When I first started running, I wasn't at all familiar with the Boston Marathon and I only vaguely knew of Kathrine Switzer. As I immersed myself in the world of racing, I quickly learned of the iconic Boston Marathon and the story behind how Kathrine Switzer led the charge that eventually allowed women to run Boston. I'm sure you know the story, but let me share the highlights with you. In 1967, Kathrine Switzer entered the Boston Marathon. Women were not allowed to run, so she registered using her first initial. If one were to look at the pictures, you'd assume that she was trying to blend in by wearing shapeless grey sweats, but after reading the full story, you'd find out her attire was mostly weather related. One has to wonder … [Read more...]
When real races just aren’t enough, there’s always a virtual race…
Why, yes, I do have this song stuck in my head now... (Did I just date myself??) Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough (Music Video) from Depeche Mode on Vimeo. I admit it, I have an addiction. I love races. I love being around the people. I love the treats at the end. And I certainly love the bling. But, sometimes going to a race is not an option. Sometimes life is too busy or there is nothing nearby. But I still need to get my long runs in. And, I don't like to run by myself for longer than 10 miles. Yes, I realize that I've probably broken some distance runners creed. But, as much as I'm happy to go out for 6-8 miles by myself, after I hit an hour and a half of running alone, I just want to be done. (Now you know the … [Read more...]
TTT: Run first, Jost Running, and MRTT party
1. Yesterday was INSANE. A weekend at a race + two snow days + normal holiday stuff + a work deadline on Friday = not a moment to spare yesterday. Wanna know what I did yesterday? Straightened the house Searched for dress shoes for Jones (why don't more manufacturers make shoes in the top of the boys' sizes/bottom of the mens'?) Juggled a few balls for work Picked up Shoo from school Did a few more things for work Picked up Jones Took the boys for flu shots Hit Target for the necessary shirt for today's concert Made an appetizer and wrapped a present for a party Took Jones to cello lessons Fed everyone dinner Got ready for a party Went to party (more on that in #3) I seriously didn't stop moving … [Read more...]
TTT in photos: Beer, BAMR, and bruises
1. Last weekend I made an awful discovery: we only had two types of beer in the house - IPAs and beers with ABV greater than 8%. I'm not a hophead and drinking a single 8+% beer means I'm headed to bed. What's a girl to do? Go shopping, of course. In my defense, we are hosting a beer and food pairing dinner this weekend and Beer Geek's 50th birthday dinner is next weekend... 2. A few weeks ago I ran in the Another Mother Runner virtual 5k (ish). I just got my sticker and I've added it to my collection on the beer fridge. I think it may be time to start using the big door too. Feel free to send me stickers/magnets if you have them for your blog or company! 3. I'm still recovering from Sunday's race. I ran 2 miles yesterday … [Read more...]
Half Marathon #2 for 2013 – Kyle’s Krusade
Yesterday, I didn't want to run. My body was tired and I have a blister the size of a quarter on the bottom of my heel. But those are precisely the kind of days I need to run and I need to run long. I have no idea how I will feel during my five marathons in five days adventure, but I imagine there will be at least one day (if not more) when my body doesn't want to do it. It seems that practicing mental strength is as big a part of this training cycle as the actual running. In order to make myself finish the whole distance, I decided to do the run as my second half marathon and my participation in the Kyle's Krusade Virtual Race. Before I tell you about my race, here's some information about Kyle's Krusade and here's where you … [Read more...]
Sweat Your Thorns Off (Again) Virtual 5k
Last year I was disappointed both by my speed and by Virginia's moderate weather. This year, my speed still pretty much sucked, but at least Virginia came through for me. 95* with a "feels like" of 99*. Yes, just what one needs to sweat some thorns off... I prepared for the race by sending Beer Geek out of town, which guaranteed not enough pre-race sleep and that my run would be in the hottest part of the day when Shoo was at a friend's house. I was ready! Like many elite female racers, I opted to go shirtless and wore my Wave Universe racing flats (review soon!). The first mile was an easy 10:34, including a pretty major hill and not a lot of shade. Mile 2 started out at a blistering fast 9:36, but was quickly shut down … [Read more...]
Team ALI Virtual Run
This weekend, I ran a run as part of the Team ALI Virtual Run. Suz and Allan at Cows and Lasers and Everything in Between asked us to choose a distance and run it in honor of their niece Ali, who was born weighing only 2 lbs 6 oz. Ali's parents started Team ALI to fundraise for the March of Dimes. Even though the Virtual Run is over, you can still donate by going here. I chose to run 5.3 miles. Why? Because I was 5 lbs 3 oz when I arrived several weeks early. And I was fully baked compared to my brother who arrived even earlier. I've always been thankful that my boys both arrived near their due dates and weighed in at a robust 7.5 pounds each. The run itself was fairly unremarkable. It was a lovely day for a run. … [Read more...]
Freeze Your Thorns Off 5K Virtual Race
Once again, Adam, the Boring Runner, offered us the chance for a race in the freezing month of January. Freezing? I think Virginia has forgotten what freezing is. Even worse, I ended up having to do yet another virtual race on the treadmill. Our weekend was insanely packed and I was left with one 30 minute window on Saturday morning to knock this race out and I had Shoo with me during that time. (I could have run it on Sunday, but I had a hangover penciled in LOL) x That's one of the fastest 5K's I've ever done and I did it barefoot. I'm in training for a 5K race in a couple of weeks and, based on my treadmill speedwork, I'm hopeful that I'll hit my second best 5K ever. (My PR was set on a wickedly downhill course when … [Read more...]
Resolution Run
There was no early morning running going on here today. We went out for an amazing dinner, accompanied by wine. It was awesome. Then we came home and celebrated NYE with the boys. Or I did, sort of. Beer Geek was in bed at his normal time, Shoo fell asleep at 11, and Jone and his friend stayed up until after midnight playing legos in his room. Not the world's most exciting, but quite nice nonetheless. Unfortunately, the dinner and the wine did not do me any favors, so I wasn't feeling so hot late last night or this morning.What I looked like last night:What I looked like this morning:Yeah, not going to share that. ;o)So, I finally got out to run my Resolution Run after lunch. I wore … [Read more...]
CHIPS ARE DOWN Virtual Race
This morning I ran in Amanda at Run to the Finish's Virtual Race. I turn 41 in 10 days and I'm feeling every one of those years lately. The only problem was that I forgot I was "racing" until the last half mile. D'oh. I had set a goal of sub 30 for the three miles, but my first mile included a really slow warm up. I sprinted the last half mile and got as close to 30 as I could.Happy birthday, Amanda! Hope you had a wonderful birthday. … [Read more...]
Sweat Your Thorns Off Virtual 5k
How 'bout I ruin the ending? 5k=Fail.I wanted to *race* this The Boring Runner's virtual 5k. I also wanted to be hardcore and hit the road in the high 90s and matching humidity. Yeah, neither happened.I did print my bib, though. Virginia failed me by being a moderate 82 degrees with only 40% humidity. What's up with that? My knee/upper calf failed me by still being sore, despite two days of no running. The only positive to the "race" was seriously negative splits: 10:42, 10:25, 9:36. Thanks, Adam, for hosting an awesome race. I have to believe that *one* of these days I'll stop feeling like a 90 year old. ;o) … [Read more...]
Happy Easter and Jelly Bean Virtual Race Report
Happy Easter to all my bloggy buddies! We all know I can't resist a virtual race, so when Jess opened the Jelly Bean Virtual Race with a 10k option (my favorite race distance), I jumped on it. What I didn't know when I signed up for the 10k was that I would decide to go all minimalist running. Not knowing if I could even complete the distance certainly put a new spin on things.I had one and only one goal when I set out for this run. I was wearing my Vibram Five Fingers and had never run more than 5 miles in them. So my goal was to finish 6.2 without hurting myself. There would be no speed involved, it was going to be all about form.Short story: I finished in 1:05:20 (possibly my slowest 10k … [Read more...]
