State #34, Myrtle Beach Half Marathon, Myrtle Beach, SC, Part 2

Race morning brought temperatures in the 30's here in Myrtle Beach! Ouch! Definitely not the weather I was expecting for this one. Thank goodness I thought to throw one set of long running pants and a long sleeve half zip in my suitcase, and good thing I picked up those cheap gloves at the expo yesterday. Yikes!
Aunt Linda and Uncle Pete were troupers getting up at the crack of dawn with me to get me to the starting line by 6 am. This was an early start, for sure, and for two retired folks who are used to getting up late, they were rockstars! 
We made it to the parking area at Broadway at the Beach by 6 am, and after sitting in the truck for a few minutes (to avoid waiting around in the cold too long), we headed to the starting line. I made a detour for the porta-potties before heading to the corral. Pete & Linda took their signs to line up near the starting line with hopes of seeing me run by.

Starting line up. I love the guy giving the thumbs-up on the left.

The corral entry was lined with metal barriers along the sidewalk, producing a narrow walkway for runners to enter through. This was all backed up with runners, so to avoid being late and shuffling along in the hordes, I chose to walk around this area to an open field and jump the barrier in to the wider line up area. As I was heading through the field, the starting command went off, and I panicked a little bit, but others around me assured me it was just the start of the wheelchair division. Whew! I didn't think we had cut it so close. 
The line up was packed with runners, and I couldn't get up to the 2 hour pacing group, so with only a few minutes to spare I snapped a couple of starting line photos and hoped for the best. I decided to stay near the left side of the road, figuring that was the side my aunt and uncle would most likely be on based on the way they walked over from our parking spot. At the starting command, a song about South Carolina blared from the speakers, and we were off.

Starting line selfie. Not my best smile.

As expected, Pete and Linda were up ahead on the left side with their cute signs. I gave them a wave and made my way the best I could through the crowded street. This race was very tight which always makes for difficult running. I kept getting stuck behind slower runners or trying to find a way to weave my way around others. It was really slow going until about mile 4-5 which is pretty unusual, but this being the 20th anniversary of the race, perhaps the registration was more crowded than usual. 
The race moved along well. The first two miles led us from the Broadway at the Beach area through a small neighborhood and out to the commercial route 17. This road was your typical beach thoroughfare, lined with restaurants, tourist trap shops, retail shopping, grocery stores, bars and everything else you can imagine. I chatted with a guy who was running the full marathon...he complimented me on my crazy hat. I told him it was so my aunt and uncle could pick me out of the crowd. I told him to look for them at the finish line with their signs. We followed this route until we got to about mile 6, where just past the airport we turned right in to the Market Common neighborhood. 
Market Common was a combination of high end stores and restaurants along with condos and single family homes. There is a nice walking/running path that winds throughout along with small ponds and a playground. It was a fun space to run through, checking out all the good shops there. When I come back to Myrtle Beach sometime, I will head here for some shopping and good eats. It was a cute little area.
As we made our way out of Market Common, we crossed route 17 and entered on to Ocean Drive, the road that parallels the beach area. It was lined with hotel after hotel. Unfortunately, at this part of the run (mile 8) the wind was against me, and the shadows of the hotels made for consistent shade, and I started to feel really cold. I removed my gloves at mile 4 but now it was time to fish them out. My fingers were getting numb. There weren't many spectators along this stretch despite the overabundance of hotels. I'm sure the cold temperatures and early morning start time kept some folks away. 
This was my hardest stretch of the race, due to the cold, long distance (miles 8-11) and undulating rises and dips in the stretch of roadway. Even though this race is pretty flat, those small inclines and declines make a difference when the wind is in your face. I could feel myself slowing down a bit, but I tried to push on as much as I could. 
The fun thing about Ocean Drive was looking at the cute swimming pools of the hotels, amusement park, water park and catching glimpses of the ocean in between the tall buildings. It seemed to take a long time to get down this road, but once it was done, the finish line wasn't too far away. 
We turned left off Ocean Drive on to 10th Street South, back through a neighborhood area that led back to the more commercial Broadway at the Beach surrounding. As I neared the finish line, I looked for Aunt Linda and Uncle Pete. I crossed the finish line with a net time of 1:54:17, well below my goal of 2 hours. Hooray! Just past the finish I spied my aunt and uncle with their signs. They are the cutest spectators ever!

My fans! Aunt Linda and Uncle Pete with the signs my girls made.

We met up and walked back to our parking space, and we traded stories about all we had seen both as a spectator and a participant. They were so amazed at all the people and set up and activity that surrounded the event. It really is a huge undertaking! I stretched and then we headed for home so I could shower up before hitting breakfast. 
We went to a place called Johnny D's Waffle House that was awesome! In addition to their eclectic waffle menu, they had all kinds of other breakfast stuff, and I ended up with a California eggs benedict, featuring avocado and tomato. Yum! 

Dinner at the Roadhouse.

Later in the day, Aunt Linda and I hit Talbots to cash in on their 25% off sale. That was fun! I scored a pair of light pink pants, a flowered shirt and two oxfords for work. Yay! Their collection this season is really cute, by the way! We stopped at World Market and a junky tourist shop for other souvenirs to take home. I took a nap in the afternoon after all that excitement and then we topped off our wonderful day with dinner at Uncle Pete's favorite place--The Texas Roadhouse. That was my first time there, but the steak tips really hit the spot after a big morning workout. 

Race t-shirt backside, number & finisher's medal.

I am so grateful to have participated in the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon and to have spent such terrific time with my relatives. They are fabulous people, and we don't get to see each other nearly often enough. This trip solidifies that I need to get down here more often for more fun! Maybe I will have to repeat this race another year, and maybe Aunt Linda will try the 5k so I can go cheer for her. Thank you, Pete and Linda for an awesome weekend! State #34 is in the books!

State #34, Myrtle Beach Half Marathon, Myrtle Beach, SC, Part 1

I arrived in Myrtle Beach last night after leaving for the airport straight from work. My flights were fine, and I easily met my aunt at the baggage claim in the airport. Easy trip! That's always a good start. 
My uncle was waiting in the car to pick us up curbside, and we were off to their house. They only live about 15 minutes or so from the airport, so that was good. I arrived around 9:45 pm and we were at their house in no time. We chatted about everything...running, Myrtle Beach, family, work, and before we knew it, it was midnight! I never stay up that late!
The next morning we took it easy, getting up around 8 am and relaxing over coffee and breakfast. Linda and I headed out to the grocery store, as I planned to cook dinner for them pre-race. Whenever possible, I prefer to to be in control of my pasta meals. If I can have whole grain or whole wheat pasta, spaghetti squash and turkey meatballs, then I'm good. So tonight dinner was on me. 

Race number, t-shirt and race map.

We met up with Uncle Pete after the grocery run and all headed to the sports center to the marathon expo to pick up my number. The vibe there was festive and upbeat. I got my number and t-shirt and along with the t-shirt the race directors gave out Myrtle Beach Marathon socks and sunglasses. Cool! I like this race already. We perused the vendors, and I ended up purchasing a cheap pair of cotton gloves. The race morning temperatures were going to be in the 30's! Not what I was expecting. Good thing I threw in a pair of long running pants and a long sleeve half zip just in case. We also took a look at the race route map, and then took a ride along the route so I could see where I'd be running. We drove along some commercial areas and some residential areas and finished up along Ocean Drive that runs along the beach. It was a nice route, and I know it will be a great run.
We went to lunch at a place called Mrs. Fish. We had a nice fish lunch (I had salmon), and they told me that Mrs. Fish was a favorite local place that was no frills but good food. Yes and yes. After lunch we drove down to the beach for a short walk. What a lovely beach it is! You can see beach for miles and miles. The tide was out, so the beach was extensive. We walked a little bit just taking in the sound of the waves and the views. It was lovely.
We headed back to their house and relaxed for a bit, and then I worked on getting dinner ready. We had a super meal of pasta, spaghetti squash, meatballs and salad. It was nice to have a home cooked  meal together. So much better than eating by myself in a restaurant somewhere. Luckily everyone enjoyed my cooking. 

My distinguishing hat. 

After dinner I got my running gear ready for the morning. My aunt found some ribbon I could pin on my hat to make me stand out more in the crowd so they could maybe spot me easier tomorrow. I might look silly, but it will be fun.
What a great first day in Myrtle! Good night!

February or May?

I meant to post this last weekend, as it was the last weekend of February and the temperatures in Connecticut hit 70 degrees! I was lucky enough to be able to get two back to back delicious outdoor runs in on February 25th and 26th. In fact, on the 26th, I wore short sleeves and my running skort. Bare legs in February. No joke! I loved it. Every minute of it.

Celebrating bare arms and legs in February!

Although I should really be tapering more for my half marathon in Myrtle Beach next weekend, I just couldn't help myself getting out in to the spring-like air. In my defense, I held myself to 5 milers only. No need to push too much. 
As a complete 180 to the outdoor running on Friday and Saturday, our family went skiing on Sunday for our usual weekly ski outing. The conditions weren't the greatest after the very warm temperatures, and after two runs, our youngest had tumbled hard a couple of times and was ready to pack it up for the day. I ended up hanging out with her in the lodge until my other daughter's lesson ended. Just as well, I certainly didn't need to catch an edge and fall and injure myself. 
I'm looking forward to my next race next weekend. I'm running the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon the first weekend in March, and as a bonus, I get to visit with my aunt and uncle who live down there. I haven't been down to visit them yet, so I'm really looking forward to it. We haven't seen each other since Christmas. It will be another terrific trip that combines running and family. Can't wait!

Next race, coming up soon!

Only a few short weeks until my next state half marathon. This time it is South Carolina! I am registered to run the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon on March 4, and I'm really looking forward to this trip. My Aunt Linda and Uncle Pete live there, so of course I had to choose a race so I could work in a visit. They are such wonderful people, and I know we will have a fun weekend. They are excited for the race, as they've never been to one before. Should I tell them that it isn't always the most exciting spectator sport? As inspiring as the marathon/half-marathon can be to onlookers, it isn't exactly the Patriots coming from a 25-point deficit to win it in overtime in the Super Bowl. I hope they have a terrific first experience. I'm just excited to have some fans in the finish line crowd for this trip.

Aunt Linda and Uncle Pete

I am scheduled to have a long run (12 miles) this weekend, but as we are having a large snowstorm today (8-12 inches), it looks like that long run will be on the treadmill. That isn't my first choice, but it will get the job done. I am proud of my mileage so far this year. I hit 125 miles in January, which is a huge improvement over my illness-riddled January of last year which brought me a measly 39 miles. So, I'm feeling pretty awesome with this year's number. In fact, looking back at my last several months, I've posted more than 100 miles a month since September of 2016. I had to chuckle about that because in September the kids went back to school, and I was no longer working full time...I see a direct correlation. 😊 Working part-time this year gives me the best of both worlds: income and time for running.
It is so crazy to look outside as I am writing this post to see the snow falling briskly. We are in for a big storm today, so much so that school was cancelled last night for today. That never happens. What is even crazier is that it was almost 60 degrees F yesterday! I reveled in a 5.4 outdoor mile run in the sun yesterday. It was delicious. As much as winter isn't my favorite season, it has been bearable this year due to these sporadic warm days that make an outdoor run a possibility. It surely breaks up the monotony of the treadmill. But the gym isn't all that bad. I am very grateful to have my Planet Fitness membership, and I love being part of the super early morning crowd. It feels like an elite athlete club in some ways because we are all so dedicated to get our fitness in (and so bright and early in the morning!). I look forward to seeing my morning gym peeps! In fact, Miss Doreen, a new friend I've made at the gym, beeped at me from her car recently as I was outside running. Thanks for being a part of my fan club, Doreen!
My last item of note is that I'd like to recognize my friend Hazel for running her first Half Marathon! Hazel is one of my earliest childhood friends, and she lives in Texas. I ran the 3M Half Marathon last January in her neck of the woods, and we were able to spend some lovely and very precious time together after not seeing each other in close to 20 years! She was so inspired by my goal of running in all 50 states that she immediately signed up to run the 3M in 2017. Well, mission accomplished for her. She ran the race a couple of weeks ago and finished strong. Hooray, Hazel! I'm so proud of you for setting this goal and achieving it! Keep it up, and we will absolutely run together in the future. And to any other aspiring runners out there...go for it! Set a goal and attain it!

Hazel and I last January. XO!

Winter Cross-Training

So everyone knows that winter in New England isn't really the greatest time of year to be logging tons of outdoor road miles. It is cold, snowy, icy and sidewalks aren't always clear. Visibility can be limited by the high snow piles, and did I mention that it is cold? The older I get, the more I don't really like being in the cold. I think I've contracted some Reynaud's syndrome conditions in my fingers and toes from being out in frigid running conditions, and as a result, I now tend to favor the treadmill at the gym in the cold months. 
This year hasn't been too terrible as far as snow totals go, and more often than not, the temperatures have been reasonable for running outdoors. I've enjoyed some nice long runs on weekends even this far in to January. I ran a 7.5 miler outdoors yesterday, and it was pretty enjoyable. 
This year, though, I've added a new cross-training activity to my routine. Downhill skiing. I haven't skied in years. I didn't start skiing until I was in high school, and although I enjoyed it, pretty much after that I didn't really do it anymore. As a young professional in Boston, I basically earned enough money to scrape by, but not enough to pay for expensive lift tickets or equipment or travel to the mountains. So that hobby went by the wayside. 
Last year a friend of mine asked if I'd be interested in having my daughter take ski lessons with her daughter. It was the perfect way to get our kids started in the sport, and a great way for me to start again. Unfortunately, last year was a lousy snow year in CT. We only had about one substantial storm, so the skiing wasn't great, but it was good enough to get us all reacquainted with the sport. My girls learned the basics, and my husband (a complete non-skier) even got in to it. In fact, he became so enthralled with it that after a couple of private lessons, he ended up getting a family ski pass to a local mountain for all of us for this current year. 
We usually head up as a family on Sundays. The kids take a two hour lesson while my husband and I get to ski the mountain. It has been so much fun! I have to say, too, that it has been terrific for cross-training. I get a rest from the pounding of running, and my quads get a massive workout coming down the slopes. Not to mention that it has been a wonderful way to beat the doldrums of winter. We get fresh air and sunshine and get our bodies outside when otherwise we'd be hibernating in the house. It's all good. 

I think that we don't really even realize how much of a workout we get while we are out skiing. Mostly it just feels like fun. I like fun. It has been a real joy taking up a new sport this season and enjoying it as a family. Consequently, I feel like my fitness is staying strong when typically this is a time of year when things can get dicey. 
I hope my other running friends are finding their favorite winter cross-training activities. Only a couple of months until we are all back out on the streets pounding the pavement!

Starting Fresh

So it is the time of year for all those new year's resolutions and such. Time to eat healthier, time to get organized, time to lose weight, time to finish all those unfinished projects...
Sure, I have some resolutions like everyone else, but for right now, I just want to focus on getting back to regular routines. The holidays are wonderful--full of family, friends, celebration, food and fun. I've certainly had my share, and now I'm all tapped out. Time to get back to the simplicity of routine and return to healthy eating. I feel like I just can't deal with anymore junk food or cocktails. My body is craving warm, healthy goodness like homemade soups, veggie chili, skillet chicken or seafood, herbal tea and some time to slow down and focus on one thing at a time.
We all get so overloaded during the holiday season. There is so much to do and not nearly enough time to do it! I was very guilty of that myself this year, and although I have many obligations coming up in 2017, I want to take them one by one and not allow myself to get overwhelmed. I guess that is really my big resolution.
I went back to work last week after holiday break, and by the end of my first day back, I could feel myself coming down with chills and the dread that I was going to be the next one in my family to experience the dreaded stomach bug. I came straight home from work and immediately went in to my bed were I stayed for a day and a half. Luckily, despite my aching stomach, nothing ever came "up" as it were, but boy was I down. I had chills and a complete body full of aches. I was dehydrated and had a headache, too. By Friday, thankfully, I was feeling much improved.

Today's weather...snowstorm!

So January was off (at first) to a good start, then it got rough, and now I feel back on track. Luckily, my illness passed through quickly enough that I am still on point with my mileage thus far. Although today's weather is going to make it tough to head back outdoors anytime soon with street running. Treadmill here I come... In fact, I was able to make it to the gym yesterday and today to complete 5 mile runs each day, albeit at a slower than usual pace. Don't want to push it too much after being sick earlier in the week. I felt great after each workout, so that's good.
So I plan to take it step by step here and get my miles in, just as I plan to take my obligations in 2017.  Here we go!

Springtime in December

I can't believe I haven't blogged since mid-November! What a slacker! Actually, life has become more hectic again. I started a new job in the middle of November, and with work/home/volunteering/running life to balance out, things have been busy for sure. Throw the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations in there and that equals not much time for typing about running. 
Somehow I've managed to at least keep my running going. I caught a head cold/sinus thing earlier in the month of December, but kept pushing through. Most of my running has been shorter distances at the gym on the treadmill. This has been fine given the winter weather (cold temps and dark mornings). 
But today was an amazing exception...we had 53 degree temps and sunshine, so I hit the road. It wasn't an easy run, but any outdoor distances I can do this time of year feel wonderful. I'm carrying around a bit of holiday (and general bad habit) weight gain, so it was a slow 10.7 miles, but at least I did it. I am on track to complete 100 miles for this month with only a few days left to make it happen. 
I missed more days near the beginning of December than I cared to, but many of those were due to my husband's travel schedule and not being able to get to the gym with my kids to care for. That's ok, a few longer runs have helped make up for it, and I should be fine in terms of hitting my goal for the month. I'm noticing that I need to try to be more consistent about my running days though. I can't blow off my workouts on days when I'm feeling lazy...those are the days I need to get the running done because I never know when I will have to miss a day due to schedules. I guess that is one of my New Year's resolutions. Be more consistent. That and to add more weight training. And to clean up my diet. Time to shed those extra pounds that have been creeping up on me. 
My family and I spent a fun night with two of our good friends last night. Dinner at our house to celebrate the holidays. We had a super time, and my friend Patti gave me the best gift. It made me laugh, and I love it so much! Here's a pic:

So I continue to put the miles on my sneakers...through December and on in to 2017. I wish you many happy and healthy miles in your new year, too.