10ks

Semi-unplugged

August 23, 2013 by Michelle 4 Comments

So this has been my view for this past few days…ya I know, tough to get use to 🙂 As a last summer hurrah, we’ve made our annual trek to the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. It’s been great to watch the boys run around with cousins, to laze by the water … to just move at a different pace. And with the exception of one or two quick things for work, I have for the most part remained largely unplugged from all electronic devices.

I did break out the Garmin long enough yesterday for my run. I was scheduled to do a tempo run with cruise intervals so it seemed like a good opportunity to also get my 10K done for Jen & Jill’s Virtual Birthday Bash Race.

Clearly, I had blocked from my memory just how hilly it is around here! The beautiful views as I ran along the lake did help to distract me – at least for the first 5K – then the hills began to take their toll, it proved to be hotter out there than I had expected and the decision to not carry water started to look like a really bad choice (that and the decision to have “just one more beer” the night before!)

But I pressed on – there was definitely some muttering, a little cursing and a couple of walk breaks, especially when I hit the hill at mile 5. At 1:08:49 I was definitely not breaking any land-speed records but race #8 for #13in2013 is done!

I’ll be back on those hills for Saturday’s long run, but for now my spot by the water is calling me and I’m returning to my semi-unplugged state 🙂

Filed Under: #13in2013, 10ks, vacation

B.A.A. Distance Medley – 10K Recap

June 24, 2013 by Michelle 7 Comments

Sunday I ran the second race in the B.A.A.’s Distance Medley – the B.A.A. 10K!

Since my cheer squad was a little tired from a full day Saturday capped off by watching the Bruins’ game, I headed into town solo for this race 🙂 Parking was easy and I was just steps away from the start/finish line.

I had tweeted with Nicole & Amy the day before and our plan was to meet near the bag check – well best laid plans….there were so many runners and I couldn’t find them. Luckily as I was heading to the corrals, Amy’s husband spotted me! Amy and I got a chance for a quick hello and her hubs snapped a pic before I left them to head to the 4th wave group.

It was so hot waiting in that sun for the race to start! We had a moment of silence in honor of those lost in the Marathon bombings and then the runners were encouraged to join in the singing of the National Anthem – it was a very special moment to have all of us singing! I chatted with a couple of the other runners as we started to shuffle our way up to the start and tried not to think about how hot it was going to be on the course. And then finally we were off!

As expected finding space to settle into a comfortable pace at the start was hard – truthfully things never really opened up, I ran in a crowd for most of the race. I had a really nice surprise as I made my way up Comm Ave – my dad had come out to cheer me on! He knew J and the boys might not make it and he wanted to me to have someone on the course 🙂

The route took us out through Boston’s Back Bay to Boston University where we made a hairpin turn and then headed straight back. I like out-and-back courses as it gives you a chance to see and cheer the lead runners. The heat was really draining – I am clearly not acclimated yet! But the runners and volunteers were great and made the whole experience a good one. I won’t lie though, by the time I spotted my dad again and he yelled out “One more!” I was so ready to get that last mile done! In fact my last mile was my best split on the back 5k – I was so happy to cross to cross that finish line! I had a quick cool down, jumped in my car and headed home in time for a late breakfast.

So race #5 in my quest for 13 in 2013 is done. Next up is the Finish at the 50 at Gillette Stadium – I was planning to run the 10K but after yesterday’s heat I may aim for the 5K instead 🙂

Filed Under: #13in2013, 10ks, B.A.A. Distance Medley, Finish at the 50, race report

Finish at the 50 Race Report

July 6, 2012 by Michelle 10 Comments

On Tuesday the whole family headed down to Gillette Stadium (home of my beloved Patriots) for the Finish at the 50! We arrived in plenty of time to score a prime parking space for the fireworks later, and headed over to the entrance to the stadium for the kids races. All of the event emails had said that the kids races started at 3 – well at 3:05 we along with 700+ kids and their families were still waiting outside the gates, melting in the sun. We finally got in and seated according to age-group heats only to hear our master of ceremonies announce that the races would kick-off at 3:30 — more waiting in the sun and heat! Uggh!

Finally the first group of kids were called down to the field to get started. There were kids as young as 2 participating – they were so cute! And with some many kids there were multiple age group heats, plus each age-group was split by gender. Watching the kids all give it their best was a lot of fun and parents did there best to whoop it up and make a lot of noise for them. Each kids race crossed the same finish line the 5k & 10k would use later and they could see themselves on the jumbo-tron as they finished!

with the Patriot’s mascot!

Once my son’s race was done we made a beeline for the covered part of the stadium and the concession stands! Despite doing my best to keep downing Nuun throughout the kids races I could feel my energy level draining. There was still an hour and a half until my race so we decided to avoid the very crowded expo/mall and headed back to the car to hang out. I grab a banana and Luna bar and more water. Soon it was time to head over to the start. It was approaching 6 PM and unfortunately wasn’t cooling off (my phone showed a temp of 85).

Pre-race with my favorite cheer squad!

I waited as long as I could before heading down into the corrals. Unfortunately, the race didn’t start right at 6 and waiting in that heat with 7000 of my closest friends was a little tough! I chatted with a couple of people and tried not to think about how hot it was. Finally the crowd started to shift forward and everybody let out a cheer -We were off!

My only plan for this race was to run on feel so I just tried to settle into among the crowd and find a pace that felt comfortable. I was holding up pretty well for the first 3+ miles but as I neared the 4 mile marker I could tell the heat was starting to take a toll. I walked the water station drinking some water and dumping the rest over my head. The 5th mile became a run/walk death march – I was ready to be done! We were running through residential neighborhoods and people had brought out hoses and set up makeshift water stations to help. There weren’t many spectators but the ones that were along the course were really enthusiastic! I was so happy to see the 5 mile marker! We were looping back towards the stadium now and I started to hear the music and race announcer. For the last stretch of the race, we came through the same tunnel that the NE Patriot players use to come on to the field, and then down the center of the field to the 50 yard line finish! Truly a cool way to finish a race, especially with the announcer calling your name and your finish up on the giant screens both above and outside the stadium!

Happy the race is over!

J and the kids were right where they said they were going to be in the stands so we had no problem finding each other. There were pre-packaged goodie bags for all the runners – I grab a bag, some water and a greek yougurt and was ready to head out. We made our way back to the car and set up the picnic blanket and chairs to wait for the fireworks. It was a great fireworks display!

All in all despite the heat it was a fun day! The course itself was a nice route and I kept thinking I would have love to have run it first thing in the morning (or as one runner and joked during the race – in October!) I didn’t love running late in the day – and it showed in my slowest 10k time ever. I think if I run another summer race that I’ll stick to the early morning starts! But it was a fun event for the whole family to participate in and a great way to kick off the 4th of July celebrations!

Filed Under: 10ks, 4th of July, Finish at the 50, race report

Holiday Weekend Round-Up – On the Mend

May 29, 2012 by Michelle 10 Comments

Well I’m happy to say that after almost a week and a half of the crud/virus….whatever that I’m finally starting to feel like myself again – in fact, except for not being able to hear out of my left ear, most things are back to normal!

I was able to get over my DNS disappointment and squeeze in some family fun, a rare date night with J, some gardening and the NCAA Lacrosse Championships, along with a lot of laying low and resting — all-in-all not a bad weekend!

I also pulled the trigger a registered for the Finish at the 50 – Harvard Pilgrim 10K! The race is July 3rd (in the evening) and the finish line is the 50 yd. line inside Gillette Stadium! I’m a huge NE Patriots fan so to be able to finish the race going through the same tunnel the players use to come out onto the field before games and seeing the finish up on the stadiums screens should be a lot of fun! They’re also holdings kids runs and fireworks afterwards so we’ll probably make it a family affair. I was psyched to find this race, as I’ve wanted to try more 10ks but feel like they’re getting harder and harder to find.

I’ve been cleared by my doc to ease back into running this week so I’m going to try to get a couple of short runs in starting tomorrow. My family will probably be as happy as I am….I’m starting to get a little edgy 🙂

How was your weekend? Any races?

Do you feel like 10ks are disappearing?

Filed Under: 10ks, Finish at the 50, weekends

Friday Five

November 25, 2011 by Michelle 8 Comments

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I spent a wonderful day with family – food, football and a lot of laughing made for a really good time.

Went for a short run this morning – I wanted to give my left leg a little break, so aside from some yoga and my usual pilates class I haven’t done more than walk since Sunday. It’s crazy warm here, especially for late November so it was nice to be out, even if the leg was just so-so.

Despite not having started my shopping yet and just 4 weeks until Christmas, I couldn’t bring myself to face the madness of Black Friday. I love a good deal as much as the next girl, but the combination of waiting on line for hours, large crowds and the unstable disposition of some of the clientele – yeah…no thanks!

Cyber Monday is more my speed. Plus, I’m also hoping by then my boys will have their wish lists put together. Actually, in the case of my youngest, I’m just trying to get him to be a little more definitive than “everything in the Lego store.” The thought of more Lego in my house makes my head spin.

With only one more race left my calendar for this year, I’m just starting to play around with a race schedule for 2012. Is it my imagination or is the 10k becoming a dying breed…or are they just scarce in New England? I wanted to add a few for next year because I think the 10k a good challenging mix of speed and distance. Hopefully I can find a couple.

Did you take on the crowds of Black Friday?

Are 10ks easy to find in your area?

Have you got your race calendar for 2012 set yet?

Filed Under: 10ks, Black Friday, left knee, race calendar