Checking In: Keeping Track of My Mileage, Currently Obsessed Over, This Was Nice

HI! I’m HERE! Things have finally FINALLY settled down a bit, but WOW am I surprised at how crazy-busy life has been lately. Between moving things in, having our first guests visit (Alex’s parents), two exams in one week, and running less-than-ever, I have really had NO free time. Any free time that I have had, I’ve been trying to fit in a run or maybe maybe five spare minutes to read before falling asleep.

As I’m typing this, I was questioning whether I even wrote my 50 miler race recap. Oy. I’m tired. I did, however, run one of my fastest 5ks ever!

We also made it on our first hike last weekend! Up Black Cap mountain and it was so nice. Hoping to get in another good hike this next weekend. I just really loving being in the mountains here whenever possible.

I also did a WHOLE LOT of studying last week. Probably way more time than I should have, but I’ve been loving all of my classes lately!

Gilmore Girls- always applicable in everyday life. Also, my view almost everyday:

I’m hoping to do a full recap of how the first 6 weeks of Nursing School has gone- so look for that at the end of the week. I certainly won’t be holding anything back or sugar-coating it all (if you were wondering). I’ve also been obsessing over ice cream stands and twists in a cone again. Soooo good.

I’ve also been skipping some runs lately. Don’t get me wrong- I LOVE to run, but I’m also really enjoying this new season in my life where I’m trying out other activities (hiking, cycling, strength training) and just generally enjoying the perks of not being in serious training mode. So, my sneakers may be in my car waiting for that run that I just never got to that day and I’m not worried.

"Disclaimer: I received an Strava Summit Membership to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

Since I’ve basically put all of my personal life stuff on hold lately, I’m also REALLY thankful for Strava to keep track of my weekly mileage.

Also, how cool is it that they partnered with my last race and the photos directly linked with my Strava account? I also really love how you can track so many activities (including YOGA!), it can keep track of your elevation gain (so awesome when you do races like Mt. Washington!), and get kudos from your friends after your activity (important when you run solo most of the time like me to still feel like you’re part of a community)!

I will have my Mt. Washington Road Race recap up for you tomorrow (look at me all organized again!) and hopefully my nursing school first 6-weeks experience and what it’s been like to leave a full-time salaried job to go back to school on Friday.

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How do you keep track of your running mileage?

Favorite thing about Summer?

Ice cream- soft or hard serve?!

I DID IT and How I Log All These Miles?!?

Wohooo! Marathon #7 was a success! 1 minute PR despite stomach cramps that came on around mile 14 & not being able to take another one for the remainder of the race!

I’ll have a more detailed update for you later this week, but my mom and I are enjoying exploring Oregon the next few days : )

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"Disclaimer: I will be receiving a Strava Summit Membership as I review Strava as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

I thought it would be fun to share with you one of the ways that I keep track of all my runs, mileage, and elevation gain—> Strava! I’ve just started using this platform a few weeks ago and LOVE the simplicity of it. I don’t need to type anything in, hit record, or hit save other than have it already linked up to my Garmin (I have the Forerunner 235 & LOVE it). It gives me the option to set goals for myself for the week, upload photos, and connect with other runners from all over the U.S.!

If you’re maybe the one to be motivated by challenges (AND want to be held accountable for them), they have those too! You have to do your activity outdoors for it to count, which is perfect for those Spring/Summer/Fall months when you’re not confined indoors.

Also they have CLUBS you can join. I’m still finding new ones all the time, but some of my favorites include a local Steamboat Springs Trail Running club, Honey Stinger, BibRave, Nuun, and Strava itself!

Make sure to follow me along on Strava, so we can give each other kudos and motivate others to get active outdoors everyday!

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-Are you on Strava?

-Anyone else run a race this weekend?!? How’d it go??

-Any tips/recommendations for us to eat in the Portland area? We’re driving around the state a bit, then will be back there later this week!

Running Community, DENIED, & They Have Returned

FRIDAY EVE!!!! Well. These have returned.

We got some snow yesterday. Nothing like the 4-8” they were predicting, but still. It’s APRIL 10th!

I also tried to switch-up my schedule yesterday morning and read at the kitchen table. I don’t think Brady approved.

Disclaimer: I received an annual Strava Summit subscription and Strava merchandise as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I’m also NEW ON STRAVA! Yes, I know. It’s been around for a million years and HOW did it take me so long. Well, I suppose I can put it into perspective and I never even got a Facebook Account until I was graduating High School (does this make me seem young or old? I’m not sure.) in 2008! You can find me here. So far, I’m finding it super motivating to find other runners on there!

As the super competitive person that I am, I also love how you can see your stats (hello, I’m also a data-nerd) and compete with other members in the clubs that you join!

You can also join RACE GROUP clubs like the NEDD Mt. Washington Road Race. How cool is that be able to follow along on others journeys as you train for the same race?

It’s super easy to either start the recording for your activity (running, biking, walking, hiking, canoeing, OR e-bike riding) OR manually put in your information after your workout (like I did yesterday afternoon after my tempo treadmill miles)! You can also give others kudos, which how cool is that?!? It’s basically like having a ‘virtual cheerleader’ with you pushing you along on your activity! I think it will be fun to track my data over time and to be able to see all the stats that the app provides (charts, elevation, maps, etc.).

ALSO can you PLEASE help me on what I should get for my birthday gift?!? I have about a million items in my shopping cart !

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-Are you on Strava? Let’s be friends!

-What should I order as my ‘birthday bird’ item?!?

-What’s the weather where you are?

-Fan of the Bean Boots?