Feature Friday- My First 50k GOALS! & Final Prep

Happy Friday! We finally made it! I got up early this morning to get in a 3 mile shakeout run along the lake then will be working from 7-3 to hopefully arrive in Copper by 5:30 this evening (it's around a 2 hour drive there)! I rented a Condo for the night right at the base of the mountain (where the race starts), so it will be SO NICE to just wake up a bit later and just walk 5 minutes to the start line (it's the little things in life)... I'll make sure to give the entire a nice little review afterwards! Hoping to get a lot of great pictures in throughout too!

I'm still trying to decide what my post-race "treat" will be, but there's few options on my drive back home! So, here are my race goals! Since it's my first ultra, I have ZERO expectations besides finishing, which feels oddly really nice :)

• GOAL #1: FINISH!
• GOAL #2: HAVE A SMILE THE ENTIRE TIME!
• GOAL #3: TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!
• GOAL #4: HAVE FUN & TRY TO ENJOY EVERY CLIMB/ DESCENT/ TRAIL

I'll be stopping by the expo this evening, then relaxing for the evening (making sure I've got all my things ready to go for the morning (including pre-race breakfast & gels/ snacks)) while making dinner (SO nice to have a place that has a kitchen!) and binging on a few episodes of The Crown on Netflix (super addicted to this show right now). 

What's your favorite post-race treat?

What are some things you look forward to doing the night before a race?

Anyone else racing this weekend- where/when/what distance? GIVE ME ALL THE DETAILS!

Feature Friday: Top Products I Used For MS Run The US

Happy Friday friends! We made it to the weekend! I *think* we will be backpacking tomorrow night, but still deciding (ha, nothing like waiting until the last minute!...). What are you up to this weekend?!? I have an 8 mile run to do, but otherwise I'm cutting back for my 50k (one week from tomorrow eeeeek)! I've switched my original plan of my ultra to have a time goal (because let's face it, running UP a ski mountain is REALLY hard), to just having fun, enjoying the experience and finishing! Any ultra runners out there have any advice for a first-timer?

I wanted to share with you some of the products that were absolutely necessary for my MS Run The US Relay.

These items I was SO thankful to have throughout my 175 mile journey:

• Two pairs of sunglasses. Goodr sunglasses were perfect and if I couldn't find one pair, I had the second one there are a back-up.

• Oofos Recovery Sandals for post-run recovery. I couldn't tell you how many times when I was running that I looked forward to slipping my feet into my sandals. 

• Buff neck gaiter. I had never used a Buff before this relay, but I had read a bloggers article about the 'must haves' for running an ultra and a buff was on there. This seriously was amazing to keep my neck protected from the sun, as well as it kept me cooler and helped wick away sweat.

• 3 pairs of sneakers. I had 3 pairs of Brooks Ghosts and switched them halfway through my run each day. My feet IMMEDIATELY felt relief and often I found myself having an extra little pep-in-my-step after slipping into a new pair. Additionally, two pairs of socks for each day (AT LEAST). When I switched my shoes, I would also switch my socks. Sometimes, I'd go to compression socks and other times it would just be nice to go to something that wasn't sweaty or had some extra cushioning (really nice to have a few extra plush pairs of socks for those later days in the relay when your feet are killing you).

Photo courtesy of MS Run The US

• Some type of windbreaker/ all-weather jacket. I LOVED my merrell 1/4 zip windbreaker/ waterproof jacket. It's actually discontinued, but you can find something similar HERE. It kept me visible in the fog, but also had me feeling prepared if a rain storm where to come out of nowhere. 

Photo courtesy of MS Run The US

• Ultimate Direction Hydration Vest. I really loved this vest, EXCEPT that mine was a bit too large (so it actually rubbed against my neck and created this lovely hickey-looking scar that is STILL faintly there). Some type of hydration vest is needed.

Photo courtesy of MS Run The US

• Some type of small iPod Shuffle/ Nano/ similar product. Although my iPod Nano didn't have bluetooth, it really saved me (and my phone battery so I could take more photos). Plus it was nice to go from listening to music on it, to my phone for a podcast and then back. 
• Two Hats. I brought along my Honey Stinger Trucker hat, as well as my Boston Red Sox visor. It was so great to have the option of what I wanted to wear each morning and also gave me a break from wearing the same thing every day. 

Photo courtesy of MS Run The US

• Some type of light top layer. When it was expected to be in the 90s in Denver on Day #6, I was so thankful for my Oiselle Flyout Shirt. It provided UV protection and felt so light that I didn't even realize it was there! Also kept my shoulder protected from the sun, unlike a typical tank top would do. 

• Gels/any recovery items if you're specific. The relay ended up not having a full supply of Honey Stinger gels (they got restocked at the beginning of my segment, but didn't unpack them yet) and they only had some Hammer Gels (I've never tried those). I'm really hesitant to try new things when I'm running long, so I was SO glad that I brought along (and had Alex drop more off halfway through my relay segment) some Honey Stinger gels with caffeine. I also brought along my own Tart Cherry Extract (it's pretty expensive), which I would take after running to help aid in recovery and reduce inflammation. I felt slightly bad about bringing my own things, but looking back- I shouldn't have. If it will help me with my run, then there's no reason not to break it out. 
• Icy Hot & Lotion. My feet really started to get torn up in the later days of the segment, so lotion was sooo nice to have. I'd put some lotion on, then some icy hot all over my feet and calves, then my compression socks before taking a nap in the afternoons. I also always do this after I race to help aid in recovery (plus it feels amazing). 
• Inspiring book to read. I read Scott Jurek's book during my relay and I remember drawing on some of the things I learned while out on the run each day. It was also just a nice break later in the afternoon to look forward to reading something I really enjoyed. 

What are you up to this weekend?!

Any ultra runners out there have any advice?!

Favorite must-have products when running long?

Friday Feature: Book Review & 2 Things We're NOT doing this Month!

HELLO WEEKEND! I hope the weather will be beautiful where you are and you've got some fantastic weekend plans! I'm debating signing up for the half marathon on Sunday morning here (my legs feel great and I LOVE this race!). The sign-up is a minute away from where I work, so I think I'll head over there this afternoon and if there's space- sign-up and if there isn't, I'll take it as a sign and do a run by myself instead! Anyone else ever sign-up for a race last-minute? How'd it go?!? We were originally going to go camping this weekend, but decided to do some gardening/ go see Star Wars/ Relax and go backpacking next weekend!

2 things we're NOT doing this month --> NO purchasing new clothes & NO pizza! We have a habit of getting frozen pizza when there's nothing left in the fridge and it's starting to become a bad habit...so we're squashing that one. 

I'm also really looking forward to finally getting in more trail running over the Summer since the trails are finally starting to dry out. I think adding in trails will help me get stronger and get me closer to obtaining a BQ for 2020! I'll share my outline that I'm putting together to help me get closer to a BQ when it's finished (probably sometime next week), but right now- getting stronger is key (especially since I've got my 50k coming up in mid-July!). What are some goals that are slightly out of your reach, but keep you motivated?

I just finished Scott Jurek's book, North-Finding My Way While Running While Running The Appalachian Trail and I have to say, it's been one of the BEST books I've read in a while! It molded two of my favorite reads, running & hiking. I'm pretty obsessed with reading about anyones journey on the AT and this book had so many wonderful tips to help you get through difficult runs or moments. 

I read it directly before and during my relay and I found myself on my relay run reflecting on Scott's journey. He made it through a difficult section and was pretty seriously injured and just kept repeating to himself 'just keep moving' --> I continuously repeated this to myself during Day #3 when the weather made things hard! 

I found myself relating to Scott and his wife, Jenny (who also narrates in the book and shares her view...she provides humor and also very relatable viewpoints from the significant-other side). His journey throughout the book is incredible and I highly recommend reading! I breezed through it in 2 weeks! Another amazing thing that I didn't know- Scott began running to cope with his mother's MS diagnosis! So incredible. 

What book are you currently reading? --> just started Deena Kastor's new book, Let Your Mind Run, and already having a hard time putting it down!

What are your weekend plans?

Star Wars- yay or nay? -->waiting a week past the opening date to go see it in theaters is pretty rare for us!! ; )

Friday Feature: Book Review!

3rd book of 2018 is complete! I just finished The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda last weekend and it was SO good. I finished the entire book in a week and honestly can't remember the last time that I finished a book in that short amount of time. I'd put it as a cross between Gone Girl and some great mystery novel (I read that it was similar to The Girl On The Train, but I haven't read that)! 

I've been really into mainly non-fiction books this year, so I think it was a nice change to read something fiction and mystery/crime-related. It was so terrifyingly "real" at times that I kept thinking about it! I LOVE when books make that sort of impression on you. I also think that it made it more realistic to me because the main characters were around my same age and it took place in a rural small-town. 

There are many twists to the plot, which makes it WAY more interesting (in my opinion). I remember at one point thinking that one character was responsible for the murder and in actuality, it not only wasn't that character, but it turned into even more of a ghost-hunt than I had originally anticipated! 

I've just started reading Bear Town by Fredrik Backman and am already intrigued! I loved his other book, A Man Called Ove so much so that I had to pick this book up too. I've got a nice stash of 2-3 other novels on our bookshelf that are 'next to read', but definitely wouldn't mind a few recommendations as well! 

What are you currently reading?

Best last book you read?

One thing you're doing this weekend?!?

Is anyone going to Boston?! --> I'm getting SO excited to watch the race on Marathon Monday!! Eeek. I wonder who will win it? I'm hoping for either Molly Huddle, Shalane Flanagan, or Jordyn Hasay. 

Friday Feature- Checking In On Your Monthly Goals

IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY! I'm so excited that this week is *almost* over and peak week is almost behind me (...at least for a few weeks before I ramp back up for MS Run The US peak week)! Anyone else feel that way at 4:59 on a Friday?! Get me outta here is my mentally (normally). I've got my last long run on deck before the SLC Marathon on April 21st (looking to do 20 miles). It's also the last day of March TOMORROW- can you believe it? So it's time to check in on my monthly goals and also see how you're doing as well! 

Goals for March:

• Read 2 books
• Watch 2 crocheting videos
• Fundraise:
  • A. $8,000
  • B. $7, 750
  • C. $7, 250
• Do Yoga Weekly
• Put $500 towards student loans

Goals for April:

• Read 2 books

What were your goals for March? --> how'd you do?

What are you most looking forward to in April? --> It's my BIRTHDAY MONTH! & being done with ice shows/ teaching skiing (aka getting some of my life back)

What goals would you like to achieve in April?