Happy Halloween!

I am not dressing up today.  Are you?  I will be dressing up on saturday for a fun Halloween Party.  I will post pics on that later!!  Can you guess what I am going to dress up as?  I dont think anyone will be able to guess.  I also hope that people won't recognize me in my costume... however they probably will be able to by association of the people around me.  

Maybe today I should dress up as "sporty spice"?  Unfortunately it has been a nickname since the girl glam band emerged... I have also been likened to the olson twins--I will own the sporty spice.  At least that is appropriate.  

I hope everyone gets in a great workout/run today and doesn't over do it on the candy!!!!  This is the start of the holidays and it doesn't all have to revolve around food.  That is one positive to living in the boonies--I don't buy halloween candy--no trick or treaters.  For a few years I made bags for the five children down the road, but they are all teens now and go to town for the festivities.  

Everyone stay safe and stay on task with your goals!  Keep your eye on the prize!

im baaaack!

I couldn't do a blog post last week due to the fact that our house is an electrical suck and the same night my laptop charger fritzed out so did the computer in our new oven and also something involving the water softener system.  Even though I am married to an electrician i am sticking with the word "fritzed" as being an actual electrical term.  

I am trying to run2-4 miles/day and do 150 min of NTC/week.  I need to find another race (other than the veteran's day 5 miler and the huffing for stuffing 10k) so I can put some goals other than "don't gain weight" on the books.  I actually have dropped a few pounds post races and my body fat percentage is at 18 so I am okay with that for now... I need something other than body sort of stuff to on which to focus.  Any suggestions?!?!  Anyone ever run the RNR Phoenix?

I am also missing my #SistersInNike and our twitter chatter--although we are trying hard and so far so good.  We are still encouraging one another with goals and NTC minutes!  I feel so lucky to have met these women--they are motivated, positive, and fun!! :)

I am open to suggestions for goals etc.  Also, next week is the #TwitterRoadRace 10k!! :)

And the whirlwind Marathon tour continues...

I flew from chicago to bozeman wednesday and then left early thursday am for San Fran.  The Nike Women's Marathon weekend was FINALLY here!  It felt great to have a successful Chicago full behind me and I was amped to meet the other girls. I forgot to have ben snap a pic so I took one in our lovely remodeled Bozeman Airport Bathroom.  Faaahhhhhncy.

Unfortunately we were all delayed flying into San Fran due to fog--but at least we were all in it together.  When we finally arrived, however, it was a quick change into amazing gear and head out to a photo shoot.  Those of you that know me know I am NOT photogenic.  I tend to look as though I am being electrocuted or having a stroke.  It doesn't help that I have HUGE teeth and no lips... I digress.  It was great to cruise through the city and see the various neighborhoods and chit chat with the other girls. They were all VERY photogenic and comfortable infront of the camera: GO GIRLS!!  Me not so much.  i have NO fierce face.  but it was still very fun.  even though I was shaking due to the level of discomfort I was experiencing.  Renisha was hilarious and told us these nonsequitor stories to help keep the tone natural, although they made me giggle due to the random content.

Here she was telling us about "Fried Chicken" and I couldn't stop laughing because I know she is a vegetarian.  She is such a great person.  She was telling us about how she has struggled with low self esteem (i think we can all relate) but she is so adorable and fun and kind and sweet and I hope she realizes she has a lot to offer!! :)

When we went to our rooms there was a bag of yet MORE GEAR waiting for us!!  It was awesome!  The hoodie is stellar and I wore it a lot over the weekend.  Also  grey pair of my fave black capris--so I was stoked.  Plus a pair of the nike free 3.0.  They are so cute with the neon laces!  Also i received a great white and gray jacket--super light weight and comfortable. 

That first night we went to dinner with Robin from Team Epiphany and Lydia from Nikewomen.  Robin was our stylist for the shoots and she was great.  She herself is adorable and pixie like in stature but edgy with green locks and hilarious and patient to deal with us!! It was great to meet these women too since we have only been communicating via email and a few calls. After dinner we went up to our rooms to find these lovelies waiting!  I was so ecstatic I yelled out loud!  I was not expecting these shoes since they were selling out so quickly, etc.

Before we met for our stretch session we all ate breakfast in Tiara's room where karen and I were practicing our Fierce faces.  #photoshopfierceness

Friday am we met up with Marie for a stretch session at Fisherman's wharf with the NikeFuel team too.  It was scenic and felt so good after two days of airport travel.  It was awesome to meet the Nike Fuel team--they are so fun and positive and pumped about their product (as #SistersInNike are too!). 

On our walk back we ran into a great statue

After our stretch out session we went on another photo shoot with Jerome and Lydia and Robin.  This went a lot better than the day before.

After the shoot it was time to go pick up packets and check out the expo.  Also around this time Hubbee showed up. We also went and picked out our items to be customized.  Nikewomen gave us gift cards to go to Niketown and choose our items.  I chose a half zip.  I love the fabric; it is dri-fit and super soft/smooth. 

Friday was a busy day.  Stretch, photo shoot, expo, shopping, dinner with Nikewomen and Marie (also her mom--who is super cute!) then off to the ice party.  A VIP event where they unveiled the Tiffany finisher's medal and Joan Benoit Samuelson spoke, as did Jay Blahnik.  I was star struck by the whole affair.  It was so cool to be among some serious game changers!!  

Karen was on the fuelstream!!  So was Tiara several times! Yay Chicas!!

Saturday was a shake out run with Marie.  It was over by the Golden Gate bridge and the weather was AMAZING.  Marie warned us not to push too much on the hills to save your legs for later in the race.  I think this was key to success.

Renisha and Nerissa coming down the pier.

After the shake out run we had some free time.  Most rested their legs.  I went sightseeing with hubbee.  My goal for the weekend was to ride the trolley and ring the bell.  Mission accomplished!

WE took the trolley past our hotel, the sir frances drake, and over the hill to Fisherman's wharf.  it was hokey but fun. 

We had a little snack on the pier and then meandered our way back to the hotel.  We walked down lombard street where their were some girls passing out free Red bulls (helped me kick the hills butts).

The hydrangeas were ENORMOUS!  They were bigger than my head and more like a tree than a bush.  Gorgeous.  I also ate a nutella and banana crepe.  I haven't had one since paris and that was forever ago... such a fun city to walk around.

We laid low in the hotel saturday night and my friend Vanessa popped in for a visit.  Before bed Karen, Renisha and I met for a pow wow.  I think this was the first race I was not nervous about.  After Chicago I was not sure how it was going to go but just planned on running an easy pace and taking pics.

Race day!!!  I was consuming my pre race coffee and meeting the girls in the lobby at 6:30.  Get your game face on!!

NikeFuel was there in the am to get prerace fuel pics to compare with post race.  This is one of my fave pics from the weekend.  I think we all look great and ready to conquer!!  I had a blast at the race.  I did have a stomach issue between mile 3 and 4 but after that it was GREAT.  Even with the fog and mist it was beautiful. And being among that many women pushing for the same goal and running for an important cause was motivating.  I loved the hills.  They let other muscles in my legs rest and made me check in with my posture.  Around mile 9 I picked up my pace and at mile 10 saw Hubbee which always gives a boost.  Then you could see the surf and we entered Golden Gate park.  I laughed as I passed Bison due to the randomness.  I became a bit emotional when I suddenly felt paul's presence.  I know he was there at both races and during all my training.  Sunday was the one year anniversary of his passing.  I fortunately was able to regroup and blast through my last mile and a half.  I was so happy to finish strong and with my ever present SMILE.  

I picked up the pace quite a bit on the last mile so hubbee didn't actually get to see me cross the finish.  oh well.  it happened!! 

I was waiting for all the girls to finish.  Although with the crowds it was hard to see anyone and the cell service was very spotty.  I must have just missed Nerissa while I was walking back towards the course, but she RALLIED.  we both felt like our races went well and we were prepared.  I walked up the course a bit to take pics of Karen and Tiara.  Tiara texted that she was struggling.  I was sending good thoughts and even tried tweeting to NikeFuel to boost her along if they were out on the course.  I saw Karen(she is so tall she is harder to miss than Nerissa or me!) and then received a text from Tiara that she didn't think she could do it.  I dropped my stuff by hubbee and start running up the course.  I didn't want her to NOT finish when she had made it sooooooo close.  She pepped right up and back to the Tiara we know and love when she saw me.  It is so helpful to have distractions when you hit a tough patch.

She's doing it!  And yes, I LOVE to run! :)

Here are some pics of Karen Tiara and me after the finish.

We all made our way back to the hotel.  Tiara and I ran into Joan Benoit Samuelson leaving her hotel.  She was great and posed for pics, however Tiara has it.  it is also on INstagram Im turtlegirl00 (bet you never would've figured that out!! :))  That was a fun treat!!  :)

Ben and I met up with Angie, our friend for lunch and a well deserved beer.

We moved to an outdoor patio but I switched to water. The beer at lunch hit me fast!! :) And I wanted to be able to have a cocktail with the ladies too and not feel like ass in the am.

Here we are at the lobby of our hotel having a "breakfast at Tiffany's" cocktail in honor of our hard earned BLING!!

even my cap is Nike!  I bought it in amsterdam or south africa several years ago...

I had a nightmare time getting home due to the fog... but I made it.  Adios San Fran!!

It was a trip of a lifetime.  I can't thank Marie Purvis, NikeWomen, NikeFuel, Team Epiphany and my #SistersInNike enough.  The race was so well done and such a wonderful event in which to take part.  I always feel a bit blue after a race is completed.  What next? where to go from here? how to get back into training?  But I know I have made virtual training partners for life and I am hoping and praying that the team Karen and I put together for Hood to Coast is chosen.  That would be such a blast!!!!  I am also looking forward to the virtual 10k on Feb 9th that NikeWomensMarathon is hosting.  I am honored to take part in this experience and feel as though it was the best way to honor my step dads passing, too.  Thanks everyone for making it so amazing and monumental.

Chicago Marathon

I left bozeman on a wednesday and just beat the snow. phew.  Wednesday afternoon i met Marie Purvis and Renisha James for coffee and a chat.  I was so nervous to meet Marie.  I have met a lot of famous people from rockstars to actors etc and I think I was more nervous to meet Marie.  She was so sweet and positive and normal!! :)  And Renisha is just a sweet heart too.  She is a warm and fuzzy person from right off the bat.  

Thursday Pops and I went sailing and it was actually too windy.  Seems like an oxymoron but its true--all the boats were coming in under motor power or with just the jib sail.  Lake Michigan is gorgeous aqua in color and still pretty warm for October. 

Friday was the day Britton and Sonya arrived and the day to pick up our packets.  This was B's first marathon and my 5th.  We had fun at the expo and I was glad we went Friday to beat the crowds. 

We then met up with friends for dinner. I began my carb loading with some delicious lobster mac and cheese.

when I was in Chicago in June-this was the exact same face Mason made in pics.

Saturday was a rest day--try to stay off the legs etc.  We had some amazing sushi for dinner and relaxed most of the day.  We had to leave the house at 5 am to be sure we made it to the start on time.  So we woke at 330 so we could eat adn have coffee etc.  Then it was OFF TO THE RACE!

For the number of people that ran the Chicago it is handled so efficiently.  There are so many supporters, spectators, aid stations, portapotties, etc.  We began our race conservatively.  staying at our goal pace.  This was hard because the crowd and spectators really pumps you up and motivates you to  GO! But I wanted to make sure I had enough steam to finish strong and stay my path.  At the half we were feeling good so we picked it up a bit.  At mile 16 I grabbed a water and looked up to thank the volunteer and it was Renisha!  It was so random and really boosted my spirits.  Between mile 20-21 Britton had to take a few walk breaks but he would catch back up, then between 22-23 he fell behind.  I picked it up.  I knew even if I walked the last 2-3 miles I would still pr but I was feeling great so i steadily increased my speed and my last mile was my fastest and it was an uphill finish!!  It felt great though--I rallied up that hill and smiled through the finish. I had a huge grin the last three miles knowing that my goal was going to be met.  

Once you crossed the line, however, you walked and walked and walked then walking became shuffling and finally i had to sit on the pavement.  it was forever to reach the post race party zone.  I drank a gatorade and then finally ambled to the meeting spot.  Soon enough Britton appeared!  He ran an incredible first marathon!! Stayed strong for a long time and is already planning to run another one!! :)

I was so ecstatic to see my twitter handle on the #ownchicago billboard.  That was such a great bonus to an already awesome race.  I finished 3:55.  i was so happy to have sub four and I finished strong and know that I could push it a bit more from the start.  I believe the NTC really helped.  The plan Marie gave us definitely worked.

Chicago Marathon is a great one--I know why people go nuts over it.  I hope to do it again.