Eva Runs Through It

            It was my dad who taught me the difference.  A graveyard is next to a church; a cemetery is separate.  My dad also taught me that you could learn a lot from wandering amongst headstones.   Being from New England, we had lots of old cemeteries to wander.  We would find humor as well as poignant, pithy, and profound quotes.              It would be a game for us to find the oldest headstone, or where the cemetery kept the “spoils”.   You see, when a grave is dug, and the hole filled back in after the casket is placed, there is always some soil left over.  This is referred to as the “spoils”.   It is usually piled up in some remote corner.  Every active cemetery has a place, and it’s not always easy to find.  I don’t like to think of the irony, but that spoil soil sure did make my dad’s tomato plants grow quite nicely.  ...

             Wow!  What a race.              I wasn’t proud of last year’s racing season.  It caused me to question if I wanted to continue with ultra running, resume triathon’s/duathlons or try something completely different.  (Some of those other ideas are still brewing, but that is for another blog).  But, the BoB cemented in my mind that not only do I love ultras, but also I love them for reasons greater than just running.             The race really started for me on Friday night.  About 20 of us got together for dinner.  I know many of these people from racing with them or from their volunteering.   Running with someone makes friendships form faster and deeper than is possible in other situations.  It was nice to see them “with their clothes on” vs. in race gear....

            I don’t know how to taper before a race.   Correct that, I don’t like to taper before a race.   Tapering is when you have to admit that you’ve trained all you can, and you must get ready for the starting line.   For me that means, running less, eating more, and sleeping sporadically.   For my family, it means I become a miserable old sock.             I’ve said it before running helps keep me sane.   Without it, I sweat the small stuff, and not even my hidden stash of Hostess Cupcakes can bring me out of my funk.             I come from a long line of people who like to keep moving.   My mom’s motto is “don’t sit before noon”.    My dad was a putterer.   Rick builds things, Mark has a very physical job, Danielle, well, go ahead and try to get her to stay in o...

             I did my first marathon in order to fulfill a goal.  At almost 39, I planned to run “40 races by 40”.  The marathon was to be race number 40.  I worked my way through 5k’s, tri’s, du’s and half marathons, but felt I wouldn't be a real runner until I ran a marathon.  I ran it “Oprah style”.  I had friends and family rooting me on and finished somewhere in the 4:30’s.  It was painful and hard, and I assumed I’d never run another one.             Okay, the next week, I signed up for my second, to be held a few months later.  I wanted to make sure that my finishing was not a fluke.  Was I really a marathoner?  Things changed during my second marathon.  I finished it in 4 hours, and it was fun.  During the race, I kept seeing signs like “Boston or bust” or  “BQ Bound”.  Obviously, being a Cape Cod girl, I knew the significance...

2012 Race Calendar (God Willing) B east of Burden 50 Miler                         January 21, 2012             This race was originally a 24-hour race where I hoped to run 75 miles.  Alas, that distance was dropped.  No worries, this will be a great ‘tune-up’ race.  From the race director, to fellow runners to volunteers and timers, this race has an amazing family feel.  The blizzards and windstorms of the past two years only add to the camaraderie.                                                North Coast Endurance 24 Hour             May 5-6, 2012 ...

Rather obnoxiously, I enter each bedroom, loudly singing my version of Adam Sandler’s Thanksgiving song.  “Turkey for you, and Tofu for me….” I’ve done my 10-mile warm up and it’s time to wake ‘Team Basehart’ for the 116 th Annual Turkey Trot.  It is an understatement to say they do not share my enthusiasm this morning.             For the past several years, “Team Basehart” has consisted of me, my son Noah, my brother-in-law Mike, and his son Alec.  (There is a Diane Basehart who runs, but she’s adjunct to the core team.) This year, as per my birthday request, Mark has begrudgingly joined the team.  I remind him of his commitment as he lies in bed. He grumbles something about skipping it and buying me a sweater.             After all are awake, I face another protest.  No one will dress up with me.  Even my ever-obliging son refuses to wear the tu...

  Oh no…. Some one has sought me out to tell me that they saw me out running.  This is not good, as I know where this is going.  Although I long to hear “you were flying” or “dang, you looked good”, experience tells me that this is not the turn this conversation is going to take. I know what is next.  My sanity is about to be questioned and I’ll be spoken to like I’m a four year old.  Didn’t I see the traffic, hills, weather, etc. that should have kept me pursuing something in doors?  I’ll smile politely and say something like “that’s what makes it fun”; fully aware I’ve just confirmed my sanity in their eyes. I was thinking about this typical conversation that I’ve had with MANY people over the years.  I assume that they are simply concerned for my safety, and I am appreciative of their regard.   However, I wonder what they actually SEE when the look at me running?  When I drive past a runner, I’m looking at stride, pace, gear. ...