Laura – FueledByLOLZ

July through December Musings

December 28, 2013December 23, 2013 Hollie

It seems like the second half of my year was far more exciting then the first. I like to save the best for last right? Actually after the marathon my life seems to have simmered down.

July:

I turned the big 23. I’m an old lady now.

I finally ran a 5k PR that I feel I’m never capable of again (18:35).

August:

As with the rest of the summer I worked a lot between 50-70 hours and was really burnt out.

I ran an 8k PR and then was hit by a cylist who broke my arm.

I was accepted to run for Oiselle!

September:

I ran the Rock and Roll VA Beach half marathon with Laura and Heather. It was awkward because I ran it with a broken arm.

I moved to Texas.

I ran another half marathon a week later in San Antonio. 1800 miles of driving, two half marathons back to back…only to go a few seconds faster in San Antonio and win a sweet Growler.

(one week later) I found out I was moving to New Jersey.

The night we found out we were Jersey bound

October:

I drove back across the country seeing Laura along the way.

I moved back home with my parents (again!) for a few weeks before my marathon.

Kris and I dressed up like Pumpkins for a 10k that I missed my PR by 5 seconds.

November:

I ran my first marathon.

I moved to NJ. After moving to NJ, I took some time off of running and just relaxed and looked jobs for a while.

December:

I haven’t (honestly) done a lot of note worthy things this December. It’s been just assimilating into NJ and looking for jobs. I hope I have something to report by the end of the year. I guess I’ll work on that.

I took photos in the snow. It counts as productive.

I did run my first and only race since the marathon, The Surf and Santa 10 miler.

Thoughts of 2013:

Although 2013 was anything but calm I truly enjoyed the year. It seemed like it flew by and that I was happier then I have been, especially in the later half of the year. It seems like I should have been more stressed being jobless and the 4000 miles I drove in 2 months but I wasn’t. It was a really good year. I have found the more stressed “I should be” is when I become less stressed. Little stressors that shouldn’t stress me out often are the worst for me.

Anyways upward and onward to 2014 from here!

Question for you: Most notable thing of 2013?

Driving Mile Musings (1850 miles)

October 23, 2013October 22, 2013 Hollie

After a week of being on the road, it is certainly nice to just sit and relax for a few days and not worry about driving. As I said on the way to Texas, a driving recap is like a race recap. You go for a certain amount of time, stop to eat, drink and use the restroom and keep on going. So I’ll recap it like a training log except I have plenty of photos. The drive actually wasn’t bad because we stopped a lot along the way, made new friends, saw old friends and saw plenty of different sites. In total we covered about 1850 miles and saw 9 different states (totaling 17 states this year).

A lot of these photos appeared on my instagram but I thought I would share anyways because I like to caption photos longer than my instagram hashtags.

In unproper blogging technique I had dinner at California Pizza kitchen last week with Stephanie and didn’t take any photos. It was a lot of fun and I’m glad I could see her before we left.

Leaving San Antonio there were huge floods and so much rain.

In you follow me on instagram, you know I chronicle my adventures with my 23 year old bear Bloomie. (nicknamed Bloomz). So much rain.

Stopping for a run in Houston. This was one of the most mentally challenging runs I've had in a while. It was pouring rain, windy and cold. My legs were stiff and sore but I made it through and felt a lot better...afterwords. — Stopping for a run in Houston. This was one of the most mentally challenging runs I’ve had in a while. It was pouring rain, windy and cold. My legs were stiff and sore but I made it through and felt a lot better…afterwords.

I like to pose with statues...because well who doesn't? — I like to pose with statues…because well who doesn’t? “It’s for the blog…don’t worry about it”.

Had to take a photo of Bloomz in Florida too.

I had to stop and use the rest room and they made me buy something to use the restroom. It was fine since I like dr. pepper anyways. The thing was this gas station didn't sell any coffee but did sell hookah. WTF. It was at the point we knew we should get out of there. — I had to stop and use the rest room and they made me buy something to use the restroom. It was fine since I like dr. pepper anyways. The thing was this gas station didn’t sell any coffee but did sell hookah. WTF. It was at the point we knew we should get out of there.

Of course seeing Laura in Atlanta was a lot of fun!

The best egg and smoked salmon sandwhich ever. It was just so big I didn't even know how to eat it. I just stuffed it in my mouth like a proper and polite date would. — The best egg and smoked salmon sandwich ever. It was just so big I didn’t even know how to eat it. I just stuffed it in my mouth like a proper and polite date would.

Yes I need to take photos with all the coke people...it's for the blog. I need to look like I exist outside of running. — Yes I need to take photos with all the coke people…it’s for the blog. I need to look like I exist outside of running.

If you know me then you know Which Which is my favorite sandwhich shop ever. I will miss it on the East coast!

Stopping at a Japanese restaurant was especially tasty (and pretty).

My first real cold weather run. I haven't run in 40 degrees in over 8 months. — My first real cold weather run. I haven’t run in 40 degrees in over 8 months.

I also ran with deer for about a mile. The family of four was running parallel to me. They eventually stopped and peeled off.

And that is all I really have for real life adventures from traveling. Though this is a lot of photos. I had a great time full of good runs, eating and adventures. (much like what vacation should be like). I would say I’m happy to settle down into a routine but in reality I don’t have a routine until I officially move to New Jersey (sometime in Mid November).

Questions for you:

1. Do you like road trips?

2. What is your favorite cuisine?

I really like Greek food and sushi.

Running

Haunted Hustle XC 5k (19:15)

October 22, 2013October 22, 2013 Hollie

This race was exactly what I thought it would be. After two months of not doing low 6 minute paced runs or races (my last was the 8k that I broke my arm) and also driving 1200 miles, I was not expecting a PR. What I was expecting was a nice shock to my body and that is exactly what I got. I had toyed with the idea of doing a half marathon instead on Sunday, but decided that was a terrible idea since my body might not recover before the marathon. Plus, I wanted to start getting some faster miles in as my body goes into taper mode. It was actually difficult to know there was a half marathon in the area and I wasn’t doing it.

So the race itself:

I was happy to stay with a good friend of mine Laura and we got to the race in enough time to warm up together, grab our race numbers and get ready to go. It was a “low key” Atlanta race which meant there were only 200 or so people. Not my definition of low key but I was happy for lots of people. It was roughly 100 old people and 100 high schoolers. Look us oldies out of high school go.

The first mile started in an open field and we funneled down onto the course. I felt like I was really moving and didn’t feel as stiff as I thought I would. I realized rather quickly that I was pretty far in the back of the pack. I was discouraged but just mentally told myself, this is how you run and it will be like this in New York City. (5:57)

The second mile I started to pass people and felt a little but more motivated. My arm warmers had fallen over my watch so had no idea what my pace was. I just went with how I was feeling (which really isn’t anything different, I just couldn’t stare at my watch). I passed roughly 5 females during mile 2, the only time I passed females (6:09).

The third mile, I felt exactly the same. I just kept plugging away at the miles. I passed a few males and I didn’t feel like I was dying. I don’t remember anything significant about this mile just that I was running…when I plugged it into my computer I realized I ran another 6:09 mile. So it was consistent.

I saw the finish line and just powered through. I had seen three other females the entire race but had no speed or power to catch them. When I saw the clock hit over 19 minutes I was honestly a little bit upset. It was a reality check that I hadn’t been doing speed work. I finished the race in 19:15.

Thoughts of the race:

I am happy with the time after driving and no speed work but at the same time it’s hard to look at times above 19 minutes after 2 races this summer being in the 18s. I’m also disappointed with a fourth place finish but you cannot control who comes to races and these girls were faster. I fully enjoyed the race and cross country races are my absolute favorite (I just wish there were more!). I honestly felt like I could have kept a pretty similar pace for a couple more miles but I couldn’t run faster for 3. To sum it up, it’s nice to get some faster miles on my legs. I’m happy but not ecstatic with the time and I had a great time in Atlanta.

Questions for you:

1. What is your favorite type of race? Road, cross country, trail, trail?
2. Is it cold near you? I just went from 80 degrees for the last 6 months to 40 degrees. It was a shock to my body to say the least.

Personal

1700 Mile Travel Plans (Again)

October 4, 2013October 3, 2013 Hollie

This week I’ve been hosting friends at the house and by friends I mean Tim’s family. They are in town for his graduation (he gets his wings tonight!) so it means I have actual things to do in the day time. Ha I kid, but it’s nice to be social in the daytime versus doing mindless errands.

Speaking of a life update I don’t really have much to tell you right now because it seems like everything I update with something life related my plans all get changed. So with that I’ve given up (at least for now).

It still looks like I’ll be driving from Texas to VA around October 15. My timeline looks something like this (though it’s not set in stone by any means). If you are on the route of Texas to VA Beach, please don’t hesiste to let me know if you want to get coffee, go for a run, ect. I don’t like driving and I like to meet people in real life.

Here is my route but in reverse...reverse... — Here is my route but in reverse…reverse…

October 15: Leave Texas

October 18: Arrive in Atlanta, Georgia

October 19^th: Race a Cross Country 5k

October 20^st: Run the Athens half marathon at goal marathon pace

You might be asking why do both races?

First, I know that racing a 5k will keep me in check for a half marathon. Though a half marathon Pr would be nice I need to keep my legs fresh. Cross country races are my absolute favorite so running the 5k was never a question. In fact, I would run the 5k before the half.

Then October 20-21^st drive from Atlanta Georgia to VA Beach.

So that is my plan as of now. It will probably change multiple times but I’m always interested in meeting people along the way.

Questions for you:

What is a life update from you?

Are you generally a social person?

Personal

Travel Musings Part 1

September 12, 2013January 12, 2020 Hollie

I can honestly say the last few days have been one of the biggest adventures of my life. I can easily write an entire 1700 (somehow dad and I made it 1780) mile driving recap filled with dad and I’s musings. I think it could be considered a race recap. I went a certain distance, had plenty of stops for food and water and it was filled with highs and lows…

Day 1: 180 miles

Dad and I left around 4pm on Wednesday night. We wanted to be able to put a few miles in the night before. Driving is not one of my strong points. Most people would easily be able to drive the entire journey in 3 days. I am not most people and we ended up taking 5 and stopping along the way.

After getting coffee for the last time at Wawa for a while we actually left.

Our first stop came in Emporia at a Cracker Barrel for dinner. I asked a line of elderly about 4 times if they were in line to be seated. They didn’t hear me and finally the hostess realized dad and I were not part of their party and sat us.

I will give a shoutout that Cracker Barrel pancakes are one of the few restaurants that I love their cakes. (Mostly because they will put lots of whip cream on them).

Then we just kept driving and located a Hampton Inn off the highway. Dad was instaimpressed by their stash of cookies.

We then proceeded to just relax and hang out in the hotel and go to bed early like the 90 year old people we are.

Day 2: 450 miles Durham to Auburn, Alabama

After getting a good nights rest, dad and I woke up and ran around Durham. We somehow made it downtown and to Duke University. It was one of the hilliest runs I have ever done. It was hillier then Atlanta, Oswego and wherever else. I was struggling holding 9:30 min miles. (How the hell am I going to run a half in three days…I don’t know).

I like staying in Hampton Inn’s because we can run in the am and breakfast is already being served when we get back. They also always have a giant tray of eggs which since I can’t make eggs without making them burnt and crusty, any eggs are amazing. These eggs in Durham were just plain scrambled eggs (important later).

Then we drove and drove and drove. We stopped in multiple gas stations that had more beer then coffee.

I saw a giant peach watertower.

We had planned to meet Laura in Atlanta so I was using that to excite me throughout the drive. It was working somewhat.

When we did get to Atlanta I went straight into a parking garage. Only to realize that like a derp dad couldn’t go in there because the uhaul topped out at the roof.

I also literally walked right into Laura in the parking garage.

464

After a nice grandma dinner at 4:30, we got back on the road and made it into Louisiana.

But not after hitting far too much traffic.

From around 6-8 we just kept driving. We finally made it out of Georgia and into Alabama and found a hotel.

I ended up getting hungry after getting to the hotel around 8 so we went down to the Wendys. Out of all the fast food places I choose, this one was extremely slow. We felt bad for the cashier because it looked like she was dealing with a bunch of goobers behind the counter. It took us roughly 20 minutes for our food…20 minutes that was worth it.

Then we went to bed at 8pm central time and 9 Eastern time…because we wanted to up our old people status more.

Questions for you:

Favorite travel food?

What time do you normally eat dinner?

Tag: Laura

July through December Musings

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Driving Mile Musings (1850 miles)

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Haunted Hustle XC 5k (19:15)

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1700 Mile Travel Plans (Again)

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Travel Musings Part 1

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