Good luck tomorrow, MOWC!
I have been a slacker in the running department. I ran on Wednesday, then just couldn’t drag out of bed yesterday. Worked with my Pilates trainer this morning, so no running. My abs are going to be very sore, but hoping to get a longer run in tomorrow.
Sounds like your race went well, C3B - it doesn’t sound very enjoyable though! CBB, I’ve really liked my Asics- glad you got a pro fit!
Been without internet for the last couple of days as I’ve been on the Habitat for Humanity 4 day ride. Yesterday, we rode 58 miles from from Chestnut Hill in Philadelhia to Kutztown University in Kutztown. 4000 feet of climbing; it was tough. One road was a 7 mile climb where the flattest section was 6% and the steeper parts about 11% grade. Yikes, that hurt. Overall average was mid 16’s. I’ll take that! Best of all, no cramping! Lots of hydration and Enduralytes. We stayed in the dorms at the school; the campus was empty. Beautiful roads, great company in my group with strong, experienced and congenial riders.
Today, we rode 68 miles with 2900 feet of climbing. One major climb and lots of rollers from Kutztown to Hershey. Again, great roads, great company. At one point we were averaging 18.9 but then sanity prevailed and we backed off a bit so we could enjoy the scenery.
This is the third year I’ve done this ride and I am constantly amazed by the quality of character, spirit and values of the people who do this event. Bright, interesting people for whom social consciousness is a central tenant of their lives, many of whom have traveled this country and abroad participating in a broad variety of community based projects to improve the quality of lives for those who have not had the opportunities in life to provide for their families the way so many of us have. It’s humbling to be surrounded by the participants on this ride as we are united by our passion for cycling and using it as a fundraising opportunity for Habitat of Philadelphia’s Home Building and Ownership program.
Tomorrow will be a short day, only 46 miles of which 26 miles will be various climbing capped with a climb up Mt Gretna, lol. Once we reach the top, it will be mostly downhill to Lititz PA for a lunch stop and some relaxation exploring this town which has been named the best small town in the USA.
Yay, Michael. Way to go!
C3B - wow, that’s a blazing fast mile. Congrats. 
I hate running the first mile, because it is the toughest. Kudos on dealing with the toughest race in the best possible way.
Good luck, MOfWC! Get through the finish line in one piece.
Throwing in my good wishes to MOWC too for some good running weather along with a good run - and don’t forget to tell us what you wore!!!
Michael- it sounds wonderful. I’m glad you didn’t have any cramping. I guess the weather is OK! Enjoy the rest of the ride.
Thanks, Bunsen.
Hope you have a good race tomorrow MOWC. The weather has been perfect for cycling. Often overcast, never above 75. I’ve been trying to ride conservatively but it’s been tough yo do since in my group of 10, 7 of the riders are under 30
The only way I can get a good shoe fitting is to order everything around my size from Zappo’s, wear them around the house a little bit with Superfeet insoles, and send back the others. I keep the one that doesn’t feel tight after an hour.
Sounds like an awesome ride, MKat.
Look what’s baaaack! The Runsie (and dang my size is sold out!):
I just got the cutest Lulu running “skirt” - micro pleated/plisse, with undershorts that have pockets! Did not see the Runsie anywhere in the store.
This is the skirt called Pleat to Street:
Sending good race mojo MOWC!
Enjoy the downhill, Michael! Sounds like a great ride!
ugh Bunsen, did you have to post that skirt? I am trying to cure my lulu addiction.
Good luck to Michael and MOWC.
Michael, I was just wondering how the ride was going - thanks for the update!
Nice 9.25 miles this morning with friends. Fast, but needed.
Waiting for MOWC’s race report!
Go MOWC -hope you have a great race!
I actually convinced my 19 year old daughter to “run” with me this morning. I’m still coming off my hip problems, so we’re just going to do intervals of 30 seconds running & 1 1/2 minutes walking and try to cover 2-3 miles that way. It would be so great if one of my daughters caught the bug & would do some races with me.
That sounds like a good plan Gertrude!
Gertrude:
That’s how I did my one and only 5K. Set my Garmin watch to beep every 400 meters. Run 400. Walk 400. Run 400. Walk 400.
Love that skirt, Bunsen. Might have to go by Lulu…
Really tough half marathon. I ran this with my daughter two years ago and it was ridiculously hot and hilly. They reversed the direction of the course, which helped a little because the long, sunny, boring stretch was early instead of at the end, but it was still really hard. There are lots of hills, not much shade, and one hill that looks like a wall. Everyone around me (including me) was walking a lot on the bigger hills. Temperature was 66 to 78 degrees while I was out there. I was a little over a minute slower than 2 years ago, which isn’t bad considering aging and last year’s injury. 2:15:52. I won Senior Grand Masters (60 and over) and got great awards. Got a nice medal (besides the finisher’s medal- which was also nice), a free pizza certificate, $50 to Fleet Feet and a nice RRCA certificate since this was the state championship for RRCA half marathon. It’s a beautiful, rural course, but I’m not sure that matters when it is SO hard.
I tried to keep myself from being too miserable out there, and executed my race well, but a race is never comfortable for me, and this was no exception. I don’t think I can manage to go slow enough to not be on the edge, and even if I did, I would just be out there in the heat longer. A bunch of people kept coming up to me afterwards and said I blew by them, so I guess I did OK.
Nice touches were wonderful fresh peaches at the end- and Snickers- and some banjo players out on the course.
I can’t understand some people. There was one guy in dark warmup pants and a lot of runners in dark shirts. Some really interesting female attire, too- tights with just a sports bra. I’m good with just the sports bra on a day like this, but why not shorts or a skirt??? I wore a Nuu Muu dress, sunglasses and visor. The people who skipped hats/visors were really regretting it. I used two Huma gels- one at 5 miles and one just before 10. No stomach issues.
Yay, MOfWC! Congrats on finishing this tough race and doing it so well.
Congrats MOWC!
That sounds like a great race MoWC! So you are now the state champion for your age group?