Confession: I completely forgot about my blog this past weekend. I had intended to write a Friday Five post, but I got on the plane Thursday morning and my life became all ZOOMA all the time. I have no regrets. I've always loved being involved with races on the production side. I mean, I love to run them, but working them is even more fulfilling. I got my first taste volunteering at water stops at various races in the DC area. Then I got hired to help manage packet pick up for the DC Nike Women's Race. Since then I've managed quite a few water stops at local 5Ks and at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon - the one year that the weather allowed the race to actually happen. At ZOOMA, I get to put together all of my … [Read more...]
This is 48: wrapping up a year
This past weekend, I turned 48. As I get closer and closer to a new big round number, I keep thinking I'll start freaking out about getting old. But I feel better at 48 than I did at 47 (well, except for that pesky ankle/heel issue.) Last year at this time, I was deep in Marine Corps Marathon training with the Hansons plan. I was also recovering from what had been a month long virus - it started with several days of violent stomach upset that led to weeks of reduced appetite and lack of energy. While I would not recommend that weight loss method (I dropped 7 pounds in 7 days and it stayed off), it was the first time in years that I was not packing on extra marathon pounds. It was also the first time in years that my weight had not … [Read more...]
How running took me from depression to a new career
For many years, if you asked me, I would say running was my anti-depressant. And it was (and still is to some extent) a big part of my mental health. But in so many ways, running has changed me AND its role in my life has changed over the years. Since our Tuesdays on the Run topic is "how has running changed me", I'm going to chronicle my relationship with running through my 6 word running memoir. 1. Running off the beer and wine. Yeah, that was my college running. It was all about running on the weekdays so I could drink what I wanted on the weekends. It sort of worked LOL. 2. Running to wear my skinny clothes. Once I was out in the real world, I just wanted to stay in my small suits. I liked the way I looked and I ran purely to … [Read more...]
ZOOMA Texas 2018 Race Weekend
Today's topic for Tuesdays on the Run is "Spring Break running". In theory, I will be running the Marine Corps 17.75, but I'd be lying if I said I was excited about it. Don't get me wrong, I like this course and I want my Golden Ticket, but I'm highly undertrained at this point. My longest run in months was 8 miles several weeks ago. I've apparently lost my run motivation and I'm not signed up for nearly enough races to get trained. I may have to do something about that. Meanwhile, enjoy my race weekend report from the ZOOMA Texas race. ZOOMA Texas 10K March 10, 2018 1:04:17 Temp: too warm and humid for March What I wore:hat, tank top, a Skirt Sports Gym Girl Ultra, and Altra One 2.5. I was on the race staff for this race, which … [Read more...]
Because coffee is its own food group…
Have you ever had a week where you are pretty sure that without coffee you would have fallen asleep standing up? This was definitely one of those weeks. I've been really good at getting a decent amount of sleep lately, until this week. The combination of a short month (which meant cramming my usual number of miles and usual work hours into fewer days) plus Beer Geek being on travel (so there was no one to tell me to go to bed) meant I saw 1am on the clock every night this week. Oops. Good thing I recently got a coffee delivery and have enough to keep ALL of us awake now. Anyways, I'm joining up with my friends Deborah and Coco for a virtual coffee date as well as linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday Five … [Read more...]
February: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Post may contain affiliate links. It's that time again - Tuesdays on the Run and "rate your month." Join Marcia, Patty, Sarah, and myself as we talk about how the shortest month of the year went. That shortest month of the year thing? Yeah, that's really messed with me. I *think* I'm going to eek out 100 miles this month, but as I write this, I have 9.9 miles left to run and two days of running left. Oops. I did make running a bit more of a priority than last month, but 3 days fewer is messing with my running statistics. #firstworldproblems Of course, the fact that I haven't manage a run longer than 8 miles isn't helping either. Planning last week's long run on a record warm day for February did not do me any favors, … [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...]
Global Running Day discounts and new TOTR topics
Wednesday is Global Running Day! What better way to celebrate than to go for a run? OK, go for a run and then take advantage of some of the discounts that are out there! (Some links are affiliate links, which means I get something back for you signing up through it. All affiliate links are labeled as such.) Ragnar - Pledge to run any distance on Global Running Day and get a code for $80 off any Ragnar event. Code expires on June 8th, so make sure to use it quickly! RNR Races - One day sale on their races! Act fast for the best prices. Don't forget that I also have discounts to share! Use Erika2017 for 10% off any ZOOMA Race! Use MCMMAMA5K - $5 off 5K or MCMMAMAHALF - $10 off Half Marathon at any Craft … [Read more...]
ZOOMA Race Entry Giveaway
Almost 9 years ago, I lined up at the start line in ZOOMA Annapolis for my very first half marathon. That race was not only my first race, but was the very first ZOOMA race as well. In less than two weeks, I'll be lining up again as ZOOMA celebrates its 10th ZOOMA Annapolis. While I may have race day jitters (I always do), I'm a very different runner than the one that lined up that first time. Since it's Friday, I'm going to share five random things about my half marathon history. I've now run 63 half marathons (and will run 4 more before ZOOMA). I had planned to hit 70 half marathons at ZOOMA, but, well, life. I've run half marathons in 34 states (and will hit 38 the week before ZOOMA.) My race times have ranged from … [Read more...]
5 Reasons I’m excited about 2017 ZOOMA Annapolis
This year I hit my 9th year as a blogger. In that time, I've run 6 marathons and 62 half marathons. But what you might not know is that prior to starting this blog, I'd only run a small handful of races, with the longest one being the Army 10 Miler (and I could barely walk after it.) I started my blog because I wanted to run the Marine Corps Marathon and Beer Geek was tired of hearing about my training. That's right - I decided to run a marathon despite being a newbie runner and never having run past 10 miles. Luckily I gave myself plenty of time to train. Enter ZOOMA Annapolis. I decided that if I was going to run a marathon, I should probably run a half marathon first. I targeted ZOOMA because it was in the right place in my … [Read more...]
ZOOMA Summer Fitness Challenge
Confession: I've fallen off the running wagon. Life has just been crazy. Not necessarily busier than usual, but just more things from different directions. It's like trying to keep 1000 balloons in the air rather than five balls - they move slower but there are so many more of them! I have, however, been doing an informal strength fitness challenge with friends and I've done great with that. Shocking, I know! But it's time to get back on a more formal program. I'm going to be spending this week getting the Hansons's training plan onto my calendar to get ready for Marine Corps Marathon in October. (Why, oh why, is my favorite marathon a fall marathon??? I hate training in the summer.) But I don't intend to just run this summer. I like … [Read more...]
ZOOMA Annapolis weekend
This past weekend was jam packed with lots of fun, quite a few hills, and a whole lot of beer! Of course, that means it was ZOOMA Annapolis weekend! Up until Friday morning, I wasn't sure if I was going to get to head to Annapolis early or if I'd be driving in the morning of the race. Thankfully, ZOOMA offers a few DC area packet pickups in addition to their Friday Expo in Annapolis, so I picked up my bib early, just in case. Luckily though, the stars aligned and I was able to head out of DC around 2 and Cynthia offered me space in the room she was sharing with Sandra and Sue. Halfway to Annapolis, I realized I'd forgotten to eat lunch and that I had also not brought anything to eat the morning of the race. Oops. I thought about … [Read more...]
