• Tuesday morning before B arrived with the pup I decided to take one last run through Hingham. All the Christmas decorations were still up and it looked beautiful. Despite eating and drinking way too much over Christmas, the run went well and left me with great affection for my hometown.
    Jan
    03
    2012

  • what motivates you?

    Now that I’m at my parents’ house in Hingham for a few days around Christmas I decided to take advantage and go for a run in Bare Cove Park with my parents’ dog, Damon. He got so excited as soon as he saw me in my sneakers and rushed to the car. Once we got close to the park, he started squealing with excitement. However, before we got to the point where he can go without a leash, he bolted back to the car! I felt too bad to leave him in the car while I ran, so I brought him home and relocated my run to Main Street. 

    On Main Street I can run an even 4 mile run to the Cracker Barrel and back to my parents house. Just a few minutes into my run, a man came from a side street to run behind me. I let him pass and followed him most of the way to the Cracker Barrel. He kept going and I stretched a bit before starting again. I stopped to pull a rock out of my shoe and he passed again, going back the way we came. Before I even registered his neon jacket he shouted, “you still going?” I wasn’t going to let this guy think I quit so I started again as soon as the rock was out of my shoe. It got me thinking about motivation. Normally, the feeling of a great workout, the sweat on my skin and knowing that I’m strengthening my body is enough motivation. However, sometimes it’s not. Some days you need outside forces and a lot of the time I find it in other people. One of the reasons I used to hate (but now love) running on Main Street is because anyone I know can (and probably will) drive by and see me running. If I’m walking, they will know. Other outside motivation is limiting the time I have to workout, knowing that if I stop, I’ll be late for whatever is next on my schedule. I also use this blog, or speaking to my boyfriend as motivation not to cut my workout short. If he knows I plan to run 5 and only run 4, he won’t care, but I will be upset so it motivates me to keep going. 

    Though it may seem like this outside motivation is mainly based on shame, it’s more about pride. I have pride in what I do and want other people to know as well. On the days that I need that extra reason, this outside motivation is greatly appreciated. What types of outside factors motivate you?

    Dec
    25
    2011

  • A few years ago, my dad and I started running the Turkey Trot together. Last year he wasn’t ready for it so I ran solo. This year, he was determined to run with me and my sister wanted to join as well. We tried to get my brother to run as well but he stuck to his Thanksgiving tradition of a boozy round of golf with his buddies that morning. Though it was tough for my sister to roll out of bed, she really impressed me by being ready in time. The three of us decided to get there as close to the start as possible and just line up, otherwise you wait around in the cold! We were sort of near the front and I told the two of them to take their time. Neither had been running much, so I didn’t want to exhaust them. We had a lot of fun! I tried to chat most of the time, to keep my dad entertained and not focused on being tired. We finished the 5K in about 33 minutes, which is much better than my father expected to run! I think this may have inspired my sister to really train for Falmouth next year, I would love to have her by my side. 

    Turkey Trots are really my favorite way to start off thanksgiving. The fitness gets my energy going and gives me a little more of an excuse to indulge in food, wine and maybe a nap, later on. I was so thankful to share this experience with my father and sister.
    Dec
    08
    2011

  • I went back to Bare Cove Park on Saturday for a nice run with Damon. The park was absolutely packed with people and dogs. Once beyond a certain point, the dogs can be off their leash which allows them the freedom to explore and have fun without pulling their owners off the path. I let Damon play with the other dogs and he was exceptionally well behaved and would come by my side when called. The weather was really cold, especially with the breeze off the water, but once I got moving the fact that I was only wearing shorts and a long sleeve top didn’t bother me. Damon and I just got in a few miles, my IT band has been pretty sore without being able to stretch it. It felt great to get out and run though. I loved running with Damon and wish I could bring him out with me in NYC.

    How cute (and tired) does the little guy look on the car ride home?
    Nov
    28
    2010
  • To mix things up a bit the day after Thanksgiving I decided to go for a bike ride and then meet my father to walk the dog. I took out my old mountain bike and road two miles to the Cracker Barrel. Unlike the grimy chain with artery clogging food, the Cracker Barrel is a Hingham institution. This small general store has always been the spot to which my friends and I would ride bikes when we were little. Then we’d hang out on the bench or on the tables out back and enjoy a Gatorade or Stewarts soda. This trip was solo, and since I haven’t ridden a bike in a bit, my butt and legs were killing. Fortunately my dad met me at the Cracker Barrel and then we took the dog for a walk around Bare Cove park. I really enjoyed spending some solo time with my dad and getting in some outdoors cross training. 

    To mix things up a bit the day after Thanksgiving I decided to go for a bike ride and then meet my father to walk the dog. I took out my old mountain bike and road two miles to the Cracker Barrel. Unlike the grimy chain with artery clogging food, the Cracker Barrel is a Hingham institution. This small general store has always been the spot to which my friends and I would ride bikes when we were little. Then we’d hang out on the bench or on the tables out back and enjoy a Gatorade or Stewarts soda. This trip was solo, and since I haven’t ridden a bike in a bit, my butt and legs were killing. Fortunately my dad met me at the Cracker Barrel and then we took the dog for a walk around Bare Cove park. I really enjoyed spending some solo time with my dad and getting in some outdoors cross training. 
    Nov
    28
    2010

  • Hingham Turkey Trot

    Thanksgiving morning was the annual Hingham Turkey Trot. In the past my dad and I have gotten up early and enjoyed a light jog together. This year unfortunately, Dad took a break from running after Falmouth. My friends are usually (always?) sleeping in due to a bit too much fun the night before, so this year I’d be running alone. It was bitter cold so many people stayed in the Hingham High cafeteria as long as possible. They led us to the start line and after a quick National Anthem, we were of. The route takes you into Wompatuck State Park in which you run mostly over a paved driving road, but some of it is a narrow path through the woods. After a loop, you go back toward the high school and finish with 3/4 lap on the track. At the end I bumped into (quite literally) my old track coach. I wish we had the time to actually chat, I think he’d die of shock hearing I ran the NYC Marathon, but it’s a very busy event for him. I love how nice and low key this race is. Everyone is out for just a bit of healthy fun before the gorging of Thanksgiving begins. 

    Nov
    26
    2010

  • long run to the yacht club

    I’m staying at my parents’ house for a long weekend so I had to map out a new route for my long run. From my house to the Yacht Club is about 12 miles. It’s one I have done before but previously had my father pick me up halfway back because I didn’t need to go the full distance. Because we had my cousin’s baby’s christening at 1, I got up fairly early, ate and headed out. I had new headphones that I picked up at TJ Maxx the night before so my music loving ears were much more comfortable. I did get a side stitch the minute I left the driveway. I can’t help but think about what would happen if I had one the morning of the marathon, so I had to just keep going. I paused for a few minutes at the Yacht Club to take a gel and then headed back. view of Boston from the Hingham Yacht Club

    I didn’t take the above photo, I found it online, but that’s the view of Boston from the Hingham Yacht Club. I always felt so fortunate to grow up in a safe suburb but have incredibly easy access to the city. Another thing I love about Hingham is that everyone says good morning to each other out on runs or walks. I passed by at least 25 people on my long run and pretty much everyone smiled and said hello. I didn’t know a single one of them but it just felt right to say hi. So different than NYC.

    Aug
    22
    2010

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run cahill run

This blog served as my day-to-day training record for the New York City Marathon with a little bit about how I have fun in the city. I finished my first marathon in 4:17:48 and had the time of my life. I also raised over $2000 for Camp Casey. Post marathon this blog will follow just some of my continued healthy endeavors and races and will provide me with a place to record great running articles, quotes or facts I read. Enjoy!
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