Best News of the day........

This weekend has been very busy, productive, and historic!

This morning, I woke up at 4:00 AM and departed my house at 4:30AM for the Inaugural Providence Rock & Roll half marathon.

Yes, you are correct... it was absolutely pouring all morning long. Luckily, this was a running event and not a biking event! And also luckily, I love to run in the rain. I'm not sure there is any better weather for a red headed Katie with fair skin? Unfortunately, I am still learning. Today could definitely been a huge Personal Record (PR) day, but I didn't train especially hard because I ... took Statistics, fell off my bike and I also figured it would be 90s and sunny. Another lesson learned in my long athletic career.

The exciting biking related outcome of today involved meeting with up some of my Greater Framingham Running Club members - Karin, Katiya, Dotty and new Best Friend Jeff. He huddled, attempted to stay dry, and laughed about our luck with races. They all gasped at my large bruise. Who knew my bruise would be a segway into asking for fundraising? I should have! Anyway, I mentioned my big upcoming challenge and Jeff gave me the good news:

The Rodman 100 mile bike course is FLAT.

Everytime, I hear Jeff say the words in my head, I hear sweet bells and flashes of bright lights. I think it's the "hope" sound effects being brought it. I'm trying to creat the same effect for my blog. Anyway, Flat ... Flat will be very helpful for 100 miles. I cannot, I repeat, cannot tell you how good it was to hear... Sigh of Huge R.E.L.I.E.F. I am looking forward to the challenge of the ride, but honestly I think the distance will be tough enough without adding great heights.

Oh yes, and the race, I did well. I ran consistently and felt great for the entire race. My unofficial time is 1:43.48. And here is the official results:

1:43 - I'll take it!

Tip of the Day: I tried something new for this race. I packed cut up salt covered Twizzlers in a pouch. This is not an original recipe - Rick Muhr, my old Boston marathon coach eats these for all his races. I discovered their power and my personal need for salt during the Hyannis Half marathon last winter. My stomach starts to cramp up after eating goos or drinking water on the course so the salt is awful tasting, but perks me up nicely for the miles ahead. The course was very delightful. I would say one of the flatest and the hills were a perfect grade and length. They offered enough of a challenge that you needed to add some gas, but not unbearable. I also only recall four hills - maximum five throughout the course. I will be checking out the Cox Providence half for the Fall, the Rock & Roll is logistically too tough and not accommodating. The medals were also very intense and nice, which matches up with the entry fee.

It was a good training for the ride. 13.1 miles = 35 - 50 miles biking, right? I think I can guage these things correctly now. What do you all think?

It weighs 3 lbs!