IMS AZ 2013

The weekend flew by as usual...how is it already Monday?

IMS Arizona Marathon 2013

Course: Verrado to Glendale, AZ
Time: 4:09:11



How I felt:
It's a mixed bag here. The first 8 miles were awesome, I felt good mentally and physically, the weather was perfect and the first part of the course was fairly nice.  I experienced some horrendous stomach issues at my last half marathon a couple weeks ago and it came back to haunt me. I think I wasted about 4-5 minutes stopping at various J-Johns along the way and took some extra time walking when the gut/fear of an accident kicked in, good times! I noticed it kicked in after my 1st GU, this has never happened to me before so I think it's time to find a new source of fuel? Wade ran with me until about mile 16 and then took off like a bat outta hell. I was hoping to break the 4:00 mark yesterday and was on course at the halfway mark...but the gut issues, the heat and my hip/back pain were working against me.

 The highlight of my race...My friend Ryan and his buddy rode the ENTIRE course with me on their beach cruisers and it was the best thing I could have ever asked for. Once I realized my goal wasn't going to happen, I decided I was going to have FUN and I really did. We had so much fun talking, laughing, being silly, waving at cops and volunteers, it made the 26.2 fly by and I never felt alone out there. It's a small race and for many stretches I was running alone, so having these 2 guys by my side was amazing. They handed me water, gum and GU along the way, it was like my own personal race crew! Ryan was supposed to run the race, but due to injury he chose not to start so instead, he and I crossed the finish line together, he earned it too!

A failed jumpshot attempt.

I'm really happy I did it, and saw so many familiar faces along the way...which was one of the best parts! Seeing Wade (and lots of friends) at the finish line, with a HUGE smile on his face (this was his 1st full) was worth every ounce of pain .... and I still got a PR. And a sunburn.

Finish line with Ryan, yay buddy!

Wade, sub 4:00!

And I got to finally meet my cute friend ChaCha who also had an awesome PR 3 weeks after running a hilly marathon in her hometown, she's kind of a badass!

Catching Up.

Hello there.

I have been so quiet that I'm not really sure how to just jump back in without sounding like a weirdo who has been pretty bad at blogging lately.

{Nutshell - My Life}

Work, Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years, New Babies (and baby showers), friends/family in town, running, celebrating our 3rd Anniversary, volunteering at my 1st Ironman (whoa), preparing for the Holidays AND thoroughly enjoying them (parties yes please), making new goals, a trip up North to a haunted hotel, marathon training in full effect and eying some more races), running a 10 mile race and a half marathon...which resulted in a new PR, booking some trips (oh boy!) and embarking on one amazing one....life.

So yeah...all that. I won't spend the time going back through the details. I was sick on and off about 3 times over the Holidays which is never ideal but I am 100% now and feel great. My running took a bit of a hit with all that and I am noticing it quite a bit in my speed, endurance and my lung capacity. That's OK, I feel healthy and injury free so I'm content with that.

Coming up...

February 2nd - Desert Classic Half Marathon (training run)
February 17th - IMS Arizona Marathon 

The last few weeks at glance, in numbers:

• 43 miles
• 47 miles
• 34 miles (setback week, whew)
• 46 miles
• Current week (tapering) 12 miles

I am extremely sore today from a couple of new HIIT workouts the past 2 days, so I skipped today's run in lieu of rest so I have 2 full days before my half on Saturday.

Looking forward to:

•  The Phoenix Open this weekend. Party time, excellent.
•  Super Bowl Sunday!
• A night in Sedona to celebrate my Dad's 65th Birthday...it's a surprise, shhh.
• Girls Weekend in San Fran.
• Our FIRST trip to Europe. I.cannot.wait.
• Working on my race calendar and trying a new to me distance, gulp!

How about a mini photo bomb?

What's new with you?

Cactus ChaCha Review

First trail run in the books! I didn't sleep a wink last Friday night, I was so nervous about this run for some reason. I don't know if it was because it was something new and I wasn't sure what to expect, or because I was scared to death of the hills and rocky terrain....but probably both.

Me and my Pops

I had a freaking BLAST!

It was a beautiful morning out in the desert and the race had a really cool laid vibe to it. The "gun" went off and Trent and I headed out after saying hi to several people we knew. The first half of the race was pretty much uphill, rocky and was a "single track" (one runner at a time). I used all my concentration picking through the course and trying to land as carefully as possible. My Garmin didn't work out there so I had no clue how fast I was running and that made it much more fun! I hear a few guys behind me talking about the switchbacks that were up again and I got a little nervous but kept plugging away...the people were SO cool and polite and helpful. I ran with the same group most of the race and they were all laughing, yelling and talking each other through the technical parts, it was really helpful and was something I had never experienced before.

 I focused on my breathing up those hills and maintaining the same effort up as I did running flat, and then let it fly downhill all while still being careful so I didn't eat shit or twist an ankle. Nothing like having someone on your heels to keep you moving forward. At one point I lost Trent so I just kept moving and stuck with Hal, an older, very experienced runner and he helped keep me focused on finishing. I really only ran alone for about .50 of the whole course...I can see how people would get lonely out there.

I was really happy to see that finish line and my Dad standing there yelling my name. My official time was 1:09:10 which was a 9:53 pace. I was REALLY happy with that. My feet, ankles and calves hurt in places that have never hurt before, but it makes sense because I didn't run in trail shoes and I hit a lot of rocks using muscles my feet aren't used to using.

My Dad did the Mini ChaCha (3 mile loop) and I was so proud of him. He is not a "runner"  and was pretty nervous at the beginning. He is currently working on losing some weight (down 25lbs whoot!) so this was a big step for him, and he did SO good!

AND I won a $50.00 gift card in the raffle to my favorite running store, The Tortoise and Hare!

I will be trailing running again in the future, it was so much fun.

A Trail Run Attempt

I'm doing THIS tomorrow.

In an attempt to get my feet wet in the world of trail running I signed signed up for this little race. The distance is short at just 7 miles, but the terrain scares the shit out of me.

Rocks, inclines, steep drops, snakes and of course the HUGE potential to fall down. Bloody knees are a common sight in trail running. Gulp. I am NOT looking to segue into trail running, but since I agreed to pace my buddy for 15 miles of his 100 mile Ultra attempt at the end of this month, so I better get my ass in gear.

This race will be sad and emotional as the Race Director and Founder of this race passed away earlier this year while doing some altitude training at Humphrey's Peak in Flagstaff. He was kind and funny and he was the one who really got me excited about picking out a full marathon last Fall.

But there is something I am excited about! My dad is coming out for this run. And not just to watch, he is going to hike/walk the 3 mile loop! This means so much to me for many reasons, mainly because he wants to get his health and his weight under control, but also, to spend time with me doing something I love.

Wish me luck!

Hometown Visit

I wasn't sure I wanted to do a recap of my weekend up in Washington...mainly because I didn't do a whole lot that deemed worthy of reading about. But I thought I'd do a short and sweet one, mainly for myself.

My Mom and I flew up to Seattle last Thursday to visit Grandma. I was really looking forward to this trip for a few reasons:

1. Get outta the heat and visit my old stomping grounds.
2. Spend time with my mom, we have NEVER taken a trip together as adults.
3. Visit Grandma and spend her Birthday with her.

The entire weekend was laid back and low key...we spent the weekend AT my Grandma's place and she lives in a retirement center. I was not super excited about this for obvious reasons, but it ended up being really fun! We spent the weekend watching the Olympics (I.can't.stop.watching.), eating, shopping, wine tasting, beer touring (my sis and bro-in-law joined, so fun) and taking walks. Grandma doesn't get around too well anymore, so my Mom and I spent one afternoon shopping and doing our own thing.

But at "just" 92, my Grandma is still sassy and smart and still hovers behind me telling me how to do things and trying to make me food, but of course, with age, comes changes and it breaks my heart seeing her slow down. I can't stress how happy I am that I took this weekend to just spend time with her. Eating PB toast each morning brought me back to being a kiddo, and it was nice to feel that way again!

I ran 2 of the 3 mornings I was there and one of the highlights of my weekend was running along the trails behind the property she lives on. It was cool, humid (82%) and hilly as shit. I had a huge smile on my face as I ran through the trails that were flanked with blackberry bushes on either side...it really brought me back to my childhood.

Runs like that are the reason I run.  

I also ran inside at the new gym on the property which is brand spankin' new and extremely high tech. It was so funny to be working out alongside a bunch of retired Seniors. They were all really friendly and were cracking jokes the entire time...for once I was the youngest fastest, and strongest!

Leaving was tough...but I was really excited to get home to Wade and my furry critters. Best part...18 roses at the airport from my sweetheart. xoxo.

Family

Please excuse my silence...a long overdue trip was taken back to my hometown to spend time with the woman I have always looked up to.

Happy 92nd Birthday Grams.

Up North

My weekend was jam packed and fun! We headed up to the cabin for the weekend and this was one of my favorites trips so far...I packed lots of action AND relaxation into a short amount of time....

Highlights:

1. Ice Cream on Friday & Saturday. 'Nuf said.
2. 14 miles in the Pines. (5 mile run Fri + 9 mile run Sat) followed by coffee and smoothies.

3. Meals. Stuffed Chicken, Salmon Salad, Steak. Yum.
4. Friday Afternoon Nap.
5. Brother Time (and his cutie pie girlfriend, Jenna).

6. A fancy new washer/dryer at the cabin.(Seriously, super excited)

Wade woke up with a MASSIVE hangover (can't hang, cough cough) so I deemed him worthless for the day....however, I enjoyed a big breakfast with my bro, an awesome drive home (2.5 hours driving Miss Daisy) and then a nice family dinner to celebrate Father's Day. I brought the Manchild home a "refreshing salad"...per his request.

Now, I'm relaxing on the couch preparing for a busy week.

The Great Birthday Week

This week is a favorite of mine. Four of my favorite people were all born within a week of each other. Two of them on the same day and year.

Lot's of birthday wishes, cake, celebratory drinks and little gifts to show my love.

Sara. One of my oldest and dearest friends. Lover of all things fashion and fabulous. Fellow candy lover. Secret holder. My Confidant. She has a love for life that brightens any room and she sees beauty in the small things. Future Mommy (10.31.12)

 Cynthia. My Mexico traveling companion. Soul sister. My logical thought processor. Sensitive and sweet, with a little German sass mixed in. Mother of my beautiful Goddaughter.

Gabe. Brother from Another Mother. Years of entertainment, laughter and true friendship. Shoulder to cry on. Drinking buddy. True. Honest. I can always be me around him. 

Jamie. My sister. My childhood. Who I admired for so many years...and still do. Horse lover. Polar opposite. Silly, smart and beautiful without knowing it.

Happiest of Birthdays, my Friends.

Christmas Hangover

OK so not really a hangover...but perhaps a food hangover and that super awesome feeling of eating WAY too much....cookies, fudge, ham, potatoes....and of course a few of these. Ugh.

 More to come.

Holiday Traditions

I was just dreaming about the insanely delicious (and fattening) casserole my Momma has made every Christmas morning since I can remember and it got me thinking about traditions.

This is my 7th Christmas with Wade...and we are slowly creating our own traditions. Newest one we are working on....Christmas Eve! We have always spent this eve alone, by choice. It was our time to spend exchanging gifts, being at home, drinking wine, cooking fancy dinners and going to the local Zoolights display at the Phoenix Zoo. This year we are mixing it up. My best friend moved back to AZ this year...in fact just 1.5 miles away and naturally, spending this important night with her, her husband and my adorable Goddaughter is a no brainer.

Can't resist THIS face!

What is your favorite Holiday tradition?

Wonderful Weekend

I had a WHOLE weekend off! It was amazzzzzing! I even told Wade last night how shocked I was that I received no phone calls and only a handful of manageable emails. Win for me.

Highlights:

1. Friday Night - NOTHING. After an entire week of events, I couldn't wait to get home and sit on my ass. Achieved.
2. Christmas Shopping. We had one more person to buy for and while at the mall, we picked a name off the Christmas Angel tree. 10 year Bernice is going to have a Merry Christmas...
3. Dinner out....a few delicious beers might have been enjoyed as well.
4. 2 lunch dates with my favorite person.
5. A morning of ARR's Desert Classic...and not feeling a bit bad about dropping out of the 30k. Awesome last minute decision...doing it relay style with my favorite running partner. It was pretty rough though, a ton of hills...a small race so most miles were spent alone, and of course, feeling the last bits of this awful cold. But I had SO much fun with this talented group of people I have been spending so much time with.

6. Homemade Zuppa Toscana soup, Sauvignon Blanc, a fire crackling...all while watching Shawshank Redemption.

Our family does VERY minimal gifts (only the kiddos on Wade's side and we draw a name on my side) which I love. As I grow older, I have realized that Christmas has nothing to do with malls, gifts, spending excessive amounts of money for one day of gifting.....when being an adult, I can buy things for myself that I need or want. Instead, we focus on food, drinks, and just being with each other. Another reason it's my favorite Holiday of the year.

Happy.Lucky.Blessed.

Catchin Up...

A few of my favorite things from the past week or two...

1. Celebrating 2 wonderful years with my husband. (complete with lobster, roses, a shiny bauble and champagne)

 2. Thanksgiving Day. A 10 mile Turkey "Trot" with friends, delicious food and drink and spending time with our families. I was too busy stuffing my face to take pics....you all know what my plate looked like. And my food baby in my stomach afterwards. Nuff said.

3. Movember. Men with Mustaches, silly girlfriends, and tasty food and drinks. (mustache has been shaved, hallelujah)

 4. Running. My hamstring has healed,and it has moved to my hip-flexor. New shoes have been ordered...and another half marathon is a few days away. I hope it's cured with new kicks.

5. With the Holidays comes shopping and great sales....Wade and I have done a nice job being selfish and shopping for ourselves. Not gonna lie, I kinda like it. (hehe)

Lazybones...

I've been a lazy blogger. Yes, I have.

I haven't done anything monumental or super exciting, so I thought I shouldn't bore the 3 people that read this. Plus, I've been pretty busy with that thing you call work, how rude.

So remember on Saturday when I said I was going to bust out a bike ride on Sunday?

I did.

And it was amazing.

It finally clicked with me. My bike and I figured each other out (thise damn 27 gears). And I even learned how to look behind me while riding, and not wobble all over the place. My fastest speed was 22.1 mph. I even yelled out loud/whooped at one point during the ride...I was grinning from ear to ear. I wasn't even scared anymore. Wade was patient and even hopped on my midget bike at one point to teach me how to properly shift. I went 22 miles. All hills. And I wasn't even sore. Guess all that running is paying off.

We had family day on Sunday. BBQ, wine, and homemade carrot cake.

I even hopped on my old horse and cruised around the pasture on her. She still remembers me every time I see her....and she's 25. We grew up together.

All is good.

Labor Day Weekend, Here and Gone

This weekend flew by, as they always do. We headed up to our "home away from home" Friday night, truck full of food, odds and ends and of course, our dogs and cat. (yup, I said cat)

Luna the Traveling Cat. She's a BIG fan of being smooshed into this thing for 2.5 hours straight.

Pissed Off

We got there late. Ate late. Went to bed late. Woke up kinda late.
----> insert shitass run here <----

But then the fun began. As I mentioned before, we had a few extra house guests this trip. It was the first group of our families to join us up North at our new little cabin. We were excited to spend time with them. To laugh, tell silly stories and pretty much act like the idiots that we are. And fortunately no one can really afford to be judgmental up here in the sticks....there are some interesting characters in these parts, hillbilly USA, yo.  Wade's sister is funny. Really funny. And his bro-in-law. Equally funny. So ya, we had a lot of laughs. We took them to lunch, and fishing at the lake.This was a "first time" experience for the girls, and we honored to be a part of it. Proud Aunt and Uncle moments here....

 We BBQ'd brats and toasted smores in front of a big and beautiful campfire. We made a big family style breakfast on Sunday and then they were off to make the trek down the mountain. A great time was had by all. I sure love those little Princesses.

Wade and I spent Sunday antique-ing and shopping, and painting exterior doors and mirrors. Out with the boring old white, and in with green!

 We always go on a cabin style "date night" and it's typically filled with a big fat marg and some tasty chicken and shrimp salads at the local Mexican Joint. We watched a movie and hit the sack. Pretty rocking night if you ask me. Check out Wade's VERY serious model pose face, sexy.

And today, we took out the bikes. It was a little scary, not gonna lie. It was windy and there was a fair amount of traffic headed out of "town" and back to the Valley. I probably looked stupid hanging out for dear life as I whipped down those hills at 20/mph...but then again, the spandex probably made me look more stupid.

12.5 miles done. Hopefully my ass doesn't hurt too bad tomorrow.

Happy Labor Day y'all!

3 Day Weekend

I'll be spending my weekend looking at this view...

With these goofs...

Eating, drinking, and being silly.

I ran this morning. I expected a lovely morning run in the Mountains. Nope. It sucked. I was hot. I was tired. I was thirsty. So my 10 miles turned into 8. But that's OK....tomorrow is a new day.