MCM Mama Runs

MCM Mama Runs for Beer and Bling

Favorite race signs from Marine Corps Marathon

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One of the things I love most about the Marine Corps Marathon is the huge amount of spectator support. From the people lining the streets along much of the races to the amazing Marines and volunteers on the course to the hilarious signs on Hains Point, there are tons of things to look at for most of the course. I'm linking up with Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney to share some of my favorite ones from the race (and there were so so many more!): WTF? (where's the finish?) - This in particular made me laugh because Deena Kastor had just told us a story about how she couldn't believe someone had a sign that said WTF? and she was wondering if it was even appropriate, until she got close enough to read the fine print. Any idiot can run. … [Read more...]

Running Mentally Strong

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I recently received the book  The Runner's Brain when I was at the Runner's World Half and Festival. I am just about to start it and will be reviewing it when I'm done, but I wanted to share my own thoughts on the role your brain plays in marathon running before I read what the "professionals" had to say. So today, I'm Thinking Out Loud with Running with Spoons. As you know (I mean, I'm certainly not that runner who didn't talk about it LOL), I ran Marine Corps Marathon just over a week ago. It was my slowest marathon by a few minutes, but in many ways it was my most successful. Before the race, I knew my body was not trained to run a PR. In fact, I wasn't sure I was even trained to fully run a marathon at any pace, even an easy run … [Read more...]

5 Things I Learned from 5 Marathons

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This past weekend marked the finish of my 5th marathon. I'd like to think that the marathons have taught me something. Core work is key! My back was more sore than my legs when I got done with the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. It is possible to run a marathon with a long run of only 15 miles. I would  not recommend it unless you are an experienced runner and are doing heavy daily mileage.  I think if I had been able to complete the full Hansons plan, I would have had a strong marathon finish. Mental strength plays a huge roll. Last week at Runner's World, Deena Kastor talked about using positive talk to get through a hard race. (Yes, even the pros do it.) I kept telling myself I could run for one more minute each time I got … [Read more...]

Marine Corps Marathon 2015 Race Recap

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Marine Corps Marathon October 25, 2015 5:13:18 Temp: High 50s and rainy at the start, 60s and sunny at the end What I wore: hat, MRTT MCM shirt, Skirt Sports Happy Girl Skirt(this is an affiliate link), compression socks, arm sleeves, and Altra Running One 2.5 (affiliate link). I carried a handheld water bottle, two GUs, a cut up rice krispy treat, and an extra nuun tablet. (Oh, and my metro card in case I decided that I needed to DNF.) Pre-race: I met up with some friends at a hotel in Rosslyn to walk over to the start. Due to a snafu on the part of the hotel, we got out a little later than planned and got to the security line right around 6:30am. The back up was crazy! The marines did an awesome job getting people through as … [Read more...]

Marine Corps Marathon Zen

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In 3 days, I'll be lining up at the start line for the 40th running of the Marine Corps Marathon. I'll be joined by approximately 40,000 of my closest friends. I'm feeling surprisingly zen about the whole thing. When I originally decided to run MCM, I had a goal of getting a PR. I trained with the Hansons plan to try to finally break 4:30. And there was a portion of the training cycle where that looked like it might actually be possible. And then there were the dark days. The days were I was coughing constantly and my hip had me grounded from running. For a while there, I wondered if I'd make it to the start line, much less actually get through to the finish line. Now, I'm in a different place entirely. Why? Runner's World … [Read more...]

The marathon training that wasn’t

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I have a huge runfession to make. Huge. I really don't want to run any more long runs. I'm just over it. A month from now, I'll be lining up at the start line for the 40th running of the Marine Corps Marathon. When I decided to run it, I was riding high on my training for two marathons in one weekend. I was also enamored of the idea of running a "special" year. (Because, you know, years like 15, 20, 40, etc. are more important years to run than regular years. Or not.) So, yeah, my decision to run MCM again was nearly as poorly thought out as the first time I decided to run it. Of course, I knew I'd be running 6 half marathons in 6 days, so I knew I needed to train this summer anyways. Why not throw a marathon into the mix? … [Read more...]

Final Week of Summer

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The countdown has begun - the kids have 1 more week off of school and 2 weeks from today, I'll be lacing up my Altras and stepping up to the start line of the first of 6 half marathons in 6 days. Gah!  I think I'm ready. I mean, I need to pack, but I've now run 5 days in a row with my shortest run being a fast (for me) 7 miles and my longest one being a slow 12 miler. This weekend was a good weekend, but not one for many pictures. Friday I took Jones to the zoo in the morning. Shoo doesn't love the zoo, so I took advantage of Beer Geek working from home and left him at home to entertain himself. (Sometimes having older kids ROCKS!)   After the zoo, I worked for a bit and then crammed in a 7 mile run before we headed … [Read more...]

10 ways marathon training is like having a newborn

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Trained for a marathon? Had a baby? Then you know how similar the two experiences are! *This post was sponsored by Vocalpoint and Dick's Sporting Goods. All opinions are my own.* Google will be your best friend. And your worst enemy. The laundry will be never-ending and often gross. Everyone will have an opinion on whether you are doing it right. Especially those who have never done it. You will able to fall asleep anytime, anywhere. Including in the middle of a sentence. (OK, maybe I'm stretching here, maybe I'm sleeping...) You will be hungry all.the. time. You will second guess your decisions several times each day. Your choice of bras may be the most important decision you make all day. You will occasionally … [Read more...]

Double agent? Ultra? Both or nothing?

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Two months from now I'll be done with the Hansons Marathon Training method. Two months from now I'll likely be hobbling around the house after the Marine Corps Marathon. My running plans stop there. I have nothing on the horizon - no half marathons, no trips for a race, no grand scheme to moon up or run a series or find some new level of crazy. So today, I'm joining Amanda at Running with Spoons and thinking out loud about the rest of my fall.  I have options. I just don't know which one makes sense. Work on my Double Agent status.  As a member of both Half Fanatics and Marathon Maniacs, I'm already a Double Agent.  But like HF and MM, Double Agents have levels. I'm level 7 in HF (Venus) and level 4 in MM (Iridium).  I'm at … [Read more...]

TOTR: Fall Race Schedule

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Here we are, a good chunk of the way through summer. Some kids are heading back to school (not mine, sigh) You are almost half way through marathon training if you are doing a mid-late October marathon. 20 mile runs are popping up on the calendars. So, of course, Patty, April, and I want to know: What's your fall race schedule??? My schedule feels kind of light, but it's really not: 7 half marathons and 1 marathon. (OK, maybe what's bothering me that I'll only have a total of 10 races at the half or longer distance this year. No 15 in 2015 for me.) Here's my plan: Source: Mainly Marathons Center of the Nation Series: 6 half marathons in 6 states in 6 days at the beginning of September. This is another of the Mainly … [Read more...]