Hello SoYOs,
We are excited for our upcoming race series - the 2nd Annual Coffee Cup Challenge, this year graciously sponsored by Country Home Real Estate.
This is a cumulative race series where you don't have to be the fastest runner to win. You are awarded points for attending, volunteering, beating your previous time (within the series) and placing.
Race day registration only, but if you'd like to pre-register, please email Erin at racechair@soyotrailblazers.com. Treats, coffee and water will be provided to all race participants.
As always, we run on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
Many of us are training for fall races, so if you are looking for someone to join in on long runs, please email Erin at the above address.
Happy Running!
erin
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Spring/Summer is Here!
Hello So Yos!
Spring is officially here and we're excited to begin our speed workouts again at the Shrewsbury Practice Fields located behind the YMCA. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. - we'd love so see you! This is also a great opportunity for walkers who are interested in starting to run - please email Erin at racechair@soyotrailblazers.com for more information!
Also, we are offering a Stripped Down Summer Race Series - please go to www.soyotrailblazers.com for more information!
We want to run with you!
Happy Running,
Erin
Chair, Race Committee
Spring is officially here and we're excited to begin our speed workouts again at the Shrewsbury Practice Fields located behind the YMCA. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. - we'd love so see you! This is also a great opportunity for walkers who are interested in starting to run - please email Erin at racechair@soyotrailblazers.com for more information!
Also, we are offering a Stripped Down Summer Race Series - please go to www.soyotrailblazers.com for more information!
We want to run with you!
Happy Running,
Erin
Chair, Race Committee
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Getting back on the horse
Hello So Yos!
The blog has been wallowing along with my own spirits these past two months. However, a runner passed by me last weekend and said that she had been reading it and I thought - whoa, then I'd better get writing again!
I took some time off, mental as well as physical, after the Baltimore Half Marathon.
I struggled with something I had never struggled with before. I had read and re-read about over-training. I was meticulous with my run journal not to go too fast one week, not to add too much mileage the next. I actually started running my long runs at a slower pace like I was supposed to. But still, in spite of my restraint, my last long run before the Half felt bad.
Even during my taper week, when I knew I should have felt light and fast during the few miles I ran, I was leaden.
I hoped that two days of rest before the race would be enough to recover the runner high I'd been missing over the past several weeks.
I arrived with my family in Baltimore - surprisingly on time even though my kindergartner and pre-schooler were coming too. And it was hot. Not hot in the traditional sense, but warm even before you add the 15 degrees running the race would add to the already 60 degree temps. I confess, I like winter running. I like 40 degrees. I like rain. I even have YakTrax to allow me to run when it's a bit icy outside. So I was less than enthused with what others were calling a "beautiful warm sunny morning. Perfect for a race." Well, maybe for some racers, definitely for race watchers, but not for yours truly.
I got in my wave group and started off. I had hoped to run a 1:52 or an 8:30 minute mile pace. The first few miles I was holding my race pace, but it wasn't easy. At mile four I was waiting for the endorphins to kick in. At mile 6, still no endorphins, but as I started to round Lake Montebello, I felt my spirit lifting. I was relieved but couldn't believe it took 7 miles for the feeling to come. It didn't take long for it to go. By the end of the loop around the lake it was gone. I half-heartedly waved at the news helicopter and the Marathon Photo guy and pushed on.
I checked my splits - and I knew at mile 8 what I had suspected at mile 6 - I was not going to make my goal.
I was in unfamiliar territory. This hadn't happened before. My previous experience with training and racing was that if I religiously followed my chart and completed my speed work and tempo runs, my body would come through for me on race day. It was science, right? Why wasn't it working? How could my body let me down?
I battled with myself from mile 8 until the finish because I knew my body hadn't let me down, it was my heart. I felt tired and strained with the effort to maintain a 9 minute pace. I had to push myself just to keep running - and even that proved too much as I had to take several one minute walking breaks.
At mile 9, my despair became needled with fear. I had stopped sweating. For the first time in my racing history, I actually stopped at the water station and double fisted and drank both cups of water fully. I started keeping an eye out for the medic. I was at a loss to find something within myself to push my body to finish when I knew my goal was gone. All those months of training, pushing, carving out extra minutes, all for nothing. All just to fail.
How depressing, right?
I passed my family around mile 12 and I did my best to push through to the end. But I was heartbroken. I was angry at myself for giving up, for being powerless to make my body respond the way I wanted it to. But I couldn't totally give up in a heap of tears as was my desire. My girls were watching me. My husband, mother and my friend, Gina, who had waited on a street for 2 hours, were watching me. I couldn't sulk, not in front of them. They had made an investment in me too - and they couldn't understand why I was upset that I finished a full 8 minutes later than I had planned. To them, 8 minutes was nothing. To me, it was an eternity. It was even one full minute slower than when I ran the Half for the first time.
I am not one to blame or find excuses - I wholeheartedly confessed that I gave up mentally. I just never felt good - never fast - never light - never strong. But it WAS hot. I will allow for that one excuse.
Upon returning home, I began to review my training log. I began the exhaustible effort of trying to figure out where I went wrong. Did I become too dependent on the treadmill for my speed work and tempo runs? Did that not adequately prepare me the 7 mile uphill grade of Baltimore's neighborhoods?
Then I read an article that seemed to make sense. It wasn't on over training, but over-racing. I ticked off how many races I had run in the past year. Six. Three of them PRs.
I realized that in late 2007 and all of 2008 I had fallen in love with racing. Not so much the race day part, but the months of training that come before it. I loved having a chart to cross off each day. I became obsessed with pace charts and race predictions - how fast could I make my mid-30s two baby body go? Under my belt, I had a 6:50 minute first mile during a 5K - which after slowing down a bit because my lungs were burning ended up as a respectable 7:40 pace overall. I held a 8:30 minute pace for a ten miler. I participated in an off road race with a group that never gave me my time, but I did trip and slide down a hill face first and got all dirty, which my daughter thought was pretty cool. I also think I was one of the first female finishers, but with the lack of official results, I don't know for sure.
What had happened? I had been racing along all year and on the big day - the crown jewel of my year - I bonked.
Well, I think that even though I was wary of the too much too soon rule regarding training, I neglected to pay it attention when it came to racing. Hence my one and a half month hiatus.
I've been running leisurely three times a week. And on our last Saturday group run, I started to feel good again. Kristen looked at me and said "you know, you picked up the pace. And you have a huge smile on your face."
I'm back.
Next up........who knows. But I will plan carefully this year.
Run happy - and remember to take a well deserved rest. Or your body will do it for you!
I hope to see all of you on January 3 for the start of our Winter Race Series. Bring your goals and your guts - it's going to be cold!
The blog has been wallowing along with my own spirits these past two months. However, a runner passed by me last weekend and said that she had been reading it and I thought - whoa, then I'd better get writing again!
I took some time off, mental as well as physical, after the Baltimore Half Marathon.
I struggled with something I had never struggled with before. I had read and re-read about over-training. I was meticulous with my run journal not to go too fast one week, not to add too much mileage the next. I actually started running my long runs at a slower pace like I was supposed to. But still, in spite of my restraint, my last long run before the Half felt bad.
Even during my taper week, when I knew I should have felt light and fast during the few miles I ran, I was leaden.
I hoped that two days of rest before the race would be enough to recover the runner high I'd been missing over the past several weeks.
I arrived with my family in Baltimore - surprisingly on time even though my kindergartner and pre-schooler were coming too. And it was hot. Not hot in the traditional sense, but warm even before you add the 15 degrees running the race would add to the already 60 degree temps. I confess, I like winter running. I like 40 degrees. I like rain. I even have YakTrax to allow me to run when it's a bit icy outside. So I was less than enthused with what others were calling a "beautiful warm sunny morning. Perfect for a race." Well, maybe for some racers, definitely for race watchers, but not for yours truly.
I got in my wave group and started off. I had hoped to run a 1:52 or an 8:30 minute mile pace. The first few miles I was holding my race pace, but it wasn't easy. At mile four I was waiting for the endorphins to kick in. At mile 6, still no endorphins, but as I started to round Lake Montebello, I felt my spirit lifting. I was relieved but couldn't believe it took 7 miles for the feeling to come. It didn't take long for it to go. By the end of the loop around the lake it was gone. I half-heartedly waved at the news helicopter and the Marathon Photo guy and pushed on.
I checked my splits - and I knew at mile 8 what I had suspected at mile 6 - I was not going to make my goal.
I was in unfamiliar territory. This hadn't happened before. My previous experience with training and racing was that if I religiously followed my chart and completed my speed work and tempo runs, my body would come through for me on race day. It was science, right? Why wasn't it working? How could my body let me down?
I battled with myself from mile 8 until the finish because I knew my body hadn't let me down, it was my heart. I felt tired and strained with the effort to maintain a 9 minute pace. I had to push myself just to keep running - and even that proved too much as I had to take several one minute walking breaks.
At mile 9, my despair became needled with fear. I had stopped sweating. For the first time in my racing history, I actually stopped at the water station and double fisted and drank both cups of water fully. I started keeping an eye out for the medic. I was at a loss to find something within myself to push my body to finish when I knew my goal was gone. All those months of training, pushing, carving out extra minutes, all for nothing. All just to fail.
How depressing, right?
I passed my family around mile 12 and I did my best to push through to the end. But I was heartbroken. I was angry at myself for giving up, for being powerless to make my body respond the way I wanted it to. But I couldn't totally give up in a heap of tears as was my desire. My girls were watching me. My husband, mother and my friend, Gina, who had waited on a street for 2 hours, were watching me. I couldn't sulk, not in front of them. They had made an investment in me too - and they couldn't understand why I was upset that I finished a full 8 minutes later than I had planned. To them, 8 minutes was nothing. To me, it was an eternity. It was even one full minute slower than when I ran the Half for the first time.
I am not one to blame or find excuses - I wholeheartedly confessed that I gave up mentally. I just never felt good - never fast - never light - never strong. But it WAS hot. I will allow for that one excuse.
Upon returning home, I began to review my training log. I began the exhaustible effort of trying to figure out where I went wrong. Did I become too dependent on the treadmill for my speed work and tempo runs? Did that not adequately prepare me the 7 mile uphill grade of Baltimore's neighborhoods?
Then I read an article that seemed to make sense. It wasn't on over training, but over-racing. I ticked off how many races I had run in the past year. Six. Three of them PRs.
I realized that in late 2007 and all of 2008 I had fallen in love with racing. Not so much the race day part, but the months of training that come before it. I loved having a chart to cross off each day. I became obsessed with pace charts and race predictions - how fast could I make my mid-30s two baby body go? Under my belt, I had a 6:50 minute first mile during a 5K - which after slowing down a bit because my lungs were burning ended up as a respectable 7:40 pace overall. I held a 8:30 minute pace for a ten miler. I participated in an off road race with a group that never gave me my time, but I did trip and slide down a hill face first and got all dirty, which my daughter thought was pretty cool. I also think I was one of the first female finishers, but with the lack of official results, I don't know for sure.
What had happened? I had been racing along all year and on the big day - the crown jewel of my year - I bonked.
Well, I think that even though I was wary of the too much too soon rule regarding training, I neglected to pay it attention when it came to racing. Hence my one and a half month hiatus.
I've been running leisurely three times a week. And on our last Saturday group run, I started to feel good again. Kristen looked at me and said "you know, you picked up the pace. And you have a huge smile on your face."
I'm back.
Next up........who knows. But I will plan carefully this year.
Run happy - and remember to take a well deserved rest. Or your body will do it for you!
I hope to see all of you on January 3 for the start of our Winter Race Series. Bring your goals and your guts - it's going to be cold!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sprint Tri 2008
This year's Sprint Triathlon at the Shrewsbury YMCA was certainly eventful! The crazy weather didn't seem to keep too many people from participating; the gym was packed! Amidst the pouring rain, lightning, and thunderstorms, about 150 people participated in the race.
It was a very wet day, with pelting rain, slick roads, getting soaked from cars driving by, and even riding on the other side of the road at some parts to avoid puddles. We were wet from the swim, and stayed that way the rest of the day! The new 15.2 mile bike ride is challenging on a dry day, with little to no shoulder in some parts, winding roads, and steep climbs. The new running route included cross-country terrain. We ran through mud and grass, and some people even lost their shoes in the mud!
The storms made the event very memorable. I’ll never forget wringing out my socks before the race because I was afraid to run without them, or realizing 20 yards into the bike that I couldn’t see through my sunglasses (which I depend on to protect my eyes from debris while riding) so I yelled to my husband and chucked them into the grass! And I’ll always remember thinking to myself that riding in the storm as fast as I could was one of the stupidest things I’ve done since I became a mother!
Apart from horrible weather and a terrible side stitch during the run, the race was awesome. It was an incredible experience: the challenge of the race; being with friends (and seeing my wonderful training buddy, Cristin, as she crossed the finish line of her first Tri!); and to have the support of my family: my sister Sarah, who just returned from Iraq, my nieces, my parents, Vitto, and my daughters. Being the inaugural year of the new course, I have no time to compare it to, but I was pleased with my time and placing, and I’m hoping to beat it next year!
My friend Ted wrote: "I have a lot of respect for you going through with the race yesterday...all the racers...that takes commitment and toughness to go under those conditions. The rain stings and is miserable to see in, and turn in, and stop in...it's not like sailing, where you figure it's gonna be wet anyway! Hats off on the physical and mental toughness. So congrats. People might ask 'why do you do it?' but I understand. Because."
Isn’t that the truth?! Because.
It was a very wet day, with pelting rain, slick roads, getting soaked from cars driving by, and even riding on the other side of the road at some parts to avoid puddles. We were wet from the swim, and stayed that way the rest of the day! The new 15.2 mile bike ride is challenging on a dry day, with little to no shoulder in some parts, winding roads, and steep climbs. The new running route included cross-country terrain. We ran through mud and grass, and some people even lost their shoes in the mud!
The storms made the event very memorable. I’ll never forget wringing out my socks before the race because I was afraid to run without them, or realizing 20 yards into the bike that I couldn’t see through my sunglasses (which I depend on to protect my eyes from debris while riding) so I yelled to my husband and chucked them into the grass! And I’ll always remember thinking to myself that riding in the storm as fast as I could was one of the stupidest things I’ve done since I became a mother!
Apart from horrible weather and a terrible side stitch during the run, the race was awesome. It was an incredible experience: the challenge of the race; being with friends (and seeing my wonderful training buddy, Cristin, as she crossed the finish line of her first Tri!); and to have the support of my family: my sister Sarah, who just returned from Iraq, my nieces, my parents, Vitto, and my daughters. Being the inaugural year of the new course, I have no time to compare it to, but I was pleased with my time and placing, and I’m hoping to beat it next year!
My friend Ted wrote: "I have a lot of respect for you going through with the race yesterday...all the racers...that takes commitment and toughness to go under those conditions. The rain stings and is miserable to see in, and turn in, and stop in...it's not like sailing, where you figure it's gonna be wet anyway! Hats off on the physical and mental toughness. So congrats. People might ask 'why do you do it?' but I understand. Because."
Isn’t that the truth?! Because.
~Michelle
Sunday, September 21, 2008
New Freedom Fall Festival!
Hello SoYos!
I would like to begin by thanking Michelle, Danielle and Molly for staffing our table at the New Freedom Fall Festival! I was there for the set up part of it and it looked like the place was going to draw a crowd. We already have lots of ideas for next year because this is the perfect place to get the word out about our running club.
I'm thankful that the committee contacted us and that through Michelle's organizing efforts, we were able to have a presence there on Saturday.
It was beautiful weather on Saturday and Molly, Paul and I enjoyed our pre-festival run - well, at least I hope Molly and Paul did! After we completed five miles, I set up the table for the fest and then went back on the trail for another six. We are hearing a need from interested non-members for longer runs - so I'm considering ways to incorporate a longer run into our Saturday mornings. The best option I've thought of so far is to have long runners meet at 6:30 a.m. to do between 6 and 8 miles and then join up with the shorter distance runners at 8 a.m. for an additional three to four miles. I welcome everyone's comments on the topic as well as anyone interested in longer runs.
On another note, I met Kristen Faith at the Prettyboy Reservior last week for a trail run. It was the most difficult run I've had in a long time! Lots of steep inclines, roots, rocks, ruts, etc. In short, it kicked my butt. Kristen, to her credit, seemed completely fine.
I usually run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. If anyone is free at that time and interested in middle distance runs (5 to 6 miles), please contact me.
And finally, (will this post EVER end!) the Baltimore Half Marathon and Team Relay is completely sold out. There are over 500 people on the waiting list for the Half! I was #200 on the wait list last year and got in, but thankfully I've changed some bad habits and registered a little bit earlier this year. If anyone is registering for the 5K, please do so quickly - they are expecting that to sell out as well. If you are already registered for a race, let me know so we can coordinate race packet pick up on Thursday/Friday.
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication! Keep running!
erin
I would like to begin by thanking Michelle, Danielle and Molly for staffing our table at the New Freedom Fall Festival! I was there for the set up part of it and it looked like the place was going to draw a crowd. We already have lots of ideas for next year because this is the perfect place to get the word out about our running club.
I'm thankful that the committee contacted us and that through Michelle's organizing efforts, we were able to have a presence there on Saturday.
It was beautiful weather on Saturday and Molly, Paul and I enjoyed our pre-festival run - well, at least I hope Molly and Paul did! After we completed five miles, I set up the table for the fest and then went back on the trail for another six. We are hearing a need from interested non-members for longer runs - so I'm considering ways to incorporate a longer run into our Saturday mornings. The best option I've thought of so far is to have long runners meet at 6:30 a.m. to do between 6 and 8 miles and then join up with the shorter distance runners at 8 a.m. for an additional three to four miles. I welcome everyone's comments on the topic as well as anyone interested in longer runs.
On another note, I met Kristen Faith at the Prettyboy Reservior last week for a trail run. It was the most difficult run I've had in a long time! Lots of steep inclines, roots, rocks, ruts, etc. In short, it kicked my butt. Kristen, to her credit, seemed completely fine.
I usually run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. If anyone is free at that time and interested in middle distance runs (5 to 6 miles), please contact me.
And finally, (will this post EVER end!) the Baltimore Half Marathon and Team Relay is completely sold out. There are over 500 people on the waiting list for the Half! I was #200 on the wait list last year and got in, but thankfully I've changed some bad habits and registered a little bit earlier this year. If anyone is registering for the 5K, please do so quickly - they are expecting that to sell out as well. If you are already registered for a race, let me know so we can coordinate race packet pick up on Thursday/Friday.
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication! Keep running!
erin
Upcoming events....
The Trailblazers were represented at yesterday's New Freedom Festival, which was great! It was awesome to meet fellow runners and get the word out about our club and upcoming events. We met some wonderful people! Through talking with some of them, we've come up with some cool ideas for future events! Erin and I are already brainstorming the Spring Series of races, and it's going to be fun! (We'll keep you posted as the details are all worked out!)
In the meantime, the second Coffee Cup Challenge is around the corner, and we hope to see some new faces, as well as familiar ones. Let's keep our fingers crossed for better weather this time around!
The Kids (and Dogs!) Costume Chase is in just a couple weeks as well, and that is going to be quite a sight! My kids love running that "route"-- but to see them doing it in costume will be priceless!
Also, for you distance runners out there: we're looking to add long runs to our schedule, perhaps on Saturdays. Our club welcomes all runners, from those starting out to marathoners. So if you are looking for some partners for long runs, please keep an eye on our calendar! (We try to keep the calendar updated, so check that for more details on events.)
And one last final note: the weekly run for Saturday September 27 is cancelled due to the Shrewsbury YMCA Triathlon.
Hope to see you all soon!
Michelle
In the meantime, the second Coffee Cup Challenge is around the corner, and we hope to see some new faces, as well as familiar ones. Let's keep our fingers crossed for better weather this time around!
The Kids (and Dogs!) Costume Chase is in just a couple weeks as well, and that is going to be quite a sight! My kids love running that "route"-- but to see them doing it in costume will be priceless!
Also, for you distance runners out there: we're looking to add long runs to our schedule, perhaps on Saturdays. Our club welcomes all runners, from those starting out to marathoners. So if you are looking for some partners for long runs, please keep an eye on our calendar! (We try to keep the calendar updated, so check that for more details on events.)
And one last final note: the weekly run for Saturday September 27 is cancelled due to the Shrewsbury YMCA Triathlon.
Hope to see you all soon!
Michelle
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Speed and Coffee
Hmmmm......that sounds interesting! Well that's what we're bracing ourselves for on Saturday morning for the Coffee Cup Challenge!
A nice, flat and FAST course north on the trail and back. We are expecting a little rain, so please check your emails and the blog late on Friday just in case Hanna really comes to town. Rain is one thing, but no one wants 60 mph winds.
Michelle and I have been thinking about and working out any potential problems for the past two weeks, so hopefully Saturday's race will go off without a hitch. We have volunteers at the road crossings to watch for, and hopefully stop, traffic.
We also have someone at the turn around point to let you know when to start back.
We are so excited about this race - and we're not even running it! Michelle and I will start all of you off and click off your times as you cross the finish line. We're enthusiastic cheerleaders, so hopefully you don't mind some screaming!
We've had several people ask us about walking the course - YES WE WANT YOU! We are hosting a healthy morning out - with bagels and coffee. It is meant to be social - we aren't gunning for the Olympic Trials. And if you beat your previous time, walking or running, you get points toward a very cool and usable award!
So we really hope to see all of you out on Saturday morning. Many of you can't make the weekly runs or the speed workouts, but you just might make the first Saturday of every month.
We would love to see you there!
erin
"Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be."
Dr. George Sheehan
A nice, flat and FAST course north on the trail and back. We are expecting a little rain, so please check your emails and the blog late on Friday just in case Hanna really comes to town. Rain is one thing, but no one wants 60 mph winds.
Michelle and I have been thinking about and working out any potential problems for the past two weeks, so hopefully Saturday's race will go off without a hitch. We have volunteers at the road crossings to watch for, and hopefully stop, traffic.
We also have someone at the turn around point to let you know when to start back.
We are so excited about this race - and we're not even running it! Michelle and I will start all of you off and click off your times as you cross the finish line. We're enthusiastic cheerleaders, so hopefully you don't mind some screaming!
We've had several people ask us about walking the course - YES WE WANT YOU! We are hosting a healthy morning out - with bagels and coffee. It is meant to be social - we aren't gunning for the Olympic Trials. And if you beat your previous time, walking or running, you get points toward a very cool and usable award!
So we really hope to see all of you out on Saturday morning. Many of you can't make the weekly runs or the speed workouts, but you just might make the first Saturday of every month.
We would love to see you there!
erin
"Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be."
Dr. George Sheehan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
