I must confess I am not good at this blogging thing. I always think I'll get things on here, but I never do. I just seem to always forget. So I'll catch up on the past months in a short amount of time.
April- Umstead was Fabulous, I had a 50 mile PR, coming in just under 16 hours. I was so excited and felt very accomplished in finishing almost an hour and a half better than last year. It was such a great race.
May- Preparing for Dance recital. I danced at both of the studios' recitals. It was a ton of work, but I had a great time. My First year of ballet was a success as I did not fall off the stage and was able to pull off my turns. Next season will bring even more challenges.
June- Booty Rumble was fantastic. I got to do a few loops with some fantastic people and a good time was had by all, even in the rain!
July 4th- ran a local 5K for fun and got a PR and a third place AG award. No one was more shocked than me!
July18th- was pushing hard at a local 10K for a PR, but was a minute slower. It was a good race and I was happy with the time.
August- Am training for the upcoming Oil Creek 50K. It is going to be tough on this flatlander, but I am hoping to pull out a finish. I am running another 5K locally with some friends soon, I hope they don't blow my doors off!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Umstead, 1 week away!
I cannot believe how the race snuck up on me. Next friday I'll be making the long awaited trip down to NC with Derek, so we can do some running. I am merely going for another 50 finish, with the hopes of under 14 hours. Derek is going for the 100 finish and it's going to be a good time. We've secrued ourselves a "Green Hornet" aka my Grandfather's Durango so no more trying to cram ourselves and all of our stuff into the rabbit.
I am feeling good about the upcoming race. I have my normal prerace ritual of wondering if I am ready for it, did I pack the right stuff, and am I going to finish. To help with some of that, my co-workers helped me out by signing up to "run a mile" with me. I have lots of names and great messages to carry with my while I run. It will certainly help me at mile 41 when all I want it Mt. Dew and to sit down!
This next week is always the hardest, trying to find the balance between keeping active, but tapering. Luckily I have pretty easy gym workouts planned, and dance will help keep me stretched out.
Don't forget that the Booty Rumble is 2.5 months away... you'll want to get your name in for that ASAP. Plus, I heard a Rumor that the shirts this year are going to be just as sweet as last years... plus I bet some of you want a black slug shirt... so what are you waiting for?
I am feeling good about the upcoming race. I have my normal prerace ritual of wondering if I am ready for it, did I pack the right stuff, and am I going to finish. To help with some of that, my co-workers helped me out by signing up to "run a mile" with me. I have lots of names and great messages to carry with my while I run. It will certainly help me at mile 41 when all I want it Mt. Dew and to sit down!
This next week is always the hardest, trying to find the balance between keeping active, but tapering. Luckily I have pretty easy gym workouts planned, and dance will help keep me stretched out.
Don't forget that the Booty Rumble is 2.5 months away... you'll want to get your name in for that ASAP. Plus, I heard a Rumor that the shirts this year are going to be just as sweet as last years... plus I bet some of you want a black slug shirt... so what are you waiting for?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
December already!!!
It just seems like 2008 just started! It's been an interesting year, with my first 50 miler and road marathon and PRs in both the 5K and the 10K. I also moved into the Dreaded 30s age group catergory, where I keep my slug dream alive by finishing close to the bottom most races. I finished off my year of racing with an apperance at the Baltimore Half Marathon, running for Team Tiara, which raised some money for my local chapter of Girls on the Run. I had a great time and received the Maryland Double Medal for running both Frederick and Baltimore. It's was a very sweet ending to my year.
I took about a month off from running, concentrating on weights, crosstraining, and dancing. I am tkaing Ballet in addition to the Hip Hop class and find it difficult, but fun. The flexibility benefits I am getting are really helping my fitness. Plus, I love it! Weightlifting has been going well, I am gaining much strength with my squats and bench presses, hopefully i will reach my goals of 225 Squat and 150 Bench sometime early next summer.
I went on a wonderful long run with my friend Derek 2 weekends ago. It was a beautiful day and the trail was great. It was nice to get some miles on the legs. I am back into running mode, with some interval training and crosstraining to keep it interesting. I am hoping to get in good runs on Sundays during December, so I'll be ready for a nice run on Jan. 4th and kick my year off in good running style.
I took about a month off from running, concentrating on weights, crosstraining, and dancing. I am tkaing Ballet in addition to the Hip Hop class and find it difficult, but fun. The flexibility benefits I am getting are really helping my fitness. Plus, I love it! Weightlifting has been going well, I am gaining much strength with my squats and bench presses, hopefully i will reach my goals of 225 Squat and 150 Bench sometime early next summer.
I went on a wonderful long run with my friend Derek 2 weekends ago. It was a beautiful day and the trail was great. It was nice to get some miles on the legs. I am back into running mode, with some interval training and crosstraining to keep it interesting. I am hoping to get in good runs on Sundays during December, so I'll be ready for a nice run on Jan. 4th and kick my year off in good running style.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
End of May
I finally posted my Frederick mini race report. I forgot to mention that Sir Sweet Cheeks and his friend went out to lunch with Jamie and I after the race and had a wonderful time celebrating my 30th... even with the stomach issues.
The following Saturday I had the pleasure and the joy of seeing The Cure in Philly on their tour. It was a wonderful time with good music and my Uncle Howard. I forgot how much I love seeing them live and how I felt like a kid just discovering their music for the first time.
Sunday May 11th brought the start of the rain and the threat of flooding. I went to sleep, ready for work on Monday. At 2:30 am my pager went off, our station being dispatched for a "Residential Rescue". I got dressed quickly and took Jamie's truck, in case of water on the roads. I made it to the station 11 minutes after the intial call and was greeted with lots of radio traffic in the station. I listened as people were being rescued and calls were made for more boats from other stations. I got a call to bring the van to the scene, so I could transport victims to the station.
One of the officers was coming into the station so we loaded the van with flares, an AED, and a med bag. We were off, although we tried to swamp the van while leaving town. Once on scene I watched as the water rushed higher and higher, causing us to retreat away from the Bay Shore. I listened as a mandatory evacuation order was put into place and helped put vicitms and their pets into the van and make the drive back to the station. I listened their stories, their worries, and their biggest fears. I watched as they clutched their pets, their kids, and each other. All I could offer was a warm ride and a promise of food and coffee at the fire station. I had nothing else that I could say to make it better for them, only could offer a hand with their luggage, a hug, and scratch for a displaced pet.
In the end, almost 200 people were evacuated from the area. While we did our best to save pets, some were unfortunately lost in the floods, although no human life was lost. It served as a reminder that things can change in a moment, if the tide is right.
The following Saturday I had the pleasure and the joy of seeing The Cure in Philly on their tour. It was a wonderful time with good music and my Uncle Howard. I forgot how much I love seeing them live and how I felt like a kid just discovering their music for the first time.
Sunday May 11th brought the start of the rain and the threat of flooding. I went to sleep, ready for work on Monday. At 2:30 am my pager went off, our station being dispatched for a "Residential Rescue". I got dressed quickly and took Jamie's truck, in case of water on the roads. I made it to the station 11 minutes after the intial call and was greeted with lots of radio traffic in the station. I listened as people were being rescued and calls were made for more boats from other stations. I got a call to bring the van to the scene, so I could transport victims to the station.
One of the officers was coming into the station so we loaded the van with flares, an AED, and a med bag. We were off, although we tried to swamp the van while leaving town. Once on scene I watched as the water rushed higher and higher, causing us to retreat away from the Bay Shore. I listened as a mandatory evacuation order was put into place and helped put vicitms and their pets into the van and make the drive back to the station. I listened their stories, their worries, and their biggest fears. I watched as they clutched their pets, their kids, and each other. All I could offer was a warm ride and a promise of food and coffee at the fire station. I had nothing else that I could say to make it better for them, only could offer a hand with their luggage, a hug, and scratch for a displaced pet.
In the end, almost 200 people were evacuated from the area. While we did our best to save pets, some were unfortunately lost in the floods, although no human life was lost. It served as a reminder that things can change in a moment, if the tide is right.
60 some days and over 100 miles...
May 4th 2008 marked my first attempt at the road marathon. It would also put me over the 100 mile mark for races in a 60 some odd day time frame. I was excited by trying something new. but a little nervous about running on the roads. Plus, the marathon marked a huge personal milestone for me, my 30th birthday. Jamie and I arrived in Frederick the night before around 7pm for packet pick-up and then to our hotel for some dinner and some sleep. During my prerace prep, I got a call that my Older Brother was in the Hospital for an unknown reason. With worries on my mind, I tried to get some sleep.
The alarm goes off too early and I am up and getting ready for the race. I get my race ready shorts packed with food and S! Caps. I fill up my bottle. I check and recheck my shoes, my chip, my number. Finally we are in the car on the way to the fairgrounds. We left very early on the reccomendation from the local police and I am so glad. The traffic was packed in and we were lucky that one of the volunteers let Jamie drop me off and turn around in the volunteer lot. I walked my way to the bathrooms and had several people comment on my choice to wear a tank. It was bit chilly, but I knew I would get warm.
I met up with Sir Sweet Cheeks prior to the run and one of his wonderful friends. SSC and I were going for a marathon and his friend was going for a half. The race started and we were off. I went at my usual slug pace and just kept moving along. It was a lovely course and I found myself perfectly dressed for the weather. I made it to the 13.1 mile marker feeling pretty good. Then around mile 15 my stomach started going south on me. I found myself in a portojohn, losing about 15 minutes and finding myself a bit dehydrated. I did my best to catch up, but after yet another 15 minute stop, I was in the weeds with my hydration. I crawled through the miles, with the "run drop" car right on my tail. I picked it up a bit and caught up with some walkers. They were keeping a good pace, so I stuck with them for a while.
Thoughout the hilly portion of the course I pushed uphill and then ran downhill, trying to keep ahead of the run drop vehicles. After a few miles we asked how we were doing for time and were informed that we were 20 minutes ahead of cutoff. Woohoo! I was feeling better at this point and decided to push on, even though my hopes of under a 6 hour marathon were out the window. I slowly, but surely pressed ahead, catching up to runners as the miles went by. The last two miles seemed to stretch on forever, but I was ready for the finish. As I came around to the line Jamie was there with news of my Brother, who had pancreatitis, and was released from the hospital that morning. I was relieved to hear he was okay and pushed myself into the finish. 6:12 and some change. Not too shabby for my first road outing and for some stomach issues. I was still sick with them that night and the next day, I figured I picked up a bug somewhere along the way.
I really had a good challenge with the course and may do it again next year. For right now I have my sights set on a good 10K PR in July, a strong 50K in Sept, and hopefully a PR at the Baltimore Half in Oct. I signed up for the Maryland Double and also signed up to support Team Tiara for that race, so I'll be wearing a lovely crown!
The alarm goes off too early and I am up and getting ready for the race. I get my race ready shorts packed with food and S! Caps. I fill up my bottle. I check and recheck my shoes, my chip, my number. Finally we are in the car on the way to the fairgrounds. We left very early on the reccomendation from the local police and I am so glad. The traffic was packed in and we were lucky that one of the volunteers let Jamie drop me off and turn around in the volunteer lot. I walked my way to the bathrooms and had several people comment on my choice to wear a tank. It was bit chilly, but I knew I would get warm.
I met up with Sir Sweet Cheeks prior to the run and one of his wonderful friends. SSC and I were going for a marathon and his friend was going for a half. The race started and we were off. I went at my usual slug pace and just kept moving along. It was a lovely course and I found myself perfectly dressed for the weather. I made it to the 13.1 mile marker feeling pretty good. Then around mile 15 my stomach started going south on me. I found myself in a portojohn, losing about 15 minutes and finding myself a bit dehydrated. I did my best to catch up, but after yet another 15 minute stop, I was in the weeds with my hydration. I crawled through the miles, with the "run drop" car right on my tail. I picked it up a bit and caught up with some walkers. They were keeping a good pace, so I stuck with them for a while.
Thoughout the hilly portion of the course I pushed uphill and then ran downhill, trying to keep ahead of the run drop vehicles. After a few miles we asked how we were doing for time and were informed that we were 20 minutes ahead of cutoff. Woohoo! I was feeling better at this point and decided to push on, even though my hopes of under a 6 hour marathon were out the window. I slowly, but surely pressed ahead, catching up to runners as the miles went by. The last two miles seemed to stretch on forever, but I was ready for the finish. As I came around to the line Jamie was there with news of my Brother, who had pancreatitis, and was released from the hospital that morning. I was relieved to hear he was okay and pushed myself into the finish. 6:12 and some change. Not too shabby for my first road outing and for some stomach issues. I was still sick with them that night and the next day, I figured I picked up a bug somewhere along the way.
I really had a good challenge with the course and may do it again next year. For right now I have my sights set on a good 10K PR in July, a strong 50K in Sept, and hopefully a PR at the Baltimore Half in Oct. I signed up for the Maryland Double and also signed up to support Team Tiara for that race, so I'll be wearing a lovely crown!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Umstead, Cruises, and a Marathon
My RR for Umstead is on the Team Slug Blog. Long Story short, I did it. Finally. I ran 50 miles and finished and it felt good. A week later I found myself on a 9 night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. If you've never been on a cruise I highly recommend it. It was wonderful and the places I got to see were so beautiful. It was hard to leave the warm islands for the return trip home, but I was happy to be back home.
The sense of well-being and overwhelming joy of finishing my first 50 miler were replaced with some nerves for Frederick. It's my first road marathon ever and while the distance doesn't really worry me, running a road race is a lot different than trails. I'm planning on bringing plenty of munchies with me on race day and just go out to have fun. Isn't that what all this crazy running is about? To have fun? Plus, I happen to have it on good authority that some Slugs and a few Kickrunners are going to be in town on the 4th for a meet and greet. Should be a good time!
The sense of well-being and overwhelming joy of finishing my first 50 miler were replaced with some nerves for Frederick. It's my first road marathon ever and while the distance doesn't really worry me, running a road race is a lot different than trails. I'm planning on bringing plenty of munchies with me on race day and just go out to have fun. Isn't that what all this crazy running is about? To have fun? Plus, I happen to have it on good authority that some Slugs and a few Kickrunners are going to be in town on the 4th for a meet and greet. Should be a good time!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Umstead is coming
So my training for the 50 miler at Umstead is on track. I did 4 hours of crosstraining to go with a kick butt long run tomorrow. It's suppossed to be a warm day, so I am sure Ranger Rick will be watching for me! Before Umstead comes Seneca Creek 50K, which I am looking forward to. There will be some slugs there and it's a beautiful course, and fun to be had. I am hoping to get a good run in and then feel that much more prepared for Umstead.
Currently I have been logging my miles and hitting the gym hard. Plus Dance class, which is just total fun and keeps me agile. The gym has been challenging lately, I went back to two Butt kicking trainer days a week, which is working well with the 50 miler training. It's been a good training season and I just hope all the hard work comes together for the big day. I am just hoping not to have a JFK repeat of stress fracture, but I am training smarter this time around. Paws crossed.
No matter what Umstead should be a good time with all the Slugs and Kickrunners there. I also have two fantastic people coming to help me out, Lisa and Tara, which totally kicks ass. I know I can do anything with them there cheering me on!
Currently I have been logging my miles and hitting the gym hard. Plus Dance class, which is just total fun and keeps me agile. The gym has been challenging lately, I went back to two Butt kicking trainer days a week, which is working well with the 50 miler training. It's been a good training season and I just hope all the hard work comes together for the big day. I am just hoping not to have a JFK repeat of stress fracture, but I am training smarter this time around. Paws crossed.
No matter what Umstead should be a good time with all the Slugs and Kickrunners there. I also have two fantastic people coming to help me out, Lisa and Tara, which totally kicks ass. I know I can do anything with them there cheering me on!
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