From Night to Day

Aug25

I’ve been doing something the last few days that I hate doing. I’ve been getting up early to run. Now, I’m not talking crazy early, but I’ve been getting out the door by 7:00. I like to say that I only wake up early to run only if I’m getting a shiny medal. For the most part that is true and it’s not like I’m doing track workouts at 5:30 in the morning like some Mama’s I know. Unfortunately, my training called for runs that really need the light of day. If I want to be ready for the shiny awesome medal in October than that means a few “early” workouts at least until the kids get back in school.

So what have I been doing?

Wednesday – 9 miles with average pace of 11:15 in 1:41:23.

More night time running which is good and bad. I would like to say that it was cooler, but it really was still hot and humid. My pace was supposed 10:50, but it was hard to maintain that pace in the dark even with all my lights.

Thurs: Aerobic: 4 miles Average pace 11:46. Easy to keep +++ pace with heavy legs.

I like “easy” miles. Although nothing is easy when in comes to putting in so many miles. Although my feet have been feeling good, my quads have been feeling tight. Might be because I’ve been doing so many miles and probably not stretching or rolling as much as I should. Truth be told is that it is hard enough to find all the hours it takes to get my run in, let alone add the extra time for that.

Fri: Aerobic: 10 miles – Aaverage Pace 11:01 in 1:49:27

This was the the transition to an “early” run. Truth be told it really wasn’t early as I didn’t get out the door till 8:00 AM. I should have left a little earlier, but this was still better than leaving at 11:00 AM. My quads were still tight making legs feel heavy and me feel a little sluggish. Luckily this was a run where it was more about miles than pace and my goal was to stay in the 10:50 to 11:00 range. Some miles better than others, but overall a decent run and the overall average pace was on target.

11:00, 11:04, 11:29, 11:01,10:49, 10:39, 10:46, 10:49, 10:51, 11:46

Sat: Aerobic: 4 miles average pace 13:03

This run I went out with the intention of finding house #13 for my MRTT scavenger hunt. Hey, you’ve got to do something to keep your mind occupied while training. I had a route lined up as my friend lives at #10 on a street. Got to her street and the numbers on her street went from 11 to 15. Grrr. So I started making my way home, going down other streets to find the ever ellusive number 13. Shockingly many streets were just like the first. I did finally find one:) More truth, I would never live in a house number 13. Yeah, I’m a little superstitious. Maybe I shouldn’t be because literally right after house number 13, I almost ran into some wild life which I also needed for my hunt.

What is life if it’s not fun?

Sun: Off:

Off from running. Did go to a Yoga class with at Athleta with my MRTT group. This class felt so good and it made me realize that I need to get back to yoga. I also realized that I haven’t been all summer. Maybe this has something to do with why my quads are so tight.

Mon: MP Aerobic: 15 miles Average pace 10:34 in 2:38:40 but overall time was 3:38:38

I needed to get this run done early because I didn’t want to do it at night since I was going to be running 8 miles of it at marathon pace. I also didn’t want to be running in the heat of the day. Luckily, Genine, wanted to run a few miles but she needed to run early. So we made plans to meet at 7:00 AM which was perfect for me. Without knowing that she would be meeting me, I’m fairly certain I would have wasted my morning and not gotten out till at least 8:00. That being said, I think the first thing I said to her when I saw her was “this sucks.” I was kind of dreading this run since it was such a long one, but it all worked out. My legs felt better and I’m not sure if it was extra rolling and stretching or yoga.

Genine stayed with me for the first couple of miles which was good. I still wasn’t feeling it, but I was already a few miles into it, so what choice did I have but to keep going. I hit most of the targets and did use fuel which I haven’t been using on my long runs but since I was running at marathon pace, I got to use fuel. I didn’t get a chance to eat before I left since I burnt my toast, I used a gel with caffeine instead. Then around mile 3, I ate 2 of jelly belly sport jelly beans (love them). Then I had another gel with caffeine at mile 8 and Gatorade at mile 10. Not sure if this was too much fuel for this run, but I figured since I didn’t have breakfast and hadn’t eaten anything since 7:30 the night before I needed it. Plus even though it was early, it was already hot and humid. Plus, I am such a hot mess when I run I think I needed it. Might need to think about Gatorade more as it really hit the spot!

Now the reason that my overall time was so much more than my actual running time is that I plan my runs so that I can refill my water bottle and I also have to wait at intersections and such. Still shocked at the difference as I didn’t realize I slowed down that much. Anyway, first water stop was at the park for bathroom break, refill bottles, a few pictures for my scavenger hunt. Then my second stop was at the 7-elleven where I normally stop to buy a $1 bottle of water. For this run though, I decided to get Gatorade for some reason. Nothing ever tasted so good. I might have to think about using this again although I don’t know that it would always taste as good as it did on this run.

11:10, 11:46, 10:59, 10:01, 9:44, 10:25, 9:57, 9:59, 9:48, 10:03, 9:59, 10:43, 11:00, 10:50, 12:11

I timed it that this run would end at Dunkin Donuts where I could get a nice recovery iced latte. Some people do look at you a little funny when your in line, but what’s a girl to do. I want (need) my iced latte and I can’t help it that I look like I ran through the sprinklers. I then cooled down with a short walk home. I’m also wondering if this is why my overall time is so much different too. I don’t think I reset (ended) my run until I got home, So who knows.

I don’t have my schedule for this week yet as I get my schedule on Tuesday’s. I’m curious as to what this week will bring. Last week since I had the long run with 8 miles at marathon pace, I didn’t have a tempo run which was nice. I’m thinking that I won’t be so lucky 2 weeks in a row!

How is your training going?

How do you fuel for your runs?

Becoming a Night Owl

Aug20

Now I’m not sure when I said this, but I do know in the past that I have made the statement that I have it easier than some people with my training schedule. Last summer it was different with the boys being in more camps giving me more time to get my trainining in during the day. That may have been true when I said it, but it does not seem to be the case anymore. I have turned into a night owl with my running.

It is good

and

It is bad.

The good part is that the evenings are cooler (not really, but at least the sun is not beating on my back). Last night’s run according to my weather app said it felt like 76 with 83% humidity. I was a hot sweaty mess by the end with sweat literally dripping from me. Isn’t that a pretty vision. I don’t understand people who don’t sweat when they run. I know them. I’m related to some, but I just don’t get it.

It looks like I ran in a sprinkler, but I did not!

The other good part is that I can go about my day normally without worrying about when to get my run in.

The bad part is when everyone else in my family is home relaxing, I am running out the door. I’ve been doing it often and it does cut into a little bit of the family time. I love my family time.

Then there is the whole safety issue. As you know from my previous post on this, I am not afraid to light up the night when I go out. I want to be seen. That being said, there are still so many stupid drivers out there at night who may even drive a little faster because they are not expecting anyone to be out on the roads running. Shhhh, don’t tell my mother but last night I had to jump on the grass as a kid (yup, I’m that old) was taking a corner way too fast and was turning too wide. This is why when running at night, I do tend to run closer to the side of the grass by turns. People seem to take them way too fast and it is easier to get out of their way.

So tip for the day –

Do NOT run in the middle of the road near corners on quiet streets because these tend to be the ones you need to worry about most.

Then there is the whole it’s dark thing. I don’t mind it, but some streets just need more lighting in my opinion.

I’m still learning which streets to avoid at night and this one became one last night. Not enough street lighting to make me happy.

Now I am not trying to discourage anyone from running at night, because you do what you’ve got to do. I do like it as it can also be a very peaceful time to run. Less distraction than during the day and causing you to focus more on your run.

Although truth be told I was slightly distracted last night as my MRTT is having a running scavenger hunt. So I did have to stop along the way for some fun because anything you do life should be fun!

Here is what I found.

I still was out done by my very creative MRTT Mama’s, but it’s all fun and games!

Hoe do you keep your training fun?

Night & Day!

Aug18

The day after my epic coming of the rails run, I had a 14 miler to do. I planned this one a little better as I knew that the whole point of this run was to run on tired legs. My legs were tired. It was still hotter than Hell, but I was determined to make it a good run.

First I decided that I would go later in the evening. It is hard knowing that you are going to start a long run that won’t finish till the 10:00 PM news comes on, but still better than running in the heat of day. Second, I plotted out a route that would allow me to meet some of my fellow MRTT Mama’s for miles 3 through 8. They were supposed to be running a slower pace and I thought it would be good to have company for some of the run. It was just what I needed even if they had me going a minute or so faster for those miles than my legs wanted to go, but still worth it. As Janna pointed out, I did miss my tempo run the day before:) I even had Helen run with me for an extra mile once the group was done. She thankfully slowed down and it was nice to run with her as I don’t often get a chance.

Then it was time to do the last 4 1/2 miles by myself. At first it was hard, but then I realized that it was only because I forgot to put my music back on. For the record and safety, when running on roadways I do NOT use headphones at all. I play my music right from my phone. I also stopped at the local 7-elleven to refill my water bottles with cold water as I really hate warm water. The man at the counter looked at me and all my lights a little odd as did some of the people in the parking lot. Not sure if it was how sweaty I was because I was a hot, hot mess or the lights. Either way I went on my way.

shortly after this stop, I had a group of teen boys (God, please don’t let my boys be this obnoxious) yell at me that I should wear reflective gear while running, but in a sarcastic tone while laughing at me. I just yelled back, “you think?” Then under my breath said a few things I will not mention on my blog. This did get me thinking. What do people think the point of all m reflective gear is? I have been doing most of my runs ALONE at night with some of the streets not having good lighting. I want to see where I am going and I think more importantly, I want to be seen! Truth be told, I worry about drivers when I’m running during the day. I worry more about drivers when I’m running at night because most are not expecting people to be out when it’s dark. I’ve said before, my goal for every run is to make it home safely and if looking like a Christmas tree helps you see me at night, I’ve got no problem with that because you know I love Christmas trees!

So what do I wear…..

Headlamp
Reflective Vest (mine is pink)
Nathan Runner’s flashlight
Armband reflective lights – I wear mine on my running belt
Nathan Strobe lights – one of front of the vest and one on back
Another Strobe light on my belt
Reflective running gear
Pepper Spray – not reflective gear but I think important safety gear

Most of these items were either purchased at my local running store or Amazon. To the average person, I may seem a little crazy with my lights maybe even bordering on OCD. That’s ok as long as you see me coming:)

What do you use for night running?

Some Runs Are Just Not As Awesome as Others

Aug16

Runner’s truth….

Not every run is fun.

Not every run is like running through a meadow.

More truth.

Some runs just suck from the very beginning.

Today was such a day.

I think I knew it from the beginning. I almost walked back in my house after going outside. Then I thought to myself that if I didn’t go then, I wouldn’t be able to get my run in today. Besides I was ready to go. I knew what splits I was looking to hit. I had my course all mapped out. I was ready. I really wanted to get my run in. Although, truth be told, I regretted the decision for most of my run. Except, of course, the part when it was over and I knew that I go it in.

I was coming off the rails on this one. There are several reasons and sometimes that just the way it goes.

First there was the phone call with my mom right as I was getting to go out the door. Yes, it was 92 today but I have run on hotter days. The difference is that right before a run I didn’t have anyone say to me, “You shouldn’t run today. You are going to give yourself heat stroke or a heart attack.” These are not the words of encouragement needed before a run. Even though I knew that I was prepared to run in the elements, these words stuck in the back of my head.

Then there was my Garmin which died before I even hit mile one. This really made me mad because it was on the charger all night. I’m starting to wonder if my charger is not working properly because this has happened to me before. I will have to keep an eye on it. I had toyed with stopping then since I was supposed to be doing a tempo run which is impossible to do without a watch. Since it was so hot and humid though, I decided to just keep on going and do the best I could.

Then around mile 3, my sunglasses literally broke. Yes, I knew they were on their way out but really.

My face sums up the way I felt. Then by this point I was already feeling the pain of the run. It really wasn’t physical pain but mental. Part of the problem was the first part of my route did not have as much shade as I thought it did and I was baking in the sun. Then it got in my head that it was too hot to run. I kept on going.

One of the reasons that I like to plan a route out is that it doesn’t give me an out once I start. I was literally 3 miles away and thought to myself even if I turn around I would only be 2 miles shy of the 8 I needed so I might as well stick with it. I kept on going. I even toyed with calling someone to pick me up, but I figured I should save that for when I really need it.

Then I got a message from my cheerleader, Dawn, telling me I could do it. We messaged back and forth and it helped. I kept on going. Luckily by then I had hit more shade and although the run was still hard, I was no longer baking in the sun. I admit that I would run. Then I would walk when I felt that I needed to. Then I would run again picking out something in the distance to run to before I could stop again. Again, it wasn’t pretty. I was NOT close to any kind of heat stroke except in my head. I was a hot mess!

Then there was the water situation. Yes, I did buy a hydration backpack but when I tried it on before my run; I didn’t like it. I think this cheaper version that I bought might be good for hikes but I could not imagine running in it. I had my Fitletic hydration belt with all 4 water bottles AND my hand held water bottle. It was not enough on a day like today. I should have looped to the park to refill, but I thought that I was fine. Big mistake. Then I was on the search for water.

I stopped at a friends house thinking that I would fill with her hose, but she had it hooked up to a sprinkler. Not sure if it was the sweat on my hands or what, but I could not unhook it to fill my bottles. She wasn’t home or I would have knocked as I’ve done in the past. Luckily a man saw me sitting, yes sitting, under a tree and gave me a water bottle. I kept going. Swung by another friends house and the same thing happened except no nice man to give me water. By then I was close to home and just kept pushing.

I made it!

I got my run in!

The I realized that for some stupid reason I ran an extra mile. I did nine instead of eight. I will chalk that up to being delusional from the heat.

9 miles in 1:45

So, no not every run is awesome and some do suck. But it is these runs that we push are way through that really show us what we are made of. It is these runs that help to make us better runners. It gives us the mental toughness needed to push through when running an event when all you want to do is stop. If every run was easy, then that means you are not pushing your limits. Life is about pushing limits and getting out of our comfort zone.

So I’m off to bed now as tomorrow is another day

and

I’ve got 14 miles to put on the books.

How do you push through when all you want to do is give up?

Friday 5 – Vacation Running Tips

Aug14

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

Running Tips

Since I just came back from vacation, I’m going to go with

5 ways to stay on track while on Vacation

Scout an Area to run ahead of time

Since I was going camping by a lake in an area that I never have run in it was important for me to figure out a place that I could actually run. Yes, I could have run around the campground, but I really didn’t want to do that especially because most of my runs were 5 to 8 miles. The internet makes it so easy to find local parks or tails and this is how I found the beautiful trail that I ran on!

Bring your Running Gear

Yes, this seems like a no brainer but if your like me you have tons of running gear. Think ahead of time what you will need and pack a small running bag with the things that you will need. Gels, water bottles, headbands, Garmin, ect. The things that you know you can’t run without so don’t forget your favorite running shoes!

Build Time in Your Schedule to Run

Now we really weren’t on any schedule but I still needed to build it into my day. I had balance out my husbands fishing, time with family, and such with my running . This made it fairly easy for me to just say, “I’m going for a run.” If your not doing such a relaxed vacation you might need to juggle a little more.

Adjust your Schedule and expectations

While on vacation, I knew ahead of time that my training would need to take a step back. Although I also knew that I didn’t totally put on the breaks as the Marine Corps Marathon is just months away, I also knew that I would not be able to follow my full training schedule. You know what, that’s ok too! Running is not my job. Running should not ad stress to my life, but take it away. That being said, my coach adjusted my schedule to make this a set back week for my training therefore it wasn’t so bad. I did miss my long run (17 miles) that week. Did I wish that I could have done it? Yes. In the whole scheme of things is it going to effect my ability to run the MCM? No.

Just Do it!

Nike is so right. Just get out there and get it done. It may not always be easy and you may have to give up sleep or something else, but it is so worth it. I know that not only did i feel better about getting my runs in, but it also took away the guilt of sitting by the fire eating Smores!

How do you get it done while on Vacation?

Vacation is Over

Aug13

It’s been quiet around here lately, but that doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten about my blog. I took a vacation. I took a relaxing vacation. Actually it is a vacation that I’ve been taking for 17 years with my husband. It’s a vacation that his family has been taking for over 40 years now. I was camping on a beautiful lake in Vermont. It’s not a glamorous vacation, but I really wouldn’t trade it at all. I go with my husbands family and we literally take up several camp sites. The kids run all over the place with cousins and no one even cares about missing electronics. One of the best things is that the area we camp at has not only limited internet connection, but also limited cell reception. It really is nice to get away from it all.

Now normally while hubby is out fishing with the boys, I lounge in the hammock and read. I will admit that although I did spend some time napping in the hammock, I did not do any reading. Mostly because I took this quiet time to get in some runs. Now, before going I looked up some local trails. I, actually, found the perfect trail that literally was 10 minutes from camp. It was a beautiful trail on a converted rail line. All these years and I never knew it was there. Literally, picture perfect!

Who knew there were flat trails in Vermont!?!

Not me, but now that I found it I can’t wait to run them again next year.

I got in several runs including two eight mile runs one of them being my tempo run. I’m not sure if it was the cooler air, the scenery, or the flat trail but I not only kept my pace but actually ran a little faster even running mile 7 at 8:55. I think it was a fluke, but I’ll take it!

I was determined not to let vacation keep me from running and with the exception of not getting my long run in, I did ok. I will admit that I was very disappointed that I did not get in my long run which was a scheduled seventeen miles. I wanted to run around the lake we camp at. It would have been an amazing challenge due to the hills. I’m not sure if I would have made it, but I won’t know till next year when I will make sure that I have time!

I’m glad that I kept my training up because when I got home I realized that the Marine Corps Marathon is now less than 75 days away. Oh my!.

Do you keep up your training on vacation?

Water, Water everywhere and Not a Drop to Spare!

Jul28

If you live in Jersey, you are used to hot and humid summers. Summer heat is great when you can lounge at the pool or surf the waves at the beach. It’s not so awesome when you are running in it. The last few long runs I’ve been lucky enough to have days so hot and humid that my town even has cooling centers due to heat advisory and air quality. I’m a firm believer though if you wait for the perfect conditions to run, you will never run.

I’ve run a lot of long runs in extreme heat. A few of my MRTT Mama’s are joking that they think that I am training for Death Valley. I’m not but I sometimes feel that way too!

Even though to those driving by me running on an 87 degree day with 66% humidity, I may seem stupid, I will say that I am not. This is not to say that during my run I’m not thinking the same thing, but I do really put some thought into my runs and I do take the weather into account. Unfortunately, for me many of my runs are during the day. If I was one to wake up at the crack of dawn I might not have this problem, but I like to sleep. So I have adapted and adjusted.

Here are four things that I always do for a long run!

I do not go out empty handed. Actually, I do because I have a Fitletic Hydration Belt; but I ALWAYS have water. My belt has 4 bottles that allows me to carry 24 ounces of water.
I map out my run to utilize routes that usually have the most shade. I may not (ok never) follow my map exactly, but it is a nice general guide. I adjust as I go.
When mapping out my runs, I plan for water stops. Yes, even with my belt I need to refill. On yesterdays 15 miler, I refilled two and a half times. Sometimes I know exactly where I will stop (park or store), but often times I make sure that I am running in an area where there are people I know whose houses I can stop to refill. I’ve also been known to see a perfectly good stranger outside and ask if they have some water to spare. You will be surprised how nice people are:)
Go slow!! This is easy to do in the heat when your legs become heavy the further you go, but so many people try to maintain their pace in the heat. Don’t!

Also as a side note, if you can perfectly end your 15 miles at a Dunkin Donuts you are golden! Nothing like an iced caramel latte to help cool you off and put back any calories you may have burned off!

I will not lie, yesterdays 15 miles in the heat was a killer. By the time that I got home, my clothes were literally dripping with sweat and felt like I had been swimming in them. Yuck! That being said, I do keep thinking that once cooler weather comes that all this pushing myself in the heat is going to make for some nice fall running or at least that’s what I tell myself!

I have also come to the realization that it just might be time for me to take my hyrdation up a notch on my runs. I’m looking at hydration vests. I realized yesterday that as soon as I run out of water, I wilt. Then I thought about heading to the hills of Vermont where there are no local friends homes to stop. So it’s once again shopping time. I am so glad that running is a sport that is free. Ha!!!

How do you stay hydrated?

Training Recap

Jul26

I’ve had a good week of training even if I did skip my 5 mile easy run. I actually missed my cut-down day and then had to make a choice if I wanted to make that one up or skip it. I thought that my cut-down was more important to my training than the easy run.

Recap Week

Sun: 14 miles – This was a hot one. A very hot one! This was one of those hot humid New Jersey days where heat warnings were in effect. I did listen to the warnings and made sure to have my bottles filled with Nuun my new favorite drink on hot days. I also threw out any perspective pace and went solely for miles. The run was not pretty, but was more a slow and steady test of endurance. The average pace ended up being still not too bad considering that I wasn’t pushing it nor was I checking it at all during the run. Average pace was 11.48. Consistently in 11’s and 12’s. Overall moving time was 2:38:10 with total time of 3:03:15 as I made stops to refill water bottles and stand in sprinklers. I will say that I am very respectiful of peoples property and only stand at the edge of their property on the roads waiting to be cooled off. I was doing that very thing when a man came out to get something out of his car. I thanked him for the use of his sprinkler and he was very nice about it. One stop was even in a 7-elleven to get some water and take a few minutes to cool down in the air. I felt good (relatively speaking) that I was still able to get the miles in and didn’t need to shorten this run.

Monday: REST

Tuesday: Aerobic 7 miles in 1:12:41. Overall I kept a good pace. The last mile I allowed myself to push it a little bit, but not an all out sprint. I was very happy that after six miles of a fairly steady pace in the mid 10’s that the last mile I was able to run a 9:44.

Wednesday: My sister was visiting from California and wanted to do a quick run before we went for a pedicure. I knew that I had the Pizza Run that night, so we only went for 2 easy miles. Then that night I did the Pizza Run which you can read the recap if you want. Overall, I was happy with the 5K time of 28:38:47 for a average pace of 9:13.

Thursday: Did some swimming

Friday: This was the day that I was supposed to do my cut-down but I didn’t. I’m sure that if I really, really wanted to that I could have found the time, but I really wasn’t in the mood. My foot although not hurting but was bothering me and I really just didn’t want to aggravate it. Yup, I’m a baby.

Saturday: This was supposed to be my easy 5. When I headed out I was actually thinking that maybe I would do my 7 mile cut-down as 5 therby combining the two runs. It didn’t work out that way because once I headed out I knew I wanted to see if I could hit my targets for this run. I found a new route which is a little flatter, but one that I am also familiar with to not have to think about where I’m going. It seemed to work as I hit or was very close to my targets completing the run in 1:11:24 with average run pace of 10:12. My best pace was again the last mile where I hit a pace of 9:15!

Now you would think after such a good run that I would have been flying, but it actually had the opposite effect. I think I was alone for too many miles as I was starting to wonder why I’m doing this to myself. I’ve already ran a Marathon, so what am I trying to prove. Plus I had realized before going for my run that I have only 3 months till the MCM. Panic may be setting in. I know I can do this or at least I think I can do this. Part of me was wondering why I’m doing it. I am just an average runner. I will never be the front of the pack runner. So many people act like I’m this crazy driven person because of my running. Then I realized that they are right, but I have to remind myself that I am the good kind of crazy driven person.

It could be worse:)

I must remind myself that I push myself because I can.

I push myself because what is life without challenges?

I push myself to be a role model to my children that anything is possible!

I push myself so that my boys will grow up knowing that woman can be strong!

I push myself because there is nothing like crossing the finish line and knowing you are the reason you are there.

What do you do when you feel like throwing in the towel?

Pizza Pizza

Jul23

Last night one of the local towns had their annual 5K Pizza run. I ran it last year with my sister. I really had no business running it last year as it was only 4 days after completing the NJ State Sprint Tri. I remember it being hard and walking, but I wnted to run it with my sister.

This year it was different!

This year there was no summer Tri and I’ve been running pretty regularly to say the least. This year I was going to run it with some friends. The hot and humid weather also took the night off which apparently never happens for the Pizza Run! There were so many woman from my MRTT group that we hardly fit in the picture. Some I knew. Many I didn’t know as the group has exploded these last couple of months in an awesome way.

I’ve got to say that this really is an amazing group of women. It is true that everyone has a story to tell. All this month our group has been featuring Bio’s of different Mama’s who wanted to share. It is amazing the inspirational stories that so many of these women have from obstacles that they have overcame to their sparkling personalities that shine through. I’m honored to be a part of this group of BAMR’s!

As far as the Pizza Run went, I again had no plan or expectations. I knew that I was going to try and run a good race, but I really didn’t plan to push it. It was going to be a fun run with a freind. After the group picture, everyone went their ways to the start line. Genine and I bobbed and weaved to fairly close to the start. This is a decently sized race with almost 2000 people running. There are no starting corals and where you start is an important factor in how your race will go.

Gun goes off and we are off. As always it is very hard not to go off full blast especially in an event like this. We actually did but I realized it right away and tried to reign us in. That being said, we still were hauling it. I felt good and we were keeping a good pace. I’m not sure at what point, but Genine encouraged me to just go ahead. As much as I wanted to run with her, I also wanted to really push it and see where it took me.

As far as the actual run went, I was very happy with it. Yes, I pushed it a bit; but I felt good. I’m guessing all those cut-downs are paying off! I felt strong and confident in my faster paces.

I shaved off a few minutes from last years time of 30:45. Yeah!

Then after catching our breath, it was time for some pizza because they don’t call it a pizza run for nothing!

I’m using Genine’s pizza post race picture today because she takes a much better one than me!

Can’t wait for next year as this race is getting more and more fun!

Do you race for food?

Weekly Training Recap

Jul21

So it appears Marathon training is in full swing! Somehow it snuck up on me and apparently I am in the thick of it already. I was looking at my miles for the Month of July as June I hit 100 and I wanted to see if I would this month too. Not a problem as I hit it today and we’ve still got a little more than a week to go. Not even sure how that happened. This is when I realized that I’m in marathon training. This past week I ran 30 miles alone!

The surprising thing even with the higher miles I’m feeling pretty good. I’m noticing that on my faster pace runs that is usually when my Plantar Fasciitis bothers me. I think between my orthotics, taping my foot, the stretching, and heating my foot it is all coming together. It’s a slow process and I wish it would just hurry up and go away, but it is better. I think this may just be something I will have to just realize is part of my running.

Boo Hoo!

Anyway, in looking at my training this last week, I’m realizing that really my runs have just been steadily getting longer. It’s not just that I went from zero to a hundred overnight. I’ve been adding a mile to most of my runs over the last couple of weeks. Very sneaky, Caolan, very sneaky. It’s good this gradual increase because first of all that is what your supposed to do and secondly I didn’t even notice.

I was also able to sneak in two group runs this past week. One was a group run that I intentionally let myself fall behind on as they were running at a 9:40 pace and I was supposed to run a little slower and I knew my faster cut-down was 2 days later. I ran faster than my pace called for but I did have the company of another mama runner who also didn’t want to keep up the faster pace. Then I was able to do my nice easy 5 with my girlfriend who didn’t mind that I was slowing her down to an easy 11 mile pace. I needed these group runs:)

Now as I’m in the thick of it, I am also preparing for our annual family vacation to Vermont. I’m working with my coach to make sure that I don’t loose steam on vacation. This will be the first vacation that I really try to continue with a training plan while there. It should be interesting. She is also going to make this a set back week which I need anyway. Hopefully this will help and the hills of Vermont will be kind to me.

How do you keep up with your training on Vacation.

The Accidentally Running Mama

Run, Bike, Swim and Have a Life!