Race Recap: Crowell Hilaka

I have been in a funk since before the Akron Marathon. Marathon training is tough and long, and I ran two marathons and a 50K between April and September.  That is a lot of miles. The remedy to this should be letting go of the miles, but Fall weather is FINALLY here, and it is my favorite season to run. I'm still not really having fun.

On Saturday, I ran the Crowell Hilaka trail half marathon at the Richfield Preserve, and I found some mojo that had been hiding on the trail.  It was a great time.

Crowell Hilaka is a donation-or-volunteer race; you either donate money for your entry, or you volunteer with the group to clean up the trails.  Either way, it's a good place to put your money or time. The donation money goes towards the efforts to maintain the trails, so I feel good knowing that I'm not out there just using up resources without giving back. The park is a former Girl Scout camp; before that it belonged to the Kirby family (yep, the vacuum people). Last year I swept for this race, so I knew what it would be like, remnants of scout camp buildings and fire pits, beautiful trails, a lake, and houses (and a water wheel!) that used to belong to the Kirby family. It's a really interesting course with something different every couple of miles.

I like that I was able to roll in about an hour before the start time and collect my bib and t shirt. No worries about parking or bathrooms because there was plenty of both. I spent the time finding every trail friend I've ever seen.

I'll bet you recognize fellow Cleveland Marathon Ambassador Pam. We are always taking pictures together at the start. Then she blows me away.

This was a Trail Sister race, and boy, did we show up as runners and volunteers!

Lots of Trail Sisters today!

We started in the back, chatting. After about a mile, I started feeling a little bit perky. The sun was shining through the trees, and the course doesn't have any really sharp inclines, so I was able to continue my momentum of running, and I started to feel very good. I decided to run alone for a while and see if I wanted to push my pace at all.  The first loop of six miles passed very quickly (for me on a trail), and I enjoyed every second of it. I grabbed more food than I should have from the aid station and moved on.

Around mile 10 I started getting a bit tired, and that is when I spotted Giovanna, who I seem to see at just about every trail race. We started chatting and decided to finish together. With her the last three miles were great, especially since we both agreed to walk the steep parts of the last mile (which is pretty much all uphill).

The finish was a trail PR for me, and honestly, because I am a sick, sick person, I'm kind of mad at myself for not pushing a little harder.

This is EXACTLY how I look when I'm kind of mad at myself for not pushing a little harder.

There were lots of plans for post-race celebrations, but I had to excuse myself to spend 4 1/2 hours selling 50/50 raffle tickets for my kid's band invitational. I'm not complaining.  I'm not.

In short, this race made me want to do more and be a better runner. I'm already making plans to get in more speedwork and cross training because this is definitely something I've been lacking.

Kudos to Jennifer Douglas and Matt Force, who are great Race Directors!

Where did you find your running mojo this week, Peeps? No matter where you are, I hope you run happy!


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Race Recap: Burning River 8 Person Relay

Burning River is a 100-mile race, but I don't treat it as a race. I consider Burning River to be a 24+hour party where I get to see every running friend I know. It is a weekend without sleep. It is a weekend to follow through on poorly-planned ideas with minimal training.

But that is just me.

There are friends who run the full hundred miles for this race (actually 102 miles!). There are friends who run the front or back 50. There are many friends who organize relay teams of 4 or 8 runners to cover this distance.  Last year I ran in a 4 woman relay, and this year I decided to run in an 8 woman relay with the Trail Sisters. Lest you think that I was taking it easy, I want you to know that I chose leg 7, which is a night leg of 17ish trail miles with 1,866 feet of elevation. Have I laid down my crazy for you yet? No?  How about if I tell you that due to work and family vacation, the longest distance I've run this summer is 13 miles, and that was at least 3 weeks ago?  Now are you convinced?

I was sick for two weeks before this race, and my running was minimal, but I wasn't worried too much about it. Trail running allows for some hiking as opposed to road running, where you are a wuss if you walk.  I knew I could finish my leg, but I didn't want to be very slow.

The Trail Sisters had their annual dinner the night before the race.

Can you find me? I'm in pink.

My leg wasn't slated to start until around midnight, so I had some time to kill. Marta, Jenn, and I decided to hang together to cheer on other runners at the 50 mile mark.

Marta, me, Jenn, Dawn, Kelleigh

We spent a few hours talking with running friends. Kelleigh was filming a documentary on the race, and I pestered her until she finally consented to film me (to shut me up). I am a star in her film (until I end up on the editing floor).

Here I am being VERY AMUSING.

We watched for our friend Jason, who was running his first 100 miler.  This was an emotional moment for all of us because Jason was running the race in honor of Steve Pierce, my friend and friend to many, who died from a heart attack in May. Read my tribute to him here.  Jennifer is Steve's wife, and I admire the strength it took for her to celebrate this race with us.  We stood in the sun for a few hours (in retrospect, I don't think that was a great idea), and we were rewarded with Jason coming in to the 50 mile point:

Jason looked strong coming in. He had a huge smile on his face when he saw that his crew (which was enormous) had brought in his mother, who is fighting cancer. She gave him a big hug and the strength he needed to continue.

Let me just take a minute to show you something and explain the context.  There are rules in races that have relay teams. One of the primary rules is that when a relay runner passes a 50 or 100 miler, they need to announce that they are a relay runner. This is courtesy, and it is very necessary in the last fifty miles of the race. Imagine that you are a 100 mile runner, and some punk blows by you on the trail: you would be discouraged, right? That is why it is necessary to announce yourself as a relay runner; you are letting the runner know that you have more energy because you have fewer miles. Many relay runners (read: ME) take it a step further, and they tell the runners they pass that they admire them for their stamina and courage. When I pass a 50 or 100 miler (after announcing myself), I always say something like, "Great job, Runner. You look strong!" or "I really admire your strength, Runner."  It's super-important to encourage those runners because they will need all the help they can get to finish.

Ok, so imagine you are a relay runner approaching the 50 mile mark of the course.  Imagine that the Race Director announces that the man you are running behind is a 100-miler, and then there is a huge crowd that cheers for him.  What would you do in the chute? Would you continue your pace behind him and let him take the lead for the last 50 feet?  Or would you give it everything you've got to blow by him and cross the marker before him?  Take a look at this dude, and guess what he decided to do:

Must. Pass. Hundred. Miler.  

Ok, 'nuff said.

Anyway, my leg was slated to start at midnight. Bobbi and Marta were driving me to the start when we got a text from Jenn (who was on the leg before me). She said she was dizzy and sick and was heading for the road. Marta used the race app to find her, and we drove to her location to pick her up. I think that those hours in the sun were working on us at that point. Marta and Bobbi dropped me at my start, and they took care of Jenn. Update: Jenn is fine. 

I started at Valley Picnic, which was uphill for miles. In fact, most of my run was freaking uphill.  Of course.  I knew every part of the 17+ miles I ran, but in the dark the trails weren't as recognizable, and I couldn't figure out how they linked together. Luckily, the course was well marked, so I didn't have to think about any of that.

My leg was a combination of road-Towpath-jogging path-trail. The trail parts were definitely slowing me down because of the night and the climbing, but I was able to make up for that on the road and Towpath. Sand Run jogging trail is MY HOUSE, so I was pleasantly surprised to find myself running there.

The course was tough, and I ran it in about 4 hours and 12 minutes, which is slower than I had hoped, but I think it was understandable since it was climbing at night (and I was undertrained).  The aid stations were within reasonable distances, and the volunteers were AMAZING.  They were so kind, and they tried to make sure I was fueling and hydrating properly, even when I arrogantly dismissed their questions by saying that I was only running 17 miles.  I am an idiot for sure, Peeps. I don't know why my friends put up with me, unless I am fodder for jokes later.

Stuffing my face and considering my life choices at the aid station.

I met up with the Trail Sisters (thanks to Bobbi, Marta, and Nicole!) at the handoff to Kelleigh.

I have evil eyes. Why do you suppose that is?

Then Bobbi shuttled me back to the finish line, where I changed clothes and slept for about an hour in my car to wait for Kelleigh, who came in like a Speedy Gonzales, so I freaking missed her crossing the finish line.

I am apologizing to Kelleigh for being a Sleepy McSleeperson. Nicole is about to steal my purse and run away, it seems. Allison hopes to distract me to help out Nicole.

Team Sisters of Mayhem with our medals!

I really wanted to stay to see Jason come in, but I could barely keep my eyes open, and I knew I had to get home safely. This is what I missed:

Jason finished and held up Steve's shirt as he crossed the line. There wasn't a dry eye in the place.

I'm so proud of all my friends who ran this weekend: Sisters of Mayhem, Twisted Sisters (who kicked our asses), the Mother Runners, and the 50 and 100 milers. It was a challenge to run in the heat, and I am so proud of all of you; whether you met your personal goal or not, you are amazing to me.

I am so thankful to the Pacers for my friends and the volunteers for every part of this race. Your selflessness is an inspiration to me.  Your calmness and cheerfulness kept many runners going. I would especially like to thank Bobbi, Marta, and Kelleigh, who were seemingly everywhere during the race and who cheerfully shuttled us all around. Please note: Bobbi has EVERYTHING in her car because she is always uber-prepared and keeps her cool at all times.

I would like to thank the Race Directors for Burning River. You had many challenges laid upon you on top of the "normal" challenges of hosting a 100 mile race.  You did a great job of giving us a fun and challenging experience.

Peeps, this isn't the end. I've got a 25K (One Hot Mama) in just two weeks, and it involves camping, so you know there will be some stories. I hope that whatever trails you run, you run happy!

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Training Time!

For those of you who didn't catch why I am in a tizzy:

This is EXACTLY how I look when I am in a tizzy.

I signed up for the Forget the PR 50K a month or so ago. Yes, peer pressure was involved. No, I don't want to talk about it.  Well, maybe just a little bit.

Every year I need a new challenge. I knew that I would eventually sign up for a 50K, but I actually thought I'd sign up for some sort of 24 hour loop type of race so that I could take my time and eat more food and stuff.

That didn't happen.

This particular 50K takes place at Mohican State Park, and it is a monster.  Think hills, lots and lots of hills. Think April weather in Ohio.  Think of how stupid I am to sign up.  Anyway, I didn't get in, but I can't be relieved just yet because I am on a waitlist, and I am NUMBER 7 ON THIS STUPID LIST!!!!

So, I've got to train.

I was running with my friend Jenn (who has done the Mohican 50K) a few weeks ago, and she asked me about my training plan. "Ummmmm. . . you're assuming I have a training plan," I replied. "I just thought I'd do a marathon plan with lots of hill repeats and painful stuff."

"You realize that you're supposed to do back-to-back long runs to get used to running on tired legs, right?" she asked, giving me the side-eye.

"Dammit, now I do!" I yelled, and that is how everything changed. I looked up 50K training plans and realized that I have to devote my weekends to running, and so I have.

For three weeks I have been running long on both Saturday and Sunday, both days on trails. I've started with shorter distances--8, 9, and 10 miles-- to get used to it.  I've made sure to build in long hills whenever I can.

This past Saturday I ran 10 miles at Pine Hollow with the Trail Sisters. Then, on Sunday I came right back to Pine Hollow to run 9 more with Katie, a fellow Cleveland Marathon Ambassador.  Katie is training for her first marathon, and you guessed it--it's Cleveland!

I'm hiding my face in the shadow. Katie is looking uber-cool in sunglasses.

The group I ran with are all super-speedy badass trail runners, and I had NO BUSINESS running with them, so I made the decision to let them go when I stopped to take a picture and I dropped my gloves.

Morning at Kendall Lake. I never did find my gloves, darnit.

It was peaceful and beautiful running through the park, and I wasn't as sore as I thought I might be. I caught up with Katie later on, and we chatted a bit in the last few miles.  She is going to rock the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, and if I survive this 50K, I will rock the marathon, too!

Have you signed up for one of the races yet? Or will you choose the series?  Wanna discount on registration? Click here and use my code, SI2019, for 10% off any race or series.

However you train, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

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Use Code SI2019

Peeps, this weather blows. I look forward to Fall all year, and I feel ripped off.  Again. Screw you, Ohio. I defend you all the time, and this is what I get???

Ohio before Thanksgiving.  Just kidding.

Usually this is the time that I consider ramping down my miles, but USUALLY I don't because I love being outside this time of year.  Yeah, right now, not so much. My motivation is seriously flagging, and I'm trying to be ok with it.

This morning it was in the upper 20s when I wanted to run. In November. The upper 20s. Now, in January, I will totally accept this, but NOT TODAY, OHIO. Now the treadmill starts, if I can even force myself to get on the treadmill. I've actually been pulling out some of my beloved Tae Bo DVDs, and I've even gone back to my Masala Bhangra.  That's good, right?

My first love

I thank goodness that I've had two nice weekend runs in a row. First, I ran with the Trail Sisters for Talula's 20 miler (I only did 10 miles). True to the Trail Sister creed, there may have been some shenanigans involved.

Beginning of the run

We found The Shining house!

Don't cross the streams!  (A second movie reference!)

Marta and I were going to catch the train. . . which went all the way to Peninsula.

This past weekend I ran toute seule because most of the Sisters had races. I ran ten miles on the Towpath. It was sunny but very chilly, and I found it difficult. I think I need to get used to the cold a lot sooner than I have in the past, and I'm not happy about it.

You know what I am happy about, Peeps? I get to be an Ambassador again this year for a race I love, the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. I want to pass that love on to you, so I'm encouraging you to register now so that you can run with me (or run ahead of me).  I've even got a code for 10% off to sweeten the deal: SI2019. Use it!

How are you doing in this unseasonably cold weather? However you run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

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Race Recap: Akron Marathon

It wasn't a PR. There. I said it. I've been brooding this weekend, and I've confessed it. The weather was PERFECT. The conditions were PERFECT.  I had TONS of support on the course. I didn't PR.


I took a personal day on Friday to go to the Expo. I know from experience that I should not be around anyone the day before a big race. I told my students right up front: I'll be crying and rocking in the fetal position for most of the day. You do NOT want to see this, so you will be happy to have a substitute teacher on that day. My students are wonderful kids, really, so they were very understanding about the whole thing. My own kids know the deal; they just made sure to steer clear of me that day.


I worked the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon booth at the Expo from 11-1ish. It was great to see all my friends and represent a race series that I love. I'm still mad that Ralph Staph, Race Director for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, didn't bring me a Frappuccino when I asked for it. Am I worth NOTHING????

Working it! #CleveMarathonAmbassador

I did get a prime picture with Zippy, the Akron Zips Mascot.

I also got my traditional 26.2 picture, courtesy of my friend Nick. You remember him; he was a pirate at the Burning River aid station.

And of course it isn't real until you see your name on the car outside the expo:

I spent the evening trying to relax, while eating everything in the house. Hey. I eat when I'm stressed. Actually, I eat when I'm not stressed, too.

The next morning was great! I got to say Good Luck to all my friends before getting in the corral.  We took lots of pictures.

Kelly, Me, Marta. We are excited because it is Kelly's first marathon.

I'm pretending that I'm not edgy or irritated or nervous. Or bloated.

The first 19 miles felt amazing, really. I was ahead of my desired pace by about 30 seconds per mile, and even though I told myself to slow down a bit, I really didn't want to, and I felt like I could handle it. I had started with the 4:40 pacer, and I left her because I didn't want to fight the crowd around her, and I felt so good.

You all know that this was a mistake, right?

I saw my friend Rob at the 16 mile marker, and I saw my friends Bees for Mary Relay Team at the various relay exchanges. I was still feeling great when I approached the designated meeting point to see The Kabyle Chef, Butterbean, and Punkin. I voice-texted Punkin, telling her that I had about two miles until the rendezvous, and then I realized that I miscalculated, and the rendezvous was straight ahead. Whoops.

This really bugged me, but I knew it was my own fault, and I tried to let go of the fact that I wouldn't see my family where I needed them. . . when I saw them! They had scrambled ahead, following the Blue Line until they could figure out how to intercept me!  What a great family.  I sobbed, of course.

Now, this is where I should have picked up the pace because I saw one friend after another, but I just couldn't do it. I was in so much pain, and for the first time ever, I could feel my quads seizing up.  I slowed down, and then I started walking. That is where I saw Pam and Steve. You know them; Pam is a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador, and Steve is a Pacer. They were riding their bikes, and they yelled to me to stop walking and go catch the 4:40 pacer (who had just left me in the dust). I shuffled along until I was suddenly attacked by a giant fox!!

OMG. WTF is that????

The Trail Sisters had stationed themselves at mile 22ish to cheer us on. They are amazing, right?

I passed Rob again going towards Heartbreak Hill. Just as I was contemplating walking the hill, I saw Kathy by the side of the road. I haven't seen her in at least 3 years! She told me that she came to that specific point to see me take the hill. I was so happy to see her that I remembered that I was supposed to make the hill my bitch. . .and so I did.

I was still going super-slowly, and I was in a lot of pain. When I made the turn onto Market Street, which is the start of the last 2 miles, I didn't even care. If the SAG wagon had approached me at that point,  I would have ditched the whole race. I sped up as much as I could on the downhill to make up for lost time, but then I started walking the uphill again when a young girl passed me, turned around and said, "Come on! You passed me on Heartbreak Hill, and you think you are gonna walk THIS?" She was right, so I started shuffling along again, and I managed to cut thirty seconds off that mile.

Coming into the stadium felt great, and I was able to give it a little kick, but I knew that it wasn't a PR, and I was pretty disappointed. I had time to stretch, rehydrate, refuel, collapse, and then find Marta. After taking post race pics with my friends, we moved the party to Lockview, where I ate all the grilled cheese and tater tots I could hold.

Me, Nick (the Pirate), and Marta. You be the judge: Am I laughing or crying here?

I had some time to process this race. I realize that I should have started more slowly than I did--15 more seconds per mile in the first 15 miles would have helped. I realize that I never lost the weight I intended to lose before the race (there is that number 15 again). Could I have controlled both of these factors? Yes. Did I ? No. But.  I trained really well with the right balance of miles, strength training, and swimming. I finished that baby, and though my time was not a PR, it was a course record for me--by 5 whole minutes! I think that I will take it.

I'm so grateful to all the volunteers at this race. They were always loud, cheerful, and fun. I'm also grateful to all of my friends who helped me through this long training cycle and my friends who cheered for me on the course. You all are wonderful; I love you.

As for you, Akron Marathon, next year I will conquer your hills and come back with a shiny, new PR!

Peeps, I hope that while I am hobbling along and soaking in Epsom Salts to recover, you will be running happy!

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Race Recap: Burning River 100 Mile 4 Person Relay

Let's just get this one revelation out of the way: 25.72 miles on trails is NOTHING LIKE 26.2 miles on a road. I found this out the hard way this weekend at the Burning River 100 Mile Race, sponsored by Western Reserve Racing.

This is my third year running Burning River with the Mother Runners, and this year I decided to try for a new goal: I ran in a 4-person team instead of an 8-person team. After all, I thought, I've already run 4 marathons, and this is just under marathon distance. I got this.

Anyway, I trained for this in the same way as I would for a marathon, except my long runs were on trails. Another difference in my training for this event was that I tapered for three weeks instead of my usual two weeks, but I'm not sure that made much of a difference since I spent two of those three weeks on vacation where I was on my feet for 10-15 miles a day.

I wasn't really worried about the racing factor; my team is usually around last place.  I don't consider Burning River to be a race; I look at it like a great big community event where I see every runner I have ever known either on the course, at the finish, or at the aid stations. It's a tremendous party. . . that involves a tremendous amount of pain and suffering.  Speaking of parties:

Mother Runners Intersect with Trail Sisters: Me, Marta, Jennifer, Melissa
Photo Credit: I don't know, but it's Melissa's phone.

Trail Sisters at the Pre-Race Dinner
Photo Credit: Steve Pierce

I chose leg 4, which consists of  legs 7 and 8 (25.7 miles) of the 8 person team,  for several reasons: 1. I love night running, and this would be an all-night run. 2. I've already run leg 7 in the past, so I would be familiar with this part. 3. It would be nice to come into the finish.

I predicted that each leg of our team would take roughly 6 hours, so I thought I'd start around midnight and run until 6 AM. That would give me plenty of time to fuel properly and rest before waiting for the previous leg. Of course, in my world, things never go as planned. My daughter had her wisdom teeth out the Thursday before the race, and by early Saturday morning, she was screaming in pain from a reaction to the combination of ibuprofen and antibiotic. That was fun. So, no rest for Stephani. (Punkin is fine, by the way.)

As for the fueling, I did a pretty good job EXCEPT that I didn't drink any water at all for the three hours I waited for my team mates. This turned out to be a big mistake.

Anyway, my partner Tamra and I took off from Pine Hollow at 1:07 AM when Amy and Erica came in. I was able to see Marta come in from her legs 5 and 6, and I saw Jen off for her legs 7 and 8.

Marta, Me, Renee after Marta's finish
Photo Credit: Steve Pierce

I had spent the last hour in the heated bathroom fighting sleep and questioning my life choices.

This is EXACTLY how I look when I am in a bathroom at midnight questioning my life choices.

Tamra and I settled into an easy rhythm, taking lots of care not to fall or trip, and chatting as we ran. In retrospect, I realize now that Tamra had asked me a few times if I was drinking water, and I said I was but I wasn't thirsty. When we pulled into the first aid station at the Covered Bridge, my water bottle was full, but I rationalized that by saying that it was "only" five miles and I was drinking ginger ale at the aid station. I ate some grilled cheese and babbled to my friends Kelleigh, Marta, and Nick (who was dressed as a pirate). I yelled a thank you to the awesome volunteers at Covered Bridge I, and we were on our way.

Nick is a pirate. Or an admiral. Or something. Photo Credit: Marta Pacur

We went out for our second loop through the woods, and I felt awesome by then. Again, I wasn't drinking enough water, but I thought that I had drunk enough at the aid station. We showed up again at the Covered Bridge, and I ate another square of grilled cheese and drank some Mountain Dew. At this point we were at 11ish miles, and I felt really awake and happy. We thanked our awesome volunteers and started out for the next aid station.

Kelleigh is a great volunteer! Photo Credit: Marta Pacur

This section took us past Hale Farm into O'Neil Woods, and as we ran in the dark and fog past the graveyard, we could hear a pack of coyotes howling at the big, full moon. I had never heard so many coyotes in my life! It was so cool and also a bit eerie.

These five-ish miles weren't as scary as I had remembered them to be; maybe it's because I was so jazzed from night running, or maybe I have better training under my belt this year. Anyway, we pulled into the Botzum aid station, and I was a little bit delirious at that point because I remembered that I wasn't finished this time. I still had 9.6 more miles to go. The volunteers there were amazing. One woman took charge because I looked confused, and she asked me what I wanted and if she could fill my water bottle. "I don't know what I need," I said, "and my water bottle is full, I think."

"Then you aren't drinking enough water," she replied. Then she got me some warm ramen broth, and that was perfect with a piece of watermelon. It gave me liquid, salt, and sugar: the three very things I needed at that point. We thanked the volunteers and ran outta there.

As we ran, the sun started rising. We were now on the Towpath, and I was able to turn off the headlamp and Knuckle Lights, which was a relief. We passed my friend Felicia, running the Back 50 with her boyfriend Michael, and my friend Ken, also running the Back 50. They all seemed in remarkably good spirits.

We arrived at the last aid station, Memorial Parkway, and I got a nice surprise seeing my friends Sydney and Teresa. They took pics of us.

I have food in my hand, of course. Photo credit: Sydney Chinchana

Tamra and I are a bit dazed, I think. Photo Credit: Teresa Sroka

At this point we had about 4ish miles left, and I was ready to get 'er done. I was super-tired and ready to sleep.  I didn't care that I was running towards the beer and my friends. I didn't care about anything; however, I made sure to keep my negativity to myself as much as I could because Tamra was amazingly positive for this whole run, and I didn't want to scare her.

We ran through The Chuckery with some wicked steps and uphills and then some flat parts up until mile 25.

I'm running away from the previous 24 miles!
Photo Credit: Tamra Harrison

As we ran towards Front St. and the finish, we caught up with a young man running the 100. Tamra wanted to perk him up, so she asked me how far we had to go, and I said, "About 2 miles." At that point, he suddenly started running again, and he continued UPHILL to the finish, running and grunting very loudly the whole way. That dude was an incredible BEAST!

Anyway, we made the turn onto Front St., and my heart sank when I saw that we had to run uphill toward the finish line. I ran about half of the hill, and then I saw Angela and Melissa, Mother Runners, waiting for us to run us in, and that is when Tamra and I let it out. It felt good to finish strong.

Renee meets me at the finish line. I'm too emotional to talk.
Photo Credit: Marta Pacur

Tamra, Me, Lisa, Melissa: Mother Runners!
Photo Credit: I forget, but it's Melissa's phone. Sorry!

After I changed my shirt, I joined the Trail Sisters for a beer (or two).

Which picture do you think is post-beer?
Photo Credit: Michael Szloh

When I got home, I took a shower, drank some water, took some ibuprofen, and dared anyone in the house to disturb me for the next three hours. And I slept. When I woke up three hours later, I had a whopping headache, and now that I think about it, I'm sure that I didn't hydrate properly. Lesson learned.

I'm pretty sore even two days later, and it took a while for the headache to subside. I've managed to swim, walk, stretch, and even run a little bit since the race, but I admit that these trail miles took a toll on my body. I told the Trail Sisters that I thought it was stupid on my part to run a 4 person relay when I could have stuck with one leg and volunteered at the aid stations. . . But the reality is that race amnesia has already set in, and I'm thinking about doing it again.

This is such a fun race. The route is gorgeous and the volunteers are amazing. I will definitely run the relay again. . . but which one?

How's your running? I hope that no matter where, when, and how far you run, you run happy, Peeps!

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Trails Everywhere!

For the past two weeks, I have been on a family trip. Mothers, you know what the difference is between a trip and a vacation, right? Here is a short tutorial:

This is a trip:

This is EXACTLY how our family looks when deciding where and what to eat.

This is EXACTLY how our shared hotel room (4 people!) looks.

This is EXACTLY how I look while trying to make everyone happy for two weeks.

Now, this is a vacation:

Relaxation. No kids. Nobody at all.

Dinner

You understand the difference, right? I need a vacation to recover from my trip!

Anyway, my alone time was between 6 and 8 AM when I would work out. For most of those days I tried to run like the locals, and boy, did I get lucky!

For the first four days we were in Portland, Maine. I was lucky enough to stay in Munjoy Hill, which is less than half a mile away from at least four different running routes, including real trails in real woods. Most of the trails led to the coves, so I was able to run along the water without running on sand (very few sand beaches in Maine). Here are some pictures of the Back Cove Trail and the Eastern Promenade (which leads to the harbor front):

Beautiful, right?

Then we traveled to Quebec through the mountains and forest (we saw a moose by the side of the road!), and I thought maybe my trail running days were suspended, but I was wrong! I chose to run through the Plains of Abraham toward the St. Laurent River, and I actually discovered trails running through the woods down to the river! It was great to run in the woods again, as I am currently in taper for the Burning River relay (100 miles of trails, of which I will run about 25.5), and I thought I'd have to run busy sidewalks. I don't have any pictures of where I ran in Quebec. . .and I don't know why.

After four days in Quebec, we drove to Montreal. We stayed downtown, so I was absolutely certain I would be running streets, but. . . on day one I followed some runners who passed my hotel door, and they led me to Mont Royal and more trails! I had great choices here among single track dirt trails with steps (very steep), crushed limestone bike and hike trails that wound steadily up the mountain, and paved trails leading both up the mountain and down to the river.  I was able to take a different route each day, and I still got in my trails and hills! Here are some pics of Montreal runs:

Running by the monuments across from the river.

The Percival-Molson Stadium at McGill University. Pavement.

This is the Kabyle Chef and Punkin climbing the steeper trails up the mountain. I made everyone climb the mountain after I found the trails. My family might speak to me again someday.

View from the top of Mont Royal

I had a great time running in other places; it was the best way to taper. It was also nice to come back home for my last long run before Burning River. I ran with some Trail Sisters this morning:

Trail Sisters at Brandywine Falls

Guess why I'm smiling in this picture:

A. I'm happy to run with my Trail Sisters.
B. This was before I realized that I left my water bottle behind a half mile back and I had to go back for it.
C. This was before I fell on the trail.
D. All of them, of course.

Will I see you celebrating after Burning River? I hope so, but in the meantime, whatever you do, run happy, Peeps!

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