Boston’s Run to Remember

My 2015 Race Calendar

January 29, 2015 by Michelle 16 Comments

After reflecting back on lessons learned from a not so great race, it seems like the perfect time to look ahead to this year’s race calendar. Ah the race calendar…so many races to consider. If only there were infinite time and funds!

So here’s what I’m thinking (hoping) so far:

March 29th: Cambridge City Run 5-miler

April 12th: Cherry Blossom 10 Miler

April 18th: BAA 5K

May 24th: Boston Run to Remember 5 miler

June 7th: Newport 10 miler

June 23rd: BAA 10K ** This one is a big question mark because I’ll be working a big event for my job the day before and sometimes late June in Boston is just too hot!

The second half of the year will be all about the half marathon and some #RocknBlog fun!

I’ve narrowed down the #RnR options to Virginia Beach, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Savannah and San Antonio. The dates for Philly and Brooklyn have not been finalized yet…believe it or not the Pope is playing a role in holding up the Philly date! So for now I ~~stalk~~ watch the website and Facebook for an announcement. There may be another race or two of shorter distances in the fall, but I want to get these figured out first.

So I’ve got a pretty good mix of favorite repeats and some new destinations

Filed Under: #RocknBlog, BAA, Boston's Run to Remember, Cherry Blossom, Newport 10 Miler, race calendar

Friday Five – Race Memories

August 8, 2014 by Michelle 25 Comments

Linking up with the fun ladies of the DC Trifecta again this Friday. Today’s theme – Race Memories…so come take a little walk down memory lane with me!

Boston’s Run to Remember — My first half marathon! Without a doubt, this will go down as one of my all time favorite race experiences! My whole family turned out in force all along the course to support me, and my husband surprised me by ordering matching shirts for everyone. Best cheer squad ever. I smiled the whole race! (Recap HERE)

Philadelphia Half Marathon — This was the first time I’d traveled to a race. I just loved everything about this race experience – as you can see from this picture 🙂 Loved the course and the crowd support — so much so that I’m going back this November! (Recap HERE)

ZOOMA Cape Cod Half — What made this race fun was all about the people! I was a race ambassador and the other ambassadors were a great group of ladies to get to know. Also got to meet Sarah & Dimity of Another Mother Runner fame. But best of all it was a fun girls weekend with my running buddy E – we both PR’d and had a blast together! (Recap HERE)

The Time I Played Race Director — Yep one of my favorite race memories is of a race I didn’t even run. A couple of years ago I took on the crazy, stressful and very rewarding task of being race director for the local 5K and kids’ fun runs to benefit my sons’ school. I was both thrilled and exhausted by the time the day was done, and I had developed a serious appreciation for all that goes into race planning. A very worthwhile experience and while everyone can’t play race director, I seriously encourage every runner to volunteer at a race at least once! (Recap HERE)

My Son’s 1st 5K — For those of you who’ve been around here for a while I’m sure you’re not surprised to see this one on the list of my top race memories! Nothing better than watching your child push themselves to reach a goal…and being asked to come along for the ride 🙂 (Recap HERE)

Be sure to check out the link-up with Cynthia, Courtney & Mar — I’m looking forward to reading about everyone’s memories!

Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, family running, Friday Five, Philly Half, playing race director, race, ZOOMA Cape Cod

Friday Five: Run to Remember Race Recap

May 30, 2014 by Michelle 12 Comments

Over Memorial Day Weekend I ran what has really become one of my favorite races – Boston’s Run to Remember!

I’ve been trying all week to get around to writing a race recap but it kept slipping further and further down my to do list. So instead of my typical recap, it’s coming at you Friday Five style….

Oh the Humanity! – I think the first time I ran this race in 2011 there may have been 7,000 runners total running both the half marathon and the 5-miler. This year there were 12,000 of us hitting the streets! The race announcer said if you totaled all the human mileage we’d reach half way to the moon!

Public Garden

Sights and Sounds — Police cadet chants as they ran, “Boston Strong” cheers and cow bells, high-fiving police officers lining the route and super enthusiastic volunteers! Passing Faneuil Hall, Beacon Hill, the Public Garden and Boston’s waterfront.

Keep it Simple — My runs have been so schizophrentic lately that I really had no idea what to expect from this race. My goals were simply to have a solid run and enjoy the race. Coach Bennett suggested that I just run by effort and not worry about a specific pace. For half a second I considered not even wearing my Garmin, but I knew I’m just too Type A for that! I did manage to not really look at it until I hit the final mile.

New Distance — While it was my third time running RTR, this was my first time running the 5-miler. I like this distance – it’s not quite the all-out gut-wrencher that a 5K can be. And I think it (or a 10K) makes a better pairing with a half marathon than a lot of the 5Ks I typically see (oh race directors are you listening?!)

Camaraderie and Community — From the expo the day before to volunteers throughout the course and at the finish line, I saw many friends and familiar faces — and I know there were so many more out there that day that I didn’t get to see! Despite the large crowd there’s something about this race that makes it feel very “local” if you know what I mean. I loved how encouraging runners were to each other and especially appreciated the older gentlemen who ran next to me in the final stretch. He must have sensed I was tiring – we chatted for a brief minute and then he urged me to get going and finish this thing…and I thanked him and I did!

This is race is really well done. If you ever plan to be in Boston on Memorial Day weekend, I highly encourage you to register for this one!

Do you have a favorite race you’ve run again and again?

Filed Under: #14in2014, Boston's Run to Remember, Friday Five, race report

Training Check-in Week 11

May 19, 2014 by Michelle 8 Comments

It’s Monday again and time for my final training check-in before Boston’s Run to Remember 5-miler this Sunday.

So here’s how last week went (Actual in blue)

Monday: Cross training — Took an extra rest day

Tuesday: 6 miles with negative split on 2nd 3 — Done

Wednesday: Rest day — Pilates Barre class

Thursday: 6 miles with 10 x 300m repeats — 4.6 miles with 10 x 300m repeats

Friday: Rest day — Done (and so needed after those repeats!)

Saturday: 6 mile LSD — 6 miles

Daily: rolling — Done!

A week ago I got a little ambitious in my Pilates class doing “Swan” and tweaked my back, so I decided to put T25 on the shelf last week and was diligent about my yamuna rolling. It paid off as I had no linger affects and could get my runs done. With the race on Sunday, I’ll be logging less miles this week so T25 will be back on the plan. Still haven’t figured out my goals for Sunday – I’ve got some RP miles on the plan for tomorrow so I’ll see how that goes.

How was last week for you?

Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, training

#13in2013 Flashback

December 31, 2013 by Michelle 9 Comments

When I first signed on for the #13in2013 challenge there was a big part of me that thought – “What are you thinking?!?” 13 races in one year? But I love a challenge – so why not?!

After my first race of the year was canceled due to a Nor’easter, I started my quest for 13 in February with the Frosty Virtual 5K. The run benefited the American Cancer Society and I ran in honor of both of my grandmothers.

Next up was the B.A.A. 5K – the first race of the B.A.A. Distance Medley! The race was held the Sunday before the Boston Marathon and the course was set up so we would finish the final “right on Hereford, left on Boylston” stretch and across the Marathon’s famous finish line. Definitely a fun race!

Later that month, I ran the inaugural Newport 10 Miler. Unfortunately this would be the first of a couple of races this year where my stomach totally turned on me 🙁 Stomach issues aside, there were lots of good things about this day including meet-ups, a beautiful course and hanging with my running buddy E.

Race #4 was Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon. I love this race and running it shortly after the Marathon bombings, it took on special significance. The race honors fallen police officers and police officers lined many sections of the route. The level of emotion, the chants of “let’s go Boston!” and all of those officers cheering and high-fiving runners – it was an experience I will not soon forget.

Race #5 was the B.A.A. 10K — Have I mentioned how much I love a Boston Athletic Association race?! Despite the heat-fest, I managed a negative split on the back 5K but missed my PR goal.

Next up was Finish at the 50 10K — This race is part of a 4th of July celebration at Gillette Stadium with great activities for the whole family. My oldest son ran in the kids’ races and then I took on the 10K. Even with a start time of 6 PM, it was soul-sucking hot! All of the runners took a “we’re all in this together” approach and there was lots of cheering and encouragement. Post-race the family enjoyed a great picnic and awesome fireworks display!

Race #7 was definitely the best race of the year as I ran with my son for his first 5K at the Narragansett Running Festival!

I finished off the summer with Race #8 – Jill & Jen’s Virtual Birthday Bash! We were on vacation in the Finger Lakes region so this was a beautiful run with the lake and mountains as my backdrop.

Race #9 was my first trail race! I hadn’t planned on it being my first tail race – let’s just say the course description wasn’t very descriptive! It was challenging and quite the experience to say the least!

Race #10 was the Wicked Half Marathon. The original plan was to treat this race as a test to make sure I’d finally put an end to my stomach troubles before taking on the B.A.A. Half, my fall goal race. Well let’s just say nothing went according to plan – I woke up not feeling so hot that morning and by mile 5, the wheels had come off the wagon. Some how I finished that race, though there was a great deal of walking involved, and I was down and out for another week after!

A week before Race #11, I took a fall during my long run that left me with a seriously bruised and swollen knee and a very tender foot. I was determined not to miss the BAA Half – it was the last race of the Distance Medley! Also, it was my running buddy E’s first half – how could I not be there?! This is the race I’m probably the most proud of completing!

The rest of the fall became about healing both the knee and especially my foot. I had to take a pass on my favorite local race and my last half marathon planned for early December. As my foot healed I found I could tolerate some short runs so I finished my 13 races with two virtual races supporting two great causes:

After such a great year in 2012, I had had much higher hopes for 2013. I’m disappointed with the way this year played out, but I’m far from discouraged. I learned a lot about myself this year – I think I’m much more mentally tough and know that will serve me well in the future. I’m even more determined to reach my goals in 2014 and cannot wait for the #14in2014 Challenge!

Filed Under: #13in2013, B.A.A. Distance Medley, Boston's Run to Remember, Finish at the 50, injuries, Newport 10 Miler, virtual race

May Rewind & Lock Laces Winners!

June 3, 2013 by Michelle 10 Comments

Maybe it’s something that comes with age, but I continue to feel like I blink and the month’s gone!

Good things for May:

Boston’s Run to Remember!
Featured in Another Mother Runner’s “Follow this Mother!” series
Selected to be a part of Under Armour’s “What’s Beautiful” campaign through FitFluential.
Solid month of speed work at the track.

The not-so-good:

Stomach issues plagued my for a the second straight race

What’s up for June:

Another race through the streets of Boston! This time it’s the B.A.A 10K (the second race of their Distance Medley)
Returning to both Pilates and TRX – I haven’t done either in a while and I want to mix up my strength-training to keep it interesting!
Continued focus on my nutrition – I have to get to the bottom of my stomach troubles

What do you have on tap for June? Are you racing or do you take a break in the summer?

Lock Laces Winners!

Selected using Random.org the winners of a pair of Lock Laces are:

Felicia
Jen
Patis2

Congratulations! Please contact me at runningwithattitude (at) yahoo.com and I’ll get you set up. Thanks again to the folks at Lock Laces for sponsoring this giveaway!

Filed Under: BAA, Boston's Run to Remember, fave things, giveaways, Lock Laces, month in review

Boston’s Run to Remember Race Recap

May 30, 2013 by Michelle 7 Comments

On Sunday, I had the great opportunity to run Boston’s Run to Remember. This is really a special race! It is put on by the Boston Police Runner’s Club to honor Massachusetts Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty. Of course, following the Marathon bombings, this race took on extra special significance. There was a special tribute to the Marathon Victims and Officer Sean Collier and his family and an acknowledgment of all of the police officers from the many cities all across the country who had come to run.

Three years ago this was my first half marathon – and I loved everything about the experience (it will always have a special place in my heart). I had planned to run last year but a respiratory infection put an end to my training. I registered for this year’s race back in December – that’s how much I wanted to run it again!

Despite the cold, rainy conditions, the energy among the runners was just awesome – throughout the race everyone was cheering, thanking police officers and volunteers and encouraging each other. As we moved through the streets of Boston, the crowd support was great – there were lots of chants of “Let’s go Boston” and “Boston Strong” – emotions were high all around. The moment I will never forget was coming around a bend on Memorial Drive and seeing a line of patrol cars with lights flashing – in front of each car was a police officer. They were cheering and high-fiving as many runners as they could – the line seemed to go on forever – I couldn’t believe how many of them were there! Running along that line and high-fiving those officers, thanking them for being there and having some of them thank me for running – seriously?! – something that will stick with me for a long time.

I was feeling great and moving at a great pace for the first 8 miles – my brother, J and my boys were out cheering – it was all feeling good….and then my stomach went south again and there were too many walk breaks. I continued to give it my all – in that environment, how could you not, right? I cheered and encouraged other runners, and happily accepted their encouragement in return. The volunteers and crowd support was great and I took it all in. I pushed as hard as I could right through the end – I ended up running my second fastest half…but I missed my target by 2 minutes. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed – I felt like my training had peaked at just the right time and that my goal was attainable. For the second race in a row, my stomach has been my downfall and I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board to figure out what’s going on there. But, I am so very happy I got to be a part of this very special day – even when it got really hard I was still happy to be out there.

Love this race and I already know I will be back again next year! #BostonStrong!

Filed Under: #13in2013, Boston's Run to Remember, gift of running, race report

Week 15 – Race Week

May 20, 2013 by Michelle 3 Comments

It’s week 15 of my half marathon training plan and it’s finally race week!

Yes I know I’ve already run four races this year, but when I started this year with the goal of running 13 races I had circled a couple on the calendar that are in my mind “goal races”…and this weekend’s half marathon is one of them.

So the wonderful Coach Bennett went about designing a 15-week plan for me that would allow me to fit in the other races while keeping my eye on this goal race. Not an easy task I’m sure and I know there have been moments as he’s looked the race schedule where he’s been shaking his head – but to his credit he’s not discouraged me and I’ve appreciated his support!

This week is all about some light running, yoga, getting enough sleep, prepping a playlist, setting race goals and carefully watching what I eat (no repeats of the Newport 10 miler drama!). In general I think race week is really all about the mental prep – the training’s done so the trick now is not to psyche yourself out before you get to the starting line.

So tell me — How do you handle race week?

Filed Under: #13in2013, Boston's Run to Remember, half marathon training, Newport 10 Miler, race week, running coach

April Rewind

May 1, 2013 by Michelle 6 Comments

I’ve always loved turning the page on the calendar and see a whole new month laid out before me. While April clearly provided some agonizing days, there were, for me, many good things mixed in there too!

Good things for April:

Continuing to run injury-free….always something to celebrate!
Returning to speed work at the track — truly my favorite workouts
Ran races #2 and 3 for the year (BAA 5K and the Newport 10 Miler) — race reports still to come
Fun blogger meet-ups

Jill, Nancy, Samantha, me, Amy

Volunteering at the Boston Marathon!! This was hands-down one of my most favorite experiences! I was assigned to the Athletes’ Village working as a “bus greeter.” The energy of all of the runners was just the best and I had an awesome team of volunteers to work with. There is no doubt that I will be back to volunteer in 2014!

What’s up for May:

Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon! This is my goal race for the spring and with all that has happened in Boston, I know this is going to be an extra-special race this year!
Log 100 miles
Another 30-day Ab Challenge
Continued focus on my nutrition

How ’bout you – any big plans for May?

Filed Under: #13in2013, B.A.A. Distance Medley, blogger meet-ups, Boston Marathon, Boston's Run to Remember, month in review, Newport 10 Miler

Thursday Thoughts

April 25, 2013 by Michelle 4 Comments

This Thursday’s randomness comes in my post-track workout induced haze….

1. There needs to be some basic rules posted at our track — Why would you, as a walker, continue to walk in the same lanes you see people are running in? I can see maybe being clueless the first time round but after you’ve been passed – move over! (And to make matters worse there were 2 of them walking together)

2. My next rule for the track is no perfume. One of the same walkers was doused in perfume – each time I ran by her it was like dodging the perfume counters in a department store.

3. And now completely unrelated….told you this would be random…I got an email this morning announcing that the half I’m running next month Boston’s Run to Remember has sold out and they are looking for more race volunteers. This race is run in honor of fallen police officers and after recent events, registration skyrocketed. This will be the first major race run on the streets of Boston since the Marathon – so if you are going to be in the Boston area Memorial Day Weekend, and want to be part of what should be an incredible day, please consider volunteering. You can check out the race website HERE.

So do you have any rules for the track?

Filed Under: 3 things, Boston's Run to Remember, track work

My 2015 Race Calendar

Friday Five – Race Memories

Friday Five: Run to Remember Race Recap

Training Check-in Week 11

#13in2013 Flashback

May Rewind & Lock Laces Winners!

Boston’s Run to Remember Race Recap

Week 15 – Race Week

April Rewind

Thursday Thoughts

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