Frozen Snot

Yesterday my great friend Justin and I decided that for our 13 mile run we would complete the Frozen Snot adventure race.

The day was beautiful, perfect weather.  5 inches of snow that morning followed by 35 and sunshine.  (Literally it was beautiful out).  In my opinion, if you are going to get out on the trails in the wintertime, why not have some snow and sunshine :). 

After a 1.3 mile run to the trail head, we quickly discovered there would not be much running in this adventure race.  We quickly put on our microspikes and climbed what seemed to be a vertical wall. (1500+ feet elevation gain in 0.5 miles).  Those spikes literally made me feel like spiderman scaling a wall, I felt like I could climb on anything!  Downhill was just as great.  Literally the entire course was up a steep slope, and down a steep slope.  It was very difficult to run. By the time we got to the check point at 7.5 miles (around 4 hours in) we decided to do the 8.3 mile option.  This was due to various reasons.  One being the time it took, and I had a 2 hour drive back solo. 

 Overall it was a fun experience.  I am super sore today due to multiple factors: 

1.  I tried a body pump class and my two day soreness kicked in.
2.  Plus my legs are immobile due to the fact of climbing up and down mountain sides.
3.  Work will be fun tomorrow haha

Advice for anyone who is interested in this challenge:

Must be an avid hiker.  I thought I was in shape due to marathon training and cross training.  However, this experience made me realize what kind of shape I am NOT in.  Guess I should have been doing a few more mountain climbs!

After I got back from my two hour drive home I felt like I could eat an entire steer.  I settled for a couple cold beers and wings instead.  I ate all of them. At this point in my training I can eat twice as much as my boyfriend.  I rarely have leftovers anymore.  Its quite impressive in my opinion.

Til next time....

1/15/15

1/15/15

Running Update

Finally has been warming up!  30 degree run today.  I decided to take my puppy Jake.  He needed to get some energy out.  It is a little rough running with him because I need to stop for the occasional car, and his occasional need to poop ha!

We did 3.43 miles today instead of the needed 5.  However I think Jake did great.  AND we saw a Barred Owl on the dirt road.  It was beautiful.  Of course I tried to take a picture and it flew away.  Then on the way back I saw it ahead again, got my phone ready to take a picture, and it flew away again.  However, it was a peaceful run and I enjoying seeing things like that.  It makes the run that much better.

Jake met his buddy Hank today.  The 400 lb mastiff that runs on the road after him.  Biggest dog I ever saw.  His owner helped me this time (last time I thought he was going to eat poor Jake).  Today I realized Hank is a big whimp.

Here is Jake on the dirt road when I was trying to get a picture of the Barred Owl. He is a little young (4.5) months, but he really loves to run.   He is so good at it.  He prances and runs ahead of me.  If we run without stopping his pace is 8:30/mile.  He almost pulls me if I slow down.


Last Sat 1/10 I ran with fellow friends in the cold in State College.  We got a 10 mile run in.  This weekend I plan on getting a 5 mile and 12 mile run in Sat/Sunday.  Trying to keep it up!  I have been doing Insanity DVDs on days that the weather is not suitable to run.  That seems to help and gives me some cross training.

I ran last night with my running group after work.  That went well until I got half sick.  One thing I am learning is that nutrition definitely makes or breaks your run!

 *This is a Barred Owl

Running in the Cold

1/7/15

This week has been particularly challenging.  Challenging due to the fact that it has been INCREDIBLY cold here.  For example. Today it was 12 degrees with 18 mph winds.  By the time I was done work it was 4 degrees with a wind chill of -20.

However I ran despite of the fact that it was freezing.  On Wednesdays I started to run with a group.  We do seven mile runs and walk every .1 mile so that everyone can complete the run.  This is a great way to stay active in the winter.  The only reason I got out to run today was because of them.

A few things I learned today running in sub zero temperatures with a horrific wind:

1.  I would never do it without a crazy group of people who think that running in this weather is normal.
2.  Justin would yell at me if I didnt do it (because I whimped out yesterday)
3.  I need to invest in a pair of insulated running pants so I can feel my legs when I am done.
4. Hand warmers are amazing when combined in a pair of gloves.
5.  Invested in microspikes.  I was the only person running without a traction device.

At the end of the run I felt like Audrey from Christmas Vacation.

 


That was me.  It was funny.  We all we trying to talk at the end of the run and everyone had a lisp.  Similar to Clark Griswold talking about his Christmas tree.  Haha.  I really appreciated having others to run with tonight.

When I got home I was starving and immediately consumed some amazing leftover mac and cheese.  Not the best choice but it helped me thaw out!  Have to get 4 miles in tomorrow I hope the forecast calls for some sunshine!

Making time to do this!  Training takes a lot of time out of my day.  Especially when it gets dark at 5 pm. Making time, and buying a headlamp + reflective vest! haha

Running in 2015

I have set some 2015 goals that will definitely be a challenge for me.  But why not try?  This year I am planning to run my first full marathon, The Garden Spot Marathon, with a fine group of friends.   Each of us is training separately so it is a challenge, but I am excited to be apart of it!

 



I am also planning to run the PA Trophy Series this year which is a series of trail runs throughout central PA.  I may be crazy for trying to do all of this, but you are only young once and I am just getting older!

At this point I am two weeks into my marathon training.  Yesterday I have ran up to 10 miles.  I plan to record my journey this year on this blog. I am excited to see how far I can push myself this year.  I am sure it will not be easy and am times I will not want to get my butt outside to run (tomorrow is a high of 12 degrees :/), however, I will NOT walk for my first and possibly only marathon.  I am too stubborn.  Therefore I have to train.  Plus my awesome friends are also training in other parts of the state, and if they do it, I have to as well.

Here's too a fun adventure in 2015!