Plans for Saturday looking a little scary? Treat yourself and others instead by getting fit while giving to charity. We have the pleasure of being run ambassadors for the Run10Feed10 10k this Saturday at Diversey Habor and YOU, Chicago friends, … Continue reading
This past Sunday, I ran my first 10k with Run 10 Feed 10 and Women’s Health…and boy are my gams tired! I did it! And next time, I’m dragging Monica to run with me. My popular co-blogger had yet another wedding to attend that day.
And what did I learn from the fab event? For those of you moving from 5ks to the next step up, know that it is possible to be ready in 4 weeks! This is coming from someone who used to hate running.
1) Don’t stress! There was plenty of people walking and taking breaks. Your first 10k should be enjoyable and don’t feel guilty if you have to pause to catch your breath.
2) Get enough sleep.
Ya’ll know Halloween is coming, yeah? So I had a lil pumpkin carving party the Saturday eve before and maaaybe stayed up a bit too late. You need your full body strength to be at optimal performance so go to bed on time!
3) But not too much sleep.
Ok, so rookie mistake. My anxiety got away with me and while I woke up at 5:30 am, I went back to sleep until 7:30 and then had to pull a Ferris Beuller’s day off and ramp myself into my workout clothes and on to the highway to get to the start line 5 minutes after the race started.
4) Take in the scenery
Running outside in Chicago is a treat (no tricks here). Other than dodging goose poo in a small section, the race jaunted along the picturesque Chicago lakefront. The continually varied foliage and fauna…oh and the Grub Hub running team with their hotdogs and turkey shaped hats…is way more interesting than staring at the wall while on the treadmill.
5) Revel in your results (and the after party)!
My time wasn’t super fast but I have gained about 2 minutes of speed since I first started running. Women’s Health put together a sweet after event with a post race yoga, free post race fuel (Nestle Choco Milk, Bagels and fruit), athletic massages and beauty touch ups from Panasonic. I was surprised to see Allison Sweeney of Biggest Loser there as well. She gave out the post race awards, none of which I won. Maybe some day!
Thanks to Women’s Health for allowing me to contribute to this spectacular event.
It’s not hard to love such a beautiful city like Chicago in fall. The leaves are changing and the weather is cooling. Not everyone gets to stay cozy warm, however. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless estimates there was about 138,575 Chicagoans who were homeless in August of this year. It can be overwhelming to figure out how we can best help people who are in need. One way, however, is very simple! Stretch your legs and run to provide meals to people who are hungry. Join Kate as she tests her speed at the RUN10, FEED10 race on October 19th, 2014.
Women’s Health and FEED are partnering for the RUN10 FEED10 10K race series to motivate consumers nationwide to help fight domestic hunger. RUN10 FEED10 has raised over 2.5 million meals to support the cause, and in 2014 the bar is set even higher. The concept behind RUN10 FEED10 is simple: run a 10K and feed 10 hungry people in your community. Timed 10K races will take place in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Those living in Boston, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis, and Washington D.C. can participate in one of the Women’s Health “Fun Runs,” and if runners don’t live in one of the RUN10 FEED10 host cities, they can still participate by registering at RUN10FEED10.com to run a 10K in their hometown.
The series kicked off in New York City on September 21, 2014 with thousands of participants running down the West Side Highway for the timed race ending at Pier 84 at Hudson River Park. In the Chi, we will jaunt down Belmont harbor along our gorgeous lakefront and be greeted at the end with a post-race wellness festival. This post race celebration will feature yoga sessions, nutrition, beauty consultations and great giveaways from sponsors.
Feeling intimidated? Kate has only run 2 5Ks before so she googled to figure out if she could make it through the entire race without yelling uncle and lying down on the pavement. Self.com has an awesome 4 week training plan to get your booty in gear or you can sign up for training plans with Women’s Health and Run10 Feed10. Doing a 10k will also flex those glute muscles and burn an odd 600+ calories (about 9 snack size Halloween packs of M&Ms, yup!). Good prep to don that sexy Pumpkin Spice Latte costume (or sexy wizard or sexy sexy…whatevs your wearing).
Not ready to run? You can still help by donating or even shopping at popular retailers like Nike and Gap from the comfort of your sexy couch.
Ready to join Kate and register or share your cash?
Sign up today at www.run10feed10.com!
Image from Run10 Feed10 Website
Chi Organic Girls 