Wrapping it up!

This is a hard post to write.  I started this blog 4 years ago, and I think it's time to wrap it up -- at least for a while.  It's been fun connecting two different hobbies: running and writing.  It's also fun to take a little jog down memory lane and go back and re-read older posts.  It's getting harder to find the time and things to blog about, though.  I am thankful that Women's Half Marathon asked me to start this blog. It's something I'll always be proud of.

This seems like a good time to wrap things up since I can end on a positive race review, too.  I ran the Reno 10 Miler this morning.  Love this race!  The course was great, and the weather was perfect.  I ran a 1:16 and won my age group!  I'm very happy with that, but this race was more about getting a feel for my fitness level in preparation for some upcoming halves.  Gotta put a little more work in!  It's the perfect time to get into a good routine since school is starting back up.

Well, this blog has been a fun experience.  Many cliches come to mind right now, but it's easier (and better) just to sign off and wish for the best!  See ya! 

Summer Fun!

Happy First Day of Summer!  One of my favorite days of the year!  This summer is especially fun and relaxing because I have no commitments. I can run as far and often as I want (or don't want).  While I love routine and schedules, it's nice to have a break from them as well. It's also sometimes more motivating to run because I want to not because I feel like I have to.  I started speedwork again last week, and it felt fun instead of like work.

Running & Reading #5

I just finished The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.  Loved it!  Morton does a great job developing the characters through different points of view.  As expected from the title, various secrets are revealed throughout the story. However, an unexpected, very clever twist is uncovered at the end.  

I'm still reading Inside a Dog.  While I have no major commitments this summer, it's still very busy -- teaching a couple of classes (one of which is brand new), starting my dissertation work, hanging out with Jack and his buddies, and chasing Midas around.  Needless to say, there isn't as much time for leisurely reading as I had hoped.  Is there ever, though?!?




Next on my list is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It also takes place during World War II -- one of my favorite settings!  Looking forward to squeezing in some more reading time!

RTO 2015!

Another RTO is in the books!  I had a blast running with the Trail Babes again this year.  I got to run my favorite leg -- Leg 9 -- mostly downhill!  

My first leg had the least amount of downhill (basically none) -- I'm glad it was first!  I ran out of Truckee and along Hwy 89 towards Squaw.  It was a little warm, but I managed to average a 7:42 pace for the 4.8 miles.  The bear I crossed paths with might have boosted my adrenaline a little!

I always love the second leg because I love running in the middle of the night!  This year I got an added bonus since I got to run down Kingsbury grade.  I booked it down the hill and averaged a 5:47 pace for the 3.8 miles.  No bears on this leg, but I did startle a sweet little doe!

My last leg was almost as fun.  I ran down Toll Road.  The first 4 miles were awesome -- jumping over rocks on the trail.  The last couple of miles were tougher, especially since it was so hot.  But I managed to pull off a 7:16 average for 6.6 miles.

My quads are a little beat up today, but it was well worth it!  We came in 20th overall (out of 250 teams) and 3rd in the all women's division.  But most importantly, we had tons of fun!

Running Buddies are Forever!

This week was so much fun!  I was awarded tenure at TMCC and celebrated my 44th birthday.  One of the best birthday gifts I received this year was running with my awesome friend, Noni.  Noni is a near and dear college friend and one of my very first running buddies. We met during the summer of 1991 at Avila Hot Springs where we taught swim lessons together. During my last 2 years at Cal Poly, Noni and I ran just about every day together. Then even after we graduated from college, we tried to meet as often as we could and ran many races together.  Life changes -- jobs change and families change.  But, running buddies never seem to change. We can go months without communicating, but then when we are finally able to run together we just jump right back into a comfortable pace and great conversation!  

Thanks, Noni, for a wonderful visit and for logging 20 miles with me this week! 

Looking forward to our next run together!

Tenure ceremony

Our traditional running pose!

Sunrise run in Reno

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Not sure what happened to April ...  Anyway -- Happy May!

Things are great on the running front!  I just found out that a few friends are running the Chicago Marathon this fall (Go Monica, Ivy & Liz!).  A part of me wishes I could run it too. I've heard it's a great race, and it would be so fun to go with friends.  It's just too hard to fit east coast marathons into my schedule these days.  Maybe someday!  But, I love when my running buddies are training for a marathon because then I get to train too!

Running & Reading #4

In the world of reading ... I finished The Magician's Lies by Greer Macallister.  It was a fun read!  Now I am reading Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz.  I want to be prepared for our new little pup, Midas, who joins our family in about 10 days!

Midas is the lighter pup sitting behind his sleeping brother.

Running & Reading #3

Hiatus time!  Not from my blog -- just from racing. I love running schedule-free!  This break will be short-lived, though, as the RTO is in 2 short months.  I'm proud to be a Tahoe Trail Babe again this year and need to step up the intensity soon.   

On the reading front, I read Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins with my book club this month.  It was great!  Not quite as twisted as Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, but in the same genre.  Now we are reading The Magician's Lies by Greer Macallister -- another thrilling murder mystery!  I'm looking forward to lots of reading time by the pool when we're in Phoenix next week!