by smuldowney | Jun 1, 2015 | Race Recaps
18th Annual Runner’s Alley/Redhook Memorial 5k Road Race
May 24th, 2015 @ 11:00AM
Redhook Brewery, Portsmouth, N.H.
Everything about this race was smooth. It was easy to get to and there was plenty of parking in a nearby office complex, which was an easy walk across the street to the brewery, where the port-a-pots were as well as bib/shirt pick-up. Everything was very organized and there were few lines at bib pick-up. There were plenty of port-a-potties in the parking lot of the brewery with short quick moving lines with volunteers directing folks to which one was open. We each received a short sleeve Redhook 5K New Balance Tech tee because we were in the first 1500 people registered. We had plenty of time to mill around before the race started just outside the brewery in what seemed like an industrial area, with many large businesses and closed streets, which were in great condition.
Our last minute plan was that I would run with Brenna, while Brian would race. We started in the middle of the pack, but Brian moved ahead. Brenna was ready with her Gatorade chews, Monster headphones and phone in her side pant pockets. We made it about .3 miles before Brenna complained about her headphones, which left me carrying them the rest of the way. Our first mile was good. There was no complaining and very little walking. The next two miles were a bit slower with walk breaks due to Brenna’s ankle hurting her as well as a side stitch. I encouraged her the whole way and it was an overall positive experience.
At the finish, she decided to take off so she would beat me. She ran to the right around some people and I ran to the left. I think she won, but the finish times have us finishing at the same time.
1624 27/49 F0112 41:06 40:29 13:02 Brenna Muldowney 11 F 1532 Merrimack NH
1626 211/274 F4049 41:06 40:29 13:02 Sandra Muldowney 44 F 1534 Merrimack NH
They had the best post-race food ever – jambalaya rice with chicken, cold/hot pastas, pizza, bread, cheese sandwiches, desserts, Stonyfield yogurt, beer, water. There was also a live band and lots of green grass for folks to spread out and enjoy the warm sunny day. There were lots of things about this race that would bring me back. What a fun family 5K.
by smuldowney | May 24, 2015 | Race Recaps
May 17, 2015
The day was finally here. This was my goal race for 2015 and one I had trained diligently for using a plan created for me by my running coach, Angela [Happy Fit Mama]. My goal was a lofty one: 2:00 [which would be a 10 minute PR]. Everything would have to be just perfect for this to happen and I would have to really push myself. The week leading up to the race was quite busy at work. My last long run on Mother’s Day was awful – 90* and lots of chaffing. My 5 mile tempo on Wednesday was equally hard, although I was indoors and chose different bottoms to run in and I could only do one mile at close [9:13] to my goal half-marathon pace [9:10]. I woke up on Thursday with a bad sore throat which continued through race day as well as sneezing, runny nose, and generally tired. I hydrated and slept pretty well on the days/nights leading up to the race.
On race morning, I woke up at 4:45, took a quick shower and got dressed. I made peanut butter toast for breakfast to have while on the road and left home at 5:30 with a very tired little girl and a patient and support husband. After a quick stop at DDs, we drove straight to the coast and arrived in Rye about 1 hour later. There was plenty of parking in the Wallis Sands parking lot and bib and shirt pickup were easy. It was very foggy, humid, and chilly 52* and visibility was quite low.
We waited in the car for a while and I made quite a few pit stops. At 7:45, we prepared for the race to start. There were 6 waves and I started in Wave 3 at 8:10. I liked the wave starts 5 minutes apart. The horn went off and so did I feeling pretty good, dressed comfortably, and aware of my goal.
I carried my hand held water bottle, but had issues opening it, which caused me to slow down to attempt to grab a cup of water at the first aid station. A quick note on the aid stations: this race had some of the best aid stations of any race I have done. They had enthusiastic volunteers, some of which dressed in costumes, who cheered, and had fun signs. It was great having my name printed on my bib, so complete strangers could encourage me to keep going. The sun popped out at mile 5.5, but luckily we had turned inland where the country roads were lined with trees because I had no sunglasses or sunscreen. I had 3 sport beans at mile 4.5 and then two more times about 2 miles apart and I took small sips of water at approximately each mile. I started feeling nauseous at about mile 8 and had some nagging pulling sensation on my right hamstring [which I have had before].
I liked running on the path by Odiorne Point State Park and then coming back out onto 1A South. I got my final push of energy when I saw the ocean and was focused on how much I like the beach and could not wait to put my feet in the 49* ocean water. Mentally and physically I felt better towards the end of my race and my last two miles were faster than my previous eight miles, which included four miles at 10:00+ pace/mile. The finish was slight downhill and I remember sprinting as I high fived a guy wearing a Six03 shirt before I made the sharp left turn onto the grass and into the final chute. This was tricky as the turn required shifting from pavement, to gravel, to grass beside the restrooms at Wallis Sands Beach. I was given a choice of water or Gatorade as I crossed the finish line as well as was handed a beautiful medal.
There were multiple photographers on the course and I tried smiling and fixing my belt each time I saw one of them. Here are a few of their photos.
Here are my stats:
2:06:17.1 – average pace – 9:39/mile – overall place 451/807 – division place 65/109
by smuldowney | May 1, 2015 | Race Recaps
4/26/15 – 9:00am
I had a good night’s sleep and woke up at 5:30 feeling good. It is rare that I don’t feel nervous before a race, but I was not very nervous today. I got ready, made some oatmeal and left home at 6:40. I ate on my way, but did not finish it. I set off with Google maps and arrived at Cranes Beach at 7:50. I found a friend on her way and followed her for a few miles to the parking lot. Upon arrival, I had to pay the $5 parking fee to the parking ranger and was allowed to park in the large beach lot. It was a cloudy chilly 41 at the beach, but I planned my outfit perfectly and was very comfortable. After much deliberation, I decided on a short sleeved tech shirt and my Saucony arm sleeves. After getting my race shirt, I decided to change into it because I loved it and how it fit. There was a tent with bibs and shirts which was pretty empty and very organized and maybe 10 port-a-potties. The start and finish in the parking lot were one in the same and very clear. I met up with four coworkers just before the start. There were no pace markers or corrals, so we were asked to seed ourselves appropriately. Four of us started together, but I ran my own race. The main hillI packed 1/2 cup of raisins into a snack bag, which I divided in half and sewed. I fueled at miles 3 and 6, but did not eat either portion in its entirety. My handheld water bottle was filled with cold coconut green tea and honey. I sipped this and did not stop at the water stops.
The course was really pretty. We left the parking lot and ran out and into the entrance of the The Great House on the Crane Estate. The first 1.5 we ran around historic Castle Hill, which included about a 1/2 mile hill. The rest of the course was rolling hills through some nice quaint country, with only a short piece of the main road. I felt pretty good the whole way and did not walk any of the course, although I was watching a main who had a run/walk method for hills. [In the end he finished 3 minutes behind me, not that I was watching or anything.]
This is definitely a race that I would consider doing again. It was only $40, had Smuttynose beer [which I did not partake in, but others did], Stoneyfield farm yogurt, nutrition bars, water, and pizza.
343 52/140 F4049 SANDRA MULDOWNEY Merrimack NH 44 F 520 1:34:04.6 9:25
by smuldowney | Mar 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
Just 2.5 years ago, I had no idea about race entry fees, lotteries, capped fields, qualifying times, race distances, etc. and now I am entering the Marine Corps Marathon race lottery. Watching the NYC marathon last Fall really peaked my interest in running a marathon. After a few months of reading about different races, I decided to try and get into the Marine Corps Marathon. On March 13, I registered for the lottery on the MCM website. Registration for the lottery does not guarantee an entry in the MCM, but gives you an opportunity to get chosen to race. On March 25, runners selected to fill the field were notified by email.
On March 24, I made lodging reservations in the DC area, just in case I got into the race. My thinking was that rooms would go quickly once people were notified that they got in. I had the option to cancel my reservation.
On the morning of March 25, I checked my email as I normally do and saw that I had an email from MCM. For a few seconds, I deliberated whether I should wait for Brian to come home from his swim class before reading it or just open it. I decided to go ahead and open the email and this is what I found!
The first thing out of my mouth was “Oh my god.” I stared in disbelief at “Congratulations.” I was going to run a marathon and not just any marathon, but “the people’s marathon.” I was super excited and scared at the same time. I can’t wait for this adventure to begin!
by smuldowney | Mar 10, 2015 | Race Recaps
3/9/15
This past Saturday was the first time I got up and ready for a race and did not feel nervous. It was like I was just going out for a run. Mind you, I have not run outdoors since December 14, 2014 and the most I have been running in one outing is 3 miles. The weather was perfect – sunny, no wind, and 28*. I planned my outfit perfectly and got to wear a new UA headband and new Saucony running mitts, both of which were great. I chose an all women playlist, which I loved!
We arrived in Downtown Manchester about 1 hour before the race started and parked in the municipal parking lot, which had plenty of open spots and was free. Street parking was pretty difficult given the snow banks. We made our way over to Hanover St. to TI Fitness Training where there was a very small expo, free glitter tattoos and bathrooms.
This was the 1st Annual Skirt Chaser 7k. Women took off first and men, followed 3 minutes later! Men, catch us if you can!
We took off down Hanover St. and turned left on Elm St. The roads were not closed but I had no issues with traffic. There were volunteers and police officers at most intersections which stopped cars so we could keep running. There were two hills starting at 1.5 miles which were gradual but definitely hills [elevation gain 122/elevation loss 120]. Most of the course ran through residential neighborhoods with quiet streets. There were no spectators except for those walking on Elm St. or sitting in cars at lights, waiting for us to pass by. The lead man passed me at 4:25, which means he ran the same distance I did, in 1 minute. Crazy! This shot from behind was taken as I rounded the turn towards the finish line. Next time I wear a tie-tutu, I will tie it in the front, so I don’t have a long tail hanging between my legs by the end of the race.
I felt good the whole way and my breathing and stride were even. My paces per mile were 8:45, 9:16, 9:00, 8:51, 7:57. At the finish, my husband told me that I did not look like I had just finished running a race. I finished strong with a sprint, but could have probably pushed myself more on the flats, where I tended to coast. Overall, this was a good first race of 2015!
Finish time – 37:26 Average pace – 8:55
Overall 42/137
Females – 24/92
Females 40-49 – 8/25
