Category Archives: Trail Running

Week 2 – North Face/Gortex 50 Miler Training (You’re on Your Own Kid)

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So far week 2 is going well. I have gotten in every training run and personal training session so far. My legs are still very tired from this past weekend and these short 6 mile morning runs are challenging. I hope it gets better soon, it has to, right?

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I love running with my group of friends. When I first started out it was just us the three of us. They talked while I grunted and gasped for air. They got me to mile one and eventually to mile 13.1. Continue reading →

No Guts, No Glory.

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I haven’t blogged in over a week. After the HAT Run, I visited old friends in Savannah, Georgia and ate myself silly. Would you expect any less from me? I tell you, if you want great food…head South. I gained 4 lbs…FOUR GLORIOUS POUNDS! Here are just a few snapshots from vaca.

savannah collage Continue reading →

HAT RUN 50K – Part 2 (The Best Adventure EVER!)

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This is probably the longest post I have ever written. Hopefully I don’t bore you with the details. You might be better off saving this as a bathroom read. Hoping the pictures will break up the monotony of my writing.

When I woke up on race day I was anxious. I had everything laid out but I couldn’t get my act together. So, I started with coffee. For me, coffee gets “things” moving in the morning and after all of the food I ate yesterday, “things” needed to move. I was still full from everything I ate but I prepared my morning breakfast of two eggs and an egg white scrambled and a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies anyway (hey, they said eat the cookies). Continue reading →

HAT RUN 50K – Recap Part 1 (The Day Before The Race)

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I don’t even know where to begin, but I guess I’ll start with my pre-race day prep. All week I was doing what I could to make sure that I was hydrated by drinking coconut water, which I don’t particularly care for, Gatorade, and of course, water. I was also trying to eat whole nutritious foods to carb up. According to Jeremy Hoefs of Livestrong.com, “Marathon runners follow a carb-loading approach to nutrition during race week and the day before the marathon. This temporary diet change calls for an increased carb intake that results in your body filling the muscle glycogen stores that supply energy as you run.” Continue reading →

HAT Run 50K Training – Week 4 (Learning How to Fall)

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Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later and I’m actually surprised that it didn’t happen sooner. I fell. Twice. The good thing was, neither fall was a face plant and I did not get injured. And, I also realized that the good thing about being in the back of the pack is, only the person in front of you gets to witness these events. I am embarrassed to say that I apparently squeal like a little school girl when I fall. Both times I let out this high-pitched EEEEE! It also happened when I almost had fall #3. EEEEE! Seriously folks?! So not cool. Continue reading →

HAT Run Training – Week 2 Track (Tales of the Asthmatic Runner)

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I’ve never been much of a writer, but during a lot of my runs, especially in the cold when my asthma kicks into high gear, I always ponder about writing a book titled Tales of the Asthmatic Runner. I don’t know why. I think I just like the title. But I have no idea what the plot would be, et cetera, et cetera.

Last night at track we did hill work around Goucher. The track was icy, so we skipped the track portion of the workout. Probably a good thing. My lungs were tight and I could tell that it wasn’t going to be a good night. So, if I were to write about last night in a story format, I think it would go something like this… Continue reading →

What’s the Difference Between Regular Running Shoes and Trail Shoes?

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Believe it or not, I really had a hard time finding a lot of information in comparing regular running shoes and trail shoes. When I was fitted for my trail shoes, I asked Coach Marie, what’s the difference? I also noticed that people debated on whether or not you really needed trail running shoes. Being a first time trail runner and having worn my regular running shoes on the rocky, rooty, trails, I say YES! If you are running on trails with rocks, roots, a lot of elevation changes, get trail shoes! If you are simply sticking to a dirt trail, I think it’s fine to wear your regular shoes. Continue reading →

HAT Run 50K – Week 1 (A little bit of mud, a shoe full of water, and a little piece of heaven.)

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Here we go folks! It’s TRAINING SEASON! Can I get a “hell yeah”?! Today was the first official training run for the HAT Run 50k. Being the clutz that I am, I was hesitant (and still am) about taking my non-graceful self off the roads and on to the trails. Thankfully, while I had some very close calls, and would-be wipe outs saved by the runner in front of me (thanks Reds & Frank), I actually did okay today. Trail running is not easy! My butt is still burning from all of the hills this morning and I know it’s just going to get worse from here. Wait, let me rephrase that…It’s going to get more challenging from here 🙂 But, I’m okay with that, ’cause by the end of the season, I’m going to have a rock hard ass! Continue reading →

Friday’s Tip of the Week – Myrtl Routine (Improving Agility)

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As you know, I’ve started trail running. I’m highly uncoordinated and am very worried about falling on my face or breaking an ankle out on the trails. In my search for exercises to help me with my agility, I came across the Myrtl Routine in Runner’s World. The Myrtl Routine “improves your range of motion and adds agility you’ll need for the trail.” Now, I’ve done these exercises before, but never thought that they could help with running. Guess I’m going to have to add this to the mix!

Holiday Gifts Ideas for Runners – 2013

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Well, it’s that time of year for gift giving, so I took a poll on my So What? I Run. Facebook page to see what runners want for the holidays. And with every response that was posted, I said to myself, “yep, yep, yep.” There was definitely a common theme, we want practical useful “run things.” Here is a list of gift ideas for your favorite runner. Continue reading →