Wife Mother Runner @RunHMF Archives

2017 Middletown Half Marathon

April 22, 2017

This blog post is a reminder to Diana and I that if we are considering doing this race again, we must be trained for it. We should have learned this lesson from the last time we did it two years ago. But, Diana won a free race entry with a Facebook contest from the Hartford Marathon Foundation and I had already shared with her that I thought the medal was pretty nice looking! So guess what we did on Sunday, April 9th.

That morning when we met up I told her that we will just use this race as an opportunity to catch up since we hadn’t seen each other since January. And on the plus side we’d bet getting in some exercise and the weather was spectacular! Just before the start I found all my familiar faces – Bob and Mary Perrotti, KO from work, and Diana’s friend Jeremy from running Disney races.

The weather was beautiful. It was the first warm day we had in a long time. It was a sparkling 65 degrees out with nice warm sunshine. Not always the most idea for running a half marathon that starts at 11:00 a.m. but I didn’t mind. We are used to running in hotter temperatures with humidity for our races in Florida so this was fine. We just had to make sure to hydrate throughout the race. Plus we weren’t actually racing this race.

I was running for Lyla and someone came up to me and asked me what her story was. That was the first time someone asked. I hope to share more knowledge with others about rhabdomyosarcoma.

As you can see from our splits, we started off pretty strong and consistent; but then the hills started and they were kicking our butt. Diana was starting to feel the unpleasantness that happens to her stomach during these hilly races so we slowed down. We also spent the first 5-6 miles talking a lot and that exerting some more energy. We walked the last three miles.

On the course I saw a sign from Lyla. I just happened to look towards the curb and on a lawn was a dime. Ironically it was her 10th birthday the weekend before and I keep finding dimes now.

After the race, we went to the green and I got food and was happy to see that the Hartford Marathon Foundation had COLD chocolate milk on ice for the finishers! This is the first race where I had seen chocolate milk offered. I hope this is something they continue to offer to the finishers in the future.

Diana and I walked to my car so I could drop her off to her car in the lot down the street. Unfortunately, she needed to empty her stomach at a telephone pole before going to my car. Poor thing. I put all her race items in a bag for her and gave her a tissue and she said she felt 100% better after that! Unfortunately, she told me later that she got sick two more times after that. Something about these first races of the season always does her in.

But I was glad to have spent the time with her, earned a cool looking medal and got 13.1 miles under my feet! Will we do it again??? Probably not! Even with the course having been changed there were still some significant hills. Unless we train for it.

2016 Hartford Half Marathon

October 11, 2016

This year for the Hartford Marathon weekend I ran the half marathon. I had been training for the Marine Corps marathon but deferred that race; but was confident that I had enough miles under my feet to have a decent half marathon finish time for this race. Diana and I were planning on running it together with a race goal in mind so we would have a decent finish time to use for runDisney corral placement for future races.

This was my friend, Portia’s first half marathon so I told her I would drive her up to the race so she wouldn’t have to worry about parking, finding where to go, and the best part is, my office is located just a block away from Bushnell Park so we could go there prior to the race to stay warm and use real bathrooms!

The morning of the race I got ready exceptionally fast and was actually on time to meet Portia in my driveway. I had oatmeal and two pieces of cinnamon bread with my tea for my pre-race meal and brought a banana to eat just prior to the start. Portia and I drove up around 6:20 and got to the parking lot a little before 7:00. I found Diana and then we went over to the carousel to meet up with some Mickey Milers to get a photo before the race and then I invited everyone up to my office to get warm and to get ready for the race.

At 7:30 we left the building to head back over to Bushnell Park where we could drop off Portia’s bag at gear check and head to the starting line. It was the perfect morning for the race with temps in the 50’s and overcast skies. We were at the start line with a few minutes of time to shake out the jitters and take some photos to commemorate Portia’s first half marathon.

When it was time to run Portia stuck with us for the first half mile and then we sent her off on her way. The crowd opened up at that point and Diana and I started our 30/15 intervals. I was feeling strong and we continued these intervals throughout the entire race except two small sections where the hills were steeper and we needed to keep a brisk walk instead.

Overall, we kept a great average pace of 11:49 minutes per mile with a finish time of 2:34:46. I am very pleased with that. I had been working on shorter, faster runs during my weekly short runs to try to increase my pace a little bit. That in conjunction with doing leg exercises have contributed to my success this race.

After the race I met up with my friend Anne at the park where we enjoyed our Harpoon UFO beer at the beer garden to celebrate a good race finish. The Hartford Marathon Foundation also had a special offer for race finishers to visit area restaurants and present your medal and get a free beer. So Anne and I went to the finish line to watch for some friends from the Be Our Guest Podcast relay team finish under the arch, and then we visited the restaurants offering these specials.

I was very happy with this race and my results and plan to continue to use this race for a PR course or training run towards a marathon in the future. I am also so excited for Portia. It all started with mojitos on Memorial Day on our back deck. From there she started her first journey towards a half marathon and accomplished her mission!

Giving Back To The Sport I Love

October 9, 2016

This Fall I signed up to volunteer for several race events with the Hartford Marathon Foundation. For the Hartford Marathon I volunteered to work the merchandise area of the expo at the XL Center. I worked on Thursday from 2:15 – 7:30.

I arrived to the expo on time and checked in at the volunteer check-in area. From there I was given a t-shirt and a swag bag and was instructed to head to the merchandise area where I met up with the other volunteers working there.

The expo was set up a different way this year. When you arrive, you met with the volunteers to give you your bib and race information. After that you went around a corner to the shirt area where you received your shirt, then the gear bag for race day check-in of your gear. Then you went around another corner to the RunHMF merchandise area where there was a great selection of RunHMF shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, tanks, hats, beanies, glasses, mugs, magnets and much more. The organization of the layout of the expo was perfect to weave the people from the registration desk, to the shirts, to the merchandise, forcing them to walk through that large area of Hartford specific merchandise, giving it a lot of visibility.

I stationed myself at the T-shirt bar and helped people find shirt sizes they liked along with any additional help they had with merchandise on the floor. It was a lot of fun to watch people come around the corner and see all of the items for sale and the looks on the faces of first timers at a race expo. I had the pleasure of talking with one runner named Sara. She was shopping specifically for half marathon merchandise. This race was going to be her first half marathon, and I completely related to how she felt about wanted to wear something proud about having run a half marathon. So I helped her decide on purchasing the 13.1 grey and white sweatshirt. She was aiming for a 2:30 finish time and I told her I was as well so I was hoping I’d see her at the race.

I saw a few friends come through to shop like Kimberly Markey and Lori Connelly so we talked and then they continued on to shop the rest of the expo. I also made it a point to Face Book live stream so others could see the merchandise that was being sold for when they pick up their packets the following day. It was a good way to give people a preview of what they wanted to purchase.

I had a great time volunteering and look forward to doing more things like this in the future. I plan to volunteer and pass out medals for the kid races at the Movember races in Middletown. My kids are interested in running the mile run so that I could pass out their medals to them. It was a great experience to be on the other side of the experience and give back to the sport that I love so much. I also enjoyed talking to the runners and interfacing with them, discussing their expectations for the race and what they have run in the past.

It’s About Quality, Not Quantity

March 24, 2016

I was out on a walk recently and listening to my friends’ podcast, You may have heard of them #runalltheraces? Ironically, they were talking about something that I am working on this year. Finding Joy in my running.

I am working out with weights again a little bit to ease back into it, and while I was in our work out room I hung up my 3 most recent medals from runDisney. These were the Princess Glass Slipper Challenge medals. I have a lot of medals hanging on the rack and they are all important to me. But this year I think when I register for a race, it has to mean something to me. Or I have to be prepared for it. I went to the Marine Corp Marathon unprepared last year and I paid for it. It was not a pretty race in my books. I got it done and I earned every bit of that medal but I did not do my best. I am better than that. So now I want my races to be about the quality and not how many races or medals I earn in a year.

Today the registration opened for the lottery for Marine Corps Marathon. I did not get accepted into the NYC Marathon, which was on my bucket list and I chose not to put my name in the hat for the Chicago marathon. I wasn’t planning on registering for the Marine Corp Marathon either; but something tugged at me when I saw that my friend Kimberlee, who was one of the two others that I ran that race with, posted to Facebook that she registered.

I need redemption. Now that I know what to expect for that race I can prepare for it, the key word there is prepare. Mentally, and physically. I know the logistics of getting around the area so I can book a hotel room again and find my way around easily. I know what the course is like so now I won’t go into it blind to the fact that it is hilly, it doesn’t run through the front lawn of the White House like I was expecting, and I ran through conditions that were less than ideal and almost threw up 3 times, and I almost didn’t beat the bridge. So how bad can it be if I were to do it again? Like I said, my races this year need to mean something to me. And I think it would be important for me to have a re-do of this race.

I haven’t registered for the new Wine and Dine Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge, and it doesn’t look like I am going to either. I am a little disappointed that I won’t be participating in another inaugural race. But I can’t afford to keep doing these inaugural races and then try to remain legacy status for them as well. And with the new changes in the times of the race, it kind of lost its appeal to me. I did enjoy the night-time race, even if the first year I ran it, there was a torrential downpour, and last year it was cut short. I still really liked the night races at Disney.

For my 2016 races, I have my eye on a few. There is a duathlon that takes place in CT in May that I may want to try. It consists of two 5K runs and a 26K (16 mile) bicycle trek through Glastonbury. I have to get out on my bike and start putting in some miles if this is something that I want to be serious about. I also have to do research on the races results from previous years to find out what the slowest time was for the last place participant so I know what I am up against for time. I had been interested in this race for two years; but it always fell during the time we were on vacation.

Another race I may want to try this year is the Iron Horse Half Marathon in Simsbury. This race takes place in June. June is a hard month for races; because with the kids we have events going on every single weekend, both my son and husband have birthdays, and Father’s Day is during that month. But again, this has been on my list so I hope to get to this one.

And there is one more race that I really want to get my feet into. It’s the Summer Solstice Trail Run in Hebron. My intent was to start doing some trail running in hopes of maybe participating in the Bimblers Bluff 50K. I haven’t done any trail running yet so I am in no position to even think about doing a 50K trail run, let alone a 50K. But the Summer Soltice Trail Run will be a nice introduction to a trail race if I can get out and run in some trails near home as well.

So what have I been up to? I have been running regularly; but recently I am having trouble with my left hip. I blame my back for that. i think I had been overdue for my appointment with my chiropractor and so I was running with unbalanced hips. Then last weekend I tweaked it slightly but went to see him and am rectifying the situation. However, my hip is still giving me grief. Hopefully after a few more visits that will be gone. But I have been regularly on the road and when I am not running, I do get out there for walks. I haven’t let the winter cold hold me back either! I have been getting out there no matter what! I need my fresh air fix. I have also been including the kids in my walk or bike rides so that we are all getting out and being active.

My average speed has been pretty slow; but today I started doing some speed work. I picked up the pace and had a 3 mile run with an average of 11:21 per mile. My running has been for pure enjoyment and not so much about a particular distance or speed. So I haven’t been hung up on my pace. But I am running the runDisney Dark Side Challenge in 3 weeks so I do have to increase my mileage a bit to prepare for that. Once we get back from vacation I will focus on my plans for training for these new races I am interested in. Registrations are filling up fast though, so I need to think about what I really want to do.

The Hartford Half Marathon

October 22, 2015

On Saturday, October 10, 2015 I ran the Hartford half marathon for my first time. I had been nervous about running this race, especially for driving into the city and finding parking. I left my house at about 5:40 and I arrived in the city by 6:15. The plan was to meet the girls at the Hartford stage parking lot. I got off the highway and saw the start and finish line area and there wasn’t any traffic at all. I drove over to the Hartford stage parking lot but it was still closed. So I texted the girls and ended up back at the lot across from the start and finish line. I found Diana and we walked over to the gathering area use the Porta potties because there were no lines and then we went back and sat in my car for a little while. I was very surprised that there was nobody around considering this was such a big race and it started in a little over an hour from when we arrived.

At 7:00 we walked over to the Bushnell Park and try to locate Anne and Kimberlee. We used the Porta potties again just before we headed over to the starting line and on my way there I saw my new sponsor Ron as he was directing people. We took time for a quick picture and then Diana and I went to locate Kimberlee and Anne.We found them five minutes before the start listen to the national anthem and then we were off for the race.

Kimberlee decided she wanted to run her own race so she took off ahead of us. My intent was to take the advice that Dimity gave us at the Girls Night Out on Thursday night; which was to start off the first half slow so that you will have enough gas in the tank for the last half of the race. I also wanted to enjoy the now and savor the moment. I wanted to enjoy the race and have FUN with my friends. I definitely had a great time.

The course was nice and we were maintaining a good pace for the first few miles. At around mile 8 we started walking a little bit more because Anne was trying to get her sugar regulated. At that time Diana went off ahead of us. So we planned to just meet her at the end.

At mile 9 we entered Elizabeth Park. It was a beautiful park with rose gardens and they had a candy table there for the runners. We continued on through the the park and then went on back towards the city.We were taking our time so we could use this run as a training run. I was concerned about my leg acting up. We finished the race in 3:08. Not a fast race for me, but 13.1 miles under my feet.

After the race, we met back up with Diana and collected our awesome Hartford Marathon Foundation reusable water bottles and snack bags and then went to the food tent to get our post race fuel. They had corn muffins, pumpkin bread, bananas, chili and milk. They sadly did not have chocolate milk. After eating we went to collect our Triple Challenge Race medal and jacket. I was VERY happy to have them! Those were some tough races. Tough enough where I am not sure if I will do that triple challenge again next year. But you know the bling always entices us when the registration opens in the beginning of the year.

I saw Dimity and Denise again at their booth. I didn’t realize they were going to be at the race Saturday. I thought they were flying home; but I saw Dimity earlier in the morning before the race and she told me to stop by their booth after the race. I took pictures with them and got a cute Mother Runner shirt. It was great to see them one more time before they head home.
As we were walking around I bumped into my friends Bob and Mary and their daughter Elizabeth. We talked for a bit and then Anne and I went to find the beer garden. We got our Harpoon ale and drank it in the designated area, took some pictures and then went on the hunt for the Amethyst jeans.

I read in one of the emails that there was going to be a pink truck that was giving out jeans for a $10 donation. I had to check it out! We finally found them on the far side of Bushnell Park. Next year they need to get a closer spot so more people can take advantage of their special deal. You give them a $10 donate and they donate food, money and a pair of jeans to someone in need.

I said goodbye to Anne and made my way back to my car. As I did, I had to cross the area very close to the finish line and it was exciting to see the marathon finishers trickling in. I decided to stand there for a little it to watch. I had to get home for my daughter’s family birthday party. I knew my friend Michael was going to be crossing the finish line close to 1:00. I tried to wait and watch for him. I was texting his family to find out where he was. But somehow I missed him! I was bummed, I really wanted to see him cross the finish line of his very first marathon.

The Hartford Marathon Foundation put on a fantastic event. It was never in my plans to do this race; but now that I have done it I think I’ll consider it again next year as I use it for a training run toward the WDW marathon. The Hartford Marathon Foundation has great support on the race course, with sufficient water stops, a good size expo, an excellent pre and post-race area and plenty of support and communication throughout the time leading up to the race.

Will I see you at the Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon next year?

Hartford Marathon Expo

October 20, 2015

These were the medals I would be receiving after running the Hartford Half Marathon on Saturday, October 10. It includes the Hartford Half Marathon medal and the Triple Challenge medal.

The Hartford Marathon Expo took place at the XL Center in Hartford. I went to the race expo on Thursday night at 5:00 PM before going to the Girls Night Out event at the Hartford Club. It was not crowded at all. When you entered the expo area you were greeted by a display of all of the Hartford Marathon Foundation medals and a wall to sign your name to your favorite runHMF event.

You were also given a special card to carry around to the vendors and have them stamp each time you visit a booth. After you collect six stamps you can give your card to the Transitions glasses booth for a chance to win a free pair of Transitions glasses.

I found my friend Kimberlee and her husband Tom there. We hung out and walked the expo for about 30 minutes.

It was smaller than other race expos I had attended. But, they did have a good variety of vendors. I purchased a light reflecting vest from one of the vendors along with a new product called Chafe-X.
I samples some chocolate and vanilla milk from Organic Fuel and some granola from Main Street Bakery.

Once again the Hartford Marathkn Foundation did a great job of putting together a great event. The expo was efficient. I picked up my bib and my friend Diana’s bib with no issues, the shirt and gear bag pickup was easy and the expo had an excellent variety of vendors.

I will make it a point to spend time at the expo again next year as well.

Girls Night Out with Dimity Was Like Runners Church For Me

October 18, 2015

Last week during the Hartford marathon pre-events, there was a girls night out meet up at the Hartford club with Dimity McDowell from Another Mother Runner. Before the event I went to the XL Center to pick up my bib and race shirts. On my way there I saw on my new sponsor Ron from Mintz + Hoke. As I was talking to Ron I saw Dimity and Denise leaving the XL Center to go to the Hartford Club. I said hi to them and goodbye to Ron and hurried down to the expo to get my race items. At the expo I met up with Kimberlee D. and her husband. I picked up my race shirts and then we visited some of the booth at the expo. It is definitely a small expo compared to some of the others that I have been too. But it was good to sample some of the items from local shops and spend a little time with Kimberlee and her husband.

I stayed there for about a half an hour and then walked over to the Hartford Club. It is a nice location to have a meet up like we did. They had finger sandwiches and a cash bar and we all received a raffle ticket when we entered. I sat down with a group of people that I did not know but I recognize one of the girls at the table. When I introduce myself she told me I looked familiar to her also. Then I realized she was Alison Overholt who was at the another mother meet up at Fleet Feet in west Hartford earlier in the Spring. She is one of the essayists in the latest Mother Runner book Tales From Another Mother Runner. She also read her essay at the last meet up at Fleet Feet. We talked for a bit about the races in the Connecticut area, since she recently moved here, and I recommended to her to do the Manchester Road race for Thanksgiving.

Ali was there that night to introduce Dimity and interview her for the meet up. I felt like I was at church for runners. Everything Dimity was talking about was exactly what I needed to hear at the time. Ali did a 20 questions interview with her which had some great questions.

The first thing Dimity said was to remember that good is good enough. Before kids when we used to train for our races we would train and follow the training plan to the letter. Now with kids and life we need to give ourselves a break. Sometimes if the training plan calls for 6 miles and we were only able to get in 4 miles, 4 is good enough. We made the effort and we should take pride in what we were able to do.

Another thing she talked about which stood out for me was to enjoy the moment. Dimity said that we need to enjoy the now and not look at the end of the race or how many miles we have left, or how much work is ahead of us; but to actually enjoy the moment we are in. Running shouldn’t bring us stress. Running is our playtime. If we are worrying about how much is ahead of us, or the hills up in front of us, then we are not enjoying the now and having fun with it. I really needed to hear that.

She also talked about some of the basics that I needed to hear all over again. The essentials like taking on fuel at miles 4, 8 and 11. Those will keep us hydrated and sufficiently fueled so that we can finish the race strong. In doing so, we will keep our brain happy and will push away the mental monkeys. I used to be diligent about my fueling and hydration during races; but lately have been running half marathons with little fuel, just enough to get by. When you fuel properly you will have a stronger finish. Especially at the time when you need it. She also reminded us to start of slower so we can finish strong. It’s so easy for me/us to go out fast because of the crowd pushing us along and when we do that we run out of gas too fast and then struggle at the end. You have to make a very conscious effort to be slower the first half. Especially in the beginning when everyone else is surging forward.

Keep a mantra in your head repeat that mantra to yourself so that you are taking your mind away from the bad thoughts and making a conscious effort to speak to yourself positively. She made an excellent point that struck a chord with me. She said don’t ever say something to yourself that you wouldn’t say to a friend. Would you tell your friend she looked fat? Would you tell your friend she’s too slow? So why is it that we can talk to ourselves that way?

I had been struggling with the upcoming Hartford half marathon coming up that week. I was afraid of arriving to the city on time., finding a place to park, and actually running the race. I had been having prerace anxiety with the last few races lately. I don’t know what has been causing it, but hearing what Dimity had to say has been very very helpful to me. Especially the part about enjoying the moment. That is my playtime, that is my time to be with friends who enjoy the same thing that I enjoy.

After the interview was over there was a raffle for some great prizes and then Beth, the Race Director for the Hartford Marathon presented Dimity with the Wonder Woman award.

It was a fun night and afterwards I visited with Dimity’s travelling partner Denise Dollar. I met Denise at the Philadelphia Marathon and also at the Fleet Feet meet up.

I had Dimity sign my bib for the race and took pictures with her and Ali. It was a lot of fun and as always. Thank you Hartford Marathon Foundation for another great event!

Hartford Marathon Another Mother Runner Night Out

October 6, 2015

Thursday night will kick off the pre-race festivities for the Hartford Marathon weekend for me. I have never run the Hartford Marathon before and am nervous about it because of the fact that I never ran it before. I don’t know what the morning will be like getting into town and where to go, where to park, what to wear, what the course is like, etc. I almost feel like I am running one of my first races. And unlike a runDisney race, this is a “real race” where people take it very seriously. I won’t be running in costume; but hope to be running in my new gear from my sponsor Mintz & Hoke. When we ran the O’Hartford 5K in March there was an exciting energy in the air in the city. I anticipate that with the Hartford marathon it is going to be even more energetic and exciting!

I’m hoping that by attending the Girls Night Out on Thursday night and hearing other talking about running, and seeing the setup for the race in the city, my nerves will be settle a little bit. Dimity McDowell from Another Mother Runner will be speaking at the Hartford Club. I can’t wait to see her! I have met her at several races and she was cheering at the Philadelphia Marathon last year and I had the chance to take a photo with her and Denise Dollar when she was cheering on Sarah! I will be picking up my bib at the Expo on Thursday night prior to the dinner so I will get to experience the way the Hartford Marathon Foundation puts on the event at the XL Center.

Dimity and I at the Philadelphia Marathon Expo – November, 2014

Dimity and I at the Philadelphia Marathon – November, 2014

Dimity and I at Fleet Feet in West Hartford last Spring

me and Sarah at Fleet Feet in West Hartford last Spring

Sarah and I at Fleet Feet in West Hartford last Spring

I am also hoping that by resting my leg for the week that my calf will settle down and I won’t have issues on Saturday. I ran on Sunday and my plan is to stick to walking for the rest of the week. As much as I want to go out for a run during this beautiful weather this week, I think it is best to just walk.

Have you run the Hartford marathon before? Do you have advice for this race like where to park, what time to arrive, how is the course? I’d love to hear from you and see you there Saturday!

Mystic Half Marathon

May 31, 2015

Well I can happily say I completed the Inaugural Mystic Half Marathon today with the help of Diana and Kimberlee. Last night I put my gear together and mixed up a post race chocolate milk. I went to bed around 10:30 but was not able to fall asleep. I had my husband and kids tuck me in and then he put them to bed. I tried reading but my eyelids weren’t dropping as they usually do. Eventually I just put my kindle down and tried to fall asleep. I heard my husband come in and then I tossed and turned for most of the night.

My alarm went off at 4:45 and I got right up. I was pleased that it was light out but that surprised me. I thought maybe it was the moonlight. But I went out to the kitchen and I was the sun rising. It was a pretty morning and the birds were really singing loud outside.

I got ready and was on the road at 5:35. I was beginning to freak out because I estimated that I wouldn’t arrive until 6:45 which wouldn’t give me much time to park and get over to the start and if there was traffic then I’d really be in a pickle. Thankfully I made good time and no one was on the highway. I arrived in about 45 minutes. I parked at the Hilton and met Diana and Kim near the start line with a few minutes to spare and time for a pre race photo and a pep talk. Our plan was to survive. It was extremely humid and hot out. We had to be careful.

I’m glad I finally had the chance to run with Kim. She usually runs with her husband or does her own pace so it was fun to take it easy and run with friends.

The course was pretty running along Mystic Seaport and into the middle of town. Then we ran along the waterfront and into town and through some neighborhoods.

I was starting to get worried around mile 3 because we were in a lot of sun and it was very hot at only 7:30 a.m. We had been hanging around the 2:45 pacers so we decided that it would be good to stick around them. That way we would still finish within the course limit yet not kill ourselves for a faster time.

We stuck with the pace group up until mile 9 where there was a hill and we lost sight of them ahead. We had been maintaining a pace around 12 minute miles, which I thought was good considering the heat and the hills. The course was pretty hilly. It wasn’t like Middletown but it wasn’t as flat as Cheshire either. I had to make sure I took in some sugar because there were some out and backs on the course and many of them were hills and that was playing tricks with my head.

After mile 10 we knew we had a big hill to climb before we had the downhill to where the finish was not far from. So at mile 12 we decided to walk most of the mile since even walking that last mile will bring us to a finish around 2:45. Well we weren’t far off. We crossed the line at 2:48.

Not my best non-Disney race but my purpose was to use it as a training run, especially with my back giving me trouble this week. Thankfully my back felt great when I got up and I had no issues with it at all. I taped my ankle and leg with Rock tape and it did well.

After the race we went to the finishers area and I had some post race chocolate milk and then ran into Bob and Mary and introduced them to Kim and her husband and Diana.

It was great to see them again and we talked for a bit and then hit the roads to head home.
I am happy now that I have 2 of the 3 races for the Triple Half Challenge completed. I have to count to see how many races I have done to date. I’m curious to know how many half marathons I have run since my first one in 2012.

Inaugural Mystic Half Marathon Is Tomorrow

May 30, 2015

The next race in my Triple Half Challenge is the Mystic Half Marathon. Tomorrow is the race and I am afraid my heart isn’t in it the way it should be. I think that is because the race starts at 7:00 a.m. and I have to drive an hour to get to it. Why should that bother me? I run runDisney races that require me to wake up at 3:00 in the morning. Last year I drove to Boston, MA for the Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon, over a 2 hour drive to Boston, so I just have to suck it up and get over that fact.

I am planning on running the race with my friends Diana and Kimberlee. We were at the Middletown Half and the Cheshire Half together the past two months and we decided tomorrow to run this race together. Diana and I don’t have a time goal in mind to get a PR and I had an incident where my back gave me grief this week, so I am being careful. I saw my chiropractor twice this week and I am in good shape with my back’s health. I just have to be sure to see him on Tuesday to make sure nothing gets aggravated. The hard part with this race will be the hour drive home afterwards.

My main concern about this race is that I feel under trained. I ran the Cheshire Half Marathon on April 28th, then went on vacation and had just a few very short runs, and then I got in a 7 mile run last Sunday. So my longest training run for this race has been 7 miles. That’s not how I typically train, so I am hoping the races that I have had already under my belt will be sufficient. But again, our decision tomorrow is to survive and have fun during the race. No time goals and hopefully we will finish before the course is closed!

I will be happy when this race is behind me; but I do have a road ahead of me that I am going to have to start really focusing on. I finally sat down today to review my training schedule for the summer. I have 2 marathons in the fall that I need to begin preparing for – the Marine Corp Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon. That means I am going to start getting in long runs during the heat of the summer. I am also going to begin training for next year’s Dopey Challenge. I emailed Jeff Galloway today to get his assistance in putting together my training schedule based around my race schedule.

I just found something on Twitter than helped inspire me as I go pick out what to wear for tomorrow’s race. @GeoffSmith1984 said “Go out and enjoy it, if you enjoy something you’ll be good at it, says @GeoffSmith1984 #MysticHalf” He’s right. I do enjoy running. I enjoy the time with my friends and I haven’t had the chance to run with Kimberlee yet. We always see each other but never run together so that will be fun as she, Diana and I continue on our quest to earn our jackets for the Triple Half Challenge!

Tag: @RunHMF