April Recap

Total run mileage: 124.3. I'm not sure why it's only 120 up there ^, but whatever. Second highest monthly mileage EVER!  

Highest weekly run mileage: 48.89. Highest weekly ever? I believe so! The week of the kick-ass 21 miler.   

# Runs: 21.  

# Rest days: 10 days. Two only extra because I needed them, needed the break and promised that if I took them, I'd go out hard the next day. Always accomplished, so you know those rest days were well-spent! 

# Cross-training workouts: 4 days of yoga. And 1 awesome hike up in the mountains with my students! 

# Races: 

     - Ragnar So Cal... recap eventually? 

     - Angels 5K 

Favorite run: I can't say it was the favorite because it was the most fun or whatever (though it was), but knocking out that 21 miler (without realizing it was 21) was pretty fan-freaking-tastic. I had some good longer-than-13.1-mile runs this cycle and while they were great, there is nothing like finishing 21 miles (when you thought it was 20) and realizing you did so at a 9:12ish pace throughout. Talk about a confidence boost heading into race day (spoiler: mentally, it works wonders!). 

Current favorite: Given that we're a few days into May, my current favorite is reminscing on Sunday. Working on my race recap that I hope to post on Thursday and share all the gloriousness that race day turned out to be. I'm giddy and sore, elated and in sheer disbelief of what I pulled off. I couldn't have asked for more out of the day, nor out of my legs! Just you wait. ;) 

Current excitement: I'm officially all booked for my racecation 30-hour trip to Seattle! I'm so stoked to be running Rock 'n Roll Seattle and knocking off half marathon state #10 in the process. Though I'm up in Washington for just a day and a half, having a free flight and new friends to share a hotel with doesn't hurt, so this trip is uber-cheap and therefore even more uber-awesome. More to come on this on Friday! 

Join me, yes?

Current read: Many thanks to the super awesome folks at Rock 'n Roll and VeloPress, I've got a couple of new books headed my way and I'm way freaking excited! I still have plenty of other reads to get to, but I'm super stoked about The Accidental Athlete and am definitely cracking this one open first! A few weeks of recovery and easy running will leave me with plenty of time to get some reading done - amazing when you look back and realize how much time you've spent running, and now that you have some free time in your life... reading... some wedding planning... aaaaah! Such a nice feeling.  

Current goal: Marathon recovery! I think that's a pretty good goal to have. :) 

Month Goals: May is going to be all about giving my body some time to recover. Two fulls in nine weeks is pretty grueling on anyone, let alone a girl who took two YEARS between her first and second. I'm damn proud of it, but I know my body needs a little downtime too. To boot, May kicks off my busiest time of year - orientation seasion! - for our new students, so soon my Saturdays are being hijacked, which also leads to my biggest mental struggle of the year in maintaining any kind of fitness during 60+ hour work weeks. Wish me luck!  

Goals for April:
- 125 miles - Well damn, apparently I was .7 miles shy! 
- Add another yoga day in for at-home practice (so 2 times per week) - Nope. But I'm glad I stuck with my once per week at least! 
- Intentional stretching/foam rolling as miles increase these next few weeks heading into race day - Very much so. Lots more rolling as the weeks went on! 

Goals for May:
- Marathon recovery - It's been a tough and super intense last eight weeks since Phoenix. I've worked really hard and now it's time to let myself recover. I have a half on the books on June 5 (Rock 'n Roll San Diego), but nothing I intend to take seriously. Sometimes running just to run is just as good!
- Maintain - Having nothing to train for/focus on is nice, but on the same token can be hard because I'm certainly of the variety that will let myself slack more because of that. My Saturday work schedule also starts up soon (summer is craaaaazy in my world), so I'm hoping to maintain a schedule of running + yoga to keep up with my current fitness.
- Strength - Maybe, then this is a good time to get in some strength work. There's an idea. ;)

Looking back on another month. Fantastic. 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? What are you looking forward to next month?

March Recap

Total run mileage: 126.47. New highest monthly mileage EVER! Booyah! 

Highest weekly run mileage: 45.47. That was an awesome week.  

# Runs: 21.  

# Rest days: 9. Fully intentional - I'm feeling outstanding, and even took two rest days last week that were unplanned. Rockin' and feelin' good.

# Cross-training workouts: 6. Yoga five times (four at Fleet Feet and once in my living room) and one decent day of core + strength work. Pleased. 

# Races: 

     - Dairy Aire 5K
     - St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon (2:15 pacer)

     - Hot Chocolate San Diego 15K (9:30" pacer)

Favorite run: Amazingly enough, I'm going to say my 16 miler with Monica last Sunday. We headed out before the sun was even up, were greeted by some nasty humidity but a gorgeous sunrise and tons of bunnies everywhere (how perfect for Easter bunny morning!). ROCKED our 16 miles at a 9:51 pace overall and we felt amazing - even come Monday when we both said, "I don't feel like I ran 16 yesterday!" Fantastic long run to get me psyched for Ragnar and another 20-miler in a few weeks! 

Hardest Run: Hot Chocolate was a toughie - that course is certainly no joke, with 80% of the 9 miles on uphills, it'll certainly test ya. But also one of my favorites, as so many folks were telling me that I was keeping them on their goal pace and that I was a "GREAT pacer!" and I just loved being out there. If you're going to run this one in the future, be prepared for that hill work! The good news is that the last 1.5 flatten out and have one reallllly good downhill to push you along into the finisher chute.

2016 Beast Pacing Hot Chocolate San Diego 15K team!

Current need: To get over this "flu-like" whatever that's been plaguing me. I woke up yesterday (Tuesday) with a migraine about 1 am, didn't go to work because of a significant lack of sleep and that eventually turned into feeling chills, body aches, and other issues. After Doug got home from football practice, we went to urgent care... sooo... you can see where that leads. Hoping I can shake it off enough for a decent enough run at Surf City on Sunday. :( 

Current favorite: Abundant Heart, because this: "Abundant Heart: the belief that fitness should be FUN; combining inspiring mantras with lively colors to make any workout, event or everyday experience more abundant." Perfection, right?! AH is my newest favorite tank company (they do sweatshirts and stuff too) thanks to Shelby. I wore AH tanks for both Surf City and Phoenix, and they are some of the softest, most comfy, cute and hilarious tanks ever. Both mine are burnout tanks, and you can be I am eye-balling this one, too: 

{Abundant Heart}

Current goal: Finish the last four weeks of OC Marathon training strong and on point. Getting in my yoga, stretching, foam rolling and making my runs count. I'm honestly just looking forward to beasting that race and showing myself what I am really capable of! 

Month Goals: Post-Phoenix recovery was awesome, but by the time Dairy Aire rolled around (re: my first run in a week, very intentionally) I was itching to run... which also told me I was ready and that I did recovery right! I feel like I really kicked some major ass and made some mega-progress this month and am excited to jump into April with Ragnar and my last month of OC training! 

Goals for March:
- 110 miles - Done! 
- Incorporate strength training at least 1-2 times per week - I did it once. All month. 
- Add another yoga day in for at-home practice (so 2 times per week) - Achieved one week! But never missed a sesson! 

Goals for April:
- 125 miles
- Add another yoga day in for at-home practice (so 2 times per week)
- Intentional stretching/foam rolling as miles increase these next few weeks heading into race day

March was awesome. I'm on such a high right now and that's mostly thanks to the last week or so, where I feel like I've just nailed my runs, nailed my workouts and am doing it all right. With many thanks to Jacky and My Fitness Pal, I am at least paying attention to what I eat and take in each day (even with just estimates) and that in just two and a half weeks of tracking my food, I lost 2 pounds. That's far more than I've done in a while, and I am looking forward to dropping some more weight before OC (goal: another 6 pounds). I think I can hit that goal in 4.5 weeks, so ready to make it happen! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? What are you looking forward to next month?

Race Recap: Dairy Aire 5K

Dairy Aire 5K | Chino, CA

March 5, 2016

The Dairy Aire is the last of the Chino Triple Crown series (Reindeer Romp & Run for Russ being the other two) and a repeat of the Reindeer Romp course. Also home for 5K PR after PR for me, so I'm a little biased towards loving this course. Fast, flat and the best chocolate milk aferward. You can check out my 2014 and 2015 recaps too - 2015 was my PR until 2015's Reindeer Romp (advantages to running the same course over and over again!). We had quite a crew for this one again - a lot of us completing the Triple Crown Challenge, so that was pretty awesome (especially as they FINALLY had actual medals for us).

As apparently is now the trend, the cow takes on a new persona each year - last year was the punk cow and this year he was a superhero, so superhero garb was encouraged. Yes please! Jacky (my personal sparkly skirt closet) let me borrow her blue skirt and her mom made me an awesome sparkly red cape to sparkle and fly my way through the race.

Batman v. Superman. We both one for cuteness, duh.

My only beef (pun intended... you know... cow-themed race) is that this is a gun start, but mat finish. So last year while my final time was 25:07 per the race results, I had 25:00 dead flat on my watch, so this one of those races where you go by your Garmin, not the official results, no matter how official they may be! ;)

We got to the race about 7:50 and got to see the kids' run take off. The 5K started at 8:15 so we had time to get settled, get in some pre-race photos (mandatory) and wait for Doug's sister to bring our bibs. Advantages to small local races is showing up 20 minutes before gun time! Sometimes, it's such a refreshing race morning to be able to just roll in and go!

Mile 1: 7:31 Fast. A little too fast. You'd think I'd have learned my lesson from the Reindeer Romp in December where I ran my fastest mile ever in the first mile of that 5K, but no... I clearly did not!
Mile 2: 8:20 That's a little better. I was huffing a little,  but this was my first run post-Phoenix, so I took that into stride but I felt good.
Mile 3: 8:20 That's how you do a 5K, Megan. Be a little more consistent next time and you won't putter out!

Garmin: 24:55

Official:

I ran a 25:00 last year and that wasn't post-marathon, so I'm totally cool with that. Only last year, that was good enough for a first AG win and now it's got me down to third! You never know who's gonna show up race morning, right?

And I was the only one of the three in costume!

We hung around for race awards (lots of IERC reppin' in the age group awards!) and collected ALL THE MEDALS.

#runmatchy™  on point. 

And then mandatory post-5K breakfast, haircut, and a little self love (NAPS!) on a Saturday afternoon. It was quite refreshing to just to get to go home after a race this weekend - not a hotel, not some other bed, but our home, our couch, and I had a very satisfying hour-long nap!

If you dressed up as a superhero for a race, who would you dress up as?

February Recap

Total run mileage: 73.88. Not the 100-mile-months I'm gunning for each month, but given that it started with 3 days in bed for the flu and 9 days in the middle of the month where I didn't give a damn about putting on a pair of shoes, I am more than pleased. Never mind than 1/3 

Highest weekly run mileage: 34.3. I mean, 'caus yanno... I ran a marathon that week. 

# Runs: 10. Ooph. 

# Rest days: 18. I would say most were rest by choice (re: I was lazy) but three also forced thanks to the power of the flu. Lame.  

# Cross-training workouts: 1. One week at yoga. Also sad.

# Races: 

     - Run for Russ 5K
     - Surf City Half Marathon

     - Mermaid Series San Diego Half Marathon (2:15 pacer)

     - Phoenix Marathon

Favorite run: Phoenix! Surprisingly, because I never thought I'd say that a marathon would be my favorite run of the month, but I guess with only 10 runs in a month that's fairly easy to say! For going in and knowing that my training hadn't been the best (again, I took more than half of February off, essentially), I am more than impressed with how I performed. I'm damn proud of that race and look forward to feeling the same way after OC! 

Hardest Run: Quite honestly, Surf City. Post-flu, I thought I felt pretty okay and then got into the race and at mile 4, I knew I didn't have it in me. So while I learned a lesson in "Listen to your body," it was an incredibly difficult run to get through and finish. Continued high fives and hugs to Jacky for getting me through.

That smile is all kinds of fake, don't worry.

Current need: To get over this "flu-like" whatever that's been plaguing me. I woke up yesterday (Tuesday) with a migraine about 1 am, didn't go to work because of a significant lack of sleep and that eventually turned into feeling chills, body aches, and other issues. After Doug got home from football practice, we went to urgent care... sooo... you can see where that leads. Hoping I can shake it off enough for a decent enough run at Surf City on Sunday. :( 

Current favorite: Recovery week. As awesome as Phoenix was, I am feeling pretty amazing this week and am even pondering an easy run this evening with the pup. I am enjoying the relaxation, the massage, the yoga, the walks.. but it's also gearing me up to get really excited about jumping into a real cycle again and doing it right.

Current goal: I seriously left Phoenix with such a high - a weird feeling considering I only made my C goal, but it was more than I could have asked for. I'm in the middle of recovery week as we speak, but I am really looking forward to lacing up my shoes and getting out on some runs. Two 5Ks this weekend to kick me back up and then it's time to get into a training cyle for the OC Marathon on May 1. I'm fired up and ready for it.

Rockin' at Mile 17.

Month Goals: February - overall - was pretty lackluster in terms of my fitness. I mean, in life, it was FREAKING AWESOME. But I am looking forward to tackling March with a vengeance and making it a pretty freaking awesome. It's also the last month before my super busy season (re: April - August) at work takes off, so I am hoping to take advantage of it and get in some super kick ass long runs before insanity hits me. Wish me luck. 

Goals for March:
- 110 miles
- Incorporate strength training at least 1-2 times per week
- Add another yoga day in for at-home practice (so 2 times per week)

2016 Goals Update

1. Run 1,100 miles. 
174.65 down, 925.35 to go! I am a little behind where I was last year at this point, but after running the LA Marathon last year I was totally tuckered out and injured and my mileage totally tapered off from there for the better part of the spring. I am hoping this spring brings exactly the opposite - that I'm geared up and ready to push through the spring and pretty much kick ass. 

2. Marathon PR
Attempt #1 for the year has passed and again, though unsuccessful, a great race for me and I know my big PR is coming. #2 in 8.5 weeks! 

3. Complete a triathlon.
I'm still toying with this idea. I know I can do it if I give myself the time and commitment to training in something other than running shoes. We shall see! 

4. Finish off my credit card debt.
Knocking off more, a little at a time. No major progress this month, but a good size tax return sitting in savings while I debate what to do with it. Knock off a credit card bill or save it for some wedding-related stuff that is soon to come my way? Adulting. It's hard.

5. Journal
I journaled once this month, right after our engagement so I didn't lose the magic of the day (please know that I still haven't!). February was a journal fail but am hoping to bring it back into the routine soon! 

6. Strength & Cross Train
I love my yoga Wednesday nights - like, I've gotten to the point where I wake up almost looking forward to the day being over so I can go get my stretch on. I see the progress I've made and where it's taking me and I absolutely love the feeling! I am hoping to add at least one day of practice at home each week and I would like to commit to getting on to some weights this month for reals.

7. Volunteer More
My mom and I are signed up to volunteer at Tinkerbell weekend in May, which I am way excited about! I hope to also find a few more races to get out at and cheer folks on, support runners, and be the best volunteer and cheerleader I can be. I owe so much of my good races to volunteers and want to be sure I share the love.

8. Speak Up
This is by far one of the hardest goals for me this year. Nothing exciting to report, but am looking forward to the personal challenge. 

February was insanely busy and I think it's finally caught up with me. I'm looking forward to more weekends in my own bed this month - a few early mornings for races and fun, but it's still MY bed and that's exciting. Doug and I said to each other on the drive home last weekend from Phoenix that February was fun and all but "... damn, we're tired." Guess that's in the name of fun, right?!

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? What are you looking forward to next month?

Race Recap: Phoenix Marathon

Phoenix Marathon | Mesa, Arizona

February 27, 2016

Isn't it amazing how fast race day comes? After some less than stellar sleep, our alarms started going off about 3:15. Our plan was to be out the door by 3:45 to get me to the right drop off area with enough time for Tina to get over to the half drop off area in time too. 

We left about 3:50 but were early enough to my area that we hung out in the car a few more minutes and got my nerves in check and supplies together for the day. I finished my bagel and peanut butter in the car, got my stuff together, hugged Tina and made my way to the buses. There were a ton of buses and I was able to walk right on. Guess there's no turning back now... 

I sat in the second row behind the driver, tried making friends with the guy next to me, but he was already asleep as we pulled away from Mesa Riverview. I quietly texted Tina, played on Instagram and Twitter, and tried to calm the swirling thoughts in my head. We left Riverview probably before even 4:30 and I was already dreading spending an hour+ at the top of the mountain. We were on a freeway a while, made a turn somewhere... and then some man comes parading to the front of the bus and gets in the driver's face about how he's going the wrong way. The poor driver insists we're going the right way and kindly asks the man to get back to his seat. Onward. 

At 4:57, the driver pulls to the shoulder of this two lane mountain road - the stop engine light had come on and then the engine just died. 4:58, driver calls in, they're sending a bus up. Good thing I got on a fairly early bus! I was calm - I mean, at least I was in a warm(ish) bus, not freezing on the top of the mountain! The guy next to me was awake, looking at his map and also agreeing that we'd been going the wrong way. He ran the race last year and was hoping for a BQ this year. 5:10ish: man comes back up to the driver, map on phone pulled up, and insisted we were going the wrong way yet again. Driver asks him (a little more sternly) to go back to his seat, that we were going the right way. People are getting on and off the bus to use the desert as their porto-potty (because why not?). 5:15: grumpy people in the back very rudely ask for an update, "It's been 20 minutes!" Driver says that yes, he called 20 minutes ago and that it was going to be 20-30 minutes from when he called in. "Well where is the bus coming from, the start line? The finish line? Your base?" and "How far to the start from here?" and frankly, being unbearbly rude in a less than ideal situation. Finally, three or four of us from the front turned and asked them to calm down and remind them that our driver was volunteering his time to take us to the top and that we'd be fine. It is only 5:15 after all. 5:23: Rescued!

We were, in fact, going the right way and about two miles from the start area where the bus died. Less than 5 minutes and we were right where we needed to be. Still an hour early. I hopped off the bus, straight to the bathroom line and found a few campfires and heat lamps to hover around. There were more than enough and people were chatting it up. I couldn't find anyone I knew (womp), so I just buzzed from heatlamp to heatlamp, hoping to calm my nerves by striking up a conversation with someone. No dice. And then... I saw my Garmin had died. Well if that's not a sign I need a new one... maybe that was the sign I needed that I needed to hang with the pacer (a debate I'd been having all week). 

Sure, there's an uphill. One. Not steep, just long. Not worth running 9:30s for, dude.

Before I knew it, it was time to head to the start line. After national anthem and fireworks (!), we were allowed to inch our way closer. I saw a few pacers come forward (3:25 and 3:55) but no others. Behind me, 4:55 and 5:10 eventually rolled in. It's 6:20... where on earth are these middle pacers? Kid you not, about 6:27, a few more pacers rolled in. 4:25 finally showed up, headphones in both ears already. Great, so it's gonna be that kinda race. I let him get to his spot, tapped him on the shoulder and asked what his race strategy was. "Um... 10 minute miles." "Yeah, I know that, but what's your actual strategy? Are you negative-splitting? Or consistent throughout?" He kind of stumbled and said he'd run "about 9:30 on the downhills to save it for the uphill." At that point, I knew I was in trouble. But I decided I'd give the benefit of the doubt and the pacer and give it a shot. 

Mile 1: 9:09. No, sir, that's not how this works. I know this mile because I very quickly befriended some women about a half-mile in who had planned to run with this guy too but knew very quickly it wasn't going to work. We formed our own pace group - me, Stef, Mikie and Rosie. A mile in, 4:25 guy was running right next to 4:10 lady. Um... no. 

Stef, Mikie, Rosie and I decided we'd hang out together and hold each other close to run a great race. Two of the four of us had watches on and I had printed out a 4:25 pace band, so at least we knew we'd be on target. After mile 1, we literally didn't see 4:25 again until mile 8. At mile 8, we were at a 4:22 finish and he was a solid 100 yards ahead of us. Not okay. 

Mile 17 and feeling good... so, so good.

As a reminder, I had three target goals for the race:

A) A Time

B) Just a PR. 

C) Run a strong race.

Besties! Love race weekends with her so much!

Since I don't have a Garmin record I even race this sucker (womp), here's what I can tell you:

• 4:25 is in my reach. Up until Mile 20, I was close. I was rockin' and happy. 
• Look at the last 10K. I can honestly say it wasn't a wall. I was hot and tired. Mentally, I was psyched.
• Ultimately, I met goal C and I am elated with my performance on Sunday. I've only run three fulls, but this was by far the smartest race of my life. I Gu'd every 4 miles, alternated between water and Gatorade, and when it got hot, started taking two waters to drink and dump on my head.
• Taking my Orange Mud Hydraquiver was a genius idea.
• Mountain Dew at Mile 17 is life-changing.

Doug and Tina were waiting at the finish line for me and Tina asked Doug if I'd be disappointed I didn't hit my supreme goal time and he just said, "I don't know." Truth be told, given the training I had (or lack there of, really), I am damn proud of the race I had. Four days out, I am mentally in a better place than I was going into the race, and am pumped to jump into training for the OC full on May 1. 

I know I've got what it takes. 

Oh? And those pacers? I told Doug at about mile 17 that I was way behind the 4:25 pacer (as he was one of the two that knew that plan). 3:25 came in about 5 minutes early; 3:55 came in at 3:52 and 4:25 dude came in 5 minutes early also. 

Post-Phoenix here are my thoughts. An amazing race, overall, and I'm signed up for the half for next year. 

Pros

- Aid stations. They do an awesome cheer station contest and they go all out! Otherwise, a fairly quiet course.

- Race swag. Singlet, socks, arm sleeves and a book all came in my race bag. Sweet! 

- Great course. The one uphill isn't hard, just a long grade, but nothing anyone can't handle. 

- Phenomenal post-race party. Famous Dave's and French toast are a little much for me right after, but there were tons of food options. I had ice cream. It was amazing. 

- Who doesn't love a PR bell to ring?

Cons

- Pace Team. I mean this overall. I recognize that this is a large BQ race, but if they're going to be running for BQ times (i.e. 3:55 coming in at 3:52 to make the window), the race needs to advertise as such. Ventura does and is effective. 

- Quiet course. If you need loud, energetic course sidelines, this isn't always your kinda place.

Overall, I'm happy. Happy, happy, happy. As I said, I'll be back next year to run the half and hopefully all the way through 2020 to earn this: 

Have you ever been happy when you didn't meet your A/B goal?

Race Report: Mermaid Series Half Marathon - San Diego

Mermaid San Diego Half

February 13, 2016 | San Diego, CA

I was fortunate enough to be able to join Beast Pacing for this event - and even got to run with another Beast pacer from out of state, which was awesome - and had a freaking blast. What a wonderful race that I will definitely be coming back to!

The Mermaid race offers a 5K, 10K and half at the San Diego location. Packet pick up is available starting even Thursday evening (!), Friday evening, and race day. Since Doug and I didn't head down until late Friday night, we rolled into packet pick up early Saturday morning to get it all together before meeting the rest of the Beast team for go-time. The 10K starts first, followed by the half, then the 5K, so we had a bit of time to get ourselves together, talked about who was running LA the next day, and catching up with pacer friends! Always a great way to start the morning.

I kind of forget that the coastal cover doesn't burn off in San Diego quite as quick as it does in LA, and that it was quite cold at the start, but I knew I'd be warm enough that I'd be fine in short sleeves and could just deal.

This course is awesome and follows along the inlet of Mission Bay and then all the way around the outisde. Save for about a half-mile near the turn-around (15K mark or so), you see water the entire way. Mission Bay was one of my favorite places while I lived in San Diego, so this was a good little fun run to just enjoy the scenery and the (what turned out to be) gorgeous morning in San Diego. Because, you know... 80 degrees in February. Sorry, east coast friends.

There were quite a few women in my group (note that a handful of men run this race, too! Though targeted towards women, men are welcome. Instead of 'Mermaid' shirts, theirs say 'Merman'!), some who were trying to PR, one who was running her first half and is running her first full in June (!), and a woman who's a multi-Ironman and just runs casually now, a few races a year. I loved being able to chat the entire way, especially encouraging those first-timers or PR-bound people!

Mile 6. Courtesy Vanessa. 

Pacing Team 2:15 was a comfortable shift. After Surf City, I was feeling a little down and out, and actually was really nervous about taking on another half right after, even though a 2:15 is beyond a comfy pace for me. I felt amazing on Saturday and not once questioned how I was feeling or that I was capable. I mean, no pressure while you're pacing, right? ;)

We cruised in for a 2:13:38 finish. Suzie (my first-timer) bolted at mile 10 and breezed in to a 2;10 finish (not bad for a first half!) and I ran the last two miles almost totally solo, though I know a few folks were on my tail trying to stick close, which is always fun. Honestly, one of my favorite things about pacing is someone coming up to you afterward because they followed you the whole race, just wanting to keep you in sight, to help them PR or stay strong after coming back from ______ (insert whatever challenge it was here). At least a handful of folks did that on Saturday morning and it always makes me so giddy!

The Mermaid signature bling in years past was a necklace, and this year they even added a medal to go with it too! I appreciate that all participants (all races) got both, as the necklace is super cute but one I probably wouldn't wear on the regular.

My favorite is the back of the medal that reads (and matches the back of the women's shirts):

 * Be fearless, beautiful, strong. Be free.  *

A beautiful race, a beautiful morning, and not much more I could ask for in feeling strong than I had just six days prior. Hooray for bouncing back! 

Race Pros

- Flat and fast

- Gorgeous scenery the whole way through

- Medal and necklace for finishers' bling

- Fantastic volunteer support from UCSD Cheer and Alpha Phi Omega (thanks y'all!)

Race Cons

- Honestly, none. 

Do you like races that do necklaces for finishers "medals"?

January Recap

Total run mileage: 100.77. I just wanted to get to 100, and since I skipped so many runs or shortened so many long ones I'm stoked I at least hit that goal. It definitely could have been higher, but I'll take it for what it is, considering how insane January was! 

Highest weekly run mileage: 28.82. Not stellar, but again, I'l take it for what it is! 

# Runs: 17. 

# Rest days: 11.  

# Cross-training workouts: 5. Four weeks of yoga (once a week) and one day cycling. Not great, but a lot better than I used to be! I'll get there. 

# Races: "Just" two this month, both half marathons:

     - Citrus Heritage Half (2:00 pacer / 2:00)

     - Inaugural Phoenix Women's Half Marathon (2:07:43)

Favorite run: The first long run of the month - January 2. I killed 12 miles at race pace (8:30) and talked and laughed and had a great day. And I got finished that run with a big smile on my face and the realization that I could do it and that maybe there's a PR for me at Surf City. This was the day I realized I could. Bring it on, Huntington Beach! 

Hardest Run: There were actually a couple of tough runs this month. I credit it to just how freaking busy this month was and the fat that there was a LOT of treadmill time. I've definitely struggled this month and for as much as I've gotten used to treadmill time, it certainly doesn't make it much easier! Soo boooooo to that! Looking forward to some later sunshine so I can get some evening runs in in daylight without worrying about nighttime safety. 

Current need: To get over this "flu-like" whatever that's been plaguing me. I woke up yesterday (Tuesday) with a migraine about 1 am, didn't go to work because of a significant lack of sleep and that eventually turned into feeling chills, body aches, and other issues. After Doug got home from football practice, we went to urgent care... sooo... you can see where that leads. Hoping I can shake it off enough for a decent enough run at Surf City on Sunday. :( 

Current favorite: Not gonna lie, yoga has been rocking my socks (or bare feet) off lately. I'm enjoying a cool, mellow hour every Wednesday and am at the point that I very much already look forward to it when I wake up each Wednesday morning. I am far from flexible, but I can feel myself already loosening up just a bit and getting a good stretch on. Now if I could only commit to doing this by myself another day each week, I'd be good to go. 

Current goal: It's February 3 and it's PR week, baby. Surf City is on Sunday and while I am stoked and pumped and all kinds of ready, the race nerves have also set in and I am also (not so) secretly terrified. My badass Ironman girl Jacky is pacing me and I know she's got this on lock for me. I just hope I have it on lock for myself. 

Month Goals: Being that it was the first month of the year, I didn't set any specific January goals, but wanted to get a good start on my 2016 goals overall. Accountability time, friends! 

1. Run 1,100 miles. 
100.77 miles down, 999.23 to go! If I can keep up 100 mile months this year consistently, I'll be done WAY before December 30 like I was in 2015! 
2. Marathon PR
Marathon #1 for the year comes at the end of February (Phoenix). January is just working towards that! 

3. Complete a triathlon.
I'm still toying with this idea. I know I can do it if I give myself the time and commitment to training in something other than running shoes. We shall see! 
4. Finish off my credit card debt.
Knocking off more, a little at a time. No major progress this month, but with a good size tax return coming my way in less than 21 days, I am fairly certain this will become a good reality in February! Booyah! 

5. Journal
I journaled twice this month, much less than I had hoped but you know, life gets in the way sometimes. I need to find a time each week, set it or schedule it, and commit to making it a reality. New month, new chance to start over and get to work! 

6. Strength & Cross Train
I made it to yoga every Wednesday this month - while that's only four days (plus one random day of cycling), that's a significant increase from what I've done prior. I look forward to Wednesdays and am excited to make this a pattern! 

7. Volunteer More
Already eye-balling races I want to volunteer at. More next month, hopefully, when I set this into action! 

8. Speak Up
This is by far one of the hardest goals for me this year. Nothing exciting to report, but am looking forward to the personal challenge. 

January was insanely busy and really, February is going to be no exception, but I am looking forward to making progress to all eight goals continuously. Here's to the start of the year because having 11  months to go means I still have a shot! 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? What are you looking forward to next month?

2015 in Review: Running

Though I've been running for a few years now, and racing for just as many, I feel like I really took off as a runner this year. Between training and running another marathon to PRing my half time again to convincing Doug to participate in my shenanigans, I feel like this year was just a whole different game when it came to my fitness and running life.

18 Half Marathons
Yeah, you read that right. Before you get all 'don't do too many or you'll burn out', it's important to note that almost half of them were raced I paced, so were at times that are super comfy-casual for me even on my worst day. I got to race a few, pace some more, and truly just had a freaking blast.

I PRed my half marathon time by just about six minutes at Fontana in June. This was pretty unreal and totally unexpected and a fantastic way to wrap up racing before heading into summer.

I ran with Doug at his first half in January at New Year's Race and then watched him get totally caught up in the competition and accomplishment, so he went on to finish two more this year (OC and Long Beach), and is going to finish his Beach Cities Challenge at Surf City in February. He says he's retiring in February... I think he'll hang on for a few more. I am way proud of him and though I know he blames me for this, I think deep down he enjoys it. Just a little.

1 Marathon
One was enough this year. LA was the best distraction possible during my unemployment stint and IERC and training certainly got me through some terrible, terrible months. Though my time didn't turn out to be what I wanted, race day always has other plans in mind. Sometimes, I'm still angry but deep down I know that I have those goals (4:20) ahead of me. Maybe 2016 is it.

Pacing
Pacing was a new venture I took on this year, with West Hills being the first race I've paced officially. Aside from pacing Monica to a PR at Long Beach in 2014, I'd never paced anyone to anything! All the races I've paced this year, with the exception of one (OC), are with Beast Pacing, an incredible company started up by an amazing ultra runner. I've had such a blast and am so grateful for the opportunities - pacing has allowed me to become a better runner, but I love getting to see folks finish their first half or knock out a 10-minute PR and then come up to you to thank you! Hey, sometimes I'm just out for a morning stroll, I just happen to do it with a stick in my hand and a medal at the end! Pacing really has allowed me to give back to the running community and runners everywhere.

Pacing at Surfers Point. November.

I paced 8 races this year, 7 of them half marathons and one 15K. I've already got quite a few lined up for 2016 and am stoked to check out some new races to boot! Thanks, Beast!

2 New States
One of my goals for 2015 was to get two half marathon states crossed off my list. Many thanks to two ambassadorships, I was able to do just that! I wish I had gotten to do more, but between unemployment and then jumping head-first into a new gig, I am so lucky I even got to make these two!

Brooklyn and Portland were part of my #30halfsfor30years shenanigans, with Portland being #30 and Brooklyn and Long Beach just follow-ups for fun - so yes, three halfs in 8 days. Portland gave me Oregon for state #8 and New York for state #9 just a week later. How lucky am I? So, so lucky.

This was my first back-to-back weekend ever, Brooklyn on Saturday and Long Beach on Sunday. It was tiring, to say the least. But I'm looking forward to more double weekends in the future to knock out some more states. Who wants to travel with me?

1,000 Miles
I did it. Yesterday morning I busted out a 9.4 mile run to knock out the very last of my mileage needed for #1000orbust. My only goal was to not be finishing my miles on New Year's Eve, and with December giving me a heck of a time between a pulled back muscle and a nasty cold, I ended up a few days behind and needing to make up for it. Lots of high mileage in the last week - but no complaints! I did it! 

Major goal for the year completed. This is super ups from just 757 in 2014, and even less the two years prior so to say I am elated is just an understatement. A minor one at that. ;)

Ambassadorships
My year would really not have been as fun, nor rewarding, as some of the amazing races and companies I was beyond forunate enough to represent this year! I got to continue my love affair with Sparkly Soul and continue wearing all these sparkly from coast to coast.

Playing around at Star Wars weekend for Sparkly Soul!

I was fortunate enough to be selected as a Rock 'n Blogger for the Rock 'n Roll race series, an ambassador for the Lexus Lace Up series, Portland Marathon, Long Beach and Holiday Half races, and represent Beast Pacing at a slew of others across Southern California. These race folks and incredible teams put on amazing races and events and I feel so honored that I was able to represent them and what they stand for this year. Thank you to all of you!

2015 Long Beach & Holiday Half ambassador team. <3

Favorites
It's hard to choose medal favorites, but I've pulled out some of my favorite medals from this year. Some are solely because the medal is super awesome (let's be real, half the reason we do this craziness are for super fun medals, no?), but also because of what the races meant for me. A post on this next week as I reflect on 2015 and look forward to racing in 2016!

An amazing year. I am so grateful and proud of what I've done this year. PRs in all distances (my 5K twice!), I've had two amazing race-cations, #30halfsfor30years accomplished, a blast pacing and check out all kinds of new races all over Southern California. Races in two new states, but runs in even more states! I am beyond lucky, and ready for what 2016 has to offer!

What was your biggest running accomplishment for the year? 

For this post, I'm linking up with Smitha and Dani for their #YearInReviewLinkUp!