Iron runner

The year of the Grand Prix USATF-NE series comes to a close (

Great year running for Central Mass Striders Women's Team! I ran each race in the series for 2014 so I qualified to be an IronMan Runner for the Grand Prix!

I am honored to be a part of this series, undoubtedly one of the hardest in the US. If not for the races, the completion and competition ! New England runners are cut throat and wicked fast , I was happy to finish in the top half if not the top ten for the races! Teams include: Boston Athletic Association , Whirlaway, just to name a few -Greater Lowell too.

The races I completed were 10 miler in Feb, a  5K in March , a half marathon in March the day after amarathon , a 5 miler in June ( a PR ), a 15 k in August ,  a 10k in September and the marathon in Nov!

I helped my team score for the marathon which I am super proud of!

Love my team and I have learned much this year about speed work, helping others , and gutting it out ....

Bring on the series for 2015

NH marathon number 99

On It was a cold start and windy in Manchester NH

35 and head gusts up to 60 mph fun! 

Made it to the start with an extra throwaway vest and hoodie on complete frozen already . 

I paced with my teammates to the half at on on time pace for a 319 finish . Feeling good. Took 2 GU and tried to hydrate well. Then the winds started.

Miles 16-19 in my face on an uphill climb. This little one could not push the pace anymore. The rest ofmy journey was trying to keep an even stride while keeping a steady pace. 

Brutal.

Frozen 

Made it in. Helped my team as much as I was able.

I was happy to finish this series as now I was an official USATF-NE GrandPrix series Ironman !! This was for completed each race for the year. 

Happy 

Exhausted. ....

I love my CMS team 

Number 100 next Sat the. 8th 

AC Marathon

My states are almost complete. This marathon in Atlantic city leaves me with Hawaii left in my quest. 

AC marathon. What a day. Winds up to 20 mph. Chilly. Twists and turns. Boardwalk was so hard to run in.

Well I desired that morning that since my hamstring was still sore to not push this race at all but to take it easy easy . I have my Team USATF-NE championship marathon in 2 weeks that I need to push fast. Very fast .

Ran smart . Ran slow. Paced with my Sub 4 state friend the entire race. 

Windy so much through the race. Wow. Took some mind games to get through. 

Happy to complete my 98th marathon and state of NJ. Turned out I was top 10. 

Now on to a fast PR for Manchester City NH Nov 2nd . 

Mountains

The last USATF-NE mountain series race was last weekend in Bretton Woods, NH.

Lovely area especially with the fall colors everywhere!

The day was cool and overcast Perfect.

I felt good, did a 2 mile warm up and then fueled with a half packet of chocolate GU!

The first mile was at a 8 percent grade up the ski slope - slow mile

Then we traversed 3.4 miles to 3 checkpoints in the woods. This was my first fell race- you had to go through each check point for it to count- and carry a map! 

I got lost once. Yes. I freaked out!! Ha. Do do so much fun! 

I came in 8th which I was happy about! Did a 6 mile cool down. 

Next year I will do the 7 races entirely, I did 5 this year)

Next up marathon 98, state 49, Atlantic City NJ

Lone Gull and surprise 5k

2 weekends ago was my second to last USATF-NE Grand Prix race, 10k in Glouster, MA

Our Women's CMS team did well, third in. My open division and the Master's were second in this tough competition! 

My hamstring bothering me bad, do I was not pushing the pace, took it very easy at a 700 pace. Finished strong and happy. One more race in our series, the NH Marathon. I have ran all of the Grand Prix races this year so I will be an Ironman racer at the end of the year. Very cool. 

This weekend raced a 5k, I won the event even gong off course .7 miles!!  Too funny) I warmed up for 10 miles then raced. 

Now to taper for Clarence DeMar Marathon this Sunday in NH. It will be my 98th marathon.

Big thanks to all of my sponsors thus far this season. Running stronger and faster.  

Team CMS and 5 mile

Last weekend was our CMS USATF-NE 's 15 k Championship race in Burlington VT. What a lovely area!! Ready to move. 

The race day dawned rainy and overcast with foggy like humid conditions. Hot. Steamy. Not fun(

Warmed for 3 miles- should of did 4. My leg was still stiff for the first 3 miles in and then I felt dizzy and very wobbly- the heat I was not ready for! 

I took a GU chocolate Gel and half a cup of water on the head and felt better. I then picked up the pace at mile 6 and was ready to race. By then though for a 15 k too late. 

I brought it in on a negative split with my leg feeling fine!! That was my goal. Happy. The team came in third out of tough competition! On my way to IronMan  Status for the year in USATF-NE if I complete the next 2 races, Lone Gull 10k and Manchester NH 26.2

The next day, Labor Day, I ran a five mile hilly hot race. Even warmer in the sun. Started with a four mile warm up which was perfect, ran faster than Sunday and yelled away from the pack at mile 3. Poured water on my head each stop!

Finished fourth women right behind the leaders( 8 seconds). Then I cooled down for 3 miles. Fun weekend with my friends. Feel like I have my faster wheels back on for the fall races. Solid training and nutrition. Thank you to all of my support ambassadorships so much. 

www.guenergy.com

Www.karhurunning.com

Www.lacelocker.com

Www.healtheorgainics.com

www.seemeinthedark.com

www.swirlgear.com

www.swiftwick.com

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 .