Tapering during a marathon can make or break race results. Tapering is when you cut back on your mileage a couple of weeks before your race to rest the body so that it can perform on race day. “Reducing your total weekly volume by 20 to 25 percent during this week gives your body a chance to recover from all that hard work by restocking depleted glycogen supplies and repairing tissue damage.” {source} Continue reading
Why is it that everytime I get close to a race that’s important to me EVERYONE around me is sick?!?! The folks in the office are sick…almost ALL of them, my nephew is sick, and last night my husband tells me he is sick, AFTER I gave him a quick kiss. He said, “uh-oh…forgot to tell you I’m getting sick. I have a sore throat.” WHAT?????!!!! Are you kidding me?! Couldn’t tell me this BEFORE you gave me your germs? Continue reading
Two weeks before the marathon and I’m now in taper mode. After Saturday’s half marathon, I decided to take off on Sunday and do Yin Yoga. Yesterday, I didn’t do a damn thing. I planned on doing “something,” but it just didn’t happen. Tuesday’s are our normal track workout days, but our training group was having a celebration for all those who ran in the Baltimore Running Festival today. While I wanted to be with my runners, I needed to stay disciplined and stick with the training. So, I went to the track, alone and naked. No, not naked as in not wearing clothes, but naked as in no running belt, no cell phone, no inhaler, no iPod, nothing…oh wait! I had my Garmin, so I guess I was semi-naked. Continue reading
I’ve gotten into the habit of not properly warming up before a race. Don’t get me wrong, I do warm up, but with the excitement of the race and the hassle of the crowd, I’m sure I don’t do enough. I have to thank my friend for capturing this picture in action at yesterday’s Baltimore Running Festival. Couldn’t have planned it any better. Continue reading
Mother nature was gracious enough to give us great running weather. Overcast, cool, and very slight drizzle here an there. Didn’t need the duct tape on my shoes after all! The Baltimore Running Festival was amazing! This year I did the half marathon race as part of my Marine Corps Marathon training and I had a bast! Coach Marie told us to take it easy as we are in taper mode and to try and not get caught up in the race. It was hard, but we managed. Continue reading
Looks like we might have some wet weather for tomorrow’s Baltimore Running Festival. The Baltimore Marathon was my first marathon and I was fortunate enough to have perfect running conditions. Tomorrow, however, there’s a good chance of rain. As I prepare for the half marathon tomorrow, I’ve decided to share some tips I’ve learned along the way.
One of the most inspiring runners to me is my personal trainer, who also coached me for my first half marathon with Charm City Run. When John runs, you can’t help but be in awe of his form and grace. Not only is he a great runner, he is humble and genuine. He’s a constant coach even while he’s running a marathon, checking in on runners when they’re not looking so good and giving them a pep talk to help them push through the wall. John turned to running after living a very unhealthy lifestyle that was taking him down a dark road that wasn’t going to end well. He now helps people by coaching half and full marathon groups and also with personal training. Below is our interview. Continue reading
You know when you first fall in love and you have those googly eyes and butterflies in your stomach? Everything revolves around your love and your spirit and soul feel so alive. When you think about this love, it’s an instant lift in your heart, an impromptu smile in your face, or a deep satisfying breath. When you first started running, did you feel this way about it or is it just me? Continue reading
Saturday’s long run was the last long run before the Marathon. The day started out beautiful and we had a great first 10 miles, but then the sun, heat, and humidity reared it’s ugly head. By mile 15, we were hating it. We were in Timonium which means hill after hill after hill and twenty miles of hills suck. And they suck worse in 87 degree weather. Continue reading
Just came back from an informational meeting about training for the HAT Run. The HAT Run (http://www.hatrun.com/) is a 50K trail ultramarathon in Maryland and it’s on my bucket list. There are only 500 spots, so entry to the race is by lottery only.
I really wanted to do an ultra in 2013, but it wasn’t in the cards for me, so I’m really anxious about running one in 2014. There are several reasons NOT to train for an ultra: Continue reading
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