Saturday's training run

Today's run took place in Cuyamaca. We ran 18 miles of the  Orriflame course. It was so cold my teeth kept chattering. Last year when I ran this race my feet where in bad shape and running down the rocky Orriflame course was so painful and it took me forever. I felt running today was a big mental boost I felt way stronger running down and even though I didn't feel great running up hill that is okay because I just ran a 50.  This running lifestyle it is a very good one. Wishing you a very happy Sunday. 

My Lake Hodges 50 miler race report

I woke up 5 times the night before the race and the last time I woke up I yelled, " oh no I missed it I over slept."  My husband kindly told me it is 4 am. I think you're ok. I was nervous because even though I was excited to be a part of such a great event I decided to run it last week so my training could have been better. I know that I would have benefited from doing a couple back to back long runs but I needed just think about the training I have been doing and remember how well I know the course.
 I got to the race 30 minutes early and got my bib #245 got a hug from the race director Paul (awesome human ) then before you know it we where off. Right on time. 

A couple things I loved about this race. The weather  was perfect perfect. I wore a short sleeve running shirt and shorts. I didn't need gloves and I was not hot or cold . It was perfect. The trails where perfectly clean because of all the rain we have been having and everything was green. I felt great at the start. I was running 11 min miles and just stayed at that pace. I met new people and had some fun conversations. I was excited because the Trail Crashers where hosting an aid station 15/35. ( I get to see my friends twice) and  just knowing I get to spend all day running this amazing course Paul set out for us how could I not be happy.

The sun came out briefly and it was mostly over cast. (perfect running weather) There was also an aid station every 5 to 10 miles fully loaded. The aid stations had everything you needed. The course was so well marked (thank you Paul)                                                I felt good and happy most of the time. The hardest miles for me where 43 to 49. I was just tired and my tummy was not happy. I also know that if I would have dome some back to back long runs I would of been mentally better prepared for that I am tired feeling and my body would of pushed a little harder. 

 This was just a great day. I wanted to do better than I did in 2015 . I ran it 10 minutes faster and this is weird but I felt like I was going faster than 2 years ago. The difference is I ran at a consistant pace this year. Instead of running walking I kept it under 12 minute miles for most of the race. Baby steps

 The course is awesome. I was talking to this lady I was running with and she told me she does this race every year and the thing that bothers her is there is to much running on this course. I thought about it for a while and I think what she meant is that its a flat course. I love it ! I love the running part of this whole situation. I loved seeing so many familiar faces and the volunteers are just so good to us runners. I felt like yes the race director likes us he is making sure this race goes of with out a problem and thats what it felt like.

I was so happy to be done. My finishing time was 9 :45 thats my 50 mile PR.  A huge Thank You to Paul Jesse for putting on an excellent race. The voluteers for taking great care of the runners and my running group The Trail Crashers I love them there support makes me try harder and my husband for coming with Jack to the race.  

Lake Hodges 50 here I come

This is Lake Hodges  we run here  a-lot. There are lots of trails and its close to everyone. Maybe not close but about an hour drive and that's close. It is really pretty and you can get a ton of miles out here. The San Diego 50 miler is this weekend and I decided last minute I wanted to run it. I love The Ultra running community in San Diego. I always feel like it is such a treat to be part of racing or volunteering at any Ultra here.
I haven't trained for the 50 miler but I think I will be okay because I have kept up my training and I feel excited.The last time I ran this race in 2014 It took me 9:55 minutes so I would like to do better than that.
I am going to use take it easy and see if I can just keep a steady pace the entire time. The Trail Crashers are going to have an aid station at mile 15 and 35 so I get to see my friends twice.
The world outside seems like such a mess right now that getting a good long beautiful run will be awesome medicine for my soul. I look forward to telling you all about the race . It this Saturday at 6:30 am so please send me good running thoughts. Have an awesome day !

Goodbye January

Weekends are for running

Our Saturday run was so much fun. We meet at Lake Hodges and went out for 14 miles. The mountains are always so pretty after a week of rain. Everything was a green and just looked clean. 

A-lot of us showed up and I love it when the group gets together. Lots of great runners in this picture. The longer distances seem shorter when you have friends to talk to and catch up with. It was 40 something when we started but it quickly warmed up.

I came home took a shower and then the family and I went to go see Isabella perform. She was awesome so happy to be acting. 

Then Sunday my dad and I went Oceanside to run. We went out for 10 miles the day was perfect. So beautiful. I felt great and it was an easy 10 miles. I am always surprised by what my body can do. It just keeps going. That put me at 65 running miles for the week. I am hoping to just keep this pace up as I train for SD100. 

From the Ocean to the streets

Saturday was a full day.I got up at 5 am and tried to be out the door by 6am. I noticed I needed gas and that my big water bottle was empty( thank you jack) so I barely made it on time to our run (I need to plan ahead) but lucky for me I knew the route and joined them a mile into there run.We had a great run along the Ocean from Mission Bay to La Jolla shores and back. The group ran 16 I ran 14. That puts me at 65 miles of running for the week and 78 miles including walking.I left our run at 10:30 so I could be be home by 11 am and 

marching with my daughter by 11:30. I thought we would be late but we got there 10 minutes before they started . We found a place  to stand and I felt like  I was right where I was supposed to be. I was choked. I could hear my daughter chanting Human rights are woman's right.  I never really felt like I needed to get involved and I never felt scared but that has changed .  My daughters and I have chosen to volunteer and be involved. I will do this with peace and love leading me.  I will pray for the new president he needs it. 

It's time to start training

It's that time. Training for the San Diego 100 officially starts this week for me. Training is my favorite part of this journey. When race day arrives there will be so many new stories about how I barely made it on time to a run because I totally forgot my shoes and had to drive back home to get them (that was this morning)  or about how we did a 25 mile training run that I dreaded but I ended OK. There are going to be so many beautiful trails we are going to explore and mountains we will run up and down. There will be the fact that by race day I will look super fit. ( great bonus ). I can't forget that on this journey I will eat healthier than I do the rest of the year.  Then when you thought OMG what the heck did I sign up for there is RACE DAY ! 

This is me 2 years ago at the start of the SD 100. I had no idea what I was in for but I would not change a thing. It was a huge growing experience for me. I know I train better and work harder this year because I know you have to put in the work to succeed and the harder you work at this the better the out come will be. This year my goal is to run this race in 27 hours. I think I can do it. I have a plan. It starts with a 45 mile week . Do you have a race this year you are excited about ??

Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.   Rumi

The year of Growth

Happy Tuesday , The beginning of a good story always gets me really excited . starting the year over brings me joy. Here I am 44 year old mother of 4. A wife and a runner a sister and a daughter. This are all the words or titles I think I hold. Oh wait I am also a good friend. This year I am excited to continue learning . Taking classes and using my knowledge to grow.
One of the areas I want to grow in is running. The thing that is true about running these long distances is the more you run these races the more you learn about yourself . What your capable of and what your body can handle. I started of the year by going to this crazy body pump class. OMG I thought I would die. It was really fun we played a dice game and worked out for an hour. I loved it I can't move today but that is okay. I got a great run in the last two days and I know if I just keep this up it can only help me move in the right direction.
I also want to be a better mom. In brain storming with my kids we decided on having more date nights. I also signed up for some parenting classes. How to bring more Joy to your family. It can't hurt.
One of the areas of my life that need work is building a better relationship with my sister. I get that family is forever so this Thursday is our first date night for 2017. 

I never want to stop growing or moving in the right direction.
Hope you have an awesome day.

Happy 2017

I am spending tonight finishing up my 2016 family album and my December daily album. All my kids are home and I am feeling content. My sister in law and my sister and my nieces and nephews have been making it a point to hang out together. We went ice skating last week. Since my little sister left us earlier this year we have been making effort to just be together more. In 2016  my hope is to leave behind judgment and bring in acceptance into my being. I want to continue to grow and create and run. To nourish my soul by taking time to stop. Practicing yoga is slowly teaching me to slow down and breath. I hope to continue this practice as much as possible. My word for 2016 is Love . I know this sound corny but I am going to work on loving more. Letting those around me know I love them and showing my love. Loving myself more and practicing gentle love.
I want to end the year by thanking you for reading my blog and joining me in this space .
Happy New Year !!

December Days

hello, It has been a while since I have posted over here. I just lost my writing mojo for about a bit. I am not really sure what happened but I shifted. What have I been up to you ask ? I have been busy . Life is full with two really hungry teenagers and school work. Then trying to take good care of my kids and husband. I started crafting again and that includes painting and keeping up with my Project Life I swear the last 20 years of my life are in photo albums but I love it .
 Jack and I are still taking our mini-fun days here in San Diego. This week we went to Oceanside.
Oceanside has a-lot to offer if you love trains like we do. Did you know if you park near the train station and go for a run in either direction you can see 4 different types of trains. If you are like Jack you can tell what kind of train it is just by the sound.

I am not sure how we do it but this little man and his running stroller went for a 5 hour outing with me . We walked to 3 play grounds and to the beach. Then we had lunch on the water and continued playing until he passed out.

Its been easy and I love that.
OK so whats going on with my great passion and love for running. It is still here in my heart and in my legs. Do you want to know what my plans are for next year ?? I signed up for SD100 ! I am really happy about that.  It is going to be a training for Moab 200 in October. (insane) I am really excited for the journey.. I hope to share it here and hope you will join me .

Mount Laguna Trail marathon race report

The Mount Laguna marathon was on the same day as the time change and I was a whole 3 hours early. I know what your thinking and I was thinking the same thing. Really G       I was greeted by Scott Mills and he pointed me and all the other runners to our parking space. I was really looking forward to this race. The race director does a great amazing job putting this race together and the volunteers are so kind and its so much fun. It was a really cold morning but since the race started at 7:30 it gave the morning time to warm up. Becca and Julianne and phillip where  there running too. Having close friends makes life feel better. We all got our bibs right on time. There was coffee and clean bathrooms muffins . The whole morning was easy and everyone had big smiles on there face. I felt lucky to be able to just be there.

Off we went. I went at a pace that did not really feel comfortable to me. I wanted to go a bit faster just to see what I could do. I have been just having fun finishing so I told myself lets see if you can do 20 minutes batter than last year. I felt fine and in a great mood the entire race. I listened to a new play list at mile 12.5 and that just made me even happier. The trail was beautiful with a brisk wind and the sun was still warm on me. I got to see a bunch of my friends at aid stations and running. I had a GU every hour and one before the race started . I ate bananas and sprite at the aid stations. I felt great the whole way and it was a blast.

I did way better than I thought I would. I beat my time by 25 minutes. It took me 5:25 minutes. Than was great for me. I was thrilled that all this running is paying off and that just cause I am getting older does not mean I am getting slower. This was my fastest trail marathon so far. The best part was running Mount Laguna in the fall. It is so pretty out there. After we crossed the finished line the race director put this amazing medal around our necks.    Look at this medal it is perfect. Every year they give us a piece of art for finishing this race and then our swag bags. OMG Crazy awesomeness for real. Once again running this race did not disappoint in any way!!! From the time the race starts you know you are right where you are supposed to be. I am already excited for next year...It was awesome !

at the end of the day I feel blessed to have been able to take part in such a great event.

November is here

It is totally crazy that November is already here.  Do you have anything special planned for this month ? This is the time of year I want to cook and sleep and hibernate and I live in San Diego were its warm. I used to live in Colorado and I really looked forward to winter just for that warm cozy feeling it brought with it and that way really cold.
This weekend I am running  the Mount Laguna Marathon. I love this run it is so pretty this time of year. This run will be as close as I will get to the experiencing fall here in California. The leaves are changing color up in the mountains. It usually takes me about 5:30 hours to run it. It is not easy but it is not hard . I am looking forward to seeing the gang talking and hanging out. The marathon starts later than most 7am and that's great because we roll the clocks forward on Sunday. The drive is about an hour an half so that gives me plenty of time to get in the mood.
This weekend is also the Lottery for Western States. I will be putting in my name and its really exciting to have these dreams to chase after. I know I already ran it but it was the best experience ever. I hope you started of the month well and if not everyday is a good day to start over.. Sending you blessings

Thursday thoughts

I got a good run in today and it made my day, it literally made the rest of my day so good and happy. I started out walking for the first 10 minutes. Then a slow jog no pressure at all. Then before you know it your body is warmed up and your running .. Then an hour later things seem clearer and the colors I see are brighter. I have way more patience for everyone and I know I will have a better outlook on what is ahead. Everyone should run the world would be a happier place. 

Tuesday

Joy does not simply happen to us we have to choose Joy and keep choosing it everyday. Henri Nouwen

Monday Moments

I was at yoga today and I kept thinking about what I could do better. A question that is always close to me.
 How could I better myself ?
I don't know if it was the sweat dripping into my eyes or the soft chanting going on. I don't know if it was that soft turning down of my brain that made it easier for me to hear myself but I heard this or
I came up with this. Small changes maybe doing things a tad bit better than yesterday that is enough.  Then my thoughts yelled You don't need to change maybe you just need to strengthen yourself. It's OK not to be my best all the time that is something I don't need to worry about. Then all of a sudden as everyone in class went into some yoga pose I have never done before or attempted to do and as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I thought this is my best me right now. This is my life I am living it and not much else is really going to change. Deep inside I don't want a bigger house or a better car. I don't want new clothes or anything that cost money deep inside I just want to be here now living this life and that is the best me. I want to do just what I am doing. 

This was my breakfast today. So pretty don't you think ?????
May you find an aha moment in your day. 

Sunday Love

This morning I woke up at 6:30 and I thought I would get ready and go my run. I heard that Jack was up and a part of me was thinking I would not be able to go. You know a part of my brain was thinking oh well ! no run for me today. Then after a bit I just decided that you know what I will get him dressed and get the stroller ready and he can come with me. Jack was super happy to get out the door. Just like me he loves spending time outside. I was happy to let everyone else sleep in and they did.

 We walked to the local coffee shop had pan dulce and then made our way to the park. He was so happy to be out so early. Jack and I shared a cup of decaf and all I just kept thinking why did I think this would be hard because I wouldn't get my way, maybe I would be inconvenienced . Instead I got some miles in and a really happy morning. The best part was it started raining so Jack jumped in the stroller and I ran home. We got really wet but it was awesome !! Another thing I love about being active is it make the day feel lived.

October Days

The days seem to be feel like they are flying by. October has brought us much joy. Many trips to Lego land a birthday celebration for my 22 year old.  My 15 year son is learning to drive and he seems to be really good at it. School performances and afternoon runs because that seems to be the only time I can get them in.
Things I am working on are my project life.
Making homemade meals 5 days a week.
Getting at least 40 miles in a week during this resting period.
Pumpkin spice lattes
Crock pot recipes are always better in the fall

Things that I can't seem to get out of my head is how happy I am with my children regardless they are good people and I somehow taught them to love and accept everyone. Life seems to be asking me to relax and I seem to be trying to make sure everyone is ok. I need to relax and I am doing my best. It goes by quickly so relaxing and taking it in seems to be a big plus. I will keep working at that one. 

Friday Thoughts

Thoughts on not finishing something I started. I wanted to share my thoughts on not finishing a race just because
(Cuyamaca 100k).. I don't think it was a wise choice to not finish  . In the future if I start something then I need to finish it. The biggest reason for me is because I don't want to let those thoughts of it is OK to quit to have an OK place in my brain. My other reason is this was such an awesome race and so well put together I should of given that the race more respect. I don't look at this as a major failure but personally I feel like it was a learning failure. What does not finishing something I start teach me and where does that direction take me. I learned that I need to finish what I start because it has been nagging at me for two weeks now. I feel like I am not a quitter so why start now. I learned that I was little bit of a whiner leading up to this and that takes away from experience all the good that running such an awesome 100k has to offer. The biggest lesson it taught me was I need to be more appreciative of the gift of being healthy and able run has given me.
 I love the word grateful :adjective

1.

warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received;thankful:

I am grateful to you for your help.

2.

expressing or actuated by gratitude:

a grateful letter.

3.

pleasing to the mind or senses; agreeable or welcome; refreshing:

a grateful breeze.

I need to be more grateful.. I just wanted to share that failure is all how you look at it. Lets learn from our mistakes making them learning opportunities and no longer failures or mistakes. Lets look at our life lesson as gifts and then ask ourselves OK so what did I learn from this and whats my next move. Moving forward is always progress…wishing you happiness this weekend 

Cuyamaca and my 2 loop journey

I am a little late on this story but here goes. I woke up at 3:30 am so I could get my butt out the door by 4 am. I had an hour and half drive to get the Cuyamaca 100k and I get there right on time. It was awesome to see so many familiar faces. It was cold and it always feels colder in the mountains. We all waited around for 6am there was coffee 4 bathrooms and plenty of breakfast food. The Cuyamca 100k is a 5 star race and after the race director  gave us the last minute directions we took off  right on time. 

This year was beautiful. It was not to hot and there was a perfectc breeze for most of the day. I spent a lot of time just singing and trying to stay present. Look at the beauty the mountains hold. This is an only an hour from San Diego. Amazing 

I took it easy and I just wanted to run a fun race. I needed this race for my triple crown last year and even though its an awesome race its also really difficult. This race is 3 loops and seeing my friends at the loop start is always an added bonus.

I took it easy and just enjoyed the run. My plan was to run 2 loops. I was feeling tired leading up to the race and so I just wanted to have fun and run 42 miles.

Here I got lost because I did not pay attention and went up Stonewall. This sweet hiker told me to go back down and I did and was fine. 

I had a great time hanging out with The Trail Crashers and seeing my friends there. Running was the best part. Getting lost for hours in the mountains always makes me happy. The aid stations where just amazing, They had so much good real food. I love this race more this year than last but I cut it short at two loops . I will do it again next year and finish for sure.  Happy Trails