Category Archives: HAT 50K Training

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

Posted on by
4

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 →

HAT Run 50K – Week 2 (The Slush Can Suck It!)

Posted on by
6

Okay, let’s try this again. I initially wrote this post on Sunday in a Word document and as I was ready to transfer it over to WordPress, my laptop crashed. And I don’t mean, just shut down…I mean the hard drive completely blew up. It also happened to my spare laptop. Both have been sent back to HP for repairs and I’m glad they’re still under warranty.

Anyway, my post was a little longer when I originally wrote it, but I have since forgotten most of it. It’s amazing how just a little bit of time makes you forget details that you thought were initially important. Lucky you, this is going to be short.

Sunday’s run was great, except for the stupid slush. Ya’ll know I hate wet feet, but what I hate worse than wet feet is freezing cold wet feet. Thirteen minutes in of schlepping through the slush, both feet were wet and cold. I eventually couldn’t feel my feet but my SmartWool socks did a decent job of keeping me from getting frostbite. It’s funny, I was telling some of the folks in my training group that this training is going to knock the prissy little girl right out of me. Last week I was “ew” or “gross” with every muddy step, this week it was more like “ew” or “gross” with every other slushy muddy step. Progress. Continue reading →

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

Posted on by
9

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 →

Snow Run! Snow Run!

Posted on by
2

Why is that whenever I bundle up with a bazillion layers of clothes I all of the sudden have to go to the bathroom??!! It never fails! I’m geared up ready to go, walk towards the door to leave, and BOOM…gotta turn back around, delayer and go to the bathroom. My body probably thinks it’s hysterical to do that to me, but I’m not laughing. Oh well. Continue reading →

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

Posted on by
2

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)

Posted on by
Reply

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!

Oh Crap, What Did I Get Myself Into? (HAT Pre-training trail run)

Posted on by
4

While that HAT Run training doesn’t officially start until next week, our coach gave us a schedule to get us acclimated to what’s to come. So, this morning Reds and I decided to head up to Susquehanna State Park and give it a go on the course to see what it was about. When we got to what we thought was our starting point, the “Susquehanna Ridge Trail” which marked with red signs, this is what we saw… Continue reading →

Beast Mode – ON!

Posted on by
4

While some folks got up early yesterday for some Black Friday shopping, I decided to work off the 5,738 calories that I ate during Thanksgiving dinner instead. I was going to turn the beast mode on! Got up at 5:30 am, headed to the gym to train with my trainer and then set off to meet a friend for a trail run. I was supposed to meet her at 8:30, but as I left the gym, I got a message from her that she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t make it. Continue reading →

Pumpkin Pancakes and Trails (11/10 Weekend Recap)

Posted on by
4

I’m sorry that I’m not writing as much as I was when I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon. I guess I still have a touch of the post-marathon blues and have been “eh” about the run…until this weekend. I think I found my running mojo again…thank goodness! Yesterday I set out to run ten miles at the NCR trail. My friend Becky was set out to run six, so we decided to meet up and run some of the way together along with a couple of her friends. It was great to catch up with Becky. If you recall, she was one of my first interviews for Runners Inspiring Runners (which I need to pick back up). She has come so far and I’m so proud of her! Continue reading →