Confession: Unlike most runners heading towards the Marine Corps Marathon, I am not yet in taper land. I have to do one more long training run before I head to taper. Instead of running long this weekend so I could start my taper, I was single parenting Shoo while he played in a soccer tournament (Beer Geek and Jones were off on their own adventure.) My Saturday consisted of driving lots of miles at stupid early in the morning, watching two games in the rain and then heading home to try to recover (which may have involved meeting a friend for a beer and a bit of vodka.) Sunday was supposed to be more of the same, but after another stupid early drive in the rain, I got to watch Shoo play for two minutes before his head slammed into the … [Read more...]
Marathon Training: Do not try this at home
Back in February, I totally succumbed to FOMO. I jumped online when the MCM 17.75 registration opened and secured my spot to run the "race to register." Even as I as registering, I was all "I'm going to give away the code. I don't want to run the Marine Corps Marathon again." Somehow, I got confused and signed up for MCM. OK, maybe I wasn't confused, I just had selective amnesia. You know how you forget how hard childbirth was as soon as they hand you the baby? Marathons are JUST like that. And in my defense, I love the Marine Corps Marathon. It's a great race with amazing support and a wonderful course. I would happily run it every year. If it was in the spring. This is how I want to look when I'm training... Not like … [Read more...]
My minimalist fall racing and training plan
Or maybe I should title it "how few miles can I run and still finish a marathon." Today's topic for Tuesdays on the Run is "Fall Races". Tell us what your running or what your favorite races are. Who knows, I might show up at one... My schedule is really empty for me. So empty that I'm kind of getting hives about it while simultaneously thinking I should get rid of my Marine Corps Marathon bib. Yes, I have issues. Not racing means I actually need to run some decent length training runs. I'm not very good at that. I know this is shocking, but I only have 3 races this fall. What???? Ragnar DC I'm looking forward to this even though I wasn't originally planning to run. I'm running with Mad Fox Brewing's team "Mad Fox 12 Pack". My … [Read more...]
Runfession is good for the soul
TGIF. This has been a busy week and I'm tired. Thursday was my birthday and it was an ok day (not amazing, but acceptable), until the end of the day. Then I happened to notice that the bubbles from Shoo's bubble bath were coming out of our basement toilet. I'm pretty sure that's not a good sign. I'm hoping that when the plumber shows up it's not a big clog, but I'm mentally prepared for it to be a big deal. Sigh. So, let's get on with some runfessions... I've been using Hansons Marathon Method to train for Marine Corps Marathon. In theory, at least. I haven't hit a full week of training in over a month. And speed work? I don't even know what that is anymore. On Sunday, I finished my goal of 23 half marathons in 23 states in … [Read more...]
Marine Corps Marathon: Training with Hansons
Thank you to Bob's Red Mill and Fit Approach for sponsoring this post. Here we go again: time to kick off training for the Marine Corps Marathon. And Virginia has been doing her best to remind me why I always say I'm done with fall marathons. I mean, who likes to run in 90% humidity? I looked like I'd gone for a swim! But, I ran 17.75 just to get into the Marine Corps Marathon, so you know I won't be dropping now. So, I've cracked open my trusty Hansons Marathon Method book and placed my runs on the calendar. For those who are curious, I've put both the Advanced and the Beginner versions on my calendar. I aspire to complete the Advanced, but I'm a realist and acknowledge the fact that sometimes I get lazy and other times life … [Read more...]
That’s so crazy!
Have you ever been running along at a race, minding your own business, and then seen something that made you do a double take! That's our topic today on Tuesdays on the Run: Bizarre things seen on the run or at races. Here are some of the random things I've seen (sorry for very few pictures. I never had my phone out when I race...) A joggler, aka running juggler. There's a local one who beats me regularly at races. A runner dribbling a basketball while he was running. A dude in a thong and running shoes at Ragnar. Random full body costumes - bananas, gorillas, superheroes, men dressed in drag... But the best, out of the ordinary, thing I ever saw during a race? And people wonder why I want to run the Marine Corps … [Read more...]
Marine Corps 17.75 2016 Race Report
Marine Corps 17.75 April 2, 2016 1:58:59 Temp: What I wore: hat, short sleeve shirt, arm sleeves, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, compression socks, and my Altra Impulse shoes … [Read more...]
Thinking out loud: Runner logic
A few weeks ago: "I don't think I'm going to try to get into the Marine Corps 17.75. I don't want to run the Marine Corps Marathon next fall anyways, so why spend the money?" A few days ago: "Well, if I happen to be home at the right time, I'll see about registering. I know people who will want the code for the marathon." … [Read more...]
Want to run the Marine Corps Marathon? Here’s how…
Known as the People's Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon does not take place until late October, 30 October in 2016. But despite that, it's time to start thinking about running this iconic race. I firmly believe it's one of the best marathons out there, especially for first time marathoners. Every year I struggle with the decision to make this my fall A race or not. Don't believe me? Here are the five reasons I think you should run it. Got you convinced? OK, now you need to get in and Option 1 for entering the Marine Corps Marathon is taking happening today at noon! Option 1: Register for (and finish) the 17.75K race. Registration takes place at noon today and the lucky entrants will be allowed to run the race on April 2. Registration … [Read more...]
It’s a perfect day for a coffee date!
Happy Saturday! I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee, wondering if there is actually enough coffee in the world to get me through the day. It feels like it's been raining for years. I know it hasn't and I know we need at least some of this rain, but I don't do well with multiple grey and wet days in a row. Anyways, I'm joining up with my friends Deborah, Coco, and Lynda for a virtual coffee date. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that instead of running Ragnar Relay, I spent my evening in my nice warm house drinking a pumpkin beer and baking for a recipe post on Monday. While I was a little (tiny) bit sad not to be out with my team, beer and donuts are not such a bad way to spend an evening. … [Read more...]
Marine Corps 17.75 Race Recap
Marine Corps 17.75 March 28, 2015 1:58:59 Temp: 32*, sunny, and super windy What I wore: hat, long sleeve shirt, jacket, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, tights PROCompression socks, and my new Altra Intuitions 3.0. … [Read more...]
Throwback Thursday: Marine Corps Marathon
This weekend is the 38th Marine Corps Marathon. 5 years ago, I ran it as my first marathon. It was an amazing experience! My decision to run a marathon was not a long thought out one. Instead, it was the result of an off the cuff remark to a friend. But once it was out there, I realized I really wanted to do it. I wasn't a distance runner at that point. I'd run the Army 10 Miler once (and hadn't been able to walk for days.) But I put in the time and the training and did it. It's an accomplishment I'll always be proud of. I have no desire (at this point) to run a 3rd marathon, but the Marine Corps Marathon was such an amazing experience that I get nostalgic and wish I was running. (Here are my very long recaps (yes … [Read more...]
