Running the Marine Corps Marathon is on many people's bucket list. And once you've run it once, it grabs you by the heart strings and you want to run it again. (Even if you claim you don't. Not that I'd know anything about that.) But getting into the race requires a little bit of luck. In recent years, in addition to the other options, MCM has offered a rush registration. This is a 20 minute window to register that will allow up to 7,000 runners to register before the lottery opens. It starts at noon - usually on a day in mid-march. Here's how the process goes: Set an alarm on your phone so you don't forget. Ok, maybe set 2 or 3. Actual number dependent on your level of OCD. Dress in your lucky MCM registering clothes. If … [Read more...]
Finalizing my 2019 race plans
I can't believe it's March and I'm just now figuring out my race plans. Everything hinged on getting into the new Marine Corps Marathon 50k. If I had not, I'd have upended everything to find another race. So, here we go... March 17 - Four Courts Four - I run or volunteer at this race as often as possible (sometimes both.) It starts with a wicked fast downhill, but what goes down must come up, so it ends with a painful uphill. Luckily it also ends with beer. Guinness to be exact. March 24 - Mike to Mike Half Marathon (All American Marathon) - This race goes from downtown Fayetteville to Fort Bragg. I'm pretty excited about this race because a number of Skirt Sports ambassadors will be there. I'm less excited about the fact that … [Read more...]
March Coffee Date – Lion or Lamb
Here we are, one month closer to being done with winter. I generally don't mind winter, but this has been one of the rainiest that I can remember and I'm pretty much over that. But I've had a lot going on, so grab a big cuppa and we'll chat with Deb and Coco‘s and catch up on things. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that last week was one heck of a roller coaster. There were just so many things up in the air. On the bright side, we got tickets to Savor again, Jones got accepted to something he really wanted, and I got into MCM 50k. That's right! I'll be running my first 50k this fall instead of the Marine Corps Marathon. And Beer Geek didn't believe me when I told him I would not be running the marathon. If we were … [Read more...]
Runfessions of the shortest month of the year
I have to admit that when I realized today was Runfession Friday, I freaked out a little. I mean, how could it be the end of the February already??? Thankfully we have almost a week left, so I'm not quite as far behind as I thought I was (I just finished sending my tax stuff to my accountant. Pretty sure that's going to be blood bath. Oh well.) So, it's not quite the end of the month, but I'll runfess with Marcia anyways. Because this is how my February has gone... I runfess that I've had a hard time actually committing to any races this spring. I even went so far as to sign up to volunteer for the Reston Half Marathon rather than run it. But last night I got bitten by the race bug and signed up for the local Four Courts race (OMG, … [Read more...]
Put your oxygen mask on first
Last week was a hard week. I was dealing with a couple of really stressful things, as well as just having a lot going on. And I responded poorly. I skipped a few workouts and I ate my feelings. (And then I went to Costco and bought ALL the carbs so I could continue eating my feelings. Lesson learned: don't go to Costco when you are stressed.) By Friday evening, I was just done. Unfortunately, despite going to bed early, I had a rough night (Jones had the ACT on Saturday morning. I've discovered that if I have anything that makes me get up earlier than usual, that I don't sleep well. I need to fix this.) Saturday, after I dropped Jones at his test, I decided I needed to just stop. I needed to find a way to get my head on straight - I … [Read more...]
If nothing else, February is shorter
January is over. It seriously may have been 9,354,200 days long. Or just 31 of the longest days ever. My kids barely attended school even though we really didn't have that much snow. In fact, with today's late start, we now have an entire week where they did not go a single full day. Last week, I think they had one full day. Oy. But, since we are starting off February with another late start, I actually have time for coffee (and I'm all caught up on sleep as I've slept in until 8 am 4 of the last 7 days...) I’m joining Deb and Coco‘s virtual coffee date and sharing what I'd chat about over coffee. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you I'm super excited to be a Skirt Sports Ambassador again this year! I love so … [Read more...]
Runfessing that I’m ready for January to end
Here we are nearing the end of January and I'm gonna jump right in with the Runfessions: This month has not gone as planned. Not from a running standpoint, not from a housekeeping standpoint, not from a momming standpoint. So, yeah, January can just step aside (and take next week's cold weather predictions with it.) I'm joining Marcia to runfess my sins of the last month. So far this month, my kids have already had two snow days and 2 or 3 late starts, in addition to a holiday. They also have this coming Monday off for teacher grading day. I runfess that despite my best intentions, I slept in every day that they did. Sleeping in only means sleeping until 8am, but that means my morning workout time is gone. I've managed to get in most … [Read more...]
Tips for Staying Fit in your 40s
Confession: I'm nearer to the end of my 40s than the beginning of my 40s. In fact, it won't be long and I'll be talking about fitness in my 50s. Gulp. But I have a goal of still running races in my 80s, or maybe even my 90s, so I need to focus now on setting the framework for that. I want to make sure my body is as strong as it can be now, so that fewer injuries happen later. Here's what I'm going to create a functionally fit and healthy body heading into my 50s. Use those muscles - In our 40s, we start losing muscle mass. There are plenty of studies showing this loss, but there are also studies that show that it is possible to maintain or even regain some muscle mass as you age. The key? Weights. I'm not a trainer, so I'm not going to … [Read more...]
Eco Soapr Review: Skip the Mess and Help the Planet
Over the last year, I’ve found myself focusing more and more on making better choices - fewer processed foods, products with fewer questionable chemicals, and products that are better for the environment. It’s not really a “new” thing for me - I work for a company that specializes in assisting organizations that promote water conservation and care of the environment. And when my now teens were babies, every choice I made was researched and leaned towards my “crunchy granola chick” side. I made their baby food. I packed their lunches in reusable bags and containers. They only wore Robeez and other soft soled shoes. Heck, Shoo was even born at home. (Let’s not talk about the fact that now my teens would happily choose chips and soda over … [Read more...]
Setting some S.M.A.R.T Goals for 2019
In 2018, I didn't sit down and come up with specific goals for the year. So, it should come as no surprise that I feel like I didn't really move forward in most areas of my life last year. I'm not disappointed about that as I spent most of the year trying to find a new balance between being a mom, working more, and still finding time to train. As we roll into 2019, I feel like I made some good progress on life management, so now I'd like to start moving forward again. To that end, I'm returning to the style of goal planning I used for several years before 2018. Running Run 5-10 "local" races. I know that in the spring I would like to run my favorite four mile race again, I'm going to try to get into the MCM 17.75K, I've already signed … [Read more...]
Starting off 2019 with coffee
Here we are in a new year and everyone's throwing around goals and becoming the "new them". I'm over here trying to figure out how we are several days into the new year and I'm still trying to wrap up 2018. Ah well, I'll get there. Instead of actually accomplishing something, I'll write a blog post. I’m joining Deb and Coco‘s virtual coffee date and sharing what I'd chat about over coffee. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I kind of forgot about my blog over the break. I can't even blame it on being busy - I had time to read a bunch of books and chill with my family. It was just kind of nice to take a break and not wonder what I should write about next. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I don't want a "new … [Read more...]
2018 in Pictures
I love to write this post every year. It gives me a chance to look back and reminds me that even if the year was not perfect, that there was a lot of good in the year. This was a crazy busy year! I traveled for work more than I ever have, but I guess that's what happens when you work for a race organization that has races around the country. So, here we go... January January was a quiet month for me on the racing front, but that's ok as I was concentrating on building strength and getting in shape for the year to come. I got invited back to the Altra Red Team and I spent a lot of time in my workout room. I also made some predictions for 2018. (Spoiler: I was spot on LOL) February February started with being invited back as a … [Read more...]
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