New Year - new baby!!

November 19th Athena Grace Elliott was born 3lbs 5 oz. She spent her first night at home this past friday. She was in the NICU for some time, everyday gaining more and more weight and trying to maintain all her vitals We all could not wait until she was able to come home. So, here she is- FINALLY - at 4lbs 12oz!!

And here are Athenas big sisters- Kiara and Catalina-

Among other things, Dave and I went to Loon MTN to do some boarding for 2 days. I have a whole week off from Xmas to New years , and so did Dave, so we wanted to try to do something. Since we like boarding but we don't get to go often, this was a perfect time to go. It was fun & expensive too, but what else is new.

Happy new year to all!

Halloween & NYC
Its been a while. Im not running outside much, just strength training for the winter and a few miles on the mill. Its a good switch up before I get back into the spring running.
Halloween was great this year. Dave and I went to my freinds house for a party and everyone was dressed up. Its was awesome, who are we supposed to be ???

We also went to the city on Sunday to meet up with some of Daves close family freinds. It was a very fun day. We explored the wax museum and also natural history museum. If you have never been to a wax museum- you should go- its a hoot. Here are a few of my fave photos- I wont show too many- dont want to spoil the show for you if you ever go.

AND MY VERY FAVORITE PHOTO of ALL-

Me and Al- we go WAAAAY back.

I finished!!

HEY all! I'm alive and well after yesterdays marathon! Overall a great day for running! The weather was perfect! I did well, a few second slower per mile than last year.... but at least I did it and finished!
I started of a bit too fast, I think.


I do have some complaints about this years race- 1. I got to the Civic Center a bit before 7 am and they were out of Marathon shirts!! (and NO I didn't want a half-or 5k shirt DUH) so now they have to mail them to everyone who didn't get one at the start. 2. the course changed- "more flat and faster!" NOT- I would have preferred last years course. The last 5 miles had more hills than the last 5 last year... not where you want the hills!!! I think Im going to try a different one next year.
The good things about this years race- Dave met me at mile 23 to push me through. Boy did he try! But my legs could only go so fast, it was the slowest he has ever seen me run (a fast walk for him) But I would have ended up walking more and longer each time if he was not there. Thanks Dave! The food at the finish was WAY better than last year. Couscous, Orrzo salads, Stonyfield smoothies, soups and beer!
A great day to run- and at least I finished... Ill have to train harder next year to get out of this same time rut =)

Hartford Marathon Approaching!

First - Congrads to everyone who ran in Chicago under the extreme weather conditions. And may you recover fast and easily.

October 13th Saturday 8 am - Hartford Marathon! My second marathon, last year I ran Hartford as my first. Im really looking forward to the end of the race where they changed the route and there is not those hills that i remember. Also looking forward to the END of the race in general. I just want to get it over with. I have yet to decide if Im going to wear my GPS. My goal for this year is to be a little bit faster - without the hills at the end I think its possible, but lets not jinx it.
Wish me luck and send me energy, I will need both in good amounts.

We Reached the beach!

Another great year at Reach the Beach relay. The Gogo girls were complied of new members and alumni, me being my third year attending.
The new course started at Cannon Mountain and cruised up the Kanc for the first 7 legs. By up I mean - relentless hills, specifically the 3rd leg= 7.7 miles ALL up hill.
The first day was awesome running weather. Until about 1:30 AM Sat. it started misting. Right at the beginning of my second leg (1:30-2am-ish) it was pouring for 5 minutes then it went back to misting and continued to mist through out the night. The down pour happened on ME later. My last leg of the race 6.8 miles and for the first 4.5 it was pouring on me. I was wringing my shirt out and my tutu was soaked. But I managed to just not worry about it.... after all it was my last leg. Then 3 more people to run and we would be FINISHED. Everyone managed to run fast- these women were amazing.... mostly 6.5 -8 minute milers!!
We came in second place in womens category and our overall pace was 8:02 Per mile. (if it wasnt for me Im pretty sure we would be under 8's....im a bit slower than the rest....)
Pretty awesome pace for a 207 mile race. We get new fuel belts!!
We were beat out of first place by The Maine Road hags- only 9 women on their team and their pace was 7:30!!!!! They were awesome runners!

Another long run.......

Another long run with M and we managed to crank out 18 miles. From Mystic to Stonington Borough and then back down Rt 1 and over the drawbridge and down River Road. A nice loop, even though rt 1 was straight and boring. She pulled away from be quite a bit up some hills(she was ahead of me the whole time actually), she powers up them like its nothing- amazing! Once we hit the borough we were at just over 9 miles, and it was breezy by the water, it was going to be another 4 miles or so until we got to Mystic and could refill our water and use the restroom. I think the thought of using a restroom was the only thing that kept me going until we got into downtown... I was getting tiered! Once we got to the fountain we refilled and off we went for the last 3-4 mile stretch down river road. I had to walk a while and Melissa went ahead of me. It was getting hot and I was getting tiered. I finally made it to the end of river road and we walked up one of the last hills and M started running again and i did a few minutes later. She hit over 18 mark and I was able to run the last 3 tenths of a mile to just hit the 18 mark. We walked the last .40 mile up the hills back to Ms house. Sometimes those last 2 miles seem like an eternity.....it did for me this day.

Only a few more long runs then the marathon.......now I just want to get it over with.

Next week is Reach the Beach and we have a full team!! will update when get back.

Injuries, recoveries, and no more bug.

Its been a while, basically because A) my piriformis muscle started acting up last week and I skipped my long run and spent the week with a heating pad under my ass.
B) I started my new job!!! exciting and its going well. We have summer hours - 4 (9) hour days and a 4 hour work day on friday! so its like a 2.5 day weekend. AWESOME. And yesterday I biked over the Groton bridge to work for the 1st time. It was neat being that high on the bridge. Turned out to be about 11 miles round trip.
C) this week i did some awesome running because I'm feeling better and today I did 18.53 miles! the last .53 I walked ... but I was so relieved that I felt good and that I was able to keep going. My hill drills that I did this week went so awesome, its getting easier every time.
So I had hoped that I would do New Haven 20k on monday but its saturday and I did my long run without my injury flaring up, and I really don't want to push it.
Its been a busy week but I prefer it that way sometimes. Another added note- we sold our 73 super beetle last week. So sad, bye bye blue bug. =(

16 miles down, 10.2 to go....

Last Saturday I did a wonderful 16 miles. Another cool saturday - I have been lucky as the temps seem to drop when my mileage goes up and up and up ....
Just an out 8 miles and back in. Although I experienced a malfunction in my GPS around mile 14.50- ish.... it when from 14.50-ish to 14.12 in a matter of, oh..a blink of an eye. It had set me back and I knew I was running a total of 16 miles... but then I thought "what? it just said 14.50 something! now i have more to run that i thought i did a minute ago?? do I run until my GPS says 16 or just go with the route i went out on ?? shouldnt that total 16 if i ran the 8 out and the 8 backwards towards home?? "
SO I just ran the way I went and even though my GPS said 15.30 I am not beleiving it. The training center graph shows I stopped at 16, but the GPS says 15.30.
OH yes im starting my new job on monday. Excited but nervous. Cleaned my desk out today and had a great lunch with co-workers yesterday. Ill miss everyone and ill miss bringin' my doggy to work with me.
Saturday i have 18 planned. we will see what happens....

GOGO GIRLS are still looking for 2 more females to join if theres anyone out there!!

WANTED : 2 FEARLESS FEMALE RUNNERS!!!
Want to be on the above running team for Reach the Beach this year??
WELL....... you can, if you are a fearless female runner!!
HELP!
Our Team The GOGO girls has recently lost 2 members due to injuries.
We need 2 more to make 12!!
the Relay is fantastic.. read more about it here
It is September 14th and 15th, you will need to take the 14th off of work. There is bit of a fee for van rentals and gas and other things, $200.00 per person.
BUT THE RELAY IS A PRICELESS EXPERIENCE!
email me if interested! chelseyelliott@yahoo.com

Cool Saturday Morning, FINALLY


Another great long run with my friend M. We ran through New London, into Waterford and then back through New London. Headed out at about 6:15 am and it was chilly at that time, but after the first 2 miles or so I could feel my hands again and the temp was just right. Sunny, cool and a breeze. It was Ms longest distance run EVER and she did great, so glad I could accompany her on this huge accomplishment! And thus, she was rewarded with some tasty IPA homebrew that Dave and I made a few weeks ago.

I have recently invested in some sport drinks... Cytomax recovery and Cytomax Pre-formance.
I take th PRE before about 30-45 min. Before the long run I took 2 scoops (26 gr protein, i usually take 1 scoop before regular distance runs) I really felt this stuff working. When I was running it felt as though I could just keep gong and felt no pains. Then afterwards the recovery drink is also amazing.... after stretching drink about 16 oz and I am hardly ever sore after a good work out. It says it is supposed to reduce lactic acid by 40 %. I believe it.
After the marathon last year I drank a free sample of cytomax recovery and was impressed... not only by the taste but i believe it helped with my recovery, (i did take an ice bath too though)
Post marathon I felt good , I could walk and go up and down stairs just fine. I certainly didnt feel like I had ran a marathon the day before.
check out all the CYTOSPORT products here

Quick Update with PICTURES!!

Its been a busy few weeks....just to keep this thing updated- the last race I did was the Blessing of the fleet 10 miler- HOT - even though it was in the evening, it was still hot. I did good and was able to really push out the last mile hard. There were so many people there!! I was elbow to elbow the whole 10 miles... and the finish was jam packed I couldnt even see where the food and water were. After hanging out for a bit and watching other finishers I decided I wanted some clam fritters... after all there is seafood festival going on right? Well- bad IDEA! We waited for 45 minutes for 6 clam fritters. HOW FRUSTRATING- and I was hungry so it was even worse. Not too sure Ill do this race again considering the huge crowd, that type of thing is just not for me.

Ok- so now on to the camping trip!! WOOHOOOO! We went to Eastham Mass on Cape Cod for three nights camping! Our first camping trip together, and I am wondering why we dont do it more often? We had fun and I like camping.
I have a freind from college that lives in Orleans and we were able to meet up with her and her boyfriend. Here are some visuals of the trip-enjoy.

Marconi Beach- breathtaking and ginormous.

Dave getting a quick ride on his Zippy twin fish. The water was a warm 61 degress. TRURO WineryCape Cod light - they moved the whole thing away from the eroding cliffs in 1996Large Whale ribs in the Fort Hill area, I was clearly excited to be in this picture.Beautiful Cooks Brook Beach on the Cape Cod Bay at sunset.

Raviloi for a race

The night before last I experimented with making my own pasta. Never done it before, and its quite easy. I made ravioli stuffed with my home grown basil and mozz. That was Wednesday night. Tonight is the 10 miler at Narragansett and I always eat pasta the night before a race, especially if its longer distance (and I plan on running the 10 plus some more after the race to make it count for my long run) THUS- I really wanted to make my own pasta again, for the second night in a row. So i did. AND OH SO GOOD IT WAS.
I wasnt going out for a run or working out so I stayed in a worked up some damn good ravioli.
heres what I did:
Mixed flour (about 3-4 cups- I dont measure), with 2 eggs and water, first eggs then add water to make moist enough to ball up the dough. Wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and let it sit while you make the stuffing. I sauteed garlic, chopped baby bella, chopped spinach. THEN THE HARD PART- its no wonder there are machines to roll out pasta, its hard. The dough should be elastic like, I split the ball in two pieces and roll out, then cut 2.5" wide strips and place a ball of the filling 2.5-3" apart from each other and take a strip that you cut and place it on top of the roll of filling. Cut inbetween the filling and seal the edges with a fork. EASY! then cook it for about 5 minutes. YUM. I made 35-40 raviloi in about 45-1hr. The thinner the dough you roll out the more you can make obviously, so with a machine you might get alot more rav.
I added romano cheese and mozz to the spinach mushroom combo too.
Ahh food.

Female runners wanted! Reach the Beach 2007!

This is a shout out to all the great female runners out there who want a challenge. Our team, The Gogo Girls are in need of two more team members for a total of 12. RTB is awesome, challenging, some say harder than the marathon. It is Semptember 14th and 15th, 210 miles of non stop over 24 hours of pure fun and exhaustion. You wont regret it!
Please email me if you are interested!

We are also in need of a condo by Loon Mtn or Cannon(start line loca) for the night of the 13th. If any one knows someone willing to rent a condo that sleeps 12 for one night -contact me!
chelseyelliott@yahoo.com

A Job Well Run.

Today I met up with a new found runner that I met through this blog. We did 11 miles together through Mystic. It was a beautiful morning- we headed out a little after 6 am.

I never ever get up that early but I was so excited to have someone to run a long run with, that I actually was awake before 6am....
I was going to do about 14 miles and my friend was going to do 11- her pace was a bit faster that what I normally do- but that is just what I needed to amp up my workout.
Shes training for Hartford Marathon in the fall and is a first timer- After today I'm positive she will be a great marathoner. There were a few hills in her loop that were not like the hills here in New London- great hill work out for me!

Also- Used my camelbak dream - LOVE IT. Fits my female torso beautifully and you can quickly cinch the pack tighter while you are running (as it becomes less full and starts sloshing)

All said and done- what a great morning for a run- it was cool the entire time we were running- and I had someone to talk to- and someone to kick my butt. Mornings like this make me go "ahhh (deep breath)....running...I remember why I like it now!"
thanks M!

Sailfest 5k

Sunday 9:15 am start of the HOTTEST race Ive ever ran. Sailfest 5k. HOT. HOT. HOT.
It was fun but the loop did not have any shade, and its a challenge in the middle of July. $20 Got me a number, a bag full of good coupons for local restaurants, 2 note pads, pen, pencil, mini first aid thing, letter opener, a great Tee - and then afterwards fresh bananas and great a looking spread of deli wraps! Oh and bottled water of course. Not bad for $20 bux.

My time 25 something- my pace was 8:09. I slowed down by 1 minute per mile - due to heat.
Only about 150-160 runners, and I came in 5th in my catergory. (only like 11-12 people in my catergory) but hey not bad.

I was scheduled to do my long run on saturday the 14th- but ran 5.20 miles on friday and at about mile 3 i began hurting - Ive make the assumption that it was my piriformis muscle that began to get irritated. Iced it the rest of the night friday and on and off on saturday and test ran before the 5k sunday and firgured Id be ok to run the race. And I was. YAY.

Long run Saturday

Ive been busy with family visiting but still managed to do a long run today. I do my long runs on saturdays. I was aiming for 14 miles today considering that I would like to do a few 20 milers or more before Hartford Marathon. I did 14.21 miles. It was a great morning for a run, I just did an out and back because if I do the loop through to Waterford and back into New London its not very shady, but I took Montauk Ave for the first time and it was shady and not too hot.

I did a few fartleks and speed drills earlier in the week (basically i want to be faster so, I hear, this is where i should focus for speed) also hills too) but I really felt that today when I was running I was strong and felt like if i keep up the speed work and really push myself when Im doing it- that i can be faster, I feel like Im already reaping the rewards of my speed workouts from this week.

Long run, then skimboarding. YAY. Great saturday. But Dave was at work allll day and night so it was just me and daisy dog.
But tomorrows my birthday. BLAH I dont think I like this getting older thing-but Im also very proud that I can say that Ive ran as many miles as years old I am in one road race.
And each year I am a better runner, So bring em on!!

Its similiar to a vacuum.What is it?

My job. Because it sucks - right now it sucks. Its sucking the life out of me.
anyhoo..

Yesterday i did a quick 4 miler with a few hill drills. And yes, it was hot-t-t-t.

this is funny- if you have ever had a bad flight-http://ninjapants.org/files/index.php?image=airline%20complaint.jpg

This is funny.

have you ever heard of "things my boyfriend says.com" its self explanatory. I enjoy it. I wish boyfriend would say more things more often though, he is amusing.

Yesterday was the day. Or not?

I did my first distance race of 2007 yesterday - Fairfield half marathon. (in preparations for longer marathon and reach the beach in sept ) It went well but I did not meet my time goal. The weather was PERFECT coolest of all three years. i came in at 1'58". 48. Not what I wanted but it was still a great day to run!

My third year doing this race, second year on the same course (1st time there were less hills)
If you know this race, you know its wicked hilly and some are those evil hills that go up and then plateau for 10 ft and then say "oh yeah we are going up ... AGAIN! yay im a hill!!!EAT ME"

I should have done more hill training, basically put. I really took my time going up the ups. Last year when i was hill training i got a foot injury due to hills, and i was partially thinking of this as slowly ascending the hills.

So my continued training must be stepped up a notch. If you live on a big hill in New London Ill be the runner girl going up and down, up and down, and up and down again. Nice to meet you.

Also if anyone live in the New london area and wants to get together on saturday mornings for a long run - 12-15miles?? yeah ill be doing that all summer long..........

Tomorrows the day


Im think im ready, got my directions, ate my pasta, packed my bag with some "after sweat clothes".
I probably wont sleep well even though Im tiered. I cant wait to race tomorrow but im nervous at the same time.......

There are always those things that you never want to happen while you are running, like i fear rain-downpour- and i fear the blisters that follow. (so im constantly check the weather up till race day) My other fear is that I will all of a sudden have to Pooo and Ill end up running into the woods or running terribly the rest of the race. (my solution here is to try to go before - coffee is my friend) Or that maybe it will be WAY to hot and Ill pass out on the course. If that happens- if you see me (bib #1333) do NOT put me on an ambulance, i cant afford it, just try to do CPR, thanks.

think about me finishing and send me some energy via what ever way you people do that theses days.
IM OUTttttt

What i'd like for my birthday.

Just one of the MANY things on my list.

My Hero

So Dean attempted to Break the world record but his distance on the treadmill was about 26 miles too low. But hey, he still ran for 24 hours straight, on a tread mill. Thats enough to make me go insane. More that an hour on a treadmilll and i want to shoot myself.

Don't feel bad Dean, you are still my hero.

(thats me & Dean at the Hartford Marathon!)

Its DEAN- and ACCELERADE!!

So new sports drink ACCELERADE, and Dean Karnazes, considered one of the BEST endurance athelete, (runs hundreds of miles at a time!!) , team up today to break the world record. Running 24 hours on a tread mill!! watch him live in time square!!!! (its indoors in a propped podium of sorts) neato!! well for running freaks anyway.......

I love DEAN , he is amazing. READ.His.BOOK!
watch DEAN live today! about 7 more hours to go till he breaks the record!!
http://www.accelerade.com/endurance-run/

Race on Sunday

Sunday the 24th will be my third year doing the Fairfield half marathon!! I feel like Ive trained well, although heat gets to me when I am running. I am hoping to do better than last year- meaning that I'd finish before 1:53. Thats a 8'42" pace that Im hoping I can scale back to about a 8'35" pace (?) but we will see.
My pacing is very WEATHER DEPENDENT.

2005 First year at Fairfield- VERY FIRST RACE!!! finished 2hr 2 min
2006 1hr 53 min
2007 ..................