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Eugene Marathon Training: Week Two

Week two was marked by especially frigid temps. Still, enjoyed all my outdoor runs this week. Training is ramping up in intensity, which makes me happy. Logged longest run since November injury and am thankful to feel my endurance still intact. Working on slowing down pace on long and easy runs, which is my biggest […]

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To Lora V…The Girl Who…

So began the subject line in a recent email from a dear friend. In its entirety it read, “To Lora V…the girl who never lets the snow stop her.” Attached to the email was this fabulous surprise: the above portrait, illustrated by the incredibly talented (and dare I say beautiful)  Sam Smith, who’s recently launched […]

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Eugene Marathon Training: Week One

Week one of marathon training went well. Had an extra rest day to kick off. Met with Mike, who will be coaching me this training cycle. He’s armed me with a training plan, based off my goals and taking into consideration my past injury. Have some new drills to try which aim to get my […]

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Eugene Marathon Base Building: Week Four

Week four is the last base building recap for a while! It was a relatively slow workout week, which I decided to keep easy. By the time Friday arrived, I actually felt a bit tired and worn. Decided to rest in preparation for Sunday’s 10-miler which turned out to be a good decision. That run […]

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NYC Runs Central Park 10-Miler

Today was the NYC Runs Central Park 10-Miler, my first official timed event of the year. While I hesitate to classify this as a true race recap – I went in decidedly not racing the course – it was a great way to usher in spring marathon training. When Ashley mentioned running this together, I […]

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Eugene Marathon Base Building: Week Three

Week three consisted of more running and less gym time. Mostly due to holiday schedule/winter break. Slowly increasing miles and logged first double-digit run since November injury. Finally at a point where my body’s feeling the closest to normal it’s felt since before injury. No noticeable discomfort or difference in the right foot anymore. Starting […]

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2012 By The Numbers

Running without my Garmin’s nearly unimaginable. That being said, my Garmin obsession pays off at the close of each year. After ringing in 2013 with the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, there’s now some run data to be analyzed! Since I only started running in 2009, I still get a massive kick out of seeing my […]

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Eugene Marathon Base Building: Week Two

Week two was more cross-training than running. Overall, feel yoga is providing great strength and flexibility training. Really enjoyed the personal trainer session. Each session with her helps me build muscle to support running, and trains my body to stay in proper alignment while working. Only one more day of the year to possibly log […]

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Running In 2012: Q&A

The 2012 year-in-running Q&A caught my attention after being mentioned by three amazing runners – Ashley, Jess, and Melissa. The questions got me reflecting on the year’s experiences. Since it was quite unpredictable and unprecedented (for me), I decided to follow suit and offer up a few words to give the year its due credit. […]

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Eugene Marathon Base Building: Week One

Week one of base building for Eugene Marathon! Am enjoying working with a personal trainer to help build muscle mass and work areas that’ll help balance out running form. Running is feeling less rusty each time I go. Am careful to assess how I’m feeling with each run. This week saw my highest mileage since […]

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Post-Marathon/Injury Recovery: Week Five

Week five was a good week. Was my first official week with the personal trainer; and I received clearance to re-introduce running into my workouts! I’m enjoying the trainer sessions as she has me doing more strength and weight training. The workouts are tough but they’re the path to faster and healthier running. My first post-injury run […]

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Post-Marathon/Injury Recovery: Week Four

Week four was a somewhat easy week, workout-wise. The good news is my right foot is feeling great and continues to be pain-free. Walking is back to normal, as is getting up and down the stairs. Feels as if nothing happened a few weeks ago. Finally made it back to yoga class, which was fantastic. […]

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Post-Marathon/Injury Recovery: Week Three

Week three of recovery was a good one. The podiatrist examined my right foot and cleared me to remove the walking boot. I’m now in running shoes full time for the next two weeks. Matching shoes – great progress! Foot muscles are adjusting to no longer being immobilized; however, there’s no pain walking, exercising, or […]

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Post-Marathon/Injury Recovery: Week Two

Week two marked my return to working out post-stress fracture. Did various cross-training, all without impact to my foot. What’s good: had some excellent and challenging workouts. What’s bad: I really, truly miss running! Back to the doctor on Wednesday, Nov 28, for a follow-up exam. Hoping for decent news, recovery-wise. Monday: Pilates for 60 […]

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Pensacola Marathon Training: Week 17

Week seventeen wound up being an extra week of taper to carry me through to Pensacola Marathon on November 11. Wrapped up training feeling strong and healthy. Who would have guessed the outcome of the marathon, then? Thus proving that even when training’s spot on, a good race isn’t necessarily guaranteed. Monday: Rest day. Tuesday: […]

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2012 Fall Season Conclusion: Pensacola Marathon

Write injuries in dust, benefits in marble. Benjamin Franklin ~ To start with the obvious, this training and racing cycle was full of unprecedented and unpredictable events. A hurricane swept in the week before the NYC Marathon and wreaked havoc on the five boroughs. The race was on! The race was off! Never before had […]

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Race To Recover: Thank You!

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta ~ This post is to simply and whole-heartedly say THANK YOU! Two weeks ago I wrote about running the New York City Marathon as a […]

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The Road Diverged: Pensacola Marathon

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road…unless you fail to make the turn.” Author Unknown ~ By now, we all know the 2012 New York City Marathon story. It became the “race that wasn’t” amid natural devastation and a dose of controversy. I admit my emotions have scaled a far-reaching […]

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NYC Marathon Training: Week 16

Week sixteen was meant to be the final week of NYC Marathon training, ending with 26.2 miles through the five boroughs. Hurricane Sandy swept in on Monday, devastating neighborhoods, causing flooding and power outages. After the storm subsided, the NYC Marathon was announced to be on-schedule, as planned. I picked up my race bib on […]

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NYCM: Race to Recover

I’ve been quiet the past week or so with the incoming hurricane and its devastating aftermath. NYRR, the City, and partnering agencies decided the 2012 New York City Marathon will continue as scheduled. This post is not intended to be a forum for opinions on this matter. There are a variety of other social media […]

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NYC Marathon Training: Week 15

Week fifteen was full of crazy taper emotions. One minute excited, the next full of nerves. Cut back on some cross-training, and have poured all energy into keeping my speed work sharp. Am starting to get my gear and plan organized for next weekend. You see that? I said, “next weekend.” One week until RACE […]

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Tapering With Gratitude

“Rest and be thankful.” William Wordsworth ~ With the longest training runs behind me, taper is in full effect. It’s now just over a week until race day. The past week’s been full of emotions that undulate much like the NYC Marathon course. One moment is electrified by nerves and a tightening of the gut; […]

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