12.31.2012

12 down 0 to go (Reindeer Run!)

Getting this last one in before the year is over! What a racing year! (Look for a highlights post coming soon!)

My 12th and final race this year was the Reindeer Run on Fort Meade on December 15. The weather was nice and chilly, but I remembering all my past races I didn't wear extra layers! Just my blue t-shirt and running tights. And I was still a bit warm by the end!

Not only was this my last race this year, but insert drummer roll here............. I broke 30 minutes in a 5K! Just by a touch at 29:52, but I am so glad I was able to reach that goal this year!

I ran this race with my BRF (best running friend) and we agreed this 5K was very well done. The packet pick up was inside the field house which was great since it was so cold outside. They had antlers (and bells, but they ran out of those) for all the racers and crayons and coloring books for the kids. It was a very family friendly race. I loved seeing the parent/child running teams all along the course. The course was pretty easy and quite flat which makes for fast times even in the cold. 16:56 was the winning time by a 27 year-old gent. That is quite speedy for 3.1 miles!

Post race food was delicious Panera bagels and cream cheese, along with cookies and candy canes. They those big orange gatorade tanks for water, but tiny little cups. I'm sure it was to avoid spills, but I felt like I stayed next to them for way to long rehydrating after the race. They seemed to be quick putting up the stats which was really great.

Speaking of stats: My time was 29:52.6 for an average pace of about 9:57 per mile. I was 22 out of 43 in my age group and 159 out of 334 overall!

Things I learned from my 12th race:

  1. Layers that are easily remover while running are key. Arm warmers may be my new best friends.
  2. Being right next to someone at the finish helps my push just a little harder. Thank you to the guy just in front of me in that last 100 feet. I'm not sorry I passed you though. 
  3. Races in colder months should have warm drinks at the finish. Tea or hot chocolate would have been AMAZING after cooling down. Next time I should keep a thermos in the car, just in case. 
  4. Always carry extra safety pins in case you need to MacGyver your timing chip to your shoe. (ones that tie on your laces are hard to use on shoes with NO LACES)
  5. People running near my with their shoes untied makes me terribly nervous. I don't know how it took so long for me to realize this, but twice in this race I tapped people to alert them of their untied shoes and when they didn't seem to mind and kept on trucking I became very nervous for them!
Well that's it! All 12. Next year I am taking on a different 12 X 12 challenge. Look for more about that early next year!

Happy New Year to All!!

12.04.2012

High Heeled Run (aka Miss Piggy goes to Annapolis)

I added in an extra fun run in November because a high heel run is something I have wanted to do. Luckily, they seem to pop up a lot in October and November with October being Breast Cancer awareness month and high heel runs generally raise funds to support organizations working to fight breast cancer.

Healing in Heels Dash for Breast Cancer was on November 11 at the Annapolis Towne Centre. The race was an up and back on one side of the boulevard. By the time I got to the turn around, I was done with running in heels! 550 doesn't seem so far until you're about 200 in and wondering why this was a good idea. Haha. It is much more difficult to run in heels then I thought it would be. Yes, I knew it would be difficult, but I didn't think about how off all the running mechanics would be. The Dad and the kids came to watch (and enjoy some post race food) and the Dad told me the two first place finishers (both guys...yup) had definitely practiced how to run in heels. They apparently had better form then the rest of us. Haha.

Bad form, great fun!

There was a costume contest associated with the run and the winner received a year supply of Saucony shoes (four pairs!) So I decided to run as Miss Piggy. She's always so classy in her heels.
Got Squeezed?
To keep with the year theme of raising support and awareness from the Colon Cancer Alliance, I added a decal to the back of my shirt also. During the month of October, the CCA promotes "Screen THIS too!"


Piggy and Barbie

Sadly, I didn't even come in second in the costume contest! I knew there would be at least one guy in drag in the top two, but I didn't count on Barbie showing up in her box to run. Nice Job! Barbie won. As it turned out, Barbie in a Box is the director of Breast Cancer Center at Anne Arundel Medical Center which was the beneficiary of the race.

As we finished the race, Save the Coconuts had a few fun items for racers: a shot glass and a treat.
Yup.

This race had the best post-race food of any race yet! A few of the restaurants in the Towne Centre were out with food samples for the racers and spectators. While listening to the live band, Gordon Biersch provided beer to those with a race number (the Dad drank mine,) Cadillac Ranch had some delicious sliders, Philly & Flash offered up some amazing loaded fries, and Paladar served creamy coconut flan and thick hot chocolate. And of course there was water for everyone. So filling we almost didn't need to go to dinner! It also looked like there were a few boxes of "usual" post race food that they didn't need since the restaurants really provided a great spread!

Things I learned/relearned from a High Heel Race:

  1. Don't run in heels without practice unless being chased by something/ someone or one of the kids is about to fall off something way to high.
  2. Feather boas are a very popular accessory at this race. Boas and tall socks.
  3. I really enjoy dressing up for a race! This was so much fun. But it is hard to see over that nose and impossible to eat or drink with it on! I'm taking suggestions for next year. Any ideas???
  4. Having spectators you know (husband and kids) makes the race even more fun. I love to hear them cheering on the side. And then the "Mom, you weren't very fast" at the finish is always nice too. Haha.
  5. Post-race food will make me sign up to run in heels again!

We had told the kids we would eat out at a restaurant after the race, so we moseyed up to Cadillac Ranch for dinner. I still had most of my costume on and was recognized but some other spectators who cheered a bit. Now that was nice!

I also ran this race as part of the Virtual Run for Sandy Relief. A couple of bloggers put together a Virtual Run for the month of November to help raise funds for the Red Cross to aid with Sandy Relief in New Jersey and New York. According to an email at the beginning of December, the effort raised $1,426! Awesome!!

11 down 1 to go (aka Turkey Trot)

Wow, I am really behind. Sorry about that! Onward!

The GS Turkey Trot 5K in Odenton, MD on November 17th was a nice, simple course on routes I've taken as fun runs! It was really great to run a race closer to home that didn't require travel.

A mom friend and I walked/jogged over to the starting line hoping for some pre-race warm ups, but either we missed them or there weren't any like we had hoped. It was quite chilly, but we both stashed our coats with the ladies at check-in since we knew we would heat up during the race. It was probably between 30 and 40 degrees which made for great running weather.

The course was well laid out and well marked by volunteers. At each of the water stations (2 for a 5K NICE,) I didn't see a trash can or tarp for cups so I ended up carrying my cup until there was a volunteer I could hand it too or found a trash can. Part of the race course ran through the Piney Orchard Nature Preserve on the paved trail. There are also a few wooded trails throughout the preserve as well which make for some nice trail running in the spring and fall. (I have yet to try them in the winter with its ice and snow...)

This race was a smaller community race, but they still had over 100 participants. Due to the smaller size, and this being the inaugural race, they did not have race timing available. I'm not sure how they calculated the "official" race times they posted because according to the times I finished at the same time as my mom friend who finished right behind me by about 20-30 seconds.

I crossed the start line 9 seconds after the clock started and crossed the finish at 30:53 giving me a 30:42 5K time! I'm getting really close to breaking the 30 minute mark! According to the "official time" I clocked in at 29:49, but sadly I know that's wrong. I did come in 43 out of 122 though I have no idea how I did with in my age group.

Things I learned from this close to home race:

  1. It is nice to see people you know from "just around" at a race. Definitely get that feeling at a smaller community race.
  2. I don't like not having a timing device apart from the app on my phone in a race. It makes the race feel to much like a normal run to me. Though I do like running in a group, it really gives me motivation to keep up and not slow down. 
  3. It is really nice not to have to get in a car to go to a race. Makes for a nice warm-up and cool down too. 
  4. Unless it is below 20, I should run in a short sleeved shirt. I was way too hot by mile 2 and could have done without the long sleeves.
  5. I love running races with people I know, but that last half mile we are in it to finish and I don't mind breaking out at slightly different speeds. Kick it in to the end!
Some how we missed the awards for the top finishers and the best costume (there was a guy as a turkey, I bet he won.) Post-race food was pretty standard and happily included Girl Scout cookies. I was hoping for a little cookie love in the registration bags, but no such luck. 

11.11.2012

Will Run For Flesh! (Zombie Transformations and Turning Humans)

In February of last year, the Dad and I signed up to be Zombies on October 27th at the Saturday RUN FOR YOUR LIVES race in Darlington, MD just north of Baltimore. The Dad was SUPER excited, which is why we signed up so early. I'm glad we did too because the zombie shifts are what sell out first from the race. They had so many people signing up and on the "wait list" they opened a second race day on Sunday. Which unfortunately was canceled by Howard County due to Hurricane Sandy.

One of the perks of being a zombie this year was a free race which we ran with a friend of the Dad in the 11 am wave. (All about my race recap here.) So we all started our zombie transformation with a freezing cold PVC pipe shower to rid ourselves off the thickest layer of mud and gross from the race. Refreshing.
Undead Only
Then it was back over to the Zombie Transformation Center, the ZTC, to change into our zombie costumes and get in line for make up. The Dad and I just pulled old clothes from our closets but our friends came prepared with scrubs. There were zombies dressed as doctors and nurses, prom queens and brides, a farmer, a few nuns, some in fatigues, and even Princess Leia.

We heard about one of the zones before us all dressed as a wedding: bride, groom, bridal party, officiant, and even a baker with a brain cake. So creative! Not only the zombies dress up, we saw some very creative racers as well. A banana, a panda, super heros, guys in tutus, but the best by far was the group of guys dressed as King Arthur and his sidekicks from Monty Python, complete with coconuts and galloping. I'm told they didn't break character through the whole race! I wish I had a camera while zombing.

Stumbler
Standing in line for make up, you can have parts of your zombie outfit shredded and even pick from their zombie wardrobe if you don't have your own zombie attire. After adding holes and shredding shirts and the bottoms of pants, we waited to move on to make-up. They brought in a team of professional make-up artists to help apply all the zombie faces. Some people had plastic wounds attached to their faces and neck, but none of our little group did. There were two separate make-up tracks, the stumblers and the chasers. Chasers, like the Dad, had a base coat and red accents and then blood splatter. Stumblers (this was me) received an airbrush base coat to dull and flatten out the face and then airbrushed contours around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth. Then it was on to spot splatter where they used a thick bristled brush and flicked the bristles towards my face so the make-up would splatter. And like the chasers, the stumblers had blood flecks and wounds added.
Chaser



After our faces were all made up, they hoisted a blue tarp between two trees and zombies lined up to be sprayed with light and dark mud and have handfuls of blood tossed on us. The guy tossing the blood seemed to be having a pretty good time pelting all of us with handfuls of goopy, red syrup. The blood looked really great against those zombies in white, especially the zombie brides.
Bloody and Gross!

I like how it looks like my hand is going to reach out and get you.

Even Zombies need love, right?
Since we were they last group of zombies for the day, and they had a bit of blood left over, before we headed out to our zones they had us stand in a big huddle and flung the remaining blood on the group as you would toss a bucket of water after washing your car. A poor lady in front of us got an eye full and finding a clean sleeve to wipe some away was harder then you might think.

Each zombie received two bottles of water and a bag of snacks for during our 3-3.5 hour shift. We were scheduled from 2:40 to 6, but being the last group we were out there until the last person finished through our section and I have no idea what time that was!

While in our zone, zone 12, our goal was to take as many final flags as we could. There were a few people who had more then one flag (I saw one guy with all 3 still,) but most people had one or none by the time the reached us. Those people in groups would try and protect their friends who still had flags and it was always great when you could grab one of those. Some people didn't want to play by the rules and would roll their flag around the flag belt, a few tied the flag to the belt and there were many who had shirts long enough that they hid all but the tiniest tip of the flag. Add on all the water and mud and those flags were hard to get! There was a lot of karate chopping while people tried to smack zombie hands away from their flags. One guy I tried to take a flag from swung his arms so violently he hit me in the face. I think he made my nose bleed, but with all the fake blood it was hard to tell. (He did apologize though, he didn't mean to hit me.)

By the end of the shift, I had pulled about 20 flags and felt quite accomplished as a zombie.

Cleaning the make-up off without running water wasn't happening. We were able to get the top layer or blood off, but all the flecks and most of the black around my eyes needed more scrubbing then I could do in the fading light and with a wet paper towel and baby wipes. (We looked great heading in to WaWa to grab a drink on our way out of town, haha. The cashier told us he had been busier then usual that evening and he didn't look at us that strangely so I'm sure he had seen a few other zombies before us.)

After stopping to get our free beer (well the guys got beers, not my thing so much,) our plan was to head out to a restaurant for dinner, looking all zombie-fab, but the bus line back to the parking lot was LONG. So the guys got a spot in line and we ladies went to the food vendors to get some hot food. They had a lot of choices and the prices were pretty reasonable. I was so hungry (lunch was a bag of goldfish crackers, I could have planned that better) and the cheeseburger and fries were delicious. I'm sure they weren't as wonderful as I remember, but it was just what I needed!

The bus line moved relatively quickly, they had a great system in place and plenty of buses to keep the line moving. It wasn't long after we finished eating that we got on the bus. Let me tell you sitting down on that bus was amazing. I didn't realize my legs were so tired!

In the days and week after we were all a bit sore, but we had such a great time and we are already thinking up some costumes for next year!

10 down 2 to go (AKA The Obstacle and Zombie Race)

**First, thanks to Kate Reckner for taking photos and then letting me use them!!**

Nice and chilly October morning, the Dad and I drove up to just north of Baltimore to Darlington for a Zombie Infested 5K Obstacle Course run called RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! This was a race unlike any other I have run this year. The obstacles were challenging, but not so tough that I didn't feel I could conquer them. Each racer gets a flag football belt with three red flags, your health, and the zombies aim to take those flags. When you lose all of your flags you are "dead" and can run through the zombie sections without worry. At the finish, there are separate chutes for the living and the dead, though I think it's just to tally hoe many people make it through "alive."

Because we were scheduled to be transformed into zombies in the afternoon we had a few perks like a separate parking lot (can't be infesting those humans to early,) separate gear check and port-a-potties, and we were able to run the course for FREE. Zombie transformation can be found here!

Human Cages!!
So the race starts with everyone one of three long tunnels with a cage like gate at the start: Appetizers, Entree and Dessert. Since we were able to choose which part of the meal we wanted to be and we went with Desserts hoping for tired slow moving zombies (they were all still pretty quick.)
Scary Zombie!

Right out of the gate, you step into a cloud of fog and turn the corner onto a field full of zombies. The first zombie we saw was a woman in a white robe, pajamas, slippers and almost white pupils. Most definitely a frightening way to start a race. I made it through the first section of zombies with all 3 flags. Woohoo! Full life!

Run fast, they want your brains!
The course is run at Camp Ramblewood in Darlington and the entire course is on grass and trails. One thing we didn't realize is how hard it would be to sprint through the zombie areas. I was always catching my breath right before the obstacle after the zombies because I am not a fast runner. Sprinting is not my thing.

Besides the zombies, the other obstacles included jumping over walls (I'd say they were about 4-4.5 feet high, so it was like trying to get out of the swimming pool, without the water,) crawling under and through tunnels of various kinds, shimming under barbed wire, a maze, mud pits (so, so, so gross running after being covered in muddy water,) crossing a river (unexpected and very, very cold,) a smoke filled house with some kind of shocking action that I missed whoops, and the last two obstacles were a huge water slide and a muddy slide under and electric fence. Definitely a lot of things I have never done before, but it was so much fun. After the first mud pit, you stop realizing how dirty you are. I didn't realize how gross we got until I was able to shower back at home.
One of the various tunnel obstacles.
Of all the obstacles, I enjoyed the river crossing the most actually. I like cold swims and minus the gross leaves, mud, and sticks you could feel passing in the current, it wasn't a bad swim. And if helped get a little of the mud off of me. They had a rope tied to each bank to help with crossing and there were two guys in full rescue gear in case anyone needed help. One of them kept running and jumping into the water trying to get others to do the same. I wasn't that daring maybe next time, haha.

The Dad and I ran the race together and I am so glad that we did. Since we weren't being timed (as zombies later our free race didn't include a timing device,) we were able to enjoy the course together and had a really great time. Definitely more fun to do with someone or a group! On the 2nd to last obstacle, the big water slide, the Dad lost his glasses at the bottom in the big pool of water. After we asked the people at the top to wait so we could search for them, he found them in less then 2 minutes. Quite a feat, considering you couldn't see in anything in the water because it was so full of mud. Being able to see, made being a zombie much easier later.
The Dad's friend on the huge water slide.
Just after he slide through. 
No shocks for us!


Neither of us made it through alive, but the Dad made it close! He lost his last flag in one of the last zombie zones. This was just what I wanted since we really were becoming zombies after the race.
I couldn't figure out why the Dad was so clean, but he slide on his back under the fence. 

After finishing, we went to the "showers" to clean off some mud before heading over to the Zombie Transformation Area. The showers were a long piece of PVC pipe with holes ever foot or so with water pumped through. Freezing cold water. The tennis courts and the grass outside of them were really wet, muddy and not a place to really get clean. But, we were able to get the thickest layer of mud off.

Definitely something we will do again! Such a fun race and a GREAT workout!

Since we weren't timed, I don't have any stats for this race, but here are five things I learned:

  1. Mud isn't that bad. And playing in it really reminds one of being a kid. I highly suggest it!
  2. Running a race without a timed goal makes the race very enjoyable. There is nothing to worry about, nothing to beat. The only goal is to have a great time and enjoy the course and the people around you. Truly awesome.
  3. I am not good at jumping over walls. By far the hardest part for me and made much harder when both me and the wall are covered in slippery mud. I made it over all the walls though!! After every wall, I felt a sense of accomplishment in overcoming each one. 
  4. Racers of all shapes, sizes and ages run the zombie race. And LOTS of people dress in costume. (Check the zombie post for my favorite costumed group!)
  5. I was more nervous about losing a flag at every obstacle, then I was in the zombie areas. I was always checking to make sure I didn't accidentally lose a flag. It would be terrible to lose one outside the zombie area! 
I think we are ready for the zombie apocalypse now! At least we know we will be covered in mud, tired and hungry after less then an hour of being chased by the zombie horde. I hope they don't know how to climb and we can build a tree house to escape. Now I just need to learn how to build a tree house. 



11.04.2012

What Happened to October!?!

One post in October. Now that's just sad. Obviously it was not high on my list of priorities last month. Lots of traveling, running, being a zombie (more on that coming soon!) and costume making took up quite a bit of my time.

The weekends are when I get most of my blogging in and today is the first weekend I have had since my last post. I'm also working on a children's book (in my spare time) and I have made some great progress on that. Once I get to a good place I am going to need some feedback (and illustrations, probably an illustrator, haha) so let me know if you are interested in reading some children's literature!

I have come to the conclusion that though I have had some great goals to work towards in blogging, right now it is not a big priority, or even a strong enough interest, for me to put it ahead of other things I want to do. Fortunately, and unfortunately, that list keeps growing and growing. And blogging more keeps falling lower and lower on that list.

Though I will continue to write about my races and fun family stories along that way, right now blogging isn't, and isn't going to be, as big a part of my weekly plans as I had thought and hoped. But just like so much through life, plans change, goals evolve, and interests grow, expand and morph. I am so glad to have this outlet and hope to continue to push myself to express my experiences through the written word. Yet, I am enjoying my morphing interests and I am looking forward to where those paths lead!

Here's to more goal completion in November!

10.06.2012

9 down 3 to go (AKA the Underwear Race)

Early last Saturday morning, the 29th, a few hundred of us gathered in Rock Creek Park in DC to run in our undies. It was a bit chill, but there were lots of us sporting our undies over tights, leggings, or other shorts. There were racers in capes, with an underwear covered wagon, and many signs of love and support for those who have battled and are battling with colorectal cancer.
I was hard to miss in those orange tights.
For me, this race felt different then a lot of other races. Maybe it was the location, maybe it was that I didn't have a timed goal going into the race, or maybe it was the purpose of the UNDY 5000 race series. The team that puts the UNDY 5000 together at the Colon Cancer Alliance did an absolutely wonderful job making the race a celebration of a community coming together to conquer something, seemingly, small while working through the trying, testing fight of battling cancer. The energy was one of celebration for those who have battled and won, support and cheers for those who continue to fight, and a joining of community and understanding for those who lost loved ones because of the disease. It really seemed like a small community race, even though there were almost 300 racers. Other racers cheered on those they passed and on the way back up the rather large, daunting hill, that was the last leg of the race someone was stationed at every turn applauding and giving us all a helping hand up the hill. 
Our Race Team!
I ran the race with my youngest sister, the Tumbler (she volunteered at the ZOOMA Annapolis back in June,) and I came to a realization while we were on the second half of the course. While we were running, I realized I really do enjoy racing along side other people I know. Racing with a friend. Pushing each other and having a great time all at once. Now, I think I realized this a while ago (when I started a Saturday morning women's running group last month maybe) that I run better, more efficiently, and enjoy my solo runs more, when I run along side someone else every so often. In a race, I realized on Saturday, I find it more enjoyable to race together with someone at little slower then what I think my pace is and enjoy the journey of the race together instead of blazing off (and probably going a bit to fast at first) and racing solo. As I told my sister, I would rather run with her at her pace then run the whole thing a little faster on my own. So if you have a race and don't want to race alone, I would love to race along side you. And if you are too fast, then I will try and keep up! 

UNDY 5000 Course Map
The Politician and PT raced too!
The UNDY 5000 really was a wonderful race. The weather was great; a bit chill while we were standing around, but it was perfect racing weather for me. I really don't like it when it's too hot. Or hot at all. Running through beautiful Rock Creek Park, the course took us down past a little stream and through a mostly wooded area all on pavement. As I mentioned before, the course went downhill at the beginning, but uphill at the end. Most of the course was seemingly flat with little changes in elevation, but that last hill was a BIG one. It just seemed to keep going and going. Getting to the top of the hill and then turning to see the finish line was a really great accomplishment. Then I saw the clock. I PRed! (Got a personal record.) By about half a minute. That was quite exciting. Running with a buddy really does help!

Both the Politician and PT raced on foot. Though, PT did get carried a bit from time to time. The Tumbler and I walked back to meet the group and joined them back to the finish line and as we grew closer to the finish, the Politician broke into a run, he was wearing his fast shoes after all, and crossed the finish at a sprint. PT crossed with the Dad and that was quite a cute sight!

She loves to hold hands when she runs.

So my stats for this race: I ran in 32:27 for a 10:27 min per mile average. I was 97th out of 293 overall and 25th of 70 in my age group. I was definitely excited about bringing down my 5K time. I'll break 30 minutes one of these days!

PT held this sign for about 3 minutes...
They had a great spread for post race food. Waters were readily available (and were handed out as we crossed the finish,) PopChips (who doesn't like those,) Rice Crispy Treats, Fruit Snacks, bananas and oranges. I think there were some granola bars too and I feel like I'm forgetting something...

Things I learned from race #9:
  1. Cheap tights from Target are incredibly comfortable to run in. I had no idea. This was actually one of my most comfortable running outfits. Who knew!
  2. Bike riders, who are usually at the park on Saturday's I'm sure, can be quite rude to those racers taking up their bike space. There were times they made me feel like I was going to be run over!
  3. Racing with the family and friends always makes for a more enjoyable race for me. I truly enjoy the community aspect of races. 
  4. The stories from the survivors and their smiling face of accomplishment at the end of the race were absolutely inspiring. You truly never know what someone has really been though. 
  5. Fall weather has always been my favorite, but I didn't realize how wonderful it is to run in!
*Quick note: coming up with 5 things is really getting tough! I didn't think it would get this hard. What did you learn from your last race?*

If you still want to donate, you can do so at the Colon Cancer Alliance by going my participant page and clicking the"Donate to Sarah" button on the right side. I understand this will be open till the end of the year!

We are really looking forward to the next race, Run for Your Lives Zombie 5K obstacle course at the end of October. This is going to be a great time! I'm trying to figure out how to get pictures of this one...

9.25.2012

Join me in Support of the Colon Cancer Alliance

This weekend people will be running through Rock Creek Park in DC this weekend in their boxers and underwear in the Colon Cancer Alliance's UNDY 5000.


This weekend's race, the Undy 5000, is a great way to get the word out about colon cancer. In a way that the whole family can be involoved!

If you want to register, or join our team, you need to do so by Thursday at 7 pm by visiting our team page here. Donations are also welcome if you want to support the Colon Cancer Alliance by going my participant page and clicking the"Donate to Sarah" button on the right side.


If you donate by Thursday and post (in the comments here) the costume idea you would like to see (remember this is a family undy race) I will do my best to put that together for me to wear for the race Saturday morning. (Do a quick image search to see what others have donned for the Undy 5000!)

Also, we are going to be running with our two jogging strollers and I will any "Survivor...," "In Honor of," "In Memory of" signs on the strollers for those loved ones who have battled with colon cancer. Just let me know if you have someone to add.

Thanks! And I can't wait to share the photos from this race!


Thank you for your help and support spreading the facts about colon cancer!

For more information about colon cancer and the work of the Colon Cancer Alliance visit www.ccalliance.org




9.19.2012

AMR 10 Running Related Questions


The wonderful ladies at Another Mother Runner, Dimity and Sarah, started this 10 question game and I felt urged to join in. They are hoping this goes very viral so I thought I would help them out! You should too! 

1. Best run ever: This is by far the hardest question for me. I don't think I have had that run that is head and shoulders above all my other runs. My best race would have to be the Valentine's 5k in Lewes, DE, also known as the Frostbite 5K. It was the first time I ran the whole distance without stoping. (Maybe because it was so cold and if I slowed down I would freeze.) I felt really great after that run. Like I could accomplish anything because I was crazy and ran in the freezing cold. I think part of it was rounding the corner to the finish and hearing the Politician and the Dad cheering me on. The Politician was so excited! That is something I won't ever forget. 

2. Three words that describe my running: Release. Therapeutic. Empowering.

3. My go-to running outfit is: Vibram Five Fingers, Skirt Sports Gym Girl Ultra in Black Vinyl, and if it's a race day a Ut Prosim/ Montani Semper Liberi Shirt

I still have some if you want one!

4. Quirky habit while running: There are times, I'm sure, that I look like I'm having problems running. For example, when a fantastic song starts up and I begin "boogieing down" or fist pumping the air. I'm sure that looks really great. 

5. Morning, midday, evening: Morning, morning, morning. My day seems to flow so much better when I am up and out before the kids get up. Just a bit of time for me to get the day started. 

6. I won’t run outside when it’s: I haven't found weather yet I won't run in, but I have been lucky. Though thunderstorms with intense wind and rain do not appeal to me, I would be hitting up the bike at the gym on those days.

7. Worst injury—and how I got over it: I'm still working on my left knee/hip strain from before the Pittsburgh Half. I just started some physical therapy for it which is loads of fun let me tell you. I'm sure it hasn't been helped by carrying the Enforcer on my left hip. He's a big guy!

8. I felt most like a badass mother runner when: I finished my first run in the rain. There is something about getting out and doing something that goes against smart logic (sure let's go out in the rain at 6 am, good times,) that just gives me an I can accomplish anything attitude for the day. 

9. Next race is: Undy 5000 in DC to Support the Colon Cancer Alliance. Check out my race schedule here.

10. Potential running goal for 2013: I haven't even thought about 2013 yet! I would like to do another half marathon, maybe the ZOOMA Annapolis. I have been thinking about one of the Disney Half Marathon's too. I would love to dress up for a race like that!

Now it's your turn! Answer the questions yourself on your blog and post a link in the comment's below (and on Dimity's or Sarah's questions, links are above.) Don't have a blog? Feel free to link to your Facebook note, send me an email or even leave your answers in the comments! 

9.14.2012

Impossible => I'm Possible


Wow, nothing like a good quote to get you thinking, right? I came across this gem while wasting time on Pinterest (one of the great time sucks of the modern age.) Since reading it, I can't seem to get the phrase out of my mind. I don't think I have used the word "impossible" unless I was telling myself "it's not impossible."

How often do we feel that even the simplest task are impossible? What about the phrase "I can't?" I feel like all too often I hear myself saying "I just.... can't" usually in response to an everyday hiccup when I'm at the end of my rope. Where did this attitude of defeat come from? "It's impossible, I just can't, I will never be able to." It carries over from those daily road bumps into my long term goals, or lack of those goals. I can become defeated before I even begin.

True, there are things I will not do because I know there are limitations because of my skill set and on my time due to responsibilities and previous choices that dictate most of my day to day life. I won't sing on Broadway in my twenties (playing Annie is out,) being an Olympian isn't in my life path, and having a spin 'n span house for more then twenty minutes won't be happening this year. But, I can belt out "Tomorrow" and "It's a Hard Knock Life" to my kids and they might clap, I can push myself to finish a race a few seconds faster and raise my arms high across the line, and I can enjoy a clean home for a few minutes. With a shift in perspective on location/stage/arena, I can feel like I accomplished things I thought to be "impossible."

"Can't" is a bad word in our house. Whenever I hear my kids using it, we try to change the phrase around to "I can ____, but I need some help." Asking for help is a difficult thing, even for kids who may require a lot! But as adults, us moms in particular, there is a barrier where we feel we didn't accomplish the task if we receive assistance. Sometimes it seems easier just to not start in the first place. It can feel so overwhelming and daunting. When you don't start, you can't fail right? But you won't grow, you won't learn, you won't succeed. And the personal joy of succeeding, even after setbacks and course alterations, is a priceless feeling.

There are so many stories about people overcoming situations that seem impossible. So You Think You Can Dance? often has guest dancers with disabilities. AXIS Dance Company, a company comprised of dancers with and without physical disabilities, has been featured on multiple seasons. There was a contestant on The Glee Project this year who is blind with a powerful singing voice and he was able to pick up choreography faster then some of the other contestants. Then there is always the inspirational story of Helen Keller. These people have overcome what others would think of as impossible and achieved.

Recently, I keep coming back to how this pertains to running specifically. In the beginning, it's easy to say I can't run a marathon, 5 miles is impossible for me, or running a mile yeah, no. The hard part is getting up early or heading to the gym when you would rather relax at home. Pushing yourself to be better. Urging your body forward. (Forward is a pace!) Finding motivation when you feel down. My sister-in-law, who recently started running, mentioned in passing that she "can't run more then three miles." And right now, that is probably partially true. Going out and running many miles straight, at a pace that feels faster then walking, isn't the smartest idea when just starting out. Start small, increasing your distance in a smart way (following a training plan is a great idea,) and overtime (ah, patience) you will find yourself in mile 4 and ready to go more. If that's what you want. You have to want it and you have to choose to put in the time or it won't happen, but just because you haven't, doesn't mean you can't. 

If you feel yourself starting the phrase "I can't," finish it with the word "yet." You're right, at this moment you may not be able to complete the task in the manner you hope to eventually. But with time, training, help, patience and sometimes a little bit of imagination it's not impossible.




9.08.2012

A Few of my Favorite (Running) Things

To make me feel like a real running blog, I decided it was about time for a favorite things list.
So here it goes with my Top Five:
  1. Vibram Five Fingers
    • One of my 3 pairs currently in rotation. Welcome to Crazy. 
    • You may have heard of the barefoot or minimalist movement. There are about a thousand books you can read about it and people will love to tell you how great it is for you (if they like it themselves) or how it causes more problems then it solves (if they think the idea is dumb, or tried it and hated it, or are scared to try it or any number of things.) I have never run in traditional running shoes. And from what I understand if you are going to transition from a traditional shoe to a barefoot/minimalist shoe you should start at the beginning. You will run differently in a minimalist shoe. If I try to run with a heal strike in my Five Fingers I can feel the pain straight to the top of my head, not pleasant. But I love to feel the ground beneath my feet. I'm sure I trip and fall just as often (maybe even a little less) then I would in "normal shoes." People either love them or really don't like them at all. There doesn't seem to be much of a middle ground, but they are one of my favorite shoes to wear when doing anything athletic from running and walking to biking to yoga and Pilates. They are my go to shoe. 
  2. LUNA bars
    • I just discovered these and they are my newest favorite thing. Before an early morning long run when I need a little bit of fuel, these site really easy on my stomach and are great to have after a tough late morning workout too. I am not a fan of protein bars or diet bars or anything that doesn't taste like real food. LUNA bars are more like a grown-up granola bar. They are made for women (though you guys can have some too if you ask nicely) and are each under 200 calories. If you are trying to cut out sugar though, these do have a bit of that. I have tried a few so far and my favorites are the ones with nuts, White Chocolate Macadamia and Vanilla Almond. I wasn't a big fan of the Carmel Nut Brownie or the S'Mores because they both tasted more like a health bar then I would have liked. My next tasting adventure will be the LUNA Minis which are only 80 calories and could be a great midmorning snack!
  3. Run Keeper
    • Great mobile app! It is a GPS based app that tracks your speed and distance on your outings. You can change the settings to alert you when you have reached a certain time or distance among other things. It has a coaching feature as well if you are looking to do intervals. The service also has a website and sends you emails when you complete a workout. (I'm sure there is a way to turn that off, but it doesn't bother me so I haven't touched it.) Oh and did I mention that it's free from iTunes?
  4. AMR - Another Mother Runner
    • The more I read from Another Mother Runner the more I like the pair of ladies that started this amazing online and on the run community. They have inspired me to keep moving forward and also have got me thinking on ways to bring the movement message to others. 
    • I love listening to podcasts more then music when I run and the AMR ladies do a 30 minute podcast which is great to listening to on those morning runs. I can get a few miles in by the end of the podcast and I feel like I have just had a conversation with some girlfriends. I haven't been able to find other female running podcasts that I like (if you know of one, would you share?) 
    • For more on why AMR is a favorite thing check out my post "I choose it for me."
  5. Sprigs Banjees Wrist Wallet
    • I really don't like those upper arm contraptions to put your phone or mp3 player in and this wrist wallet was just what I was looking for. Mine is a simple gray, but the website is full of fun colors and patterns. There are two different sizes a regular and a BIG. The regular size only has one zipper pocket while the BIG has an additional hooded pocket that fits my iPhone in its case. I can carry around a few bucks, the clicker for my car, an id, a credit card (in the zipper pocket) and my phone (in the hooded pocket) as needed when I go out for a run. It does take a little getting used too as the phone can be a little heavy at first. I wear the wallet a little higher up my arm then right at my wrist. The husband has one as well, but he doesn't like the weight of his phone on his wrist. We use them not only for runs, but anytime we go out and don't want to carry a purse or a wallet in a back pocket. Very handy!
There we go! My current five favorite running related things. 

What are your favorite things right now?


9.06.2012

Not Ready to Race it? Volunteer!

I have thought a lot about where to go from here after this year of races once a month. Maybe another half marathon, but not a full, not yet anyway. Perhaps a triathlon. A swim, bike, run. That's would be a change. And with the pool at the gym could be a great way to stay on top of my exercise over the winter. (I really, really don't like running on the treadmill.)

With this idea of a triathlon in mind I searched the area, like I do for any running race, and discovered the Iron Girl Triathlon in Columbia, MD on August 19th. A women only race definitely appeals to me especially for a first triathlon. Since I wasn't going to race this year, but I was interested in the idea of a triathlon, I signed up to volunteer.

Because I had no idea what to expect and I have never volunteered for a race before I asked the coordinator for a suggestion on where to sign up. She suggested the swim finish/run start water station staffed by Team in Training volunteers. (If you have ever seen groups of people in purple at races it was probably Team in Training. Check them out here.)

They asked we arrive at the venue around 6 as they were starting road closures at 6:30. The drive was easy and the park simple to find. I was not prepared for the vast number of people pulling into the parking lot/field. After venturing of the road, volunteers directed us through patches of trees to the end of lines and lines of vehicles. (I loved seeing all the bike racks. It made me smile so early in the morning.) Families, racers and volunteers were all arriving bright and early on this Sunday morning.

It didn't take long for me to find the water station, have some introductions, and get my first Team in Training purple race crew shirt. The directions were pretty simple, hand out water and gatorade while yelling out to the racers what you had to hand them an/or fill more cups and place them on the table. I had a chance to do it all! It is hard to hand off those little cups. No matter how I held it I always felt like I was ramming the cup into her hand.

The spot we were in had a lot of action as racers passed by on both sides at different times during the race. I was able to see the ladies come out of the water and into the transition area, where the bikes are, and also after they finished the bike ride seem them off on the last leg of the competition, the run. The weather was really great for a race a little cool, but not cold if you were moving around. A few of the spectators had jackets and blankets though. A speaker in the transition area kept us up to the minute on the starting and finishing lines. The winner finished in just under an hour and a half. That's a 0.62 mile swim, 17.5 mile bike and 3.3 mile run. Wow. She was one of three professional triathletes in the race.

Over the speaker, we heard about a gentleman in a suit waiting at the finish line to propose. She said yes! Though we were wondering if she could hear what we were hearing of the speakers because if she could she knew something was coming before she reached the finish.

One thing I noticed was due to the wave start of the race (you can only have so many ladies swimming in that narrow strip at once) the water station doesn't get over run and backed up the way it does in a run only race. With 3-4 people handing out cups we had more then enough hydration for the racers that wanted it.
Me at the nicely filled water/gatorade station, lots of little cups...

I had a great time working with Team in Training. I can see why so many people work with their organization. They were all welcoming, cheerful, supportive of the racers (loud trumpting followed by a chorus of "GO TEAM" every time a Team in Training member passed was quite nice,) enthusiastic and excited to be there. It was  a wonderful atmosphere.

Being a part of the race this year as a volunteer, excites me to sign up for a triathlon next year. The energy of the participants, the supporters and the other volunteers was fantastic. I loved the atmosphere of the race and community feeling and the sense that everyone was invited and if you wanted to take part you could. This is definitely a race I would enjoy participating in.

So if you are on the fence about signing up for a race, any race, try volunteering for one or even just coming out as a spectator and cheering the racers on. It's a great way to give back, even if just a little, and it allows you to test the waters of a race before getting your feet wet. And then maybe you'll be ready to jump in.

8 down 4 to go (aka a shorter Pittsburgh run)

The Run Around the Square 5K in Regent Square in Pittsburgh, PA on August 25th could easily become a race to do annually. With a combination of street, sidewalk and trail this race has so much character and an amazing amount of community support for a smaller race.

Capped at 1,500 racers, the race feels bigger because of a few tight turns and a narrow strips. But the energy of the crowd and the course layout, make up for the sometimes cramped running space.

Before the 5K, they ran a 1.5 mile family fun and dog walk. Many of those participants stayed to cheer on the 5Kers. I was presently surprised at how well all the pooches behaved! (We did see a white version of Bear which was a bit strange!)

Jamming Duet
The start of the race is through a neighborhood of brick cobblestone streets and then winds through the trails of beautiful Frick Park. The most welcomed surprise on the course were the many musicians. In the neighborhood there was a musician or two at almost every turn and the there were a few in the park on the trail. One of the people in the neighborhood had a boom-box out playing a local radio station. My favorite was the tuba player in the trees, sadly I didn't get a photo of him!


Electric Violinist
In addition to the few water stops provided by the race (and at least one by a local neighborhood gentleman,) there was a beer and champagne stop on the trail inside the park. I'm not a fan of bubbles in my drinks, but even so I think it was placed a little to early in the race. We still had at least half of the distance to left to travel and I'm not sure how that would have settled on the stomach. They did seem to be filling up as quickly as people were taking them, so maybe it's just me!

My dad found this race for me and he and my mom raced as well. Dad ran a great race and finished less then two minutes behind me. Way to go Dad! Mom had a great race too and we were talking about how we were surprised to see the finish because we could have kicked it in a little more at the end if we realized the finish was so close.

All in Blue and Ready to Race!
Now, I have never been to an after-race party like the one after this race. Spectators and racers meet up in Fern Hallow at the race finish to enjoy that post-race glow, admire the newly earned race medal and chow down on tons of food. Not only were bananas, chips, breads and other normally seen post race foods available, but they also had a full grill going with hot dogs and hamburgers (we skipped this because of the insane line) and the beer tent was definitely popular. There were also a row of venders from stores, churches, and restaurants. Most, if not all, of them had something delicious to offer runners. A Mexican restaurant was handing out salsa and chips, guacamole and pita chips (SO DELICIOUS) and a gaspacho along side lemonade or sangria.  Rita's was another stop on my list though we waited until we were on the way out because the line was incredibly long at first. The Red Velvet Cake Cream Ice was the perfect end to a great event, sweet, cool and refreshing.

Despite the great atmosphere, I ran a slower race then the July 4th race. Trail races are always a little slower and the course was pretty packed, then there's that summer heat which is not my friend when I'm trying to speed along. I finished the 5K in 34:42 for an 11:12/mile. Not bad, but not what I was hoping for either. I came in 991st out of 1500 and 92nd out of 123 in my age group 25-29.

Things I learned from Race #8:

  1. Sangria is right up there with wine for me as a post race pick-up, very tasty.
  2. I do not like to run downhill. Yes, you go fast, but I feel like I am going to trip and fall on my face the whole way down. 
  3. Live musicians on a course really make the race a wonderfully different experience. 
  4. I really enjoy the hybrid races (road and trail.) I wonder if I can find more like this one. I love running on trails, but running during the weekend no one is on the trails here and that doesn't feel so safe to me...
  5. Having a phone with GPS is incredibly helpful when down in a wooded holler with no clear idea how to get back to the car. When technology works it's wonderful!
Climbing steps out of the holler!

Coming up with five newly learned things for each race is becoming more difficult!

Hopefully the weather cools down a bit and I can increase my speed before the UNDY5000 at the end of the month! We'll see!

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