Run to the Rock

My annual trip to Plymouth for the Run to the Rock 5k, 10k, and half marathon. This year I opted for the half marathon. I usually run the 10k, which has a tough hill in the beginning of the race, but nothing like the half.  It was a tough race. Very hilly as advertised. Nice time tho. Beautiful race. Well run and organized. 

Even with the hills I ran my best half time of 2:11. 

Jeep Orvis

Another milestone for the Orvis. Still running strong!! ❤️

The Red Sox v Phillies

A night at Fenway...

Historical Citgo sign. 

Capitalizing on all the Brady hype...

8.20.15

Just chilling in my basket on a humid day

8.18.15

The delivery guy comes in and asks: " know who owns that nice Jeep?" So of course I say " Yes! That's mine!" He says that's a great sticker! Where'd you get that?" Had to laugh. So then we had a chat about running and the Devil's Chase! He was surprised and excited there was a race with that name. 

8.17.15 Five miles of revolutionary heros

I've been referring to this run as my revolutionary run. I run past Issac Davis' birthplace and his home on my morning run. Then finish up in Minute Man Ridge. I always ponder what it was like in those days? What roads did they travel. What would they think of the area now and their names in all the neighbourhoods. 

It's a tough life!!

a day in the life ...

A day @ Ramblewild

Another adventure brought on by my girl... Another birthday adventure! We started the day with a workout at the gym. I had no idea I was going to be working out all day! 😮😄😄

Ramblewild, Lanesboro, MA

I had no idea what I was getting myself into...

Not intentionally, but we did the first of each trail level. I have no idea why I let them talk me into the Wild Spinney, but I did. 

HELP!!! I'm stuuuuck! Literally! 

The Black Diamond Spinney champs! lol

Post day selfie...

This was one of THE most fun days of my life. I had so much fun challenging myself and enjoying the day with my favorite girls!

Camping ...

After Niagara we headed to Watkins Glen. A day of camping! 

Niagara Falls

Another destination off the bucket list...well sort of! We want to go back one day and see the other side. Birthday present from my girl! Always ends up a fun, wet time!

Picked up the Bean and headed off....

Early morning ride to a destination not known.

The Falls...

Of course post experience selfie

Avocado Zucchini Fish Burger - Food of the Day

Avocado Zucchini Fish Burger - Food of the Day

Oven Baked Goat Cheese Salmon - Food of the Day

Oven Baked Goat Cheese Salmon - Food of the Day

It's a winter wonderland

Still snowing here and there...seems like everyday we get something. But this morning was gorgeous! I love it when the snow clings to the branches. Hanging on for dear life. 

Jeep Update

Picked up the Jeep from Maaco last night; it looks really good. The color is almost spot on. Very happy. 

The before and after..

Another snow day

Another day of being home bound. Was surprised my boss decided to close the store last night. But nice I don't have to dig out this morning. 

Betty can see out her window this am ...

After the storm...

Frozen environment following the storm.

The meter outside the shop..

And a frozen knob

Fortunately we don't use the door knob lock. 

I got locked in Thursday, the door frozen shut on me..

Juno hits the hood

A mild, enjoyable winter, exercise wise anyway, comes to an end...

Blizzard 2015 Juno hit the hood.

Sunday morning long run

Morning run through Boxbourgh and Harvard. Love the morning after a snow fall when the sky is blue and the air is crisp. Ran on slush and snow covered roads this morning. The sky was blue with snow clinging to the trees, so beautiful. Ran 7.6 miles, was a bit tough at times in the wind through the slush and snow and a bit of a hilly route. Five miles in the wind whipped up creating a snow squall blowing the snow from the trees. Very nice run and a bit of practice for my winter 10K approaching in February.

Wish I had a camera to get some shots of the snow.

Jeep update...

Dropped the Jeep off to be painted one color.  Since replacing the tailgate and the hood she is multiple colors. The doors are different colors, but it's difficult to see..so time for new coat. Yippee...

Jeep Orvis ready for a new coat

She looks naked...no lights, no roof rack, no brush guard. 

This week's running just tanked

It has been miserably and frigidly, is that a word? COLD!!! Thursday was a XT day, so no run. Friday was -21 real feel. I was terribly cold running in 5 degrees, so I figured there was no way, and I wasn't feeling so great last night, so again I bailed. Meh! 

Today was just a tough day. Couldn't get out of bed. My mind wandering to places, and thinking of things that I wish I could just not think about. Today at work I was just beating myself up thinking about my job, and my future and not getting out and running. I wish I knew how to turn my life around.

What is it that Emerson said about days like this -- to be done with it; tomorrow is a new day. So that's my plan...tomorrow is a new day..

Wednesday run

Ran in West Acton/Boxborough this morning.. The temperature was 12 with windchill of 5. Had 4 layers on top, two socks, two gloves, hat and heavy tights. Ran 3 miles and felt a little chilly, my toes were numb, by mile 4 I was feeling a little more comfortable, so I decided to run a little further. The face and toes were the only areas that were cold the entire run. Mile 5 I peeled off the gloves..

It's a beautiful morning though, blue skies with few clouds. Supposed to get colder tomorrow.

1/5/15

Windy run to the conservation area and back.  Weather app said 37 degrees with a real feel of 26 degrees. The woman on the news said it was in the low 20's with the windchill. Wore mid weight tights (Saucony), short sleeve under my turtleneck and Nike 1/4 zip over and I was fine the entire way. The wind whipping through the conservation area made it hard to run. 3.25 miles @ 9:02 a mile.

Weather is supposed to get colder later today. Calling for teens tonight and single digits later in the week. Brrrrr.... single digits might force me into the gym.

On running in cold

Ran to Littleton through Harvard and back this morning. The morning sky was beautiful, hints of pink and mauve just over the trees that by the end of the run was blue with the sun starting to peek out. I bought some heavier tights a couple of days ago with a gift card I received for a local running store. They are much better for running in the colder temperatures. The tights I have are good for about 30 degrees, but beyond that they are a bit chilly. These fit the bill.

Was a good run, very peaceful as it was just me and the critters scurrying about in the woods. A few dog walkers out enjoying the first light. I was thinking about New Year's resolutions, changes I want to make to life and the Frozen Pilgrim run in Plymouth next month. Still on the fence about that one.

Getting a grasp on winter layering: It was 19* this morning with little to no wind. Although there was a little through the conservation land. A short sleeve shirt under a turtleneck and wind jacket. Siberius tights and two pair of socks. I was a tad cool the entire way, but comfortable.

6.2 miles 57:32

Wicked Frosty Four

I had a good running year in 2014 and wanted to keep my base going, so I decided to sign up for a few races to keep motivated and force me to train through the winter. I usually have a problem with this and the mornings have been dark so I haven’t been able to do the distance I in the autumn.

It's been a while since I've run a New Years Day race. I used to run them every year until I got divorce, because I ran them with him. I saw this race online and liked the name of it so I decided to sign up. As advertised it was a frosty run. This was a good opportunity to get back into the habit of running the first day of the year.

After signing up I got and email about a race series and this was the first race in the series, so I signed up for that too..double motivation. 

I woke up too early, and a bit irritated and conflicted not really knowing why. So I showered and had a tea, watched the news and tried to kill time, but was feeling a little antsy and anxious to go. Eventually I  just gathered my things and headed out to the door.

It was frosty!!! There was a strange feeling in the air. As I drove down the street there was trash and debris everywhere. Odd. I didn’t hear any commotion or celebrations last night, even though I went to bed at 9:30…ah the exciting life I lead. Driving through town it was deserted, so unusual for a week day.

When I got to Salem it was about the same there, very desolate and deserted. Parking was a cinch. I went in the Tavern and wandered around a bit. I was over an hour early, lots of time to kill.

I love running in Salem. It was a cold, windy morning. The race is a nice course from the center of Salem to the Willows. I was having a conflicted morning not sure why, but I felt irritated. I warmed up at the restaurant as it filled to capacity. Headed out to the start and felt over dressed so I took off a layer and thought of taking it to my car. Then standing in the shade I got cold and put it back on. I lined up at the rear, which is always a mistake. Ugh.. starting in the back of 700 runners and walkers. So I had to weave in and out and around a lot of slow runners and walkers. By the time I got a mile out I was too warm again. Meh!!! So I took off my jacket and tied it around my waist but it was twisting and irritated me and I couldn't find my pace or stride. My clothes were twisting and flapping on my leg adding to my irritation. As I got to mile 2 I was still feeling a bit irritated. It was a tad cool around the Willows area, but not bad. I stopped at the mile 2 water stop took a water, and a breath tied my jacket tighter, and started again and felt much better the last two miles. I ran the last two miles more comfortable than the first two. At mile three a car pulled out onto the course into a group of runners...why do people do that?? Can you not see all the people running?? As I came to the finish line I was really warm, took off my gloves and hat and breezed to the finish. Saw the finish time of 35:50 and felt ok about my run not my best; not as good as my last 4 mile in Maine, but under 9 min mile. Happiness!! And a great way to start the year. But when I finished I forgot to turn off my watch, so my watch time wasn’t accurate.

I headed to the Tavern for the post race. It wasn’t too bad at first. I grabbed a banana and a water, but as more runners finished the place filled up quickly. I got in line for the free post race pint which took forever. It was so crowded with barely any room to even stand that I decided to take off and head home with a quick stop at the running store in Lexington.

Race 1- 4 miles 35:53 ( gun time) 35:05 (chip time)

Good race…finished 12/58 in my age group 316/730 overall with a gun time of 35:50 and chip time of 35:05. Even though I didn't run this one as well as my last race, I'm not disappointed. It is, after all, the start of the year. Was a lovely way to start the year. I really enjoyed it. 

I stopped by the running store and got 30% off my purchase (toasty running tights that I sorely need) for running a race on the first day of the year!! YAY!! Score!