Today I went for a run with the squad to the ‘point.’ I have been waiting to do this run for a while!!! We took the squad on the road and met on the peninsula for a stroll down memory lane – prior to Covid. We had started running as a group doing this run at least once a week before Covid hit. A great 7 mile run that was passed on from one teacher running group to another, keeping the tradition alive. As we met, exchanged a quick joke about our ‘loud’ outfits, we hit the road. It was a solid run with a strong pace that felt good. We took off keeping between a mid 8, low 9 pace. Before we knew it we were winding through the park, past the ranger hut and on the water. Surprisingly the wind was quiet and the temperature hung in the low 40s even out on the water. We made it back with time to spare before the sunset and darkness. Hopefully we keep this run in our rotation. It was just the run we needed to kick off a new running year and get excited about new goals.

Today I planned my 2021 – 40 Throw Down!!! Each year goals are exciting, but people gravitate to a focus on running faster, losing weight, setting a PR, hitting a BQ or just reaching goals that are not made for them. As I celebrate my 40th birthday in February I want to try new things, be a stronger runner and celebrate a new decade. With racing up in the air and virtual races becoming a redundant chore I wanted to create a “throw down” list of new runs, new places and new experiences to make me a better runner, a confident runner and have fun along the way!

Keep working on a plan. Make no little plans. Make the biggest plan you can think of and spend the rest of your life carrying it out. – Harry S. Truman

The list above was easy, yet hard to craft. There are so many things I want to try, but due to Covid, are not going to happen. I expanded some ideas to be more inclusive so they were still archivable, like running a new beach instead of running a new ocean view in Miami. I also tried to sort into categories – Monthly challenges, New Places and People, New Workouts, Fun Runs & Other and races.

This year I set my race goal to run a 50k!!!! What!!!!!! I am not confident this will be pretty, but if there is any race for me to do it, the Marine Corps Marathon 50k would be the event. My first marathon, my annual run streak and my favorite city all scream, “Let’s Do It!!!” It is a crazy goal I never thought I would set my sights on, but if there was ever a time to do it – it is now while I’m tuning 40! I am keeping my fingers crossed the race is a go!!! I have a billion other runs added to my bucket list too, but we will have to wait and see what this year brings!

Speedwork has always been awkward and inconsistent for me. I set my goal to try and set a routine to get my speedwork in each week – hopefully on Workout Wednesday’s! I searched for new kinds of runs – ladders, pyramids, diagonals, and track workouts to search for something that feels comfortable for me. Maybe it is just a way for me to finally get comfortable in running, pushing and embracing being out of the comfort zone. Or maybe I just need to explore what speedwork is and finally feel stronger at the end of a long run when my glutes and hamstrings tend to hate me!!!

New Places and People is a way to try new things, with new running friends and enjoy the running community. This year would have been awful if not for the support of this running community. The motivation from hometown running friends, inspiration from distant teammate adventures and the support from random strangers during races has been incredible. I have logged many solo miles this year, but never do I ever feel alone. I hope to find new routes, explore trails and enjoy some favorites from the running community. I hope to follow along with others friends’ new adventures and remain an avid cheerleader along the way.

My selections for Monthly Challenges and Fun Runs are just fun ways to keep things interesting despite turning 40. I’m trying new trails and added elevation as a cool way to get off the streets and conquer my fears of tripping on rocks. And to be honest, I might find out I win the self proclaimed slowest trail runner award! Both honestly, these fun runs with family, friends, at night, with a new song or exploring new roads in my neighborhood will just help me enjoy running for more than a time, a t-shirt or a medal. It is about the adventure, loving the run, and the journey. Side note – I hope to have a really cool shaded map of my neighborhood by December!!!

This year I’m not reinventing myself or fitting myself into a crazy, wild challenge that might injure myself. I just want to switch things up, try new workouts, and learn more about the journey of running. You only turn 40 once and I hope to embrace a new decade while enjoying new runs during a crazy time!

Today I went for a run on the Columbia Trail in High Bridge. After my chilly run yesterday, I was really hopeful when I saw the temperature would hit high 30s and be warmer. As tempting as it was to run the entire ten mile loop from High Bridge to Califon, I stuck with my recovery plan and only did eight miles. The parking lot was jammed with many others who had the same idea – perfect trail weather. The family and I hit the trail and walked a small stretch before they left me, allowing me to run my solo eight miles.

It was no doubt a beautiful day. I guess you can say a change of scenery always makes for a good run, but really running in your hometown is what can make a run. I know Maryland is not far away, but it feels like it is half way around the world from New Jersey.

The Columbia Trail cuts through the Gorge, winds behind my old high school and flows with the meandering Raritan River. I passed more walkers closer to the entry way, was passed by cyclists with mud splattered backs further down the route and speckled below fly fisherman waded in the cold water in hopes of a good catch. Sun shown through the bare branches, but left rocky, north facing cliffs covered in icicles. I should have paused to catch a shot of the water dripping down the ice wall along the rocks, creating a glistening contrast to the matte stone.

I turned around near the bridge at Hoffmann’s Crossing and began my trip back. This was the last photo before my phone died leaving me motivated to get back to my family.

Running this stretch is always a favorite while I’m home. I’ve run it in all seasons – sometimes worried about a bear encounter, thankful for shade during a steamy, summer run and always amazed how the changing leaves in spring and fall create a beautiful canopy. Maryland is scenic and beautiful, but maybe there is truth that your hometown gleams a little brighter. I love where I grew up and miss it often. I’m thankful I still get to visit and catch a glimpse of a simpler time, allowing a brief moment to exhale and breath in deep.

Today I went for a run after a long day of procrastinating.  We have kicked out with weather, but today it was 22 with feels like temperature 12. I was NOT ready for that.  Instead we got bagels, had coffee and enjoyed a lazy morning.  The rest of the day was pretty quiet, although I did take a quick walk around the neighborhood to see how it felt.  It was cold!!! I like to think I’m motivated,  but without a race,  new goal and the right running gear – it is easy to pass on a run. Today I grabbed my pompom hat, gloves, vest, leggings and good tunes – ready to give it a go no matter what the distance.  I guess the good news is,  once you see familiar roads and are  fueled with a solid soundtrack – anything is possible. I even grabbed a few honey stinger chews due to the lateness of the run. Bam!

Today I went for a run on Christmas Eve with my favorite socks. I woke up super motivated to finish a few last minute items and was out the door by 7am. After I came home to see my family slowly waking, doing laundry and excitied for the holiday. Rain showers were due to arrive mid morning so it was now crunch time. I grabbed my favorite Christmas socks, hat and rain jacket. Seriously, these socks always cheer me up and really put me in a good mood. It was surprisingly warm, beginning to drizzle and a pretty gray Christmas Eve. I settled on four miles, rushed to get back to finish baking Christmas cookies with my daughter. As I looped the familiar roads my mind drifted towards goal setting, something hard to do when races are still shut down, yet mixed with the hope of a vaccination for all. Let’s hope I can nail then down soon! My 40th birthday year should be fun! #MadeIn81

“I’ll tell you one thing you can’t do: you can’t put your shoes on, then your socks on.” Flavor Flave

Today I went for a run after school. It was one of those days when you wake up early, but it’s cold and you just don’t make it out the door. I spent the rest of the day debating a run battling crazy winds and then a text pops up and out the door we go! I’m glad I did because it was a pretty incredible sunset!!! I took last week off from running and I’m in no hurry to push myself and neglect recovery time. I want to be ready for a big 40th birthday year filled with fun, exciting new runs – if they are a go!? With the Cherry Blossom 10 miler moved to September, my only scheduled run is my deferred Philly Love Run in March. Let’s start planning!

Today I went for a run and completed my official 40th marathon!!!! I allowed myself a few days to reflect, regroup and think about this crazy journey. I can’t say I expected to ever run a marathon in Mississippi, nor be running my 40th marathon. When I started this journey in 2010 I was sure this was a one and done thing. I finished that race upset my separation from my ex kept me from training properly and more disappointed that I had given up on myself. Now in 2020, I’m more confident in my own skin and journey to not allow external forces to ruin my motivation or happiness. Mississippi was a long shot. In October, days after I ran the virtual MCM, the Tucson Marathon canceled. Big Bummer!!! I started to investigate and found the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a week after what would have been Tucson, was still on to run. I reached out to the directors to ask about the number of entrants and safety protocols. All sounded good, so I signed up, even happy they had a refund/ deferral policy. Flash forward to December and here I am waiting along side a quiet beach.

To avoid crowds Shawn drove me to the start. It was a 40 minute drive along the point to point course. The temperature hung around 56 degrees as I climbed out and found my spot along the beach wall. At 6:30am others had also spread out along the wall with trash bags for warmth. The sun begun to pop up along the Gulf, but clouds kept the view of the sunrise hidden. The race started with the first three waves spread out on yellow dots, six feet apart. As one wave moved forward the next would fill in on the dots. I was wave nine and hung around in my mask until I heard it called. I found a dot on the edge of the road and began to move forward as instructed. It was smooth, spaced out and easy to follow along. Soon enough it was my turn to run through the starting shutte with two others and I was officially on my adventure to complete my 40th marathon.

The road had been blocked from traffic and we were able to spread out between two lanes of Route 90 in Pass Christian. To the right the Gulf of Mexico seemed endless. To our left, new and old seaside mansion scattered the landscape. The hurricane season had been a rough one and debris, broken piers, and damaged buildings were a reminder of how destructive the calm water can become. Throughout the run images of broken piers, tangled shrimp boats and small, calm slapping waves would be my most memorable images of the gulf coast in Mississippi. A parallel road to Rt 90 allowed family members and supporters to park and cheer on runners throughout the race; however, spectators were pretty much non existent due to COVID regulations. A few houses near Gulfport had music blasting, a quiet nursing home had a few supporters at their gate and runners gained support from enthusiastic volunteers at small water stops along the course. After making our way out of Pass Christian the headwind picked up. The temperature moved into the 60s, the sun sporadically popped out from behind clouds and the humidity hung around 80%. Not bad racing weather, but definetly warmer than the 28 degrees I had run in earlier that week! The wind was the biggest factor; however without it the temperature would have felt excessive.

I reached the half way point in Gulfport in about a few minutes after two hours. My goal was to maintain a steady pace as long as possible. After the half I allowed myself waking breaks and time to enjoy the race. The day before Shawn and I had driven the course, stopping at lighthouses and other shoreline spots. Now as I ran I took in the various lighthouses along the route and was happy to have shared these spots with Shawn the previous day. Sometimes these moments help you move forward during a run or help you share a solo run with someone even though they are not with you. I even laughed out loud at a sign held by a random spectator who was standing at an intersection that read, “keep counting the waffle houses.”

Soon enough I was at mile twenty! The sun had warmed things up and as I hit twenty I took a walk break to chug some water. Of course this was the moment Shawn found me. He was waiting at an intersection as I was strooling on by in no hurry. He shouted to me and I waved. Soon enough he had turned and was driving along side me. The course had opened up one lane on 90 for traffic moving east. As Shawn slowly inched along, we chatted for a bit and Shawn asked if I needed anything before driving off to meet me at the finish. My main supporter had found me – my partner in crime and my motivation to pick it up and move forward. Soon enough I was retracing my shake out run route.

Well that was great until the final two miles. We looped up the highway ramp and went north on an endless concrete incline. The half marathon had a turn around, but the full marathoners kept moving forward. It felt like the stretch had no end, with nothing but concrete walls to view. Finally the turn around! It was time to head home. To the left you could hear the music and announcer at the MGM stadium, more of a motivation to keep moving forward. I came down the ramp and cheered on a woman who passed me and who I had been leap frogging throughout the race. We came around a turn and another turn and finally hit mile 26. We curved around the stadium and I found Shawn on the sidewalk. He had his hand up and my daughters sign. I continued to make my way around and finally turned to see the finish line. He had jogged over to see me and was filming me as I came in. The announcer said my name and just like that – my 40th marathon had come to an end. I grabbed my mask and a volunteer handed me a medal. The crowd was small with pockets of people scattered around the grassy area. I found Shawn and we laughed because I finished just in time to check in for our flight.

We took a few photos, grabbed a pulled pork sandwich and headed to the car before heading to New Orleans for a victory meal. It was a pretty laid back finish line celebration, but perfect according to Covid protocol.

It was bittersweet. My journey to 40 marathons was done. I was excited as my sister, who had been tracking me via garmin live, called with the kids to congratulate me. It was great to hear my kids, and to feel the support of my husband, children, and sister. My 40th adventure was over, but not my journey. With the encouragement being shared by my family I know that the best is ahead. I’ve grown so much since 2010 and this race was a clear reminder that more adventures are waiting around the corner. I turn 40 in less than two months and instead of focusing on the gray hair, increasing wrinkles and slower metabolism that I’m reminded of which each little jiggle in my middrift – instead remaining positive, optimistic and ready to embrace whatever these next ten years may bring. Believe me – if you had asked me in 2010, never would I have thought I would be standing in Biloxi, Mississippi at the finish line of my most memorable race.

“Anything can happen child. Anything can be….” S.S.