It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Marathon Season!

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As the weather gets cooler, the distances get longer. That’s right, people: it’s marathon season. While you can find a marathon during any time of this year, the fall season has a many, many options. And, there are also plentiful options for other racing distances: half marathons, 10 miles, 10K, 5k – and for those who really love endurance – ultras (50K or more). Recently, I was tweeting with a fellow runner (runningtops) who asked for tips for first time marathon runners. I offered her some of the tips that I thought worked well for me. Then, it occurred to me: perhaps …

Training connections

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I’m going to come right out and say it: My family is awesome. Some of you might be rolling your eyes right now thinking this post is going to be some fake Beaver Cleaver nonsense. I can understand that: not everything about family is awesome. There are fights, misunderstandings, and other unpleasantness. Yet, since I started training for marathons and triathlons, and writing about this training on my blog, a series of events has reminded me of this simple idea: My family is awesome. Of course, my family was great before I started training, but pushing the limits of my body has …

Storms, treadmills, and perseverance

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I woke up to 20-30 mph sustained winds with 40 mph gusts and torrents of rain. My backyard had been transformed into a pond, and the streets were strewn with tree limbs, puddles and downed power lines. This situation did not square well with the workout listed in my training plan: a 20 mile run. A run of this length is difficult enough. Add tropical storm force winds, rains, and live power lines and the challenge increases greatly. I’ve run in the rain, snow, ice and wind before. I’m not a fair-weather only kind of runner by any means. So, I …

Four weeks to go

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On May 9, 2009, I watched John, my husband, compete in the Jerseyman Triathlon, a half iron distance race held in Clinton, NJ. At the time, I was recovering from pneumonia (the sickest I have ever been in my life!) and a bout of hip bursitis, so I couldn’t compete.  As I watched the race, I just knew I had to do it some day. At that time, however, I had never even done a sprint triathlon. Heck, I had only learned to freestyle swim in March, and the first time I sat on a road bike was in February.  It seemed …

The humbling long run: Lessons learned on individual nutrition needs

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For the first time since I began running over 20 years ago, I had to finish a run by walking. This experience has humbled me, not-so-gently reminding me that I am not a perpetual motion machine. Parts do break and requiring fixing – or at least some rest. Until this run in question, I would type my workout in my training plan and when the prescribed day came, I would head out the door and do the workout. Now, I’ve been reminded that while I may finish, there are times that we have to adjust to what our body can …

Enjoy what the body can do

I read a profound statement in my friend Lorin’s blog the other day (VeganAsana: Adventures in Veganism and Yoga): “Wouldn’t it be great to always be in that place – to just live in the body and enjoy what it can do and be instead of critiquing what it is not?” I’ve been touched by the line since I read it, and have thought much about it. It’s reminded me about my long history of trouble with body image–and the lessons I have learned about my body from exercise and endurance training. I have had body issues of varying sorts since I was a young …

Running home: Atlantic City Boardwalk Run

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For today’s long run (18 miles), I headed to the Atlantic City Boardwalk at 5:30 a.m. Last summer, I ran all of my long runs on the Boardwalk; this summer, I’ve done all of my long runs in the Pine Barrens, where my Half Ironman will be set. But, you know, I missed the Boardwalk. There is so much more to Atlantic City than casinos, and when I run the boardwalk I can feel a positive energy that makes me want to move. I feel like a runner when I’m cruising down the boards. For long runs, I travel on foot …

In praise of spectators

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You get up at 4:30 a.m., too. Sometimes, you are the one to wake the athlete, allowing her to sleep in just a little bit longer as you prepare a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for her breakfast, as you fill his water bottles with scoops of powdered sports drink, water and some ice cubes, as you pack the car with her transition bag, bicycle, and other various sundries. You just smile and make light small talk when the grumpy and nervous athlete fails to say thanks—or worse yet complains about your efforts to make his day a little easier. …

Hammering the hills and loving it

After I completed the July 4th Killington Triathlon, I learned that going uphill is really not that bad. It’s difficult, but I love a good challenge and muscle burn. Thanks to genetics’ blessing with my large quadriceps and hamstrings, hills are a challenge I can handle.   On the other hand, going downhill on a road bike in the rain can be pretty scary. Since the Killington race, which included downhills in the rain, I’ve been nervous about going down hills. Now, I’m not talking about basic hills, you know those little hills that are a part of almost every …

TrekWomen Triathlon Series, Mount Snow: Event Summary

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 The TrekWomen Triathlon was held at Mount Snow on August 9, 2009. It was a sprint tri, with a 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 2.1 mile semi-trail run. A portion of the proceeds benefitted breast cancer research and Team Survivor. There were a total of 185 finishers, who included cancer survivors and first timers who have overcome great obstacles to get to the finish line.One woman had undergone a heart transplant and was participating in her first triathlon. Wow! If you were looking for inspiration, this race was a great place to find it. I was teary eyed in …