HAT 50K Training – The Final Countdown – 5 Days Until Race Day

It’s official. These past few days I settled in to the taper blues losing my motivation and excitement for the race. We had a nice 1 hour and 45 minute run on the course on Saturday and it was tough. No, really…it was HARD! My Achilles were very tight and the hills might as well have been mountains. Parts of the course were very slippery and the mud, well you know how I feel about mud. How am I going to run 50K like this???  I don’t feel prepared. I know that I am, but I just don’t feel it. Continue reading

Runners Inspiring Runners – Georgene

I can’t say enough nice things about Georgene. I met Georgene through a mutual friend in our Charm City Run training group. She welcomed me with open, caring arms and I knew that I just added another sole sister to my running family. Georgene’s story has inspired so many in our training group and when you read it, you’ll understand why. Georgene is a fighter and a survivor. She is genuine and she will go out of her way to be there for you when you need her. Below is our interview. Continue reading

HAT 50K Training – Week 16 Recap (Illegal to Run in the Street)

I can’t believe that the race is in two weeks. And in two weeks, I’m going to have the pleasure of saying that I’m officially an ultrarunner. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! We’re in taper and this weekend long runs were 2 hours of trail yesterday and 10 miles on the road today. Each run was pretty uneventful for me, but it didn’t make me appreciate them any less. I enjoyed the company and had a pretty decent time. There is one thing that I found out this weekend that blew my mind…it is illegal to run in the street in Maryland if there is a sidewalk available. Continue reading

Friday’s Tip of the Week – Hip for Runners (I know I’m a day late)

I know! I know! I was supposed to post this yesterday and life got in the way. My bad! Last Saturday’s long run really played a number on my hips. So I did what I typically do when body body yells at me…I find a way to fine tune that area.

Here is a short video with 10 great exercises for your hips. If you suffer from IT band issues, these exercises should help in that area too.

  • The Clam
  • Lateral Leg Raises
  • Donkey Kicks
  • Donkey Whips
  • Fire Hydrant
  • Hurdle Drill
  • Theraband Balance Drill
  • Standing Hip Flexor
  • Standing Hip Abductor
  • Hip Hikes

Another PlowOn Gum Giveaway!

I just can’t get enough of this stuff and I’m happy to be able to share this sponsored giveaway from PlowOn Gum once again. PlowOn is an energy gum that I use during my training to give me a little boost especially during the long runs. If you missed my previous review, check it out here!

energy-gum-6-pack-300x300

This giveaway will have THREE prizes!

  • 1 First Place – 1 box of PlowOn Gum
  • 1 Second Place – 6 packs of PlowOn Gum
  • 1 Third Place – 3 packs of PlowOn Gum

Click on the Rafflecopter link below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday’s Catch Up #LinkyParty (3/3/14)

Monday's Catch Up LinkyParty

A friend of mine who writes for Fit Foodie Runs introduced me to the concept of a LinkyParty. She has been blogging for years and is my go to person when it comes to figuring out the in’s and out’s of blogging. Over the past few months, I have followed and read some pretty amazing blogs and I do try to share them from time to time…also tried to “re-blog” once, but I don’t know if that worked the way I thought it would. In talking with Fit Foodie Runs, I think perhaps a #LinkyParty is the way to go so share some of my favorite posts that I read this week and a great way to share YOUR posts with others. Continue reading

HAT 50K Training – Week 15 Recap (Kicking Goose Turds Because Running Sucks)

Have you ever had a run that made you want to quit the sport of running forever? That was yesterday and a little bit today. We desperately needed to get a good long continuous long run and went out for 22 miles on the road of the BWI Trail. I was excited to run someplace new, but I had no idea that by mile 10 I was ready to give up the sport of running forever. Mile 10 felt like mile 20 for me. My hips and knees hurt and I ached all over. My legs were so tired that when I went to use the port-a-potty I ended up peeing on the back of my leg and shoe because I couldn’t get the right hovering position, and ya’ll know you don’t sit in one of those things. I knew this was going to be one of those runs where I will have to dig deep to keep going. I had to make my mind push my body to get through it….had to find my inner bitch. Continue reading

HAT 50K Training – Week 14, part 2 (Boy I love being a runner!)

Another great run in the books! Because of yesterday’s snafu, today the target was 10 – 12 miles. Since a few of us decided to take it to Loch Raven where there were hills…oh the hills…we ended up with 10 glorious easy miles!  Those who know Loch Raven will appreciate that we ran up the “Dam” hill twice. Despite a few little areas that still had patches of ice, the road was pretty much clear. The sun came out, we had brunch and of course the obligatory Bloody Mary. Boy do I love being a runner and the friends I’ve made since I became a runner. I even love saying the word run. Run, runner, running! Continue reading

HAT 50K Training – Week 14 – (Well, that didn’t go as planned.)

Today’s goal of 4.5 hours (approx 20 – 22 miles) did not happen. And it’s not that we didn’t try…we tried really hard! After an hour of schlepping through ice and thick crusty snow at a pace of a 26 minute mile, we decided to take it to the road. It was way to dangerous and it wasn’t worth yet. Yes, yours truly took a spill on the icy path (and I wasn’t the only one), but I only ended up with a little bit of an ice burn or is it ice rash? Whatever it’s called it wasn’t bad but definitely annoying. Continue reading

Whooho! I Have a Sponsor and a Giveaway!

Guess what?! I was offered personal training as a sponsorship from Tony Osondu of Osondu Fit Club to help prepare me for the HAT 50K Trail Run. With the race only a month a way, I’m so grateful for the additional help. I’ve trained with Tony before and know that he’ll definitely make me stronger for the race and since I started incorporating more cross-training during this season, I have noticed that I’m stronger and that the trails are getting easier. Do you see me jumping up and down?! Continue reading