Color Run-Ventura 10/19/13-Race Recap (Sponsored)

A few weeks ago I went to California to hang out with my cousins from my husband's side of our family. I was given the opportunity to try out the Color Run and also was able to get away two free entries for the race coming up on February 22nd in Las Vegas. As a result I was very anxious to see how this run was going to go. It was only the second time I've made a long drive out to California by myself I'm starting to find that I'm loving the time that I have in the car to just listen to some music, taking in the scenery.

Once I got to California I met up with my cousin to pick up our race packets. I have to say the packet pickup was very well organized and we we're in and out rather quickly.

On race day we actually found a place to park that wasn't too far away from the finish line. My cousin and I wore tutus in white that I made from tulle and ribbon just a few days before. I was just a little concerned about the tutus because I never ran in one before, but I was surprised that they didn't bother me at all to move in.

This race was just a week before my triathlon so I knew going into this race that I wasn't going to be doing a lot of running. The night before I drove out to California I actually did a training bike ride with my friend Angela so I was still pretty sore. That being said it was still really looking forward to it, knowing that I was just going to havee a fun day with family.

I know some runners don't like the idea of a novelty race like mud runs and color runs. I get it. However there must be something said for any event that gets people outside, especially those that allow them to spend time with friends and family.

The course itself I must admit it was pretty tough. I was surprised by that actually. There's lots of hills, some that were very steep. I was kind of of glad that this rate was not timed, because I'm sure if I ran it I would have struggled with the hills.

The color stations were in a word -awesome. It was fun to run up to them get hit by little pops of color. Of course my favorite was blue, and okay, I liked the pink too.

Sadly the race was over before I knew it. I have to tell you I was covered in a rainbow of colors. More importantly though I had a great day with friends and family. For me, that was the best part.

Many thanks again to the folks at the Color Run for allowing me the opportunity to check out this race and again to offer you my readers the chance to experience it yourself. I have one more free entry to give away so be on the lookout for that sometime in December.

Here are some pics....

The Color Run™ - My Upcoming Run and a Giveaway!

(Sponsored Post)

This weekend myself and my two cousins will be particpating in the Color Run™ in Ventura, CA. We have our get ups all planned and are looking forward to some colorful fun together. It's Jami's first 5K. Pam is a bit more experienced with a few races under her newly acquired brown belt in Krav Maga (kudos to my girl). 

For this weekend, this race is all about getting together with family and enjoying the fun. We plan on having a lot of that come race day. So excited to run this in Cali and getting in some down time after a busy few weeks at work. Fun is always a sure fire cure for that. 

So, what exactly is the Color Run? 

The Color Run™, is.known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet. It is a unique paint race that celebrates "healthiness, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community". The Color Run is an un-timed race in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. 

FUN!!!

The fun continues at the finish line with a gigantic “Color Festival".

Sounds like a great idea to me! Be on the look out for my before and after photos and a full race report. 

The folks at the Color Run™ have generously offered me some race bibs for the Las Vegas event to be held on February 22, 2014 in fabulous Downtown Las Vegas. To enter my first giveaway for one of the bibs please click link below:

COLOR RUN GIVEAWAY - ENDS 10/31

For more on this event see the link below:

Color Run - Las Vegas - 02.22.14  

Get YOUR color on! Ventura, see you all on Saturday!!!

Sympathy for the Devil Race Recap 09.14.13

Last weekend I made a very last minute decision to run a Calico Racing event called Sympathy for the Devil. I chose the 5K event just to get outside and be around other runners since I have focused on indoor running lately. I just needed a different experience I guess. I needed something short and close to work in Henderson so this worked perfectly since it started at 7 AM. I packed my bag with a work outfit and also put out my running gear so I wouldn't wake hubby at 5:30 AM.

I headed to the River Mountains Loop Trail @ Equestrian Park Trailhead in Henderson. This event was also a final Farewell to "Running with the Devil" which had to be cancelled this past summer. This event was one of the first done by Calico Racing and Joyce, the Race Director, made sure to acknowledge those that had planned to attend that cancelled event and gave kudos for those that came to say one last goodbye to this race.




The View at the Start Line

At the start of the race Joyce gave us our directions once the 1/2 and full marathoners were on their way. Soon we were off on our own and I felt pretty relaxed. I wasn't going for any PR's or anything like that I just wanted to run solid. Despite the humidity that morning and the steady incline of the first half of the course I did just that. It was when I hit the turn around that I completely messed up. I misinterpreted the volunteer when she said it was the turn around yet pointed to her right. I had thought she meant to keep going to the path that was behind her that headed that direction thinking I just couldn't see where it looped. Once I got around it was still heading up and about .25 miles in I asked a nice guy behind me if I went the wrong way and he said I had so I just turned around then. It  meant that I added a half mile to my race. Oh well, instead of beating myself up I just kept going towards the finish. My official time was 45:42

 

 

 

 

After the race, I hurried to the gym and grabbed a quick shower before heading to work. Not exactly sure I was smart to do a race before a busy work day but I am still glad I did it. You can never regret doing something that makes you smile and running always seems to do that for me. I may not be great at it, but it is something I can always turn to. There is something to be said about that.

 

 



 

 

Labor of Love Weekend Race Report #Fitfluential #GirlsGoneSporty

Last weekend I participated in the Labor of Love weekend at Lovell Canyon. If you follow my blog you know that this is the same canyon that my husband and I go to for target shooting (at a different area of the canyon). So for me this was a great race to run. I had planned to do my typical race report, what went right what went wrong but decided that it was better to tell you why and for whom I ran this race.

After the events of the last week or so, most definitely the total 19.3 miles I put in for both days (Half on Saturday, 10K on Sunday) were for Boston. No doubt many of you dedicated races to the town, the runners, and spectators affected by the events of Monday, April 15th.

For me there was another reason I ran. An alum at my high school, Dan, had a lifesaving double transplant this past fall. His family and friends in Pennsylvania, where I originally hail from, were walking in the Heart Walk that same day. I knew I wanted to do a half marathon during my birthday month (I turned 39 on April 8). This seemed to me like it was kismet. I was meant to run this race.

Despite the hardships I faced both days, none of that matters. It pales in comparison to what those that were there that day in Boston went through, as well as what Dan went through to become well again.

Sometimes, we just run to run. The times don't always need to matter. The performance can be secondary to the feeling of accomplishment felt doing something for someone else or in their honor.

So run on....and be Boston strong.

I'm an Urban Warrior! #Fitfluential #GirlsGoneSporty

They say that every now and then you have a moment that defines you. It not only shows you your weaknesses but also highlights your strengths. Yesterday I participated in the Urban Warrior Dash. It was the inaugural race held by the same folks that run the mud version of the Warrior Dash. This race may have been mud-free but was no less than challenging. I decided a few months ago to do this race, alone. As it got closer I got nervous, and asked a family member to go with me, but they were unable to. Fate wanted me to see this through on my own. The days leading up to the race had me a nervous wreck. I kept seeing photos on their Facebook Page and kept wondering if I had gotten in over my head.

Friday morning Ben and I dropped off our pup at doggie day care (insert sad face here) and began the drive to San Diego. A few hours later we were in San Diego, checked into our hotel (The Mariott at Gaslamp), and headed over to the packet pickup at Road Runner Sports. Cool store too. I picked up a pair of compression pants that felt fabulous post-race. Afterwards we headed back to our hotel to change and head out to dinner. We chose to eat at Toscana Cafe and Wine Bar. I had the Chicken Pesto Pasta with a margarita while Ben had the veal medallions. It was divine. We knew I needed to head to bed soon but couldn't resist seeing the view from the Altitude Sky Lounge atop our hotel. It did not disappoint. We each had a drink and then it ws time to call it a night.

It was finally race day. I was a bundle of nerves. I have run races by myself before but nothing like this. I kept closing my eyes and just picturing the finish. I repeated over and over "You can do this, piece of cake!" I remembered all the times my friends encouraged me on and I heard them now too.

Soon enough we were off. The first mile or so was solid running before we hit the first set of obstacles. Ben was later down in the course so I don't have any photos of those first two sets. The first group began with a rope suspended over poles that you had to climb under (flat on your belly). It was followed by the tire run and finished with the road block (a series of road baricades and planks you had to go up and over in alternating patterns). Luckily there was water after this but mistake number one on my part was not drinking more of it. I could already feel the heat of the morning hitting me and later it would be more of an issue. I had not run in warm weather in months so I think my body was not sure what to do yet to compensate.

 

The next set of obstacles were a net over planks that you had to duck under. This led to challenge number one for me: The Road Block. A series of walls in varying heights. Luckily a nice woman in front of me offered a hand to lift me up the highest one and I returned the favor for someone else. It was nice to see wveryone helping each other out even if they were a stranger.

 

I must say the obstacles were a nice "break" from running but I needed more water. They had enough water stations I just didn's use them as well as I should have early on. Later I would start to take two cups, but initally I only had one, and I think this led me to get dehydrated.

 

After that I have some photos so here are some highlights from the remainder of the course.

Looking to Ben for advice....

Man I hate heights!

Funniest picture of me at a race ever.

Also not a fan of dark enclosed places.

 

More heights, with a dingy dumspter below. It was nothing! :-)

 

Heading into the Satdium for Quad killer..up and down a flight of stadium stais...twice.

 

More freaking heights, but got it done.

You see me here encouraging another gal on.

 I sucked at this one, but got through it.

 

A well-deserved beer.

 

For the rest of the photos see my Run with K Facebook Page.

 

It was right after the above photo that we took off to head to the hotel. At first I felt fine. Tired but that was to be expected. I had a bit of a headache but figured that was likely from the sun. About five minutes into our walk back I felt nauseated. Ben thought may be I drank that beer too fast. Perhaps. I had some water after that but again just a small cup. I was so proud of what I had done that I completely forgot to do the things I needed to: rehydrate and refuel.

 

We got changed and then went off to lunch but it was a solid hour before we ate. All I had was a protein bar before the race and that beer after. I had a root beer with lunch (normally I skip soda but craved sugarat that point - is this a sign?). We decided to spend the day at Balboa Park and then maybe head to the San Diego Zoo. It was midway through this afternoon that I felt my head start to pound. I had my migraine meds in my purse and took those. I waited for them to kick in before taking any pain meds.

 

Even with the food at lunch and the sports drink I had at the park I still felt queasy and very thirsty. I soldiered through because I wanted to have some fun with Ben before we headed home the next day. After the zoo we headed back to the hotel to change again and then went to dinner at Royal Thai Cuisine. Despite the food being tasty, and me being hungry, I could not eat much. I was sick to my stomach. I so wanted to go to Ghiaradeli's for ice cream (my favorite spot at the Gaslamp Quarter) but that was out of the question. It was roughly 8 o'clock and I was back at the hotel in PJ's. I was asleep about thirty minutes later. I felt bad for Ben because we had planned on a nice night on the town but like a trooper he just took care of me. Made sure I had plenty to drink and then let me nod off. I slept until 7 AM. I woke up a few times in between, so it wasn't a solid sleep cycle, but nonetheless it was quite a bit of time. I still had a raging headache when I did wake up, so I took another migraine pill, and had a cup of coffee that Ben made for me.

 

This morning we had breakfast at Zanzibar Cafe. The tastiest breakfast was had there  - their Zanzibar Granola. Awesome! Then we headed home, and I have been feeling fine ever since.

 

Despite feeling sick since the race I loved this trip and the race itself was a blast. I am so proud that I was able to run this kind of race on my own and did pretty well too. I really CAN do anything I put my mind to. I have learned a valuable lesson too, don't forget to hydrate and refuel properly. One lesson I won't forget any time soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off the Bench #Fitfluential #GirlsGoneSporty

After finishing my latest class for school I took a few days off to just relax. I still played softball Tuesday night with the hubby, but that was pretty much it. I hadn't planned on that for the rest of the week but ended up sick at the end of the week so it forced me to sit on my butt for a few days. I guess I needed it. Today, though, I am realizing that I was feeling that "lack of motivation" that sets in after a break. A definite loss of momentum. As soon as my hubby came home I said a quick hello, gave a kiss on the cheek and ran upstairs to get a home workout in. I am going to get myself out of my comfy bed in the morning and get a run in. It will likely be a short one since I have two softball games after work. I even went and bought cleats over the weekend! And Ben picked up a new bat for us too. Woot!

 

I am trying to figure out what I will be doing over the next few weeks, which includes deciding on and registering for my half marathons in March and April. I am STILL up in the air on the ones for March - Red Rock Canyon (which is closer to home but has CRAZY hills) or Six Tunnels (which is about the same price but farther from home). Can someone out there just pick one for me?

 

I have a few more reviews to get written up this week as well so hopefully I can get those finished up by the weekend. I would like to do a race this weekend if I can swing it. My first pick would be the LV Fat Boy 5K. If you want more info and to register for the event you can check out this link - Las Vegas Fat Boy 5K

 

Well, that is my lovely update. What is new out there? Any new workouts you've tried or races you have done? Feel free to share!

 

 

Holy Race Fees Batman!

If you are a runner who lives for races you have probably had the same conundrum I have had today. Namely.....

"How the hell do I pay for all these race fees?"

I love to race. I love the anticipation of them, the touch of nerves I get the morning of, and the thrill of the finish. I may not be the fastest runner or the most consistent in my training (still trying to work that out) but I just can't go long without a good race. This past summer was the longest I have gone in awhile and I hated it. Frankly, it made me cranky.

The trouble is that races are getting pretty pricey. I do a lot of the low-key races here in Las Vegas through the track club, which are more than affordable. However, there are still some larger races (namely obstacle courses and half marathons) that I am looking forward to, with many averaging around $60 or more a piece.

If you throw in a destination race (of which I only have one to date that is paid for) it can be downright frightening to think of one's budget. I had wanted to try for the Coast to Coast medal through runDisney but I am thinking, after scanning what fees I will pay alone in local races over the coming months, that this plan is likely going to have to wait.

I know I am not alone in this predicament. Many of you out there are likely in the same boat. My husband understands my love of these events and is doing  his best to encourage me, but also with a touch of being the voice of reason. He's right though (shhh, don't tell him I said that or I will never hear the end of it). It is hard to argue against the statement "$80 to run 13 miles? You can do that for free any day." Um, yeah, he DOES have a point.

Yet, there is something intangible about race day that defies this logic.

So, as a result, I am re-thinking my plans and trying my best to be a bit more strategic. Instead of running ones I have done before maybe I will do ones I have never run instead. There is also the consideration of bling...and yes it is important especially if I am throwing down some serious cash to run a race. I think it is only fair I get to add something to my collection, right?

I am not complaining about the fees themselves as I cannot speak on what it takes to coordinate, set-up and run a race like these. I am saying that over the next few days I will be thinking of ways to make it happen without breaking the bank, or sending my husband over the edge, or both!

What A Week

I know that all of you have busy lives. All of you have had days or weeks like mine and have come to the end of it feeling utterly drained. I know I am not alone in this. I would say that it was one thing or the other that caused me to fail so miserably on my training this past week but the fault is my own. I let the myriad of things on my mind affect how my body reacted. I gave in to that feeling a rode that slow wave to no where.

Ben actually said to me "You probably would have felt better if you had gone to the gym even for a little bit". He was right of course. I just couldn't see it at the time. All I could do was feel the way I felt. I am disappointed that I let it get to that point but like anything, it is what it is. No sense wallowing in it further.

Tomorrow morning I will run the Running From an Angel 5K. Next year I can assure you that I will be doing the half marathon for this event. However, tomorrow's race is purely for the fun of it. I have been working on getting my pacing and breathing up to par but after this week I know that I just need to run, and enjoy it, without thinking so much. Sure, I will need to tell myself what to do no matter what. I have to. I know that I will push myself to do as well as I can anyway. I just mean that I am going to take in the scenery (which is beyond lovely there) and see what happens next.

I look forward to adding the first of what hopes to be many shiny new medals to my wall of...wall of....hmm I need to think of what to call it. Fame does not quite cut it.

I still need to pick a new fitness activity to try for January. It looks like Bikram Yoga will happen in February. Any ideas from my Vegas readers?

Good luck to all the racers out there this weekend. Be safe, have fun, and may your feet be swift and your soul lifted.

Cheers!

LVTC Scholarship Race 10K/2M Recap

There is nothing better then the feeling that you did something worthwhile. Despite every fiber in my being telling me to go back to sleep this morning, I didn't. I got up and got ready for the Las Vegas Track Club Scholarship Race. It was a bit chilly this morning which I was not used to and only mildly prepared for. I think I need to stock up on warm weather running gear again. It seems to have all run off somewhere.

The race itself went well. I didn't have that annoying voice in my head telling me I sucked. I had my headphones on but didn't even really pay much to that either. I think I zoned out and just ran. Which was nice. We did have a slight goof with how the miles were marked. I thought when I saw mile marker two that there was no way I was at that distance but did not trust my GPS either so I turned around. Sure enough turning around was an error on my part so I did have to run past the finish and make up the distance. No big deal, only lost a few seconds on that whole thing, and being that I was doing the race just to get going again I wasn't worried about a PR. My time was 22:57. I think my last one at that distance was better but like I said, this was all about the fun. Still I got first place in my age division, but admittedly I was the only one in my age division. I will admit that it still made me smile. 

I met a nice couple originally from Flagstaff. They were pretty cool to talk to. They run a lot of marathons and the husband did pretty awesome at the 10K.

It was nice to be out running and it was a gorgeous morning for it.

Here are some pictures from the event:

I now have the elusive blue ribbon. 

Happy Birthday !

Hummingbird

2013, I'm Ready!

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."-Henry David Thoreau 

The above quote spoke to me as I sat here pondering what I wanted to accomplish for the upcoming year. There are a few that are not easily measured by any stats, medals, of finish lines. Some run much deeper then that. This upcoming year is about being the best version of myself that I can be and that will require a lot of work on my part.

I do want to rekindle that love of running that I had prior to last year. That undeniable feeling of accomplishment that I had when I finished a race. My last 5K race was filled with self-doubt. I didn't like feeling that way at all.

Recently I had a few runs that were pretty nice, but naturally I will need to build myself back up again especially after breaking my toe in October.

I know I have it in me. I have the will, and the desire. The rest will come with hard work and determination.

What's on deck for me?

1. To attempt one new fitness activity per month (a new class, a new distance, etc)
2. To PR at the 5K distance. It has been a long time since I have done that. Too long.
3. To do another obstacle course run. By the looks of it right now probably more than one will occur in 2013. 
4. To do more half marathons in 2013 then I completed in 2012 (which was three).
5. To pick a full marathon in 2014 to train for. Frankly this scares the living...well you know...out of me. I need to do it though. I am a "give me a challenge" type of girl.
6. Kick up my weight training. Need to visit my personal trainer more often.
7. Skydiving. Enough said.
8. Pick a Triathlon-thought of the Iron Girl here but the waters of Lake Las Vegas are gross
9. To become more involved in the running community.
10. Races for 2013:

• Mardi Gras Masquerade 5K - February 2013
• Red Rock Half Marathon - March 2013
• Cirque De Soleil 5K - March 2013
• Spartan Race - April 2013
• Labor of Love Half Marathon - April 2013
• Warrior Dash - May 2013
• Rogue Runner Race - May 2013 (TBD - will depend on location which has not been announced yet)
• Twilight Red Rock Half Marathon
• Veterans Day 11K - November 2013

These are just a few of the races I would like to do. I know there will be some races through the Las Vegas Track Club that I will do as well.

Outside of my fitness goals I do have two other personal goals for 2013. One is to graduate with my Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership (currently in my second to last class).

The second is to write another book of poetry, I  was published in 2007 and recently was sent information on a grant to write a second one. Wish me luck there, it would be a huge endeavor but would be awesome to receive that funding.

I guess we will see how well I did about this time next year. Please share what goals you have set for yourself as well. Let's cheer each other on!