Can you believe it?

Hello out there, everyone!

It's been a couple of weeks since the race now, and let me confess this: I have run only once in those two weeks. Here's my excuses, you can choose to accept them or not: 1. The first week was "recovery" 2. I have too much homework. I will get back into a routine, I just know it. If I am running the Turkey Trot in Buffalo this year, I need to at least prepare a little bit, right? Although nothing can REALLY prepare you for running in freezing rain and 30 degrees except for actually running in freezing rain and 30 degrees. And let's face it... Colorado just doesn't experience that sort of thing. Sorry.

So I've been wanting to share this hilarious-ness for a couple of weeks now, and I suppose this is the time. Here goes:

I'm not sure how many people I complained to, but I have been missing my FAVORITE black running shorts since about June (in addition to my favorite black spandex and external hard-drive). I can be a disorganized mess when John isn't around to tell me where I put things. Anyways, I'm laying in bed the Monday after my race and John tells me, "Oh yeah, I forgot, my mom found a pair of black running shorts in the guest sheets that you gave them" (John's parents stayed with us that weekend). The day AFTER my race and training is over, my black running shorts were finally located... UNBELIEVABLE! If that isn't ridiculous, I don't know what it. I moped around about those shorts for 4 months. I have searched two separate apartments HIGH and LOW for these shorts and we manage to find them folded up nicely in a set of sheets that were last used and washed (apparently with my shorts) in June when Lauren and Christian were visiting! Can you believe it?!? I was fuming and unbelievably happy at the same time.

The black spandex and external hard-drive had a similar fate, but we can share those stories at another time. Stories like this just make my jaw drop in awe at the silliness of the universe. Oh well... at least I have my black running shorts back and I know Lauren or Christian didn't steal them...

Since I have no pictures in this post, I'll leave with a glimpse of what has been filling the time slot of my Saturday Morning long run...enjoy.

Yes... they're pumpkin

Denver Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon

Hello Everyone! As you know, my race was last Sunday... and I have one thing to say... THANK YOU!! Seriously, thank you everyone for all of the donations, good lucks, enthusiasm, support, and on and on. I finished the race in 2 hours 3 minutes and some change. That means that I shaved almost 10 minutes off of my time from last year! Woohoo... a success! I can't say that I felt great during or after the race... but it is over and I am thrilled with the results.

Not only am I thrilled with my time, but also the fundraising that team DetermiNation did. Together, we all raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society! I am so proud of our team and every individual on it... what a fantastic year, guys!

Well, enough chatter, folks. Here is a picture journey through race day. It may get rough... be prepared.

 Here we are in the "warming area" at 5:45 AM. An ACS volunteer was nice enough to let us get ready in the community area of her apartments above the 16th street mall. Basically, we were VIP.

Thank goodness we invested in those running tights the day before. The only layer between our skin and the 30 degree air. Geez, Colorado, what happened to autumn?!?

Now I'm all pinned up and ready to go with the ribbons of some of those who I was running for. You are all an inspiration...

 And we're off! John almost missed me I was going so fast! Or not.

Check out that rock star...after all what would the Rock n Roll marathon and 1/2 be without a rock star? What you can't see behind him... ELVIS!! Sweet jeggings man.

Just headed past mile 3.5. The best poster I saw while I was running: "Worst Parade EVER!"

Another rock star along the course... John pretty much loved this inflatable superstar.

Here I am entering Cheeseman Park around mile 10.5. Trying to hold it together, but feeling exhausted and in some pain.... yukk.

And here I am leaving Cheeseman Park around mile 12. The marathoners had just turned off. All I could think was "THANK GOD I DIDN'T TRY THAT". Maybe some day...

There's Whit... looking a lot more lively than me! Too bad we never caught up with each other!

After the finish... Since John, his awesome parents, and Greg were out on the course to cheer us on, they couldn't get any pics of the finish. No worries, though, I needed them right where they were. I like this pic with our boys after running and wrapped in space blankets... beginning to remember how cold it actually was.

Here I am hanging out at our VIP ACS tent post-race. I forgot to put my medal on for the pic!!

Oooh... now I remember how cold it is haha. But there's the medal. Despite my efforts, I could not seem to get a picture in full racing gear WITH my medal haha.

Really, think about joining our team. DetermiNation does every rock n roll event in the country, I believe. It is such an inspiration to run with such awesome people and do it to fight back against cancer. Plus we had our own personal cheerleaders along the course and breakfast burritos afterwards!

And now, a little rock n roll for the rock n roll 1/2 marathon! Smash Mouth was incredible!! Plus I totally forgot that I actually know every word to "All Star". Really... every word.

And finally... post-race recovery drinks. You didn't think I'd forget did you?

Well everyone, that was my journey this year at the Denver Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon for team DetermiNation. Thank you once again for all of your love, support, and general awesomeness. You have been incredible and helped our team raise over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society! How inspiring! Let's hope that we can make a difference in this battle!

What's next for this rockin' runner? Welp... besides lots and lots of school and work... the Buffalo Turkey Trot!!! Because I can't get enough of freezing my butt off while inflicting pain on my body for miles upon miles! But... really... it'll be fun... who's in??

It's Race Weekend!!

Hello everyone.... here's a quick check in!

IT IS RACE WEEKEND!!

Last night, we went to the DetermiNaiton Spaghetti dinner and it was wonderful! We are all loaded up on carbs and ready to go... apparently it's good to eat your carbs 2 nights before the race, not the night before =-)... so ya know.

Today, although I was planning on just going to the race expo in Denver to pick up my bib and race packet, I was roped in to volunteering for ACS too. I'm excited to volunteer, though, hopefully it'll be fun to "spread the word". Our team together has raised over $98,000 for the American Cancer Society, most of which will go towards cancer research. I have raised $1,416 myself... wanna help me even that out to $1,500?? You can still donate on my fundraising page here.

And tomorrow... is the BIG DAY!! Wish me luck! We'll take lots of pictures!

After last year's race

The home stretch...

Well... this time next week... my half marathon will be OVER! Crazy, it feels like such a long road to get to one day. Here is a glimpse of a little fun we had last night at the Great American Beer Fest (yes, check out those necklaces)...

Ready with provisions for the GABF

Now, unfortunately, I am officially in detox for a week before the race... no beer or wine! Eeek! With the amount of homework I have between now and then, I'm sure I'll have enough distractions to keep me on track. 

As for running, I am still in the "tapering" phase. This means that for the most part, the runs I am doing are slightly shorter than at the "peak" in my training a few weeks ago. Yesterday, I ran for 45 minutes and actually managed a brisk pace of 8:24 minute miles... not too shabby, I thought. Today, I am scheduled for a 1 hour 30 minute run, my last long run before the big day! Not sure what coach was thinking, I normally get a rest day on the weekend (otherwise known as homework day). But since this weekend was already a 2 day homework weekend, why not make it a 2 day run weekend as well. It's almost like punishment for taking a leisurely weekend in the mountains last weekend.

Welp, that's my story folks. My tip of the day? Go out and sample some amazing micro beers our country has to offer. I tried somewhere between 30-40 last night (can you blame me for losing count?). A rather pathetic showing considering there were about 2,400 beers there! 

I will leave you with a glimpse of fall in Colorado. I still don't believe that the aspens are an equal substitute for east coast foliage... but gosh they are stunning. 

a lovely path

I heart fall

looks like watercolors

mmm colors

The internet is really slow where I am, so I have a lot more pictures here... check them out! 

It's been a while...

Hello out there....
So school and grad school have been slowly burying me alive... not to mention running! I'm am officially in the "tapering" phase of my training. This means, the training schedule is "calming down". My long runs are shortening, but the speed training continues. Something I realized though: I enjoy slow running SO MUCH MORE! It is actually peaceful and refreshing rather than difficult and exhausting. If I find a good 9:30 minute mile pace and just start running without a route... I could go on for hours. Refreshing, huh? I hope that I can continue to find the enjoyment in this once the god awful speed training ends!

Well folks, it is officially pumpkin season. This has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with running, but out of the kindness of my heart, I am going to leave you with the BEST pumpkin cookie recipe ever! A special thanks to pinterest.com and mommyskitchen.net for bringing me to this deliciousness. Sometimes a girl just needs to bake some cookies.

Welp, folks, this is a short one. I suffered the most vicious paper cut of my life today courtesy of a file folder. Not only is it impossible to type with a heavily bandaged index finger, but I may just pass out from the blood loss, so time to sign off!

Happy running and second half of the week! I'll be headed towards runner's detox next week (the week before the race!!!) after eating my body weight in pumpkin cookies and drinking gallons of delicious beers from the Great American Beer Fest this weekend... try not to be too jealous!