What In the World of Running😳

03 Jun 2020 Leave a comment

by Lori in Marathons, Running Tags: , , , , , , ,

In any other year we would be chatting about summer races and all the fun things that come with the swing into warm weather. Things like adventure racing; extreme, obstacle, and themed races anyone? Hello Spartan! Tough Mudder! Rugged Maniac! Color Run, Zombie Run, Run for Chocolates, Run for Wine, Hot Dog Run, Run for a good Cause or run in a Costume. Run for every and anything. For most of us it didn’t matter what we were running for as long as it was fun. If you’re anything like me, you’re missing running around with friends, and running buddies, and run groups, and the gang, and whoever. I’m missing the freedom and community feel of all of that in the worst way!

Hindsight, they say is 20/20. Well darn it, they’re right! How often did I give thanks for those unassuming, reckless, taken-for-granted, always-complaining-it’s-hot days. I don’t think I ever stopped to appreciate how they consistently showed up year after year till it became a forgone conclusion. There was little need to wonder why or how as I gulped it down, ignorant in my entitlement, for soon enough the cold would come and then the pastime of complaining would take on a slightly different tone. But we kept that under wraps for the then minute as much as we could because..well..we were just too busy taking it all for granted. And as I switch from I to we, I recognize it’s a human condition to feel and act entitled, I mean who has time to think about these things, there’s a world to run quite literally. But oops, I kinda have that time now – we all do. So think about it and as you do, I’m not asking that you allow nostalgia to hoodwink you into lamenting “those days” but really just allow the past to inform current perspective and assist with future plans.

Last week I saw that the Boston Marathon got cancelled from its earlier postponement to September. They will now have a virtual running event where you can run 26.2 miles, wherever you are, and submit your time – officially in ≤6 hours to get your medal. What in the world! Never saw that coming. Even after the bombing in 2013 and the worst weather in about 20 years in 2018’s race, and with my running four of them back-to-back where they singularly had unique circumstances and crazy experiences as a result of which I opted to give it a break this year. I still couldn’t have anticipated its cancellation. It had never been done before! Now it feels like eons ago, but back when I stood at the cusp of 2020 and decided to break my “unicorn streak” I was all gung-ho on just one major marathon this year, the Chicago marathon, while I explored other possibilities. As of now Chicago’s still on, but I rather doubt it’ll happen. And as for NYC Marathon, and London, and others, I just don’t know what’s gonna happen. They all seem highly unlikely to occur as of now but we’ve just established how much I know. Sadly, not much. For sure I had big plans to be back on Bolyston Street next April at that much-celebrated finish line, but the jokes on me cause right now, with the kind of year that 2020 is showing up, I’ll be the first to say that I have no clue about Boston 2021, or Chicago 2020, or about Global Running Day this week and how I’m going to celebrate it, or how our world will celebrate it “together, alone” – our current normal, no clue on when I get to buddy up for a run or if I’ll even get to run with my run group again. For social media or anyone who wants to know my status is “clueless” aka my current state of mind.

Finish Line of the Boston Marathon 2019@nbcsports

If our present circumstances has taught me anything, it has taught me that I really don’t know as much as I think I do. Am I ok with that? No. But I have to be since it looks like we’ll be here a while. As the saying goes, it’s time to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. In truth, getting to a place where you’re willing to learn and adapt as necessary is a major learning curve for anyone and more so for this runner who loves people. So as I run and ride all over this City, day after day, I’m learning to shed myself of expectations and ideology, I’m feeling the scales fall off and pushing aside projections and predictions, and I’m allowing myself to run in the moment, run by run, day by day, learning to appreciate right now as I leave the future, even as soon as tomorrow, in the hands of the One Who quite literally holds the future in His hands. I know I’ve said it before, but God really is in the details.

My 2020 Running Bucket List

18 Feb 2020 Leave a comment

by Lori in Racing, Running Tags: , , ,

It’s true that I’ve scaled back running this year to attend to my knees but I’m not dead yet! I’m still all up in running news and on the look out for some sure ways to get the interested or curious reader or runner-to-be to lace up and hit the streets and trails. Who knows? You might even see me there! 

Destination Runs have always been a favorite of mine for combining two things I love doing: running and traveling. They present the best opportunities to discover new places, take a mini vacay, and feel super accomplished all at the same time. The following is a list of ten races/ runs that are giving me itchy feet this year. I may or may or may not have done a couple on there or a variation of sorts. Nonetheless, I’ve got my sights set on them all.

1. The Carlsbad 5000 – dubbed the world fastest 5K – there are individual races for Masters, Age Group runners, Party People, and Elites, the Carlsbad 5000 is a full day of road racing on the scenic, coastal streets of Carlsbad, California. I’ve always wanted to record an official 5K time so I’m in it for the record and bragging rights!

2. The Poconos Sprint Triathlon – a bit of a newer race, the Pocono Triathlon Festival is nestled in the Pocono Mountains, Lake Wallenp aupack, North East Pennsylvania and plays host to a weekend of racing with crystal clear water,a challenging bike course, beautiful runs and fantastic post race activities. I’m super excited about considering this Tri as oppose to my initial idea of the one in St Petersburg, which is way to soon for my knees as well as way to far for my first time. I’m in it for the experience and bragging rights of course!


3. Ragnar Team Relay Trail Run – likened to summer camp for adults with trail running and race medals, this is similar to the road races except it’s on trails – sounds a bit more scary (the woods at night anyone?) – teams of 4-8 divvy up about 120 miles for a continuous day/night race to the finish. I’m open to any fun new area like New Hampshire or even Twin Cities, MN for this one but I prefer a summer experience. I’m in it for the adventure!

4. Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon – happening on November 14-15 this year in this run-the-strip-at-night series. It sounds super fun and while I’m not a big half marathon fan, I will totally make an exception for this one. I’m in in for the fun!

5. Empire State Building Run Up – 5/12 – the world’s first and most famous tower race—challenges runners from around the globe to race up its famed 86 flights—1,576 stairs. The fastest runners cover the 86 floors in about 10 minutes. Leaders in the sport of professional tower-running converge at the Empire State Building on May 12, 2020, in what some consider the ultimate test of endurance. I’ve entered the lottery but I’m leaning on the side of doing it for a really good cause – The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), official charity of the run-up. If I do decide, knee issues under consideration, I’ll be in it for the charitable cause and don’t mind the bragging rights!

6. Kaua’i Half/ Full Marathon – September 6, 2020 – this run has all the makings of a running vacay and is known as one of the most beautiful and scenic destination races in the world. I can’t even! Who doesn’t want to go Hawaii and run. I’m in it for the destination!

7. Spartan/Tough Mudder – Obstacle type races that are run throughout the year from February and are the rave these days. I’m not immune. I’ve had the Rugged Maniac experience and aside from the water bit, I need more. I’ve heard Spartan races are tougher but still crazy fun. As a semi first timer, I’m open but take me somewhere fun. From Montana to Florida I’m in and in it to earn [Spartan] badasses bragging rights!

8. Ultra/Endurance Race – Jay Peak Trail Running Festival – 53.1KM Ultra Labor Day Weekend, September 5-6. I’ve only ever done one ultra running event in the vicinity of 32 miles, and while it was tough, I didn’t train for it so I can’t really give a fair assessment. I’d love to see what time I can do with training though. For this one, I’m all about pushing limits. What limits!

9. San Francisco Marathon – July 26, 2020. Usually one of the few marathons around in the summer months and probably so because of its location. I did this race a few years ago. It was awesome; very scenic with a versatile course and the priceless Golden Gate bridge experience. For all the good, there were two major drawbacks: the hills, more so the descent, and a big loop around the half distance, which included a major incline. I’m in it for the views and a better time!


10. Trail Run – I’ve always wanted to take part in the North Face Endurance Challenge. Recently, I was disappointed to learn that they are discontinuing the series and pushing off with something new. No details are as yet available but I’m hoping it’ll still involve Bear Mountain State Park here in New York and various challenges along its trails, which used to be an early summer event in May each year. Fingers crossed they announce something soon!🤞

I know the list is a bit ambitious, but it’s right up my alley and if I only get to do a few on there this year, it’ll still be an awesome running year. Do you have any running dreams this year? Don’t give them up. Modify and adapt all you have to but never give up. Here’s to a great chance that I’ll see you out there on one of these amazing runs.✌️

Bring back the days of easy, fun runs this Summer

24 Jun 2019 Leave a comment

by Lori in Running Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

If I had to describe Summer in so many words it would have to be: running, sunshine, outdoors, travel, beach, books, and adventure. I could live a thousands Summers and they’d never get old. There are just too many places to run, travel, and explore and one can ever have too many beach trips or read too many books. Since the weather has been so iffy for a while already, I’ve been trying to maximize these sort of cooler days to get some early runs in, nothing crazy, as I’m off the clock – so to speak – I’m on break! And so excited to return to a time when runs were easy and fun and took you anywhere – no strings attached. That, my friends, is the life! My life for the next five weeks anyhow. Let the good times/runs begin!

They say the best things happen when you don’t plan, so I’m making a studied effort to remain plans-less and let the chips fall where they may. Sadly, these five weeks will go by too quickly, but I’ll try to focus on the things within my control, which by the way, is nothing really. Be that as it may, I’m running whenever it’s cool and conducive to do so. That means away with the midday runs and hello early mornings and late evenings! Yesterday and last weekend saw me strapped up and out the door by 6:15am and still the sun was already out, not as high as later on when I was done, but it was surely out and about before I was. This, I’ve decided that if I persist with these weekend runs throughout the summer, it’ll have to be around 5am. I certainly love running as the world is just awakening and the sun is rising so it’ll be well worth the sacrifice to get up earlier.

As I write this, I’m thinking of my not-so-random 10 mile jaunt yesterday. It sure is easy to talk about making no plans, but the routine animal in me is a sucker for a schedule and so I sorta did plan my route. However, I’m hoping that with no training plans breathing down my neck, I can be a bit more spontaneous with very minor, and only when necessary, advance planning. To this end, while some of my friends have been talking about races, I’ve intentionally made no such plans and will leave it open as to whether I want to jump into a 5K, or 10K, or even a fun run in the next few weeks. Spartan or Rugged Maniac anyone? Keep in mind it’s Summer and yours truly is truly oppose to running in the heat, so it’ll take some convincing and a good reason to do so. On the other hand, adventure is totally a good reason. Just saying.

I’d like to encourage you though. Don’t let my reasoning keep you back from getting out there and doing your running thing. In fact, what would summertime be like to a runner without a bit of friendly competition, so bring on the races! There’s a lot of exciting running going on this Summer here in the Big A and in other states across the country. Find yourself something fun, something different, and exciting even if you have to cross state lines to do so; In fact you should make it a point to cross a few of those lines and go have yourself a summer adventure to rival past summers.

Running into Adventure this Summer with Obstacle Racing

02 May 2017 Leave a comment

by Lori in Competitive Running, Running Tags: , , , , , ,

Source: cloudlineapparel.com

Time goes on and so must we. A truer saying does not exist. It’s May-day – my way of ushering in the first day of May – and we’re one giant step closer to Summer. Oh the running possibilities that this awakens in my adventure-craving soul.

In the wake of both the Boston and London Marathons, many of us may feel a sort of push to run – to up our game or even to switch things up and say, maybe, compete? Maybe it’s neither of those but surely in the wake of such Kenyan greatness,  and for sure they dominated prized placings in both races, some of us have figured to find our own little niche to excel in and maybe even have some fun with. If so, I think you’re on the right track; for what’s running if you can’t enjoy some of it at the very least? Despite what non-runners may think, we’re not crazy, running can be fun!

Source: theclymb.com

Summer presents some fun opportunities for runners. While there aren’t much in the way of long-distance races, such as the marathon or other ultra running events, in the hot months ahead, in these United States, there are a variety of running events tailored to the fun-loving adventurer in each of us. Whether you decide to trek cross-country or stay local there are lots of running choices. Some popular ones that feature across the country at various and different times include: Ragnar Relay Races, Obstacle Races, which includes Mud Runs such as Reebok Spartan Race, Rugged Maniac,Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, Savage Race, The Color Run, Foam Fest, Night Runs, and some even include biking. There are many others that are spin-offs and/or localized versions of these races.

Whichever or whatever you decide, even if you choose to sit these out – truly your loss – you should endeavor to get outside. Go walking, hiking, camping, swimming, riding, surfing, learn a local sport – take up soccer or baseball. On the other hand, should you choose the fun way out, make sure to bring your A game ( best effort) and best attitude to make sure you have the best experience and maybe fall in love and develop a life-long habit along the way?

As an aside, note that while adventure/ obstacle races are not endurance races, they are challenging and are strength and skill-based and requires participants to be fit and have some knowledge of extreme sports and training in some of the activities involved. Thank goodness that they’re pretty short on average or you team up and assign legs, though that in no way detracts from the skill element. They require determination, commitment – both financial and physical, and your spirit of competition and fun of course. Also, be ready to travel and overnight over a couple of days sometimes. My recommendation? Get busy, tag a team and get to planning. One last note, these races are extra fun with friends or team-mates. So team up, Summer is about to happen for you!

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 546 other subscribers
%d bloggers like this: