Back on My Feet Running Festival Recap

September 21, 2021 by 30 Comments

Last Saturday I participated in the Back on My Feet (BOMF) Running Festival. While I have slowed down on doing virtual races this year, I’m always up for supporting a good cause.

Disclaimer: I received a free race entry 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!

Back on My Feet Running Festival Recap

BOMF is a great organization working to combat homelessness in 14 major cities across the U.S., including my hometown of Boston. With all the challenges of Covid, BOMF opted to host one large virtual running festival this year, instead of attempting multiple in-person events.

I liked that the Festival offered a range of distances (5K, 10K, 15K, 30K, or you could run all 4 distances) so there was something for everyone! I had originally planned on running the 15K, but my hip had other plans. When I couldn’t make the longer training runs work, I opted to swap distances. The beauty of a virtual event is that there were no restrictions to changing plans – so 10K it was!

As a perk of participating as a BibRave Pro, I received a free race t-shirt (there was a $100 fundraising minimum to receive a shirt). While I didn’t participate in the fundraising I did make a donation as this was a cause I really wanted to support.

A week before the Festival started I also received my bib, along with a GU gel, and finish line banner. I thought the finish line banner was a fun touch!

Race morning I woke up to less than ideal conditions – light rain and off-the-charts humidity. For half a second I toyed with the idea of holding off, but since I did not know how I was going to feel following Monday’s cortisone shot, I stuck with my plan. I had hoped that the rain would make for a cool, refreshing run, but unfortunately, the rain stopped shortly after mile 1 and then the humidity really cranked up. Miles 1 – 3 went by fairly quickly, but my right hip did not love the long gradual climb of mile 4.

The final stretch

I did my best to stick to my 4:1 intervals, but between the humidity and my increasingly angry hip, I was glad I had chosen to just do the 10K. On the plus side, the roads were quiet so it was a nice peaceful run. And, a huge shoutout to my husband J for being a mobile water stop and cheerleader around 4.5 miles!

Just because it’s virtual doesn’t mean you can’t run “with” friends! Cari, Deborah, and Fellow BibRave Pro Kim also took part in the Festival.

Kim, me, and Cari! Thanks to Cari for the photo skills 🙂

The only downside of the Festival for me was the lack of communication from the event organizers. Especially with it being a virtual event, I think this was a missed opportunity to create more excitement among runners — maybe even to have provided a way to connect runners in the 14 cities they operate in.

Overall, I would recommend the BOMF Running Festival and supporting this great organization addressing homelessness across the country. (The Festival is being held through Saturday, September 25th, so there’s still time to get in on the action – click here to register and use code BibRave5! to save $5 off the registration fee).

I’m linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up.

I’m also linking with Debbie, Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, and Laura for the Runners’ Roundup.

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Filed Under: #BibRavePro, #BOMFBR, race report, Runners Roundup, Tuesday Topics

Five Reasons to Run for a Cause

September 10, 2021 by 20 Comments

As someone who works with a non-profit organization, I can tell you that fundraising in the time of Covid is more difficult than ever.

So as you make your race plans for the fall or are looking ahead to 2022, I urge you to consider putting some of your miles to work on behalf of a charity.

Photo by Capstone Events on Unsplash

Five Reasons to Run for a Cause

Raise much-needed funds. The money raised from registration fees and fundraising pages help to directly advance the charity’s mission.

Raise awareness. Beyond the immediate money raised, many charities can also benefit from a boost in awareness. This awareness can lead to new volunteers and partnerships, and future potential donations down the road.

Pay it forward. Running in support of an organization that has directly impacted you, your family or friends gives you an opportunity to give back.

Get inspired and inspire others — On those days you just don’t feel like training, having a “why” bigger than yourself can be very inspiring. Additionally, your efforts to support your chosen cause can also inspire others to join you or get out in support of a cause of their own.

It feels good! This one may sound selfish but there’s no denying that quite simply it feels good to do good!

Do you run for a cause? Five reasons you should! #bibchat #backonmyfeet #BOMFBR #bibravepro #FitFiveFriday Click To Tweet

I always try to run in support of a couple of charities each year. This year one of the causes I will be supporting is Back on My Feet.

Back on My Feet operates in 14 major cities across the country, focused on combating homelessness through the power of running, community support, and essential employment and housing resources. The Back on My Feet Running Festival will be held September 18 – 25th and features a range of distances (5K, 10K, 15K, or 30K). I’ll be running the 10K. If you’d like to join me, use the discount code “BibRave5!” to save $5 off registration.

Have you run for a charity? Tell me a cause you’d like to support.

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Who’s ready for some fun?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


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Filed Under: #BOMFBR, #FitFiveFriday

Summer running has arrived

June 6, 2021 by 28 Comments

June has arrived and with it, soaring summer temps. We’re in the middle of the first legit heatwave of the year and acclimation is the name of the game! Here’s how the workout week went down.

Pretty path from Saturday’s Run

Weekly Run Down — Week 22

Monday — 2.5-mile run & stretching. The last day of my staycation was a lazy one, but this shakeout run and a good stretch helped to keep my ITB happy.

Tuesday — 20 min Ride, 30 min Full Body strength, 10 min Core, & stretching. After 10 days off, re-entry into the workday was a little rough, but this combo was the perfect antidote.

Wednesday — A 5K for Global Running Day! It was nice to celebrate virtually with some run buddies (Thanks to Kim for this great collage!)

Thursday —  Stretching, otherwise a rest day.

Friday — 20 min ride, 15 Upper Body strength, 10 min Core for Runners, and upper body stretch. I loved this Peloton stack, especially the Core for Runners workout – the standing core and balance work was a nice change of pace.

Saturday — 4.5-mile run. It was so fun to meet up with my brother for a run – we haven’t run together since last Spring! We’re hoping to get a couple more runs in together before our 10K race next month. The heat definitely made this a humbling run – time to get acclimated!

Sunday —  3-mile run, 10 min Core, and a stretch. Despite being up and out early, it was pushing 80 degrees by the time I finished my run. After struggling with a little dehydration during Saturday’s run, I prepped better this morning and this run felt much better.

Adjusting to summer running & planning for fall races! #BOMFBR #BibChat #BibRavePro #WeeklyRunDown Click To Tweet

A Couple of Fall Races

I’m excited to add a couple of fall races to my calendar!
Back on My Feet is an amazing organization that combats homelessness through the power of running, community support, and essential employment and housing resources. They currently operate in 14 major cities across the country, including Boston. As a BibRave Pro, I am taking part in the virtual Back on My Feet Running Festival in September. The Festival features a range of distances – I’ll be running the 15K. If you’d like to join me, use the discount code “BibRave5!” to save $5 off registration.

Run to Remember is one of my favorite half marathons (in fact, it was my first!). Ever since the race organizers announced earlier this year that they were hoping to hold an in-person race this Fall in addition to the virtual race held during Memorial Day Weekend, (the traditional race weekend) I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed. This morning the email came through announcing an in-person race in November! Well, it took me about half a second to break out my credit card to register!

How was your week? Has it heated up where you are? Any races on the calendar?

In case you missed it:

Five Things over June Coffee

I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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Filed Under: #BOMFBR, races, Weekly Run Down