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...]
March Coffee Date – Lion or Lamb
Here we are, one month closer to being done with winter. I generally don't mind winter, but this has been one of the rainiest that I can remember and I'm pretty much over that. But I've had a lot going on, so grab a big cuppa and we'll chat with Deb and Coco‘s and catch up on things. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that last week was one heck of a roller coaster. There were just so many things up in the air. On the bright side, we got tickets to Savor again, Jones got accepted to something he really wanted, and I got into MCM 50k. That's right! I'll be running my first 50k this fall instead of the Marine Corps Marathon. And Beer Geek didn't believe me when I told him I would not be running the marathon. If we were … [Read more...]
Tips for Staying Fit in your 40s
Confession: I'm nearer to the end of my 40s than the beginning of my 40s. In fact, it won't be long and I'll be talking about fitness in my 50s. Gulp. But I have a goal of still running races in my 80s, or maybe even my 90s, so I need to focus now on setting the framework for that. I want to make sure my body is as strong as it can be now, so that fewer injuries happen later. Here's what I'm going to create a functionally fit and healthy body heading into my 50s. Use those muscles - In our 40s, we start losing muscle mass. There are plenty of studies showing this loss, but there are also studies that show that it is possible to maintain or even regain some muscle mass as you age. The key? Weights. I'm not a trainer, so I'm not going to … [Read more...]
2018 in Pictures
I love to write this post every year. It gives me a chance to look back and reminds me that even if the year was not perfect, that there was a lot of good in the year. This was a crazy busy year! I traveled for work more than I ever have, but I guess that's what happens when you work for a race organization that has races around the country. So, here we go... January January was a quiet month for me on the racing front, but that's ok as I was concentrating on building strength and getting in shape for the year to come. I got invited back to the Altra Red Team and I spent a lot of time in my workout room. I also made some predictions for 2018. (Spoiler: I was spot on LOL) February February started with being invited back as a … [Read more...]
MCM Mama’s Year in Running – 2018
Yes, it's that time of year again. Time to recap all the running fun I've had this year. I've been doing the Year in Running post for several years now. I've done it in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, so I'm thankful that Courtney has continued to host it. I write this post for myself, but I hope you enjoy reading it as well. Best Race Experience: By far my favorite race this year was the Ragnar Pennsylvania race. While the race itself had some issues, I had the most amazing team and I discovered that running Ragnar as an ultra is truly the most awesome way to experience Ragnar. I'm currently getting ready to register an ultra team for Ragnar Minnesota this coming summer. Best … [Read more...]
So, how’d November treat you?
My November was a nice respite after the craziness that was September and October. Don't get me wrong. I love working for ZOOMA and going to each of the races is a high point of the job, but between my travel schedule, Beer Geek's travel schedule, and the Marine Corps Marathon, I was ready for a quieter month. And since I spent the first half of the month recovering from running a marathon way undertrained, I was happy to have a quiet month. I wasn't even jealous that Beer Geek went to Germany for a week for work and I couldn't go with him. That's not to say I didn't have any thing going on. Some highlights from the month: My parents came to visit and we did a whole bunch of projects on the house that needed doing. After living in … [Read more...]
Run Local, Buy Local, Wear Local
I've lived in the DC area for more than 20 years. While sometimes I still wonder how that happened (I grew up as a military brat and moved all the time), this area has become my hometown. And with 16 years of running under my belt, I've run most races and run all over the DMV. So, when Lisa from District Line Co told me about her new design, I was all over it. (Yes, I'm getting a free t-shirt, but I also have bought several shirts she's designed for MRTT.) When Lisa McLaughlin founded District Line Co in 2014, she had a mission: to promote the love of local with shirts that feel like home. Her designs have captured iconic skylines and the hearts of the people who live beneath them. She’s based in Arlington, Virginia and she sources her … [Read more...]
2018 Predictions: Certainties and Uncertainties
Here we are, two weeks into 2018, and I guess what? I have no idea what the year will bring. At this point in time, I've registered for 1! race - the Frederick Half Marathon. I've bought no plane tickets and made no travel plans. While I am far from a type A personality, I usually at least have things planned and I feel like most of my life, including my running, is like nailing down jello right now. Since the topic for today's Tuesdays on the Run is "2018 Predictions", I'm going to read the lines in my palm and tell you what I see (or something like that...) Things I see as definites: Somehow I WILL manage to run (or at least finish) the 2018 Marine Corps Marathon. I know that I have options to get in, so somehow I'll get in … [Read more...]
The highs and lows of summer 2017
Summer is over. Normally, summer hangs on until it is no longer officially summer, but for some reason this year, summer decided to leave when the kids went to school. We've had perfect running weather nearly every day for the last couple of weeks. I've actually even managed to go out for some runs without taking water in the last few days. I know, crazy for this time of year. I am very thankful, especially considering what much of the rest of the country is going through. Today on Tuesdays on the Run, we are taking a look back at summer and sharing our highs and lows. I was lucky - our summer was mostly highs! High I got to meet Marcia finally! Low I didn't get to meet Susie or Wendy on this trip to Chicago. High I … [Read more...]
Beer and Running: a match made in heaven
You all know I love craft beer about as much as I love running. OK, maybe even more than I love running. When I get the chance to combine the two, I'm a happy camper. And lately the opportunities to run and drink beer in t he DC area are growing and growing. The number of breweries and brewpubs has exploded in recent years. Conveniently, many of them are near local running trails and many of them are hosting run clubs, which is basically code for run and drink beer. Since today's Friday Five 2.0 topic with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness is beverages, I'm going to give you five reasons to run for beer (aka run with a beer related run club). Running with friends is always better. OK, maybe a beer run won't be your best … [Read more...]
Tips for running in the wind
I confess: I did not run outside yesterday, solely due to the wind. Generally speaking, I'm not a fair weather runner. As one of my friends always says "There's no such thing as bad weather. There are only poor clothing choices." While I may not agree to that 100%, I do usually put on my big girl panties and go out for a run in most weather. So, here are my tips for running in the wind, even if I didn't follow them this week. Dress appropriately. There's a reason that the weatherman always mentions wind chill - wind makes it feel colder if the temps are at all cool. I tend to dress appropriately for the "feels like" weather, but I make sure I always have a zipper top. Why? Because I never run a straight out and back and I find … [Read more...]
TOTR: Three running wishes
Do you ever dream about just making a wish and having it come true? Are there things you'd choose if wishing on a shooting star really worked or someone handed you Aladdin's lamp? I'm a big believer in working hard and striving for your dreams, but sometimes it's nice to think about what I'd wish for. Today on Tuesdays on the Run, we are talking about what we would wish for in regards to running. Here are my three wishes. I wish I could get fast again without getting injured. I can run forever and as many days as I want, as long as I run slowly. But when I start incorporating speed work and push a bit harder, I feel like my body starts to rebel. I'd love to go back to the days when I was constantly pushing myself to go faster … [Read more...]
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