July 25- Crashing the Donner Marathon AGAIN

 

July 27- Sunrise Mt. Rose Run

2 hours 32 minutes. Because we are kinda cool.

The weather was so cold and windy and guess who slept 3 hours the night before and didn’t take water.

And yet….

 

 

May 27- Ready for Summer

When the sun shines, life is so good. I was definitely ready for a better summer this year and there was no better way to start than with a Donner Run. I was a little tired from the Wildcat Race, but it was refreshing and good for the soul. I couldn't ask for a better best friend. I'm so grateful for Alex.

And passes are bought for Wild Waters so me and Ella are going with her friends for a few hours here and there and getting our Vitamin D!! Plus she has gone on Scorpion which she said she'd never do.

 

March 17- OAKLAND MARATHON 3RD TIME

We woke up, ate a bagel and half a banana 2 hours before the race started. I prayed. My bib number for the race was the year I was married, 2002. Out of all the numbers in the universe it was God telling me to do what was right, to know that life takes effort just like a marathon. We have to run the miles and be patient no matter what. It was humbling and I was grateful for that sign from Him, He truly knows us and will walk by our side when we struggle.

The morning of the race was stunning, the weather absolutely perfect, not hot or cold. Truly just right. Unfortunately the race got off to a late start by 30 minutes. The adrenaline was pumping and we had a great first 13 miles, super easy- 1 hill that was very doable. We paced ourselves at about 10:20 miles (even with 700 elevation gain) and finally the sun started. Next came the bridge and Alex did great despite his fear of heights. We passed a lot of people who were starting to struggle. We knew the hard part would be after the bridge 20+ miles so Alex told a very deep story that lasted 3 miles. By that time he got a runners high and I was like, hey I don't feel that bad!! He took off, I started my music and we both sped up the last 3 miles passing more and more people. I ended up getting 9th place for my age group with a time of 4:37 with a pace of 10:35 total for the race.

The thing is that I didn't hit a wall this time. I ate chews every 2 miles and a Maurten goo packet every 6. We only stopped 1 time for the bathroom and a minute to take picture by the bridge. (Methany was NOT GOING TO PASS US) We felt really good at the end of the run and weren't walking funny at all. I barely chafed (rubbed 5 minutes straight body glide before the race). It really was a phenomenal experience and I felt so blessed by God for the strength to do this.

March 16- Day Before Marathon

The nerves are so real when it comes to running 26.2 miles. You know it's going to be hard, you know it's going to be worth it, you know it's going to be horrible but yet it's liberating pushing your body to it's max. This year we really fueled up properly. No sugar, good quality food and adequate rest. We stopped in Sacramento, Alex forgot running socks, ate at the Morning Fork where we didn't even have to question that yes we'd order our own food and share a waffle on top of that.

Then I forgot my underwear and we had to stop in Oakland for that. NERVES!!!!!!! Our hotel was in a ghetto area but fortunately my windows weren't broken!! Also it was a quick 5 blocks from the marathon and was a great warm up and cool down. They also gave us 2 rooms for the price of 1 which was awesome so we could shower and get ready at our own pace.