2019 RACE RECAP

                                                                    RACES OF 2019

                                                                

We are almost at the end of the year and I always write a little recap of my races for the year. 

The  second part of the  year itself has been eventful and not for the better and it's

made me put my accomplishments and things to be proud of on the sideline.

I thought about it and there has been more good then bad. I've had some personal best 

in races yet I was at the point of always being hard on myself. I became too competitive with

myself and lost the fun in racing and left myself disappointed at times. 

In October I decided to just run when I wanted to and race with no pressure. 

Now to recap my year, I was able to complete 2 states (New Hampshire and Vermont) in

 my goal towards 50 states with some awesome people. I am up to 20 states with 30 to go. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

VERMONT

 

I traveled to Europe (Berlin) my first international marathon and set a personal best.

I raced my first Dualtlon

I ran and pushed a stroller for a mile with my nephew, his first official race with Harlem Run

 

I completed an Olympic distance triathlon, not fully prepared and first swim without a 

wetsuit (my safety blanket) that I was super proud and danced my way out of the water
and even placed 3rd in my age group. Celebrated with an amazing group afterwards
Team Gorillas.

 

I raced my longest swim 2.4 miles in May. 

I completed a 80 mile bike tour on my 40th birthday and had some amazing friends 

that made it extra special, my longest and most challenging bike ride so far,

mentally and physically I wanted to quit and drop the distance and I wasn't able to.

I kept this mantra in my head as I pushed for that 80 

" Be fearless in what sets your soul on fire"

 

I was finally able to run a race on my bucket list in Salem the Devil's chase 6.66 miles,

where my mom and my sister supported me.

 

So I guess you can say I had a pretty amazing race year and

I had people in my life that made it all the more special from their words of wisdom, 

encouragement, jokes and endless support which I am lucky to have.

 "The best views come after the hardest climbs"

Looking forward to new goals, new challenges and an Epic 2020!

My Quest to 50- 20 down 30 to go (Vermont)

My Quest to 50, 20 down 30 more to go

July 22, 2019
Essex Half Vermont

This past weekend I ran my 32^nd half marathon and my 20^th state. I ran the Essex half marathon in Vermont. The trip was a short getaway, just one night. My friends scooped me up at 5 am on Saturday morning and we arrived in Vermont at 11:00 am, even took a car ferry to the town which was really cool and a first time experience.

28 hours in Vermont

We arrived via ferry to the town of Essex, beautiful views and a nice little way to travel.

 

First thing we did since it was too early to check in to our hotel, we went to get our bib which we were too early for as well and had to wait a bit. Once we retrieved our bib we checked into our hotel then drove over to Burlington, which was a cute little town to have lunch. We walked through Church Street Marketplace where they have shops and restaurants, then drove to check out Lake Champlain and found a little beach there. Checked out the Earth Clock Sundial and the World’s tallest filing cabinet haha.

 

Earth Clock Sun Dial

Beach at Lake Champlain

 

Worlds Tallest Filing Cabinet

Race Day

We left New York's heat wave thinking it would be cooler in Vermont but they were experiencing a heat wave also, and this affected me on race day. Legs felt good and I started off a bit too fast but for some reason had to go to the bathroom as soon as I started, I thought the porta potty was at mile 3 so sped up a bit to get to it to find out there was none. I over heated in those first few miles and never recovered, let’s just say not my best half marathon but glad I was able to finish and complete another state, oh and finally found porta potty and mile 8.5. My friend came in 3^rd in his age group which was great and my other friend had a hard time with the heat and the hills. We all experience something in races but we all had the courage to start and cross that finish line. Overall the race was a nice local town race, not many spectators except some people cheering from their homes; we started and finished on a track at a high school.

 


Post Race 
We decided after checking out of our hotel to go and get some brunch before heading back home. I found this popular place on Church Street that are known for their breakfast and mostly their gingerbread pancakes and the breakfast did not disappoint, everything was delicious. 

Next up for me is the Berlin Marathon in September, not a state but my other goal is to complete the 6 World Majors. I will decide after Berlin to see if I can add another state for the year.

Until next time Happy Running, Biking, Hiking, Swimming, Boxing!