Run, Karla, Run!

Giveaway time!

Why celebrate Christmas on one day when you can celebrate for 12 whole days? It’s time for my 12 Days of Christmas Running Giveaway! Sure the 12 Days of Christmas traditionally start on December 25 and conclude on January 5, otherwise known as Twelfth Night, but let’s get the party started early.

For the next 12 days, I’m giving away an array of running goodies that could fill Santa’s sleigh. I’ll feature one prize per day in social media. Enter via the widget below or on Instagram. Enter as many times as you like on as many days as you like; all entries are eligible for any prize. I’ll choose all 12 winners randomly at the end of the 12 days, which conclude Tuesday, January 5 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern time.

Check out these awesome prizes—some culled from my own personal cache and others generously gifted from the companies below. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

12 Days of Christmas Running Giveaway

1) On the first day of Christmas my run bud gave to me…

Boston Marathoner Map by JHill Design

NYC Marathoner Map by JHill Design

An 8 x 10 Marathoner Map by JHill Design.

These gorgeous maps have had me drooling all over their Instagram feed: @jhilldesign. One lucky winner will choose from 25 marathon and 13 half-marathon maps. Customize it with your name, time, bib and race date. Want to snag one yourself? Use code KARLARUN for 15% off jhilldesign.com through January 16, 2016.

2) On the second day of Christmas my run bud gave to me…

Spartan Race

A Spartan Race entry.

Pick a race. Any race. This entry is good for any open heat (non-confirmed start time) in any Spartan Race in the continental U.S. That’s worth up to and upwards of $150. Tackle a Sprint (3+ miles, 20+ obstacles), Super (8+ miles, 24+ obstacles), or Beast (12+ miles, 30+ obstacles). With 40 races on the current schedule in the continental U.S., it’s up to you! Read the rest of this entry →

Larisa & Karla cheer, Mark & Kristin run (RunKarlaRun.com)

When Runner’s World puts on an event in their hometown, they do it right.  Runner’s World Half & Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is basically fantasy camp for runners. All participants—not just bloggers—at the weekend’s events had the opportunity to meet Deena Kastor, Bart Yasso, and the entire Runner’s World team. Seminars, running clinics, kids races, a dog run, pasta party, and other events filled our days and nights with all things running.

Runner’s World brought me out to the race as their guest, along with a cadre of other bloggers. My quest? Run four races in three days for a total of 26.2 miles.

I was only half successful, thanks to plantar fasciitis. Despite that, I had a ton of fun.

I’ve already recapped the Altra Trail 3.8-mile Trail Race and Runner’s World 5K & 10K. Now on the menu is the Runner’s World Half & Festival!

Post-race band! (RunKarlaRun.com)

Runner’s World Half Marathon

Thanks to shooting pain in my heel—which turned out to be plantar fasciitis and the beginning of a heel spur—I opted not to run the Runner’s World Half Marathon. Instead, I headed out to cheer near Mile 11 of the course with two other injured bloggers—my roomie for the weekend, Jess at RacePaceJess.com (who’d sprained her ankle at the Altra Trail Run), and Larisa at LarisaDixon.com, who’d hurt her calf and pulled out of the race.

Along the course (RunKarlaRun.com)

We had a blast. We clapped, we yelled, we cheered, we laughed, and had a great time. We spotted most of the other bloggers Runner’s World had brought out for the event.

Then Jess hobbled back to the hotel on her swollen ankle, and Larisa and I walked to the finish so we could cheer in Kristin at BamaGirlRuns.com, who was walking the whole race after recovering from a broken ankle.

Working as a race announcer, I love to cheer runners on. But I’m usually at the start or finish (or both) of a race or running myself. I’m rarely on the sidelines along the course.

So I surprised by how many runners thanked us for cheering as they went by, or gave us a thumbs up, or nod, or smile, or came in for a high five, something other form of acknowledgement.

It’s funny. Because I’m the kind of runner who will often nod or smile or fist pump or some such as a way of thanking spectators as I go by. So I don’t know why I was so surprised when other runners thanked me! I guess it was just fun to be on the other side of the fence. Loved paying it forward!

Cheering with Larisa (RunKarlaRun.com)

Runner’s World Festival

The days leading up to the half-marathon constituted the “festival,” which was jam-packed with activities. Here are my highlights from the weekend:

Deena Kastor

What would Deena do? It’s become my new running mantra after hearing Deena Kastor speak at the Runner’s World Half & Festival.

Deena Kastor! (RunKarlaRun.com)

Deena shared lunch with the bloggers and gave an open seminar at the expo. At each, she shared some of the ways she uses positive thinking to pull through in races. Running is as much a mental sport as a physical one. I believe it and research bears it out. (I wrote about it for Shape.com) And the best runners use every (legal) trick in the books—physical and mental—to be tough on race day.

What stuck with me? Before a race Deena said she thinks of three reasons why she will succeed and commits them to memory. When she needs to did deep or is struggling in an event, she recalls those things to keep her going. I love that. Going to try it myself this weekend at the GORE-TEX Philadelphia Half Marathon. And in a moment of doubt, I’ll ask myself: What would Deena do? Read the rest of this entry →

Running the Runner’s World 5K (Runner’s World & Altra)

The Runner’s World 5K and Runner’s World 10K were Day 2 of the Runner’s World Half & Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Runner’s World brought me out to the race as their guest, along with a cadre of other bloggers. My quest? Run four races in three days for a total of 26.2 miles.

I was only half successful, thanks to plantar fasciitis. Despite that, I had a phenomenal time.

Race central

The Runner’s World Half & Festival is basically fantasy camp for runners. All participants—not just bloggers—at the weekend’s events had the opportunity to meet Deena Kastor, Bart Yasso, and the entire Runner’s World team. Seminars, running clinics, kids races, a dog run, pasta party, and other events filled our days and nights with all things running.

The Runner’s World 5K, 10K and Half-Marathons courses started and finished at SteelStacks, a 10-acre music, art, culture, and entertainment campus that was once home to the second largest steel manufacturer in the nation, Bethlehem Steel. Rising over the finish line is a series of iron-forging furnaces. The “stacks” are now home to 1,000 concerts and eight festivals annually, including the Runner’s World Half & Festival. It’s an incredible setting for a race.

Steel Stacks at night (RunKarlaRun.com)

I’ve already recapped the Altra Trail 3.8-mile Trail Race. Up now: The Runner’s World 5K & 10K, back-to-back events!

Runner’s World 5K

More than 1,655 participants tackled the Runner’s World 5K on Saturday, October 17 at 8:00 a.m. I lined up in the cold ready to for an easy jog.

Ready to run the 5K (RunKarlaRun.com)

It was about 40 degrees at the start, so I bundled up for the first time of the season. I wore (all freebies): Sparkle Athletic Headsweats visor, Oakley Polarized RPM sunglasses, Brooks Dash 1/2 Zip, Moving Comfort UpRise Crossback Sports Bra, New Balance Tonic Tank, GORE Running Wear Mythos Windstopper Gloves, Brooks Streaker Capri, Balega Hidden Contour socks (one of the race sponsors), and Asics Gel-Nimbus 17.

My Runner’s World 5K race kit (RunKarlaRun.com)

The 5K course takes runners on a 3.1-mile tour of Bethlehem’s North Side. Shortly after the start, runners climb the Phillip J. Fahy Memorial Bridge to cross the Lehigh River. On the other side you see the Bethlehem Public Library and some of the town’s original 1741 settlements. Runners are treated to scenic views of South Mountain, Bethlehem’s eclectic South Side, and Lehigh University’s campus. Then a fast downhill turn brings you past Bethlehem’s City Hall and back to the Fahy Bridge. One of the most fun parts is running through the former Bethlehem Steel complex and past the Sands Casino to finish under a flaming arch (literally) in the shadow of the steel stacks.

5K course

There’s really only one major hill to speak of as you cross the bridge near Mile 1. Then there’s a gentle incline as you head up the road to the casino, near Mile 2.5. Overall, I’d call this a generally easy course.

5K elevation

I’d come to the race nursing a new niggle in my left foot that I suspected was plantar fasciitis. I walked the Altra Trail Run the day before and wanted to test out my foot on the road.

Heading out

So I consciously ran at a very easy pace, especially knowing I had another 6.2 miles to run after this. I was uber tuned into my body, and my foot in particular, which felt a little achy and tight, but not too bad. Read the rest of this entry →

Trailin’

Starting with the Altra Trail Run presented by REI, I set out to run 26.2 miles in three days at the Runner’s World Half & Festival in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Runner’s World brought me out to the race as their guest, along with a cadre of other bloggers.

I was half successful in my quest, thanks to a shiny, new running injury. Despite that, I had a phenomenal time.

The Runner’s World Half & Festival is basically fantasy camp for runners. All participants—not just bloggers—at the weekend’s events had the opportunity to meet Deena Kastor, Bart Yasso, and the entire Runner’s World team. Seminars, running clinics, kids races, a dog run, pasta party, and other events filled our days and nights with all things running.

I’ll recap all the races and events—including random, last-minute, totally unrelated to Runner’s World, free tickets to see Pat Benatar on stage!!!!! But for now: Let’s talk trail.

The Altra Trail Run Presented by REI

The first 3.8 miles of our marathon journey was Runner’s World‘s first trail race starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 16. Nearly 225 participants braved the event.

The Altra Trail Run was beautiful, going through the Pennsylvania woods in Bethlehem’s South Mountain Park, much of it on a single track. Bart Yasso, who designed the course, called the course pancake flat, that is, blueberry pancake flat—with lots of bumpy “blueberry” hills filling the pancakes. I prefer chocolate chip pancakes myself, but the metaphor still works. There were lots of hills to climb and rocks to trip over. Maybe it was blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes.

The Altra Trail Run course

The team from Altra Running, based in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, was on hand with trail running pointers. My big take home? Quick, small steps are the rule on the trail, so a foot is always beneath you. Read the rest of this entry →

Runner’s World Half & Festival (Photo: Ryan Hulvat/Runner’s World)

Greetings from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the Runner’s World Half & Festival presented by Altra!

I’m seven weeks into my fall running schedule and 24-week training plan for the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon, with a PR attempt at the GORE-TEX Philadelphia Half Marathon along the way. The Fjord Norway Half Marathon and New Balance Reach The Beach Relay are behind me.

Now on the menu is the Runner’s World Half & Festival! I’m attending as a guest of Runner’s World, and will be posting to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter throughout the trip if you want to virtually run with me.

Crossing the finish. (Photo: @myEPevents, Inc)

Runner’s World Half Marathon & Festival

I had a blast at the Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival in 2014, despite it being my roughest half-marathon ever. Runner’s World put together a thoughtful weekend of activities, seminars, and races with dedicated runners in mind.

So I’m excited to head to Bethlehem for the Runner’s World Half & Festival presented by Altra. Once again, they’ve got a full weekend of running cooked up: as in 26.2 miles full of running.

I’ll start with the the Altra 3.8-Mile Trail Run Presented by REI on Friday, then the Hat Trick of races that includes the Runner’s World 5K and Runner’s World 10K on Saturday, followed by the Runner’s World Half Marathon on Sunday for a total of 26.2 miles.

I’ll also get a tour of the Runner’s World headquarters, led by none other than Bart Yasso; get fitted with a pair of Altra running shoes by company founder Golden Harper; take a trail running course with Yasso, Harper, and Runner’s World Gear Editor Bryan Boyle; and eat lunch with Deena Kastor, among other activities.

Basically, it’s like a running fantasy camp. Consider me sufficiently geeked. Read the rest of this entry →

Running is East Hampton, NY with Cinderella (Photo: RunKarlaRun.com)

This is it, folks. The moment I have have been waiting for: My fall running schedule 2015, aka the season when I finally run a sub-2 hour half marathon. There, I said it. I’m throwing down. I know, I know. I’ve said it so many times before. And so many times I have failed. But if at first you don’t succeed…

This is the one goal that has eluded me. My white whale. My holy grail. My impossible dream. A mere 30 seconds stand between my personal best and dream time. Those 30 seconds are coming off the clock.

It all starts August 31. Thanks to the Run S.M.A.R.T. Project, I’ve got a personalized (and complimentary) training plan to see me through.

But that’s not all. After that, I’ve got another goal I’m working toward: a winter 2016 marathon PR. I haven’t run a marathon since 2013. So the Run S.M.A.R.T. Project put together a seamless 24-week training plan for me that takes me all the way through four tune-up and two goal races in a running schedule that spans September to February.

Here’s the run down. And, of course, I’ll share more info about each race as it approaches!

Great Fjord Run (Photo: VisitNorway.com)

Great Fjord Run

Norway, September 5, 2016

What?! Norway? You bet! My husband, Phil, and I are headed on vacation to Sweden and Norway today. Naturally, I started poking around and found that the Great Fjord Run near Bergen just happens to be taking place while we’re there. So of course, we built our trip around it, as one of Norway’s premier running events with 6,000 participants from more than 30 countries. The event includes 5K, 10K, half-marathon, kids races and a walk. We’ll be running the half-marathon!

VisitNorway.com helped me put together an itinerary that includes touring Oslo and hiking the Fjords in Flam and Bergen. I’ll be posting to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter throughout the trip if you want to follow along.

Easy Run: Since it’s the beginning of my running schedule and the end of vacation, this will be a fun run for us with no delusions of running fast. Plus, we’ll want to take in the scenery as we cross three bridges where the waters of three fjords meet. So my training plan has me running this one at an easy pace.

(Photo: Reach The Beach Relay)

New Balance Reach The Beach Relay

New Hampshire, September 18-19, 2015

The New Balance Reach The Beach Relay has been on my bucket list for a while. When New Balance invited me to be their guest as part of a media team, I jumped at the chance. Reach The Beach takes teams of 12 runners 200 miles across New Hampshire, from the White Mountains to Hampton Beach State Park on the Atlantic shore. Each team member runs three legs of the relay, totaling about 16.6 miles over the the course of 24 hours. We start Friday afternoon and finish Saturday evening, running around the clock in shifts through 36 transition areas. This will be my first relay and my first race in New Hampshire. Mountain vistas, serene lakes, and a covered bridge or two are on the menu. I can’t wait!

Tune-Up: My Run S.M.A.R.T Project training plan has me using this as a tune-up at half-marathon race pace. So it will be my first chance to test my fitness once my running schedule starts. I doubt I’ll be running all 16.6. miles at half-marathon race pace, but hopefully I’ll do a leg or two at a fast clip. Read the rest of this entry →

Minnie cheers runners at the Wat Disney World Marathon. (Photo: runDisney)

Registration for the Walt Disney World Marathon 2016 Weekend opens Tuesday, April 28 at 12 p.m. ET. Disney’s signature running event kicks off the new year from January 6-10 at Walt Disney World in Florida. The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna is the largest running festival in the U.S. with more than 65,000 finishers in five races and three race challenges: Walt Disney World Marathon, Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Walt Disney World 10K, Walt Disney World 5K, runDisney Kids’ Races, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, Dopey Challenge, and Disney Castaway Cay Challenge.

Runners dash through Cinderella Castle. (Photo: Todd Anderson/runDisney)

Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge dares runners to complete the half-marathon and marathon on back-to-back days in order to earn a Goofy designed medal. The Dopey Challenge asks runners to take on the 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon on four consecutive days for a special Dopey-themed medal. The Castaway Cay Challenge is for runners who opt to add on a 4-night Bahamas cruise from January 11-15, run a 5K race or longer at the Walt Disney World Marathon 2016 weekend, and complete the Castaway Cay 5K on Disney Cruise Line’s private island.

The Walt Disney World Marathon 2016 weekend also includes the free runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, free Cool Down Party at Downtown Disney, ticketed Pasta in the Park Party, ticketed breakfasts after the 5K and 10K, ticketed Race Retreat before the half and full marathons, and Runner’s World Challenge race packages.

Registration for the Runner’s World Challenge is already open and 50 percent full as of press time. Registration for all the other events will open Tuesday, April 28 at 12 p.m. ET.

The 2015 New Balance runDisney Retro Collection

The weekend is usually runners’ first chance to buy the newest edition of the coveted New Balance runDisney running shoes, as well. In 2013, 2014, and 2015 new styles of the shoes went on sale for the first time at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. The shoes aren’t available online and can only be purchased at runDisney race expos.

For more information about the races, pricing, or to register for the Walt Disney World Marathon 2016, visit runDisney.com.

Walt Disney World Marathon 2016 Weekend Sell-Out Times?

The Magic Kingdom archway (Photo: runDisney)

The 2015 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend broke all of the event’s previous sell-out records. The Dopey Challenge, Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Walt Disney World 10K and Walt Disney World 5K all sold out within 24 hours. The Walt Disney World Marathon filled up in 21 days, shattering the nearly four months it took the 2014 race to sell out.

Only Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge and runDisney kids races had availabilities lingering longer. Read the rest of this entry →

Heartbreak Hill Half medals. (Photo: Grace Donnelly)

The Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival from June 5-8, 2014 in Newton and Boston, Massachusetts felt a lot like running camp. But the titular half-marathon lived up to its name: it was a bit heartbreaky and a bit hilly. And I loved almost every minute of it.

Taking the Heartbreak Hill Half seriously. (Photo: @myEPevents, Inc)

I attended the race courtesy of Runner’s World as part of their official blogger crew. (They covered my race entries, dorm room and some meals. I covered my transportation to and from Boston and other meals.)

The race was a chance to run along the most famous section of Boston Marathon course. For Boston Marathon qualifiers and hopefuls, it was a chance to test their legs on the storied climb. For runners like me—for whom qualifying for Boston is a distant “someday” dream—it was a chance to know exactly what all those faster runners are talking about when they dismiss Heartbreak Hill as “not that bad” or confirm its notoriety as “brutal.” I’ve heard the hill described both ways and was excited to find out for myself.

Roughly 6,700 finishers from 47 U.S. states ran in the 5K, 10K, half-marathon, kids’ run and dog run at the weekend. Exactly 3,074 runners finished the half-marathon; 1,838 completed the 10K; 1,565 crossed the line in the 5K, and 69 doggies finished the Eukanuba Dog Run.

The post-race festival. (Photo: Brita Meng Outzen)

There’s too much for me to cover in one post, so I’ll share all my doings at the race over the next few weeks. I already covered the Runner’s World 5K, Expo, Festival programming, on-campus accommodations and blogger crew in Race Report: Runner’s World 5K at Heartbreak Hill Half.

Up now is the half-marathon! Read the rest of this entry →

The Runner’s World 5K. (Photo: Grace Donnelly)

The Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival from June 5-8, 2014 in Newton and Boston, Massachusetts was a genuine celebration of running. I attended the race courtesy of Runner’s World as part of their official blogger crew. (They covered my race entries, dorm room and some meals. I covered my transportation to and from Boston and other meals.)

Running the 5K. (Photo: @myEPevents, Inc)

Roughly 6,700 finishers from 47 U.S. states ran in the 5K, 10K, half-marathon, kids’ run and dog run. Exactly 3,074 runners finished the half-marathon; 1,838 completed the 10K; 1,565 crossed the line in the 5K, and 69 doggies finished the Eukanuba Dog Run.

Something about the weekend made it feel like running camp. Maybe it was because I was staying on Boston College’s campus in a dorm. Maybe it was the programming, including seminars, movies, meet and greets with runners like Shalane Flanagan and Sarah Reinertsen, an expo and pasta party. Maybe it was the five races and two race challenges that started and finished on campus.

Whatever it was, it added up to a weekend where I lived, ate and breathed running—in a good way.

Boston College has that leafy New England campus vibe that makes you want to sprawl across a green lawn and sing folk songs in a circle. It reminded me of my undergrad experience attending Amherst College in Massachusetts, just a 90 minute drive due west.

Runners tackle the race. (Photo: Grace Donnelly)

One evening, a group of us bloggers sat on the grass whiling an hour away. We spotted Bart Yasso walking to the dorm and waved him over. He sat with us and chatted a while. The whole weekend had that kind of feel—friendly and relaxed. Everywhere you looked, there was someone running, about to run, just finished running or talking about running.

There’s too much for me to cover in one post, so I’ll share all my doings at the race over the next few weeks, including: Runner’s World 5K, Eukanuba Dog Run, Heartbreak Hill Half, Q&A with Shalane Flanagan, Sarah Reinertsen, tips on building a running blog from the seminar I was a part of, and more. I’ll start with the 5K. Read the rest of this entry →

Run, Karla, Running in New England on May 11, 2014. (Photo: RunKarlaRun.com)

Want to learn how to build your running brand? Join me at the inaugural Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival at Boston College in Newton, Mass., from June 6-8. I’ll be on a panel discussing that very topic, along with Matt Frazier of No Meat Athlete and Katy Widrick of Healthy Living in a Hectic World. Runner’s World Editor at Large Mark Remy of Remy’s World fame will be our esteemed moderator. If you’ve ever wondered how to take your running blog to the next level, this is a seminar you don’t want to miss.

Shalane Flanagan at 2014 Boston Marathon. (Photo: Thomas Cole, tfxc/Flickr)

We’re just one of the dozen seminars that cover race strategy, gear, training, fuel, masters running, women’s running and dog running. Yup, you can even learn how to train with your pup. For the inaugural event, Runner’s World is bringing out the big guns. Shalane Flanagan, Bart Yasso, Paralympian Sarah Reinertsen, race director Dave McGillivray and, of course, the Runner’s World editorial team will be on hand to chew these topics at the Runner’s World Health and Fitness Expo. Read the rest of this entry →

Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival

That’s right! From June 6-8, I’ll be at Boston College in Newton, Mass., for the inaugural Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival as part of the official blogging crew. (Read: They’re covering my race entries, hotel and some meals.) And me? I’ve got discount codes for you.

Why Heartbreak Hill? Boston College sits at the top of the famous Heartbreak Hill section of the Boston Marathon. It’s a rare chance for runners who aren’t yet fast enough to qualify for Boston, myself included, to run this storied stretch of road. Consider me pumped.

The weekend of races includes the Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon on Sunday and the Runner’s World 5K and Runner’s World 10K on Saturday. For you challenge lovers, take on multiple races. The Five & Dime is back-to-back 5K and 10K races on Saturday; the Hat Trick has you run the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. All runners receive a finisher’s medal and shirt—tech for the half, event shirt for the 5K and 10K.

All three courses start at the Boston College campus. The 5K is a looped run around the college and Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The 10K and half marathon head west to Commonwealth Avenue and the hills of Newton, Mass. The 10K is an out-and-back run, as is the half-marathon, which also includes a large loop around the Brae Burn County Club. Miles 9.5 to 13 of the half cover the storied Heartbreak Hill section of the Boston Marathon, giving the race weekend its name. Read the rest of this entry →

Running through Central Park on Christmas Day.

This is it. With four weeks down, I’m entering the final stretch of the Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak.

So far, my quest to run at least 1 mile every day from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day has been a resounding success.

I had a slight drop-down in mileage this week thanks to holiday festivities, but my Monday to Sunday calendar week was my highest yet at 28.94 miles.

It’s keeping me so motivated that I’m thinking on continuing the streak into 2014.

But one step at a time. I have to get to the finish line of the Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak first.

Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak: Week 4

Wednesday, December 18: 3.51 miles

My favorite way to kill time on a treadmill is to push buttons. And a fartlek workout is a perfect workout for button-pushing. So I did 1-minute hard and 1-minute easy for 30 minutes with a little warm-up and cool-down on each side. Read the rest of this entry →

Rocking my run streak in Central Park. (Photo: RunKarlaRun.com)

I’ve now survived three weeks of the Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak, my quest to run at least 1 mile every single day from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day.

Only I have discovered that 2 miles is the new 1 mile.

Without consciously setting out to do it, I upped my mileage with longer “rest” days. Instead of 1 mile, I decided to get in 20 minutes of easy cardio.

The result? I feel amazing. I honestly can’t believe how well the streak is going and how totally normal running every day feels. I’m over the tiredness I felt in Week 2.

Ask me again in another few weeks, but for now, running and I are besties.

Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak: Week 3

Wednesday, December 11: 2.05 miles

I had some errands to run that were roughly 1 mile away from home. So I ran there. And ran back. Love sneaking in easy miles that way. Plus, in certain neighborhoods and times of day, running is actually faster than the subway, bus, or cabs. Oh, to live in New York City.

Thursday, December 12: 6.25 miles

This was a gentle progression run on the treadmill. I watched TV, instead of listening to music as usual, and the miles just flew by. I could have kept going and going and going. It was my longest and overall fastest run of the week. Some days, you’re just on. Read the rest of this entry →

Minnie cheers runners at the 2013 Wat Disney World Marathon. (Photo: runDisney)

That’s right. In just three weeks, I’ll be at the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend from January 8-12, and running the Walt Disney World Half Marathon.

The folks at runDisney graciously invited me and I just couldn’t say no.

Am I running the marathon again like last year? Um, no. With just a few weeks preparation, I’m not quite in marathon shape. Sure, I ran the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 20 and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon on November 9, but that 13.1 miles was my last long run. The longest I’ve gone since then is 6.5 miles.

As tempting as it would be to tackle the marathon or, even more, the Dopey Challenge, I’m “just” going to run every other race that weekend instead. That’s right, I’ll be tackling the Disney Family Fun Run 5K, Walt Disney World 10K and Walt Disney World Half Marathon on three consecutive days. Read the rest of this entry →

My Christmas tree!

It’s alive!!! I’ve made it through two weeks of the Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak.

In Week 1 I did 20.15 miles. This week I topped that by 3.56 miles. My plan is to use this streak as a base for some super fast personal record attempts in the Spring.

And it’s all going according to plan, mwah ha ha ha.

I started Week 2 feeling a bit worn down. Wednesday and Thursday took every drop of mental fortitude I had. My body and my mind just didn’t want to run. The bloom and excitement of starting the streak had worn off. I think my body started feeling the effects of running every day. But then I got my groove and finished the week strong.

Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak: Week 2

Wednesday, Dec. 4: 1.00 mile

I was just inexplicably tired. I logged precisely 1-mile with my dog. I mapped it out before hand and stopped the second I crossed the 1-mile mark. Sometimes a girl needs a break.

Thursday, Dec. 5: 5.32 miles

I planned a 5-mile workout. Every ounce of me wanted to quit at 3 miles. I was on the treadmill and I just wasn’t feeling it. The seconds were crawling by. But I made myself finish. Read the rest of this entry →