Sara Runs the Cape

I set big goals for myself in 2017. There's no hiding the fact that I want to completely dominate my 2017 running schedule. I'm so excited to share it with you! 2017 Schedule:  May: I have not one, but TWO 1/2 marathons planned for May. I am training for my goal half over Memorial Day Weekend. I decided to slip in one at the beginning of the month as well which happens to fall on a 14 mile training day. So why not run a race?! More bling=happy Sara.  So, let's take a closer look, shall we?  May 7th:  Where:  Providence Half Marathon Touted as one of the top 5 small town marathon/half marathons in the country, I knew I had to sign up! I will be in the midst of my training schedule for my goal half marathon later in the month and the date just perfectly fell on a day when a 14 miler was scheduled.  According to the race website, " The course is a nice mix of historic urban and rural neighborhoods as the race starts in Downtown Provid...

Oh 2016...the year everyone seems to love to hate. A LOT of shit went down. And I mean A LOT. I'm going to come right out and saw it though...I LOVED 2016!   Okay, I didn't love all of the stuff that got everyone down, but let's recap my (personally awesome) year, shall we:  1. I achieved my goal of training for and running a half marathon. And I beat the time I secretly set for myself too! My sister and I crushed it and ran it in 2:22:50. Crossing the finish line was seriously one of the best feelings EVER. I chased that high for the rest of the year!  I also ran my second half marathon ever with one of my best friends! I personally didn't run for time, but just ran to support her on her first ever half marathon attempt. Rock n' Roll Philly was a blast! I can't wait to go back next year!  2. I got married. Okay, so not exactly running related, but pretty damn important! And might I just say, people don't lie when they say it is the BEST DA...

Whoa. You know how life gets in the way sometimes and then everything else just sort of falls by the wayside? September, October, and November were CRAZY busy months for me! My head was literally spinning at times! Let's recap, shall we? I: Ran 3 races including a half marathon (Rock n' Roll Philly in September!) and 2 Thanksgiving 5k's Went back at forth between Chicago and Boston 3 times GOT MARRIED!!  And oh yeah, went on the MOST EPIC Italian honeymoon EVER!  St. Peter's Square. Wow.  So yeah, it was a crazy few months. So I'm sorry I neglected you. And unfortunately, I neglected my running as well. I think after all was said and done after I ran my September race I ran maybe a total of 6 days in 2 months. Ouch.  So here I am in December, thinking about my 2017 race schedule and how the HECK am I going to get back to where I once was? Let me tell you, it hasn't been easy so far. Between the freezing temperatures (last year it was 60...

Whoa! Time flies when you're running and having fun! I'm now officially 6 weeks out from the Rock n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon in September and I absolutely cannot wait! Not only do I get to run a great city with one of my favorite bands playing for us (Guster!), I get to do it with one of my best friends! Hooray for running friends! So how did the past 2 weeks go for me? Do you want the long answer or the short answer? The short answer is...sweaty! Though I chose to do most of my runs on the treadmill (something I never thought I'd say) because of the heat, I thought they all went pretty well and my foot felt good. My new pair of Oofos that I get to throw on after the runs didn't hurt anything either. Week 5: I'll keep it short: total miles- 16.5 miles with a long run on Sunday after work of 6 miles. Overall, a good week. I felt really good going in to my long run, and then decided to run outside after work and all hell broke loose. It was HOT eve...

Well, I got sick of waiting around to see if my plantar fasciitis would get better and I decided to just go for it. You need to actually train for a half marathon, right? So I thought I'd get back on the metaphorical horse this week. Monday- 4 miles Summer has truly hit. Holy cow it was hot. And disgusting. I think I guzzled more water/Nuun during that run than any other (including my half). My pace was decent (10:05 min/mi) but it was truly a hot one! OMG it's hot! Tuesday- Cross training: 35 minutes elliptical, core strengthening Hit the gym on Tuesday for some cross training on the elliptical (is that really cross training? I'm never sure) and some core strengthening. It was nice to be in air conditioning! Wednesday- Adaptive Cycling I LOVE my job and I am so lucky to get to participate in such awesome adaptive sports to help people with disabilities. Wednesday was adaptive cycling! Thursday- rest I decided to take a rest day to kick my feet up (litera...

Week 1:   As any training plan starts the mileage is low and the times are not particularly fast as you get back into the swing of things. It was no different for me. I probably went even slower than usual, trying to nurse my left foot into cooperation. My left heel has been bothering me for a couple of months now, not so much when I'm running but it can be horrible right after the run.  The people at Kendall GelThotics were kind enough to send me a pair of their gel orthotics to help me along with my training plan. I put them to use right away, wearing them in both my work shoes and then switching them over into my running shoes.  My heel felt awesome at work, no pain at all! It was truly amazing and work was a breeze. Running was a slightly different story, unfortunately.  I made it through my week 1 runs successfully, but I was hurting afterward. I wanted to keep going with my program but I decided that my end goal was more important in the long run....

Well, here I go again!  Today marks the first day of round 2 of half marathon training as I prepare for Rock n' Roll Philadelphia in September. As you might know, I've been dealing with a little case of plantar fasciitis for...3 months or so which has really put a damper on some things. But, I'm really throwing caution to the wind with this (stupid maybe...) and I'm going for it! So today was my first run- 3.5 miles in all. Nothing to write home about and I felt pretty good. But what I came home to is even more exciting to me! I came home to a lovely package in the mail from the AWESOME people at  Kendall GelThotics . I had gotten in contact with them when I read about their new insoles and how they provide the highest level of shock absorption and support for heel pain, plantar fasciitis, as well as some other foot problems. We talked for a little bit and I told them about my own bout with plantar fasciitis and how I'm starting to train again. And wouldn...

As a physical therapist I'm always in your corner. I work my butt off to help get you better while gently reminding you of some safety strategies and other ways to modify your activity so you might not get hurt again. What happens when the physical therapist gets injured though? That should be a slam dunk case, right? Oh, if only I were a good patient though! I am a NOTORIOUSLY bad patient. I think all therapists (or maybe like 99.9%) of them are. We know WHAT to do, but don't want to do it ourselves.  Should I stop running for a little? Yup.  Will I? Nope, this half marathon isn't going to train itself!  I've written in the past about listening to my body and being all zen with it and stuff. But what if I don't want to do that anymore? I just want to run damnit! Plantar fasciitis be damned!  So, moral of the story is...Be Like Bill. Be a good patient. Don't be a Sara :) Your therapist will thank you!  -Happy Running! 

Or maybe a better title for this post is "May Rehabbing Myself In The Gym Reflections." Ouch. Not at all how I wanted to come back after my race! So everyone remembers I finished my first half marathon on April 30th . Yay! So exciting, tears flowing, hugs everywhere. I couldn't wait to get back in my sneaks and hit the pavement. So the Tuesday Run Club seemed like a perfect way to get back in the swing, have a nice little 3 mile jaunt, and hang out with some cool people. And there in lies the problem. Instead of taking it easy like my still recovering muscles and joints probably needed (that's PT brain talking), my runner brain said " GOOOOOO! " and man, did I lay down my fastest 5k ever or what?! And I felt damn good doing it! No hints of soreness anywhere. But unfortunately, I think that laid the groundwork for some not so spectacular things in the near future. That Friday I went out on my usual 4 mile loop and felt great again for the first 2.5 mile...

Happy Runniversary to me!   I started running a year ago today. I can't believe it. It all started because I wanted to quit the gym and man, what a journey it's been!  In a year, I've gone from tolerating running for maybe 60 seconds at a time to finishing my first half marathon last month. I've had quite a few ups and downs, but I honestly wouldn't trade this past year for anything.  In honor of my runniversay, I want to give a shout out to everything that's kept me going this past year:  Altra and Hoka One One shoes: A good pair of shoes is a must. I wasn't too wise when I started running, but quickly found out the hard way. Though different in so many ways, I love my Altra and Hokas equally. They both kept me running strong this past year and I couldn't have done it without them.    Garmin watch: I love running, but I hated using my phone to track my runs. It killed my battery and it wasn't super accurate. Enter my su...

In case you didn't hear, I finished my first half marathon on April 30th, 2016! And I already signed up to race in my second at the end of this month. Crazy, I know! Never in my life did I think I would be able to run even 3 miles, yet alone finish a half marathon. That was always something for another group of people. But, on the eve of my Runniversary, I wanted to take a look back at what running for an entire year, training for, and finishing a half marathon has taught me. 1. Start Slow- I am proud to say that I am a successful Couch to 5k'er. It took me longer than the training plan said it would. I was not a runner when I started, but I definitely was when I finished. It's okay to take things at your own pace and to listen to your body. There were definitely weeks I had to repeat during C25K and I am definitely glad I did. 2. Don't Be Afraid To Share- All I can talk about now is running. I'm pretty sure it's getting on my fiancé's nerves. But...

As someone still relatively new to running, the running community is a very warm and loving place. But it can also be quite intimidating. Everyone I've met and talked to has achieved so much, and they're all cheering for me to go for my goals, but still. There were times when I felt like I didn't stack up. Which is silly, because I know I should only care about me and what I'm doing. Enter virtual runs.  I had put out to the world I was training for my first half marathon, but I wasn't quite ready to put myself out there just yet. I wanted SOME sort of tangible proof that I was training and I was out there running! Virtual runs allow runners of any age or experience to get out there and just run. And then get an awesome medal to show the world- hey! Look what I did! I am SO excited to announce that I have been accepted as a 2016 Ambassador for Level Up Virtual Runs ! Level Up is an awesome new company with the simple mission of keeping runners motivated...

Not to spoil the ending for you, but I DID IT! I'm an official Half Marathoner! I'd be lying if I said I didn't go into Saturday's race as a big ball of nerves. I knew I could do the distance (I had done it twice before, plus a 14 miler) but still. I've never been in race conditions before. How would it all go down?!  The Willimantic Classic  was, in one word, awesome. It was a small town race, which has its drawbacks, but I absolutely loved it. Before signing up for my first half, I had researched some and decided Willimantic was right for me. It was close to where I live, not too many runners, and people had described the course as "pretty flat." Well, 2/3 isn't so bad. But more on that later.  I had laid out my Flat Runner the night before, snapped the obligatory pics, and set my 3 alarms for the next morning. We stayed at a hotel about 30 minutes from the race the night before, so I wanted to make sure I was up early enough to A) Get rea...

Holy cow. Things just got real. Week 15 is in the bag people! That means that the date I circled on my calendar since October 30th, 2015. That is a long time to be staring down a goal date and mentally preparing. When I registered for my first half marathon, I hadn't run more than 6 miles at a time. And even that made me feel like I was going to pass out and need a stretcher to take me home. So, I questioned my sanity a little bit when I pressed the "Confirm" key and officially registered. There was no turning back. And then I told everyone I talked to about registering and my goal, so I couldn't back out (Plus my sister registered and bought plane tickets, but we could have made a nice vacation out of it either way). I found my training plan, bought a planner to write it all down, and then waited patiently for January to roll around. I mean, I kept running and telling people about the half, but I wasn't really "in training" yet. Bam! January 11th,...

Whoa! Where has the time gone?! Do you ever feel like you just have one of those weeks where there isn't enough hours in the day? These past few weeks have been so busy for me, I feel like it's difficult to get in my training runs. I'd like to say I haven't missed a run, but that would be a lie. Part of it is because I felt like I needed some recovery time, but part of it is also the time factor. It's really stressing me out! Week 14:  Monday: 45 minutes on elliptical, core strengthening Tuesday:  Rest day I just wasn't feeling it. My legs were tired from my long run on Sunday still and it was pouring outside. I probably should have gone to the gym, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So I came home early and hung out. I'm okay with the decision. Wednesday:  6 miles My new Altra Provision 2.5 shoes finally came! And man, they are beautiful! I know there's a break in period for them, but I couldn't help myself. I ran all 6 in ...

If you're like me, I think any type of running is a huge accomplishment. It's huge just to get out the door and even start. And then to go 3, 5..or *gasp* 13.1 (or LONGER!) miles, well heck! I deserve to treat myself. (Side note, I now imagine Tom Haverford whispering in my ear "treat yo'self!" But I digress...) Source So it only seems natural that after a run you deserve a delicious post-run snack, right? Like pizza, or ice cream, or a bagel and cream cheese. I'm guilty of eating all of those post-run. Every single delicious calorie. Here's the thing though. While those snacks might be delicious, they're not fueling our bodies in the ways we need after a run, especially after a long run. I was inspired by Nuts.com to write about healthy snacks to help refuel the tank and make sure you're getting the most out of your hard workouts. The Science: Sorry to have to get nerdy on you here, but I feel like a quick science lesson is in or...

Disclaimer: I purchased the Orange Mud HydraQuiver with my own money. I was not given this product to review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. If you've read any of my other posts or follow me on Twitter , I've been complaining recently about my hydration woes during my runs. I've been looking for a new hydration belt/pack/handheld/ANYTHING and I can't seem to find something that has: A: A bottle big enough to suit me (I confess, I love to drink water while I run. Love it. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!) B: A pouch large enough for all of the crap I carry- I have to carry my phone when I run. Even if I'm not listening to music, I feel safer when I have it. Plus I need space for fuel. C: Some level of comfort Enter the Orange Mud HydraQuiver  into the conversation. I had done my research on different belts vs. packs and I always came back to Orange Mud. It looked so innovative! Then I started chatting with some runner friends on twitter and ...

Holy Cow! Week 12 ! This week training was still ramping up, working on increasing distances and pacing myself. I honestly can't believe the race is at the end of this month. Only 1 more week until taper! Weekly Workout Recap: Monday: Cross-training -30 mins bike, core and glute strengthening I was still recovering a little from my long run over the weekend and took it easy on Monday for my cross training day. I knew I had to get in some strengthening through, especially my core. That's a part of my training I regularly neglect, and we all know how important core strengthening is!  Tuesday: 5 mile run with Marathon Sports Mashpee Run Club I was recently invited to try out the local run club and I'm officially hooked! They rolled out the 5 mile loop this week, which was perfect since that's what was on my schedule. It was awesome meeting some people I'm friends with on Twitter and Instagram!  Wednesday : 8 miles, steady pace of 10:30/mi  I wasn...