Fellowship of the Idiots

Yesterday I officially became an Idiot and yes I am proudly shouting it from the mountain top! If you are not a distance runner you quickly categorize plenty of the things I consider fun, dumb! This will not be an exception.

The most insane part of this event was the ridiculously early wake up call. My alarm went off earlier then it did for WC-50. "Dumb" things are always more fun with friends so a group of Urban Runners met in NoDa to drive the hour together to the small town of Albemarle. 14 of us groggily piled into a van and were on the road before 4:00AM. We all had the same idea of fun that morning... run up a mountain to chase the sunrise! This is the Fellowship of the Idiots run.

The Fellowship began in 2003 when a few friends got together for their last long training run before the Myrtle Beach Marathon. They started at the YMCA in Albemarle and ran to the top of Morrow Mountain and back (19.7 miles). Every year since then, "idiots" have gotten together for this awesome long run. This year there were 359 runners - 196 of us first time idiots and the rest returning ones.

There is no charge for this (extremely well organized) run however donations are accepted to help offset the cost of putting on the run. Those that complete their first Fellowship of the Idiot Run earn a Fellowship of the Idiot t-shirt and a suitable for framing certificate. In addition, you get your name added to the Fellowship of the Idiot wall at Vac & Dash.

The event kicked off at 5:30AM. Peter, the owner of Vac & Dash, welcomed us all with a few words and then it was a simple - Ready, Set, GO! Well the run began but one of my run buddies had ducked into the Y for one last trip to the bathroom. It is the only race I have ever shrugged "no rush". We were the final participants to start and even paused to have our picture taken before heading out into the dark.

Since it was so early there wasn’t really anyone on the streets except us. Runners wore their reflective gear, headlamps and had blinker lights on for safety. By the way, I am taking recommendations for a headlamp. I absolutely love my Amphipod Cap Clip Light! I cannot imagine there is anything out there less noticeable. It is so lightweight and clips directly onto the bill of a hat/visor which I rarely run without. However know a more powerful headlamp would be better for the trails. Back to being idiots though! It was fun meeting other folks out for this unique run, cheering them on and bantering with the awesome aid station volunteers.

As we started to make the final ascent, the sun started to wake up. Since it is a race, I'll say I did "beat" the sun to the top. The views are very pretty but this morning it was cloudy so was not the beautiful orange I hoped for. People hung at the top taking pictures (& of course posting to social media) before making the return trip. Even though it is a out-and-back course, since the first half was in the dark it was an entirely difference scene coming down in the day light. The aid stations were still just as lively and volunteers still just as happy even though they had to be chilly. As I runner the weather was pretty close to perfect though - 40s with no rain or headwind.

Run often. Run long. Just never outrun the joy of running. With that is mind here was Hannah and I's "jump for joy" attempt at the end. We still had some ups left in our legs after 19 miles but just could not coordinate. Hope it makes you giggle!

2019 Top Nine

Some good run, some bad runs, muddy runs, chased down new PRs, supported others in their run goals but all with the backing of my beautiful family. That's a wrap {Insta}2019! #itsarunderfullife #topnine #runcltrun #runclt #nuunlife #teamnuun #hshive #stingorbeestung #withoutlimitz #onhermarques

Ironically what I consider my biggest race accomplishment this year, (see WC50 race recap), was not included because realize I never posted it to my Instagram feed. I must have been more tired then I even realized. Looks like I now have worthy material for my first ever Throwback Thursday post.

L to R: shaving even more to set my current PR at The Boston Marathon, the finish line of the Boston Marathon, volunteering at Charlotte Marathon's expo, enjoing a beer post crashing during the OrthoCarolina 10k, flat runner before pacing Craft Beer Half Marathon, family picture, Steve's Trail, winning the Massacre Marathon and setting my first marathon PR, inaugural Around The Crown 10k and a new PR

Frosty is a gross understatement

It doesn't take much convincing to talk me into trying something new and when a friend suggested the Frosty Fifty I thought "why not"! I liked the idea of tackling a new distance and having a purpose to get out of my warm bed is helpful on cold, dark mornings over the holidays. Plus how cool would it be to able to call myself an ultra-marathoner. I mean a 50k "is only" 5 miles more then a marathon. Little did I know just how cool it would be.

The Frosty Fifty takes place around Salem Lake just outside of Winston Salem, North Carolina so we drove up from Charlotte the night before and stayed at my parent's house in Greensboro to make race morning easier. It was nice to be able to remove the mom hat and only be concerned about myself for the night. Actually I didn't even have to prepare dinner as my friend Holly made us gluten free pasta which was simple and perfect. This allowed me to foster new things to worry about instead.

You should not stalk the weather before a race and waste mental energy of something completely out of your control. We all knew this but were still all consumed! The average temperature in early January runs from low of 29 to high of 49 but the RealFeel® was to be right around zero! Cold is usually good for distance runners so you don't over heat but we questioned every article of clothing we packed. Layers are key for winter running and we were fretting over how many we could pile on and trying to cover every inch of skin! At the end all we could do was laugh even though deep down I think we all wanted to cry. There actually were tears before the night was over because we laughed so hard at ourselves!

The course was a loop around the partially frozen lake with an out-and-back trail add-on making each loop 12.5k. I wore trail shoes which was a mistake as you run on a wide, packed dirt path with a paved portion in there. The route stayed close to the wooded shoreline of the lake so rolled and was scenic but after 4 loops I was just ready to be done and attempt to feel my fingers again. Being the coldest day in the race's 18 years was not the history I was looking to make.

I finished in a very respectable time, 4:51:03, and even after that much activity am not sure I ever warmed up! The only layer I even removed was to change from a full hat to an earband and I might actually categorize that as another mistake. Good things always come in threes so the last mistake I made was to not really eat anything the entire race. I attempted to eat a PBJ at one aid station but it was frozen and I couldn't produce any saliva to break it down. The only fuel I took in was liquid and some BBQ potato chips. Mark this under "Things Not To Do" at your race.

The weather just emphasized that this race was not about time or performance but about accomplishing something and pushing my limits. I certainly expanded my running knowledge and this experience helped to build some confidence as I gear up for an actual trail 50k race in about a month. Stay tuned!

Team CC does Myrtle Beach

An Evening of Believing

The Sandbox, a local non-profit whose mission it is basically bring joy to children (and their families) facing life threatening illnesses, hosted a FABULOUS event that we got to be a part of. The unrest and riots in Charlotte couldn't derail the spirit of this event or any detail of the event itself other then the location. In no time the entire thing was moved from NASCAR Hall of Fame to an Embassy Suites in Concord. Team CC was on the red carpet in full force. (Only part of the group is pictured below.)

Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) has taken so much from this family and The Sandbox has helped them make some amazing happy memories with the time they have left with their little girl.

I am so proud of my girl for hanging tough for what was a long night. Addie did not complain once about being tired/hungry/bored nor did I have to fuss for the kids to behave. They really seemed to understand that we were not there for ourselves.

For more information:

The Sandbox | An Evening of Believing | Team CC | Metachromatic Leukodystrophy

Team CC

We wear these bracelets and shirts in honor of a special little girl named Carolina Casey - aka CC. CC was diagnosed with a rare disease called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy January 1, 2016. The Caseys were told they would only have 3-5 years left with their sweet and spunky girl. The horrible disease has taken so much from this family but they have handled things with grace, dignity and an amazing amount of strength. This incredible mama even brought my family dinner after Nina was born. I feel blessed to have gotten to know such a special girl and to call her mommy a dear friend!

You lean on your "village" in times of need, so we do what we do - embrace our loved ones and run together!

Hit The Brixx is a local race that is always a favorite in Charlotte. I admit I am not sure who the beneficiary was in years past but this year the race would benefit Kids Path, a program that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill children, who had worked with CC. The 5 of us stayed together for the entire 3.1 miles, and we will be by our friend's side through it all! #TeamCC #CaringForCaroline #FMLD #SweatWithYourSquad

Battle at Bristol

If I am going to leave my baby for the first time, pump in the car and dump that liquid gold, it is going to be for something big, record setting attendance big! 156,990 people to be exact. That is the number of people that entered through the gates at Bristol Motor Speedway in what easily became the largest crowd in the history of college football. As Jim likes to put it, we were part of history!

Any other occasion I would be cheering for the Hokies, except when they play my Vols! This is normally not an issue but lines were drawn early as we drove from Greensboro to Bristol. Not only were we house divided but I was entirely out numbered because we parked, tailgated and sat in the Virginia Tech section.

I took plenty of good jabs throughout the day but in the end the score board said it all and why mine was the only one of these faces as smiley at the end of the game! Go Big Orange!

 

 (Good thing he loves me!)

#walkthelewin

Our trip via Instragram: 

#ChâteauFrontenac #damnitdonal

#newcountryproblems

#highschoolbesties #reunited

#MontmorencyFalls #rainydayfun

#MontmorencyFalls #nofilter 

#congratsline #leanback

#duckface

#firstdance #havealittlefaithinme
 

#mrslewinandherladies

Time Laps

I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I expressed vague interest in a 24 hour relay race on the trails at the US White Water Center but the next thing I know I am signed up with the only all female team competing! I knew I would be dirty and tired but I didn't know how much I would love it! It seriously was so peaceful being out on the trails all by yourself. My first leg wasn't until 11:45pm Friday night which sounded awful but being guided by nothing more then the headlamp I borrowed and moonlight bouncing of the lake, hearing frogs and smelling honeysuckle was surreal in a great way! I didn't even worry about tripping because I honestly felt like I could have flown. In the back of my mind I was also well aware that this was going to be my last running hoo-rah for a long time so was determined to soak every moment of it up. It is also those "runner highs" that keep me coming back and why I know I will never be able to give it up.

Hope Floats Duck Race

We headed to the US National White Water Center to support a worthy cause, Kindermourn, but more so to show our support for friends who have been through pain that even now just the thought of it still makes me cry. I could not fully explain this to a 5 year old but she knew we bought ducks, not to take home but to donate money to help families who lost their children. This was the first time I got to attend the actual Hope Floats Duck Race. It was a much colder day then we were dressed for but we always enjoy our time at USNWC and I hope to take Addie back again next year.

Ladies Who Lunch

It was quit the big girl day today! We met friends for manicures and pedicures (a first for most of the little ones) then all went out to lunch. It was so nice not to be rushed to be anywhere else. I let Addie pick the colors for us both. We agreed we should match but I did have to steer her aware from her first choice. Frozen tattoos and neon blue nails might be a bit much for Easter.

 

She traded necklaces with Miss Hillary and was in such awe of her jewels for the meal.

Not So Scary Santa

Turns out Bass Pro Shop is an excellent place for a Christmas outing, who knew?!

 

Santa 5k

Worked The Harris YMCA's Reindeer Romp in the morning then head to the White Water Center for the We Believe - Santa 5k Trail Run. I cannot recall if I signed up before or after my unplanned surgery but this was going to certainly be a test of how much I lost from the forced down time. Turns out I STILL GO IT! It was more of a family fun event but still came in first in my age group/second female overall and on an amazing gorgeous day! Woohoo - a nice mental boost to end the year with. Eye officially on Boston 2016!

Wish you could see my fun knee socks... red and white stripes with fur on the top edge!
It was nothing compared to the amount of people who ran in full Santa suits though - notice one behind us.

Mini Reindeer Romper

 

Frozen Obsessed

Here is Anna & Elsa! These two are officially obsessed with all things Frozen. During the recent snow Addie "froze" everything and of course when it came time to ask her "Do You Want To Build A Snowman?" even I got excited.

THIS was from awhile ago and she knows the song much better now but enjoy a little performance of "Let It Go". I even know the words to every single song on the soundtrack because it is rare that anything else is being played when we are in my car together.

Reunited

Another reason 2014 got started on the right foot! These two "best friends" were happily reunited today. The beloved silkie somehow got lost in Greensboro over our Christmas visit. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if.... ahhhh, can't even speak it!

First steps of 2014!

We started the year out a little differently this year and I liked it! Instead of our traditional massive breakfast/brunch & all day mimosas we met friends at Crowders Mountain State Park for a hike and picnic lunch. (We hosted breakfast for dinner for New Years Eve instead... and I was asleep by 10:30pm!)