Have I mentioned before that I'm not a huge fan of summer? Give me a below freezing day over a sweltering hot day anytime. After all, I can put on more layers, but there are only so many things I can take off before someone calls the cops (or I end up with chafing in places no one deserves to chafe.) But I can't let the weather shut down my training plan, so I've been getting all of my favorites ready for the summer. Some links below are affiliate links, which means I make a small amount if you buy through that link. Affiliate links are labeled as such. Handheld water bottles. I have several. I've been a long time fan of the Amphipod bottles, but I've recently branched out to some of the Nathan handhelds . I'm very particular about … [Read more...]
Tips for a successful road trip racecation
You all know I love to travel to races. And Beer Geek just loves to travel. Period. We are also fans of driving trips. I grew up driving across America - my dad was in the military and we drove between stations plus did a lot of driving family vacations. In fact, I did not fly for the first time until high school. These days we fly more often, but even when we fly someplace, we tend to do long trips while there. (Our summer vacation involves flying to Denver, but we'll then be driving to Chaco Canyon, Four Corners, Angel Fire, Santa Fe, and Durango.) So you know that a road trip racecation is something I'm going to do. In fact, I've driven as far south as the Florida panhandle and as far west as St. Louis, just for one race. We've also … [Read more...]
Exercising your mental muscle
Running has been described as a mental sport. While your body must be fit enough to run, when it comes to completing long distance runs or holding a hard pace in a race, it's really your brain that plays the deciding role. It always amazes me how easy it is for my brain to derail a race or a run. That constant voice in my head saying that I can't do this or that I need to slow down. Even in races that I run as planned (or faster), that voice is present. The difference is that I've actively fought with that voice and won. I channel that feeling I have on a bad run and remind myself that I've felt worse. I tell myself that I can keep running. I chant various mantras in my head: Suck it up, Buttercup. Run the mile you are … [Read more...]
You might be a Mother Runner if…
The topic for today's Tuesdays on the Run is "Mother's Day". Running and moms seem to go hand in hand. (Probably because that's how we stay sane!) You just might be a Mother Runner if (with a nod to Jeff Foxworthy)... you go days without a shower because you just know you're going to get that run in soon. you've ever ran in circles around the cul de sac because your kids are asleep in the house. you've ever paid for someone to watch your children while you go for a run. you think it's perfectly acceptable to wear running clothes to bed so you can sneak out for a run in the morning. you paid more for your running stroller than for your first car. you have a "no screens" or "no sugar" policy in your house, … [Read more...]
Cheating: What does it actually gain you?
Cheating at races has been a hot topic lately, especially with Boston Marathon barely in the rear view mirror. Every year there are accusations (and findings) of people cutting courses, wearing counterfeit bibs, or getting someone to run a race wearing their bib. Today on Tuesdays on the Run, we are talking about these cheaters. What's your opinion? Personally, I don't understand cheating on a race. ( I don't really understand cheating at all, but at least in other areas, there seems to be something out there to be gained. But it's a race. What exactly do you gain? If you are fast and cheating helps you win, how likely is it that you won't be found out? Many races have cameras and mats in place to prevent cheating and they are … [Read more...]
April not quite in the rear view mirror
How are we only a few days from the end of April? Time is just flying by this year! Since we've nearly reached the end of the month, it's time for our monthly run review for Tuesdays on the Run. Would you call April an A+, an F, or somewhere in between. I'm going to have to give April an A+. I kicked off the month with my longest run since Marine Corps Marathon in October - 15 miles! I got in a fair number of runs on vacation, even though that meant hitting the treadmill before the kids woke up. I ran a half marathon and knocked off state number 34. I ran my goal race and beat my goal by almost 4 minutes. And (upcoming) I'll be running Ragnar Trail Richmond with my "No Beer Left Behind" team on Friday (made … [Read more...]
Boston Marathon Pipe Dreams | Tuesdays on the Run
The last time I ran the Marine Corps Marathon, I qualified for the Boston Marathon. Or I would have, if I'd been 70 year old. Yep, I just need to hold my current marathon pace for 25 more years and I'm in. Boston has not really ever been a goal for me, but our Tuesdays on the Run topic is the Boston Marathon, so here are my thoughts on it. I first heard of the Boston Marathon from a friend who has qualified and ran many times (17, I think). While I'm in awe of those who qualify, it's definitely not one of my goals. I doubt I could ever be fast enough, but more importantly, I don't have any interest in working that hard (and I'm not interested in running as a charity runner.) In fact, I'm going to be honest and admit that I … [Read more...]
Staying Hydrated on the Run | Tuesdays on the Run
The weather in Virginia is about perfect these days with high 50s/low 60s most days. I'm able to run comfortably in skirts and short sleeves, but not yet having to deal with the heat and humidity that will be here soon. (This is Virginia - who knows when exactly that humidity will arrive. We just know that it will. Soon.) Since today's Tuesdays on the Run topic is "hydration", I'm going to share my favorites for staying hydrated. My Sodastream - OK, I'm not out there running with what my kids refer to as fizzy water. Instead, I'm drinking this in the evenings the day before I have a hot run planned. I'm not good at drinking just plain water unless I'm really hot and it's really cold, so the fizzy water really helps me stay … [Read more...]
DC Races, You’re All My Favorites!
When it comes to racing, I'm a lucky girl. I live practically in the Nation's Capital. (And if you were to ask Beer Geek, he'd tell you that where we live used to be part of DC, but they gave it back to Virginia...) But I digress. There are so many awesome DC races and tons just out of the city. In fact, within in an hour's drive (ok, at 6am on a Saturday, not rush hour), there are races of pretty much any type, distance, or atmosphere that I could want. Admittedly, not all of them are awesome (like the one that's hot and hilly every year or the one I refer to as my bad boyfriend because I keep going back even when I don't want to or the one that was such a traffic nightmare that a lot of runners didn't make it to the start line...) All of … [Read more...]
St. Patrick’s Day: my running traditions
Having just finished two St. Patrick's Day races, one would think I'm a huge fan of the holiday. I do like that it is just a fun holiday for most people with the majority of us just dressing in green and drinking Guinness. After all, who doesn't love a Guinness?? (If you don't, don't tell me. I can't bear to hear it.) So, since we are talking about St. Patrick's Day for Tuesdays on the Run, here's why I love the holiday. St. Patrick's Day holds a special place in my runner's heart. Why? Because my very first race was a St. Patrick's Day race. Nearly 10 years ago today, I stepped up to the starting line for the very first time. I had no idea what to expect and was certainly not dressed for the occasion. (In fact, I was wearing men's … [Read more...]
Setting Up the Perfect Race Schedule
Confession: I run so I can race. I know I can run any distance I want by myself (or with MRTT friends), but there's something about being surrounded by lots of strangers, all in pursuit of the same goal. While I sometimes do manage to really race and push myself, a lot of times races are just expensive training runs for me. But it's my hobby and it makes me happy, so here's how I come up with my schedule each year. Step 1: Choose my states and find races. Like many, I have a goal of running a half marathon in every state. I've been at this for a while now (33 states done!), so it now takes a lot of planning to get a new state. I have three basic options open to me at this point: 1)Beer Geek and I take our annual kid free trip to … [Read more...]
TOTR: Rating my February running
February has never been my favorite month. It tends to be grey and we often get our big snowstorms then. Even if it's not a snowy month, I'm usually mentally over winter by the time it ends. And this February was just too erratic to be loved. These happened just about a week apart: I swear I spent the month on a weather roller coaster. I never seemed to be dressed quite right and my body couldn't adapt to the temperatures at all. Virginia is known for some crazy weather swings, but this month may have been the most up and down we've ever had. I'm pretty much convinced that Mother Nature was drunk. If I were to grade my non-running life, I'd say February was a low C. It was just a crazy month with too many things going on. I … [Read more...]
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