I have to admit that when I realized today was Runfession Friday, I freaked out a little. I mean, how could it be the end of the February already??? Thankfully we have almost a week left, so I'm not quite as far behind as I thought I was (I just finished sending my tax stuff to my accountant. Pretty sure that's going to be blood bath. Oh well.) So, it's not quite the end of the month, but I'll runfess with Marcia anyways. Because this is how my February has gone... I runfess that I've had a hard time actually committing to any races this spring. I even went so far as to sign up to volunteer for the Reston Half Marathon rather than run it. But last night I got bitten by the race bug and signed up for the local Four Courts race (OMG, … [Read more...]
Race views and ZOOMA challenges
Today's topic for Tuesdays on the Run is "Best things seen at a race". I've seen some pretty amusing things: guys running only in thongs, jogglers, dribblers (literally a guy dribbling a basket ball the whole race), awesome costumes, awful costumes, etc. But, despite running with my phone, I pretty much never take pictures and I have the memory of a gnat, so I leave you with this... Moving right along.. Here are our upcoming topics: 10/23 – Standout Post-Race Food 10/30 – Halloween! 11/6 – Racing Mistakes 11/13 – The Best City I Ever Ran In Is… 11/20 – Black Friday And October 16 at 10am EST, ZOOMA opens its winter challenges. You can join us for the Holiday Challenge - a movement and self care challenge for … [Read more...]
ZOOMA Cape Cod in pictures
This past weekend was incredible! It always amazes me that working so hard can be so fun! I got into Providence on Thursday afternoon and met the rest of the ZOOMA crew for the drive to Falmouth. We headed to the Sea Crest where we met to course director for a drive around the course. I was in the way back of the van, so no pictures were taken, but the course was absolutely gorgeous. Then we headed back to the Sea Crest for dinner and a relatively early bedtime. Friday I popped out of bed before my alarm and headed for a short run along the coast. I was lucky because I managed to get out and back before the rains came. Next up was hours of prepping for and then attending the ZOOMA expo. I got to meet a lot of the … [Read more...]
Race Weekend Runfessions
I'm writing this from the hotel room at the Sea Crest in Falmouth. Which is to say, my views are currently amazing! This weekend is ZOOMA Cape Cod and this is likely my last quiet moment before the wild ride begins. No matter how much planning you do, there are always surprises. The trick is to handle those surprises in a way that does not negatively impact a race. But it's nearing Friday and it's runfession week, so here are a few things that are going on in my life. I runfess that when I woke up the morning after the Clarendon Day Double that I was pretty sure I was going to defer Marine Corps Marathon. Everything hurt! But the deferral window had closed (or I was too stupid to figure out how to do it), so that was no longer … [Read more...]
Tap, Tap, Tap – Is this thing on???
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...]
