What's Your Dream?

When the bar offers $4 shots to accompany your hard cider, of course, you must say yes to a Fireball shot to make Angry Balls! Never pass that up, it’s an apple pie in a glass. A highly enjoyable beverage to partake in as I await for my next flight to depart. Running along the Napa River as the sun was just beginning to reach over the Vaca Mountains is how I chose to wrap up a short but long work trip, it was exactly what I needed. The air was slightly chilled with a low fog hanging over the river. The perfect running temperature which made me feels as if I could just keep going forever. I am finding my feet once again in the thralls of a seemingly chaotic time in my work/life balance right now. I am very proud of my first training workout during a work trip. I was concerned that I wouldn’t find time to dedicate to a run while traveling, it was a short run but a run none-the-less.   In the coming month, I will be on the road more than ever between work and personal time wit...

Last year I had many setbacks, not only in running but in my life. I never thought after the year that I had that I would even consider signing up for another ultra distance race, yet, here I am. All signed up for two more ultra races! Not only am I signed up, I am more excited about them than I ever have been with a race.  The North Face Endurance Challenge California 50k in November! Then the Black Canyon 100k in February!  One of the things that I have learned through running is that is ok to fail, it's how you get back up that matters. That isn't just about running. That is with all things. My favorite quote right now is from Star Trek, The Next Generation. Jean-Luc Picard "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life."  Even if you are not a Star Trek fan I highly encourage you to watch this short video. This resinates perfectly for so many different things.  The next several months are going to be...

At this point in time, other than injury (knock on wood) the only thing that will keep me from finishing Mountain Lakes 100 is not having the correct gear. So I thought I would share why I am concerned and that all I am still needing. I am sure this list won't be complete either.  (UPDATED as of 8/8/17 6:22 PM PDT) Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta 9L Hydration Vest - Women's Obsidian, M/L Black Diamond Distance Z Z-Poles, Carbon, 110cm - Borrowing!   SaltStick Caps, Electrolyte Replacement Capsules, 100 count bottle  - Gifted!!! Tailwind Nutrition - 7 Stickpack Set by Tailwind Nutrition Huma Chia Energy Gel, Variety Pack, 24 Gels - Premier Sports Nutrition for Endurance Exercise Shock Absorber Women's Active D+ Classc Support Sports Bra, White, 34E UK  - Gifted!!! Altra Trail Gaiter Protective Shoe Covers, Orchid, S Regular US - Borrowing!  Petzl - NAO 575 Lumens - Borrowing! A running puffy jacket  Second pair of Altra shoes   - ...

I have started making short videos sharing my journey into the deep unknown world of crazy long distance running.  This video hosts my big announcement! This shows where I am currently physically and where I need to go. This is just a fun after workout video. :D Current body measurements as of today! Weight: 155 Body fat %: 24.2 Water %: 52.5 Muscle: 40.2 Bone: 4.8 Neck: 12.5" Upper Arm: 11.5" Lower Arm: 9" Thigh: 24" Calf: 15.5" Bust: 37.5" Hips: 40.5 Waist: 30" Ribs: 31" Naval: 35"  Keep on Running!

Starting out! All ready to go with the 42 degree temps! 50k or 31 miles, that is what I just ran in preparation for my 50 mile run coming up April 30th. Heading into this training run I was really nervous, I honestly didn't know if I could do it or not. I had some really great emotional support from all of my running friends and coworkers going into this run and even more support from Anthony who crewed for me the last 12 miles. Him being there, holding my water and gels for me made a world of difference.  Mile 2!  My run started off a few minutes late. I thought it'd be light enough out at 6:30 to start my run without night gear but I had to wait until about 6:40, I didn't think too much on it because 10 minutes in a 6 1/2 hour training run is barely a drop in the bucket. So I started off and before I even got to mile 2 I had to pee! Ugh! So I headed on as quickly as I good to mile 4, the Ballard Locks, which I knew would have restrooms. I hit the restrooms and ...

So much has happened this month!  I found a new apartment I moved Ran the Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Paced the Hot Chocolate 15k Seattle Ran with the SGLRG Saturday 7:00 Morning Run for the first time Ran with the SGLRG Tuesday Evening Run for the first time Went to a Pie Bar on Pi Day for the first time Ran as an Easter Bunny in the Beat the Bunny 5k for the first time Bought a new running watch! Garmin Fenix 3 HR !!! And so much more!  That's just a very small portion of what all has been going on this past month. Life is good!  Having a great time at the Lake Sammamish Half ! Perfect weather and perfect run! I started off this race thinking that I would run an easy 11:30 the whole time in preparation for the Hot Chocolate 15k the next day, that didn't last long. The weather was too nice to waste! I split off from the pacers and just had fun :D 11:30 Pacer for the Hot Chocolate 15k Seattle with Beast Pacing ! I had an amazing op...

The Frisco Railroad Trail. My gluteus maximus is a whee bit sore... This is a good thing! I am building up the muscles in my buttocks, which is great for all of the stabilizing it'll need to be doing for me in my ultra. 50 miles on a gravel trail is going to put my butt to the test!  This weekend I ran 26 miles total. I am pretty proud of that, considering my training started in the second week of January, officially. I feel like I am well on my way! I would said I could go out and run a full marathon right now if I wanted too (after the soreness of my butt goes away lol). I feel like my training is making good progress and if I keep ramping up like this, I have no worries about the ultra.  Taking a quick break at mile 7 in my 10.21 miles on Sunday. It can only go up from here! Have a wonderful day! Keep on Running!

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, no doubt! I'm not sure why but Everything took forever this morning, from getting ready to driving into Seattle. So I decided to have a bit of fun with this wonderful song!  Yesterday, along with my run, I started PiYo. I decided to try it for several different reasons, 1) I love Chalene Johnson. 2) I don't like yoga 3) I need to cross train 4) I need to stretch 5) I have no core lol. I have only done one workout and it was pretty short, about 20 minutes. But I feel it in my butt already! Eeps! I am hoping that I like it enough to keep doing it, it could be great no impact cross training for my ultra. I also have another workout on the way that I am excited for, I am not really into weight training and I need that as well in my cross training plans. It's called ChaLean Extreme and it incorporates strength training into a cardio format. Which is why I love Bob Harper but I just really enjoy Chalene Johnso...

Well I'm up! I don't know how I'm up at 4:30 for two days in a row for my second day shift this week before going back to nights on Thursday but I'm up! So far I have adhered to my workout plan for this week. My run don so far: Sunday - Get your rear in gear 5k Monday -3 mile jog and Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown I don't do traditional yoga, even though it is still a  huge workout I just don't feel like it has pushed me hard enough. So last night I did Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown for the first time. I've never done a yoga quite like this before. It was almost more of a pilates workout if it weren't for all of the vinyasas. She had us do each move 15 times and then held that position for 15 seconds before moving on to the next move.  Tonight my goal is to run 6 miles after I get off work. I really hope that I have enough energy to pull that off. Last night my run was very wet. My feet were completely soaked by the time I finished... so I might have to...

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to have a crazy busy schedule so I thought I would lay out a workout schedule to go with my work schedule and post it to help keep myself accountable.  I have set myself a couple of fitness goals through Jan. 1st. First, I am trying to up my mileage to around 30 miles a weak through the end of the year. Second, I'd like to lose 6 lbs by the end of Nov. Through my log everything and my 3 x 30 challenges I feel that 6 lbs could be possible! Two pounds a week is a lot to strive for but I believe I can do it. I have been pretty successful with my weight loss so far, my goal has been to lose 1 lb a week and I have been averaging about that, the last few weeks I fell roughly 3 lbs behind where I want to be.  As long as I don't stray from my plan I feel that I can accomplish this goal.   This is what I have planned for this week. Sunday - Get your rear in gear 5k (3.1 miles) Monday - 3 mile run 30 min strength Tuesday - 6...

I noticed something strange the last few times I bought myself gifts... they all have a strange theme to them. . . then today when I was getting ready for work I chuckled to myself thinking, "Yep, I'm a runner!" So I decided to make today's blurb about my apartment and it's tells that I am a runner. Let's see if you agree. When you walk into my apartment I have a shoe rack to take off your shoes right away. On this rack I have four pairs of running shoes that I rotate through, not that unusual I suppose. But then you look up on the wall across from the shoe rack and you are greeted with this: Now, I can see where this might give the "I'm a runner!" vibe. I mean a whole board of race bibs and medals can't be that weird. On the the next section of my apartment, the dining room. You look to your right and BOOM! There is a bike and two more boards full of running memorabilia! Ok ok enough with the running bibs and encouragement clippings! On to t...

Yesterday I set out for my run like normal with the distance of 6 miles in mind. As soon as I stepped outside I knew the weather was perfect for a 6 mile run, it was cloudy and cool with a slight breeze, perfect! I started off my run a little slower than normal but then decided to keep up a nice slow steady pace. At mile 3 I decided I wanted to keep going and try for 8 miles, I felt really good and didn't want to stop. At about mile 4 I could see the weather was changing it looked like rain but that doesn't stop me and decided to make mile 5 my turnaround point making my total a 10 mile run. I just felt really good and didn't feel like stopping. Then by my 5 1/2 it was pouring.  Yes, the heavens opened up and the rain came down, the last 5 miles I had to run in pouring rain. So this was my first wet run of the season. I kept pushing through and because it was pouring I fiddled with my phone to make sure that it wouldn't get drenched but by doing so I lost track of my au...