AC's Road To The LPGA

May 09 The Memorial Mile is a real classic. If you are familar with Boardman, the race starts at Chili's and ends at Best Buy. It's best to park in the lot in front of JoAnn Fabrics and use the McDonald's bathroom. Roxy (my standard poodle) didn't run, but she watched me! I didn't really train for the race and ran 6:13. The first 400- 600 meters is pretty easy, but the hill going up towards Panera will make or break your time. Post race pizza and drinks!

April 2009 I decided to do the du and not the bi...if you are a beginner multi-sport athlete, you might want to stick with the bi. It is by far the hilliest course I have ever seen! The du was 3 mi run, 12 mi bike, and 3 mi run. There is one 3 mi loop and it's basically all hills LOL. So..you end up running it twice and cycling it four times haha. There are a couple of porta-pots at the race site. There is not designated area where your bike should be racked. Mine was right in the middle and I had no problems. My chain came off on the third loop, which cost me at least a minute. I'm now writing this in November 09 so i don't remember a time, but I think it was not as good as I expected. If you are ready for a challenge, this is definitely a race you need to check out! Weather was awesome on race day! Oh and you are supposed to see the buzzards somewhere around buzzards roost, but I didn't see any that day!

Blackie got lucky and I decided he should do the Fireman's Frozen 5k too:) And it was certainly frozen!! I think 17 degrees!! The race was in Niles, OH at the Wethersfield Fire Dept. They had lots of free granola bars and honey sticks when you signed in! Bathrooms were in the firestation, but the line was long..I recommend running across to McDonald's.. The course is an out and back run on residential roads..The most uphill part is on the turn around. Blackie sort of pooped out right here!! and then he was trying to greet the people we were ahead of as we passed them! I'm guessing he cost me 30-35 secs..but that's okay..I like to take him to a 5k once in awhile! We were TOP DOG to finish! There was another dog racing as well! We led the women's race until that turn around..haha. I think I could have hung around the leader if I wasn't pulling Blackie! I ended up at 22:38.. did get to sprint by one girl at the end..I'm always disappointed when i don't reel...

So, here I am..sitting in the car trying to stay warm..waiting until the last minute to get out! I'm wondering why every race I plan to do, provides the most extreme weather conditions possible..I mean for Cleveland Half it was 11 degrees. Lastnight it was a little warmer (20 degrees) but blizzard like conditions. The kind your eyelashes are frozen with snow at the finish...but don't get me wrong..I love every minute of the craziness..it's just how I'm built! I was excited to see this race idea get posted, since races are slowing in the Youngstown area. It was an off road 15k adventure race IN THE DARK. Adventure as in running on grass,sand,gravel..etc. It took place at Mosquito Lake State Park in Cortland,OH. Everyone had to have either a headlight or a flashlight. I think 41 people turned out for the race. I suggest making sure you stop and use the restroom before arriving at the park. There are some restrooms by the parking lot..but no lights..could have used my flas...

Right about this time, i thought it was a good idea to get back into some road races..I had just got back from Erin Hills In Wisconsin for the U.S Women's Amateur Public Links Championships. I needed to let out some steam from an elusive golf game that had let me down again! This race starts and finishes at the Canfield High School..some residential running and some of the bike path..same track as the FCA 5k. Great course! I wasn't looking to run any kind of time. It was my first 5k for a few years. Plus I took Blackie . I was so worried he was going to want to hit every tree..but we did that pre race. I believe he actually helped me! pulled me along!! He loved every minute..especially when we turned the corner to finish..he was enjoying the notoriety ! Post race food was fruit, cookies and drinks! Blackie and I will surely be back next year!

This was my second time doing this fantastic, patriotic 4 miler on Independence Day. This was not a serious race for me..I ran with my dog Blackie...who is a small lab/ shepherd mix who was picked on by a Mastiff during the race and of course did not back down! It is a 4 mile run through Canfield residential areas and on the bike path. It does have a lot of uphill parts. The finish is the best part. There's a huge crowd, because the big parade is about to start..which you should definitely stay for! Blackie sported his democratic shirt:)