Tag Archives: Road Running

Lost Boys – My Tribe

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There was a time when I was alone
Nowhere to go and no place to call home
My only friend was the man in the moon
And even sometimes he would go away, too

I’ve always been the black sheep of the family, marching to the beat of my own drum, never coloring between the lines….all the clichés that describe that person who refuses to conform to fit in. Even now, my family doesn’t quite get me. There’s always the passive aggressive guilt-trips that they try to put on me about how I live my life. I suspect that’s the same with many people. It used to bother me a lot, but now, it bothers me a little. And while I’ve always felt like a little bit of an outcast, I figured that I was just unique in my way of thinking. But, I’m not. Continue reading →

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

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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 →

HAT 50K Training – Week 13 (The Brunch Run)

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I switched up my long and short run this weekend to accommodate weather that we didn’t get. Yesterday I ran a glorious 7 miles out on the road with Bern. The hills weren’t as bad as they used to be and we kept a steady easy pace of about 10:50. It was great to catch up with her and felt good to get out of the house and stretch my legs.  Continue reading →

HAT RUN 50K Training – Week 8 Part 2 (Happy Place)

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Went out yesterday for a 2 hour run on the road and trails and it was fantastic.  Kendra and I haven’t been able to run together in a long time and it felt like coming home to run with your sister who you haven’t seen in ages. We were both in our happy places. We caught up with what has been going on at home and we talked about how much we actually liked trail running…yes, it’s really growing on me. We talked about how we were worried that we were going to get bored with road running with marathon training season began.

I took this picture of Kendra while we were running. It is unfiltered and perfect. The best part of being at the back of the pack is seeing and having the ability to capture your friends enjoying their happy places. With the exception of the picture of me and Kendra crossing the finish line in Philly, below are other unfiltered pictures I’ve been fortunate enough to capture.

kendra's happy place

white hot and passionate 2

Zen of Running

RunningPeace

 

I pity the people who miss out of some of the best views in life. Do they realize what they’re missing?

HAT RUN 50K Training – Week 8 (#MEGSMILES)

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Today we went out to Cromwell Valley Park for our 2 hour run. Today, I ran to honor Meg Menzies who was tragically killed on January 13th by a drunk driver while she was out for her morning run. Meg was a mother of three young children, a Boston Marathoner, and an avid runner. Today, I ran 7 miles for someone I didn’t know but had the same passion as I do – running.

Amy and I were at the back of the pack again, or as she calls it “the caboose.” It was really tough getting started. The air seemed particularly thin and both of us had a hard time catching our breath. It took a little while, but once we finally got into our groove, we were good to go. I really do enjoy running with Amy. She and I have the same “happy pace” and it comforts me to know that at this pace, she has completed the HAT Run 50K  with no problems.

We ran for two hours together chit chatting along the way. We laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. It was another good run.

me and amy

For me, there was no mention of Meg. For me, I soaked in everything for her. The burn in my thighs, the burn in my lungs. The crisp thin air, the sound of the crunching leaves. The sound of our voices and laughter. All the images, sounds, and feelings of this mornings run to honor a fallen runner. These two hours belonged to her.

week 7

It’s sad to believe that someone’s stupid irresponsible actions could take all of this away from someone. And it’s sad to think that those children will grow up without her. It angers me. Unfortunately, this tragedy happens quite frequently. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Rest in peace Meg.

2013 Celtic Solstice Race Recap

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This is where it all began two years ago. This is the race that gave me the fire in the belly to take on running as an additional way to get fit, which in turn kinda changed my life. I absolutely love this race! The people, the course, the volunteers, the wassail…all of it is just fantastic!

We were expecting a mixed bag of precipitation today, but Mother Nature decided to just sprinkle us with a couple of flurries here and there instead. Thank you Mother Nature! Since I was dressed for crappy weather, I ended up very hot at around mile two. Oh well. I hate the cold and I’d rather be hot than cold. 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 →

Snow Run! Snow Run!

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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 →

Flat Runner

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Before a big race, I go through a ritual (handed down by my running friends) of laying out my entire running gear, taking a picture, and posting it on Facebook. Now, I couldn’t post my Philly Flat Runner because it was a secret marathon, but you bet your sweet cheeks that I took my Flat Runner photo for good luck. Well, I guess it’s for good luck, it could be just a way to make sure you have everything ready the day before the race. Not sure how this phenomenon came about, but I’m starting to be come superstitious about it.

Flat Runner Collage

Do you make a Flat Runner before race? Is there a ritual that you have to go do before each race to ensure that you’ve got good running juju?

Just Call Me Joe (Philadelphia Marathon Recap – Part 1)

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I hate to break this up into two parts, but there’s just so much to write. And if you have a short span of attention like me, you would probably stop half way through any way, so there it is, Part 1 of 2 of the Philadelphia Marathon Recap.

Earlier this week when I told people that I just ran a marathon, they assumed I was talking about Marine Corps. When I say, “No, I just ran Philly.” I get the “Wha-whaaat??” Call us crazy, but we did. I got a text message from my friend Kendra the day after MCM which said, “I wanna run Philly.” And that was the beginning of our mad quest to secretly run a marathon without letting anyone know, well, with the exception of our families.

plot Continue reading →