Karma & Kindness Post #7

This Karma & Kindness post is dedicated to my friends at Reno Running Company.

Just a quick shout out to one of my favorite places -- Reno Running Company!  This store has it all -- super selection, very knowledgeable staff, and just an overall friendly atmosphere.  I learn something new every time I drop in.  Run on in and check it out.  Or join them for their Sunday store run.  Always a fun time!

Wish I had thought of that!

It's summertime!  We've been in Tahoe for 10 days, and I have run on this trail (below) 4 times already!  I don't think I could ever get tired of this view!

Besides the beautiful views, pristine trails and easy shuttle, my other favorite thing about this run is the finish.  There's a new cafe at the end of Tunnel Creek.  Genius idea!  Click here for more information.  The cafe serves a killer breakfast burrito and has free wi-fi.  So even if you're not a runner or biker, I highly recommend it.  I'm not sure if I am cut out for the restaurant business, but if I was I'd want to own this place!

Karma & Kindness Post #6

This Karma & Kindness post is dedicated to NSET. 

This awesome group not only encourages a healthy lifestyle for all by offering a variety of running and walking workouts each week, but they also generously donate their time and energy to various fund-raising efforts.  This weekend  NSET is sponsoring a team at the Relay for Life.  The money raised at this event supports the American Cancer Society.  There is no such thing as too much support!  Please consider joining the NSET runners in their journey to end cancer.  Every step counts!

Twice as Nice!

Back-to-back relays!  And, back-to-back 2nd place finishes!  I was humbled and honored to run with such amazing ladies these past couple of weekends.  The running talent in the Reno-Tahoe area is impressive!

I ran Leg 12 for the Tahoe Trail Babes (above) in the RTO.  We set a new masters women's record by beating our own time by about 20 minutes.  We finished 2nd in the women's division and 19th overall (out of 250 teams).

And, I ran Leg 3 for the Reno Running Company team at the DeCelle Relay this past weekend.  Despite the scorching heat, we also beat our time from last year and finished 2nd in the women's division and 14th overall (out of 125 teams).

All these gals know how to run, and they inspire me to keep working hard!  As soon as my Achilles is healed.  (Excuse the pun!)

Luckily, running around Tahoe never gets old!

A huge shout-out to our sponsors!  

RTO 2013 -- Karma & Kindness Post #5

This Karma & Kindness post is dedicated to the Lerudes and the RTO.

I almost let May slip away without getting my monthly dose of good karma!  Luckily, I was scheduled to help out at the team check-in for the RTO last night. I had so much fun volunteering at this last year that I actually asked to volunteer again -- even without being on a team!  I got to handle merchandise purchases.  I would happily help wherever needed, but I prefer interacting with people.  It's so much fun meeting new people, especially runners.  The RTO is such an awesome event that it attracts runners from all over.  Since I'm a local (well, I've lived here for almost 6 years now), I get asked about the area -- restaurant recommendations, touristy stuff, etc.  The traveling runners don't get away without answering a few of my questions in return.  I love hearing about the different teams and where they're from.

Reno is lucky to have such an amazing event.  Thanks to the Lerudes for their continued dedication to this awesome running experience!

I'm honored to call myself a Trail Babe this year.  The Tahoe Trail Babes are a fun, fast team, and I'm looking forward to spending a couple of days with them.  I'm going to have to run my butt off to feel worthy as a teammate, though.  Challenge accepted!  Good luck to all my other running buddies and their teams!  Here's to an adventurous running weekend!

The No-Schedule Plan

Training plans.  Love them or hate them?  I'm actually indifferent toward them.  I like to use them as more of a guide than a plan as I prefer to run a range of miles.  I'm not the stickler-type who has to run around the parking lot until my Garmin reaches an exact number.  I know the necessary components of training -- a strength run (hills or speed), a tempo run, and a long run.  I also now know the importance of recovery runs and stretching/rolling.  So I feel pretty confident using a guide rather than a plan.

Ironically, I consider myself a planner -- rather than a guider.  ;)  One of my favorite parts of running is planning my races for the year.  So, it was a little disheartening to cross out all my races on my 2014 calendar (click here).  But, it was also a little liberating, too.  My Achilles is starting to feel really good and I want to keep it that way.  I feel the smartest thing to do is to take the stress off for a while.  I had to do a little soul-searching about why I run and what I love about it. And, while the little shrine of hardware in my closet is nice, it's not just about medals and placing.  I just love to run.

So, are all races called off?  Not at all.  I'm stepping outside the box, though, and will just go day-by-day.  I'm pumped up for my favorite relays in June -- RTO & DeCelle.  We'll see how things go from there.  Wish me luck on my no-schedule plan!

Running Reads

Happy May!  I can't believe it's May already -- and, the second week of May even!  This is the time that I usually embark on my 100-mile week.  However, due to a very sensitive Achilles, I am going to postpone my 100-mile adventure for a few months.  I think I'll enjoy it more if I can run pain-free.  So, needless to say, I have some extra time on my hands (and less on my feet -- ha ha!).  With the school year coming to an end, I plan to catch up on some reading.  As you can see by the stack of running magazines below, I have quite a bit of catching up to do!  These date back to October 2012.  I hope I haven't missed out on much since then! ;)

(This is what happens when you are working 2 jobs, training for an ultra, taking 2 classes, keeping up with a family & trying to maintain a household.)

I think I subscribe to every running magazine out there: Runner's World, Running Times, Women's Running, Trail Runner, Ultra Running.  Am I missing any???  I also read just about any kind of running book -- fiction, nonfiction, training books.  I am currently reading Running with the Kenyans and secretly (well, guess it's not a secret anymore) wishing that I really could run with the Kenyans.  And, since that's not enough I also read about running online.  I have a running research fetish.  I also follow a few blogs.  Here are a couple of my favs:

http://ccooper.typepad.com/writing_on_the_run/ 

 

http://skinnyrunner.com/

Speaking of running books, my family is actually featured -- well, maybe not featured, but mentioned and talked about -- in Caleb Daniloff's Running Ransom Road: Confronting the Past One Marathon at a Time.  We lived in Moscow the same time that Caleb did, and he shares some stories from that time in his book.  It was our Russian maid who baked the chocolate chip cookies that he writes about.  (These were a rarity in Moscow in the early 80s!) 

I admit that I might have a bit of a running obsession.  But, I actually do read about other things too.  In fact, I am next to host my book club, so that means I need to share a few different titles for the group to vote on.  Any suggestions?

What are some of your favorite books?