WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL YOUR TOPOS TAKE YOU? (OCTOBER CHECK-IN)
Welcome to our monthly check-in with three fortunate BAMRbassadors that are chasing (or chased!) big athletic goals in 2023. Laurel, Rebecca, and Nicole told us about their goal + tune-up races. And one of them tells tales of a massive PR she nailed in her Topo kicks!
P.S. Want to try Topo Athletic running shoes for yourself? Use code TOPOAMRSMR for 15% off. Code expires on December 31, 2023. (Regular priced items only.)
BAMRBassador #1: Nicole Albright; Shippensburg, PA
Remind us what you are training for.
Crossing off a few more states in the 50-state marathon quest—and running the Dopey Challenge in Disney World to celebrate my sister turning 40!
Your goal race isn’t until January. How are you keeping training fresh?
Training is chugging along! All of my life I was considered a ‘morning person.’ Over the past few years, however, waking up at 4:30 am to run before work has becoming increasingly more difficult. Once in a blue moon, I will push my run to after work. I have found there is a reward to running after work that I didn’t have before—the company of my son! My 11-year-old gladly rides his bike next to me, and we gab about all the goings-on at middle school!
Running in the fall: thumbs up or down?
I don’t like running in the autumn—I LOVE running in the autumn! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, in running-related terms. Living in Pennsylvania affords me the luxury of experiencing crunching leaves beneath my feet, beautiful fall colors, and crisp cool air. The Keystone State is truly is a runners’ paradise in October and November.
Any tune-up races on your calendar?
I actually jumped into a half marathon on September 24 on a local rail trail. With the onslaught of Tropical Storm Ophelia, a local race slashed their registration price in half, so of course I texted my BRF and asked if she was in, and she was! Then she and I ran a marathon last weekend in West Virginia (State #16 checked off my list!). We ran at a very relaxed pace, as we were treating it as a training run for the Dopey Challenge in January.
BAMRBassador #2: Laurel Short; Leawood, KS
Remind us what you are training for?
This year, I completed a sprint triathlon in May, a half marathon in June, an Olympic tri in July, and culminated my racing season with Madison 70.3 last month. Next year I’m running the Flying Pig half marathon, and I’m still mulling over my triathlon options.
Can’t wait any longer: Tell us about your half Ironman distance triathlon, especially the run portion (woot-hoot!).
I felt strong and controlled. Coach Jen [Harrison] gave me a huge compliment, saying I am a ‘happy racer,’ and I truly tried to soak up every mile. I maintained even splits by following my heart rate and was able to pick up the pace the final mile in to the finish chute. My official run time was 2:02 with an overall finish time of 5:45—a 25-minute PR for me. My feet were so happy in my Topos for all 13.1 miles along Lake Monona in Madison!
How are you doing, coming down from your exciting races?
I am transitioning to off-season workouts, and I’m loving the cooler fall temps! On a recent morning, my BRF and I did a 4-mile easy run + some Dimity-style core exercises at the park. Autumn is simply the best time of year for running. I adore the crisp air, feeling smooth with the fitness I gained over the summer, and reflecting on my triathlon/running season.
Word on the street is you alternated shoes this year. Tell us why that was a win for you.
This is the first year I have consistently alternated pairs of shoes (I have two pairs of Topo Phantom 3s), and it’s been really convenient. I often wear one pair to work at my nurse practitioner job, so if I run in the morning, I can leave the sweaty pair at home to dry out :) I also swapped the laces out on one pair for quick-tie elastic laces (triathlon laces).
BAMRBassador #3: Rebecca Atkinson; Easley, SC
Remind us what races you are/were training for.
My first 30K trail race; mentoring a half marathoner in October; and Dopey (5K, 10K, half marathon, + marathon) at Disney World in January
You hit a few speedbumps in your training: Tell us about those.
I had a vacation planned for Labor Day weekend, so I lost some consistency there (even though we were walking 10+ miles a day during the trip). I was anticipating this minor impact, but what was really disappointing was getting sick the week after returning. I missed my longest run of the training period. Coach Christy said to not make up the miles and continue on with the training. I felt really inconsistent the last few weeks, and I was nervous I’d lost fitness and strength.
We can’t wait any longer: How did your debut trail race go last weekend?
The Blue Ridge Ultra was incredible and a great challenge. My training, led by Christy Scott, was spot on. My goals were simple as this was my first trail race: Don’t get hurt by falling, and finish! Because of these expectations, I just stuck to a pace that was comfortable where I didn’t feel like I would fall going down hill. I’m excited to have completed it. Now on to my next big race- the Dopey Challenge at Disney World in January!
And, do you think your trip + ensuing illness hurt you?
I think I felt I was disadvantaged from those two things, but in reality I don’t think it had a big impact. Surprise, surprise. The consistency of completing the training outweighed the two weekends I missed due to the trip + illness.
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