My running friend, Dr. Phillip Fields, just shared with me a very inspirational book he has recently published. Phillip has run almost 150 marathons all over the USA and Canada, while battling leukemia during chemotherapy. I highly recommend reading his book, The Long Road Back to Boston: Running Marathons with Leukemia. All the royalties go to pediatric oncology.
Run Happy!
That Pretty Runner
Dear Runner Lovers,
I love being in the sport of marathon running, because there are so many events that everyone can have their day of achieving something special. 💞 We have the best looking sport, because we have the biggest support system as a community. There is not bias in a way someone can have more 'playing time' or 'better position' because you either run a time or you don't; running is black and white. Sometimes, I retroactively feel like I 'had my day' of achieving my running goal, and realize 'ya know I think I did do what I wanted, and this is what I want to do next...' 🙈
Sometimes, I place high in races and run slower than I wanted. Sometimes, I run fast, but so do a lot of people; run for a time and if you place high with other girls running that time too it's a bonus. Sometimes, I drop out of races and find happiness with a nice race pic from before everything fell apart. 😜 Nothing is a waste of time. Do not feel like, because a race does not go your way that you did a sick amount of training or mileage or years of hard work for nothing… I always like to powerfully say, 'Onto the next! It's impossible to give more than 100%’ instead of ‘ How silly of me to run like 20 miles everyday for years? Hahah.’ You just never know what life has coming around the corner, and there is nothing wrong with those building character moments.😉 Prodigious and abysmal love, that's what the marathon is.😄😭💝
All in all, I feel good about my marathon experiences the past ten years; it's silly but sometimes I think higher of running fast in 5k's during high school than some of my full marathons. After last summer, unexpectedly injuring both my knees my foot and my wrist in an accident, it's been a long time coming back to running 'well'. Running the Mount Desert Island Marathon in the fall may have been jumping in too soon after those injuries, but I don't regret it (MDI is my favorite thing). Nevertheless, I am grateful that I am starting to feel like I can run the way I actually want to again, and I think there will be some fun and challenging races coming up this spring and summer. I'm doing a half marathon, 15k and 10k, and I think I'll be happy racing on the rebound!😄
Run Happy,
That Pretty Runner
Today, my sister and I had the luxury of walking through Skaneatles to admire the beautiful ice sculptures!
Hard work is what gets you places. You can run fast in any shoe, and you should never let anyone tell you to restrict your diet. The government did a million-dollar study, that proves runners need to eat a lot of carbs to be fast!
THE MORE YOU EXERCISE, THE MORE YOU NEED TO EAT!
Nourishing your body makes you a faster runner. In marathon running, it is impossible to consume enough calories before running the 26.2 miles. Your body cannot get enough nourishment before, after, and during a marathon.
When you get back home after a run, and you feel starving and want to slice up and butter an entire loaf of bread… Just do it!
Your body needs the carbs and calories to replenish.
If you feel thirsty it is too late… so drink your big bottles of electrolyte-enhanced drinks and water!
Don’t Panic, Go Organic! Peanut butter has so much protein, and nutrients if you go organic. Nourish yourself!
It is okay to eat as much pizza as you want, when you are a runner. All the pizza with all the toppings, dipped in ranch!
Bagels are such a great way to carb-load for runners. Bagels can be added to your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack throughout the day. Runners are supposed to eat all the carbs. Lather on all the butter, peanut butter, and cream-cheese.
Protein keeps your muscles glued together, and protein shakes can prevent muscle tearing during any exercise. Drinking protein is the difference between my legs being sore after a workout or feeling fabulous. Mix protein powder, milk, and your favorite berries!
Energy gels give us runners that extra sugar boast we need throughout a workout. Even if you do not feel like you need a sugar hit, eat your first gel 5 miles into a run, at the latest. Bring a bottle of water with you on a run.
The salt and potassium in French Fries are so good for you. Fries are an excellent recovery food for all of us runners!
One of my favorite fun facts… Eat bananas and strawberries so you do not get Charlie-Horse’s on the run! If your muscles are cramping up, eat a bunch of strawberries and bananas!
EAT MORE CAKE-POPS!
DEAR RUNNER LOVERS,
I had a lovely marathon weekend in Bar Harbor+ Mount Desert Island Maine. I accomplished my goal to have two golden lobster claw medals, so super happy!!😻 2016 and 2019. It’s like I have my entire MDI MARATHON GOLD LOBSTER!! Dreams do come true!
2016 MDI Marathon Medal on left 2019 MDI Marathon Medal on right! I fundraised for ST.JUDE both marathons!
HAPPY RUNNING,
THAT PRETTY RUNNER
Race Recap
The ACDC Thunder song, before the gun went off...
Mile 1-9
Felt pretty fast, even on the mountain ascending the first mile. Omg.
Mile 10
the salty air and cold got the best of me, and I felt frozen running at the altitude and started walking, turned off my watch, enjoyed the views!
Mile 13
I thought about just dropping out, but I really really really wanted my Golden Lobster Claw Medal.
Mile 18
The St.Jude Cheer Station! My parents were there, with paddles and cow bells, beautifully set up and very fun!! I used my 5th gel, which was my last gel, because I always take them every five miles. I think I was burning more energy at the altitude and moving slower so my typical gel plan did not work. Then, a nice women standing outside her house gave me a chocolate gel.
Mile 20
I found two friends to run with for a bit, we talked until picking up my pace.
Mile 23
I felt like I was going to pass out, and covered in salt. A nice group of people set up a table and saved me with another gel and water. I probably looked like a disaster, lol. Nevertheless, those cheers kept me going that last stretch.
Mile 24
I started running fast just to get it all done, my knees felt dead running down the hills I just ran up. My mind was in a 'just get it over with' state, lol.
Mile 26.2
I was so so so overjoyed to have my Golden Lobster Claw medal, and didn't care how long it took me to get it! 😄
My two golden lobster claw medals from 2016 and 2019 are living happily ever after as a whole lobster! 🦐🦐
Dear Runner Lovers,
I made bracelets for a Saint Jude charity auction fundraiser, to go with my next marathon this fall on Mount Desert Island Maine. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Saint Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Here is the link to the charity auction that will be going on all week! Thank you☺
https://www.ebay.com/str/thatprettyrunner
Or to make a donation without buying a bracelet, here is my race fundraising link!
http://heroes.stjude.org/thatprettyrunner
Dear Runner Lovers,
Today, I had a fabulous time swimming in the ocean all day!😁🏖🌊☀️
I hope everyone is feeling fantabulous!😘
Happy Running!
That Pretty Runner
