Inaugural Newport 10 Miler

Newport, Rhode Island is one of my favorite places. The Inaugural Newport 10 Miler showcased the beauty and history that attracts so many and benefitted the historic Fort Adams Trust.

The race not only raised money for Fort Adams, but was held at Fort Adams, nestled on the Narragansett Bay. We picked up our race bibs and t-shirts on Saturday afternoon right on the parade lawn where the race would finish on Sunday and had the chance to meet Matt, the race organizer, from Gray Matter Marketing.

After our usual pre-race breakfast, we headed to the fort to be sure to get a good parking spot. The main lot outside the gates was being used for the race start and then public parking since Fort Adams would actually still be open for tours. The secondary lot was about a mile from the start line, but it was a pleasant walk with great views of downtown Newport across the harbor. Before the start, we met up with some of my favorite FitFluential running friends. 

Jill, Nancy, Samantha, Michelle, and me

We took advantage of the bag drop (which we somehow missed before heading to Newport and had to use a shopping bag from the NEX, yikes!) and the port-a-potties before heading to the start area. While chatting with Nancy and Jill we learned that the race would not start until 8:15. It wasn't a big deal to me, but for serious runners, it could mess with the whole fuel timing thing. 

At the boom of the cannon, we were off. Here's an awesome video showing what it looked like from above!

This race was a preview to the half  marathon my husband and I will be running together this weekend, so we ran at his pace. Right from the beginning we knew we were going to have fun when we saw flag guy (aka Bryan) - who we would end up running near for most of the race.

We also had some fun with the girls before losing each other in the crowd. This cool picture was my husband's idea. (Miles 1 & 2: 937, 926)

Besides all the fun we were having, we had these beautiful views of the Atlantic as we ran along Ocean Avenue.

Our photo taken by flag guy Bryan was the only dip in our pace - there was a photo bomb and camera malfunction involved too. (Miles 3-5: 1118, 926, 915)

Sadly, my husband forgot his Simple Hydration water bottle and had to use each of the four aid stations, but other than a couple of photo stops he sailed through the miles.

When he realized we were at MILE 6, he couldn't believe it because he was feeling so good. Did I mention that he wears Mizunos too? Enigmas for all you #brilliantrun junkies out there.

We love Rough Point and had to stop for a quick picture. You never know what you're going to see in the yards of these mansions! (Mile 6: 944)

The final four miles were just as good even though we had a couple of good hills to climb before cruising through the final two and back into Fort Adams. (Miles 7-10: 948, 945, 901, 837)

At the finish line we found some post-run yoga to stretch out and eventually found the food tent with bagels (always a favorite) and candy (even better than bagels!). The food tent was small and crowded but there was plenty for everyone.

This was a great race. My husband did amazing and I'm so proud of him. It was a great day for running.

The Newport 10 Miler has already announced the date for next year, April 27, 2014. Will you be there?

TrainingTruths: Half Marathon #9 Week 7

It was Spring Break here in New Hampshire although for the first few days you wouldn't know it. It was freezing. It finally turned around mid-week and cooperated for our last training runs before tapering begins for the Flying Pig. It was a week filled with finding ways to be active beyond the run and try to turn the occasional into habit.

#TrainingTruth: Turn intentions into actions.

On Monday I ran two miles with a wonderful group of runners who came out to support Boston at the #BostonStrongGoffstown event. I was a nervous host all day, but was put at ease as soon as we started running. It felt really good to be back on the trail.

Tuesday was a regular run day. The cold, rainy weather made it difficult to get out the door initially, but once we did, we covered the five mile route easily. 

The sun came out on Wednesday and since it was a non-running day, I took advantage of the weather and hula hooped outside.

Blessed again with sunshine and comfortable temps, Thursday's run was a treat after the soggy mess on Tuesday. My wish to replace my winter gear with running shorts was granted and even the headwinds couldn't dampen my spirits.

Thursday afternoon we couldn't pass up an invitation from my step daughter to join her and her boyfriend for some games of tennis. We enjoyed a little girls versus boys and then kids versus adults. 

Since the dog is retired from running, I decided to take him on a 5K walk to our local beach on Friday. Definitely need to do more of this.

The timing of the Newport Ten Miler fit perfectly as our long training run on Sunday (recap coming soon). I knew my husband's training had been going well, but I was blown away by how awesome he did running these ten miles. He finished in 1:36:32 and his overall pace was 9:39!

Share your #TrainingTruths!

Just a Little Blog Award - from I Heart Running

A fellow runner and blogger picked me and my little blog to receive the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Caroline is the supportive voice of I Heart Running and the Running Bloggers network. Thank you, Caroline! 

The rules for these awards are:
1. Add the Very Inspiring Blogger Award photo on a blog post
2. Thank the person who presented you with the award and link back to him or her in your post
3. Share seven things about yourself
4. Pass the award along to up to 10 favorite bloggers
Contact the chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.

Instead of things about me, I thought I'd share what I'm loving right now:
1. My Athleta Pismo Pullover in Grey Heather. Sooo comfy!

2. The Newport Ten Miler - because it means we are heading to one of my favorite places. It means warm weather, sailing, and family time.
3. My new favorite fun core workout - hula hooping.
4. Training with my husband - It's not always easy, but running together is a fun way for us to bond.
5. Long runs - The fact that I can lace up my shoes and head out for 6, 8, 10 miles at a time still astounds me, but I love the time to reflect and find my zen.
6. Runners - the running community is an amazing force. Seeing the outpour of support and love following the Boston bombing is so inspiring.
7. Spring - after a very long winter, seeing the pops of color is a welcomed sight.

My nominations:
1. Janine @ The Purple Giraffe
2. Nancy @ Living the Dream
3. Dani @ Weight Off My Shoulders
4. Deb @ McBride Design
5. Krysten @ The Misadventures of a Darwinian Fail
6. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
7. Michelle @ Running with Attitude
8. Sarah @ Run Far Girl
9. Katie @ Ms Fit Runner
10. Jen @ Running with the Girls

BostonStrongGoffstown

Monday night, my wish to get together a group of runners and DO something to show Boston support from New Hampshire came true. Family, colleagues, students, and running friends (both old and new) showed up to demonstrate that we all stand as one. We are all runners. We are all in this together.

We started the evening with introductions while runners got ready to go and my step daughter and her friend helped hand out blue and yellow ribbons. After a moment of silence, my husband sent us on our way playing the Bostonian favorite Sweet Caroline.

While we were just one of over 100 #BostonStrong<city> events taking place all over the world, the two mile trail run allowed us to feel connected in a very powerful way. One of the best parts of the run was passing a young mother and her daughter who came out to cheer us on and ring their Boston Marathon cowbell. It was such a great moment and emphasized the role of spectators.

To everyone who came out for the #BostonStrongGofftown event, THANK YOU! My goal was for all of us to come together to show our love and support for all those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings, and we did.

TrainingTruths: Half Marathon #9 Week 6

What an emotional week!

It started Monday morning with excitement for the Boston Marathon and ended after a marathon week for law enforcement who worked non-stop chasing and capturing the suspects involved in the finish line bombings.

#TrainingTruth: "If you are trying to defeat the human spirit, marathoners are the wrong group to target"

#RunforBoston - With a heavy heart, I put on my BAA 5K race shirt Tuesday morning to show my support and love for the running community. After school my running partner and I logged a quick 4 miles before the rain came. It felt good to briefly zone out mentally, but also to be running for Boston.

It was not an easy run on Thursday. The sunshine disappeared not 20 minutes prior to heading out leaving only wind gusts behind and all through the five mile run my stomach was aching. The running world was still plagued with anxiety, but planning a #BostonStrong<city> event (details below) helped because I was doing something. The good part of the run was my shoes.

I woke on Saturday morning with a huge sense of relief and gratitude knowing that they had captured the second suspect. Maybe the weight off my mind was just what I needed to finally get in my first plank workout of the week.

Hoping for better weather, we moved our long run to Sunday. Although it was still way too chilly to be considered Spring, the sun was out and smiled down on us most of the 10 miles. My husband had an awesome run and is easily ready for the Newport 10 Miler next weekend. As for me, my legs felt good but I struggled with tight abs. It felt like a stitch at first, but even a rest break didn't completely alleviate the tension. Without meaning to, we donned Boston Marathon colors and hummed Sweet Caroline spontaneously throughout the run.

Here are the details for tonight's Boston tribute run in my area:

Location: Meet at Barnard Park -> Run Goffstown Rail Trail
Date: Monday, April 22, 2013
Time: 6PM
Distance: 3 - 4 miles
Facebook Event Page: RSVP here

Wear a race shirt, or Boston Marathon colors (blue & yellow). Bring a friend.

Are you participating in an event to support Boston? Feel free to link it in the comments.

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to assess ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:

1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments

I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths!