Race Season Has Begun!

      For those of you who follow my blog you know that I'm a runner.  I usually post photos from races and give a little blurb about how I did (ok, it's really an opportunity for me to too my own horn - toot, toot!).  Unfortunately, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had a chance to fill you in, until now.  The race season for me officially began back on May 17th with the annual Concord Hospital 5k and another 5k on May 20 supporting the Kittery Fire Department.
     On June 2nd I participated in the annual Over the River and Thru the Woods 5k in Concord that benefited the SPCA.  Can I just say that I am dedicated.  It was POURING rain before, during and after the race but I still ran... it was for the animals, afterall.  Do you know how heavy wet, muddy sneakers are???  I didn't medal this year but I did beat last year's time by 3 seconds and came in 7th in my age group.

This is my happy face BEFORE the race

     In preparation for my big 10k at Gillette stadium this summer I participated in the 35th annual Market Square Day 10k (6.2 miles) on June 9th.  This was a race I had wanted to do for 3 years but I always seemed to miss the sign-up deadline.  My goal was to come in under 60 minutes and boy, did I!  My official finish time was 56:21 - woohoo!  The race course went right past my Auntie Jane & Uncle Bob's house so  they set up a little water station to support the runners.  My mom and dad were there to help out and snap the action photo ;)

Only 4 more miles to go!

Over the River and Thru the Woods

     Hello!  On Saturday I ran in the Concord-Merrimack SPCA "Over the River and Thru the Woods Run for the Animals 5K".  All proceeds from this race benefit the Concord SPCA and homeless animals.  If you follow my blog you may remember that I ran this last fall and placed 3rd in my age category.  I wasn't as lucky this year since there were 250 more participants than last year and my IT band (outside knee) has been giving me some trouble since April. 

     My amazing husband (who is recovering from shoulder surgery due to a work related incident) was excited to join me and served as my photographer.

     The race is a road/cross country race and can be a bit challenging at times.  When crossing the river and running on the wooded path runners are forced to run single file due to the narrow walkway.  In some spots you're only as fast as the slowest runner ahead of you. :(

 

      In the end I was VERY happy with my time: 26:40!!  I placed 10th in my age group (out of 50 runners in the group) and 115 over all (out of 323 runners/walkers).
     If you'd like to help a shelter in the NH area please click on this link (http://bit.ly/xCy7S) to cast your vote for an animal shelter make over.   It's FREE to cast your vote, takes just seconds and could help shelter receive a much needed makeover.

It's Racing Season!

     Hello!  On Thursday, May 19th I participated in the annual Rock 'n Race in Concord. Nearly 6,000 people ran or walked the 5k (3.1 miles) race to raise money for the Concord Hospital Cancer Center for Care. At last count more than $400,000 was raised but this total is expected to rise as the final donations continue to come in. It's called the Rock 'n Race because all along the race route there are local bands and DJ's set up playing great music to help runners keep pace - no need for an iPod or headphones!  Runners have water stations but for walkers there are strawberry, chocolate and nacho stations to stop at!  This is my absolute FAVORITE race of the year - I can't wait until next year!

     While not a personal best, I was thrilled with her time of 26:43, especially since this was my first race of the season. Here are a few photos of the event.

Here I am enjoying a FREE pre-race massage from the local massage therapy students.

Just a small portion of the nearly 6,000 runners/walkers.  Can you see me?  Neither can I.

A happy face knowing that I'm going to cross the finish line with a time less than 27 minutes!

The starting line in literally in front of the state house. There is a band set up and TONS of free food from local restaurants available to all participants on the state house lawn.  The BBQ grills could be smelled at the 2.5 mile mark and was enough to encourage any runner to speed it up!  

Headline: Runner Takes 2nd Place!

     I ran solo today in the Concord-Merrimack SPCA 5th Annual Over the River/Through the Woods Run For the Animals 5K Road Race (whew, that's a mouthful!).  After running the St. Charles Children's Home 5K last weekend with almost 1000 runners I was a little surprised, or rather a little saddened to see only 50 runners today.  I was hoping for a big turn-out since all proceeds benefit the local shelter. 

     My overall time was 26:17, a full minute 5 seconds slower than the Nun Run last week.  But I'm not complaining, I'm actually very happy with my time!  It was an unusual course in that we actually ran over a river and through the woods, a very "cross country" style run. And surprisingly, there were several spots where it was impossible to pass the runner in front of you, like the narrow walkway on the bridge and on the wooded trail.  Unfortunately, this allowed you to be only as fast as the slowest runner in front of you.  Another spot noticed I was slowing down was in the woods.  You had to really watch where your feet were landing when running on the trail.  It was complete with exposed tree roots, branches and slippery muddy patches - the perfect recipe for rolling your ankle. 

     Out of 50 runners I came in 21st place and placed 2nd in my age group, earning me another medal!  My name was even called during the awards ceremony!  Yes, I know it's not an Olympic medal.  But you'll have to keep in mind that for someone who was never an athlete as a child and never earned a medal or trophy for athleticism, this is quite an accomplishment. 

      I'm so excited about my little medal that I haven't even taken it off yet - well, except when I hopped in the shower after the race.  I like the way it looks on me so much that I'm thinking I may just make this a permanent fashion accessory... Whadda ya think?!

Running With the Nuns

I'm not one to brag but I have to toot my own horn for a few minutes - I set a new personal best for running a 5K today!  Toot toooot!  This morning my family participated for our third time in the annual St. Charles Children's Home 5K road race at the Pease Tradeport.  My mother and husband walked while my father and I ran. 
     If you're not from NH chances are you probably haven't heard of the "Running Nuns".  St. Charles Children's Home in Rochester, NH is staffed by the Daughters of Mary Mother of Healing Love and accepts children who have been removed from their family by court order and are under the protection of the Division of Welfare. The grief and anger flowing from a troubled past tends to erupt in disruptive and sometimes violent behavior in these children.

     In the spring of 1996, the sisters had a “family meeting” with the children to talk with them about healthy ways to release anger and negative emotions. The children came up with many ideas to vent anger in healthy ways. Soon Rose—one of the most aggressive girls—was going for daily hikes on a nearby trail with Sister Maximilian. By the end of the summer these daily hikes turned into daily runs. Meanwhile, the boys became jealous when they heard that Rose could run more than a mile without becoming tired. Since then, the sisters and children run four miles a day and participate in local 5k road races during the year.  And yes, the sisters run in full habit - no matter what the temperature!    

     Back in August I ran the Cigna/Eliot 5K in Manchester and came in at 26:05 - a personal best at that time.  Knowing the St. Charles course (I've run this race before) and having such wonderful weather (temps in the 70's), I knew I could do better than 26 minutes - and I did!  My official time was 25:12 and I finished 7th in my age group (and first in my family)!  I even earned a personal record medal!  Woohoo!  But keep in mind that this is not my normal running pace and for the entire 25 minutes I was going I thought for sure the people around me were going to stop and ask if I was ok... I don't think I've ever breathed (or more accurately, wheezed) so hard in my life!  Had there been an EMT with an oxygen mask nearby I'm sure I would have been all over it...

     While there was no big presentation ceremony and medals were given out on the honor system, it was still a fabulous feeling know that last Labor Day I wasn't in any shape to run - I walked the entire course.  In just 365 days I've managed to trim 20+ minutes off my worst previous race time and a whopping 30lbs off my body. 

     Although fall is just around the corner my running season isn't over just yet.  On the 11th I'll be participating in the Concord-Merrimack SPCA Run for the Animals 5K (an organization very near and dear to my heart).  While I would like to break 25:12 for this race, I'll be happy to just to keep it under 25:30.  And if I'm feeling very ambitious I may run in the Wild Rover Halfway to St. Patrick's Day 5K in Manchester the following day on September 12th.  Check back next weekend to see how I did!