by smuldowney | Jan 1, 2014 | Yearly Reviews
As I sit here and reflect on 2013, I cannot believe how much I accomplished in terms of my running. I tracked my miles using 2 apps and here are the totals: 240 with Runkeeper and 192.73 with Nike+. I set a goal of 13 races in 2013 and accomplished just that! I ran 6- 5Ks, 1-3.5mile, 2- 10Ks, 3- 5mile, and 1- 1/2 marathon relay race. My longest distance was 8.31 miles on 9/21/13 and my fastest average pace was 8:01/miles on 11/23/13. I used only 1 pair of shoes – Saucony Cortana and had no real injuries to speak of. My hip flexors and my right IT band bother me off and on but nothing that would stop me. I performed much better in the cooler temperatures and did not mind the bone chilling below freezing temps I faced, both during training runs and races. I preferred to run outdoors over the treadmill, but very late in the year, was able to find my groove on the treadmill and can now run 6 miles without stopping. [I was only running 1 mile and then stopping getting a drink before continuing.] Running on the small indoor track proved to be a challenge both because of the number of laps required to make 1 mile,but also the same direction required on my training days caused me pain in my hip flexors and left knee. My running community expanded and I am grateful to have many supporters out there, some of which have run races with me. My husband was my biggest cheerleader and was there, ready with his camera [when he is not running with me] for all but one of my races!
Here is a quick glimpse of all of my races.
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!]
by smuldowney | Oct 20, 2013 | Race Recaps
My goal for this race was to improve upon my previous and only 10K, which was in Westford in May where I finished with a time of 1:01:18. The better my finish today, the earlier my corral placement would be for the Disney Princess half-marathon in February 2014. I put Brenna on the school bus [no holiday here in Merrimack] and Brian and I were off to Lowell to catch the train to North Station. The trip went smoothly and we were at Boston Common around 10:30am. Bid number and shirt pick up was seamless. The race atmosphere was so positive. The weather was amazing, although it would have been nicer if it were 5-10 degrees cooler. I ran with someone [Allyson], which was a first for me and worked out great, since we were running the same pace. I left my earbuds at home, since iPods were not permitted, although many women were using them and found myself enjoying the views as opposed to staring at the pavement. We got to spend time with friends [Doug and Denese] before and after the race. I sampled some yummy treats and got some free cosmetics, worth $40+ on Amazon.com. I would totally run this fast and flat course again!
1650 367/1414 F4049 57:58 57:24 9:15 Sandra Muldowney 42 F 2145 Merrimack NH
![First relay race [race 10 of 13]](https://www.runsandrarun.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/image5.jpg)
by smuldowney | Oct 13, 2013 | Race Recaps
On Saturday, October 5th, I ran my first relay race with my friend, Erin. We were both excited for this race and decided to buy matching outfits at Old Navy. Our team name was The First Timers.
We picked up Erin and her daughter [Brenna] around 8am. There was a lot of nervous energy in the car and my stomach was upside down. We arrived at Hollis Brookline HS by 8:45 and decided to wait in the gym, where it was a bit warmer than the weather outside. I had picked up our bib numbers and t-shirts the night before, so we just hung out and chatted with another fellow runner, Heather.
We took one last potty stop before heading outside to bid Erin farewell. She had to get on a bus by 9:45, to head to the relay point, while I headed to the starting line.
Our time started with gun time since I did not have a timing chip on my bib. I lined up towards the front 1/2 of the pack and set out to try and get the best time possible, so that my partner had a good time to work with. I chose to do the first leg [6.4 miles], which was the “easier” of the two parts. Aside from the one long downhill, the rest of my leg was flat with some rolling hills. The first 2 miles looped back in front of the school, so I got to see my cheerleaders.
At mile 3.5, my left shoelace came undone, which forced me to stop an retie. Everyone says that you should not try anything new on race day and you would think I would have learned my lesson after my 5K in march, but I did not. At about mile 4, I decided to have an energy chew, which proceeded to stick to the roof of my mouth as I tried chewing it. yuck! I ended up scraping it out of my mouth and throwing it our. Then, I stopped for a few sips of water (something I rarely do, but with the sun/heat and the chew incident, I needed it). My a RunKeeper app GPS was off and had me achieving mile markers before i was actually there, because I was not sure which timing mat was the official start. i really pushed it on my final stretch and knew I had achieved a good time. when I reached the relay point, Erin was ready to go. I tapped her, wished her luck, and off she went. My app had me doing 6.49 miles in 59.18 for an average pace per mile of 9:08, which I was very happy with. I waited for our friend, Heather to pass the relay point before heading to the bus to await the ride back to the finish line. Erin did great and I was so proud of our team. I would definitely do another relay race. Having someone counting on you is extra motivation to push yourself just that much more.
8 Erin Mcwhirter / Sandra Muldowney F3539 822 THE FIRST TIMERS 2:04:37
