Huckleberry Half Marathon Recap & Review

Good Morning!

I took Sunday off because it was needed and Monday off because I wanted to, very technical.  I headed out this morning and wasn't sure if I would do 4 or 5 miles and I could tell by the 2 mile mark it would be a 4 mile run.  My legs were just tired and I wasn't in the mood to just push through, sometimes I just do what I feel like doing in regards to running.  Life is filled with so many things we have to do and I won't let running become one of those things.  

Huckleberry Half Marathon Recap!

This last Saturday Katie and I ran the Huckleberry Half Marathon in Welches and one could say it was hilly.  Basically it was uphill for at least 3 miles straight with some added rolling hills, I said I loved hills right?!  Seriously though this course was tough and really gave the Helvetia Half Marathon a run for it's money, whew.  The half marathon started at 7:30 and it was overcast and cool, perfect running weather.  We started off a little fast and I could tell we should probably slow down if we were going to make it out of there in one piece.  We weren't shooting for a PR but I was hoping for something around 2:15 and we finished in 2:14:04!  

Overall the half went well and I am finally starting to get my fueling figured out.  Saturday's fuel strategy wasn't perfect because my stomach hurt for at least the first 3 miles but we got there.  Normally I would eat a piece of toast and hummus or granola bar before a race but this time I went in totally empty.  I was using this run as a training run and just wanted to see what that would feel like.  After 3 miles and half of a mocha GU my stomach started to settle but I think I am going to go back to at least a granola before a long run or race.  During my previous races I would bring 1 GU or a package of shot bloks and normally I would hardly touch either and end up with no gas and a stomach ache during the final 3 miles, fun times.  During Huckleberry I had 2 GU's (mocha and vanilla) and found myself finishing a lot stronger and not feeling loopy during that last mile, FTW!  I am glad I decided to start playing around with my fueling strategy and giving my body a chance to tell me what might work better.  For our next half marathon hopefully I can avoid stomach pains completely! 

Huckleberry Half Review!

This was the inaugural year of the Huckleberry Half Marathon and 10K.  Breanna Nickila is the Race Director and creator of the Huckleberry Half.  She is also a mother of 2 and lives in Sandy Oregon!  You can read an interview with her in the East County Gazette HERE.  I know that the half capped at 1000 and sold out but I am not sure if the 500 spaces for the 10K ended up selling out.  I really liked that the half marathon started at 7:30, it is nice to have just a little more of your day after the race.  

The start was at Welches Middle School and the course wound around the golf course, through neighborhoods, along the Salmon River & to the entrance of the Green Canyon National Forest.  While the course was challenging (to say the least) it was beautiful and scenic.  I loved that there were so many aid stations and the volunteers were exceptionally friendly.  I also saw a ton of porta potties along the way  but one guy just couldn't wait and I saw him dart off into the trees, ha!  After the race there were some snacks and a photo op with Bigfoot!  Katie and I visited a while with some of her running friends from the area and then headed to meet her mom and husband for breakfast.  It was an awesome start to the weekend.  I love that it was a Saturday race and I had the rest of the weekend with my family.  It is really nice to have Sunday at home to recover and relax.  

Overall for being its inaugural year I was impressed with the organization and ease of the race.  It was very relaxed both at the start and the finish, loved that.  While big races are a lot of fun with tons of sponsors and a huge swag bag (full of coupons mostly) small town races are my favorite.  The swag bag had a Huckleberry Half Marathon coffee mug which I was so excited about!  How many race shirts does a person need, this was a fun surprise!  

There was no traffic getting there or heading home and plenty of parking.  Breanna has a connection with The Portland French Bakery so all of the racers had a choice between a large baguette or package of pub buns.  I thought that was a cute freebie at the end of a half marathon, everyone loves carbs!  Great race, great course and 2 thumbs up from me, way to go Breanna and I hope to sign up again for 2014!

Word on the street is August 10th was the busiest race day in Oregon, what did you race? 

Were you at the Huckleberry Half?  Tell me about your experience!      

            

A Fun & Pink Update!

Good Morning! 

I had every intention of getting out for a run this morning but I had the age old excuse of  I was up too late and tired lame.  The week won't be a total lost I am still on track to hit 4 runs and 25 miles so all is well.  Plus since my laid out clothes went untouched by me this morning Katherine had some fun playing dress up. 

{Instagram Pic}

I also FINALLY got my Runner's World magazines, I was going through a bit of a withdrawal.  They had auto-renewed my subscription and I've been waiting and waiting and finally got the August and September issue yesterday.  Part of me wants to subscribe to Running Times, any opinions?    

We have a fun project this weekend! 

{Instagram Pic}

Jess got to drive a U-Haul yesterday and picked up the girl's new bunk bed!  We'll be putting that sucker together this weekend.  It actually shouldn't be so bad Sarah told Jess this morning that he can do it because he can fix anything.  He better bring his A game.  

Tomorrow is the Huckleberry Half and I'll be having a sleep over with Katie tonight, yay!  I am interested to see how this run goes tomorrow, lots of rolling hills.  I am not planning on a PR but I am hoping for a time around 2:15.  Time to start hydrating for half marathon #5!

You may have noticed a new badge on my sidebar...I am now officially a Sweat Pink Ambassador!  I am really excited to be part of this community, I mean hello Pink?!  I met a lot of these ladies while at Fitbloggin' last month and I love their enthusiasm and welcoming personalities.  I didn't feel like they were an exclusive clique type of organization and feel really good about being one of their Ambassadors.  

Time to wrap up my most random post ever.  Happy Friday and Happy Running!

I've been told that August 10th is the busiest race day of the year in Oregon, are you running any races? 

What running magazines do you subscribe to? 

- Runner's World & Women's Running 

How many days a week do you run? Average miles? 

Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon Review

Hi! 

I hope you had a great 4th of July!  We are pretty wiped out over here from all the fun, we had an amazing Independence Day.  Hence why this post is going up after 9 on a Friday night and it has taken me over an hour to just get this written down.  This mom is beat! 

Yesterday morning Katie and I had an early wake up call (4 AM) so that we could run the Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon on Sauvie Island.  Luckily I was able to get to bed early the night before because dark o'thirty isn't anybody's friend.  

Terrible Selfie 

I didn't know what I was going to wear until I started getting ready for bed and it was time to lay everything out.  I bought some cheap necklaces from the Dollar Tree and put my headband together with what I had around and possibly stole some bows from the girls.  I wore my white Lululemon Pace Setter skirt, my Portland Fit tech tee from last year and of course my Mizuno Wave Riders.  

I needed to get there early because I didn't pick up my bib at the packet pick-ups and bib pick up started at 5:30 AM.  Luckily I have the bestest friend in the world and she picked mine up since I got stuck in the parking back up.  A lot of people took the shuttle to the island but I am el cheapo didn't want to pay out any more money to ride the shuttle and figured I would just get there early enough to park.  There was plenty of parking that I could see and I would have been stuck in the traffic even on the shuttle.  

Pre-Race

I was parked by 5:50 AM and had an hour before the half marathon was set to take off.  We sat and kept warm in the car till it was time for the marathoners to take off at 6:30 AM.  Both Katie and I were surprised at how few of them there were, probably less than 200 total.  

Then we figured we should get in line for the porta potties along with everyone else running the half.  I don't think the lined moved the entire time we stood in it so we just gave up.  

Race

The race started on time which was nice but Katie and I both agreed it should have started in waves.  The island is small and uses a two lane road and we were only using 1 lane for the race.  We were backed up for the first 2 miles and did a lot of swerving and walk/jogging.  It was fine because neither of us were going for time and ended up stopping at the mile 2 aid station to use the porta potties.  .  

Yes I ran with my parade flag the entire race, win! 

There were 7 aid stations for the half and I stopped at 6 of them for water and one for a snack.  I am realizing with each half marathon I really need to be ingesting more calories.  I brought 1 Peanut Butter GU and ate half of a sample size Cliff Protein bar, wasn't a fan of either.  The race pretty much lived up to its name minus one little hill on the out and back and the miles seemed to click off fairly quickly.  Like I said earlier we weren't running for time, just out for a fun run celebrating the 4th together!  

  

Post-Race

The finish line had another aid station with plenty of water for everyone and of course our medals! 

They had fresh strawberry shortcake and hot dogs for all of the runners and surprisingly the line for hot dogs was insane.  Katie and I were perfectly content skipping the dogs and heading straight for dessert!  The race started and finished at the Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island and we wanted to check out their cute little country store.  I found the cutest little tiny straw bales for sale and had to buy a few!  

Katie and I both said we would run this race again.  I am not sure what the situation with the porta potties was because there were a lot of them but the line just didn't move.  I would also suggest starting the half marathon in 2 or 3 waves just to spread us out a little bit at the start.  Other than those hiccups I thought the rest of the race was great, they had plenty of volunteers to help with traffic and at all of the aid stations.  The course was scenic and passed by really quick.  They had kiddie pools filled with ice water for runners to use post-race which I though was awesome if you are into that sort of thing, which I probably should be.  Plus the store sells teeny tiny straw bales, what is there not to like?!  

My actual photographer friends are all groaning at me right now 

  

Happy Birthday America! 

Tell me about your 4th of July!  

What was your favorite part of the day?

If you did a race tell me about it, please!  

Do you ice bath?  

- I have once and it actually did wonders, I need to make them more routine.

   

Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon Preview

Good morning! 

I started the morning off with a 4 mile out and back and I took a chance on a different route.  I am so glad that I did because I found somewhere new to get in my morning runs.  I am always nervous to go a different direction but since tomorrow is the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon I decided to just head out and not worry about how many miles I got in.  Luckily it worked out really well and I am excited to explore the area a little more next time.  

Tomorrow is my 1st 4th of July race and I am seriously pumped up!  I don't normally like costumes or dressing up for races but for America's birthday I am all over it.  I am ridiculously patriotic and never take for granted that I was born into the most amazing nation in the world.  I am a proud American and make no apologies for it.  I will be busting out my coozies for the afternoon and evening festivities tomorrow! 

Just keep'n it classy 

This is my first time running the Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon but I have heard it really is a flat course and the islanders are so supportive of the runners.  So I'll run through the details quickly since I am just reiterating what is on their website. 

Pre-Race 

   - Bib Pick Up starts @ 5:30 AM race day and only goes till 6:00 AM.  You can pick up your bib TODAY at the Foot Traffic store in NE Portland on Fremont from 11-4

- You can park on the island but they encourage participants to take the shuttle.  They recommend anyone parking on the island to arrive at least 1 hour prior to start time. 

Race

- FULL Marathon starts at 6:30 AM  

- 5K/10K starts at 6:40 AM 

- HALF Marathon starts at 6:50 AM

- They will have water, Nuun & Clift Shot available on course 

- There are 7 aid stations available for the HALF and 13 for the FULL 

You can read about last year's race HERE, she did a great recap of the last year's event.

Who else is running a race tomorrow? 

Tell me what your favorite holiday is! 

- Mine are 4th of July and Thanksgiving because both have nothing to do with gifts and are all about getting together with people you love and celebrating the day. 

The Day & Night Before a Half Marathon

Good morning!  

Workouts 

Monday - 5 miles 

Tuesday - 5.5 miles & Summer Shape Up

Wednesday - 3 miles 

Friday - 4.4 miles & Summer Shape Up 

This is the first week of Fitnessista's Summer Shape Up Challenge and I am telling you her workouts are no joke.  Wow.  I modified today's workout and cut out the leg work because of the Helvetia Half tomorrow morning.  The plan for tomorrow's race is basically just to have a good time running with Katie.  Both of us achieved some really great PR's at last month's Rock Roll Half Marathon and want to enjoy that for a while longer.  I guess you could say our plan for tomorrow is no plan at all other than have a great time on the course and enjoy our burgers at the finish!  

Tips for the day and night before a half or full marathon: 

- Hydrate.  Drink a lot of liquids, preferably water, but anything unsweetened and not soda will do the trick.  

- Don't stress out if you don't get a great night sleep, you aren't going to fall asleep on the course.  It is more important you were able to get a restful night sleep a couple days before your race. 

- Carbing up is a personal thing, some people avoid carbs like I avoid mopping my floors.  I personally love carbs and have no problem adding in a few extra over the week.    

-  Eat a light dinner the night before so that you can avoid any "surprises" on the course 

- Lay everything you'll want for your race day the night before.  Some people pin on their bib but I wait to do that because I have to wear it to get it on straight.  

- Don't forget your sunscreen!     

- When you are out and about the day before make sure you have gas in your car.  It drives me crazy to get in my car in the morning of a race and have to stop and get gas.  

Okay that is all I have for you!  Lots to do today and Katie is coming over for a sleepover tonight, we have a pretty early wake up call tomorrow.  

Friday Check-In!  

- What are you doing this weekend to keep with your goals?  

- Have you checked out Fitnessista's Summer Shape Up Challenge?  You should! 

- Join our Plank-A-Day challenge for the month of June on Instagram and Twitter, hashtag #plankaday

  

Helvetia Half Marathon Preview

Good morning!  

It is National Running Day!  Did you get out there?  I did a fun 3 miles this morning in the sunshine.  Normally I am a 4 day a week runner but with the beautiful summer mornings I am adding in some extra days.  I do it mainly for the pure enjoyment of being out in the morning and feeling energized for the day.  Running in the morning just sets me up to have a good day, I feel like I have already accomplished something important to me and I can handle anything tossed my way.  How does running make you feel?

My favorite race picture 

I am so excited for this weekend I can hardly contain myself!  

The Helvetia Half Marathon was my first Half last year and it holds a special place in my little runner's heart.  It is put on by Paula of Run with Paula Events and is really organized.  You can tell she takes a lot of pride in her events and wants everyone to be successful and have a good time.  The best part about this particular race?  The Helvetia Tavern burgers waiting for us at the finish!  Helvetia is a small unincorporated town that's claim to fame is their Helvetia Tavern Burger, if you haven't been out there GO!  

Inhaling my veggie Helvetia Tavern burger last year

The Helvetia Half Marathon was voted the best Half Marathon in 2012 by Competitor Magazine's Reader Poll.  This doesn't surprise me with everything offered pre-race, on the course and once you complete your race.  The race starts and finishes at the the Hillsboro Stadium and travels through some of the most beautiful parts of the countryside.  Granted the Helvetia Half is known for its hills so I wouldn't go into it hoping for a PR but just looking for a good time with your best running buddies.  

On Course 

On course they have lots of porta potties, seriously a lot.  This year they'll be offering water and Heed at the aid stations and at mile 5.8 and 7.3 (random) they'll have Cliff Shot available.  They will also have pace leaders from 7:45 min/mile up to 12:30 min/mile so everyone is covered!  Look for runners with balloons at the start line to find your pace leader.  

Packet Pick Up & Gear Check 

You can pick up your race packet and bib on Thursday 10-8 and Friday 10-6 at Portland Running Company on Scholls Ferry Road in Beaverton.  They will have packet pick up on race morning along with gear check so that is always an option.  I remember last year's gear check was really easy and they were handing me my bag before I even had to ask for it.    

Getting There 
Personally I like to carpool because driving to a race and getting pumped up with your friends is the best.  There is plenty of parking but carpooling just makes it so much easier.  I suggest arriving by 6:30 so you have ample time to do all the things you need to do *ahem* go to the bathroom a few times.  Oh is that just me?

Aside from those pesky hills there isn't much about this race I don't like.  Let me know in the comments if you'll be there too!  

Half #3 is almost here! 

Portland Rock and Roll Half Review

Good morning!  

Yesterday was Portland's 2nd Rock and Roll Half Marathon and also my 2nd Half Marathon, coincidence?!  I ran a really great race and am looking forward to even more Half Marathons in my future! 

I got there early and found a spot in a parking garage pretty quick.  As soon as I walked out of the parking structure there were 3 porta potties calling my name, that sound have been a good indication to the future of my bathroom issues.  90% of everything was all set up by the time I got to the waterfront and there was a lot of great signage directing everybody.  Katie got there just a few minutes after I did and we checked a couple things at the gear check.  Gear check was super simple because everything was organized by last name and it was really spread out.  I wasn't there when Katie picked up her bag but I can guess it went quick.  After we checked our bag it was time for another potty break and then I finally got to meet my Facebook friends Amanda and Jill!  We got a picture by the pro photographers but not with our own personal cameras, fail!  Amanda was our group leader last summer for our 60 Sweaty Days of Summer challenge and really helped me learn to love all things Chalean.  It is always fun to meet someone in person who you have connected with for so long over the internet.  We visited with Amanda and Jill and then realized we needed to get to our corrals.  I had changed my corral so I could at least start the race with Katie and I am glad I did.  We ran together for the first 2 miles and I knew if I didn't slow down and let her go ahead I would never keep the pace.  I let a few people ahead of me and started slowing down without telling her, LOL!  It is one thing to keep up with her during a 5k I am no where ready to try and keep up with her for a half marathon, one day though.  In case somebody was curious why...  

Remember now?

My race plan was to keep it around a 10 minute mile and get water at every other water station.  At mile 2 once Katie started getting ahead of me I realized I needed to pee (sorry) and I wouldn't be able to ignore it for the next 11 miles, UGH!  I passed the 5k mark and remembered there was a bank of porta potties coming up so I jumped off and went pretty quick.  After that the next few miles clicked off fairly quickly and I was just enjoying the run and felt comfortably hard in my pace. 

My splits for miles 1-10 

1 - 9:46 

2 - 9:46

3 - 9:54

4 - 9:41

5 - 9:45

6 - 10:20

7 - 10:20

8 - 10:44

9 - 10:22

10 - 10:07

I started feeling like I needed to pee AGAIN around mile 10 but I just ignored it because I was determined to not stop.  I was really hoping to beat my 1st half marathon time which I thought was 2:20 and some change.  The entire race that was the number in my head I was hoping to beat which is funny because my actual 1st half marathon time was 2:29:46, oops.  I am actually glad I didn't have the correct time because it pushed me harder.  I told myself earlier in the race that at mile 11 it was going to be time to really dig deep and push it and that is what I did.  

Miles 11-13.1   

11 - 10:10

12 - 9:57

13.1 - 9:45

Final Chip Time 

2:16:24, average pace 10:25

IF* I wouldn't have stopped to go to the bathroom around mile 3 I probably would have hit 1:15:24 but that is okay!  I seriously need to get the bathroom thing figured out though, more than likely just too much water.  I really liked this race and felt mostly prepared for all of the hills, minus the last climb right before mile 12, that one made me angry.  There was a good climb up Hawthorne for what seemed like forever but I just kept telling myself how much I love hills.  Funny how a little mental game can help you through some tough spots.  I only noticed the bands in the first part of the race because after that I was pretty focused and inside my own head.  There seemed to be a lot of turns and I know that can bother some racers but for me it was okay, didn't love them didn't hate them.  

The finishers chute was a little congested but that is to be expected.  They were handing out chocolate milk, Jamba Juice smoothies, Powerbars, bagels, bananas, the usual.  Of course there was water and we also got our medal which is one of my favorites so far!  

    

Katie had a really awesome race and got a sub-2 hour half marathon!  Her official chip time was 1:57:58!  
  

I am really proud of how far she has come in her running and fitness levels, she is always keeping me on my toes and working towards my goals!  

Plus let's face it, I could afford to take some photo taking tips from the girl.

You can go here if you ran Portland Rock and Roll yesterday to check out your results and pictures.

Who motivates you to want to keep working hard?  

How was your run/race this weekend?  

Do you take a rest day after a hard run or do you do your recovery run the next day? 

- I am taking today as a run rest day but will start my Push Phase of Chalean.  

Portland Rock and Roll Expo

Hi! 

I headed to the Portland Rock and Roll Expo yesterday afternoon and as promised it was pretty slow.  

It didn't take me more than a couple minutes to get my bib, change my corral and pick up my coupon swag bag.  

Katie went to the Convention Center downtown first and realized pretty quick she had the wrong spot.  She didn't get there till 20 minutes before the expo was closing but we were still able to check out some booths!

Brooks is one of the biggest sponsors of the Rock and Roll series and they had  a really cool "circus" area where you could play games and win prizes.  They were also offering free gait analysis which I thought was awesome.

I tried every flavor of Nuun they had out!  I really had to go pee when it was time to go.  I really liked the Kona Cola it reminded me of flat cola which I actually really like.  I also thought the Tri-Berry was a good flavor and coming in third was Lemon Tea.  It was pretty nice to be able to try so many different flavors.  

They were giving out full size Chobani, score!  I picked the Coconut Nut flavor, I'll try it tomorrow!

I also had a chance to meet Sarah Bowen-Shea from Another Mother Runner.  I was ridiculously nervous talking to her even though she was super friendly.  I probably heated up 20 degrees and started sweating profusely, not embarrassing at all.  She has twins and I have twins and my daughter's name is Sarah so we are basically BFF's now.  

OK have to finish getting ready for the I big event tomorrow!      

Half Marathon Taper Love

Hi! 

It is taper week around here and normally I am not a fan but this time I sort of love the taper.  I ran 5 miles on Wednesday and today I did an easy 3 while the girls were in preschool.  I completely over dressed and couldn't figure out why the run felt so ridiculously difficult until I finished.  I rarely see a pace under 10 for my training runs so that explains it!

I considered not running at all today but my plan was to run 10 miles this week plus the Rock and Roll Half.  They (whoever they are) recommend running 60% less than your usual mileage on a taper week, I am not good at math so I just decided I would get in 10 miles at some point before Sunday.  I should seriously become a running coach I am so disciplined.

Advice from people who actually know something: 

http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/tapering-wrap-it-burst

http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/not-so-easy

  I have 2 miles planned for Saturday that I'll run in the morning and fingers crossed I'll be ready to go Sunday.  I also decided instead of my usual cross training with Chalean I'll do one cross training session with Jillian which I did yesterday.  Do you like how I talk about them like I actually take classes from them personally.  Next week I start the next 30 day phase with Chalean and I am really looking forward to the Push Phase.  Heavier weights, quicker results, boom!  I do miss my Barre classes but I can't justify paying money for strength training when I already shell out enough on running gear and race fees.      

A few other things to remember a few days before a race is to hydrate.  Your pee doesn't have to be clear or anything but drink up and stay hydrated, your body will thank you later.  

Cut back on a lot of high fiber foods a couple days before so you can avoid...you know...do I have to say it, lets just say avoid the porta potty during the race.  Start getting your stuff together a couple days before your race that way if you are missing or need to change something you have time.  Relax and don't stress, this won't be your only race there will be plenty of others so have a good time!  

Do you have any other tips you want to share with the class?  

Do you like taper week or is it a challenge for you? 

- I normally don't like it but this time it has been really stress free 

Can you believe next weekend is Memorial Day?!

Our Last Day in Michigan!

Good morning!  

It is our last day in Michigan!  I am so excited I cannot even express it in words.  Tomorrow we will be on a plane heading to Montana, eek!  While Montana isn't technically home because our house is in Oregon, Montana has become a 2nd home to me in every definition of the word.  It'll be nice to see the family before we drive home and get settled back in Oregon.  I have so many things I want do and people I want to see I know those first few weeks back are going to be filled!  So fun!  

My 2 favorite runners better have their running gear ready to go!  

I got up this morning and headed to my private gym for one more run on my trustee treadmill.  

I used the same treadmill for the entire time we were here, mainly because it was the closet to the fan.  I think you'll miss my awkward gym bathroom photos the most.  

Since today and tomorrow will be taken up with either running errands or on a plane we made sure to have some play time yesterday at the park.  Finally at 3:30 the temperature hits it high and it was a balmy 40 degrees.  It is suppose to be close to 60 today which only makes sense in Murphy's Law.  When we arrived it was the coldest day in Plymouth they had experienced in years and today is their warmest day of the year thus far.  

  

The girls are watching one last cartoon before I have to start boxing up our cable boxes and modem to ship back to Comcast.  It is probably a good thing my phone is gigantor and I can get my internet fix with it.  

The internet in Montana is spotty at best and I don't get any data coverage there because T Mobile is so cool.  I'll be checking in as much as possible and should hopefully be able to still post everyday.  There are a few people I can sponge internet off of if I ask really nice.  I am also going to try and get some runs in but my leg is still healing.  I took it really easy this morning and stretched a lot before and after.  I can still feel it although it isn't really painful anymore, just a dull annoyance.  Progress right?!  So I will be continuing to stretch, ice, repeat for the next week with a few slow runs tossed in.  It took a lot of will power to slow it down on the treadmill this morning.  I really wanted to do my normal progression run but knew that wouldn't help anything.  The Rock and Roll Half is in 45 days so while I have plenty of time I don't want to push it too quickly and then not be able to run at all.  Plus I also have the Helvetia Half just a month later and I really do not want to miss that one!  OK off to finish up the last of our boxes and tie on bow on this adventure!  

  In case I don't get on here tomorrow, what are your running plans for this weekend?  

Has Spring shown up where you live?  

Half Marathon Training

Good morning! 

Woke up a little late this morning, didn't get to the gym till 6 and ran an easy 3 miles.  I had every intention of running longer till an amazing idea flew into my brain.  I could keep running like a good runner or I could cut off early and grab breakfast at Starbucks before heading home.  

 

Bad runner, bad bad runner!

Their spinach feta wraps are so good, I need to recreate them, it just sounded better than my protein shake at home. 

I bought this tank at a store called Meijer, anyone ever heard of it?  My description would be a step above Wal-Mart (anything is really) and a step below Target.  I bought it way to small to start with so I had to exchange them yesterday, still a little tight for me but I am not going back.  

I saved you a face shot., Lucy is doing her morning downward dog yoga pose.  

So I am about 15 weeks out from the Portland RNR Half in May and I decided to follow Another Mother Runner's Training Plan for this half.  I would really like to improve my time from last year's half marathon which was 2:29:49.  I don't know what the goal time will be but somewhere in the 2:10's would be an improvement!  The AMR Half Marathon plan is 13 weeks and calls for 4-5 days of running per week.  I am going to follow the plan as closely as possible but because of my schedule and history I'll probably be closer to 4 days a week of running.  You never know though, I may surprise myself and you and bust out 5 days a week.  I realize I am 15 weeks out and the plan calls for 13 weeks of training but I am going to start early and start the plan on Monday.  With traveling right in the middle of my training I am going to give myself a few weeks of wiggle room so I am not stressing about getting behind during our transition back home.  

Somehow its Thursday, it seemed like this week was dragging until Thursday just smacked me in the face.  We are making our Valentines today, so excited to see how they turn out.  I think the girls are excited to get to open the bag of suckers because I might be nice and let them have one...we'll see, kind of grumpy this morning.  Maybe I should have one, might sweeten me up a little bit. 

Don't forget about Sherry's run this Saturday!  Check it out here if you need more info! 

Anyone else in Portland doing the Rock and Roll Half in May? 

Have you followed a training plan before?  

-Besides making sure I get in the necessary long runs for the marathon last year I didn't really follow anything specific.  

Do you get an obscene amount of junk mail in your email?  

-I have like 12,500 messages and I swear to you at least 95% of them are junk...its obnoxious 

Mommy Mondays & This Week's Schedule

Good morning!  Weather update, 77 is the high today, woop woop!  Today is a full off day, I ran a quick and easy (slow) recovery run last night and today will just be some stretching and resting.  I was still on cloud 9 all day yesterday from the half.  Jess wanted to see the course so we loaded up in the Jeep and took the scenic route to the Helvetia Tavern.  I think the actual reason he wanted to go see the course was because he was really jealous I got a Helvetia burger on Saturday and he didn't.  :)  Showing him this picture over and over again probably didn't help matters...

Yuummmmm Soooooo Goooooood! 

Remember last week when I mentioned that potty training would be anything but easy and fun?  Well we accomplished what we thought would be impossible!  Sarah is potty trained!  YES!  Score one for Team Mom.  If I can give one piece of advice for potty training your kids, it is to stay home for a full week, yes a full 7 days.  This will show the kids you are committed and it will give you the chance to be completely focused on them.  Trust me, those 7 days will be a drop in the bucket compared to becoming diaper free FOREVER!  

So proud of my girl! 

So this week is suppose to be a pretty easy week in the running department according to Portland Fit.  I had thought about starting to run with the Tualatin location of Portland Fit this weekend since its only 5 miles from my house as opposed to 20, but they meet on Sundays and this Sunday is Dad's Day!  So I'll start meeting with them next Sunday, hello gas prices, I surrender.  So this week's schedule will just have 4 days of running, I know I had thought about doing 5 as a June goal but I am realizing that may not be entirely realistic.  Going to shoot for 4 because I feel that is a number I could accomplish and we shouldn't set ourselves up for failure.  

M - Off 

T - 35/e 

W - Date with Jilian and my Abs 

Th - 30/Tempo

F - 8 (30x30)

Sa - 9 Miles (PF) 

Su - Off, Dad's Day! 

What are some of your favorite cross training activities?

The Helvetia Half Marathon...

Was nothing short of an amazing experience.  I'll give you all the upfront details in case you just don't feel like reading all the way through for them :)  I crossed the finish at 2:29:49!  Katie crossed the finish at 2:05:05!  Her first half marathon time, IMO, was incredible!  I am really proud of both of us for what we accomplished yesterday, I was on a runners high all day and I can still feel it this morning.

Katie and I moments after I crossed the fnish line

Katie works graveyard so she scheduled herself to go in early, around 9 PM, and then get off early, at 5:00 AM.  She got to my house around 5:30 and got herself all laced up!  This is a serious question, has only else ever ran a half marathon after working all night?  

After she got herself race ready it was time to head out the door!

Hello Mrs. Moon face, I am literally glowing with excitement!

When we got there it was a little cold, but we all knew that it was good because we would heat up pretty quick!  Portland Fit had a big group shot before the race and that is when I found my running buddy Sharol. 

Look at all of the Portland Fit peeps there to represent!  

Then it was time to start!  My plan was to stay with the 10:30 minute pacer for the race, but at the first aid station I saw there were porta potties and I had to...you know, #1 and I figured I might as well just go now and not be bothering with it later in the race.  So needless to say I pretty quickly lost my pacer, darn it!  So I just found a pace I was comfortable at and stuck with that, my average pace overall was 11 minutes.  I would share my splits with you but my iPod isn't loading and connecting with Nike+ right now so I'll have to share those later, sorry!  

Dave and Paula Harkin from Portland Running Company and Run with Paula put on the Helvetia Half Marathon and they do a fantastic job with everything.  I took a chance and ran without my water belt or GU's because I heard and read what awesome aid stations there are and that they supply GU's around mile 6.  Sure enough the aid stations and volunteers were AMAZING, I mean seriously Amazeballs.  They were so clear about where water would be and Heed, they were motivating and encouraging and friendly.  Around mile 5 I was wishing I had my GU...and has I turned a corner there were the GUs, oh sweet nourishment!

After that the rest of the race is just a memory really, it was smooth and I felt really good.  At mile 10 I was thinking of the joke that a half marathon is only a 5K with a 10 mile warm up, so I had completed my warm up and now just had to race that final 5K, HA!  There would be no racing, but there would also be no slowing down I would keep this pace and my head in it until I crossed the finish.  There would be no walking I kept telling myself and there wasn't!  Around mile 11.5 we came back through the Portland Fit aid station with their balloon arch and there was Celia taking pics!  

  

This was the last aid station and I knew the stadium wasn't far, but it seemed like a marathon away in my head.  I just kept trudging along until I saw someone running the opposite direction, it was Sharol!  She ran back to find me and ran me those last few miles, it was the push I needed and it was really sweet.  She left me as we started to enter the stadium and there was the finish!  Oh sweet goodness the finish!  I was looking and looking for Katie and as I crossed there she was :)  It felt so good to finish and get that medal, I hugged Katie and it was pretty emotional.  I also ran into a reader of my blog who had finished the race, it was awesome to meet you!  Thank you for saying hi, that was a huge boost for me!

Finally it was time for the Helvetia Tavern burger, mine was a Gardenburger and as you can see I am really going after it!

And then it was time to re-hydrate!  Don't you love my artistic photographic images?  

Who else ran this weekend?  What did you run?  

Did anyone else run the Helvetia Half Marathon?  I would love to hear about your experience!