4 mile Trail/Recovery Run

Today I met L at Thompson Park--we had a 4 mile trail run on our agenda.  I was a little worried about how the trails would be--it rained last night and the floor of the forest/trail is covered with leaves, so I was not sure how slippery it would be.  It turned out to be a PERFECT day for running.  Mid 50's and the trail was beautiful.

We entered the reservoir trail near the rugby field and we were greeted with the beautiful yellow path, 

Once we got on the reservoir trail we were serenaded with a geese orchestra, the other birds chimed in.  It was a great run--we keep it slow so we would not fall, 

We ended up doing 4.21 miles---this was L's longest run to date--she did great!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/56941996

We Ran Like a Mother!

So this past Saturday was the Beauty and the Beach 5 mile run in Long Branch, NJ.  This was the second year I ran this race--it is hard to believe that I have only been running a little over a year.  There were 14 Racy Runners from Colts Neck running along with 1000+ other women.  I ran into colleagues from Jersey Shore University Medical Center, old friends and neighbors, and plenty of other Mother Runners.

I was worried about this race--I had been fighting off a cold for over a week 1/2 and I felt AWFUL--sinus pressure galore--no amount of Vit D, oil of oregano, vit c, and the numerous other supplements I shoved into myself seemed to lick this thing--it was manageable, but I certainly did not feel 100%.  Since I had coordinated the run and the Ladies Night out to follow, I did what any other mother would do---I sucked it up!

It is a great event--I love all women races--the camaraderie is palpable. We had a lot of fun.  

Here is the shirt I wore, compliments to Run Like a Mother (Dimity and Sarah we all ran like a mother!),

Here is the great necklace/medal you earn when you finish (last year's was pink), 

Here are some of us prior to running (I am in the bright green with hat), 

I

I am a winner (in my own mind--here I am post run), 

I did not beat my last year's time--but I feel good about the run all considering--5 miles-49 min and I cannot wait until next year!

Scheduled Group Runs Week of November 15th Good Morning!

I want to thank all the Racy Runners who were able to make it out this past Saturday for the Beauty and the Beach Run.  It was a great event—over 1000 ladies (most of whom are local).  I am hoping this will be OUR annual event—next year we will have to plan a whole weekend around it—I see another Ladies Night out and Spa Day included (I will post a personal recap later).

Thundercheese at the Mad Hatter was GREAT---I felt like I was 21 again—that feeling is PRICELESS!

The Born to Run Race is coming up—the day after Thanksgiving—you can work off all that pumpkin pie.  This is a five mile race and is very FAMILY oriented.  Conor and I ran it last year and we are planning on running it again this year.  You can register the morning of the event and last year they gave out AWESOME sweatshirts.  Learn more here, http://www.farcnj.com/

Born To Run 5 Mile Run: Friday, November 26th

• Downtown Freehold
• 11:00 AM Start
• Download Application

Have you ever run a ½ Marathon—is it on your bucket-list?  Have you run one, but would like to participate in a great local event with a BEAUTIFUL course?  Register now for the Asbury Park ½ Marathon on April 16^th,

http://jerseyshorerelay.org/index.php?p=aphm

Scheduled weekly runs:

Tuesday, 11/16       10:30am  Thompson               3-4 mile SLOW TRAIL RUN along reservoir

Thursday, 11/17      10:30am  Thompson               2-3 mile

At what point do I begin to feel like "I got this?"

So, I have a 5 mile run scheduled this Saturday---the Beauty and the Beach Run (second year running).

First of all, I can not believe I have been running a little over a year.  On one hand--I am so grateful that I found running--I LOVE IT!  on the other hand it remains incredibly hard (in a good way), but I struggle with remaining SLOW and even short runs like today's 2 miles are HARD.

Second of all, I still have doubts--will I be able to run it--will I do well???  I know for seasoned runners who have no problem running 1/2 or full marathons, the idea of anxiety over finishing a 5 mile run may seem silly---but for me--it remains a challenge.  I KNOW I will not be the fastest (or even finish in the top 1/2 of my age group)--BUT that does not mean I don't want to run fast (for me)--I just want to be able to give it my "all"--and that is just what I am going to do.

There are 14 of us carpooling from Colts Neck to this event on Saturday---I am excited and looking forward to running. We are also planning a great LADIES NIGHT out that evening to celebrate!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/56327612

3 miles 1/2 trail 1/2 paved path

Had a 3 mile run on the agenda today.  L and B joined me at Thompson and instead of taking the rugby loop we decided to hit the trails (or I decided for them:)--the first reservoir trail is 1.5 miles one way.  It was the first time L & B had run the trails and I know how hard it can be.  You have to go slow, watching for roots, holes, and the edge of the reservoir.  It did not help that 95% of the ground was covered with leaves so staying on the trail route was a little challenging.  

We kept it slow.  I love trail running (much more than straight road running, paved path, and definitely the treadmill)--I hope I did not push it with L & B and they will be willing to try the trails again another time.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/56115612

It's a Spiritual Thing

I have been fighting off a cold all week and I took the last 2 days off to rest and recover.  Unfortunately, I am still not 100%, but with a steady dose of vit D, C, and other supplements, I am hoping to lick this thing.  Wanted to get up to Spin at 7 this morning, but I had such an awful night of sleep (or lack there of)--the congestion was killer--so instead, I decided to try to sleep a little longer and run while Conor was at soccer practice.  

I had not run at Buck's Mill in a long time and I was anxious to hit the trails in the woods.  It was PERFECT day to run---the car thermometer said it was 45 degrees on the way there, but with the sun out, it was 61 by the end of my run.  

First of all---THE GEESE--oh my--it seemed like there were hundreds of them.  Here they are playing baseball and soccer.

I saw a deer every where I looked, but I was unable to capture one on camera---they bolted off as I ran towards them.  Their white tails visible through the trees as they skirted away.  I wanted to shout--"Don't run--I won't hurt you"---but I knew they would not listen:)  Ran into a horse--thankfully not literally--I always worry about running into a horse on these trails some parts are very narrow and I never know how skittish the horse will be--thankfully this rider gave me to OK implying that this horse would tolerate a runner running by.

Thank goodness for the tree markers.  If it were not for them I would never have stayed on the trail.  With all the leaves covering the ground, in some places it was impossible to pick up the trail.  Who put the markers there?  Why were some blue and some pink [a gender thing]?

This was a great run---my goal was only TO RUN--I was hoping to run at least 45 minutes--I was not sure how long or how strong I could be since I have been fighting off that cold--but it was the best run ever.  I felt like a million bucks.  This run just felt special--it felt RIGHT.  I love running the trails---speed does not matter--I truly ran for ME.  I am not a religious woman--but I am a spiritual one and this run was as close to perfect as they can get.

6 Miles on Dreadmill

I usually Strength Train at the Y on T and Th, but I knew I was going to miss it today--was scheduled to attend a math demonstration at C Middle School.  Unfortunately F came home with a fever yesterday--he got of the bus at the end of the day with a red face and seriously cranky attitude---I would like to say I was surprised, but I wasn't.  A Sunday night Halloween welcomed illness.  Right now he is lying on the couch with a stuffy little nose watching a Phineous and Ferb marathon.  

I was planning on getting 5-6 miles in after the math demo--and since I could not make that I was determined to get the mileage in--had to hit the treadmill.

6 Miles-Done (tried to do intervals while starting slow and finishing fast).

Today's Song, Michale Franti and Spearhead, Say Hey