Home for the Holidays 10K

   
December 24 - I woke up early Christmas Eve morning to take part in the Home for the Holidays 10K, a virtual race created by bloggers Ashley, Stephanie and Robin.  It is also training time for my second half marathon, so I worked in the 10K as part of my scheduled long run.

We still needed some last minute things for Christmas, so my husband dropped me at the school where I met up with my running buddy and he went off to the grocery. Our plan was to blend two of our running routes together and try to make an 8 mile run. Route #1: a 6.5 mile loop around the lake. Route #2: part of our hills workout run that we thought would add another 1.5 miles.

Here it is on GPS:

Did I mention that it was only 20 degrees? It was the coldest day we have gone running so far. All we needed was a little snow! Our run was slightly challenging because it included a few what-I-call-steep hills. I'm not sure if it was the cold weather or just an off day, but this run definitely required a lot of effort to push through. It was especially difficult to face one of the toughest hills at about 4.5 miles. My legs wanted me to keep moving down the hill instead of turning off and heading up.

We ended our run with 7.5 miles (so our estimations were a little off) and icicles in our hair! Participating in the Home for the Holidays 10K has been a lot of fun and I love that I burned a few hundred calories before the Christmas partying even began!

Virtual 10K - 1:01:10

Merry Christmas!

Virtual Running

 
December 22 - We are in the age of Virtual Running. A virtual run is completing the race requirements without being present in an actual race location. More and more events are popping up via social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Nike Running, DailyMile and more.

My experience with virtual running began in 2009 when I participated in the Nike Human Race 10K. Nike promoted this global 10K event for its users of the nike running sensor through Ambassadors, Challenge Teams, and Facebook. I was invited to join the event by one of the Nike Human Race Ambassadors and enjoyed weeks of training while interacting via the internet with my teammates and participating in contests. On race day, runners had to complete the 6.2 miles wherever they were, whenever they wanted and then upload their run using Nike+. Even though I wasn't surrounded by hundreds or thousands of other runners, I sported my Human Race running shirt and felt part of something huge.

This year I will be participating in the Home for the Holidays Virtual 10K put together by a couple of Twitter runners Robin, Stephanie, and Ashley. To participate all you have to do is run your 10K between Dec 23-26 then submit your time afterward. You are also encouraged to submit your stories and photos because they are giving out prizes from an array of brands for Best Holiday Outfit and just for participating. These runner girls don't want to let anyone end 2011 without one more experience of the "runner's high."

The 2012 New Year will bring the Inaugural Twitter Road Race 5K on Jan 21 created by Doug another runner on Twitter. Doug has successfully registered Bart Yasso of Runner's World along with hundreds of other Twitter runners. Doug's goal is simply to bring runners together to experience the camaraderie of running through the power of Twitter.

These Virtual Races are great motivation for runners all over to get out there during these busy, hectic holidays and run. So whether you are maintaining your training or burning some holiday calories, virtual runs are an easy, healthy, fun way to do it!

What do you think about virtual running?

What virtual races have you participated in?

Twitter Happiness

December 18 -  Last weekend was my last race of 2011. In the last ten weeks I have run in seven races and one fun group run. My next race isn't until January 1st, which actually isn't that long from now, but for some reason feels like forever.

I love running. I love blogging about running events. What will I blog about until the next race? I'm not an expert on fitness, or weight management, or healthy eating. I don't have advice for injuries or training or running gear. I just have my experiences.

So as I have come to enjoy blogging about my running events almost as much as running them, I have been feeling a bit dejected wondering what topic would make for interesting blog reading?

Then yesterday, I saw this:

My first Twitter compliment!  Reading that made me want to write more posts, but there I was again wondering what do I write if I'm not running in a race?  Reading other blogs inspired me to post my last entry: Running the Sights.

Then, today, things got even more interesting when I saw this one:

What. An. Amazing. Offer!  I cannot express how thrilled I was to receive that tweet. Eager for more information, I went straight to their website. My eyes were moving quickly, trying to make sense of everything they were seeing, when they stopped on MAY 5-6, 2012. Darn. That is the same weekend as the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. My hometown. 

Now I had a big dilemma. I have been talking about running the half marathon with my friends for about six months now. My plan was to run the race and get a quick visit with the family at the same time. But now I was presented with this exciting opportunity that might not come again and it could lead to even more adventures. The Flying Pig will still be there in 2013.

So after weighing the pros and cons of travel, expenses, and work with my husband, I accepted the offer to become a Rhode Scholar. I don't know yet what it means exactly, but I am looking forward to being a part of the Cox Rhode Races event in May.    

Running the Sights

It is amazing what you might see when you are out for a run.  

I have seen some of nature's beauty:

Spectacular views:

New and old things merging:

Interesting yard art:

Strange outfits:

And pets of all kinds...

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN ON YOUR RUNS? BEAUTY, WEIRD, HUH?

This post was inspired by fellow bloggers over at ON & OFF RHODES.  Check it out here.

Fun Run at MHT

Photo by Gary

December 11 - This morning I took part in my very first Fun Run hosted by a co-worker who is a member of a local running group, the Greater Derry Track Club.  What are fun runs?  They are friendly runs, rather than races, with participants taking part for their own enjoyment rather than competition.  It is an organized run that is a perfect way for runners to get together and find running companions for your pace and goals.  The fun runs are hosted by members of the running club who provide maps and support for varied distances, and afterwards arrange for food and socializing.

Today's fun run took place at the Executive Health Club at the Manchester Airport.  Gary, the host, planned three route choices of 4, 6.5, and 12 miles.  The four miler was an out-and-back, the 6.5 miler was a loop around the airport, and the 12 mile long run was a combo out-and-back with a loop south of the airport.  Maps were provided to the runners, although many choose to just follow the group.

6.5 mile loop - 1:00:45

I choose the 6.5 mile loop around the airport because it is in my current mileage range, but more importantly (to me) I thought it would be cool to run around the airport!   I use the Manchester Airport a couple of times a year to visit family and my husband is a pilot, so I really liked the idea of looping around the place with an airplane possibly flying in or out overhead.  And...I knew viewing the map later would look awesome if I used my GPS app to track the route.  I wasn't wrong.

Since this was my first time, I did not know what the 6.5 mile route was like.  It turned out to be a nice combination of hills and flats; enough to keep it challenging, but also keep it relaxing and fun.  Looking at my stats afterward, I was happy that I managed to increase my pace at each mile.

I really enjoyed this route and once again it was perfect running weather: 30s and sunny. If you are thinking about ways to finish out your year of running, fun runs are a great way to connect with friends both familiar and new!