Inaugural Middletown Half Marathon and Legends 4 Miler

I had registered for the Inaugural Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Middletown Half Marathon (say that in one breath) so long ago I ended up being a moron and signing up for another race in Danbury the same day! Luckily they gave me a refund for my mistake. This race was being put on by Hartford Marathon Foundation and I was very excited to be a part of this inaugural half in my state, plus I knew Anne lived in Middletown and figured she MUST be doing this race.

After getting to the Quarter Marathon by the skin of my teeth the day before I made sure I arrived early to get a parking spot somewhere close to the Start/Finish line. I was in luck! Ain't nothing better than free parking!

I ended up only being one block from the Start/Finish Line as well as the post race festivities. At 10 am they were still setting up.

I was incredibly excited to meet Jeff Galloway again! I had no idea he went to school in CT AND was roommates with Amby Burfoot! Wow, what a small small world! I had Jeff sign my race bib.

Jeff Galloway, Amby Burfoot and Bill Rogers all together, The Legends.

I was so excited to get my picture with these two! Sorry Bill but I had no idea who you were. Amby holds a record for the most consecutive Manchester Road Races run, I believe he completed #50 this past Thanksgiving. That was how I knew who he was. And of course the adorable Jeff Galloway!

Okay so the shirts....let me first say I loved the Hartford Marathon Foundation truthfully until I found out they only accepted "elite" athletes to their team, how 'well-rounded' is that, (sorry I am a sore loser on this one) AND because lets face it, unless you put sizing instructions on your registration pages how am I to know that it's going to fit my boobs. If that's TMI, shove it because I LIKE to wear race shirts, especially right after the race to show my support and well show off where I just beasted it. I know the guy was doing his job but the douche working the table of shirts was incredibly rude and lets be serious Hartford Marathon Foundation, we BOTH know you are not struggling for money. You got JEFF FRIGGEN GALLOWAY to come to CT. Cut the act. So now I have a race shirt that unless I get a boob reduction I won't be able to wear. Isn't the whole purpose of a shirt to have people wear it and others interested ask about it?! Anyone ever heard of advertising?! Okay. now my rant is over. By the way congratulations to the HMF Team Members!

While waiting for the start Anne and I looked at the Nora Cupcake Truck to see what goodies we might want after.

Kim and Anne were doing the 4 miler and I was in for the half. I love these ladies so much and always seem to have an absolute blast with them! (Congratulations Kim on becoming part of HMF's Team, now SHE deserves it!)

One more shot of us before we ran, Kim, me, Anne and Pam!

Seeing the first aid tent set up made me think of RyRy. Look how Army-esk this is. HOOAH!

Volunteers were still hanging up the medals, blue for the half marathon and red for the 4 miler, as we made our way to the start.

I couldn't wait to cross this finish line.

On our way to the start. The half and the 4 miler would begin together.

Carolyn!!!! AHHHHH Skirt party, Anne, Carolyn and Kim. I wasn't invited but, it's okay. I still love them.

Carolyn and I were channeling Kristy the whole race! We sent videos to tell her how we were doing <3

Carolyn had a great support system with her too, Dyella who I had met at #runnerslove was there cheering her and me on! She took this great photo of us!

Okay so the race...hmmmm, lets see, we ran down main street and immediately took a left, UP. A. HILL. It was absolutely brutal. I had hoped to stay between  the 2:45 and 3:00 pacers but I felt like I had concrete in my shoes. Carolyn and I ran the whole race together with our only goal to beat 3 hours! I cannot remember the last time I had so much fun running and hated the entire course. We chatted and laughed and cursed the hills that just kept coming. We made friends with the 3:00 pacers and had a good time with them as they kept catching up and then falling back. The weather was phenomenal during the race, a little warm but perfect in my opinion. Anne finished the 4 miler and booked it up to the 8 mile mark with Phred her little furry munchkin child! I'm pretty sure I screamed when I saw her! IT was such a huge surge of adrenaline. Shit, this is what #runnerslove is. She just ran 4 miles and instead of relaxing and celebrating, she came to cheer us on. It gave me goosebumps to see her. Thank you again Anne, it really meant the world to me! Ugh, being able to have heart to hearts and seeing friends while you are running, there are few things better than that. Carolyn and I pushed each other and had a great time doing it!

At mile 12 we realized we could make our goal a reality, we stopped for a photo op and pushed it the last 1.1.

Going down the very same hill we went up at the start of the race I found a woman walking, I told her to keep moving and although visibly winded she said "all right"! and picked up the pace. I asked if this was her first half marathon and she said yes, she looked like death and looked miserable, (hell I'd probably be too if this course was my first half!) I told her she could do it, only a little bit more to the finish. I told her finishing, not just her first half but THIS COURSE under 3 hours would be something she'd never forget and told her to keep running! The children in the background are hers, when they saw her on main street, they all ran out and finished the race with her. Thank you again Dyella for an awesome picture!

Carolyn although a fluttering, flying beast throughout the race, she slowed down before the finish and I caught up with her, we grabbed each others hand and sprinted to the Finish Line! We did it! We hugged and accepted our medals! I love the proofs we have and might actually have to buy a photo or two.

After I crossed the finish Anne was there waiting, every piece of my body hurt from my forehead to my toes. I knew I wanted to get Amby Burfoot to sign my bib so I quickly met up with him.

Although I can say, very confidently, that I will NEVER run this course again, I will give the 4 miler a try possibly next year. The overall event was too much fun to pass up.

And I got to meet Chris Trotta, we both follow each other on Twitter and got the chance to meet in person! He's incredibly sweet and down to earth. Congratulations to Chris on his Team HMF acceptance as well. (See I'm okay with him and Kim.)

After saying our goodbyes and noticing there was little to no food left, okay there was greasy pizza. Anne and I needed a drink. 

I was incredibly disappointed that I was unable to get a cupcake from Nora Cupcakes, the ones that they had for the runners, post race. Another negative check for HMF. However, a plus was Eli Cannon's pulled pork that was left, if I could have bathed in it, I would have been a happy girl. It was THAT good.

Anne suggested First and Last Tavern on Main Street and we walked, well I hobbled, to the bar. We sat and talked for I think and hour and a half. I had such a good time with her. It's always enjoyable to spend time with Anne. If you get the chance, do it. She's incredibly easy to get along with.

After two margaritas I headed back home to have dinner at my parents house. I needed to change out of my running clothes and shoes A.S.A.P.

I love my medal.

As you can see I got just a wee bit o' sun during the race as well.

I got to hang out with my girlfriends.....and Kemmy...

Finished another half marathon for 2014 AND got color....

And had my baby fall asleep on me at the end of the day.

You find a better Sunday. I dare you.

Greater Hartford Quarter Marathon Race Recap

The Greater Hartford Quarter Marathon was the first event of the running season for Hartford Track Club/Sonic Endurance. As an ambassador I was incredibly excited to be a part of this event.

I did have issues finding the location initially. I woke up later than I had anticipated but when I entered "MDC Reservoir" into my GPS it sent me to a location 20 minutes away from the actual race aka MDC Reservoir #6. Although it is a reservoir the sign out front is Water Treatment Plant and that threw me off. Figures I'd be the person to have issues. I ended up arriving only 20 minutes prior to the start. I felt the walk was a little long to get to the start/finish line but that could have been my nerves. I can only imagine how gorgeous this place looks when it's all green.

Signage was well placed and parking wasn't awful considering the reservoir was still open to the public and there were 600 estimated runners! What a turnout!

When I picked up my bib and shirt I was relieved to see they had a bag check as it was too close to the start for me to get back to my car and drop the fantastic long sleeve shirt off. Kim, Kathy, Sandra, Anne and I all hung out until the start.

I didn't hear anything signifying the start but the large mass of people moving was identification enough that I should get going. Kathy took off and I followed. I knew she had a 5k pace I liked so I thought about staying close to her. Kim and Anne were doing run/walk and were behind me. When I reached Mile marker 1 I realized that I needed to slow it down. I wanted to be able to handle the Middletown Half the next day. Kim was the next one to show up and I thought, what better company! I also decided to make sure I wasn't running too hard I would do burpees, each mile marker I would do that number of burpees and continue. I have to take this Spartan Race for all it has. This was the best choice I could have made.

I had an absolute blast being with Kim. Most of you know her from her runDisney "Why I Run Disney" video, but shes even better in person. She is so inspiration and motivational. She told me to relax my shoulders when going down hill and that's something that I found helped me immensely both this race and for Middletown. We stayed together from 1 mile to mile 4 and chatted. By mile 4 I stopped, dropped and did my burpees but there was no way I could catch back up to her. I just kept chugging along as she pulled away. I made some new friends, got a great wet puppy kiss from a little chocolate lab and finished strong. About 1:24 which I have no issues with. 6.55 mile and 21 burpees done!

Kim and Kathy we were waiting at the finish. I went over and snagged some snacks. there was so much to choose from! Definitely a great array, bagels, cupcakes, oranges, little cake bite things. I loved the effort and heart put into this event. As the rest of the finishers were crossing they began the raffle drawings.

Our group took a photo after everyone crossed. Sandra, Myself, Kim, Anne and Kathy. I loved everything about this race and highly recommend it to anyone for next year ORRRRR for the Solstice Sprint 5k coming up in June! If you're interested in signing up contact me for a discount code. It will be the same course but only one loop instead of 2.

I felt like such a bad ass when I was done. I couldn't wait to get home and tell my father, I knew he'd be going to the gym and working out.

Shepaug Run Raiser 10k Race Recap

Early last week someone posted on the Running for Rescues Facebook group that they had a free entry to a trail run in southern Connecticut. Well me being the freebie lover I am, I jumped at the chance. I had these amazing visions of truly becoming Pocahontas....jumping through the forest effortlessly with woodland creatures following me singing....(mayyyyybe John Smith too, a girl can dream)

(Source)

Unfortunately the outcome was more like this....

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It is very rare I am ever out of my element. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

After transferring the registration to my name and emailing one of the RD's I had to look at the website to gain all the information necessary for the day. The 10k was going to start at 9am but bib pick up began at 6.30am. Now I knew there was no way I was going to get there for 6.30am to get my bib and sit around for hours. I left my house around 7.15am and arrived around 8.30am which was perfect for me. I was already dressed and ready.

I had decided to wear crappy shoes thanks to some great advice from all of you the night before. I also knew I couldn't handle being cold and wet if it did rain so I wore my L.L.Bean rain jacket (it had zipper pockets-score!). I had found a great Nike water bottle at Dicks Sporting Goods the night before for only $8. It had been molded for you to hold on to it too. Normally I never carry any water BUT they made it very clear there would be no water/aide stations on the 10k course and I didn't want to risk it. I also wore my BRAND NEW CW-X tights...Ya know the ones that cost $140+...yeah well this princess scored them for $10 on runningroom.com!!! Thank you to my best running friend Kristy for giving me the heads up on that AMAZING sale. Unfortunately they are a little too tall for my short body but hey, there are worse things in this world. So I was completely set to run.

I was nervous I wouldn't be able to find the start line but luckily the address was perfect in my GPS and there was a sign directing me the right way.

Although I had spoken with someone prior to showing up today they had no put me on the list of runners and I had to give the name of the awesome lady who transferred her registration (THANK YOU AGAIN!!) 

After I was given my bib I recieved a swag bag from The Olive Oil Factory. I personally love this company after tasting their delicious options at the Connecticut Wine Festival in Goshen, CT. Who am I to judge!?

I also was given these sick NYARA socks that I cannot wait to wear!

In The Olive Oil Factory swag bag was a full size bottle of Balsamic Glaze (seriously my favorite)...

An extra large shirt and a bumper stick. Very very impressive.

The whole thing was very informal which was less intimidating but more nerve-wracking. The start was also the finish and instead of a horn or a gun the man in charge rang a cow-bell to signify the start. I was confused to say the least. I sent this picture to Kristy when she asked how things were going...

Although I do not have anything else to compare it to, I LOVE my compression tights. 

The start of the race was absolutely gorgeous and the weather was holding off marvelously

Then after the biggest giant hill I had ever gone down we entered the 7th circle of hell. And no, this is not the one near my house with 3 dogs on the curve of a street trying to attack me and Ace. This was a whole 'nother circle just like it but filled with ice, mud and roots.

After falling into a creek I managed to stick close to two other women who were also doing their first trail run.

When Kristy asked me how it was going....I decided text would not be good enough. I sent her this video.

Then my mother text'd me asking if I was already running...again I figured video would accurately describe the journey I was on.

After what can only be described as the journey through hell I managed to find a group to stay with. There were pricker bushes EVERYWHERE and no matter how I tried I either met them or mud. I truthfully don't even think I am doing this race justice....

I stopped on a mini bridge about 1 mile from the finish, it was near a lake I KNOW had to have been used in a horror movie.

I ended up crossing the finish line at about 1:48 minutes. Not bad considering I felt like I was climbing Mt. Midoriyama (American Ninja Warriors anyone?). I ended up coming in 3rd in my age group which was cool. Didn't get anything for it but I guess that's how it goes. I did however have a couple of cool souvenirs to take home. Puncture wounds ALL OVER my legs, Cuts on my fingers...

Muddy shoes (ps don't leave these in your car for longer than like an hour....let alone 4 days...BAD SMELLS) and a ruined pair of brand new socks...

And a pretty awesome finishers pint glass.

I snagged a chocolate milk even though the snacks were for the 50k and 50 miler runners.

All in all I will say the event was pretty awesome for being so small. That being said I will never, ever, ever participate in another trail run as long as I live. I wish on the website it said "remember that camping trip you took with Girl Scouts...yeah, just as bad as that". I do not like mud, or being wet, or running on mushy ground. The people were fantastic both volunteer and fellow runners. But yeah. Nope. Not for me....

Have you done a trail run before? Ever done a race you would NEVER do again?