AC's Road To The LPGA

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:)

This is another race hosted by the Salem Community Center. This course is a little easier than the post TNT run at T-giving! There is plenty of parking and restrooms right at the community center. The race starts in the parking lot and goes on the trail first and then residential roads. You find your way back to th trail and finish on a nice downhill! ** Note: when you start going downhill on the trail..floor it! I never use up all my reserve, because I'm worried there is more race! There isn't!! The Lions Club members are always very nice and provide nice fruit and beverages post race! Since I am writing this about 5 months later, I don't remember much else about the race..other than me getting a usual side stitch a mile in and I never got rid of it the whole race!! Sub 22 would be nice for next year!

This was my second time doing this race! It is for a great cause and not to mention you get tons of literature about the fellowship of christian athletes organization. There are lots of touching stories about athletes! It starts at Canfield high school, where there are plenty of restrooms and parking. Half of it is on the bike path and the other half goes through residential areas. It is one of my favorite courses. It's a twilight race and starts at 9pm. A man in conjuction with the FCA usually always runs with a big log on his back! He didn't beat me..but he was darn close!! Post Race food is always great here! Carrabba's caters pasta!!! My dad usually only comes if there is post race pasta haha! Next year's goal is sub 22

After hearing all about this night race, I decided I had to try it this year! It takes place at Reilly Stadium. Lots of memories there for me. Luminaries are placed all around the track and all around the whole 5k course! There is a big DJ tent pumping up the jam..so you definitely get a swagger in your jog as soon as you start warming up! Restrooms are available in the back of the stadium. I would have to say the majority of the course is on uphill terrain. The best part is the lap you run around the track at the start and the lap to the finish.There are a lot of people cheering you on in the end! You can really play go fish on this lap..especially if you are used to running the 4x400 relay! Post race food was very nice fruit and drinks. Make a stop at Jalisco's Mexican joint on your way out! The steak fajita's are the best! Next year's goal is sub 22.

This was my first year running this race! It definitely got a thumbs up from me! These people are very well organized! It is a 10k in Alliance, OH that starts and finishes at the Glamorgan Castle. There are tours for the castle for $1 after the race! Long-sleeve tech shirts were included with fee and had a picture of the castle on the front! very nice! Plenty of restrooms inside a school behind the castle. Parking is kind of odd. By that I mean, there wasn't a parking problem, but there really didn't seem like there were many places to park. i parked at the doctor's offices across the way..right by the starting line. This ended up being around an 85 degree day. it was quite muggy from the start. This 10k is tough enough without humidity! My time is indicitive of the hilliness of this course. I did not run well, but BEWARE it is mainly long uphill stretches!!! It is a very nice course..just grueling! the finish is the best part...(yet another hill) You run up the hill to the...

All I can say is WOW WOW WOW! You have to do a triathlon! This was by far one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had! Triathlon training is definitely a way of life that will stick with me forever! For many years I had put off doing a triathlon, because of the swim part. I am a great biker and runner..but swimming! no way! I had no form and routinely panicked(maybe from big brothers dunking me at an earlier age) I couldn't let this fear stand in my way of my yearn to complete a triathlon any longer! I started swimming in a local pool and got two lessons to work on form. i even purchased a wetsuit( anything to give me more buoyancy!!!) At first, I could barely make it two lengths without gasping for air. I eventually learned when you are tired, you resort to the breast stroke! The wetsuit is really worth looking into! I never practice with it on, because it feels like cheating!! I'm by no means a great swimmer yet! but I will keep practicing and taking insight from...

The only 5k course I had ever run in Salem was the community center's. This race is at centennial park, just passed the hospital. It was a cool morning around 40. I resorted to long tights and long sleeve shirt. At registration the ladies were all very nice and prepare to come a few minutes early because of a little chinese auction they put on. You get to drop tickets in for all sorts of things like runners socks to runners hats and gloves. Restrooms were not the best..but i didn't wait in line... The race starts on the street in front of the park. It winds through residential areas and then back to the park.. This is a fast course with plenty of downhills! i caught a cramp around mile one again! I fought through it for about a half mile. I finished in 22:13. I won my age group. Age group winners recieved awesome embroidered sweatshirts later dropped off at your house! Not to mention the t-shirts for this event are very nice! I'll definitely be doing this course again..due ...

This is one of the best races Ohio has to offer. It is actually the Ohio State 10k championship race. It is run through Mill Creek park and downtown Youngstown. You park downtown by the YMCA. The atmosphere is great..music is playing, a spinning class is going on outside the YMCA and the hustle bustle of packet pick up and registration! Shuttles leave from the YMCA to a spot farther north in Youngstown..where you initially start on a street and work your way into the park. getting on a shuttle early isn't a bad idea. there is a school you can go into to stretch and use the restrooms. The surrounding area is quite deplorable. beware: dog lovers will want to take all the strays home! very sad! This year a pit bull mix was hanging around the runners and actually ran the whole darn race. I was so worried about this dog at the start. Low and behold, a couple from Pittsburgh adopted the dog at the end of the race! What a great ending! Pre-register b/c they will run out of your shirt siz...

The day started out with perfect weather..It was November 1 and I was able to wear a t-shirt and shorts! I had never done this run before. I knew nothing about the course. The start line was about a 400 meter walk. The start is up a small hill and it is generally flat after that...I think! I was in a pack with the top three women when we rounded the corner where the clock and finish line sat..the clock only said 18 something and people were finishing. I knew we had somehow made a wrong turn! They had kids on every corner directing racers..but somewhere along the line..someone pointed in the wrong direction. I was upset because I was running a good race..and was maybe close to a PR. I'm glad the money went for a good cause, but these races should be a little more organized..they have a year to plan..there should be no slip ups!! They did have Great Harvest Bread post race! The honey whole wheat bread is wonderful..I used to work there!! bad for trying to keep your diet in order hehe...

What could be better than running 13.1 miles???!!!?? running 13.1 miles when at the start of the race it's 11 degrees LOL ! Yeah..it was a little nuts, but I have to be honest and say I was actually hot running the race! I had three top layers on and two bottom layers! This was my first time running this race held by the Cleveland West Road Runners Club. It was about an hour and twenty minute drive in Strongsville ,OH and when we got there the parking was a mess! I don't think it matters when you get there, the parking here is just bad! There is a parking lot about half of a mile away..well darn..you're already running 13.1 miles..who wants to add another mile!! So..we didn't park there and we entered Bonnie picnic park area and we were told we couldn't park here either. We weren't about to go back to the other parking area so we saw others pulling onto the shoulders of the roads inside the park! so we did it too..they certainly weren't going to tow all of u...

Being from East Palestine (EP never does anything fun!!) I could not believe they were holding a 5k race!! I thought to myself..NICE! I'll finally know where I'm going in a race. Not being able to see the finish line is a big problem for me. You see I'm not a distance runner at heart! I was a state champ in the long jump and placed on the podium every year in the sprints! I do this distance stuff to stay in shape and challenge myself..but really it's a lot to ask of these fast twitch fibers LOL. Anyways..I was curious to see how many people East Palestine would get for their first year. Surprisingly, they had about 150 racers and walkers..which is great..I really hope this race will catch on and stick year after year! The course starts in the city park and winds downhill and then slightly back uphill into town. You head out toward Pennsylvania line on Alice St. and turn around on Taggert coming back to Main Street and back to the park. You have to go back up hill into p...

Hi all! I've been so jealous of all you organized runners with these awesome blogs! I decided to finally make my own! I hope you may find my review of races informative! Saturday, November 29, 2008 I ran Salem's post turkey and trimmings 5k race. It starts and finishes at the Salem Community Center. It is not the same course as the Salem Lions Club 5k that is held during the summer. The TNT run is a little harder in my opinion. You start going out through the park and into residential areas which are quite rolling. You end up back on the trail in front of the community center. Once you start to hit the downhill portion, you still have to cut back over..(which means going slightly back uphill) when you thought you were sailing home! This is a bit annoying..but a nice challenge. The finish is a long straight dash to the parking lot. It was about 35 degrees at the start. There was a nice turnout. I led the women for about 3/4 mile and then was passed by three women. I hung close f...