Just Plodding Along

....where were we. Right. Van 2 just being too dang fast for me to get any beauty sleep. After Van 1 had finished their second legs and eaten dinner around midnight we headed to the next exchange were we would be needed and watched Stacey and Ian put up a tent for us (like Kara, Cathryn and I literally just stood there with our mouths hanging open while Stacey and Ian put up a tent in record time. At the time I felt the biggest help I could be was to stay outta the way but I am sure we looked ridiculous). Then we zonked out for what felt like minutes when apparently Van 2 called and said get your lazy butts out of bed it is go time. Okay I don't really know what they said but I am just going off what I probably would have said had I been calling. Kara completing her 3rd ridiculously hilly leg of the relay.  Van 1 was up for our third and final legs. By this point no one felt great. Everyone was sore from going up and down hills, sitting in the van after running hard and...

Not to spoil the ending but We did it! 1st to start, last to finish but no creative finish needed! Thursday morning I picked the lovely Cathryn up at the airport and we headed to Fort Collins for a day of shopping before heading to the team dinner. The team dinner was the first time many of us met. I struck gold with this relay team! Everyone was super nice and excited to run. Fun side story- one of my van mates was also a fellow CSU Edwards Hall resident where I resided freshman year of college. We each thought the other looked familiar and finally figured it out. She ended up becoming friends a few years later with Stacey, my friend from high school...and we all ended up running the Wild West Relay together. Small world situation happening here.  We had a lovely 5 a.m. start time on Friday since we were on the moderate speed side which worked out well since we needed most of that time. I think about 9 teams started at 5a.m. We checked in and got started withou...

Max and I have been hanging in Colorado in part because the D was away at training for a few weeks and in part cause Colorado is awesome and the Wild West Relay is happening this Friday!!! I like to think residing at a higher altitude for a few days will help the I can't breathe I am gonna die running up this mountain feeling. I am a dreamer.   I have only been on one run here for a little under four miles but it felt good but was slow due to hills, altitude, and my need to take a picture every 50 feet. I was going to go this morning but it was raining so maybe....this afternoon....or maybe on Friday when the relay starts;).  Instead I have been very busy going to the Denver Botanical Gardens to see the Chihuly blown glass exhibit and then ended up at the Tattered Cover Bookstore where I couldn't resist.  I also hit up the the Parker farmers market where I saw the best sign ever and obtained the best tasting gluten free lemon crumb muffins. I had to, ...

It is not recommended. In my mind I am still at the same fitness level I was a month and a half ago just like in my mind I am still 21. Sadly I am not really fit at all and I am soon to be 31...(ahhh what, that shit snuck up on me). In a nutshell I am feeling winded and ....mature. I have noticed as I have gotten older I don't get in shape as quickly or stay in shape as long or recover from deciding that lifting weights is a "good idea" quickly. And since I have had about zero time to get back in shape for the Wild West Relay I am not really sure how well that is going to go. On the one hand I am super well rested. Injury free. And a bit stronger due to body weight training and Pilates. I feel ready to go. On the other hand this race is at high elevation and I am way under trained in the running department So my general approach to the last few days and the next coming days until the relay are to run (either a HIIT on the treadmill or and easy outside run) abou...

Look where I was this morning That's right! 6am body pump for the win. Unfortunately my arms would not stop shaking after (may have gone a little too heavy) and that coupled with being short on time before work- I have postponed my tempo run until tomorrow morning. Arms seem vital to trying to maintain an 8:35 pace for 35 minutes.  Speaking of running (when am I not speaking of running) some exciting news on the relay home front. My friend Katie in Alaska has a team going to Hood to Coast and asked if I would be interested in joining them for a little running fun. After I got done screaming while jumping up and down I calmly replied I might be into that. Just kidding. I am pretty sure I used all caps and a criminal amount of emoticons to say Please Yes Please can I tag along! Fingers crossed August 22 & 23rd I am hanging out with an awesome team making my way to the coast!!! Katie you rock!!!! An if it couldn't get any better Stacey, a friend from high school, a...