Tag Archives: running

Physically Same, Mentally Better

Today was just a great day in general. Had the same “oh wow I feel great” upon awakening, followed quickly by “just kidding” after 10-15 minutes of walking around at home. Oh well, I guess I should just expect this for awhile….mentally, though, I was in a much better place. At this point, I have grieved a loss-the loss of something I love-just temporarily. Now I’m ready to move to the step of taking action, which is exactly what I did today!

I went to see Nicole, Coach Susan’s PT this morning, who has been suggested time and time again by both her and Ari. I was hesitant to even start PT again so soon, because I thought it might aggravate things, but I have been pleasantly surprised! She started me out with some very simple, yet effective strengthening exercises. She said that a lot of runners that come to her (she pretty much only deals with runners) are to the point where they are waiving the white flag and will do absolutely anything they’re told-including taking months off of running-to get better. Ding ding ding! I told ya’ll that the other day didn’t I!? So I will be going three times a week indefinitely, and working my ass off in every way possible to get better.

I made some progress on my table today, as well:

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I finished the two coats of red on the top, and now just have to finish around the edges. I also started on the stain. I am going to have to do two coats of stain to get it even close to the darkness that I want. Ali is just thrilled to see me create my masterpiece, can’t you tell? I did get a tiny drop of red paint on the carpet…anyone have any ideas as to how I’m going to get that out? I have paint thinner!?? Will that disintegrate the carpet, too?? I’ll worry about that after I’m done with the table. For now, though. it’s coming along quite nicely, don’t’ you guys think?

I will be posting what was for dinner Wednesday tomorrow. It is 12:30am, and I don’t feel like being up until 2am. I will say it was very good, though! I can’t wait to share it with you!

I got some new toys for when I am able to run again tonight:

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They are sitting on a shelf in my room with a smiley face on the box to remind me of what’s yet to come Smile

Can you guys believe I was deciding between these??

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Nicole said she wanted me in neutral shoes when I start running again, so I took that as “Stacey-I think you should go buy a new pair of shoes. Today!” lol! The ones on the left are Newtons if you’re not familiar with what they look like. They have cushioning in the mid-foot, which I found to be very intriguing. The Asics just felt right, though. I always try on other brands, and the only ones that come close to the Asics are usually Brooks. These are the Asics Gel Nimbus. Thanks to Jared at Sole Sports for helping me out tonight! He seriously brought me like 12 pairs of shoes to try on. I love shoes. Running shoes…heels…flats….boots…flip flops…all of them. Open-mouthed smile 

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Look what else they had!! The new Watermelon and Cherry Limeade Nuun!! The Cherry Limeade one has caffeine….another thing in life that I love Open-mouthed smile. I tried the Watermelon one tonight, and it didn’t disappoint!

Here was dinner and dessert:

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Hawaiian Beans and Rice with grapes, mango and watermelon.

(Hint hint: That’s what was for dinner…Wednesday….)

I’m tired, can’t you tell? I’m going to shave my legs and climb into my warm comfy bed and read until I fall asleep. I will be praying that the tears in my hammies continue to mend themselves. Dreaming of running a half marathon in my new Nimbuses….

‘Til next time…

Happy Trails!

Stacey

Kentucky Derby Festival Mini-Marathon Recap

I got up at the crack of dawn (middle of the night Phoenix time) this morning to run 13.1 in my hometown!

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Here was the finish line being put up this morning

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(source: KDF Facebook page)

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Starting line potties!

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This was my tribute to Boston this race Smile

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These ladies had awesome shirts that they had made for their Boston tribute!

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(source: KDF Facebook page)

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(source: KDF Facebook page)

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Corral C where I started

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Lots of spectators at the starting line! Great way to get pumped up!

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My picture of the starting line. May not look like it, but it was perfect weather for a race!

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We got to run down Main St past the Yum Center!! (Where U of L BBall plays!)

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This girl’s sign said she “is getting hitched on Derby Day!” How cute!!

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There’s the girl running with the American flag-too cool!!

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I liked his shirt Smile

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Mile 3!!!

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Running through Old Louisville was beautiful!! So much green, I loved it!

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Heading into Churchill Downs through the tunnel

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The World Famous Twin Spires!!

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The grandstands

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Horses running on the track practicing for the Derby!!

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The split off of the marathon and the mini marathon-I’ve never been so glad in my life to take a left!!!

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Kevin Ware’s cardboard cutout was hanging out on the side of the road!

That was the last picture I took during the race because it was at around mile 10, and it was time to focus and dig deep.

The race was in general really great! I enjoyed it so much and plan to continue making it a yearly event! Hopefully making 26.2 miles happen next year!

My hamstring behaved for the most part the whole time. I was told by Devin that he would kick my ass if I looked at my Garmin during the race! He was concerned that I would push myself too hard if I kept looking at my pace. That’s what happened during PF Changs. I did look at my Garmin, but I didn’t let it dictate my pace. I tried to adjust it based on how my hamstrings were feeling. I was able to keep it around a 10 minute mile the entire time! I purposely pulled back several times because I started to notice that my right hamstring didn’t like me very much. It helped! I struggled once I got to around miles 9-10, because I started feeling the fact that I hadn’t run more than 4 miles at a time for like 2 months! I was able to pick up my pace once I hit mile 12. I held it at around 9:30-9:40 until I rounded the corner to the finish line, then I finished really strong. My pace on my Garmin when I crossed the finish line was a 7:41.

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It didn’t hurt then, but I am pretty sore now. It felt so good, though! After the race, I got my mylar (thought they only gave those out at fulls!?) and my medal, and found Mom and Dad.

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Before I found Mom and Dad, though, I saw a cutie that I just had to get a picture of! His name is Rafa! What an adorable Corgi! I took this pic to send to a special someone-you know who you are Winking smile

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Nice braids, Stace’!

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Love the Riverfront! Planning on a nice recovery run there tomorrow.

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How cute are they!! Front and back of their Team Stacey shirts they made!

Great job on the color and the design Mel! Great idea guys, I loved them!

I’m going to end with my new favorite race picture, taken by my sister:

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This shows how truly happy I was to have my amazing family there today to support me. I have never had family at a race before, and it felt so awesome and made me SO happy!! It just felt right today. Running in my hometown with my family there to support me, and actually pulling off a 2:19:30 to boot!! Wow what a day!

Now, I’m sore and my body hurts, so I am going to bed. It was all worth it, though. Hopefully, the next race recap I do will be a PR and I will be nursed back to health finally!

Thanks so much to my Mom and Dad and Mel and Johnnie for coming and cheering for me! Best race ever!! I love you all!!

Happy Trails!

Stacey

Running 13.1 in My Old Kentucky Home

I’m on the plane right now somewhere over Texas on my way to Louisville just thinking about how cool it’s going to be to run a race in my hometown tomorrow.

I was (imagine this) running late this morning to the airport , and couldn’t find a spot anywhere in the east economy parking lot. One of the security ladies told me there were spots in the NW corner of the lot, so I went there. I saw a spot, and immediately said “thank you God!!!” and took it! Then, some lady that had been sitting there, blocking the road with her car lolly gagging, talking to someone in another car, and taking her sweet time proceeded to yell at me and say something like “she had been waiting for that spot for 10 minutes” (it was just some gibberish, I don’t know) and called me a bitch and drove away. All I can really say about that is you snooze, you lose, and have a great day wallowing in your misery. Then, the guy driving the shuttle told me that he was an unbiased bystander, not to let her ruin my day, and that she was totally out of line. So there! People have issues….me? I’m on a plane to run another race, I’m so excited, and I’m not going to let her steal my thunder!

Then, I got to the check-in, told the lady I thought I wasn’t going to make my flight, and she said “You might make it! If you don’t, well put you on stand-by for the next one so don’t worry!” I checked my bag, said a prayer that it makes it so I don’t have to run naked in just my running shoes tomorrow, and ran up to security. I took my shoes off in line, and a guy said something funny to me about it, and I told him I was running late. The lady at the front of the line motioned for me to go to the front ahead of her, and I said “thank you so much! I love you!!” I made it through security, and ran to the gate still holding my running shoes! Turns out, they were running about 15-20 minutes behind, so I got really lucky! I got to board with my group (group A!! woo hoo!)) and made it in plenty of time.

So that has been my morning so far. Hopefully, this day continues to be calm like it has since I sat down. I got an aisle seat because I‘m that person who has to pee every  5 minutes and I hate being annoying! I think we are about halfway there right now if I’m doing my math right. I’m going straight to the expo to pick up my packet when I land, then going home to have a quick carb-full dinner, and crash ASAP. The race starts at 7:30am, which is actually 4:30am AZ time. It’s going to be a rough one!

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I found this on a Facebook page that I follow, and it absolutely hit home for me. Thank God life is this way for me now. I am a perfectionist, and have always had trouble being patient and letting things slowly get to the way they are supposed to be, or slowly improve with hard work. This is pertinent to many areas of my life now. I just love it!

Yesterday, I got a couple of keys made for my apartment so my awesome new pet sitter can have one! I now have the coolest house key on the block, kids:

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Speaking of pets, Ali was laying in the middle of my bedroom floor this morning looking especially “loaf of bread-ish”

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It’s like she knows when I am packing that something weird is going on, and she doesn’t like it Luckily, I’m not going to be gone for too long this time, and then I have several more days off to hang with her Smile

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This is what happens when I eat clementines. Ali knows it and wants some for herself.

This post is so random! Maybe I’ll actually tell you guys a little bit about the race tomorrow. So it is the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and Mini Marathon (a.k.a. half marathon.) It starts around Waterfront Park along the Louisville riverfront, goes through Churchill Downs (the full goes all the way out to Iroquois Park) and comes back to the finish around the same area as the start. Essentially an out and back.

 

I SO wish I was doing the full! I know it sounds crazy, but I was really hoping to be able to come home to the Ville to do my first 26.2. I wonder what would happen if I just switched and left all reservations behind and did it? Oh yeah….I might have to crawl after mile 15 and end up with no hamstrings attached. Damn….not this time.

However, it will be this time:

NYCM 2013 Acceptance

Second time’s going to be a charm, I know it! Smile

On that note, we are landing soon, so I have to go. I’ll be taking plenty of pictures tomorrow and will post them soon!

Happy Trails!

Stacey

9th Annual Pat’s Run Recap

This past Saturday, I ran the 9th Annual Pat’s Run. This was my second year running it. It is such a cool race, because it ends by running into ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium and running across the 42 yard line!

The race was on 4/20, and I saw this hilarious meme on Facebook:

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Mind you it doesn’t apply to me, because I don’t have a stash, nor do I wish to have one. I still laughed out loud, though!

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Here was my stuff laid out the night before. Thanks again Mom and Dad for the early birthday present!!

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Loved this guy! He was nice enough to let this random weird girl take his picture for her random weird blog! Smile There were all kinds of people sporting Boston stuff at the race. It was awesome.

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Starting corrals and porta potties. I love the huge Tillman banner!

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At this point, I’m a little bit nervous because I’m not sure how my hamstring is going to hold up. I am super excited at the same time, though, because I haven’t run a (regular) race since I think January. What a great feeling to be out there again! (Actually I ran Ragnar in Feb)

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I got a few good pictures while I was running.

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I love it when pictures really show how big of a mass of people are running the race with you. Look closely at the picture at the horizon. Those are all people. To cool, huh? I wanna say that around 27,000 people ran this race. It is a huge race for Phoenix with a lot of sentimentality involved.

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Finish line in Sun Devil Stadium.

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It definitely didn’t hurt that I got to high five the entire ASU football team as I approached the finish line! Winking smile

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I met up with almost all of the BTB crew that ran the race afterwards.

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I also met up with Devin and CeRae after the race. This was CeRae’s first race, and he and Devin got to run it together! Such a cool day for them! They kicked ass and took names, too! Ready for another one yet, CeRae??

After the race was over, I headed to work to work my 8 hours, then crashed hard! What an awesome and exhausting day! I never let a day of work stop me from running a good (relatively short) race!

I am currently working on my playlist for the KDF Half Marathon this weekend For those of you who wonder why I insist on calling it a half marathon even when it’s officially called a mini-marathon, here’s my beef: There is nothing MINI about 13.1 miles dammit!!!!! Ok, I’m done Smile.

I can’t wait to come to The ‘Ville again and run a race in my home town!! Who out there is running this race? The half? The full? Leave me a comment below so I know who to look for!

Happy Trails!

Stacey

Boston Strong Sole Sports Tempe

An amazingly cool thing happened all over the country tonight. One week after the Boston Marathon tragedy, hundreds of thousands (or more!??) runners all over the country got together in their respective groups and ran for Boston.

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Tonight, I met a couple hundred runners at Sole Sports in Tempe where we gathered, had a moment of silence, then listened to a beautiful rendition of God Bless America played live on a cello before we ran.

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We did what we do to honor the fallen and injured that were doing what they do. One of our runners carried an American flag, and we got plenty of beeps and cheers from cars passing by on Rural. It was too cool!

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I absolutely love my girls!! Running brought us together. Running gave me a new passion in life. Running gave me a family that is unspoken, but always there even when I feel like I’m alone.  Running has given me experiences I’ll never forget!

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My Team Chances teammate and friend Michelle and I before the run.

We talked tonight about how this year, we want to take the family that we helped out on Staten Island out to dinner when we go back for NYCM 2013. How cool is that!? I love the idea Michelle! Let’s do it!!

Tonight was just awesome! I am really starting to get excited about the KDF Half Marathon this weekend! I am confident that I can finish in one piece. I won’t be finishing in an impressive time. I’ll save the impressive times for when I am healthy. This weekend is just for fun! Yes kids, I run 13.1 miles for fun. You know what they say about women who run ridiculous numbers of miles just for fun, right??

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After every good run comes an equally good bowl of FroYo Winking smile

Tell me about your Boston Strong running experiences!

Happy Trails!!

Stacey

Last Night in The Ville

I’m just sitting here with my parents stuffed off of a veggie pizza from Wick’s. It was excellent!!

Today was a sad, but a good day as well We had Grandpa’s mass this morning, and it was beautiful. I held it together until they placed the American flag over him, then some tears fell. It was great to see my old church and what they have done with it. It is beautiful! The new (to me) pastor is my Grandma’s second cousin, which made things much more personal for her. He was really good and did a great job talking about Grandpa and telling us to “not let out hearts be troubled.”

Here are Mel and Mom and I after the service and lunch:

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Here’s Mel and Johnnie looking nice all dressed up!

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After the service, I went to Walgreens to see my old Wag family. I got to see Joni my pharmacy Mom, Terri, Ann, Jeremy, Ross and Karen.

Then, I went to Tumbleweed to get a little snackypoo that I have to get every time I come home:

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Liquid heaven from Tumbleweed….good thing I don’t live here anymore!

What happens when there’s not a FroYo place down the street?

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I have to tell Mom she’s going to have to buy another box of Skinny Cow!

Sorry Mom!! I have eaten 5, and plan to eat the last one tonight! We’ll go have FroYo when you’re in town and you’ll finally understand….Winking smile

I had to share this pic I took today on my way home for those of you that are not from this area to illustrate the rivalry between University of Louisville and University of Kentucky:

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It’s a little bit hard to see, but the guy on the left has a U of L shirt on and he’s “pottying” on UK.  The rivalry is as big, if not bigger than ASU/U of A for those of you friends that went to either. Thanks random car for the use of your sticker!

I leave tomorrow at about 10:40am and arrive in Phx around 11:40am. It always sucks that it takes an extra hour to fly west against the flow of the weather, but gaining the time is great!! That is, if I end up getting on the flight I picked since I am flying standby. I freed up my entire day just in case my plans don’t work out accordingly. I am so excited to see my Turdlet!!!!

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My amazing neighbors Shasta and Jason are watching her for me. All of my friends that I asked to watch her said they would, and I am so grateful for their willingness! Thanks again Karen and Susan for being willing to watch her!!

Although it has been so nice to see family and friends that I haven’t seen in WAY too long, I am already missing the home and life I have made for myself in AZ! Yes, I got divorced, so I technically am alone with regards to family in Phoenix. However, I have truly made a life for myself and have such amazing friends now that I consider my Arizona family. I know my parents probably don’t want to hear this, but I am happy in AZ and don’t plan to move back to Indiana anytime soon. I do want to try to make it back to visit more often, though! I can’t wait to be back and prepare an amazing time for Mom and Dad when they come to visit next week! We are going to hike South Mountain and Camelback,  and run/walk Tempe Beach Park and Ahwatukee, and it’s going to be so much fun!!

Next time I’m here in Kentuckiana, I will be running the Derby Festival Half Marathon! Woo hoo!! Keep these broken hammies in your prayers, please, they need it.

Hope ya’ll are having a great week, and I’ll talk atcha soon!

Happy Trails!

Stacey

Hometown Love

I woke up early with my parents this morning to go running at the riverfront in Louisville. They took me to Waterfront Park and the Big Four Bridge, which is a really popular place to workout.

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The Indiana side isn’t complete yet, so we started on the Louisville side and turned around right here. It is set to be complete and open in the Fall of 2013.

I ran a little over 4 miles in 43 or so minutes. It was a nice relaxed run with mild pain. I did rest a few times, but not for too long. Just enough time to get some good pics!

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For those of you not from the Ville, this is the Yum Center, where Louisville plays basketball! It is right on the riverfront in downtown Louisville.

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Mom and Dad and I at the top of the ramp of the Big Four Bridge.

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Representin’ BTB in The Ville!!

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Please allow me to introduce you to Lil’ Bit. My rental car. My Dad says that when he grows up, he’ll be a car. Reminds me a little bit of:

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Grandpa looked so peaceful today. I haven’t seen him look so peaceful in a long time. It was actually comforting rather than disturbing,  surprisingly. Usually these things leave me with anxiety, but not as much as I expected today.  Look at the beautiful candle they made for him:

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Such a beautiful candle with a great picture of him!  I had to share it with you guys Smile

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Mel, my sister and Mom and I having a silly moment today Winking smile

This evening, I met my friend Eric and his girlfriend Allie out for dinner at Proof at 21c hotel downtown. Check out the ride I saw parked on the corner of 7th and Main on my way there!

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I know, rieeeeght?? It’s actually a limo, but that’s all that I could get to fit in my camera while I was stopped at the light. That’s one classy ride!

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Lobby of 21c

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Their famous penguin that they have on top of the building and everywhere throughout. (I LOVE penguins!!!!!)

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Allie, Eric and I walking around the art gallery after dinner

It was excellent food and atmosphere! I had their pork chop, and it was the most tender pork chop I think I’ve ever had. The art gallery was pretty cool, too! I definitely recommend that you check it out of you’re ever in this neck of the woods.

Today ended up being a sad, but a comforting day after all. It was wonderful to see so many family members and friends that I haven’t seen in so long. I just pray that my Grandma hangs in there and is ok. Keep her in your prayers please Smile.

One more pretty cool thing to end the day was this:

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Pretty badass if you ask me! #L1C4

Happy Trails,

Stacey

I Survived The Mud!! Or what mud there was…

Ever been to a race in AZ where they run out of water at 2 of the 4 aid stations?? I have! It was called Rogue Runner and it was today! How do you seriously run out of water at aid stations of a 6 mile obstacle race in Arizona and just say “sorry.” Really? At one point, I was parched, and when I got to the first aid station with water at mile 3, I guzzled two large glasses. Best. Water. Ever.

Other than that issue, the race went fine! According to others racing, other similar races (Tough Mudder, Spartan, etc) are way better. I have nothing to compare it to, so I’ll just say it was fun! I would definitely do another mud run now. I am no longer scared of mud or water or climbing walls or anything of the sort. I actually made the last obstacle my bitch! I’ll show a picture of it at the end.

Here are Megan and I before:

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Honestly, not my favorite picture of myself, but there were only two taken the entire race-so it is what it is. Posture, Stacey, posture. Work on it.

Here we are afterwards:

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We are two badass little ladies, yes we are! We ran almost the entire thing! It was basically a hilly trail run with obstacles about every quarter mile or so. The mud component was actually very minimal. I have seen people much muddier than this at the end of a mud run!

Some of the obstacles they had were climbing a wall with pegs that slipped out if you weren’t careful, going over and under walls, climbing up a rope net to the top of a cliff, a balance beam up and down a wall, going through a huge dumpster full of water and swimming under the wooden dividers, a teeter totter where you ran up and then down the other side, and scooting across muddy wet ground under barbed wire. Oh, and there was the water slide. That was my favorite!!

The last obstacle was a really high wall with diagonal planks that you could run up to get to the top if you were lucky enough to make it up. Here are the pics I promised:

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I walked my little self up the diagonal plank and grabbed onto a crack in the wall, grabbed the rope loop and pulled myself up with no help! Woo hoo! Once you were up there at the top, it was cake. Then we ran across the finish line and got these:

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We also got really cute shirts!

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One more medal to add to my growing collection!

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Next medal you ask!?? The Kentucky Derby Festival Half Marathon!!!!!

Please take my advice and if you ever do one of these runs, wear sunscreen….

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Whoopsie!! I kinda forgot about that part….I put some on for the drive home! (Riding topless can get ya burnt realllly fast!) Better late than never I guess….that’s going to hurt tomorrow….

So I would give this race a 6/10. I would’ve given it a 7 or 7.5 had it not been for them RUNNING OUT OF WATER!!!! I’m sure they’ll never hear the end of it from people,and will hopefully come better prepared to AZ next year.

What mud/obstacle course races have you done??

Would you recommend any particular one to do over others??

What’s your next race?

Happy Trails!

Stacey

Rogue Running

Today, I am taking the mud plunge for the first time! I am scared and excited at the same time. My awesome friend and fellow AZ Blogger Megan will be there with me all the way! When I say mud, I mean:

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There’s going to be a lot of mud and a lot of water apparently. Check out this link to see the rest of the obstacles!

I am looking most forward to this one at the end:

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This is something I said I never had an interest in doing, so I am excited to share with you guys how I like it. Stay tuned for a recap coming very soon Smile

Happy Trails!

Stacey

The Mind is a Powerful Thing

I finally got a decent run in last night after being nervous all weekend to run on this damn hamstring. I went out for an 8 mile long run, and ended up finishing 5. I did run on a hilly route, though, and I’m not in the best running shape ever. It was rough! Getting back into shape and coming off of/still nursing an injury together is not fun. It felt great to get more miles under my belt than I have in awhile, though.

I seriously sulked during the afternoon yesterday until I just sucked it up and went out and ran. It is amazing what the mind will do to you. I was almost depressed because it feels like I have been injured forever! I know things could be worse, but this is the slowest injury to heal. One little overuse episode will set you back half of the time you have already spend trying to heal. I’ve realized that running is a part of me now. When I can’t do it, I feel like I don’t have control over my fitness and health. It sounds dramatic, but when you find something you love that has done so much for you, losing it (even temporarily) is tough!

I had a good talk with Coach Susan today about what is going on, and she encouraged me to continue being patient. She’s been where I am and completely understands where I am coming from. Believe it or not, a month ago, I wanted to try and PR at the KY Derby Half. Today, I intelligently decided that wasn’t a realistic goal for me at this point. I will be lucky just to run it and not completely crumble. I do know, though, that I am perfectly capable of running a decent half marathon even if I don’t PR. The key is to have a plan, and to listen to my coach. It should be an amazing time getting to run in my hometown among old and new friends alike. The race goes through Churchill Downs! I can’t wait!

Tonight, I got in a decent strength workout, which is way more than I can usually say for the night between two 12 hour shifts at work. Here’s what I did:

2X

10 bicep curls (8lb dumbbells)

10 push-ups (8lb dumbbells)

10 hammer curls (8lb dumbbells)

10 chest flys (8lb dumbbells)

20 tricep dips

10 forward shoulder raises (5lb dumbbells)

10 lateral shoulder raises (5lb dumbbells)

Then, (1X) 25 sit-ups, and 15 squats, 15 dead lifts, and 20 kettle bell swings with 15lb kettle bell.

I miss going to yoga! I was starting to really notice a change in my upper body strength. I haven’t been since I re-tweaked the injury, so I’ve been a little bit apprehensive about it. The key is to slow down even more when I’m tired so I don’t go off balance and get sloppy like I did in that last class. I have a three day weekend coming up, so I plan on hitting the mat again for sure!

Anyway, I am tired and heading off to bed. I am not spell checking this because I am tired, so my apologies in advance for grammar and/or spelling errors. Happy Thursday (“Friday” for me!!!) and I’ll talk to you all very soon Smile

Happy Trails!

Stacey