Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Wrap up & recap of 2019 Race Season

My last race of the season was this past Saturday at the Reagle Beagle 25k in Bath Township. It was a challenging and fun course and I was happy to walk away with the masters win and 5th female. Steve was also first master male and 5th overall. Many of our friends were there racing or volunteering and there was R. Shea beer at the finish so it was a good day all around!

The year went quick and it was full of highs and lows as most seasons are. Overall I had many successes including setting some new records in various distances, another BQ, some overall and masters wins and a lot of blood, sweat, tears and fun along the way. Here's a quick recap below:

March: ran the Leprechaun dash 5k in downtown Willoughby, took 2nd female won $40 and a pair of St. Patrick's Day themed Goodrs. Race started and finished at Willoughby Brewing so enjoyed a post race beer among friends. Next up was the Hinckley Buzzard Day 25K, which was a mudfest this year. I suffered and also managed a 2nd place finish. Finally March wrapped up with the inaugural Get Lucky 50K. It was my longest run for Boston Marathon prep and I managed a small PR of 4:37 and change and first female. Post race food and beer were provided at a tavern in downtown Canal Fulton.

April: ran my second Boston Marathon and it was not my day. Struggled with GI, overheated and walked some of the hills this year finishing in a 3:54. Decided to race the Canton Hall of Fame Marathon and try again for BQ, came up a little short at 3:42 thanks to a stop in the med tent around 16 for calf cramp. Managed 3rd ag versus 2nd in 2018.

May: survived the Cleveland Marathon. It was just way too hot to race the second half. Finished 4ish and enjoyed friends and post race beers. Raced the Medina 1/2 about a week later. Great and challenging course - also a hot day. Ran first half fast died on second half ending up around 1:44. Good enough for first in AG. Went to PJ Marleys post race for hard-earned breakfast and brews.

June: Eagle up 100k became 50 miler thanks to a really bad GI day. Not sure how I survived the 50 only adding maybe 10 mins from previous year. Still finished 1st female in 8:50ish. Then ran the inaugural Mingo Madness 15K, which was a tough and fun race. 1300 ft of elevation in 9ish miles. Manged 1st AG on dead legs.

July: Recovery month. Raced the Andrea Teodosio 5k in downtown Akron. Tried to remember how to run fast. Hot day. Ran 21ish, 1st AG.

August: this was a good month for me. Set new PR of 1:37:23 at Hofbrauhaus half marathon. Fun post race party with friends. Steve also PR'd and we we both won our AGs. Then we raced the Winking Lizard Shot in the dark 4 miler in downtown Cleveland. It was hot and I felt like hell before the race but managed to run 27ish and win female race! That was fun although running that fast hurts. Post race Great Lakes beer was delightful. Then ran the Moebius 50k as last long run pre-Erie. Twisted ankle then fell on 3rd lap so called it at 18 miles.

September: this was an up and down month. Erie went well. Although a little warm I felt strong and managed a little marathon PR too of 3:29:04 versus my 2018 time of 3:29:33. Got my BQ. Steve also PR'd so we celebrated post race. The Akron Marathon was not a success for me. I felt crappy early on in the heat and legs were flat and I cut it short to the half. A couple days later my sinus infection hit so I think I was fighting that during the race.

October: Rough month. Missed Doan Creek 25K due to being sick. Then ran the Crowell Hilaka trail half. Got lost on second loop so turned into a fun run but nice to run with and see so many friends.

November: The year ended on a positive note with Veteran's Day 1/2 masters win, good for $150 for me and also Steve won the men's! It was a tough, hilly course in the Ravenna Arsenal. Then the Reagle Beagle last week we both won masters again and it was about 1200 ft of gain. So, the legs are tired :)

Now I am ready for a break! I know Steve is too. We will recover in December and keep a base heading into 2020. Next season I will race less but longer beginning with Get Lucky 50k, Boston Marathon # 3, Cleveland Marathon, Eagle up 100K then Canal Corridor 100 round 3 in July. After that I will take a break and regroup for fall. I am debating a triathlon in September to mix it up but we'll see how my training goes.

Speaking of the Cleveland Marathon, I am excited to once again be a race ambassador! If you are signing up make sure you use code "RUNCLEPAM10" to save 10% off registration!














Monday, October 21, 2019

Quick Fall Racing/Training Update

It's been a while since my last post. If you follow me on social then you probably already know what I am up to and how my races have went but if not here's a quick little recap.

Celebrating post Erie!
In early September I raced the Erie Marathon and it went pretty well. I was hoping for a 3:25 but it was a little hot and humid that day so I went with the 3:30 pace group. I felt good most of the race and even managed a small negative split and new PR of 3:29:04 about 30 seconds faster than my previous PR. My husband Steve also PR'd with a low 3:12 race so we both got our 2020 BQs!

Next up was Akron. This did not go as well for me. I just felt off and by mile 10-12 I was really laboring so I opted to end it at the 1/2. Not a good 1/2 for me since I was running it at my marathon pace but it didn't really matter. I was happy to see my husband finish strong and get his 2020 BQ. I ended up not feeling well Saturday night and then within a week I got a cold that turned into a sinus infection. This could explain why I felt off at Akron.
Fighting GI in Akron

Since I was sick I sat out Doan Creek 25K. I ran the Crowell Hilaka half on Saturday but got lost on the second loop so I ran with some fellow trail friends Marta, Angie and Jen. This was a touch course especially since I added more hills with my wrong turn. on my garmin I had close to 1300 ft of gain for the 13 miles so it was hilly but a great and beautiful fall course!

My next race is not until November 23 so I am looking forward to the break. I'll be running the Reagle Beagle in Bath Township. Although I am signed up for the 50K I will likely race the 25K just to give myself a break and some rest from the super long stuff until next season when I have a pretty tough schedule planned through July, including running the Canal Corridor 100 again - hopefully better this time!


Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Late Summer Race and Training Update

Summer is flying. I can't believe it's almost Labor Day already! Where does the time go? I've had a pretty good training cycle for Erie. I'll be doing one final race this weekend to prepare, which is the Moebius 50K in Aurora, OH. I ran this a couple years back coming off of my 100 and pacing Steve for BR so hopefully I'll be a little faster this time - although my main goal is to get in one last kick ass workout leading up to race day at Presque Isle in a couple of weeks.

A few weeks ago I raced the Hofbrauhaus Half Marathon in Cleveland and that went pretty well. Despite some nasty cramping the last few miles I set a new personal record of 1:37 and change and although the course was a smidge short I am counting it :) I was able to grab 1st in my AG in that race and enjoyed the post race beer in the mug that they gave me for winning the AG. Steve also set a new smoking fast PR of 1:25 and change and won his AG. That's a pretty good birthday present! After the post-race party there we headed over to Masthead Brewing with friends for lunch and another pint.

post race celebratory beer at Shot in the Dark!
Next up was the Hermes Shot in the Dark 4 mile race in downtown Cleveland. I was not sure how I would do in a night race but it went better than I expected especially because my warm-up was so crappy! I took off fast with a 6:23 first mile then slowed down when I realized this pace would crush me for 4 miles. I had some GI cramps last mile or so but was able to stay on a 7 flat pace to finish it up in 27 and change (6:54 pace) and finished first female (woohoo)! The post race Great Lakes Holy Moses was refreshing after that warm sufferfest. Steve ended up placing 3rd male and we both won gift certificates to Winking Lizard and Dicks as well as a bottle opener (you can never have too many of those). The morning after the race we suffered through a hot and painful 20 miler but got it done ending the week with about 60 miles.

Last week was a little lighter and partly because my long run Saturday was a fail (was going to do 18-20 but dropped at 11 due to a tight hamstring). This week I will get in about 20-25 before Moebius and then run my 31 there to end the week with 50-55 miles before starting the taper for Erie! I am actually looking forward to the taper I think, which is weird for me but will see how I feel closer to the race.

The next post will probably be an update about Erie so wish me luck!

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Training & Racing Update for Summer

Wow - it's almost August already and I haven't blogged. Sorry everyone it's been a busy summer! Don't worry - I have been running and racing as per usual just not writing as much as I should! After the Cleveland Marathon in May I raced the Eagle Up Ultra again in early June. My goal was the 100k this year but I ended up having a rough day of GI issues so called it at 50 miles. I ended up first female for the 50 again albeit a little slower than last year. This one is such a great race though that I am sure I will be back again next year for 100k or maybe more!

After Eagle Up I did a new race in my backyard this summer called the Mingo Madness 15K. It's a doozy of a race with about 1200-1300 ft of elevation gain over 9ish miles. It was a great turn out and a butt kicker for sure. I was happy with an AG win for this one for sure!

I ran my first 5K since March in downtown Akron 2-3 wks back called the Andrea Rose Teodosio 5K and that was tough as well since most of my runs these days are longer and slower. I ended up around 21:40, not my best time but good for 1st AG and a top 10 finish in a pretty good field of ladies so happy with the result.

With the Erie Marathon and Akron Marathon quickly approaching in September I have been running between 50-60 miles a week and getting in long runs of 16-20 last month or so. Did I mention it's been a hot July in Ohio? Well it has been hot and humid for some of the runs and although I do love summer I am looking forward to fall running temps!

This weekend I'll be racing the Hofbrauhaus half marathon in downtown Cleveland with the hubby for his birthday and some of our running friends so I am curious to see how that goes. The following weekend we have the Shot in the Dark 4 miler so another sprint and I am also planning to run the Moebius Trail 50K again in later August before my taper starts for Erie.

Fall will be fun too as I just signed up for a few trail 25 and 50ks to keep my endurance up. I plan to return to longer distance next year with my eye on another 100!

Stay tuned for the next update - probably after the next race. Happy running everyone! Keep on chasing that runner's high!


Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Cleveland Marathon Race Report - That was a Doozy!

This year's Cleveland Marathon was bittersweet. It was a fun running weekend of seeing so many friends (my fellow Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors, Skirt Sports Ambassadors, Akron folks, etc) before and after the race. I kicked off the weekend festivities with the Cleveland Marathon VIP dinner at the Arcade. This is always a great event and this year was no exception!

Sunday I met up with the ambassadors for a pre-race photo by the start line. We had a nice group running both the half and full this year. Everyone was excited and there was a lot of energy. I also ran into some old friends and made some new ones while we waited in the corral for the race to start.

This year's marathon was a tough race with many people including myself falling short of our goals. The heat was relentless. According to my garmin data it was 75 at the start, reaching 91. Some said it only got up to the mid 80s but either way it felt like a million degrees out there - especially the last 8-10 miles!

While I've been training this year for a 3:30 full I decided to go out a little easier with the 3:35 group and just go for my BQ (3:40). I knew with the weather it was not going to be a good day to try for my A goal. I hydrated as best as I could and carried a bottle with me along with some salt tabs. Still, by mile 8 or so I was struggling to keep the pace. I had debated dropping down to the half but I needed the long run anyways since I have a 100K in a few weeks. So, I reluctantly drudged on in the heat for some more miles.

I stopped at all the aid stations to fill my bottle, took in gels maybe every 5 miles but I could not hit my goal pace and around mile 16 I really started to fade. Around mile 17 or 18 my husband passed me (he was passing the 3:45 group). I ran into my friend Connie Gardner from Akron and just tried to keep up with her. As an elite ultrarunner, Connie knows how to run a smart race. So we ran, chatted, walked the hills and aid stations to keep our heart rates down and counted down the miles. I was hoping to break 4 and we were close - coming in at 4:01.

Post race w/ Akron peeps
I was elated to hit the beer garden where the Great Lakes Brewing IPA was flowing! That may have been the best tasting beer ever...so refreshing after such a long, hot run! It was fun to hang out with our running friends and my fellow Cleveland Marathon ambassadors post race and we also stopped at Masthead Brewing on the way home for some more beer and tasty Pizza.

While I am a little disappointed in my time, on a hot, miserable day like that it was a win just finishing in one piece. I can recall seeing a lot of people getting medical attention during the race from mile 8 on. Upon finishing we learned that a young woman Taylor Ceepo had lost her life near the finish. That was so sad to hear and my heart aches for her family. I can't imagine what they must be going through and I am keeping them in my thoughts this week.

More friends & ambassadors hanging post race 


I'm recovering this week and need to get in a back-to back long run this weekend as well as nest in preparation for the Eagle Up 100K on June 8th. My goal is to get to the starting line healthy and just do my best that day. Last year I ran the 50 miler and did pretty well so will see how I do in the 100k. I sure hope that it is not as hot as Cleveland was!


Thursday, May 16, 2019

Marathon Season is Underway & Cleveland is This Weekend!

It's been a busy spring and I am long overdue for an update on training and racing! Since my last post I have run the Boston Marathon on April 15 and the Canton Hall of Fame Marathon on April 28. This weekend I will be taking on one of my all time favorites...the Cleveland Marathon! This will be my 10th time running this race - 3 times in the half and 7 times for the full!

I've also been lucky enough to be an ambassador for the race for the last 5 years. I will be attending the awesome VIP dinner with my fellow ambassadors tomorrow night so I am looking forward to seeing everyone all dressed up in something besides our runner attire! :)

Boston Recap:
Photo by Akron's own Joey Phillips!
Boston did not go as planned for me. My goal of 3:30 was way off. I ended with a 3:54, a pretty crappy time for me but with rain, heat, humidity, GI issues and cramps I am lucky to have just survived. To be honest it is a privilege just to be there in the first place and I tried to remind myself of that during my struggles. It was great to see so many fellow Akron runners out there as well as friends from all over - even some of my fellow Skirt Sports Ambassador ladies!

Canton Recap:
Canton went better but still missed my BQ. I was on pace for maybe 14 or 15 and then dealt with some calf cramping that resulted in a stop at the Mercy Health tent around mile 17. I got back on track for the most part after that but ended up with a 3:42 and change versus the 3:40 I needed to BQ. The weather was rainy and chilly for this one. I was happy that Steve got his BQ - although he didn't have a great race either.

Cleveland Goal:
This weekend is trending hot as of a few days out. I am prepared to try for my BQ and know that I will have to dress and hydrate appropriately to have a shot. I'll do my best but I will never sacrifice my health for a race because there is always another one! I will also try to enjoy the journey because I am know I am fortunate to be healthy enough to even take on another 26.2! And I will have another chance to BQ for 2020 in Erie early September!


Canton - special thx to the Mercy nurse who gave me this tee!
Next up:
On June 1 I am running a new trail race in Cleveland called The Forgotten that our friends at Running Forward & Giving Back are hosting. Steve and I plan to run this together as one of our last long training runs for our Eagle Up 100K on Saturday June 8! After that I am resting and cross training a bit before ramping up again for Erie and Akron Marathons in September!




Monday, April 8, 2019

Cleveland Marathon Giveaway & Training Update

This is an exciting week because I'm giving away an entry to this year's Cleveland Marathon this week! If you follow the Cleveland Marathon on instagram you may have seen my takeover Saturday. If not here's your chance to win. Simply reply to this post and let me know why you want to run Cleveland and which race you want to do? I'll be announcing the winner this Friday! If you don't win but still plan to run use my code PM2019 to save 10% off your registration!

Use code PM2019 for 10% off your registration!


It's also an exciting week because we are a week out from the Boston Marathon! At this time next week I'll be getting prepped to take on the course for my second time- woohoo! That means this is a super easy taper week for me. I'm planning an easy 15 miles of running, some light core and maybe one easy bike ride. If you'd like to follow along next week I'll be running in Wave 3/corral 2 at 10:50am and my bib # is 17187! Now all that's left to do is to pick my race day outfit, which will definitely consist of one of my awesome Skirt Sports skirts!

Wish me luck in Boston! And goodluck to you on winning my free Cleveland Marathon entry!!