Friday, March 31, 2017

Tip Time: See and Be Seen

We've got lots of experts just around the corner to help the local HMF community be well and find just what they need to support training and race goals. We're happy to deliver useful tips from the experts at Fleet Feet West Hartford and soundRUNNNER on a regular basis to support your running needs. 

First up - See and Be Seen tips from Fleet Feet:
While the days are getting longer, many of us are still running in the dark. As fun as it may be to channel your inner running ninja and blend in with the darkness, the wise runner dresses more like a Christmas tree so they can SEE and BE SEEN.

This means bringing along a light source like a flashlight or headlamp so you can SEE those bumps in the road/sidewalk and wearing reflective gear and flashing lights so you can BE SEEN by drivers. Bright colors are helpful in low light conditions, but always make sure that your top and bottom have reflective taping or details & wear a flashing light (or three!). Even a small reflective element can produce a significant "flash" to get a driver's attention when their headlights shine on you.


Here are a few of our favorite products: 
Amphipod Xinglet (reflective vest) & Flashing LED Reflectors 
Nathan Strobe Light 
Knuckle Lights 
Reflective FlipBelt 
Nike Flash Jacket


Running stores around the country have pledged to bring attention to the issue in an effort to reduce the number of pedestrians who are killed each year because drivers didn't see them. Don't become a statistic. Switch on your run or walk and be safe.  You too dog walkers! 





Friday, March 17, 2017

Run Middletown! Free group runs & course preview guest post

You likely heard we’ve changed up the Harvard Pilgrim Middletown Half course.  If you haven’t viewed the aerial mile-by-mile video, check it out here. We’re also giving you two opportunities to check it out with free group runs led by Team HMF coaches!   Preview the course on Saturday, March 25 (8:00 am) in a 10-mile run, or Thursday, March 30 (5:30 pm) in a 6-mile run. Sign up here for details.

We think you’re going to welcome the course changes but don’t just take our word for it – we also have a Middletown resident runner to offer expert opinion!  

Salena Chatman is a new member of Team HMF and prolific local runner who recently hit her 100th town on her quest to reach Run 169 status.  She ran the half course start to finish a couple weeks ago and offers her own insights and (unfiltered!) opinions below. 

Salena Chatman
First, I have to say....The new course is great! It's not as hilly - that's a huge plus! Ok, ok that's not the only reason though…

If you disliked the uphill Court Street start as much as I did, I'm happy to report it's GONE! Want more good news?? It's still there for the downhill finish...how can that get better?? Remove an uphill and still get the downhill?? Win, win! 

Another hill that I won't miss is Church Street, on the previous course it was around mile 1-1.5.  You still get to see the main campus of Wesleyan University though, which is a plus.  Even better than the uphill being gone is that you get it as a downhill.  Seriously, two of the worst hills gone and that's before mile 5 - I know I'm happy about it. You'll also get to see various sections of the Wesleyan campus on the half course. 


Since, I'm already talking about hills being gone let's just stay on that topic...did you HATE the long hill on Randolph?  Going by the cows was nice but I know I will NOT miss that.  It's not completely gone, but what's left is the crest of the hill - short and steep and over before you know it.  Even better, you get to go down the hill and pass by Mercy High School.  Welcome to mile 7! 

Long Hill Road (7.5-8 miles)…the street name says all you need to know! One long hill but it's not crazy. 
Then on to Brush Hill (mile 9), it's not huge but you'll notice it. That's the last one in the back half that's worth a mention though - look over the horizon and see if Powder Ridge still has visible snow on its trails.

Time to head into the final stretch of the course. You'll find a gradual downhill on the course around 9.5 as you start to head back toward Wesleyan University.  The unpaved Laurel Grove section is back...I love this section, I find it very peaceful.  But, it's a short section of the course so if you hate the concept of a non-paved road don't fret, it's not long! Take it in, admire the historic homes on this section of road and if the trees haven't bloomed yet you can catch a glimpse of the Wadsworth Mansion on the right. 

Then on to the final few miles...Wadsworth Street has a small incline but the good news is you’re almost at mile 11. Turn left onto Long Lane, you'll know you’re there as you start to see Wesleyan's 4,000+ solar panels on the right. It's a pretty cool sight! 

Wind your way back to downtown. Remember that downhill I mentioned earlier on Court Street?  Enjoy it, you're almost done. A right on Main Street will showcase our amazing downtown area and maybe you'll see a local restaurant to eat at after you've enjoyed the post-race food. Keep your eyes peeled as you should see the finish line!

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

I promise

I hate running.  Today.  You too? 

Today is a day to hunker down, settle in and watch the snow fall.  But we’re runners, we have race goals and training mile obligations.

If you’re training for Boston, you should be doing an 18-20 miler this week.  When I was training for Boston, my 20-mile run was due in the middle of a blizzard, just like today.  Tough stuff.  I did it on a treadmill indoors.  It’s all about determination and commitment to the goal.

HMF started its 24th season last weekend with two back-to-back O’races.  It was brutally cold.  You probably thought our staff indulged in a few too many holiday cookies and put on 10 pounds of winter weight.  But no, that was layers of clothing we were wearing to work through the single digits.

Runners are hearty souls, as evident by the thousands who ran with us at O’Shenanigans and the Courthouse O’Putnam (and were exceptionally joyful, I might add).  While you all deserve high fives for running, we are truly inspired and amazed by the incredible volunteers who came to work and support you.  How can we ever thank them enough?

And guess what?  We all get to do it again this weekend!  O’Niantic and O’Hartford promise to test the staff, chill the runners and challenge the volunteers.  But hey – bring it on!  My 10 pounds of ski gear are cleaned and ready for another weekend.


I promise, sunny, warm days are ahead...don’t complain to me about the heat this summer.