Running Memories

I had a run down memory lane this past weekend!

We were staying at my parent's house and I went for an early morning jog. I ran the same route that I ran in high school. They smells were the same, the same road. It was pretty cool deja vu!

I remember going in the car with my dad to measure out exactly one mile from the house - we drew chalk on the ground. I still remember spot. I didn't realize, however that it was all downhill out and uphill back home, that's no fun :)

Made me smile :) Yes, that is me attempting to smile while running and taking a picture at the same time! Happy Monday!

I'm a Sweat Pink Ambassador!

I was so excited to get an e-mail this week announcing that I am a Sweat Pink Ambassador!

You'll be hearing more about this, I'm sure :) But for now, I'm excited to be part of a great community of women bloggers through Fit Approach. It's a community of people sharing their fitness goals and dreams. I was introduced to the community through several running blogger friends, and I'm excited to contribute to the group!

Their mission?

"We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick. We sweat pink."

Sounds good to me! 

I basically had a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad training week...so I won't bore you with the details. I was traveling, and I know it's always tough for me to train while on the road. Anyone have any good travel tips?? Suffice to say, I'm going to do better this week. My new(ish) shoes and gonna see some good miles!

Happy Friday and have an awesome week!

My First Virtual 10k - "Run 10 Feed 10"

This past Sunday I did my first "Virtual Run." I signed up for the "Run 10 Feed 10" race - where your entry supports feeding 10 meals for those that are hungry in the US. It's a great cause that I am happy to support!

Now, I'm not sure this format is my favorite, but I'm glad I tried! I didn't have to drive anywhere, deal with porta-potties, crowds and I could do it on my schedule. However, I realized I really do like the race atmosphere. I like the camaraderie, adrenaline, new places to run, people cheering you on. I tend to run faster in a race than just at home.

That said, I had a pretty nice run. I ran it in 1:03 (my one and only previous 10k was 58:47). All my miles were under 10 minutes except for the last mile - I had a huge hill, some gear malfunction and I was just tired! But the run itself was beautiful :)

I enjoyed the early morning streets to myself - I also ran along the river for awhile so got to see some herons and egrets. I saw a snail and took a pic for the little guy :) I also was appreciating the bird of paradise in our yard (3 years to bloom!) while stretching.

I definitely could have used some refueling around mile 5 - which I did in my last 10k. I also clearly need a better iphone holder. I bought a cheap one on the internet and it is itchy and doesn't stay in place. Any suggestions? 

Other than that, I'd say I did pretty well on my first virtual run :)

My Favorite Run

In my mind, this run is beautiful. The middle part meanders by a stream where wildlife abounds, along a dirt path over a bridge, through a nursery and back to a lovely neighborhood. Clearly, my photos show otherwise :) While it is still my favorite route - the beauty is (mostly) apparently in my head! I took my new phone with me on my run and snapped some photos. Granted, it was a gray morning (great for running, bad for photos) - so it doesn't look as pretty.

I started my run about 8am, through my neighborhood and down a big hill to the dirt path along the river. I accidentally took some photos of myself while running. That made me laugh!

After passing some barbed wire and graffiti, I ran along the river (jumping over dog poop) until I got to the bridge and enjoyed some bird sightings.

I then ran through the park, nursery and back through my neighborhood. Waving to my neighbor on the way home. It was just under 4 miles and 40 minutes. Probably could have gone faster if I'd not taken so many pics! I will definitely keep running this route - I like the variety and lots of dirt to run on!

I do need to search out some prettier routes however! Where is your favorite route?

Crazy to do a Half?

I ran 4 miles this weekend - and it was fun!

I ran a 10k (6.2 miles) a few months ago - and though I was sore afterwards, it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought.

So now the inevitable question has wedged itself in my brain....

What's next? 

Do I strive for a faster 5k? Work on strengthening up for another 10K? Find the elusive 10 miler?

Or...am I crazy for considering a Half? Is 13.1 miles insane? There is a "flat, fun & festive" Santa to the Sea Half in 123 days...is that enough time to train?

Tell me the truth, please :) I work full time, have a toddler, can probably fit in two 30-40 min runs a week plus a longer weekend run in addition to strength training. Is that a plan for success? Anyone have any good training plans, tips or advice? Can't wait to hear!

Color Run Pomona!

Well, we did it! We ran a Color Run :) I was with my husband who ran the entire way - I'm so proud! It was fun - more fun than I expected. But it was HOT. When we got back to the car the car told me it was 104 degrees. That is too hot! I think I was more tired after this run than the 10K I ran a few week ago.

There were tons of people - wave after wave after wave of runners. It is definitely not a race if you care about your time - since there is NO race clock. But everyone was happy, smiling, and having a great time (including me!).

It was definitely a fun time! Nick Cannon did the race countdown and performed at the end. According to other runners they were generous with the color - so everyone ended up layered in color by the end...which is the point, isn't it? They changed one of the stations to a water and color station to help with the heat and there was plenty of swag given out :)

Post Race Clothes!

Not sure I need to do another one, but I am glad I did it at least once!

Exercising

I'm training for the Miles for Melanoma 5k coming up in one month ~  my husband and son are running too - well, sort of, we'll be pushing the little guy in a stroller!




Today I actually got out of the office for lunch and ran! There are some benefits to working in a National Park :) Beautiful scenery and running trails!

Supporting research for Melanoma is incredibly important for our family. Someone we love very, very much has been hit hard by this disease so this is just a small way I feel like I can maybe do something.

If you are interesting in donating to support us in our run for this cause - Donate here!

Brought to you by the letter "E"

part of the A-Z blog challenge

p.s. love you E!

In my Spare Time....

Wait, spare time - what's that? In fact, I do have some spare time, both with and without the little guy. Though I may not go out as often as I used to and travel is a little more complicated, my hobbies haven't changed too much since I became a mom. I just have to think differently about how they are done!

Traveling and hiking is so much fun with the little guy :) 

Some of those that I try to do :)

1. Blogging - this is my newest hobby! I've really enjoyed "meeting" so many amazing people. I enjoying having some time to write at the end of the day. I enjoy sharing, writing and all the great stories out there.

2. Photography - I have had fun taking photos of A as a baby. Now that he is a little older, it's harder to capture him sitting still, but it also gives me time to take notice of the other things around. I've really enjoyed finding others who dabble in photography through blogging - and finding those that inspire me!

3. Reading - Little guy goes to bed at 7 pm, which means I have some time to read at night again. Though most books recently have been about parenting or blogging :)

4. Travel - We had an amazing vacation this year in the Canadian Rockies. Glad to have an international trip again! Also, we've had fun exploring California. A is actually pretty good at traveling, and we are also lucky enough to have my parents nearby so we can travel a little on our own!

5. Hiking/Running - Well, running, not so much lately, but hiking - always. We went last Friday and saw a beautiful waterfall! Since I'm a park ranger, it's just part of who I am. Luckily I live in a place where I can hike year round!

What are your hobbies? Any new things I should be taking up? :) This week I'm linking up over at Growing Up Geeky to talk about Hobbies.

Next 5k

So I am looking to sign up for a 5k in about 8-12 weeks. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd be up for one in Southern California - any suggestions appreciated :)

I've found a few nearby...I need to sign up for one to have a goal!

Simi Valley 5k

Camarillo Lions Club 5k

Malibu Canyon Dirt Dash

Evolution of a Runner

I wanted to be just like my dad when I was little. I am certain that I started running because my dad was a runner.

I ran in elementary school, middle school and high school. I ran "sprints" until the girls I was competing against ended up being a head taller than me. Then I started running longer distances. By high school I was running cross-country. Now, my father may remember differently, but my memory is that I had to choose one one sport in high school - so cross country it was.

Many a morning was spent running. I can still smell the early morning desert air. I also remember my first high school race. It was horrible. Close to 120 degrees F...running through sand and washes and strange neighborhoods. Most people dropped out, but I, stubbornly, finished the race. Then I got mad at my dad for making me run :) I said I'd never run again. But I did. I ran all four years of high school. Donning lovely running shorts and enduring incredibly hot races and cold morning runs. I'm certain that being captain of the cross country team helped with my college admission...

Once I got to college, I quit running. I didn't run again until just a couple of years ago. I was totally burnt out. I loved going to the gym, took kick boxing and zumba. I rollerbladed, biked, hiked but studiously avoided running.

But now, it's fun again. I took an eleven year hiatus. Not sure if moving back to Southern California made me nostalgic or if it was just time, but I started running again. I entered quite a few 5k's, and I was training for a 10k when I found out that I was pregnant. So I stopped again, vowing to run once A was a little older.

Well, now that A is one, I finally signed up for another 5k. I finally made it out the door to run. I am finally running and not just reading about it. Though I do strongly recommend reading Run Like a Mother for motivation...the authors have great voices and made me feel like I could make this work somehow - working, being a mom, running...

Most days I have no idea how I am going to finish all the things I have to do in a day. How work and home life are going to co-exist and how I will also make A's life better. But when I do manage to find time to run or even walk, I feel better. I may not be able to run as often as I could in high school, but it means more when I do now.

I have come around to enjoying running again. I hope that I can inspire A like my dad inspired me. Maybe one day he'll write about how he wanted to be just like his mom.

Me and my dad - in his running socks ;)

Running at age 8

Excited to be sponsored by Bud Light?

Rocking the black socks