SJR Ambassador

I have huge news!! I am excited to announce that I am a See Jane Run Ambassador for 2013-2014! Last year I heard about the SJR Women's Half Marathon  and it immediately went on my bucket list of races to run. When you finish you get a cute glass with champagne AND chocolate...what could be better after running a race.

I am thrilled for my first flat half marathon! Since I have only ran one half before this and it was up a mountain, this one should feel a little easier but at the same time I don't plan on walking like I did with my last one. I am excited for this adventure!

I want you to run it with me! Whether you do the 5k or the half wouldn't it be awesome to run this women's only race with some of your gal pals. The answer is YES! SJR has informed me that I will be sharing a code to help you save on the registration fee for this race. Be sure to watch for that in the next few weeks. There are 53 days until this race so you have plenty of time to get ready. Either for the 5k, with the couch-to-5k program, or if you are already a runner, you have 7 weeks to increase your mileage to get ready for the half marathon. You know you want to!

Will you run with me? Doesn't this sound like an awesome race! 

My first Half Marathon

I did it! I am a Half Marathoner!!!! I ran what is said to be the Toughest Half Marathon in the Northwest. 

I have nothing to compare it to as it was my first half marathon but I will say I ran it with a smile on my face the whole time! Before the race I spent a lot of time at the stamp station. They had many Shakespeare themed stamps along with stamps from all the previous years. I was covered with Shakespeare's head, dog prints, the outline of the half marathon route, and even a MOM stamp. I also loaded up on Powerbar gels and sipped some water while waiting for the race to start. 

 The race started at high noon with perfect running weather. Within half a mile we were already climbing our first hill. The energy from the people lining the streets to cheer for us and wish us good luck was amazing! I was racing from side to side giving little kids high fives! The first drink station wasn't until mile 2 but one sweet little girl and her family were handing out cups of water about a mile into the race. Many people appreciated it. The first few miles were uneventful with the exception of the beautiful view of Boise every now and then. Around mile 4 my crappy knee started aching. It started out as something small and quickly grew to throbbing pain. Finally the uphill part of the course ended after 8.5 miles of it and we had hit the summit. At this point my knee was feeling horrible but I grabbed a gel and used it like a stress ball as we descended the hill. As we started running downhill at first I ran with a limp and then I learned to ignore the pain (the best that I could) and just enjoy it. We passed a bunch of people who I tried to cheer on and encourage them to keep going. A few looked at me like I was crazy and it was strange I was still so happy after the mountain we had just climbed. I was on cloud 9 and no one was going to bring me down. As I ran around the last bend in the road and finally saw the finish line I increased my speed. I saw the photographer and saw the lady in front of me and smiled as I sprinted passed her right before we finished. I wanted that memory forever. However my finish line picture was less than stellar so I guess I have to run Robie Creek next year just to get a better finish line photo. But I did it! I ran my first half marathon! 

I already can't wait for next year. I plan to train better for the hills and also not be injured going into the race and hopefully shave off at least 30 minutes from my time this year. I would run the Race to Robie Creek again just for the view alone. This is where the finish line and after party took place. Can you think of a prettier place to finish a race.

A few days ago I started my Spring Training with Boise RunWalk. I am really excited to improve my half marathon time and get some great running advice and tips and find people who want to run races with me! The first day we ran at intervals, two minutes of running then one minute walking and repeat. Apparently running intervals in a half marathon or marathon will help improve your time and help you save energy and finish stronger. I want to improve my time but it always made me feel good to say I can run ____ amount of miles without walking. We will see if I stick to this training program. 

Have you tried run/walk intervals during a big race? What's your experience? 

I love Nuun!

A few months ago I was on the internet and discovered that Nuun sponsors a Hood to Coast Relay team. I immediately put that on my bucket list of races I want to do some day. I thought it would be even more awesome to be part of the Nuun team. I found out that they were sponsoring not only one but two teams this year. I was giddy! I had to apply! The worst that could happen is that they would laugh in my face and say "no". Since I figured there would be laughter at my attempt at acting anyway I thought "why not try to make it funny". Right away I started thinking of ideas. They slowly evolved to what I like to call "Nuun Lover's Support Group". Of course once you actually start editing then you get even better ideas. In my mind I am already getting ready to apply for next year even though I still have 9 days until I find out if I am able to get in this year. My husband was fantastic and helped me so much with my video. My kids were great sports as I transformed their rooms and dressed them up in my yoga mat. Another thanks to my friends and family who had to hear me go on and on about applying and making this video.

I forced myself not to watch any of this year's applications until mine was finished. I am so happy that I choose to do that. There are so many great applications out there that I might have thrown in the towel if I saw them. Or I would have wanted to add a bunch more information turning my 3 minute video into at least an hour long. Trust me you don't want to watch me "act" for an hour!

Since starting this process people are starting to think that I might really need to go to a "Nuun Lover's Support Group". I had a blast making the video and hopefully all my efforts will pay off. If I get picked then the real work begins!

What race is on your bucket list? Are you applying for the Nuun Hood to Coast Relay team? 

New Easter Traditions and Core Foods Review

Easter weekend was fantastic!! I attended the Shu's Easter Run and Egg Hunt. We had three different distances to choose from 2.5 miles, 4 miles and 8 miles. After the theme filled run we ended at Shu's Idaho Running for an Easter egg hunt. I was able to grab six eggs. I got some candy, a coupon for $3 off a hair cut, $10 gift card to a local children's store, $3 gift card to TCBY and my favorite prize of all a Adidas running hat! Super excited about that win! I couldn't wait to try it out. It is fantastic for keeping the sun out of my eyes and keeping my head cool with its climate-cooling abilities.

I left the kids at home for the Easter Run but that gave me the idea to create our own Easter run on Easter morning with my kids. The Easter bunny was gracious enough to leave a bunch of eggs for me to hide. I ran around the huge farm land we call our backyard and hide a bunch of eggs along the path that my daughter and I would run and the other half of the eggs on the trail that my son and husband would walk. The kids had a blast exercising and searching for eggs. The loop each kid took was about a mile. They both said it was their favorite thing we did that day. Definitely something we plan to repeat every year! 

Do you have any healthy Easter traditions? 

Recently I was given the opportunity to review Core Foods. I did not know much about this product was very excited to give it a go. I received three flavors: Raw Walnut Banana, Raw Almond Raisin, and Raw Cashew Cacao. Each bar is one full bowl of raw oatmeal!

I really enjoyed the banana walnut bar. It had a good flavor and enjoyable texture. I was a little nervous about the bar since all of the ones I received have raisins in them. I couldn't taste the raisin and couldn't even tell they were there. The Raw Walnut Banana was my favorite!

Since the bars have all natural ingredients they weren't overly sweet which I appreciate especially if I am eating it in the morning.

My husband took one on a hike. It was a re-energizer after many miles with many still left to do. Easy to throw in your backpack and eat anywhere! Just drink two glasses of water with it.

The bars kept me full and energized for many hours. I was even starting to feel before I finished the bar. Check out Core Foods for easy meals on the go! I plan to buy more for when I am running late for work and have no time to eat something at home.

What's your favorite meal on the go? Have you tried Core Foods? 

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