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Where I’ve Never Been….

So, this was scheduled to post Friday morning…but it didn’t. Bonus for ya’ll!! Follow up post later today!

Last year, one of my New Year’s Resolutions was to go somewhere I’d never been. I didn’t get to that part…but this year…things are gonna be different!

And it’s starting today!

In just a few hours I’ll be in a new place! I’ve wanted to go here for years – have had a couple of opportunities but for one reason or another it didn’t work out …but now. Now I’m doing it!

Sure it isn’t terribly exotic. But it’s a start!

My friend Sharon asked a few months ago if I’d like to Run with the Bulls. Not those bulls – this year anyway! Sharon LOVES Bermuda. Probably as much as, if not more than, she loves New York City. So I picked a great person for a first visit, right?!

On Sunday we will be Running with the Bulls. Well, technically and officially, I’ll be Walking with the Bulls since when I signed up I didn’t know what kind of condition I’d be in. And. Bermuda is actually kind of hilly from what I’ve heard! So it’ll be fun for sure.

Saturday evening we’re doing an Earth Day kind of celebration walk through Hamilton which will be another fun event.

So it’s about 15 hours before the plane leaves Newark and I’m all packed! And excited. And the best news? (well, it’s all good but…) I got upgraded for my flight from Newark to Hamilton! Which means I’m starting my party EARLY.

Can’t WAIT to go — I’m so excited and have gotten lots of good advice from another friend who loves Bermuda, possibly even more than Sharon does!! I think the only thing I could possibly regret about this trip is that it is way too short!!

Bermuda – bird’s eye view From coldwellbankersislands.com

I’m looking forward to sharing this great weekend with you…probably not tomorrow…probably not Sunday…but soon. Real soon!!

Have a great TGIF!!!

Tags: Bermuda, running, travel

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Categories Bermuda, Running, Travel

Looking Ahead…

12 Jan

From theboringrunner.com

Well, my running year did not end on a great note. And so far this year is not starting off much better.

But I have GREAT plans!!! And some goals need to be set because my BIG BIG goal is to run the runDisney #DopeyChallenge next January.

Just this morning, I deferred my entry for the Houston Aramco Half Marathon and it makes me sad to do it. This is really one of my favorite events, mainly because it’s in my hometown, but also because it’s very well done. And Flat. Ish. And if you know me, you know how important that part is! I’m happy that I am doing it “officially”, though, because this means I don’t have to go through the lottery for next year (Much more on my next January later!) I am still going to have take a shot at the 5K though, even if I have to walk/limp the whole thing!

Up next is the runDisney #GlassSlipperChallenge. This will be a 10K on Saturday and a Half Marathon on Sunday. I’m sitting out Houston expecting to be much further along in my recovery than I am now. To that, I am planning on – finally – making a visit to a *real* specialist on Monday. There’s a walk-in (hahah!) orthopedic clinic right up the street and ortho help is what I need. I hope.

Also on my radar for this year is another shot at the Marine Corps Marathon – another favorite! They’re moving to a lottery this year so in order to make sure I get in, I’m going to get in on the Marine Corps 17.75 – it’s a 17.75 K race just outside of the Marine Corps Base at Quantico VA. Finishing this will give me guaranteed entry to the big show!! There are also a couple other events sponsored by the great folks (yeah, the Marines!) from the Marine Corps Marathon that I may have a peek at!

Locally, I’m in for the Greater Hartford Quarter Marathon, the Solstice Sprint 5K and for the second time, the Hogsback Half Marathon!

There’s also a slew of Hartford Marathon Foundation events that I haven’t signed up for, but you know I’ll be there!!

And the random “special” events…Like the Hartford Run or Dye in July – I’m in!! And there’s a “Run for the Bulls” in Bermuda at the end of March that I’m planning on doing with my friend Sharon – who happens to be a Bermuda expert so it’s going to be a super fun trip!!

Besides running, I’m really NEEDING to get back to Bikram – trying to save my pennies for that one but hope to be ready to sign up by the end of next month – then, since I’m working from home it’ll just be a matter of scheduling it so I can go many days a week!

So, right now it’s a very haphazard plan, but once it’s written down – training plans can be set up and really, the goal is to get me to #DopeyChallenge in good shape and ready to have fun!

Not me….yet!!

Tags: #DopeyChallenge, #GlassSlipperChallenge, Aramco Half Marathon, goals, Houston Marathon, runDisney, running

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Cinderella Family 5K, Dopey Challenge, Enchanted 10K, Exercise, Glass Slipper Challenge, Goals, Hartford Marathon Foundation, Health, Houston, Local Races, orthopedic surgeons, Princess Half Marathon, Run or Dye, runDisney, Running

NYC Marathon Weekend

7 Nov

So, before we dive into my final runDisney weekend for the year, we need to take a look at the past weekend!

That’s right. The NYC Marathon.

I did not run this last weekend. No no no…but I have run it in the past! The last time I ran it, in 2008, I had decided would be my last. I ran with Team McGraw and have, since then, tried to at least be out on the course on Sunday supporting not just my Team McGraw family, but everyone out there!

The Marathon experience starts with the Pasta dinner the night before. This is something I don’t always attend, just because of the commuting down and back 2 days in a row can be tough! But this year I went and am glad I did. It’s always an emotional night, as people share their reasons for running – all of them incredibly personal and you can definitely count on tears being shed.

After meeting the runners I was really looking forward to cheering them on the next morning. So it was back on the train and back into the city. This time Phred came along – he’s probably one of our biggest cheerleaders – even from deep inside his carrier where he sits to avoid the cold wind that ALWAYS shows up on 1^st Avenue!

Phred and I on the way down to NYC to cheer on our Team!!

We didn’t have to wait long before the lead woman showed up…followed a few minutes later by some more and then eventually a larger pack. Then the men. They were running as a much tighter group. It always completely amazes me how fast these people move – looking like it takes no effort at all!!

When the larger group of “regular” runners starts coming it is like a massive wave of people. And it literally doesn’t slow down for several hours!! It’s such a great way to spend time!!

I can only imagine how exciting this must be to see live!!

And this? Exciting!!

After a few hours we headed over to meet our Team at the finish line area. Now generally we wait around benches and gather but since Boston things are a little tighter and the street was barricaded. Then we heard that runners were coming out in a few different places which put a crimp in the plan! Though, the runners all knew where we would be waiting so we figured they’d show up

And they started trickling in. It was a pretty confusing situation, and we weren’t able to stay to meet everyone as it had started to get pretty chilly – and it was probably best for the runners They all finished and some even set some pretty big Prs!

I once said that I was finished running NYC, there are just so many options out there…but every single time I get out there on 1^st Avenue I get a little longing…

Mutai, Jeptoo of Kenya win titles at NYC Marathon (news.yahoo.com)

Tags: New York City, New York City Marathon, running

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Categories NYC Marathon

Belated Hogsback Half Marathon – recap (Race weekend 9.28.13)

11 Oct

This was going to be the weekend of races! I had registered for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Providence awhile back and then learned about a great local race and registered for that – not realizing that the local race was on Saturday and the Providence race was on Sunday. Of the same weekend. But, heck, I did Goofy earlier this year, 2 half marathons in a weekend was NOTHING!!

Well, the week leading up to my epic weekend of racing was a difficult one. First, on Monday I strained my back – so much so that the drive home from work was one of the most painful things I’ve done. Things felt a little better Tuesday at work – it was after work, when I rear-ended a truck on my way home that things went a little more south.

I could tell the next day that while my back was feeling better, my ankle and my …er…gluteus area…was more sore than normal. At this point I started thinking that 2 big races in one weekend might not be the smartest move. Then when I learned that I would have to pick up my race packet for Sunday no later than 5 on Saturday I realized that Providence would not happen this year.

So I was focused on Saturday’s race. The Hogsback Half Marathon. I was getting more and more excited as the race director, Kelly Gallagher, would post updates on facebook. And the pre-race communication was GREAT! Lots of information. And, apparently I didn’t read it all very carefully.

The plan was to get in the early start group at 8:15 – the suggestion was to get to the race start by 7:30 to pick up and make it to the start in time. In my mind…I had a 40 minute drive or so since I was thinking the race was in Colchester, CT. When I was double checking the information at about 6:30 Saturday morning, I discovered it was COLEBROOK, CT. Which is on the other side of the state. And a little farther drive…

So I started making my plans for what I would do if we missed the start – I’d volunteer! I mean, I would already be there. But, miraculously, we got there in time to get bibs and get to the start for the early start!

Early Autumn view at the start/finish area.

This was by far one of the most beautiful courses I’ve been on – and it’s a great time of year in New England with the leaves changing and just enough of Autumn in the air to make things comfortable!

Timewise, I did pretty well considering my “injuries”, better than I have done all year so I was happy with that. I’m still slower than I used to be but I’m getting back there.

Course support was great – plenty of water stops. No potties on the course though, that would be the only downside. There were a lot of hills…and it seemed that most of them were of the uphill type, very view of my favorite downhills 🙂

People lining up for the tasty post-race buffet!!

The post-race buffet was amazing! So many thanks to Kelly Gallagher and her husband as well as her entire family for all the hard work they put into this! I totally am volunteering to bring some desserts for next year’s event! Chicken, pasta, potatoes, salad, cookies, brownies, pies…I didn’t have to eat the rest of the day!!

This is what I’m talkin’ about!! Noms!

Awards? I didn’t get one but these awards are definitely motivation to work harder– fabulously decorated sugar cookies from Cookie Cowgirl. An award. You can EAT!! So, you might think that I think this race is all about the food – but…

There were leftover cookies…I didn’t win one 🙂

Did I mention? This race is in support of Running for Rescues– so a big portion of the miniscule registrations fees ($35 for a half marathon? In 2013? UNHEARD OF!!) goes to helping doggie rescue organizations.

So, let me recap the recap 🙂 Cheap registration, option to start early (which I need these days!), beautiful New England course, GREAT post-race spread, cute awards, wonderful charity…all great things!!

This doesn’t mean there weren’t one or two things I was less than happy with.

Um…that mile 12 hill? That went from Mile 12 to Mile 13? Yeah…can we do something about that? 😉 And, maybe that uphill walk to the car after as well? Thanks! Also, I know it’s nearly impossible given the course but a potty somewhere near the middle would be nice but I totally get why it’s not feasible.

All in all – this was an amazing event and I’m definitely signing up again!

To read more about the HogsBack Half Marathon, check out Kelly’s blog post on how she works really hard to put on an affordable, but quality, event here: http://somerandomthursday.blogspot.com/2013/08/economics-of-race-2013-hogsback-half.html And check out her other posts on putting on the race! Interesting stuff!!

And…The bling!!