One Run Closer

Dang. I've been slacking some on this blog. Okay time to update.  I did not run NJ One Day 12 hour. Which really blows since that was the race I was initially training for. A week before the race my achilles was really tight, I decided the day before the race to sit out. I took most of November off since I came off 2 ultras and a marathon PR within 2 months.  I honestly almost forgot I was signed up for BUS Trail mix up 50k on December 21. So I only got about 3 good weeks of training in, one good long run and a few tempos. I headed into this race not prepared and really only goal was finishing and hoping it would be under 4.5 hours. Also, a couple ladies Maggie Guterl and Sky Canaves would be my biggest competition out there, both ladies qualified for USA 24 hour team (Congrats girls!!!!!!) also both speedsters. Both ladies did a 60k ultra (sidewalk) run the day before (crazies)... !!  Race... I started fast, as usual (rolling my eyes because you think I would learn my lesson)... I

15 weeks until Caumsett USA 50k Championships!!! I don't have my races planned until after Caumsett. Which is great, gives my body time to rest, recover and a lot of time to get me in the best shape I can for championships. Last year I ran 3:48:26 (2nd over all female) also qualified me for World Trophy in Qatar. This was a 14 minute PR in 50k distance. Running this time was a little shocking since 2 weeks prior I ran 79 miles within 13 hours of a 24 hour race. I wasn't training for a 50k, so I am excited to see with focusing on that what I can do. Over the past 2 months I have won and set over all course records at Pine Creek 100k, and Sloppy Cuckoo 12 hour. Also, I have hit my PR in marathon distance (3:02) which was also only 2 weeks post a 12 hour race, again with not focusing on marathon training. I plan to take 2 weeks off (but still running maintenance miles and strength training). After that I plan to focus all my energy into 50k training. The race is in Long Island NY.

Decided to move up from 12 hour to the 24 hour for NJ Trail Series One Day race on November 8.  Why I moved up, has a lot to do with my upcoming race calendar. I've been trying to find a 100 to run this winter, but I couldn't find anything decently close. I feel like I'm ready for that distance, I'm curious to know what I can do. I have only ran one 100, that was on very little training and I walked the last 30 miles( 2 years ago ). So NJ One Day just fitting so perfectly with how I'm feeling about my training, also I planned on running 80-85 miles during the 12 hours, I'm also running a 12 hour (track) Dawn 2 Dusk 2 Dawn end of May and I believe my 80-85+ mile will be better off me pushing it hard on that track. Also, the 12 hour event at One Day starts at 9pm, I have nothing against night running, after all I will be doing it in the 24 hour after running 12 hours already....   As for my goals now for NJ One Day. Well, I know this is one of the last 24 hour eve

2 weeks out of my "A" race my thoughts and goals are pretty high. I believe I can hit my main goal of 80 miles in 12 hours, I've done the work over the past 12 weeks. I don't think I am as strong physically as I was pre-injury but I do think that I have become mentally stronger and wiser. I have set 3 goals for this race, 1. Run entire 12 hours. 2. Run a sub 7 hour 50 mile. 3. Run 80 miles in 12 hours. 

It's been over 3 years since I ran an actual marathon so this really had me on my toes. I didn't really train for this marathon, I was more using this as a long training run for NJ 12 hour. I still wanted to push myself as much as I could 2 weeks post a 12 hour in Philly.  I have ran Steamtown 3 times prior to this with my previous PR of 3:09. Also, the main reason I wanted to run this was for my workplace, Saint Joseph's Center. The previous years I have had a resident at the finish line waiting for me, this year I wore a guardian angel pin above my heart in remembrance.  I thought I could probably go sub 3 but I really thought a 3:15 might be what I may hit since I was still beat up from the ultra. I started out decently fast, hard not to with so many down hills within the first 8 miles, I hit the half marathon at 1:25:42, which is a 3 minute PR for me in the half, I was 4th female but gaining on the 3rd female, I caught her at 16 miles. I was in 3rd up until 21 miles, my

Most runners follow a 16 week training plan leading into a marathon. Me well 9 weeks ago I began to run again after being out 14 weeks with a stress fracture in my femur.  Within the 9 weeks I have won a 100k and 12 hour both setting new course records. Yesterday I ran a marathon PR of 3:02:22. I do not think I would have done these things without having a strong determined mind to get back out there doing what I love. I want to thank Altra Running because I now have left all my trust in their Olympus sneakers to keep my feet and body healthy and moving. Also, BRL sports, with Trifuel I have completed my races with no stomach issues and loads of energy. I have 4 weeks until NJ 12 Hour. Let the fun continue!

Decided a week prior that I would run this 12 hour. Headed in with focusing on time on feet and not distance, still was looking for 70+ miles would have been good training for NJ Trail 12 hour. Reaching the course and the previous course record, I knew leading into the race I would not be close to 70 miles.  This course was difficult as a timed event due to the climbs, rocks, and down trees, but beautiful scenery, friendly volunteers that I am so greatful to see every 3-3.5 miles.  The course was a 6.55 loop, starting and ending flat. In the actual trail, mostly single track started decently flat with one big climb about .5 mile in. After that a few declines and flats, next half was where we started to see long rolling hills, biggest hill was right after the aid station, tip toe running is all I could do up it. Then came a few winding turns, love that part I felt like a real trail runner lol. There was many natural obstacles out there, trees down of the trail, and after so many loops I

I started running again 6 weeks ago after recovering from a stress fracture in my femur (12 weeks zero running). So I'd like to say my training for this ultra was jammed packed with long runs. Heading into Pine Creek my main goal was to finish, but I always like to make small goals happen along the way. I used this race as also a training run for NJ Trail Series One Day-12 hour event.  Going to make this as brief as I can... Before Race- We stayed at Millers Store Blackwell, which was also a main aid station. I was nervous morning of, I really felt like it was my first ultra again because it had been 6 months since I have competed. Also, my knee had been giving me problems so I was hoping that would hold up with KTtape and a patella strap. I wore Altra Olympus, I trained in them since I started running again so I figured it would be for the best, plus it matched my outfit! lol  Race- Start at Asaph, PA. The 100 mile runners started 3 hours earlier, my friend Mary Siegel was one of

Be your own motivation and inspire others to do the same #transformationtuesday probably my most favorite change I made in my life. Going beyond the norm and reaching for goals that most don't even think of. #marathonandbeyond #ultrarunning I don't believe everyone should run, I run because it's my life, I see so many people who run bc it's the new trend and that's great, it's a healthy lifestyle, don't force it, don't make it a job or a chore bc your friends do it, find your place in being active and do it over and over again until it breaks you or kills you. #mylife #love #running #runningmotivation #delirium24 #lowcountryultras #ultrarunning #scranton #nepa #adidasrunning @nationalrunningcenter thank you. It's the act of running that matters, not the pace or the distance it's the journey where it takes you in life, the people you meet the adventures that the trail takes you. You can only be competitive with one person who matters the most, whi

103 days of training. Over the next few months I will be recording my training for the NJ Trail Series One Day 12 Hour Race in Sussex County on November 8. I have set 3 different goals in mind for this race.  1. Finish (12 hours) regardless of distance, run entire 12 hours, DO NOT DNF. 2. PR with a distance of 74+ miles within 12 hours. 3. Reach 80+ miles within 12 hours.  Week 15: Ended first week of training with: Running: 63 miles Biking: 64 miles Walking: 18 miles Run down: coming off an injury since March, my last 24 hour race, I took off 12 weeks completely, NO RUNNING! The past 3 weeks I have been running here and there miles, this past week I FELT like a runner. 63 mile running week, not too shabby, I'll take it!!! I have an appointment with Orthpedic Thursday for my knee, I believe I am good to go, but have to play it safe.... and actually get the O.K.... Until then a 🏃🏃🏃🏃ing I will go. Week 14 Running: 71 miles Biking: zero- Walking: 15 miles Run down: had a consisten

Race Calendar   I have decided not to enter as many races over the next year. I want to concentrate on my main goals. ❗️PR in a 50k- 3:48:25, qualify again to run in the World Championship 50k at Caumsett 50k Championships. ❗️80+miles in a 12 hour event at the Nj Trail series One Day. 2014 ⭕️Pine Creek 100k (September 6) ⭕️Sloppy Cuckoo 12 Hour (September 28) ⭕️Steamtown Marathon (October 12) ⭕️NJ Trail Series One Day 12 Hour (November 8) ⭕️ JFK 50 (November 22) 2015 ⭕️Caumsett USA 50k Championships (March) ⭕️C&O Canal 100 Mile (April 25) ⭕️Dawn 2 Dusk 2 Dawn 24 Hour (May 30) ⭕️Finger Lakes 50 (July 4) ⭕️Montour 12 Hour (July) ⭕️Beast of Burden 50 (August 8) ⭕️Pine Creek 100 Mile (September)

Well since March 16 I've been injured, this has been my longest period since I was 13 that I haven't ran. I started back running here and there short easy miles about 3 weeks ago, my legs didn't skip a beat and my mind was at joy. I did however have to withdrawl from World Championships 50kin Doha Qatar, legs and I just aren't ready, plus I have a cyst on my meniscus that has to be removed. But good news on femur.. stress fracture is healed! I know I need to come back slow and steady and build myself back up physically and mentally to be where I left off. Honestly the past 15 weeks gave me a lot of time to focus my mind on what I want to do, and where I want to set my goals. Before, my goals were to make the USA 24 hour team. I'm not saying I'm giving up on this but I am going to set short term goals and focus on my strengths. •PR in marathon- 3:09:11 •PR in 50k- 3:48:25 •45+ miles in 6 hours •80+ miles in 12 hours The 12 hour goal of 80+ is really pushing it, b

Well 12+ weeks later after I found out I had a stress fracture in my femur that was an issue since February. My friend asked me yesterday how I felt about my situation.... I feel numb, disappointed, angry, and just trying to keep running on the back burner, I can always go back, I can always get to where I was and even come back stronger but for now I'm here with my pups. ...shigh. I've deactivated my Facebook and Dailymile accounts because that competitive runner in me is stronger than the logical part of me. I should be healed by now but I am not, yes I still have speed but after one run, snap, and it's back.... I need to focus on me, not the runner inside me, that person is killing me.

Last time I wrote on this blog was the day before SC 24 hour race, I was sick and heading into a 24 hour race on very little sleep and little hopes. I stopped around 15 hours around 79/80 miles, I did a lot of sitting around and contemplating why I was running that day. I left the race with zero hopes and wants on running any long distances like that again.... I had it set in my mind that I would stick to distances under 12 hours. And of course time passed and I was ready to take on a hundo (C&O Canal 100 and Sole Challenge 24 hour). Ugh. Begin to ran again, and had a nagging pain in my knee, did the things I needed to do, RICE, X-rays, MRI. Need up finding out I have a stress fracture in the bottom of my femur that was causing me to feel pain. So basically no running 6-12 weeks. This still gives me plenty of time to still train and run World Championships in Qatar in October.  Now the real mental game of not running starts. It's been 10 days since I ran, this sucks and is bori

Was going to write about how sick I've been this past week and still am, and how I don't think tomorrow's race will be going as well as I was expecting. BUT I have to remain positive, in hope that tomorrow I wake up feeling 100% better. Training over the past 4 months have gone very very well for me, I've PRed in 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon, marathon, and even running a 3:48 50k 2 weeks ago. I am very happy with my training, I've worked very hard to get to where I am. I'm upset that I'm sick and probably won't perform as best as I know I can tomorrow but I am still sticking with my strategy and aiming for high mileage. And maybe being sick will make me start out slower and help me in later stages of the race. This is the last chance to qualify for USA 24 hour Team for 2014. To just qualify I need 120 miles. To make the team I need 123 or more depending on what other women do at this event also. I would absolutely love to make the USA team team tomorrow, but I