2014, A year in Racing is winding down....

I'm going to take 31 races I participated in, and condense them as much as possible.
Here it is, 2014 !

Hyannis Half Marathon, Hyannis MA: Ran my best half time since 2011 - First large race with members from Tri State running. We lucked out with amazing weather- I think it was about 60- In February!

Tri State Chows Down Post Race

 

Stus 30k, Clinton, MA: This race absolutely kicks my ass every time. Without fail. The subtle rolling hills don't seem so bad when you are running, but you pay for it after. I believe I took a full week off after this one! Ouch- But I ran it under my goal time, Had fun- and beat Cohen in the last couple seconds- that made the entire close to 3 hours worthwhile ;)

Cohen, Myself & Melissa

Hartford Marathon's O'Putnam, 5k, Putnam, CT: One of my favorite local 5ks. Run it, then bounce around the pubs downtown. Had a great run, Placed second in my age group ! Scored a sweet mug.

Shamrock Shuffle, Winchendon, MA: This is a 5 mile race I travel out to Winchendon, MA to do. My godparents live out there, so I can run a race, and have a nice visit :) There was some crazy fast girls there this year, managed to place third in my age category and PR in the distance! 

Boston Tune Up 15k , Upton, MA: I landed from my vaca in Florida late, and got home about 1am. I was up after a few hours sleep and on my way to this race. I was pleasantly surprised with my performance, and will be back next year. Challenging course, personalized bibs, and the food after this race was incredible. INCREDIBLE.

Tri State Running

Boston Marathon: Redemption. I came to finish what I couldn't in 2013. I had the best day, AND got a PR. I do not like marathons, this was #8- and finally I didn't totally want to die after I finished. Learned from all my mistakes prior, and had a great winter training with friends. This will be it for marathons for me for a while, and I am happy it ended on a good note. That marathon was special in so many ways. Grateful for the opportunity.

Jog with Judy 5k, Woodstock, CT: One of my favorite annual races. This is in memory of a teacher who was killed a few years back while running. This event was something my mother (a retired teacher ) found for me, and I have done it ever since. She usually goes, too- which makes it extra special. I placed 1st in age and was super close to a PR.

Cox Half Marathon, Providence, RI: This is one of those runs I have done for years now. This year it kind of hit me that I was bored with the course. Not the best I have done, nor the worst. The weather was nice and I got to see some good friends - the medal always has an anchor - and I think that's what brings me back :) 

Dudley Beach 5k, Dudley, MA: Local Yocal 5k, which actually turned out to be like 2.7 miles. I knew there was no way I ran a 5k in 19 minutes. The thought was nice, but the reality was that wasn't possible that day. I was 4th woman overall which I was content with. Very hilly course. Might be a one and done :) 

Bone Frog Challenge, Charlemont, MA: This was a first timer. Course was out in the Berkshires on thunder mountain. The weather was gorgeous. The course was very difficult. The most difficult course I have done (at this point). The course was not short person friendly- at all. Luckily about 2-2.5 miles in I met a guy who was about 6'4/ I stuck with him til the finish. He helped me with some of the most what seemed impossible obstacles I had ever seen. I knew his entire life story, just not his name- go figure! Anyways I ended up placing in the top of my age group and qualifying for the world championships. Pretty cool! I also couldn't walk right for a week.

My tall friends leg is up in the left corner of this pic :)

Krit Classic, Andover, MA: Another one of my favorite 5ks. This one is in Memory of a girl named Krit who died tragically from a bicycle accident. Her birthday was 6.6.82, and mine is 6.4.82- My friends also call me Krit- so there is something special about this race. I feel like I knew her. Its a rather large race for a 5k (usually 1500 people) and it is always held on my birthday weekend. Tradition! 

Heartbreak Hill "Hat Trick" Series, Newton, MA: This was held the second weekend in June when it just so happened to be about 90 degrees both days. Saturday we did a 5k, then a 10k. Sunday we did a half marathon. I stayed in a hotel with 3 friends, and a good sized group from Tri State showed at this race. We had a lot of fun even with the heat. I was pleasantly surprised with my finishing times, and happy with all the memories made that weekend.

I call this one Jim and his bitches.

Foam Fest, Haverhill, MA:  A dead breed unfortunately, But still a load of fun. Was an annual thing for 2 years with some friends. Just a fun no stress obstacle run. I actually took a digger on the trail at this one! 

Spartan Sprint Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT: First spartan of the season. FAVORITE race series. This was an interesting course which started and ended in the parking lot, and the guts of the race was in the woods of the indian reservation. While the terrain was relatively flat- the obstacles still had a challenge to them. It was a warm day, but a GREAT race, and I look forward to this one again. The beers at Margaritaville after weren't too bad either!

Leonide 4.9 Fourth of July Race:  What a shit show this race is. That's the appeal. It is always hot as hell. But what keeps the crowd? The post race "show" . Picture a VFW club that smells like Butts, bar is bumping at 9am, and the best part? the table FULL of nonsense that gets raffled off by random draw. Who doesn't want to leave a race with a case of soda, or a pack of TP? This year I left with a bottle of "whoop ass" some classy hot sauce. The announcer of the raffle is about 100 years old. You can't miss this one and I think its about 8 bucks to run.

these prizes, though...

Run with the Beavers, Chepachet, RI:  First timer here. 10 Mile trail run. I must have nearly broke my ankle 100 times and learned VERY fast to keep my eyes on the ground at all times. Great run with a bottle of beer at the finish. Likely to return especially since its so close to home.

Gansett Summer Festival 5k, Easton, MA: Went to run this 5k instead of the half as my friend Melissa whom I had met through instagram was running the half. I was all set with the half, especially since I assumed it'd be 100 degrees, but wanted to meet Melissa. It was SO HOT. Glad I just did the 5k. Came in 4th (that's the worst!) and spent the day drinking beers and sunning myself before I got to see Melissa to finish her half :)

Craft Brew Races, Providence, Providence, RI: Fun 5k with a beer tasting after. The race ended up being short, about 2.8. This race also started about 45 minutes late. Between that and the short course- I was a bit aggravated as this wasn't one of the cheaper races. Thank goodness for all the beer after to make me soon forget. Found some amazing new beers, and fell in love with Crooked Current Brewery out of Pawtucket. If you havent tried their beer , and you are somewhat local- make the trip!

Spartan Sprint Amesbury, Amesbury, MA: I get this idea to sign up elite so I can start early and not be stuck behind people like I was at Mohegan Sun. AWESOME plan since this year they upped their game for elites. Sure you can start early and move smoothly, but can you do double the weights? I swear I am still having nightmares of the bucket brigade that nearly ended my life. I ended up with a pretty awesome finishing time, and only moderately beat up!

Elite Heat Start

What felt like the end of my life

Brooklyn Fair 5k, Brooklyn, CT: Local summer fair holds this race before the fair opens. Figured since I would be at the fair eating crap why not race first. Great great run, came in first in age :)

Spartan Super, Vernon NJ: Wasn't lucky for this one. Had a terrible head cold, woke up with my period (sorry for TMI), and it was legit 90 degrees out with 80 percent humidity with crazy storms coming. I luckily did rather well at this race considering, and beat the bad storms. Was only paused for about 10 minutes about 100 feet from the finish because of lightning. Had a long time friend accompany me and it made for a really fun day.

Second Chance Animal Shelter 10K, East Brookfield, MA: I have always wanted to find some races for animal rescue proceeds .I raised money and got a nice hoodie. The race day was cold and windy but it was a nice course. I got the dreaded 4th place again at this one. I didnt really care though- I was happy to be supporting a good cause. I also met Toto the tornado cat. He survived a bad tornado in mass and the family who adopted him wrote a book about it (childrens book) and had the cat at the race, had books for purchase, and all proceeds benefitted the shelter.

Spartan Beast World Championships, Killington VT: Ouch. Can I just write that? Over 8 hours of mental AND physical toughness. I ran (or rather crawled) this with my good friend Jose. Was a lot harder than we anticipated and the course was flooded with people so it was so hard to move. It was so cold out- close to 35 at the top of the mountain, and the water we submerged ourselves in was 49 degrees. we paid to do this! we had big plans of partying after , but instead we had hot soup at panera, i drank a beer in the shower and then slept like a log. I really hurt for days after this one. 

Pretty much our faces the entire day.

Bradys Mission 5k, Webster, MA: Local 5k for a young boy who survived cancer. First time EVER being first female to finish. Great run. I was battling noseeum bites from my honeymoon in St. Thomas, and who knows- maybe that helped me move faster?

BAA Half Marathon, Boston , MA: Ventured to this one solo. Cold day but made for a great run. Not a PR but a decent time, and the race was good. It consisted a bunch of out and backs which isn't my favorite but it still seemed to go by pretty fast. Nice medals, too :)

Bay Path Animal Rescue 5k, Hopkinton, MA:  Another shorty. I think 2.7 on this one. Again- good cause- so who cares. Was first girl in age and first female not running with a dog. Had a great pace going and had a nice lunch at Bills after with good friends.

Thompson Turkey Trot, Thompson, CT:  This is mostly a trail run. I knocked 2 minutes off of last years time, and placed second in age group. 

Spartan Sprint Fenway, Boston, MA:  FAVORITE spartan. Its also the easiest, but the atmosphere is so fun, Stairs, stairs and more stairs. Always fun with great friends and a trip to lululemon to top off the day :-P I finished 5th in my age group and 15th female out of over 700. My overall status was top 3 percent!

Green Monstah

Ric Buxton 5k, West Boylston, MA: Old faithful. Always a small 5k, but similar to fourth of July this one ends with a table of fun prizes. Another fun part of this, the winners get what I like to call a dad sweatshirt. No hood- and always a horrendous color. This year my first place finish scored me a mustard yellow dad sweatshirt. BOOM.

Start of the Ric Buxton 5k

Well that's that. Looking forward to what 2015 has in store. Going to try some new events and really mix things up a little. Of course will still attend the regulars. Thanks for reading, and mostly looking at pictures. That's the best part of any reading, photos!

Cheers to 2015, friends!

xo Peanuts

Transformation Tuesday

I love seeing everyone's transformation Tuesday photos, but I notice one thing they all have in common. Weight loss. Maybe that's the idea. And often, every week I see the same "before" pic with a new selfie from this Tuesday. While I commend everyone's hard work that leads to these amazing transformations, I want to remind people of internal transformation, too. This is JUST AS if not MORE important than what we see on the outside. We live in a society that puts a lot of stress on appearance. While I realize we all want to put our best foot forward and look our best, we need to maintain and work hard on inside , too.

I will share my transformation Tuesday with you. The photo I am sharing - you may not see much of a difference besides my hair. And anyone who knows me, knows this changes a lot. It's long ,it's short, it's dark, it's light- repeat that cycle for 32 years (minus the 5 years my mom made me have the little dutch boy haircut that somehow made its way back in to my life)

The girl on the left was unhappily married, terrified of getting fat, at the gym at LEAST twice a day, running daily (away from my own self), and drinking frequently. Seems the best thing to do sometimes when you are overwhelmed with things you don't want to face is to run away from them, and I literally did that. You can only do that so long before you crash. Life was a party. Although I was always laughing and being a social butterfly, that did not mean I was stable and happy. I was not proud of being the girl on the left, but I don't regret it, because every mistake I made brought me one step closer  to where I am today.

The girl on the right took a gamble, left an unhealthy marriage, met her soul mate, and everything fell in to place. On top of being married to the most amazing woman ever, I have surrounded myself with healthier friends. My friends have accepted me wholeheartedly for who I am, they push me to be my best at anything I want to do, and they do not judge me. I have left a few behind who had shown their true colors while my life was transitioning. I don't want to waste time or energy on those who don't wish to return the same to me. I have learned what true friendships are about- and convenience is not what I want in my life. Between work, being at home with my little family, and training- there is little time to spend with friends- so I choose wisely who I want in my presence, and who is going to keep me on track.

So instead of boring you with 32 years of details, just remember the point I am making here, you can ALWAYS better yourself- and treat your inside as important as the outside.

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." -Buddha