UHC Triple Crown of Running

The UnitedHealthcare Triple Crown is a new three part race series throughout the state of Rhode Island.  The first race of the tour is in Providence (Cox Rhode Races) on May 6 , the second race is in Jamestown (UnitedHealthcare Jamestown Half Marathon) on July 14 and the final race is in Newport (Amica Marathon) on October 14.  Each race runs you through 13.1 miles (both the Cox Rhode Races and Amica Marathon offer a 5k and marathon option) of scenic Rhode Island with beautiful views at every turn. 

So here's my exciting news...I have been given the opportunity to be a blog ambassador for the UHC Triple Crown series!!!!!  What this means is that each week between now and October 14 I will do at least one entry detailing my training for these races.  And here's the kicker... the final race in October will be my first marathon and I received a complimentary entry!  I had the option to select the full in October and I am going for it.  I feel honored to have this opportunity and look forward to detailing my training and running some awesome races!  Life has gotten in the way of me completing a marathon in the past but it will NOT happen this year.  2012 is my year to make this dream come true.

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Tonight after work I went outside for a run.  All day I had been debating between running on the treadmill and running outside.  I am so glad I chose to run outdoors! 

You should have seen my outfit in person... shorts, a green and red long sleeve tech shirt and an orange vest.  I think I amused people along the path. 

For me this was a super speedy run.  It is the fastest that I've ever run 6 miles and it felt great.  I felt strong and happy throughout my run.  I didn't feel like I was pushing too hard either.  It gives me hope that I can keep getting quicker and quicker!  It was so much better than a treadmill run would have been!

Do you prefer outdoor to treadmill?  What's your ideal running temperature/weather?  I think my ideal temperature to run in is about 65 and sunny with a slight wind. 

Mallory

Something new and an awesome week!

Last week I ran 30 miles which is my highest weekly mileage to date.  I felt strong and fast and all of my runs were pretty speedy (for me!).  Three of the four runs were outside (one was the half marathon) and I enjoyed the outdoor running the best.  Going to the treadmill at the gym for my fourth run was sad and I didn't really enjoy it.  It's base building time! 

Went for another bike ride over the weekend and this time it was 10 miles.  I felt much more comfortable during this ride and I think it probably helped that we were on the bike path rather than the road.  I look forward to more bike rides soon! 

As you know, I have been doing trapeze classes since the end of October and it is a lot of fun.  They have several other classes that they offer there and we decided to try Silks and Static Trapeze!  I was really nervous before class but it was a lot less scary than I thought it would be. 

I enjoyed the silks a lot and got to do some really cool tricks.  I did one trick where I was upside down in them but I can't get the red eye out of the picture and I look like a demon so I don't want to post it.  P.S.  The silks smelled like feet. 

The static trapeze was a lot of fun too.  I wish we had gotten to spend more time on it but we spent more time on the silks. 

Wendy has been wanting to stand on the trapeze for as long as I've been going to classes with her but I imagine it's been a dream of hers for a long time.  Her dream came true.  Yay.  It was also very cool to do a partner trick.  The teacher said we make a really good pair.  I look forward to doing more tricks solo and together. 

I have been doing some pretty awesome things that don't really have much to do with running and in the interest of sparing you all the non-running stuff (and because it's fun to have another blog!), Wendy and I are doing a blog of all the fun and new things that we are trying (running and non-running included).  If you'd like to check it out, here's the link:  Team Argyle

I have something that I am excited to tell you all about within the next day or so!  I am awful at keeping secrets but taunting you with it gives me some relief!

Do you run your best in the morning, mid-day or evening?  I think I run best in the evening.  I feel awake and prepared.

Mallory

Spring in Rhode Island

Have you been having beautiful weather lately?  We have!  It has been gorgeous here in New England for about the past week.  I've been doing my best to get outside and enjoy the weather when possible.  My coworkers and I have been taking 15 minutes each afternoon to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather.  My first run after the half on Sunday was just over 6 miles and at a BLAZING (for me) pace, especially two days after a race. 

We were so lucky to run after work on Tuesday.  It was still about 75* when we ran and the sun was so bright.  I really enjoyed it.

Signed up for another half marathon!  That will be four for the year!  I look forward to this one but I know it will be so hot!  Should still be fun though.

Last night I took my bike out for a few miles.  I am trying to get used to riding it.  I think I will need to keep doing this regularly and increasing the distance that I go.  It's a nice bike and I REALLY appreciate my mom for giving it to me.  Road bikes are so different than mountain bikes and I feel really unsteady on it still... but I've only ridden it twice with a total of like 10 miles so I guess that makes sense. 

Any tips for riding a road bike?

Mallory

New Bedford Half Marathon

We ran the New Bedford Half Marathon yesterday and it was a beautiful day in Southeastern Massachusetts.  It was around 50* at the start and 60* when we finished.  The sun was shining and the wind wasn't too bad.  The race started in downtown New Bedford and did a loop down to the water and ended back in downtown.  It was a great course with a lot of crowd support.

Before the race

 For the first 11 miles I was holding a great pace of just under a 10:00 minute mile but my legs started to cramp and I began to fall apart.  I told Wendy to keep running because I knew I was going to have to walk.  I still finished with my 2nd best half marathon time (best time was in a virtual race)!  This was Wendy's first "real" half marathon (her other was the virtual race we did in January) and she killed it!  So proud of her!

My time:  2:15:32
Wendy's time:  2:10:04 

After the race!

 It felt so good to race again.  My last race was at the beginning of December and this just reminded me how much I love the atmosphere of racing.  Next race is May 6! 

I need some sun on my legs!

 Moving went well.  I have everything in my new place minus some hanging clothes and one box which I will get tomorrow.  Everything is coming along nicely and it already feels like home.  I have most unpacking done but the spare room is still sort of a mess.  I hear birds chirping each morning when I wake up and it is so peaceful. 

Do you enjoy racing?

Mallory

Running with cramps

So I bet most of you know where I am going with this... Yesterday Wendy and I had a 12 miler planned.  It was chilly outside (40*) and REALLY windy.  20 mph to be exact.  Anyway as soon as we started running I felt like I was going to vomit.  At first I thought I could push through it but it just wasn't happening and I started feeling lightheaded from the pain.  She was a good sport about it and we ended with 7.3 miles.  I felt bad stopping but I felt so much better once I stopped.  Here is our "before" shot:

We did not take an "after" shot, which is a good thing because I think I probably looked like death. 

Tonight I went to the gym and ran the rest of the "12 miler" on the treadmill.  I am glad that I got the miles in.  It felt good!

This is going to be a busy week for me.  I am moving on Thursday and I still have a lot to do before then.  Tomorrow after work I am getting my hair cut and colored so I won't be home until probably 7:00.  I am hoping to get in at least two more good runs in this week before our half marathon on Sunday!

When was the last time you moved?  I moved a year ago.  I am hoping to stay in my new apartment for a while.  I dislike moving!

Mallory

I'm a blur and my mom is a badass

Did an easy run on the treadmill this evening before I go into work for my Friday overnight!  I feel good after doing it and am happy I made myself do it.  I do think I ate too close to running because I feel sorta pukey.  Oops!!

Less than a week until I move into my new apartment.  I've gotten a lot of upper body workouts this week with all of the taping and painting!  I can't wait to take the tape off tomorrow to see how it looks. 

So I don't know how many of you know this, but my mom is a badass.  She and her boyfriend recently went to Cabo and they had some awesome adventures.

This weekend is supposed to be beautiful and I hope to run outside at least once.  Going to a birthday dinner for my bff Shena tomorrow night and I can't wait.  It will be good to see my friends!

What are you doing this weekend?
Mallory

Updates!

Running has been going well lately but my mileage is not as high as I would like.  I am moving two weeks from today so there is a lot to do!  I enjoyed an easy 8 mile run this evening on the treadmill.  I love when I use the treadmill at my building because it doesn't stop at 60 minutes!

I have my second half marathon of the year two weeks from Sunday.  It is the New Bedford Half Marathon and I have heard wonderful things about this race.  I will actually be running it three days after I move out of New Bedford, which is somewhat ironic.  It is one of the fastest half marathon courses in the nation.  Hopefully I will have fast feet!

One of my goals for the month of March is to get up each morning when my alarm clock goes off.  I know this may seem simple to some of you but I have such a problem doing this!  There are so many nights that I am pumped to get up the next morning to run before work but I continuously hit snooze.  So that is my goal!  Do you hit snooze?

Once I move I will be trying Bikram Yoga.  Wendy got an awesome groupon so we will both be going.  I've never tried it before but it sounds pretty awesome and intense.  Have you done Bikram (hot) yoga before?
As I was reading my twitter feed today, I came across a tweet from the Amica Marathon that asked for people who run and blog to email them for details about a free entry to the race.  I emailed them with my blog title and I am looking forward to hearing more.  Both the Amica Marathon and the Nike Women's Marathon are the same day - October 14.  I still plan to apply for the lottery of NWM in April unless it works out to run the Amica Marathon for free!  I did the half marathon associated with it in 2010 and it had some of the best views I have ever seen in a half course.

One of the best thing about living in my new apartment is that it is in a safe residential neighborhood and I will be able to step out my front door and go for a run for the first time in a year.  My favorite bike path is a few miles away, which is also incredibly exciting!

What is the most essential food/snack in your training?
Mallory