Today my daughter Carrie and I ran the Vermont Maple Leaf Half Marathon. 

 I was honestly shocked about how good I felt running this half.   It was a very hilly race, yet my energy levels were very consistent throughout the race.  My running mile splits were a bit inconsistent due to the hills, but I kept putting one foot in front of the other. I’m certain Barbell Strength classes played a big role with my overall strength.  This 53-year-old women, wife, mom, allergic asthmatic still has it!  What a nice way to kick off Autumn running.  Back to the recap….

         The race was held in Manchester Vermont, which is about a 3 1/2 -hour ride from Boston. We drove up on Friday night, checked in to the Hampton Suites, swam in their pool, used the jacuzzi and then grabbed a pizza for dinner. The pizza was so delicious.  It was one of the best pizzas I had in a long time.  Two hours later, it was time for bed.  

        We had breakfast in the hotel breakfast area.  My traditional morning snack is Yogurt. Here is the funny part. I love my traditional Yoplait and kids these days like thick Greek /Icelandic style! I hate Greek Yogurt. I was so pleased that they had my yogurt – I knew it would be a great race – even if the server thought I was nuts talking about my yogurt.  After breakfast, we packed the car and headed to the start of the race.

         Race morning was nice. The weather was perfect 60s – low 70’s.  The mountains provided plenty of shade, which kept the runners comfortable. The race started at the Dana Thompson Recreational Park in. We got there a little bit before 7:00am to avoid race stressors. One runner at out hotel, freaked me out when she mentioned the roads to the start will be closing soon to all traffic.  She was wrong. The race started at 8:00 am. Knowing we had an hour to kill, we focused on channeling our pre-race jitters and then we used the bathrooms and headed to the start line. 

      The national anthem was sung, and we were off. 

    My goal for this race was to come in before 3:15 and have a solid finish.  

   The race was  very challenging, yet I had a fun time. 

   The first 8 miles were very hilly.  Hills are very hard for me, but I was able to power through them.  My strategy was to walk all the uphill portions and run the downhill portions. This method allowed me to conserve my energy, so I can finish the race strong,

       I was also chomping on twizzlers at each mile for extra strength. It helped move me along the course. ` Love that, Sugar!

After mile 9, the course flattened out a bit, Thank goodness. 

Once I hit 10 miles, I was so happy……Just a 5k (3 miles) to go! 

I ran across the finish line and collected my Medal. Carrie and I grabbed some water at the finish and then we headed back to Massachusetts.

My time was 3:14:25.

I am pleased with my pace.  Among the average runner its slow, but I am very proud. I am physically stronger and mentally stronger.  I had a good training session leading up to the race. 

For dinner I had a   delectable double chocolate muffin, to replace the lost glycogen in my muscles.

Also, shout out to my daughter Izzy who watched my 4 DOGS when I was away. 

Next big event…..Dopey Challenge in January consisting of 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon.

The race supports Greenbelt’s conservation work. It was a fun morning participating in a 5k with my two daughters.  It was a challenging race, yet I loved all the ups -and downs throughout the wooded trail. Overall, I am pleased with my muscle power, I have gained from running and strength training.  

Great morning. I had an excellent race.

This morning I ran 12 miles, and it went well. The Maple Leaf Half Marathon is 4 weeks away.

 I stayed on top of my fueling and I believe that made my long run very successful. I had my usual yogurt for breakfast, then it was time to run.  My goal for this long run was to push my speed to see where my ability is at.  

 During the long run, I also made sure I had a variety of snacks.   I like to have many running snack options. Not the healthiest, but I wanted my muscles to move and not quit on me.

However, I only ate the twizzlers and just a handful of M and M “s.  It worked well!   I was able to push my speed a bit! I ate a twizzler at every mile from mile 1-11. Twizzler were easy to digest and chew while running.

I am hoping to finish the Half Marathon around the time of 3:15 hours. 

Now time to cool off in the pool.

Today, I ran a race to benefit the Run to Home Base organization.  This organization raises funds for veterans and their families who were impacted by the invisible wounds of war.    The event was held at Fenway Park. 

 When I signed up for this event, back in February, I was given a choice to run a 5k or a 9k.  I chose the 5k because it’s a shorter distance. Also, summer running is more taxing on my body due to the heat. 

I left my hometown Swampscott around 5:30 am and headed out to the blue line subway to make my journey to Kenmore Square Boston.   It was a nice, uneventful ride. I arrived at the park around 6:30am.

Runners were told to enter the stadium through gate C Lansdowne Street.

 The event began at 7am with opening ceremonies. Several different speakers spoke about what the home base program does and what it means to them. It was a very nice ceremony. I learned a lot.

 One hour later, it was time to run. 

Both the 5k and 9k races started on Jersey Street, which is just outside Fenway Park.   All, runners, jogged around Boston, and then we  all headed inside the ballpark to cross home plate which is the end of the race. 

After the race, I headed back to the Subway station to make my way back to Swampscott Massachusetts.  It was an excellent morning, and I was proud to be part of this event. Thank You, to the Home Base Program for helping the military families.

Today I ran 11 miles.   I am preparing my body to run the Vermont Maple Leaf Half Marathon (13.1). My daughter Carrie and I are doing this race together. 

The run was stinking humid….I could not escape it! I ran 7 outside and then 4 indoors on the treadmill.  High Humidity outside……High Humidity in my home gym. 

Overall, I did have a good run, and I kept my pace around 15-16  minute miles like Coach Galloway say I should do.

I am nervous about the race, which is probably a good thing because the body is mentally preparing itself to go 13.1 miles.  Plus, its Vermont …..Hills!

Also, summer is the hardest season to train in because of the heat. Long runs in the summer are not fun.  My running pace is always worse in the summer.

 In reality, the half marathon I am doing with my oldest daughter is geared to the needs of older/ slower runners like myself- with longer cutoff finish times. I have 3.5 hours to finish the race, which works well for me.

I also had a fun weekend. I spent the time sitting by our pool, soaking up the sun and just enjoying the day. I love the long summer days when the sun doesn’t set until late in the evening. 

Today, I participated in a 5k run for Migraines. The event was held at the Mystic River Reservation in Medford.  I am probably nuts exercising in the heat, but it was well worth it! 

All funds raised benefited the Harvard Brigham Faulkner Hospital to support local migraines research. In total the migraine community raised 10, 000 dollars as of today.

It so happens that I have migraines. They can be challenging. I am taking prescription medicines to prevent the onset of bad headaches. Medicine helps, but it’s not perfect. Breakthrough headaches can still happen. 
The event had a festive feel to it, because everyone was dressed in shades of purple the color of migraine awareness and were cheering words of encouragement throughout the 5k.

Even though it was extremely hot on the course, and I walked a lot, I love participating in this event, that is near and dear to my head and heart. 

Monday…Barbell Strength Class… Love this class…. My instructor is very good. She is always making sure I have good form during class.

Tuesday …I ran 10 miles. I did this run on a treadmill, because the weather outside was just too hot and humid for me. I started the long run slow and easy; my goal was to cover the distance. Naturally, I held back with the speed since it was a long run.  In the past I usually slowed down after mile 8 …. but not today!  All 10 miles were at a consistent pace. I finished 10 miles feeling good and strong. Just a bit tired.

Friday ..Barbell Strength Class + (3 miles treadmill) .

Sunday 3 miles

 I also had a nice weekend. It was my spouse’s 58th birthday.

To start off the holiday weekend, my oldest daughter and I ran the Amesbury Day 5k. This was our first time running this race. 

It was a lovely summer run with a morning drizzle.   A few hours before the run, there were thunderstorms that moved through the area, which helped cool down the air and clear out all the nasty pollens floating around. 

We both performed well. 

After the race, runners were treated to beer.  

I am absolutely running this race next year.

BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 1OK

  Today my daughter and I participated in The Boston Athletic Association 10k race. This is my fourth time running this race. I like to go back year after year because the race is local, lots of fun and well organized. 

The race began at 8.00 am at the Boston Common.  It is an out and back course through Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood and extends to Boston University.  Most of the course is flat, with a good portion of the race on Commonwealth Avenue. 

Mother Nature was not cooperating today, it was very hot with high humidity. Prior to this race, emails were sent out from the B.A.A. warning runners about the heat.

I had no specific goals for this race. My plan was to do Galloway run/walk intervals but add more frequent walk breaks to finish in an upright position without heat exhaustion.  I remember from previous races Galloway Quoting “In extreme heat walking tends not to cause a dangerous body temperature increase, yet it still delivers the same level of endurance based on your distance”.

Miles 1-4 went well for me.  I found a good run/walk pace and stuck with it.  

Mile 5-6 …The body said …. No more running ……. You’re walking.

Finish … I ran the last 100 yards and then I was done!  

Overall, I had a nice safe 10k and enough energy to be able to smile and pose at the professional photographers along the course.

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After the race, I chugged down some Gatorade, water and Coca Cola.  I like Coca Cola because I am prone to runner migraines and soda helps prevent them. 

On Saturday, I participated Run/Walk Well 5k held at Lynnfield High School. The Calvary Christian Church ran this event.  The purpose of this race was to raise funds to build wells that will provide drinkable water for schools and thousands of adults and children in the surrounding villages throughout Africa.  

It was a small race approximately 50 people. The course was hilly and very pretty. We ran through the wealthiest parts of Lynnfield.  There were many beautiful mansions along the course. 

it was a well-organized race.  The volunteers and congregants from the church were very friendly and welcoming. 

Physically, it was not my best run, the pollen in the air was too much for my respiratory system, so I did a lot of walking. 

Half Marathon Training week 5 

Monday Barbell Strength

Wednesday 5-mile run  

Friday 3 miles and Barbell Strength

Saturday 5k