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Author Archives: Hollie

Run for Toilets 5k Recap

July 16, 2019 By in Running, Training Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments
Run for Toilets 5k Recap

I was looking forward to this race all week. The race benefited the Elks Lodge and was to raise money to rebuild their bathrooms. I was hoping they would go “all-out” with the theme and they did.

My parents own a house on the Eastern Shore of Va near Onancock. Dad and I spent the night up there. The race started at 8, and we got there around 7:15. When we got there, there weren’t too many people.

We registered and picked up our T-shirt’s and stared at the awards: plungers. I didn’t think the race could get better.Run for the toilets onancock shirt

Plus the Plunger Awards!

Run for the toilets onancock awards

By 7 am, it was already in the 80s. After racing the day before and with the heat, my goal was to run around 7:15 per mile.

We lined up at the race was off right at 8 am. It was a small race and immediately found myself as the first woman. I ran the entire race alone, which was fine. I had two goals: to win a plunger and to work hard but not injure myself.

I crossed the first mile right at 7:15. I felt like I was working hard but not overworking.

Run for the toilets onancock

The second mile went through downtown Accomac and did a u-turn and headed back towards Front Street. For a small race, the course was better marked than many bigger races I’ve done.

I hit the second mile in 7:18 which I was happy with.

The final mile headed back on front street and towards the finish. There was no shade, and it was hot. You can also see the finish line about half a mile away! I thought I was never going to get there.

When I got to the finish, I was surprised to find I got to break a tape. Not just any tape, but a tape made of toilet paper.

Run for the toilets onancock breaking tape

I don’t think any other tape will beat that. I crossed in 21:50 and got a plunger trophy.

My goal was to run hard but not get injured and I did that.  It felt more like a workout than anything, but I’m happy with my effort and I’ve even more thrilled with how much fun the race was.

I hope they continue to do the race because they were committed to the theme. Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. 

Questions for you:

What’s the funniest race you’ve done?

What’s the smallest race you’ve done?

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Big Cottonwood Week 7: Swim Races and Running for Toilets

July 15, 2019 By in Big Cottonwood Marathon, Running, Training Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
Big Cottonwood Week 7: Swim Races and Running for Toilets

This week was full of challenges, in a good way. I had a lot of fun traveling down to see my family and running two unique but fun races.

Monday: Easy 60 minutes running
Tuesday: AM: Easy 60 minutes running
PM: 3000-meter swim
Wednesday: 4X1 mile repeats (total mileage 10)
Thursday: 3000-meter swim
Friday Easy 10 miles with Alexis
Saturday: Allen Stone Run Swim Run (with wu/cd total mileage 8)
Sunday: Run for the Toilets (Total mileage 15)
Total: About 56

Week 1: Hello Humidity

Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts 57 mpw

Week 3: Travel and More Travel 53 MPW

Week 4: Training: Beach Runs and Long Runs 52 MPW

Week 5: Training: Workouts and 10ks 46.5 MPW

Week 6: Big Cottonwood Week 6: Firecracker 5ks 47 MPW

Thoughts:

What a week!

Swimming:

I mentioned a few weeks ago, that swimming fits best in my schedule 2X a week. For a while, I was doing 3X, but I don’t want to burn out. Swimming twice a week keeps me engaged and enjoying it without feeling forced. This week was different with a bonus 1000 meter swim in the open water.

Workout Wednesday: 4X1 Mile Run

I’m happy I’m able to get back on the track. Since the students are out, it’s easier to use the track and not worry about team sports. Anyway, the workout felt difficult.

My legs have struggled to get any turn over in them. I didn’t realize how humid it was on Wednesday (around 98%), but I’m happy with my effort.

Allen Stone Run Swim Run:

I will have a full recap of this soon, and I surprised myself. The race is 1k on the beach, then swim it back, then 5k on the boardwalk. I was 55th person after the first 1k on the beach, and I ended up having the 22nd fastest swim of the day, which surprised me the most!

Then when we went into the 5k on the boardwalk, I went from 12th women to 4th. If I had been another mile, I could have been the second woman. No one (male or female) passed me on the run, and I’m proud of that. I all, I am thrilled with how the week went.

Run for the Toilets 5k:

My dad found this race in the local paper. They have a house up in Onancock (the house with the pet donkey), and he thought it would be funny to do. When we found out winners got plungers, we knew we had to do it. I ran the entire race alone, and it was more of a workout. I wanted to get a long run 15 miles), so I was careful not to hurt myself. I averaged about 7:15 miles and ended up breaking a toilet paper tape.

In all, I’m happy with how the week went. It was nice to relax and hang out with my family. Next week will be back to the regular grind.

Posts from the Week:

29 Years Old

New Balance FuelCell Rebel Shoe Review

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. 

Questions for you:

What’s the funniest race you’ve ever done?

What is the coolest race award you’ve gotten?

DeLuca’s Diner (Pittsburgh)

July 14, 2019 By in Diners Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
DeLuca’s Diner (Pittsburgh)

Recently I was in the greater in the Pittsburgh area, and I wanted to try a new diner. A quick google search found the DeLuca’s Diner.

Atmosphere: A
DeLuca’s Diner is located in a large shopping center. The inside is brightly painted with the solar system. There are plenty of booths, tables, and a small bar as well.  It is stereotypical of a diner.

DeLuca's Diner Pittsburgh

Coffee: A
The coffee was brewed hot and fresh, and the waitress refilled it often. In all, I have no complaints.  While the mugs given were not personalized, they have many options for sale.

DeLuca's Diner Pittsburgh coffee

I ended up purchasing a personalized coffee mug (which the proceeds go to a local animal shelter!).  How awesome is that?

Food: A
There are plenty of options from all day breakfast and lunch. All day lunch isn’t something you find everywhere! From the tables around me, everything looked delicious.

DeLuca's Diner Pittsburgh breakfast sandwich

I decided to order a breakfast sandwich. It came with meat, cheese, and an egg, all on a homemade piece of bread. It was a great sandwich, and I have no complaints.

DeLuca's Diner Pittsburgh breakfast sandwic

Service: A
The waitress was friendly, and our food came out quickly. I couldn’t have asked for better service.

Cost: $
For my sandwich and coffee, it was $10.

Overall Thoughts/Summary:
I enjoyed Deluca’s Diner, and if I’m in Pittsburgh again, I will be back.  The pancakes at a table nearby looked amazing, and I want to try those next.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: A
Food: A
Service: A
Cost: $7-12
Overall: A

You can see all diner reviews here.

Questions for you:
What’s your favorite breakfast sandwich?
Have you been to Pittsburgh before? 

Vicki’s Diner (Westfield)

July 13, 2019 By in Diners Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
Vicki’s Diner (Westfield)

A few weeks ago, I met Christine at Vicki’s Diner. Christine and I have been to many diners together, including one of my first 30. She was one of the first friends I made when I moved to NJ. We have both moved multiple times since.

Anyway, we arrived to Vicki’s Diner around lunch time. It was busy, but there was still plenty of booths and tables available.

Vicki's Diner Westfield

Atmosphere: A
There are very few diners in the small towns of NJ. It’s fun to see a diner on a Main Street. It’s metallic and shiny and stands out in the storefronts.

The inside is what you imagine in a diner. There are plenty of booths, tables.m, and they fit a lot in a small diner.

Coffee: A
The coffee was brewed hot and fresh, and was tasty. They brewed it well and one of the better coffees I’ve had.

Vicki's Diner Westfield coffee

Food: B
Vicki’s Diner has everything a diner typically has. There is plenty of breakfast, lunch, and even dinner too.

I wasn’t sure what I was in the mood for. Then I saw there was a “jumbo salad” designed for two people. When I see a salad that is designed for two people, I always think it’s a good salad for me. More often than not, I’ve been disappointed with a salad size.

Vicki's Diner Westfield salad

I ordered salmon on it, and I was happy I did. The salad itself was good but could have used more toppings. The only thing that made it a “Greek salad” was the feta cheese and onions. It lacked toppings like pita bread as well as olives. In all, it was good, and the size was perfect for me. Most people would have to take some home.

Vicki's Diner Westfield salad

My issue with the salad was how it was packed. It was stuffed into a tiny bowl that looked pretty but once you attempted to eat it, it made a mess. I wish restaurants would use more practical dishes to plate food. If it barely fits into a bowl, how am I supposed to eat it?

Service: A
The waitress was kind, and the food came out quickly. I couldn’t have asked for a better service.

Cost: $
For my salad and coffee, it was $20.

Overall Thoughts/Summary:
I liked Vicki’s Diner, and if I’m in the area, I’ll be back. Westfield is one of my favorite small towns to walk around.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: A
Food: B
Service: A
Cost: $8-15
Overall: A

You can see all 251 Diner reviews here.

Questions for you:
What’s your favorite salad topping?
What is your favorite walkable town?

29 Years Old

July 12, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , 3 Comments
29 Years Old

Today is my 29th birthday.

For some reason, I always imagined at age 29; I would look and feel older.

Maybe like an adult? It hasn’t come (yet). Anyway, looking back at age 28, I had a great year. I’ve been an “adult” for a decade now.

What Did I Do During Year 28?

Last year, I started age 28 with my first “real” trail race. I ran the Copper Mountain 25k, and it was one of the best running memories I’ve had.

under armour copper mountain race me running

It’s hard to believe that was a year ago now!

under armour copper mountain race me running

Last summer, I did a lot of traveling up and down the East Coast. We visited family, I saw friends from college, and I just had a good summer. In August, I ran/hikes my second trail race in Killington, VT. To me, it was more challenging than the race in Colorado because the terrain was much more technical. Then in the fall, I changed gears entirely and trained for the NYCM. I didn’t think I would do another marathon, but when the opportunity to run in the “sub-elite” corral presented itself, I couldn’t say no. I’m glad I did, and it was one of the best running experiences I’ve had.

New York City Marathon me running

Since the NYCM, running hasn’t quite come into place. I’ve trained, but I haven’t had any “spectacular” or amazing races. I’ve had a lot of great and fun races, but I’m well off PRs. Right now, I’m content with that.

In January, my husband and took a trip out to California. We drove from San Diego to San Francisco and just explored. We had no agenda (as most of our vacations are).

Hiking anderson park santa clara county

Marin Headlands San Francisco

The highlight of the Spring was adopting my two cats: Frick and Frack. I always had cats growing up, and I’ve wanted them for years, but our landlords or landladies always said no.

Finally, after proving we were good renters, they agreed. We found these two cats at the local shelter, and when I found out they had been there for five years (YES 5), I knew I wanted them. They were shy at first but have come out of their shell.

View this post on Instagram

Personality pic #noisycat #confusedcat

A post shared by Frick and Frack Sick (@frickandfracksick) on

The last few months have been quiet as far as personal and running life goes. I’m training for the Big Cottonwood Marathon in early September.  Running another downhill marathon terrifies me because the last one wasn’t my favorite race ever — cheers to doing things outside of your comfort zone.

Fulfilling my other hobby, I also went to over 50 New Jersey diners last year and have now been to 253. I don’t know if I’ll make it to 300 (if we move).  When I started this journey 5 years ago, I never imagined going to 250 diners. But as they motivational quotes say: you never know until you try! Bridge-Way Diner Old Bridge NJ

Anyway, thank you age 28 for the memories and to family and friends for supporting me!

This year, I wanted to do something and different for my birthday, so on July 20th, I’m running the Teterboro 5k to Homes for Our Heroes: a mission to build safe, affordable housing for military and military families.

This includes Veterans who have nowhere to live as well as military families in the NJ area.

I appreciate anyone willing to donate and support this cause with me.

My goal is to reach $500 and any amount matters. Here is the link if you are interested.

Questions for you:

Tell me about a charity you support.

What did you do for your birthday? 

 

 

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