Here are the questions you (or your friends) asked via the Instagram Stories box @RunEatRepeat.
Since IG stories are only up for 24 hours and my highlights are packed – this is the best way to save the answers and information for you to find later. I’ll link to any products I mention under the question so it’s easy to find.
If you have a question (or follow up question) – Follow @RunEatRepeat on Instagram and watch my stories. I put up a question box a few times a week.
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QUestions covered today:
What’s the BEST Dry Shampoo
What do you put on your eyelashes
What’s the sitch with Ben
What skin care products do you use
What do you drink (besides seltzer)
Are you doing any races in Northern California
Can I pet Diego
@RunEatRepeat Instagram Story Questions:
Note… Some of the questions I answered via video. Then, I realized it wasn’t easy to save 15 second clips on a blog post… so I started to answer via text in the story. I’m sharing the ones I answered via text below. If I answered a question via video and you missed the answer OR want links to what I mentioned – just ask again in my stories @RunEatRepeat on Instagram
What’s the best dry shampoo?
I love Batiste Dry Shampoo in the scent – Coconut and Exotic Tropical .
I think the best one for hair that’s a little more oily (or sweaty) is Aveda Dry Shampoo aka Shampure
What do you put on your lashes?
I swear by THIS Maybelline Colossal Mascara
See my Instagram Reels for a Fast Before and After using that mascara I love HERE.
What would you tell your 18 year old self?
(video answer)
Are you and Ben back together?
(video answer)
But… I got a lot more questions like this, so I updated it with a text answer:
Do you Drink Sodas at all? I just drink water but need something else. I’m not a sparkling water fan.
I LOVE seltzer & have a Soda Stream so I drink a lot of sparkling water. And I also drink…
What Skin Care Products Do You Use?
Advice for GI Problems While Running?
Do you still eat dirty grapes??
Can I pet Diego?
Yes. Diego LIVES for pets.
Are you going to run a race in Northern California?
Got a Question?? Ask in my Instagram Story Box – @RunEatRepeat Instagram
There are tons of fun virtual races with awesome medals and shirts you can run in 2021! So don’t let all those race cancellations stop you from training and earning a new medal. So, here’s a list of the Best Virtual Races with notes on the perks you get when you sign up. Plus tips on what to consider when choosing the best race for you. Let’s go!
Today we’re covering:
What to consider before you register
List of Virtual Races with medals
Resources and Websites to find Virtual Races
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What to consider when choosing a Virtual Race:
Distance – Many races offer more than 1 distance as an option, but you have to choose when you register.
Date – When do you have to complete the race by? Unlike traditional races where everyone runs on the same day, virtual races give you a window of time (often a week or more) to complete the distance.
How you report your finishing time or prove that you finished. Some virtual races are on the honor system – so as soon as you sign up they send out your medal and shirt. Then, it’s up to you to get it done. Other Virtual Races require you to prove your finishing time by connecting to a tracking app or sharing a screenshot of your results or picture of your GPS watch after running.
What’s included (Swag baby!) – Not all virtual races give you a medal, even less give you a t-shirt, so you have to check what’s included with the price of registration. If you want a medal (and/or shirt), be sure it’s offered and included with the price of entry. Virtual Race Swag can include things like: Medal, Shirt, Hat/Visor, Socks, Water bottle, Bag, Training Plan, Discounts, Access to their app and more.
Cost – Virtual Races can sometimes cost just as much as in person events due to shipping / administration fees. Also, some events that were originally in person races had to switch to virtual due to Covid. So, they may still be paying a larger staff and recoup money lost to stay in business. Just because it’s a virtual race, doesn’t mean it’s low cost – check that it fits in your budget and if there are any extra fees (shipping, paying extra for a shirt, etc). Many races donate some proceeds to charity (what percentage and what charity varies widely). Finally, keep in mind most Virtual Races are non-refundable.
Note – some of these ‘Virtual Races’ are usually in person events, but due to Covid19 had to change to virtual only. So if you’ve already wanted to run a certain race but may never be able to travel to that location or run it otherwise, this might be your chance. (And it may not be a virtual race next year.)
Gone for a Run Virtual Races – Probably one of the most popular virtual race organizations, they’ve offered several virtual races each month for years. So they’re very organized and the site looks the most professional compared to other virtual race websites. But these races often cost a little more.
Race distances include 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon.
Includes: Race Medal and Shirt*. All races include a medal, most include a shirt, the ones that don’t offer a shirt have something instead like a pair of socks, visor or headband.
Cost: $26.99 – $39.99
Medal Dash Virtual Races – 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon Virtual Races. They have a super fun race coming up – Godzilla versus Kong. You pick if you want to be on ‘Team Godzilla’ or ‘Team Kong’ – and you get the medal with your team choice! You choose your distance 5K/10K/13.1 miles, choose your team and if you want a shirt. Get more info on the Godzilla v Kong Virtual Race here.
Includes: Medal and bib. You can add a t-shirt or tank top for extra.
Cost: $35.75-52.75
Virtual Run Events April 2021 Races – Site offers virtual races from 1 mile to 26.2 miles. Race registration includes a medal. Shirts and other swag are available for an additional fee [they’re sold on another site, so after you register for a race you can click a link to shop around].
Includes: Race Medal (shirts are available separately)
Cost: $25 – $55 [You can get a 15% discount when you sign up for their newsletter.]
The Conqueror Challenges – Virtual Running Challenges where you can sign up to complete a set distance over a period of time. So, it’s not exactly like a race in that you don’t need to do the entire distance in one run – you can add up miles over time to finish the distance you signed up for.
Includes: Tracking App (so they can see you’re doing the distance), Medal and Shirt for an extra fee.
Cost: $35-$55 – Varies. The shirt is extra. Shipping is not included.
The Virtual Run lists many different races with super fun medals for the 5K and 10K distance. As of right now the site lists half marathons and marathons – but doesn’t have any races listed for those distances.
Virtual Run 10K Races – Several different race themes that include a medal and a shirt for an extra fee. Many of the races say they’re sold out of the shirts so double check if you want one.
Cost: starts at $15.00
Virtual Run 5K Races – Several different 5K race themes that come with a medal. One of them offers a t-shirt for an additional fee, but it’s sold out right now.
Cost: starts at $15.00
Kiss Me I’m a Runner 5K – via Gone for a Run Virtual Races
Cost: $27-40
Includes: Medal, Tee or Tank and printable race bib. You self report your race time (results) on their site so you can compare results with others.
Run then Paddy Hard 5K – via Gone for a Run Virtual Races
Cost: $36.99
Includes: Medal, Tee and printable race bib. You self report your race time (results) on their site so you can compare results with others.
Girl Power 5K, 10K, Half or Full Marathon – via Gone for a Run Virtual Race
Cost: $32.99
Includes: Medal, Socks OR Gaiter, printable race bib. [No shirt – you choose between a pair of socks or gaiter/headband instead. This makes it a little cheaper than the other races from this company.] You self report your race time (results) on their site so you can compare results with others.
Yeti Ultra 24 Hour Challenge – Run or Walk 5.2 miles every 4 hours for 24 Hours ! That’s a total of 6 runs for a 50k
Cost: $49
Includes: Race medal and shirt. Plus bragging rights – this is a very unique challenge!
Details – You must follow the challenge guidelines: Run or Walk 5.2 miles every 4 hours for 24 hours (you complete a 50K). Then, report back with your time on the website. You have until June 1st to beat your own time and update it. Registration closed April 30.
Consider running a virtual race that’s organized by a local running store, club or race organization. Your usual local races may offer a virtual option this year. If you always run the annual Fourth of July 5K in your city (or something similar) – don’t assume it’s cancelled. Check to see if the race will be held virtually this year.
Doing a local race (even if it’s virtual) can really help smaller race and running companies hit hard financially by the pandemic. Many races also donate some of the proceeds to local charities – so those groups have taken a hit on donations as fundraising events were cancelled.
Keep in mind – small business sometimes don’t have the same technology resources as huge race organizations. So, their websites may not have all the updates.
How to Find Local Races:
Community or city website(s) and publications
Local running groups or running clubs
Local running stores (go in and ask where applicable)
Local race’s Instagram and Facebook pages
Blogs and social media posts of runners local to your area
examples of in Person Races that are Virtual in April:
Salt Lake City Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Virtual Races – Run your own race between April 10-25
Cost: Marathon $70 / Half Marathon $65 / 10K $45 / 5K $40 – plus extra fee if you need your race swag mailed to you.
Includes: Shirt and Medal (site says ‘swag’ so it’s unclear if there’s any additional perks)
Marine Corps Virtual Historic Half –May 2021 (not April but a well respected race that might be fun to do virtual)
You get: participant shirt, finisher medal and commemorative 2021 bib will be mailed to the address participants provide during registration.
Rock N Roll Marathon – Virtual Race Club… so this isn’t a virtual race but you can do virtual run challenges to get swag.
Join the Rock N Roll Virtual Running Club for free. You sign up and connect your running app to get started. Then, you can earn points for your runs, races and challenges. Those points add up so you can win swag.
Run Disney Virtual Race Series – Run Disney organized several virtual races to replace all the in person runs that had to be cancelled.
They do offer a medal but I didn’t include them on the main list because = they’re ALL Sold Out. But, I’m keeping it on the list because the race medals are gorgeous and fun. I’ll update this list if any new virtual races are added!
The Boston Marathon will host a virtual race this year. The in person race is usually in April but has been pushed back to October. The number of runners for the in person event will be a smaller field than usual. Registration opens for the in person and virtual race at the end of the month. The virtual Boston Marathon will be for the 26.2 distance only.
More Resources and Information on Virtual Races:
If you’re a Race Director and have an update on your race that you’d like me to share – email [email protected]
Follow @RunEatRepeat on Instagram and let me know what races you’re doing this year!
Do these after your run to recover faster and keep your body able to perform strong! Recovery is an important part of running and training for a race – make it a priority. Take care of your body. Let’s go!
After your run is complete walk for 5 to 10 minutes. Let your heart rate go down, take some deep breaths and keep moving as you relax. Check-in with your body and note if any areas will need extra attention during your stretching session. Feel free to move your upper body as you walk (raise your arms overhead, roll your shoulders back, open and close your hands in front and behind you, etc.).
If you have time and it feels good do some leg swings, hip circles and/or your favorite dynamic warm up moves.
If you have time you can make this longer but aim for at least 5 minutes.
*Things to note in your Running Log: Any extra fatigue, aches, tightness or pain. Overall how you feel and how the run went. If you do dynamic stretching moves you can also note – Do they feel easier than before the run? Do you have a wider range of motion?
2. Stretch
Set a timer for at least 10 minutes and S-T-R-E-T-C-H. From head to toe slowly and mindfully stretch your major muscle groups. Be gentle and don’t push anything to discomfort or pain. Breathe.
Spend extra time on areas that seem extra tight.
*Things to note in your Running Log: If one side of your body is more flexible or more tight than the other. If one side seems sore (or more sore) than the other.
More Stretching Tips:
3.Rehydrate
Grab your water bottle and get rehydrated after your run or workout. Most of the time you can use your body’s thirst to guide how much to drink. Every body is different and this varies based on the weather, season, your fitness, etc.
Things to note in your Running Log: If you were more or less thirsty. How much (if any) water or sports drinks you consumed during the run and what it was. The color of your urine to indicate hydration levels.
4. Nutrition
Eat a substantial snack or meal within 60 minutes of finishing your run (I aim for 30 minutes because I’ve noticed my recover suffers if I wait too long to eat). This should be a combination of carbohydrates and protein at a 4 to 1 or 3 to 1 ratio. (We’ll talk about Post-Run Nutrition in Week 10 of the Run Fit Challenge.)
More Nutrition Tips for Runners:
5.Sleep
Running is hard on your body. Sleep is prime time for your body to repair and rebuild any tissue damage from all that pounding. Consistently getting enough sleep can help you recover from all that hard work and be ready to perform well on future runs. This isn’t optional, it’s part of the entire training process. Make time to get enough sleep when you’re training for a race or to run a new distance.
It also makes sense that if you’re tired and not getting enough sleep – You’re NOT going to be able to give it your best effort on your training runs. If your tired – you won’t perform well and you won’t make progress as fast as you would if you slept well.
More info – What to Eat for Better Sleep Run Eat Repeat Podcast 113
After a long run you might want to consider some of the these bonus recovery strategies. I’m going to share my personal experience and thoughts on these post-run tools and strategies. Remember every body is different so what works for one runner may not work for another. Every body is different so just consider all this information and decide what you want to invest your time and money in based on your body, budget and goals.
Bonus Running Recovery Options:
Foam Roller – If you plan on running for a long time invest in a good, big foam roller and learn how to use it. I have two foam rollers and think they’re super helpful to work out specific tight spots and knots in my hamstrings and glutes.
Ice Baths – Personally these have worked for me (and I am the biggest not a fan of the cold you’ll ever know). I’ve heard that cryotherapy machines don’t prove results in studies so I don’t think they work the same for recovery purposes.
Epsom Salt Baths – I think the main benefit of an Epsom salt bath is that it’s relaxing. It doesn’t feel as effective in helping with recovery as an ice bath but it’s A LOT more pleasant.
Sports Massage – Love a good sports massage! I once got a massage from someone who worked with competitive figure skaters and realized their experience and knowledge of the body made for a completely different massage. They worked on my body from an athletic performance point of view and it wasn’t just about feeling good and relaxed – it was about helping me recover to run better.
Leg Drains – I put my legs up against the wall after long runs and listen to meditation music or a short meditation to help my body and mind recover. It’s amazing and often my favorite part of post-run recovery.
Question: How many of these did you do after your last run?
Follow @RunEatRepeat on Instagram for daily running updates, tips and fun!
Got a question? Email [email protected] with “RER Question” in the subject line or on the question form.
Ahmaud ‘Maud’ Arbery was killed while running Feb 23, 2020. Today I ran the Virtual Run in his honor organized by The 2:23 Foundation.
The 2:23 Foundation is a non-profit committed to engaging, educating, and equipping young Black and Brown men and women for social justice advocacy. They’ve organized a Virtual Run in honor of Maud that you can join to support the cause. It’s starts today and you have until 3/3 to run 2.23 miles.
I created a team – Run Eat Repeat (you have to pick a team or create one on registration). You are welcome to join my team. Everyone is welcome – runners, walkers, moral supporters – so feel free to pass it on to your buddies.
1. Register here: Events.elitefeats.com/223run (you’re welcome to join team Run Eat Repeat)
2. Run 2.23 Miles any day between 2/23 – 3/3.
3. Put your time on the website (& share on social if you’d like).
It’s only $23 & all proceeds go to scholarship fund that provides young men and women the opportunity to become future lawyers, local leaders, policymakers, and social engineers.
If you don’t run but want to support the cause – you can also make a donation (without signing up for the run). Get more information on The 2:23 Foundation on their website here.
I posted about it today on Instagram @RunEatRepeat and shared a link to the registration page in my Instagram Stories.
Please share with your running buddies. You can use the hashtags – #finishtherun #223fdn #RunEatRepeat to connect with other runners too.
