Marathon State 44 and Karhu Shoe Review

Marathon for Sub 4 State 44 was In Boulder City , NV byLake Mead. Mountainous hills and lakes outside of Las Vegas . I felt sick going into the race, 2 weeks of a sinus infection, so I was not looking to PR. Just a solid race.

 The total accent for the race was 2,840 feet. Whew. A lot of hills.

The race itself was good. I feet strong and kept MP between the hills. I led the women till mile 10 then was passed. The heat of the day was on us also, 70 or so. Feeling ok although very very dry, cotton mouth. I could not drink enough.

After three stops stomach probs and continuing with 3 gels total, a happy runner girl crossed the line at around 3:30 and second placed women OA. 

Tired but I reached my goal for this race! 

I met Paula and Natilia from NV- lovey ultra runners. They both smashed the race too! I won a nice medal and an engraved bottle with bath salts. Goal done). I felt mentally great - mantras were used and pushed through. Running a marathon sick is not fun. 

I wore my Karhu Fluid 4 's for the race and they were fast and perfect for the terrain, Swift wick low profile socks were light and moisture wicking cool. 

My arm Warmers were awesome and light! I could be seen!

I drank heed at rife aid stations alternating with water every 2 miles. 

Karhu Trail shoes in Turquoise and Black. New show I tested last weekend in 10 degrees and slushy snow. The trail shoes gripped the road and I did not slip once. We ran for 14miles in some hilly areas of Worcester. I felt comfortably safe on the icy terrain and was able to keep lead of our group. I would highly recommend the #karhu trail shoes for off road or on road races. Lightweight and steady. Loved them. 

Next Race is Amherst MA USATF-NE 10 mile championship race Feb 23. I will also find a 5 mike speed prep race to run Feb8th. 

6 months in 2014

Below I have a wonderful list of my upcoming races. Excited. A strong list.

Jan 25, NV, Henderson Runs with the Angels marathon

This is my 44th Sub Four State and 91st marathon ( wayyyyy to many)looking for sun and a PR

February 8th warm up race Bradford MA 5 

February 23 Amherst MA, 10 mile

First in my CMS Teams USATF-NE Grand Prix Series for 2014. Going to all of the races to be an 'ironman' , these races are very competitive and keep me on my game

March 15th Rock n Roll DC Marathon, State' number 44 and Marathon 92, looking for a fast course and a faster race

March 16th New Bedford Half Marathon, New Bedford MA

USATF -NE second in series. This will be a challenge today for me after yesterday! 

March 30, Au Ras Mor, 5k Cambridge MA, third in the USATF - NE series with my Team

April I will be volunteering with CMS and www.karhurunning.com at the Boston Marathon!!

April I may find a fast prep 5k

May10th Fargo, ND Marathon 93 and Sub Four State 45

Flat and very fast, looking for a great time  here and for a six month peak

These races will be grand with support from #karhu shoes, #craft sportswear, # Swiftwick socks , top fuel from www.powerbar.com- protein bars and pre racing fuel packs- hydration and GUEnergy 

Grand Beginning for 2014

This is a short post for how thankful I am for the support I have. I am again a Karhu Running Ambassador for 2014 which makes me happiest. I hope to race and train to my best with tremendous support  from Karhu. Quality and performance in all of their shoes and clothing. www.karhurunning.com

I have the best racing team, the Central Mass Striders Racing Team for the USATF-NE Grand Prix 2014 racing year. Wicked talent in our team CMS- psyched  to see how we can dominate the other teams this year! The first race on the circuit is Feb 23rd. 

My running friends- group are some of the most Crazy - Classy- Talented and determined bunch - Love them! Long runs EVERY week - no matter the weather!!  Luckiest I am to be a part of the group) 

SeeMeInTheDark.com Company has shown support in reflective high tech clothing for myself and the CMS Team) 

 time to support and give back for 2014

Lessons learned- always moving forward 

Bring it on to Marathon Trials 2016

www.levelrenner.com

#OnTheLevel

#BeastMode

10 in 12 Alicia'a Marathon 2013 year Review

2013! Grand year for the races. Started in January at The Mississippi Blues in Jackson MS. I was on the pace team for the 320 pacer. Cold race but overall organization was top. Brought in 3 runners for 320.

February was The Austin Marathon. Great town and I would love to explore it more. The day was 50 degrees and sunny. Hilly course . I was 6th in AG with a 320 time.

March brought Piney Point MD Marathon. Beautiful by the Lighthouses ! Lovey race!! Chilly start, I was third overall!

April I ran the RI marathon , flat fast race where you had to have a qualifying time to enter. So cold and windy. I was fourth overall women. Highly recommend race. 

The end of April I also was a pacer for The Caramel IN Marathon for the 330 spot. Cold cold day , 30 I believe. I was so happy with my group!! I brought in 5 runners to a BQ time! Awesome place and weekend!!

June I flew to WY to run the Casper WY marathon . A little warm and hilly, but quiet scenic run. I was the women winner and got a very cool plate and duffle bag

I then moved to Worcester MA from AR in the month of July. 

August I ran the first running of the Sweltering Summer Marathon in Pittsfield MA. We ran on a track outside on a .314 loop. Hot. Great fun. You could also do the 50k at the race. I won the women's marathon and received a very cool homemade clock.

In October I ran CT Hartford Marathon . Legs were tired from a 30k USATF-NE race 2 weeks prior and I payed the price. Slowed way down to a 320 finish and 4th AG

November I ran the Manchester NH marathon for my USATF-NE CMS Team. Hilly hills, wind and cold ! Our team pulled together and we ended up with a third place for this race, my finish here helped our team to a year end fourth place in the standings overall out of many many talented teams! 

Last minute choice to run at the end of November the NCR Trail Marathon in Hunt Valley MD. Seven hours if driving and a hurt hamstring did not help my race. Cold cold start of 18 degrees. I won my AG and pulled a top 10 finish

Great year , lessons learned, too many races! 2 marathon wins , 6 new states for my Sub Four Fifty State club, and new found group of very talented runners in my team here in MA. New wonderful friends. Challenges overcome and more to run daily.

Special thanks to Karhu Running for the support on the Karhu Team for the year 

www.karhurunning.com

My coaches Jake and Justin Gillette 

www.gilletterunnibg.com

2014 will be epic with a Sub 300 marathon,  USATF-NE speed races with my Team and more volume with my workouts. Going for the marathon trial time for 2016. Got to try. 

Number 90

It was fun and it was cold. Number 90 marathon in MD, Hunt Valley was last Saturday. Met with my maniac marathon friends Kino, New runner hard-core ultra runner Maggie, JC and others. Dawned cold and too early after a seven hour car ride alone from Worcester MA to Hunt Valley MD.

Made it to the school then jogged up to the start line in order to keep my hands from freezing .

The race was dirt packed rail trail and an out n back. Very scenic. Recommend this marathon for those whom wish for a low key race. On point to mile 14- hamstring stated again. Same pain. It got worse . Kept on going . Able to ekkk out a 320 , top 8 and an AG award. NOW to rest up. Recovery and friend time. My hands froze around the Gels!! Thanks to Karhu for the support and the top shoes 

www.karhurunning.com 

Wore my Wheaties visor for Team Wheaties Warriors 26.2! it looked great although I did not eat Wheaties before the race- needed to) 

www.gilletterunning.com

Shout out to Craft clothing 

www.craft.se

Keeping my running and racing spot on and warm 

First Turkey Race

MA is cold! The chilliest race I have ever raced. 20 degrees and wind. The race was great though, felt very strong, time definitely was impacted by the wind - 35:00 finish with out pushing good enough for top 10 OA women and 2AG, ready for last marathon of 2013 this Saturday in MD. My next blog post will be a year recap of races and goals for next year. I have so much to be thankful for!

Finland 2014 in the works

www.karhurunning.com

Manchester NH Race Recap. USATF-NE Championship Marathon and #89th 26.2

Last Sunday was the Manchester NH marathon - Sub State # 43 for my goal trying and I was running for the CMS Women's team. Had to do well. The day dawned cold, 30 degrees, windy and overcast- fun :) 

So I bundled up and ran to the start. On point until mile 12, had my splits on time for a 310-306 finish ... Then the glute started soreness again- I had this pain from CT Marathon 3weeks prior. I tend to do too many miles and was not rested.

I took 3 Advil - I know- not good, but I had to finish for the team. Hurt bad, this was very hilly too, 900 total feet of climb, finished in  323, good enough for 19th women and 9th in age group. 

Helped the team to third place which was wonderful. NOT the time I had to do not what I felt I had been able to do in training . Lessons learned. Fun time with the Team- wonderful support. 

I had my Karhu Flow Lights on and my Craft shorts- both were perfect for the marathon. 

Thanks always to Karhu and my coaches  Jake Gillette and Justin Gillette for the coaching. www.gilletterunning.com

www.karhurunning.com