This is my life!

Greylock

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:38:20 -0400

Ahhhhhh Greylock. It is an awesome mountain. My parents joined our family on a trip to Greylock Mountain Trail Race on June 20th. This was my 11th consecutive year running in this event. Although one year I had to come up the day before and run the course to not loose my streak due to a family obligation on race day. It was a hot one but I climbed to the top of Thunderbolt fairly well just 5 minutes behind the woman’s leader Amy Lane. I quickly caught her on the decent at she was being cautious to not hurt anything for VT100. I was aiming to run in 2 hours. The course was in great condition with lots of mud and slippery rocks. I thought I was running fast, but apparently not quick enough to get my goal time but fast enough to come in first female in 2:16 and change.

Nipmuck Again

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:56:24 -0400

The Nipmuck Marathon was a race that I was aiming to win and get in under 4 hours. My best time on the course is about 4:03. The course has changed slightly over the years due to trail relocation and blowdowns so it is really hard to try to beat a past years time but I thought I would give it a try. I races strong in the first half actually leading everyone for about 2 miles. I felt good and hit my goal time of 1 hr 45 minutes passing through the start/finish. The second half was much more challenging. I had not competed in the marathon distance since before getting pregnant in winter of 2008. I felt my calves cramping only 15 miles in and realized that the sub 4 hour race would not happen this year but I could still run strong enough for a win. Even though I had 2 bottles of Vega sport, 4 cups of water, a bottle refill, 2 cups of gatorade, 6 salt tablets, 2 Clif Shots and 6 Shot Blocks it was not enough! I should have eaten more food at the aid station and run with my vest. It was a humid day and with still breastfeeding 5-8X a day my body burned through all the food and was then depleted. I must remember to eat and drink more than I believe I need!
I did hold on for the win in 4 hours and 12 minutes. I was quite spent after the race. I feel good now and am looking forward to Greylock tomorrow.
Thanks for Scott, Shep and Dahlia for cheering for me.

Soapstone Mountain Trail Races

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:27:19 -0400

Yikes, it’s been over a month since Soapstone and I have finally found the inspiration to blog. I think a voice recording would suite me much better since i would much rather talk than type!
The 27th year of the Soapstone Mountain Trail Races has come and gone. we had a gorgeous weather day with a big turnout of about 300 participants. There we a few that lost their way and a couple sprained ankles and a lot of smiles. We changed the post race food this year to be all vegetarian with the chili from Rein’s Deli being a hit. Not much left overs this year! At the end of the day we had one person unaccounted for and with our sleuthing skills found out ho it was and called his cell phone. We could not get through so called the runners emergency contact who then called the runner. He was long off the course and safe. We were relieved but disappointed that he did not do as we asked....let a volunteer know you have dropped. Do not just leave!
All the volunteers were great. Thank you to the Ham Radio guys and gals, the Northern CT Land Trust, the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association and many of the Shenipsit Striders (and friends of)! Scott and I counted that it takes about 50 volunteers to put this race on. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Next years race is Sunday, May 15th. Mark your calendar.

Mother’s Day Dash

Sun, 9 May 2010 21:55:30 -0400

Scott was at a Sprint Triathlon in Hopkinton, Mass, today it was just me with the kids all morning and I decided to still go out for the Vernon’s Mother’s Day Dash. Whenever we run races with the kids Scott always pushes them. Since it was Mother’s Day and Shep and Dahlia are my kids I decided I couldn’t have someone else watch them. I would enjoy the run with them instead. Dahlia fell asleep and Shep gave his typical whine half way through of, “I ‘m done running mama.” But who is running?!!?
We finished in just over 23 minutes. I was not tired at all since I could only push the stroller (about 75 lbs with both kids) so fast over the course. I did enjoy myself though, especially seeing all the looks on people’s faces as I passed them. And I had to pass a lot because I made the mistake of starting too far back! No prizes for me this year but I took a few bananas to help cover the cost of my $20 entry fee.

Seven Sisters

Sun, 9 May 2010 21:43:58 -0400

May 2nd marked my tenth consecutive year of running Seven Sisters. Two of the years I have run while pregnant (2006 and 2009) and three of the years I won (2000, 2004and 2005). It is one of my favorite races in the Grand Tree Series because of it’s ruggedness.
This year was extremely hot and humid. I felt good and ran well but not well enough to in this year. Abby Mahoney is more fit than me right now and ran strong to place 1st woman. I came in 2nd in 2:23. My best time on the course is around 2:14. Someday I will get back down there again!

Traprock 50k

Sun, 9 May 2010 21:33:26 -0400

Yes, I know this race was a few weeks ago but I have been very busy being a mom and an RD for Soapstone Mountain Trail Races 24k and 6k which are next week!!!!
The Traprock 50k was my first ultra in over a year and a half. It was fun and exciting to be out in the woods for that long and to have my family support me along the way. I finished in a little of 5 hours, in 5th place overall and 1st woman even with stopping to feed Dahlia part way through. A mom’s duty id never done!

Bimbler’s Bash 10kish

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:01:45 -0400

Bimbler’s Bash is a fun, short (if you are used to ultras) trail race in Guilford, CT. It has a lot of mud, rocks and steeps climbs. My type of terrain but too short for my body. The course this year ended up being about 7.5 miles. I was able to push hard and not hit a wall. I placed 3rd female and less than a minute behind 1st female. My speed workouts are beginning to pay off. I also made sure to ingest a fair amount of electrolyte drink. My new favorite is Vega. It is completely natural and doesn’t leave a film in the mouth.
Next up Traprock 50k!

Northern Nipmuck

Sun, 4 Apr 2010 20:22:18 -0400

Saturday was my first real trail race of the season after giving birth to Dahlia 6 months ago. I felt ready to run hard but knew that I am not in top form yet. The course was muddy and riddles with prickers and overgrowth. What fun! I took in a row of Shot Blocks and two Clif Shots as well as drank my entire Nathan vest bladder twice. It was not enough. I should have brought more food. My nutrition needs increase dramatically due to breastfeeding. I refueled right away at the finish and feel great today. My time was 2:43. Good enough for 3rd female. And what is funny is that this time is the same as 7 months after giving birth to Shepard. I am a pretty consistent gal!

Getting back into it!

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:38:32 -0500

Writing that is....now that Dahlia is sleeping longer I have a bit more time to do things that don’t come easy to me such as writing on my blog. Soon I will give you an update on my life and fitness progress.

Running again

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 21:13:07 -0500

Five weeks after giving birth I raced a 5K on trails.....slow but raced. Today I ran my favorite 8 mile loop pushing the jog stroller. Boy did /i miss that loop!
i am getting a lot of walking and hiking in. Sometimes carrying both my kids.