What do you run for? Maybe it’s for your physical health, your mental well‑being, or—as one of my uncles likes to joke—“I only work out so I can eat more!” This September I literally ran for cheese. I was selected as one of the influencers on the 2017 Cabot Fit Team and invited to take part in the Ocean Road 10K in picturesque Narragansett, Rhode Island.
This sponsored fitness‑food trip included memorable meals, a lovely cheese tasting, and the chance to run with a warm, supportive group of bloggers.
Highlights included a visit to EMMA Acres farm, a member of the Cabot Creamery Co‑op. We toured the farm, met the family who runs it, and got close to calves only a month old—an unforgettable experience.
Ocean Road 10K – Narragansett, Rhode Island
I fell in love with Narragansett on the trolley tour along Ocean Road where charming seaside properties line the route. The course is mostly flat, though a few Florida‑based bloggers found it hillier than their usual routes.
Should You Run When You’re Sick?
My biggest challenge on race day was that I’d been fighting a virus for several days. I fretted about whether I should run. I felt guilty about possibly letting my team down, but I also worried that running could make me sicker or prolong recovery.
After checking reputable medical guidance, I learned a useful rule of thumb: if symptoms are “above the neck”—sore throat, headache, or nasal congestion—light to moderate exercise may be okay. If symptoms are “below the neck”—body aches, fever, chest congestion, or upset stomach—rest is best. I had a sore throat, headache, and congestion and also felt achy, so I weighed my options carefully.
I decided to take a cautious approach: I hydrated, had a kombucha, medicated as appropriate, and gave myself permission to stop if my body demanded it. That meant allowing myself to walk or even skip the race if necessary. Practicing self‑compassion and listening to my body felt like an important shift—allowing rest wasn’t the same as giving up.
On race morning we squeezed into one car to the start. In the rush I forgot my bib and only noticed once we arrived. By chance, my teammate Nellie Acevedo (Brooklyn Active Mama) was ill and on doctor’s orders to rest. She’d left her bib with our Cabot contacts, so I ended up running under her number. So if you see the official results showing Nellie’s time, that was me—finishing the 10K in 1:01:00 (1 hour, 1 minute).
Pushing Yourself vs. Shoving Yourself
This was one of the tougher races I’ve run. The usual endorphin surge didn’t arrive in the first miles. I kept counting down “just a few more minutes” and had to talk myself through each segment. I thought about walking, but also knew that stopping would extend the discomfort. In the end I kept running, and although it was painful and not particularly fun, I felt proud for seeing it through.
Part of what helped was running under a teammate’s name—I didn’t want to let her down. Imagining we were running together gave me additional motivation. It’s interesting how perspective changes effort: running for someone else can feel different than running for yourself.
I’m not sharing this to encourage everyone to race while ill. If you don’t feel well, rest—your body often needs it. But this race was a rare opportunity to run as part of a team, and I tried to balance ambition with listening to my body.
If you ever have the chance to run the Ocean Road 10K, take it. The surf and rocky coastline are stunning, the sea air is invigorating, and the finish at a sandy beach makes for great post‑race photos.
The 2017 Cabot Fit Team was an incredible experience. As an added bonus, Cabot generously provided a prize pack to share with one lucky reader.
Cabot Cheese Giveaway
What do you run for? Share why you run in the comments and follow me on social media for a chance to win the prize pack. Tell your story, whether you run for fitness, food, stress relief, community, or simply for the joy of movement.
Cabot Cheese Prize Pack Details
$100 value!
The winner will receive:
$25 Cabot Cheese Gift Box
1 Dopper Water Bottle
1 Guac‑Lock
1 Cabot Beeswax Food Wrap
Badger Products
Fine print: the winner must be located within the continental US. We cannot ship to PO boxes. The winner will be selected on Monday, October 23, 2017 at 5:00 PM ET.
I’m looking forward to reading the many reasons you love to run and hearing your stories about what keeps you moving.