Cape May 10k (42:35)

May 14, 2019 By Hollie in Uncategorized Tags: 10k, cape may, fitness, race, running, sports 1 Comment

The Cape May 10k begins my racing to get back into shape. It’s been mentally tough to start at one of my slower points in many years, but it is what it is.

After going to a college roommates wedding on Friday in Baltimore, we got home late Friday. Cape May is about 90 minutes from my house, which means between the 2 hours to Baltimore, 2 hours home, then 90 minutes to Cape May, my car got a workout before the race. Did all of this play a role in how I raced the day after, probably.

I like Cape May a lot. It’s a small town and one of the most beautiful in NJ. I take any opportunity to get down there. I got there around 7:20, ran a couple of miles and got to the start around 7:55. After talking with a new friend, Sandy, we were off.

During the first mile, I felt pretty good. I thought: maybe this will be the unicorn day that surprises me with how I feel. I logged a 6:36 mile and was pleased.

The second mile looped around the shore, and we got a little breeze. It was lonely, and I found myself running alone the entire time. It felt like a time trial. I ran a 6:43 and I couldn’t get a groove or find a new, faster gear.

Between the 2nd and 3rd mile, the 5ks headed toward the finish line and truthfully I was jealous. I was over the race already. I hit the third mile in 6:48.

I tried everything to get back into a better headspace — just three more miles. Already halfway done. I couldn’t get back there. I didn’t give up, but my legs felt like they hit a wall. I ran the 4th mile in 6:59. I was running alone and it just felt like I couldn’t find a faster groove.

The next two miles were just focused on the finish line. I got to run with my good friend Skip, who I run with regularly back home and training. We tried to keep each other motivated.

I hit mile 5 in 7:01 and just kept going. We ran up on the boardwalk, and I nearly slipped and fell on the sand. At 5.5, you can see the finish line, and it does not feel like it’s getting closer. I weaved around a few 5kers and crossed in 42:35.

Thoughts:

I would be lying if I was particularly pleased with a 42:35 10k, but it gives me room to improve. The next day, I ran 12 miles and ran my last 3 miles at 7:08, 7:01, 6:56 and felt better than the 10k. I’m actually racing several 10ks this summer. I plan to keep racing and hopefully race my way back into shape.

Also thank you to my good friend, Lindsay, for the photos.

Questions for you:

Have you run a 10k?

What’s your favorite town in your state?

Training Recap: Running and Travel

June 4, 2018 By Hollie in Uncategorized Tags: fitness, rhode island, run, running, sports 3 Comments

As I mentioned in my May training log, last week, I’ve been running but not making running a priority. Right now, I’m “running for fun,” and while I’m still in great shape, I’m not in 100% peak performance shape. Which is fine!

Anyway, last week was a good week of training, and I spent the weekend hanging out with my family up in Newport Rhode Island. My brother, Matt, is finishing up another school before heading back overseas for a couple more years. Last time, I went a couple of years without seeing him, but it’s been nice to see him several times while he has been in various schools over the calendar year. We’ve hung out in VA, NJ, AZ, and now RI.

Last weeks training was decent.

Monday:	60 min easy run/short hike at the Delaware Water Gap
Tuesday:	Easy 60 minutes
Wednesday:	12x400s averaging 87 with 90 seconds jog
Thursday:	Rest
Friday:	Easy 60 minutes
Saturday:	Easy 60 minutes
Sunday;	Newport 10 miler

Where to Start?

As always, the easy runs are just that…easy. I don’t usually time my easy runs and keep them super relaxed. There are some days my body decides 8:30 miles are comfortable, and other days 10 min miles are easy. I never push the pace and running without a GPS always helps that.

12X400s with 90 seconds jog (averaging 87 seconds)

I was actually pleasantly surprised. I do my workouts on roads, and I was hoping to be around 90 seconds. My legs also felt like bricks so when I saw my average was 87, I was happy.

View this post on Instagram

Some mornings I dress for 40 degrees when it’s 60 and humid. . Oh well, surprised myself with 400s today. I felt like garbage but averaged 87 seconds for 12 but it was also a flat road. . Looking forward to racing more consistently next month.

A post shared by Hollie (@fueledbylolz) on May 30, 2018 at 11:56am PDT

Newport 10 Miler (1:03.57):

I knew I wasn’t in the same shape as Broad Street last month, but I also knew Broad Street is a fast course. Newport is along the water, and it was much hotter. Plus, I would classify the race as “hilly” but there are rolling hills along the entire course. It’s beautiful and one of the most scenic races I’ve ever done. I was pleasantly surprised with my race and have no complaints. I’ll have a full race recap sometime during the week.

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Wasn’t expecting much today due to my lack of training last month. . Ran a 1:03.57 10 miler which is about 5 seconds per mile faster than my 10k pace last month. . So I met that goal and I’m happy with how I ran for what I’ve been doing. For second overall, I also won a coffee mug which is ultimately the best race prize.

A post shared by Hollie (@fueledbylolz) on Jun 3, 2018 at 10:57am PDT

Posts from the Week:

May Training Recap

How do You Know When It’s Summer Running?

Flying to Bridgeport, CT

Questions for you:

How was your week of training?

Do you have any goals for June?

The Gateway Diner (Westville)

June 2, 2018 By Hollie in Uncategorized Tags: Diner, food, new jersey, restaurant, review

Recently I went to The Gateway Diner in Westville, NJ. It’s relatively local but not one I had been too. I went on a Sunday around noon, and it wasn’t too crowded. I was pleasantly surprised since Sunday for lunch is usually one of the busiest times.

Atmosphere: A
The Gateway Diner appears to be a regular restaurant, but on the inside, it’s all diner. Each table is even complete with a jukebox. There is everything you imagine in a diner including a massive bar, plenty of booths, and tables. There are a few specials written above the board as well.

Coffee: B
The coffee at the Gateway diner was good. It wasn’t anything or unusual, but they did provide plenty of refills, and I have no complaints.

Food: B
The Gateway Diner has all of the basics of a diner. There are plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. I wasn’t too hungry, so I decided to order a greek salad with chicken. I was surprised at how large it was and as well as the amount toppings there were including anchovies. Personally, I like anchovies. In all, it was a great salad, and I have no complaints. It was good for what I wanted for the day.

Service: A
The waitress was extremely friendly, and the food came out quickly. It couldn’t be any better.

Cost: $
For my salad and coffee, the cost was $11.

Summary/Would I Come Back?
I enjoyed the Gateway Diner a lot and was pleasantly surprised by the entire diner. It’s definitely one of my favorite in the area.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: B
Food: B
Service: A
Cost: $7-15
Overall: A

You can see all 189 Diners I’ve reviewed here.

Questions for you:
Do you like anchovies?
Have you been surprised by a restaurant lately?

Training: Plugging Along

May 28, 2018 By Hollie in Uncategorized Tags: fitness, health, run, running, sports, wellness 2 Comments

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been running. I don’t consider myself “out of shape” by any means, but I’m not in peak shape either. I’ll have more about that on my monthly recap log. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, and while yes I’m running, yes I try and run most days, I haven’t found myself actively seeking a goal or goal race. I’ve found myself putting life events ahead of running on more than one occasion and that’s fine. To be honest, I need this time and history have shown both May and June to be rocky and injury prone months for me, if I push, push push.

I’ve run a few sub 18:30 5ks this year, but right now I know I’m not capable of breaking 19 without putting back in the time and effort to training for it. Is 19 a great time. Of course, is it a PR for me…no.

Anyway, this week was fine. I opted not to race on Saturday. My husband and I got back late on Friday from a fun flight up to Connecticut. Then Saturday was busy, so I wanted some time to sleep and for myself.

Monday:	Easy 60 minutes
Tuesday:	Rest
Wednesday:	4X1 mile at 6:15 with 90 seconds rest
Thursday:	Rest
Saturday:	Easy 10 miles with my husband
Saturday:	Easy 30 minutes
Sunday:	Long Run: 14 miles with 7 at 7:30 pace