HM Recap: Great Bay Half, Newmarket, NH, April 10, 2016

Enthusiasm is the great hill-climber. ~Elbert Hubbard

The Great Bay Half in New Hampshire was a really well organized race. From the off-site parking and shuttle bus to the fresh pizza at the finish, the services provided were attentive and much appreciated. Also, the 1/4-zip red windbreaker given away with race registration is nice to have, and added to the vividly colorful participant pool. The temperature was in the low 40s so I dressed in multiple layers, though the sun was out and pleasantly warmed us racers both during and after the event.

On the downside:

• The hills were steep and super challenging (since I didn't prep well for them)
• There was a headwind to deal with the last few miles, making it hard to keep up my pace and stay warm as the sweat evaporated

Many pluses:

• A late start of 11:00 am
• One of the shuttle bus drivers, Captain Al, was a "party bus" driver as his regular job. His banter included welcoming us to "Disney" for the "worst spandex parade ever".
• Saw several pairs of beer socks. There was beer at the finish, and the socks were a terrific motivator. (I learned that "beer" is a two-syllable word in the Northeastern dialect pronounced "bee-ah".)
• Met twin sisters, local women about my age and my running pace, one running the half and the other the 5K. The two races started at the same time and shared the first 2.5 miles of the course.
• A couple miles of packed dirt road, surrounded by forest with glacier-dropped rocks and boulders strewn throughout, and the occasional bubbling brook. It was my favorite part of the course--not too hilly, peaceful, easy running.
• Musical entertainers along the course, including belly dancers between miles 9 and 10. Yes, belly dancers. I applaud their commitment to their art, dancing in those outfits that didn't provide much protection from the cold.

Newmarket is only a little over an hour drive from the Boston area and about 20 minutes from Maine. The weekend included sightseeing via duck tour in Boston on Saturday and a scenic drive along the southern coast of Maine on Sunday afternoon. Though my race time was slower than I'd like, it's another state checked off the list, number 11 so far, and a memorable trip with my husband to quaint New England.

Another Runner Connection

I donated blood this week and connected with a fellow runner, an Armstrong CC and Track coach named Sarah. She did a fabulous job drawing my blood and also suggest I try Clif Shot Bloks in order to maintain energy on the long, cold runs. Thanks, Sarah!

Schedule Juggling - NH, Here I Come!

Obstacles are like wild animals. They are cowards but they will bluff you if they can. If they see you are afraid of them... they are liable to spring upon you; but if you look them squarely in the eye, they will slink out of sight. ~Orison Swett Marden

Nearly a month has gone by, and I haven't gotten back to a regular training routine. Though I've been buried in work, I know that shouldn't be an excuse for maintaining a good exercise regimen. I commit to running a 5K as soon as I finish posting this. And continuing to train diligently until the next event.

Today I reviewed my race calendar and investigated options. Mississippi next weekend is unrealistic, not to mention too expensive (and also Easter--what was I thinking?). I also have to move Tennessee in April since there's a work meeting in CA the day before so it won't work logistically. Below are the scheduling changes I made:

• MS moved from March 2016 to September 2016 in Tupelo
• TN moved from April 2016 to April 2018
• NH moved from April 2018 to April 10, 2016

The NH race is in Newmarket, only an hour drive from Boston. The race is on Sunday, an 11:00 am start time. So much is good about this--Saturday-Monday airfare is cheaper, able to stay in Boston and eat fresh seafood, it doesn't conflict with work travel. Also, there's a jacket for racers:

Time to Buckle Down

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. ~Theodore Roosevelt

I've updated my tentative and upcoming pages, moved Texas to 2018. Though this winter has been mild, I haven't been keeping up my run training as I'd like, and I don't feel ready to do an event at this time. It's time to buckle down and ready myself for the Mississippi event at the end of March.  I got an email from a Minnesota run group with a recommended training schedule for beginners that I thought would be good to share:

HM Recap: Ole Man River Half, Gretna, LA, December 19, 2015

...Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

This was a race jammed into a busy schedule and not one for which I prepared well, but it turned out to be a good experience anyway. Race location was Gretna, across the river from downtown New Orleans. There are quaint houses lining the streets beside riverside shipping yard clutter. I went back the day after running via the ferry to take in a little more of the scenery.

While I didn't run very fast (a sluggish 2:41), other highlights from the race weekend:

• Cold, windy race day. 46 degrees at the start. Felt chilled to the bone all day long.
• Celebrated 20 year wedding anniversary in New Orleans
• Ate more cajun spices than ever in my life, including delicious Crawfish Etouffee at Pier 424 Seafood Market on Bourbon Street
• Met a runner named Katie from Rapid City, SD who is a Navy Reservist currently stationed in New Orleans--we mutually motivated each other near the end of the race

Winter Run in New Orleans

At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ~Albert Schweitzer

The Ole Man River race is just days away. Louisiana will be the 9th state, last state for 2015. It's been a year marked by many achievements and blessings.

A week ago my son had his 4-month post-surgery follow up visit. 3-D imaging revealed no recurrence of the cyst and some bone regrowth. Wonderful news! Many prayers have been answered. We are truly blessed.

We have many things to be thankful for, including a home, cars, warm clothes, plentiful good food, and loving family and friends. In recognition that abundance should be shared, I've thought about how I can share through my goal to run 50 half marathons. I've determined that I'm going to pair my running with a campaign to feed hungry kids. Rather than collecting donations, I'll be gathering customers for services they pay each month, and each month a bill gets paid, a meal will will be donated.

Moving VA Half

Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room. ~Christine Todd Whitman

Virginia will have to wait. I have lots of excuses--none of them good. This time of year, the shortened days, the time change, post-season volleyball, school and work commitments. You name it, I could use it as an excuse. The real reason: procrastination. As much as I wish I had embarked on planning the trip and registering for the race a month ago, I didn't. So now, I have to move it.

Good news is there's a trail race in Virginia in February that I can put on the calendar in 2017. Two things to do today: update race calendar and register and plan December's Louisiana trip.