Happy Summer!

Photo credit: Brian Wolski

Today is the Summer Solstice - the first day of Summer.  The weather has been all over the place here in Michigan the past couple of weeks.  We've had mild days, 90 degree days, stormy days, and downright chilly days.  On average, however, it was a pretty nice spring and after the frigid winter we had, you won't hear me complaining! Whatever summer might bring, I'll take it!

I'm looking forward to more hours of daylight for running and more time to rest and recover from running.  This school year was the worst I've had yet so it will be a well-deserved break for me.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

Friday the 13th AWESOMe Feet Project

Happy Friday the 13th!  Last week after the regular group run at RUNdetroit, I had the unique opportunity to participate in the latest project from AWESOMe Feet.  This was the first group movement project - the others have been solo projects.  (If you haven't seen Flippers or Happy Holidays, be sure to check them out!)

We met with Marty (aka AWESOMe FEET) before the shoot to discuss his vision for the video.  In a nutshell, he wanted one runner to wear a flannel shirt and Jason mask and wield a chainsaw.  The rest of the group needed to run screaming from Jason.  The role of Jason would be the most challenging because of the heavy chainsaw and flannel shirt (it was a hot morning).  We were all grateful when Justin, store owner of RUNdetroit, agreed to play the part.  Unlike his previous projects, Marty wouldn't be in this video. Instead he would be running back and forth between us, filming and cueing as we ran.  It was a single-take with a GoPro (handheld) that he later edited.  We ran about 1.5 miles.

The run started near the corner of Cass and Canfield.  We ran about 2 blocks before hanging a left and running past Great Lakes Coffee.  I can only imagine what people were thinking as they sat on the patio enjoying their coffee and saw our group ran past!   Then we ran down Woodward.  Yes, down Woodward on a sunny Saturday morning.  Past lots of people and traffic.  At one point we were stopped for a light and Justin/Jason was chasing us around in circles while we waited.  Oh I wish I could have seen the looks on people's faces!

Then we ran on toward Comerica Park.  We passed over I-75 where Marty asked us each to give him one final "terror face".  The video ends in front of the Fox Theater.  There was an employee outside and he didn't even comment.  Maybe he this wasn't the weirdest thing he's seen in front of his work?  Anyway, I had so much fun being a part of this video and I hope you enjoy it!  Please watch it, "like" it, and share it with your friends!  And let me know what you think!





Check out the AWESOMe FEET website or on Facebook to learn more.  

Tuesdays at Woodbridge Pub

I love Tuesdays!  Since January it's been my favorite night of the week.  Why Tuesday, you ask?  Two words: Afternoon Delight*.  (Woodbridge's name for Happy Hour.)  From 5-8pm you can get THE best hand-crafted cocktails for only $5.  I'm talking creative, high-quality drinks made with top shelf liquor.  I recently went to Two James and I can easily say the drinks at Woodbridge rival those I had at Two James.  And at half the price on Tuesdays?  Yes please!  There's a main menu, plus a special each week.  Here's a look at the menu:

My favorite is the Booze Hound, followed closely by Xoloizxuintle.  The latter I refer to as "the shrub" because it's made with a pineapple basil habanero shrub, which the bartender, Rob, makes himself.  Also it's easier to call it that than it's actual name. 

As if things weren't already fantastic, Woodbridge has upped the ante with the addition of Taco Tuesdays.  There is both a pork and vegetarian version, made with soy protein. Rob checked and the vegetarian ones could be made vegan!  There was some kind of sour cream sauce that just needed to be left off.  They were delicious and everything about them was fresh.  You get three for $6.

Anywhere you sit at Woodbridge is great - table, booth, even outside on the picnic tables now that the weather is so nice.  Our favorite spot, however, is the bar.  We love to talk to Rob and the others at the bar.  Some are regulars from the neighborhood; many are stopping in for the first time.  

Check out their website, find them on Facebook, or just stop in and order a drink.  If it's a Tuesday you'll probably see me there!

*I honestly can't NOT think of that episode of "Arrested Development"!  (wink wink)

What's your favorite Happy Hour spot in the Detroit area?

Lessons Learned: "Ultra" Half Marathon

Every once in a while it's good to reflect on yourself and your experiences, be they good or bad.  Here are some things I learned from my most recent racing experience: 

1. Know the course ahead of time.  Do this by previewing it (if possible) or at least study the map well.  Even though I'd run this race before it'd been a year and it's easy to forget.  You can't always rely on the person in front of you, signs, or race officials to point you in the right direction.  Things happen.

2. Yes, things happen.  You trip and fall.  It's cold, rainy, snowy, or hot.  Someone faster than you shows up.  You get lost.  I almost let missing 3rd place and not getting a new course PR get in the way of what was an otherwise fun experience.  

3. Move on.  When a race doesn't go your way - for whatever reason - don't dwell on it.  It was one race.  Suck it up and get over it.  There's always another day, another run, another race.  In the big picture, no one really cares about the stats but you.  And honestly, why do you care?

4. Remember why you run.  You run to clear the cobwebs from your brain.  To relieve the stress after a long day.  To feel the sunshine on your face.  To get in a 6-mile heart-to-heart with a good friend.  To move your body because you can.  Because it's fun.  Because you love it.  Not because of the medal or the pint glass or the award.

Looking back over this list, these aren't things I learned.  These are things I already knew.  But sometimes I get carried away in the excitement of the race.  I get hung up on the expectations I place on myself.

I'm looking forward to taking a little break from training and racing.  Not a break from running!  Never.  It's just time to dial back the pressure a bit and listen to my body.

And remember why I run.

On the Run: Stony Creek "Back to the Beach" 1/2 Marathon 2014

Last weekend I ran my first ever "Ultra" 1/2 Marathon!  Wait, an "Ultra" 1/2 Marathon, you say?  Never heard of one of these?  I'm sure you're wondering how I was lucky enough to find this event and get it on my racing calendar.  Well, you can actually turn any regular 1/2 marathon into an ultra!  Here's how it works: 

Step 1: Run the race well enough so that you hit a point where you are running by yourself.  You can't see any runners in front of you to follow; you can't see any runners behind you if you turn around.  You want that sweet spot where there is a nice isolating gap.  This point will likely come past the halfway point after you have worked hard to pick off many runners.  

Step 2: Try to hit that gap right where there is a crucial turn.  It would be preferable if that turn is not well marked and instead of taking the turn, you could easily keep going straight.  

Step 3: Once you keep going straight, be oblivious to the fact that you still don't see runners, volunteers, spectators, or any other indicators that you are on course.  Don't stop even when you see that you're in a parking lot.  

Step 4: When you finally sense a problem, PANIC!  Do not immediately turn back.  Run in circles for 30 seconds trying to figure out what to do while you waste precious time.  

Step 5: Run back and forth a little bit as you try to figure out what to do.  This is an ULTRA, damn it!  You're here for the miles!

Step 6: Tell yourself that enough is enough.  Run back to the point where you missed the turn. Rejoin the race and haul to the finish line.  And honestly, this is the fun part.  Remember all those runners you passed in the first half of the race?  You get to pass them all again!  And they'll wonder where you came from.  Shhh... it will be our little secret!

There you have it!  Now you too can run your very own Ultra 1/2 Marathon!

Despite my little, uh, detour, Back to the Beach was a fantastic race.  The weather was perfect - a little cool at the start but sunny.  I love this race for the mix of trails, dirt road, pavement, and hills.  It's definitely a tough course but I'm not one to shy away from a challenge!  

All in all, I raced this one well.  I was slower on the trails, not wanting to trip and twist an ankle.  All the tree roots were well marked with orange paint but it had been a long time since I've run on trails so I needed to find my footing again.  There are two sections of trails (with dirt roads and pavement in between) and by the time I got to part two I was moving a little quicker.  The trail portions are varied - part shady, wooded areas and part open, grassy areas with dirt lanes (a.k.a. trolley trails).  In the second section of trails - around mile 8 - there is a really big gravel hill that you really have to work at to power up.  I loved it!!  There was a decent crowd to cheer me on and I smiled and waved to them as I ran up.  Even though I was slower on the trails, I made up some time on the paved portions of the course.

At mile 3 I passed a woman, putting me in 3rd and held onto that spot until getting lost at mile 10.  At the halfway point I was 3.5 minutes ahead of 4th place but I spent so much time checking out that parking lot (so scenic!) that she ended up finishing 48 seconds ahead of me. 

On the bright side, I ran hard at the end to nearly catch her and passed a whole gaggle of women (plus chicked a ton of dudes!) to do it.  It was thrilling to be able to pour on the speed at the end, especially when normally I'm just trying to maintain in the final miles.

After the race I chatted with some other runners at the finish line.  My friend Bridget was with me and I loved being able to see her finish out her race.  She did an amazing job at her first Back to the Beach! 

And she was pretty lucky to be with me for my first "Ultra" 1/2 Marathon!

Time
1:38:03

Pace 

7:28/mile*

(*Based on official race results for 13.1 miles.  Because I ran 13.7 miles due to stupidity, my actual pace was a little faster!)

  

Fuel 

Vanilla Chia Pudding (this recipe, minus the cocoa), banana 

Tunes 

Beatnik Beach / The Go-Go's 

Summer of '69 / Bryan Adams  
Chop and Change / The Black Keys  
Beanbag Chair / Yo La Tengo

  Designer Drug / Mayer Hawthorne

Machu Picchu / The Strokes

I'm Shakin' / Jack White

Honey in the Sun / Camera Obscura

Bulletproof / La Roux

The Violet Hour / Sea Wolf

Never Wanted Your Love / She & Him

Do It Anyway /Ben Folds Five

Take Me Anywhere /Tegan & Sara

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) / Kelly Clarkson

  What Happened to the Sands / Pas/Cal

Sunshinin' / The Vines

Let's Get Out of This Country / Camera Obscura

Can't Hold Us / Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Mercy / Duffy

Miami / Will Smith
 Hell / Tegan & Sara

Love the Way You Lie (Ft. Rihanna) / Eminem

Never Go Back / Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

So Good / B.o.B.

Misery / Maroon 5

Gold on the Ceiling / The Black Keys

Bright Side / Otto Vector
E.T. / Katy Perry 

Race Day Swag - Backpack (1st place AG award), medal, pint glass, and sticker