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I used to run races.
I even placed in a few!
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve attempted a race. The Fit Foodie 5K/10K Race Weekend in San Diego seemed like the perfect time to change that. Leave it to me to make my first race back a food-related one!
John Hancock’s Cooking Light & Health Fit Foodie Race Weekend is more than just a race. It’s a party, a gathering for food lovers, and a place to share passion for food and fitness. Calories are both burned and earned!
The Run
The race was bright and early on a Saturday morning. There was an option for a 5K or a 10K, but I decided not to push it and did the 5K.
My baby sister joined too! I love that we get to do things like this together. We share the same passions for food and fitness. I guess that’s proof we are related… even if I spent most of her childhood telling her she was purchased from gypsies.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BL3rQxlDQ2H/
I digress… the race took place along the water at the Embarcadero Park. There’s nothing like a gorgeous view and a great breeze to make you want to move.
While it wasn’t a PR, I was happy with a 26:24 finish after my hiatus. I was 19th in my age group! That’s especially satisfying given that there were over 1300 runners and we spent the first mile kind of trapped behind people.
We received a medal to reward our run, then moved into the John Hancock Vitality Village (a.k.a. the most delicious finish line ever).
The Celebration
The celebratory food and drinks in the John Hancock Vitality Village was the perfect post-race experience!
There were rows filled with delicious and healthy food samples, culinary demonstrations, and mini fitness classes led by certified pros.
Another highlight of the race was seeing so many friends there. My sister and I ran into Teresa from Eat Drink & Be Skinny. Now we have plans for a friends workout!
As much as we hate to admit it, fitness without good nutrition is not nearly as impactful on your health as when you combine the two.
That’s why John Hancock has created John Hancock life insurance with Vitality, which rewards people for the healthy choices they make, like exercising, seeing the doctor, and now, purchasing healthy foods at the grocery store.
With John Hancock Vitality and the new HealthyFood program, not only can you save up to $600 a year on the nutritious foods you buy, but you can also significantly save on your life insurance premium and earn valuable rewards and everyday savings for those healthy food purchases.
Visit JHRewardsLife.com for more information on how you can be rewarded for the small steps you take towards a healthier life!
Oh, and did I mention MEB was there?!
Meb and Bill posing for pics. How cool for these younger girls to get to run a race and meet their heros?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of John Hancock. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Now it’s ON… I’m already plotting my next race!
What was the last race you ran?
Are you a “fit foodie”?
Now I would do a 5K if there was a food event at the end of it!
I do a lot of running at crossfit… But I don’t really enjoy running on its own. Then again I have never tried running a race so I may be surprised! 🙂
Races are fun! Running on your own can be a bit dull… but in the right mood and with the right scenery I have learned to love it.
I would like to think I am a Fit Foodie. I’m pretty fit, and I’m pretty much a foodie… So I’ll say yes. WOOHOO for getting back at it with a race! It feels good to push yourself like that, and I can always run harder in those conditions than if I am out on my own.
I totally thought of you when I did this race. You would have LOVED it! Plus… drinks at the end!
So glad you guys enjoyed the race! Can’t wait till next year…!
The fit foodie race here was so much fun! They put on a great race with great swag
Were you there too??? I am so sad I missed you if so!
It was great to finally meet you at the race. Looking forward many more run-ins! 😊
It was so nice to meet you too! We need to do a group run one day soon!
In my world food and races go hand and hand Laura 🙂 I love your opening picture, you and your sister look adorable! This event looks awesome. The promise of tasty, healthy food would inspire me to join in on the run 🙂
Looks like you had a great time! I enjoyed the race when I did it last year… I’m pretty much never motivated to run, but if food & drinks are involved at the end, I can be persuaded! 🙂
Ha! Will run for food… and drinks. 😉
THe last race I ran was to raise money for a mission to Myanmar; that was in July! And now we’re going to do a Thanksgiving 5k that is one of my favorite experiences every year! 🙂 I would love to run more races that have celebrations combined with racing!
That sounds like a great cause! Have fun on your Turkey Trot!!!
I have read about these in lots of different cities and I think they sound like a ton of fun. I hope they come here.
I really wish people that made healthy choices to workout and eat well got more benefits, think of all the money we’re saving on our health insurance! And I would definitely have no problem running knowing there is food at the end!
I absolutely love the idea of combining a race with food! Awesome job too!
Training for a half marathon is actually what got me into lifting. I never did complete that race, and probably never will!
Haha! I hear you. Running actually turned me on to lifting too… because I’d injured myself so badly running distances that I realized a) Lifting was better for my body personally and B) If I ever wanted to run again (even short distances) I needed stronger quads to help compensate for my terrible knees.
Of course I’m a fit foodie, with emphasis on the foodie part these days. The fit….not so much, but one day soon… 🙂
Please. Mammas are always the fit queens with all the running around you have to do. But you really need to get a better running stroller for my next visit. 😉