by smuldowney | May 5, 2014 | Race Recaps
This race was another family affair with all three of us running. Our morning started with a picture with the Most Interesting Man in the World.
Brian and Brenna ran/walked together, while I set off on my own. It was a crowded uphill start outside of the NH Sports Plex and a unique finish inside on the turf of the NH Sports Plex. 2069 people completed this race on this Sunday morning (5/4/14). The weather was partly sunny/cloudy, windy, and cool, with drizzle once we were done. I ran hard, and found the few hills a challenge. The downhill finish helped me pick up some momentum and enter the building. Unfortunately, I misjudged the finish line and thought the first black mat was it, stopped my Garmin, and then quickly realized the clock was running and the arch was up ahead along with the finish timing mat. I set off in a sprint towards the finish line thinking I did not get a PR.
After finishing, I got some water and waited for Brian and Brenna to finish
Later, I was surprised to learn that it was my best 5K to date.
MULDOWNEY,SANDRA (193)
Division: 8:32
Gender: F
City: MERRIMACK
State: NH
Age: 43
Overall Time: 26:28.3
Pace: 8:32
Overall Place: 420
Top 20.3% overall (420/2069)
Top 10.8% in division (48/444)
Top 13.0% for gender (190/1463)
Top 20.0% in state (356/1783)
by smuldowney | Apr 1, 2014 | Race Recaps
n Irish theme 2-mile road race to precede the St. Patrick’s Parade in downtown Manchester, NH
This was the 2nd race in The Elliot Millennium Running Series. My goal is to complete 6 of 8 races in the series to earn the series jacket. It was an Irish themed 2-mile race in downtown Manchester on March 30, 2014. It was a cold, damp, drizzly morning but there was a lot of energy in the air. We took pics by the truck prior to heading to the start line. October
There was lots of green to be seen as we waited for the start of the race.
It was a pretty flat race with a downhill to start and then a flat before approaching the one hill at the halfway mark.
START ELEVATION 224 FT – MAX ELEVATION 240 FT – GAIN 77 FT
This race was a family affair, which I really enjoy. An added bonus are the free pics that we get. It’s always fun to see how we really look. In the first picture, I am front and center looking intently. I could not wait to finish this race because my hands were so cold. In the other picture, Brenna, her friend (Alex), and Brian are nearing the finish line together.
Here are my results!
| 452 |
34/446 |
F40-49 |
1517 |
SANDRA |
MULDOWNEY |
43 |
F |
MERRIMACK |
NH |
8:49 |
16:50.6 |
16:50.6 |
8:26 |
by smuldowney | Mar 1, 2014 | Race Recaps
On June 6, 2013, I registered for my first 1/2 marathon, just 9 months after starting running. I got it in my head that my first 1/2 would be the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon in February and with a few clicks, I was registered for the most expensive race yet! For the next several months, I worked with a Disney travel agent on lodging, dinner reservations, and park tickets. I can’t say enough about Regina who helped me plan the perfect 4 night getaway. During the summer months, I searched for the perfect training plan. I wanted to train well, but knew what would be feasible to do, given my work schedule and family commitments. I settled on a 16-week training plan for beginners found on www.musingsofahousewife.com. Week 1 started on November 3. My training typically consisted of a run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and either Fridays or Saturdays [long run] with an occasional Sunday short run as well as spinning or yoga on Thursdays. I converted the online training plan onto printable monthly calendars and traced each and every workout [I’m a geek, like that.]. Starting in December, most of my training took place indoors. I started on the track, but switched to the treadmill, once I discovered that the key to the ‘dreadmill’ was to change up the pace. Our very difficult winter in New Hampshire forced me to remain on the treadmill until race day. We flew to Florida on Thursday and the race was on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. After checking into Port Orleans-Riverside, we headed to the Run Disney expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Inside, we picked up my bib number and t-shirt and found many vendors. I discovered http://www.oofos.com/ and met Sarah from http://www.anothermotherrunner.com/. I must say that this was the highlight of my night.
The forecast was for high humidity and temps in the 60s at start time. I prepared everything on Saturday night before going to bed around 10. Two different alarms were set for around 2:15am. Buses started running at 3 and I was out the door and heading to the lobby at that time. By 3:15, the bus was leaving Port Orleans-Riverside and heading to Epcot. The ride was short and quiet, but there was a lot of energy in the air when we reached the Epcot parking lot. After looking around for a bit, I headed over to watch some entertainment – a fairy godmother in training, who was hilarious. I had no bag to check, so I just milled around, used the porta-potties, and people watched until it got close to race time, when we all started moving out of the lot and onto a road. [I have no idea where I was going, but I was following everyone else.] It felt liked we were walking forever before we reached the corral area. After one last pit stop, I entered corral D, which was the 4th one from the start line and stage.
There I waited and people watched, until the countdown began. Each corral was sent off with a magical send-off by the Fairy Godmother as well as fireworks. I was so excited but was telling myself to go out slow and had planned my playlist accordingly. It was dark and foggy when we set off and it misted for much of the race. I used my Garmin Forerunner 220 as well as my HR monitor, so I have lots of stats.
| Time: |
2:14:45 |
| Moving Time: |
2:10:43 |
| Elapsed Time: |
2:14:51 |
| Avg Pace: |
10:05 min/mi |
| Avg Moving Pace: |
9:47 min/mi |
| Best Pace: |
6:37 min/mi |
Avg HR:186 bpmMax HR:208 bpm Time seemed to pass quickly because there was so much to see along the way – everything from bands, characters, volunteers, signs, kites, etc… Many people had given me advise to enjoy the experience and take it all in – so I did. I stopped to take pictures as well as have pictures taken of me and used the real bathroom at MK. My favorite moment of the race was entering Main St. and running through the castle, where I had plenty of room to move freely. It was truly magical to see all the family and friends waiting and cheering on their loved ones, but my husband and daughter were in the wrong place at the wrong time and failed to see me anywhere on the course.
After I finished at Epcot, I waited for my husband and daughter to join me. I was wet and sweaty, but surprisingly feeling pretty good. After changing into my flip flops, we hopped onto a bus back to the resort to shower and head to MK for breakfast.
disney princess certificate
by smuldowney | Jan 2, 2014 | Race Recaps
Today, I rang in the new year with the Millenium Mile race in Londonderry, NH. Brian and Brenna braved the cold and wind to run too. It was chilly – 23* at race time with real feel temp at 14*. We got our bib numbers and waited in the LHS gym until 1:45pm.
Brenna passed the time by taking silly selfies!
We jogged to the start to warm up and I placed myself at the 8:00-9:00 corral and was hoping for closer to an 8:00 than a 9:00 finish. Brian and Brenna placed themselves behind the 10:00 corral. This was my first race using my new Garmin 220 and so I chose to use my iPhone for music only. This was also my first time running outside with my new sneakers [New Balance 870V3] and only the 2nd time running in them at all. The horn sounded and we were off – all 1600+ people [1601 finished the race]. My breathing was off from the beginning, but I kept telling myself that it was only 1 mile. I knew I was running fast and was able to keep my pace. The course was flat and slightly downhill, which made for a very fast mile – my fastest yet!!! The only pics I have are of Brian ad Brenna finishing [both under 10:00] because no one was waiting at the finish line to take my picture.
379 21/226 F40-49 1140 SANDRA MULDOWNEY 42 F MERRIMACK NH 7:14 7:03.05
by smuldowney | Nov 24, 2013 | Race Recaps
Today, I ran my 13th race of 2013. It was a sunny, very cold, and windy morning, so many layers were necessary. When I finished it was 24 degrees with real feel temperature at 7 degrees – ouch! I met up with a running friend at Martha’s Exchange, where we stayed warm until just before race start. This was definitely a “low budget” race with entry fee less than $20. The bibs as well as long sleeve tees were leftover from Applefest 1/2 marathon. It was timed, but only using gun time, not bib time, but that was okay since there were only 86 runners.
Here are Heather and I waiting for the race to start.
www.runnovemberfest.com
There were some “famous” folks present.
Here’s the whole pack ready to go.
And we are off!
we started off on pavement, then entered Mine Falls Park, where we ran on wide flat trail, rocky narrow paths, and tree roots galore. There were a few hills, some steps, and sandy trails. The wind was brutal especially when we were more exposed. Heather and I started together, but much of the race was run solo. i ran most of the race chasing a women wearing a red jacket, for fear of getting lost in the woods. Once we reached a wide flat trail at approaching mile 4 (I think), I passed her, confidant that I could find my way to the finish, but with less 1/4 mile to go, she passed me (giving me a compliment as she went by). My goal for this race was to finish strong an uninjured, both of which I did. I am proud of completing my goal of running 13 races in 2013.
The 15th Novemberfest Trail Race was a big success with over $3000 raised for the Nashua Children’s Home.
36 F4049 SANDRA MULDOWNEY 42 F 142 MERRIMACK NH 44:45
by smuldowney | Oct 20, 2013 | Race Recaps
On Saturday, October 19th, I ran the Santa Fund Run in Nashua, NH with my husband, our friend, Russ, our daughter, and her friend. This was a special race for me, as it was my very first race (October 2012). It was also my husband and daughter’s first race.
It was a gorgeous, sunny, chilly Fall morning with temps in the low 50s by race time. The route was changed from last year and consisted of running away from the Nashua YMCA and toward the HS and into Mine Falls. This course had 2 hills and consisted of paved roads, and dirt and paved paths within the trail system in the park. When the horn sounded, I set off without thinking and did not wish anyone good luck [sorry!]. I felt strong and set out at a fast pace. I knew that I could beat my time from last year, but the question was by how much. I was not expecting a 5K PR since I have not run on trails, but guess what – I got a PR!!!! What a difference a year makes – 32:14:73 vs. 26:51:17. I can’t wait to do this race again next year with my family.
This was the first time I was at the finish line waiting and I got to see our friend Russ finish as well as Brian, Brenna, and Alex. Brian, Brenna, and Alex actually got interviewed by a Nashua Telegraph journalist because he took their picture at the finish line.
49 9/38 148 SANDRA MULDOWNEY 42 F MERRIMACK NH 26:51.17 27:27 8:51 5k [the pace is wrong!]
