Boston Run to Remember

Ah.. I been slacking on race updates ect. I guess that's what happens when the summer hits! I have been really enjoying Jon and I's new place, getting settled in, and having some awesome running routes. I have definitely scaled back on some of my longer runs now that my second half marathon is over.  After doing my second half marathon I have kind of become addicted to that length of race, but I won't do anymore until fall!

During the race the Garmin watches were like "oh hey... I am 100% not going to turn on". I also decided that this race without wearing headphones. So during the entire race it was just me, and the road, and everyone around me.

I must say, racing like this was a lot more enjoyable. I started of the race next to these two guys, where were cracking jokes for the first couple of miles. And I was actually just enjoying the race talking with them. If I had my headphones in this would not have happened.

I eventually lost them (one was running the 5 miler...). The rest of the race was going well. There were a few spots were I thought to myself "damn Sara why do you like doing these races..." but the route was just amazing. The killer in some of the Boston races is over Memorial Bridge. It is just so so so so long. Especially at the end because you know once you get over the bridge you are in the final legs of finishing a half marathon.

As I was coming close to the bridge, a guy came up to me an goes "This sucks". It was around mile 9 and this is when I always feel like death.  I was like "I know but once we get over that bridge..." and he was like "I know final stretch" then ran off ahead of me. (I guess I gave him some motivation ha-ha)

As I was going over the bridge my thoughts were bad "This is going to the race where I get sick". The two half marathons I have done I definitely have felt nauseous during the race. I have to learn to start fueling during the race. I had fuel on me, but the thought of it was just like "hell no". I started to walk a bit and this girl comes up behind me "oh no do not start walking now... lets go common!" and we ran together for a short bit.  I think I remember her telling me it was her first half marathon. She got me going for awhile but my stomach was just not having it. Eventually I told myself just to suck it up and keep on going...

The last leg of the race is a mind game. You see the finish line, it looks close, but yet its so far away!  I actually speed up at the end of the race. I am kind of proud of myself for that!  I would have loved to see what I ran the last mile in.  Oh well.

The results: 1:50:51 with a 8:28 min/mile pace. Better than my first half marathon by seconds but I will take it! I am looking to get my fall half marathon down to under a 1:50. 

Anyway here are some pictures....

The bibs and the medals where awesome... 

Ya finish line!

Moody Street 5K

Last, last weekend I ran the Moody Street 5k. I would totally skip writing about this, because it was forever ago... but its a great  for the city in which I live in.  The course ends along the Charles River, one of my favorite spots to run (duh).

The race was actually kind of cold, but was perfect for running (Garmin says it was 61) I wore a tank and was pretty cold waiting for the race to start but good once I got going.



I love Jon and I bib numbers, I believe this going to be an on going theme. Me? with a relatively low bib number... Jon with an "I just signed up today" bib number.  :) He started his training for the BAA 10k yesterday though so it will be fun getting him training for a bigger race.

Anyway... I got my goal of getting all my miles under 8 minute miles in an 5k (kind of)...  it didn't end up being a PR but I wasn't really going for that anyway.  I was just happy I got all my miles under 8 minutes according to my Garmin. However, according the the race results it was an 8 minute mile pace because I had to tie my shoe in the middle of the race, and I stopped by watch. DARN. So its official that I got my goal in my own books, but not in the books for an official race time. I will get it by the end of this summer.... stupid shoes.

Splits from Garmin

Distance:              3.14 mi

Time:                   24:44

Avg Pace:             7:54 min/mi

Elevation Gain:      74 ft

Calories:               265

Per mile.... 

Mile 1: 7:53

Mile 2: 7:45

Mile 3: 7:55

Mile 4 (.14)  8:20

Official Race Results: 

Week Recap and a 14 Mile Weekend.

Normally I do not run the Sunday’s after a long run, but this Sunday I had a race to run!  The long run this weekend was a tough one. I am not sure why but my legs felt like they were just lead.  Part of it I think is that I need new shoes.  Sadly the ones I have been using from the start of running last year I think are coming to the end of their life (have about 300 miles on the road with them plus indoor training on treadmill from this winter)  Also I am not sure where I put my gels and I also did not have a water bottle with so yeah…..Trip to a running store is in need. Think I will be doing that tomorrow! I have some discounts and a gift card to use.  I am going to get fitted, which will be good.

Anyway…

Monday: Nadda. Was going to try to make it to Yoga, but was caught up in moving stuff.

Tuesday: 4.28 mile run, 38 Minutes and an 8:56 pace. I left my watch at home that day. Womp. I still recorded it on map my run.

Wednesday:  No Run/unpacking Stuff?? I kind of forget at this point... 

Thursday:  Distance: 6.20 mile run, Time:  53:16, Avg Pace: 8:35 Calories: 518

Friday: Rest

Saturday:  Distance: 11.00 mi, Time: 1:38, Avg Pace: 8:58, Calories: 909

Mile 1:  9:09

Mile 2:  8:46

Mile 3:  8:49

Mile 4:  8:37

Mile 5:  8:54

Mile 6:  8:19

Mile 7:  8:52

Mile 8:  9:28

Mile 9:  9:38

Mil3 10: 8:58

Mile 11: 9:05

Mile 12: 9:23

Scenes from my run...  I am coming to the conclusion I think spring is my favorite season. It used to be fall but in spring everything comes to life! :) So much better that way. Also you have MLB starting and NHL playoffs. 

Sunday: Moody Street 5K! Recap to come eventually... 

Buying new running shoes tomorrow! Pretty pumped... 

Chugging Along...

Life Lately... Craziness! You know those moments in your life that you think... how am I going to make it through this? I mean not terrible depressing times just flat out booked, like don't have time to grocery shop or cook type moments.

Well I am in the midst of one of those life moments. All good things! Just crazy. BUT life happens and you just got to take it day by day and chug along.

Anyway this past weekend I went up to upstate NY for Jons sisters Bridal Shower, such an awesome day for her, I am a bridesmaid in the wedding and can't wait for her big day.

Before the shower I went for a long run because I am running Bostons Run to Remember Half Marathon in a few weeks.  Its funny trying to run 10 miles in his town. ITS SMALL.

And because I like pretty runs... I took some pictures along the way. I a lot different from Comm Ave that's for sure!!

Overall it was a good run. I didn't feel like death until mile 9. I was getting kind of nervous about this half because I haven't really been in training mode because I just did one. I have a 11 miler planned for this weekend, then a 12, then a 10K race or just a 10K run (pending Bruins playoff schedule). I think I will be able to run 13.1 miles, its just how well I will be able to run it! 

Anyway the Mile breakdown goes as followed: 

Mile 1: 8:48 

Mile 2: 8:33 

Mile 3: 8:54 

Mile 4: 8:58 

Mile 5: 8:19

Mile 6: 8:36 

Mile 7: 9:09

Mile 8: 9:16

Mile 9: 9:31

Mile 10: 8:43 

Mile 11 (.10): 10:02 

After Jess's shower and some celebrating there after, Jon and I woke up early and made back to Massachusetts to MOVE! This is part of why my life has been crazy.  We are not moving out of town, but just to a section and an apartment that makes more sense!  I already feel like so much more at home at our new place then I ever did at our old place.  Our old place was nice, but it was just not every Jon and I. We also moved in with another roommate at first and then she left, it just ever felt like "ours".  This new place is feeling totally us!! :) However. Moving SUCKS. and I will not be moving again for a long ass time! 

Moving has definitely made an impact on training though. I didn't do yoga Monday, I ran Tuesday for 4 miles with the running group, didn't run yesterday,  and most likely will not run tonight. BUT that's okay, even though I have a Half Marathon coming up. A lot of people I talk to say that they run their best races when they run less. However with that being said I am very much looking forward to getting settled and getting my schedule back on track! 

Watertown Strong 5K

So I will spare writing about every run I went on last week, because this week there were so many beautiful races out there (including obviously the Boston Marathon!!!!) . I am telling you if you are a runner in the area, you probably ran a race this weekend. This past weekend I ran the Watertown Strong 5k. It was an awesome event. It was good to see the community out and celebrating. It marked the one year anniversary of when Watertown and the surrounding was locked down because they where trying to find the brother responsible for what happened in Boston. What a better way to celebrate our freedom of all being outside for a race? Weather people were running it or cheering us on, it was just a great way of all coming together and being outside! :) They day was so beautiful too!

If you can see him in the crowd here... the Governor of Massachusetts was there and gave a speech... There were many guests, including the Governor, The Chief of Watertown Police, Jeff Bauman, and a Watertown High Schooler who sang of a very special songs she wrote... just an awesome event! NESN was even there and you can watch the video they did on it here. Jon is actually in it if you look closely!

Some pictures before the race... 

I love this photo... The Watertown Police men who ran all finished together... 

Lets go Jon!!!

My  Results.. 

According to my watch. 

Mile 1: 7:23 Min/Mile  

Mile 2: 7:58 Min/Mile

Mile 3: 8:00 Min/Mile 

Needless to say I got out way to fast and I need to learn to chill out my first mile. My goal for this race was to get all under 8 minute miles... I think I could have done it if I didn't use all my energy in the firs mile. You live and learn! 

Half Marathon Recovery

The weather around these parts is changing for the better, which I am so excited for. I have been officially of the treadmill for a few weeks now. I have been running on my own outside, running with an running group, its been great!  I am so happy to be on the road again, and not confined to the treadmill during the dark days of winter.

So last week I kept with a pretty good workout routine after running my half marathon. I knew if I took a break like I did after my first 10K it be hard to get going again so I kept at it. I haven’t been waking up early to run before work, but running after work instead. I decided last week I would let myself sleep in a little. BUT other than that I just did what I felt I could, and it felt pretty damn good. 

Monday: Yoga. Which turned out to be one of the harder classes I have done…. I told the instructor after I ran a half the day before and she was like “OMG I AM SO SORRY!” It was all good though. Awesome challenge, and I felt awesome the next day considering I was two days into snore ness after running my first Half Marathon.

Tuesday:  5 Miles with running group. This run I challenged myself a little bit, but didn’t overdo it. Felt good!

Distance: 5 Miles

Time: 46:02

Pace: 9: 11

Calories: 413

Mile 1:   9:04

Mile 2:   8:57

Mile 3    9:45

Mile 4:  8:52

Mile 5:  9:14

Mile 6 (.10):  12:51

Wednesday: 3.61 Mile Run

Distance:             3.61 mi

Time:                    31:04

Avg Pace:            8:37 min/mi

Calories:              299 C

Mile 1: 8:37

Mile 2: 8:16

Mile 3:  8:39

Mile 4 (61): 9:06

I am going to kind of miss this view in my boyfriend and I's new apartment.  Its cute, there are so many people in this park when its nice out. Kids playing on the playground, baseball games, dogs running around! Its good to see everyone in our neighborhood out and about!  

I thought this was a cool shot walking back to my apartment... 

Thursday:  4.50 Miles

Distance: 4.50 mi

Time:  40:29

Avg Pace: 9:00 min/m

Calories:  374

Mile 1:  8:38

Mile 2   8:58

Mile 3:  8:59

Mile 4:  9:10

Mile 5 (.50 miles):  9:92

I actually wore shorts on Thursdays run! Seriously its getting there!

Saturday:  8 ish mile run

I kept stopping during this run, then forgetting to start my watch again. So the pace/how long I really ran is all messed up. I changed the distance from what my garmin said to what Kensie had on her app.  So I am not sure what really happened. Regardless it was beautiful day out and we had an beautiful run outside.  61 degrees and sunny, but it felt a lot warmer than that. I was running in an tank, and I was hot.  SO a long run outside, great weather, and beautiful views is all that really matters! J Kind of reminds you why you love running.

Distance:  8.00 mi

Time:  1:08:22

Avg Pace: 8:34 min/mi

Calories:  594 C

Mile 1:  8:38

Mile 2:  9:14

Mile 3:  9:24

Mile 4:  9:09

Mile 5:  10:01

Mile 6:  10:03

Mile 7:   9:52

Mile 8:   9:20

Some pictures from our wonderful spring run... .

Anyway so the week after my first half was good. It was a bit slower, but I take that as a good thing. The number one thing I want to work on this summer understands my pace.  When I run, I just run, I am not thinking about keeping fuel in the tank for the end of my run. Even when I try I have no idea the difference between my 8:40 pace and my 8:17 pace.  This summer I want to try to understand what my pace feels like when I am “in reserve” and what my pace feels like “giving it all” or long distance “giving it all”. That is my number one goal this summer. 

Run to Home Base

When I graduated college my class prophecy was "Sara will wait patently for the Red Sox to win another World Series"... good thing they won two years later! I really wasn't waiting that long.

Anyway, I have had some great moments at Fenway including the Winter Classic and getting to attend a playoff game last year.  When I saw the Red Sox Foundation Run to Home Base run last year, I knew I wanted to run it.. so with some thought, here I am!

I am not to far away from my goal, which is awesome, and I would like to surpass it if possible.  I am getting really excited to run this the more and more I read about it!! Its just going to be an awesome experience going to an amazing cause.

From the website:

The 2014 RUN TO HOME BASE presented by New Balance is a unique and special event that celebrates our military heroes and raises necessary funds for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program. The Home Base Program is committed to serving the needs of veterans with combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury and their families, but we need your support.

Your support to the Home Base Program will help to ensure that local veterans who served our country receive the clinical treatment they need for combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury, and that their families get the guidance and support they need. The Home Base Program also seeks to advance innovative treatments that hold the most potential for helping veterans with combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury and their families.

Anyway if you want to help out you can do so my donating here.  I am also thinking about holding an fundraiser event, which I have never done before. EEK! I am getting super pumped for this!

Thank you! 

365 Days Later

I wasn't really even sure what to say about today.

On April 15th 2013 the words "Boston Marathon" where full of hope, and happiness.  We thought about the runners, and the treck from Hopkinton to Boston, 26.2 Miles.  As the day concluded the unthinkable happened, it was one those moments you will never forget where you were when you heard what happened. The words "Boston Marathon" had a new aura...

A year later, I remember those who lost their lives, their families, and had their lives changed forever due to injury... but I want to also remember how utterly amazing Boston is.  How we are one city, and this is our city...  I am not sure of there a moment that described us as one and together as what happened at the Boston Bruins Game. Its amazing what sport can do, it can serve tool to heal, and come together, and that's what happened in the Garden that night.

With that being said... watch here. I know I have talked about this moment 1,000 of times. But I guess its just my way to remember.





To those who are running Boston, you got this. Start Strong, Finish Stronger... just like Boston.

Half Marathon Playlist

Friday: I love you.

Its finally starting to warm up around these parts. Saturday is suppose to be near 70 degrees! AHH I can't wait to just enough the awesome weather this weekend.  I have a long run planned for Saturday. Although I think it will be raining, at least it will be warm. I have trained in the snow, so a little rain won't kill me right?

Anyway... just thought I would share my Half Marathon play list. I am a very very literal person so lyrics and beat play a major role into the choosing of my playlist.

I finished before the playlist was over so at some point I switched to the last couple songs. I have no idea where I was in the playlist when I did this. 

If you are wondering about the last song watch here.

Fools Duel Half Marathon

First Half Marathon has been completed!!

Now that training is over I kind of feel like… umm now what? Kensie and I have a 10 miler planned for this weekend to keep the millage up, but its kind of sad to be not training! I guess on to the next one. J

Anyway Jon and went to Gloucester on Friday night for the entire weekend… Saturday morning we woke up, got some breakfast, and went to the beach. Gloucester is seriously so beautiful. I need to come back to this beach during the summer. 

I LOVE this photo... 

It was probably about oh... 40 Degrees out? There was a surfer... I couldn't believe he was out there!

I was trying to get a picture of us with the beach in the background... didn't really work out. BUT I thought this picture was cute. Got to love instagram and how it can make your skin look so clear :)

Anyway we watch the Bruins at Stones  after the beach. I just want to say I loved this place. One thing that is surprisingly difficult about Metrowest Boston is finding a place that will play the sound of Bruins games. Most places around here have Triva, Music, ect... which makes sense, there are a lot of 20 & 30 something year old's living in my area, but it really does suck sometimes. We enter this bar... Bruins sound is blasting. The bar tender was personal and hilarious, wings where good and every-time the Bruins scored they would dig this giant bell. Good Place. I told my boyfriend I wanted to come during one of the Bruins playoff games ha-ha.  We actually ended up going back for a drink after dinner with the group that was with us.. 

Got to carb load right?

Anyway... Now to the Race....

The course was I would say pretty difficult...  It was extremely hilly... I remember once running up a hill, getting to the top, seeing the down hill, then the GIANT hill I had to climbed back up... its like really?? Kensie and I also ran Comm Ave (The Newton Hills) for our training, which helped a lot. If you have googled "Fools Duel Half Marathon" and reading this, run hills to train!! I couldn't tell you the amount of times I told myself during this half "I am so glad I trained on Comm Ave".  

However with that being said it was also one of the most prettiest runs I have ever been on. This course is beautiful, so if that gets you motivated, as it does me, one would be okay!. At one point when you are coming back you view is the ocean... just dark blue ocean water you can seen for miles and miles. I wanted to grab a picture but I was really focused on well.. running. 

Results:  From Racewire... 

Results from the Watch.... 

Distance:              13.00

Time:                   1:51:49

Avg Pace:             8:34 min/mi

Elevation Gain:    610 ft 

Calories:                1,074 C

On Elevation Gain: Again...that is a lot of freaking hills! SO I did some research on what that means, and its total amount of distance climbed. SO If you traveled up 5 hills  and back that were 100 feet long, you would have traveled 1,000 feet. People reading this are probably like duh... Sara. So yes, I am just figuring this out! ha-ha  Anyway. Yeah. That was a lot of hills!

The Elevation Map from my Garmin... 

Garmin Splits... 

Mile 1:                  8:32

Mile 2:                  8:01

Mile 3:                  8:17

Mile 4:                  8:24

Mile 5:                  8:43

Mile 6:                  8:27

Mile 7:                  8:31

Mile 8:                  8:41

Mile 9:                  8:42

Mile 10:                8:59

Mile 11:                8:43

Mile 12:                8:50

Mile 13:                8:58

As you can tell I started off way to fast. Mile 1 I was  like "Okay pace yourself" and still ran it faster then I wanted too. Then Mile 2 happened, and I was like "Slow down Sara... Slow Down".  I started to slow down a little come by Mile 3 and then by Mile 4 I was running the pace I wanted to run at.  This is one thing I want to work on this summer is being able to pace myself. I always start off way to fast, and I want to work on storing some of that energy for the end! 

The course was hard so I had to talk my self that I could do it the whole time.  "OMG and I said one day I would like to run a Marathon... screw that I am never running a Marathon... this is HARD".  Was actually a conversation I had with myself. Then I just kept telling myself to get to mile 10, then I would be almost there. I kept remember how easy a 5K felt after all the training, and told myself that's all you had left. I think part of it was nerves. I was so nervous the entire time I may have been running to fast, and I just kept focusing on that. I am thinking next race I am going to be able to run it a bit more relaxed. 

2 hours after the race, I decided a Marathon was still in my long term goals. It really wasn't that bad was it? ha-ha

Half Marathon Training Conclusion

Last week’s runs were the taper down for the half Marathon I ran on Sunday.  Short and sweet, and I got them all done outside, which was nice! I think treadmill season is officially over. I will probably be doing a lot of runs after work, which is not ideal for me, but its so much better than going on the treadmill!

Sunday: Swim for 1.94 miles.  

I totally would have done 2 mile swim if I knew how close I was. 

Monday: Yoga!

Tuesday: 4 mile run outside.  

41 Degrees for this run!! Its getting so warm out!

Distance:  4.18 mi

Time: 34:25

Avg Pace: 8:14 min/mi

Calories: 350 C

Mile 1: 8:27

Mile 2: 8:13

Mile 3: 8:25

Mile 4: 7:48

Mile 5 (.18 mile) 8:28

This was my first time running with a group on Tuesday night.  The trail that they run is so pretty… I really enjoyed it. I am also moving like right next to it in May so its definitely going to be my go too. I am excited to live some place where I will enjoy my running routes outside my door. Right now there are some pretty views, but nothing compared to what it’s like to run around the Charles!  The final mile here was fast. I was keeping pace with someone I was running with and the last mile I was like “wow this is rough!!” My long sleeves were covering most of my watch and I saw “.48” I assumed there was an 8 on the other side of that… nope a 7. Its awesome what you discover you can do when you run with other people who push you beyond your comfort zone!

Few Pictures from the run... blurry action shot! 

I thought this was the coolest bridge!! Just in the middle of the walkway! 

Wednesday: 3 Mile Run outside.  57 Degrees! I even wore a tank top running!

Distance:             3.23 mi

Time:                    28:39

Avg Pace:            8:53 min/mi

Elevation Gain:  86 ft

Calories:              269 C

Mile 1                   8:14

Mile 2                   8:44

Mile 3                   9:28

Mile 4 (.23)        9:50

Ah. This run. I need to not eat chips and 5 layer dip right before a run.   Which is obvious, but I still don’t practice what I know very well.  This chart is my timing chart, as you can tell at the end I had to stop like multiple of times because of a side stich. Lesson learned, don’t forget to eat your granola bar at work, so you won’t be starving when you get home, and then eat and go out for a run.

Thought this view was really pretty! The one view I will miss when we move. 

Thursday: 2.24 Mile Run Outside: Hills

Distance:             2.24 mi

Time:                    19:38

Avg Pace:            8:46 min/mi

Elevation Gain: 156 ft

Calories:              185 C

Mile 1                                   8:55

Mile 2                                   8:40

Mile 3   (.24 Miles)          8:31

Friday: Rest 

Saturday: Rest 

Sunday: Half Marathon!! Which Ill post about later. :)

March 24 Recap

This week I missed a lot of workouts (3) blah.

Sunday: Off (Missed going for a swim)

Monday: Missed yoga due to signing a new lease on an apartment. I tried I really did! BUT its all for exciting things to come.. so it was totally worth it! 

Tuesday: Treadmill run

Duration: 34.36

Calories: 269

Distance: 3.50

Distance Climbed: 169 Feet

Average Pace: 9:52

Wednesday: Treadmill Run

Duration: 51:06

Calories: 429

Distance: 5.41

Distance Climbed: 354 feet

Average Pace: 9:29

Thursday: Body Sculpt Class

Thursdays are normally my “workout twice day” followed by my rest day on Friday. Last Thursday Jon and I went to the Bruins game so I missed my run. I contemplated doing one of my missed days on Friday, which is normally my rest day, and I said eh screw it and went shopping.

 Ya... go Bruins! 

Then Friday I really did do some damage. I actually tried lulu stuff on for the first time. That was a bad idea... although the sports bra and tank I got there were really nice.. its just a little ridiculous what it costs!

Saturday: 12.66 mile run.

Secret to being a runner? Just never play with your Garmin buttons. I by accidently turned my automatic lap off so I didn’t get a mile by mile pace.  Also didn’t record the highest elevation but I was probably around the same as before. I am guessing the Newton Hills were the highest climbed. BUT regardless it was an awesome run.  My friend Kensie and I ran from Riverside station in Newton to the Finish line of the Boston Marathon in Boston….

Distance: 12.66 mi

Duration: 1 hour and 52 minutes.

Average Pace: 8:55 minute/mile

Calories Burned: 1,071

I love looking at our run on map... I used to think that was impossible. :)

Few pictures from the run...

Fenway...

We ran around the Boston Common a few times to get to 12...

Then we were close to the finish line and I was like lets just run it...  then I ran past the finish line so ended up running .66 more than planned. So this picture was taken long after our run after lunch.

After our lunch we had lunch on Bolyston Street while watching the Bruins game. I enjoyed at 26.2 which is Sam Adams Marathon beer. It was really good... tasted a lot like Summer Ale, Which is out now by the way? Normally I am like... way to early for that. BUT after this winter, bring the summer ale on.