19 miles to Prep for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon!

I did 19 miles and change in the sun!  I was a little bit worried about going it alone, but luckily, I didn't do it alone. I had a wild turkey, a coyote, a herd of deer, a bunch of turtles, and a bunch of goats to keep me company!

Goats are more fun to watch (especially online) than they are to own. I know this from experience.

I was lucky enough to have human company, too. I knew that there were some groups starting from Hunt Farm on each half hour starting at 7:30, but all of the groups have faster runners than me, and I knew I had to go slow and steady today to reach 19 miles, so I wasn't planning on running with any of them. I pulled into the parking lot at 8:06 (late enough that I was sure there wouldn't be a group hanging out there), and I saw my friend Jennifer, who kindly suggested that I run with them. I told her that there was no way I could hang with that group since I needed 19 miles, but she is training for a 100-miler, so she said that she'd run slowly with me.

Always pick ultra-marathoners as your running partners when you have to do the long, slow distance run. That is my useful tip for you today, Peeps.

We ran seven miles in a group, and two of those miles consisted of a big-ass hill. I walked half of that hill, but I felt really good, and I wanted to run it, but I was afraid that I would tire out later as a result of too much effort in the beginning.

I peeled away from the group at the end of the seven miles, and I started my journey of twelve more miles alone (and with various animals along the way). I ran when I could, and I walked when I fueled, and overall, although it was slow for me, I felt awesome all throughout the run. I tried not to dwell on the fact that I will have to add on seven more miles in less than a month because I know I can do this. I've done it before, and I will do it again. It's a mental game, and I will win it!

Last week I ran Hampton Hills with the Crooked River Trail Runners: Outer loop + inner loop = 5 miles. Angie and I ran together, and it was a gorgeous night.

Crooked River Trail Runners: Tony, Marta, Laura, me, Angie

This gave me a total of 40 miles this week. Although none of it was actual speed work, I did make sure to run a few fast miles here and there, and I kept up with my yoga and strength training. I think I'm doing a good job of balancing the right amount of training and rest.

This is EXACTLY how I look when I smugly say that I'm doing a good job of balancing training and rest.

As for speed, next week I am running the Pro Football Hall of Fame Half Marathon, so I would like to see if I can run a smart race and maybe, just maybe come close to a PR.

How is your training going for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon? You did sign up, right?  If not, use my code, SICLE10, for 10% off registration price. I really want to see you there!

Until then, run happy, Peeps!

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So Sick of Running in Bad Weather

It is April, Peeps. I should NOT be running on a treadmill!

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, OHIO, PLEASE STOP RAINING AND SNOWING!!!!

This is EXACTLY how I look when I'm throwing a tantrum because: Ohio weather.

Last week I had 18 miles on my to-do list for Sunday's long run. To shake things up, I decided to join a training run in the Bedford Reservation for Burning River. It was 15 miles, and I figured I could add on 3 miles pretty easily.  To make it even better, Felicia and Angela (from the Mother Runners) agreed to run with me because they also needed 18.

The weather was a problem. It was 27 degrees at the start time, but the prediction was that we would go up to the 40s or higher, so I couldn't figure out what to wear.  To make matters worse, the weather was NOT what was predicted at all. It probably didn't help that I looked up the weather WHERE I LIVE, not in the Bedford Reservation. Duh. So, we did start at about 27 degrees, and then it got colder. And colder. And then it started snowing. That was our weather for about four hours of trail running. It wasn't until about mile 16 that the sun came out, and that was glorious.

The only moment when the sun came out. These ladies are amazing!

Trail running can be challenging. Trail running in the snow (in April) for 18 miles is exceptionally challenging. I am giving us a pat on the back for being so badass.

Today I had 18 miles again, and of course it was freaking POURING outside. I decided to run the treadmill, so I made a plan, just as I would for an outside long run. I listened to  Wait, Wait! Don't Tell Me! for five miles, and then I peeked outside, where it appeared to me to be just drizzling. I changed into dry running clothes and went outside to finish the rest.

MOTHER NATURE IS A LIAR, PEEPS!

As soon as I was about a mile in, it started pouring again. I was wearing a rain jacket, but damn! I decided that I was going to power through it, so I kept going. I ran 11.3 more miles in the cold, pouring rain before I decided to call it quits. I want to thank Peter Sagal and Mo Rocca (my crush) from Wait, Wait! Don't Tell Me! for getting me through this. I didn't run 18; I ran 16.3 total, and that is just fine.

Next week I need about 19 to feel respectable. Will I do it? Stay tuned to find out!

Whatever horrible weather Ohio is throwing at you, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

Psst! Hey! Are you going to run with me for any of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon races? Use my code, SICLE10, for 10% off any registration!  I hope to see you there!

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Race Recap: Fools 25K

Happy April Fools Day! Happy Easter, if you celebrate it!


It is only fitting that today I write about the Fools 25K, which I ran yesterday. This is no joke, Peeps.

See what I did there?

Many of my friends have run the Fools in past years, and until this year, I had no desire to do the same. I changed my mind because the race was moved to Camp Manatoc, and I really enjoyed running the Leave No Trace Half Marathon there. Of course, I was still trepidatious because it is a spring race, and we all know how unpredictable the weather can be for a spring race. My main concern was cold mud. I don't mind the cold, and I don't mind mud, but I don't like the two together.

The weather was chilly with a feels-like of 27 at the starting time of 8:45, but temperatures were supposed to go up to 50 degrees within a few hours. It was difficult to decide on what to wear, but because it didn't get as warm as I thought it would, I did a pretty good job with a long-sleeved tech under a winter shell with attached mitten sleeves.

The course leaves from Camp Manatoc, a Boy Scout camp that only opens its trails twice a year to runners. Runners could do two almost-8 mile loops for the 25K or four loops for the 50K (if you are a masochist). I've run the trails around Manatoc before, so I knew I was in for a treat because they are beautiful and challenging.

I got there at 8:00 and had no problems parking (which is one of my anxieties about races). There were also plenty of bathrooms (my other anxiety). Even better, runners got to wait in the heated lodge until the start. I found the Goddesses there, and we took pictures.

This is Steve, our photographer. He couldn't resist a selfie so we would give him credit.

Carrie, me, Kelleigh, Renee, Jen, Marta

We look even better close up!

The first loop was pretty busy for me. I get really nervous when I'm running on a single-track trail, and I know that there are faster people who want to pass me. I want them to pass, but I can't stop and step aside for every single runner. I try to place myself towards the back of the pack at the start, but I still sometimes get caught. This causes me to try to hang at a pace that I have no business running. I felt pretty good until Mile 4, when my tachycardia set in. My heart rate jumped to a 245, and I know this because I was wearing my heart monitor, so I walked it off until I felt better.  After that, I worked out a sustainable pace. The mud was still semi-frozen, so the first loop finished pretty well with a time of 1:50. Not bad. 

The second loop was much different. By now over 300 runners had hit those same mudspots and hills that I did, so there was lots of slipping and sliding. The frozen puddles had melted, and we were now wading through shoe-sucking goop. For two hills, I chose to slide down on my butt rather than take a chance of falling forward and knocking out some teeth. I tried to tell myself that the mud was a beauty treatment, and I was going to be gorgeous.

I had left the Goddesses early on the course, and by this time I was in my angry stage, where I question why I sign up for races at all.  I was sick of walking so much, but I had to in many spots because of the mud. There might have been some grumbling, and there might have been some swearing, but I got it done.

I got to the finish line intact and ready for some HiHo beer. I changed my clothes before I took the obligatory mud picture, but I did take a picture of my shoes.

I made Butterbean spray these off when I got home.

The Goddesses and I met up again, and we enjoyed our beer in the heated mess hall. The race directors also provided chili, salad, and cookies.

This is EXACTLY how I look when I am happy to be off the trail. I don't know what is up with my headband. My head is NOT shaped that way.

One big plus to this race is the swag: instead of a shirt, I got an enormous duffle bag, and I LOVE IT!!!

This picture doesn't do it justice, but the bag is perfect!

This race has a lot going for it: a beautiful course, great swag, cool medal, nice finisher's party at the end. I spent two hours hanging out, drinking beer, and eating cookies, and I had a good time. Ok, some of that was because I knew when I got home that I would have to clean the house. I really, really hate to clean the house.

The only wild card to the race is Ohio weather, and this year I got lucky. Will I run the Fools 25K again next year? It's possible. It fits well into my training for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, and I now have a time to beat.

Next week I up the mileage again to prepare for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. Will you join me? Click here to register for any of the Cleveland races, including the challenge! Use my code, SICLE10, for a 10% discount on registration.  Join me, and we will drink beer and eat stuff after the race. Until then, run happy, Peeps!

Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter @itibrout!