Happy Labor Day.  I had a great holiday.

Today, I participated in the annual 5-miler race sponsored by The Martin Richard Foundation.  (MR8K)

The Martin Richard Foundation helps young people to learn, grow and lead through volunteerism and community engagement

.During the 2013 Boston Marathon attacks, 8-year old Martin was one of the three bystanders who lost their lives that day. After the tragedy, his family established a charity in his name.

I was a runner in the 2013 Boston Marathon, but that day I was very thankful, to be a very slow runner.  I was at mile 20 when the bombs went off. I was completely sheltered from hearing, seeing and witnessing the tragedy.  I was clueless to the extent of the tragedy until I arrived safely home and saw it replay out on television. I was lucky and perhaps a higher above was watching out for me that day.

But why did Martin and the other two die? 😦

………

The race began at Warrior Ice Arena at Boston Landing, the practice facility of the Boston Bruins and traveled around the streets near the Arena to complete a 5-miler route.  The weather was almost ideal just tad too hot and humid for my liking.

After the race, there was plenty of food and entertainment.

Later during the day, my husband and I went To Framingham to visit my parents.  We all had lunch at the Framingham Beer Works and the food was delicious. . Going to the Beer Works was a nice treat after the run.

Running last week, it was stinking humid and hot.

Wednesday 9 miles …not an easy run …, thunderstorms in the area, hazy hot humid …. Oh, My!  However, I did beat the down pours.

Thursday 3 miles …   feeling hot hot hot

Last week …Mother Summer Nature won…. My body physically struggled   after my 9-miler due to bad quality air. In all honesty, I should have done my long run on a treadmill.  Yes, daughter your right, don’t run outside when accu -weather health forecast says stay indoors. Yes, I should know better but, summer is too short not to be outside.

Me afterwards …. Cough Cough Cough …… Spouse gives me” The look” ……. Cough more……  Continue looks from my loving spouse….

Besides running, I had a nice weekend.  On Saturday, my husband and I travelled on the Salem ferry into Boston.  It was an enjoyable one hour cruise. We then visited the Museum of Science to see Body Worlds and the Cycle of Life, followed by a delicious lunch at Picco a casual restaurant located in the South End that specializes in cooking delicious pizza and homemade ice cream.

Sunday, I spent most of the day at home just relaxing.    To end the weekend, my family and I went to our favorite Chinese Restaurant for dinner.

Views from the ferry.

I have officially become insane, nuts with my running. I will be participating in the Dopey 2020 Challenge!
The challenge consists of a 5k + 10k + half marathon + full marathon = 48.6 miles in 4 days (and six medals!)

I chose this challenge for various reasons.

I want to do something really hard.

I am ready for a bigger challenge.

I will be kicking of the year 2020 with a big accomplishment.

Bragging rights

Many friends from the running community has completed the challenge and I always admired their hard work.

I love Disney races.

And finally, I’m not fast ….   I struggle with faster running …. I have asthma and exercise induced asthma and I receive 4 shots a month for allergies ……so my focus is developing more aerobic endurance . Dopey is an endurance challenge.

I am starting week 8 of training.  I am following the Galloway training program.  His programs have worked very well for me in past races.

Pictures of last week running..

 

The last two pictures are at Tanglewood … home of the Boston Symphony.  Sunday my relaxation day .

 

 

Another week of running in the books!  Training for some fall races,…… (Disney Wine and Dine Half in November)….(Disney Marathon in January.) also I will throw in some 5k’s and 10k’s this fall.

Getting excited for the fall…. better running temperatures.

This week  ….Long run 7 miles  and two 3 milers

 

More pictures of Run to Home Base

RUN TO HOME BASE

Wow! What a day.

Today, I ran my first race of the summer.  The race was Run to Home Base 9k. Home Base honors all the soldiers and their families that have sacrificed their time in war protecting our country.   Also, honored are the men and women who lost their life caring for our country.

I left Swampscott very early in the morning, rode the train, to arrive at Fenway Park by 7:00am for the `Opening Ceremony.  Runners listened to various Veterans and Service Members speak and then it was time to run.

The 9K run began outside of Fenway Park, Yawkey Way, travels around Boston and then ends crossing home plate inside Boston’s Fenway Park.  It was a bit too hot for me, so my running felt more like a crawl……but I still had a lot of fun. I am so glad I was able to experience this unique event.

 

Twenty-five years ago, I got married on my birthday, and now I am celebrating the anniversary and my 50th birthday through a party. Prior to the party, I decided to run a 5k to honor the memory of Trooper Thomas Clardy.  I was not going to miss this race. I wanted to be part of the 1000 runners celebrating the life of a fallen officer.   Thomas Clardy was a State trooper, United States Marine Corps Veteran, husband and father of 6 children; who kept our country and state safe. It was an honor to run in the memory of Trooper Thomas Clardy.

So, the morning of the party, instead of picking up the cake, balloons or settling back before my birthday/anniversary celebration …. I was on my way to run a road race. My non-running spouse was in charge of picking up the cake.

I had a great time.  It was gorgeous morning to run a 5k.

………That night, with family and friends…. I celebrated my 50th birthday and my 25^th anniversary!

I am so blessed to be able to celebrate 50 years with good health and 25 years of marriage with a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters. I will never take for granted the life god has given me.

I am also very thankful that I have the ability to run and that I am fortunate to have a passion so strong. I cannot be happier that I am able to continue my running passion at my age. BIG 50!

 

I just ran 4 miles and it was hard.   This is the longest distance, I ran since the Boston Marathon.

Time to get my crap together and start running, if I am planning on running a Fall Half Marathon.

Every year between May and August, I struggled to stay motivated to exercise. I always had so many excuses not to move ……spring allergies, summer country concerts, classical music concerts, pool time, barbecues, visiting Disney World with the family and the list goes on and on and on ….

to add to my list …I just celebrated my daughter’s wedding.  It was a great time.

In the past, after a Boston Marathon training cycle, I would spend the summer months not running much.  I would occasionally do Body Pump with my daughter and some 5K’s but what I really needed was to run with regularity.  I always seem to slip into a running slump and lose my running distance fitness level, so by the time fall arrived, I was back to running from scratch.

Now,  I am working on becoming a better runner and consistency is very important.  To run better, I must make running a priority.  Having a coach last marathon season taught me, there are no short cuts to run faster or building endurance.  Consistency is the key.  No Long breaks. Recovery is important but not for months and months

So, a few days ago, I  signed up for a late summer Hilly Half Marathon. I am training for the Maple Leaf Half Marathon located in Vermont.    Training for this race will forced me to be consistent. Running coach will be happy.

.  Hopefully in the future I can run a half in less than 2:45. We will see.

 

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My first post marathon 5k

New England Pediatric Care (NEPC) “Cool Kids” 5K Road Race

The NEPC Cool Kids 5K is a fundraiser for a short- and long-term care facility   for children and young adults with medically complex conditions, and cognitive and physical disabilities.

On a beautiful 50-degree Sunday morning, I ran my first 5k since the Boston Marathon.  And I felt good.

The course travelled through quiet residential neighborhoods of Billerica and the elevation was fairly flat throughout the race.

My recovery from the marathon went well.

 

I am blessed to be able to run marathons.   Running distances is a divine gift from God.  I believe God knew I needed running to be a huge part of my personal growth.   My life has changed so much, for the better since I ran my first marathon when I was 29 years old.

Prior to running, I felt very insecure and not well established in life.     I was never “book smart” and was intimidated by people more intelligent than me.  I always struggled with academics.  I was never good at learning and understanding things or getting good grades.  I was never career-driven, all I wanted back then was to get married and become a mom.  Who was I? 

Then ………..I fell in love with the sport of running and met many inspiring and like–minded running friends who are just like me!  They inspired me to be the best person, I could be.

Throughout multiple marathon training seasons, I   learned that I was able to bring my own unique talents to the world and to my relationships.   Running has given me the gift of friendships, confidence, happiness, love for myself and pure joy.

Today, I am very pleased with my life journey.  Running has helped me find my inner strength and grow in all areas of life.

I am also glad to be a runner on the American Liver Foundation Team that supports research for the treatment, and cure of liver disease.

I have a daughter getting married in May.

I am married for almost 25 years.

I have another daughter in college…

AND I am  still  a ……Stay home mom ( love the job)   and an awesome  wife

That is success …

Thank You God, I am Blessed.