straps since they tend to stretch out a bit with use and I want it tight. I have a small chest but hate any boob bounce at all so I’m very particular about my sports bras for running. If I’m not running and just doing strength / conditioning or another workout – I’ll wear whatever sports bra I have on hand that didn’t make the running team.
Sports bras are probably the 2nd most expensive part of running gear after running shoes. But they’re important! A good sports bra can make you feel a lot more comfortable while running and if it fits you perfectly it can help prevent chafing.
If you end up not liking it – return it and try another one. It’s fairly easy to return things to Amazon, Zappos and Road Runner Sports now.
Sport Bra Faves:
RUNNING TOPS: I LOVE Athleta Tanks and long sleeve tops for running. I randomly discovered them a few years ago when I walked into an Athleta store and realized the quality and cut make it completely worth the price. I bought a bunch of long sleeve and tanks for running in different colors and they’ve lasted and still look great after a lot of wear and sweat and miles! If they had more colors (or really, better options because I love BRIGHT colors) I’d order more and live in them.
They have a non-slip trim (hem grippers) around the bottom of this top to keep it from riding up. I appreciate this because my running belt can move around and make my shirt move up too, but the grippers make it stay put. This makes it great for yoga too (anyone else’s top ride up during down dogs??).
Tip: I’ve ordered other tops from Athleta since this discovery and don’t end up wearing them to run because they’re not as good. So, it’s not just this brand – it’s specially this design.
Running Shorts & Capris:
RUNNING SHORTS: These are in order of my current preference. This is another area where I think it’s worth it to pay more for quality. I don’t want to be running in cheap a** see-through fabric so the world can see my cheap a** bouncing around through my shorts.
1st – Fabletics High Waist 9″ Shorts
2nd – Athleta Ultimate Stash Pocket 9″ shorts
3rd – R-Gear Women’s 8″ Compression Shorts
RUNNING SOCKS: R-Gear (Road Runner Sports) DryMax Low Cut Socks
I also love ProCompression Running Socks and wear them post-run in the summer and during runs as well as after the rest of the year.
RUNNING SHOES: Right now I’m alternating between 3 very different running shoes. I switch it up based on what I’m running that day. I don’t think everyone needs multiple different running shoes like this though. Do you.
ALTRA Women’s Rivera Running Shoe (Rivera is the style) – it’s light weight, super comfortable, big toe box and good for all running (not distance or workout specific)
Brooks Ghost 14 Women’s Running Shoe – hands down Brooks has the most fun colors and designs of running shoes. This is a fairly light, neutral style good for all the runs too.
Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next Women’s Running Shoes – you may have seen a pic of this shoe after a long run with MY BLOOD SEEPING THROUGH THE TOP. The toe box on this is a little more narrow than the previous two shoes mentioned and it squeezed my toes together and made one cut into the other.
But I couldn’t return a bloody shoe (could I? No. Right??…).
I was not going to return the bloody shoe. And I’ve worn this style before so I think it was a combination of things that caused the issue (new shoes on a long run so they weren’t broken in at all, a healthy toenail that grew too fast, hot day couldn’t cause my feet to swell more than usual). So, I’m still wearing them and I like them (outside of the blood stain, but I’d like to believe I’m tougher for it).
Q: Are you in the OC or LA?
A: It’s kind of 50/50… I prefer to run in the OC and have places to crash in the area so I’m there A LOT. But my official address isn’t in the OC.
Q: Do you monitor your heart rate? While at rest and while running? I just got a Garmin!
A: I pretty much take my watch off as soon as I’m done running so I don’t know my resting heart rate. (When I go to the doctor and they check it’s usually low and they think I’m dead.)
When I’m running…lately I’ve been going by effort level because I’m really out of shape (for me) so pace would be frustrating.
But, I usually would use pace over HR in the past.
Also… someone asked a related question recently, “Are you concerned your watch HR is inaccurate since you wear it on the inside of your wrist?”
Basically, I wear my watch weird. But I’m okay with that because I don’t use HR to inform my training right now.
Q: Weird question, what is your job?
A: I created RunEatRepeat.com over 10 years ago to document my weight loss and training for my 1st marathon. I think it was lucky timing and it grew a big following of readers.
Around the same time I was laid off from my 1st job out of college and had more time to work on it.
I became a certified Running Coach and Health Coach to be a better resource for my followers.
By that point I was making enough money with banner ads and sponsored posts that it didn’t make sense to look for another job.
So…I’m a full time Running & Health Coach online via RunEatRepeat.com & @RunEatRepeat
Q: Marathon Taper Tips?!
A:
1. Trust the taper! Follow the taper length on your plan. A good plan is designed to include enough rest and recovery so you show up on race day feeling great.
2. Use this time to work on your mental strength. Practice positive thinking and visualizations.
3. Make sure you have race day gear and logistics nailed down. Your main job before the race = Relax.
Your main job on race day = RUN YOUR BEST. Don’t distract from that with last minute location or gear issues.
That’s it for this round of Q&A!
I post a New Q&A box in the Instagram Stories @RunEatReat each Monday and Wednesday.
Keep Going:
