The Postman Always Rains Twice

Since Kid A had a swim meet this evening, I had to get my run in during my lunch hour. I love lunchtime runs because it breaks up the boredom and provides me with a laugh drying my sweaty clothes on my office door knob! Today I needed a clothes dryer from my clothes being so wet. What started out as an "iffy" run dodging sprinkles turned into a torrential downpour. On the upside, I had a blast splashing around like a duck and giggling like a 4-year-old! It felt like recess and I definitely didn't want to go back to class/job. By the time I'm completely dry it's time to go home. Being the meteorologist that I am (NOT) I decide around 7ish to take puppy for a walk. Five minutes into Jameson's walk and the monsoon hit - the postman always rains twice.

Race Detoxing

It's been 2 weeks since my last race and I am getting the shakes...I need my fix. By no means am I good at this stuff (racing) but damn, I do enjoy looking forward to the race, the pre-activities (from layout out my clothes, attaching my chip and eating pasta), to the lining up, and post-race beer (uhmm...food). I raced 5/2, 5/10, 5/23, 5/31 and 6/13. I have nothing nada zilch till 8/9. I'm afraid my daughters will find me "practice tying" my IPICO chip to my shoes - which will then require "husband intervention" (gasp!). Thank goodness my other obsession - the Tour de France - begins in a few days (T minus 5 to be exact). Lance will have to serve as my "racing patch" - GO LANCE!

Trail Running Newbie

To spice things up a bit, I have signed up for a 10 mile trail run in New York at the Holiday Valley Ski Resort. I've tackled a 5k Xterra trail run before, but there's a big difference between 3 miles and 10 miles. The good news is that I'm physically able to do a 13.1 mile road race. Obviously, I will want to add a lot more hill work, lots of squats and switch my weekly long run to trail running. I'd like to get some feedback or advice from runners who switch it up every now and then with trail work. Definitely looking to this new challenge!

It's Official - I got a 10k PR!

The 17th state was checked off on Saturday with a wonderful trip with my 2 daughters. I ran the Lombardi Classic 10k in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1:03:05. Two weeks earlier I ran the ZOOMA Annapolis 10k in 1:05:03. A new 10k PR!!!! The course was through the Milwaukee Zoo - so what better way to start off a morning than to run past elk, caribou, grizzly bears, giraffes and emu! I loved every minute of it. Afterwards, my daughters and I enjoyed a morning filled with more animals. Before heading to Chicago (for a little Magnificent Mile time), we made a spontaneous trip to the Jelly Belly factory. The tour was so-so (a bit boring) but the samples were great and the jelly belly hat totally made the trip worthwhile! We made it to Chicago in time to do sufficient damage to the Visa card before enjoying a Giordano deep dish pizza (I hope I burned off enough calories to make this splurge not as damaging!)...mmmmmmm! On the drive back Sunday we hit the University of Notre Dame to enjoy the bookstore and grounds. Overall, wonderful race - wonderful trip! Below are some pictures of the weekend -


Pinning on my number


Finish line!


Bridget and I with a Milwaukee Buck :)


Me, Bridget and Megan at the Jelly Belly Factory

Morning Runs

I've now completed my first week of morning runs. This is a big deal for me because I'm a ginger daywalker (see South Park if you really have to ask) and we are rarely seen in the sun. Most of my runs are in the evening...and quite honestly I've never understood happy sunshine morning people anyway - it was one group I never wanted to be a member. However, I'm really digging the 5 and 6 am runs. My running partner gave me the best compliment this morning - he looked back at me almost saying, "seriously, are we really keeping this pace?" Well, if my 5 year old black lab could have talked this morning I am sure he would have said exactly that! My next morning run will be Saturday as I check off my 17th state. My daughters (Kid A & Pablo Honey) will be cheering me on and I'm confident I will get closer to my goal of running a one hour 10k!

The Wait Is Over

On the plus side, I don't have to check my email daily now waiting for the announcement. On the downside, Greg and I didn't make the cut for the NYC Marathon. The good news is that if you get denied 3 years in a row, then you get admission. So 2012 here we come! Instead of NYC, I will now be searching out another fall destination marathon. The Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa might be my fall choice...

16th State Was One of My Favorite Races!

I missed a 10k PR by 40 seconds but I was more than happy with my time of 1:05:02. I ran the ZOOMA 10k in Annapolis this past Sunday. The morning was iffy since it was raining buckets and lightning at 6:00 am. Megan was a course marshal volunteer working at the 10k turnaround. I have to say it was pretty cool hearing her voice as I approached the turn/half marathon split. Rating the course, organization, town and post race food and festivities, I would have to give high marks. Packet pick up on Saturday was simple and I did enjoy walking around the Naval Academy stadium and seeing GO NAVY in the bleachers. We strolled around the town and had lunch at this great little gem called Chick and Ruth's "delly" - I highly recommend this place. Race morning was not initially ideal, but what can you do when Mother Nature deals you a bad hand! Surprisingly, the temps stayed in the high 50s to low 60s which was nice regardless of the rain. Wouldn't you know it stopped raining about a mile before the finish. The course was scenic and challenging - a great combination. The finish line was spacious and food was spot on. All finishers received a special necklace made by women in Guatemala - a nice touch. I had the option of riding the shuttle back to the Naval stadium or walking a mile back. The walk back was an ideal choice. The After Party was exactly as promised. I was greeted by a volunteer handing out chocolates, next I had a yummy sample size cupcake from Nostalgia Cupcakes, a box lunch with hummus, carrot/celery sticks & apple, and a cold complimentary glass of Pinot Grigio from Barefoot Wines. Although I didn't sign up for a free massage, I was impressed with how organized the service was. I even treated myself to a new pink shirt that read, "one tasty cupcake = 3.1 miles" - love it! Best of all, I got to share this race experience with my daughter, who was a great volunteer. I would recommend this as a destination race since the town is a must-see and the race is challenging, well run and truly enjoyable.