Back on the East Coast!

All of last week I was thoroughly enjoying being in the Pacific Northwest.  Great time with family, great time outdoors, awesome exploring, and amazing running views!  Here's the short and sweet run down --

We stayed in Eugene, Oregon where they have a bike/walking trail that goes something like 35 miles long!  I was too excited to get on there but it was extremely underused and went through some rough parts of town so thankfully my parents were walking behind me to keep me safe :) 

Another picture of the trail.  I LOVED the different scenery than I'm used to in Florida!  I went out for only about 3 miles but it quenched my desire to get out there and run.  

We did lots of hiking and exploring -- cross training?  I think so 

I was definitely huffing and puffing getting back up from the waterfall! 

Then we stayed at Cannon beach in Oregon for a couple nights.  I ran out 2 miles into town and then ran back to the hotel on the beach -- AMAZING!!

Have a great week!

My New Favorite Thing

       -Here's a hint-

















A few long runs ago my shoes were too tight/short and my one toe was throbbing for hours after we finished.  That day I thought it might help if I laid on my back and put my feet up to make it stop pulsing and it didn't really work for the pulsing but I kind of thought it felt amazing overall.  Since I had only done it once I completely forgot about it until my run on Tuesday (4 miles in the morning).  When I got back I felt super light headed so I laid on my back and put my legs up so I wouldn't faint.  Not only did it help me not faint, it reminded me of the bliss of having my legs up after a run.  All factors leading to my new favorite thing to do :) After I did it a couple times I googled it to see if it was a real thing and saw a few bloggers chatting about it but no real evidence that it's a real thing runners do.  Don't knock it til you try it!

This morning we did 6 miles downtown and "ran the bridges".  I had heard of this bridge running but never really had an opportunity so I was kind of excited to be able to say, "yea, this weekend we're running the bridges.."  Must be a Jacksonville thing.  It's partly on the riverside walk and two of the bridges in Jacksonville - Main street bridge and the Acosta bridge.  It was pretty awesome running along the water so early in the morning and the bridges were beautiful all lit up!

Approaching our first bridge!  This one was short and not too difficult.  The second bridge was much longer and took quite a bit more effort.  But man was the reward excellent being able to feel the breeze at the top of the bridge and run downhill - bliss.  Around the second bridge it started sprinkling and that helped keep us pretty cool but by the time we finished it was downright raining and cold.  I'll take cold over hot any day, though!

First bridge again and only other picture I got.  Pretty!  My friend was joking that Florida is so flat we don't run hills to train we run bridges.  

I'm trying to start planning my runs in Oregon next week!  I need a 14 mile and 8 mile run planned BEFORE I go or it will never happen.. haha.  

Happy running!

Marathon High Virtual Half Marathon

I completed my fourth half marathon and first virtual race this weekend!  The Galloway group that I train with is a sponsor for the Marathon High running program for high school students.  Naturally, all of us signed up for the virtual half and even though our training called for 12 miles we did 13.1 on Saturday.

On the left is my friend from my running group.  We made a pact when we first started back in July that we would stick together and she definitely stuck it out with me on Saturday and I'm so thankful! It was so difficult to complete I think I just utterly ran out of fuel.  I was so exhausted finishing up but as soon as I got home, ate a little, and relaxed I felt perfect.  

Pretty fun bling!  And it makes it even more special that one of the Marathon High high schoolers designed the medal himself.  Certainly not my best race, maybe even my worst but it was a feel good race and I'm glad I did it with my running group :) 

On an unrelated note, I'm currently addicted to Smart Water -- well, I have been for a while now.  I love that it has Magnesium (known to help with my frequent migraines, I take a Magnesium supplement every day so I figure it can't hurt to get some extra through water) and that it has electrolytes in it.  Plus, you can't deny the great taste.  My grocery right now is 50 cents off each bottle and 10 cents off per gallon when you buy ten = I'm buying 10 water bottles every few days to stock up.  Crazy water lady :) Not to mention, I have more water than food... hmm... 

Happy running this week! 

Finally Back!

I had a little hiatus because I got a computer virus a couple weeks ago and I'm still getting my stuff set up and loaded and favorited and all that good stuff.  In the meantime, last weekend we did a short 4 mile run including the Magic Mile again.  I really wasn't sure how I would do and yet I was disappointed in my time.  I wasn't feeling my best and my legs felt extra heavy.  (insert 5 more excuses here)  I ended up running my mile in 10:09.  A month or so ago when we first did it I ran it in 10:11 so I technically improved even if it was by only 2 seconds.  The main reason I was disappointed was because all and literally ALL the people in my group and the group slower were ahead of me the whole time and all finished at least 15-20 seconds faster than me.  I know it's an individual sport but it's pretty hard seeing your entire pace group run faster than you.

Last weekend I finally got a chance to go to Jacksonville Running Company and get fitted for new shoes.  My shoes that I got for my birthday were great but I got my normal size and I really should have gone a little bigger.  So after all the fitting, testing, running and comparing, I was able to choose between two colors - ugly grey and orange and neon OR bright blue and neon... after quite a tough decision I went with.....

They are SO not my style and very bold for me but they were the best fit and they were better than the grey ones.  So far, I love them!  Thank you Jax RC for all the help!

I'm trying to transition into running in the evening so that I don't have to run in the dark.  So on Tuesday I took my new shoes for a 4 mile test run and they rocked.  Thankfully, I didn't get soaked even though I was surrounded by storms!

My shoes were AWESOME - lots of room, very comfortable, and the neon glows in the dark!

Happy with my pace :)  Have a great day!