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!
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!! :)
This morning I had my scheduled phone call with Lydia from Nikewomen. She told me about travel plans, a bit about the weekend and i can expect another package next week! woohoo!
I had to get that out because I just hung up and am dancing around my house with my dogs and they are excited too--even though they won't be going to san fran--I think they are excited for me!! :)
This past week was another busy one... It was our fourth Annual Night Owl Run!!! Kristen and I started this race and each year it has grown and grown and it is a blast.
This was taken from our first year at packet pick up. This year was our smoothest operating one. After the second year we smartened up and decided to use a timing company. Bozeman Running Company is AMAZING! They make it so simple. And this year Adam and Casey even helped us with packet pickup.
I also want to give a shout out to my hubbee, his pops, bill, jesse, Colleen, Kristen's sister heather, her hubbee, kristen's mom and her bf, and joel. Plus all the other volunteers and entrants. Everyone stepped up and helped out by either bbq-ing, manning corners, etc. We couldn't do this without our helpers!! And thanks to Judy Roy for keeping runners safe from the rattle snake!! :)
Also the sponsors--so many local businesses gave wonderful donations and made this possible. For a small town people really stepped up and made this a great family event.
We tried to keep the runners and walkers entertained on the course. Also we had a water and "night owl nectar" station (for adults)!! people that imbibed were entered into a drawing for a chance to win a lazy boy recliner from Florence Furniture. The run was a great success and the fifth year will be an even better one and surprises for those of you who have done all five years!! :)
Saturday was a 20 miler. I was pumped for this run. I knew my body was ready and my mind was on the same page. This does not always happen for me. It was not too hot saturday and the smoke seemed to have cleared. I did some with Wrigley, some alone and some on the treadmill at Sunny's watching the olympics (yes--I am aware they are over). I ran it in about 2:42. I did stop at mile ten to refuel and then again at mile 15. All in all it was a great run! i felt as though I could have done more. I like to end long runs on a happy note. track runs I leave it all out there, and tempos, but long runs help me build the mental strength for the marathon so i need to know I can go a bit more. Also saturday I earned my record amount of fuel! :) woohoo!
Sunday was a glorious rest day. Monday was yoga, and yesterday was NTC. I also did 45 min advanced yoga last night. Today is a track workout. i am excited to use the new track, however it is VERY smokey again. Maybe by tonight it will blow out? I am looking forward to the track workout since I have had 3 days off of running. I have not had this much time off running since the beginning of training. Today I think i will wear my new sneaks and tee that came last week! :) Anything to keep me pumped!
I am also always looking for song recommendations. I like all sorts of music--except i am not too into country... any suggestions?
Last week was so much better training wise than the week before. I did not set myself up for failure and woke at 4 am to prep breakfast, have a coffee then meet Britton at 6 for our 17 miler. We did not run fast (as we are not supposed to do so) but we had quite a successful long run! "aaaahhhaaaaa" angels singing. Had an awesome raft trip with Hubbee and some now new friends which made for great recovery and a great rest day sunday. I was so relieved when i woke on sunday that I had completed the long run because it was SOOOOOO smokey. It would have been miserable to run in that.
Monday I ran seven, yesterday NTC which was super fun--but my shoulders are tired from runs/rowing/ntc and today I have a 6 mile tempo. I am looking forward to it except that it will be on treadmill. it is still so smokey here and we can't even see mountains or neighbors houses. it is eerie, like we live in cloudy Kansas. blecht.
This Friday night is our FOURTH annual NIGHT OWL RUN. THis is a GOOOOOOOOOOD time! For one's entry they receive a great tee, a pint glass, candy, glow in the dark bling, a bbq post race and beer to put in the pint glass. Also chances for some AWESOME prizes. We don't just do 1/2/3. we do those, but then we do random: like 16, 22, etc., traveled the furthest, best owl costume, and first to register. Families can come and eat for free with their running member. And to top it off we give two scholarships and donate to a different charity every year. It is a scenic four mile course done at 7 at night :)
Saturday is my 20 miler... I am looking forward to it. I felt so much better post 17 and didn't need a nap like i did after the 15 miler so i know what to do for success!!
I am also very excited because I ordered some stuff off the Nike clearance site and it should be delivered today!! I ordered a tee with a foam finger!!! and some new sneaks to try. THose of you that know me, know I have an obse--er collection of foam fingers (and now foam claw from CUBS!) so i had to have this tee.
I have not had this much fun training for a marathon. I have to give my thanks to marie purvis (@NikeGetFit) and the @Nikewomen for a) this amazing opportunity and b) for connecting me with women that are doing what I am doing. My #SistersInNike (@TiaraBeth, @superwomankw, @nerissa_ann, @RenewedFitness and in spirit @marlyw) Normally I am plugging away at this alone. I don't have friends that want to run these distances, etc. So being able to motivate one another, seek advice, etc it has brought my training to a new level. And I feel as though i have training partners for life!! This is a lifestyle to all of us and that is why I think we will remain united. For that, I am so grateful.
On this note i have to give a shout out to @itsallaboutme00 . she is getting on this NTC and NikeFuel bus!!! she had an epoch first day with her band yesterday and I know it is the beginning of more remarkable feats to come!!
