Happy New Year!!

In December I ran 81.62 miles compared to 59.36 in November.  I signed for the Runner’s world Holiday Running Streak and was doing really good until December 12 when I was just so tired (not just from running) that I decided to take some time off.  And I did !  I took 4 days off then ran for 5 more days and then followed by a few more days of running.  I still think I did good.

Total miles ran in 2012 was 848.41 miles compared to 736.54 in 2011.

In 2013 I will be traveling across the country to run various half marathons sponsored by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series.  Join me!

This year I ran 21 races:
Ultramarathon-1
Marathon-1
Half Marathon-7
10 Miles-2
10K-3
6K-1
3.14-1
5K-5

My best race experiences were the ultramarathon and the Ragnar Relay Chicago.

I did the ultra because it was on my list of top 40 things to do and because it was four weeks after the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon.  I already had the training and what is 5 more miles?  Ha, it does matter.  Still, great experience!!

The Ragnar Relay was also on my list.  I had the longest “leg” and struggled to finish it.  Overall, it was fun but also exhausting!!  My team members were AWESOME!!!  I wish I could do it again next year but can’t because of work reasons.

This year I ran in several Brooks shoes such as Ravenna, PureCadence, Glycerin, and PureConnect.  My favorite is PureConnect and plan to run in them in all of my races next year.  I also became a big fan of PRO Compression Socks.  I own five different pairs in various colors and plan to buy more.  Hmm, maybe the purple and the orange ones?

1. Finish all of the races I sign up for
2. Run a sub 2 half marathon
3. Run more than 1,000 miles

Just Keep Running!

I cannot believe there are two months left in the year.  It is going by so fast!!

This month I ran 58.81 miles compared to 57.25 last month.  Very slow month.  Need to work on motivation.

I ran two races in October:  Baltimore Running Festival Half Marathon and the Indianapolis Half Marathon. They were back to back on two weekends and kicked my butt.  Despite the hills, they were great and beautiful courses.

Upcoming races in November include.
11/3      Carrera de los Muertos 5K
11/10    Chicago’s Perfect 10K
11/18    Magic City Half Marathon, Birmingham, AL
11/22    Rotary Run 3/14 Pie

I’ve been busy planning the various half marathons I plan to run next year.  It is not an easy task.  I need to check flights (preferably Southwest since Midway Airport is about 5 minute from my house) and hotels.  So far I’ve purchased a ticket for the races in Washington, DC and Nashville.

I was planning to have surgery in November but I’ve postponed it.  Because of the surgery I was going to stop running after the race in Birmingham.  Now that it is postponed, no need to stop.  Now to look for other races in December, January, and February.  Any suggestions?

Run Happy!!

This month I ran 84 miles compared to 107.22 last month.  Yes, I did slack on a few runs.  Two weeks of taper and I only ran twice.  I hope that does not affect my performance on Sunday.  I read that the course is flat.  Hmm, the Chicago course is flat.  We’ll see about this one.

No races this month.  My first one is next month and then nonstop races till at least October.  I plan to run in every race I can afford.  I would like to run in at least 20 races and complete 12 half marathons.  Can I pull this off?

I have not completed one marathon but am already planning another one.  Yep, I plan to run the Marine Corps Marathon on October 28th.  Registration starts on Wednesday, March 7th.

I will retire my Brooks PureCadence after the marathon.  Next, I will be running in the Brooks Green Silence.  I read a review by Runblogger and on the Brooks site.  Looks like a decent shoe but not sure about doing long runs in them.

I am planning to go to Las Vegas next month.  Yes, I need a vacation before my Spring Break.  I have friends that are going for a meeting so I plan to stay with them.  The plan ticket is EXPENSIVE….over $400.  I want to go!!  I want to play blackjack in a casino and go to the Grand Canyon.  Sigh.  But am I willing to spend $400 on the ticket?  Well, considering that I won’t have to pay for a hotel I guess it is not a bad deal huh?

Run Happy!!

This month I ran 107.22 miles.  Yay!!!  Finally a month over 100 miles.  That is a record for me.  It would have been more but ( excuses, excuses) I only ran 12 on Sunday when I was supposed to do 20 and today I was supposed to do 5 but stayed late at school and by then i was too tired to go to the gym.

No races this month.  Too cold.  Still in training for the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon on March 4.  So excited but scared too.  I think this is a feeling i will have with every marathon.

I am looking forward to warmer weather so that I can run AND race outside.  I know, I know.  I have might have mentioned that I would rather run in cold weather than in snow but I am still a “chicken” when it comes to running in cold weather.  I cannot handle it.

So far we’ve been really lucky with the weather in Chicago. I hope I did not jinxed it.  I remember last year we had that terrible snowstorm and caused me to miss 3 days of school.  Yes I was happy to be home but I remember being bored and then not happy when I had to make them up at the end of June.  I am hoping this year we do not miss any school days because I am planning to participate in the Ragnar Relay, June 8-9.

I continue to run in my Brooks PureCadence.  I have not experience major pain except in the outer part of my feet.  I don’t know if it’s the shoes, my feet, or increased in mileage.  The pain does go away when I stretch my feet.  Next on my list of shoes to run in are the Brooks Green Silence.  Yay!!!

I bought two running skirts from Zappos:  Brooks PR Mesh Skort II and Skirt Sports Gym Ultra.  I just briefly tried them on but will write about them once I run in them.

Run Happy!!