RnR Providence Expo

So this past weekend, we headed to Providence for the Rock n Roll Providence Half Marathon.  This is my 3rd year doing the race - it's a gorgeous course and a nice weekend away!  I did the race as part of my long run, so no racing for me.

We headed to the expo first thing on Saturday morning - mainly because Pam had only packed 1 shirt and if she wanted to run on Saturday (which she did) she'd need another.  We figured we'd get in before the crowds and get out.

We arrived about an hour after the expo opened.  It was empty (such a nice change from Philly when it was packed).  We got our numbers easily and headed to the race merchandise.  I wasn't really feeling any of the official clothing so I passed on that.  There was no 'Run Happy Island' set up this time, which I thought was weird.

The expo it's self was pretty small, but we still made our way through it.  I picked up a box of my favorite pre-race PowerBar Energy Blasts (cola only, it's the best flavor by far).  It was $20 for a box of 12 which comes to $1.66 each.  I usually pay about $2.50 each so it was a good deal.

Everything else was pretty much standard fare.  They had Clif Bar samples and the typical booths you see at expo's.  But then, we discovered our downfall (aka the greatest find ever).  Marathon Sports, a store based in the Boston region, was having a great expo sale.  Items 1 & 2 at 40% off, 3 or more all 50% off.  Usually when a booth/store has an offer that good I never find anything I want to buy.  This time was different.  Both Pam and I picked up some good finds.

The booth was nicely stocked with high quality items.  I got all Moving Comfort and Brooks items.  For 50% off!

They had these great tank tops from Moving Comfort - super soft fabric and a cute crisscross in the back.  I picked up 2 - one grey and one teal.

They also had a t-shirt in the same material in a pretty pink that I snagged.

Next up, I got a great purple heather long sleeve light weight pullover.  I debated on this one because I have other similar tops, but in the end I got it.  I think this is going to become a travel top actually (and not worn for running).  It's super light weight and rolls up pretty small, so it would make a great top to keep on me in Disney when it gets a little chillier.

Rounding out the tops is a great find that both Pam and I picked up for a future costume.  It's a nice lightweight tank top from Brooks.  Anyone guess what Disney character we are thinking of?

I also picked up 2 pairs of shorts and a really cute pink skirt.  I didn't really need the shorts, but I loved the colors and couldn't resist at 50% off.

Plus to top it off, I got 2 free Sweaty Bands with my purchase.  I picked up a skinny teal sparkly one and a skinny purple sparkly one.

It turned out to be a great deal and an excellent way to end the expo.  Can't wait to start wearing all my new gear!

2 on Tuesday

Holy cow, how is it October already?  I can't believe there is only 3 more months in 2013.  That means Dopey is also approaching.  Eeek!

Remember last week I shared with you my friend Abby's virtual race in my Cancer S_cks post?  Well, look what arrived today!  So excited for my medal - it looks awesome.  It's not too late to earn your own medal.  Check out all the details here.

One of my favorite shows premiered this past Sunday.  It's been a really long summer without Once Upon a Time.  I won't spoil it for anyone, but it was an excellent premiere and I am really excited for the rest of the season.  I love the twists they put on known Disney characters.  Supposedly this season, both Ariel and Tinkerbell will be appearing.  Can't wait!

Training recap week of 9/22 (Dopey Week 3)

Week 3 has come and gone and it was a solid week of training.  I got all my runs in and was pleased with both my times and how I felt during them.  This week featured another back to back run, including my longest run since Montreal last September.  Since I am marathon training again, I expect I'll be commenting on that a lot.

I do have to say that I was exhausted all day Sunday post 14 miles.  And I am still a little tired today.  I think as training goes on, it's going to become very important for me to get enough sleep during the week and recovery on the weekend.

Monday
Scheduled: Off
Actual: Off

Tuesday

Scheduled: 3 miles easy pace (10:44 - 11:44)

Actual: 3.06 miles, 33:48, 11:02 pace

Wednesday

Scheduled: 5 mile tempo run (9:44)

Actual: 5 miles tempo, 6 miles total
Paces: 9:40, 9:32, 9:43, 9:36, 9:46

Thursday

Scheduled: 3 miles easy pace (10:44 - 11:44)

Actual: 3.1 miles, 32:57, 10:37 pace

Friday

Scheduled: Rest 

Actual: Rest

Saturday

Scheduled: 4 miles long run pace (10:29)

Actual: 4.11 miles, 42:06, 10:14 pace

Sunday

Scheduled: 14 miles long run pace (10:29)

Actual: 14 miles, 2:18:39, 9:54 pace

Both my long runs were a little faster then they should have been.  I am using training paces for a 4:15 finishing time which is probably fast for Dopey, but is slower then my current speed so I think this is going to be happening a lot.  

Total miles: 30.28

Total September miles: 91.21

Staying motivated

Any runner goes through the struggle to stay motivated when training.  I struggled with this over this past winter and early spring before getting into my groove.  I had a really solid summer of training, which resulting in hitting my goal half marathon time at the Philly Half Marathon.

As Dopey training progresses, I really want to make sure I stay motivated.  It's been going well so far, but as it goes on it is going to get harder.  It'll be darker out and weather will get in the way so I'll be doing more miles then I'd like on a treadmill.  I have never trained for a marathon in the middle of winter.  A spring marathon?  Yes.  A true winter marathon?  No.

So I've come up with a little system to stay motivated.  Bribery.  Seriously.  I have seen this on a couple of other blogs (Kim did it while training for Dumbo) and it sounds like a winner to me.

I am going to give myself $1 for every mile I run.  I am going to use an empty Disney Coffee can as my "piggy" bank (although I will be depositing it every now and then.  Let's be real, there is no need to keep that much cash in my apartment).  And then when I get to Dopey in January, the money saved will be my spending money for the expo.  I think this will be a good motivation for me as the training progresses.

Any other suggestions on how to stay motivated?

PS - Did everyone watch this epic (and yes it deserves that description) lip sync contest on Jimmy Fallon this week?  Amazing.  I love me some Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  If you need convincing, check out this link.

Cancer s_cks

Let's just get this out in the open - cancer sucks.  There is no easy way to put it.  It just does.  

Some of you might know that I have been a long time participant in Team in Training (TNT).  I ran my first 4 marathons with them and have been volunteering as a pace leader for the last 3 seasons.   I lost both my grandmother and a good friend from college (only 6 days after my first marathon) and last week I was reminded just how much cancer sucks.  My cousin-in-law (who I am very close to) lost her father last week and it just sucks.  

I think my other cousin Meghan put it best:

1. Cancer sucks

2. We're too young to start losing our parents

3. I wish you could give someone a hug through the phone

All 3 points are right on the money.  

And yes, cancer sucks, so let's do what we can to get rid of it.  While I am not fundraising for TNT this season, my good friends Abby and Anna are doing a virtual race for TNT.  It's called Banana's Splits Virtual Race.  

It's easy to join - registration is only $25 and you can run any distance you want!  Abby has even created bibs to wear (if you'd like) and the medals are so cute.  I'm already registered and can't wait to get my medal in the mail.  

If you'd like to join us, please visit the race page here for more information and the link to register.  

If you can't do the race, but would still like to donate, no worries!  You can do so by visiting Anna's fundraising page here.

Who's going to be joining us and help us beat cancer?

2 on Tuesday

The first day of fall was this past Sunday and I don't know about where you are, but it is here and it has come on strong.  We didn't creep into Fall, we got pushed off the cliff.  I am not complaining (a lot), but I'd rather it happened slower.  Winter follows fall after all.  

Fall brings about my favorite thing - Pumpkin.  And anything with pumpkin in it.  These Pumpkin Spice k-cups are the best.  It's a subtle pumpkin flavor, not too strong but you can still taste it.  It's only available for a limited time and I have already begun to hoard boxes of it.  It's that good!

Fall also means that Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins are back!  I don't know about you, but I think the Reese's shaped like seasonal items (trees, eggs, etc) are so much better than the regular Reese's cups.  Anyone else think so?

Unfortunately, fall also brings busy season at work, so if posts are a little less frequent (I am going to do my best to continue to post regularly), that's why.

Training recap week of 9/16 (Dopey Week 2)

While this week I got all my runs it, it had its own challenges.  After months of solid long runs, I was not feeling it this weekend.  My legs felt heavy and it was so humid I felt like it was smothering me.  Not good.  Happy to get these crappy runs out of the way now so the longer ones go better

Monday
Scheduled: Off
Actual: Off

Tuesday

Scheduled: 3 miles easy pace (10:44 - 11:44)

Actual: 3.04 miles, 32:14, 10:32 pace

Wednesday

Scheduled: 5 mile easy run (10:44 - 11:44)

Actual: 5.2 miles, 55:53, 10:45 pace

Thursday

Scheduled: 3 miles easy pace (10:44 - 11:44)

Actual: 3.01 miles, 32:16, 10:44 pace

Friday

Scheduled: Rest 

Actual: Rest

Saturday

Scheduled: 7 miles long run pace (10:29)

Actual: 7 miles, 1:13:31, 10:30 pace

This run definitely was not my best.  Everything was hurting, but I finished!

Sunday

Scheduled: Cross training

Actual: 1 hour walk

Total miles: 18.24

Total September miles: 60.94

Up next week is the Providence Half Marathon!

Book Club Friday: The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells

It's been a while since I linked up with Book Club Friday.  I wish I could say I had been reading a ton during that time, but I have to admit I just haven't felt like it lately.  I could not get motivated.  It took me way longer then I'd like to admit to finish this book.  But I did!  Hopefully my motivation is back now.

Anyway this week I am sharing my works book club selection - The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer.

From Barnes and Noble: 

1985. After the death of her beloved twin brother, Felix, and the breakup with her longtime lover, Nathan, Greta Wells embarks on a radical psychiatric treatment to alleviate her suffocating depression. But the treatment has unexpected effects, and Greta finds herself transported to the lives she might have had if she'd been born in different eras.

During the course of her treatment, Greta cycles between her own time and alternate lives in 1918, where she is a bohemian adulteress, and 1941, which transforms her into a devoted mother and wife. Separated by time and social mores, Greta's three lives are remarkably similar, fraught with familiar tensions and difficult choices. Each reality has its own losses, its own rewards, and each extracts a different price. And the modern Greta learns that her alternate selves are unpredictable, driven by their own desires and needs.

My review:
Despite how long it took me to finish this book, I did enjoy it.  I liked the concept and that it was different from other books.  I enjoyed seeing each Greta's lives and how our Greta (the 1985 one) handled each world.  I kinda wish I could see what myself is like in different time periods.

The ending was a little unexpected too (at least I thought so) which I liked.  I hate when books are predictable!  I don't want to spoil it here, but if you've read it let me know.  We should discuss!

Race Recap: RnR Philadelphia Half Marathon

Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon
September 15, 2013

State: Repeat
Lifetime: #37

This past weekend, Abby, Pam and I took a road trip to Philly to run the Rock n Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon.  This weekend was also our friend Megan's daughters first birthday party in Philly and it worked perfectly for us to run the half.

We headed to Philly early Saturday morning (not without some stops on the way) and headed straight to the birthday party.  It was a great afternoon filled with delicious food (Megan had an awesome Hawaiian food truck cater!) and time with friends.

After the party we headed to the expo (after checking in to the hotel).  The expo was pretty small.  After getting our numbers and race shirts, we headed to the merchandise.  They had some really cute race tanks, but they were all sold out of my size.  I guess that is what happens when you show up 1 hour before the expo closes.

The Brooks area (they are the main sponsor) was themed 'Run Happy Island'.  They were doing a thing were if you got 3 stamps from their different booths you could get a nice 'Run Happy Island' insulated bag for free.  I have to give Abby credit for this one as I didn't want to do it initially but she convinced me.  I was glad I did 'cuz the bag is really cute!

Stamp #2: Abby, Pam and I getting ready (photo courtesy of Abby)

After getting our bags and checking out some of the booths (it seemed like a small expo to me) and then headed back to the hotel to get settled and have some dinner.  Even though the race wasn't until 8am, we headed to bed early for a solid night of sleep!

Sunday morning came and I had my usual oatmeal for breakfast.  I had laid out my clothing the night before so getting dressed was easy.  Our hotel was about a 20 minute walk from the start which gave us a nice warmup.  It was little chilly when we first started walking, but I warmed up quickly.

After wishing Abby and Pam good luck, I headed to my corral.  Let me tell you, the corrals were insane.  It was very packed but I managed to make it in.  They were sending the corrals off in waves, but I couldn't figure out how.  I think in sets of 3 maybe?  Who knows but fortunately I only had to wait about 10 minutes to start.

My legs had been heavy all week so I didn't think this would go well.  I figured I would run how I felt. I tried to conserve in the beginning because I didn't want to die in the end.  After the first couple of miles, I was really settling in.  The first 7 miles just flew by, I could not believe how quickly they went!

I was feeling really strong so I decided to pick it up a bit.  The miles kept going quickly and the pace was steady.  Once I hit mile 10 I upped the pace again.  This was a little more difficult but not so hard that I couldn't maintain it for ever.  Mile 11 I gave it a little more and mile 12 I decided to just leave it all on the course.  I pushed myself and got another sub 8 minute mile for the last mile.  It still amazes me how far my speed has come!

As I crossed finished line, I was spent.  I knew I had left it all out there.  It felt good.  But more importantly, I had hit the time goal I had set earlier in the summer - my final time was a 1:55:04.  So proud and so excited to have reached a goal that I had set.  Now time to focus 100% on Dopey!

Results
Official: 13.1 mi, 1:55:09, 8:47 pace
Garmin: 13.24 mi, 1:55:04, 8:40 pace

Splits

50 States Update

It's been a while since I did an update on my 50 States Challenge.  I've added 3 more states to the roster - Connecticut, Kentucky and Oregon.  These are numbers 14, 15 and 16.  Making my way through!

Up first is the Hartford Half Marathon on October 14th.  This one was a pretty easy one for me to decide on as I have family in Hartford I can stay with.  Thanks Uncle Joe and Aunt Toni!  This one will be state number 4 in 2013.  I've done the math and I need to do 4-5 states a year to achieve my goal by 2023.  We might try and get Delaware in this year (there is a race in December) but it will depend on schedules.

Moving on to 2014, we've got Kentucky.  We found the Run the Bluegrass half at the Flying Pigs expo and it sounded awesome.  It's small (has a max of 5,000 people) and looked beautiful.  Each year the race is themed after a different race horse and the medal is redone accordingly.

Also in 2014, we are all going to do the Eugene Half Marathon in Oregon.  I figure if you are going to a race in Oregon, you've got to do one in Eugene, home of Prefontaine.  It's still like 10 months away but I am already looking forward to the weekend!

Excited to check some more states of the list!  Any races in your home state I should add to my list?