August 17, 2015

Chicago Marathon 2015 Training Recap {Weeks 7&8} & SPIbelt Giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent a complimentary SPIbelt to review and another to giveaway to readers. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.  

{Read about Weeks 1&23&4, 5&6 of my training} Weeks 7 and 8 mark the almost halfway point of training. It's stressful and crazy. I just booked my flights to Chicago so I hope everything works out with my school schedule since it'll be right around midterms. Yikes

I've also got a mini review & giveaway for SPIbelt after my training recap below so enter away!

Be sure to check out the hashtag #breathedeeplyandrunchi on Twitter and Instagram for more snippets of my training! 

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#breathedeeplyandrunchi

Chicago Marathon 2015 Training Recap

Week 7

Week 7 was an okay week of training.  I had some speedwork at PR day at November Project, went to a Crossfit class, and did a couple easy treadmill runs. I spent the long weekend with my family in New Jersey which always throws me off because of all the eating and family time, but I managed to sneak in a quick treadmill run and got my long run done.


I had 16 miles to do on Saturday morning solo so I headed to the local park, which is really small with the loop around it on being about 2.5 miles. I'm sure all the few fellow park goers there thought I was some crazy lady running a ton of loops around the park. 
Saturday morning park vibes
I don't know many places where I grew up to run plus like the benefit of water fountains, paths, and bathrooms there so I extend the loop for as long as I can plus switch up my direction and the intersecting trails I take. The weather was humid but not too hot and it was nice to be able to keep multiple water bottles by the car to take water breaks when I passed my parking spot.  

I had some miles where I was getting bored and sick of looping around but ended up having a really great run and ended it with 3 race pace-ish miles in 8:20, 8:10, and 7:45. Having a strong finish plus a semi-frozen watermelon Gundalow Juice waiting for me made for a happy runner.  
I'm loving my new Brooks Running hat, too. 
Week 8
This week really rocked. I got in some cross-training, an easy run, and a short run with 2 tempo miles. I even squeezed in a nice strength circuit workout on Tuesday that left me sore & sweaty.   I knew I was going to the DC blogger brunch on Saturday so I decided to try to get my long run of 12 pace miles out of the way on Thursday morning. 

I woke up later than I wanted on Thursday but decided to go for it since everything was packed and laid out. The weather was really humid but overcast and I ended up seeing Sarah at the end of her run and running 3ish miles with her. My pace miles weren't spot on but most were 15 seconds or less off from 8 minutes so I'll take it.  I felt really good and was totally in the groove by the end, bopping along and singing to my iPod along the Inner Harbor during the last few miles. Being on my abbreviated school schedule for work meant I could follow up my long run with a relaxing big breakfast, coffee, and blog-reading.

I also really loved wearing my new Momentum bracelet and ridiculously neon pink Feetures! compression socks.



I ended up going to a fun cycle class at Sculpt DC on Saturday morning which made for a great way to sweat a little before brunch. The 45-minute class used small weights for one section of upper body work and involved a lot more hill-climbing than intervals. I liked that they had nice shower and changing facilities (which is part of the reason why I chose the studio) and used colored lights that the instructor changed periodically during the class for different sections of the ride.

The bad: I have been really bad at stretching and foamrolling. As in not doing it really at all. Friday after a bootcamp class the instructor was helping stretch out a couple of us and cracked my back really well. When he held my leg to try to stretch out my hamstrings he reminded me to stretch because I'm really tight. 

The good:  One of the most important parts of marathon training is getting in that long run mileage and so far I'm happy to say I've felt really good on my long runs.  Besides my run with stomach issues, my fueling has felt okay, and I've been able to handle some more pace miles and faster finishes.  I also haven't been as sore post long-run as I remember being the past two training cycles.    

Things to Focus on: I still need to focus on the basics-sleep, hydration, and eating. I'll have a good couple of days and then fall off the track. I also have noticed more exhaustion and afternoon napping so I know I need to get better sleep. 


As a female runner who runs around the city all the time, I like to carry my phone on me even though it drives me crazy. I can shove my key, a few dollars, and any fuel in my shorts pockets or water bottle holder if need be, but the phone needs a compartment that is not my hand or a heavy armband.

 I have tried multiple different ways to carry my phone in an effort to find something that will bother me the least so I was interested to try the SPIbelt after they reached out to me. I have a Samsung S6 phone which is on the larger side so I decided to try the Large Pocket SPIbelt in blank with pink detailing. This SPIbelt retails for $22.99 and has an adjustable, stretchy clip waistband (the original SPIbelt retails for $19.99).
Post-November Project shot. I carry my phone, a few bucks and my key with me on my run to NP workouts.

So far, it is my favorite running belt I've tried. It comes in lots of colors and patterns.  It's made of a comfortable stretchy material, and has a nice expandable 8.9" pocket (the original has a 6.5" long pocket).  I like that the pocket expands to fit around my phone and whatever else I'm carrying.  SPIbelt claims that the belt doesn't bounce, and while I find it to be the most secure of the belts I've tried, there is some bouncing if I load it up or have it sitting on certain spots of my waist. If you just need to carry keys and a couple gels there is hardly any bouncing.  Overall, it's a pretty good option for carrying things on the run. 

SPIbelt was lucky enough to send me a large pocket SPIbelt in turquoise and black to giveaway to one of my lucky readers. All you need to do is enter using the Rafflecopter below before 8/24/15 at 12 AM EST to win.  



This post was linked up with Tuesdays on the Run (with AprilPatty, & Erika) , Weekend Snapshots, Weekly Wrap, and MIMM.  

How was your week of workouts?  Do you carry things with you when you are running?

45 comments:

  1. no need to enter me just chiming in I LOVE LOVE LOVE MY BELT too!!

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  2. I always carry my phone, house key, credit card, cash and lip gloss on my run. I also have a Spibelt and love it but i entered the giveaway to win one for my mom! She has the iphone 6 plus and has had a really hard time finding a running belt that will hold her phone!

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  3. I typically carry things in my hand, unless I'm going for a long run then I store stuff in something similar to a SPIbelt. Glad to hear you've been rocking those long runs!

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  4. On long runs I usually take GU and when I'm not right around town I take a phone just in case of an emergency.

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  5. I am pretty minimal and carry my key, ID, and gel if it's a run over 6 min in my pockets. Yay for shorts with decent sized pockets!

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  6. I carry my phone, house key and gate entry key card and a gel for longer runs. The problem is that phones keep getting bigger but pockets stay the same size!

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  7. I always carry my phone, house key & some type fuel.

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  8. Nice work! I carry my phone and key on runs - always paranoid will fall out of my pocket.

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  9. Shiduna Townsend8/17/15, 11:21 AM

    I carry water, phone, gum, lip balm on my walk/runs.

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  10. I SO need one of these belts! They look awesome :)

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  11. that new brooks hat looks super adorable on you! great week 7 & 8!

    i carry with me my phone, keys, my ID and some cash or a debit card if i want to stop along the way.

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  12. I usually try to keep it light with what I carry, but I'm training for Chicago too (yipee!) so I'm starting to need to bring more fuel with me. My pockets can only fit so much so would love to try out this belt!

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  13. Ohhhh MAN. 16 miles on a 2.5 mile loop?! Girl, you must have mental endurance of steel. I'm seriously so impressed. I would go absolutely crazy doing that. Nice work!

    Bethany @ Accidental Intentions

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  14. You are dedicated to do 16 miles on a 2.5 mile loop. I can say that because this summer I did 16 miles on about that same amount of a loop. I was out of town - in the middle of nowhere and it was that or not get it done. But you are much faster than me. Great job! I have a Spi Belt and I sort of love it. I generally hate having anything bounce on my waist when running.

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  15. I kind of hate carrying my phone on runs but my husband is more comfortable if I take it with me so I always have it. I'll carry Gu with me on long runs as well.

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  16. I had a SPI BELT ...I left it on a table at a race (with my race bib attached) someone took the belt and tossed my bib...I so need a replacement! I carry gels, my phone (I often run alone), and keys!

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  17. I have been wanting to try one of these! Thanks for the giveaway! I try an carry water and GU when I run longer than 5 miles! Under 5 and I usually don't carry anything! :)

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    1. Also thanks so much for linking up with Holly and I this week!

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    2. Definitely give it a try! We also have other styles of belts with loops on the front that will hold your GU (and we're coming out with an attachable bottle soon, too!)

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  18. Usually, my phone and my keys on my runs.

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  19. I have something very similar but it will not stay exactly where I want. If this product stays put, that would be awesome. I prefer not running with my phone but will in strange places or large races. I do carry GU and saltstick caps. You had a very strong training week. I am also training for Chicago. It will be my first marathon. (Yikes). Thanks so much for linking up with us!

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  20. Glucose monitor and honey stingers

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  21. I'm diabetic on an insulin pump, so I tend to carry a LOT! I carry my glucose monitor for all races, and on any training run over 10k. Emergency glucose is a must as well. I also carry a water bottle, keys, phone, lip gloss, and Sport Beans for any run/race 10k or longer.

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    1. SPIbelt has a diabetic belt that holds your pump and has a pass-thru eyelet for hoses. Check it out and let us know what you think!

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  22. I only take my phone. 9 times out of 10 I don't need a key b/c someone else is home (and if I do need to lock the house, I just hide the key....benefits of living in the middle of nowhere, right?) No need for money, either b/c I live in the middle of nowhere....so nowhere to spend it.

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  23. I take my phone and gu. I usually put some Chapstick in there too

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  24. I always carry my cell phone, keys, and if I'm running somewhere into town, I'll sometimes bring some cash and make a pit stop at a great juice bar post run!!

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  25. I'm such a pack mule when I'm running! In an ideal world I would carry keys, phone, headphones, GU, salt capsules, water bottle, lip balm, Kleenex, credit card/cash, BodyGlide, towel, the list goes on and on. Wouldn't it be nice to be one of those elite runners who have folks riding along next to them with anything they might need?!?!?!

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  26. I run loops all the time. It does get a little blah but it's a good way to know when you're almost done. What do I carry with me on runs? Chapstick and GU(long runs) and my keys.

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  27. I am currently rounding up my training for a 10k. I carry with my FlipBelt and store extra doggy-duty bags (my rescued terrier mix Bigby comes along most days), my YurBuds, vegan lip balm and a Larabar. Hoping to train for a 15k soon. Running accessories save lives! ;)

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  28. I do love my SpiBelt! But I will say it's not big enough for my long runs. I like that it holds my iPhone.

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    1. Hi Wendy, so glad to hear you love your SPIbelt! Check out our Large Pocket or Performance Series belts. They fit even more!

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  29. I'm not a fan of anything around my waist actually. I didn't like the spibelt sadly! Don't you love that Brooks hat from Rock n Blog?! Super cute! I don't know how you did so many loops for your long run. To me that is worse than running on a treadmill, LOL.

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  30. I always take my phone with me and an extra hair tie with me on runs. It's so annoying to hold my phone though. I held it through my half marathon and my hand was literally tired from holding it that whole time.

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  31. I usually carry my phone, keys, and a credit card with me when I run. I often carry them in my hands as I hate the feeling of my fuel belt bouncing around on my hips :( I hope a spibelt would give a bit more stability to the pouches ! :)

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  32. I always carry my phone and usually a key (car or house).

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  33. I'm usually minimal on my runs: key, Garmin, iPod shuffle and that's it. The Spibelt would be awesome for those times when I want my phone or fuel.

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  34. So many people in my running group are training for Chicago! Me, no marathon plans in my future. I'm more of a half fanatic...and I typically carry my phone and fuel if necessary. Also, I have that Garmin AND that Wrap Bracelet. It's my fav wrap bracelet.

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  35. I carry water, my ipod, keys, and sometimes my phone.

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  36. I carry water, my keys, ipod, and sometimes my phone.

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  37. I carry my phone and my keys. I like to carry a tissue in the winter.
    Sadie B.

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