2020 Year of Running + 2021 Goals

My Instagram top nine for 2020

Just like 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 I'm recapping my year of running. I think Courtney stopped her linkup, but I'll steal her questions like last year.

2020 Stats

• Total running miles: 1,100 miles
• Elevation: 58,504 ft. (74,137 ft with hiking)
• In person races: 1
• Virtual races: 7 (?)

Linkup Questions

Best race experience: Well, I only ran one in person race, so I guess the Palisade Ultra 13.1? I even won my age group! But if I'm honest, it wasn't the best because I had COVID worries (they did an ok job, but this was June when people thought it was kind of "over" in Idaho/MT) and I twisted my ankle really bad at mile 11.3 and had to stop then hobble in. Ouch. Other than that, it was a great race and I'm pretty bummed they aren't hosting it again this year (yep, COVID).  

My favorite virtual race was the Utah Valley Half because I ran the whole thing with my friend Megan who was doing the Grandma's Half Marathon. Our BRF Wendie joined us for the first 8 miles and set up an amazing finish line, complete with a cheer squad and snacks. That was pretty special. 

Virtual 13.1

Best run: My favorite trail this summer was the Shafthouse Trail. Alex and I mostly hiked up, then ran down. We also got lost at the top near Fairy Lake (don't ask... it's not hard to figure out, so I'm not sure how we managed it) and ended up with 15 miles instead of 13. It was a beautiful day, our first time seeing Frazier Lake from above, and our first time to Fairy Lake since we moved here. Beautiful trail, great lunch break at the lake, and Alex had beers waiting in the car at the finish. 

  

Best new piece of running gear: I bought A LOT of new loungewear this year, but not much new running gear. My new favorite on the run nutrition is Spring Energy. I also love my Salomon Speedcross trail shoes (even though I first got them in 2019). The giant lugs make trail running easier for me. 

Best running advice you’ve received this year: No idea! I wasn't seeking out running advice. 

Most inspirational runner: Des Linden for #runDestober or Keira D'amato for breaking so many of her former PRs. 

Favorite picture from a run or race this year: Well these are my only in person race photos from the year, sooooo.... 

Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: I'd love to run Palisades 13.1 again and train for scree (talus). I think I could shave off at least 10 minutes from my time. 

I also enjoyed the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee 1000k. I had to run ~634 miles between May 1 and August 31. That's about 5 miles a day or 36 miles a week. That's a lot of mileage for me! I maxed out at 41 miles one week and felt like a total badass. I did a mixture of runs and hikes, but all of my weekday mileage was from running. GVRAT got me outside nearly every day and encouraged me to explore longer trails with Alex. I'd like to do something like this again, but not GVRAT because of the BLM response. 

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would they be? Making the best of a terrible year. 

Reviewing 2020 Goals

• 10K PR. NOPE
• Half PR. NOPE 
• Keep strength training. YES! Kind of. I quit my gym class (because COVID) and did at home workouts from March-end of Summer. After that, I'd do one or two a month. Not great, but not a complete failure. I signed up for the Peloton app yesterday, so that should help!
• Keep my knee in check. YES Some pain here and there, but not an issue.
• Run more trails. YES I went on a couple dozen new to me trails this year (basically went down a list starting in March). I'd say I hiked up, ran down most of them, though some were just long hikes. Regardless, without COVID I probably wouldn't have explored so many new trails.  
• Speed up. NOPE Definitely slower, but also who cares? It's 2020 and I'm not Keira D'amato! 

Setting 2021 Goals

WHO KNOWS? I think the first half of 2021 (at least!) will be more of the same, so I hesitate to set any concrete goals. I'd like to... 

• keep exploring new trails.
• build endurance and get back to consistent double digit runs.
• incorporate more cross training / strength training.
• continue having fun on runs. 

Let's be real: 2020 was a horrible year for the country, but in my privileged position as an introverted person living in a beautiful, rural area with job security and who always works from home, it wasn't that bad. I can say that because no one I know has died from COVID. I am very thankful for my ability to drive 15 minutes and hop onto the side of a mountain. Our summer was filled with beautiful new places, all within a few hours. Yes, it really sucked not being able to go home to see our families, but overall we had it very easy. 

Running allowed me the opportunity to explore new areas, get outside when I needed it the most, and gave me a creative outlet with my constant photo stops. While I missed higher mileage weekend runs, I didn't miss racing. 

How was your 2020? 

Influenster catch up: Winter 2016

photos from Marc Beauty

What is Influenster? 
As a member of the Influenster community, I periodically receive free products to review. I joined last summer, filled out some snaps (mini surveys), reviewed products I use, and received my first VoxBox in July. You can read about that box of goodies here. My winter VoxBoxes were a little different. Instead of a half dozen items, I received full size products to test.

Box 1: Velvet Noir by Marc Jacobs Beauty VoxBox

My first box included Velvet Noir mascara from Marc Jacobs Beauty. I use mascara every day because I have very tiny lashes. It usually takes a primer (like Clinique's Lash Building Primer) then color to to add oomph to my sad lashes. Imagine my surprise when I only needed 1-2 coats of Velvet Noir without a primer. I tried to take before and after photos, but my phone wouldn't focus, so you'll just have to trust me on the end result. I liked the tube, too. It's super chunky and has angled sides so it's easy to grip.

If you're interested, you can find Velvet Noir at Sephora.

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Box 2: The Amuse Bouche by BITE VoxBox

My second box arrived while we were on vacation, so I had something nice to come home to. The Amuse Bouche VoxBox included three full sized lipstick tubes. I don't have to look fancy for work, so I mainly wear tinted Burt's Bees, but the colors they sent were divine. There was an everyday mauve (Pickled Ginger), bright poppy (Cayenne), and a deep dramatic red (Tannin).

I was very impressed by BITE's branding. Not only is the packaging chic, but their Instagram was on point (several beautiful color swatches and inspiration photos) and their website really dives into the creation of the product and color choices. I urge you to check both out if you're a beauty guru.

The products themselves were high quality. I avoid lipstick because it can dry out my lips, but that wasn't the case with Amuse Bouche. After I watched the product video I realized it's packed with ingredients to keep it super soft, including pearls and silk. Crazy. If you wear lipstick on a semi-regular basis, check out BITE's new line at Sephora.

photos from BITE Beauty Instagram

If Influenster sounds like something you'd be into, sign up today (yup, that's a referral link). My advice to get a VoxBox: go through the snaps, link your profile to all of your social accounts, and rate products you already use. 

Are you on Influenster or have you received free products in the past year? 

Product Review: Altra Provision 2.5

As an ambassador for the Broke Man's Half Marathon I was given the opportunity to try some Altra Running shoes. I chose the Provision 2.5 ($120, altrarunning.com).

The Provision 2.5 in blue / teal

Both road runners and trail runners love Altras, so I was eager to give them a shot. They are a young company and started small, but in a short time they have built a solid community that truly believe in their products. Altras are famous for their Zero Drop™ technology which "promotes proper form to reduce initial impact." (Read more here.) The shoes are also known for their wide toe box which allows the toes to relax, while encouraging stability. No more cramped toes!

Why I choose the Provision 2.5
The Provision 2.5™ is a stability shoe with moderate cushioning for runners that want improved form with "supportive features of a traditional stability shoe." I overpronate like crazy and my normal road running shoes (Saucony Omnis) have a giant stacked heel and a mildly-orthopedic aesthetic. I was excited to try something supportive without the huge profile.

Test Runs
Altra recommends easing into distance when switching to their shoes. I knew I'd still use my Sauconys for long runs, but I wanted the Provisions to become my secondary training shoe. Following their instructions, I started small and went on a mile run around my neighborhood. I expected my feet and legs to feel weird, but they felt the same as normal. My next run was a 3 miler. I kept a decent pace and by the end I could tell my feet had more room to spread out. My most challenging run was a fast 4 miler a few days later that didn't go very well. I stopped about a mile in due to a pain in my lower leg. I re-tied my shoes to tighten them up and continued. Around mile 2.5 I felt a tightness behind my knee. It wasn't terrible and I was able to finish the run, but the slight pain lingered for a day or two.

Altra's transition plan

I'd finally encountered my Altra transition period. They have a great guide on their website for dealing with the switch. Post run, I decided not to rush into my new shoes. My next half marathon is coming up, so I'm into my higher mileage and bringing my Altras out about two times a week for short runs. Because of my need for super support and stability, I'm going to continue to follow Altra's six week transition schedule.

I'm also obsessed with this Altra buff

The Verdict
I love the extra space in the toe box and they are really nice looking shoes that can be worn out and about. If I continue to have issues I may add a Superfeet insole (which I have in my normal shoes), but I think everything will work itself out. My shorter, slower runs have been pain-free and I can tell the Provisions are much lighter. I plan to use them for a short trail race in April and hope they will make me look like a legit trail runner.

Bonus Review
My husband, who won the Broke Man's Winter Warm Up 3.5 miler, got a pair of Altras with his prize. He's a speedy neutral runner who prefers short distances and hasn't had any issues with his Superior 2.0s.

Have you tried Altras?

Influenster I Do Vox Box Review

What's inside:

• SkinnyGirl Nutrition Bar
• Sahale Snacks Almonds
• CoverGirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation
• CoverGirl Outlast Longwear Lipcolor
• Indeed Nanoblur
• Neutrogena Hand Cream 
• UrgentRx® Ache & Pain Relief To-Go

What I Thought:

A few days before my trip to Canada, I received the #IDoVoxBox from Influenster. I've been a member of Influenster since May and I was surprised to get a VoxBox so soon into my membership. (Be sure to review lots of products, complete your snaps, and link all social media accounts. Every bit helps!) When I returned from vacation I gave each product a try and I found a few gems. I've collected my thoughts on each product. It was a great mix of items!

Both of these made great mid-afternoon snacks at work.

SkinnyGirl Nutrition Bar

I had the dark chocolate almond with coconut bar and it was very tasty. I'm impressed it's packed with natural ingredients. After I posted the above shot to Instagram with my initial reaction, SkinnyGirl contacted me with a promo code: Use code INFBRIDE15 for 30% off your next order on SkinnygirlDaily.com! 

Sahale Snacks Almonds

Based on the #sahalesnacks tag on Instagram, Voxers received a wide variety of snacks. I'm so happy I ended up with almonds because I eat almonds all the time and my whole natural ones are getting a little boring. I was surprised to see dried fruit and honey, but it made for a perfect mix of sweet and salty. It was a dense treat and would be a perfect hiking/camping snack. Lots of natural ingredients and full of protein. 

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation 

My least favorite item in the box. :( Unfortunately, this product wasn't for me. When I went to use this foundation I had one patch of dry skin and a post-vacation blemish. The rest of my skin was clear with a touch of redness and freckles. The foundation was much thicker than I expected. It went on smooth, but the coverage was odd: it felt thick and it was kind of hard to blend in at first, then ultimately didn't provide much coverage. I ended up looking like I was wearing makeup, but it didn't cover my imperfections. To me, what's the point of a foundation if it doesn't provide coverage? I've had BB and CC creams that do more. I'd recommend to someone with smooth, non-dry skin with areas of redness, scarring, or flat blemishes they'd like to cover. My freckles and redness disappeared, but my dry skin and blemish were highlighted.  

(I received a response from the CoverGirl team on Amazon saying the foundation probably didn't fit my current needs and they could make it right for me if I called customer service. That was nice.) 

CoverGirl Outlast Longwear Lipcolor

At first I wasn't sure I liked the shade on me, but I think that's because I don't wear bold lip color. After a few minutes I was in love! The lipstick stayed put for a few hours until I ate and drank. Even after dinner there was still a hint of color left on my lips. I would recommend as it didn't feel greasy or too dry. On a side note: I remember using Outlast lip stain and gloss for prom many moons ago, so it's nice to see the product range is still around! I received the shade Red Rouge. 

Neutrogena Hand Cream

I tried this hand cream for five days and noticed my cuticles were softer. I also used it on my elbows and had positive results (my hands aren't particularly dry in the summer, but my elbows are). I think the trust test will come in the winter, but I'm confident it will work. I like the fragrance-free version as I use other scented lotions and perfumes post-shower. It's a bit greasy going on, so I'd recommend using before bed. It's under $5 and a little goes a looooong way, so I see this tube lasting quite a while. 

Indeed Nanoblur - My favorite product in the box!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received a full size sample. I have sensitive, combination skin and many skin care products make me break out. I was pleased to find that Nanoblur had no such side effect. I haven't been able to take a truly compelling before and after photo, but my skin feels smooth and silky after application. It reminded me of a primer, but not as gooey as some others I've tried. I use it in the morning after moisturizer and before my powder foundation. Over the past week and a half, I've worn less makeup and believe Nanoblur is the reason. I will buy Nanoblur and plan to purchase other Indeed Labs products. 

UrgentRx® Ache & Pain Relief To-Go

I don't have a review for this product yet! Can you believe in the past two weeks I haven't had a single ache or pain? I'm really intrigued by this product. It's an ingestible powder that provides immediate relief. The UrgentRx® website has a buy one get one coupon right now. Maybe after my long run this Saturday I'll need some quick relief. ;)

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Have you tried any of the products above? 

I received the complementary samples above in my Influenster I Do Vox Box, but all opinions are my own.