Race Report: Adirondack Distance Run

This past weekend, I completed the 36th Annual Adirondack Distance Run.  This is a 10 mile point-to-point run from Lake George to Bolton Landing.  It was my second time participating in the event (the first was in 2009) and it was every bit as delightfully challenging as I remembered.

Why delightfully challenging?  This course is full of what I consider to be rolling hills.  You are either running up or running down.  The uphills are manageable and the downhills are long and gradual, allowing for recovery time before heading back up the next hill.  Focusing on form and trying not to tax my legs, I can honestly say I enjoyed every moment.  Occasionally I'd get a glimpse at Lake George - it was a beautiful day.  I talked to other runners (yes, I'm THAT girl).  I sang to myself.  My Garmin beeped every quarter mile and each time I was pleasantly surprised to average between a 10 and 12 minute mile. 

Now for today's lesson:  A popular question when people are training for their first event (any event) is "What if I'm last?".  It is a very real concern and for some, even likely.  Guess what:  I finished last in my first triathlon.  I finished last in my first high school cross country race.  I finished last at the 2006 Musselman.  In my younger (and lighter) days, my times landed me in the top 30% of the field.  Today, I am a solid back-of-the-packer.  There weren't many finishing after me and most finished well ahead.  My run Sunday took me 9 minutes longer than it did 3 years ago and I was not disappointed in the least.  In fact, I beat my goal time by 11 minutes.  Now I can point out that I had a baby six months ago and I'm still carrying excess baby weight but ...

So what happens if you finish last?  You finish.  Period.  You got up, got out, and moved.  It can be a mile or 10 miles.  It can be a run or a paddle in a kayak.  At the end of the day, no one cares what place you earned because that is not something you can control. 

Get out there - enjoy the view and be proud of your accomplishments!

That Kids, Is Why You Wear A Helmet

When I was younger, I spent hours riding my Huffy bicycle.  It had a kickstand and a "banana" seat and I loved it.  This was in the 1980s: the tide was just starting to turn on seat belt usage (no click it or ticket yet) and I never ever wore a helmet.  I didn't always wear shoes either, until my foot slipped off the pedal and I scraped my toe against the blacktop.  I still have a scar. 

We lived in a cul de sac so there was an element of protection from traffic - that's not to say that we didn't venture out on the roads from time to time.  We certainly did.  We knew not to talk to strangers, rode with traffic, and never ventured out alone.  Still... no helmets.

Several years ago, I entered the sport of triathlon.  One of the stead fast rules is: athletes must wear a CPSC approved helmet and the chin strap must be fastened any time they are on their bikes.  This means that riding to and from the car... helmet.  If the referee sees you without and you are on your bike, immediate disqualification.  They are that serious.  I get it.  I really got it after my first big crash.  I also learned not to go around a corner with my inside pedal down.  The pedal hit the ground and through the air I went.  I had road rash and cuts on both knees, a shoulder (which was also separated), a hip, and my cheek.  My helmet cracked.  That could have been my head.

Lesser falls without head protection have been known to cause severe damage - biking, skiing, snowmobiling, roller blading - all carry a certain amount of risk whether you go 20 miles per hour or 2.  Click here to read the People magazine article on Natashia Richardson.

This past weekend I crashed again.  After 7 or 8 years, I guess I was due.  This time, my cheek was spared - my sunglasses did get scratched though, and my helmet has divots and dimples from the impact. 


This Garmin has seen better days




When my daughter rides her scooter she always wears her helmet.  Often knee pads too, as she is prone to falling like her mother.  When she learns to ride a two wheeler, she will also always wear a helmet.  I can't protect her from lousy or distracted drivers (big fear) and I can't stop her from falling, but I can certainly make sure she learns the value of protective gear.