Mississippi Shake Out Run

Today I went for a run along the Mississippi Gulf Coast!!! I arrived in Biloxi around 10pm last night after leaving Baltimore at 6:30pm, arriving in New Orleans and driving to Biloxi. I woke up excitied to be here and ready to explore. It was windy and the weather seems to be pretty unpredictable, of course an overactive hurricane season here should have been an indicator. I headed west along the water before turning around and catching the billowing clouds fighting to keep the sun hidden. It was a pretty cool post sunrise sky that would rival the sunset pictures my friend Robert has been posting lately. I looped the Lighthouse and made my way back ready to final take on my 40th marathon tomorrow!!!! This might just happen!!!

Workout Wesnesday

Today I went for a run and mixed in a few 800s. I usually do 400s the week of a race, but switched it up for a steadier pace. E and S took on the workout with me and it made all the difference. Although our breaks between sets might have been longer due to jokes, stories and random thoughts, it was awesome to push each other and check off each half mile segment. This year has consisted of many solo training miles and this was a reminder that self doubt and negative talk can creep in if you allow it. Today, was different – no negative talk, no self doubt and no settling for less. It was a great start to Wednesday and an important reminder about knowing your worth and embracing the atmosphere, energy and possibilities at hand.

Cold Squad Run

Today I went for a run in chilly, cold weather. The great debate today was hat or gloves!? If you could only have one to run in, what would it be!? I even asked my class today what they thought. They overwhelmingly agreed gloves were better than hats, hands down. I wore both this morning for our morning run with feels like temps hanging around 21 degrees. At the end of the day having a Squad Run to keep you motivated to get out the door with or without gloves really is the winner.

Bittersweet Harbor 12

Today I went for a run on what would have been my 40th marathon in Tucson. This year has had many pits, but also many blessings in disguise. Although I am devastated to not be in Arizona seeing my first tall cactus and celebrating a desert terrain run, I am thankful for the many great “instead of” moments that have occurred this year.

First, I’ve checked off many bucket list runs – many runs and challenges I would never, ever have dreamt of doing if I was in a regular training cycle. Including – The Yeti 50k 24 hour challenge, 100k in a week, 200 mile month, covering over 30 miles of a coastline in two runs, charity virtual runs with teammates, my fastest unofficial 5k, and so many new routes. I’m thankful for trying new things and not allowing negative self talk to talk myself out of runs

Second, I’m finally comfortable in just being the runner that I am. I don’t need virtual runs to stay motivated. Instead I just need a goal that makes me happy and feel accomplished. 40 by 40 really means the world to me being a goal ten years in the making!!! Despite my climbing age, I’m wearing tighter shorts because I can stash my phone and not miss capturing an awesome running moment. Being able to allow myself to have my own goals and not feel FOMO or pressured to run a certain way has been refreshing.

Third, I’ve made new running friends, kept in touch with old and value my solo runs that have been MANY! I’ve enjoyed running while my injured husband biked. I’ve stayed in touch with co-workers by early morning runs before virtual teaching. I’ve run marathons with long time friends and plan to take a new marathon next week solo. Its been a great way to enjoy the run however it comes with whoever is there. It has even been nice running at different times so I could enjoy breakfast with the kids, late night family movie nights or whatever else might be missed by a regular running routine. And I’ve cherished watching teammates and others in the running community who are still on the hunt for a new run or race – feeling inspired by the next ‘what if?’

And lastly I’ve enjoyed each new turn and adventure – even if it’s only been a new speedwork run, new shoes, a new hydration plan, or a fun new pair of sunglasses or hat. My super exciting news is that I was selected to be part of the Alter Ego running team as a hat ambassador. It’s more than taking a photo with a hat – it is the journey and adventure you crave each run you begin. Just like Clark Kent has his branded S and hidden cape, I have my ponytail, trusted shoes and hat. We both take on that invinsible feeling as we flip our roles and take on our alter ego. I’m ready to see where my hat takes me and what adventures await in 2021.

Today I hit the harbor with two friends for a twelve miler. We stayed along the promenade, recharged near the Domino’s Sugar Factory and dodged puddles and wind gusts. It was a cloudy start, but eventually the sun peaked through to wake up the city.

I’ve missed these harbor views, fun conversation and energy of a solid run. We had negative splits, maybe with the help of the wind, but it felt good.

We shared stories, random thoughts and problem solved ALL the unanswered questions. It was just what I needed to remind me that even though I was not in Tucson completing my 40th marathon I was still doing what I loved in a familiar spot and loving the scenes of the city where I sarted my marathon running journey.

Tempo Thursday

Today I went for a run to do speedwork with the guys! It was tough getting outta bed! I’m not sure about you, but the temps are dropping and I am in that awkward ‘not sure how to dress’ phase. Today was a chilly 28 degrees, but luckily no wind – tall socks were a go. We did our two mile warm up and then jumped into our 6x5min repeats. I havent done many group speedwork runs, but this was fun and a better way to stay motivated and strong throughout the run. Of course conversation turned from 70s rock bands to camal spiders, school, podcasts and formula one quickly. What are the craziest things you have talked about? I can only imagine a pretty funny book could be published. And then, bam – nine miles done just like that!

Cattus Island State Park

Today I went for a run with Shawn in Cattus Island State Park. After a week of crazy cold temperatures and SO much wind today had perfect fall weather made for trail running. We traveled across the Barnegat Bay to Cattus Island State Park, a bucket list run I was never able to do this past summer.

It’s not a far drive and includes over eight miles of trails. You could explore this marshy area all day!!! Maybe it was the weather, excitement of a new place to run or just getting a run it with Shawn, but this was really an amazing adventure.

We followed the single lane path as far as it would take us and then ran along the shore of the bay. There are not many hills here, but running in the sand was a pretty good workout. We made it to the end of the point and took in the view. The bay was calm and seemed to be low tide, leading me to believe when the tide came in most of what we were standing in would probably be under water.

We searched the skyline and found the Lavallette watertower, St Pios steeple and the Mathis Bridge. Looking north we could see the abandoned house island and a few boats making their way into the deeper waterway. It was a view of the Lavallette peninsula I had never seen. I’ve spent almost forty years bouncing between the bay and the beach, and had never taken the time to look from the mainland across the bay.

We passed a few people in bicycles, a few women walking, a fitness group doing Zumba, but mostly had the trail to ourselves. We looped the beach and headed north along a piney path. The rocks on the path were larger, most likely due to flooding and a way of maintaining the route. We dodged puddles, branches and made our way around Mosquitos Cove. They could possible be a terrifying place in the summer.

But today, it was great. This was the prefect start to our Saturday morning. I cannot wait to explore a few of the other trails in the park and to make our way back in the spring/summer time. Another bucket list item checked off this week. I think one of the many blessing of this partial shut down is the ability for me to be around family more and slow down to explore things in NJ that I’ve missed due to moving to Maryland.

Friday Speedwork

Today I went for a run and whipped out some speedwork on a Friday night. Sometimes things happen and you procrastinate, or maybe many things happen including the weather. I am going to pass the blame on this crazy windy cold front that has plagued the jersey shore for over a week. Finally on a Friday night the wind fell to only 10 mph and I took advantage of it. I warmed up running with against the wind. Next I completed my 5x5min intervals running north with the wind in my back. For my rest I would turn around to backtrack into the wind and give me more length for my intervals. It worked great except my last interval I had to turn around and head south into the wind. It wasn’t terrible, but not the direction you want to finish your intervals moving towards. But I checked that off my week and now I’m excited for two more bucketlist runs this weekend!!! Can’t wait!!!

Lava Love

Today I went for a run after two days of intense wind. Yesterday I woke up eager to run, but instead sidelined by 33 degrees, 17mph winds and real feel 22 degrees. So, I did a quick three mile bike ride and looped the water. Despite my frozen fingers and wind burned cheeks it was a beautiful morning.

Today I tried again; however, waited until 7pm in hopes of waiting out the wind. (Well at least it dropped down to 12mph!) I looped the boardwalk, hit Baltimore Ave and came up Bay Blvd. The wind hit me from the south but the Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles and Faces kept me moving and playing air drums. Perfect five miles on a cold shore evening.

Quiet Seaside Heights

Today I went for a run on the boardwalk. I had a small window before my afternoon meeting that allowed me time to get a few miles in. It was windy, mainly due to a gusty SW wind, but warm with the sun. I looped north to run along the Lavallette boardwalk before making my way to the Seaside Heights Boardwalk. I love being down the shore, even with half the town closed up for the upcoming winter. The boardwalk was empty and 95%of the stands were closed. A lone cheesteak joint and beach attire store were the sole stores open. Construction was underway for the upcoming 2021 summer season, hoping to bring a new home four the historic carousel and a new trendy beach bar scene. I smiled at the few walkers I passed and enjoyed the fading sun on my face before it was swallowed by more encroaching storm clouds. A prefect, quiet afternoon run on the boards.

15 Miles into Island Beach State Park

Today I went for a run and for the first time in weeks felt strong. We got into town yesterday and enjoyed much needed family time. When Sunday morning came it included bagels, procrastination and howling 20mph winds. I spent the morning plotting how to take on this run without instant defeat due to the wind and my recent sluggishness. I was hoping a change of scenery would be just what I needed… and it was!

Shawn dropped me off at the entry to Island Beach State Park. This had been a bucketlist run that I was ready to explore. I had initially planned to run one warm up mile south into the park before heading north for fourteen more miles. My goal was to keep the strong wind on my back as much as possible. Well, change of plans!

Once I began on the two lane road, I just couldn’t stop. The wind was a beast, but it was in the fifties and the sun was beating through intermittent clouds. I took in the views of natural sand dunes with overgrown, wild grass and wirey pine trees. Wind blown reeds nearly parallel to the ground and seagulls effortlessly coasting above the mounds.

I planned to work on a good upbeat six miles during the run. My strategy included a nice six mile warm up and then go time. After five miles in I was really beginning to feel the impact of the wind as the peninsula began to narrow and wind from the ocean side was joining forces with the south wind. I turned around at the fisherman’s walk, taking a moment to enjoy the view of the Barnegat Bay. I was far enough south making the Mathis Bridge indistinguishable, but too far north to see the Barnegat Lighthouse.

Regardless the view before me was stunning. Waves crashing, blown tree limbs framed the rocky shoreline and a cloudy sky screamed of an incoming storm. I turned around determined to take on the next ten miles and find my groove. On my return I jumped into my alternating six miles. I average an alternating of 8:10 and 9:00. It didn’t feel too bad. Five miles brought me out of the park and in no time I was finishing my last 8:15 miles along Ocean Ave. At mile 11 I paused to take a gel and wrap my long sleeve around my waist, despite the gloomy gray sky that hid any sign of an earlier, sunny day.

I reached the end of the boardwalk in Seaside Heights and ran up the dunes in order to catch a glimpse of the ocean. The waves were crashing and the beach was empty. What a different view from my morning runs over the past summer. The boardwalk looked closed down and construction projects were underway in hopes to be done by next May. I continued along until I felt the uncomfortable feeling of being followed… it was Shawn!

I have only used live tracking on my garmin once before this time and he never opened it. Well today he was happy to catch up with me and share that him and my dad had been teaching me the entire and enjoying my scenic route. It made me happy… more than happy. It was nice to know that maybe my solid run was due to the unknown support and cheers I was getting from home.

With one more quick check of the boardwalk I headed towards home, another two and a half miles to go. I looped up to the Lavallette boardwalk, turned before the lifeguard and followed 35 home. Outside Shawn walked out the front door to greet me. Fifteen miles done. Alternating miles done. A boost in self confidence done. It was just what I needed getting back into my last build up for my official 40th marathon. There’s just something about running down the shore, on a new adventures and feeling supported.