Taking each run as a gift. #RunForBoston

No matter how you heard about the event at Copley Square this Monday, if you're a runner, you undoubtedly felt nothing but heartache and pain - that your most supportive community and family had been attacked. That is exactly how I felt trying to comprehend the situation from afar. Confusion, disbelief, and pure sadness for those affected in Boston. Being on twitter at 11:50am, following the accomplishment of where months of training leads to, and yet that joy and celebration disappeared. A sudden light switched off and everything went dark. Over 50 tweets almost simultaneously within two seconds read the same message. Hundreds of tweets folllowed, some with questions and others with live footage leaving those outside Boston to feel the scare and panic of what was happening. 

I know I can speak for many saying that my physical presence was in a different city, simply viewing tweets and commentary of destruction and chaos through thin air. But my heart and identity as a runner felt completely present in the fright that blanketed over thousands in Boston. 

Without getting into further details how that day played out, I think there is a bigger picture that is shedding a positive light on such a dark and painful story. It's only been a few days since the event took place, but even being on twitter the last few days has been uplifting in so many ways. Crowds of runners all around the country are gathering in group runs to commemorate and honor not only the victims, but the passion and dedication each of those individuals put into their running careers. Running communities, families, businesses, and random meet-ups are taking action to find strength together and it's leading to amazing mobilization for a faster recovery.

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While the swell of emotions from Monday will hardly be forgotten, I decided to take these positive vibes and try to run with it. 

The best thing I knew to do was to treat Tuesday's run as a gift.

I ran around Lake Union and was positively overwhelmed by the sense of belonging and unity that came from every runner I passed, many of whom wore Boston Marathon shirts and gave me a smiling nod, like a secret code of a larger community. I was a bobbing sea of emotions the entire way. Vibrantly smiling at times from the gorgeous weather. Being rushed with frustration and questions of why bad things happen to good people. Feeling my eyes flood with water passing silly things that reminded me of Boston. And stopping to breathe to just be in the moment. 

Taking this day and reflecting on the positives is a lot easier for me than those directly affected. Our running communities all around the world are such a strong force when put together that I have no doubt if we keep spirits high, there is no measure or maximum for donations, relief funds, and ultimate recovery that can be reached. I'm overly anxious to see and read about where everyone will #RunForBoston this week and next. The blogs, recaps, and stories I have been reading are touching my heart and motivating me to continually help in all ways I can. 

At the end of the day and after all that's happened this week, I feel appreciative and blessed to have the simple ability to run - and more importantly to know that the 20 plus runners I felt directly connected to, women and men who put their soul into training for Boston this year, are safe and all returning home. Its puts things into perspective, helping me recognize each time I step out my door it's a given gift that makes me stronger and allows me to put my best self forward. A gift that may not always be there, but also one that fills me up a small percentage each day propelling me to to go out and create peace in a complicated world. 

#RunForBoston

If you're in Seattle, don't miss the run this coming Monday 4/22. Oiselle and many others will be meeting at Super Jock 'N Jill, all details listed here.

March, all wrapped up.

I think I blinked and March was gone – but, lots of good things happened in that peculiar month.

St. Patty’s Day 5K got my butt back into race mode, getting second female in 20:08. I ran the hilly course with Kristin and Julie, finally racing again with my loved trio. The race was up in Snoqualmie Ridge, which in my mind was not far off from mini Pleasantville. The cutest little town, but just straight up bizarre.

Winter quarter at UW wrapped up. Finals week turned my brain to mush but my 3.7 quarter GPA was well worth a straining seven day headache. Yes… 3.7! Excuse my bragging moment, I worked hard for that sucker :)

Spring break was the perfect week well spent. Started off as a snow bunny for three days with the fam in Sun Valley - skiing, running, dining, bar hopping, outdoor hot tubbing… embracing the ski bum lifestyle and playing the role of serious dedicated tourists. I captured some gorgeous photos from my birds eye view over the Cascade range on our way there.

Almost a 3 hour flight Seattle to Sun Valley, up and over the Cascade Mountain range.

Sister, Dad, Me.

Then from Sun Valley to Yakima Valley for spring wine tasting with my man! Started out by online booking the “Ho Jo” only to pull up to the hotel (more like motel 69) and tell him we are NOT staying here – booked the Hilton for a spendy $10 more. Lesson learned. 

The first winery we visited: Cultura Wine, Yakima Valley. 

Second winery: Silver Lake Winery. 

Third stop: Portteus Winery, Zillah. 

And my fave of them all: Two Mountain Winery. I bought a bottle of their 2011 Rose, so incredibly good. 

We had so many laughs on this trip, it was such a great time - one of those vacations you never want to end. We ventured out into the wine country and met some of the most humble people and wine makers. Their pace of life is vastly different than city living and it was awesome to experience - slow down my one speed motor brain and unplug for 48 hours. And of course the camera never stopped clicking.

Now, it's April! Back to focusing on running, finally. Time for my body and mind to get back into training mode simply because I haven’t felt fully complete lately. Who knew: avoiding the track slowssss you down.

April 1 started my new training plan – no fools here. Next post will tell the story: new race plan + my next race.

What are you April goals? Are you marathoning for April’s #marathonmonth?

Smoothie adapted from Jasyoga

You have to believe I've flipped through many smoothie recipes in my day, but somehow every time I go to make one I never ever follow the recipe exactly. Smoothies are like abstract art: it doesn't matter what goes into making them as long as it tastes scrumptious when it's finished.

This morning wasn't any different. But after being inspired (if you can get inspired over a smoothie) from Jasyoga's blog yesterday, "Blend up Recovery After Bringing Your A-Game" I added some key players to this magical blend that I'm patting myself on the back for this morning: avocado + spinach.

Ingredients
4 tbsp nonfat vanilla yogurt (or greek, plain etc)
1/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup carrot juice
1/2  frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup spinach
1/2 of an avacado

Fits perfectly in the Magic Bullet, but a blender works well too. Thanks for the kick Jasyoga!

What's your go-to smoothie recipe?  

Concept of a 5K

That little race that’s five kilometers long and often called a holiday fun run, community race, or the ever popular “5K” has got me thinking lately. Whether it’s for a charity your company partakes in or a simple excuse to throw on some outrageous costume and run balls to the wall, 5Ks are overly important for our sport because they invite anyone and everyone to the partake in the fun we as runners have all year round.

Memorable 5K with my best running bud Julie... before I knew what the heck a Roga was!

I think this is why I love them so much. It’s a race that can be what ever I want it to be. Full throttle guts out, a slogging start, a pivotal race, the perfect training marker, or the final hump to proving I’m injury free, 5Ks take the cake for me.

My last 5K was on Halloween, a training marker for the Seattle Half that I ran in late November. My sub-20 finish was all I wanted to prove that my training since college was slowly but surely kicking back into gear. After being injured for the month of December and learning to make friends with those I hate (hello operation elliptical), I swallowed my pride, cross trained when I could, began lifting weights and kept a positive attitude as much as my broken little heart could handle.

January marked new training: round 2. For the past few weeks building a base has been back in action, a plan drunkenly mapped out in my training log to the tune of 2 miles here, 8 miles there, and ½ a mile for good measure. You get the picture, I believe they call it inconsistency at its finest.

Sure it feels like square one all over again but sometimes that square just comes at the right time and you don’t even know it. What do I want. Why am I training. What are my goals. What are my miles building up to? It sounds like a hot pot boiling in my brain but in reality, building a new base is bringing me relaxation that I need right now, and I am peacefully okay with it.

This weekend a whole flock of Oiselle birds are coming to our backyard and racing a 5K. Community run, Love em’ or Leave em’, Valentines Day Dash, fun-run, what ever I wanna call it, this race is to prove to myself that I’m injury free, back on the rocker, and ready to get this lovey dovey relationship with running all hot and bothered. And of course, another sub-20 finish wouldn't be too shabby either. 

What is a 5K to you? Are you running one this weekend to tell running how much you love it JIT for Valentines Day? Good Luck J

We came, we saw, we conquered

Where to begin after a three day adventure with the most energized and amusing group ‘o birds Texas has ever seen. It was my first time in Texas, my first time attending The Running Event (TRE), and the best part of it all… I can proudly say it was my first inflight biz trip I’ve ever been on (yeeehaww to that).

This adventure topped off 2012 and came dangerously close to rivaling all the Trials Party shenanigans from Eugene back in June. A neck and neck tie of hysterical commentary, moments of awe and excitement, and a full scrapbook of memories.

Quick recap and highlights of our 3 day excursion.

Night number uno.

Monday night we landed in Austin around 5:30 pm and made our way through the airport in attempt to find transportation to the Swanky Condo. After twenty minutes waiting for the bus, it finally arrived and we headed towards home, conveniently close to the Convention Center where The Running Event (TRE) was taking place. Getting off the bus we pulled out an ever so reliable GPS iPhone…and you can only imagine what came next. 

What looked like a quarter mile walk turned into a hysterical scene of utterly lost travelers. Just picture six out of town folks with luggage up to their elbows, off-roading through dirt roads, while playing frogger across 2 freeways and taking a “slight” detour which turned into over a mile long journey…in the pitch dark. It was epic and totally laughable after the tired feelings of misery and hunger pains from a long a** flight.

That night was a reunion slash meet ‘n greet with sales reps and teammates who I finally got to meet IRL. After all, a virtual friendship over email and twitter can only last so long. We caught up and hung out on the rooftop terrace grubbing on a Texas style bbq buffet still in awe of the Austin heat and sitting outside in summer clothes.

And eventually got to sleep that night in our slumber party bungalow, clearly another highlight of the trip. Took us all back to elementary school sleep overs and pillow fights, of course without the truth or dare or 10 fingers games. Totally kidding. Or am I. 

The Running Event

My first time experiencing TRE and I would say it was a huge success that will be hard to beat next year. Dozens upon dozens of booths were set up in the Convention Center for brands big and small to share their excitement and newest additions for the upcoming year.

I was blown away walking in because it was literally a fish bowl of runnerds from all over the country geeking out over the sport we all know and love.

Without going crazy into detail, the best part of the event for me was walking around to as many booths as I could and seeing new running products on the market with the ability/privilege to converse with reps and learn about their swag. While each brand and biz has their unique aspects, seeing the “behind the scenes” passion for the sport from a totally different view was pretty motivating to be a part of. 

I saw some great companies, many of which I had never heard of and I got to talk one on one about new innovations and design. I felt honored to be a part of the Oiselle crew. Having great people commend us on our booth/strides we’ve made in the past year was a heartwarming validation yet again of knowing I am in the right spot in life.

A few notable companies that had terrific people working their booths: Swiftwick, Win Detergent, BIC Bands, Honey Stinger, Nuun, SmartWool, and SpiderTech - all extremely friendly and knowledgable.

Birds ‘N Boots

Words and pictures cannot do this party justice. I'll just say it was hands down the highlight of the trip. From tons of mingling boots, a delish free taco truck, an incredible venue, an array of fab Oiselle peeps and friends, THE best D.J. in Austin, and a dance party so outrageous we arguably might have been able to skip that morning workout and still get a good sweat in, if you catch my drift. So, so, SO much fun. Ready for 2013! 

Can't outrun the flu.

I should have known hanging around so many sicklings the past few days that I was bound  to catch a cold or some kind of sickness. I spent the entire day with my sister doing some Sunday shopping when the night before, her and my dad caught the flu and were sick all night Saturday. Let's be real, I was asking for it. Sadly, after leaving Julie's birthday dinner early last night because I felt nauseous, that was only the beginning to a loongggggg night. No more details necessary, but the flu got the best of me.

I took a few pieces of advice from Mac's "Runner's Sick-Kickers" list from last week. Echinacea, zinc lozenges, water, water, water, water, and rest.  One thing I swear by to this day is good ol' ginger ale and saltine crackers. No idea why it helped but I swear it saved me last night when my body felt like I was in a coma and being hit by a bus!

The hardest part of it all is wanting to run and knowing how silly it would be at the same time. A few days off won't kill me and even though today is "Track Tuesday" in my workout world I know I can shake this sickness faster if I'm smart about it. Two weeks until Seattle Half means staying positive and just revising my run schedule:

May be a little ambitious for how I'm feeling right now, but I'll see how I feel tomorrow and reevaluate while I try to stay sane. 

When you're sick how much time do you take off of running? Does running ever make you feel better?