Was I overtrained? Yes. Did I carb-load enough? No. Did I peak too soon? Yes, for my PR in the Hurricane Half Marathon three weeks ago. Was the course unexpectedly hilly? Yes. Does that explain why it took me over 4 hours to run 26.2 miles? No. Not exactly. Why not? It was mental. Read more
Cap City Half Marathon Race Recap
Yep, I’m gonna say it. I have a … HUSBAND (and here I was finally getting used to the whole “fiance” label). I took the plunge and became “Mrs.” Gingko last weekend! The wedding was all that I imagined – just like everyone said it would be – my own little fairy tale surrounded by friends and family from every stage of my life! Reality hit quick though. I had more » Read more
Coriander’s “Forget the PR 50K” Race Report
At the beginning of this year, I planned out all of my races for 2013. At the top of my list, was running my first 100 miler. When I was considering what other races to do besides the 100, I knew I needed to avoid burning myself out running a ton of small races during 100-mile training. The Forget the PR Mohican 50K fit perfectly into my training schedule. And more » Read more
Hurricane Half-marathon Recap: Does a PR count if I walked?
Two years ago, I ran the Hurricane Half Marathon as my first half-marathon and longest race ever, and it was truly the hardest thing I’d ever done, including my first, second, third, and fourth marathons. Why? There is literally a mountain smack dab in the middle of the race. Don’t believe me? View the coursemap. Still don’t believe me? Read the comments about the race on the Active.com Hurricane Half more » Read more
Running for Boston: A Salt Lake Marathon Race Recap
In preparation for my goal marathon, the Windermere Marathon in May, I had a 24 miler on tap for last weekend. Coincidentally, the Salt Lake Marathon was also happening last weekend. So, instead of watching tons of TV on my treadmill for four and a half hours or so, I donned my yellow and blue and toed the line at my hometown marathon to get my training in and a more » Read more
Moving On From a Personal Worst
I ran 1:40:54 at the New Orleans Half Marathon last month. My chip time was 1:40:54, and I recorded that time in my log. That time is recorded in the race results for the entire world to see. It was not my best half, and it was far from my goal of 1:30. In fact, it was the worst half marathon I ever finished. It was my Personal Worst, or more » Read more
A Breakthrough, Thirteen Years in the Making
Thirteen years ago, almost to the date, I stepped foot on a 200 meter track to run my very first race. I chose to forgo my third year as a pitcher on the high school softball team to pursue indoor track all because I liked how it was starting to feel to run. After those 400 meters, I didn’t like the feeling. I wanted to puke. I was dizzy. And more » Read more
Why Race If You’re Not in Peak Shape?
This past weekend, I got up early on Sunday morning and went through my normal pre-race routine: small breakfast, attach chip and bib, drag husband out of bed, head to the starting line. I stood around with my husband until just before the start, when I gave him my jacket and then headed into the start corral to huddle against the chill with the other runners. I gave this 3 more » Read more
Cilantro’s 2012 Seattle Marathon Race Recap
When I woke up Sunday morning, normally rainy Seattle was clear. Foggy, but clear. The race began at 8:15 which was really late for me - I normally run at 5 a.m. – but I was still feeling pretty good Sunday morning – albeit a little tired from the walking I did the day before and a restless night of sleep. I walked from the Westin to the start of the more » Read more
Finishing Strong: Coriander’s Bill’s Bad Ass 50K Race Report
After my first DNF at Oil Creek in October, I had the thought that I should just not run another ultra for the rest of the year and run the Turkey Trot and be done. But I already had a coveted spot in Bill’s Bad Ass 50K and I didn’t want to give that up just because I was afraid of failing again. My knee still isn’t 100 percent and I more » Read more