AWLFC's Paws & Claws 5k

Smiling with my eyes open! Awkward!

Today I woke up bright and early and headed out to Baker Park in Frederick County to run the 1st ever Animal Welfare League of Frederick County (AWLFC) Paws & Claws 5k. This was a really nicely organized and run 5k race. I am always hesitant doing a race for the first time by newbie organizers, but these guys and gals did a fantastic job putting together a well sponsored event.

This race was very similar to a lot of races that I have run throughout the past couple of years in Baker Park. In fact it is pretty much the standard race route. I finished about the same time I usually do which was about 43 minutes. I walked the same spots I usually do, and I finished by sprinting past a couple of individuals running towards the finish line like I always do. The only thing not typical about this race was some guy, whom I thought to be random at the time, sprinted by me with a jogging stroller. I hate being passed by jogging strollers, but this guy was really booking it. Then, I realized it was my friend, Martin and his infant daughter, Luna who cruised past me. Still embarrassed, but a lot less mad. I thought he was running the race, turns out he was on his regular run route when he joined in on the race and then he realized he was running with us. he veered off at the end, but it was still comical none the less.

So here is my race review:
First the negative, really the only two thing I could find "wrong" with this race was the dog poop I stepped in while running. I underestimated that some pups running in the race would poop on the street and I stepped in a big ol' steaming pile of it somewhere on the first mile. But it is par for the course. The other is the swag, it is awesome if you own a dog, they gave away some really nice stuff including a priority pet water dish, tennis ball, bandana, and fancy dog food samples. I own two cats and two guinea pigs so aside from the tote bag, I couldn't use most of the race swag. However, if you own a dog you will totally enjoy the swag. I would also like to state that the swag really wasn't that big of a deal to me, but I am trying to be objective in my review. To be honest, when I sign up for races that benefit animals I expect for any giveaways to be more dog centered because it seems like most people own and love dogs. Clearly us cat people are all crazy and just like to hoard them :-) Consequently, neither one of the negatives listed above would ever keep me from endorsing this race or lead to me not signing up again for it next year.

Second, the positives which far out weigh the negatives. First, the swag for a dog owner was fantastic, the tote bag which was sponsored by Sophie and Madigan's playground was very usable, and I loved the Leslie Jordan Apparel Tech Tee they gave us. Second, at the water stop they gave us full bottles of water, which was awesome. It was nice to be able to carry water with me and never have I been to a race where they were that generous with the water. In hot weather like today it was really a nice touch. Third, the volunteers were super nice. I am accustomed to nice people, why else would you stand there in the heat and cheer/direct people if you didn't want to, but these people were really friendly. Next, did I mention this race had dogs running in it! It's so cute to see pups of all shapes and sizes trotting along with their owners. Besides if there is ever a time for a fast runner to smoke the competition, then this would be the time. I loved watching the dogs get excited and pull their owners in haphazard directions. One dog kept getting excited to run into the stream. Finally, the post race celebration which had ample food, cold water, and cold gatorade for everyone. Again, they were not skimpy with what they gave you. You got full bottles of both water and gatorade. It was really nice.

Like I said, I would most likely run this race again as long as my schedule allowed for it. I had a lot of fun and I would totally endorse this to animal lover. Plus, the money supports the AWLFC and helps provide support to dogs and cats in Frederick County.

Sprinting to the end- 43:35 finish time!

Another quick endorsement I would like to mention and I would encourage you to check out is the organization of Sophie and Madigan's Playground, these were the people responsible for the nice tote bags. The organization Sophie and Madigan's Playground is dedicated to building a memorial park in Frederick County for two young girls who lost their lives in a fire. I have run in multiple races with these people and I have to say that they are a very pleasant group. Currently they are also raising money for their team that is running in the Disney Princess Half Marathon for 2014. While I am not a part of their group, I do support their endeavors and I think what the community is trying to help them achieve is very commendable.

Up next is LoziLu!!! My first ever mud run and obstacle course. I have been lifting and training for this, and I am really going to kick it up a notch since I don't have any 5ks to run in the next few weeks! Until next time, happy running :-)

Spirit of Gettysburg

 I have always wanted to do a run in Gettysburg. For years I have seen races at the Gettysburg YWCA and I was always interested, but never really sure if it was feasible. One of the commitments I made for the summer time was to continue to run in races despite how hot it may get. The goal was to not slack off with my fitness. Being a school teacher can mean that you get a little lax during the summer time. So I signed up, it was impulsive, but I was glad I did it.

This year is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and my poor hubby has had to drive up there multiple times. So unfortunately, he spent his Saturday morning driving me to my race so he could take photos. The plus side is that he knew a quick and easy way to get to the battlefields. We got a great parking spot, picked up my packet, and then we walked around until the start of the race.


Start of the race was about 70 degrees. It was  nice and I definitely liked the temperatures. However, once the sun came out it got hot quick. We all know I am not the fastest runner, so I was hot for the last mile, but it was okay.

What I liked about the run first and foremost is that it was beautiful. I loved running through the battlefield. Believe it or not, the last time I went to Gettysburg was the 5th grade. We ran through the battlefields and it was a nice scenic, but hilly run. I did okay with some of the hills, but I also walked a few of the smaller ones. I was actually amazed that the first mile I ran in about 13 minutes, which is fast for me. Normally I average about 14:20/mile. Not bad, but could be better. I will also say that this race was for more athletic individuals. I think the Adamstown YWCA said there were about 900 participants. I definitely was one of the last to finish even though I ran this 5k faster than any other 5k to date. I ran this one in 41:15 which until now has never been under 42 minutes.
It was interesting knowing that I finished quicker than I ever had, but still being last. It brings up memories of the Run of the Century where even though I ran a respectable time, I finished dead last.

One thing that I found humorous about the run was the concern of the race officials about how I looked at the end. I am not the most graceful runner and I also flush very easily. When I am actually trying to run fast (at least for me) and as you can see by the photos there is trace evidence of me actually running. Be that as it may, the race officials looked really concerned about how I looked. What was funny about it was aside from being beet red and sweaty that I wasn't winded and I could talk fairly comfortably. I actually walked it off quite quickly. But I still found it funny how concerned they were.

Overall, Gettysburg was a great run and I would definitely do it again. I also know what to expect as far as the hills are concerned. Afterwards, they did have a great spread of post race food. Sadly, my food allergies prevented me from eating the food because I have to be careful of cross contamination. But, for the average perfectly normal allergy free person this post race libations would be awesome to eat. Another bonus that my husband really liked was that they handed out propel fitness water at the end. Again, another thing I am allergic to, but great for him :-)

Next race is actually tomorrow which is the Paws & Claws 5k in Frederick. Can't wait to run it tomorrow.

Summer Time Fitness

Hooray!!! School is out for the foreseeable future and while I may be working at a summer camp some time in July, I have left plenty of time for myself to get in shape. As I posted a while ago, I am still trying to find a goal to reach now that I have completed the marathon. I have several things I am striving for like lowering my mile time, completing a half marathon in under 3 hours, or completing a mud run. But, I wanted something hard to do and that would really push me this summer. After all, summer also seems to be when I am at my laziest and most complacent. Enter the "Walk to Mordor" Challenge.

The Walk to Mordor Challenge is based off of the Hobbit, Frodo's journey to Mordor from the Shire. Not sure who took the time to calculate this, clearly they are a nerdier person than even I, but the distance from the Shire to Mordor is approximate 1,779 miles. Thats a lot!!! I did some research and on one website, it stated that if a person took the effort to walk 3 miles per day it would take roughly 20 weeks to walk that distance. That's almost half a year. I kind of like the idea of accomplishing a distance like that and afterall, we all know I am a glutton for punishment!  So I have decided to take this challenge, but as always I am upping the ante a little bit. My goal is to try and walk/run the distance to Mordor by the time school starts up in August. That is roughly 10 weeks away. I already have 16 miles down!

If you are interested in taking the challenge yourself, then you should go to http://tracker.dailyburn.com/challenges/nerdfitness_the_walk_to_mordor  The site keeps track of your distance for you. The only catch is you have to sign up to use it, but I figure it gives me something to help me be extra motivated. That way I can see how I compare to other people who are also doing it.

There is also another blog that I have been following for handy workout advice. I came across this challenge and I am proud to say that I have several of my friends on board. 30 Day Ab Challenge is a exactly what it states. I found it on the blog "Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans." Basically, my friends and I are both going to do before and after photos of our stomachs and hopefully there will be some extreme improvement! I like the accountability of doing something with my friends. I am much more likely to do something if I know they are suffering along with me.

My final goal for the summer is to complete the Insanity Program. I may have to blog about it in order to stay motivated. Don't get me wrong it is an awesome workout, but I tend to get easily distracted. 

So there you have it, some Insanity, 30 Days of Abs, and a Walk to Mordor are all on my plate for the summer time. Hopefully this will help me to be fabulous looking for my 30th Birthday and keep in my peak shape for my upcoming obstacle course races!

Until next time...happy running!