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?!

Top Songs That Got Me PUMPED UP For My Relay

Happiest Friday friends! We made it through the week (yay)! What are you most looking forward to doing this weekend? The weather looks a bit unsteady, so probably no camping or backpacking for us, but hopefully we'll get out to enjoy the lake or trails a bit. I'm still enjoying mainly unscheduled runs for the month and just going out for however long and whenever I feel like it!

I wanted to share with you 10 of the top songs that I listened to during my relay that really got me going. These were the songs that up'd my mental game and got me ready to tackle however many more miles I had left to go. They helped me when the sun was beating down on me and when the wind was unbearable. Some of the songs were really motivational and others had some sort of sentimental connection to it (Wide Open Spaces made me think of when I first moved to Colorado & Night Moves reminded me of my friend from High School whom I lost at the same time that my grandfather passed away). Heigh-Ho and Under The Sea both immediately lifted my mood and I sang them out loud along the run SEVERAL times ; )

1. Don't Stop Me Now- Queen

2. Ghost (Oliver Nelson Remix)- Ella Henderson

3. Love Runs Out- OneRepublic

4. 'Till I Collapse - Eminem

5. Heigh-Ho from "Snow White"

6. Under The Sea- "The Little Mermaid"

7. Night Moves - Bob Seger

8. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac

9. Wide Open Spaces - Dixie Chicks

10. Sugar- Maroon 5

Have a great weekend! Anyone racing this weekend?!? What are you most looking forward to this weekend?

Top song that never gets old while you're running or working out? --> probably something by Eminem ;) 

What My Training Has Looked Like Since MS Run The US

Happy Friday eve Friends! I hope you enjoyed my relay recaps and if you skipped them, well welcome back to your regular scheduled programming! I really enjoyed reliving my relay and it already got me dreaming about what my next BIG goals should be. I've got a few ideas ; ) What are you planning for the weekend? Is anyone racing?!? I'm really excited to just be "running" for the rest of this month and not in "training" mode. I've got my 50k mid-July and know that I'll need to fit in a 20-miler later this month, but otherwise I'm just running however long and wherever I like! My goal for the 50k will to just finish it, since I've never done one before!

SO, since I'm NOT training here is a breakdown of what my running has looked like post-relay (remember I didn't really feel anything besides just tired after my relay, so I started running much sooner than I originally anticipated):

Monday, May 28th (one day post-relay): OFF

Tuesday, May 29th: OFF

Wednesday, May 30th: OFF

Thursday, May 31st: 30 minutes on the elliptical

Friday, June 1st: 10 minutes on the stairclimber/ 10 minutes walking on the treadmill/ 20 minutes of strength work

Saturday, June 2nd: OFF / 3 mile hike with Alex & Stella

Sunday, June 3rd: 7 miles @ 9:08 / 20 minutes of Yoga / Light Strength Work

Monday, June 4th: 6 miles @ 9:30

Tuesday, June 5th: OFF / 4 mile hike with Stella

Wednesday, June 6th: 7 mile progression run 9:56 --> 8:01 pace (last mile cool down @ 10:36)

Thursday, June 7th: OFF / 35 minutes of strength work

Friday, June 8th: 6 miles @ 9:57

Saturday, June 9th: 3.26 miles @ 9:49 462' UP/ 3 mile backpack with Alex & Stella

Sunday, June 10th: OFF/ 3 mile backpack with Alex & Stella

I've just been basing my runs on how I feel and not running if I don't feel up to it. I may do a hike or strength work or just take it completely off if I don't want to. While I LOVE the structure of training, I'm kinda loving the freedom of this relaxed running schedule. 

What's your favorite thing with off season running?

What's something your most looking forward to this weekend?!?

MS Run The US Reflection

It's been over 14 days until I finished my segment and it's just now starting to hit me the magnitude of what I accomplished. It's funny how sometimes accomplishing a big goal doesn't seem "real" right away. I obviously felt over-joyed at the finish line and throughout my entire segment to be able to run and have a strong enough body to carry me through so much, but it's taken me a while to really process it all.

I remember following the relay for several years and always being in absolute awe of the relay runners and the miles that their body was able to handle. I never even once considered that I could do what they were doing. I loved how passionate and determined they were, while also raising awareness of MS. At the time, I had only one marathon under my belt and had been dealing with a nagging injury, Achilles tendonitis, that just wouldn't go away. My first marathon had left me feeling depleted and it took me over a year to even think about signing up for another one.

I someday dreamt of being part of the relay, but it was always just a silly idea to me. 

I finally got my tendonitis under control (I had a PRP injection in my Achilles and was in a boot during most of Summer 2015) and slowly started running again. I missed the regime of marathon training and decided to give 26.2 another shot. After running a few more halfs and running a breakthrough marathon, I thought maybe I could be a relay runner. But life got away from me and by the time I started researching it applications had closed (they close at the end of September every year).

Another year passed and I watched closely as Abbie, from Steamboat, ran segment #7. I looked everyday during his segment to see where she ran to and how she was doing. I was entranced by it all. When my grandfather passed away in August 2017 and a week later applications for MS Run The US were closing, I knew this was my year. I had my purpose- to run in memory of him- and had a stronger body than I ever had had before.

When I found out I had to fundraise $10,000 I was shocked. I had no idea how to raise that much money! I lived in a town without any family/ very little friends and far, far away from them. I began brainstorming fundraisers and set monthly goals of where I'd like to be in regards to $ amounts. I reached out to many, many businesses and potential fundraiser opportunities. I maybe heard back from 1/8 of those that I contacted. I contacted potential donors again and again and again and again until I heard back a response. I didn't feel guilty because I was so passionate about what I was doing and wanting to share my story. I finally hit my fundraising goal 2 weeks before my segment start and have now surpassed it- raising $10, 911 for MS. 

Before my segment began, I was intimidated. I questioned how my one measly 69-mile peak week would have me prepared enough to run a 175 mile-week. I hoped that my body would hold up and my nagging injuries (knee/ shin/ achilles) would subside. I wondered how the dynamic with the road crew would be and if I could really get to each location I hoped to. I had nightmares of getting run-over by cars and getting captured by some random person along my running route. I questioned whether my nervous stomach (I eat very specific items before long runs/race day that work well for me) would allow me to eat anything during my journey.

I had so.many.people tell me it'd be OK if I didn't finish. They would say, "you know, Denver is a really long way away. You don't have to do it all if you don't want to". I would always reply nicely, but know that not finishing was NOT an option. My relay runners and grandfather were counting on me. I was going to do it and I was going to crush it. 

In the end, my stomach was ok. I never got abducted or run-over. I met and exceeded my fundraising goals. I made it to every location I wanted to along my segment. My body held up and hardly ever gave me any aches or pains. My feet swelled (not by much), but putting them up kept it at bay. I conquered 2 Rocky Mountain passes and still had energy to spare. I crossed the finish line with the biggest, cheesiest smile on my face and haven't been able to wipe it away since then. 

2 weeks out and I'm still riding my runners high. The feeling of being part of something much bigger than just your 175 mile segment is incredible. Whether you have a connection to MS or not, I highly encourage you to apply. The amount of confidence that I gained through this journey is immeasurable. Something that once seemed impossible now seems possible all because of what this relay has taught me. I'm still on cloud 9, but I'll let you know when I come back down ; )

Photo Courtesy of MS Run The US

MS Run The US Recap- Day 7 Part 2 - Miles 174-175

"Miles For Bernard" ~Day 7 Mantra

Miles 174-175 ; Civic Center Park -> Woods Boss Brewery

1 mile left. I had covered 174 miles on my journey to get here from Steamboat. I had battled wind/ rain/ snow/ traffic/ no music / heat/ tired legs to get to this point. I tried not to look back on my journey because I didn't want to get emotional. I wanted to celebrate and enjoy the experience. I wanted this to be the slowest mile ever because I didn't want it to stop. My legs were a bit tired, but never feeling to the point that they do when I race a marathon. My feet were definitely ready to get out of sneakers for a few days and into some recovery Oofos sandals, but my heart wanted to keep going. 

Ready for one final mile!

Alex left for the brewery a bit past 11am and mom & I headed to Civic Center Park. It was already pretty warm, but thankfully the shade from the sky scrapers helped keep the temperatures down. We waited for a bit and Rob delivered me my baton! I can't believe just a week earlier I had gotten the baton passed along to me. While we waited for my orange army to run to me from the Brewery, we took some photos and watched the traffic. Soon enough, they were here! I started to tear up just a little as I saw the sea of orange running towards me. I'm very much a solo runner, but to see all the people that came to run my final mile with me and raise awareness of MS it was amazing. I loved the support.

We started our run at 11:50am and it went by so fast. I don't remember stopping at the lights or really what was around us. I remember chatting with Ashley about what I would do next and I had no idea. It still didn't seem real. I mean, I ran from Steamboat to Denver! What?!? 

We crossed the final intersection and crossed the road. I saw the finish line chute and brewery up ahead and immediately put my hands up. I held back any emotions because all I wanted to remember this day by was pure joy and happiness. That's what my grandfather would have felt had he been there, so that is what I channeled. It was 12pm on May 27th, 2018 and I had just ran 175.88 miles to raise awareness of MS. 

Finish Line photo on pointe! Photo Courtesy of MS Run The US

I couldn't stop smiling! I ran to the finish with my baton and finally stopped running. My body kinda just wanted to keep going - it got into such a nice rhythm but I was also definitely looking forward to getting some much-needed SLEEP! So many people came up to congratulate me and that made it seem more real. They were in-awe of what I had just done and thanked me over and over again. 

Photo Courtesy of MS Run The US

Ashley, MS Run The US Founder, gave me a hug and Sam from MS4MS was also there to congratulate me. The owner of Woods Boss Brewery where we finished also congratulated me. It felt weird to be the center of attention (something I normally don't like, but today I relished in it). My 175 mile journey had finally come to a close, but I wouldn't begin to process everything until weeks later. 

Photo Courtesy of MS Run The US

Alex headed home and Mom & I headed out to do some shopping (all the essential places ofcourse... ;) ....)! We got ice cream, went to Sephora, TJ Maxx, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods before heading home through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Photo Courtesy of MS Run The US