Black Cat 10 Miler

 

March 5 - Sunday morning I left my house at 5:30 to meet Daisy for a ride to The Black Cat 10 - 20 Miler in Salem, MA. This race offered runners the option of running 10 miles, 20 miles or participating in a 20 mile relay. The course, touted as mostly fast & flat, started at Salem Willows, wound through downtown Salem into Marblehead and turned-around at Devereux Beach. The race was created in 2010 to attract runners training for the Boston Marathon and others ready to lace up their sneakers from the winter. For me, it was a great distance for maintaining my endurance for my next half marathon.

Salem is a town most widely known for the witch trials of 1692. You may have read about them in The Crucible by Arthur Miller when you were in high school. It is also the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne, another famous New England novelist you may have read who wrote The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables. 

Salem is also rich in its maritime heritage, offers a splendid array of historic architecture, and is popular for its quirky Halloween themed attractions. Popular points of interest include the Friendship of Salem (a replica sailing vessel), Derby Wharf and Light Station, Custom House, House of Seven Gables, New England Pirate Museum, and Salem Witch Trial Museum.

The race route connected the town of Salem to Marblehead. What many people may not know about Marblehead, a small historic coastal town, is that it is the hometown to one of our very favorite runners, Shalane Flanagan. You may recognize her as the 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon winner. She will be representing the United States at the 2012 Olympics in London. It was pretty cool to run past the "Welcome to Marblehead, Hometown to Shalane Flanagan" sign. I wish I'd taken a picture...

The 10 mile race was challenging. The course was much hillier than I anticipated, but because Salem State is nearby many sororities and fraternities set up water and Gatorade stations as part of their community service projects. There were times when the runners and traffic were crowded together on the road, but in other places the local police and volunteers were present to give direction. At the finish line runners were handed finishers medals and directed to water, Gatorade, post race snacks, as well as stretching and massages in the school gym. This was a fun race and I would do it again.  

10 Miler - 1:29:13.8

This new and locally organized event was a success. The 10 Miler had 664 finishers, the 20 Miler had 327 finishers, and the Relay had 18 teams finish. And although we didn't attend, there was a post race party at FINZ Seafood & Waterfront Restaurant where for $10 runners were treated to a variety of post race food, cash bar, free samples of Barefoot Wines, raffles and entertainment.

This race also supported a worthy cause called the Allie Castner Scholarship Fund. Allie was hit by a car and killed in 2009 when she was only 15 years old. The scholarship in her memory provides other young high school students the opportunity to benefit. Take a moment to read her story and the many ways you can contribute to the fund.

February Follow Up

 
March 3 - Already another month of running has elapsed and it is time to assess the progress of my running goals.

1. Keep running: I ran 80.82 miles this month! My 2012 total = 173.26. That's 72.91 more miles than this time last year.

2. Run a race every month: I ran TWO races. I'm really liking the half marathon distance and looking forward to my next one in May at the Cox Rhode Races in Providence, RI.

8 miles on February 11

Half at the Hamptons - February 19

3. Improve the blog: Running Escapades on Facebook now has 25 likes! 

4. Add another New England state to the places I have run: Nothing new this month. Still searching for something in VT, ME, or CT! Let me know if you have any recommendations, especially for the summer.

via

5.  Keep meeting new running friends: I was lucky enough to hang out with some other running bloggers, FitFluential Ambassadors, and a fellow Rhode Scholar after running the half marathon. (photo shared by Samantha)

6. Another impromptu workout challenge: I completed the FAB AB FEBRUARY challenge from Pinterest! Sit ups, push ups, and planks all month long. I highly recommend these workouts for anyone who is like me and not typically a fan of working out. 

What did your February look like?

The Fuel Experiment

February 29 - GU Energy Gels have always been my choice for fueling during training runs. Tri-Berry is my favorite flavor.

I ran the Half at the Hamptons a couple of weeks ago and found out that using energy gel for fuel during a race can be a rather sticky experience. In all my runner gracefulness I ended up with more GU on my hands than in my mouth.

As I prepare to run the Cox Rhode Races Half Marathon in May, I am looking for the perfect fuel to use during the race. I want something I can take on the run and won't be messy.

After raiding the shelves at my local Sports Authority, here is what I came home with...

Choice #1:

PowerBar Energy Blasts are gel filled chews with a liquid center. Uses C2MAX formula - "a 2:1 glucose to fructose blend found to deliver...more energy to muscles..." 190 calories per serving (pouch). Nutrition Facts: 60mg Sodium, 45g Carbs, 36g Sugars, 3g Protein, 0 Potassium. Price $2.29

Choice #2:

Sport Beans are energizing jelly beans. Quick energy replenished from carbohydrates, electrolytes and vitamins B & C. 100 calories in a serving (package). Nutrition Facts: 80mg Sodium, 25g Carbs, 17g Sugars, 0 Protein, 40mg Potassium. Price $1.49

Choice #3:

GU Chomps are energy chews. Sustained energy through amino acids, Vitamins A & C, and electrolytes. 90 calories per serving (4 pieces). Nutrition Facts: 50mg Sodium, 23g Carbs, 11g Sugars, 0 Protein, 40mg Potassium. Price $2.20 (2 servings in package)

Choice #4:

CLIF Shot Blocks are semi-solid energy chews. Each chew replaces carbohydrates and electrolytes during activity. 100 calories per serving (3 pieces). Nutrition Facts: 70mg Sodium, 24g Carbs, 12g Sugars, 0 Protein, 20mg Potassium. Price $2.49 (2 servings in package) 

So my plan is to try a different fuel source on each of my next long training runs. My goal is to find one that is easy to use, provides an energy boost, and tastes good!

Do you use fuel during your workouts? 

Which do you recommend?

Saskatchewan Screamer: Dislike

 
February 26 - Yesterday was my scheduled long run for the week. My running partner/personal trainer is unavailable (she's living it up at the Princess Half Marathon in Disney - more on that later), so I recruited hubs and the loyal hound to run with me.

Who could resist that?

We loaded up the car and headed toward Manchester to take advantage of the paved paths and nearby park. Hubs and the dog were going to run about 3 miles with me and then walk around while I finished up another 4 mile loop. We stopped for gas on the way and that is when I noticed how windy it was. I knew we had a wind advisory, but then hubs introduced me to the Saskatchewan Screamer...a fast moving low pressure system sweeping southeast out of Canada bringing winds with speeds over 45 mph. After checking TWC App on my phone, we decided to reschedule the run for Sunday when the winds would lessen.

That's his pouting pose!

So this morning we headed to church...

Outfit: H & M sweater, GAP pants, Express necklace.

...and then we realized we had double booked our run to coincide with basketball. Oops. So instead of the awesome downtown run I had mapped out for us, I hit the basement and climbed on the treadmill for 7 miles. 

Source

Watching Home Alone while running on the treadmill is not my ideal workout, but it is better than not working out at all. Although, I can honestly say that the look on "Kevin's" face is exactly how I was feeling earlier today. Despite my frustrations, I had a good run and continue to maintain my momentum for my next half marathon at the Cox Rhode Races in Providence, Rhode Island in May.

Half at the Hamptons

 
February 20 - Yesterday I completed my 2nd half marathon in Hampton, NH. Half at the Hamptons is a popular race because the course is one of the flattest in New England and many runners use it as a Boston Marathon training run. Hampton is a small seacoast town with all the charm of the typical summer beach destination. The white washed buildings are weathered by the ocean winds and the streets are protected by a seawall with the beach on the other side.

Hubs and I arrived in Hampton early so there was plenty of time to park, check-in, use the restrooms, and meet my running partner, D. Hampton offers hundreds of parking spots up and down the beach (which were free for the race) as well a street parking and some large lots that charged $5. Check-in at the Ashworth by the Sea Hotel was quick and we received a cute cotton long sleeve lavender race shirt. After stopping at Ds car, we made our way to the start line.

Even though there weren't corals (the race capped at 1400 runners) it was easy to find a spot and we ended up very near the 9:00mm Pacer, Timmy. The course's reputation was accurate, and along with the temps in the mid 30s and the sun shining, it was a perfect day to...PR!!

Special thanks to Hubs for biking around to take these awesome pics!

I had hoped to finish this half better than my first last August at RNR PROV because my training has improved and I have been injury free. I NEVER thought that I would finish sub 2 hours though. D and I stayed together sticking with Pacer Timmy until about mile 6. She started to pull ahead, but I was afraid to push my speed anymore, so I held back. I think I made the right decision because the last 2 miles were difficult. My hips started tightening up, but I managed to keep up with Pacer Timmy's pack and finish 1:57:51.

After the race, hubs and I headed to Portsmouth to lunch with a group of runners, bloggers, FitFluential Ambassadors and a fellow Rhode Scholar at the casual British pub, Coat of Arms. It was a great day to spend with old and new friends.

Samantha / D / Group - Halen, Janine, Greg, Samantha

Now it is time to take a few recovery runs, then maintain my training for the Cox Rhode Races Half Marathon in May. It has been a great winter to train and I am hoping that Spring is right around the corner. So as I take a few days to savor my new PR and "I just ran a half marathon" moments, I'm already thinking about the fun to come.