Today's Run: Is the last run of the decade! It will be taking place in the snowy weather of Westchester, NY this afternoon.

Running Resolution #1: Be Thankful

It's not easy being a year-round road runner in New England. Here is a laundry list of reasons why:

• It steals away your free time with loved ones.
• It means running even when you hate the idea of stepping outside.
• It requires a lot of expensive cold weather running gear.
• It is dangerous running roads in the dark/snow/sleet.
• It makes speed work tricky (hard to run hard when running hard on ice).
• It often necessitate a huge shift in your daily routine.
• It may require leaving work early/going late to fit in a run before a storm.
  
• It could mean planning vacation around a race or long training run.
• It may mean delaying a huge life event for a marathon. (As I did last spring, inadvertently pushing back our wedding day to run the Big Sur Marathon.)
  

This list goes on, but so does the running.

I do my best not to forget how lucky I am to be able to run every day. I'm healthy, strong and fully supported by my husband, who often has to eat dinner or breakfast late, take on extra housework or handle errands so I have time to run. I've never felt any pressure to run faster or qualify for Boston, but I want to. I want to show that all of the time dedicated to my running is paying off in more ways than one. I'm healthier for it. I'm stronger for it. And I can try to make myself and the people I love most proud.

What better inspiration for 2010?

Happy New Year!

Today's Run: 8 miles at 15K-half marathon race pace. Mid 3-4 miles were closer to 10K race pace. Glad I got in the run early... It just got colder!

Running Resolution #2: Drink More Water and Stay Hydrated

This may seem like a no-brainer but it's tough for me. I'm missing the thirsty button or something. I have to remind myself to drink throughout the day or I'll just forget. I do know how important it is to hydrate, especially when marathon training, so I can't keep letting this one slip!

A few hydration tips I've learned and should heed year round:

1. It's just as important to hydrate during cold weather runs as warm weather runs. You still sweat.

2. You should replace the amount of fluids you perspire throughout a long run. Wear a FuelBelt or carry a water bottle to sip on.

3. Hydrate well in the weeks leading up to a marathon, not just the two days prior.

4. One to two hours before a long run, drink a good size glass of water or energy drink - about 16 ounces. Be careful not to drink a lot right before your run, or risk serious cramps.

5. Hydrate with the same type of fluids (sports drinks, water, GU gels, etc.) that will be distributed during your marathon. Get your body used it, or risk a serious stomach ache.

Feel free to share your own hydration tips.

Rest Day - Marathon training officially starts tomorrow!

Running Resolution #3: Race Once Per Month

This one is pretty simple. Racing helps me gauge my progress, something I can't get from running on my own. No matter how hard I run during training, I'm still not as fast or effortless as I am when racing, so I use it as a way to tune up.

My goal this year is already under way. I'm signed up for a race every month through May, except for March. Still need to fill that gap and work on the rest of the year. I may not run every one of these races all out, especially those closer to the Providence Marathon (need to save my energy for the big one). Here's what's on the agenda so far:

Here's what's on the agenda so far:

January: The Boston Prep 16 Miler

February: Super Sunday 10K and Hyannis Half Marathon

April: 13.1 New York

May: Providence Marathon

Looking forward to every one!

Today's Workout: 10.25 mile run including Heartbreak Hill - 8:48 pace
Notes:27 degrees, feels like 17, and snow emergency on the way!

I live at mile 24.5 of the Boston Marathon route, just a few short miles away from Heartbreak Hill. As a lifelong runner, that makes it my mission to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Even the image at the top of my site reflects my goal: It was taken about one mile away from Heartbreak Hill, near the Johnny Kelley monument.

It's hard to train daily on the course for a race you're not invited to run. I even tried to join the running club for the Boston Athletic Association - the group that organizes the Boston Marathon - and received a nice big rejection email. That's fine. Just fuels my motivation.

But on today's run, I got to thinking:  Am I trying to qualify for Boston just to say "I qualified" or because I actually want to run that race?

I believe, or I hope for most people, that a great deal of pride comes with qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I know I'd probably break down in tears, like I did when I finished my first marathon, and walk around in a state of semi shock. I also think qualifying is a badge of accomplishment. It takes a great deal of time and dedication to run a marathon in 3 hours and 40 minutes (women age 18-35) or 3 hours and 10 minutes (men age 18-35). Sorry, guys.

Don't get me wrong. I want to run the race, but I can think of a dozen others I'd probably rather run more... Marathons in Europe... on islands... through mountains... There's so much to see out there and here I am running the last 10-15 miles of the Boston Marathon route almost every week. Will that take away from my enjoyment of the race, if that day comes?

Actually, no. I'll qualify for the Boston Marathon one day and be so proud that I did. But I'll be even more proud to run that race, see my loved ones on the sidelines and motor past the place I call home just a few blocks from the finish line. I don't think anything could inspire me more.

I can't wait.

 

The days are short, the work hours long and the holidays are fast approaching. All the more reason to finish 2009 running strong.

About this time last year I was ramping up my mileage for my first marathon: Big Sur. I'd only run short road races and half marathons prior to my decision, and frankly I was bored with running. It was time to go all in and achieve a lifelong goal.

Run. A. Marathon.

Why Big Sur? The website sold me. On the top of the BSIM homepage, you'll see the quote:  "If we were told that we could run only one marathon in our lifetime, Big Sur would have to be it." - Bart Yasso, Runner's World

I took Bart's word for it. Just in case I decided not to run another.

Fast forward a long winter, dozens of days running in rain, sleet or tripping over frozen snow, and a lot of anticipation. Not only did I finish Big Sur, but I finished it strong, and I had one of the best experiences of my life.

Now the year is ending and I can proudly say I've completed not just one, but two marathons, three half marathons and several road races. I can't wait to destroy my times next year and keep thriving off my newfound running inspiration.

Everyone needs a little push. After 20 years of running, I finally found the push I needed to pursue my full running potential -- and more. I'm also studying to become a personal trainer and a running coach. I love the new path I'm on and I can't wait to see what's in store for me in 2010.

Until then, I've got two road races left and a 16 miler to train for in January. I hope you, too, find your inspiration and finish the year running strong!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm a Boston-based runner, writing to keep my mind as occupied as my body! I run road races from 5K up to full marathon. I love discovering running routes, runner's techniques, energy-boosting recipes and ways to push through a hard workout. If you have a suggestion, please leave a comment  or email me!

I've been running for over 20 years, though I've only become more dedicated to the sport recently. I run because I find it relaxing and rewarding - and I selfishly love how I feel after going for a good long run. I'm not as fast as I was in high school, when I was a 6 minute miler, but I'm working on it!

Personal Records:
* 3:51:25 marathon (NYC 2009)
* 1:43:12 half marathon (B.A.A. 2009)
* 30:18 4.2 miler (2005)
* 28:29 4 miler (2009)
* 23:11 5K (2009)

I'm also studying to become a personal trainer with American College of Sports Medicine, and I'll be a certified running coach this spring. I hope some of the information in my blog inspires adults and kids of all ages to get outside, have a lot of fun and run!

Robyn
Boston Road Runner