Last Thursday night Bobbi and I made our way to Fleet Feet for the Zooma Great Lakes Race Series Kickoff Party. It was so much fun to meet some of the runners and other Ambassadors who will join us for a spectacular girls’ weekend at the Abbey in Lake Geneva, WI this October. We were pampered with yoga classes, massages, manicures, refreshments and goodies from our friends at Muscle Milk. I can just imagine how much the actual race weekend will be!
Join us for the half marathon or the 5k! Remember to use code GLAMB3 when you register to save!
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When I was invited by the Chocolate Milk Refuelย teamย to interview and run the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon with Team Refuel Captain and former Bachelor, Dr. Andy Baldwin, I thought I was being punked. Because really: me?? Sometimes in the blog world, crazy things happen.
They were both waiting to go on when we got there so I introduced myself. I’m not one to fawn over good looking men but kids he is yummy. Dr. Baldwin was pretty nice too…
…especially when we locked eyes and he sang that love song…just to me….oh wait, no. He didn’t do that. That must be my heat exhaustion talking.
The Q and A was filled with tons of good information on fueling before, during and after running. The race series doctor spoke about weather conditions and how to best deal with the heat. Dr. Baldwin spoke about hydration and sodium loss. When you’re sweating profusely you lose salt. If you keep drinking water, you dilute the sodium in your blood, which leads to a dangerous, potentially fatal condition called hyponatremia. Taking in salt in this case, rather than drinking water, will help. On runs over 1 hour, I typically use sports drink and only drink water when I’m taking a gel. At this race, for the first time I also took in some salt at mile 7.
Since Chi-town and much of the country will be sizzling hot again this week, here are more tips for running in heat:
- Back off your pace. Run by perceived effort rather than pushing for a pace
- Listen to your body. Pay attention to your heart rate
- Follow your fuel/hydration plan but also listen to your body and drink if you’re thirsty
- If you feel liquid sloshing in your belly, cramping or nausea, wait at least 15 minutes before drinking more
- Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing, sunglasses, hat or visor and water-proof sunscreen
Because this post is already too long I’ll be back tomorrow with the scoop on my one-on-one interview with Dr. Andy Baldwin. That’s right–it was not a ‘group date’!
Melissa @ runscootsrun.blogspot.com says
I had a long run yesterday and I brought Gatorade with me to drink and also only drank water after I had my Honey Stingers. Great tips and I am excited to hear how the race went! Have a great day. PS-the pampering you received sounds so nice! ๐
Once a Runner says
I remember when we lived in FL we started our long runs at 5am just to beat the heat!!!!! UGH… Yup and slow down. I had that terrible sloshy tummy at my Half IM.
The Green Girl says
That kick-off party sounded like so much fun, girl!
yoli says
Yeah, the kick-off party looked like great fun!
Lisa @ RunWiki says
Looks like you had a great time! What a fantastic opportunity. I am someone who needs an strange amount of salt on my long runs. I think I must sweat buckets, but now that I live in SoCal it evaporates, tricky to find the balance. You look gorgeous! Dr. Baldwin’s not too bad either! ๐
misszippy1 says
I loved this post and love that you got to run with him! How much fun. I probably would have tripped all over myself looking at him while running. Can’t wait to hear all your details!
Lisa says
Sounds like fun. Great tips for running in heat too, it can really take a toll on your body if you are not prepared!
Carrie@FamilyFitnessFood.com says
What a fun event! Great heat tips – listening to your body is always always always good advice.
Can’t wait to read about the interview!
Terzah says
You crack me up! I bet the interview will be great–looking forward to it. And yeah he’s pretty cute (and I’m no fawner either).
Meghan says
Woo hoo! ZOOMA for the win! I am excited to read more about the interview!
hikermom says
What a great time! So much fun and lots of great tips for running in the heat:)
Carilyn Johnson (@CarilynJohnson) says
So cool. Marcia! What a fun thing to do, and you’re right, he is yummy! ๐
greengirlrunning says
You are so funny ๐ Sounds like a great time! The interview…ah, the suspense! Looking forward to reading about it!
Kari @ Running Ricig says
I saw your pictures over the weekend and am so jealous! Looks like an awesome time!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Such a cool experience! I love how blogging can open up opportunities like that. Looking forward to tomorrow’s post!
Coy says
I’m totally dealing with the salt thing right now. I think we’re all pretty jealous that you got to hang out with the good doctor ๐
Meghan Rene @ UnCooked & UnWalked says
Ah! Good point on the sloshing in the tummy – I forgot about that on. Very exciting!! I’m so jealous of you and the doctor.
elizabeth says
iโm counting on you to get my his love life stats. anxiously awaiting your next post. blah blah hydration. i kid, i kid. ๐
Amy B @ Second City Randomness says
I purposely pulled up your blog today to see how the interview went! And to say I’m sad I forgot to give you my card to pass along to him… ha ha
Char says
You’re a lucky girl. He’s not too hard on the eyes. I think I just had a hot flush looking at his picture. It’s the smile isn’t it?!
Jill says
Hahaha…I noticed your “Sweat Pink” shirt before I noticed Dr. Dreamy next to you :). I so need that shirt!
Tink says
You look so pretty in your picture with him! So jealous!
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman says
I hope that the race went well for you! It was hot, but that’s not what got to me and my husband the most, our stomachs were bothering us. It wasn’t too bad but we definitely could have done better!
Laura says
Yum.
๐
Caroline says
Dr Dreamy indeed! I hope you had a good race
the salt thing is a problem for me..I need to take some when it is really hot or else I get in big trouble