Tag: humor

Run for the toilets onancock breaking tape
Running, Training

Run for Toilets 5k Recap

Hollie

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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Crawlin crab half marathon hampton va me running
Running, Running Reads

The Difference Between Runners and Non-Runners

Hollie

It may be hard to remember, but there are people in the world that don’t run!  It’s a weird concept, but it exists.

The life of runners and non-runners is drastically different. I can remember a time I didn’t run and can relate to all of these. Non-runners are cool people too, you know!  The differences between runners and non-runners can be drastic.

Crawlin crab half marathon hampton va me running

How Do Runners and Non-Runners Compare?

Runner vs. Non-Runner Budget:

Non-runners: Non-runners save money for a lot of different things: happy hour, the newest technology or even a great wardrobe. Look at those ultra-chic sunglasses…glamorous.  Whatever it is, they put away money to do the enjoyable “fun things.”

Runners: We save money for new shoes, new workout clothes, and of course races. Don’t forget saving for the latest GPS watch. The smaller the watch, the more money it is. Without these things, we can’t do what we love! Right?  Who runs without a GPS Watch? Barbarians, that’s who!  When we show up to brunch in an old ratty pair of running leggings…you know why!

Runner vs.Non-Runner Beauty Routine:

Non-runners: Non-runners know how to make their features look great. They might spend an hour preparing for the day and look flawless every single day. They have time to hit every last detail, all while looking through the best wrinkle cream reviews to boot. Each outfit is perfect.  Every makeup application is perfect.
Runners: Runners have mastered the ability to shower and put on makeup within 10 minutes. Did that runner just workout on the treadmill or are those fashionable leggings? The lines are blurred, and the world may never know…Good thing fashion has evolved into a lot more comfort.

Eating on the Go and Snacking:

Non-Runners: Non-runners can go hours without eating. Forget to pack a snack? That’s fine, they just hit up the vending machine and are ready to go. 
 Life doesn’t revolve around snacking and being rungry all of the time. If a meeting goes late, oh well!

Runners: Our non-running friends know us as the vending machine to go. We have more snacks in our bags than a vending machine. Are you craving an apple or a chocolate bar? We have both. Runners are never without snacks because you never know when the stomach will start talking. When Runger hits, you have approximately 5 minutes to get us to the nearest food supply, or you will see rage that you have never seen before.

Runner Vs. Non-Runner Week Days:

Non-Runners: Sleep until appropriate, wake up, get ready for work, and arrive to work on time. Spend work time doing work, get lunch, or relax, and eat packed lunch. Leave at the appropriate time, do an hour of exercise for overall health, or whatever, come home. Eat dinner, relax and go to bed.

Runners: Wake up at 4 am to get a run in. Shower, get ready for work, drink coffee in the shower, and get to work on time. When lunch hits, either tank a “runch” or running lunch,” or just gobble down lunch at the desk. Do more work, go home, get a second run in, or if you’re starving, eat, relax and go to bed.

Runner Vs. Non-Runner Weekends:

Non-Runners: After the work week is over, non-runners often catch up with friends by going out for happy hour or dinner. They have a few drinks, dance and let loose. Most of Saturday and Sunday is spent relaxing and catching up on other hobbies.

Runners: Runners look forward to the weekend too! It’s either race weekend or long run weekend! Either way, we are waking up earlier than a weekday. We spend Friday night cuddled up in PJs, watching a movie and in bed sleeping before 9.

Runner Vs. Non-Runner Weekend Brunches:

Non-Runners: Non-runners wake up anywhere between 8 and noon. After a well-rested sleep, they meet friends at a neighborhood breakfast spot. It doesn’t matter if it’s crowded because nonrunners are just waking up and going out to eat. They aren’t starving yet. Of course, our non-running friends look gorgeous and spent a few extra minutes getting ready for brunch. Heck, they might even fill up on mimosas beforehand! No wonder they are so happy waiting hours for a table!

Runners: On the weekend, runners wake up well before the weekday. We get our long runs in, and before we know it, it’s time to eat, and we are just trying to make it there on time. There is nothing more cringe-worthy than waiting for brunch after a long run. A messy bun, somewhat fashionable workout clothing and an old pair of sneakers are our signature brunch look.

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 is something you do that your “non-running” friends might not understand?

What are you some differences between runners and non-runners you’ve come across?

How do You Know When it's Summer Running?
Running, Training

How do You Know When it’s Summer Running?

Hollie

As warmer weather approaches, a change in attitude does too. Summer running has its own set of obstacles from sweating through 10,000 layers to tan lines you didn’t know were possible.

This year seems to have gone straight from winter to summer.  In the greater Philadelphia area, it’s either 90 degrees or pouring rain and 40.  Let’s be honest, we complain about running in any weather: hot, cold weather, rain, snow, ice…there is probably a week of weather we don’t complain about.

Thinking out loud, here are some thoughts I have when training through the summer.

So far in my running history, I’ve run in many climates,  I went to college in upstate New York and spent summers in Hampton Roads, VA.

In 2017, I spent the winter in Alabama which was hotter in January then New Jersey is in June.  (My husband had a school down there).  New Jersey is not the hottest state, nor the coldest but it can be tough to run somedays.  This week most days were 90%+ humidity which right now we are not used too.

To be honest, over the last 2 years I’ve learned you can’t control the weather.  It might be extremely hot, thunderstorms or hailing but everyone is dealing with the same elements.  Over the last couple of years, I’ve raced multiple half marathons in torrential downpour and wind.  This year at Boston was torrential downpours.

How do You Know When it's Summer Running?

So How Do You Know You’re it’s Summer Running?

You stalk the Weather App:

It’s the first thing you check in the morning and the last thing you check at night.  Forget about other social media, that is where it’s at my friends.  Good thing you can’t make a weather app profile and add friends and update your weather-related status…

You Run Early or Late:

In the summer, it’s light, cooler and you beat rush hour traffic. You never knew you were an early morning runner until the summer hit!  If you have been like me, you might have already made the mistake of running at 9 am on the weekend.

You Have Weird Tan Lines:

Runners have every tan line from a sports bra, watch, sunglasses, compression socks, and even shoes.  Right now I have a compression tan line, sock tan, sports bra, and watch.  I’ve been working on getting rid of my compression tan line, but I doubt it will ever happen.

Your Diet is Electrolytes:

With all of those electrolytes lost, hydration is essential.  You don’t even know how to eat food that isn’t Nuun or GU.

The Lighter Weight the Clothing, the More Expensive it is: 

Who knew you would pay so much for a moisture-wicking tank top? It keeps from sticking to you when it’s 90 degrees, so it’s worth it.  The question is why not run in just a sports bra or tank top…clearly you need the $70 tank.

Sunscreen and Bodyglide are your Lotions:

You and your running group smell like a glorified trip to the Carribean.  Seriously don’t forget to wear sunscreen while running this summer.

Your Route is Planned to End at the Pool, Lake or Ocean.

Luckily for us in New Jersey, you are never too far from a lake, park, or the ocean.  Jumping in is perfect for cooling off.

There is Always a Mystery if What Kind of Workout you’ve Done:

Why is your clothing wet?
Did you go swimming?
Did you just sweat that much or run through sprinklers?

The mystery is always there…

Don’t get me wrong, I like summer running!

Questions for you:
Do you do any of these things?
How do you train through the summer?

Running, Training

Training Last Week: Mostly Boring with a 15k

Hollie

For some reason, I struggled with writing this week’s recap more than usual.  My easy runs were just that, easy and boring.

Monday: 6 miles (8:40)
Tuesday: Workout
Wednesday: 5 miles easy
Thursday: 5 miles easy
Friday: 5 miles easy
Saturday: Double Bridges 15k (58:41)
Sunday: 60 minutes easy
Total: 51 miles

Tuesdays Workout:
3X400 meters
1X10 minutes (6:38 pace)
3X400 meters

The track was being used, so I found a piece of road and ran there. I felt as though I was still recovering from the Polar Bear 5k in Atlanta the weekend before, but I was happy with my effort.

Double Bridges 15k: (58:48) 6:18 pace
This was the only “exciting” aspect of training last week.  The Double Bridges 15k was a solid race effort for me.  It wasn’t a PR, as Broad Street’s pace last year was faster but it was fastest I’ve done since my ankle fracture. I will say, I’ve never been as cold as I was at a race start.

The weather changed overnight from the high 50s to 38 and windy at the start.  I barely made the start, and it wasn’t an exaggeration when I say I didn’t have a minute to spare.

The race itself was decent.  My legs never felt great and my calves actually felt stiff the entire race.  I’m happy with my performance, although I do feel as though I’m in better shape than the race shows.

Sunday’s easy run was my favorite.  I asked my husband if he wanted to take a running selfie post run.  Then when we went to actually do it, I promptly fell. As you can guess, I’m clumsy and that wasn’t a surprise.

Next week I’ll be running the Mercedes half marathon in Birmingham.  I ran the course preview last weekend, which was fun and I’m looking forward to running the race.

Running Related Post from the week:  January 2017 Training

Questions for you:
Have you run a 15k before?
I feel as though they are much more common in Upstate, NY.
How was your workout week?

Runners You Might Encounter this Winter
Running, Running Reads

Runners You Might Encounter this Winter

Hollie

Last summer I wrote a post about “summer runners” and many people identified with one or more of the runners.  Thinking out loud, now that the season has somewhat changed, it’s time for another edition with:

Runners You Might Encounter this Winter:

Weather Checking William

This person is never without their technology and they are tracking the weather 100% of the time.  Even during a run, they’ll know the exact precipitation.  You can always depend on them to know when the best time of day, sunrise, sunset, wind direction, humidity level and every other weather condition you might need.

Shirtless Sam (Winter Edition):

You’ll see this runner always wearing the least amount of clothing as possible. It could be -10 degrees and a blizzard, they are still trecking along in short shorts, a tank top or possibly shirtless.  What’s even more interesting is usually this person has minimal body fat…how they continue to keep warm is a mystery to us all.

The Running Sauna

I will admit this is me all the time.  I would rather be overdressed all of the time than be cold.  The running sauna is typically wearing 5 more layers than necessary.  Even though it’s a “warm” 20 degrees, they might be wearing 5-10 layers.  In fact, their running stride more resembles a waddle due to the layers.

Complaining Courtney

You ask this person to run during every single season and every single season they complain.
It’s too hot..
It’s too cold.
Oh no, rain. 
Oh no, I can’t run…it’s absolutely perfect conditions… 

If there is a will to complain they will find it.

Treadmilling Timothy (Winter Edition)

Living a life opposite of the summer treadmill runner, the winter treadmill runner doesn’t do cold. During the winter, they disappear and retire to the treadmill.  They are most comfortable there and you know you won’t do any group runs with them until April.  If you are looking for a new TV show to watch, they can probably give you a good recommendation.

Questions for you:
What type of winter runner are you?