Zooma 10-mile training run!

Saturday morning was something similar to a race day morning, minus the crazy crowds, parking problems and everything else that comes with it.

I woke up at 6am, had the coffee pot set to start at 6:10. Time to get up, get dressed and lubed up (chaffing problems), grab my coffee and english muffin smothered with PB and out the door I went. I then got into my car for a nice drive down to the cape to join a group at a Marathon Sports store in Mashpee for a 10mile run.

I do have to say it wasnt what I was expecting. I was expecting more people I guess, and figured that those that have been appointed to be Zooma Cape Cod ambassadors to be there, but as far as I know, the 6 others that were there were not any of them. But I was there, and that was good enough for me.

There were two men there, Greg and Norm who were leading this small group for the run. Greg would run with us and Norm would be on his bike (not fair) in order to make sure everyone was ok, whether they were ahead or behind the group, in case anyone needed anything or maybe there was a need to go fetch a car. Luckily, none of that was needed, except the simple check ins, if there was a need for water or a GU.

For the first .80 of the first mile, surprisingly enough I was the lead. We all seemed to stick together, but Greg and I were sort of chatting it up about the area and part of the course for the upcoming 1/2 marathon. Before we got started, one girl had asked him if he was a 7min miler, and he replied "not right now" and that he would stay with the group, the lead part of the group and go from there.

Eventually I needed to take my walk break, especially considering I had been running for more than 5 min or more straight which is unlike me. Up until mile 2.5 I had a short enough distance between me and the rest of the group that I could still see them. But of course I suddenly felt like crashing, I could have started crying, for some reason my body felt that tired and awful. I wouldn't allow it though, I had driven this far to go more than 3 miles....10 be exact. So with a longer walking break, I got past it and was able to keep going. I had to push through the emotion, and leave it in the dirt.

I tried to maintain a consistent ratio of  1min run and 30 sec walk. There were a few moments where it was 1:30 run, 45 walk...with a little bit of bluriness...
And of course, around mile 4 I really had to Pee! Luckily we were doing an Out and Back route, so at mile 5 I knew we would turn around. Norm had checked in with me at one time, and he let me know there were some porta johns down at the beach, a little past the turn around point. Either way, I would have gone futher just to see the beach! It was pretty!

I also took that break time to have a GU. This would be the third time I took a GU. Peanut Butter again. Shortly after I started back up again I felt really nauseous, to the point that I could have thrown up. Norm told me to drink more water, that I need to drink enough to help the GU break down in my system. As soon as I did I felt better, less nauseous.  I continued to try my best to maintain my run/walk ratio, but there were times I felt sluggish. I dont know if it was just being tired or the GU. I felt nauseous a few more times off and on, not as strong, but it made me slow down and drink more water.

The second half definitely included more walk breaks than the first half, but I was going to make it through one way or another. The last two miles I went to a ratio of 1:1. I earned myself the nickname Ms. Consistency from Norm for my wonderful way of run/walking and maintaining my speed (sort of). Roughly the last mile, Norm and Greg met up with me, and Greg finished it up with me. It was really helpful and supportive of them both, and made me feel much better.

The other thing that wasn't helpful were the blisters developing on the side of my heel. More my left foot than the right.

In the end I am proud of myself for getting it done, pushing through the pain and tired-ness.
I treated myself with a fozen mocha from Panera then went home!

-Stephanie

Trail Runners

Hello...yes I am still here! Are you? The few of you who will actually read this thing I call a blog once and a while!?

It has been a while and I have been doing better with my training...kind of. I have been increasing my mileage, and running, there were times i went out a few times in a week and sometimes going once a week. Not the best idea when training, but whatever...im putting my best foot forward now. I also purchased a Garmin, my first. I have to say I really enjoy it. I do wish there were other features on it, such as pace timer, if I want be able to keep a steady run/walk ratio as well as being able look back on my laps. It only auto laps, so I only get to see how long it took me to run each lap as it happens.

First I am excited to say that there is now a Marathon Sports close to home! I never shopped there before, and there are local running stores, but this one is right down the street from work which is convenient. It opened a few months ago. They started with a ladies night/yoga night, they have held one Fun Pub Run and now they have started a running group! So that is a bonus.

Another bonus, while at the pub run I met a few people part of another running group called The Wormtown Milers. They meet up every Saturday morning and run a minimum of 3 miles, and others run longer, and there is also a leader of a couch to 5k group. It is pretty great! I have only been to one meet up, but I hope to continue with it, even if I still run solo it is a great way to socialize after the run with fellow runners.

I have discovered a love of trail running. Not legit trails, but rail trails. There are trails throughout Massachusetts, I know there are some in other New England states, but not sure about the rest of the country. Anyways, there are a few local trails either near work or home that I can take advantage of.

Thoughts of a runner always includes this scenario.... (thank you buzzfeed)
10. Oh, shit! A fellow jogger!
11. Should I wave?
12. I’m totally gonna wave.
13. OOOK, they didn’t wave back. Never doing that again.
14. Just keep running, no one saw. Except that old guy who may or may not be averting his eyes.

We all have experienced this I am sure...ok maybe not exactly this, but something along those lines. And ya know what I have found about "trail" runners, walkers and bikers.....almost all SUPER friendly, either with a smile, wave, simple hello or hey! Like we are good friends supporting each other. Since running on the rail trails, I find it harder to get myself out to run in my neighborhood. There is just something different about being out on a trail, somewhat secluded but with other people. Maybe that is what it is, the other people. Knowing there are others out there doing what I am doing..or i should say, being active in their own way, having something and someone else to focus on. 

do the math...that's right....9 miles total. boom. 

So with roughly 3 weeks to go until the first of two half marathons, what do you think I did. I got my first Sparkle skirt of course!

I am very excited to wear these with pride! I am also excited that I was able to find skirts to match my new sneakers, or was it that I was able to find sneakers to match the sparkle skirts I knew I would order? Which came first the chicken or the egg. hm.

Ok, I have gone on enough for an update.

Coming up: a 10 mile training run with some Zooma girls!

-Stephanie

Back at it again

Yes it is true...i have taken yet more time off from running, yikes! I was doing pretty good last time I wrote, I have even signed up for another 1/2 Marathon in September. Which one you ask?

I am very excited, but also very nervous. It will have been a year since my last half marathon, so I want it to be even more amazing...well everything, the whole experience as well as my finish and finish time. So I discovered via a FB friend a training app called MyAsics. I used it for about a week, and then I got a cold. I couldnt run, it wouldnt have helped me get better. And of course I had signed up for a 10k the following week.

Here is a quick verbal recap with great pics!
So the race took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, home to the New England Patriots!! I have heard of the race before, but just never signed up since it is in the beginning of July, which typically means high temperatures. And of course it was hot, but there was also a chance of rain which meant it was cloudy. So the weather was some what in our favor for a race starting at 6:30PM.

So my friends and I got there early, got to walk around and stretch for a bit. I saw the 5k runners start, there was a LOT of them! Even 5 of the NE patriot Cheerleaders were running.

The Finishers!!! Woo Hoo!

Then 6:15 or later approached we began lining up. I was not ready for this, but had some goals in mind, but knew if I didnt hit them, I would be ok with that. For the first 4 or so miles, leaving from the stadium parking lot, the race was in a residential neighborhood. And let me tell you, those were the best residents ever! Many of them were outside spraying their hoses and sprinklers at us runners to help keep us cool. It was mighty helpful and very much appreciated.

As we entered the back gate, the stadium was in our sites. Of course you think "I am almost there!" but in reality you still have roughly 1.5 or so miles to go. As you approach a stadium entrace (where you typically scan your ticket) there was a woman saying your almost there, which was kind of true...but still 3/4mile to go i would say. They then take you back into the parking lot and have you run what seems like a mouse maze. Then the big finale!
A run through the tunnel! The inflatable helmet tunnel! It was cool! Photographers are all lined up through to the finish, which of course I forgot to mention the race was called "Finish at the 50" so like it says, the finish like was on the 50 yard line! It was awesome!

free red, white & blue hat swag, haha...so fashionable

gracious residents!

and they had beer..

the end is in sight...but its not as close as you think!

a shot of the finish line!

a delicious and well deserved burger!

Finisher medal!!

Zooma Ambassador?? Choose me Maybe?

I have just filled out and submitted my application become a Zooma Nation Ambassador for Zooma Cape Cod 2014! I have never done anything like this before and look forward to what they have to say!

ZOOMA Ambassadors

ZOOMA ambassadors are active, creative, energetic, healthy living and/or running bloggers who have a positive influence throughout their community.  They are passionate about inspiring and motivating other women to empower themselves through running and embrace a healthy, happy, and active lifestyle.  ZOOMA encourages women from all fitness and running levels to apply!

Ambassadors use various forms of social media – their blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. – to promote the ZOOMA love online and throughout their running community.

Complete the form below to apply.

Thanks for contacting us! We will get in touch with you shortly.

 

I guess I will just fill my waiting time with some running. :)

-Stephanie

Road Race To-Do List!

So in preparation of the "get my feet back on pavement" (just made that up now) movement, I have decided to take a look at future road races anywhere from a 5k-Half Marathon and highlight/schedule/register....whatever I have to do to get myself ready and psyched!

As a newbie to the town that my hubby and I have moved to, I also have a new route to work! I am familiar with the highway that I take, but not the surrounding stuff. Well there is a running store on the highway/route! It is called Miles To Go Sports. So I finally got a moment to stop in and check it out. The first thing I saw when I walked in was a table which had some different handouts on it, including the New England Runner Road Race Calendar 2014, and its FREE! (if its free, its for me!)

Anyways, I quickly grabbed that, browsed the store, talk to the women working there (owner?) about my break from running (stupid New England!) and wanting to get back into it! I left the store empty handed, with the exception of my calendar. It was a bit on the pricey side. I don't see why the lesser expensive running gear, which I use regularly would make my running any better! That's a whole other subject matter of course!

Anyways, so I have begun making a list. But of course, wanting to complete another Half Marathon is at the top of my list. There was one here in town today, which if I was more prepared I would have participated in, but I wasn't.

Here is my 1/2 Marathon To-Do list:

(Runners World Heartbreak Hill 1/2 & 10k)  - not really sure, never been good with a lot of hills, and also need to be careful since it is in June, so the weather might be a little warm - June 8th

-Zooma Cape Cod Women's Half Marathon, September 27th

-Smuttynose Rockfest - Hampton Beach, October 5th

Its not a long list, but there will be more 5ks and hopefully a couple 10k's to help with the training process. I look forward to the running season and all that comes with it! My chiropractor wont like it, but she knows what it is like to work with runners, "you cant make them quit" she said, which is almost true. I didn't quit, just took a break. If only you could have seen her face when I said I wanted to do another Half Marathon. hehe.

Well here is to another Monday and another running day! Get out there.

-Stephanie