Strava

I have a problem.  I am very competitive.

Sometimes this is a good thing because I will push myself harder.  Sometimes it's a bad thing because I have no business being competitive when I'm really just a mom and being a runner doesn't matter.  I say this because sometimes how fast or slow I am can be tied to my self esteem.

Sad, but true.

So there's the honesty in the post for the day!

My friend Breona introduced me to an app called Strava.  Have you heard of this?  I at first had no interest because I still love my computer I strap to my arm (AKA my Garmin 305), but then she told me about segments.

A segment is a stretch of road that keeps track of other Strava users times and pits them against each other.  One person will have a course record, and then it will number the rest 2nd through 10th place.

This is bad for me!  The competition!!!

But it's oh so fun.  Last night Bre and I went out to run a specific segment.  And guess what!

 It is also fun to use to cheer your friends on because you know exactly what course they are running out there!

So check it out, find me, and let's run together!

PS- I spy my other favorite fitness app, Nike Training Club.  What's your favorite fitness app?

Get Up and Run

Ever since I started training again after I had Paige, it has been extremely difficult for me to get up in the morning. I say this, and my baby sleeps really well compared to a lot of others!

If you are tired and feel like you'd rather die than wake up for an early morning run, then you are not alone. I am recommitting myself to early morning runs! Here's how I plan to do it. 

1- Make a plan. Schedule it in! Set an alarm on my phone- multiple if I have to. 

2- Contact a running partner so I have a face to greet me in the cold, dark morning. 

3- Lay out my gear the night before. 

4- GO TO BED. I have a tendancy to stay up until midnight. From now on, the TV is off at ten and I will head to bed. 

What helps you get up in the morning?

Play it safe- and that one time when I got really freaked out on a run...

I am a road runner.

Besides worrying about my pace, I also have to worry about cars.  I've had a couple of close encounters- both of which occurred at night.  Running on the road means you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times.  Here are a couple of rules I follow:

1. At night, always wear a reflective vest, blinking LED tail light, and a head lamp.  You need to see where you are going, and cars need to see you.
2. If you listen to music, keep it down.  It's a good idea to leave one ear bud out, and keep the volume low enough that you can hear cars (or people, or dogs) that may be coming up on you.
3. Run facing traffic.  This typically means the left side of the road.  If you are facing the cars, you can make eye contact with the drivers- do it!  You can also see if you may need to bail off the road at the last minute for some reason.

Besides worrying about cars, you also need to worry about people.  Not far from where I live there is a trail where several women have been attacked while out running.  I feel pretty safe in my little town, but there are still times where I have been afraid.

A couple of weeks ago I was running with my friend Audra.  We were way out in the country, and there was no moon so it was really dark. We were running up the road and a car was coming towards us.  All of a sudden it stops- in the middle of the road- turns off, and then the driver turns off their lights.  Audra and I immediately stopped and started booking it in the other direction.

The driver started the car, drove closer to us, and then did it again.  Next thing we hear is someone saying, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!"

I screamed back, "WELL, YOU DID!!!!!!"

I was so glad that I wasn't alone, and that I had my mace.  My biggest regret was that neither of us brought our phone!  We were so freaked out that we cut our run short and headed home.

When running I would always be sure to protect yourself by:

1. Bringing a phone.  You never know if you may need help- from a sprained ankle to a more serious threat.
2. Carrying mace.  Heck!  If nothing else you may need it for a dog!
3. When possible, run with a partner.  There is always strength in numbers.
4. Always tell someone your route and when to expect you home.

RRR Park City

This past Saturday I got the chance to run a relay race that started and ended in my happy mountain valley:  Red Rock Relay Park City!

This was my first relay race since Wasatch Back 2012, and I was stoked to be running it.  With a nursing baby, a one day relay was just what the doctor ordered.  The specs were as follows-

70 miles

1 van

6 runners

2 legs each

S-C-E-N-I-C

Our team came together pretty randomly, so it was fun to get to know some new friends along our 12 hour journey.

Runner 1 was Leslee- She started us off at 6:10 AM at a balmy 28*. Runner 1 ran a total of 10.4 miles.

She handed off to me- runner 2!  My first leg was 3.85 miles through town.  It was slightly uphill with a total elevation gain of 227 feet.  After my frozen legs thawed, I was able to pick up the pace a bit finishing with a 7:41 average.

My second leg was a toughie.  Suffice it to say that I was humbled, my legs were trashed, and I gained a new found respect for trail runners after running 10.2 miles on a trail around Jordanelle Reservoir. Every time I started to really struggle, I would remind myself to LOOK UP.  I was so lucky to run this beautiful stretch- with three little kids I don't often get alone time, and I was so blessed to be able to do what I loved and enjoy some peace.

I finished the leg with a 9:46 average.  With 1600 feet in gain and nearly 1500 feet in elevation loss, Red Rock gave out medallions to the runners that completed this leg- it was an awesome surprise and well earned!

Runner 3 was my favorite Mindy- she is sooo little and sooo cute :)!  Mindy ran a total of 14.95 miles.

Runner 4 was a new friend!  Amy had recently had surgery, but was a total trooper and ran 8.5 miles including a killer stretch halfway up a mountain in Park City.  How in the world I didn't end up with a solo picture of her baffles me!  Sorry, Amy!

Runner 5 was another new face- Holly.  She was incredible to have on the team!  #1 Cheerleader for sure!  Holly ran a total of 8.7 miles and finished the challenging top climb to Guardsman's Pass.

Breona- the one and only Coach Carter- wrapped up our crew as she rocked it up and down mountainous climbs.

We all loved the relaxed atmosphere, the camaraderie of all the teams, and the challenging course that Red Rock Relay Park City brought for us.

RRR sold the race saying, "Have you been dreaming of a relay that will push your athleticism, pump you full of team spirit, and still allow you to get a normal night of sleep? Well, THIS IS IT, BABY! Red Rock Relay is bringing the chill running party style you know and love to Park City, Utah!"  It was 100% accurate.

This is a race that I will definitely be doing again!

Team "Desperate for a Party!"

Breona, Amy, Holly, Leslee, Mindy, Amylee