Uberthons' 2013 Halloweenathon Review

Good Morning! 

Saturday was the Halloweenathon and it felt so good to get out for a race.  

Katie and I ran the 10K which was 2 loops around The Reserve Golf Course, beautiful!  We started off  a little strong and decided to slow it down around mile 2.  Katie is just coming off of surgery and no running for the last month so we didn't want to burn out too fast.  This run was just for fun and celebrate Halloween!  

The girls ran the Casper Dash which was so much fun for the little kids.

Katherine decided seconds before the gun went off that she wanted to race too.  She had said the whole day before and morning of that she wasn't going to run.  Then she heard they were passing out candy at the finish and she was sold!  

All of the kids got a little goody bag of candy and a ribbon.  I am so proud of both of them for getting out there and running hard by themselves.  

I love the races put on by Uberthons, they are such an encouraging race organization.  This isn't a great picture but they were giving these necklaces to all of the first time 5K racers that day.  I love that they were celebrating all of the first time racers!    

It was actually a really sturdy and beautiful charm I was surprised how much I liked it.  I was wishing it was my first 5K again!  

They also handed out these medals to all of the 5K, 10K and 15K finishers, they even glow in the dark.  

I would definitely do the Halloweenathon again, it was a great event.  Like always everything was really organized from parking to packet pick up.  They even had a nacho bar at the end!  It felt so good to be out running with Katie again and even better watching my girls run their race.  I love that Uberthons has a kids race and it doesn't cost anything extra, thank you for that!  It is so important we encourage our kids to be healthy by keeping active and having fun doing it.  

I love that there was different races all throughout the day and there was a time that would work for everyone.  There was a covered area with a lot of tables and chairs with heaters to keep warm while we waited which was nice, it was a little colder than I had expected.  

The next event put on by Uberthons is the Turkeython that is held on Thanksgiving morning at Washington Square.  Check it out!   

Enjoy The Run!   

  **Thank you so much Uberthons for the race entry for Katie and me, we had such a great time!  Looking forward to your next event!  Of course my opinion is my own, I can't speak for Katie but she looked like she was having fun!  Plus Uberthons does a great job so it isn't hard to have a great time at their events.** 

Uberthons Halloweenathon Preview

Hi!

October has completely gotten away from me, I can't believe next week we'll be trick-or-treating.  This Saturday is Uberthons' Halloweenathon and I am so excited!  Katie and I are running the 10k in the afternoon and the girls are signed up for the Casper Dash.  I love that Uberthons always has a race for the little racers for no registration fee.  

   Packet pick up is available on Thursday October 24th from 4-8pm at the Sports Authority on Cedar Hills Blvd.  The event is taking place at the Reserve Golf Course in Aloha and follows a paved course.  Uberthons has reserved the entire golf course so it'll be a runners heaven, can't wait!  Dogs are not allowed but strollers are welcome, just stay towards the back.  There will not be a bag check but parking is very close.  There will not be any day off registration and I believe they have started a waiting list for all of the races.  This race is popular!  

I am jonesing for a race so I am pretty excited for Saturday.  Plus I love that the girls can come and I'll be able to cheer them on before my race, the Casper Dash is at 1:15 and I race at 2:00.  I say "race" loosely since it'll be more of a fun run with Katie.  Both of us have been out of the race game for a bit so we are just looking forward to a run together.  Which race are you signed up for on Saturday?   

Running Report

I miss talking about my running now that I am actually back to a routine.  I found a running partner and we've been meeting up to run 3 mornings a week.  Starting my day off with a run is my best medicine and I feel completely rejuvenated since starting up again.  Plus the miles just tick by so fast when you have a buddy to run with you.  On average we are running 4 miles in the morning but are working on adding more as we find our groove.  It has been different not focusing on distance and mostly on speed work for my 5k but I do like the change for now.  After Thanksgiving I'll be back to longer distances and training for my 2 hour half marathon in 2014.  Focusing on speed has been a nice change of pace but I do miss my long runs.  It is important to mix it up so that you can try and avoid burnt out.  I ran quite a few half marathons this year and still have one more on the calendar for December so taking this break has been great on me mentally.

See you at the Halloweenathon!

Enjoy The Run!     

Perks Of A Morning Run

GOOD MORNING! 

Yes I know that was in all caps because I am yelling at you, it is a great morning!  I made a running friend who wants to run with me in the morning when it is dark, YAY!  We had our first run this morning and it was glorious, I am not even kidding you I'll be walking on cloud 9 for the rest of the day.  

My Starbucks secret: Tall Cafe Misto 1 pump Pumpkin Spice, half the price of a pumpkin spice latte 

Another perk to running when the rest of the world is sleeping?  No line at Starbucks and I'm home before the sun is up!  

Why run in the morning? 

- Far less distractions or excuses

- The roads are quiet and the air is fresh, early morning runs are more peaceful 

- You have the rest of the day for work, kids, errands, whatever you need to do 

- You've started your day on the right foot both mentally and physically 

- You have a jump on the day because you already logged a few miles before your neighbor had their 1st cup of coffee  

I hope you all have a great day too and if you don't already do a morning run, trust me you'll love it! 

Remember to get registered for Uberthon's Halloweenathon and share with me which race you plan on doing!

Enjoy The Run!

Loving All Things Fall

Good Morning! 

Still working my way back up to 4 runs a week.  I got 3 in last week and they were decent so going to try for 4 this week.  I was also able to find a group that runs early in the morning once a week and I may have found another partner for an early morning run, score!  That would be at least 2 mornings a week I could get out there which would be amazing.  I am also going to work on getting my treadmill working again, the belt is off and just needs to be tightened back onto the roller.  Once my treadmill is fixed I could get another run in during the week when the girls didn't have school.  This no morning day light is really annoying, I don't remember this being such an issue before but maybe I just wasn't running as much?  I do know that starting my day with a run is key, is this the same for anyone else?  

Wednesday I ran 3 miles and felt like I was really pushing it but ended up around a 10 minute mile.  

Friday I ran 5 miles while the girls were in preschool and it was an absolutely beautiful fall day.  

Yesterday (Sunday) I left the house around 10 to get in some miles.  I didn't have a plan when I left and ended up doing 8 miles at a 9:44 pace.  I felt like I was running through peanut butter most of the run and I never found my groove.  It seems to be taking a little longer than I thought to feel like I am running healthy but I hope to get there soon.  Honestly I know a lot of it is my diet and being completely out of my routine. 

This past Saturday was my Stella & Dot Launch Trunk Show!  I wish all of this product was mine but my sponsor really helped me with my display.  It was a great experience and I feel ready to fly solo on my next show.  

Do you have any fall races coming up?  I am participating in Uberthon's Halloweenathon and also Sherwood's Give n' Gobble on Thanksgiving.  

If you haven't registered already remember to get signed up for the Uberthon's Halloweenathon.  

Saturday October 26th

Different races and times to choose from all day 

Plus a Casper Dash for the kids!

I'll be doing the 15K and it'll be my first time racing that distance, so excited!  

Also this upcoming weekend, October 13th, at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.  There is a 5K & 10K race put on by the WOU Criminial Justice Department.  Check it out and get more information HERE.

Enjoy The Run!

Runners Helping Runners - Run For Boston 5K

Good morning! 

Yesterday I hopped on my treadmill to do a ladder run from my TLAM training plan. I love ladder runs mostly because you are pushing really hard for 1-3 minutes which is something mentally I can handle.  It was an epic fail to put it nicely, what did I learn?  Two glasses of wine in the middle of the week will not help me get faster, just fall asleep faster, ha!  I woke up this morning did my cross training and headed out to redeem myself after yesterday's sad attempt.  I ran to the middle school track to warm up and did 4 fast (relative term) 100 meters.  Then I wanted to push myself up some hills, I apparently really wanted to punish myself, I kid.  I actually really like hills because not only do they push your body in a different way they are secretly speed work too, double score!  I will be putting at least one hill workout into my weekly plan from now on.  Sometimes I find myself feeling sluggish and unexcited about the gains I am making with running but I think taking a step back and just being grateful for the health to run puts everything into perspective.  So enough about my lame running abilities and onto much more pressing matters! 

Have you done a Run for Boston yet?  Katie and I ran in tribute of Boston and used a virtual run bib during our 10 mile last weekend.  

Katie and I both wanted to do something else and jumped at the chance to register for the Uberthon's Run For Boston on May 11th in Champoeg Park.  What I love about this race, besides it benefiting Boston, is that it is in the evening!  I am already registered for the Doggie Dash earlier that day and I can still come and support Run for Boston in the evening.  Score!    

100% of the proceeds of this race are going to the Boston One Fund to help those who were affected by this tragedy.  As we all know those hurt and killed by this senseless act are the very people who we know and love, our spectators.  They are the people out along the course cheering us on, calling out our names/bib numbers, they are our families, our children.  As a runner I did not hesitate for a second to register for this race, it is time for me to give back to my supporters.  

The event cost $25 and also has a kids race that is FREE, Sarah is all signed up and ready to go!  There is also an option to purchase a meal afterwards for $8, which I would spend easily anywhere else, this girl likes to eat.  This event is for both runners and walkers, the whole family!  I hope I will see you there running or walking in support of our cheering section that was so tragically hurt during the bombings.  

If you are looking for more information about the race you can go HERE.  

The Specs: 

Race Runners start @ 6:00 PM 

Race Walkers start @ 6:05 PM 

Fitness Walkers start @ 6:06

My favorite part the FOOD starts @ 6:25, dang I better run fast! 

If you don't think you can run or walk the event please consider donating your time to volunteer.  For more information on volunteering go HERE.  Your help is more valuable than you know!