Tuesday School Group

Today I went for a run with the school group before snow and ice blew through.  Forecast showed a snow/ice storm hitting between 2pm and 8pm; therefore, schools were dismissed early. At 12:30pm we saw nothing but opportunity to squeeze a run in before the storm. We met up and hit the road in somewhat calm weather. Of course it was one of the runs you have no clue what to wear because its Maryland!? Leave the jacket, take the gloves!? We had a solid progression run and despite our efforts to be prepared, none of needed our rain gear or extra layer. Luckily once we returned and started home the clouds opened and down came the wintery mix! Really pumped that our Tuesday Point Run is becoming a solid routine.

One Harbor Run, One Honeygo Run, Two Falls and 18 miles

Today I went for a run in two parts to complete an eighteen mike long run. It was a misty, puddle filled morning and my goal was to complete ten miles with my friends and another ten solo. I met my friends early for a 5:15am run, a time I had avoided for a few weeks.  I like early runs, but not in the cold and after seven months of marathon training and racing. We started around the harbor and within two miles I took my first spill. Frustrated with myself I brushed it off and picked myself up. My friends offered support, but my frustration with myself muted their support. Fast forward to mile nine and I tripped again after I began to feel myself not picking up my feet. Warning signs flashed in my head as I thought, “How am I going to run a marathon in three weeks!?” Last week was a tough run and now I couldn’t even stay upright on my two feet. I finished ten miles and drove home to start on my second round.I took out some tunes in hopes that it would change my mood and push me forward. I started part two and looped Honeygo and my familiar backroads.  The Doobie Brithers kept the beat as my thoughts began to wander. Ft. Lauderdale was where me and my husband stayed when we eloped in Miami – South Beach. Now that we finally booked a flight I began to think about places we would visit for our anniversary trip. Suddenly I was taking the hill at mile seven. Sometimes getting lost in your thoughts is just what you need. I cut my run at eight miles, satisfied that I got in a solid 18 miles. After a rough first ten miles, I preserved and got through the rough patch without giving up. I’m excitied to run A1A with my husband, but happy to be taking a break soon.

NYRR Virtual 5k

Today I went for a run and completed my virtual 5k. Virtual races are fun because it’s easy to get to, usually a familiar course and no pressure! A brief window between rain showers allowed me just enough time to run through humid, misty weather. I did a one mile warm up and then picked it up. I didnt want to check my watch so I tried going comfortably fast for the first mile. Second mile I was in a groove and felt myself accelerating. Third mile I hung on, but felt myself drifting to a slower pace. I reached the car a little over four miles and bam.Never would I thought I was going that fast on a Friday afternoon after a busy day at school! I’ll take it!! But this did get me thinking. I jumped so quickly into marathons, maybe it would be cool to test out some shorter, faster races. I never thought of myself as a speedster, but it could be fun to try out some fast 5ks! It’s funny how you get into a one lane mindset and forget there are so many different paths.

Jan 1st 2020

Today I went for a run and celebrated the new year with barre class. I slept 8n, made the kids breakfast before lacing up for a quick run. I really wanted to get to my barre class at 10:15, so I only ended up doing two and a half miles.

I quickly changed and was off to barre. It’s been almost a year since I picked up barre and tried something new. What an incredible experience this has been! Barre has helped me gain strength in my legs, confidence in my skin and just a great way to interact with other strong females. Barre class gives me a group atmosphere that is fun and up lifting. It really is a change of pace to be lunging, planking and squattig in impossible positions, but comforting that your in it together. I’m glad I leaped and picked up barre. It was a great new years resolution to try something new. Now… new goals…

Two runs and Its NYE

Today I went for a run on New Years Eve. We got back into town yesterday a little before noon. After a 2.5 hour long drive, unpacking, sorting laundry and getting back to reality I needed to run. I headed out to surprisingly better weather than what I left in NJ. I needed to get five miles done and then get ready for our family trip to see the Heat play the Wizards!!! Ever have that feeling, “how will I get it all in?” Well somehow we just do.

It was damp, however, twenty degrees warmer than NJ – I’ll take it! It was a much needed run and great to return to my MD roads after a tough weekend run. I rushed to get ready and we hit the road and ended up having a blast at the game despite the tough loss by the Heat.

The next day was another lazy morning. Breakfast with the kids, cleaning/organizing the house and enjoying the last day of the year. Suddenly it was 4pm and I needed to squeeze my run in before dark. Sometimes it feels like runners are more visible in the early morning hours than the late afternoon hours. I took to my backroads one last time and was lucky enough to catch the sun slipping away.

I guess now it’s time to think about goals and ideas for 2020. Always exciting to pick new adventures!

NJ long, long run

Today I went for a run that felt like it took FOREVER. It was just one of those days when a run feels ten miles longer than it should. Despite taking in my favorite sights on a familiar route, I just could not get into my run.

I completed my first eight miles thinking I was going to throw in the towel and do a split run and complete eight more later. However, my sister and family were coming over and we planned to make golumpki tonight. I guess that means, just get it done.

Despite my sluggish legs I kept pushing forward. I had my rock mix playing and soon enough Joe Walsh, The Police and Queen were pulling me up hills. I made my way towards the small airport where the annual balloon festival takes place each year. Planes were flying low and circling the area to land. It was a pretty neat process to watch and eventually I timed it perfectly to snap a quick picture before I ran back towards my parents.

I made my way back through the final stretch and as almost tripped and fell due to a broken branch on the side of the road. I was angry, frustrated and ready for this run to be over. I couldn’t believe it. I had an amazing run earlier in the week and now I just felt like I was dragging. And then I remembered this:

Deena wrote a pretty solid book titled, “Let Your Mind Run.” She discussed the ups and downs of training, injuries, and just running comradarie. Sometimes everything aligns and sometimes it’s a wreck. In the end today’s run doesn’t define me or my running. It was just one of those days, but at least I had some great views, tunes and golumpki to be eaten later!

NJ Runs

Today I went for a five mile run after looping five miles the night before at my parents house. My parents sold my childhood home almost three years ago. I miss the quiet, scenic roads that lead to my old home. Since then my parents downsized and moved to the neighboring town, still in a quiet area. There are rolling hills, scenic farmlands, and a foggy, forest filled side of a reservoir that surround the new neighborhood. In addition to the new views – streetlamps and a sidewalk. I will be the first to admit that it is too dark to run at night, even with a headlamp on the rolling hills out here. However, my parents new neighborhood has streetlamps and is a perfect .63 loop made for procrastinators and night runs. Yesterday I looped the neighborhood eight times with Shawn for a great five miles and then took to the hills this morning for a balmy five miles. The best of both worlds!

Christmas Eve Loops

Today I went for a run on Christmas Eve and got some speedwork in before a busy day. I ran to the track and met the guys who were already looping the track. I haven’t done 800s or any speedwork in forever, so why not throw some in after taking the last few weeks easy. We finally committed to the A1A marathon and booked our tickets Monday, so game on! I was about to settle on 6 x 800, because the guys finished up their run and I felt like I did enough. Instead I pushed through a total of eight and felt pretty good and accomplished as I finished the last loop.

On my run back I thought about how easy it is to just “save things for another day.” Runs, another lap, barre class, calling home, catching up with a friend, or just checking something off a to do list. Sometimes you’re tired, but most times you’re just being lazy. A little more effort is something that we shouldn’t give up on or begin to slack. I got home and went into Christmas Eve mode – shopping, wrapping, attending Christmas Eve mass and a party. I was on the move the entire day and pretty excited I still had steam despite the speedy morning.

Bridge Run

Today I went for a run with the guys and hit the covered bridge in Kingsville. We had pretty amazing weather – sunny, 30 degrees and little/no wind! Kingsville is always fun to run, but you have to mentally get into the mindset that there are a lot of hills. We took to streets talking about holiday parties, new movies and travel plans for the remainder of the week. The previous night we had watched, “Blinded By the Light,” a movie entangled with Bruce Springsteen lyrics and themes. As we ran I thought about the somewhat biographical movie and how the power of song can shape your ways and make meaning of things when your grasping for some sort of understanding to circumstances. And oddly enough, there are many times, while driving in my car deep in thought, a Springsteen song will come on that mixes seamlessly with my thoughts. How about that? I wonder what other artists have a similar impact? Overall we paused to get a few pictures, enjoyed the warming temperatures and talked strategy about remaining weeks in football pools.

10 miles and Barre

Today I went for a run on a chilly Saturday morning and the first day of Winter Break. Winter break is finally here! Despite “break” starting today we have a pretty busy day. Ten mile long run, Barre Fit, refrigerator being delivered, food shopping and finalizing Christmas Shopping! I laced up and met the girls at 6am to head out in a very chilly 20 degrees! We looped around Perry Hall, saw the sunrise and enjoyed reminiscing about the year. After, I ran over to Inline Barre to hit the 9am class and get my butt kicked by an awesome workout! Barre has been such a great addition to my running. Even though my legs still shake, I stumble through some moves and my leg raises never seem as high as others, I know the benefits have outweighed my goofiness. The added bonus in the last few my of a race are due to the strengthen barre has added to my legs. I am happy to report that taking a chance and trying something outside of my comfort zone has been incredible. Now to start thinking about my goals for 2020!?