Race and Pace Alicia

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Alaska marathon number 97

I made it to Anchorage after 3 flights. Woke up ready to run Wayy to early as the time change was four hours! Nice shake out run by the base of the mountains .

The marathon was Sunday AM, which I would have liked to of been Saturday! The expo was small and fid not have too many running items. Ready to race!!!

Race morning foggy and 50 degrees with a little drizzle. Almost perfect. I did not like the 9 am start time- much too late as I was ready at 6am to race!

The course wound back and forth along the rail trail outside of downtown, many loops and switchbacks along with up and down terrain. We had to dodge many half - marathoners and walkers which slowed the pace.

Pretty but I did not see any wildlife .

My stomach was not happy so stops were made, then hamstring jury o do do bad at mile 15 to 17- more slow down...

Felt great the last 10k, brought it in at a 645 pace.

Second Women Overall and got a great award and gift card!

Very happy to have my Sub 4 state done, #49. My time was not good at all, but I will take a top 3 and newspaper mention any day.

I took 3 GU and 2sips of Gatorade at each water station.

Karhu Fluids, LaceLockers over my laces in green , Knee compression socks from Swiftwick , SeeMeInTheDark Headband, Healtheorganics power bar to eat before the race.

Team USATF-NE race this month Grand Prix 15 k.

Alaska was beautiful .

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Marathon 96 UT

Marathon 96 was in North UT in Morgan Valley, Sub 4State number 48

Quite a hot start at 90 degrees and very dry. The altitude was at 5,600 and I certainly felt it! Very thirsty all day. I drank 100 oz the day before the race!

Gorgeous area with a lot of horses on the hilly course. Started out at 710 pace and maintained to the half coming in at 134 . I then passed the leading lady and continued on. The sun was coming up and sponges were dispersed!

Feeling great till mile 18, then my hamstring righted and tightened up.

At mile 20 I choose to tone it down so I did not hurt myself further, I ran 800 miles in the final 5 for the win.

I am now tapering heavily for the Alaska marathon in a week and a half. Hoping and training for a fast PR. Should be a great race.

Gear: Karhu Flow Steady shoes

Swiftwick pulse one turquoise socks

See me in the dark headband

Lace lockers in my Karhu shoes

GU: 2 during the race miles 10 , 15, and the Orange GU Chomps miles 18 to 23.

Healthy Organics P Nutty Eno Bar and coffee for Breakfast

Swirlgear favorite tank post race

Ready for a fast marathon in 10 days !

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

GU Brew

This past weekend I was so excited to try the new updated, GU Brew.

I got the Blueberry Pomegranate flavor in a small round tub. I like this as I can put as much or little as I want into my water, with the scoop.

GU Brew is a blend of carbohydrate s and electrolytes for recover post run and also during the day. I drink GU Brew on average 4 times a week during training of an average of 75-80 miles.

The taste- yum. Sweet, not too sugary, refreshing. I had a 20 oz of water and one scoop- 70 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrates. I drank it 40 minutes after a 12 mile tempo run. My energy perked and I felt level again.

It comes in many flavors and also in little single serving packets . I Recommend for recovery post workout highly.

I will packing some for my UT Marathon this Saturday.

www.guenergy.com

GU Crew Running Ambassador

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Lace Locker Review

I was super excited to win a contest a few weeks ago put on by my friends at

www.vegrunchat.com on twitter

@vegrunchat

I won a pair of LaceLocker's!!

Perfect to keep your laces tight and they will not come lose or undone during a run.

I followed the easy directions and secured my laces- tested during a four mile training pace run. Laces did not flap and were completely tight for the duration of my workout. As I live in Worcester , MA, all of my running consists of some form of hills. LaceLocker's -laces perfect.

I will be testing out another pair this weekend at The Cranmore Mountain race a hill filled 10k , part of the Mountain Series put on by USATF-NE.

More colors I will sport and showcase in the upcoming weeks.

Honored to be a new Runner Local ambassador for :

www.lacelocker.com

@lacelocker

www.stashsports.com

@stashsports

Friday, July 11, 2014

Vega Plant Based Bars

I had the chance to review for the company , Vega, some of their bars.

I have been a vegan athlete for over 10 years so I was thrilled to try the protein based bars. Below is a picture of my Vega sports cup ready to go!

My favorite was the All in one Meal Bar in the flavor of Chocolate Coconut Cashew. Fulfilled my hunger post run and the taste , sweet, not overly coconut in texture and firm. Yes. Love))

I also liked for pre running miles the Vega Snack bar. Nice and light for a snack before heading out to the trails. Fav was the Dark Chocolate Mixed Nuts and Berry. Total yum.

As a marathoner and team racer that is vegan, I have to pay close attention to my energy needs and fuel. I cannot say enough positive reviews for the Vega Product Line and the All in one Bars.

www.vegateam.com

www.aliciarunner.blogspot.com

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Loon

Another mountain race? Yes!

USA Mountain racing Championship was held July 6th at Lincoln, NH. Heavy competitors all around. I was honored to be there, just to start.

Beautiful area, green and trees and bears...

The course started fait flat on dirt road by a river then winded up the mountain ski slope. The climb started fault quickly. Very rocky footing and I almost feel 2 times) the leaders started at a 530 pace and I was behind for a short time in 630 .

Then first climbs were not too bad, but by mile 3 my calfs were achy.

The final Walking Boss hill, totally nuts.

I was bent at a 180 angle for .5 miles.

I feel ok upon finishing, I felt strong and happy to of completed the hard course. My first championship race . It will be my goal for 2015 to again qualify and to be in the top 10.

Our CMS team placed 5th in the top competition !!

Very proud .

Next race is in the USATF-MT series Cranmore July 20th in North Conway NH

Then The Morgan Valley UT Marathon July 26th, right outside of Salt Lake City UT

My Karhu Flow Trail shows, swiftwick low cut socks , seemeinthedark headband, and GU Watermelon chomps helped me for the race. HealtheOrganics protein bar for breakfast and I was good to run.

Love the mountains. Going for a PR in UT.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

The rock pile

Mt. Washington

What can I say. It was epic. It was do so hot. It was freezing cold. A mental game. A breathing challenge.

Cannot wait for next year. Redemption .

The first 2 miles were spot on pace, about 11:00 per mile. I was going for a top 20 placing for sure, feeling great, breathing well. The first 4 miles or so were at a 8 to 12% grade.

Then I got so hot, sweating, my heart was going to bust)! so I walked for a minute. I then picked the pace up. I passed a strong women with an Ironman tattoo - thought to myself , " that's encouraging"

I saw one of my great running friends at mile 6, Jim Roche, he gave me a hug and a piece of chocolate . Feeling good now.

Then the wind came down the mountain, it went from 55 degrees to 35 quickly. I started to see mountain men walking DOWN the slope with full parkas and furs on, the fog started to roll in, I was seeing goats in the mist.... Surreal