Surprise!

Yesterday was my day off and I was DESPERATELY needing some attention in the hair area. I always put this off for as long as possible because it takes FOR-EV-ER to do my hair. And I am just too ADD to sit in a chair for that long.

But I was to the point that I could not put it off for another minute. So I booked an appointment with my friend Kirsten to get it colored.

I had initially told her that all I needed was a highlight. But one thing lead to the other and I ended up going from this:

TO THIS:

She told me that she cut 7 or 8 inches of my hair! And I absolutely LOVE it. Plus it will save me time getting ready in the morning, and I can put it in cute little pigtails for races :)

Speaking of races...I just signed up for one next Friday that I am pretty excited about.

Its for an organization called Underawareness, and its for a great cause. The organization provides children that are less fortunate with basic needs (such as underwear, clothing, and food). Its awesome when you can run a race AND contribute to a good cause.

And did I mention that its AT THE ZOO?!! It starts at 630 PM, after hours for the zoo, and takes a loop around the zoo. Afterwards you get to stick around and party it up at the zoo with private access to all the attractions! I can't wait!

Also back home in good ol' Tennessee, they are gearing up to run one of the most popular races in the area (Kenyans come run this thing) the Crazy 8s. One of my good friends and running buddy from home has been training like crazy for it and is really hoping to make a PR tonight!

Everyone wish Caitlin luck tonight! I REALLY hope she gets that PR that she has been working for!

TRAINING:

Today is a rest day. Because of the fact that my entire day is filled with work. Yesterday, however, I did manage to get a pretty good 6 mile run in. Here are the splits:

Mile One: 8:32

Mile Two: 8:12

Mile Three: 8:03

Mile Four: 7:51

Mile Five: 7:54

Mile Six: 7:48

I think I may be getting used to this whole altitude thing. I'm still a bit slower than I was at sea level, but I'm getting there!

Oh hey! Its Friday! Anyone got any fun weekend plans? races?

BINGO...The World's Most Dangerous Sport

Last night the boyfriend and I decided to head down to a local bar and participate in their weekly game of BINGO.

He won the first game and the crown...so I punched him in the face, because I wanted the crown! (notice the black eye).

OK OK just kidding! I didn't really punch him (even though I really was jealous of the win). He got the black eye from an injury at work, and we have been joking all week that I have been roughing him up.

Bingo was fun, even though I didn't win a damn thing! The boyfriend won the first game, the crown, a Spiderman yo-yo, and a free drink. Let me tell you, no one should ever allow this guy to have a yo-yo. I was worried all night that I was going to be coming home with a matching black eye!

A BIG THANKS to everyone who crossed their fingers for me and my ankle. Because it worked! All it needed was a little TLC yesterday and I was ready to go again this morning, with zero pain! The boy and I goggled searched ankle pain and we came to the conclusion that it was probably inflamed from running on it for so long. Since that was the first time that I had ever ran that far. A little rest, icing, and ibuprofen and I was good to go!

This morning I wanted to do my run at a little faster pace, since it was a shorter run. I decided that I wanted to aim for a little bit better than an 8 minute mile pace...and I beasted it!

Here are the splits:

Mile One: 8:08

Mile Two: 7:53

Mile Three: 7:51

Mile Four: 7:54

Mile Five: 7:34 <----I totally BOOKED it for the last quarter mile

By the time I was done I was a smelly, sweaty, muddy mess But isn't that just the best way to be after a run?! Maybe its just me...

Now its time to shower up, eat up, and get ready for another long work day. I just have to get through tonight and then tomorrow I have the whole day off. What am I going to do with myself?!

Crossing My Fingers

Crossing my fingers....that I don't have an injury. But after that 15 mile run yesterday, this is how I spent last night AND this morning:

It wasn't hurting AT ALL during my run, but then when I stopped to walk the rest of the way home my ankle hurt BAD! I iced it all last night, wrapped it, and put some icy hot on it before bed. Oh yeah, and popped a few ibuprofen (just to cover all my bases).
It felt fine this morning, so I went for my scheduled 4 mile run. It started hurting again while I was running and then even worse when I stopped. When I got home I iced it all morning and its feeling better now.
Im hoping that I maybe just pulled a muscle there or something and that its nothing serious! Tomorrow is a rest day, so I think with a little more TLC it should be good to go!
CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR ME!!!

Anyone ever experienced this before? I have had knee pain, shin splints, etc. But never anything with my ankle!

Giving Yourself a Pat on the Back

Have you ever caught yourself saying "oh, I JUST ran 4 miles today" to a nonrunner and gotten a reaction like "JUST 4 miles?! I couldn't even walk one!"
Or how about beating yourself up because you ran at an 8 minute pace instead of 7:45?
OR how about becoming so used to running longer distances that you no longer take pride in running 7 or 8 or 9 miles?
I was thinking about that today when I was running, and thought you know what? No one should down play their accomplishments like that. There are people out there that never will walk a mile, or run 7, or run a mile at an 8 minute pace.
Sure, running is something that anyone can get good at with practice and dedication, but a lot of people just aren't that dedicated to running. It takes a special kind of person to be a runner, or biker, or walker, or whatever your sport is.
I came to the conclusion that everyone should be PROUD of what they accomplish. Stop being hubble, and admit it...YOU KICK ASS! You are doing something that most people will never do.
So next time you catch yourself saying "oh no big deal I just did a small 3 mile run" or "10 miles is nothing compared to the 26.2 Im training for", stop yourself and say I ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING GREAT TODAY, SOMETHING I AM PROUD OF!
So follow the lead of these peeps, and pat yourself on the back for something that you accomplished today!

Image from Sax Angle

Image from Experiance life fully

Speaking of something to be proud of...I officially achieved a PERSONAL DISTANCE record on my long run today with a total of 15 MILES!
I followed what I have learned so far through training and fueled myself well before the run, brought along water and GU for during the run, and stretched and recovered after the run. I also started out at a slow comfortable pace for the first half and then kicked it up into gear for the last half. And it felt great!!!
I ended up running the 15 miles in an average pace of 8:36 with a time of 2:08. Here are the splits:

Mile 1: 8:41
Mile 2:  8:33
Mile 3: 8:30
Mile 4: 8:41
Mile 5: 8:10
Mile 6: 8:40
Mile 7: 8:45
Mile 8: 8:15
Mile 9: 8:00
Mile 10: 8:05
Mile 11: 8:12
Mile 12: 8:01
Mile 13: 8:05
Mile 14: 8:30
Mile 15: 8:42

Now its time to ice up and shower...I have the whole day off so I'm thinking SHOPPING! :)
So now I want to hear from you...WHAT ARE YOU PATTING YOURSELF ON THE BACK FOR TODAY? Go on, brag a little!

Fourth of July Weekend: The Race

On the morning of the fourth I was lucky enough to get to race one of the best races that I have ever done! Heres just a little preview of the start line:

And here is a brief description of the course:

"The 43rd Annual Gothic to Crested Butte Run, Walk, or Crawl 1/3rd Marathon. Enjoy a Crested Butte Independence Day tradition! This fun run benefits the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and begins at 8 a.m. in Gothic, winds through the aspen woods and meadows to Mt. Crested Butte, and ends in downtown Crested Butte. Shuttle buses from Crested Butte will transport all participants to the starting line in Gothic."

The course looks like it is downhill, but it actually starts at 8900 feet, climbs to 9600 feet and then ends in the town of crested butte at about 8600 feet. SO this was a HIGH ELEVATION race!
The race was approximately 8.6 miles (but my garmin told me 9) :) The first 4 miles were completely UP HILL. And by up "hill" I mean up mountains. I have never seen so many people stop to walk by the first mile. But I was determined to conquer those hills, just I speed right up them. OK OK maybe not speed, maybe more of a "crawl", but I made  it up those hills!
The second half was almost completely downhill. Which in my opionion is just as bad because you use so much energy trying not to just face plant down the mountain that you tire out quickly. You also use different muscles going downhill, which makes for that "ALL OVER SORE" feeling in the morning... gotta love it!
Along the way is some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery I have ever seen.

Picture from the Daily Mile

Yes, there was snow on top of the mountain!

The whole time I was running I couldn't believe how beautiful it was up there. By far the best running trail that I have ever seen!
Of course my sports photographer (the BF) was waiting at the finish line to get those awesome finish line photos that everyone always looks so stunning in:

This is the town of Crested Butte, where the finish line was. Everyone is just setting up waiting on the finishers.

As I'm coming up to the finish line the guy right behind SNEAKS UP on me and passes me!! A couple of times I have been embarrassed and backed down when this has happened. I don't like thinking that all the attention at the finish line is on me and my "fight to beat someone to the finish". Plus I would be embarrassed if I tried and then didn't pass that person. However, confidence in my races is something that I know is a weakness and that I have been working on. So this time, when this fella tried to sneak attack me and pass me at the finish, I kicked it into over drive and SMOKED HIM!

See? There he is BEHIND me at the finish. I had to give a little fist pump to the boyfriend, because I knew he would be proud!
At the end of the race the guy came up and shook my hand and said "good job! I knew you were gonna pass me, but I just thought I would give it one last shot"
Talk about a great finish! I am so glad that I didn't let my insecurities get the best of me. I didn't back down, I gave it my all, and I felt so good about my accomplishment at the end of the race. Too often I beat myself up for things that I should of done. But this time I was proud of my effort.
The boyfriend's sister and her husband also ran the race. She's pretty badass...she has ran several marathons and other hardcore races, hasn't ran regularly in a while and just picks up and runs 9 miles up a mountain...did I mention she also takes care of four children?!

Here they are crossing the finish line!

They gave the fist pump coming across the finish line too!

Jodi and I after the race.

After the race the town had a pancake breakfast, specially made by all of the firefighters. I was pretty hungry:

YUM!

The rest of the day was spent with family and friends. Shopping around, watcing the parade, and eating more!
What a great weekend!
What is an accomplishment that you are most proud of?
What is something that you consider a weakness for yourself? How do you work on improving it?

Fourth of July Weekend: Part Two

Sorry for delay on the second part two of the MEGA 4TH series. Working a 13 hour shift yesterday = no time for ANYTHING else. Yes, its a hard life...but gotta make that dough!
Lets get right back into it...
After hiking for a few miles, we reached the top where there was a lake and a clearing to have a picnic and fish.

Beautiful view from the top

Part of the lake

Getting ready to catch some big ones!

I even tried my hand at fishing. I was DETERMINED to catch one and wanted to hog the pole the entire time until I did...but other people wanted a chance too (imagine that!)

All the kiddos set up a blanket and had a picnic while we fished

The hike back down

I caught the boyfriend hugging a tree on the way down...I like all this nature stuff is starting to get to him! :)

And I will end the second part of the mega fourth series with the cutest picture from the picnic ever...you know, so you can have your morning dose of cuteness for the day!
BAM!!

The boyfriend and his niece...pretty damn cute, huh?!

Stay tuned tomorrow for part three of the MEGA 4TH SERIES: THE RACE!!!
Now I am off to work a 10 hour shift. I guess I'll cry all the way to the bank!
Have you ever been fishing? caught anything good?
Anyone do any races on the fourth?

Fourth of July Weekend: Part One

Thats right, this weekend was so JAM PACKED with activity that I have to split it up into several parts. Well, that and to add a little level of suspense to the blog! And just to keep you interested...there was hiking, picnicking, racing, and cute family pics.
SO lets get started...
Saturday night I got off from work, ran home and packed and we hit the road! Right when we got into we met up with some friends for the night.

Here is the boyfriend with some of his old friends from back home.

I was happy that my friend Kirsten showed up so that I wasn't the only girl!

I'm really good at taking centered pictures....NOT.

After a bit we were wiped out, so we called it a night and went home. The next morning the whole family woke up early to go hiking.

The whole family preparing for the hike.

The boyfriend with the kiddos.

Hiking up to the lake.

One of my favorite pictures from the hike.

So there is a little teaser for now...stayed tuned to see the pictures from the lake at the top and the picnic...oh yeah, and my awesome fishing skills!
Hope everyone else had a great Fouth of July weekend!