John J. Kelley, RIP, 1930-2011: 1957 Boston Marathon Winner; America's First Modern Road Runner

John J. Kelley, RIP, 1930-2011: 1957 Boston Marathon Winner; America's First Modern Road Runner

LaBelle- "Best Race Ever" Video

Great Cranberry Island 50K report:
Where is this island? Off Mount Desert Island of the coast of Maine. How long is this island? 2 miles long. The cool thing about this ultra is that you have to have the mental capacity to run up and down this 2 mile strech of road until the 50K distance is complete. I also get to camp on the island. After the race there is a lobster dinner and campfire and camping. I consider that a big part of the overall experience as well. This was my second year completing this 50K. I went there this year with hopes of beating my time from last year. This was my second 50K of the year and I had been training for this. I also had done it before so there no surprises.
First, this race won the video contest held by Runner's World magazine and Run all Night Productions as "the Best Race Ever"! I will post the video next.
This year was particularly hot! I had a really hard time. I don't know why either. I had trained for it. I was prepared. I ate everyting right and wasn't tired. There is a saying, "every dog has it's day" that was not my day. BUT, I love the island, I love the people, the race director, Gary Allen, is awesome and so is his assistant, Mary. I got to meet Gary's brother, Larry, who made me feel right at home and opened up a whole new world of island living for me. I met runner's and their family's from all over the US. We all had a bonding experience and enjoyed our lobster dinner and beers after our accomplishment. I left the island with some great memories, my first belt buckle medal, my tent and backpack on my back and another adventure complete.

Family

Well, I felt like I write a lot about bthe barefoot things, but are any of you wondering about the mama part? As a mama I recently went through a guilty phase. I don't like to leave my family for the day or the weekend to go off and race. Sometimes my girls will go with me, other times I will be running so long that they will just be bored waiting at the finish line for me and then waitin for awards and driving in the car, etc. But, my husband said the kids are fine...don't worrry and in the long run you are setting a great example for them. You are showing them that you are a strong, athletic, independent woman. I guess to a point he is right, but I still worry.

I have a teen-age daughter who has a car and a job and a boyfriend. I never see her anymore. She'll graduate from high school next year and then be off on her own adventures. I miss her already! Our relationship lately has been about connecting when she is home. Trying to figure out work schedules and college visits and summer field hockey schedules and still have some time to fit in some family fun. I always said there is no manual on how to raise a teen-age daughter. I wouldn't follow it anyway, that's just how I roll. Making it up as we go has worked so far. :) I have had to apologize to my daughter on a number of occasions because she is our training model. We will have already gone through things with her first so we have a working model to follow with the next two girls.

The younger two girls, well, they still like to hang out with mom. One will be in the 5th grade and turn 11 this summer. The other one is 8 and will be in the 4th grade. People ask me all the time if they are twins. If you know them they are soooo different it is scary. My husband and I often say to each other as we watch them play, who do those kids belong to anyway? How do you raise three children all with the same rules and under the same roof and get 3 totally different people?

Love my kids...

Relay for Life (One Family Fighting Back)

June 24-25th: The Team! We raised over $1,000 for the American Cancer Society.
We slogged through the night in the rain and fog. We rode out 2 thunderstorms in our cars...but all for a good cause. Our family has been participating in the relay for life event for 4 years. It is a huge event in Maine. Our midcoast event had 24 teams who raised over $40,000. My family worked hard for over 3 months to make this a memorable event. We love relay! We Kept track of our team mileage and in the 10 hours that we were able to actually walk on the track, we recorded 75.5 miles which is over 300 laps! :) yay us!

Barefoot 5K and 50K at Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival

Okay, it's time to catch up....lots to do and write about. Having a wonderful barefoot journey this summer and some wonderful adventures.

5K Barefoot Trail Run at the Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival was a hoot. The New England Barefoot runner's used this as a Meet-up and it was really nice to see everyone again. The course was very barefoot friendly. The barefooters showed up and we rocked! Was also fun to run into Jason Robillard, who was there with Merrell and giving a workshop. Nice to get a chance to chat with him. The beer was really yummy too! It was a hot, sunny day in southern Maine.


And, the 50K! Wow! what a course! I ran the first half with my VFF and the last 25k barefoot. It as a very barefoot friendly course and I wish I had done the whole thing barefoot. The day started out foggy and muggy. It ended up being sunny, hot humid. I am not the best hot weather runner. I ended up having the dry heaves after about 4oK. I stopped and walked for a bit and composed myself. I was able to pull it together and get a second wind. I actually placed in my age group! :) My favorite part was the aid stops. Running along through the woods and then,poof, out of nowhere a fabulous buffet in the middle of the field!


The beer tasted sooo good at the end! I was able to stay and see a crow teammate finish and to see most of the 50 miler runners finish. It was a thrill to be able to complete my 2nd 50K! Pineland farms is a beau tiful facility and the Race director and his crew really know how to put on a great event. I can't wait to go back next year.

Doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to blog. I still need to write a ecap of my Barefoot 5K and 50 K at the Pineland Farms Trail Running Challenge weekend. Will try to be creative soon. Am focusing on my Relay for Life Team's fundraiser this weekend. a "Stomp Out Cancer Barefoot 1 mile/3 mile walk/run". It should be fun and I hope it is a good turnout. Have lots to write about...soon. :)