Impromptu Half Marathon

Last Sunday I ran the 32nd Annual Skunk Cabbage Classic Half Marathon in Ithaca, NY. This was an impromptu 'race' for me since I only found out about it two weeks ago. Obviously, I need to join the local running club so I'll be 'in the know'!

Since I didn't train for this, and my mileage hasn't really been up there, I didn't have any time expectations. Last weekend's 10-miler was a test to make sure I'd be able to finish. I ended up coming in at 1:56. At least it was 2 minutes faster than the half marathon I did last year at this time when I was 20 weeks pregnant (link). Ha!

This event was small-ish (~600 finishers) and pretty well-run. It was soooo convenient for me; starting and ending on Cornell's campus. DH hung out with the girls at his office on campus while I ran and I just met them back there when I was done.

Mommy done running?

My little welcoming committee was happy to have me back =) The baby (almost 8 months old) was unimpressed, but the toddler thought the medal was neat.

One of the best part of any race is the carbo-reload. I like to support the local brewery =)

First post-second pregnancy race reward!

Run in the Woods

I ran 10 miles today! Outside! 50% on trails!

So glad to be out there =)

This is, of course, not really a news-worthy event (like everything else on here!). There are a few reasons, though, why this run made me extra happy:

1. With my recent cross-county move and two little kiddos distracting me, my return to running has been much slower after this last pregnancy then I would have liked.*

2. Per the kiddos, again, and my husband's busy travel schedule, almost all of my running the last few months has been on the treadmill (which I am loving, however, blah)

3. It is just so darn beautiful outside!

The last time I ran on this particular trail was last June when we were out house-hunting. I couldn't exactly 'run' since I was 7.5 months pregnant and it's a pretty hilly route (link). That made this morning's run, on Ithaca's South Hill Recreation Way, even more enjoyable - I could actually run the whole thing!

Beautiful Trail

Wonderful views of the forest

Icing on the cake was that today I did the run from our home! I'm now living in this beautiful, non-crowded, relatively affordable place that I love! Hopefully many more runs will be following soon!

* Happily, I've been running ~20 miles a week for the last 6 weeks or so. I feel a training plan just around the corner!