So this is me: snyderrunners

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Monday, May 22, 2023

Teal Ribbon Run

This weekend I got to have some quality time with my sister and nephews as we all did the Teal Ribbon Run together. Laura and I registered a few weeks ago but that morning Isaac decided he wanted to run with us too.

Hanging with Evan while Laura registered Isaac.

Our attempt at getting everyone in a selfie 😅

Sisters! We both wore different race shirts from previous years

And we're off!

Isaac in video game mode running through the mile marker to move to the next "level".

Isaac shares my affinity for finish line chocolate milk 😁

He was proud to have finished his first 5K and we were proud so of him too!

Afterward we went to Spill the Tea for snacks - we sat outside since it was such a beautiful day!

It was a super fun morning!

The Honor and Remembrance run we have done in past years was also the same day. I signed up to do it virtually. I plan to run it myself next Saturday and find the biggest hill I can to simulate Schneider's Hill.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Siblings & Sons

Yesterday was the 4th time I have done this race -spoiler alert- today was the best experience I have ever had at this event and I am pretty sure a PR (for this event). Hours later I still can't stop smiling and my heart is overflowing. I am thankful to have been part of this run again this year. Inspite of or maybe because of how hard it is it always fills me with gratitude. I am thankful for strong legs and healthy lungs to run. I am thankful this country we live in and for all those who sacrificed to give us the freedoms we have.

Two of my nephews ran their first race in the kid run. My brother and my sister and my son also ran the 5K. The little guys were super excited to run.

They both did awesome! Jacob came in 4th of all the kids. Isaac crossed the finish all smiles! So proud of them both.

5K Start!

I don't know if you recall but the first year I literally thought I would die running this course. The next year I think was marginally better. Last year it was raining. This year the weather was gorgeous all though the course was super muddy. But I think I actually had a good time! No - I DID have a good time. Yes it was hard. I hate running in grass and hills are far from my favorite. Yet, I finished with a smile. I feel proud of my effort and accomplishment. I love that my siblings run and that our children are starting to join in now as well.

I've been getting back to running more lately and thanks to our new house I am running more hills although nothing like that crazy hill in this race. I most definitely did not run that sucker but I made it to the top and I didn't want to die. Side note my son RAN the up that whole giant insane hill. I think he may have caught the running bug yesterday too. 😊 He keeps bringing up running and it makes me so happy.

Here is Ry headed up the Hill

Check out the elevation chart from my Garmin.

Coming into the Finish

Man- I love my sister <3

Yup we got a little muddy.

I live for chocolate milk at the finish! 😂

I also love the shirt this year. I love that they had a women's shirt. The fabric was so much nicer and super soft. I loved wearing it post race.

Between the run and the book below I just finished I am all hyped up to do a full marathon- I may have lost my mind. It maybe a one time bucket list thing. So we'll see... Laura and I have started a list of potentials for next year... My goal is to actually train for the Syracuse Half and PR. Then I may have the confidence to sign up for one...I don't know- I guess we'll see how the rest of the summer goes :P

I finished the book Let Your Mind Run on Friday. I'm sure I heard about it before this but earlier this year I saw in on Hungry Runner Girl's blog. She had nothing but good things to say about it. So I put in a hold request at my local library. It maybe one I had to my personal library because I found myself wanting to underline and write in it over and over. It's also one I feel like I would refer back to when I find myself getting discouraged in running. Which let's face it to me- happens a lot.

Not that I am completely crediting this book to my good feelings at yesterday's run. But because I had just finished this book I was more conscious of my self talk yesterday as I was running. I just love that line I circled above. "Find a thought that serves you better."

I just kept telling myself I was strong and to keep moving forward instead of my usual spiral of despair.

I have worn ASICS running shoes since Fleetfeet recommended them for me 4 years ago or so. So coming across this in the book made me smile and love my shoes even more.

I also have this book out right now- Run Fast. Eat Slow.: Nourishing Recipes for Athletes- I have flipped through it a few times and there are some recipes that I really want to try but I am finding myself a little intimidated by it. I guess I should just jump in. I think I am either going to try Superhero Muffins or Sweet Potato Breakfast cookies first off. I mean in Julie Powell (Julie & Julia) can cook every recipe in Julia Childs cookbook surly I can conquer a few in this book- right?

Being healthy shouldn't be so hard. I want to be healthier, I want to not cringe every time I watch myself walk down the hallway in my mirror. I want to feel good. Lately I do not. I feel very blech and tired.

And just because- I am ending with this- because he's adorable and I love him-

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Shamrock On

Sunday I ran my 5th Half Marathon! We happened to be in Virginia Beach for my cousin's baby shower. When we realized the shower was to take place on St Patrick's weekend- my sister and I signed up for the Shamrock Half Marathon. This was in November shortly after the Syracuse Half. Fast forward through the whole moving fiasco and the rough winter and almost ZERO training. I seriously thought about dropping out.

I went into it feeling very uncertain. I can not believe how little I trained for this race. I was nervous about everything from my lack of training to the weather. Even though I had checked the weather multiple times- I was so worried I brought the wrong running attire.

We went Friday afternoon while we were out and about and picked up our race packets. While we were still at the expo we met up with my cousin Kelly and my aunt and my other cousin's girlfriend. Just being at the expo and chatting with Kelly and Aunt Sue kinda got me excited about the race. Too bad it was still almost two days away at that point.

Race outfit ready to go. I was so worried I picked the wrong outfit and would be cold. I hate being cold.

Saturday night I was nervous about the cold and wind. It was predicted to be 47 degrees and with the ocean nearby I was afraid it would be windy and my ears would be cold. My sister whipped up a head band for me to wear and I am thankful she did. I also forgot my flip belt but was able to pick up a $5 sports belt from the Bargain Bins at Target. It served its purpose well.

I woke up feeling dread and had trouble pulling myself out of bed. But I did, downed a cup of coffee. Laura and I left around 6 am and picked up Kelly. She was staying less than a mile from us and headed to the race together. The rest of the fam came a little later to see us finish.

Start line selfie-

It was chilly at the start but not unbearably so.

Kelly took off right at the start. Laura stayed with me a mile or so before taking off herself. I was getting warm so I ditched my sweatshirt. Untangled my earbuds and turned on some music and tried to get my head in the game. One of the first songs I heard was Surf's Up from the Teen Beach Movie soundtrack. It totally boosted my mood and got me moving.

Around miles 3-5(ish) we were running through this wooded area. I think it was one of my favorite spots on the course. My sister said so too.

Then we ran through Fort Story and past this light house.

The medley from the end of High School Musical 3 came on just after mile 10. It was so awesome. I loved it! There was also some great crowd support after that which helped a ton. It's so fun when complete strangers yell your name and tell you how awesome you are doing. Even if they are flat out lying! 😂

Texting my cousin around mile 12- those texts helped a ton too! Another great song from VeggieTales! Disclaimer: turns out there was not a playlist on my phone- so I was listening to pandora- turns out my Pandora app totally get me! 💖 My guilty pleasure is Disney songs and occasionally VeggieTales too. Larry's High Silk Hat is quite jaunty and was fun to run to!

Making that final turn- so exciting! Half mile or so to the finish....

Running by my cousins at mile 13!

photo credit: Albert Cheung

I was feeling pretty proud and happy!

Mom took this one =D

Hannah took advantage of my finisher's blanket.

Cleaned up and time for a post race lunch!

My official results. This was a flat and fast course. Given the amount of training I put in I am beyond happy with my results. Never before have I still felt like running at mile 12! Do I wish I could have done better- sure. My only real goal was to have it not be my worst time and it wasn't! It turns out it was actually my 2nd fastest! I was really surprised how well I pulled this off and it left me hungry for more. Our next half (right now) is November 10 in Syracuse. I am determined to put in the training for this one. To find out what I am really capable of and get a PR (personal record).