Favorite Features of Favorite Races

I have run a lot of races.

What's that phrase...Too many races, too little time?

There are some races, though, that really stick out. Maybe the race course was fun, or maybe it was tough (and you really had to dig deep to stay in the game). Some race distances are easier than others, but all have their challenges. And then there are the select few that keep you coming back, year after year.

Peaking out the Mileage

Yes, it's just about that time...

My training mileage for the Marine Corps Marathon (October 27th) is peaking. Similar to climbing a rather large (but not necessarily ominous) mountain, my training for this big race is approaching its "peak." The long runs have kept increasing in length. The weekly mileage has reached new heights (no pun intended), as has the monthly mileage.

Thankfully, once this summit is reached, the taper will happen. My training will be scaled back, all in prep for the big day. But, I'm not quite there yet (stay tuned...that'll be happening in a couple of weeks).

Runfessions - Farewell to Summer

I seriously cannot believe I just acknowledged the Farewell to Summer reality...

I've been in denial for the past several weeks, after all. Even in the midst of all the darkness-laden runs I've done as of late, a part of me kept hanging on to the last semblance of those warm temps that I adore so much.

Oddly, I'm not too sad. Trust me, I AM sad (just not sad enough to cower under the covers and refuse to step outside). In a strange, cathartic kind of way, it does feel good to move forward into the autumn season. Summer will be there waiting for me in 8-9 months. Let's not forget that in another three months, we'll pass the winter solstice and the days will start getting longer...but I'm getting ahead of myself. Glass half full, my friends!

None the less, let's runfess....

2019 Kickoff to Kinnick 5K - the race that went virtual

There's a first time for everything, right?

On Saturday, September 21, I got to experience my first-ever canceled race. The funny thing is, many of us took it upon ourselves to run the race anyways. Runners are stubborn like that.

Making It Happen

Sometimes you just gotta go with the flow and make things happen your own way.

It was another week with all kinds of weather changes (and subsequent challenges). Summer? Fall? Or wait, was it early fall or late summer? Both?

Not everything went as planned, but it all got done. In the end, that's really what matters, right?

Fall Fitness Transitioning Tips

Do you like running in the fall?

A lot of runners sing the praises of fall because they welcome the cooler temps for their runs.
Myself? Not so much.

Don't get me wrong; I do enjoy fall and the cooler temps can be pleasant. The cooler temps, though, can also be unpredictable and extreme (ummm, low-40's in the morning, high-70's in the afternoon, thank you very much).

Let's not forget the shorter days also throw in another nuance...limited daylight. My early morning runs (and occasional walks and bike rides) are now in 100% darkness. I'm still getting them done, but the change of seasons dictates I change a few habits for the time-being.

Taper - Yay or Nay?

How do YOU feel about Taper?

Dread it? Love it? Hate to love it?

Many runners dread the taper, fearing they will lose some of their fitness gains, endurance or speed by easing up on their training.

Myself? I'm a fan.

Going with Plan B

If at first you don't succeed, go with Plan B (or something like that).

How's that for a strategy? This week had me switching my plans around, pretty much on the daily. Not a bad thing, really, but it definitely keeps one's creative juices flowing in strategizing how to get it all done.

First world probs, am I right?

Biking in the Dark...doesn't have to be scary

Biking...it doesn't have to just happen in the daylight hours.

With the daylight hours dwindling, there isn't a lot of natural light available this time of year. For those who work outside the home, the optimum daylight is even more scarce.

Have you ever been tempted to saddle up and ride under the stars, but were hesitant? Not sure how safe it is? Read on...

At-Home Workouts: Options Aplenty!

Did you know a gym is not a requirement for a good workout?

Easy for me to say, right? After all, I am a runner, and 98.999% of my runs happen in a non-gym setting (and, most of those runs also happen outdoors, in all kinds of extreme temps and weather conditions).

Granted, I do have a treadmill, but it's no secret that I seldom use it. I also have an elliptical, but that's reserved more for the colder months when it's too cold or dangerous to safely be outside. I don't have a gym membership, nor do I have a viable space in my house for a home gym. I do manage to work out almost every day, though, in some capacity.

I believe if I can find a way to make the workouts happen, anyone else can too.

Doubling Down

Doubling down. Double trouble. Double or nothing.

Call it what you will, there was all kinds of double duty going down this past week. Not only was there some major recovery happening (from Sunday's NewBo Half Marathon), but, technically, I was also coming off a "scale-back" from the previous week. Can you see the double objectives at play?

Fortunately, I made it work...

Coffee Chat: Summer Don't Go...

What happened to summer?

That's the thought that's been on auto-repeat for the past couple of weeks. I could tell the days were getting shorter (those #5at5 runs have seen the sun rising later and later), and now the temps have gotten cool as well. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm just not ready for it to happen...yet.

In fact, there are several things I have enjoyed this summer. I don't want to see any of them coming to a screeching halt.

Let's gather for a virtual cup of coffee (or any beverage of choice), shall we?  Maybe there's a few others out there who want summer to stick around for a little longer....

NewBo Run Half Marathon Recap

There's something about the sweet taste of redemption.

It's also a lot of fun racing with friends. Add a fun race course that offers both challenges and a scenic route, and it's a total win.

Such was the case for the 2019 NewBo Run.

Welcome to the Dark Side

Welcome to the dark side.

Let me clarify...this dark side is in reference to daylight (or lack thereof), not running. Ugh. Just like that, the early morning daylight has dwindled down to the barest of minimums. It's not a crisis, nor will it keep me from doing my early-morning thing (usually outdoors, none the less), but it is a buzzkill.