Jingle Bell Hell Run and a Bib to Honor the Children and Staff in Newtown, Connecticut

Fellow running buddy K and I met Sunday afternoon for a grey,cloudy, cold and windy 5K! I heard of the Virtual Jingle Hell Run hosted by Run with Jess Friday afternoon so I printed out fun bibs with the Grinch! Stipulations of Jingle Bell Hell was that the course had to have hills-of course in C, Washington there are hills so I knew that wouldn't be a problem! We took a tour of all parts of town complete with running through the cemetery(up a steep hill), past the high school, and back through town(which includes more hills) and completed the run with lots of wind and snow falling!
We also had bibs to honor the children and staff of Newtown, Connecticut. Such a sad time for everyone affected by this tragedy.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday....2013 Race Calendar in Pictures!

(Eugene Half)

Life in Rewind...according to Races

Sorry to go back to June-I didn't realize it had really been that long since I posted!

July-Missoula Marathon! Epic failure according to my goals however I finished marathon #3 and i did it with a great friend and running buddy! the marathon was epic and everything about the weekend was epic! maybe another year the HOT temps won't be epic!

Running buddy Tracy & I pre marathon!

Post marathon-hot sweaty mess!

Hanging in shade after getting Zensah's on!

Tracy & I post race! First race I cried when Tracy crossed the finish line!

 

September-Athleta Iron Girl Run in Seattle, WA. Absolutley loved everything about this race! My mom walked the 5K with my Aunt Mary. Fellow Running buddies Kelli and daughter Kaden ran the 5K and Tracy and I ran the 10K!

Kaden, Kelli, my mom Nancy and Tracy pre race trying to stay warm!

Kaden, Kelli, Tracy, Me and my mom after the race

September-Color Run Moscow, Idaho
5K Color Run Fun Run in Moscow with running buddy Kasey! great weather, beautiful course and fun with the new Color Run craze!

October-Girlfriend's Half Marathon Vancouver, WA
Love this race from the race swag, course, course support, weather, finish, finisher's gifts, and the post run food! Didn't have the best time since there was a few thousand girlfriend's running this race on crowded streets and paths! But had a great time with Tracy and Erin! We celebrated this being Erin's first half marathon!

Tracy & I(this race made 5 straight months we got to see each other!)

Me, Tracy and Erin(her first Half marathon!)

 

October-LC Half Marathon Clarkston, WA. Back to back halfs in October for Erin & I!Again striving to get a sub 2:00 Half for Erin! Yeah yeah yeah we did it! 1:58:55. Great course, great cool weather. Could definitely add course support(drinks, fuel, and port-a-pottys)! Great run!

Erin & I pre race trying to stay warm!

Erin & I post race enjoying the sun!

 

November-World Run Day, Colton, WA

Running buddy Kasey & I celebrating World Run Day!

Chilly 3 mile run!

 

November Colton Turkey Trot, Colton, WA

Each year local group of runners celebrate Thanksgiving day with a chilly morning run. 2,4,6 mile runs complete hot cocoa or a beer post run! Donations to benefit St Jude's! Thanks Kay & Ty for sponsoring the run! We love it!

 

So here are the last 5 months of my life in rewind....according to races!

As I look forward to the coming year 2013...my race calendar is not set but hope to have 3 on the training calendar by 2013...halfs and......a full?!!!

 

 

 

3 Things Thursday

*1*    Well here it is Thursday already.....seriously where does the time go? Just one week ago I was busy tightening up plans, packing bags, confirming reservations for the Seattle Rock and Roll Half marathon.....Not my best time, not my worst time-started out great, legs strong, and ran and ran and ran....then mile 10 happened and I could my wind falling out of my sails. I walked a bunch on 99 but rallied and finished strong with my time of 2:03:26/official time from SRNR 2:04:52 (pause in watch due to a potty stop)! Here are a few pics!

*2*     Well here it is Thursday and I am about ready to emabark on tighetening plans, packing bags not just for myself but my two kids L & R, and checking brackets for the 23rd Annual Hoopfest. L is playing coed this year and R with girls! Should be a great, warm weekend with good friends, lots or should I say quite a few thousand of my closest friends spread across 42 city blocks with over 500 courts or something and people spending over 35 million dollars in the Greater Spokane area.....here we go!

*3*      I am 10 days away from marathon #3 Missoula and 8 days away from tightening up plans, packing bags, confirming reservations for marathon....sound familiar these 3 posts huh?! Lots of traveling and vacationing this summer....with so much more to come.....I am alot of things in preparation for this race-excited, stressed, nervous, anxious, feeling uneasy, yet feeling rested.....oooohhh man! time will tell!

Here I am just 1 day before my first marathon in San Francisco for the 2010 NWM I Run To Be.....

Can't find a pic from 2011 Portland Marathon to compare.....

Happy Thursday~Quads!

Wordless Wednesday

20.Miles. Training. Run. Done. Complete with some pics that a great friend took of me while running! The pics were an awesome surprise.....there is lots of thoughts, feelings, emotions in these pictures. I'm sure will lead to a deep post someday soon! Post. Missoula. Marathon!

Falling Behind on My Posts!

Part 1:
Ninja Style! Yep the wonderful S, Blondepony and I met up on Sunday March 25 for a great morning run! We were missing our other running buddy Keep On Keeping On cause beshe was well.... running Across America!!!! We met up for 5 miles and then I was continuing on for another 3-5 miles! I had run the WSU Campus on the Run 5K the day before so I knew I already had 3.1 miles in...my legs were feeling a bit tired from Saturdays run (26.44)
We chatted the whole way and the run ended up nice with some sun on our backs as we cruised back to the cars! No run would be complete without pics...Ninja style, of course!~

Part 2: Jelly Bean Virtual Run!
Well again Blondepony and Keep On Keeping On and I were supposed to meet up yesterday but 35 mph winds kept us from braving outside to complete our Jelly Bean Virtual Run! Dang! so I opted for my treadmill and my 11 miles from my marathon training plan. Wow...I like the treadmill for 3-5 miles but not 11! I have run a virtual half marathon on it as well but it was not pretty! I tried to visualize the whole time yesterday where I would be if getting the opportunity to run outside...where I would rehydrate, fuel up, turn around, go pee, you got the picture! It was not a good run so won't be posting my time...just know that outside I run about 1 min/mile faster... but here is my post run hot mess pic with my 2012 Jelly Bean Virtual Run bib in hand!
btw~you have until tomorrow April 3 to register online for the run! Chnaces to win prizes!

Updating of the Blog and the Start of a New Training Season

Notice the changes? Yeah, yeah, yeah! I decided that my blog was so boring and that was probably why I don't have any followers! (or it could be because I don't tell anyone about it, or because I never update it like I should so people don't ever stop by to check me out!). Let me know if you like the colors, background etc. I really thought about using the generic one with water droplets...that is the same view that I have been looking through for weeks now with runs in the, rain, wind and snow....which leads me to my next bloggy item!

Okay so this is my 3rd time around for marathon  training! It should get easier.... right? I should know what to expect, right? well NO! its not any easier...I'm sure that is due to running less than 90 miles since first of year and only running like eight times or something absolutely ridiculous...for me! So I am starting over with running, training my muscles, legs, and feet, and most of all my breathing and mind! I am going about this training session solo! My running buddy for the previous two marathons, is having a baby! I am so excited for her and her husband but I miss my running partner! I miss the conversations and support! But I can do it! I will conquer this 18 weeks and will be better from it! I also think I am struggling with the start of training because I have already battled 40+ wind storms, pouring rain and snow!! Ugh! that is what happens when you are used to training in the months of June-October rather than March-July!

Here's a pic from my last long workout run with buddies last Sunday in the pouring rain, wind and snow!

Do I Need a Pre-Marathon Training Workout Just to Get Ready for Tuesday?

Oh man I know it's supposed to be Wordless Wednesday but I am so full of words and at a loss for running! To date this has been the least amount of running I have ever done for not only 1 month but now 2 straight! The month February only had 7, yes that is right 7 running days! I have such mixed emotions about that...on one hand it has been great to not run, give my body a rest from one marathon and achieving 1,000 miles in 2011,a rest from trying to cram in runs (after work in dark, weekends, lunch breaks)between my absolutely crazy family life BUT on the other hand when I don't run, then I get more stressed, more frantic, more CRAZY and I feel like pooh! Oh and I totally miss my long runs with my running buddies( Keep on Keeping on and Blonde Ponytail, and Stacey). I need them to help me feel whole again!

I have the next 6 days to prepare myself for the next 18 weeks of training, I feel like I need to run just to prepare myself!  Sounds funny to need to run to train for the training plan!

It is what it is and cheers to another training plan all set up for me! Missoula Marathon here I come July 8, 2012. Goal of 4:10 is doable for me. I am going to be playing with some different training/race fuels and hydration. So stay tuned for those reviews and what I end up with! I am after something to help decrease cramping at mile 18-20, something with more sodium(so I can take less salt pills), something  to give me more energy,  and last but not least something that may not make me go to the bathroom so much in the 2nd half of the race!

Cheers and here's to Missoula!

Train Like a Mother....Oh My! I Can't Wait.....Wait.... It's Supposed to be Wordless Wednesday!

Not sure how many of you out there read "Run Like a Mother" by Dimity and Sarah but it was great read! So true in sooo many ways! I have read, re-read certain sections and passed to other fellow running buddies soooo many times! It should have a scanner sticker to be checked out just like a public library! It's a must for any runner beginner or professional! Lots of laughs as well to keep you moving and grooving....oh there's playlists as well! Great listens to add to your collection for races! BUT.....guess what is coming out in March....You guessed it-"Train Like a Mother" I can't wait to pick this one up-I might just need to preorder from my local book store and get it added to my reading list!! Oh and I did I ever mention that I had my picture taken with Dimity and Sarah at NWM in 2010??? bets picture ever! I will add to blog post later when find on computer...the official pic is in my Inspiration Running Journal!!!

Happy Wednesday...so much for Wordless Wednesday!

Falling off the Treadmill.....not literally!

As the title says I think I have fallen off the treadmill....not literally but my running has definitely fallen off the wayside! Life just gets in the way sometimes. Between my coaching, my hubby's coaching, and my kids' activities night time treadmill running is down to maybe 1 run a week! Ugh! But rest is a good thing and I need to remember that. It will save my knees, feet when I hit the trails again......speaking of hitting trails......Lot's to catch you all up on!

I did it! I owned up, bit the bullet, committed.... starting Monday March 5....I will start my 18 week training plan for......drum roll please.... Ta Da.....Missoula Marathon!!!!! I am super excited that I finally committed and now have a race on my plate that will get my focused! I'm excited to train and meet one of my besties in Missoula for my #3 marathon and her 2nd! Countdown to race day has begun...July 8, 2012!

As for other races.....My calendar is coming together.....

Back in November when they gave a discount for Veteran's day! I signed for my first Rock 'N Roll race...yeah Seattle RNR (June 23)is not the same weekend as Hoopfest this year so now I can run and still get to see my kids play basketball in the world's largest 3-on-3 tourney the next weekend in Spokane! I'm ready to try the new course. Back a few years ago my friend Kelli and I ran the Livestrong 5K that started and ended at Seattle Center. It was awesome-let's hope for the same! I also just booked my hotel room at this super cool hotel-Hotel Maxwell Oh and guess what? I'm running with same friend T who is running Missoula!
I mentioned in early January that I wanted to register for the Girlfriends Half Marathon (October 14) well registration day came and I "clicked" register! I just couldn't pass up this great race opportunity! With some many women supporting such a great cause. It's such a great race atmosphere-as website says Women Supporting Women! Great prerace activities, fun vendors, great food post-race, GREAT SWAG...and cute firemen handing out your finisher's gift...it's the next best race for fireman besides the NWM! Oh I have a great hotel right by start, close to pre-race dinner-Joe's Crab Shack! and.....two running buddies: E and yep, you guessed it T (again!!).

So there you have my major races-with a few local in there and possibly an entry into the Windermere Half Marathon in May that should sum it up! My hotels are booked, travel logistics are under way and I'm about one month away until "D" starts!

Have a great weekend-get that pre-Superbowl run in! I'm sure there is some fun virtual race for that and ooh ooh oooh Don't forget Sat Feb 11 Run for Sherry virtual race: Sherry Arnold - runner, mother, wife, daughter, and teacher- went for an early morning run on January 7, 2012, and never came home. Sherry's goodness, courage and strength prevail and she is not defined by the tragic way in which she died.


Stay Safe out there!

3 Things Thursday

2012....new habits....here's to 3 Things Thursday

1. I am back to coaching jr high volleyball! This is my 6th season...already! and my 2nd as B Team coach(I stepped down after 4 tears as A team coach to let my friend/fellow coach take over A Team as she is also the HS Varsity coach). I love teaching the girls, seeing the improvement in them, seeing the look in their eyes when they "get" something that maybe they were struggling with(overhand serve, flat platform for passing, setting, etc). First game Jan 19......Go Cats!
2. Weekday mid-day runs...as I mentioned in #1 with coaching j high vball my lunchtime runs go out the window so I can eat lunch at my desk and leave early from my job. So running has now been on the treadmill at night-2 days in a row! I am out of treadmill shape-indoor heat, lack of col air to dry up my sweat, feet hurt(lack of soft gravel)....
3. Races...got email today that the registration for the 2012 Girlfriends Race in Vancouver, WA opens up January 9 at 8am! I am so excited! I ran this race 2 years ago and had a great experience with great friends for a great cause...Susan G Komen and Breast Cancer....so I'm registering for sure! .....Ta-Da it is set(not registered yet) but I'm trowing in my hat for the 2012 Run Wild Missoula Marathon July 8, 2012 and the Windermere Half Marathon in May.

Happy Thursday...now go run and be prosperous!