Run Beaches, Run!

It feels like forever since I went for a run. September would have traditionally been the time when we ran the Surftown 1/2 Marathon, but with Covid still causing everyone a headache (sometimes literally), HMF offered a virtual race with a bit of a twist... they called it the Surftown 100 Challenge. They gave participants (either individuals or teams) 10 days to run 100 miles... the distance from Lighthouse Point in New Haven, CT, to Misquamicut, RI (where the Surftown 1/2 would normally take place).

Now, I like running, but 100 miles by myself would be a big ask, even over 10 days. And when you've got a group of friends who would be running these races with you under normal circumstances, why not call on them to put together a team and see how many miles we could rack up between us? Thus, team 'Run Beaches, Run!' was formed (credit goes to Angie for the team name, haha). There were 9 of us total, meaning each person was responsible for at least 11 miles over 10 days. We kept a group message going, announcing milestones, sharing pictures along our routes, and cheering each other on. In the end we smashed it, running a total of 167 miles between us.

Top left to bottom right: Erin S, Amy L, Mandy S, me, Angie S, Kathy Z, Kim S (w/ daughter Lily), and Erin W. Not yet pictured is Amy F... I'll update the collage when I get her picture!

Running along the Misquamicut coast was always a major reason that Surftown is one of my favorite courses. So, on the Saturday the race would have taken place, I got up (extra, atrociously) early, and drove down to part of the Jersey Shore known as Sandy Hook. I'd been there earlier in the summer, and knew that it had a long, paved path, perfect for running. And I figured... any other year I would have been running a 1/2 marathon... so why not just RUN A 1/2 MARATHON?!

Because normal people get up at 5am on their day off to run 13.1 miles when they don't have to, right?

It ended up being a beautiful, perfect day for a long run. The path follows the coast, winds through some coastal wooded areas, and ends on an old military fort. Part of the area is blocked off as an active Coast Guard campus, but otherwise you can take the path a number of ways once you hit the fort, passing by lighthouses, old military bunkers, crumbling officer quarters, and dorms that have seen better days. Once I was finished, I sat on the beach for a little while, enjoying the sun and resting my muscles. I actually felt really good right after, and even the days that followed. It told me that the other training I've been doing is definitely benefiting my running, at least in some ways.

What other training, you ask? Although I haven't been running as regularly as I could have, I've been making it a point to get some form of exercise in at least 4 times a week. Weights, Zumba, toning, pilates, etc. Between that and doing a better job of portioning my food, I finally hit a goal I've had for years, reaching a weight that I haven't seen since college!

I've also managed to get some abs poking through... Look at the little baby abs!

I have an appointment with Dr. Johnson in a couple weeks, and I can't lie, I'm hoping the office's scale shows my weight loss. Nothing is worse than feeling pretty good about your weight, only to have the doctor's scale add 5 pounds!

Another unexpectedly fun way I was getting in some exercise was a co-ed Kickball team I joined. Not the most high-intensity workout, but the fun of it was justification enough. The league is over until Spring (pending Covid), but the two seasons we played were a TON of fun, and we won the championship both times.

Your Adult Kickball League Champions 2 sessions running: In the Kick of Time!

But the piece of exercise equipment seeing a surprisingly good amount of use has been my mountain bike. I managed to buy a bike back around May, and have been taking it out somewhat regularly. I've also found a group of women mountain bikers through the 'Meet up' app. Every Saturday we've been going out on our bikes, riding trails and getting some fresh air/exercise.

I know, I need to get a helmet... I'm working on that.

We've been averaging 10-12 miles each time we get together, although last week was an absolutely bonkers 23 miles. My quads were dead at the end, but was worth it... absolutely gorgeous trail with all the foliage. It's also been a great way to just explore more of the area around me.

Health-wise, I've been holding up well. I've only been experiencing the occasional Crohn's symptom (mostly seems to be tied to if I had a beer the night before). Otherwise, I'm sure everyone has had these moments of 'crap, do I have Covid?' when they're not feeling the best. Turning my heat on always results in me getting a dry, scratchy throat, and this year has been no different. But knock on wood, so far so good. And I got my flu shot so that should help this winter. If you haven't already done so, GO GET YOUR FLU SHOT. This year especially its so important... as Covid begins to spike again, let's give our healthcare workers a bit of a break and not fill hospitals with people who think they have the coronavirus when its just a case of the flu!

Hmm, what else... see, this is what happens when I wait so long between blog entries... I end up with an entry that doesn't seem to do any justice for all of the things I want to talk about. I could share so many more pictures and details about the Surftown 100, or my adventures on my bike, but I don't want each entry to be a book. I'll try to be a bit better about more frequent updates in the future, so I don't end up with an entry that just reads like a list (I know, I've said that before).

In the meantime, everyone stay safe, wash your hands, wear a mask, and enjoy whatever nice weather we have left before Winter comes!

Latest running (or exercising in general) jam: Boom Boom Boom, by Justice Crew