I miss this blog

I was reading back over some older blog entries from 2-4 years ago and realized how much I miss having this daily/weekly accountability for staying on target and active. Reading back over the daily struggles (and successes!) of getting in workouts, even small "insignificant" ones, actually motivated me today (Monday morning, 2/23/26) to get out for a run with Ivy despite it being 27 degrees and my legs being sore still from Saturday's race. 

So here's my re-attempt at some daily training recaps... we'll see how long this lasts. 

First off, need to record a recap of a couple of recent events. 

Tybee Critz Runfest

Dam to Dam Relay

Also, some of the upcoming events in the next few months:

3/7  Conquer the Rock 25k (trail run at Table Rock)

3/21  Milliken Earth Run 5k (I'm race director)

4/3-4/5  The Country Mile 48hr (distance goal tbd)

4/11  Ville to Ville Relay

Monday

Did: 3.1 mi pup run

I took the motivation of "dang, I used to do so much more" from reading back through old blogs, and I got Ivy out for a few miles on the new Gold Line of the Swamp Rabbit Trail after I dropped D off at school. Was there pressure to just get back and get to work? Yes. Was there demotivation of being sore and cold? Yes. But I went anyway and I'm so so happy I did. It wasn't a killer workout by any stretch, but just getting a few more miles on a week when I know have limited availability (solo kiddo and dog duty) really makes an impact.

Pretty sunrises

Ivy loves this weather for running!

Tuesday

6.3 mi @ 9:24/mi XC trails

Decided to take 10k Tuesday to the XC trails at work at lunch today to help with some off-road training in prep for Conquer the Rock in a couple of weeks. I know I haven't done nearly enough hill climbing or technical running to prepare for that race, so it will be a sufferfest. But it's a gorgeous place to run so I will be thankful for that and enjoy it!

Wednesday

1.2 mi pup walk

Walked with Ivy at lunch during a work from home day. Sun was nice but it was a bit breezy!

Had intended to do some strength training but didn't get around to it and ended up feeling unwell in the evening. 

Thursday

unrecorded pup walk, but mostly rest

Considered a workout or a run, but after the evening illness I decided a rest day was the smartest idea (grumble grumble). 

Friday

7.01 mi @ 8:35/mi avg 

Long Friday lunch run in the rain! After 2 days of not running and knowing Saturday wouldn't have any chances for runs, I decided a long lunch was needed to knock these miles out. Looped through USC Upstate (hills!) and then out and back on the frontage road after deciding I was in range and felt good enough to get to 7. Super happy with this, felt like I was getting "back on the horse" after a couple days being kicked down.

2.1 mi pup walk at baseball practice

Ah yes, baseball season is upon us once more so I'm doing loops around the field with the pup while little man practices. I would have walked more, but Ivy (who had been at daycare all day) decided she wanted to just sit. 

Saturday

3.4 mi ruck hike w/ 20# (and kid and dog)

Took the kiddo and pup up to the Blue Wall Preserve for a ruck hike. It was such a beautiful day, started off chilly but was sunny and warm by the time we finished!

Perfect mirror of Hogback Mtn

Sunday

7.02 mi @ 9:50/mi avg

I guess the theme for this week is 7-mile runs?? This one took much easier than the Friday run, and boy it felt amazing! My Garmin has been telling me I'm "unproductive" and need more lower-aerobic activities in my regimen, so that was the goal for today. It was one of those runs where I felt like I could have happily trotted around for another hour in the sunshine. Just perfect!

Hints of springtime!

75 min yoga w/ Kimmie @ Greenville Yoga

Happened to see a fb post about a community yoga class at Greenville Yoga and couldn't pass up the opportunity to take one of Kimmie's classes again - it has been years! This class was just what I needed - the right pace, meditation, and sense of belonging. Bonus: D got to go with me, and he did great 🥰

Ending the week feeling positive and energized. A little over 23 miles run, which is not bad for having a couple off days and not really having a long run on the weekend. 

Dam 2 Dam Relay

Got to join a fun group of friends that usually do the Blue Ridge Relay for a shorter one-day adventure at the Dam to Dam Relay! This is a similar style even to the Ville to Ville Relay that I do just about every year, in that it's a shorter distance and all done in one day (vs. the 200+ mile overnight versions). The race started at the Lake Murray dam and runs relay-style over ~100k between 12 legs to the Lake Greenwood dam. 

I decided to be runner #1 for our team, so I got to start out in the dark at 6:15am from the Lake Murray dam. It was oddly humid and warm, and though there were predicted scattered storms for the day I stayed dry!

Start line!

Team pic!

My first leg was supposed to be 5.5 miles mostly along the sidewalk on a 4-lane highway. It was dark and I was able to hang on with a couple of other runners who were doing a decent pace. Skirted the edge of Lexington, SC and finished feeling pretty good!

5.36 mi @ 8:25/mi avg

Second leg went over the Saluda River on the western side of Lake Murray, and was again pretty nice. The temperatures had oddly cooled off a good bit, so it was nice and comfortable to run. Thankfully I avoided the downpours that happened in the earlier morning!

6.04 mi @ 8:15/mi avg

Handoff from Natalie

Starting off

Over the Saluda

Was really pleased with being able to do my second leg a good bit faster than the first! Both legs were slower than I'd stated would be my estimate but ah well, the rest of the team made up for it.

Finish Line beers

Winners!

We were excited to learn we'd placed first in the Mixed Masters division! Our total time of 8hrs 35mins (average 8:06 pace) was just 16 minutes in front of the second place team, so we didn't have much room to spare. 

Overall a long but very fun day!!

YMCA Critz Tybee Runfest

This event was both a running challenge and a fun vacation with a big group of friends! The event consists of 5 different races over the weekend and of course I signed up for all 5. The group of about a dozen arrived at various times, some as early as Thursday evening and stayed as late as Tuesday. 

First Night in Tybee

Walking to find food

We found a bar

Night 1 with good friends!!

The first event was on Friday evening, the 5k. With a heavy mileage load on Saturday I knew I should hold back, and I certainly didn't have any time goals. The excitement of event #1 and being the first race on fresh legs, I went a good bit faster than I probably should have and finished with a 21:53 (although the course was nearly 0.1 mile short). Splits were incredibly consistent (7:16, 7:17, 7:16) due to the flat course. 

First Tybee sunrise

Third AG = dangle charm for the medal!

Saturday was the big day... four races in a row! 

Sunrise #2

First up, the 10k. I once again went faster than I should have considering there were 23 miles to run that day... I had a couple of miles in the low 8's in the first half of the race and then intentionally put the brakes on for the second half knowing I'd already done the damage. 10k time = 50:51 (another short course, right at 6 miles). 

There was about a half hour between finishing the 10k and starting the half marathon, so I ate some food and removed my jacket (it was warm enough by then) before heading back to the start line. 

The half is where the wheels started to come off 😂 and I knew the speedy first 2 races were coming back to haunt me. By about mile 4-5 I was already feeling exhausted, got a little boost/second wind for the next few miles, then struggled through the last 5k of the race that felt like it would just never end! The island was beautiful and I tried my best to just enjoy the sites, but my legs were protesting.

Lighthouse!

Finished!

I somehow managed to keep all of my miles below 10:00/mi pace, which felt like a struggle. Finished the half marathon in 2:04 and some change. Once I finished that one I had nearly an hour and a half before the next race was to begin. I made the mistake of collapsing in my chair and sitting for at least half of that time, which was not good. I was so stiff and sore when I tried to stand up and walk to the start line for the 2.8 mile beach run!

The 2.8 mile beach run was just what it sounded like... a run up the road to beach access, out onto the sand, then run back on the sand to the finish line. It was the first time I'd actually set foot on the beach during the trip, so that was exciting! But oh man I could barely move my legs. I was honestly worried I'd have to end up walking the whole thing but somehow I managed to move enough to get just under an 11:00/mi pace for the duration. 

The final race was the one mile run, and I was SO glad to be done once we lined up for the start of this one! Ended up with a 9:40 time and had one of our group hand off a beer at the final turn 😁

All the medals!

Overall this was a super fun event to do with friends, but I think if I do it again I'll select one or two races to focus on instead of doing all of them. It was a fun challenge but definitely didn't make for any stellar performances overall!

Group pic from Friday night 5k

Ladies on Saturday!

Tybee sunrise 🌅

Obligatory 2025 in review

So, one thing is for sure - I did not keep up with my blogging this year. Started off strong with a training plan and a goal (which I met!) and then fell off with... life, things, etc. I've been sick more this year than I can remember... mostly allergy-like symptoms, but probably a few bouts of flu and cold mixed in. Need to focus on more consistent schedules for sleep, good meals, hydration, etc... (don't we all??). I could dwell on all the things that I could have or should have done better, but I'd rather focus on all the amazing things from this year...

The Good Stuff

• Over 1,300 miles of running this year
• Achieving a lifetime half marathon PR of 1:37:52 (Greenville Half Marathon in February)
  
  
  
  
  
• Completing the GORUCK Bragg Tough and Basic to earn my Cadre Barbarossa V Patch
  
  
  
  
  
• Earning my first 100-mile buckle at the Country Mile 48-hr race
  
  
  
  
  
• Running a few races and doing some rucks with my little dude #SuperD including the Greenville Turkey Day 5k where he ran the entire way (he was so proud of himself!)
  
  

  

  Turkey Day 5k

  
  

  

  BWM 2-Mile

  
  

  

  Pumpkin Ruck

  
  

  

  Cadre Dan's Light Challenge

  
  

  

  ZF 5k on his 10th Birthday

  
  
• Running several night races (the most difficult for me): Mountaineer Rumble 12-Hr (completed 50k), Sadlers Creek Stumble 32-Hr (completed 100k), Long Night in Lanford dusk to dawn (completed 17 miles), and volunteer overnight sweeping at the Virginia Trail Running Festival (covered 32+ miles between biking and running)
• Third year of the Blue Ridge Relay
• Bringing the fun back to some running events aka don't take things too seriously - Ville to Ville Relay, Reaper Relay, Cottonmouth Beerlay (solo), and more random group runs and run clubs than I can count!
  

  

  Reaper 50k relay team "Nutty Butties"

  
  
  

  

  Fruitcake Relay

There's a ton more good, but even just thinking back on all of it makes me feel pretty content with how the year went. Here's to more miles, more smiles, and chasing more trail sunsets in 2026....

Trail Camp viewpoint - July

Sassafras Mountain

Long Night in Lanford