Figure Friday: How To Stop While Skating

Happy Friday! We’re back (at the moment ha) to our regularly scheduled Figure Fridays!

Find this weeks ‘How To’ Instructional Video HERE - How To Stop!

Last week was honestly a doozy. I ended catching my cold, I had a huge exam to take on Saturday, worked over 25 hours at my 3 jobs, and had a final paper due for one of my classes. I’m just holding on, keeping my head down, and hoping that I make it to the end in the next four weeks. It’s kinda nice to not have to think about running any crazy races right now because I don’t think I would even be able to focus on it! I do really miss the stress-relief that running provides me, but two more weeks off before I’m lacing back up. I also know that taking the time now will help get me to the start line injury free at the Providence Marathon in May! I really do miss these views.

I mainly am taking a month off from running because it’s been YEARS since I’ve last taken any time off! I always say that I’m going to take 2 weeks off, but always end up coming back after one week. So, this time I’m STICKING to it and trying out new things! I’ve been doing a trail subscription of Pure Barre this week and am going to try out other online fitness classes (since we have none where I am at the moment!) for the next few weeks. It’s been fun to be sore after 15-20 minutes of strength/body work and know that this will make me a better runner in the future. It’s also been really fun to think really big about what my goals for 2020 can be. I’ve had a million different ones swirling around in my mind and while I haven’t made any concrete decisions yet, there are a few that I’m really interested in! Flashback to running in Eugene- so much fun to travel to races!

I also wanted to share with you some goodies about my current training that I’m doing to prepare myself for the start line in Spring 2020:

*Stretching more often

*Getting in QUALITY strength training sessions 4-5x/week!

*Breaking out that foam roller

*Focusing on my nutrition- I love to balance out some treats with also some really good wholesome meals! (cue RFCFES Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie baking spree ; ) …….)

*SLEEP!

*Meditate & Journal- I’m all about that self-care!

————————————————————————————————————-

I also wanted to make sure to share with you the discount code for the Bahamas Marathon in January 2020! Register before TOMORROW to save 15% off with the code MBSpecial HERE . I was planning to go to this race, but unfortunately student budget & family has taken top priority at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the deal and then TELL ME ALL ABOUT IT. I’ve never been to the Bahamas and hope to one day!

———————————————————————————————————-

Favorite things to do on the ‘off season’?

Ever tried figure skating before?

Ever ran a race in another country?! How’d it go?!?

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!

What I'm Packing For My 175 Mile MS Run The US Relay

Happy Friday! I've already been able to get SO many chores done that I've neglected for what felt like ~21 weeks~; ). It's amazing what you can get done (AND how much energy you have) when you aren't running 60+ miles in a week! I've got my manicure/pedicure scheduled for tomorrow and I'm still undecided on what type of nail design I should get! I normally only get them done either right before or after a big goal race. I love having them all beautiful looking when I'm running hard, but equally look forward to the leg massage that comes with a pedicure AFTER a race ; ) Someday maybe I'll be able to afford both (before & after a race)! I also want to get some gardening done and a full deep clean of the house, since Alex won't be back until Sunday evening. I'm basically packed for MS Run The US segment ~ -> I'll be starting my relay on Monday, the 21st at 8am MST so make sure to send good thoughts my way! My plan is to typically run for around 5 or so hours a day and starting between 6-7am because after 12pm it gets really hot (to me...) and I do not do well in the heat! 

Here are some things that I'm packing for my relay segment! 

• Believe Training Journal- I put together a quote or 'mantra for each day that I'm running my segment. I always have a mantra for each race and will sometimes write it on my arm, so I figured it would be helpful to have a focus for each day that I'm running. Something relatively short and gets me fired up for the day. I packed my outfit for each day I'm running into a ziploc bag and put the quote on the outside of the bag. I really love this journal to keep track of my training (along with also using this blog and my google spreadsheets because I'm an organization nerd ; ) ...) and will use it to put my feelings together after each training day and then share them with you on the blog when I'm finished! 

• Goodr Sunglasses - I actually wanted a pair of these sunglasses for so long because I heard great things about them and reached out to them to see about a possible discount code they could give me and they ended up sending me TWO free pairs! I absolutely love them and their fun colors and they're so well designed. I'm obsessed. They will definitely be going in my Ultimate Direction pack with me everyday. 

• Oofos Sandals- I literally LIVED in my oofos sandals last summer and wanted to get another pair before my relay, so like Goodr I reached out to them to see if I could get a discount code and they ended up sending me all of the below things! One outfit is basically ready to go (minus pants ; )...) and I know my feet will be happy to wear these after running 28 miles!

• Ziploc Bags with each outfit and one change of socks- After doing so many training runs, I know that sometimes it's nice to split it up and change my shoes/ socks/ outfit to help reset my mind (that may not work for everyone)...So I packed typically one pair of compression socks and one pair of non-compression socks in my ziploc bags with my outfit for the day. I also packed in 2 separate ziploc bags one with 3 various jackets (one for rain/ one for wind/ one for cooler temps) and another bag with 3 change of pants (two for warmth/ one for compression) so that I could easily grab them if the day looked like the weather may turn on me. 
• KT Tape - I really love KT tape. It gives me a bit of extra support in the areas where I need it (achilles and knee currently) and is really easy to transport as well! 
• 3 pairs of sneakers- I've basically switched between the Brooks Ghost 10 in almost all of my training runs (with shorter stuff in my Levitate and Launches), so I'll be changing between these three throughout my relay run. I'm planning to run 13 or 14 miles in one pair and then switch to another pair (both will have my superfeet insoles in them) to help give my feet some relief. 
• Chapstick x 2- I heard one of the other relay runners this year had trouble with sunburned lips, so I'm making sure this does NOT happen to me! One will be in my vest the entire time!
• Honey Stinger Gels/Chews- I'll be also fueling with pretzels and coconut water and nuun and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, but Honey Stinger gels and chews have worked best for me throughout my training runs!
• 2 Hats/ Visor- I hate having the sun in my eyes, so either a hat or visor will be 100% necessary each day that I'm out on the roads. I'll also bring along my buff incase the weather gets too chilly and to also help keep the sweat off my face! 
• sunscreen- this really is a no-brainer when you live/run in a sunny state like Colorado!

What are some of your must-haves when running a long-distance race or relay? 

What are three things you're doing this weekend?!

Anyone racing this weekend? <-- GOOD LUCK!

10 Half & Full Marathons That Are Bucket-List Worthy

I've had my eye on so many half & full marathons and you can really only travel SO MUCH each year, but someday I will get to do them all! I feel like almost every runner has at least a few races that they really really want to run someday, so I've compiled a list of 10 (ehhh....11 because I couldn't narrow it down) races that I really want to run and would love to hear from you with the races that are on YOUR bucket list! Sharing is caring!

1. New York City Marathon
2. Chicago Marathon
3. Boston Marathon
4. Big Sur Marathon
5. Marine Corps Marathon
6. 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
7. Mount Washington Road Race
8. Rock n Roll Seattle Marathon/ Half-Marathon
9. SeaWheeze Half Marathon
10. The Kauai Marathon
11. Disneyland Paris Half Marathon

I tried to pick a mixture of both half & full marathons and those in almost every state! Unfortunately some of these races are done by lottery, so it could be many years before I'm able to get in (or qualify). 

What races have you done on this list or which ones you'd love to do someday?

I think Disneyland Paris is definitely one that I would absolutely LOVE to do and hope I can make this happen someday! I've never been to Paris, so being able to explore more of Europe would also be amazing. 

Also just being able to visit Hawaii is something I want to do within the next ten years and I will HAVE to run there when I get to go! 

I hope you are recovered from your New Years Eve and going back to work isn't too terrible....Ugh only 4 days until the weekend!

Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon Review & What I Did During The Day b4 The Race!

HAPPY HAPPY TURKEY DAY! I hope you will be celebrating with lots of tasty food, family/friends, and a GREAT RUN! I'm doing the 5k Turkey Trot this morning and then skiing and a small dinner with friends! I am thankful for all my family and friends near and far, as well as thankful for my legs that are strong enough to endear long runs and let me travel to beautiful places!

Make sure to head over to Race Recaps for the full recap of the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon!

I wanted to share with you a few things that I did during the day before the 4:30pm start because it definitely is difficult to fill your day if you want to save your legs for race time. 

Things I typically will save until the day of the race:

• Race playlists- I actually LOVE doing this a few hours before the race. It gets me excited for the race and does not require anything physical. 
• Eat small meals throughout the day (up until 1 hour before the race start)- I stick with plain bagels with butter/ granola oat bars/ Honey Stinger chews/ Bananas/ Pop Tarts. Anything that I have previously eaten before a training run I eat the hours before race. 
• Legs up the wall at least twice- I do this constantly when traveling for a race. It's amazing how refreshed you feel afterwards. 
• Read a chapter of an inspiring book- I saved a chapter in Matt Fitzgerald's How Bad Do You Want it to read before my race and I honestly thought about it/ channeled it my entire race. 
• Lay by the pool (but don't get too much sun)
• Foam Roll
• Do a fun hairstyle- Having a late race start means more time to do a fun braid or hairstyle that you wouldn't normally do for those 3AM wake-ups. 

Things I don't do before a race:

• Eat insane amounts of food. Just don't. do. it.
• Walk a lot
• Get extra sleep the night before (I DO get extra sleep the week leading up to a race, but not the night before a race- I feel sluggish if I get too much sleep). Stick with your normal sleep times to prevent a "sleep hangover"
• Not do anything at all. It's good to still have things to do to keep your mind off of the race/ build up anticipation
• Sight-see- save it for after the race!

Don't forget to go check out my RACE REVIEW !