Market Square Days in Portsmouth holds the first of the longer events in the Seacoast Series. Both SwimGirl and I are going for the Seacoast Series incentive - the "free" jacket. The jacket has a certain cachet on the seacoast of NH, as it proves a runner gave up many a lovely summer morning to run and their $$ to fun for charity. In order to secure one of the coveted jackets, a runner must complete 6 of the 8 runs, including 2 runs of greater than 5k. Well, folks, the two of us have gotten 3 runs under our belts and completed our first 10k at Market Square Days this past Saturday.
While I had completed the Seacoast 1/2 Marathon last year, I had not yet done a 10k and SwimGirl, being only 10, definitely had not. We did some psych prep for the run: SwimGirl got to get her new New Balance sneaks from Runner's Alley (did I mention Runner's Alley/New Balance gave away FREE sneakers to the age group winners at Red Hook - saved me $55!), we picked up our numbers early, and drove the course. I'd been running the mileage in under 60 minutes and she'd been swimming and doing lots of drylands for swim team. We were ready.
Race Day had fabulous weather for runners: overcast, low 60's, occasional gentle misting. The course had some hills, but only 1 killer at the end. I felt GREAT, unlike Red Hook, where I nearly stopped due to heat. SwimGirl tweaked her ankle during the race and was a bit of a hurtin' unit towards the end. However, she finished in 55:02 and I finished in 55:37. Pretty proud of us chickies, especially since SwimGirl finished 8th in her age group, which was 19 (!) and under. Yowza!
3 down, 3 to go!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Her first 10k
SwimGirl's gettin' ready to run her first 10k tom'w. Considering she won her age group for the 2010 Red Hook 5k, I'm not too worried about her finishing.
Me, on the other hand...........I'm a little concerned....
Me, on the other hand...........I'm a little concerned....
Sunday, April 25, 2010
What a beautiful weekend
How does one spell happiness? SUN.
Life doesn't get any better than today. The wind is a little brisk, but the day is a truly beautiful 62 sunny degrees. I was able to get a guilt-free 6-miler in today, as SwimGirl has a playdate at a DanceFriend's house and DaddyMan needs to mow the lawn.
I do have an item to ponder, however. How do many runners manage to keep their sunglasses from falling down their faces while running? Maybe I sweat too much, but I just don't understand. My shades have an annoying habit of totally falling down my face while running anytime the temp is above 65 degrees. I'm totally gonna end up with serious crow's feet from squinting on sunny days.
Sigh.............
Life doesn't get any better than today. The wind is a little brisk, but the day is a truly beautiful 62 sunny degrees. I was able to get a guilt-free 6-miler in today, as SwimGirl has a playdate at a DanceFriend's house and DaddyMan needs to mow the lawn.
I do have an item to ponder, however. How do many runners manage to keep their sunglasses from falling down their faces while running? Maybe I sweat too much, but I just don't understand. My shades have an annoying habit of totally falling down my face while running anytime the temp is above 65 degrees. I'm totally gonna end up with serious crow's feet from squinting on sunny days.
Sigh.............
Saturday, April 24, 2010
First race of the season - Completed!
Seacoast Science Center (located in Rye, NH's Odiorne Point) hosted its 2nd annual Whale of a 5k today. This particular 5k happens to be primarily trail running - up and over the old Fort Dearborn bunkers, in the BEACH SAND, by the shore and on through wooded areas.
Runners could not have asked for a better day. The nearness to the shoreline allowed the 400+ runners to enjoy a gentle on-shore breeze, just enough to blow away all the nasty black flies which have been making outdoor activities tedious lately. The route, since the bulk of the running was done in the woods, had beautiful shade. The air temp boasted a 62 degree mark, perfect for those of us who normally seem colder than the general population.
SwimGirl ROCKED the race, not only beating her time for the race last year, but also making a personal best time of 24:36. Unfortunately, as this was not a "chip"'d race, the timer was unable to handle 4 runners entering at the same time (UGH) and clocked her for 24:40 tying her old P.B. We know she beat her old time. The fact she gained a P.B. on a trail race I find seriously impressive.
I did OK, beating last year's time by over a minute. The knee is holding up pretty well, no swelling yet. I had a brainstorm yesterday and called for a massage, which I hope helped to make the circ system kick into gear to keep fluid outta the old joint. I do need to work on my IT bands - tired, tired.
I think SwimGirl really only participates in races for the "playdate" atmosphere, as one of her older swim buds runs most local races, too. Other enticements? Prizes and raffles - she LOVES raffles. She really wanted to win the massage and was truly bummed when an adult won "her" prize. Very cute.
DaddyMan was able to meet us at Odiorne at the conclusion of the race, since he finished his 58 mile bike this morning. He decided to make a trial ride on next week's route, so he could ensure finishing the fundraiser. Make sure to take a look on the American Lung Association's Cycle the Seacoast site for donation information - support healthy lungs AND a rider!
Runners could not have asked for a better day. The nearness to the shoreline allowed the 400+ runners to enjoy a gentle on-shore breeze, just enough to blow away all the nasty black flies which have been making outdoor activities tedious lately. The route, since the bulk of the running was done in the woods, had beautiful shade. The air temp boasted a 62 degree mark, perfect for those of us who normally seem colder than the general population.
SwimGirl ROCKED the race, not only beating her time for the race last year, but also making a personal best time of 24:36. Unfortunately, as this was not a "chip"'d race, the timer was unable to handle 4 runners entering at the same time (UGH) and clocked her for 24:40 tying her old P.B. We know she beat her old time. The fact she gained a P.B. on a trail race I find seriously impressive.
I did OK, beating last year's time by over a minute. The knee is holding up pretty well, no swelling yet. I had a brainstorm yesterday and called for a massage, which I hope helped to make the circ system kick into gear to keep fluid outta the old joint. I do need to work on my IT bands - tired, tired.
I think SwimGirl really only participates in races for the "playdate" atmosphere, as one of her older swim buds runs most local races, too. Other enticements? Prizes and raffles - she LOVES raffles. She really wanted to win the massage and was truly bummed when an adult won "her" prize. Very cute.
DaddyMan was able to meet us at Odiorne at the conclusion of the race, since he finished his 58 mile bike this morning. He decided to make a trial ride on next week's route, so he could ensure finishing the fundraiser. Make sure to take a look on the American Lung Association's Cycle the Seacoast site for donation information - support healthy lungs AND a rider!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Running with SwimGirl
What a beautiful day to run outside~
As the temperature rose to 60-something degrees on a sunny NH Day, I took SwimGirl out for her first biggish run of the season, a 4-miler. I understand a 4-miler is not a terribly long run.....except SwimGirl has only turned 10 within the last month.
She did a fantastic job. She chugged up Whittier Hill without a whiny word, which won her kudos with the ol' Runnermom. Therefore, we ended our lovely run with an ice coffee at Adelle's. (Team Runnermom supports LOCAL businesses - NO Starbucks for us!)
As the temperature rose to 60-something degrees on a sunny NH Day, I took SwimGirl out for her first biggish run of the season, a 4-miler. I understand a 4-miler is not a terribly long run.....except SwimGirl has only turned 10 within the last month.
She did a fantastic job. She chugged up Whittier Hill without a whiny word, which won her kudos with the ol' Runnermom. Therefore, we ended our lovely run with an ice coffee at Adelle's. (Team Runnermom supports LOCAL businesses - NO Starbucks for us!)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
And still, the rain pours down
I'm reminded of a Hilary Duff song - "Let the rain fall down....."
I refuse to run outside in the rain for training. If the Weather Gawds decide to rain on my head on a race day, so be it. However, I see no need to train in the wet. I currently have 1 pair of getting-to-be decrepit running shoes which need to last me until we have a little spare cash (HAH!). I'm not going to finish killing what little bounce is left in my shoes with nasty, dirty, salty spring rain. Ick.
So, I'm relegated to the gym. I know some runners can't wait to get outside. Me, I can wait until the temperature climbs reliably into the 50's, the bulk of the winter "yech" has been washed from the sides of the local roadways, and perhaps, just perhaps, local road crews have patched some of the bigger potholes. I honestly don't have any real issues with a nice clean treadmill. Fans blow cool air into my face and nice music plays in the background. No nasty drivers yell at me or honk their horns. Having bathrooms in close proximity to my running area is also a plus for a woman who had children AFTER 30.
Monday - 6 1/4 in 60 minutes. Today - ArcTrainer day, gotta give those tired ol' IT bands and knees a break.
Tomorrow will be another running day.....6.3 here I come!
I refuse to run outside in the rain for training. If the Weather Gawds decide to rain on my head on a race day, so be it. However, I see no need to train in the wet. I currently have 1 pair of getting-to-be decrepit running shoes which need to last me until we have a little spare cash (HAH!). I'm not going to finish killing what little bounce is left in my shoes with nasty, dirty, salty spring rain. Ick.
So, I'm relegated to the gym. I know some runners can't wait to get outside. Me, I can wait until the temperature climbs reliably into the 50's, the bulk of the winter "yech" has been washed from the sides of the local roadways, and perhaps, just perhaps, local road crews have patched some of the bigger potholes. I honestly don't have any real issues with a nice clean treadmill. Fans blow cool air into my face and nice music plays in the background. No nasty drivers yell at me or honk their horns. Having bathrooms in close proximity to my running area is also a plus for a woman who had children AFTER 30.
Monday - 6 1/4 in 60 minutes. Today - ArcTrainer day, gotta give those tired ol' IT bands and knees a break.
Tomorrow will be another running day.....6.3 here I come!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
New Attempts and Back in the Saddle
Zumba. Who thought of dance as workout? The concept is nice; I enjoy dancing and the thought of working out to samba, meringue (sp?), and salsa music really does appeal. The actuality, however, was not even close to a real workout.
I admit to being a touch late to class. I got to the gym late as SwimGirl had an afternoon dr's appointment (her normal checkup) and DaddyMan got home early enough for me to attempt the gym. I threw my bag and jacket into one of the aerobic room's cubbies and jumped into an empty space. The class finally started after a small debacle involving sound systems, CDs and the Manager-on-Duty (MOD) rescuing the instructor in distress (yup, she was a damsel). I felt much relieved, as class had not yet started.
But, boy, was I disappointed in the quality of the workout. As someone who runs +/- 6 miles per day, I got barely warm and loose when the instructor would stop the ENTIRE RHYTHM of the class to change songs. Very disconcerting. I also found the "booty shaking", "pumping", and "hits" a little odd for a group of over forty, fairly out of shape women (yours truly excluded, thank you very much). Lots of flab on the fly, lemme tell ya. I know I sound uncharitable, but yeesh. If ya've got too much bounce to the ounce, diet BEFORE taking Zumba.
On a brighter note, my fellow RunnerMom started (I helped chaperone) an off-season running group for the swim kids. SwimGirl and several of her fishie friends ran a 5k today. BIG fun. We had several levels of runner today, including one little fishie who was not going to let inexperience stop her. She hauled her little self the entire 3.12 miles and managed to keep the more experienced kiddos in her view. VERY proud of her first run out. SwimGirl had a fantastic time chatting while she ran - a good time had by all. One of our guy fishies had a great run and can't wait to "play" again - YAY!
Being back outside for the spring feels GREAT!
I admit to being a touch late to class. I got to the gym late as SwimGirl had an afternoon dr's appointment (her normal checkup) and DaddyMan got home early enough for me to attempt the gym. I threw my bag and jacket into one of the aerobic room's cubbies and jumped into an empty space. The class finally started after a small debacle involving sound systems, CDs and the Manager-on-Duty (MOD) rescuing the instructor in distress (yup, she was a damsel). I felt much relieved, as class had not yet started.
But, boy, was I disappointed in the quality of the workout. As someone who runs +/- 6 miles per day, I got barely warm and loose when the instructor would stop the ENTIRE RHYTHM of the class to change songs. Very disconcerting. I also found the "booty shaking", "pumping", and "hits" a little odd for a group of over forty, fairly out of shape women (yours truly excluded, thank you very much). Lots of flab on the fly, lemme tell ya. I know I sound uncharitable, but yeesh. If ya've got too much bounce to the ounce, diet BEFORE taking Zumba.
On a brighter note, my fellow RunnerMom started (I helped chaperone) an off-season running group for the swim kids. SwimGirl and several of her fishie friends ran a 5k today. BIG fun. We had several levels of runner today, including one little fishie who was not going to let inexperience stop her. She hauled her little self the entire 3.12 miles and managed to keep the more experienced kiddos in her view. VERY proud of her first run out. SwimGirl had a fantastic time chatting while she ran - a good time had by all. One of our guy fishies had a great run and can't wait to "play" again - YAY!
Being back outside for the spring feels GREAT!
Monday, March 22, 2010
I'm proud of me!
SwimGirl had a meet in upstate NY this weekend. Ugh. From Southeastern NH, where the RunnerMom team currently resides, we had a +/- 7 hour drive to get there.
Wow. Loooooooooong ride. However, knowing how much sitting would take place, I hit the hotel "spa" pretty hard. Got 2 runs and 1 elliptical run completed for those 3 days. Go me!
SwimGirl got 3 best times and DaddyMan officiated. A good weekend all around.
Wow. Loooooooooong ride. However, knowing how much sitting would take place, I hit the hotel "spa" pretty hard. Got 2 runs and 1 elliptical run completed for those 3 days. Go me!
SwimGirl got 3 best times and DaddyMan officiated. A good weekend all around.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Still raining,,,and ranting
The weather can seriously impact running. As I am the proud owner of 1 pair of no-yet-dead running shoes, I have NO plans to run outside in the mess currently known as Southeastern NH.
The news has had extensive coverage of the flooding. People in the area, however, have done nothing more than kavetch about the problem and marvel at Mother' Nature's wrath. Channel 9 has covered the flood watches, as has Foster's Daily Democrat, but human interest stories seem to be at low ebb. The news sources have made little mention of neighbors helping neighbors or anything else of that ilk. Can the news agencies really not find anything worthy of reporting? Are the masses really just watching the flood swollen rivers stream by their residences?
As I struggle with the question posed above, I also struggle with our lawmakers answers to most questions. How did elected officials manage to find themselves in office? Are said officials really elected to take the interest of townspeople or in office to fund their own need for greed? I, of course, am on the side of the kids, as I am a school librarian.
What's happening? Due to the tax cap and/or other financial difficulties found in other regional towns, many school and rec departments are facing HUGE cutbacks. Apparently, the all-mighty dollar once again rules, rather than common sense. Our children's well-beings risk a serious blow as town athletic, music, and academic programs are slashed past the core and to the point of ridiculousness. Perhaps the time has come for townspeople to push uncaring folk out of the limelight and elect representatives who truly care about people, as well as the bottom line.
To make yourself heard in Dover - click here
For Portsmouth - click here
Be sure to let local city councils know exactly how YOU feel about 35 member classrooms, teachers working without contracts, music-art-phys ed programs cut out of budgets, and the closing of local athletic venues, such as the local Parks and Recreation departments (camps, pools, parks, etc.). We live in a democracy - Make your voice heard!
The news has had extensive coverage of the flooding. People in the area, however, have done nothing more than kavetch about the problem and marvel at Mother' Nature's wrath. Channel 9 has covered the flood watches, as has Foster's Daily Democrat, but human interest stories seem to be at low ebb. The news sources have made little mention of neighbors helping neighbors or anything else of that ilk. Can the news agencies really not find anything worthy of reporting? Are the masses really just watching the flood swollen rivers stream by their residences?
As I struggle with the question posed above, I also struggle with our lawmakers answers to most questions. How did elected officials manage to find themselves in office? Are said officials really elected to take the interest of townspeople or in office to fund their own need for greed? I, of course, am on the side of the kids, as I am a school librarian.
What's happening? Due to the tax cap and/or other financial difficulties found in other regional towns, many school and rec departments are facing HUGE cutbacks. Apparently, the all-mighty dollar once again rules, rather than common sense. Our children's well-beings risk a serious blow as town athletic, music, and academic programs are slashed past the core and to the point of ridiculousness. Perhaps the time has come for townspeople to push uncaring folk out of the limelight and elect representatives who truly care about people, as well as the bottom line.
To make yourself heard in Dover - click here
For Portsmouth - click here
Be sure to let local city councils know exactly how YOU feel about 35 member classrooms, teachers working without contracts, music-art-phys ed programs cut out of budgets, and the closing of local athletic venues, such as the local Parks and Recreation departments (camps, pools, parks, etc.). We live in a democracy - Make your voice heard!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Start of a new season
Yes, I know I have a blog. Yes, I am also aware I have been neglecting blogging "responsibilities". Why? KNEES. One. Word. KNEES.
I have 2 of the blessed items. Yup, just like everyone else, I have 2. Unfortunately, I have been battling with my joints since the holidaze. I think, thanks to the wonders of cortisone shots, the problem of swelling and softball-sized knees has been solved.
Some good runs have occurred over the past 3-4 weeks of approximately 9/5 miles on weekends and averaging 6 on regular work days. My poor SwimGirl put a crimp into my schedule this week, as she came down with a nasty case of stomach flu, which did not allow me time to get to the gym. Today, I was planning on a good long run, as the DaddyMan was in da house.
Alas, a good long run escaped me. My gym (The Works) had a power outage. AGH! Quiet time fot RunnerMom.....Gone! Whine....I know, go get some cheese to go with that whine. I understand why the outage happened - the wind is blowing so hard the second floor of my house is swaying. But, geez, all I wanted was a 90 minute trot! Pout.
Upcoming runs (SwimGirl will be doing all of these with the exception of the 5 miler!):
4/24 - Seacoast Science Center's Whale of a 5k
4/25 - Red's Shoe Barn 5 miler
5/1 - Children's Museum of NH 5k
5/9 - Mother's Day 5k - As this benefits WomenAid, I highly rec this one.
5/23 - Walk/Run for Angie - Put this on all your calendars! This benefits a teacher-friend who had a major stroke. Excellent reason to get your training started!
I have 2 of the blessed items. Yup, just like everyone else, I have 2. Unfortunately, I have been battling with my joints since the holidaze. I think, thanks to the wonders of cortisone shots, the problem of swelling and softball-sized knees has been solved.
Some good runs have occurred over the past 3-4 weeks of approximately 9/5 miles on weekends and averaging 6 on regular work days. My poor SwimGirl put a crimp into my schedule this week, as she came down with a nasty case of stomach flu, which did not allow me time to get to the gym. Today, I was planning on a good long run, as the DaddyMan was in da house.
Alas, a good long run escaped me. My gym (The Works) had a power outage. AGH! Quiet time fot RunnerMom.....Gone! Whine....I know, go get some cheese to go with that whine. I understand why the outage happened - the wind is blowing so hard the second floor of my house is swaying. But, geez, all I wanted was a 90 minute trot! Pout.
Upcoming runs (SwimGirl will be doing all of these with the exception of the 5 miler!):
4/24 - Seacoast Science Center's Whale of a 5k
4/25 - Red's Shoe Barn 5 miler
5/1 - Children's Museum of NH 5k
5/9 - Mother's Day 5k - As this benefits WomenAid, I highly rec this one.
5/23 - Walk/Run for Angie - Put this on all your calendars! This benefits a teacher-friend who had a major stroke. Excellent reason to get your training started!
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