I'm BACK TO DO IT AGAIN.

You know those things where you’re thinking to yourself ‘gee, well I MIGHT be a bit crazy, but 'WHY NOT?!?’’ - that’s me most of the time. Ha. And I suppose this latest new goal basically solidifies my craziness.

I’ve signed up for a 100 miler on August 14th, 2020. And my big goal? Do it in 24 hours.

Oh, and my other big goal? Fundraise some money for my favorite non-profit, MS Run The US because well, why not?

Once I committed to training for my first 100 miler, I thought back to my Relay experience in 2018 and how amazing of an experience it was to run for more than just me. Running is a very selfish sport (you have to take hours upon hours to train away from your family/friends!) and running a 100 miles just because didn’t seem right to me. I wanted it to be more than just running 100 miles in 24 hours- I wanted to connect with my new community, meet others who have been impacted by MS, and draw upon these experiences during my 100 mile race.

I’d love to say that my big goal is to again fundraise $10,000, but that most likely is not possible given my very busy student schedule these next 6 months (ahem- HOW is it already only 6 months away?!?). BUT I want to see if I can get to $1,000 (maybe $10 from 100 people) and who knows beyond that. I have a few different fundraising ideas and hopefully can get those in motion within the next 3-4 weeks.

I have my fundraising page up here and also have a Facebook fundraiser page as well if that is easier for you to donate.

Maybe you’re unable to donate, but want to help me reach my goal in another way? AWESOME! I’d love to have anyone jump in with me for a few miles (it’s a 2.6 mile loop course - race website is here), help me with my fundraising campaign (help me get the word out- share it with co-workers, friends, family members), or come support me during my race!

It also happens to start the same day that the 2020 MS Run The US Relay Team finishes the entire relay in New York City! Coincidence? Maybe. But I’ll take whatever signs I can get.

SO, that’s a new update from me and I promise I’ll start sharing my training recaps on Wednesdays beginning next week because not everyone trains for 100 miles and shares how they get it all done!

Being Flexible, I Wish I Were Here, And Needing Travel!

Happy Friday! Welp. Yesterday’s run did NOT go initially as planned. You know how you sometimes just have a feeling that somethings off or you just get distracted a little too easily? Yeah. that was definitely my morning. I didn’t sleep super well because there’s a light outside of our condo that is supposed to be a sensor light, but instead of going off sometimes it just stays on all night (and proceeds to illuminate our entire room). Alex can honestly sleep through anything, but I need basically complete darkness! So needless to say, I was tired when my 4am alarm went off (as well as already partially awake) and then I just took forever to get ready for my run. I drank coffee, cuddled in my heated blanket, ate breakfast, did my strength work, contemplated where I should do my goal marathon paced miles, and before I knew it- Alex was awake and it was 5:45?!?

Yeah, I guess I got very easily distracted. I also should have stuck to my initial plan of leaving at 5am and doing my run on the treadmill.

I finally left our house around 6:15 and got into Steamboat where it was almost 20* COLDER than our home?!? AKA it was 4* and I was NOT wearing the right layers. I did one slow mile (sooo icy out!) and called it.

Luckily, I had a bit of flexibility in my day and decided to just do easy miles and will do my long run this morning (hopefully outside if it’s warm enough!- second week of back-to-back longish runs for my 50 miler training!) and do my goal paced miles on Sunday. It actually works out for the best because I was a bit concerned about getting in 8 miles Saturday morning before we left for our ski adventure and now I’ll have just 5 to get in instead (much more manageable!).

I’m glad I was so flexible about my schedule, but wow did some curveballs try to deter me from my run or what?!? Isn’t it funny how determined we (as runners are)? I know a lot of people who honestly would have just bagged their entire workout plans, but I’m glad that my stubbornness didn’t let me!

ALSO- I’m following along on all those RunDisney marathon weekend posts (and proceeding to be SO JEALOUS). Throwback to the time that I signed up for the Goofy Challenge and then ran 13.1 miles in the dark along a 3/4 mile strip on the road (finishing at 11:30pm) when the half marathon was cancelled due to crazy hurricane-like rain/wind/lightning! I will 100% do the Dopey Challenge someday. It’s on my bucketlist! Hmmm maybe a good ‘last hoorah’ before I turn 30 in 2020?!?

THIS VIEW was by far the best view I think I’ve ever had during any marathon. It was around mile 5? I think and so unbelievably beautiful before the sun came up. I want to go back just to experience it again (even though it was SO COLD and windy the entire race).

I’m super excited to travel somewhere tomorrow (other than Steamboat)- I feel like it’s really easy to get stuck here in town in the winter. It’s so much easier to travel in the Summer and everything just feels more accessible. I miss little things like a trip to Target or Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee or Trader Joes! I don’t think we’ll be driving by any of these things, but just going somewhere else is all I really need! Ohhh TBT to donuts after half marathons….yummm… Also almost complete committed to signing up for my goal half marathon here in CO- still trying to decide! Anyone else plan out their entire racing season like a year in advance?

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Favorite post-race treat?

Are you flexible with your training plans or like to stick to a strict schedule?

Anyone racing Disney or do you also wish you were there?1?

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?!