I've been thinking...and planking

Tuesday- 4 mile run (37 min), plank (1min, 3sec)
Wednesday- 17 mile bike (1:07), plank a day (1min, 4sec) 

I had some things on my mind this morning and even though I knew I wasn't going to have a lot of time to workout, I knew I had to fit it in.  I needed to get outside, break a sweat and hash some things out in my head. 
That got me thinking.  Scary, I know.  Stay with me.
How did I get to this place?  The place where a morning ride or run was just what I needed to clear my head or find my happy.
When did I get past the "OH MY GOSH, I'm dying, make it stop!" part?
I don't really know.  Is that weird?
It seems like I should have had a moment.  An aha! moment,
or a light bulb going off or something.....
So, I don't know when it happened but I'm glad it did.  I'm grateful that I found a way to clear my head, let off some steam and find some peace.
It's takes time and consistency to get past the running/biking sucks....every...stinkin...time...phase but good golly it is worth it.

So I guess the whole point of this is.... if you are in the OMGoodness this sucks stage, keep going.
It gets better.  Promise.
Phew, deep thoughts this morning on the bike and this was after I solved all the things that were buggin me.
Can you imagine if I would have had time for a long ride?
Probably world peace.

Disclaimer: this does not mean that you won't have some this sucks, let me take a bad selfie to prove it type days, you will.  You need to, but that's a whole nother post.

Can we talk about this jersey a minute?
Of course we can.
Remember when I did the Esprit de She and they gave us those nifty jerseys instead of a race shirt?  Well, they also gave us a discount to buy one.  Discount=free in my book.  Todd hates when I do math.
Anyway, I was pretty sure I needed one with stripes.  Cause.... who doesn't.
I love what Moxie Cycling is doing for women's jerseys. 

Can I get an Amen!!  SO cute.
Legit pockets, built in support.
Win. Win!
I also saw a lady wearing her Moxie jersey during the trail run last weekend.  Hellooo.  Pockets!  Smart lady.  She was probably carrying an oxygen tank in there. ;-)
The only draw back is, I feel it's a little too tight on the neck.  It needs to be cut a bit lower back there or something.  I hope it will loosen up a bit with more use.  Which means I should probably ride my bike more, which will probably end in world peace.
Win and Win!
Again.

Please tell me that's the jersey hanging low!
Abs!  Are you in there?

And just to keep awkward.  I started planking.  Everyday.  I hate it.
Buuuuut if I keep it up I am sure......
World peace. *insert angels singing

I've been inspired by all the Instagram peeps who plank for 234 minutes a day.
Everyday.
And instead of whining about my weak core I'm gonna plank about it.  
Let's see how I do.
Wanna join me?  Misery loves company!
Come on lets get our plank on.  

Gapin in the Aspen 15k

Saturday- 15k (1:41) 
Monday-1400 yd swim, 1 hr weight class

So Missy, how do you feel about Gaspin in the Aspen?

I freakin LOVE IT!!  
This wasn't an easy race and it was full of annoying issues for me but I loved every gaspin minute of it!
Loved it like I love cupcakes!
You all know that is serious.

 Saturday morning I rolled out of my sleeping bag around 6:30am and walked the 100 steps over to packet pickup.
It was pretty stressful.  Heehee
I walked all the way back to the tent, phew, and had my morning coffee with a peanut butter bagel.  
I don't think I have ever had such a relaxing race morning.  It was lovely.
Despite the chill race vibe I was still freaking out a bit.
The race announcer's pep talk was something about paying  attention where you are going, don't follow the butt in front of you they may be going the wrong way and there are places where there isn't really a trail so you need to pay attention.
Paying attention isn't really my strong suit ;-)
Commence freak out.
Check.
I didn't have to long to fret before the gun went off and we were all underway.
Once I get moving I always feel better.

Flagstaff is really dry right now so the dirt trails were duuuuusty! Kinda like this.

source

Well, it felt like that anyway ;-)
Once we headed up into the trees the dust died down a bit, thank goodness. 
I didn't look at my Garmin the whole race, except to check distance.  My goal was to keep my breathing under control so I could enjoy the race.
Speaking of breathing.....I have never ran a race where everyone sounded like they were sprinting to the finish in the first mile.  Lots of huffin and puffin!
Also no one was talking.  At all.  The whole race.
That was weird to me but I guess you gotta conserve oxygen right?

The first climb seemed to drag on forever.  I walked a few times when I could feel my breathing getting crazy and my heart beating out of my chest.

I knew I should have packed an oxygen tank ;-)

Mile 3 I started looking for a pit stop.  GAH!  Is there anything worse than needing to use the restroom during a race?

Ironman?  Yes.  Every other distance?  No!  

But when you gotta to go you gotta to go.

By mile 4 every bush and tree was looking like a reasonable spot to stop ;-/

Around mile 5......there it was.  A porta-potty in the middle of the forest!  *cue angels singing

Do you believe in miracles?

I do.

Before the pit stop I felt like I was just starting to  falling into a groove and my breathing was feeling pretty darn good, after the pit stop I felt like I was starting all over.
It didn't help that the porta potty was right at the base of a climb.  I needed a running start at that baby and I wasted it at the pit stop. ;-)
Once I got to the top it was a nice downhill which helped get me back into a groove and get my breathing under control.
Then the downhill drug on and I developed a side stitch.  What the?
So the rest of the race went like this.  Uphill, no side stitch.  Downhill, side stitch.  
Lame.
Talk about stealing my thunder.
But honestly this race is so beautiful I don't think anything could have really stole my thunder.
I had a few ups and downs, a side stitch and a pit stop but my legs felt amazing all day!  I think they love running on dirt and pine needles.
I know I did.
I thought I would come in around the 1:30 mark so I was a bit disappointed when I saw the clock but I can't be all that bummed cause this race was amazing.
This was my first legit trail run and my first run at 8000+ elevation! *fist pump

Photo cred goes to
Mr.Ryan(trail map maker extraordinaire)

This picture about sums it up.  So happy my heart is smiling.  
And slightly pounding outside my chest :-)

Photo cred goes to
Mr.Zucchini Runner

I have no idea why I would airplane it in.
Lack of oxygen I suppose. 

Photo cred goes to
Mr.Zucchini Runner

I loved this run.  Did I already say that?

Maybe it was the fresh air, the quietness of the forest, or the chirping birds or maybe I'm a little homesick and this place feels like home but whatever it was this race left me jubilant<---used the thesaurus *high five

Photo cred, Ryan Russell 

Major bonus my baby did his first race!!  So proud!

Photo cred Ryan Russell

These two raced hard and even though they are seasoned vets, I'm still proud.
The kids got real race bibs, a ribbon and a juice box.
They were most stoked about the juice box ;-)  

Photo cred goes to
Mr.Zucchini Runner

I didn't expect to know anyone at this race so I was pleasantly surprised to run into some cool girls from the valley.  Right to left it's Corine the Zucchini Runner, Danielle who I follow on the daily mile and Corine's friend and my newest friend Amy ;-)
These ladies showed up and took all my oxygen kicked some major booty!  It was a ton of fun hanging out with these cool ladies.
I think we are already registered for next year!

Afterwards there was some celebrating!  Thanks for the beer Ryan!  I think beer tastes better in the woods and with less oxygen.  I'm sure their is a scientific explanation.

And then there was some major scrubbing.  Trail runners are dirty.
I like it!

New shirt for the win!

I'm gonna be Gaspin!

Wednesday-14.7 mile ride (59min) Quick easy ride.
Thursday-5.6 mile trail run (1:06) <---Whoa, check out that speed!
That's an 11:47 average pace for those a little slow in the math department like yours truly.  We hit some major climbs today and by hit I mean walked.  My legs were not feeling it.  

Maybe they were exhausted from watching Spirit of the Marathon 2 last night?  It's a scientific fact you can get tired watching a marathon.
I think.
Better not quote me on that.  The only true testament I have is that yesterday I watched a marathon on the big screen and today my legs were tired.  Seems my hypothesis was proven but you'll have to ask a real scientist. 
Did anyone see the movie?  What did ya think?
Honestly I thought is was a bit boring.  There were some good parts and some touching parts but overall I found it dull.  I loved the 1st one but this one was too sleepy.  Maybe it was the subtitles, I don't know.  I would love to know what you thought. 
So anyway, after crawling my marathon watching legs up the hills today that trail running high I have been on these last few week?
Gone.

Just kidding.  Today was definitely a challenge though.  I think my legs are feeling a little beat up from all the trail running and today it was 85 degrees at 5:15 in the morning!  That's before the sun was up.  Blech, here it comes.  :-(  

I'm taking a rest day tomorrow and hopefully I'll get some pep back in my step.

source

Cause Saturday I'm racing the Gaspin in the Aspen 15k up in Flagstaff!  I seriously don't know what I was thinking when I signed up for this.  I was probably drunk, full of endorphins, high off a good race looking for something fun to do to get out of this heat.  
Why something with the name Gaspin in the title struck me as fun I have no idea.
I live at about 1,300 feet elevation and this race starts at 8,000 feet.  Sounds like a gaspin good time to me!
Not gonna lie this is stupid scares me a lot little.

It's gonna be fine though right? 
Do one thing everyday that scares you.  Check!
My race plan is as follow-
1. Pray I don't die
2. Don't get lost
3. Pack oxygen tank
4. Don't fall down
5.Conserve oxygen, it is limited up there and I don't want to run out 
6.Watch for bears
7. Don't feed the bears
8. Take cool pictures for my readers, I love you guys
9. Don't spend any time with the paramedics 
10. Have fun! <---that's why I sighed up, right?  Yeah, I'm still not sure either.

Oh, did I mention I'll be camping with the crazies.
I seriously need to get my head examined.
Wish me luck!

Loving the trails and Pinterest

Saturday- 1300yd swim
Sunday-5.6 mile trail run (54min)
Monday-rest
Tuesday-6.4 mile trail run (1:01)
Hey!  Lets talk about Moab!  
Haha just kidding.

Let's talk about my new found love of trail running!  

I live in close proximity to so many trails but I have yet to explore them.  *hangs head in shame
I'm really glad I decided to get out there and finally try some trail running.

Cause I freakin love it!!  I love hearing the sound of my feet hitting the dirt and nothing else.
The stillness you get out in the desert does something inside you, I don't know what exactly, it feels like unicorns, rainbows and puppies, I like it.
It's a whole new world out there and I'm stoked to explore more of it.  

My baby boy turned 4 today.  
I never have to stop calling him my baby though, right?  

We had a pool party today to celebrate these two.  Little miss turns 7 next week but her brother will be at camp so we did a twofer today so everyone can be here to celebrate.
I wonder how long I can get away with one party for two kids?
Hopefully a few more years because two parties in two weeks makes me feel tired. 

A summer birthday in Arizona means you can have a pool party or a pool party.
If that doesn't work out you have to have a pool party ;-)
We went with a pool/Hawaiian party theme.   

Flip flop cookies and Jello ocean cups.  Thank you Pinterest.
What did moms do before Pinterest?

I made some Hawaiian pork to serve on Hawaiian rolls, macaroni salad and of course fruit kabobs to round out the meal.
The cupcakes, you knew that was coming, were a simple chocolate cake with a vanilla bean buttercream.  
I topped them with toasted coconut, ground graham crackers with pineapple/cherry umbrellas and a few had Wilton paper flowers on top. 
Not pictured were some with blue tinted frosting and Swedish fish "swimming" in it.
They were so simple to put together despite a bit of trouble with a hot kitchen and a too soft buttercream, rookie mistake and looked super cute on the cupcake stand.
Simple and cute for the win!

Then I survived this and live to tell about it.

You think they saw this on Pinterest?

Moab, still

Thursday- 17 mile ride (1hr)
Friday- 6 mile trail run (58min)

 Thursday I jumped in with a local riding group.  I forgot how fast, fun and scary it is riding with a pack.  Wheeeee...  

Today I headed out for some trail running.  I'm just full of big adventures lately!  I want to do more trail running but I don't know my way around the trail systems here that well.

Good thing I have friends that will show me where to go and draw me quality maps.  I think his directions were-stay left except for the first turn, then go right, unless you enter here, then go left and then stay right.  
Thanks for clearing that up Ryan, no way I can get lost now.

Back to Moab!  Yes, still Moab.  It was epic I tell ya!
The race was held directly across the road from the trailhead to Corona Arch.
Ya know, the one on YouTube.  

Crazy, right?
So of course we had to hike up there and check it out! 

 I mean how hard can it be? 

Wait?  How far is this hike?  Race schmace.  We got this.

There it is!

 And there are people on top!  Oooo, wonder if they are gonna swing!

 YEP!! Crazy!! 
I would never in a million years do that but it was cool to watch and listen to the guys when they finished.
Their voices were dripping with adrenaline and endorphins.  Love it. 

JoDee rested while we tried to think of a way to swing her off the arch.  

She ran away.  This pic cracks me up.  

We could have hung out up there for a bit and watched the whole rope swing operation but man we were getting hungry and the car was a mile and a half away!  
Tip: If you decide to take a 3 mile hike directly after a half marathon, pack snacks!

 We stopped at the first place we saw that had a good Yelp rating.  The Love Muffin Cafe.

Oh, baby I felt the love!  If you are in Moab.  Go here.  Feel the love.  
All of our meals were delicious.
I ordered the Banh Mi sandwich-Vietnamese pork, pickled carrots, sriracha mayo, cilantro, greens, onions
It was amazing!  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

After lunch we headed back to the motel to change cloths, reapply sunscreen, take unflattering photos of me trying to power nap, and eat a few cupcakes before heading out on a kayaking adventure. 

I didn't really have high hope for these for some reason but I was wrong.  So, so wrong.  Moist cake and amazing frosting!  They were incredible!  Well, done Moab and Crystal's Cakes and Cones!

Kayaking the Colorado river?  Totally rad!
Currently looking to buy a kayak, I need more variety in my life.
And I think we invented a new type of triathlon, run, hike and kayak!  So I guess I did PR that day after all ;-)
After the river trip we were starving......again.  

 Pizza.  Check!

Gelato.

Check!  Oatmeal Stout for the win!

Beer.  Check.
We finally poured ourselves into bed 20 hours after we got up.  Some smarter people might rest after after a half marathon but we blazed through the day like our buns were on fire! ;-)  It was freaking awesome!

Sunday morning we got all packed up and ready to head back home but.....

not before one more hike.

 And some stretching, 

dying crying resting,

more dying stretching, 

and yoga?  I think I was delirious.  

So worth the 3 mile hike on tired sore legs.  Absolutely breathtaking.
Moab made my heart smile.

And my belly happy, happy, happy!  You had to know I was gonna grab a burger, fries(with fry sauce, it's a Utah thing) and a shake before heading out of town.  
Butterscotch milkshakes were my favorite as a kid but no one makes them anymore.
Moab's got them!  
I'm moving! 
Not really.
We finally arrived home late Sunday night two shades darker, covered in red dirt and blisters with a smile a mile wide, sore muscles and a happy heart!