What's Your Dream?

WOW is all I have to say when it comes to my running lately. I am working through my training plan and it is just amazing how I have changed in just over a month. Last weekend I about gave up doing my 18 mile run and yesterday I made it through my 20 mile run with a bounce still in my step! I am definitely finding my honest love for running again, and dare I say it? Loving the longer runs too! This week is kind of a "week off" so to speak. My longest run is 10 miles. It'll be nice to drop down this week and rest up a bit, because I will need it before ramping back up again in a big way! The countdown is on, 74 days before the big race. It'll be here before I know it.  Strangely, I have several other races coming up as well... Not sure how that happened when I decided this year I'd do less races than last year.  Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Hot Chocolate 15k, Pacer Blooms to Brews Marathon Frisco Railroad Run 50 Miler Mt Zion Trail Ragnar (Possible...

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!

Today I decided to head into Seattle to run with the Seattle Green Lake Running Group . It was really nice to be able to run with a few running buddies for a few miles. They also pushed my pace for a bit, which was really nice! I noticed that even though I was running way faster than I normally would have on my own that it didn't seem that bad. I think I credit this to the fact that I didn't have my running watch on, I somehow forgot it on my long run! I think not looking down at my watch every few seconds allowed me to take my mind off of it and just run. I was even able to hold conversation, so that really means I put too much on my watch lol. I have read a few articles now saying to leave the watch behind every once in awhile and this definitely backed that up. Stopping for a photo op!  The full run for me today ended up being 15.81 miles. The last 6 were pretty rough for some reason. I felt pretty done by mile 9 and I am not sure why. My legs actually got tired, wh...

Thursday I went for a run, I ran harder than I ever have. I tried to run off the pain and sadness. I had just heard that one of my good school friends had passed away. I tried to run like he could but he was such a gifted runner. He was also one of the kindest, smartest and most genuine people I have ever known.  Thank you for being a part of my life Max. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling  1-800-273-TALK   (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area,  anytime 24/7.

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...

Before the winter break I was running the fastest I had ever run. I even made a sub 9:00 pace for my 5k PR at the ESR First 5k . (Which I highly recommend to anyone who wants to PR on a 5k.) I came in second for my age group as well! Not too shabby. My friend Michelle took first in our age group. ;)  Prema, Jordan, myself and Michelle before the race. :) My run today was not so happy. I pushed extremely hard and pushed my pause button several times on my watch to "get this pace". This pace is still 13 seconds slower than that 5k and that 5k I wasn't about to die.  I am still working at it and I will get back to that old pace and better! Hopefully without getting sick on the trail! lol 

This weekend was the first week of longer runs in my training plan. Saturday I was to run 14 and Sunday 8 but I decided to have a bit of fun on Saturday and I ran the Rain Run half marathon with my friend Peter. It was the perfect weather for the run, it was in the 40s and it sprinkled the whole race! I have worked with race directors before and they are just the nicest people! Plus, they put on a really great race experience every time. They don't let the fact that the race is small effect the quality of the support that they give on or off the course. They have nice aid stations and a fun start/finish area. What I also like about The Rain Run is that they don't do shirts, they actually give out umbrellas instead. Fitting, right!? I highly recommend this race.  Peter and I crossing the muddy finish line! Yep, I finished half marathon #25! It was a lot of fun running with Peter as well. It made the time go by so fast! We just chatted and had a great time. I shou...