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...]
A very merry coffee date
Happy Saturday! I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee, having survived my first holiday party of the season. No, I'm not hungover (I had to drive), just tired. 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 I'm really excited to have been invited back to be a ZOOMA ambassador this year. The program has changed a bit, so when I get my code, it will be good for any of the three races that they have this year: Cape Cod, Annapolis, and Florida. … [Read more...]
Bucket List Race: Dirty Damsel Trail Race
Last year, when ZOOMA announced that they were adding the Dirty Damsel trail race to their suite of races, I was pretty excited. I was already a fan of ZOOMA (and an ambassador in 2014) and I've been wanting to try a trail race for a while. Unfortunately, my schedule did not allow for me to join them. This year the Dirty Damsel is being held on October 3, 2015. It's an easy drive from the DC area and packet pick up is the morning of the race, so you don't have to make a special trip anywhere beforehand. You get an awesome tech tee, a medal, and as much mud as you want. ZOOMA's Mission for Dirty Damsel: To encourage women to experience the playfulness and challenge of off-road running. To offer an accessible introduction to … [Read more...]
Half Marathon #13 for 2014: ZOOMA Annapolis Half Marathon
ZOOMA Annapolis Half Marathon May 31, 2014 2:22:35 Welcome to Venus! 13 half marathons in 79 days = FINISHED!!! Temp: high 50s and sunny, definitely warmer at the end What I wore: hat, short sleeve shirt, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, PROCompression socks, and my trusty Altra Intuitions Race Morning I got up at 5am and slowly got ready. I was sharing a room with Sue, so it was fun to chat while we were getting ready. We ended up walking over to the start instead of driving. The walk took less than 10 minutes. I heard from others that parking was a breeze too. Seems like you can't go wrong either way. We met up with the Ambassadors for a photo op and then another one with MRTT and then it was go … [Read more...]
Maintaining focus
Last year, I set a goal to run 13 half marathons in 79 days. Why? To "moon up" in Half Fanatics. I figured that I'd run 13 half marathons in 2013, how hard would it be to run 13 in 79 days? (And yes, I realize it's kind of an arbitrary goal, but aren't many of our running related goals arbitrary?) As it turns out, harder than I realized. Not the physical aspect. I'm trained. I can run 13.1 and know I'll finish. Sometimes it may suck. Yeah, Kentucky, I'm looking at you. And there may be more walking than I like. But I can do it. And mostly I can do it well and have fun while doing it. In fact, barring something stupid like tripping over my own two feet (BTDT), I'm not really worried about my body not being able to complete … [Read more...]
Savor, FitFoodie Rock My Run, a winner, and 20% off
Woo, that's quite a title! But seriously, so much going on that I needed a catch all post! Today is the marathon of the craft beer world! It's like Marine Corps used to be - you have to be fast with the fingers to get tickets. What am I talking about? SAVOR! If you've been around for a while, you know that Beer Geek and I love this event. It's a chance to meet brewers and owners of craft breweries, while having the opportunity to try out new beers and sample yummy foods. Like a marathon, even if you are well trained and take it slow (AKA hydrate like crazy), there will be "soreness" tomorrow. Thankfully, my Mother's Day present from Beer Geek and the boys is a day in the house by myself. ;o) Now let's talk music! As you … [Read more...]
ZOOMA Fun Run + WIAW
Last week, Sue from This Mama Runs for Cupcakes and I hosted a ZOOMA fun run, presentation and swag giveaway for some of the local Moms Run This Town chapters. We scheduled a mid-morning weekday run and the weather was sunny and lovely, so quite a few moms brought their running strollers. We started at a local trail and since it was an out an back, runners and walkers were able to choose their own distance and speed. I, for one, decided to do a 3 mile run with the middle mile at my tempo pace of 9:00 m/m. Success! Everyone got to leave with a little goody bag from ZOOMA as well as had the chance to try some Muscle Milk and Cytomax from two of the race sponsors! It was a ton of fun and I think we may have even convinced … [Read more...]
30 states and 30 half marathons
Unfortunately not 30 half marathons in 30 states... With the completion of the Riverboat Series, I have now finished races in 30 states! I'm really excited to hit 30 states, but, umm, I changed the rules (and convinced Beer Geek to go along with it) - I now want to do half marathons in every state. Luckily, I've got 14 states + DC already done, so it's not like I'm starting from 0. I'm not in a rush. Sure, I'd love to race in 50 states by the time I'm 50, but as long as I'm making forward progress, I'm ok with where ever I am. It's about the journey, not the goal. In other big news, I have Nike Women's Half Marathon this Sunday. Why is this big news? Nike will be my 30th lifetime half marathon!!! If you'd told me, back … [Read more...]
