Portland Thanksgiving Day 4 Miler

I've done a Thanksgiving day race every year for the past 15 years, so I've experienced a lot of different weather conditions, but this was my first race in a significant amount of snow. 

Mother Nature dumped 6-12 inches of wet snow on Maine on Wednesday. Because of the storm, they moved packet pickup to earlier in the day. I went as soon as it opened, but there were still already 3 or 4 inches of snow on the ground. As I walked across the parking lot, in my parka, hat, and boots, with snow pelting my face I caught the eye of another runner. We just shook our heads at each other and smiled. To run in the winter in Maine you have to be a little crazy. 

By Thanksgiving morning the snow had stopped and we were left with a beautiful snowy landscape. It was the first time our puppy, Sushi, was in a significant amount of snow and she just loved it. I laughed so hard as I watched her go nuts in the snow. She was rolling, running, digging, and throwing snow. Eventually I had to drag the little snow monster inside so I could leave for the race. 

This was my 4th year running the Portland Thanksgiving Day 4 Miler. It is close to home, cheap, a good size (around a thousand runners), and it is neat to run through the empty streets of the city. 

lots of snow, but not a single car!

​After I parked I debated whether or not to wear my Yaktrax since the streets were plowed (kind of). That question was answered for me when I tried to get out of the car and promptly fell on my butt on the ice. Yaktrax it was!

My only complaint is that One City Center was not open this year with bathrooms. It should be illegal not to provide pre-race bathrooms! Thankfully, Starbucks came to my rescue. If any race organizers read this, please bring back the bathrooms!

I went for a 2 mile warm-up and then wandered around admiring the costumes. The race starts up on Congress street for a few hundred feet and then turns and goes down the big hill on Franklin. The top of the hill was in the sun and so it was just wet. However, halfway down we got into the shade and suddenly the road was really icy and snowy. I saw a lot of people fall and was glad I had my YakTrax. That was how the course went for the rest of the race. In the sun it was just wet, but in the shade it was still very slippery. 

My plan was to run as quickly as I could run safely. I was running this for fun and it was not worth it to get hurt and derail my marathon training. The 2 loops went by really quickly and a few times I found myself laughing out loud at the thoughts in my head. "Ok just have to pass that Pilgrim." "Boy that Turkey is really attacking that hill!" Costume races are so fun. 

I ended up finishing in 33:40, which is about a minute slower than last year. Given the the conditions, I am really happy with my time!

Happy Thanksgiving! Did you race yesterday? Did you get snow?

New Zealand Training Weeks 1-3

I just completed my first 3 weeks of Marathon Training using a modified Doug Kurtis Intermediate Plan. Last year, while training for Tokyo, was the first time I did regular training updates and I really liked it. Taking the time to look back at my log and review my training really helped build my confidence, so I am going to do it again!


Here's a summary of my training plan so far.

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Total Run
1	Run 7.16	Run 5.21 Track	Run 5.8	Metabolic 1hr	Step 1 hr, strength	Metabolic 45m XT 30m	Metabolic 45, XT 40m	18.6
2	Run 5.07	Spin 1hr, Strength	Run 5.33 Track	Run 6+6	Swim 45m	Metabolic 45m XT 30m	Metabolic 45, Run 3.2	25.63
3	Run 6 Pace	Spin 1hr, Strength	Run 6	Metabolic 1hr	Run 12	OFF	Metabolic 45, Run 3	27.66

Notes and Thoughts on Training

• I love the track sessions, which is a shock to me! It is so fun to do something different than steady running. The sessions I've done so far have been: 4 x 800 meter with 200 meter rest and a ladder - 400m / 800m / 1200m with 400 meter rest. 
• I am still up in the air about how I feel about the split long runs. More to come on these as I do a few more.....
• My first "real" long run of 12 went great (physically). I was worried about jumping up to running 12 miles at once since the last time I ran more than 9 miles at once was in the spring! It was a brutally cold, windy day and I had a hard time getting my head in the game, but my body felt great the whole time. 
• My new job where I am on my feet makes running on work days a lot harder (if I have to run after work), but makes running on non work days feel so much easier because my legs feel so fresh. I think the after work runs really help prepare me for the heavy leg feeling near the end of a marathon. 

What are you training for right now? How's it going?

What This Runner Wants For Christmas

image source

Hi Friends! I try not to start the Christmas talk too early, but since next week is Thanksgiving, I figure it is time! Plus, I want to give Santa and his elves plenty of shopping time!

The R8 Massager

I tried this thing at a race expo two years ago and I've been wanting it ever since. It is the best self massage tool I've ever tried. It applies a lot of pressure and gets really deep (if you want it to, it's adjustable). It's just so darn expensive- I haven't been able to justify getting it for myself.

Nuun

I jumped on the Nuun bandwagon a little late because I'd never had success with drinking anything except water while running. But now I am a convert! The electrolytes really help me feel better on longer runs, and because there isn't any sugar or carbs, it doesn't upset my stomach!



Socks

All of my running socks are looking a little saggy and starting to bunch under my feet when I run. Socks make a great stocking stuffer! I like the Wrightsock Stride, which has 2 layers to reduce blisters, and the Smartwool PhD Run Ultralight Mini , which keep my feet warm and dry all winter, and don't itch even though they are wool!

Massages

I'll be marathon training this winter and nothing helps my body recover like a massage. However, I always feel bad getting them for myself, so a gift certificate is an amazing gift.

What do you want from Santa?

Best Date Night Ever

Last night the hubby and I went on the best date night ever. We checked out the new trampoline park Get Air. It was so much fun!

Thank you yoga for helping me keep my flexibility

As a former gymnast, I knew I'd have no problem amusing myself on trampolines for an hour, but I worried the husband might get bored. I didn't have to worry- they had a lot of different things to do. There were foam pits to jump in, trampoline basketball and dodgeball, slack lines, and a ninja style obstacle course. The hubby particularly liked launching himself into the foam. 

Not only was it a blast, but it was a workout! We were both sweating and breathing heavily within minutes. I am also REALLY sore today!

Plus, it's nice to know that at 30, I've still got skills!

This was such a fun, different thing to do for a date night. I can't wait  to go back. 

*This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated with Get Air (although if they want to offer me some free jumping for this awesome review, I'd gladly accept)

Have you ever been to one of these places? Did you like it? Can you do a flip on a trampoline?

Three Things Thursday

Hi Friends! Happy Thursday! Here's a few random things happening in my world today.


1. I made it until November running in shorts and a t-shirt, but I've finally had to pull out the tights and long sleeve t's. This morning I went to put on a pair of tights that I haven't worn since last year and as I was walking out the door I noticed there was a huge hole in the butt! Luckily, I noticed before I was out running! I don't remember that hole from last year and they've just been in a tub in my closet so I am not sure how that happened!

2. Today is my first double run of my marathon training. I did 6 this morning and I will do 6 again this evening.

3. I had something containing beets and I didn't hate it! I tried this new juice, iQ, we got at work yesterday and it is so good. Typically I don't waste calories on juice, unless it is fresh squeezed, but this tastes like fresh.  I was good and only drank half the bottle yesterday (2 servings per bottle) and I am looking forward to enjoying the rest today.

What's happening in your world today?

Duh

Like a lot of ladies out there I am on an eternal quest for a sports bra that is comfortable, supportive, and doesn't chafe. After hearing a lot of good things about Luluemon's tata tamer, I finally caved and splurged on one.

I've had it for almost 2 years and I always just thought it was okay. It was decently supportive and only chafed on really long runs. But, the shoulder straps always drove me nuts. They slid down, even when I had them tight. Plus, most of my tanks are racer back and so I couldn't wear the bra under them.

Then, this past weekend as I was taking it out of the wash, I noticed that one of the straps had become disconnected. I had never realized you could disconnect the straps and make it into a crossback.

Duh.

Now, I love this thing! It feels so much more supportive and it fits so much more nicely under my tanks!

And I feel like an idiot for taking so long to realize this!

What is your favorite sports bra? Have you ever had an aha moment about something dumb like this?

It's official!

Look what I did yesterday.......

I am now officially registered for a marathon on my 6th continent!

When it looked like the best time to head to New Zealand was going to be February or March, I started looking at races. I ended up choosing the Bayleys Mountain to Surf Marathon primarily based on the date, but also because it is a road race (there were a lot of trail marathons), not an ultra (there were a lot of those too), and it supposed to be really scenic. Luckily, my husband is awesome and didn't mind planning our honeymoon around my race.

It is a point to point course that starts in Egmont National Park and ends at the ocean in Waitara. It's also a small race, which will be a nice change after the mass of people at Tokyo.

I started training this week and can't wait until February when we head to New Zealand!

Rowing for Runners

Last night I went to a great into to rowing workshop at Maine Running Company.

I was excited when I saw the sign-up on their Facebook page because I've hopped on a rower at the gym quite a few times but never really knew what I was doing. I never felt like I was getting a great workout and I usually ended up with a sore back, so I knew I was doing something wrong! Here are the top 5 things I learned. 

1. Rowing is more of a pushing motion than pulling. Most of the force for your stroke should come from your legs, not your arms. The pull comes at the very end of the stroke after your legs are fully extended. I had been using my upper-body way too early and too much, which probably contributed to my back soreness.

2. Your resistance should be set at 3-4 to simulate endurance running. I always cranked my resistance all the way up thinking that would provide the best workout. Higher resistance is good for short, strength building workouts, while lower resistance is better for longer, endurance focused workouts.

3. Rowing is a great core workout. In fact your core is critical to good rowing form. As you are pushing with your legs your shoulders should be forward of your hips (at about 11 o'clock if you think of your body as clock with your head as 12). Then as you finish your pull with your upperbody you lean back to about 1 o'clock. It is your core driving and supporting your body during this movement.

4. Your stroke rate does not correlate to effort. I always thought that to work harder I had to row faster. Instead, you can do short powerful pull and then a longer, slower recovery. You will be working harder but maintaining the same stroke rate as steady state rowing.

5. Rowing can be fun! I tend to get bored after about 5 minutes on the rower at the gym, but last night I went for 20 straight minutes and the time flew by. We did a group workout where we constantly alternated our effort, stroke rate, and competing against each other. I really want to try a group rowing class now.

Do you integrate rowing into your cross training?

We are...... Penn State

Boy, I am not anxious to spend any time in the car anytime soon. I spent more than 18 hours in the car this weekend....... all for a football game!

My Dad, a huge Penn State fan, convinced Rory and me to accompany him to a game. My parents got their PhDs at Penn State and as a result I was born there accidentally because I couldn't wait until the end of semester! So I was also returning to my city of birth.

The first thing I discovered is that is gets lighter a lot later there than in Maine. I didn't want to deal with the dark, the rain, and a busy street with no sidewalk. So I headed to the gym and the dreadmill. Apparently they were trying to make us think we were vacationing on a tropical island because it was 88 degrees in the gym. Gross.

But, I was glad I'd gotten a run in because the next stop was the diner for grilled stickies. They take an already delicious, gooey cinnamon bun and make it even better by grilling it with butter. It was so worth the wait and we got some to take home too!

Then we bundled up in warm clothes and it was game day. The stadium holds 107,000 people so you can imagine how nuts it is! We had a parking pass and we drove through field after field after field of tailgaters before we finally got to park.

An old friend of my Dad's hooked us up with some amazing seats- first row right by the goal line! Penn State was playing Maryland. I think their turtle mascot is adorable, but they weren't the best sports. They started the game by refusing to shake hands!

The game was a little chilly, but I solved that problem with lots of hot chocolate. I am not a die hard football fan, but it was a lot of fun to be part of such a huge crowd and watch the bands, cheerleaders, and mascots. Unfortunately, Penn State lost by 1 point! But the close score meant it was an exciting game.

After the game we met up with some of Rory's friends for a tailgate. We got the real experience- corn hole, Miller High Life, and hotdogs fried in bacon. (another reason I am glad I got a run in!)

Sunday morning it was light enough to run outside, thanks to daylight savings. Town was a lot quieter than the day before and I had a lovely run up Main street and through campus. It's a hilly campus so I got a good workout in for the day before climbing into the car for the 9+ hour ride home.

I certainly wouldn't want to spend that much time in a car every weekend, but it was a cool experience to go to such a huge game like that. And it was even nicer to do something that meant so much to my Dad.

How was your weekend?