Balloon Run 2013!

The Great Reno Balloon Race -- one of my favorite Reno events!  

No better way to experience it than by making it part of a long run!

Karma & Kindness Post #8

This Karma & Kindness post is dedicated to my good friend, Linda

Linda is amazing!  She's a mom of 3 young kiddos, she's a fantastic cook, she works part-time, and she has found time to raise money and train for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  She's going to run the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco on October 20, 2013 in memory of her mom who passed away last November after years of a blood disorder and eventually leukemia.  Please click here to join me in supporting Lin!

Happy August!

It seems weird to bid summer good-bye and welcome fall when it is just the beginning of August.  Isn't August typically a summer month?!?  But, with the new school calendar (for Jack -- mine is still the same), we are at T minus 10 days!  It seems more fall-ish during my morning runs lately too.  I have started sporting the head-lamp again, and today the air was a little crispy.  Speaking of which, I had a great run this morning!  Michelle and I ran 6.5 miles at about an 8:15 pace.  It felt quick, but it didn't put me in that mental agony place where all I can think about is how hard running is.  Plus, I didn't feel my Achilles at all.  For the first time in about 2 years, my Achilles didn't bug me.  Yay!  Don't want to get too excited, though.  I've been enjoying my no-schedule plan (click here) and want to milk that for a while.  Plus, we have a very busy fall ahead of us.  In addition to our regular life stuff (work, school, etc.), Jack's swim schedule is a little more intense.  I'm starting my PhD.  And of course, it's Fantasy Football season.  I have to be choosier about races for a while.  Please feel free to recommend the best of the best!  Thanks!

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!