Figuring out the final tweeks

March 6, 2012 by 16 Comments

My long run Saturday was 12.25 – my longest training run to date. It was a solid run despite running 3/4 of it in a downpour. I loved the look I got from a woman in her car as I waited for the light so I could cross – she literally shook her head at me as the rain was blowing sideways. I just nodded at her and smiled – “Yep I’m out here baby and loving it!”

I felt more solid on the hills than I had the previous week. The play list still needs fine tuning (no pun intended), but it’s coming together nicely. The one thing that didn’t go so well was my fueling – I ran out of gas in the ninth mile and it became a mental bargaining game from that point to the end.

Looking back on it I think I would have done better to take GUs at 4 and then again at 8 — I’ll try that this Saturday and see how it feels. I’m also going to need to make a decision about whether or not to wear my hydration belt. While I’m still not in love with wearing it, I have done all of my long training runs in it. When I ran Philly last fall I wore it and given the congestion at the water stations I was glad to have it. I didn’t use it for the Wampanoag 10, but then again it was a significantly smaller race. RnR USA is sold out so given the potential numbers, I’m leaning towards wearing it.

I’m too far out to start checking the 10-day forecast and obsessing about the weather. Which means the race day attire is still up in the air – not a huge problem I suppose since I know better than to wear anything new without testing it out first. I just know how unpredictable DC weather can be…but I have no control over it so I need to let it go.

OK I’ll stop obsessing for now….my five mile run calls!

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Filed Under: general musings, long runs, RnR, running dilemnas, weather

February Rewind

March 1, 2012 by 15 Comments
Good things for the month:
  • 81 miles – my second highest monthly total ever since I’ve started running!
  • Set a 10 mile PR!
  • One of the mildest February’s on record helped continue my outdoor running streak.
  • Left leg continues to feel good (Dr. Needles will be proud)!

Things I could do without:
  • Missed my goal mileage – while I missed a few runs due to the kids’ school vacation week, the bigger factor here is that I may not be a 5-day a week runner. I missed some runs for no other reason than my body needed the rest. I made sure to hit all my quality runs (long runs, tempo, speedwork) but punted on some of the recovery/easy runs.
  • Had no time to dedicate to making the switch to WordPress. Blogger continues to be twitchier and twitchier (yes that’s a technical term!), so I still want to make the change.

On the decks for March:

  • While I did incorporate more yoga in February I still haven’t made it to a Bikram class. Determined to get one in this month.
  • 100 miles.
  • More consistent core & strength work.
  • Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Half!
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Filed Under: month in review, race, RnR DC

3 Weeks to Go!

February 27, 2012 by 12 Comments

Three weeks until RnR USA!

Time to use these final long runs as dress rehearsal for race day. Time to finalize fueling and pace strategies, travel logistics and, of course, the all important race outfit 🙂

The kids climbed back on the big yellow school bus this morning so my goal this week is to just be able to get all of my workouts on my plan done:

Today: Easy run (5)

Tuesday: Tempo run (7)

Wednesday: Easy Run (4) & weekly Pilates class

Thursday:  Easy run (5)

Friday:     Yoga

Saturday:  Long run  (12)

Looking forward to putting in a good strong week!

Happy Monday!

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Filed Under: RnR, training, week ahead

Thursday thoughts – School vacation, workouts & meditation

February 23, 2012 by 5 Comments

It’s vacation week here in Massachusetts so this week is all about creativity…. being creative with keeping the kids occupied so they don’t live on all sorts of various digital devices 24/7… and being creative with getting my workouts in.

We’ve been bowling, played all sorts of games, read books, watched movies, enjoyed this crazy mild weather and yesterday J took them for a day of skiing and snowboarding! And yes there has been some video-gaming time logged.

My little guy taking on the slopes!
My oldest’s 1st time snowboarding!

I’ve managed to get in some strength-training, speedwork at the track and a pilates class so far! I hope to sneak a short run in tomorrow before J leaves for work and then my usual long run Saturday. My mileage will definitely be down for this week but I’m okay with that.

And, once again I’ve signed up for another of the Chopra Center’s 21-day Meditation Challenges. I’ve mentioned before how much more centered and calm I feel when I meditate. So why have I stopped? Because schedules get crazy so I let it slide a day or two and then bam! Fell off the wagon again. The timing of this challenge was perfect as it started on Monday – perhaps Deepak knew I was facing vacation week 🙂 I’m on day 4 and hope to stay on the wagon well beyond day 21!

So far so good this week – we’ve avoided major meltdowns, my boys are enjoying each other’s company and my sanity’s still in tact – a win all around!

How’s your week going?

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Filed Under: 3 things, Chopra Center, kids, meditation, school vacation

Wamapanoag Old-Fashioned 10 Miler Race Report

February 20, 2012 by 12 Comments

2012-OFTM Logo (Small)

On Saturday, J and I drove the course to get a better sense of the race’s director’s definition of “rolling hills.” Well they didn’t lie – a nice fairly flat start and then the rolling began around mile 3 and continue through mile 6, but nothing dramatic. Mile 7 was one longer climb, but by 7.5 it leveled off to a nice flat finish.

OK so now I knew what I was in for, I had two simple goals for the race: 1) finish uninjured and 2) finish ahead of my 10-mile split from the Philly Half (1:53:48). The one thing that had me worried was that I felt horrible when I went to bed. Both my stomach and head had not been cooperating for the past couple of days – I just hoped that whatever it was would be gone by morning.Yeah well, no such luck!

I went through my usual morning routine but I was not doing well. At one point J even asked me if I was sure I was going to run, and for half a second I considered not going. But I figured, if all else fails, it would just be a slow training run. We picked up our numbers and chatted with people while waiting for the bathrooms (indoor ladies’ room – score!). It was warming up nicely so we went back to the car to dump our extra clothes and then I made a critical mistake – I took a GU.  By the time we did our warm-up jog over to the start, my stomach was doing flip-flops again. Uggh…here we go.

J’s plan was to stay with me for the first mile or so – this was his first time running 10 miles and he was worried about going out too fast (He ran a great race, by the way!!). But once we started I knew almost immediately that we were going too fast. I glanced at my Garmin around a half mile – 9:36…yeah too fast! We slowed just a little. By 1.5 miles I could tell he was itching to move a little faster so I told him to have fun and sent him on his way. As the rolling part of the course started I knew this was going to be more of a mental race than anything else – could I keep myself distracted from my stomach and headache enough to hold a decent pace? I tried to enjoy the scenic course and beautiful weather. I thanked volunteers, said hi to the little kids cheering, encouraged other runners and focused on my music (I was grateful for a new playlist!). The fresh air definitely was definitely helping my headache…the stomach was just angry!

I managed the hills well, but did need to briefly walk part of the final climb. Once I hit mile 8, I knew it was flat to the finish. Frankly, I was tired of feeling like I was going to throw up – I just wanted to be done! Somewhere along the final stretch I heard someone call my name – it was Jose from And So It Burns! He had already finished but ran along with me towards the finish. Alleluiah the finish! Garmin read 10.08 miles 1:51:35! J, Jose and I chatted a bit before he headed out – it’s always great to meet the people behind the blogs you enjoy! (Jose I’m so glad you found me and stopped to say hi!)

So I hit my goals  – no injuries (legs felt really good!) and a 2:13 PR despite feeling cruddy! Definitely a confidence boost with 4 weeks till RnR USA Half. All-in-all it was a good local race I would definitely run again!

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Filed Under: blogger meet, Old-fashioned 10 Miler, PR, race report

Thursday Thoughts – Pre-race edition

February 16, 2012 by 13 Comments

I actually have my first race of the year this weekend – the Wampanoag Old-fashioned 10 Miler and Fast 5K. I’m running the 10.

It’s funny  – I know absolutely nothing about this race except for the fact that the course is described as “a rolling course.” Gotta say the “rolling” part makes me nervous cause hills and I are not friends….we’re barely  civilized acquaintances.

So why in the world run it? Couple of reasons….
     1) I’m trying to face my fear… er intense dislike… um hill “issue” head on
     2) The timing of this race made it a good tune-up for the R’n’R USA Half which is just over 4 weeks away
     3) J is running it  – this will be his first time doing a double digit race and I wanted to support him

Up until now I haven’t given much thought to race goals or strategy. I’d like to run the final 5 faster than the first 5,  but I don’t have an overall time in mind. J and I are going to drive the course on Saturday so we’ll see just what “rolling” means and that might help me get my head around a race strategy.

Do you always go into a race with a strategy & goals? Do you run “tune-up” races?

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Filed Under: hills, race strategy, RnR DC, Wampanoag 10

What I Love about Running

February 13, 2012 by 19 Comments

For Valentine’s Day, the co-moderators of #Runchat are encouraging everyone to share ten reasons why you love running. Fun idea! So following their lead here are my ten, in no particular order:

 I love……

  1. …working through whatever is going on in my head at the moment – there is no better therapy!
  2. …the burn in my quads after 1600 repeats on the track.
  3. …that each run is unique, no two days of running are ever alike.
  4. …the elation and pride of crossing the finish line of a half marathon.
  5. …guilt-free eating after a long run.
  6. …being greeted by my kids as I come through the door with “How far did you run today mom?”
  7. …connecting with people from all over through this common bond/addiction/obsession.
  8. …the way my jeans fit.
  9. …setting goals – big and small, both mental and physical – then blasting through them.
  10. …redefining my strong!

It still surprises me how in such a short time since I’ve started running, how much it has become a part of me. There was a time when I could never imagine running as much as I do… and now I cannot imagine not running!

What do you love about running? What would you miss if you couldn’t?

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    Filed Under: gift of running

    Running for Sherry

    February 11, 2012 by 4 Comments

    I got up this morning to get ready for my run, and, as with so many of my runs since her disappearance, my thoughts were of Sherry Arnold.

    On January 7, Sherry, a mom, wife, teacher, friend, sister, went out for an early morning run and never came home. Like so many, the tragedy of Sherry’s death shook me to my core. I have shed tears and said prayers for Sherry and her family – it was a horrible reminder that terrible things happen to good people, that we’re not as safe as we sometimes think we are….that life is too short.

    Today I was honored to join Beth, Sherry’s cousin and countless others in a virtual run in honor of Sherry. As Beth said when she announced the run on her blog Shut Up and Run:

    My goal is to get the MOST love, momentum and energy moving in honor of Sherry. This run symbolizes the beginning of healing and honors a woman who was courageous, strong and loved by so many.

     It was snowing lightly when I left and my body was still feeling the effects of the stomach bug that has besieged my house – so I was not sure how far I was going to go, just that I was going to run.


    It was a quiet, uneventful run. I decided to follow a simple out and back route through town. By 4 miles out my body let me know it was done and it was time to head back.

    On the way back I came across another runner I see often on my Saturday runs. She fell in step next to me and asked me about the bib. I told her about Sherry and the virtual run. She asked me for Sherry’s name again and then said she would keep her in her thoughts for her run. We ran about a mile or so together. I appreciated the company and her acknowledgment of Sherry even more. When we split up, she wished me good luck and I told her I’d see her next week, then kept heading for home.

    I’m grateful to Beth for organizing this virtual run and giving us a way to show our support of Sherry and her family. I hope knowing that so many of us care brings her family a little peace.

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    Filed Under: running community, Sherry Arnold

    Thursday Thoughts (aka 3 Things)

    February 9, 2012 by 11 Comments

    My mind is a total jumble this morning as I’m trying to keep straight everyone’s schedules, backpack requirements, meeting times, groceries list, menu planning and other errands….yeah basically just the typical “Mom’s Brain Syndrome.” I would love one day when I could come down stairs in the morning and someone would tell me what I have scheduled for the day and then hand me a packed bag with all of the things I’ll need…a girl can dream can’t she?

    After a great week of training capped off by a strong 11 mile run Saturday, I’m having a hard time finding a groove this week. Being up with my sick little guy half the night earlier this week hasn’t helped, but in general the runs have just been ok verging on blah. Guess that’s part of the ebb and flow of running.

    The FedEx guy delivered my PureConnects yesterday (cue the angels!) I’m silly excited to try this shoe out, but it probably won’t be today as I’m off to do hill work and I doubt hills are the best way to try out a new shoe. Tomorrow’s suppose to be a rest day, but I may need to sneak a couple in just so I can give these shoes a go.

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    Filed Under: 3 things, hill work, PureConnect

    PureFit Bars Review & Coupon Code

    February 7, 2012 by 4 Comments

    A few weeks ago I was offered a chance to try PureFit Nutrition Bars. Given that the bars are gluten-, wheat-, and dairy-free, I was curious to check them out, as I often have trouble finding things that will agree with my stomach.

    Here’s what PureFit says: (from the PureFit website)

    “Kosher-certified and vegan-approved PureFit bars do not contain dairy, wheat, or gluten, and will not melt in their packaging. PureFit works diligently to provide high-quality, award-winning nutrition bars without artificial ingredients, sugar alcohols or common allergens, including milk, wheat or gluten.

    100% All-Natural Ingredients, 18 Grams of Soy Protein, Non-GMO Soy, Unprecedented Great Taste. This low glycemic, nondairy bar is based on over 20 years of research and was not practical to manufacture until now. It offers:

    • NO Hydrogenated Oils
    • NO Animal Products – Vegan
    • NO Cholesterol or Trans Fatty Acids
    • NO Wheat or Gluten
    • NO Artificial Sweeteners
    • NO Hidden Carbohydrates
    • NO Sugar Alcohol”

    Here’s what I say:

    • I used them pre-and post-run and as a meal replacement and I had absolutely no stomach issues with them.  
    • PureFit offers 5 flavors: Almond Crunch, Berry Almond Crunch, Chocolate Brownie, Granola Crunch and Peanut Butter Crunch. My favorites were the Granola Crunch and Peanut Butter Crunch. I was not a big fan of the Berry Almond – though I’m not really fond of anything with a cranberry or raspberry vibe. 
    • Given the consistency of the bars, you should make sure to have a glass of water on hand when eating one.
    • An all-natural bar that tastes good and leaves my stomach feeling fine is a big win in my book!

    Interested in trying PureFit bars for yourself? Use the coupon code PROMO25 when you place an order and receive 25% off!

    *Disclaimer: I was provided five bars by PureFit to sample and review. The opinions expressed here are my own and I did not receive compensation for this review.

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    Filed Under: product reviews, PureFit Bars