Ultimate Coffee Date - New Year Edition January 2016

Happy New Year everyone!! Hope that your 2016 is off to a great start...I've been meaning to spend a Saturday with Confessions of a Mother Runner and her co-hosts, Coco and Lynda, doing The Ultimate Coffee Date for months and months, so I finally figured - hey, when is a better time to do something you've been meaning to do than a new year?? Right? So join me with a warm beverage - doesn't have to be coffee and doesn't even need to be warm - and let's spend a few minutes enjoying each other's company. :-)

If we were having coffee...I would tell you that I had an absolutely amazing holiday season. I indulged pretty much as much as I wanted to, I was lazy when I felt like it, and I may have even taken a few naps and spent a few days in my PJ's all day. It was pretty epic but has left me feeling like a slug.

If we were having coffee...I would be super excited to tell you that I bought myself a planner that I'm so happy to have in my arsenal this year! It's not a super fancy schmancy Erin Condren planner like all the cool kids have, but it's going to work very nicely for me. It's a Me & My Big Ideas Happy Planner and will be a perfect starter planner. I used to use a Franklin Covey and it was great, but I moved away from it to a more electronic to-do system. I want to use my planner to not just be a catalog of appointments and tasks, but to serve as a journal/scrapbook of where I've been during the year. I'm super excited to fill it!

If we were having coffee...I would tell you that I went back through my Believe training journal that I started using at the beginning of 2015 and it was an eye opener. Not necessarily in a good way. Sure, I ran 569.12 miles in 153 activities and that's awesome! I'm certainly happy with that. But what made it an eye opener is that in the journal portion or the check-ins was all the "could have been better; should have tried harder; not as good as I wanted it to be." Lots of coulda, shoulda, woulda's. And if I'm honest and go back and re-read old journal entries or blog posts, I see a lot of the same thing. I would tell you that I'm tired of feeling like I'm coming up just short of the finish line and if I'm being honest with myself I'm DNF-ing on my goals and effort in reaching them. I want to change that in 2016!!

If we were having coffee...I would tell you that I'm running my first half marathon of the year in only one more week! I don't know how, but I swear these things always have a way of sneaking up on me. I plan for them and do workouts to prepare for them and then all of a sudden they just jump out of nowhere and are like HEY! It's time!!! and I'm left saying, But, But...I'm not ready for this!! LOL

And finally, if we were having coffee...I would tell you how excited I am to be back representing Skirt Sports again for 2016 as an Ambassador Captain, and that I'm thrilled to also be a Nuun Ambassador for 2016! I feel like I'm finally nailing down my fueling and hydration on long runs and Nuun is a big part of that so I'm really excited to be a part of the Nuunbassador family. All in all, if we were having coffee, I would tell you that I'm feeling pretty darn good about 2016 and where it might take me!

I've really enjoyed my coffee date with you and I'll see you back here again soon! I still have my goals to share - I came up with some really great ones this year and feel like I'm finally in a place where they won't just get forgotten (thank you, Happy Planner!!) and I will also be sharing my One Little Word for 2016 soon as well. And that one is also a great one that I think will bring me lots of amazing growth this year.

I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season and that you have kicked off 2016 with some excitement and planning for the future! See you again real soon!

ToTR: I Never Run Without...

Welcome to another edition of Tuesdays on the Run hosted by the lovely ladies, Erika, Patty and April! This week we are talking what we absolutely cannot ever run without!

There's probably only one thing (outside of SHOES of course) that I never run without and that is my phone. I know there are a lot of mixed opinions about this one and many people can't stand running with their phone and never do...and I totally get that! It's great to unplug and it's wonderful when we can get out for a run without having to worry about phone calls or text messages or that constant need to be in contact. I sometimes wonder what we ever did before cell phones because, honestly, they have become so ingrained in our lives now.

But the reason I can't run without my phone isn't because I can't live without it for even a few minutes, it's because I want to be able to make a call if I have an emergency! In this day and age when cell phones do exist and are easily portable, it just seems silly to go out on my own without it.

What if I was hit by a car or was feeling like I might pass out or twisted an ankle? There's so many things that could go wrong that might be easily remedied by making a simple phone call. But if I didn't have my phone with me I would have to depend on first, someone else knowing there was a problem, and second, them making the call that needs to be made. I'd rather not have to depend on those two conditions because we all know that for the most part other people outside of our "bubble" are invisible.

I'm often reminded of the story a few years back about the runner that left for his jog and went missing. It took them days to find him. His autopsy revealed that he most likely died from a heart defect, but I can never help but wonder if he had his cell phone with him if they might have been able to save him. We will never know, but I also don't want to find out the hard way if something like that happens to me. I want to be able to hit 9-1-1 if I'm physically able to.

Another reason I run with my phone is because of the Road ID app. If Chad Rogers had the app installed on his phone and was using it, they would have been able to find him much quicker as it has the emergency alert feature that will call your emergency contacts that you have designated and sound an alarm if you haven't moved in five minutes. Great if you pass out like Chad did, so even if you can't physically dial 9-1-1 yourself, the app will send an alert for you, along with your eCrumbs that you have left while using the GPS feature.

Honestly, I think that this app is something that EVERY runner and cyclist should be using. I know you don't want to drag your phone around, but think about that one time that you might really, really need it. Wouldn't you want your family to know that even if you couldn't call for help, they could by receiving a notification that you might be in distress? I know I do...

There are lots of things I like to run WITH, like Vinnie (my Garmin 220), or my handheld Nathan water bottle, or my Jaybird Freedom wireless headphones. Those are all great. But the one thing I NEVER run without, is my phone. It's like the saying goes - I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. 

Your turn - what's something you would never run (or bike, or walk, or raft, or kayak, or SUP or whatever...) without?

TOTR: My Running Heroes!

Welcome back for another edition of Tuesdays on the Run hosted by Erika, April, and Patty! Today's topic is Runners Who Inspire Me.

When thinking about runners that inspire me I can't help but think about elites like Kara Goucher, Shalane Flanagan, Lauren Fleshman and more. I also can't help but think about runners that may not be as well known to the average everyday person, but are well known in their field like Nicole DeBoom, Dimity McDowell and Sara Bowen Shea from Another Mother Runner, and more. And there are those that led the way so that women could participate in sports today like Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon that I wrote a post about earlier this year. I also think about all the great people I know through various groups such as my Skirt Sports sistahs, Coach Jenny Hadfield's Challenge Group, Sweat Pink Ambassadors, and more.

In other words, inspiring runners are in abundance and can be found just about anywhere I look!

But, I have to say that the runners that TRULY inspire me are the underdog runners. The ones that don't fit the "running mold". The ones that are 80 and still running. The ones that don't find running to be the easiest thing but keep going out there and pushing just a little bit harder.

I'm sure you've seen them at races. They are usually at the very back and sometimes they are crossing the finish line long after the majority of people have gone home.

Rick and Dick Hoyt

Jimmy Jenson that was the first runner with Down Syndrome to cross the finish line of the NYC Marathon in 2013.

The blind runners and their partners like Scotty Smiley and his race partner and brother-in-law, Andy Cooper.

These are the runners that amaze and inspire me! I can find inspiration in so many places, but I truly do root for the underdog! Running isn't easy for me and I'm not a natural athlete. But anytime I want to complain about my pace or my abilities or pull a woe is me moment, I don't have to look far to find someone that is not just fighting through their own lazy brain syndrome (like I am 90% of the time) but is fighting through insurmountable odds to accomplish a dream.

Why yes, my excuse is invalid. It most definitely is. But thankfully, the inspiration I get from all these amazing runners that are my running heroes, is usually enough to get past whatever invalid excuses I have!

Question: Who are your running (or other life) heroes? Who provides you with the inspiration you need to keep going through tough situations?

Don't forget to stop by any of the hosts pages to visit the other posts about inspirational runners!

ToTR: Fall Racing Schedule

Today is another awesome Tuesdays on the Run topic - Fall Racing Schedule! The lovely gals behind the ToTR linkup are: MCM Mama Runs, Run the Great Wide Somewhere, and My No-Guilt Life. Don't forget to stop by one of their pages to check out the other posts for today's topic.

Before I jump into today's topic though, I first need to share some pictures with you of Joshua's first day of school!

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, let's talk Fall Racing Schedule. I actually have a really great schedule shaping up and I'm excited about every single race! Let's take a look...

Register for the race using my Ambassador Discount Code SSPQL20 for 20% off registration! 

First up on the schedule is a virtual race on September 12 - The Skirt Sports Boobie Run. This race is all about the TaTa's and when you register, instead of a shirt you'll never wear or a medal that you'll hang on the rack (hahaha - that could be a really bad pun right there) that gathers dust, you get a $70 Skirt Sports gift certificate to pick out the right bra for you! Personally, I love the Kelly Bra and I know they have a variety of styles to meet the needs of everyone between A - DD. AND you get to enjoy a virtual run or walk of either 8k or 8 miles because, you get it, the 8 on its side is like the TaTa's. Very clever, Skirt Sports...very clever.

Next up is the first physical (AKA non-virtual) race of the fall season on October 3 - Hometown Heroes Honor Run. This race benefits the Riverside Police Officers Association and the money they raise goes to an injured officer or his family. The first year the profits went to help an officer that was injured during the Christopher Dorner rampage and he actually ran the race last year! So it goes to a great cause and I'm always happy to support this race. Another great benefit is that this one is the first in the Riverside Challenge race series. I'll be running the 5k again this year, and this race is the one that holds my current 5k PR. I'm not expecting a PR this year though.

October 25 is my third half marathon of 2015 and my 6th half marathon overall for the Temecula Half Marathon. I'm doing this one with a group of people from work. Several of us will be doing the half, but even more will be participating in the 5k, along with my daughter Michelle doing her second 5k race. This race will be mostly for fun and the camaraderie of participating with my daughter and co-workers.

Next up is the Mission Inn Run on November 8 - This is the second in the Run Riverside Challenge and I've done the 10k race the past several years, but am going to do the 5k this time out. Since I'm not familiar with the 5k course, I'll also be doing this one for fun and just to get a baseline of where I'm at after a few months of training with my running coach (still so bizarre to say that!), Tiffany.

The following weekend on November 15 I'll be running the Surfers Point 10k in Ventura with my running pal, Sally. This is the real reason I'm only doing the 5k at the Mission Inn the week before. I am hoping that I can nail a 10k PR at this race since it is flat, near the beach so the weather should be good, and I'll be with my speedier friend Sally. If she paces me I think I can pull off a PR.

And technically, that is my Fall Racing Schedule! I do have a half marathon in January (the third in the Run Riverside Challenge), but I don't consider that to be part of the fall season. So I'll reserve talking about that one until a different day. :-) I'm really surprised that my fall racing schedule came together so nicely and as I mentioned previously, I'm excited for all of them!

Question: What is on your fall schedule whether it is racing or other activities?

TOTR - Group or Solo Running?

This is my first time linking up via MCM Mama Runs to talk about Group or Solo Running and I'm so excited to jump in on this conversation because it is one that I've been thinking about a lot lately!!

So why has this been on my mind a lot lately? Well, it's no surprise to anybody that has been reading that I'm struggling...and have been for a long time!! I would definitely say that my struggle started back during my marathon training. Heading out for those really long runs all by myself was brutal and my hamster brain got the best of me time and time again. But let me back up for just a bit...

At least a couple days a week I am out with my Mom & Sister so even though I'm technically not running solo, we are all at our own paces and are running solo the majority of the time. But I've gotten a taste a few times of how it feels to run with someone else. First I got to run with my lovely DIL, Auxi, a few times. Unfortunately for me, she and my son got stationed in Okinawa, Japan so I can't run with her these days. Ha! There's just a little bit of a distance problem...lol

Like in April when we did the San Jacinto Run United 5k together...

What has also spoiled me lately, especially on the longer runs, is getting to do several training runs leading up to the Ventura Marathon last year, along with a couple races now, with my running friend, Sally!

I've gotten tastes of what it's like to run with someone and I fear I may never be able to go back!!!

Sally on the right after the Avocado Half in May 2015

Sally on the left at the Idyllwild 10k in June 2015

So my dilemma is now that I know how nice it is to share the miles with someone and how quickly it goes when you're chatting away about anything and everything I want to have that on a more regular basis!!! But I know that Sally is holding back for me as she is much quicker than I am. And I also know that as far as training runs go, Sally likes to start a little later than my ridiculously early morning runs. My other dilemma is that there aren't any running groups in my area that I know of. There is a Moms Run This Town group about 20 minutes away that I could meet up with, but I also feel like I'm not really a "mom" like those ladies are. My kids are grown and I'm on grand kids now. LOL Many of those gals are still pushing strollers. Then the third dilemma is that I'm not a speedster. I fear that even if I found a running group that I'd still be running solo because I'm not equally paced with someone else. Like that time I went on a group run in Temecula with Sally and the entire group quickly left me in the dust. Like, it was literally, maybe 5 minutes before they were all long gone and I was...running solo. Thankfully Sally came back and shared some of the miles with me because I didn't even have the route and ended up lost very quickly. Let's just say it was not the best experience ever...

The best part about my only group run to date was that it was a new-to-me running area so there was lots to look at! 

Even though I would really love to run with a group, especially when doing the longer training runs and/or races, I have several roadblocks to doing so on a regular basis. So most of the time I am solo. So ask me what I prefer, solo or group, and I would probably say that group would be pretty awesome if I ever get a chance to really try it. Solo is pretty cool some of the time especially if I have a lot on my mind and want to just zone out. But my real preference would be if I could find a perfectly matched BRF...someone that wants to run at the butt crack o'dawn on a regular basis, lives locally, and can push me out of my comfort zone and make me go just a little faster. That's not too much to ask, is it? Know anyone??? ;-)