Nemo, shmemo.

(credit: Facebook "Winter Storm Nemo" page)

As the title states - Nemo shmemo.  Okay, okay maybe THE Blizzard of 2013 was, well kind of a big deal. Okay, it was a big deal as it pretty much crippled the city for a few days and enabled us "adults" (notice quotes here) to have a SNOW DAY!!!!!! 

Knowing that even if Nemo didn't turn out to be a blizzard he would still create a slippery slushy mess of the sidewalks with the impending snowfall. Now I'm a fan of the slip & slide (TWSS) but more when it is like this:

(credit: Sears.com)

And less when it is like this:

(credit: thechirunner.blogspot.com)

Since I had an 18 miler on tap for the weekend I felt that it would be better to do the run before the storm hit. Not knowing when it would get truly bad I set out for my run with money and T pass (subway pass) just "in case." I also planned my run along the Boston marathon course as the terrain was "rolling" and because it runs along the public transport line. 

It was snowy and windy but not too bad for the "out" portion of my "out & back." I made the turn around nine miles in with ease - piece of cake. But then I turned around. As I headed back over Heartbreak hill the wind was starting to get to me. The snow was pelting my face so hard I felt that I had a free microderm abrasion facial. All of this was fine and dandy but I was starting to loose feeling in my fingers. Despite curling my fingers up in my gloves I could not bring circulation or heat back to my fingers - this made carrying my water slightly challenging. I convinced myself that I could tough it out but once I got to Cleveland circle I decided to call it "a day."

I only got 12.75 miles of my planned 18 miles but given the quality of the streets the following day I am happy to have gotten this run in!

Check out my video of my "Nemo" Blizzard pics here:

WDW marathon weekend 2013

This past weekend  hubby and I went down to Florida to participate in the Walt Disney World marathon weekend. As I mentioned in a previous post - I had a marathon coming up that I was essentially not entirely prepared for. I didn't want to defer as it was the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney World marathon so my plan was to bring my camera and "enjoy the ride." Well with unseasonably warm weather the "ride" was a sloppy, sweaty, at times miserable one.

HONORABLE mention: The husband rocked out a super fast half marathon time - in fact it was his "forties PR." That being said 1:24:28 is not too shabby at any age!

Please enjoy the following slideshow of some of our weekend, or what I like to call "How I spent 5 hours & 52 minutes Sunday."

There is a soundtrack so make sure you have your volume turned on :)

Enjoy!

Did I mention I have a marathon this weekend?

Goofy Challenge 2010                                                

Did I mention that I have a little 26.2mile run coming up this weekend? Well I do. I am admittedly not as prepared for this marathon as I would normally be but I did manage to get at least one 20 mile run in my training -> even on the Boston marathon course :)

A few years back the husband and I did the Goofy challenge (photo above). The Goofy challenge is a half marathon on Saturday followed by a FULL (yes a FULL) marathon the day after. I can honestly say that was one of the hardest things I have ever done. We got lucky in that the temperatures were unseasonably cold in Florida that year.  In fact it was so cold that the water stops along the marathon course were frozen and icy!

Walt Disney Wold half marathon 2011

So why am I doing the marathon when I don't feel fully prepared? It is because Disney puts on a great race plus it is the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney World marathon. To me not every race is for "racing." It is my plan to do the race as a very long "supported" long run. I plan to have as much fun as possible and to definitely stop and take pictures with the characters.

Have a Magical Day!

Hydration is your friend

While on my long run yesterday I had a lot of time to think about hydration; I repeat a LOT of time. As I was running it occurred to me that a lot of people underestimate the necessity of hydration. Everyone is different with regards to hydration needs plus there are many factors such as weather and temperature that come in to play.

A good baseline for judging hydration needs is a "sweat test." I performed a sweat test a few years back on a day that was sunny and in the low 60's with a light breeze. I weighed myself at the gym using the scale with the slide-y thingies (yes, that is the technical term) BEFORE I went on a run. I ran for 45 minutes and stopped to talk to a friend for about 5 minutes during that run. I was barely misty. Boy was I shocked to learn that in that easy 45 minute run that I lost 2.5 pounds!! Note that one pound of weight loss is equivalent to approximately one small 16oz (500mL) of water. Amazing, seriously amazing.

Credit: designerfied.com

It is important to note that finding the right hydration strategy can be tricky because too much water can lead to a dangerous condition called hyponatremia (low blood sodium) which brings to light the importance of balancing hydration with electrolyte intake. And by balancing electrolyte intake I don't mean licking salt and lime before a tequila shot!

Regardless, this information made me much more cognizant of my hydration habits for sure.

To find out how to do your own "sweat test" check out this article from Runner's world HERE

So remember hydration is your friend even when caught in a downpour at mile 9 of a 16 mile run!
(Yes, that happened)
Save the fruity drinks for after you've hydrated and are reaping the rewards of your run +/- training.

Super, Super Girl Power!

Me & Miss "Girl on the Run" Grace

Hello friends. Today I am sharing with you a little about a wonderful program called Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is a 12 week program for girls ages 8 to 13 years old. As the website states the program teaches girls to be "healthful, joyful and confident" or as a past participant states "[the program taught her] to be "the boss of my own brain." Along with the lessons of empowerment the girls train to participate in (and complete!) a 5k run.

Before the Race spring 2012

After the race (spring 2012)

I have been volunteering with Boston area Girls on the Run for a few years. Starting this year, I have been lucky enough to be a coach for the program. Over the last several weeks Head coach Alex, coach Katie & myself have taught a wonderful group of girls about empowerment and healthy living. In fact over a week ago we had our practice 5k - I am so proud to say that all of the girls completed this distance!

The fall program will finish this week with the "real" race this coming Sunday -> the Walters Run 5k. If you are in the Boston area sign up as it is a great race plus you'll be able to see all of our local Girls on the Run teams complete their 5k - sure to bring a smile to your face!

To register for Walter's Run in West Roxbury go to: http://www.waltersrun.org

To be inspired by Girls on the Run check out this video:

Have a SUPER SUPER (girl power) DAY!

Silliness

Caught in the act! (photo credit: Robert Terry photography)

Over the last few days I've run into a few of you and it has been mentioned that it was unusual to see a sad blog post because usually I am so "chipper" as one friend put it. Firstly, thank you for your kind words & condolences; and secondly, thank you for reading - I really wasn't sure that anyone read this blog so that made me smile.

I have decided to post some silly pictures to make YOU smile.

Kiwi cat - insists that she's never silly so this photo will have to do

Here's a sort of silly story from my run the other day - while at a traffic light I smiled to someone that I thought I knew; turns out I didn't actually know the person. Sadly, I do that kind of thing a lot...maybe I should get my eyes checked again? Oh well could be worse.

Have a wonderful day!

Riley the JRT being silly (photo credit: Robert Terry photography)

Too soon.

Sunset at the Observatory. Mauna Kea, Big Island, Hawaii (2008)

Today I have a heavy heart.  A childhood friend was taken way too soon as she lost her courageous battle with breast cancer. Cancer sucks.

So what does this have to do with training? Well, admittedly I just didn't have the motivation to get off the couch yesterday to do my long run (sometimes the couch, PJs and a good book wins). But today, I needed the run. I needed to just get out there and heal. I needed to get out there and appreciate the sun on my face and the wind (oh it was windy!) on my chest.

No music, no podcasts, no checking the watch.

I ran today with my friend...I ran FOR my friend.
Be at peace.