WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL YOUR TOPOS TAKE YOU? (SEPTEMBER CHECK-IN)
Welcome to our monthly check-in with three lucky BAMRbassadors that are chasing big athletic goals in 2023. Laurel, Rebecca, and Nicole filled us in on how long until their big race; their favorite recipes to keep them fueled during runs; and how they have adjusted their training plans now that their kids are back in school.
P.S. Want to try Topos for yourself? Use code TOPOAMRSMR for 15% off and 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!
How many days/weeks/months until your race? Do you have your race day outfit picked out?
Race #1 – Greenbriar Trail Marathon is one month from today! Then I will quickly shift gears for the Dopey Challenge, which is in early January. My sister and I are working on our outfits for the Dopey challenge—apparently cool Disney inspired ‘fits are a necessity! We are thinking of buying our favorite running shirt styles, and using her cricut to embellish them with fun Disney puns.
The AMR community is always looking for new recipes. Do you have any favorites for healthy dinners you make while you’re training or snack ideas to keep you fueled and ready to go?
I eat almost exclusively from the Elyse Kopecky and Shalane Flanagan cookbooks. As a vegetarian, I find those recipes are helpful and adaptable! I also recently completed the Talking Perimenopause class through AMR. I learned A TON during that class and cannot recommend it enough: My cycle has been stable ever since putting some of the tips and tricks into action!
How has training changed now that your kids are back in school?
My training hours have changed pretty drastically since school has started. During the lazy months of summer, I would wake up between 6 and 7am, eat a leisurely breakfast, and sip some coffee, finishing my perfect morning with a run. Now I wake up between 4:30 and 5:00 am, run right away (I may eat a Fig Newton or Stroopwafel and down some Athletic Greens), take a quick shower, shovel down breakfast or take it with me in the car, and arrive at my school by 6:45am.
BAMRBassador #2: Laurel Short; Leawood, KS
Remind us what you are training for?
2023: complete Olympic tri in Omaha and Madison 70.3 (A goal under 6 hours in Madison). 2024: Flying Pig half marathon and tri race TBD.
How many days/weeks/months until your race? Do you have your race day outfit picked out?
My race is this weekend in Madison, Wisconsin! I am diving into the 70.3 Ironman and will be wearing a Zoot short-sleeve tri kit.
How has training changed now that your kids are back in school?
I enjoy the rhythm of the school year and find it helps get me up earlier for workouts. I am definitely a better mom when I get a morning run in before the kids are up. When the alarm goes off, I hear Dimity in my head saying, “Don’t think just go!”
Do you have any favorite recipes for healthy dinners you make while you’re training or snack ideas to keep you fueled and ready to go?
My kiddos are ages 10 and 7, so it can be hard to find dinners we all like. This taco seasoning is our go-to for turkey or chicken, and everyone can customize their toppings!
Now that you’ve been wearing your Topos for a few weeks/months, how do you like them? Are you training exclusively in them or bouncing back and forth between other shoes?
Still loving my Topo Phantom 3s for all my runs! I run 3 or 4 days a week, including brick sessions after bike rides. Topos keep my feet and joints happy, and I often pick my work outfit based on how well it pairs with my Topos!
BAMRBassador #3: Rebecca Atkinson; Easley, SC
Remind us what races you are training for.
30K Trail Race (1st time) October 2023; Mentor a half marathoner October 2023; Dopey (Disney race- 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon) January 2024
How many days/weeks/months until your race? Do you have your race day outfit picked out?
According to Training Peaks, I have four weeks until my event—although these days, the biggest count down I focus on how many more long trail training runs I have! While I like to do the long runs during training, they take almost twice as long as a road training run, so they get lonely. After a while so I have to psych myself up for them. As far as race-day preparation, I haven’t focused too much on it. I’m expecting the weather to change a decent amount and have not figured out clothing yet. The good news is because this is my first trail race, so I have zero expectations other than finishing.
The AMR community is always looking for new recipes. Do you have any favorites for healthy dinners you make while you’re training or snack ideas to keep you fueled and ready to go?
For training fuel, I have discovered I need real food during the long runs and have been using the Stroopwafels as a snack about halfway in addition to the Chews I use for on-going fuel. During the week, I try to focus on a balanced plate with good proteins and veggies. My family’s new favorite that has a good balance of protein/veggie/carb is my Asian stir-fry bowl (need to figure out where to add some fats!). I marinate diced-up chicken in teriyaki, honey, garlic, ginger (maybe a few other things); cook chicken in a giant stir-fry pan then set it aside; cook frozen stir-fry veggie mix (Costco); and steam white jasmine rice in the Instant Pot. It is a family favorite, and I know I’m getting a balanced meal. I tried to substitute brown jasmine rice, but had a revolt by the pre-teens.
Now that you’ve been wearing your Topos for a few weeks/months, how do you like them? Are you training exclusively in them or bouncing back and forth between other shoes?
My Topos trail shoes (the MTN Racer 3) are AMAZING! My feet are so comfortable, I haven’t even used the other trail shoes I purchased to try out! I will use them for the remaining training runs and definitely will use them on race day.
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.