Tag Archives: Road Running

Ooops! I Did It Again!

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Wonder why I’ve been so quiet lately? Well, I’ll let you in on a secret…I just ran the Philadelphia Marathon yesterday. Yep! That’s right! First Marine Corp Marathon on 10/27, then Philly yesterday. Two marathons in 21 days! I’ve been dying to tell you all about it and the days leading up to it, but I made a pact with my running partner in crime about keeping it a secret until we actually pulled it off. It was killing me! Every time I sat down to write, I wanted to tell ya’ll what was going on, so I just had to keep mum. I’m sorry for the teaser, but I haven’t had a chance to do a race re-cap, but I hope to have it published by tomorrow. Continue reading →

MCM Training – Four Days Left – Don’t Reach for Toilet Paper.

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Last night was the last track workout of this training season. I almost didn’t make it. In fact, an incident yesterday morning had me in a panic and for a moment, I thought my race was jeopardized. Yesterday morning, I threw my back out while I was in the bathroom…and just so you know, I was not in the shower. I made a reach for the toilet paper and BAM! Wonked out back. Continue reading →

MCM Training – This is it! (Last long run)

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Well this is it. On so many levels, this is it. Saturday was our last long run before the marathon. I typically write about my long runs within 24 hours, but I was also celebrating my 40th birthday this weekend. As of yesterday, I am officially in a new age bracket. Everything I do this week will be a first in my 40th decade. First track workout, first tempo run, first personal training session, first taper (which I’ve been doing since I was 39), and first marathon in a new age bracket. While I’m a little freaked out about 40, I’m actually embracing it too. I’m just not liking the whole “your body falls apart at 40” thing. But anyway, I digress…running…let’s get back to running. Continue reading →

It’s Taper Time! (Alone and Naked at the Track)

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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 →

Runners Inspiring Runners – John Shafer

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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 →

Is Running Like a Passionate Relationship?

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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 →

Definition of a Marathon

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Marathon

mar·a·thon

ˈmarəˌTHän/

noun: marathon; plural noun: marathons

  1. a long-distance running race, strictly one of 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 km)

Since I started running, I’ve heard some people refer to races as ‘marathons,’ and frankly, it irks me a little bit. As the definition above says, a marathon is “strictly one of 26 miles and 385 yards.” It is not a 5K, it is not a 10K, it is not an ultra. Continue reading →

White Marsh 4 Miler – She did it!

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Today I ran with my sister in her first race ever! It was a perfect day for a race! No humidity, crisp air, and just the right mixtures of sun and clouds. We got there early since we didn’t know what to expect with parking and wanted enough time to warm up. We did the White Marsh 4 Miler and she nailed it. She ran the whole thing without stopping and I’m so proud of her as she only started training a couple of weeks ago. Talk about overachiever! Continue reading →

MCM Training – Week 12 Track (Time Trials and an Unexpected Patriotic Moment)

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Last night were two mile time trials. I did a 9:09 for my first mile and an 18:04 for my second…negative split! YES! Using the McMillian Calculator (https://www.mcmillanrunning.com/), it looks like my marathon race pace is set to be 10:59. If I’m on target, I should finish my marathon 4:47:38. Ok, so it’s a far cry from doing a 4:00 marathon, but when I set the goal of shaving an hour off of my time at the end of last year’s marathon, as Kendra said, I had “Marathon Goggles” on. It’s amazing what adrenaline does after you finish your first marathon. I hope you all have or will have the experience to know how that feels.

Last night at the track, the college had some sort of game going on. At the beginning of their game, they played and sang our National Anthem. I was surprised and touched that EVERYONE at track practice stopped where they were, faced our American flag, put their hand over their heart and listened. I looked around and smiled…folks scattered around the track loop just standing there honoring our country. I don’t know why I was surprised, but I loved it. Continue reading →

MCM Training – Week 11 wrap up (You can do what you set your mind to)

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We’re winding down on Week 11’s training and I can’t believe that we’re more than half way through the program. After this weekend’s 20 miler (and a total of 26 miles in 3 days), I took it easy for the rest of the week. I had a wonderful 5K race on Wednesday and as soon as I get permission from parties involved, I will publish that post. Earlier in the week, I took my sister out for a training run and she was able to run almost a mile and a half without stopping. That was Monday. Today, she was able to run 4 miles without stopping. Must be in the genes or it could be that mom raised a couple of very determined and driven girls, but either way I am SO proud of her. She just started running a couple of weeks ago and has made great progress. Not even the screws in her knees are holding her back (although it is a little bothersome). Continue reading →