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? 

This blog received no payment or other compensation for reviews of products or services.

Wait...It's possible to run without music?!?!?

Had a great week running! Was able to get a 5 mile run in on my lunch break at work however I forgot my headphones. I do not know the last time I even ran without a running buddy or headphones so it ended up being a fun experiment. I still prefer running with noise though I realize I don't need it. Sometimes it's nice to enjoy your surroundings.

The view from my 5 mile headphone-less run

Yesterday I completed my 5k for the Jelly Bean Virtual Race hosted by Run with Jess. Then I went on a hike to Table Rock with my husband and our friend. The weather was perfect and I needed to get some hills in even if it was just walking.

Jealous...you should be! My beautiful city!

Robie is just 25 days away! I am still on track with my training so I know I won't completely die during my first half marathon. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little  a lot nervous!

I just received this beautiful new FlipBelt in the mail. My first impression was that it looked well made with a great material used. I picked the seafoam-ish color on the website. However I should have paid attention to the color name. "Sky" isn't exactly seafoam. While I was bummed that the color wasn't what I wanted it was still cute.  I couldn't wait to try it out. My first test run was an easy 3 miles. It worked great, didn't move at all and held my iphone securely! Then I took it on my hike. Still worked great but when I got a phone call it seemed impossible to get my phone out before the call was sent to voicemail. That has to do with it being new to me though. I love the fact that people can't see the holes so despite the fact that it took me a few seconds to remember where they were located I wouldn't change the design. I can't wait to see how it holds up on longer runs!

What do you use to carry your phone and gels while you're running? 

Birthday 10k recap

Last weekend I ran my very first 10k, The Shamrock Shuffle! To make it even more special it happened to be on my birthday and it was a themed race! It was the perfect birthday event because of all the above plus running with good friends. I was all dressed up in green! Green sparkly skirt, green socks, green headband, you get the idea. I would have loved to run in a TeamSparkle skirt but due to slacking and not ordering in time I was forced to make my own. I used this tutorial for the skirt. While the tutorial was great and easy to follow, my sewing machine did not want to cooperate so I think next time I will just order one instead of redoing the whole skirt twice!

The Shamrock Shuffle was located at the Ste. Chapelle Winery. I ran a 5k out at the Winery for the Idaho Wine Run back in September so I was able to anticipate some of how the course would go. However this course was slightly different (instead of turning right we went straight) but still very beautiful area. The course started off flat taking us out of the winery and onto the paved road. Once there, the course went up hill. When we reached the top of the hill we were overlooking part of the beautiful lake. The view of the lake didn't last long but the awesomeness of the view helped fuel me and push me forward.

 

 Mile 2 was flat and easy. However mile 3 was a little irritating with a bunch of loose gravel.  Mile 4 was similar to mile 2 since it was flat and easy. However I did get passed by a tractor which made it a little more memorable!

Mile 5 we hit another hill and powered through it. It was probably the toughest section of the race. Once we got over the hill then it was smooth running for the rest. I finished with a time of 1:09:37! That is my fastest time for that distance and given the fact that the course was kind of hilly I was super excited! It was a fantastic birthday and I can't wait until next year when I can run another race on my birthday!

What is your idea of a perfect birthday? 

7 day updated, MRTT, and hills oh my!!

The last seven days I participated in a cleanse. It basically involved lots of fruits and vegetables (easy), lots of water (easy), no grains (pretty easy), no dairy (hard), and no meat (hardest). I love meat! That was by far the hardest thing about the challenge. Oh and the headache for the first three days. Yep that sucked to and not having as much energy at the beginning. By the end of the challenge I was kind of bored of my food. What do I do to it to make it more exciting? I had a variety of meals throughout the seven days but clearly it wasn't enough. The sixth day I could not wait to eat normal again. My mind was racing with all the possibles of what my first meal after the cleanse would be. On the seventh day I was feeling good inside and out and seemed to have energy again. It got me thinking, I feel good but I don't like feeling so restricted on what I eat so how should I move forward? What things should I introduce back into my diet and what things should I only have in moderation? I will introduce meats for sure. I want to continuing staying away from grains, I actually tried to avoid them before the cleanse so it will not be much different than what I was doing, I think I will limit my dairy though. Indulge every now and then but for the most part avoid. What are your thoughts?

Saturday was my monthly group run and meeting with my MRTT chapter. It was a cold windy day. The meeting was short because it was so cold but I did win a race entry to BoGlow on April 6th. I am so excited about this black light and glow stick race! Tons of friends are signed up for this race and I can't wait to cheer on one of my friends run her very first 5k! At our group run we did a short 4 mile run but due to my crappy knee it wasn't a pleasant run.

My running buddy is finally back in town. My ankle and knee were feeling better. It was time to run some hills! It was a beautiful day Sunday morning so we ran part of the course for our hilly half marathon coming up in a month. ONE MONTH!!! I am freaking out! My first half marathon!! Anyway back to the hills, we did an easy 4 miles. The scenery was beautiful, the weather was perfect, friendly people every where, and challenging myself with hills. It rekindled my love with running!

What to you do to keep the spark with running alive? What would be the first thing you indulge in after a week long cleanse? 

Join me in a 7 day cleanse!

Have you been participating in any of the challenges I posted about here? I am loving the #nomoregirlypushups challenge. I force my husband to feel my "guns" many times a day. I am on week 4 from the 100 push-up program. It is great, you started at week one maybe only doing 10 push-ups then by week 6 (last week of program) you are doing over 100! Check it out if you have ever wanted to become awesome at push-ups! This is my second time doing the program (this time on level 2) but my first time I could barely do 5 "real" push-ups. Tonight I did 100! Anyway with #nomoregirlypushups you set a goal that you want to achieve, do "real" push-ups and tweet, instagram, or report on one of the wonderful bloggers that is hosting this challenge. There are three and they all have great blogs, check them out here: Jennifer from Wine to Weightlifting, Alex from Alex Tries it Out, and Jacki from Dare 2 Dream.

The other one is #AbsByApril. The the different exercises that Megan from Run Like a Grl sends out. It keeps it fun and interesting switching the routine up! Plus all the people tweeting using the hashtag #absbyapril are super great and supportive! I have noticed my abs getting stronger. I can't wait to see what my abs look like in one more month!

Sample of Abs By April Exercises for one week

I also joined a 7 day cleanse with Sarah from My (mostly) Healthy Life that starts Monday. What have I signed up for!?!?! Can I go 7 days without meat? Can I survive? I will keep you updated and post my progress here. If you want to join me in this challenge there is still time to sign up! Click here for more info.

Are you going to join me in any of these challenges? We can motivate each other!