Today I went for a run on the Columbia Trail for a cool ten miles after a warmer beach run yesterday. I logged a little over 16.5 miles the last two days and both runs could not be more different.

We took a quick day trip down the shore to do a few errands. It was a beautiful, warm day hitting 45 degrees! I did my familiar boardwalk route through Lavallette and eventually turned around in Seaside Heights. In case you need a reminder, the ocean is just as sparkling blue as it is in the summer. A light breeze, the sound of my steps on the boards and crisp salty air helping me cruise through six miles. This is just what I needed.

Fast forward to 6:30 am today and it’s 22 degrees as I flip on my headlamp for my run on the Columbia Trail. Thankfully I am meeting a friend because this might have been tough solo. We set off on the trail as daylight slowly spills through the trees allowing me to switch off my lamp. It was brisk and my friends hair was frozen by five miles at our turnaround. It was a ten mile run filled with stories, laughs, goals and appreciation.

Two runs, sixteen miles, so many differences, yet still a love for great running adventure. Keep moving!

Today I went for a run and hit the sun just right for five miles. I got home from school and despite the 43 temperature and 13mph winds, laced up for a few miles. I got out of the car, walked around and got back in the passenger side. It was cold! Embarrassing right!? The wind shocked me for a second and I gave myself a quick pep talk before trying again. I cannot be the only one struggles with this cold weather.

I headed out of the driveway, turned on Honeygo and was hit by more wind. My eyes watered and I tucked my hands in my sleeve until I switched directions and finally found relief. A few moments later Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen came on my shuffle. Memories of my sister came flooding in – specifically her and my daughter singing this song together. The rest of my run was suddenly a bit better. Sometimes you get a sign of encouragement just when you need it. As I headed back towards my car the sun danced low in the sky further reminding me of her presence.

Today I went for a run and pushed thirty second surges for my first day of speedwork in forever! I had no clue what what to expect, but I pushed for thirty seconds and was pleasantly surprised! Although my garmin paused after my second surge and the screen went blank?! That happened after I accidently saved my run after the first mile. Clearly it has been awhile since me and my watch teamed up together.

I think the big take away was no pain during my run, only a little stiffness. Afterwards I stretched and did bandwork which was pretty tough, but done. Hopefully I am on the right track!

Today I went for a run in 10 real feel temps around the Baltimore Harbor. Winter is here in case I forgot! This week was cold, warm and then really cold. I took it easy and made the tough decision to defer my Big Beach Marathon entry that would have been at the end if the month. Although I could have swung a long run this weekend, it seems best to let my body relax and take it easy from longer miles. Instead I have a few more goals for the spring and a different fun getaway that will knock a few items off my bucketlist!

PT was good this week and left me a little sore, but I still laced up to mix things up with a new route for a ten miles around the city. We first started towards Fort McHenry, exposed to some tough winds. As we moved back towards Under Armour and the kept close to the water the wind was still a constant force, even though the sun was finally inching up. The sunrise over the harbor was stunning as always, no matter what season. The stillness and vibrant reflection off the calm water was refreshing. Some times these moments are needed to allow time to find peace.

We continued on along the harbor and backtracked before turning up towards Calvert Street and the Art Museum. The hills are no joke and a good change from the even harbor path. Despite it being Saturday, the city was still pretty quiet and being between the buildings gave us a quick relief from the wind.

Our last stretch brought us towards Federal Hill and then back to Fort Ave. It was a great new route to keep you interested when the weather zaps all motivation. I think the hardest part was just planning what to wear. The wind can really change a run and luckily I brought the right gloves!

Today I went for a run for ten miles on a new route and boy waa it chilly! Winter is here! Snow came in Friday and the cold air is here to stay. Finding motivation when the chill factor is in the teens is tough. Luckily I was set for a ten mile group run on some new runs. My goal to map all the roads in my town has continued and really helps to keep me motivated when the temperature drops.

I have also completed one week of my one mile a day #alphachallenge🏆 . My goal is to run/walk at least one mile a day this month and also check this streak off my #run40throwdow list. I may not be able tun run all these days, but I can get in a few walking miles a week on these recovery days!

Today I went for a run and completed six chilly miles before a snowstorm blows in. Today is also day six of my One a Day Challenge. Monday I walked a mile, Tuesday I ran five miles, Wednesday ran three treadmill miles before PT and today I completed six miles. I’m no run streaker, but I have no problem getting in a mile walk! This is my first Alpha Challenge and a 30 day streak from my #Run40Throwdown list. I’ll share more about the awesome Mind Over Matter Group that I am a part of later.

Today I grabbed six miles because snow is on its way! As much as I would love a snow run, I’m better off getting a rest day in before the weekend and not risking falling. PT has been helping and I’m excited about the progress I’ve made and do not want to risk another injury.

But…. is there anything better than hearing snow falling, the crunch of snow under your feat and the stillness of being the only person outside. There surely is something special about a snow run.

Today I went for a run on the last day of 2021. What was meant to be an epic year, instead was year to heal and work through emotions. I hoped for an epic year as I turned 40 and “matured” as a runner, but instead learned this year I was meant to focus my goals and energy on family. In no way am I saying you have to pick family or running, but some of my running goals were just not as meaningful as I had planned them to be, so I made the decision to just focus on family and just enjoy little things like lazy mornings with family. Today’s run was a uear end wrap up, new route, group run and an end to 2021. Although I stopped writing after I got injured and focused on training survival – lots has happened, so let’s review. Despite the curveballs thrown and being behind in the count, I still managed to check a good amount off my list. And that’s a solid accomplishment.

Incredible things did happen this year. I tried my best at running at least one run a month in Washington DC, finding new routes, enjoying each season and discovering a city where I ran my first marathon.

I had my highest elevation month in June. I searched for routes with hills and when they were hard to find I did repeats on ramps and bridges. One of my favorites runs was on the Tunney Bridge in Toms River, where I crossed the bridge six times for a total of six miles and enjoyed the bay views.

I challenged myself to take on one double day a week for a month to add miles, but keep my rest days. Although some late day runs were hot, it was a great experience to challenge myself to pushing myself for more miles.

I ran many great races this year as the world began to open up again. Bishop Events in DC became a great adventure as I raced on the C&O trail, Columbia Island, and Haines Point. I saw a new coastline running in Atlantic City, visiting Lucy the Elephant and pushing against gusty, shore winds. I earned a whoppie pie from the Dutch PA Half Marathon and chased a friend as he earned a PR and I nailed a 1:47 Half Marathon time. The fall marathon season was exciting, but plagued with injury. I pushed to maintain fitness at the expense of fast times in any races. But I found my family at the Chicago Marathon twice, chugged a beer and took selfies with my Team Ultra teammates in NYC, and ran through a desert in Tucson Arizona where I finally saw my first Saguaro cactus. And to keep my streak alive I ran my 12th Marine Corps Marathon virtually in DC with the help of Georgetown cupcakes and friends.

My most favorite challenge was to map out the roads where I live. Although I took a break from this in August, I still was able to map out a chunk of roads in the Perry Hall/White Marsh area. I ran new routes every Friday and started adding other days. Instead of always mapping out runs I went with the feel and flow of new areas with whatever mileage came with the route. I enjoyed new roads, new hills, new views and exploring my town with the hope of discovering what I did not know about Maryland. Despite living here for 16 years, I still had not explored the area like I lived here. This challenge might have been the most exciting and influential. I did not limit my mapping, instead I mapped all of Lavallette and started mapping new parts of NJ, MD and PA. Discovering new routes has added a missing element I did not know I needed. The sense if adventure on each run as I pull together the pieces of where I live in a map.

To say this year was a failure because I missed some of my #Run40ThrowDown challenges is untrue. I think instead it was a year for me to dial back. To heal both physically and emotionally. I’ve avoided talking much about loss and the loss of my sister because it’s still raw and it steals my breath. For some people running becomes an outlet for grief, but not for me. I find it hard to run when sadness causes you to tear up and a knot forms in your throught at random moments. Too many runs I found myself talking to my sister, thinking about the impact of her loss and the unimaginable void that has been left. So I paused. When I got injured in August I took it as a sign that slowing down was needed to heal in many ways. I allowed myself to focus my time with family and helping them heal. Together were slowly finding our way. I started PT to help with my hip and slowly I’m feeling more normal. Slowly.

So now what!? A new year. My goal is unfinished business – find happiness in the journey that was meant to be, but on my own time. A journey doesn’t have to take place in a year like we try to force it. My goal is to finish my list, add a few items and find joy in each step. So with that, let’s get back to things.

Today I went for a run and completed speedwork for the first time in two weeks. I took off speedwork to rest before jumping into August. I have done interval training, but not workouts with mile repeats. I think the last time I did mile repeats was when I was following the Nike App training for Chicago. That was the first time a really focused on adding speedwork.

I tried to prepare myself for solid 7 minute paces that I know felt doable, but it still made me nervous due I how sluggish O have felt lately. Is it the added miles? Heat? Running at random times? I started with my first two miles at a solid 7:35 pace, next were the three mile repeats at a faster 7min pace before going back to two slower 7min paced miles.

Overall it was not awful, but it was tough. The weather was great for running, but no doubt – we are still in summer temperatures. I took a little extra time for recovery, but I was happy to complete the speedwork as planned. I did some bargaining in my mind during the mile repeats, telling myself I could skip my last two miles. But in the end a run on tired legs will only help me in the long run. (no pun intended) One mile at a time is a great thing to remember during a lengthly speedwork, if not you might give up before you try.