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11 Things to do on 11.11.11

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Forget New Year’s Day, that comes every year! This is 11.11.11! And it only comes once every 100 YEARS! You probably won’t see another one of these. Unless maybe you’re a toddler but you’re not reading this anyway.

So what are you doing for it?

If you’re into that sort of thing and the perfect alignment of numbers makes you giddy inside, here are a few things you can do with the day:

1. First and foremost, to all you RUNNERS (because we’re all about the fitness up in here), the Rock N Roll series is celebrating by offering $20 off of their marathons and half-marathons! Go sign up!

2. Of course that means you won’t be racing on 11-11-11 which seems sort of cool, but you could start your training today! If 11 miles is too steep to begin your training program (it is, don’t do it), you can run for 11 minutes, 3 times. How does that sound?

3. Orrrr. Go ahead! Run 11 miles! Three times!

4. If you’re more the spiritual type or you’re just plain old sick of your life, then according to The Spirit Voyage, it is the “Cosmic Portal Transit Date.” I don’t know what that is but it.sounds.AWESOME!

Basically, you know that feeling that you get where you say to yourself, “I can’t go on anymore like this!!” ?? It’s time to get rid of allll that.

It is a rare opportunity to release lifetimes of karmic scripting and ancestral entrapment. Entrapment in the sense of the conscious and unconscious habit patterns which have us wondering why we can’t seem to actualize the life we really want to have, and know is possible.

5. For some reason, there is a concern about zombies invading on 11.11.11. But we already covered that here in the “How to Stay Safe” post, so you don’t have to worry. But if you are worried, stay away from the mall today. Zombies like malls. Or so we’ve heard. So number 5 is, avoid the mall if you’re afraid of a zombie invasion.

6. Go see the movie 11.11.11. (Bo-ring!) Let’s think up some funner ones. Then again, seeing the movie 11.11.11 ON 11.11.11 might be the only way to see it. So never mind, go do that. That sounds pretty cool.

7. Write a list of 11 things you want to do and do them. Then if you have time, write down 11 more. And then 11 more. Boy would you get a lot done. Or you could always do the original 11 three times. If things like “riding a roller coaster” are on there, that might be fun. If it’s running 11 miles or doing laundry, perhaps not as much fun to do 3 times.

8. Plan a party! It’s Friday night after all! But whatever you do, don’t postpone the party. Having the party on 11-12-11 just isn’t the same.

9. The last time it was 11-11-11, temperatures dropped drastically in the U.S. I don’t know about you, but have you stepped outside today? It’s 50 degrees! OK so I know that’s not cold for a lot of people, but we’re in FLORIDA! So 11.11.11 means it’s time for me to figure out what on earth a chimney sweep is and how much it costs so I can finally use the vacant Florida fireplace we have. So you can schedule your chimney sweep.

10. Play the lottery! You KNOW it has to be a lucky day. Numbers are aligned! Shouldn’t that mean something?

11. For the rest of the day, make everything you do have an 11 in it. Are you eating? The letter K is the 11th letter of the alphabet. So get some Keebler crackers and wash it down with Kool-Aid (or a Keg), perhaps have a Krispy Kreme and even a Kellogg’s Rice Krispy Treat. However, after that, you might HAVE to run 11 miles to burn it all off. So maybe instead just drive 11 miles and see where it takes you and go there. But make sure you only spend 11 dollars. Even better, bring two people with you and you will all have gone 11 miles and spent 11 dollars and that would be 11.11.11. And when you’re all done with that, get a My Race Ragz shirt to go with your Rock N Roll Marathon/Half Marathon discount because today only we’re offering an 11% discount!

Just enter the promo code “ELEVEN” at checkout!!

Whatever you do, whether it’s cosmic cleansing, movie watching or just going about your business like it’s any other day, have a great Friday.

Tags: fitness, marathon, runners, running, running in the cold, t-shirts, Things to do on 11.11.11
Posted in Fitness | No Comments »

9 Pre-Race Tips to Get You Through the Big Day

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

So you’ve spent hours upon hours upon hours training and (probably) watching what you’re eating.

You’re gearing up for the big day. It is almost here.

After spending the last however many months making sure you’ve trained right and that the race will go off without a hitch, you don’t want anything to mess it up in the days leading up to it.

Here are 9 tips to get you through that big day — from nutrition to hydration to sleep.

Hydration

1. Start hydrating two days before the race (at least).

2. Don’t drink all water. You don’t want to water dilute your body’s electrolytes, so be sure to mix in some sports drink or even a soda in between. Super tip: Still got some long runs in your training? Practice your hydration strategies in the long runs beforehand so you know what works.

3. The golden rule of racing: NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY. Don’t try new nutrition, don’t try new gear. Always practice with it first.

4. Sleep. Chances are it will be hard to sleep the night before the race. So make sure you get a full night’s sleep two days before so you can at least have some sleep in your arsenal. Somewhere.

5. For a long triathlon (1/2 Iron or Full): drive the bike course beforehand. This might not always be practical because the bike course is very likely long and it will take a while (or you might not even have a car if you’ve traveled). But if you can, it will help you to navigate the day of the race. You can pick out landmarks that will give you a visual on how far you have left (which could be a good or a bad thing of course.) You’ll also be able to know which hills you have to tackle and where they are so you can leave something in the tank when you’re riding.

Nutrition

6. Carbo load doesn’t mean carbo-GORGE. Start eating more carbs two days beforehand but not in one big lump sum. Spread it out into easy payments throughout the day by eating rice, oatmeal, bread, pancakes, bagels, etc. (Things like that, not ALL of that…)

7. The most important pre-race meal is not dinner the day before the race but LUNCH. So eat a healthy lunch with carbs and some protein. And again, the “nothing new on race day” rule applies. If you’re not used to eating lots of beans and broccoli the day before a race or long run, don’t do it. Stick with what you know or you could end up a gassy mess.

8. If you’re traveling, find out what restaurants are around and look up the menus beforehand so you don’t have to drive around looking for something to eat. You can also see if you can make reservations because restaurants near the race course get packed the day before.

9. Find out what brand of nutrition (gels or sportsdrinks) the race is providing and if you don’t want to carry your own, use the brand the race is providing during your training. Remember: NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY.

What is your race day prep advice?

Tags: fitness, fuel, marathon, Pre-race meals, race, Race Day Tips, runners, running, training, triathlon
Posted in Race, Tips | No Comments »

How to Like Running in 6 Easy Steps

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Not everyone is a runner, in fact I’ve heard people say that they’ll only run if they’re being chased or if they’re on fire.

We, however, love running. But that wasn’t always the case, in fact, I know a few of us (me) had to learn how to like it in the first place, and when you’re not very good at it, it’s hard to like it, let alone keep going.

Sometimes you have to trick yourself.

So here are ways ~~to improvise until you~~ to find yourself, ahem, liking it.

1. Run with Friends. This seems obvious, but it’s true. When you have someone to blab on about things to, the time passes quickly. Or, if you have a friend who’s better than you, then you spend the entire time trying to catch up to them. Also good. You may be too out of breath to talk, but at least you’re challenging yourself.
2. Run for brews. There is not much that a lot of people won’t do if there’s beer involved. Consider the following conversations. Moving someone? (Will there be beer?) Going to a wedding for someone you don’t know? (Will it be open bar?) A run that starts at a brewery and ends at a brewery? Sign me up!
3. Run Wearing Motivation: Sometimes it’s hard to do something when your head’s not in the game. But wearing something motivating is like getting into character. Wear your most motivating ~~shameless plug My Race Ragz~~ shirt, mark yourself up with a sharpie, do whatever it takes to get your head in the game. And then GO!
4. Run Somewhere REALLY Cool: Lots of distractions are GREAT. From running a race at Disney World to going for a run across the Brooklyn Bridge, make your run into a story. If you don’t have anywhere that cool near you (not everyone lives near Disney or the Brooklyn Bridge), find somewhere off the beaten path where local runners LOVE to run. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.
5. Run on HOLIDAYS! Jingle Bell Runs, New Years Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Turkey Trots, Memorial and Labor Days, there are always runs around these days. Go to them! Love them! Get some swag and have fun!
6. If you hate running, KEEP RUNNING! The better you get at it the more you’ll like it and the more you like it the more you’ll do it, it’s a wonderful (evil) circle of running love!

Now if you hit the total jackpot, you could find yourself running with friends wearing something very motivating on a holiday in someplace really super cool with a free beer tent at the end.

That’s my type of race!

And well, if you still don’t like running after all of that, at least you can say you’ve tried.

So. Do you love running or hate it? Do you have any tricks to get through it?

Tags: fitness, marathon, running, stories, t-shirts
Posted in Fitness, Running | 3 Comments »

The My Race Ragz Top 25 Races Nominations!

Friday, September 30th, 2011

We’re conducting a highly (non) scientific poll around here! We are compiling a list of the top 25 running and triathlon races of YOUR favorites. We want to know which ones you love the most and why! And for any reason whatsoever, whether it’s the course, the swag, the beer, the food, whatever, the bling, the hot race director, it doesn’t even matter. You nominate, we compile, and in two weeks, you vote. So if you want your favorite in the running for the vote, nominate away!

You can nominate in four different ways:

TWEET. Tweet the race name & location and why in 140 or less to @myraceragz (and make sure you have @myraceragz in there so we can see it!)
Facebook. You can list your favorite race and even tag them on our fan page at www.facebook.com/myraceragz
This poll. You can answer in the poll right here! http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/536681
Comment below. If you want to leave it in the comments below, that’s great too.

Rules:
-You can nominate any running race or triathlon whatsoever.
-You must include its location and we must be able to find it online somewhere. A link to the race would be helpful but not mandatory. However, if we can’t find it, then it won’t be included in the final vote.
-You must include why you love it so much. That is sort of the point.
-You can nominate multiple races but you must nominate each race separately.
-No whining.

NOTE: Again, if at all possible, leave the link to the race in your nomination so we can find it and check it out to make sure it’s legit! The race page or the link to it on Active or whereever else it is listed will be helpful. If we can’t find it, it won’t make the voting page.

That’s it! We can’t wait to see which races you LOVE and why! If you have any questions whatsoever, leave them in the comments below. We will get back to you.

Happy training!
The crew at My Race Ragz

Tags: marathon, race, runners, running, stories, triathlon
Posted in My Race Ragz | 3 Comments »

Race Day & Training: What Works for You “Odd Fuel Stash” Edition

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

We’re starting a segment here at My Race Ragz called “What Works for You?”

We’ll present the topic on our Facebook page the week before and we’ll publish the intel we collect on Facebook and Twitter right here for you. Out of all these runners here in cyberland, there’s bound to be some outside-the-box secrets, and we’ve already found some.

This week we’re working on fuels and we’ve gathered up some intel from some of our runner friends to talk about what works for them during training and on race day.

Our top five most interesting finds we gathered from you are:

Mustard packets. This one touted by Clearwater swim coach Joe Biondi as a savior for cramping. And it’s true. At the Ironman Augusta 70.3 this weekend, some people in our group packed mustard packets in their arsenal. Why? According to “Core Performance,” the mustard contains acetic acid, which helps stimulate the production of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that tells the muscles to work. So there you go.
Caffeine pills. Forget the Gu or the 5 hour energy, the pills cost very little for a whole bottle of em and you can pack em and go and pop one halfway through a long training session or race. They last forever and they don’t cost much.
PayDay bars. Remember this classic? Former pro triathlete Laura Drake used it for fuel. Lots of peanuts (protein), good to go.
Uncrustables. Great for long bike rides and half-iron distances where you need something more than a gel or a chew along the way. They’re frozen, they’re in their own package, you stick it in your cycling jersey or tri-top and they thaw by “meal time.”

One of our favorite finds? Swedish Fish or Gummi Bears. We’d never have thought of it but it makes sense, a sugar pick-me-up that doesn’t melt! That one from @katierunsthis (www.katierunsthis.com) during #bartchat, a Twitter chat led by Runner’s World CRO Bart Yasso. Thanks Katie!

What are your favorites? Leave a comment or even better — feel free to post about your favorites and leave the link to your blog in the comments!

We’ll have another topic this week so watch the My Race Ragz Facebook page!

Tags: cycling, fitness, fuel, marathon, runners, running, training, triathlon
Posted in Nutrition | No Comments »

Two PRs. Could it be the shirt?

Monday, September 19th, 2011

We love hearing about your designs because your designs are along for your ride across the finish line and in some cases taking you ON your journey!

They’re stories of coming back from broken.

mrrkim

They’re stories of where you come from…

and where you’re going, like Detroit Runner. (And check out his official My Race Ragz review by the way!)

Yes, another PR. Pretty awesome.

So, two pr’s in our shirts? Could it be the shirt?

We don’t know.

But do you really want to take that chance?

Tags: fitness, marathon, pr, race, running, stories, t-shirts
Posted in Running | 2 Comments »