A big race on the horizon...!

2014 started off a bit unexpectedly -- on January 1, instead of boarding a plane home to Cleveland, I found myself stuck in California due to weather-related flight cancelations. As the Polar Vortex ravaged the Midwest and snow and cold canceled every flight I tried to get on, I was stranded (yes, how rough) in warm, sunny CA. Thank goodness I can work remotely, since I ended up in California for another week!

The extra week spent in warm weather was just the ticket for my running. While California experienced record highs, I ran some solid workouts that I would have otherwise had to do on the treadmill -- dreadmill -- back in bitterly cold Cleveland. I rocked some mile repeats, ran my longest/fastest long run ever, and rebuilt my confidence to boot!

Now I'm back in Ohio and thankfully the weather hasn't been too punishing yet. Since things have been going well, the game plan is to race a half marathon in the coming weeks and use it and the past few months of higher-volume workouts to kickstart my track season. Kinda like Lauren Fleshman running the NYC Marathon to get faster in the 5k, or all the ladies who ran the 2012 Marathon Olympic Trials in January and then came back to kick a** on the track later that spring. Here's to hoping that half marathon training yields a 10k PR for me!

Hopefully it'll also yield some much-needed mental fortitude. Because after racing 13.1 miles, surely 6.2 miles on the track can't seem that bad. The mental strength that I've been working on while training for the half will serve me well during those last 9 laps on the track that have gotten the better of me more times than I'd like to admit.

So I'm racing a half in just a few short weeks! I'm still a little nervous... I'm in the process of wrapping my head around the idea of focusing -- and staying mentally tough -- for 75 minutes (maybe 76 minutes, but hopefully no longer than that!). Thankfully I have a few more long runs and long tempos left to practice positive thoughts.

Which half am I running, you ask? That's on the down-low for now... but I'll spill the beans later this week - stay tuned! 

2013 Year in Review - Part 4

As 2014 rapidly approaches, it's time to take one last look at 2013. Here's my recap of the end of this year:

October

In October I got an invitation to participate in a relay, something I hadn't done since the high school 4 x 4. But this relay was of a different sort - a 200 mile trek across the state of Kentucky along the famed Bourbon Trail. 12 runners, 2 vans, 24 hours of running. You had me at bourbon.

Nuun Hydration, my hydration sponsor, invited me to join the Bourbon Chase Nuun team. At at time when I'd been struggling with my running, doing a relay with a bunch of passionate, enthusiastic, and joyful runners was just what the doctor ordered.

I drove down to Kentucky a few short days after competing in the Tufts 10K and finishing more than a minute slower than my 10K road PR. My legs were tired but my heart was full - I couldn't wait to meet all these Twitter and blogging friends that I've come to know and share a sisterhood (and brotherhood!) with through the online running community.

With vans decorated and stocked with copious amounts of bagels, peanut butter, bars, licorice, and of course Nuun, we took off for the first relay exchange. Our van consisted of me, Mason (Nuun's former CEO), Kevin of Modcraft, Sarah of Once Upon a Lime fame, and Sarah's sister Mel and friend Dan (fellow Clevelanders!). The six of us embarked on a 24 hour journey together -- good thing we ended up loving each other!

The relay was a blast! During each of my 3 legs (19+ miles total!), I was challenged and at times hurting, but mostly joyful. It was hands-down the most fun running thing I've ever done. Running alone at 11 pm along a lonely Kentucky highway, I ran scared (of the dark!) but fast - 5:50 pace had never felt so easy! Then again at 6:30 am, into wind and rain and with intense stomach cramps, I pushed myself, knowing that my teammates were doing the same. Then finally in my last leg, my longest and most challenging, I ran inspired and happy, thankful for all the awesome things I've gotten to experience because of running.

Relay exchange, getting the baton from Mason

Running joyfully in the home stretch of my last leg

Who knew you could have so much fun running a 24 hour relay with a bunch of people you just met? Running sure has a way of bringing people together. Man, I love this sport!

Thanks x a million to Nuun for making this happen!

November

November was highlighted by lots of hours at the office, miles on the road, and family time. Although it was busy, it was productive, and I'm looking forward to reaping the rewards in 2014.

I kicked off the month running the inaugural Pittsburgh 10-Miler. Brother Brendan was also racing and the Gregg siblings had a fine showing - 6th place for me and 7th for him in a strong men's field. I love when our racing schedules cross paths and we get to spend time together doing what we love most :)

November also brought snow and cold to Ohio -- winter arrived far too early for my liking! I ran (or rather, slid!) through the snowy streets of Cleveland during the Turkey Trot and I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner. I was also lucky to have little sister Kallie visit for the holiday!

December

December brought even more snow to Cleveland, making workouts and long runs all the more challenging. 2 mile repeats on snow covered streets? No thanks!

When the snow is this deep, you sure miss California...

...thankfully, I got a week off for Christmas (see ya, snowy Ohio!) and am currently soaking up the sun (and Vitamin D!) in California. With ocean views and trails for days, this joyful runner needs nothing more. Here's to a fun and fast 2014!