The Race That Was The Most Rewarding & I've Lost My Mind

Happy Friday! OK a few things to recap for you before we get to the last of my 3 race recaps of 2018. First of all- pretty sure I’ve lost my mind!?!? Race will be announced soon-ish! ; ) I can’t announce EVERYTHING to you all at once! I have to keep the suspense going just a little bit.

Also stocking up on all the Elderberry, Vitamin C things, and vitamins - when I feel a little niggle coming on! I also have a busy weekend of teaching skiing (tonight/ tomorrow/ Sunday), so I know I won’t get as much rest as I’d like this weekend (good thing I have Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day completely off of work)..

I’ve got an easy 5 miles on the schedule this morning, which I will probably actually do after work (before teaching skiing) so I can sleep in (but still totally winging it in the morning)!

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Alright let’s get to the race that was the most rewarding (for me) in 2018. It actually wasn’t even a race, it was the most amazing experience of my life. I’m convinced I was in the best shape of my life and cannot believe how well my body handled it. You know exactly what I’m talking about if you’ve read along on my journey for a bit- MS Run The US Relay, where I ran from Steamboat to Denver (175.33 miles, over 2 Rocky Mountain Passes!) in May of this year and raised over $10,000 for multiple sclerosis research.

I guess you can say that it definitely gave me the “bug” to see how I can challenge myself even further (hence why I’m setting my sights on a lofty 2019 goal- a 50 miler!). It’s so funny when I look back on the relay and how absolutely floored I am with what I accomplished.

It never really felt ‘real’ (even afterwards!) for so so long (I’m sure my struggle with depression and lacking of confidence at the time also didn’t help), until we DROVE to Denver this past Fall. I was just completely in awe of myself and what my body helped me accomplish.

It was also so amazing to be a part of a larger community- not only did I do my part, but all TOGETHER we ran across the country! No one runner didn’t pull their weight and we raised so much awareness/ funds for MS.

I’m not even sure I would say that it was the most rewarding because it was the most amount of miles that I have ever covered (or even attempted to cover), but it was the most rewarding simply because it was part of a much larger picture. I wasn’t running or fundraising just for my grandfather, but for all those that I’ve met along my journey who have been affected by MS.

It’s a pretty incredible feeling to be part of such a wonderful community and I 100% recommend it to anyone looking like they need a new running challenge or to switch up their training. It’s something I never saw myself being able to do until I did it.

The feeling when I completed each day (AND THEN ACROSS THAT RELAY FINISH LINE?!?) was absolutely indescribable. I can equate it to receiving my Undergraduate Diploma times a million.

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What are three things you’re doing this weekend?

What was the most rewarding race for you in 2018?!

Ever completed an ultra- what was your experience?!

The Race That Taught Me All About Perseverance

When I started thinking about recapping what races I did this year and which ones really left a lasting impression on me, this race was one where I kinda wanted to forget about. Don’t get me wrong, I accomplished an amazing goal- I became an ultramarathoner! But it was so tough. It reminded me of my first (and second) marathon, where I really really wanted to quit (multiple times). It was so tempting to just call it quits after that first 25k (the first of two loops of the course).

It was the slowest I’d traveled anywhere in a really long time (actually even slower than my 175 mile run to Denver in May 2018). It was also my first solo traveled race, so I could just quit whenever I wanted and there would be no one to feel bad about my decision (except myself). So, why would I continue to push along when all the signs were telling me to turn around?

It was honestly the people surrounding me. We were all pretty miserable, but when they took off for that second loop I followed along. Not even sure what I was committing to at that time.

But when you hear the finish line announcer celebrating each runner that crosses that line, you feel a sense of earnest. I didn’t want to miss out on that opportunity. After all, the kitties were waiting for me at home- expecting me to come home as an ultramarathoner. I couldn’t let them down.

It’s funny when I look back, I dont’ really remember exactly how miserable I was. I don’t remember convincing myself that at 25k I would just walk off the course. I remember really really wanting to be done, but pushing on anyways. Coming out stronger (mentally) at the 40k mark than I was at 20k.

It’s funny in those moments of doubt, how we somehow find a tougher layer within us. It was slow and absolutely off my time goal, but when you completely doubt yourself and then somehow persevere - it’s the most amazing feeling. So I guess that’s what most people refer to when they say ultras are addicting because I’m already looking forward to pushing my boundaries even further next year.

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What race taught you all about perserverence? Why?

5k Race Recap!

Happy Friday! It’s slightly unusual, but I’m really enjoying this downtime from not running. Sure, I absolutely cannot wait to get back out there and run some new (and old, familiar) routes; but it’s also pretty nice to just relax for a bit. I’ve still been on-again off-again dealing with some inner knee pain and plantar fasciitis, so I’ve got a Physical Therapy screening this morning at a new place (crossing my fingers & toes that I get a good PT that can heal me up in my downtime).

Let’s recap the 5k on Saturday! This was my 2nd year doing the 5k (and using it as a shakeout run) so I knew what to expect (which was really nice). It also starts at 6pm, so you’ve got all day to either walk a bunch (we did not do that) or relax (we did this).

In the morning, we walked to breakfast and then to CVS to pick up just some miscellaneous things (snacks/ coconut water/ mucinex/ body wash) before sitting outside at Cesar’s Palace for a while. I was a terrible blogger this day and barely took one photo, so I’m sorry in advance! I also did some light strength/ stretching at the hotel that morning.

5k race ready!

Last year, we got so lucky to get on a Monorail to get to the start of the 5k (which is at the last stop of the monorail) and it was so crowded! So this year, we decided to leave extra early and eat dinner at the SLS Las Vegas (where 5k start/finish is). We also skipped lunch, so we were ready for an early dinner (i.e. eating at 4pm I think?). Hardly anyone was on the monorail, so it was a great decision (also dinner was really quiet as well)!

We ate at the BEST pizza place I’ve literally had since I studied abroad in Italy (no joke). If you’re in Vegas, you MUST eat at 800 Degrees Neapolitan PIzzeria. We split one pizza (it’s around ~2 servings per pizza) and got the Cesear salad. The pizza also cooks in 90 seconds in the brick oven, so it takes no time at all.

After dinner, we walked over to the 5k start around 5:15 (the hotel is directly across the street from the start/finish area).

You can read my 5k race recap HERE.

Since my mom & grandma wouldn’t be finished for another hour or so after me, I decided I would meet them back at the PIzzeria (they have gelato)! I remember getting pretty cold waiting outside for them last year and it was difficult to find eachother, so this way I stayed warm and they knew exactly where I would be post-race. Plus, gelato as a post-run treat? YES PLEASE!

I got a mix of salted caramel, french vanilla, and coconut snickers and it was amazing. It was also huge and I only ate about half of it.

After gelato, we took the monorail back (and while it was still busy, it was really well organized and maybe took us 10 minutes to wait to get on one).

Don’t forget to check back on Monday for my Half Marathon recap!

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Favorite flavors of gelato?

Night races- what would/ did you do during the day?!

Best place you’ve ever had pizza? Favorite flavor?

Training Tuesday: Lake Powell Half Marathon Recap & 3 Easy Tips For Getting Faster On Your Runs!

Happy Tuesday! My Monday went by so quickly and I have a feeling that it’s going to continue to go faster until Vegas in 20 DAYS?!? How is it even possible that we’re less than 3 weeks until the race and only 2.1 weeks from when I leave?! I LOVE running the Rock ‘n Roll Vegas race - the energy is contagious, the weather has always been spectacular, and there’s just nothing else like it. After my race on Saturday, I’m feeling even more confident going into this race to achieve my goals. I’ve got my second-to-last speedwork session this morning and am so thankful that it’s finally warmer here (compared to last week’s single-digit weather)- 30* feels like a heat wave!

You can check out my race recap for the Lake Powell Half Marathon HERE.

I also wanted to share with you 3 tips that have helped me get faster over the past year or so. These are simple things that I had never really thought about before when I was running (more just for fun/ less than achieving any sort of time goal). I’d also love to hear if YOU have some easy tips that have helped you get faster. Make sure to share them in the comments below!

1. VARY your training paces. I.E. don’t just run the same paces everyday. Have a day where you run EASY (either keeping heartrate low/ being able to recite the Brady Bunch etc.) and then have one or two days a week where you vary/ play with your speed (whether that’s in tempo runs / speedwork/ surges at the end of an easy run, just try to get faster for a bit and then slow it back down!)

2. Join a running group/ class/ find a running buddy/ get a coach! I started doing the Running classes at Steamboat Pilates and immediately learned that there was something called speedwork?!? Ha. I had literally NEVER heard of this for us amateur runners out there and got so much faster by incorporating this once a week (it helped me break that sub 2 hour half marathon barrier)!

3. Try out different training plans to find the one that works for YOU. I tried out Hal Higdon’s for Revel Rockies Marathon one year, Jeff Galloway’s for Disney, and Hanson’s Marathon Method for Vegas last year - it took me awhile to find what worked best FOR ME. Everyone’s different and remembering that maybe getting a coach might be the best option for you instead of following a typical ‘run of the mill’ training plan

Tips for getting faster?!?

Favorite training plan you’ve ever followed?

Feature Friday: Under Armour Copper 50k RECAP!

Happy Friday! We made it to the end of the week! I hope you have a great weekend full of exciting things- I'll be thinking of you as I make my way to Trader Joe's! ; )

I've got my Copper Mountain 50k Race Recap up for you HERE. Let me know if you read it and have a great weekend!