Friday Feature- Looking Back on My 2017 Races

Can you believe that the last day of the YEAR is SUNDAY?!? How did December go by so quickly? Also I'd really love it if we could just extend out the Holidays for maybe 3-4 weeks rather than just 1 week between Christmas & New Years Eve. I just love this time of year so much! I wanted to reflect on my year of running & races today, since it is my last post of 2017.

Best Race of 2017: Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon

Everything about this race from travel, expo, start, finish, medal, jacket was so special and memorable. I want to re-live it over and over again. 

Most Mentally Challenging Race: Revel Rockies Marathon

I went out WAY too fast (think like a minute per mile faster than my goal pace) for the first half of this course and the heat on the second half really took a toll on me. My mental strength took a huge beating.

Most Beautiful Course of 2017: Jackson Hole Hole Half Marathon

I loved everything about this course. It isn't the fastest or easiest, but the scenery is so beautiful from start to finish. 

Smallest Race of The Year: Run For The Zoo Half 

~500 half marathon participants and also started 15 minutes past when the race was supposed to begin...smallest race I may have ever done!

Coldest Race of The Year: Walt Disney World Marathon

30* with a wind chill and wore mittens until mile 18...yeah definitely was NOT prepared for that one!

Overall, I tallied up some pretty great stats for 2017:

• I checked off two more states this past year (New Mexico & Wyoming)
• I overcame a kidney infection, 2 nights spent in the hospital, & anemia
• I increased my weekly mileage from ~35 miles/wk to ~63 miles/wk 
• I decreased my marathon PR by 8 minutes
• I decreased my half marathon PR by 4 minutes
• I will have tallied over 1, 733.10 miles this year!
• I ran 3 marathons
• I collected 8 medals & received 4th place in my AG for the Jackson Hole half marathon
• I started this blog! 

What accomplishments are you most proud of for 2017? 

Did you crush any of your goals or create new ones for 2018?

Favorite race you did this past year? 

Friday Feature- The Running Items That Are On My List & Managing MS

Happy Friday! I got to sleep in this morning and have the full day off! I always love to go for a run in the mid-morning when I have the day off, but it's a bit chilly here so thinking I'll wait until this afternoon. My foot had been feeling a bit of numbness/tingling, but I've been icing/ epsom salt bath soaking/ stretching/ massaging it and it feels way better. So I'm not really sure how far I'll run today, but if I could get anywhere between 8-10 (my long run today since it will snow tomorrow) I'll be happy. If I start to get pain anywhere then I'll just call it and take it day-by-day. 

Does anyone else have the day off? Are you traveling anywhere? They said that many parts of the US are under winter weather advisories this weekend, so hoping you have safe travels if you do have somewhere to go! We will hopefully be taking advantage of the first (finally) snowstorm of the year and going skiing! yay! We are also planning on doing some chinese food either on Christmas Eve or Day and who knows what else the weekend has in store. 

There are definitely a few items that I have on my running wish-list this year/ what I would love to have for future training runs (note: no posts are sponsored- just my own opinions here!):

• Tracer360- Nox Gear  - This is definitely one that I know is so important and necessary for early morning/ evening runners to have. It's gotten amazing reviews and many runners say how well it works for oncoming traffic to see you. 
• Rabbit Runner Girl Emoji Tank  - I think this tank is SO cute and have been dying to try the Rabbit running gear, plus the runner girl emoji is so amazing. 

• Sarah Marie Design Studio Feed Me And Tell Me I'm Pretty Fast- Because I kinda think this is my everyday motto and it's just so cute. 

• Erica Sara Designs Running Necklace- I've loved all her pieces for years and love how she is still a small business (love supporting small entrepreneurs). 
• IPod Shuffle- I know this is definitely an 'old school' item, but it's so small and perfect for when you're out on your really long runs and not wanting to carry your phone (or it dies). Would be great for ultra runners or relay runners! I know it's been discontinued, but looks like there still may be a few out there either on Ebay or Wal mart/ Target !
• Oiselle Spandos Capris- These are super pricy (although they are on sale right now...), but they are just so cute and unique! 

• Brooks Ghost 10s- Because you can never really go wrong with running shoes. Also I'd love 5 more pairs of Ghost 10s (I seem to go through sneakers every few months and this would get me through a year or so...)
• Stabilgear STABILicers- Running on snow/ ice is definitely a must if you live in the mountains and want to run outside in the winter, so these are a necessity (plus they look like they have great spikes/ traction)

• Race Entries Fees- This one is pretty general, but I don't think you would meet a runner who wouldn't have at least one race for 2018 that they want to sign up for (but it may be pretty pricey). I've got three on my list....

Also just wanted to continue my series on Multiple Sclerosis and share with you a few tips that the National MS Society lists for those living with MS/ how they can manage it with diet/nutrition:

• Diets low in Saturated Fats & high in omega-3s & omega-6s are recommended
• Vitamin D is important
• Biotin can help
• Additional supplements can help

What's on your running wish-list?

Know someone who has used diet/ nutrition to help manage their MS?

Happy Holidays friends!

Feature Friday- Why I'm So Passionate About Running for MS Run The US

Happy happy Friday! I hope everyone has some fantastic weekend plans coming up. I'm not exactly sure what we'll be doing yet, but we have talked about going skiing so maybe that will happen! I also have a 10 mile run and 1 mile run to get done, hoping to also do my 10-miler on the trails, but they're starting to get pretty snow packed so we will see. 

I was writing a short write-up of my story and why I'm so passionate about being able to run for MS Run The US and really wanted to share it with all of you! I've definitely touched on a few of these topics before, but never really expanded upon it. SO, here it goes. 

About my grandfather:

My grandfather worked at Saw Mills his entire life and retired from Bailey Manufacturing in 2001. I always remember visiting him at work and the smell of fresh-cut wood (still reminds me of him to this day)! I can hardly remember a time where he was sitting down (unless there was a tool in his hand), as he loved to work on his ample collection of Chevy trucks and Model "A" Fords. He was an extremely hard-worker and loved to spend time with our family. His hard work ethic is something that I have tried to mirror and can definitely attribute some of my stubbornness to him!

He would give anything to help others, which I hope to carry on his caring nature. I was still very young (~10 yrs old) when he was being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but I remember that he began to move slower and would have to spend more time sitting (very unusual for him). Our entire family looked up to him for advice and as a role model so it was difficult to see someone you love not being able to do everything they wanted to do. As the disease progressed, he transitioned into a wheelchair and eventually to the Fryeburg Health Care because we could no longer care for him, but his fight, love, and positive spirit never waned. I was always amazed to see how strong and resilient he was (even in the darkest moments of his MS).

Why I decided to run:

Because the route of the relay, I had known about MS Run The US for a few years (it passes through where I currently reside-Steamboat Springs) and looked into the application process a few times, but had always missed it (the application process starts in August, but the relay does not begin until April).

I remember marking on the calendar this year when the applications opened and it just so happened to open a week after my grandfather's passing. There was a bit of hesitation from me questioning whether I could tackle the 175 mile run over 6 days and fundraise the $10,000, but the timing and being able to honor my grandfather really pushed me to apply and ultimately accept.

How will I be able to push myself during tough times (either in training or during the race)?

I know that I will encounter many challenges throughout my training cycle and during my race, but when you see someone that you love suffer through a horribly debilitating disease like MS, it really makes your suffering seem insignificant. If he could approach each day with a smile, then that is my goal for this entire journey. He is, after all, the reason why I began running and continue to remain active today in memory of those who cannot. 

More of this story will be posted up on the Bridgton News and I'll be sure to link to that once it has been posted!

Have a wonderful weekend friends! I hope you get in some miles, hot cocoa, and time spent doing something you love with someone you love. 

xo,

Stacy

Weekend plans- what are you up to?!?

How do you push yourself when training or racing becomes tough? 

Feature Friday-Caring for Those Who Have MS

Happy FRIYAY! I haven't done a feature on MS in a bit and wanted to get back into it. Once diagnosed with MS, there are many facets of gaining comprehensive care (source via National MS Society). 

There are several medications approved by the FDA that are able to provide treatment for relapsing forms of MS. They can help reduce and minimize the frequency of the relapses caused by those who have MS, reduce the accumulation of lesions that may pop up on the brain & spinal cord, and may also slow the onset of disability caused by MS. 

Rehabilitation is another form of comprehensive care and includes Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Speech-Language Pathology. 

Gosh, as I'm typing this out I'm realizing more and more that having MS IS REALLY EXPENSIVE. Not only is it expensive, but you need to have really great insurance and a lot of resources close to you. 

When my grandfather had to retire early due to MS, it certainly was not easy on anyone and living in a rural area in Maine- finding great physicians is really difficult (especially ones familiar with MS). There were MANY trips to doctors offices over an hour away and this was after years of trips to doctors offices to be ruled out for other various diseases and diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 

It is very challenging when most (the general population) are unaware or unfamiliar with what Multiple Sclerosis actually is, especially when you live in a less populated area. 

Every time I put together these posts, I become more and more passionate about MS Run The US and my 175 mile journey in May 2018. I cannot wait! 

What are you doing this weekend?

Anyone racing?!?

Feature Friday- My Running Story!

Happy FRIYAY (I'm pretty sure I say this every week...but it's always exciting to be so close to freedom of the weekend!)! Also HAPPY DECEMBER! I wanted to dive a bit more into my running story (how I got started), as I definitely was NOT always into running, fast, or knew really ANYTHING about the sport! I thought a mile was SO FAR and that I would always be slow (also thought that all runs should feel like my feet were stuck in molasses). Sure, I did cross-country one year way back in High School, but I also skipped out on almost all those work-outs, walked A TON, and generally hated fitness (but figure skating didn't count as "fitness" to me...). 

It was the end of freshman year and I had just had surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in my right knee. I knew enough about Physical Therapy (I had shadowed/worked in various PT offices for the past 4 years) that I didn't get PT after surgery, but decided to rehab my knee. It was after I began to gain more strength in my knee, but began to gain a few extra pounds (and generally felt "out of shape") in the middle of my sophomore year. I had recently talked to a college friend who had began running (and she got into shape) and signed up for half marathon the next year. Over winter break, I decided that running could be a great way to get myself feeling "fit" again. 

I started by running maybe 2 or 3 minutes, then talking a walking break, and repeating it. I never began by running straight through and honestly didn't run outside (only a handful of times) for the next several years (because I thought running outside=really challenging and hard). I had built up to running 3.5 miles straight-through easily on the treadmill the next year and began wanting to challenge myself (I was also unhealthily obsessed with my weight- more to come about this in future), so I would increase the time (or mileage) I ran on the treadmill every weekend (never followed a training plan during this time) until I built up to running 9 MILES on the treadmill at one time! I remember feeling LIKE A ROCKSTAR after those 9 miles on that Sunday night in college. 

I loved how I felt when I ran (strong, resilient, fit, badass...) and over the summer leading up to my Senior year, decided that I would sign-up for a half-marathon that upcoming Fall. I picked the easiest training plan for me and knew that I could most definitely probably finish in under 2:30. 

This first training plan was really difficult and challenging for me because I had only ever done a few miles outside at a time (still really loved the treadmill & hated hills) and I just wanted to 'get it done', check it off my 'bucket list', and move onto something else. Training went OK, I didn't pay any attention to my paces (definitely should've slowed down A LOT on my easy runs), and struggled (but managed) my long runs. I skipped the last few training runs and did a lot more runs on the treadmill than I should have. I finished my first half in 2:30:34, but continued to keep running my 3.5 miles on the treadmill every day during the week. 

I never really thought running 13.1 miles was 'easy' for me until after I did a few, then I began to not really even train for halfs for a while. I would just sign up and run them (never improving much, but always having fun). I loved having running as a continued way to stay in shape and how it made me feel. 

SO if running doesn't feel easy to you, know that if you stick with it- it will get better! Run/Walking is great way to start into it and just focus on your goal for each week/day/month/year. Whether that's running for .5 miles straight or running 13.1 miles with a time goal, it's OK to have our goals be scary because that's how we improve. 

How you'd begin running?

How do you stay motivated for goals?