The Sweetest Place on Earth

While many of my friends were running Runner's World Half Marathon or partaking in one of the many races that were offered, I did not. I did run that half marathon last year and I didn't want to run it again. Why? It's not that I didn't enjoy it, actually, I did not and I was in a lot of pain running that half. But, that wasn't why. There are so many half marathons out there, that before I start repeating them (with exceptions of course) I wanted to see what was out there. So, I signed up for The Hershey Half Marathon. Who wouldn't? It's a new adventure, check. 2 free tickets to the park, check. The Sweetest Place on Earth, check. So, Saturday Oct 19, Makayla and I drove to Hershey. 

When we arrived, we got stopped in traffic. NBD, I made the best of it..
This is when I really started to get nervous. I knew NOTHING about this race other than it was advertised as flat. (LIES! ALL LIES!) But, I was excited about the idea of running another half marathon, my second in 2 months! So, we headed to the expo. Now, this used to be my favorite part of the race, but lately they have been hit or miss. 2 out of 3 up to this expo were misses. Since it was at HersheyPark, parking was very plentiful. The ease of finding the expo was a breeze. I actually got to the expo before it even opened. 

Once we got inside, I was blown away with how small the expo was. They had a stand from a local running store, and some other stores, but nothing like I have seen before. Packet pick up was a breeze and even though they couldn't find Makayla amongst the registration, it was easy to rectify the situation.

I love how she is looking at the runners in this photo! Also seen at the expo were some of the Hershey characters...

Once I had seen it all, I think we went around twice to make sure, I had to capture the thing that made this race extra special...

This marked Makayla's first race! I was so very proud at this moment. Since we were waiting for my sister and her family to arrive, we burnt some time with some pictures near Chocolate World.

This character was by far my daughter's favorite. We HAD to look for him EVERYWHERE! 

Oh, and this was by far my favorite purchase...

Overall, the expo was small and simple and to the point. You were in and out and I liked that. You definitely were not overwhelmed. There was a lot of free stuff, and small amounts of stuff to purchase. So far, a good impression was made.

Stay tuned for race recaps, both mine and Makayla's!

Celtic Classic 10K

Did you ever have one of the days where everything felt spot on?!? Well, I did, and I am so happy to share it with you.  On Saturday, I ran the 23rd Annual Celtic Classic 10K. I hadn't planned on running any 10Ks, but my best friend Liz asked me to run her first 10K with her, so how could I pass it up. The money all went to The Special Olympics, so again, there was no way that I could turn it down. I woke up Sat morning and knew that I was going to wear my Saucony's without my orthotic because they didn't really help my foot at all. Other than that, I had no idea what to expect for the course, but I did remember reading in one of the emails that there may be some mud, so I assumed there would be some grassy areas involved.  We arrived at the race a little before 7 am and there wasn't too many people there yet (they were expecting 641) so check in was easy peasy. At 7:45 I took 2 Aleve and hoped for the best.  After talking with some of the other runners, I learned that this course was definitely different than the year before, but no one really "knew" the course. All I knew was that somehow we ended up at Illick's Mill and that we ended where we started. The atmosphere was awesome, the energy from the Kilts was awesome!! At 8:08 I crossed the start line and we were off. We started on road, and then went onto a toe path. It was absolutely beautiful out, and the scenery was awesome.  Somehow we ended up at Illick's Mill, and that is where I got chatting with a fellow runner and mentioned how this was my first time running this and he was like well, "you picked a bad year to start with all the hills." Not once in the race did I feel like I was struggling. I was and am very appreciative now of all of the training runs I have been doing with Aardvark, since almost every run has hills. I felt really strong going up the hills, and although my pace slowed down for them, I didn't really feel that I struggled. I just kept telling myself that I was ready for this, and no matter what, I can do it.  At Illick's Mill we went up and around and down and up and around (really, I felt like we just kept running in a circle) and then we started the return back. It was a closed course, like VIA, but I ran the entire race without music and just lost myself in the atmosphere. I actually enjoyed running without music. I just ran based on how I felt.  I pushed myself but made sure I saved some for the end. I crossed the finish line in 1:06:53, a 2 minute PR for me. I am so happy to see all my hard work paying off.  Premedicating with Aleve allowed me to run pain free for the first 6 miles, now, to see what other anti-inflammatory I can take for another 6 miles? Anyway, if you ask me again, I just might run this race again.
The only dislike I had was the difficulty in finding the race start. Even though I put the GPS coordinates it was still difficult in finding it. But, we did, with plenty of time to spare, and had a great time! What a way to celebrate my training, and my friend's first 10K.
Hope you had a great weekend!

VIA Half Marathon

So, today was the VIA marathon, half marathon and marathon relay. It also happened to be my friend Chris' first half marathon. I really had no intentions of running this half, why, I do not know, but I signed up to run it when Chris told me she was inspired by all I do and asked me to run it with her. How do I say no to that?  Let me first admit that I was a little undertrained for this half, but I also knew that I could do it. Today wasn't about me or PR's anyway, it was about getting my friend to cross the finish line and become a half marathoner. 

So, I got up at O-dark-thirty and headed to the start. I got there at 5 am!

Anyway, I waited and headed out to the start line by 5:15. I had no idea what to expect based on people and what not so I wanted to be early so I didn't have to rush. We were even there before the port a potties! Since this was Chris' first half, I tried to remove as many stressors as I could. Then we took a photo at the intersection of the start line Main St and W Walnut.

Then, we eased our way to the start line and then at 7:02 we started. Having not run this race before, I didn't know what to expect, BUT having run the canal path before I felt like I knew what to expect. It was a beautiful day for a run. There were very energetic volunteers at the water stations and their energy definitely helped today. They had adequate water and Gatorade which was huge for me and I was happy that they even had extra. The course was mainly flat with a few hills and it felt fast. I thought the mile markers were never coming, but was still excited to see them all. Let me just tell you how awesome the final stretch was. Having everyone there cheering and then a jumbotron and announcing your name as you crossed the finished line, THAT was awesome!! I really felt like I mattered even though I know I won't ever place.

I guess my only complaint is that there isn't live entertainment, but I don't exactly know where they would put it.  And, I don't think that marathon finishers should have to wait in line for a stretch, yes, I think they should have gotten their own tent.

We finished, 3 minutes under Chris' goal time. I am so proud of her! She worked so hard and even though she said I was a drill Sargent, I think she loved every minute of it.

Half number 5 is now in the books. Would I run this again, absolutely. Maybe next year this will be my full marathon?!??

Ok, now to rest. I have another half next month so I need to continue training for that! Hope you had a great weekend!

What I hate about the end of summer...

I hate that it is no longer light out late. I must not have noticed last week on vacation, but man, it seems to get dark out early. This didn't used to bother me, but now, I am irked. This week for boot camp I noticed there was more running. As a runner by choice, I am ecstatic. However, my work schedule and the earth's inability to stay light late is making me upset. I know that in 2 weeks my world will be a little better bc my work schedule is changing (7-3:30 as opposed to 9-7:30) in the meantime that means I have to break my bootcamp into 2 sessions, the videos in the am and then then running at night after work. Again, I don't really mind, except that means I HAVE to get up early to get it done which then means I HAVE to go to bed early in order to get up early. Guess that means I will be drinking coffee or tea or whatever is healthier. Trust me, I am not complaining bc I will now be able to do stuff after work, I am just reminding myself of the latter when I complain about getting up at 4 am to get half my workout done. 

Ah well. Today I was supposed to do arms (x2) a cardio circuit (x3) and then a 20 minute run. I got out of work late (as usual) and then the sky went black, so I knew a run wasn't going to happen. So, I did arms x2 and the cardio circuit x6. It's kinda funny actually. I just got finished texting Amanda about how the circuit went. I think the circuit was like 4 maybe 5 minutes and when I saw it I was like, yeah I got this. DON'T ever underestimate the power of a 4 minute cardio circuit. I didn't think sweat was that possible. But, I did what I could and I will probably be sore tomorrow. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Boot Camp Week 1

I am going to put it out there. All of me. 100% honest and true. Today, started the next session of boot camp. With that entails the measuring and weighing and all of that. For the sake of boring you, I have attached those stats for me and you. Let's see where those changes lead in 6 more weeks.

Here's to a wonderful round of boot camp sessions and to Amanda killing me because she "loves me."

Boot Camp

The last 6 weeks I have been doing an at home bootcamp by the amazing Amanda over at Fit Pregnancy and Parenting . I think I have tried every imagine able way to cross train, and being a working mom, getting out to the gym isn't always an option. Then, I found her. I have done my fair share of personal training in gyms, but there is something about Amanda that makes me keep coming back for more. Maybe it is her beauty, or the guest appearances by her children or the fact that her husband in on the World Wide Web in an entire spandex outfit. Whatever the reason, I do my best to make sure that I get my workout in. I actually feel bad when I don't get it in. In the last 6 weeks I have pushed myself harder in the crosstraining than I have before. I also learned that I need to get my workout done in the mining or t won't get done. Don't believe me, ask my family. I got up early on vacation almost every day to get my workout in before everyone woke up so that I wouldn't have to miss something on vacation. Did I always want too, no. Sometimes I did want to sleep in, but I always felt better after a bootcamp session.

Tomorrow starts the next 6 week bootcamp session. I plan to push myself harder this time than the last 6 weeks, but I am also going to try harder on the nutrition side. 

Did I lose weight or inches? I actually don't have data to tell you either way. I am sure that somewhere in this session I will be directed to take measurements. I am also going to try to not focus on the scale, although to keep it real, I will weigh myself tomorrow and then again in 6 weeks. I will try to post at least weekly with a summary of what I liked and didn't like about boot camp, a well as include a summary of time in boot and total calories spent. Why? It will probably only be to my benefit, but it will help me keep track of how hard I work in crosstraining. If you want to see daily reports (in case I don't get to post them here) make sure to find me on Instagram screen name newbieparunner.

So, if you are ready to try personal training in the comfort of your home, go pay Amanda's website a visit. Not only is she a great trainer, but her prices are reasonable and she has flexible payment options. What do you have to lose, but a few pounds?!?

Since I am blogging from my phone, I didn't know how to hyperlink her website, so I wrote it here: http://fitpregnancyandparenting.com/

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Needless to say, I haven't blogged in a while. A long while. It doesn't mean that I haven't been doing things or that I haven't wanted to scream things off the mountain tops, it just means I haven't had a lot of time to blog. It's a new month, well wait, August is almost over. Anyway, life is changing for me and all in all I want to try to catch you up, a little. 

For the last 6 weeks, I have been partaking in a very challenging boot camp. I don't think I have ever been this into something outside of running for a LONG time. Yes, I tried CrossFit, but that is too expensive for me and I felt frustrated all.the.time. But with this, it's me against me. I live by my heart rate monitor and strive for more calorie burn than last time. I make it my obsession to have that me time, even if it means I have to get up super early to get it done. At least it is something I can do at home without interfering with home life. I feel like I worked hard this 6 weeks, but with the next 6 weeks starting Monday, I really wanna bring it up another level and really focus in the workouts and eating cleaner. 

Outside of that. As of Sept 1, my work schedule changes and instead of working 10 hours I will be working 8 hours which means more quality time with my daughter and hopefully more blogging time and more running with friends, I miss that! 

I am a little nervous to see how boot camp is affecting my running, I think I have a little over 3 weeks until my first half marathon and then I have 2 more in consecutive months. This will be my hardest challenge yet. If you know me, and I am assuming you do otherwise I don't think you would be reading this, I love a good challenge. I am not looking to break any records with the half marathons, just push my body to see how it does with the constant mileage and if it does it well, then next year I will be running my First Full Marathon. Yes, you read that right. A full. Well, that also depends on if I can get into one in Chicago, if not, I may try a tri next year and save my full for Chicago another year. But, let's not put the cart before the horse.

Hopefully all my readers haven't left me, and I hope that I will gain some of you back. 

Here's to training mean, eating clean as accomplishing goals no matter how big or small!