A Fall Race on the Horizon

June 25, 2023 by 30 Comments

Well, it’s been more than a minute since I last checked in with a weekly update. Life’s been busy but good – blogging has just taken a backseat. The workouts have pretty much been on autopilot but thanks to the Run Happy Team, I finally have at least one fall race on the horizon so in the coming weeks that will change. But for now, it was a pretty basic week…here’s a quick peek into how this week in fitness played out.

the view from Tuesday’s run

A Fall Race on the Horizon

Monday — Full Body Strength & Core
Tuesday — 3 miles & Core
Wednesday — Rest day
Thursday — 4 miles and a much-needed sports massage
Friday — 2-mile walk, Core & Upper Body Strength
Saturday — 2-mile walk, Full Body Strength & Core
Sunday — 6 miles & Hip mobility work

Medtronic TC 10 Mile

So thanks to the Brooks Run Happy Team, I was gifted an entry to the Medtronic TC 10 Mile which is part of the Twin Cities Marathon race weekend. I make no secret of my love for 10M races and this one has a reputation to be a good one! I was excited to be able to skip the lottery (yes it’s that popular) and so now I’ve got at least one fall race to look forward to!

How was your week? Any Fall race plans?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Filed Under: 10-mile races, fall racing, Run Happy Team, TC10Mile, Weekly Run Down

Five Things for This Fall

September 16, 2022 by 16 Comments

I make no secret that Fall is my favorite season and I could give you a long list of the things I love about it. But, for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m sharing 5 things I’m most looking forward to this season.

Five Things for This Fall

Fall Weather!
Yeah, ok maybe an obvious choice, but I am such a sweater, jeans, and boots kind of girl. And fall also means perfect running weather! It was in the upper 40s for my run this morning and I loved it!

Fall Races!
I have not one…but two races on the schedule for November. First up is the Western Mass 10M – 10 milers are my favorite distance so I’m really excited to be a part of this race’s inaugural year!

And then later in the month, I’ll be running the Philadelphia Half Marathon! I ran this race 10 years ago and had a blast (recap here). I’ve been wanting to go back for a while but could never get things to align in my schedule. For added fun, my hubby J has decided not only to travel with me but to run the 8K!

Parents Weekend!
I will fully admit that I am counting down the days until I can go visit my college boy. The schedule for the weekend’s festivities came out a few days ago and it looks like a pretty jam-packed, fun couple of days.

Vacation!
I shared over coffee a couple of weeks ago that our anniversary getaway is booked! I’ve got some big work events happening throughout October so a November vacation to wine country will be a perfect reward.

What are you looking forward to this fall?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!

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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, fall racing, fave things

Time to Think About Training

August 14, 2022 by 27 Comments

Well I finally have a fall race on the calendar so it’s time to start thinking about training again. But before I get ahead of myself, I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Here’s how this week in fitness played out…

Week 32 — Time to Think About Training

The view from Friday’s miles

Monday — Peloton Strength Split & Stretch. After loving last week’s Strength Split with Robin, I decided to try another program, this time with Callie. Day 1 was 45 mins of Back, Biceps & Legs.
Tuesday — Rest day. I had a jam-packed workday so there was some much-needed stretching and not much else happening.
Wednesday — 3.1 miles & Stretch. After 6-days the heatwave finally broke! This run in light rain and upper 60s felt like heaven.

Thursday — Split training Day 2 – Chest, Shoulders & Triceps.
Friday — 3 miles, Core & Stretch.
Saturday — Split training Day 3 – Legs & Core
Sunday — 4 miles & Stretch.

Running this week felt really good – no doubt the break in the humidity and cooler mornings ushered in after Wednesday’s rain certainly helped!

In my cool weather giddiness, I signed up for the Western Mass 10. I love the 10-mile distance and there are so few around here so I jumped at the chance to register for this new race. I’ve got 12 weeks to prep, which is more than enough time, but this will help to add some extra motivation to my runs. If training goes well I may register for the Philly Half later in November or the Frosty Half Marathon in early December.

How was your week? What’s on your fall race calendar?

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Filed Under: fall racing, race calendar, Weekly Run Down

Fall running plans

September 4, 2018 by 23 Comments

Ever since I made the decision back in June that I would be deferring MCM, my fall race calendar has been left wide open. And with the god-awful humidity of this summer and rehabbing my hammy, I’ve been pretty happy to keep my running fairly low-keyed.

But we’re now entering into my favorite season for running and racing and it’s almost impossible for me to miss out on all the fun and not jump into at least one or two races.

So here’s what I’m thinking…

Ocean Road 10K — features a great course running up the Rhode Island coast to Narragansett. I was eyeing this one last year but it sold out before I could pull the trigger so I didn’t wait too long to make a decision this year. And, good thing too because it did sell out again! Added bonus – my husband J will be running with me!

Reebok 10K for Women — formerly the Tufts 10K, I haven’t run this race in a long time. It’s a fun run through Boston and held on Columbus Day. Hopefully, with the school holiday, I can make this one work.

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds 10K — this is a (new to me) local race that would fit nicely into my half marathon training plan …which leads me to…

Harborside Half Marathon — I had to take a DNS on this race last year so it would be great to get a chance to run this one!

Putting a couple of races on my fall calendar! Where are you racing? #TOTR #Runchat Share on X

I’m linking up with Erika, Marcia, and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run.

Where are you racing this fall?

 

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Filed Under: fall racing, race calendar, Tuesdays on the Run

Weekly Wrap: Eyeing Fall Races

June 25, 2017 by 25 Comments

Staying true to my goals for this month, my workouts have been comfortably locked in on cruise control. This past week was no different. There was some time for yoga and getting re-aquatinted with my foam roller. And, there was some running. The temps have been climbing so I promised myself this would be the week to get out early to beat the sun’s heat.

Of course, Mother Nature does have a twisted sense of humor, and just as I stepped out the door for Tuesday’s run I was greeted with this…

Yep a serious downpour…given how warm it was I ran anyways…anything to avoid the mill. And actually, this run felt great!

I was chasing my shadow and the sun on Thursday’s run, and happily logged another pain-free run!

And, while the struggle bus came looking for me on this morning’s run thanks to a cranky stomach, I’m happy to say the miles were pain-free

the glute/piriformis/hip thing finally feeling under control these past couple of weeks, I’ve allowed myself to start eyeing potential fall races.  I’m pretty sure I’ll pull the trigger on the Wicked Half Marathon, held in mid-September. Some of the Skirt Sports ambassadors in the area picked this race for a meet-up so I’m sure this could be a fun one! Past experience has taught me that the temps can still be pretty warm in mid-September, so I’d like to find a goal race for October or early November.

Any suggestions for a half marathon? Do you have your fall races settled yet?

Linking up with Holly & Tricia for the Weekly Wrap, and this week’s guest host Zenaida. Definitely be sure to stop by and check out all of the great ladies who join in for this link-up!

 

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Filed Under: fall racing, Weekly Wrap

Fall Racing – A Moving Target

September 4, 2015 by 8 Comments

When I saw that this week’s #FridayFive link-up topic was Fall Races, I was tempted to skip posting. Racing has been such a moving target for me, between injury and conflicts with my family schedule, that I’m almost hesitant to count any race as a sure thing at this point. But, if you’ve been around here for a bit then you also know how much I love a fall race….so here’s what I’m hoping for at the moment.

1) #StripAtNight 

RnB15_LasVegas

This is my one and only definite race…well it’s actually two because I’ll be doing the Remix Challenge (5K and Half). My husband and brother are running with me, and I just saw friends yesterday who confirmed they’re in! I’ve been waiting all year to get to a Rock ‘n’ Roll race as part of the Rock’n’Blog team – and, well c’mon it’s Vegas! And, speaking of the Rock’n’Blog team, we were just given special codes for a Vegas discount – use code RUNATTITUDE015LV and you can do either the half or the full for $145!

2) Still Rockin’ — Staying with the Rock ‘n’ Roll theme for a minute, I’m still hoping to get to RnR Philly at the end of October, but family conflicts are starting to crop up from all sides…keep my fingers crossed. But, if schedules don’t work, then I’ll be looking at finishing up my 3-race Tour Pass by heading to San Antonio for #RnRSA the first week of December.

3) Tufts 10K for Women is one of my favorite Boston races. It’s always held on Columbus Day, which means it could potentially come in conflict with the boys’ sports schedules/tournaments – it’s happened before, but if I’m free this is always a great race!

4) Canton Fall Classic is another local favorite – I usually run the 5K and my husband J runs the 10K. My son is thinking about running it this year…so once again as long as schedules don’t collide, this could be a family race.

Jingle+Bell+15) Jingle Bell Run — OK this one may technically be a “winter” race as some years it falls on the weekend before Christmas. As you can see from the picture of my brother and I on race morning, this one’s all for the costumes and post-race beer fest. (And, yes that is a giant ball of mistletoe on his hat!) 🙂

Do you find your race schedule is pretty well set or is it a moving target?

(As part of the Rock’n’Blog team, I receive a 3-race Tour Pass. If you want to add a RnR race to your fall schedule, don’t forget to use my code on my sidebar for a discount (or the code above for Vegas!)

I’m linking up with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia – be sure to stop by to check out where they’ll be racing this fall!

 

 

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, #StripAtNight, Canton Fall Classic, fall racing, family running, Friday Five, Jingle Bell Run, RnRPhilly

Friday Five: Fall Preview

August 29, 2014 by 13 Comments

I cannot believe this is the last Friday of the month – and with school starting for my boys next week, it’s really the last Friday of the summer! While it has been a wonderful summer – I am a Fall girl and love that my favorite time of the year is just around the corner!

Fall preview

So much to look forward to this fall, including….

Cooler Temps — While it wasn’t as brutally hot as some past summers, I’m just much more partial to the crisp cool days of fall. I’m happiest in jeans, boots, sweater…you get the idea.

Apple Picking — One of my favorite family fall traditions!

Cooking — We pretty much live off the grill during the summer – which I must admit is largely my husband J’s domain. But once fall kicks in, I love to get back into the kitchen and dive into some of my favorite recipes and to try out some new ones!

Football —  If you’ve been around here for a while then you know I’m a huge football fan and cannot wait to watch my beloved Patriots take the field.

Fall Races — Hello Philly Half! Having not done much racing this year, I’m looking forward to running 3 (maybe 4) races this fall.

I could go on and on about the good things of fall! I’m linking up with Courtney, Mar and Cynthia again this week so be sure to stop by and check them out.

What are you looking forward to this fall?

 

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Filed Under: fall racing, fave things, football, Friday Five

My fall race schedule

July 11, 2014 by 5 Comments

fall running

After mentioning that I was getting ready to start my fall training soon, I got several emails and twitter inquiries about which races I was doing – so I thought I’d share my fall race schedule here!

October:

Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon — advertised as “flat and fast” with beer and lobster rolls served at the post race party – what’s not to love? This one’s been on my N.E. must-run list for a while.

Tufts 10K — This one’s going to be a “wait and see” since it’s a week after Smuttynose – but I love this event and I haven’t run it in a couple of years. There are always a few friends running so I’m going to try to keep this day open and if the legs feel go enough I can always register on race day.

Canton Fall Classic — The starting line is literally 2 miles from my house and the course covers streets I run on a regular basis. It’s a great local race and it’s always fun to see so many familiar faces!

November:

Philadelphia Half Marathon — I ran Philly in 2011 and by half way through the race I knew I wanted to come back (you can check out the recap HERE)! I loved the course, the great crowd support and the 3+ minute PR I snagged — I’m hoping lightening will strike twice as this is my goal race of the fall.

December:

I’m sure there will be some fun 5K requiring Santa garb 🙂

I’d like to slip in something during September to kind of track how my training’s going – but I’m going to wait to see what Coach Bennett has to say on that.

The fall should be a lot of fun – can’t wait!

What have you got planned?

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Filed Under: Canton Fall Classic, fall racing, half marathon training, Philly Half, race calendar, Smuttynose Rockfest, Tufts 10k

Changing race plans

April 10, 2014 by 8 Comments

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At the beginning of March, I mentioned that I was working with Coach Bennett to revise my training to set me up for a stronger fall race season. After a fairly craptastic winter, I really needed to take a step back, re-access some goals and decide what I really want to achieve before 2014’s in the history books. Coach Bennett and I have agreed to shift the focus to shorter distances and work on building some speed, before going after some goal half marathons in the fall.

So, of course, this means some changes to my race plans:

  • While I’ll be running the Newport 10 Miler at the end of the month, this will just be a fun run – my goal of 10-mile PR will have to wait. I’m no where near ready to “race” this distance, but I do love the course and look forward to a fun blogger meet-up that’s in the works. Given how few 10-mile races there are in the area, it looks like I may have to let go of the goal of a new PR for this distance until next year.
  • This will also be the first spring in three years where I won’t be running a half marathon. Originally, I had planned to run the Runner’s World Heartbreak Half in June, but when the planets aligned for our family to book a much needed vacation during the same time, vacation & family-time won out over racing.
  • I’m now hunting for a couple of 10K races – like the 10-milers around here, they’ve become harder and harder to find.
  • And, as for the goal of 14 races in 2014 – for now I’m backing off. It could happen, but I’m not going to push it. Staying injury-free, getting stronger and going after the much-desired half marathon PR will be the priorities.

 Anyone else re-thinking goals for this year?

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Filed Under: #14in2014, fall racing, goals, PR, race calendar

September Goals

September 2, 2013 by 8 Comments

Happy September! I love Spetember – it signals so many new beginings…the start school, the begining of fall (my favorite season!) and cooler temps, and the fall race season!

My goals for this month:

  • 100 Miles — after cranking my mileage back up in August despite the heat, this should be doable.
  • Yoga — my favorite class was unfortunately canceled at the begining of the summer. I’ve quickly discovered that I’m not nearly as dedicated on my own so I’ll be checking out some new classes this month.
  • Racing — Races #8 and 9 on the road to #13in2013 are up next! I’ve got two tune-up races this month a 10K this Saturday and the Wicked Half in 3 weeks. These races will give me a chance to see where I am in my training and to see if I’ve finally got my recent racing stomach issues in check.
  • Hill Work —  Knowing the hills I’ll face at the B.A.A Half next month (not to mention some decent inclines at Wicked), it’s time to get back to hill repeats.
  • Healthier Eating — Things definitely got a little lax last month in the heathy eating department!  I blame it on the birthday celebrations at the begining of the month…kinda just kept celebrating 😉
  • Embrace a New Schedule — The start of school always means a change in schedule, but this year we have the added twist of my boys being on completely different schedules as my oldest heads off to middle school. Different start and end times, buses and carpooling, plus homework and sports schedules – yeah I can already feel the summer zen slipping away.

What have you got planned for this month?

 
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Filed Under: #13in2013, back to school, fall racing, goals