Feature Friday- My First 50k GOALS! & Final Prep

Happy Friday! We finally made it! I got up early this morning to get in a 3 mile shakeout run along the lake then will be working from 7-3 to hopefully arrive in Copper by 5:30 this evening (it's around a 2 hour drive there)! I rented a Condo for the night right at the base of the mountain (where the race starts), so it will be SO NICE to just wake up a bit later and just walk 5 minutes to the start line (it's the little things in life)... I'll make sure to give the entire a nice little review afterwards! Hoping to get a lot of great pictures in throughout too!

I'm still trying to decide what my post-race "treat" will be, but there's few options on my drive back home! So, here are my race goals! Since it's my first ultra, I have ZERO expectations besides finishing, which feels oddly really nice :)

• GOAL #1: FINISH!
• GOAL #2: HAVE A SMILE THE ENTIRE TIME!
• GOAL #3: TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!
• GOAL #4: HAVE FUN & TRY TO ENJOY EVERY CLIMB/ DESCENT/ TRAIL

I'll be stopping by the expo this evening, then relaxing for the evening (making sure I've got all my things ready to go for the morning (including pre-race breakfast & gels/ snacks)) while making dinner (SO nice to have a place that has a kitchen!) and binging on a few episodes of The Crown on Netflix (super addicted to this show right now). 

What's your favorite post-race treat?

What are some things you look forward to doing the night before a race?

Anyone else racing this weekend- where/when/what distance? GIVE ME ALL THE DETAILS!

Catching Up & I'm Feeling *TWITCHY*

Happy Friday-eve! I hope you have some fun plans this weekend!! I'm traveling solo down to Copper tomorrow afternoon. My 50k begins at 7am Saturday morning! I cannot believe that it's already HERE! Also, I'm excited to start getting back into the swing of things as far as a training plan/ schedule/ looking forward to Fall adventures (is it OK to look forward to Fall/ cooler weather when we're still in the midst of Summer?!?...maybe I just jinxed us and winter weather will be unusually terrible this year)! I'll post my goals for the 50k tomorrow, so make sure to check back!

I've been packing for my race/ putting together a playlist/ updating my garmin/ will be getting my race day nails ready tonight! What are your race day necessities?!? Alex is backpacking with the boys this weekend and taking Stella, so I'm honestly super looking forward to Sunday morning (I'll drive back home Saturday after the race) when I don't need to worry about taking Stella out super early and can literally sleep the entire morning away (if I want). I have NO IDEA how I'll be feeling after my race (thinking super sore, but who knows), so I've scheduled next week to either include all rest days/ a few rest days just depends on what my body needs! 

I'm also feeling pretty twitchy this week. My runs feel a bit stiff and I've really had to hold back on my paces --> this is my nice little sweet twitchy spot that lets me know I'm ready to RACE! When my legs want to go fast and my body feels a bit tight --> race-ready!

Sunrise views from my run yesterday morning!

Alright, so I've been feeling just ugh lately. I'm not sure if it's a delayed post- MS Run The US blues, raging hormones that won't go away for weeks, or just stressed/bored/ etc.? I've felt bloaty for weeks and just a bit blue. I know I've gained back some of the weight I lost during my relay week (which was good because honestly I was too thin by day 7) so that could be contributing to the bloaty feeling, but I've also had no real desire to eat healthy foods (normally I always do) so I'm eating more sugary things and also just running way less so I have no real outlet to relieve my stress/anxiety and have more time on my hands to do...something? IDK. Maybe I need a new hobby? I'm trying to add in more yoga and meditation into my life, but they haven't really left me feeling "full" and "complete" as they normally do.  

I'm trying to be less strict with myself on following a training plan/ diet because I know taking a break is good, but honestly I feel like it's gotten me down into a rabbit hole of sorts. Maybe I'm just one of those people who needs structure in their life, but all I really know is that I'm so looking forward to training for the Vegas Marathon after this 50k and having some real scheduled things again.

Maybe this is TMI or maybe you've struggled with something similar when transitioning from one goal to the next? Any thoughts/ recommendations/ insights?

How do you know you're "race ready"??

Feature Friday: Top Products I Used For MS Run The US

Happy Friday friends! We made it to the weekend! I *think* we will be backpacking tomorrow night, but still deciding (ha, nothing like waiting until the last minute!...). What are you up to this weekend?!? I have an 8 mile run to do, but otherwise I'm cutting back for my 50k (one week from tomorrow eeeeek)! I've switched my original plan of my ultra to have a time goal (because let's face it, running UP a ski mountain is REALLY hard), to just having fun, enjoying the experience and finishing! Any ultra runners out there have any advice for a first-timer?

I wanted to share with you some of the products that were absolutely necessary for my MS Run The US Relay.

These items I was SO thankful to have throughout my 175 mile journey:

• Two pairs of sunglasses. Goodr sunglasses were perfect and if I couldn't find one pair, I had the second one there are a back-up.

• Oofos Recovery Sandals for post-run recovery. I couldn't tell you how many times when I was running that I looked forward to slipping my feet into my sandals. 

• Buff neck gaiter. I had never used a Buff before this relay, but I had read a bloggers article about the 'must haves' for running an ultra and a buff was on there. This seriously was amazing to keep my neck protected from the sun, as well as it kept me cooler and helped wick away sweat.

• 3 pairs of sneakers. I had 3 pairs of Brooks Ghosts and switched them halfway through my run each day. My feet IMMEDIATELY felt relief and often I found myself having an extra little pep-in-my-step after slipping into a new pair. Additionally, two pairs of socks for each day (AT LEAST). When I switched my shoes, I would also switch my socks. Sometimes, I'd go to compression socks and other times it would just be nice to go to something that wasn't sweaty or had some extra cushioning (really nice to have a few extra plush pairs of socks for those later days in the relay when your feet are killing you).

Photo courtesy of MS Run The US

• Some type of windbreaker/ all-weather jacket. I LOVED my merrell 1/4 zip windbreaker/ waterproof jacket. It's actually discontinued, but you can find something similar HERE. It kept me visible in the fog, but also had me feeling prepared if a rain storm where to come out of nowhere. 

Photo courtesy of MS Run The US

• Ultimate Direction Hydration Vest. I really loved this vest, EXCEPT that mine was a bit too large (so it actually rubbed against my neck and created this lovely hickey-looking scar that is STILL faintly there). Some type of hydration vest is needed.

Photo courtesy of MS Run The US

• Some type of small iPod Shuffle/ Nano/ similar product. Although my iPod Nano didn't have bluetooth, it really saved me (and my phone battery so I could take more photos). Plus it was nice to go from listening to music on it, to my phone for a podcast and then back. 
• Two Hats. I brought along my Honey Stinger Trucker hat, as well as my Boston Red Sox visor. It was so great to have the option of what I wanted to wear each morning and also gave me a break from wearing the same thing every day. 

Photo courtesy of MS Run The US

• Some type of light top layer. When it was expected to be in the 90s in Denver on Day #6, I was so thankful for my Oiselle Flyout Shirt. It provided UV protection and felt so light that I didn't even realize it was there! Also kept my shoulder protected from the sun, unlike a typical tank top would do. 

• Gels/any recovery items if you're specific. The relay ended up not having a full supply of Honey Stinger gels (they got restocked at the beginning of my segment, but didn't unpack them yet) and they only had some Hammer Gels (I've never tried those). I'm really hesitant to try new things when I'm running long, so I was SO glad that I brought along (and had Alex drop more off halfway through my relay segment) some Honey Stinger gels with caffeine. I also brought along my own Tart Cherry Extract (it's pretty expensive), which I would take after running to help aid in recovery and reduce inflammation. I felt slightly bad about bringing my own things, but looking back- I shouldn't have. If it will help me with my run, then there's no reason not to break it out. 
• Icy Hot & Lotion. My feet really started to get torn up in the later days of the segment, so lotion was sooo nice to have. I'd put some lotion on, then some icy hot all over my feet and calves, then my compression socks before taking a nap in the afternoons. I also always do this after I race to help aid in recovery (plus it feels amazing). 
• Inspiring book to read. I read Scott Jurek's book during my relay and I remember drawing on some of the things I learned while out on the run each day. It was also just a nice break later in the afternoon to look forward to reading something I really enjoyed. 

What are you up to this weekend?!

Any ultra runners out there have any advice?!

Favorite must-have products when running long?

Last week's Training Rundown: 6/25-7/1

Happy Fourth of July! I hope you are spending the day with people that you love and something that you've looked forward to. While I've felt it difficult over these past few years to celebrate our country, I am still thankful for all that we have and optimistic that something brighter will come in the future. Have a GREAT day and celebrate safely!

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Monday, 6/25: 6.56 miles @ 9:50 pace 433' elevation gain; 25 minutes of strength. It was HOT outside for these late afternoon miles on a mix of road/ trails. 

Tuesday, 6/26: 5.37 miles with 1.12 mile warm-up @ 10:13 / 6 x 400 (1:40/ 1:43/ 1:41 / 1:42/ 1:40 / 1:38; 400R between sets) / 1.13 mile cool-down @ 9:54. I originally planned to do this on the High School track, but they have it completely under-construction! I ran to the Middle School track (it's all dirt) and was able to get this done there, but there were a few muddy spots so I'm even more excited to see where these will be once I'm able to get back on the real track. A few of my paces were around 6:24/ 6:25 min/mile pace! I was just testing out my fitness, so those were REALLY great surprises. 

Wednesday, 6/27: 4.0 miles @ 12:08 1, 011' elevation gain. I decided to "run" up Mt. Werner (the ski mountain) and my pace was actually pretty good considering how much elevation I gained over just 4 miles! Woof. it was HARD, but so beautiful up there early. 30 minutes of strength training after work. 

Blurry photos are clearly my specialty

Thursday, 6/28: Rest Day / 20 minutes of swimming 0.5 mile total / 15 minutes of yoga. Swimming felt SO fantastic and it was nice to be cool in the pool when it was 90* outside. Used this yoga video to stretch out my feet/ calves and it was perfect. Love the jasyoga videos!

Friday, 6/29: 3 trail miles @ 11:19 min/mi 515' elevation gain early in the morning & 60 minutes of pilates at lunch

Saturday, 6/30: 3 trail miles easy with Stella (forgot to start/stop my watch when we stopped at all the water holes) with 748' UP 

HI Stella!

Sunday, 7/1: 2.66 mi warm-up run to the half marathon race start (parked my car at a parking lot farther away) @ 9:55 min/mi with some surges towards the end of the run/ 13.1 (or 12.8 miles according to my slightly inaccurate garmin) mi HALF MARATHON PR 1:49:15 8:20 min/mi 577' UP elevation gain (it was HILLY) / 3.0 mi cool down @ 10:36 min/mi. 18.46 miles for the day! 

TOTAL WEEK MILEAGE --> 40.39 miles / 3, 284' elevation gain

What are you up to today?!

Favorite thing about Holidays? --> probably hot dogs/ cookouts/ relaxing by the water somewhere / not working ; )

Favorite cookout item? --> mix between potato salad & hot dogs