What's Your Dream?

Sunday, February 12, 2017 Save 10% with code IRONHORSELOVE My Better Half Marathon   is a celebration of running, romance and deliciously bad bad rom-coms. You will run through the  new, bigger, and better  tunnel of love in one of four categories: Bromance (two guy friends), Besties (two girl friends), Lovers (romantically involved) and Lonely Hearts (self-explanatory). In addition to a romantically good-time, you will receive a custom, long sleeve zip running shirt (similar to last year's quality), a new twist on finisher medals (what could  THAT  mean???), free professional race photo downloads (because we know you heart da glamour shots), and a catered post-race hot meal (yum!) Who knows???   Maybe  we'll see a wedding proposal this year.  WHAT?  A Half Marathon, 10k and 5k running event!  Available in Individual, Couple, and Relay Flavors. WHEN?  February 12th, 2017 at 8:00am WHERE? Seward Park, ...

Did you know that Seattle hosts that largest floating bridge in the world! And for their grand opening they hosted a 10k race! The Go Long 520 10k , how cool is that! This was one opportunity that I just couldn't miss. This was the first 10k that I have run in months and months. So I really didn't know what to expect as far as pace. My goal was to get below 1 hour and I did! I came in at 57 minutes! Which is the fastest I have ever run 10k.  The race had many issues, bottle-necking was the primary one. Thankfully I was keeping a fast enough pace to miss out on those problems though. But considering that it was a pop up race that had never been done before, I think it went very well.    My power pose for finally getting below 1 hour! Keep on Running!

This year has been so crazy I can't explain it all! I am going to give a super quick run down for the last couple of months. Ragnar- I was able to participate in Ragnar Northwest Passage for the first time this year. It was so different from anything that I have ever done before in my life! It was so so so hard. I thought my total of 17 miles was harder than running my full marathon! This is because of all of the breaks. You run, take a several hour break, run, break, and then run again.  Seattle RnR- I ran the Seattle Rock N Roll Half marathon again this year as part of my Cascadia marathon series. It was hot again this year and I was sick... but I made it through. Derby Dash 5k - This was a lot of fun, a short local 5k, super flat and fast. Anthony decided to run this one with me as well. Ran with friends but no PR.  Beats Half Marathon - This was the first year that the Beats Half Marathon has been run. It wasn't a bad race but it could have been a bi...

She Believed, So She Did . The title of the most recent Running on the Wall 10k . This Saturday I went out for my run for this 10k and I had a blast! I turned on the Running Radio Mix on Pandora and just went out for nice casual run. Dancing a bit to the tunes along the way. It was picture perfect weather for the run too, sunny, gentle breeze and not too hot or too cold. Perfect for a fun run in the sun! Yes, be jealous lol.  I found the race on their Facebook page and decided I just had to do it. The motto they chose for the race is reason enough! But they also gave out nifty medals, tank tops, bracelets, and bibs for those who participated.  How girly was this race!? Perfect really. To "compete" in this race you have to take a photo of you and your time and submit it online. Here was my submission: If you haven't done a virtual race, I recommend trying one! This one was particularly fun because of the FB involvement with the other runners, Posting about how o...

My friend Tricia and I have been working out new ways for fitness motivation such as challenging one another and even contemplating starting a fitness origination  or company of some kind.  Which is exciting and terrifying at the same time. I want to get into the health and fitness industry and I have been thinking of different ways for a while now. I've been thinking of all sorts of things from going back to school for sports nutrition to opening a running store. As a safe idea I would open a running store that can support a running series.  However, a running series that takes place all across the country and eventually can expand around the world like the Rock N Roll series would be a dream come true! But in order for a series to get that big the theme would have to be to die for. I have a pretty good idea for a theme that can easily go across America but I can't see it getting as nearly as big as the Rock N Roll series. I need a much bett...

When can I fit in my next race?! Hmm... That day already has a race, and that day, and that day... Oh there is a free day!  But wait, there isn't anything more than a 5k that day within 50 miles, bummer! Does this sound familiar at all? This is me for sure! I have to try and not let myself get caught up in all the race hype and not over schedule myself. This month I personally have 3 races scheduled. One I have already completed, the Huskies vs Cougars 10k , and I have 2 half marathons this month! The Biggest Loser Half and the Snohomosh River Run .  Normally I try not to run more than 2 races a month, for my sanity and my wallet's sake. Races aren't cheap these days! But that's a different conversation. In November I have 2 races already planned Get Your Rear in Gear 5k and the Green Lake Gobble 10k , I'm particularly excited for the mashed potato munch off at the Gobble! But I'm currently flip flopping on whether or not to run the Seattle Half at the end of N...

On Sunday, Anthony, Tricia and I ran in the Rivalry Clash Huskies vs Cougars 5k/10k at Marymoore Park in Redmond, WA.  To get ready for the race I first laid out my outfit (because it's important to look better than those cougars!) And then I painted my nails very festive purple and gold theme, as shown below. Now I have noticed this new trend in the running world that people actually take photos of their race day outfits. So after thinking this is a little odd for a few months seeing people post and post and post their outfits I decided to give it a go this time. And this is what I came up with. Now one important factor for me about the races that I am able to do, is that they usually take place after I get off my 12 our shift at work. So I usually change at work and then head straight to the race, which thankfully, this time was right near my home so I didn't have to go too far out of my way and I didn't have to hurry to get there on time. But this also means that the rac...

Diet, for me, I have to watch every single little thing I eat or I balloon up over night! I personally keep a food log on MyFitnessPal , bassett8807 to friend me, and I really do try to log all the food that I eat. I also keep track of my exercise on MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun for all of my outside workouts (you may also friend me on MapMyRun !).  MyFitnessPal MapMyRun I started working out and dieting in 2011 and I lost 40 lbs! But when I moved to the Seattle and started working night shift I gained 30 lbs slowly over a year and a half. All of my hard work down the drain! I was still working out and eating healthy but the schedule did not suit my body. I couldn't figure it out. Finally one day I was pushed to my limits and tried, what I consider to be, something drastic. I started Nutrisystem .  Right away I started losing weight! I lost 15 lbs in the first couple of months. Then I plateaued for a few months, which was due to my busy summer schedule and slacking a little on ...

I have a secret... I love... dressing up for races! Ok, maybe it isn't a secret but it's something I love to do!  This was my very first 10k, a group of us got together and made matching shirts! The girl on the right, all decked out, even won the costume contest! This was a 5k race for an animal shelter and we went as bunnies! It was Easter weekend, the race wasn't themed but we dressed up anyway.  This was a 10k night race, we had glow everything! I had hair extensions that light up and even LED shoe laces! This race was a 12k Christmas race, I went all out for this one, enough said! This one was a Color Run 5k, so I made sure to have white pants and we made our own shirts again, white of course. This race is the most recent, Huskies vs Cougars. I wanted to do it right and I even ordered a huskies jersey. Purple finger nails and eye shadows included! Dressing up is definitely a way to keep races interesting and is such a great way to bond with friends. There is a thrill of...

Running, running, running! So I love to run but it can be extremely hard to keep up with on my schedule. Working 12 hr shifts and then graveyard shifts! But one of the ways I keep motivated is by taking silly photos of myself and sending them to my friends for them to encourage me to keep going!  These are from this week.  After a 6.5 miler. I thought my running sweat looked like a waterfall.  After a really hard 5k run.  After a 5k run on very little sleep! Showing my exhaustion here. These are a couple older photos but ones that I still find funny.  Just one of the ways that I like to keep running interesting and fun! What ways do you find to keep thing different?