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.


Saturday, August 24, 2013

Week 7

With only 7 weeks left of training time, I went on vacation. I was all geared up to go running while on my vacation.

What I learned about running in new places, specifically the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Whether you intend to or not, you will be doing hill training.  When the lake you are running around was formed by glaciers, it will be very hilly. I managed to get out to run twice while I was there. (or all of last week total)

This is pretty much the terrain you are working with... if only I could run on water.


Summer weekends are not my own. The good news is the rest of this summer (what little there is left) I have full control over my schedule. Which I will need to kick into high gear and get out to some nice scenic running spots to make things interesting.

My Garmin is my new best friend... I think I am still working on a learning curve.


Thursday, August 15, 2013

Don't you hate when life gets in the way?

Things have been a bit hectic in my life... and I feel like it isn't even my life that has caused the chaos. Gavin has been on a job hunt.  He found a new job but had to pass a personal lines insurance licensing test. One would imagine with the TV off for a whole week I would have plenty of time to blog... nope, when I take on other people's stress (sympathetic stress-er, that's me!) I find television very comforting.  Retreating into other/mind numbing entertainment really makes everything fade away.

My first adventure to Duxbury Beach with my friends



Good news is with 5 days of intense studying, he has passed and gets to move forward with the job training.

My television watching hasn't kept me from the training schedule, if only my runs at week 8 were as long as Hal has indicated they should be. So if you run on the days that you are supposed to but don't go the distance, seems like only half the battle.

FYI, Starz new period drama The White Queen... already hooked after one episode. If you don't like a bunch of people in costume running around without any for of technology and British accents, this is not your bag!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Recap: Ladies Night Out 5K

Such a good idea in theory and executed well by the B&S Fitness Management.  My ability to execute a 5K at 4pm on a Saturday afternoon was not impressive.  I would like to state for the record the event was well done and the only disappointment stems from my lack of ability to run the entire course. I also found a wine that I really enjoyed, Barefoot Summer Red! They also gave out super cute T's and a wine glass to all the runners. How could I forget the carnation at the finish line?

Some days are better than others and usually I can pull myself together for a race.  This was not one of those events. I lost all momentum, I am not sure if was the heat or the microwave burrito I had eaten early or that I found the need to organize my whole apartment that day, but once 4pm rolled around, running was the last thing I wanted to do.  So there was some walking.

There was wine and chocolate at the finish line!!

Oh how unflattering race photos are. 
Someone decided that let us take pictures of people tired and sweaty and they can remember the event forever. Joy me! Oh and completely bootlegged, my bad.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Week 9


Last night I wanted to make sure to run at least what Hal had suggested. To my surprise, I felt pretty good the whole outing I felt really good. (I think I am going to stop saying "run" I think most people would consider my movement a slow jaunt) When I am outside I feel like my pace is faster than it really is.  If I am comfortable I guess it doesn't matter my pace, it just matters that I am going... right?

The Salem 10K really rejuvenated my positive mentality about the Half.  My "can do" attitude has been in full swing for a whole 3 days, I will keep you posted on how long that lasts. 
Oh the finish line photos...I have had worse.

And for a tidbit of wisdom I feel the need to bestow: Don't go to Target hungry! You will only end up with a much more full cart. 

Last Nights Workout: 3.69 m / 43 minutes (goal per Hal, 3.5 miles)

Monday, August 5, 2013

Salem's Bridge & Back 10K, Fantastic!

I learned a lesson, that when I dread a run, that usually means it will be a better run.  I just think back to all the runs that I could have had that I dreaded so much I talked myself out of going. 

It was definitely a smaller race, but managed really well after a little confusion about where the start line was everything was smooth sailing from there. For only $25 and I received a tech T-shirt and 2 Sam Adams draft tickets. 

The coarse was beautiful from Historic Salem across the Bridge to Beverly Waterfront and then back across the bridge to see move of Salem again.  So these are places that I spend a lot of my time. In fact I ran past a beach that I went back to lay out on later that day.  It is rare that I see these places at 8 in the morning. The weather was perfect, dry cool 70s. What a difference a few degrees makes! 


Me hanging out in the back of the pack, where I stayed. 11th from the end! 
These two ladies were nice enough to let me run with them for a while and I even learned a little bit about pacing and running form.  I felt like I owed her a trainer fee.  Once we hit the first incline of the bridge they were off. 


 The race was for the Boys and Girls Club of Salem, so the support along the course was actually really great. Plenty of people cheering and directing and three water stations.  Even though I was holding up the end of the pack I felt like people were still cheering me on. Not to mention running with this view and salty sea air was so invigorating.


 Since I finished 11th to last out of 335 people I don't really have to tell you that my time wasn't stellar, but I ran the whole thing and I actually feel better about this one than the Gansett run.

Also, Yasso was there again!! If they are the new standard at the end of road races, I want to do more!

I definitely want to do the Bridge and Back again, and try for a spot in the last 25 people. 

Final time: 1:13:50 (I trust this time a bit more since I crossed the timer on the start line and at the finish.) 

Post race hydration?!?!?
2013 so far! With 4 more races on the docket. 
Hit the beach post race!