40-Day Challenge

 
I love Thanksgiving, especially the Turkey Trot!  I love starting off the holiday with a hard run and then hanging out with my running buddies at the finish.  This year was even more special since it marked Day 1 of my inagural 40-Day Challenge.  The plan is to run for at least 30 minutes every day between now and New Year's Eve.  Runner's World is calling it the 2012 Holiday Streak.  A couple running buddies have pledged to complete the streak with me.  (Love you, Karla & Michelle!) 

Feel free to join in all the fun, too.  Even virtually!

Snow!

Gotta love a long run in the snow, especially with no agenda!  It started snowing about halfway through our run on Saturday. (Thanks for a great run, Karla!)  The flakes were huge, too!  Here was our view when we were done.  I love snowy scenery!

Time to get back on the training train, though.  I'm looking forward to some tough, but fun workouts with my R5K friends.  I feel the need for some speed!

I Heart NY!

With my current workload, this once a month posting is about all I can pull off right now.  I was expecting to post something about this weekend, though, as I was planning to run the NYC marathon.  Higher hopes had me posting about a new PR and a great time in the city with awesome running buddies.  Unfortunately that's not the case.  The marathon was canceled.  A bit of a bummer for sure, but it is what it is.  Any energy spent complaining is better used to help those in need right now.  My heart goes out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  One of my favorite bloggers, SkinnyRunner, has posted some cool alternate races and is also helping out by donating proceeds from her shirt sales.  Way to go, SkinnyRunner!  Check it out here.

 

So, my taper week turned into more of a week off.  Which honestly, I don't think I take enough of and was definitely in need of!  I know all of my hard work won't go to waste, though.  I'm running a half marathon in a few weeks.  Then I'll start planning my 2013 race caledar.  The NYC marathon will be on it for sure!  Dave and I have already discussed making a family vacation out of it.  Here's to next November!

 

 

A Running Riddle

What do you get when you combine sore legs and a blister from racing the day before with a dinner of chips & salsa, Diet Coke and candy corn?  A new PR and a first place finish! 

I had a productive weekend in Susanville this past weekend.  I ran the Bizz Johnson Express Half on Saturday and then the Bizz Johnson 50K on Sunday.  I'm happy with my performances (1:40 in the half & 3rd in my age group and 4:46 in the 50K & 1st female), but I'm also a little confused.  I had hoped to run a little faster on Saturday and thought I did most things right.  Then I was going to take it easy on Sunday and just run for fun.  I think the key to doing well is in your attitude going into the race.  When I don't have a specific goal, I seem to be more relaxed and run much better.  So, that's my new motto -- no more time goals!  I'm just going to run for fun!

Thanks, Coastal Trail Runs for a fun-filled weekend!

Great showing by NSET!

Lots of hardware!

 

Lots of Work & A Little Play

Wow!  I can't believe it's October already!  Things have been extremely hectic since school started.  I'm excited about my new tenure-track position at TMCC -- I love my job!  I'm also taking two classes this semester, which I enjoy.  But ... all the prepping, grading, reading, writing, and committee work has put a damper on some of my extracurricular activities lately.  Gone are the occasional naps. My DVR is quickly filling up with unwatched episodes of How I Met Your Mother.  There hasn't been any time for "fun" reading -- blogs, magazines, etc.  And, until now, I felt as if I had neglected my own blog.  (Sorry!)  Throw in running a household, family obligations & activities, and marathon training and you can see why there's not much of a social life happening.  Luckily, my awesome running group knows how to have some fun.  A few weeks ago I was able to take a break from the daily overload and attend NSET's annual wine tasting event.  It was fun to step out of my running shoes and let the ponytail down! 

The rest of my "social life" also revolves around running.  Early morning runs with Karla and Michelle (with a little Kaia FIT thrown in).  Speedwork with the NSET New York-bound gang.  And, of course our weekend runs.  Long runs are great for catching up with everyone, even our favorite aid station buddies! 

A special thanks to Rachel, Sam & Ranger!

The best aid station ever!

Well, time to wrap-up this mini-hiatus and get back to the grind! 
                                                                      Until next time ...

Balloon Run!

Just a quick post to share a couple of pictures of our super fun run this morning.  Great group and great run!  The Great Reno Balloon Race is one of my favorite Reno events.  No better way to experience it than on a long run!

Stay Strong!

Wow!  August just flew by!  School started this week, and tomorrow is the first day of September.  Where did the time go?!?

The beginning of the school year marks another season in our house.  Gone are the lazy, no-schedule summer days.  It's back to routine and a schedule.  Hopefully this week was an anomaly and not the norm because I am exhausted!  Not only did I start a strength training program and some serious speedwork, but throw in a hectic work schedule and keeping up a household and you've got some very  l-o-n-g  days!  It feels like a lot right now, but things will fall into place soon.  I am grateful for the extra day this weekend, though.  After getting caught up on work and stuff, I hope to get caught up on sleep! 

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend!