Nike Women's Half Marathon X Team Turtlez take on San Fran!

With very little sleep, and several set backs at 4 am, we finally made our way to the airport and made it through security and successfully made it to san fran with three legs of travel and no lost luggage!  Thursday we met my aunt at the airport and then met Angie and Merrie at the house.  We then made our way to the expo where we connected with Karen! (Yay!!! SistersInNike reunite!)  The expo was fun and not super crowded(just how I like it!) We ran into Joan Benoit Samuelson!! And then checked our names on the wall at Niketown, and then proceeded to spend a weeks wages on gear!:)

The next day we went on a duck boat tour.  Last year my goal was to ring the bell on the trolley.  Mission accomplished.  This year I was allowed to drive the duck boat!! :)  The sweatshirt over a hoodie look I attempted to bring back.  It was so cold I had to buy another layer and this I heart SF was $11.  Can't go wrong!  

We walked around fisherman's wharf and saw sea lions, did some shopping, shared a crepe...

Don't be fooled, she is saying, "yes, let's share." but she is thinking, "keep your grubby mitts off my nutella!"  No--we all shared and it was delicious.  my last crepe was in san fran last year.

Can't go to SF and not perform YMCA!!

We went and had our chowder in a bread bowl (which was unfortunately not as good as I hoped) however we had oysters on the half shell, calamari, and bruschetta that were fabulous. And of course a celebratory cocktail.

From our lunch place we did some shopping and meandering and found ourselves at the Buena Vista.  I don't normally like Irish coffee, however this was sweet and warm and in a pretty glass--we all loved it! 

Still rocking the double sweatshirts... 

Geez, day two and I am beginning to see we look like boozehounds... 

After we had a cocktail with lunch, a late afternoon irish coffee we had to rush to go to a restorative yoga class.  I had to ride in the hatch of a prius.  my aunt did volunteer as well, but she is 52 (yes marly i am stating your age because you are amazing for 52!!) and it felt wrong to stick the buzzard in the back.

i know this is against the law, and dangerous, but we were late and only one car was available.  It was actually comfy and for once I could see the tops of the buildings!

The yoga class was sooooo not worth risking my life in this position.  I have been fortunate enough to have had a class with Vandana and she was amazing.  Our instructor was a twit.  She set an alarm that would go off at the end of each pose. This alarm happened to be the alarm I wake up to every day so it was jarring and anxiety inducing.  She also kept leaving the room, etc.  A guy was snoring.  it just wasn't what I hoped it to be.  Alas, it makes for good fodder.  And after class Sunny told me how she had to modify a pose (thank god I didn't look over at her or I would have been in hysterics) and we now refer to that modified posture as "bear on a log".

We went to a 100% vegan restaurant that night for dinner, Herbivore.  And it was fantastic.  The food was very flavorful and satisfying and I also had one of the best cocktails I have ever had in my life.  It was prosecco with pear and ginger--DELISH!!!!!  

Saturday, the day before the BIG RACE we did a fun shakeout run through Golden Gate park.  The weather was in the high seventies on saturday and it was so wonderful to be in the sun.  We walked around the Haight-Ashbury area and ate lunch, bought snacks, and then went back to our house to relax.  I sat outside with my kindle and read and soaked up some sun.  We had a phenomenal dinner on saturday night at Razzata.  They walked us through the restaurant, down a tiny hallway and out into this gorgeous courtyard with a clear heated tent and lots of white lights.  it was prix fixe and it was excellent!  They kept bringing out something better than the last... and it was fun not knowing what was next.

Finally:  RACE DAY!!!  We woke early so we could eat and prep for the big event.  We had our Team Turtlez tees and chose a meeting spot for post race etc.  The race began at 6:30, so we were down there by 5:35.

Cab ride!!!

Kathryn is a former client and this was her first full!!  She has come sooo far! And i am so proud of her!!!

Team Turtlez!!

Girls gots GAMS!

Look at all these people!!!

I was trying to take a pic of the Wonder"woman" that was a man but I was running, they were running... so its blurry. :(

This was a break dancer--and the song was this song that marly's son (my cuz) and I would crack up at when we were little!  It was great to hear it again!

First hill HANDLED!

Almost finished! The windmill waves you on!

oh, bubbly? why yes.  super FAaaaaaahhhhhnnnnncy in a can, with a straw!! it was awful and none of us could finish it.

And I had to buy yet another shirt because it was so chilly at the finish I needed sleeves!

This sign cracked me up!  This was the mom and sister cheering on Meg! :)

After the race we made our way back to the house and we freshened up and went back to Buena Vista for a warm up and some nibbles.

Everyone was pretty tired so we made our way back to the house which took an eternity with our driver who moved to san fran from el salvador a week prior! but it was an adventure.  

The next day we all departed, several people having issues with super shuttle which was a bummer.  we had a VERY long lay over in seattle so we had manis!!! :)

This was a marathon photo I think I might need to buy:

The trip was a blast!  That is a lot of people to coordinate, and it worked out really great.  It was a challenge to get that many of us from place to place but we managed and i have seriously not laughed that hard in a long time.

Thanks to my lovely ladies!  you all mean a lot to me and I am so proud of everyone that ran/walked and finished!  I hope you all feel a sense of accomplishment and know that in my book you are all rockstars!

100 push ups a day challenge... and heading to San Fran!

So i am at day 6 of the push up challenge (I think) and my arms are sore and tight... but i am sticking with it!  You perform 10 wide pushups then 10 "Pilates" or "tricep" push ups, then 9 and 9, 8 and 8, 7 and 7, 6 and 6, 5 and 5 and 5 and 5.  Total:  100!!  i can do most on my toes but have to do some modified.  I also began doing some "chalk circles" to help stretch out the shoulders.  google it if you have tight shoulders--these are AMAZING!!!  or i can maybe upload a video soon if any interest.

Today I am packing for our trip to San Fran tomorrow!!! Team Turtlez is heading west!  we are all running the Nike Women's Half Marathon.  I hope my legs can carry me through the streets of san fran after the full two weeks ago.  I am not running for time, just for fun.  I plan on running with a camera (mostly so I will have it at the finish!).

Follow along on Instagram (i am turtlegirl00)!  Best of luck to all the other entrants of the race, we will have a blast ladies!  Also I can't wait to see two of my #SistersInNike Karen and Tiara! 

Anything we shouldn't miss in san fran?  Be sure to let me know!  

Also if you decide to do the push up challenge, let me know how it goes! :)

7th Marathon Handled!

7th Marathon Handled!!!  

I know it wasn't my fastest, however going into it uncertain as to whether I would even finish it--i am happy.  Plus it was so awesome to run with my aunt and cousin and know hubbee and bestie were on the course kicking butt at the half.  My aunt and cousin ran their first full and did AMAZING!  This was also Hubbee's first half and Charity's third this year! 

After packet pick up we went to the arcade.  Luc was hilarious and barely able to contain himself:

My uncle Paul cooked us a fabulous pre race dinner of chicken parm:

The weather was rainy, windy and chilly, but once we began running, we were plenty warm.  There were plenty of aid stations on the course.  Also, I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many spectators since the weather was less than ideal for standing around.  

There we are on the course!  around mile 24... staying strong.  My aunt (blue) just started running a few years ago and is quite inspiring!! :)

Once we crossed the finish the crappy weather really set in.  We were shivering, muscles seizing up, etc.  Even though the band sounded great we bailed on the after party.  We took our lobster rolls to go and headed back to the cottage.  My only complaint about the entire race was that spectators weren't allowed in after party area.  Had the weather been better it would have been great to celebrate our victories with our beers and sandwiches and our supporters.

The rest of our vacation we had stellar weather--low 80s!  it was remarkable.  Hubbee went fishing a few times with my uncle and cousin:

We had a great visit with our family and lucked out with the weather.  

This thursday Team Turtlez heads to San Fran for the Nike women's half!!!  Can't wait!  

Hump DAAAAAAY! said the camel

This week training has been great!  Friday after work, hubbee and I ran a pretty hot and sweaty 3.2 miler, then I did my fourteen on saturday.  It was hot and i split it into two but i managed to run two fast 7 milers (sub 8's!). Then sunday Hubbee and I went down to our local park and ran The Bark In The Park.  it is a 5k benefit for our local animal shelter.  Wrigley also attended!  She and I came in second and I won a $25 gift certificate to the Bozeman Running company. (SCORE!!!)  

Wrigley was tired!!

Last night Hubbee, Cuz and I ran over the newly constructed bridge to a new trail.  it was 5.2 miles total and a GREAT run.  There is a quarter mile hill that we ran to and all raced up it, then ran back home. This run was the FARTHEST (furthest?) my Cuz has EVER run!!!  I am so happy to have another convert and since he is living with us for the time being, i have been fortunate enough to have a running buddy!! :)  And the big galloof is FAST!!

It was a gorgeous sight at the top of the hill.  THat is our sleeping giant.  Can you see the indian lying down?  profile of face?  That is also the smoke billowing up from the paradise valley.  There are four fires in our county alone, most counties in the state have some sort of burn occurring, very sad and scary.   

Friday night is the Night Owl Run, and also my aunt and uncle arrive from Florida (said cuz's rents! :)) we are all very close and I am soooo looking forward to their visit.  I am saddened by the smoke and fires, however, since you can't even see our beautiful mountains.

Saturday I am running 15 miles... i need to wake up early and get it done so i will have the full day to spend with the fam, or do it early sunday. 

Hope everyone's training is going well! Off to do some NTC!

more randoms...

It is almost time for the Night Owl Run... this is a great four mile event (so walkers are welcome!!) and it is done at night, this year Aug. 23.  THere is a surprise at the half way point (along with water and gatorade) and once you cross the finish line you can pick up your souvenir pint, fill it with brew and enjoy the barbecue!  You will also receive a tee shirt, glow in the dark bling, and we do random prizes so it is not just 1,2,3.  Along with all the stuff we offer the entrants, the entrants are helping raise funds for two scholarships, and several community organizations.  WIN WIN!!! :)

Some new house items have arrived:

The sofa and rug are new.  in the background is the box for the sleeper/settee that will go in sewing center, however it is now in a spare bedroom.

Ryan will be sleeping on that while his mom and dad are visiting.  good luck, cuz!
We have been floating the river quite a bit and had a fun campfire on saturday night with friends.

The indian paintbrush is just beginning to bloom.  There were only about three so I didn't want to pick them yet.  
A few weeks ago Adam was here for a visit.  it was great to see him... wish we all lived closer together.

Hope you enjoyed the random photo dump!! :)

EEEEK! it's been awhile... random catch up

I have been super busy.  I am sure most are this time of year.  I was so relieved to have the missoula marathon behind me, but had about 10 days where i took it relatively easy and had to jump back into training for the Smuttynose Marathon in the beginning of October.  We are still moving into the new house and beginning to finalize some details for the new studio.  I have been dreaming of a new space for several years, since I have really outgrown my current space.  However, having this empty space that I can do what I want has been a bit overwhelming.  This past week we made some progress.  The floor plan is dialed in! The flooring is ordered, bathroom items ordered, a tankless on-demand hot water heater ordered, etc.  I will be sure to post before and after pics.  

Also, our house is finally coming together.  The Hubbee has been working out of town during the week, and we have had plans that have taken us out of town almost every weekend, so finally last weekend we were able to make some headway.  I have ordered two new sofas; one for sewing center (it is also a sleep) and a beautiful charcoal gray for our living room.  The living/dining room has been painted, along with trim and I can't wait for the sofa to arrive!

Another random:  my cousin moved to Montana from Florida and he immediately said he wouldn't run... within 2-3 weeks he came on a 3 miler, and he then bought actual running Nikes!  We ran a super speedy 5k last night and he is going to run the Night Owl run (Aug 23--a fantastic festive fundraising event!!!).  Another convert!!! :)

now, back to the training... it has been half-hearted.  i am hitting all the workouts but it was really rough and mentally challenging to get them done... until last week.  Last week was the first run that actually felt good.  finally the bug is back.  i have pretty much been in training for almost a year and a half, so I think i am a bit burnt out.  After October races I am going to switch focus--i will always run, but I am keeping longer races off plan until hopefully the next summer.  The other piece is during the move, we were eating out a lot, and that takes it toll on me.  I have reigned that in and hopefully the feel-good running will continue.

how is everyone elses training?  for what races/events are you training?  Any suggestions of something not to forget to add to studio?