Springwater 5K + Stella & Dot Announcement!

Good Morning! 

High five to me because I ran 3 times last week!  Granted I easily could have ran 4 but I'll be happy with my 3 and aim for 4 this week.  Yesterday I was able to run 5 miles and it took at least 3 of those 5 to finally feel good.  It is a good wake up call for me to see how behind I am right now in my running fitness but so ready to get back to where I was.  I also was hollered at by a couple high school boys and informed that I have a nice ass, I'll put the day down for a win.  HA!  

On Sunday Katie and I ran the Springwater 5K & Kids Fun Run at the Gresham Main City park trail.  Katie ran an awesome race and placed 3rd woman overall!  Althetepath has her listed as 2nd but I think they'll change it, just type-o :) I am just so impressed with her running momentum and how hard she works.

{I also just love my moon face}

I did not place (or even come close) but I had a good run and really enjoyed the route.  This was the inaugural event for this race and it was put on by the Gresham Running Club.  I was really impressed with all of the volunteers helping with course direction and how friendly and welcoming the race directors were to every racer.  Katie and I were probably thanked at least twice for being there and running.  Plus the 5k was only $20 and it included a t-shirt and very practical little bag.  They had some snacks and coffee after the race and handed out awards for the top 2 overall winners for both male and female.  The race directors talked about doing more races in the future and I hope that they are able to follow through with that.  Sunday's race was a small gathering of about 50 runners and everyone was all smiles and really enjoyed the event! 

In other fun news I have started as a Stylist with Stella & Dot and I am so excited!

What I love about this company is that it was founded by women for women.  The 2 leaders of Stella & Dot are both mothers and the original founder, Jessica Herrin, is also a runner, win!  I find a common connection between successful people and runners, don't you?  Runners just tend to push themselves and expect more out of their days.  I researched this company and talked to a lot of stylists before I decided that YES this was for me.  Their company is not about pushy sales or tapping out your closest friends and family, it is about empowering women to be successful.  They encourage all of the stylist is define what their own personal success will look like because everyone has different goals and seasons of life.  I am so excited to start with this company and challenge myself to break out of my comfort and see what I can do.  Plus I can build up my collection of jewelry and accessories which is something I've been wanting to do for a while!  

Today is a run rest day and I am going to enjoy every minute of it.  Although I do feel like a new person after my 5 miles yesterday, it still amazes me what a run does for my soul.  Not going to lie the "nice ass" comment didn't hurt my feelings either.  

Enjoy The Run! 

       

Finding My Routine!

Good Morning! 

I ran yesterday and it was awesome!  Well it didn't feel awesome but I was so glad I was out there.  I ended up listening to the Marathon Training Academy podcast because I needed to have something else to focus on.  Normally I don't like to listen to anything while I run but I think while I am working back up my mileage and getting my body use to running again I'll break that rule.  

This summer was intense in terms of half marathons and traveling so I am looking forward to slowing both down.  I don't have another half marathon until December so I am going to take the next couple months to improve my 5k pace.  On Thanksgiving I am running the Sherwood Give 'N' Gobble 5K and I am looking to PR.  I've been challenged by our neighbor and it is the first time I actually want to beat someone at a race.  It is going to hurt but I am ready for the challenge and excited to see what I can do.  

Today is a free day in terms of preschool and all that so we'll see where the day takes us!  

Enjoy The Run! 

Anchor Away My Boys!

Good Morning! 

I normally write my blog posts after my run in the morning but since my runs aren't going to be morning runs anytime soon I'll be blogging pre-run.  I have so much to share about this weekend with Joey and his graduation!  Saying I am proud of him and what he has done wouldn't do my feelings about it justice.  My brother is a Sailor in the United States Navy and it brings me tears of pride every time I think about it.

This weekend showed me once again what an amazing family I have.  We are about as dysfunctional as they come but we lift each other up, we support each other and come together in good times and bad.  This weekend was definitely a good time!

I also learned a lot about other people which was a good eye opener, there's more to family than just sharing a last name.  Many think that you know who your real family is during times of bad but I feel people show their true colors during both the good and bad.  I definitely saw who was there for my brother this weekend and thank you to all of you who sent congratulations and good wishes for him!

I am also so grateful that my brother and my husband are so close.  Jess and I met when Joey was in Kindergarten and they bonded almost immediately.  Jess and Joey aren't just brother in laws but they are brothers and it was amazing to see the two of them together this weekend.  Jess is so proud of Joey and his decision to join the Navy they were inseparable all weekend.

                           

I love seeing Joey with my girls!  He is such a fun Uncle and they light up when they are with him.  

Doesn't my brother look so handsome in his uniform?   

We had a really good time celebrating my brother this weekend.  I am so glad we were able to be there and spend some time together.  With this new phase in his life I realized we won't be seeing him nearly as much as we did before.  He won't be a 45 minute drive away or staying at our house on the weekends anymore.  Things will be different but that is what life does, it is constantly changing on you.  If things didn't change we would never grow as people.

I could on and on about this weekend but needless to say we are beyond proud of Joey.  He is going to make a great Sailor and representative of our Nation.  I am looking forward to hearing about all of his experiences and everything he is learning.  Joey has started a journey that is going to be scary and exciting and open so many doors for his future.  Go get'em Joey!

   

Coming Back

I feel like I've fallen off the face of the blog planet since Labor Day weekend.  I have so much to share about the Sunriver Challenge and the amazing time we had running that weekend.  I'll be doing a seperate post dedicated to the Sunriver Challenge since it was 2 different races held on 2 different days. 
I just wanted to check into my little baby blog and talk about my current challenges.  I am having the worst time finding my routine for the fall.  I have a terrible fear of running alone in the dark and not really interested in overcoming that fear.  I am working on putting together a running group and looking forward to getting that scheduled.  Since I won't run alone in the dark my morning runs are about to be nonexistent.  It is already staying dark till pass 6 AM in my neck of the woods and that doesn't leave me with much time once the sun comes up.  I have a feeling me and the treadmill are going to become close friends again.  I do have 3 afternoons a week available but will be waiting till the cooler weather presents itself. 

These are very 1st world problems and not even problems just logistic issues.  I'll find what works once we get settled into our new routine and I'll work my way back to a comfortable mileage.  Plus I still have the weekends to get in 2 good days of running.

I hope you all are having some good runs and getting excited for all the upcoming fall races!

Along with everything else I will be back to blogging regularly once we are out of travel mode and back to life mode :)

Upcoming Oregon Fall Races

Good Morning! 

This weekend marks the official end of summer vacation and I think it comes faster and faster every year.  While we were in Michigan I was desperate for summer and getting out of the bitter cold.  I couldn't wait to get home and get summer started!  Oregon summers are beautiful and there are so many ways to get out and enjoy the nice weather.  Although like most Oregonians we love our Oregon fall and Labor Day weekend marks the start of that for a lot of people.  I love this time of year when the seasons start to change and school gets back into session.  I love the routine and coziness of it all, certain things just seem to mellow and calm during this time of year.  We have one more big trip this year, my brother's graduation into the Navy, which is going to be such a great moment for our family.  While I am really looking forward to getting to Chicago again and seeing my brother I am also looking forward to slowing down and being home.  2013 has been a whirlwind of some really awesome things but I am ready to slow things down and be home for good.  

I also have a personal (selfish) reason to want to be home and slow down during the fall. Fall Races!  Oregon has some of the best weather in the fall and it makes the race season that much better.  There are so many to chose from and my race calendar is already set and ready to go.     

My Fall Race Line-Up

Archer Race I 

October 12th 

Champoeg State Park 

I am really excited about this Race Series because it benefits local libraries with the focus being K-5th grade reading and math material.  They also want to help with a technology upgrade at the library.  This race has a 5K ($25) and 10K ($32) option and is a timed event.  This is my first time running this event and I am looking forward to the experience. For more information check it out HERE.

Uberthons Halloweenathon      

October 26th 

Reserver Golf Course (Aloha)

This is a full day family affair with a kids race, BBQ cook off contest and 4 different races to chose from.  Every level of runner and walker is welcome and the races go from morning till night so you'll have the whole day to chose a race that works for you.  I personally really enjoy the events that Uberthons put on and I love the family atmosphere of each race.  Also the fact that they offer a kids race at every event for FREE is huge.  My daughter loves to run and wants to be a runner like me (yay!) and she is able to come and participate in every Uberthons race free of charge, nice job Uberthons!  Find out more information and the races available HERE. 

Archer Race II Challenge

November 2nd 

Bald Peak Park 

This is the 2nd event in the Archer Race Series.  It takes place on the 4th most prestigious course in the Northwest and is 13.1 miles of beautiful scenery.  You can find more information HERE.

Give n' Gobble  

November 28th - Thanksgiving Morning 

Sherwood High School 

This is a tradition for me and as long as we are home I'll always participate in this race.  I have a bit of pressure for this race since my neighbor has challenged me to race it with him.  We'll be running the 5K and the poor guy doesn't know what he is in for :) all in good fun right?  There is a 5K and 10K option this year and if you are a Sherwood local or just enjoy a family friendly fun event I strongly recommend the Give n'Gobble.  More information can be found HERE.

As of now those the races I plan on doing in the fall.  There are many more races out there and I am going to be putting together a list of events that sound like fun to me.  Katie, me and our families will be waving goodbye to summer this weekend with the Sunriver Race For A Cause 10K and Half Marathon Challenge.  I am hoping I am in good enough shape for both of these races since I've been sick for over 2 weeks and logged barely 20 miles during that time.  I've already told myself if I have to walk then I am just going to walk, this weekend is about having a good time with some good friends and family.  

Enjoy The Run!       

I Have No Interest In Another Marathon (Right Now)

Good Morning!  

I finally got back out there this morning and I already feel like a new person.  

It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be but it still hurt.  I am feeling a lot better even though I am still hacking up a lung and really congested.  Plus the sneezing has started, really can we just move on now sickness you are done here.  On the other hand it was such a nice break!  It was refreshing to go to bed and not feel the stress of making sure I get at least 6.5 hours before the 5:30 alarm.  I stayed up late and didn't really worry too much about it, it was a really nice break.  

Now after a couple weeks of downtime I feel excited to set some new goals for the fall and get into our new routine.  We start preschool next week and the girls will be going 3 days a week!  Part of me is sad to be saying goodbye to my early morning runs while the other part of me is excited to create a new routine.  If I had a running partner I would be more apt to run in the dark mornings but I won't run alone in the dark.  I have two little girls and a husband waiting for me to come home and it isn't just my life I am messing with when I put my safety at risk.  Please be alert and be safe if you run alone in the dark!  

Light yourself up! 

I don't want to just leave you hanging because I am sure you are dying to know what my fall running goals are, here you go! 

Fall Running Goals 

- Hit 100 miles each month for the rest of the year 

- Break my current 5K PR by Thanksgiving  

-  Run with friends and a group more often, I am missing that part of running 

- Run a 10+ mile run each week

- Accept that I don't like running marathons and really don't want to sign up for another one in the near future.  This is a something that I struggle with and I need to get to a place of acceptance.  It isn't that I can't run another marathon but I am just not willing to give that much time to the training right now.  I am constantly harping on this but it is important to me that running stay fun and enjoyable.  Right now I have two little girls at home and for me personally running a marathon just isn't in the cards.  I will run another marathon in my lifetime but not right now or probably even in the next year.  I realize it is a strange goal since I am basically saying I am *not* going to do something, but accepting my current limitations is a goal of mine.  I am glad I have one under my belt! 

I also have a personal writing goal that does relate to running but isn't actually me running.  I am working on a few pitches to some running magazines, local papers, etc.  Writing has always been a passion of mine and since I've started running I have found myself even more excited about it.  It is probably because I have that time while I am running to think about different topics and run them through my head before getting them down on paper.  I am not trying to keep anything a secret from you but I don't want to jinx anything, I am superstitious, like it really makes a difference! :) 

Enjoy the run!        

   

I Use To Be A Runner...

Good Morning! 

This is so sad but I haven't ran in 8 days, 8 DAYS!  I was going to run this morning but obviously I didn't.  I honestly feel I needed the break and now I am ready to get back to it.  I miss the feeling of already having my day started by the time the girls have woken up.  I miss the shot of energy a run will give me and I miss my running routes.  Basically I miss running and like anything else in life I just needed a break from it and this awful sickness gave me just that.  I am still hacking up a lung but physically actually feel a lot better, the cough is just par for course.  I am a little nervous to go back to out cause I know it won't be pretty since I am sure I have lost some fitness but I'll get there.  

This weekend Katie and I have the Sunriver Marathon For A Cause and we are so excited!  

Katie and I registered for this back in February and we really thought we would be able to run the marathon, then life happened.  We are hoping to change to their 10K & Half Marathon challenge but haven't heard back yet, maybe we'll be running that marathon anyway! HA!  No.  I am barely going to be ready to run the half marathon let alone a full marathon so hoping to hear something sooner rather than later.  Either way the weekend will be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to spending the last weekend of summer with my family and our good friends.  

We got our picture with Bigfoot that we took at the Huckleberry Half!  That was such a fun event and I am already ready to register for next year, hills and all!  

I am working on a post for some upcoming fall races and would love your input!  

-What fall race are you most looking forward to?