Last month I participated in the "10 day running challenge" on Facebook where you posted pictures of running that meant a lot to you, but did not post any context. While I had fun with the challenge (and it's one of the few FB challenges I've ever done), I felt like the pictures would mean so much more with explanation. Since I'm struggling with finding both my running mojo and my blogging mojo, I decided to share the 10 photos and what they meant to me here. Day 1 Eleven years ago I ran my first Marine Corps Marathon. It was the reason I started my blog (my husband got tired of hearing about my training and chose my blog name for me) and a huge turning point in my life as a runner. That first race is still my MCM PR. Day … [Read more...]
Will work for swag: tales from behind the scenes of a race
Two years ago I took a leap of faith and signed on with ZOOMA Women's Race Series. Originally I was managing the ambassador program, but Sarah invited me to travel to the Texas race in March of 2018. It's been a wild and crazy ride since then, but somehow earlier this month, I took the lead in producing our second Texas race of the year. I know! I don't quite know how I got here, but I'm couldn't be happier. As Sarah said to me one night at midnight as we unpacked boxes, "This is so much fun." So true. I have never had so much fun while working so hard in my life. I thought I'd share some of the crazy, unusual, and "oh shit" moments of this past race season. Random statistics Things I stuffed in my running bra: my phone, my … [Read more...]
Marine Corps Marathon 50K Race Recap
MCM 50KOctober 27, 20197:05:57 Temp: Low 60s to low 80s What I wore: hat, tank top, arm sleeves, a Skirt Sports Cascade skirt, Crazy Compression socks, and Altra Kayenta. There were many moments before and during this race that I considered not crossing the finish line. I had gotten in all of my long runs, but my left glute was unhappy and I'd missed a lot of supporting runs. Added to the fun was the tighter time cutoff for the 50k - my pace had slowed greatly thanks to literally a pain in the butt, so I was pretty sure I could not maintain the required 12:30 minutes/mile. (Spoiler: you don't have to.) When the weather projections kept getting worse, I ordered a pack of ponchos from Amazon, hoping that by being prepared, I … [Read more...]
Confessions of a wannabe ultrarunner
We are two days out from the Marine Corps Marathon and the first MCM 50K. As you might guess, it's the primary thing on my mind. Nevermind that I have one more ZOOMA race to get ready for and my kid still has one more application to get done. All I want to do is think about the 50k, which means these runfessions may be a bit single topic. Thanks to Marcia for the chance to runfess. I must runfess I'm really not excited about the current weather predictions. Rainy AND unseasonably warm? Yeah, I'm not doing cartwheels over here. I did buy a big pack of ponchos on Amazon. I was planning on picking one up from a friend in Crystal City because I hate being cold post race, but if the temps keep going up, I won't have to worry about … [Read more...]
Marathon #9: Freedom’s Run
Freedom's Run MarathonOctober 5, 20195:49:54 Temp: mid-40s to mid 60sWhat I wore:hat, tank top, a Skirt Sports Cascade Skirt, compression socks, and Altra Kayenta I ran this race as a training run for the Marine Corps Marathon 50k. I was warned ahead of time that the second half was crazy hilly, but I wasn't worried because I had zero time goals. Spoiler: I should have been worried. I decided to "sleep" in my own bed the night before, so I got up super early and made the drive out to Harpers Ferry. I got there in record time and picked up my bib and shirt. I then hung out in my car - right next to the start line! I literally put my "throw away" sweatshirt back in my car as the gun went off. The first part of the course … [Read more...]
Coping with a running injury and training setback
Two weeks ago, I ran a pretty decent 20 mile run. It was the first time in YEARS that I'd run that far in training. I beat my pace goal, I felt good the whole time, and I managed to actually eat something on the run. Thank goodness for rice krispy treats! I wasn't even sore afterwards. I even ran a speedy (for me) 6 mile run as part of a relay race two days later. And then things started to fall apart. I've had some tenderness where my glute and hamstring meet off and on all summer. It never really hurt - felt more like DOMS actually. But it hit at random times, including when I wasn't even working out. As a typical runner, I ignored this whisper and went about my training plan. Last week, I cut every run short, not … [Read more...]
Coffee Talk: all the running
As I sit here with my coffee, it's only 74* out. I know that is still warm, but it's way better than it's been for most of the summer. Of course, I'll be much happier when the temp starts with a 5 or a 6, but I'll take a teeny tiny cool down. Since it's the first weekend of the month, it's time for coffee! If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that yesterday's 20 mile run was a huge confidence booster. The Marine Corps Marathon 50K has a required 12:30 pace per mile and lately my runs have been barely that, even when I'm only running a few miles. But yesterday I decide to do Galloway running because it was most important to just get the miles done. Not only did I finish, I averaged a 12:06 pace. Since you really only have to … [Read more...]
Runfessions of a frustrated runner
How is it the end of August? Wasn't the beginning of the summer just yesterday? Back in June I thought that this summer would be a laid back, time to get things done, plenty of time to run summer. Somehow it wasn't, which has definitely lead to some runfessions for August. I'm heading into the runfessional with Marcia right now. I must runfess that I planned to do a lot of running before and after my Minnesota Ragnar. That's my usual training method and I know it works for me. Instead, I managed to scratch my eye the weekend before, which meant no contacts. In my world, that means little to no running. So, I took three days off before Ragnar and then ran one 3 mile run without being able to actually see where I was going. Not … [Read more...]
Ragnar Minnesota Recap: Team FOMO
At the beginning of the year, I took a look at the Ragnar calendar and realized I only had one race that really fit my calendar and budget: Ragnar Minnesota. Everything else was going to be difficult to squeeze in or involved expensive flights. So, I started reaching out to old teammates, close friends, and a few bloggers to try to create an Ultra team, like we had in Pennsylvania. Long story short - FAIL. One teammate got injured and needed surgery, another had a vacation schedule change, another had other commitments, blah blah blah. After a while, I gave up and decided I'd just run the Madison Mini again. But then I happened to see a post on the MRTT Ragnar group that a team was looking for runners. I spent 10 minutes reaching … [Read more...]
Runfessions of running all the miles
I can't believe we are nearing the end of July. I feel like all I've been doing is running, drinking beer, and taking my kids places. Jones and I are currently on another college trip - this time to Ohio. In four days we are hitting four colleges, 2 zoos, an aquarium, and an aviary. I'm tired already. So let's get to the runfessing with Marcia... I must runfess that I've hit that point in summer training when I am just DONE. The heat combined with the miles is just not my cup of tea. That's not to say I'm not doing it, but it's certainly been more of a mental challenge. I am proud of myself for hitting the trail at 4am with a friend for my last long run. Four.A.M. If you've been reading for a while, you know I don't ever choose to … [Read more...]
Tips for a successful long run in the summer
Every spring, my FOMO overrides my common sense and I end up signing up for the Marine Corps Marathon. It's kind of like having babies - you conveniently forget the bad parts and only remember that cute squishy baby you ended up with. This year, FOMO REALLY got the best of me and I ended up signing up for the Marine Corps 50K. Know what that means? It means I'm already up to 16 mile long runs. (For those playing along at home, I usually use Hansons Marathon Method, which means 16 miles is my longest marathon training run. Yeah.) So, for the first time in years, I'm running some really long runs during the hottest months of the year. Yes, we are talking 80+ degrees with matching humidity. Running when the air feels like you are breathing … [Read more...]
I Hate Summer Training: June Runfessions
Temperature wise, we are in full on summer. This week has been in the high 80s/low 90s all week, sometimes with matching humidity.`Welcome to Virginia in the summer! But mentally, we are barely there. School just ended last week. This week Jones has been in a full time training for the work he'll be doing this summer. Shoo has been lazing, but also just joined his summer activity. While I'm excited for both of them to be doing the cool programs that they are doing, the schedules will be erratic, so I'll be juggling a lot this summer. Which leads me to Marcia's runfessional... I must runfess that I hate having a training plan in the summer. Our schedule during the school season is pretty consistent, but we are all over the board … [Read more...]
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