Some races forever change you. Maybe it’s because the event requires epic training. Perhaps an inspiring coach or truly special training buddies elevate the mundane. Or the reason could be its spectacular location. Sometimes, the race simply changes your beliefs about what is possible. For me and a small group of training buddies, the 2005 Pikes… Continue reading Pikes Peak Marathon Epic Adventure
Tag: endurance events
BlogHer 2017 Went A Lot Like My First Marathon
It’s Saturday night, BlogHer 2017’s final hurrah. Some valuable final content may be getting slung. The crowd could be gathered in the giant keynote hall for the wrap-up session, where it’s possible Serena Williams is passing out diamond tennis bracelets and hugs, a panel of publishing houses are handing out book contracts, and everyone’s raising… Continue reading BlogHer 2017 Went A Lot Like My First Marathon
Rubbing Elbows with Trail Running’s Speedy Elite
Who doesn’t have some type of sports idol? And how many of us would swoon to hang with those admired elite athletes? In trail running, those elites are at the local races, cheering in runners and working aid stations. They’re mingling with the masses, not segregated in a separate start group, clustered in a special VIP… Continue reading Rubbing Elbows with Trail Running’s Speedy Elite
DFL, DNF, or DIM (Does It Matter?) at the Leatherwood Ultra
I should add another three-letter acronym: WTF. I’m quite sure I uttered the phrase a few times during the uphill climbs on the 2016 Leatherwood Ultra course. It also fairly neatly sums up the conflicted feelings I’ve had about writing up this race report. WTF am I supposed to glean from my performance in North… Continue reading DFL, DNF, or DIM (Does It Matter?) at the Leatherwood Ultra
Love, Paris Marathon Style
What follows is everything you’d conceivably want to know about my 2016 Paris Marathon. For those who just want the low down and dirty: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Literally. 2016 Paris Marathon Race Report Pre-Race Details Though I’ve run 24 marathons, I’d never done an international one… Continue reading Love, Paris Marathon Style
Would You Commit an Endurance Racer’s Ultimate Sin?
There is one aspect to racing guaranteed to bring me to an absolute Tazmanian devil fever-pitch full-on boil. Cheating. In particular, course cutting. My husband chuckled over his coffee because I was in full Taz mode, talking aloud to the New York Times spread before me. (Clearly, he doesn’t mind this early morning behavior or we wouldn’t… Continue reading Would You Commit an Endurance Racer’s Ultimate Sin?
Going the Distance in Marathons & Marriage
Hubby and I love a date night celebration, and we were out on Friday, dressed to the nines, in full empty nester foodie mode. We were trying one of Austin’s amazing downtown restaurants, Counter3.Five.VII. Yes, it’s a clunky name but it’s illustrative. The seating area is a u-shaped counter, so that diners rub elbows as they… Continue reading Going the Distance in Marathons & Marriage
Working Out My Worth
Good friends say things you really need to hear but don’t necessarily want to. And time to reflect almost always results in making some decisions. The other week, my good friend Dr. Stephanie listened as I talked about writing before saying thoughtfully, “You are the best cheerleader I know. Why don’t you turn some of that on… Continue reading Working Out My Worth
When You’re Just Not Into That Workout
A friend and I were talking about signing up for races the other day. She was frustrated — stuck in a dry spell, with no desire to train for a goal or sign up for a race. As a result, she felt she was meandering through workouts, running without purpose, and losing fitness. I disagreed. “It’s… Continue reading When You’re Just Not Into That Workout
Things Happen for a Reason
As I pack for this weekend’s Rocky Raccoon 100 miler (my first!) in Huntsville, I have to reflect on how so many things which, at the time, seemed to be wrong have been right. Had it not been for my experience at Pocatello, I would not have *my two fantastic Marmot jackets and two pairs of… Continue reading Things Happen for a Reason
