Race Weekend Weather Stalking

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Coco

This weekend I ran my first destination race, the United NYC Half Marathon! While I usually write my race recaps as part of my race day recovery–what better way to make sure I keep my feet up for a while?–since I wanted to get the most out of our time in New York City, I’ll just tell you the short story: My pacing sucked, the concrete sucked, I wanted to quit, but I somehow crossed the finish line at 1:53:52! Tune in next week for my full race recap.

If you saw my post from Friday, you know I started stalking the weather for race weekend last week. While runners are notorious weather stalkers, I think race weekend weather stalking is a completely justified obsession for a destination race when you have to figure out what to pack. Right??

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Five Ways I’m Ready To Run The NYC Half

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Coco

The weekend of the NYC Half is finally here! I haven’t been this excited for a race in a long time. Maybe it’s because it’s my first “destination” race. Maybe it’s because I love running in New York City so much. Maybe it’s because I know so many people who will be running with me on Sunday. Regardless, ask me what I’m doing this weekend, and be prepared for a gushing response. 

United NYC Half Badge

I’ve crossed off all my training runs and made my packing list. I’ve downloaded my registration confirmation and shown my husband how to use the tracking app. Since it’s Friday, I’m joining the Friday Five 2.0 link up hosted at Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness, and sharing five other ways I’m ready to run the NYC Half. 
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Gearing Up For The NYC Half

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Coco

As I write this, I’m cooling down warming up after completing the last long run of my NYC Half training plan. This time next weekend I will be heading to the Big Apple with a bag packed full of running gear instead of litigation papers, my mind on pacing instead of patent law!

This is my first “destination” race, and I am so excited! While I won’t do my packing until Friday night, I have done a few things to get ready. Continue reading →

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A Different Way Of Fasting For Lent

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Coco

We are one week into Lent, the 40-day period of repentance and reflection that many Christians observe before Easter. I did not write about Ash Wednesday this year, but I did revisit my previous Ash Wednesday posts and re-watched the Lent “highlights reel” video. Most importantly, I made it to an Ash Wednesday service, at a new-to-me church near my office. As I’ve shared before, the Ash Wednesday liturgy is my very favorite and I didn’t want to miss it.

Isaiah 58 - Fasting For Lent
As much as I love the Ash Wednesday service, I struggle with observing Lent. During the service we are called “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word,” but I usually fall short in all areas.

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A Frigid Reston 10 Miler (Race Recap)

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Coco

Today I ran my first race of 2017–the Reston 10 Miler. Since I’m only two weeks out from the NYC Half Marathon, I didn’t run it to set a PR, but I came close! 

Reston 10 Miler
This race and its September twin (The Perfect 10) are the most low-key races I do, with race day packet pick-up and even–thank goodness–race day registration. Yep, as I got into bed last night I realized I never registered for this race! I knew it was nothing to stress over, but it meant I definitely had to get there early! Continue reading →

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