Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Weekend Without a Finish Line


On Friday, I ran into a neighbor on the Riverview Park trail and then saw her again that evening at the new yogurt shop that had just opened.

She was so excited because she had run 10 miles for the first time. I was quite impressed and asked her what race she was training for.

Imagine my surprise when she said she hadn't signed up for anything!

The thought of running 10 miles just for fun without it leading up to a goal race is a foreign concept to me.

I couldn't imagine spending all the hours I do training without having the chance to both perform and socialize on race day.

Some runners enjoy the solitude of running and/or don't think they are fast enough to participate in a local race.

Having recently finished dead last in a track event, I know firsthand that being the final person to cross the finish line can be just as exciting and fulfilling as winning.

For me, the destination (race) is equally important to the journey (training).

I decided to count the number of times I've toed the starting line this year.

I've competed in 20 races (well 21 if you count the 4k race I walked with my daughter the day after running a half-marathon!).

That means this weekend was only the 3rd weekend I didn't have a race in the past 5 months.

Yikes, that's a lot of racing!


I enjoyed the weekend away from a finish line by spending a couple hours in my complex's outdoor pool with one of my best friends and running 10 miles on the treadmill while watching old episodes of Mad Men (love love love that show!).

This break is short-lived. I have at least 8 events planned over the next 2 months, shorter races (800M - 10K) that will be more like speed workouts than all out races.

I'm hoping for a new PR at the mile, 2 miles or 5K, but even if I finish last, I'll enjoy the challenge!


UPDATE:
Next race is the 2nd Annual 4 The Wounded 5K on June 2


Sunday, May 27, 2012

2012 ODDyssey Half Marathon Race Retweet

2012 Oddyssey Half Marathon
Run--> Tweet--> Instagram--> Repeat
13.1 miles in 2:20:50
I'd never thought I'd say this but my iPhone is now a race essential!

I debated on whether or not to wear my costume because of the heat.
But I decided it was more important to look cool than to feel cool!
My first tweets before the race...
Reverse chronological order tweets & instagram photos...
Sitting on MegaBus with medal (bottle opener)









Flamingo running ahead... 









Thanks Katherine for Finish Line Photos!

"Don't forget the alcohol..."*

*Miles iz Ded by The Afghan Whigs

Thanks to The Afghan Whigs  I love to run to their music! :-)

My Curse

Somethin' Hot

Crime Scene Part I
Debonair

Gentleman

Customize T-shirt with finish time!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

TWINS RUN 2sDAY: Can you donate $2 to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer?

Leah & Malinda at 2008 Philadelphia Marathon

Identical Twins are Opposite Runners
Leah is  the "Garmin Obsessed" Boston Marathon Qualifier (3:38:11)!
Malinda is the "Go with the Flow Slow" runner who prefers to run in costume!
2 twins 2 run 2gether 
2 support 
In Memory of Michael

"Fighting childhood cancer,
one race at a time!"

October 7, 2012


January 12, 2013 
January 13, 2013 




Can you donate $2 
2 make twice the difference
on TWINS RUN 2sDay?

ANY donation is greatly appreciated!


Friday, May 18, 2012

Fun Facts Friday: 41st Birthday Edition :-)

Our mom didn't know she was having twins.
It was quite a suprise when we were born.
Leah was born at 5:21am.
Then the doctor said,
"There's another one in here!"
Malinda was born at 5:22am.
 
We're "mirror image" twins.
Leah is left-handed.
Malinda is right-handed.
That explains why Malinda runs on right,
and Leah passes on the left, ;-)

We are both runDisney enthusiasts.
 

We've been BFFs with Nysia since 2nd grade.
Malinda and Nysia riding SEPTA

Malinda was a running bride in The Bachelor.
She chase Chris O'Donnell though San Francisco.


Monday, May 14, 2012

"40 & Fast" Running in Charlottesville: Masters Mile & The Jennifer Leigh Wells Moonlight Walk/Run for Meningitis Research Race Recaps

"The Track" by Leah Connor

My strengths as a runner shine in long-distance road races.

Heading to the track means leaving my comfort zone.

Anxiety usually keeps me from showing up at the weekly track workouts with the local "speedsters" group.

However, I know the only way to continue to improve in my sport involves adding speed work, which, until recently, I have avoided out of fear and intimidation.

So, it may seem strange that I would voluntarily sign up for the "Masters Mile" in a collegiate track meet.

But, then again, it is a race and as I've discussed before I'm a race addict. Another reason I couldn't say no - it was FREE to enter! ;-)

Even though I knew I'd be the slowest in the field, I decided I had to take a risk, put on my sparkle skirt and GO FOR IT!

The “Masters Mile” was held Saturday at 6:45 p.m. during the University of Virginia’s “Virginia Challenge” track meet.

I was one of 9 competitors ranging in age from 40-59 who ran 4 laps on the newly renovated Lannigan Track.

I’m inspired by the other women runners, all moms, in their mid-late 40s who run fast enough to beat competitors half their age.

In fact, at many local events, the female 40-49 age groups have faster times than those for 20-24!

Finding a balance between being a mom, training, and working full-time, can be challenging, but it is so rewarding.

Video by Annalivia (age 7)

I was honored to be a part of this unique opportunity.

And, even though I finished in last place, I felt like a winner.



So, now both twins have finished last! Malinda was the first twin to finish last at the  Run For Babies 5K! ;-)



Ready to run in a rainbow of Team Sparkle skirts!

After running at the UVA track, I immediately went to the next race, a two-mile remembrance walk/run for Jennifer Leigh Wells,  who died in 2006 from meningococcal meningitis.

The Jennifer Leigh Wells Moonlight Walk/Run for Meningitis Research raises money for the Children’s Hospital and Research Institute at Oakland (CHORI) – a non-profit organization, for B-strain meningitis vaccination research (the only bacterial strain that is not currently covered by the existing meningitis vaccination available).

Cindy Payne, Jennifer’s mother, has found a way to honor her daughter’s memory by increasing awareness and raising funds for research.

As the mom of a daughter, the race has a special meaning to me. Our lives can change so quickly and this evening reminds me to appreciate each day I have with my kids.

It also felt pretty amazing to go from finishing last in one race to winning another just 1.5 hours later! :)



was very special because I shared it with two of my friends.

I was thrilled to see them "sparkle" and run amazing award-winning times!
 Suzanna, sparkling in pink, came in 2nd overall.
Diddy, shimmering in gold, won her age group! 


Charlottesville has an amazing running community!
Charlottesville Running Resources













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