New England Series: Massachusetts May 18, 2016 2:37:33 Temp: mid-50s-60s What I wore: hat, tank top, a half zip, a Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, compression socks, and Altra One 2.5 This was race four of the New England Series. (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont preceded it.) The race took place at the Northfield Mountain Recreation Center. My quad was feeling a bit sore, but otherwise I felt pretty good at the start line. (Apparently I planned to sleep-run this one) Then we began moving and I realized my legs were pretty fatigued. And then we turned onto the grass field. Running on grass is a special kind of hell. This was thick, in need of a mow, grass. I felt like my feet got stuck with every step. It was exhausting! I … [Read more...]
Lifetime Half #55, State #27: New England Series – Vermont
New England Series: Vermont May 17, 2016 2:15:19 Temp: Low 40s and sunny What I wore: hat, tank top, arm sleeves, Brooks Nightlife jacket, a Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, Features compression socks, and Altra One 2.5 Vermont was state #3 in the New England Series. (Maine recap and New Hampshire recap) After a somewhat fast and definitely hilly race in New Hampshire, I had no idea what to expect when we got to the Vermont course. My quads were tight and sore and I was tired from not sleeping well. It was a beautiful day though and the course was a simple out and back on the Toonervlle Trail, a paved rail trail. I was happy to see Kim again and planned to just run easy. I started the race with my buddy, Nads. (There are a lot of … [Read more...]
Lifetime Half #54, State #26: New England Series – New Hampshire
New England Series: New Hampshire May 16, 2016 2:22:45 Temp: mid-30s and really windy What I wore: hat, tank top, arm sleeves, a half zip, Brooks Nightlife jacket, a Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, Features compression socks, and Altra Impulse I was feeling a bit tired for this race and the temperature had dropped quite a bit overnight and the winds had picked up. I put on all.the.layers because I was afraid I'd be cold (and ended up regretting this.) This race took place in Greenfield State Park in New Hampshire and would consist of 6 loops. I like even number loops, so that worked for me. I was excited to see Kim as she and her husband had come out to run New Hampshire and Vermont. The course had a few spots of challenging … [Read more...]
Lifetime half #52, State #24: Independence Series – New Jersey
Independence Series: New Jersey May 7, 2016 2:25:18 Temp: low 40s and cloudy What I wore: hat,tank top, half zip, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, Features Compression socks, and my new Altra Paradigms This race was not on my radar until Shoo's soccer season messed up all of my planned races for April and May. Clinton, NJ is a four hour drive and the race was on a Saturday, so it was my "last ditch" option to get in a New Jersey race this spring. I had mixed feelings when I decided that I needed to do this race. After all, I love Mainly Marathons, but the logistics were a bit daunting. But, I committed, and I did it. Friday was a rainy day here. I made a rookie mistake and waited until after my kids came home from school to leave … [Read more...]
Lifetime Half Marathon #51:Coastal Delaware Running Festival
Coastal Delaware Running Festival - Half Marathon April 24, 2016 2:18:04 Temp: low to mid 50s, sunny, but windy What I wore: hat, tank top, half zip, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, Feetures compression socks, and my Altra One 2.5. … [Read more...]
Goals are just dreams with deadlines
It's hard to believe that we are already more than a quarter of the way through the year. It seems like just yesterday I was waking up stupid early to start my year off right by putting on my big girl panties and driving in DC. While not an official goal, I've now done it twice and lived to tell about it. I still don't like it, but I know I can do it. But the big question is "How are the other goals going? And does it still make sense to have them be goals?" Join Patty, Marcia and I for Tuesdays on the Run and fill us in on how you are doing on your goals. … [Read more...]
Lifetime Half Marathon #50: Loudoun Half
Loudoun Half Marathon and 8K April 17, 2016 2:14:16 Temp:mid 40s at the start going up to low 60s by the end What I wore: hat, short sleeve shirt, arm warmers, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, compression socks, and my Altra One 2.5. I'm a teeny tiny bit burned out on racing right now. Physically, I'm fine, but every time I finish a race, I realize I have another one right around the corner. I did this once before and said never again, but... I also was not really excited that this was race #50. I had originally planned for that to happen at a Mainly Marathons race, but I needed to get these races done before it gets too warm. I was kind of sad that despite it being a "local" race, no one I knew was running. Add in the fact that … [Read more...]
Five Spring Races I’m Running
I didn't plan for a crazy spring of races. Really, I didn't. But somehow I got the bright idea that I should aim for Mercury with Half Fanatics by running 23 states in 365 days. After all, I ran 6 half marathons in 6 states in September and I'm running 7 half marathons in 7 states in May. What's 10 more states? Except I did a really poor job of planning and somehow only got one state between mid September and mid March. Oops? So, this spring has been really, umm, intense. I've already run RNR DC, UC Half, and the Maryland Rail Trail half. And for good measure, I threw in the 17.75k to get my golden ticket AKA entry in to the Marine Corps Marathon. For those keeping track at home, I've had one weekend off since I ran RNR. So, here are the … [Read more...]
Lifetime Half Marathon #49: Western Maryland Rail Trail Half
Western Maryland Rail Trail Half April 10, 2016 2:16:32 Temp: mid 20s but sunny What I wore: hat, tank top, half zip, Sugoi running jacket, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, long tights, compression socks, and my Altra Impulse. … [Read more...]
Lifetime Half #48: UC Half Marathon
UC Half Marathon March 19, 2016 2:16:40 Temp: mid 40s to low 50s and cloudy What I wore: hat, short sleeve shirt, half zip, Brooks Nightlife Jacket, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, compression socks, and my Altra Ones. … [Read more...]
Lifetime Half Marathon #47: RNR DC 2016
RNR DC Half Marathon March 12, 2016 2:18:42 Temp: mid 40s to low 50s and cloudy What I wore: hat, tank top, arm sleeves, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, compression socks, and my Altra Ones. … [Read more...]
My very iffy 2016 Spring Race Schedule
Are you joining us for Tuesdays on the Run this week? Welcome! Today's topic is 2016 race plans and I'm gonna be honest and tell you that my spring is very unsettled at this point. A big part of this is that I'm contemplating attempting Mercury with Half Fanatics (23 states in 365 days). I have 7 states done since September, which is lower than I'd like at this point. Also, we do not have Shoo's soccer schedule for the spring and I've already managed to sign up for one race that conflicts with a tournament, sigh. So, here's my very tentative, might change completely (except for the Mainly Marathons races) schedule: March 12 - RNR DC - Somehow this race always kicks off my season. Some years I love it, some years it's miserable. I … [Read more...]
