First Snow!

Yep -- you're reading this right!  It is October 28th, and the title says First Snow.  Yikes!  (By the way, thanks for reading!)  I actually don't mind running in the snow -- or the sun, or any type of weather really.  One of the best things about winter running is getting new gear!  Or at least checking out what's new.  I tend to prefer half-zip pull-overs.  But, I've got my eye on a couple of new items for this winter.  These are from Athleta.

What is your favorite running store?

Karma & Kindness Post #10

This Karma & Kindness post is dedicated to all my GOTR friends!

 If you had more free time -- regular, carved out time, not just time to sneak in a nap -- what would you do?  Helping out Girls on the Run, one of my favorite non-profit organizations, is near the top of my list.  The goal of GOTR is to help instill strong values through a healthy lifestyle.  Based on the news lately, some of today's youth seem to be lacking strong values.  Please join me in supporting this awesome program.  And keep your fingers crossed for an epic ski season this year!

 

Karma & Kindness Post #9

This Karma & Kindness post is dedicated to my teacher friend, Andy!

Thirsty?  So are my friends, Andy & Kate, who are training for their first marathon.  That's what a 20-mile run will do to ya!  But, even after running 20 miles, they still aren't as thirsty as the friendly people of Western Kenya who lack clean water.

Please click here to join me in supporting Andy & Kate in this worthy cause.  

Good luck to both of you and your awesome training group! 

Good Mornings!

I don't really consider myself a morning person, but I love running early in the morning.  The weather is more predictable.  I run while the rest of my family is still sleeping, so no family time is lost.  It's generally very peaceful, and I get to experience some beautiful sunrises.  Plus, my day gets extended by a few hours.  I get so much done before most people have even finished their coffee!

I became an early morning runner about 9 years ago.  

I hope to continue for many, many more!

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!