About Me

Hello my name is Anne... and I like to run, find out a bit more about me. Check out my past races too.


Friday, May 31, 2013

Dr House almost ruined my workout

My runners high didn’t carry over into this morning.  It really is only after those few hours post workout, which I guess is like that extra push you need at the beginning of the day. 

That being said, as for working out this morning, I was more than not feeling it. So I went into pep talk mode, “It is only the elliptical.”  “It really doesn’t have to be for very long, give yourself 30 minutes.”  That is what I did, 30 minutes (32 with a cool down, but who is counting) I was off and did some stretching and off to work I went.  (I feel like I don’t have to bore you with the details of actually getting ready for work)

Workout: 32 minutes Elliptical

IMPORTANT!! How to keep from vomiting on the elliptical.

Don’t, I repeat, DO NOT watch the episode of House where he performs surgery on his own knee in the bathtub while trying to workout… Unless you are a nurse or a doctor or just a blood and guts crazed person. I am just glad my breakfast was relatively minimal.

Running goal for tomorrow, another slow 4 miles!

Tonight a celebratory Lime-Rita thing… Got some great news today at my 9-5 AND I got my prize money from the BL competition. 2013 is getting better and better!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Riding the Runners High

Workout: 4.04 miles / 43:40

After a bit of a mishap with my original treadmill choice, I moved onto another one and I was off and running!

I decide for the sake of my nose I would run in a climate and room with an air filter. Turns out it was for the best it was steamy outside even at 7:30. Even with my generic target variety Claritin, my nose has been losing its mind.  If only you saw the sneezfest I had when I got in my car.

My goal was 4 miles based on my sub 60 10K training program. Goal complete! My biggest issue was I didn't give myself enough time to run 4 miles.  I never give myself enough time when I run in the AM... truthfully I am terrible at timing things, but when I know I need to be on the treadmill for at least 45 minutes... I should probably give myself at least 50.  I could get up earlier in the AM... that would mean getting to bed earlier.

So here is the rub, Gavin gets home about 9:30PM every night, that gives me about an hour to hangout with him before I turn into a pumpkin.

Anywhoodles, while I was running I just felt so good, if I had given myself more time I probably would have run longer. Due to the time constraint I just upped the speed with 15 minutes left and progressively sped up. I have some lessons from not giving yourself enough time after a workout.


  • I didn't stretch, all that paranoia about getting hurt and I am just willing it to happen by ignoring my stretches.
  • Rushing to get ready, no bueno! (TMI alert: I keep a tooth brush and deodorant at work just in case I forget... it was that kind of rushing this AM)
  • Get off the treadmill sweaty, go directly into a hot show and according to an episode of Seinfeld... "the shower didn't take". I was just as sweaty post shower... gross, I know! 
GEORGE: "What day is today?....Aw. ..Tuesday! Damn it. I shouldn't have worked out today. Mr Wilhem has called a big meeting and now I'm gonna be sweating through the whole thing."

JERRY: "Why. You took a shower?"

GEORGE: "Aahhrgh...it wouldn't take...... long pause, audience laughter) ten minutes from now, I'll be sweating all over again ,I can feel it. I'm a human heat pump!"

KRAMER: "You should take cold showers."

GEORGE: "Cold showers? They're for psychotics."


You really can find anything on the Interwebs, apparently even every Seinfeld script is out there.

I officially had a runners high today! Not sure if it was because I felt so good during or if it was because I hit my goal. Days like today I want to run all over again and then days like the past 3, where I wanted to hit the couch like a sack of potatoes.

I am going to take today's high and hit that cross training machine (elliptical) tomorrow!

June 5th is National Running Day, will you be running?

Today was my first time contributing to #tbt (Throw back Thursday) Who am I to forgo the trends, actually I am usually just a little late to the party, (and here we are, full circle). Oh my, does anyone know what time it is?

#tbt Here you Go! (different one than on Instagram... so hit me up there if you want to see more)

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Where did this week go?

Alright so after walking across the entire city of Boston twice on Monday. I have been incredibly lazy.

Not joking, across the city, from Congress Street (Barking Crab) in Southie, alright barely Southie, to Fenway Park (Standing Room "Seats) and then back to the Barking Crab. Saving on parking is overrated. My pedometer (cheap one that my work gave me) had over 16,000 steps I guess it is only about 8 miles.

Alright now that it is all out there, "Anne, really, you signed up for 13.1, suck it up!"

Here are a few pictures from Memorial Day.



 
First time we had been back in the city since Patriots Day... we will have to stop a bit longer next time.


One of my favorite places, BPL! Strong!

I do enjoy a good selfie (my freakishly long arms are put to good use)


We were on the Bud deck... so far not my favorite SRO tickets

I just really loved this guys camera! 



Enough said, first thing in the AM I either hit the treadmill or run outside!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Motivational Trickery


Workout: Treadmill 3.61 miles / 40 minutes

I wanted to run the Run to Remember today, but I waited too long and it was sold out by the time I got around to it. Congrats to my friends Carlyn, Pat and Amy for running today! Note to self, register earlier next year.

So my run wasn't what I was hoping for, but it is the farthest I have gone on the treadmill in a while. Also, I am still running on old sneaks, so there is that.  I felt good through the beginning of the run and at 30 minutes I hadn't even taken the sweatshirt off the front of the treadmill.  I think some of it had to do with how good I felt, and the other part was not being bored out of my skull with what was on television. 

When I am in the gym in the mornings I try to be a good sport and I put the news on.  I am not sure if it is trying to keep up with the story changes or reading everything they say but my ADD kicks in and I can't focus on anything except, when will this be over?  If I am watching an hour drama or a movie then it is much easier for me to get lost in the story line. 

From what I have been told running is mostly mental. I truly believe that your mind gives up before your legs do. I haven't made it to miles in double digits, yet so I feel like the mental game is yet to come.  It makes a difference when you are checking out the sights somewhere new. Races are also that much more motivational, with all of the other people around you and generally there is a cause reminds you that a few miles is nothing compared to what other people are going through. 

Running along the Cape Cod Canal


The weekend after volunteering at the Ragnar Relay, and running along this made 5 miles go by quickly. 


The Sagamore Bridge

I tend to play head games with myself to get to a certain point.  If it is good song or the surroundings or something on the television. Would I prefer to be outside with sights to see all the time? Of course! New England, although it has some great places to run with beautiful surroundings, weather and convenience is a factor.

Today was a trifecta of feeling good, good music (very important to me) , and entertaining movies that I had seen before on television (What Women Want, and The Proposal). Not gonna lie, when I found out that The Proposal was going to be on next I got a little extra pep in my step. Sandy and Ryan running around the North Shore of MA pretending it is Alaska, oh so entertaining! 

 
Running around Castle Island in Southie.  

What do you do to get through so that you don't cut your workout short?

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Can I Eat Yet? (Beware, Talking Sweat)

For all 5 of you that are paying attention, (thanks sis!) I left you hanging on the weight loss competition.

Friday, I got up at 6:10 AM, gulped down a coffee protein blend and hit up the gym.  55 (very sweaty) minutes on the elliptical and home to find the lightest outfit I had in my closet, no matter how ugly.  I went with linen capri's and brought a change of clothes.

I got to work feeling like I was going to pass out! The person in charge of this crazy competition grabbed me to weigh in.

I was 2 lbs down since the day before... (now I don't recommend the method) wrestlers are onto something! And I was off to sip on sip Gatorade like a champ.

I had moved up to second place for percentage lost.   The girl I was neck and neck with the previous day was 100th of a percent lower than me... Guess who is the official second place winner of this Biggest Loser competition? Moi! (Channeling my inner Muppet, although I think of myself less of a Miss Piggy and more of a Fozzie/Rowlf combo).

***Stop reading now if the idea of girls sweating isn't your thing***

So what?  I sweat a lot. I know people who don't sweat at the gym and they are either socializing or working their tail off.  Everyone is different and I don't know how else to have cardio work for me unless I am a sweaty beast. It don't have a problem sweating it out, I walk into the gym and it is almost inevitable.

Sorry, I had to put that out there. I knew that losing water weight wouldn't be too hard. I didn't even have to wear a sweatshirt like the wrestlers do.

I don't recommend what I did, but it was a means to an winning number on the scale.  Hydration is so important and for me it is my cure all.  When I feel even just a little off, water is my first defense to cure.

Stay hydrated folks!!

Alright this isn't what I mean, but I think you get the picture! (Of course I don't drink beer out of straws) There is a water somewhere behind there.






Thursday, May 23, 2013

From Tomorrow on it is All for Me!

Workout on the Treadmill - 3 miles / 33 minutes (I haven't run in over a week, but room for improvement)

Last year my coworkers made a big deal about doing a biggest loser competition at work. Everyone was so excited about it and the office was a-buzz with all of the weight loss happenings. Of course I didn't join, the buy-in was a $100 (I know it is motivation to lose but also a lot of dough to lose!).

This year I figured why not, I had put on some holiday weight and figured I might be able to take the whole competition. Fail... Unfortunately, I didn't have Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper in this version.



Tomorrow is the weigh in day and the winner is announced. As of right now I am tied for 3rd place, which is a prize holding spot, but I have to hope that the person I am tied with gained weight in the past month... (sad face, I am a horrible person).

On the eve of weigh in day I have come to a realization, I am never going to make this about anyone except myself again.  I will lose weight for ME and only me.  Gavin could care less what weight I am so is there really anyone else that matters. I also don't necessarily want to be skinny, I want to be healthy and toned and be able to run double digits. (For all those Ultra people out there... sorry I have to draw the line somewhere)

That doesn't mean I am throwing in the towel, I did what I could on the treadmill this morning (wish it was more) I didn't want to push too hard just yet, and I really didn't even give myself enough time to do the 33 minutes that I did. Not the mention the foot, still a bit tender. I will also be putting in some serious time on that CRAZY elliptical tomorrow morning!

So lets reevaluate, my goals are to drop some weight, build muscle and run this silly 13.1 miles that is less than 5 months from now.  Oh I forgot to mention those skinny jeans WILL fit again!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Not OK!

There are a lot of things in 2013 that I am excited about.  Although, I can't seem to get past the amount of tragedy that the world has seen and we are only 5 months into the year.

My heart goes out to all of the people in Oklahoma.

If you have been living under a rock... go here!

Workout: 50 mins / elliptical

Not sure if I have mentioned my ability to get emotional at the sight of anything sad, but it is almost rediculous. It is kind of embarrassing when I am on the treadmill or elliptical and I start welling up and as things have unfolded this year, it seems to be happening a lot. Oddly enough it makes me push a little harder.

I am starting to think that the elliptical is on steroids. It told me today that I burned 1009 calories, seriously?!?! I am not buying it! I know it is just an estimate and without a heart rate monitor (I don't like to hold on to the handles) it is hard to really figure out your burn, but that seems wrong. My other beef with the elliptical is that it gives you mileage.  It doesn't seem real, if I could go 6.66 miles (also unnerving) in 50 minutes felt as good as I did and was still standing after running I would be elated. A sub 8 minute mile, YES Please!

Do you hold the handles or balance on the elliptical?

I guess there isn't any difference in calorie burn either way, one works out your arms and the other your core. I am more of a core person, my arms are abnormally thin compared to the rest of me. Also I feel like I can't go as fast if my arms part of the equation.

Somthing to leave you with... a rainbow around the sun appeared the other day while at lunch with my friends. 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Putting my Pant Leg Down

Some of you may know that I am a member of SparkPeople, it is full of great informtion and helpful tools for weight loss, as well as having a community aspect. There are so many articals that are very informative.

I some of the information is recycled so I have received the link to an artical a few times titled "5 Reasons to Get Rid of Your Skinny Jeans" The writer, Nancy Howard, asks the important question, is it movtivating to keep the skinny clothes in your closet or detrimental. She makes some great points, but I am in total denial that this is my situation.

Pharaphrasing her reasons a bit:

  1. The skinny clothes become a reminder of your 'ideal' size and you will beat yourself up over not getting back to that places.  Your self-esteem could be tied to that weight/size.  Things happen (especially with us ladies) weight never seems to redistribute its self the same way.
  2. Mourning the life that once was.  (I will be the first to admit college was a great time of my life... I hold on to it, ok now that you mention it there are a few things that I could get rid of. Although, it still fits!)
  3. When things don't fit and you keep trying you feel like a failure (again, weight comes back in strange places)
  4. Desparate to fit? Desparate measures... unhealthy weight loss is never good!
  5. Trying to get back to that size and connecting that to your happy place might make you feel eternally inadequate. 


So I can understand her point that if this stuff is from a decade ago, then it is time to LET Go!

Jeans in particular, I keep until they are worn through... things that I could have kept from my Glory Days of college are complete rags at this point! When things ware out in the knee it is one thing, but when you lose the crotch... Sayonara Pants!

My confession is that 3 years ago I dropped 25 pounds, had issues with my feet and fell off the wagon, and have been struggling to get back there ever since.  In the time that I was down, I bought my dream pair of Lucky Brand Jeans. (I know I don't aim high, my fashion sense could be considered as 'simple'...) Nothing could beat the high I had in the store when these pants fit me. There are so many stores that I just don't go into for fear that the I would be sent into a serious low by a pair of paints barely coming up past my knee. This was one of those stores, Gavin and I walked in on a whim, and I was feeling confident that day. They were not even the biggest size the store carries!

Of course these pants don't fit me know, they have had their moments back in 2012 I had them on for a breif moment in time with a big thanks to a pair of Spanx (Target brand, again nothing fancy). I really thought the 5 mile run earlier that day would shed the 2 inches that would take for me to go sans Spanx.

Me and my besties on my 30's Birthday... 2010 (you can do the math) I am the one with the white and green necklace and pink shirt, but more important those are the jeans. 

Until these jeans are a decade old or I have had a kid and my bodies shape has totally mutated, then they will stay in my closet and I WILL wear them again. (and not with a rubber band as a loop extender, might have happened.)

Do you keep your "skinny" clothes just in case?

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Keeping up with the Cross Training

Since I have given up on watching the Kardashians I have to keep up with something!

Alright, it has way more to do with the foot healing process that I am been putting so much time in with things other than the threadmill and the road. Tried insoles... didn't feel right and still a little sore.  I guess I can wait for the greater good and not going to lie, I am getting soooo freaking antzy.  I really want to run. I got on the treadmill, felt strong everywhere else, but THE FOOT. Boo.

I moved on and hopped on the stationary bike, I did another 25 minutes.  6 miles plus later and I hit the nautilis machines, stretching, pushups.... blah, blah. Now on to hydration!

This not running situation has left me in a bit of an irritable state. (sad face)

The good news is that Gavin has been doing well with his running and thinks that he will be on board with running a 10K with me in July.  Not that we run together, but having him be part of it makes it that much more fun!

And to brighten up the day! 

Nails done by me! (I know you can tell) 

If anyone is out there, what is your favorite cross training activity?

Friday, May 17, 2013

600 miles + My Mom = One happy camper!


I know that sneakers have an expiration date, but I was in denial due to the cost of shoes. (Not only am I on a budget but kind of a cheapskate… product of being on a budget.) I can’t be too disappointed my current New Balance (that I picked up for cheap at the New Balance Outlet in Lawrence MA) gave me over 600 miles.  Probably way more, I record the amount of time I spend running on them but have no idea how much walking I have done in them.  So when all is said and done, I have really pushed them to the extreme. 

I shouldn’t have been shocked when my feet started showing signs of plantar fasciits again.  I ran into this problem before when I didn’t want to part with the previous kicks. Pattern, yes… did I register the connection that getting new sneaks solved the problem last time, of course not.  I was just going to make them last until my budget allowed for a new pair.  BIG MISTAKE!!

I decided that going for a run after my foot already hurt was a great idea… why would I want to mess with my training schedule???  Well now I am benched for a week… really not in the mood to aggravate the tendons in my foot more than I have.  I have been stretching and making sure not to walk barefoot. I have been icing every night, so far so much better. 

I am not completely out of the game; it might even be a blessing that I have to find new ways of exercising without putting too much pressure on my feet.

In Wednesday’s post I said there would be cross training (turns out if I publish things to the interwebs, even if no one is reading… it keeps me accountable) So there was cross training, I hit the stationary bike at my gym!  25 minutes of cycling, stretching and weights.  Alright so I didn’t go full out on the bike, but I still felt it. My cross training most definitely lacks pizazz, I will work on that. There seems to be a consensus that the running or bust theory isn’t the way to improve said running.

This morning I did some Pilates.  There are things that can be done when your feet are impaired.  I was actually going to take today off from working out.  Not that Pilates really took a lot out of me, but I will feel it tomorrow.  Running needs core strength, right!

So where does my mom fit into the equation?
 
Hello early birthday present!  My new sneakers are in the works.  She bought me a gift card to Marathon Sports!! (Happy chair dancing!!)  I would insert a ‘selfie’ of me with a huge smile, but no one wants to see that!

There is a slight hiccup in the plan since we live on different coasts, and they didn’t give her an option to drop ship (I happen to know a thing or two about shipping logistics). So it will go to her and then she will send it back to me.  My foot is on the mend anyway… so what is the rush? I am going to hit up Target and get some insoles in the meantime…  (I have the hardest time thinking or saying Target without some sort of French accent, if that is even how a French person would say it)

I am super excited for them to do the whole foot/running analysis.  (I have heard horror stories about peoples’ feet getting more messed up by analysis, but I trust these people.)  There are rave reviews and I like the idea of having a shoe almost prescribed rather than just kind of guessing…  And don’t get me started on all the times I just bought a sneaker because I liked the look of it! Hoping I don’t walk out of there with ‘grandma’ shoes, which is in all the reviews.

I will keep you posted on my experience whenever it happens.

I will leave you with a picture from my after my run on Monday night. 
kind of small.. but it was nice!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Treadmill Monotony

It is official, no matter how I try to mix it up I have been much more productive away from the treadmill.

There could be so many reasons...


  • boredom
  • I am trying to go to fast... (disappointing)
  • form
  • boredom
  • heat in the gym (it must be 80 degrees in there)
  • boredom
I use the treadmill because of convenience. It is faster for me to use the treadmill in the gym than it is to run off some place and have to run back. The gym is within 100 yards from my front door... no excuses. 

I try to keep myself entertained with what is on the television, but news... especially morning news, apparently not capturing my interests.  

All that being said, my distances on the treadmill have been low for me at this point in the year.  I would say they were great if it was February, but I have done 4 and 5 mile runs recently. 

Todays run: 2.38 miles / 25 min, walked: .35 miles / 5 min, ran: .46 / 5 min walked: .35 miles / 5 min

humph... a bit deflated

Cross training tomorrow, here I come! 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Happy Tuesday! (or ?)

Last night I went for a run outside... being cooped up in a gym on a treadmill hasn't been a very easy thing to do lately.

I was finally able get my runkeeper app  working on my phone and was excited since I have 'signed up' for a training program to run a sub 60 10K... whow boy! I wonder if I should have started with the sub 30 5K?? Now that I am in it, I will go for it, plus it can only help put me in the right place for all things Half Marathon related. It has me running 10 miles before I even get to the 10K race day, and it is a 16 week program.  So on and around August 31st I should be almost ready to take on the Half, with just a little over a month to go.

(Did anyone else notice that runkeeper gave themselves a website face lift?  Thoughts?) I am really on the fence about switching to runtastic, hum... 3 years worth of data stored on Runkeeper and the training program vs. an app that functions the way I want it to.  I really just want to invest in a Garmin Forerunner, but that little gem is out of my reach for the time being.

If you want to be my friend on runkeeper: Anniebananie80 (I won't ever really give it up, I might just not use the phone app while running)

The other strange thing I did was put music on my phone in order to hear the queues that the runkeeper app was giving me while I was running.  It actually helped! Getting that update every 5 minutes that I am either way under my goal pace or over was very nice.

All said and done my run was 3.4 miles / 37:14


So here is the bummer... my PF (plantar faciitis) has been acting up again.  I am not overly concerned because I can do stretching and such to make it better.  I am wondering if compression socks might be able to help me at all... from what I could gather they are more about blood flow, but that could help my muscles repair themselves.  My tight calves and lack of arch support might be part of my issue in the first place. Blahh.... I am so far from knowing!

Last thing for today, I was reading Run Eat Repeat, one of my favorite running blogs and Monica's post from today was so great! To great not to share... although, I am pretty sure my follower in numbers, if any, (hello?) can only hope to compare to hers one day! She says everything I was thinking about fat talking. I am guilty, but mostly in the privacy of my own home. Something I need to work on.

Stop the Fat Talk or no one will be your friend




Monday, May 13, 2013

Energize the Earth 5K 2013

On April 21, 2013 Gavin and I ran in the second annual Energize the Earth road race.  I am happy to say that it was our second time running it, so we have been there since the beginning.

The race starts in Lynch Park in Beverly, MA one of our favorite spots just to hang out and watch the sun set.  Although, this day we were there at 8:30 AM.

I have said it once and I will say it again... I am a slow runner, but in 2012 this race was my 5K PR (33:38.2)!  My plan was to beat my PR from last year.

Gavin and I decided to get Cliff Bars and Gatorade Prime Fuel drink.  Not going to lie, I think Gatorade is onto something.

The biggest thing that probably helped me pace myself was running with a friend of mine, Karen. She started me out at a really nice pace and I was able to keep that momentum going throughout the race.

I am not a big fan of stopping at hydration stations when I am doing less than 5 miles... I don't like stopping at all really, even for the 9K I did 2 years ago I just powered on through. Karen stopped at the first Gatorade station and I kept going... I know I am a terrible friend, but she was well aware I was on a mission for time.

I was able to find a few people that had a similar pace as much as they were not too keen on me tailing them (I don't really know that... but I just assumed that)
My pace splits per each half mile. 

I had a bit of ipod trouble for the first part of the race... note to self, get that playing before they say go! Who knows if I had been able to get going at a faster pace then I might have been able to get a better PR. Or I would have not been able to finish as strong, as it was right after the 3rd mile marker I tried to give it more juice and wasn't able to keep it up.  That might have had something to do with the obstacle of running through sand at the end. 

I beat my 2012 PR 33:05.9, alright so not by a lot. I beat it! Not sure if I was on a high from beating it or I just trained well enough, but I felt great afterwards. Not to mention, shaving 2 minutes off my time from a month earlier was a huge bonus. 

Slightly embarrassing post race photo... 


Karen, Gavin and I post race! (I made the shirts) 

Then we went out for beers, I like to get my antioxidants so mine was blueberry! (hope the sarcasm is apparent)

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Boston Strong... Marathon Monday 2013

I don't think it would be right, as someone that lives in the Boston area and as someone who is trying to break into the running community (they seem like a very welcoming group... not sure breaking in is necessary), for me not to mention the Boston Marathon 2013.

This was the first year I was able to enjoy the festivities. Patriots day is a holiday in Massachusetts only, and I have never worked for a company that gave me that day off.  Gavin (if you didn't read my bio piece... we are engaged) bought tickets to the Patriots Day Red Sox tickets. (Goooo Sox! FYI, the Sox won that day). The Red Sox always play on Patriots Day (affectionately termed Marathon Monday).


From Marathon to Athens as a messenger to let everyone know that a war was over... I am sure that Pheidippides never thought for one second people would do this for fun and sport. Especially since he died very shortly after he made it to Athens... or so the story goes.


The Boston Marathon is steeped with tradition and as an international event, people come from all over the world to run 26.2 miles from Hopkington to Boston. As I have said before running is a singular act but there is a huge community behind the sport. Everyone is supportive and for the most part not out for blood. Even when people are in it to win it, once they are done they are willing to give back.

Our Marathon Monday...

Gavin and I went to the game at Fenway Park, and not only was I so inspired by all the folks that were running a crazy distance, but I was still high from signing up for my first half marathon. I also had a few friends running it and was hoping to catch a glimpse of them close to the finish line.  Now for those of you that don't know Boston geography, Fenway Park is less than 2 miles from the finish line at Copley Place.

We made our way to Kenmore Square (google maps... is a great resource) and then kept walking through the mass of people.  They expect 500,000 spectators at the Marathon, and that is over the length of the course, but a LOT of people want to be close to the end to see their friends and family, as well as complete strangers running. Then about 2pm a venue like Fenway dumps 30,000 more people onto the streets of Boston, that is my long winded way of saying that the sidewalks were packed.

Oh man I didn't expect to be so long winded... If you are still with me, so sorry.

We reached the '1 mile to go' sign and a minute later my friend's little sister ran past us.

She isn't in the picture, but it wasn't long after that we saw her go by. Once we saw her we gave up our spot at the fence to walk closer to the finish line. When we reached the Mass Ave bridge I noticed that police had stopped the runners, even in my post game state (I mentioned I like beer... ) I knew something terrible must have happened, they don't JUST stop the Marathon.

 I definitely felt the need to help protect my friends little sister and find out what happened and make sure she was alright. I started running on the sidewalk towards the finish line. I stopped when I saw a spectator on his phone who looked like he was getting news and asked him what happened.

"You can't be serious, a bomb at the finish line?"

This is when me being a little bit knackered was seriously regrettable. Cell service was jammed... I wanted to get a hold of my friend to see if her sister and husband were alright. A flood of text messages were coming to my phone but I wasn't able to get messages back to people... runners that had just made it 25 miles without a way to get a hold of their families just milling about or corralled. It is hard enough to regroup after a normal race but this was chaos.

After I collected myself, I got emotional, we were able to get a message out to a runner's husband in North Dakota that she was alright, if nothing else.  It was amazing to see the residents of Boylston who opened their homes gave away sweatshirts and did all they could for the misplaced runners.

As far as the first responders, police and all that were at the finish line, the city couldn't have asked for a better group of people.  They are all truly heroes!

I tried to declare 4/20 Give a Cop a hug day, mainly because I was able to give my friend, who is a cop who was also in Watertown on 4/19.  Not to mention he was also a runner on 4/15 and was able to see the whole tragedy full circle. I know that 4/20 has another meaning and it is also the anniversary of when I met one of my best friends and his wife.  Lets face it I am old and I am much more likely to hug a cop than to smoke anything. So in my mind the day has a whole new meaning.


To the families that lost loved ones during this week long tragedy, my heart goes out to them as well as the victims who were injured.  It was a tragic event and I can't think about it without getting a lump in my throat.


Boston has been and will be forever Strong, wicked strong if you will. I am proud to be part of the Boston/Massachusetts community and part of the supportive running community.




Ras na hEireann U.S.A. 5K

So it occurred to me that I could post date the blog posts back to when I actually did these things... but eh, I am over it. However it does mean that I am going to start out with a bang, lots of posts and then I will do my best to post a couple times a week. (I write with the assumption that someone actually wants to read my nonsensical rantings)

I ran the Ras na hEireann USA... don't ask me to say it out loud, I have no clue!

My friend Amy (someone I aspire to run like) before we started.

It was my first 5k of 2013, not gonna lie the time reflects as such. If you haven't already tried to look me up on runkeeper, I have to tell you now, I am so freaking slow.  Official time that I finished this race was 35:03 (MM:SS).  The part that makes me more sad about it, I ran without stopping, no hydration station stop, no porta-pot for me, and some (maybe running elitists) might think that what I was doing was practically walking, but for me, I was running. The technical term is probably jogging, a word for some reason doesn't leave my lips very often.

I am sure that for a good portion of the time when I am doing 3 or more miles I am essentially jogging.  It could be my need for the strive for more or it is all the publications, apps and websites that just keep it simple, and call it running.

That being said, I started back into the running game in January where I could barely eek out a mile without stopping let alone 3.1 miles. So for a 5K in March, I ran it!  I will leave it at that.

This is the first medal for any road race I have done! 
The fact that I got it for possibly one of my slowest race... well, whatever I will take it! 


Friday, May 10, 2013

2013 the year of the Half!


I have been talking about running a half marathon for about 3 years and every year I find some sort of cop out. Shocking... not so much. It is always high on the list of things to do until my running enthusiasm peters out.  So this year I changed that for myself.  I signed up for a Half Marathon!!!


It is official on October 6, 2013 I will be running 13.1 miles in San Jose California… now why would a Boston girl take her tail all the way to the west coast to run? A. I have family in San Jose B. a little change in scenery never hurts. 

Rock & Roll Half Marathon San Jose, here I come!! 

I am so excited, I will be able to hang out with my mom, sister and her husband, as well as accomplish something that I have been talking about for too long!