The Color Run, The Happiest 5K on the Planet! [+Giveaway!]

Last year, I participated in The Color Run Brooklyn.

Color party!

If you don't already know about The Color Run, the following description is straight from their website:

"Less about your 10-minute-mile and more about having the time of your life, The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed race in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. The fun continues at the finish line with a gigantic “Color Festival,” using more colored powder to create happiness and lasting memories, not to mention millions of vivid color combinations. Trust us, this is the best post-5k party on the planet!"

Check out the video below and make sure to read my recap of last year's run here!



So why am I writing about this again?  Well...The Color Run is the self-proclaimed "Happiest 5K on the Planet" and my friends at TCR are offering up a FREE entry for TWO PB&P readers to a Color Run of their choice!

To enter to win, comment below telling me what the happiest race you've ever run is!  If you've never run a race, just tell me what your favorite color is! Winners will be selected at random and announced on August 8th.  Good luck! :)

Even if you aren't a lucky winner, I have a promo code for you to receive $5 off any registration!  Click here to find a Color Run in your city and sign up NOW!

Note: This promo code is valid for any race that is not sold-out.  It is applicable retroactively and does not guarantee a spot in a Color Run race.  Races sell out quickly, so be sure to sign-up soon for a city near you!

*The Color Run is providing me with two free registrations for PB&P readers.  I was not compensated in any way for writing this post.  As always, the opinions are my own.

Marathon Training: Week 2

Phew, it's been a crazy busy week, yet again! I'm officially 2 weeks into marathon training, so let's recap how it went:

Monday: Rest-I planned on doing a short recovery run in the morning, but was out past my bedtime Sunday night and opted for sleep instead!  Awesome decision.

Tuesday: 3 miles (1 mile warm-up,1 mile @ 8:50pace, 1 mile cool down)-I'm still adjusting to running with a Garmin to check my pace, and ended up running the 2nd mile at 9:10ish pace.

Wednesday: Rest. 

Thursday: Unplanned rest day.  Worked late on Wednesday evening, trying to get sleep when I can! 

Friday: 3 easy (with 5x 30 sec pick-ups)-The weather finally broke and this run was luxurious!!!

Saturday: 8 mile long run-Let myself sleep in and started my run around 8am, so it was a little warmer than I'd prefer.  I ran along the Queens waterfront to Queens Bridge Park and back.  10:43 pace.

Sunday: Yoga (30min) and lots of foam rolling. 

Total weekly mileage: 14

This week was less than ideal for my training.  I worked a lot and this tired little RD/temporary waitress had to chose getting some sleep over running.  I'm really looking forward to week 3 when I can (hopefully) get back on track! 

Stay tuned...How is your training going? How do you manage when you're pressed for time/sleep?!

Philadelphia Marathon Training: Week 1!

As of last Monday, I'm officially in training for my first marathon!  I'm absolutely terrified but I WANT this!

via Pinterest

I'm definitely thankful to have a great runner support system including my new coach, Abby! She's so close to being certified and I have no doubt she will be soon.  I told Abby about my lack of running through May/June and my fear of pushing too hard and building up too fast, putting me at risk for injury (I had a stress fracture 4 years ago and never want to deal with that again).  Since she's awesome, she took all of this into consideration when creating a plan for me.  We're doing 18-weeks (the marathon is November 17th), so I have plenty of time to build up mileage, get strong and run long. 

I've been insanely busy during July, so kicking off Week 1 of training has been rough, but I got it done!  Here's how it went...

Monday: 3 miles (easy)-Easing back into early morning runs, kept around 9:50min/mile.

Tuesday: 60 min walk-Was going to be a rest day but I wanted to get out and moving so I took a long walk through the park.

Wednesday: 3.5 miles (easy with 5x 30-sec pickups)-Ugh. So hot and humid, pace was SLOW even with the pickups.

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 3.25 miles (easy)-Easy pace doesn't feel so easy! It is so hot.  Is it fall yet?  How am I ever going to run 26.2 miles?

Saturday: Rest-I've been working a lot and definitely needed to sleep in and not run today!

Sunday: Queens 10K-Abby had a 6-mile long run scheduled, so I figured why not sign up for this race, get another 9+1 credit, hydration along the course and awesome T-shirt?  I didn't race and stayed within my LR pace...Check out my recap here. 

Total weekly mileage:  15.5 miles

I definitely should have fit in some strength/cross training this week, but I just didn't make the time with my hectic schedule...and I really needed to take my rest days when I could.  Stay tuned as my training becomes more intense and things get really fun!

Are you training for a fall race?  Tell me how your training is going! Are you getting beat by this heat?!