Trails Are the Answer

I'm amping up the mileage, Peeps. Last week was a fallback week--13 miles. This week I intended to return to 16 miles, possibly do 17, but there was a weird parking problem.  All the trailhead parking lots were closed at 8:00, when I intended to put in possibly 5 miles before meeting up with Jen and Renee.  No matter. I diverted to an open place and managed to run 3 road miles before the official run.

It was cold, Peeps.  Really, really cold. I was thankful that I warmed up on the road, but it wasn't necessarily a fun moment while I did it.

Once I got on the trails I felt fine. It never really got warmer, but I run hot, and the trees protected us from wind, so I had a great time.

This was supposed to be a cool picture of the trails, but it turned out to be a picture of where I broke my ass falling down.

I tried some new fuel: GU Chomps, Strawberry.  I liked the taste, but they were super chewy and difficult to break down in my mouth. At one point I was worried that I would get them sucked into my windpipe and die. I bought a whole case of them, so I need to work this out.

I love running with Jen and Renee for many reasons. Here are a few:

1. They are English teachers, like me. When we bitch about life, we do it in iambic pentameter.

2. They are incredibly kind. When I explained my future dilemma of increasing my miles and getting in a 20 miler before the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, they immediately offered to split up and each run ten miles with me.

3. They don't mind if I talk or swear. They talk and swear.

4. If they think I'm a bitch or a freak, they haven't said so or shown it.

I am going through a bit of a stressful time  right now, so I feel super-lucky that these ladies have taken me in and shared their runs with me. Long runs for me get hard after 15 miles, and the fact that Jen and Renee knew this because of their own experiences and stepped in to help means everything to me. Thank you, Ladies. You are beautiful.

We were pretty thirsty on this trail run. Jen decided to go for the gross, yellow icicles. Renee knew better.

I have some time to increase my mileage before the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, so I'm not going to beat myself up about getting in 15 miles instead of the projected 17.  My long miles were originally for Shelby, and that isn't necessary anymore.

We all need the long miles for proper training, Peeps. It's much easier when you can run with friends. If you don't have any running friends, make some now! I guarantee it will change your running experiences for the better. If you do have running friends, thank them this week. We all love appreciation.

Whom will you thank this week?  Until then, run happy, Peeps!

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Busy, Busy!

I often see the posts that say, "I planned to run a gazillion miles this week, but, you know. . .life got in the way."  I have had plenty of times that life has thrown me a curveball, but I try to make running the consistent part of my week.  I know what days I have to run, rain or shine, and I stick to the mileage I need for the week.  It helps that I live on the "Zero-Sum Workout" plan, which means that in order to eat, I have to run.

No run, no carbonara

This week life got me tuckered out in the best possible way.  There was lots of staying up past my bedtime, and that combined with some extra work made a very tired Stephani this weekend.  On Wednesday I met the other Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors for some updates on the race series.  We ate some wings; we might have had some brews.  We hugged a lot.

The lighting isn't great, but here we are!

Jill has a great podcast: Running with Police Escort

Jamie gets up as early to run as I do.  She puts in 10 miles before work!

Stephanie has four kids and still runs more miles than I do.

Andrew and I drink beer.  That is all.

 Here are some great candid shots:

Melissa is the happy one in the group.  She is full of sunshine and glitter.  I don't know how I put up with it.

We had a great time, but I didn't get home until almost 10:30 pm, which is waaaay past my bedtime.  I still got up at 4:30 AM to run the next day.

Hey, speaking of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. . .are you planning to join the party?  What?  Reluctant to run any part of the race series?  That is ok because you can still join us by volunteering.  Click here for volunteer registration and come laugh at me when I start to cry in mile 11.  Just kidding.  Maybe.  Regardless, you won't be crying because you'll be having fun on the sidelines with your fellow volunteers while knowing that you contributed to the running community.

Friday I saw And Then There Were None at the Hanna Theater in Cleveland.  It was a fabulous evening, and I highly recommend the play, or any play at Playhouse Square.  That night I got to bed around midnight, and I had to get up early to work the NEOEA Megaconference.  I was so tired on Saturday that even though the weather was gorgeous, I couldn't bring myself to run when I finished the conference and then cleaning my house.  My husband took the kids out for dinner, and that would have been a perfect opportunity to get in some miles, but instead I took a nap.  Fail.

This morning I redeemed myself, though, by getting up extra early (on a Daylight Savings weekend!) to go trail running with Renee, Jenn, and Carrie.  We did twelve miles on the Fools Course, and it felt great to be back on the trails in good company.

This is EXACTLY how I look after 12 miles on the trails.

What a bunch of Fools!

All in all, I am proud of the fact that I only lost 3 miles this week, despite life trying to get in the way.  I don't regret listening to my body when it told me that I am tired.  In fact, after this chocolate chip cookie, I'm going to listen to my body again and go take a nap.  

Until next week, run happy, Peeps!

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All by Myself

My Easter Sunday run was eleven miles on the Towpath.  The weather was fabulous--in the forties--and for once I didn't overdress and get irritated.  Also, because I didn't run on any roads, I got to wear all black, which makes me feel like a badass.

I started my run at Botzum Trail Head, which is also a stop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad line.

Botzum Depot

I continued on the Towpath towards Peninsula, passing by the Beaver Marsh.

No beavers today

Today is a day for gratitude, and I've got a lot of blessings to count.  As I ran, I thought about my week of Spring Break, which I was lucky to get during the same week as my kids' Spring Break.  Unfortunately, the three of us passed a bad cold/bronchitis around all week, but nobody had to miss school, so that is a plus.  We did get one day of good health, where we hiked Whipp's Ledges in Hinckley.

My son conquered the Ledges like a boss.

I was able to run outside this week, and I was able to do it whenever I wanted.  On Wednesday I ran five miles in the evening with Shelby, and while I was grateful to run with her, it reminded me why I'm a morning runner, but there was no running at 4:30 AM this week, thank goodness.   I even re-visited my favorite training grounds and saw a harbinger of better weather:

You know it's Spring when the water fountains are back on Sand Run.

As I ran today, I took time to take pictures and reflect on how lucky I am to live near these beautiful trails.  The next pictures are all of the Cuyahoga River, taken at points between Peninsula and Hunt Farm.

At one point, when I started feeling tired around the eighth mile, a deer bounded across the path, just in front of me.  It was gorgeous, and it gave me the strength to continue with a smile.

All in all, this has been a great Spring Break, full of running and family and joy (and mucous--lots and lots of mucous).  Right now my legs ache (in a good way) and I'm looking forward to legs-up-the-wall, a nap, and some good eats.  In that order.

I am confident that my training is going well for the Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon, and I look forward to meeting up with the other RunCLE Ambassadors soon.

Count your blessings and run happy, Peeps!  

See what I did there?

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RunCLE Giveaway!

That's right, Peeps!  This week I get to reward you for sticking with me by offering up a chance at a free race entry for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.  Yay!  First, you'll have to read about my trail run, though.

What?

Today I ran part of the Fools 25k course in Peninsula with Renee, Cassie, Deb, and Darrell.  We actually started with about fifty other people, as it was a Vertical Runner event, but those fifty people dashed by very quickly and left us in the woods.

This is EXACTLY how I look when I'm relieved I can stop to pose for a picture.  Oh, and this is Darrel and Renee.
Photo credit:  Cassie Baldwin

The trails were gorgeous; I had never seen this area in Peninsula before, and frankly, I felt like I was running in Narnia.

Mr. Tumnus is waiting on the other side of the bridge.
Photo credit:  Renee Milhalyov

It was soooo crazy-difficult!  The snow was deep in many places, and despite the fifty people who ran just before us, the trail wasn't as packed down as I had hoped it would be.  It was also very. . . slide-y.  No, I don't mean slippery; I mean that our feet slid in the loose snow (no ice).   I thought I would be able to run ten miles with Renee (who is a badass trail runner), but at mile 5, instead of fueling, I decided to take the shortcut back, and we got in almost eight miles.  Renee kindly reminded me that eight trail miles are definitely equivalent to more than ten road miles, even if we walked the hills.

I'm not particularly fond of trail running, but I think it's important for me to switch up my runs, and like most of you, I have been dying to get outside.  Trail running is a good strength workout, and I'm pretty sure that those hills gave me the strongest glutes EVER.  I'm really looking forward to my yoga recovery workout tomorrow, and I'll definitely be spending some time this evening in my legs-up-the-wall pose.

Renee and me about two miles away from the finish.  Notice my rosy glow from the tropical 20-degree weather?
Photo credit:  Renee Milhalyov

So, here we go, Peeps.  You know that I am lucky enough to be writing these posts as a Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ambassador.  Each week one of us will be hosting a giveaway ( so follow these wonderful bloggers) and this is my week.  Here is the deal:  You can't redeem or trade this prize for cash, so if you've already registered, I can't reimburse you.  Enter the Rafflecopter (only once), and score extra entries for commenting on this post and following me and the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon on Twitter, and next week Rafflecopter will randomly generate a winner.  Questions?  Ask me in the comments.  Of course, if you don't win, or if you can't wait, you can always register here!  Good luck, Peeps, and thanks for running with me!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trail Running away from Trouble?

First, before I tell you about anything, you have to watch this.  Seriously.  If it doesn't motivate you, ask someone to get at you with a defibrillator.




Favorite tagline:  I kick balls. (I wish I played soccer so I could actually use this.)

I love that this video shows women of all ages, shapes, and abilities doing what we do: working hard and sweating a LOT.  Women who work out are all beautiful--'nuff said.

Speaking of working out. . .I have been taking advantage of my off-season running to try new things; specifically, I've been doing some trail running.  If you know me, you probably fell off your chair (or whatever you're sitting on) because you know that I gripe about trail running.  As a matter of fact, check out this post, which addresses what I hate about trail running.  Winter is a good time for me to shake up my routine, so when Jennifer and Renee invited me to go trail running during my last two long-run Sundays, I thought, "What the heck?"

Trail running is an excellent way to strenghten your ankles, feet, legs, and core.  It is also great for practicing mindfulness, which is definitely something I need to develop.  I like to put in the earbuds and zone out, and if I forgo my music, it's because I plan to have lots of conversation with my peeps.  Trail running doesn't rule out conversation, but you can't zone out while you're doing it, or it's a good way to fall and hurt yourself.

The first trail run I'll write about is from two weeks ago.  Jen and Renee invited me to do parts of the Buckeye Trail combined with the Towpath in Peninsula.  We planned to do at least five miles and then see how we felt afterwards.  I really enjoyed this trail because the weather was gorgeous, and the trail offered a little bit of everything.  Renee and Carrie left us at the five mile mark, and then Jen took me on another part of the trail (I have no idea where I was--seriously, she could have left me there, and I would have starved to death.) for three more miles.  During this run, I told myself to relax and enjoy.  I have not yet started any speed work for the Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon, so I don't have to "expect" anything out of my run.  I also made sure to reward myself for trying something new:

3 kinds of mussels.  Yummy!

I don't know the name of the actual trail for the second trail run; it starts from the Covered Bridge on Everett Rd., and it is the course for the Bills' Badass 50k.  The plan was to do two loops of five miles each.  During mile two (about 40 minutes into our "run") I decided that I was NOT going to do two loops.  Geez.  I don't know how runners do six loops of this!  We actually followed deer tracks because nobody had been around there for days.  I was grateful that the stream we had to cross was frozen.  There were some pops and cracks when I crossed, but I made it without falling in.

The Covered Bridge on Everett Rd.

This is where we start getting into uncharted territory.

Jen and Renee were very nice about it, complimenting me on getting through one loop without my normal bitching and moaning.  I'm sure they were grateful that I didn't go on with them.  Instead of another loop in the woods, I finished out my long run by doing three speedy miles on the roads with Shelby and Elizabeth.  It was an excellent way for me to get two different kinds of workouts in on the same day.  And the company for both runs was fabulous, of course.

Reward for trail run #2:

Apple Tart-Fine with Sea-Salt Caramel Gelato

Are you sensing I have food issues?

Today I ran the lake loop in Munroe Falls Park.  I chose the park because I thought it would be best to be off the roads when there is ice around.  Loops are good because I don't have to carry anything.

This is the lake I circled eight times.

One nice surprise was that I saw Bob at the lake as I was leaving.  Do you remember Bob?  I ran with him one hot day in Sand Run Park.

I'm not going to show you my food-reward today because we are going OUT to get it!  I'm so excited; we are going to Bar Cento tonight for dinner.  I love eating out in Cleveland, and Ohio City is such a great neighborhood.

I'll leave you with this:

This is the new, trail-running Stephani.  I'm not going to claim she is improved.

Happy Trails, Peeps!  Keep up your training, and let me know if we are running together at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon!

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Lunging the Turtle

This morning I attempted a divided twelve-miler.  Shall I break this one down?  "Attempted" means I didn't reach twelve miles; "divided" means I did seven miles with Leigh, took a gel, changed my shirt, and finished the rest with the Towpath Turtles.  "Twelve" means. . .wait, why am I parsing this? Are you dwelling on my pain?  You're a sadist, aren't you?  AREN'T YOU?

Ok, I've settled down.  Let's move on.

It was a gorgeous morning, perfect temperature for running in a simple long-sleeved shirt and either capris or tights.  I chose to run at Lock 29 in Peninsula, which is a common starting place for runners and bikers.

Beautiful shot of the Cuyahoga River at Lock 29

 It is also a common ending place because of its proximity to The Winking Lizard, one of the best places I know to blow your fitness on beer and wings.

I have written about Leigh before in my post called "Pace?  Isn't That a Salsa?"  She is still about half my age and at least forty pounds lighter than me (see, I've lost weight or hyperbole since that post!), and she still kicks my ass.  I had a plan, though.  This time I brought my phone, and I made sure to take pictures so that she would have to slow down or stop.  I am tricky, all right.  Here is my first shot:

Say hello to my leetle friend!

This is the first deer we saw on the path.  She didn't even want to move when we came up on her.  She just looked at me like, "Please!  You're in MY HOUSE now!  YOU move!"

Leigh and I had a great talk (I made sure she did most of the talking--I am tricky, all right), and we kept the pace at around 10:20. . . except when we didn't.  Anyway, we had a fun run together in a beautiful environment; I was thankful to be able to run, and I was thankful to run with her. I kept thinking, Well, I will make sure to run more slowly in the second part of my run.

Fail.

I was excited to see the Towpath Turtles today as I haven't run with them in quite a while, and four of us got caught up in conversation, and, well. . . I had to resort to my stalling tactic:

Look, Guys!  A bale of Turtles!

They didn't fall for it, so I had to run extra fast to catch up to them. . .and so it goes.  Jen totally took advantage of the situation after the turnaround and sprinted past me, calling back, "I've got to do this while I can!"  Thanks, Badass.

In short, I came up short--11.67.  I didn't even have the energy to push it to 12, and geez, I end up making up that distance by going back and forth in front of my house ALL THE DAMN TIME!!!

Lesson learned:  Do NOT go too quickly on Long, Slow Distance Day.  

Finally, I leave you with Mike Polk's Easter message (if Mike Polk OR Easter offends you, don't watch this):