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?!

7 THINGS

Happy Monday! I can’t believe we’re already into June?!? May flew by, but I’m hoping that June goes by slower! I’ve got my first exam on Wednesday and Alex should be arriving on Thursday I think! I’m so excited to see him & Stella. It’s been almost a month and while it’s gone by really fast, I’ve still missed them and so excited to begin this next chapter of our lives together!  

Let’s flashback to Friday night—> I spent it gardening (until 8:30 at night!?!?) and I was SO SORE the next day. Landscapers- you have my utmost respect because it was HARD work & you all also must be jacked 💪🏻

Also got a bunch of flowers on sale at Home Depot! SO nice to live so close to things like this again! Some bundles of 8 were only $1! 

Did a bunch of studying Friday & Saturday as well! Brady’s not a fan. 

Did a lot of cleaning & organizing to get ready for Alex and all of our things to arrive! Brady was very happy I cleaned off this chair 🤣

Watched my mom kick butt at her Sprint Triathlon Saturday morning! It was SO chilly at the start (around 50*) -I have no idea how they were in this water?!

Went to Sherman’s Farm for ice cream & some fresh produce Sunday afternoon. Going to try to cook some fiddleheads as well—> anyone have any good recipes to cook them?!? Also local friends/ if you visit Mt Washington Valley area—> you must visit here! 

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Favorite ice cream flavor?!? I got Black Raspberry! 

Gardening- anyone else really find it relaxing?! 

Fiddlehead lovers- recipes?!? 

7 THINGS Tuesday Edition

I have to keep reminding myself that it’s Tuesday. That means that I’ve got a 4 hour lab nice and early and then the afternoon to get some studying done. I have my first exam (already!) next week, so I’ll be beginning prep for that this week. I did NOT sleep well the night after the race mainly because my body was just incredibly stiff and the bed that I’m currently sleeping on (Alex arrives with the rest of our things next week!!!) is not the best. I woke up at 5am and couldn’t fall back asleep. I’m able to go up & down stairs (a bit better than I’ve felt going up/down stairs during some marathons) OK, but the thing that surprised me most about my soreness is my ribs/ back area. It’s funny how we use all sorts of different muscles on those really long runs! Flashback to Saturday morning on the screened-in porch.

Went out for a nice and easy 2 mile run.

Still in awe of how many STEPS I took on Sunday?!?

Iced Coffee the next morning after a race is pure heaven. I really don’t think there is anything better than that.

Still can’t believe how bloody my first loop shoes got. Also the back of my heel looks really really gross right now. So glad it’s flip flop season.

Tried to clean my shoes the best way I could. Ha. I let the washer fill up with detergent and water and then soaked my shoes for a few minutes before dousing them in water and letting them dry outside.

Also played hairstylist on Brady. That was fun for one of us. Don’t worry, I took the clothes pins off right after I took this photo ; )

Have a great shortened week!

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How do you clean off your trail shoes? OR do you clean them?

Best thing after a race?

7 THINGS

Happy Monday and happy first day of classes to me! I cannot believe how quickly the past few weeks have gone and I’ve already started on the crazy amount of homework I have. All of my readings have been so interesting to me, so no complaints thus far : ) I’m also still day-dreaming about this Brownie Sundae from Flatbreads (if you’re ever in North Conway, NH —> you MUST go here!) that my mom & grandmother & I shared Saturday night. Drool-worthly.

Brady is NOT a fan of me going back to school. He staged a protest yesterday and layed on my books. Good thing I still had many other textbooks to read from ; )

I ran an impromptu trail 5k Saturday morning at Whiteaker Woods in North Conway, NH and somehow ended up getting 3rd female overall?! The course was a bit short (2.8 miles) and the field smallish (30-35 runners?), but still grateful anytime you walk-away with an overall placement : )

I also think that I may have a running shoe problem. I only had my car as the means to transport my stuff (most is coming with Alex in Uhaul in a few weeks), but somehow managed to fit all of these in my car?!? IDK. I guess there are worst problems to have! At least I’ve already used them all since arriving in Maine.

Brady worked on his sink-fitting skills.

And I read up on my 50 miler (SUNDAY!!!) training prep. I’m feeling pretty content with my training and preparation. I started making a packing list and also food list of items I want to bring with me. I’m planning to have it all ready to go by Thursday so I don’t need to pack last-minute.

Also came back across THIS in my ultra training book (Training for Your First Ultra by Krissy Moel) and I will be remembering to spread it like peanut butter through my race.

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Anyone racing this next weekend?!? What/ where?! I want the details!

Brownie Sundaes - are you a fan?

Trail 5ks - harder or easier than road 5ks? —> I think they are easier, but I’ve never actually ‘raced’ a road 5k, so I’m just guessing ; )

7 THINGS

You know when you go on vacation and come back and are constantly wondering what day it is? Yeah. That’s definitely me today. It’s a Monday, but really kinda feels like a Wednesday? to me. One of the best things about this weekend was that the lake trail is now dry and snow-free! I got out there on Saturday morning and was so so happy. I’m planning on getting back out there today to get my last 20+ mile run until my 50 miler! I’ll simulate the race course by doing a 3-mile warmup (the course has us do a 3 mile loop and then 3 x 25k loops) and then 2 loops of the 10 mile lake trail. It’s supposed to be rainy until Friday, so I think mother nature is giving me a sign that today is my long run day ; )

Brady was also in his usual spot last night - he loves to hide behind our fan while we go to sleep?!? Anyone elses cat do this?

After I ran Saturday morning, we headed to the movies to see the new Avengers: End Game! It was SO good. Normally I have a really hard time watching a movie that is 3 hours long, but this one was done so well and it honestly felt like several movies in one.

Also weekend chores including laundry. Just realized that Brady is basically the highlight of this past weekend. I guess I missed him on my trip ; )

The weather was so beautiful this weekend, so we also took advantage and got a few things done outside including taking the cats out! There are too many coyotes, mountain lions, and foxes near our home so we choose to keep them indoors, but will take them out on leaches/ harnesses during the warmer months.

Maple says her harness complements her fur so well.

Cat bouquet!

I think this photo also gives nice scale to how giant Brady is compared to Maple. Ha. I swear they are brother/sister!

And we went out for a hike out Mad Creek yesterday afternoon! The trails were crazy busy, but DRY so yay!

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-How was your weekend?!?

-Anyone else see the Avengers movie this weekend? Thoughts? No spoilers though!

-Are the trails dry where you are?