Running for My Life.

As most of you know, I have taken a love for running. Most of you also know that I am in my 2nd half marathon training program with Fleet Feet Tulsa. I am a HUGE fan of Fleet Feet. Not only do they provide superior service when it comes to all of your running gear, fittings for the right shoe, and racing needs but they are spectacular at their training programs. I've ran all of the programs except for the full marathon.

Here is a rundown of the running programs that Fleet Feet offers:
     (I will write a seperate blog posts re: other programs that FF offers at another time)

No Boundaries I - We offer a proven approach to training that gets you on the road to fitness safely and effectively. By providing an encouraging, welcoming and safe environment you can feel confident knowing this entire program is designed to help you run your first 5K.

No Boundaries II - Improve your 5K time with No Boundaries II. This program was born off the success and advancement of our No Boundaries graduates. It offers pace groups for runners and provides the same support, motivation and encouragement that No Boundaries is famous for. No Boundaries II picks up where No Boundaries I leaves off.

Pathways Intermediate 10k - This session of the Pathways training program is designed to improve your endurance and distance and prepare you for a 10K. Through coached pace groups for runners, the program provides variety and intensity to maximize the effectiveness and benefits of training. Our successful group training approach led by experience coaches ensures participants receive the support and motivation needed to complete a 10K.

Half Marathon and Marathon Training - If you’re serious about training for and completing a marathon or half marathon, join the region’s premier training program that has helped more than 5000 runners and walkers reach their goal to finish a marathon or half marathon. Our trained coaches have completed over 500 marathons combined and can offer the support and motivation needed to keep you going. With ten marathon and ten half marathon pace groups, there is a speed suited for every participant – whether this is your first marathon or you’re trying to qualify for Boston. Each session offers several different “specialized” training tracks – for example, a Boston-bound track, advanced marathon track and specific options for certain major out of town events.

And if you're feeling particularly crazy festive:

Advanced Half Marathon and Full Marathon - Current fitness level: Because of the intensity, these special programs require pre-approval. Participants must have previous marathon experience for the marathon program, and previous half marathon experience for the half marathon program . All levels of ability welcome, but individuals must be dedicated to an intense training experience.

Once I ran my first 5k I was hooked. I immediately joined the No Boundaries group. I haven't looked back since. It changed my life. In fact, I'm hoping to change others lives as my coaches did mine. I am now coaching the NoBo group this spring season. We had our first training run Monday. It was an amazing feeling to see all the new faces filled with excitement and anxiousness but also the willingness to let go and change their lives.

If you're looking to make a positive change in your life and make some life long friends in the process, sign up today. I promise you won't be dissapointed.

Go Short, Go Long, Go Very Long Race Recap

Hello! I am very excited to share this race recap with you. Why, you ask? Well....I PR'd! It was my fastest 5k to date. I will admit, there were moments I wondered if I could keep my quick pace (quick for me), but I was really feelin' it and ended up only slowing by a few seconds. Overall, I'm very pleased. My official time was 34:29.

The Go Short, Go Long, Go Very Long was this Saturday and hosted by Fleet Feet.

photo from FleetFeetTulsa.com

All Fleet Feet races are very well organized and always go well. So, needless to say, the race went off without a hitch. It started at a local restaurant call the Blue Rose Cafe. They were really hospitable and opened early so the runners could stay warm, use the restroom, register, get water, etc. The 25k/50k started promptly at 8:00am and the 5k/10k immediately followed at 8:05am. The entire race was done on the Tulsa River Parks Trails and proceeds from the race were to benefit the organization. These trails are a major activity hub for local, walkers, runners, and cyclists so it benefits us just as much as the organization itself.

Afterwards, the Blue Rose hosted the participants to breakfast and beer. They served beer from our local Tulsa brewery, Marshalls. Each 5k/10k runner had 2 adult beverage tickets and a spread of oatmeal, fresh fruit, bagels from Old School Bagel Cafe and coffee/oj. The 25k/50k runners had 2 drink tickets and more hearty food options like breakfast sandwiches and burgers. The wait staff was really nice and definitely made the runners feel welcome after their race. We had a great experience. I will definitely run this race again, probably a higher mileage course.

Here are a couple of pics from yesterday. Cover model for the next issue of RunnersWorld mag?

Kidding.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Back In Action

Okay so its been 13 days since my last post. Apparently I just cannot get on the ball.

I guess in an order to get caught up, I'll give you a brief rundown of my weekend.

Friday...

we deemed pizza and movie night. I stopped at Mazzio's on the way home and picked up one of their new deals, the $7 HotTakes. Let's just say it was more like the 'Show Up, Order, and Wait 15-20 minute' deal. Blah. I also got the salad bar in addition to my pizza in an effort to not inhale the whole thing and not leave any for the hubs. I succeeded.

The hubs stopped at Redbox on the way home and picked up a couple of movies we'd been wanting to see. We typically do not go to the movies, so I'm sure the entire planet has already seen both of them.

Movie #1 - Ted.

(image courtesy of imdb.com)

Movie #2 - The Bourne Legacy.

(image courtesy of imdb.com)

Ted was well, hilarious in parts and other parts were completely ridiculous and dumb. But, as to be expected from such a movie. 

Anyone that knows me knows I LOVE the Bourne Trilogy and was stoked to see this movie. I loved every minute of it and am excited that they left the ending open for additional movie, but I have no clue if they plan on doing so.

Saturday...

started with my long run. It was BRUTAL. We did hill training for 6 solid miles. My buns were burnin' so bad! But, I finished, only briefly stopped once, so ulitmately I was very proud of myself.

This is the elevation chart. To most hardcore seasoned runners, this is probably childs play, but it was a butt kicker for me, for sure.

After that I hit the grocery store to walk out my legs- please, please don't be jealous- and headed home. I did some minor things around the house and took a brief nap until the hubs woke me up and made me go out in public. We decided to hit up Main Street Tavern for a couple of drinks and an appetizer. Once we had been adequately social we decided to head home and make dinner. I ended up finishing a movie that I had started watching in the Cardio Cinema at the gym and was curious how it eneded. It was less than to be desired, so I'll spare you the details.

Sunday...

was a relaxing day on the couch with the pup.

I hope you had an equally relaxing and enjoyable weekend as I did!

MIA

So I've been MIA for a while... and by a while, I mean more than a year. Holy moly. So much has happened in this said 'year +'. Let's see, I...

1. Ran my first half marathon.

2. Went to NYC for the 1st time.

3. Got engaged. 

 4. Went to Mexico

5. Lost a job.

6. Got married. 

7. Went on our honeymoon to San Francisco & Napa. (amaze)

(Bay Tour)

(Robert Mondavi Winery)

8. Got a new job.

...and I'm already exhausted and I've just started catching you up. Over this period I've thought about starting to blog again, time and time again. But I felt I was so far behind that there was no point to start again, and even contemplated deleting it altogether. However, since then, things have slowed down a little and I've realized how much I've regretted not documenting my training, engagement, wedding, etc. the first time around. So I'm going to give it a valiant effort to start up again and be better with pics. We'll see how it goes. Wish me luck!

I'm as fast as Speedy Gonzales!

Not really. At all. But I like to pretend I am....

In honor of Cinco de drinko Mayo yesterday I am posting about the 

Cinco de Mayo Run that I'm doing tonight.

Fleet Feet Sports of Tulsa is pleased to present the 8th Annual Cinco De Mayo Run. Nice downtown 5km course, great live Mariachi band, mexican food from 

El Rancho Grande, and beer from Marshalls!  Also included is a 1-Mile Fun Run and Tulsa Schools Challenge!  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the 

American Lung Association and cash awards will go to the top three local elementary schools that participate!

Fun right?? Who doesn't want to run for food and drink? 

I mean let's be honest people.

Remember the 10 Run

On January 27, 2001, 10 members of the Oklahoma State University family died in a plane crash in Colorado. The loss of the "10" is one of the greatest tragedies the OSU family has known and impacted not only those affiliated with OSU, but a much larger "family" including all Oklahomans and others throughout the nation. Honoring their memory with a memorial run gives us an event to remember and to celebrate their lives. The "Remember The Ten" Run has now become an annual tradition, held on the third Saturday of April each year. 

I have been so busy at work and in life in general I haven't had time to blog about the Remember the 10 Run I did April 16. However, I will never be to busy to remember exactly where we were the night we heard the news. I was extremely proud to run in this race and will continue to do so as long as I am able.

Unfortunately, in poor blogger fashion, I have only two pics to show from the race. I SWEAR people, I will get better. SWEAR.

Me and my the "Ashley's".

Me and Charlie Brown. <3

Yes, I just made the ridiculous high school heart. Don't judge.

I must commend Oklahoma State University for putting on the best race I've run yet. Granted, I haven't ran many, but this one tops the list. 

They had 1,970 runners and I would never have guessed until they made the announcement that it was their biggest event yet. It was very well organized, they had lots of water and snacks before and after the race, and the runners packet was out of this world. 

The runners pack included:

Race Shirt

Orange Cinch Sack Bag

A Commemorative Remember the 10 Pin

Remember the 10 Car Window Decal

And everyone got a participation medal.

Uh hello? That rocks. 

(but I would expect that from my Alma Mater)

The whole weekend was packed with things to do. The Orange and White Spring game was held Saturday afternoon after the race, as well as The Legends of the Gridiron (OSU Football Alumni Weekend). There were tons of people and the town was hoppin'. Even if you weren't there to run, you were sure to be entertained. I would definitely suggest this race to everyone. 

If you don't want to run it for you, run it for the 10.

Sadie.

Sadie is our Rat Terrier that we adopted. She was found on the highway about to be smushed by an 18-wheeler. Eek! A very nice lady pulled over to grab her. Thanks to an email chain that was who-knows how long, she is now my our presh... 

Sadie means 'princess'. I didn't know this until I sat down to write this post and looked it up. We named her that because we thought it was a cute name. Boy does that shoe fit...

Sittin up there like she own's the joint.

How can you resist this face?!?

Kills me.

I feel like all of you should have one. or two. or three.