This masters series quest has taught me a lot these past 6 months. It’s been challenging, fun, and extremely motivating. When you’re chasing state records there are a few things to consider: 1.) Races need to be in state and certified. 2.) There are some race distances you only get one or two shots at a year. There are plenty of 5k’s and 10ks, half and full marathons but some of the distances are few and far between. When I…
Racing the day after a long road trip is not ideal. Last year I tried to race a 5k after a day long car ride home from Disney and 5 hours of sleep. The key word there was tried. I felt decent for about one mile and it was pure torture after that. It went from 5k pace to marathon pace to just finish. We arrived home shortly after midnight Thursday night and fortunately had all day Friday to recover….
Last weekend I headed to Texarkana for the 4th year in a row to Run the Line! This is a fun race along the Texas/ Arkansas border and I highly recommend it if you like running back and forth between states! It’s not the easiest half marathon course but it’s not too tough and the rolling hills just make it all the more interesting… PreRace I had an event at work Friday night and Saturday morning so it worked out…
Ready or not I ran the CASA Half Marathon exactly 4 weeks after 3 Bridges. I love this race and truly believe it’s the fastest half marathon course in Arkansas. (At this point I think I’ve run most of them!) I’ve worked this race into my schedule every year since 2013. CASA was originally scheduled for December but bad weather postponed the race 5 weeks. As luck would have it the weather on race morning was looking rough with 100%…
There was never really any question of whether or not I would run the Spa 10k. I love this race. It’s challenging and exhilarating all in one. This is one of those races I like to run regardless of whether I’m in shape or not. I’ve had years when I’ve been fit and ready to PR and I’ve also run it during a marathon recovery cycle. Or in last year’s case- 2 weeks after having the flu. (Not my finest…
When I look back on my fastest race times most of my PRs are from races I did not get the overall win. My fastest marathon (2015) was set in the Chicago Marathon and obviously I wasn’t winning that one. I finished 2nd when I ran my half marathon PR (2013). I finished 3rd in my fastest 5k (2013) and 2nd in my fastest mile (2013). My point is that competition pushes me more than when I push myself. I…
The first race back after an injury and an extended amount of time off from training can be very intimidating. What is a realistic time goal? What if something starts hurting? Am I ready for this? Usually I train and race often enough that I have very realistic goals going into any given race. In May when my plantar fasciitis flared up I was forced to hit the breaks on my training. After a few months of rest, physical therapy,…
Well I’ve put off writing this race recap for about as long as I can. It’s not nearly as much fun going into a race when you’re not prepared and for some reason it’s even more intimidating when it’s a one mile race. Go! Mile was the 10th race in the Arkansas Grand Prix schedule this year and the only one mile race in the series. This summer marked my 5th consecutive year for running it. So what were my…
I’m not a fan of being unprepared when it comes to racing. I know there are some who like to race “for fun” but my version of fun typically involves racing fast and running well. Racing is hard enough as it is and I don’t need a little voice in my head telling me I can’t do it or I’m not ready when things get tough. I want to head to the starting line feeling calm and confident in my…
There wasn’t really any question in my mind whether or not I would run the Toad Suck 10k this year. It was the 8th race in the Arkansas Grand Prix series so ready or not I was going to do what I could. Once again my older two joined me so we left for Conway a little after 6 am Saturday morning. My first experience with the Toad Suck races in Conway, AR was back in 2010 when I ran…