The sport involves working towards a goal. To achieve that goal you must train consistently. You cannot train consistently if you are hungover everyday. The best way to motivate yourself to run consistently is to sign up for a road race.
(Bill W. – Dover, NH)

Running is a great way to keep in shape as well as meet people who also want to remain active living in New Hampshire and the surrounding states. It’s really neat seeing the same runners at all of the “Will Run for Beer” races throughout the season. Linda, Mike, and Arlon do a tremendous job organizing races. They pay attention to every minor detail, ensuring that everyone gets the most out of every race. I’ve been running Loco Races for the past two years and I hope to continue running them for many years to come.
(Brett – Newmarket, NH)

I have diabetes. Running has a dramatic effect upon my blood glucose numbers. If I don’t run for awhile, my numbers can rise to unhealthy levels. However, when I start running my numbers decrease immediately and the effects last. A single 3-mile run can keep my numbers stable for days. The longer and faster that I run the longer the effects last. So, it’s vitally important that I keep running to maintain my health and stave-off the ravages of my disease. I find road races to be great fun! There’s a tremendous warmth and fellowship among everyone involved. The atmosphere at these events makes me want to keep coming back.

More than the experience, races are important because they help me perform better. I find that I can run faster, longer in races that I can do when training on my own. Also, when I run the same race on a yearly basis, it gives me an opportunity to measure my progress. I like running. It’s my favorite form of exercise. However training is hard and I can’t always find the motivation to get out on the road. There are many times that knowing all of the reasons that I should train just isn’t enough to get me out there. Being involved with Loco races and the WRFB road race series gives me the extra motivation that I need to keep on running.
(Richard – Portsmouth, NH)

As the administrator of the Belknap County Nursing Home in Laconia, I see daily the results of poor health choices at the end of life for many of our citizens and the costs to our society of caring for those folks who smoked, over-ate, or didn’t exercise when they were younger. I train to race every weekend for my own health, but also enjoy being a positive role model to those in my organization, friends, and family around me who may benefit from the vitality and optimism I bring to my work and my home. I really appreciate living in an area where the opportunities to race are plentiful, safe,well organized and benefit charitable causes. I especially have enjoyed the Loco Races I’ve run.
(Courtney – Grantham, NH)

I’m a 46 year old stay at home mom of 3. I had always exercised from running cross country in high school, teaching aerobics in college, and then just working out for years after that. My life changed when I met my husband and we then began to start a family. I gained 75 lbs with my first pregnancy, developed gestational diabetes and was put on insulin.

A little under a year later, we found out we were pregnant again. This time I exercised thru out and was able to control my gestational diabetes. Shortly after that we decided to relocate to New Hampshire. With the move exercise was put on the back burner. We found out we were pregnant again. This time no exercise and lots of food! I found myself over 200 lbs but thought I was happy. In February of 2008, I began to have dizziness for many days. I looked in my trusty home remedy book and realized I might be having a stroke. I called the doctor , went in for tests and found out it was vertigo but we also found out that I was now a type 2 diabetic, I had high blood pressure, and my cholesterol was through the roof. I began to walk little by little and a few pounds came off.

On Oct 31, 2008 I told my husband I was going for a run. I went downstairs, put on my old running shoes and couldn’t believe it but I was able to run 3 miles! I haven’t stopped running since. I’ve lost 65 lbs and have run 4 half marathons. I continue to run every day possible. It has now become part of my life – like breathing. My daughter and I just joined a GIRLS ON THE RUN program here in Hampstead and yesterday at our meet/greet we sat in a circle asking each girl why they were there and when we got to my daughter she turned and said, “Because I want to be like my MOM.” Running has done tremendous things for me and my family. We would not be the family we are today if I did not have running. With Loco Races it’s one more way to keep me motivated, keeps me setting goals and the races are places where I can accomplish those goals. THANKS SO MUCH FOR LISTENING!
(Julie – East Hampstead, NH)

I’m a 60 year old woman who started running a year and a half ago with a colleague. I did the “Couch Potato to 5K” program with her help and guidance. I joined a gym and kept it up through the winter and last year entered my first 5k at the Redhook. My goals were not to be last, to be under 40 minutes, and NOT to walk! I accomplished all three and was amazed at the feeling after you finish a race. Since then I have done 5 more races (3 in the Will Run For Beer Series) and have 3 more planned by June. I hope to continue until it’s not physically possible. Loco Races has extremely well-run, organized, and fun races!
(Carole – Newmarket , NH)

For my entire life I’ve had difficulty staying in shape in the winter. The cold and short days make getting out on the road difficult, so it’s been easy to slack off. As I rapidly approach 40, I realize that my body cannot afford to take winter off any more, so this winter I decided to sign up for the Hampton Half in February. However, knowing myself very well, I also knew that unless I convinced other people to run it with me, I’d never make it through winter training. I was joined by 5 co-workers at the Hampton Half, and while it was my slowest half marathon time ever, for the first time in my entire life, I stayed in long distance running condition during the winter. Now I just completed my first short road races of the spring and my times were much improved over last spring’s times. My current physical condition would not have been possible without that winter half marathon. While I might have been cursing during 20-degree runs in January, I’m very glad I ran throughout the winter. For some reason, unless I have a race scheduled, I just can’t push myself to run regularly. Road races are vital to my health and well-being.
(Kara – Hampton, NH)

In 2007, my daughter Tessa was born. We were told that she would likely need open heart surgery as they suspected that she had a heart defect. We spent a week at Children’s Hospital ruling out every heart condition. They eventually determined that she had Down Syndrome. My husband and I (both avid Loco runners) had no idea what to do with a then 2-year-old (Amelia) and a newborn baby with Down Syndrome. We did what I suspect most people would do… we drank, A LOT. When we finally decided that it was time to buck up and do something else to cope we turned to running. Neither of us had really ever been into running and I would have NEVER thought that this would be where we are today. Today we are training for the Chicago Marathon, running races nearly every weekend and am a better person because of Loco Races. The races remind me that nothing is ever too difficult, too complicated or too overwhelming…. Running – it’s the answer to life’s question, “What am I going to do now?”… I’m gonna run.
(Michelle – Hampton, NH)

I’m not much of a runner. In fact, I dread running. Specifically, running without a purpose; running without people cheering me on or without a finish line to cross. During my first road race a few years ago, I stopped twice in 3.1 miles. In February I ran a half marathon without stopping at all. Road races have brought me a sense of accomplishment even though I’ve never won first place and probably never will. They have helped me stay motivated and have encouraged me to live a healthier lifestyle. My overall well-being has improved since I started running road races and the race series held by Loco Races has assisted in that. I know every few weeks I have to be in running shape. I look forward to each run and the sense of pride I’ll feel when crossing the finish line. Keep on running!
(Cynthia – Essex, MA)

Bear with me folks, we’re about to go on a trip in the way-back machine… and I do feel the need to preface this post by saying that my sentiments with regard to my own race finishes/times are NOT a reflection on whether or not the times are good/bad for others, but personal to me, myself and I based on what I know or knew myself to be capable of. We’re all at different stages of our running careers and we’re all working toward a personal record. Please don’t take it personally. In 1997, I ran the Country Club 5k in Methuen, MA. I finished second in my age group with a time of 26:50 and won a pair of Ryka Running Shoes. It was awesome.

It was the first time I had ever won anything in a race. It was a great feeling… That was shortly after a torn hip flexor injury that basically derailed my hopes of running competitively in high school. So it was a nice way to get back in the game, although my time was much slower than before my injury. I’ve tried searching the web for any archives of my middle school cross country career to see what I used to be capable of… no such luck, apparently they don’t put that sort of thing online 15 years later…So 26:50 is the earliest recorded 5k time I can find on the web, and therefore it becomes my benchmark (by default). In May of 2009, I ran the Miles for Mito 5k in Manchester NH – my first foray back into running after 12 years… and 12 years after my “benchmark,” I finished in 31:02 on a fairly flat course.

I was horrified and embarrassed to see what had become of my former abilities. All I had wanted to do was hit 30:00 for the 5k, thinking that “ANYONE with a functioning pair of legs could do around a 10-minute mile”… in my head, I could WALK a 10-minute mile… but that’s just it… it was in my head. I was about 50lbs heavier than I was in 1997, and severely out of shape… having it in my head that I was going to spring back like nothin’ was just foolish. So one month later, I signed up for the Smuttynose 5k in Newmarket, June 2009. My goal was to beat the 31:02 time from the previous month… was that so much to ask? Apparently it was – the mere glimpse of the hills in Newmarket sent my brain into the “I can’t freakin’ do this” mentality where I completely broke down. I’m pretty sure I walked from the 2.25 mile point all the way to 3.0 miles and then kicked it at the end for my alleged “strong finish”… 32:50… ouch.

BUT it was at the Smuttynose 5k that I learned that it was the last race in a series of races that are held annually. There, I made up my mind that I was going to not only join the series either in 2010 or 2011, but I was going to work my tail off (and shed some weight) and beat my time from 2009 as well. 2010 was a busy year – Mr.Purple Giraffe and I got married – we were super crazy busy all year long and while I did drop the pounds, I didn’t join the series… so my New Year’s Resolution, naturally, was to join the series and get the jacket (you can read about that in a previous blog). The first race was 1/1/2011, and I completed the 5k in 33:08. The second race was a 4 miler, and to my surprise, I rocked out 4 miles in 35:35! Marked improvement over my January time given the added distance, but hard for me to compare oranges to apples for the same reason. The third race was 5k, this time with hills, and I completed the course in 26:38! I busted through my benchmark! The problem with busting through a benchmark is that now I have a new benchmark to beat… 26:38.

I’m issuing myself a personal “Shave the 5k” challenge. My next race is in April and my goal is to bust this new benchmark. The next race after that is 5/1. I plan to bust the next benchmark too – which means I have my work cut out for me. The other cool thing? In busting my benchmark, I was approximately 2:56 behind a girl I knew from my way-back days, and she came in 3rd in our division… and got a prize/medal… not Ryka shoes, but a prize nonetheless…can I shave 3 minutes off my time? It will take some work, but I don’t see any reason why it’s impossible or can’t be done. I’m doing this. Thank you Loco Races for the Will Run For Beer series. I couldn’t have done it without you.
(Janine – Manchester, NH)