Michelle Runs With It

The best kind of adventures are of the spontaneous variety. I heard about On the Rocks 6 days prior and signed up immediately. YOLO. Then I asked Carrie to join because it sounded just like the training she needed in preparation for her next epic adventure ⛰️ The description was honest and accurate - all types of rocks, lots of elevation, and awesome views! Not in the description but equally awesome were the race director, volunteers, the BEST aide station crews & “fuel”, beef jerky, watermelon in pickle juice (TRY IT!), Martin’s Waffle BBQ potato chips, luscious fungi, 2 lookouts from the ridge, and an ice cube (get it, “on the rocks”) light as a finisher prize 🧊 Kudos to the runners who ran multiple loops! That course is no joke! Carrie’s ready and my hilly trail explorin’ soul is overflowing with joy! Thank you, Aunt Jeannie, for letting 2 sweaty runners in your home for a tour and to change for the drive home!

Ugh. I slept wrong a couple weeks ago. That resulted in a sore back that lingered for 4-5 days. What's odd is that it wouldn't hurt during my morning runs, but damn did it hurt after and for most of the day. Likely because I sit a lot at work. Did it stop me from running? No. However, I did take some time off while at the beach for my daughter's dance competition. Well, kind of. I ran twice  in 6 days which is not a lot for me. I was burning the candle on both ends and needed sleep.  Running along Coastal Highway in Ocean City (MD) is downright awful. The sun is beaming down on you, the traffic is loud, and the risk of the OC Bus splashing you with disgusting water is pretty probable.  However, I did soak in a few moments on those runs downy ocean, hon, that were pretty neat. As a kid going to Ocean City for summer vacations with family and friends, I never thought I'd run the length of OC. Last week, I did. One morning I ran north to Delaware and back (8 miles). Then o...

06.18.24  @runjuneteenth is a VIBE!! It’s free, accessible, supportive, and DIVERSE!! This was the race’s 5th year and it has grown larger, making an even greater impact on the communities it represents. With a 3am alarm, April, Beth and I headed to Anacostia to run along the Fort Circle Trail to the sites of six Union Army forts built during the Civil War. They played a significant role as African Americans escaped slavery in Maryland came to the forts, seeking protection and employment from the Union army. 📸 Credit: @sarahtruittphotography This was my 3rd year running these lush trails in the middle of the city, finishing strong up the Green Monster, meeting new friends, enjoying tasty BBQ and an excellent DJ! I will continue to spread the word of this incredible event and its mission. So who’s coming with me next year?

06.09.24 Our first @hcstriders Women’s Distance Festival 5k today was such a memorable experience! Team Running Swifties loved seeing so many strong women and young ladies out there on the course. Whether they were racing, trying to set a PR, encouraging their family or friends, or just wanting to cross the finish line with a smile on their face - everyone was so supportive! This was Fiona’s 7th 5k and 9th running race - each with its unique challenges and victories. Today we listened to Taylor Swift, did a mix of intervals and fartleks and ultimately, thanks to the advice of Striders President Bill Brown, Fiona took off after the last turn to the finish line! So proud of her!! Thank you, Striders, volunteers, and the running community for showing Fi what it’s like to be embraced and celebrated for reaching your goal regardless of what that might be!!

  Whoa. What a freakin day. I knew it would challenge everything I thought I had figured out about myself and ultra distances, but a tough course, with new rules, self-placed expectations, minimal support crew, and unknown competition?! I wanted an adventure with a large side of learning experience and @moremileslastonestanding Backyard Ultra delivered! When it’s up to you on how much time you leave to fuel, use the bathroom, hydrate, change clothes, etc. it can get real dicey. Run too fast (guilty) and you’ll wear yourself out. Run too slow and you won’t be able to do any of the above…or worse, you’re eliminated.  I slept terribly, per usual, the night before. However, I slept  8-9 hours /night every day leading up to race day. While driving, I listened to music including Cake’s “The Distance” which woke me up.  I pulled in to Camp Manidokan  at 6:00 . The sky was lit and tents were up. I parked and went to the registration table to find out where to setup. For...

Before I get into to this, I want to give a shout out to the woman I ran with at the very end of the race. Many may see it as though she sparked my competitive spirit, however, I was just happy to have someone to talk with the last 1/2 mile. She had seen a black snake at around the time I caught up to her and, thankfully, I had just missed it. Had I seen it, my heart rate probably would have spiked, and I would have slowed down. She scared it away and for that I am grateful. White Oak Running kicked off this new series on 4 Wednesdays in May (5/8,  5/15 ,  5/22 ,  5/29 ). It's a low key 10k through trails from a private part of Patapsco State Park. The Pickall area pavilions are only open to private parties who rent them, so it felt like quite a treat to be there. This inaugural event in the series was a 5k-loop that you ran twice. A nice aide station with the essential trail snacks was setup between loops.  Originally, I had reached out to Race Director Mario a...

This month, I am running in support of Mental Health Awareness Month! I run for my mental well-being and am very grateful to live in Columbia, Maryland with its 96+ miles of paved trails. My goal this month is to run all 96 of them and tracking them on the CA Pathway Map while raising money for the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Howard County. NAMI helps thousands of people all year long. Please consider donating to NAMI , a cause that supports you and/or your loved ones, or join me as I run/walk/explore the paths!  Below are some of the interesting things I've learned from exploring Columbia Association's paths. Lessons from Traversing the CA Paths Most paths that lead UP to streets, are incredibly steep. Great for hill repeats.  There are many hidden ponds in neighborhoods with lots of wildlife.  Since I am running up and down to cul-de-sacs (where the trail dead ends), many people think I’m lost.  I got 96 miles and a road doesn’t count as 1. Therefore, I’...