2017: A Year in Review

Here we are at the end of yet another year. Most years go by really fast for me but, I think 2017 didn’t go by as fast as other years. We definitely had some busy seasons with work and travels, mostly during the summer and October, but the rest of the year felt smooth and less rushed than others. I’m so not complaining about that! I am not one to glorify busy and enjoy taking time to enjoy my days and not feel rushed.

A big highlight of the year for me was becoming part of the Rock N Roll Marathon Series ambassador program, called Rock N Blog and I’m excited to be a part of the team again for 2018! This definitely set the tone for my running schedule for the year. I ended up running 18 races! Seven of these were virtual 5Ks, but they still came with some awesome race bling!! One was the Run Love Virtual 5K by Running Skirts and the other 6 were with the Rock N Roll Race Series! I also did a fun non-competitive community 5K with the kiddos. And 2 more 5Ks, one at Rock N Roll San Diego and the other at Rock N Roll Las Vegas as part of the Remix Challenge. I ran 2 obstacle course races, the Vegas Spartan Super and the Badass Dash. Lastly, I ran a total of 6 half marathons this year. By far, the most half marathons I’ve ran in 1 year! My favorite was the San Diego Half Marathon, not because I PRed or anything, but because it was such a fun race! If you want to check out any or all the race recaps, you can do so HERE!

Traveling and getting out to explore new places, near and far, is a big part of our lives. This year, 3 of our trips were race-cations! We traveled to San Diego, Seattle, and Napa for me to run half marathons + we got vacations out of it too, I’d say it was a win-win for everyone! For Spring Break we visited the Getty Center in Los Angeles, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Malibu. We took our summer family vacation visiting the Pacific Northwest. We spent 2 days in Seattle and rest of our week was spent in Oregon. We stayed in Portland and saw the main sights in the city, as well as visiting the Oregon Coast and the Colombia River Gorge, including the famous Multnomah Falls. We also took a kid-free weekend getaway trip to San Diego, mostly to run the Rock N Roll 5k + half marathon but also to unwind a bit. It was great. Another trip we took was to the Sonoma/Napa Wine Valley. That was a fun trip we took with our friends without the kiddos too. I ran the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon and the rest of the time we visited some amazing wineries and ate some delicious food!

We also planned smaller weekend and day trips throughout the year to Southern California, Valley of Fire, Willow Beach at the Arizona border, and Sand Hollow State Park in Utah. We had a great Summer Bucket List, full of activities and even though we didn’t finish everything on the list, it was a ton of fun! This year we also celebrated my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary!

This time of year, I always like to reflect on all aspects of my life and really take note of what worked, what didn’t, where I can improve, and start planning for the upcoming year. It can be difficult to balance life and I know it’s impossible to get it all right, all the time. The best I can do is learn from my experiences, grow, and start off with a good plan. I hope you too take the time to reflect and learn from this past year and not just dwell on what didn’t go right, but really embrace and appreciate all the good too! XO Jessie

Run Laughlin Half Marathon Race Recap

Earlier this year, I was contacted by the Run Laughlin race director and asked to be part of their ambassador program for their race. In return for promoting their race, I was given 2 race entries for myself and a friend PLUS 8 race entries to giveaway! Although I was given this race entry, my review and opinions are my own.

This was my 2nd year running this race. I ran it in 2015 and really enjoyed the course, you can read my review HERE. The course for 2017 was slightly different, so I was looking forward to comparing the course. I also was excited because this was the hubby’s 2nd half marathon and I was looking forward to running together for part of the race and and seeing him cross that finish line!

The race began at the high school and had us do a loop around the track. The higher elevation of the school, meant we got some great views of the mountains around us! After the track, it was a steady uphill climb for the next 3 miles or so. Not the best start to a race for me, but at least it was at the beginning and not the end! Like the saying goes, “What goes up, must come down!” and the next 3 miles were gloriously downhill and fast! I knew that we’d get another uphill section as we ran towards the dam and across the bridge and I took it slow and steady because that section was out and back so it was going to be a nice downhill after the turnaround. The last portion of the race was along the river. It was pretty flat with a few slight inclines, but nothing major. Of course, after 10 miles, any slight change uphill can feel like a mountain! I kept pushing on that last mile and was really happy with my time! I beat my 2015 time for this race by 1 minute and finished 2017 strong!

I really enjoyed the course and the smaller race size, after having ran a lot of bigger races this year. The volunteers were all super friendly, even though a lot of the aid stations were running out of cups for water! Thankfully, I run with my Nathan’s hydration pack, so this didn’t affect me. The other not-so-great- thing about this race was the fact that they ran out of medals. It was such a let down to cross the finish line and not get our finisher medals. According to the new race directors, it was a problem with their supplier. I will say, they have communicated with us and are in the process of mailing our medals and even got the suppliers to engraving our name and finish time on the back of our medal at no cost. It’s been 2 weeks and we’re patiently waiting for them to arrive.

In the meantime, I’m working on my race schedule and goals for 2018! Can’t wait to share them with you next week! Tell me, what are your health and fitness goals for the new year?

Las Vegas Rock N Roll 5K + Half Marathon Race Recap

Another half marathon done! This is my 11th half marathon since I started running! There are lots of reasons why this year’s Las Vegas Rock N Roll Half Marathon was special to me, but the main reason is that this year my running came full circle back to where it all began. The Las Vegas Rock N Roll was my first half marathon ever in 2013. I remember how nervous I was about running this event. Everything was so new to me and I am so grateful to my marathon running cousin, Anel, who traveled from Texas to Vegas to run my first half marathon with me. I will never forget that and how helpful it was to have a pro showing me the ins and outs of race day.

My first time running the strip at night, I had all my family and some friends cheering me on from the sidelines. They held signs and gave me high-fives as I ran past them around mile 5. It was such a rush! They were there for me at the finish line and we even got a hotel room for the night so we wouldn’t have to deal with traffic leaving the race. We ordered In N Out (fancy!), did some tequila shots, and celebrated together this accomplishment! Well, as you can imagine by the 11th half marathon and countless other races in between, the fanfare has diminished. Can you blame them? There were no family members giving me high fives along the half marathon course or waiting for me at the finish. But, no matter what, I know I still have their support and encouragement always.

This year, I got to run as part of the Rock ‘N’ Blog team and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this running community! I decided to run the Vegas 5K on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday, as part of the Remix Challenge. You can read more about what’s a Remix Challenge HERE, on a post I wrote for Rock N Roll Marathon Series Tempo Blog!

For the 5K, my hubby and kiddos came to cheer me on, along with a friend and her 2 daughters who came from California and were also running the half marathon the next day. Parking for the race was pretty easy. The race started at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds across from the SLS Hotel at 6pm. The security was tight, which we were definitely expecting, and they were only allowing the clear Rock N Roll swag bags we got with our registration. I honestly don’t remember seeing this posted at all during the registration process or at the expo and of course, my husband had a camera bag they wouldn’t let him in with. At least we had enough time and he was able to make it back to the car and drop it off before the race started. Being a Las Vegas local, I wasn’t too excited about the course for the 5K, it was an out and back and ran down Industrial Blvd, a side street that is parallel to the strip but nowhere near as glamorous! Although the course was not amazing, the energy and the participants made it fun! There was plenty of lights and music along the course and lots of runners in costume and neon flashing lights on them! After the race and once I met up with my family and friends, I went to get my finisher beer and we sat together for a bit before heading out to our cab loading dinner at Bucca Di Beppo. We didn’t stay for the concert. My kiddos have no idea who the Goo Goo Dolls are!!!

Sunday morning I had a good brunch and took my time prepping for the race. I met up with my friend, Emily and her friend, Mike, who drove us to the race (no entourage this time!) We parked at Mandalay Bay and took the monorail to the start line area. Although it was crowded and busy, everything was still organized and calm. It was nice to have some friends who were running while we waited for our start time. Bonus: This was the first race where I didn’t have to wait in a long line for the port-a-potty! Total Win!!

Wasn't this announcement for start times just awesome?!? — Wasn’t this announcement for start times just awesome?!?

The race went well for me. I started slow, felt good in the middle, but by mile 10 I lost steam and struggled to keep my pace. The energy from the crowds along the strip was great and I especially loved the lights and music towards the finish line!! There was even an acrobatic performer hanging from a crane and swinging and twirling at the finish line. Only in Vegas! Also, only in Vegas do you get to walk openly with your finisher beer and take photos with Elvis!! These are some pretty fun perks for sure!

Of course, getting to run on the strip is pretty epic! But for locals the traffic due to so many street closures can be pretty bad, so getting picked up after the race was kind of a nightmare. I think next time I run this race, I’ll play tourist and book a room on the strip like we did for my first one. I’m never one to say no to a staycation! All and all, it was a great time and I’m so happy I got to run this race again!

Seven Tips for Making the Most of Your Next Racecation

What exactly is a “racecation”? Well, it’s a race + vacation in one! I love to travel and I love to run races, so racecations are the best of both worlds for me! For others, it could be a dream race they’ve had on their bucket list or part of their goal to race in every state. Whatever your reasons, if you’re traveling for a race, I say bring the family, stay a few extra days and make it a vacation!

I’ve traveled to quite a few races and with a little planning it is totally possible to run a great race and enjoy the sights! Here are my Top 7 Tips for planning your next racecation!

1. Plan Ahead. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to note. Make sure to check out all the race details and final emails for any transportation logistics, last minute changes, and any race add-ons, such as carb loading dinners, seminars, or VIP Packages. Some of these can sell out, so be sure to sign up early if you plan to take advantage of them. It’s best to print any waivers or forms beforehand, so you don’t waste time once you’re there. Believe me, your family will thank you for it. Some race sponsors also offer discounts or deals to race participants, so it’s good to go to the race website and see what’s available. I’ve found great prices on hotels and even a good deal on a city tour in Seattle this way! Also, know where the expo is being held! Sometimes it’s at the start/finish but other times, it could be in a completely different area, so map it out and know where you’re going!

2. Book a Nearby Hotel. Like I just mentioned, most races will have a list of recommended lodging and they may even offer a discount to racers. I’d check these out first, but if they are no longer available, as these do tend to book up soon, look for other nearby hotels. It’s up to you if you prefer to be near the start or finish line and it may also depend on what you’ll be using for transportation. A lot of races do offer buses to the start line from specific locations. Personally, for my racecations, we’ll book a hotel near the finish line, so my family can easily meet me with me afterwards and they don’t have to ride in the car with stinky mom for too long!

Use Eagle Creek Pack-It Sport Cube. This post in not sponsored by Eagle Creek, I just really love their products. As a Rock N Roll Marathon ambassador, I was given a Sport Tote to try out and I really liked it. Then, when I saw their booth at one of the expos, I purchased the Pack-It Sport Cube and it’s since been with me for every overnight race and racecation! I pack everything I need for race day in it: sneakers, Garmin, hat, top, bottoms, socks, sport bra, undies, glide, gels, Nuun! Even a change of clothes for after the race! Basically, if I need it for race day, it’s going in that cube. It keeps me organized and I love knowing that it’s all together. Plus, the cube is small enough and fits nicely in my suitcase. I highly recommend them to everyone!!

Don’t Arrive Too Early. I’ve learned from experience that it’s best to run your race and then start your vacation, not the other way around. Leaving the race for the end or even the middle of your trip may give you added stress and who needs that! You’ll possibly worry about things like getting enough sleep or worry about walking too much and running on tired legs. You may even have to plan a short training run. There’s also things like your diet to consider and let’s be honest, we all like to indulge a bit while on vacation, right? I’ve noticed that the best time to arrive is 1-2 days before your race. I prefer to arrive the morning before the race. This gives me enough time to visit the expo, pick up my race big, settle into our hotel room, grab dinner, and have an early bedtime. However, if you’ll be traveling to a different time zone and will experience some jet lag, then plan to arrive 2 days early and use that day in between to relax and acclimate to the time change.

Stick to your Pre-Race Routine. When we’re traveling, we tend to go on hyper-mode and want to do and see everything! I speak from experience! Since most races are super early in the morning, you’ll want to be sure to get to bed early. Then, stick to your morning routine as much as possible. I always make sure to get my go-to race day breakfast of a banana and a Justin’s almond butter packet the night before. I also lay everything out the night before, so I can just go into auto-pilot and get dressed, grab my things and go. It’s usually to early for me to think straight, so doing it the night before gives me peace of mind on race day!

Use Waze. This one only applies if you’ll be driving to your race. If so, then rather than using Google Maps, I suggest using the Waze app. It’s free to download and since it’s crowd sourced, the road closures due to the race will show up and it will give you better routes to take. It’s been really helpful for us!

Enjoy the Race. Most of us who plan racecations do so because it’s a new city or new place we want to explore. Running through a city or park we’ve never been to is exciting, so don’t forget to look around. Don’t get so focused on just running the race and watching your pace that you forget to look around and take in the new scenery. This was probably the reason you signed up for the race to begin with! Enjoy the race and scenery and think of all the fun you’ll be having after your race is done! You’ll get to see and visit new places because running got you there! And, that is pretty cool!

Seattle Rock n Roll Half Marathon + VIP Experience Recap

Last month I got to run the Seattle Rock N Roll Half Marathon as a member of the Rock ‘n’ Blog team. As part of the team, I received a Global Tour Pass, which allows me to run any of their races worldwide (travel costs not included). I also received 1 complimentary VIP Experience upgrade for my choice of race.

Having not been to the Pacific Northwest before, we decided to turn this into our summer family vacation and we added Portland and the Oregon coast to our trip. I’ll be sharing some of the highlights from our trip soon, but for now I’m just going to recap the race 😉

We arrived at the expo for packet pickup early Saturday afternoon and it was super quick and easy to get my packet. The expo was busy and felt a little crowded, but this is normal for such a big event. I waited in a small line to pick up my VIP Pass. I was super excited to check out the VIP experience since I’d never done it before and let me tell you, it was fancy! VIP Experiences range in price per event. The Pre-Race Experience begins at $45 and the full VIP Experience is $75+, with Las Vegas being the priciest of them all at over $200! This is in addition to the cost of the race registration.

Here’s what you get when you upgrade to VIP status + my experience from each of the perks.

Reserved Parking: There was no on-site parking at the start line, so the reserved parking for this race was for parking at the shuttle area. Since I was being dropped off, this did not really apply to me.
VIP Shuttles: Didn’t use it since I was being dropped off, but it was super early and I want to say it was even earlier than the general shuttles.
Private Gear Check: This was awesome! The gear check truck was located right by the VIP Lounge area both for the start and finish line!
Pre-Race Continental Breakfast & Coffee: This was another great option. They offered all the basic runner breakfast foods: bananas, peanut butter, muffins, bagels, yogurt parfaits, plus coffee, tea, water. There were plenty of tables and chairs too.
Private Restrooms: Worth it! Oh, so worth it! Indoor bathroom with no line and actual flushing toilets! That would have been good enough, but they also had feminine products, deodorant, hair spray, Vaseline, sunblock, wipes, etc. Talk about being spoiled! For the Seattle venue, they offered the restrooms that were inside the stadiums and adjacent to the VIP area, inside the stadium.
Private VIP Lounge: The set up was really nice and private. There was plenty of seating. However, I will say that I’m not a real social butterfly, so it was kinda lonely. Normally, if I’m running alone the hubs will be with me for moral support and company until it’s almost race time. I did speak to a few other runners and such, but I think this would be way more fun with a friend or group.
Post-Race Massage: When I went over to check this out, there was a pretty long list of names ahead of me. Since I didn’t purchase VIP passes for my family that was waiting outside for me, I didn’t want them to wait too much longer, so I didn’t stay. However, there were about 4 massage therapists and it looked like some legit massages. Not chair massages and they were about 10-15 minutes long.
Yoga Stretching Area: They also had an area with mats for stretching and foam rollers. I took advantage of this and loved it!
Post-Race Changing Tents: At the Seattle race they didn’t offer the tents, but we were able to change in the indoor bathrooms in the stadium. It was so awesome to just grab my bag from gear check and be able to change into clean dry clothes and freshen up! Seriously, it was awesome
Catered Buffet: They offered a post-race brunch too at Seattle and I’m not sure if they offer this at every race but it was a great spread. They had fruits, salad, sandwiches, pasta, fish, bread, desserts! Lots of options to choose from!
VIP Bar: The Bar only had beer, but a mimosa would have been nice too! The beers were unlimited but I didn’t want to be a lush, so I only had 2 🙂
Exclusive View of the Post-Race Concert: For Seattle this was awesome! Because the VIP area was at the top of the stadium stairs and the concert was at the bottom courtyard area, we had a great view of the entire post-race festival.

So, is it worth the extra cost? In my opinion, yes, it can be worth it. If you only run a few races or even just one race a year, if you have the extra funds and want to treat yourself, or as a gift from someone! It’s definitely a fun experience to try at least once!

Now, on to the race itself. It was a lot better than I expected. Coming from Las Vegas, I was really enjoying the cool overcast weather and all the green!!! The course was beautiful and ran alongside the water and gorgeous homes. It wasn’t as hilly as I was expecting it to be and I was very grateful for that! There weren’t as many spectators on the on-course as other Rock N Roll races, but I still think it was a great race with plenty of entertainment, scenery, and fun!

Gear check and then right up those stairs to VIP area or you can use the VIP elevator. I'll let you guess which one I chose ;) — Gear check and then right up those stairs to VIP area or you can use the VIP elevator. I’ll let you guess which one I chose 😉

The post-race brunch spread! So tasty!!!

Great vantage point of the post-race concert!

Have you ever purchased the additional VIP Experience package? What are your thoughts? Worth it? Wast of money? Would love to hear what you think!

Rock N Roll San Diego Remix Challenge | Race Recap

During the first weekend of June I completed my first Rock N Roll Marathon Series Remix Challenge in San Diego! The Remix Challenge medal is earned when you complete two days of running during a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series event. Any combination of distances qualifies for the Remix Challenge Medal. You need to complete one event on Saturday and one event on Sunday during the same Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series event weekend. I chose to run the 5K distance on Saturday and the half marathon distance on Sunday.

This is my first year as a member of the Rock ‘n’ Blog team and I am loving it so far! As part of the team I received a Global Tour Pass, which allows me to run any of their races worldwide (travel costs not included). My next tour stops will be Seattle, June 18th for the Half Marathon and Las Vegas on November 11-12 for another Remix (5K and Half Marathon).

We left a little later than we wanted to on Friday afternoon from Vegas, so we arrived for packet pickup with just under one hour before the expo closed. The good thing about cutting it so close was that there was no line to get my packets 🙂 I was given a specific wrist tag with my bibs and was explained that I was to wear it on Sunday’s race to pick up my Remix Challenge medal after the race (woohoo!). Afterwards we walked around the Gaslamp Quarter and grabbed some sushi for dinner before checking in to our room and crashing!

This was my first really big 5K event and it was a great experience. The atmosphere was relaxed and everyone was ready to have a good time. Although, I told myself I would take it slow, I couldn’t help but get carried away by all the excitement and I took off a little faster than I wanted to. But after the first mile or so I slowed myself down and started to enjoy the sights of Balboa Park. Jason was right there cheering me on at the finish line and then we made our way to the beer tent. As ya’ll know, I am much more of a wine girl myself, but after a race there’s nothing better than a cold beer. Trust me on that one!

The rest of the day was spent doing a little shopping and catching a movie, which is a rare treat for us to do without the kiddos. We then made our way to Ocean Beach for burgers and beers at Hodad’s and to catch a glimpse of the ocean! Do yourself a favor and check it out next time you’re in the San Diego area. It’s got a great vibe and the burgers are delicious!

The next day, was a little less relaxed, as thousands of half marathon and marathon runners made their way to the starting line. But, it was still a Rock N Roll event and the atmosphere was one of fun, if not a little more focused on the longer distances to be conquered that day. I know I was feeling nervous and excited too! The half marathon course was a blast and although my legs felt a little sluggish the first few miles, I found my groove and had a strong finish! The best part of the race was running through the Normal Heights neighborhood, where the neighbors were out supporting the runners with everything from jolly ranchers to alcohol. Loved the makeshift bars they set up serving beer, mimosas, and even shots of liquor! I chose to pass on the libations, but it was super entertaining to run by and see other brave runners take their shots! Another favorite was when we finally got the the nice downhill area along the park! Running downhill is my favorite, so a downhill finish was a great relief from an otherwise kinda hilly course.

As with all big races, the finish line area was crowded and busy. Jason was looking out for me so we met up soon after. We made our way to the festival area and to the Heavy Medal tent for my Remix Medal! And then of course, it was another race so another beer at the finish! It was also great to see some friends at the festival who had ran the relay race. We chatted a bit with them before we had to get going to check out of our room and make our way back to Vegas!

But, first we had to stop at our favorite Temecula winery, Wiens Family Cellars, for some wine tasting. We brought a few bottles home with us too and way may have also signed up for their wine club (again!)

If you’ve never ran the Remix Challenge, I definitely suggest you try it at least once. Not only do you leave the weekend with 3 awesome medals, it really makes it for a fun-filled running weekend. Plus, you get to doubly enjoy what the Rock N Roll Marathon races are all about: fun, community, bling, music, and just an all-around good time!

Even though it was a weekend with 2 back to back races, the hubs and I still got to spend a much needed weekend away without the kiddos. It was the perfect start to summer break and I think we may have to turn it into a yearly tradition, with or without a race 😉

Zion Half Marathon | Race Recap

April 1st was my first half marathon of the year, the Zion Half Marathon! I would love to say it started off amazingly, but when your first mile is 18+ minutes, you kinda know it’s gonna be a doozy!

My friend and I took off from Las Vegas early Friday afternoon and the drive took us about 4 hrs. Yay for the S-Town Podcastfor the in-car entertainment! Packet pickup was at Zion Ponderosa Ranch which was north of Zion National Park from the direction we came in. So, we had to pay the $35 admission to the park to drive across. Seriously wish there would have been some mention of this on the website. Anyhow, we made it just in time for packet pickup and our spaghetti dinner. The weather was very cold and it was super muddy. The race directors had communicated this to us via emails, updates on facebook, and even text messages, so we knew what to expect when we arrived. As a matter of fact, their communication throughout the evening and race morning was very good.

We stayed in Kanab, UT which was another 30 minutes north of the start line at the same Zion Ponderosa Ranch. Traffic was expected for race morning and we were told to plan at least an additional 30 minutes to our drive. However, the night before the race, we were given notice that the parking area was being moved to their Plan B location due to the muddy conditions at the original parking lot. This created even more traffic and congestion as there was only one entrance to Zion Mountain Ranch and cars were simply parking alongside of the road. We then had to walk back towards the main road to where the buses were picking up runners. This ended up being about a mile away from our car. We finally arrived to the buses, waited in line, and boarded the lovely warmth of the bus! Kudos to the volunteers for being out there in the dark and cold morning in such good spirits! They rocked!

Once we arrived to the start line area we found out the race was being delayed due to the traffic congestion caused by the parking lot change. Once the race finally started it was pretty confusing and rushed so we ended up way in the back of the pack. I thought we’d be ok once we started running and we found our groove but that never happened for me. Unfortunately, all the melted snow created some pretty muddy trails that were nearly impossible to run through. Runners ended up just walking along the edges of the trail or completely around the trail so we just all walked in a row behind each other. Yup, more congestion. By the time we were out of the 1st muddy mile, it’d been 18 minutes and I was feeling pretty defeated. The downhill course that was promised was not really downhill. It was way more hilly and more of an up and down course. Add to that the super muddy trails where we were forced to walk most of them and we had ourselves a PR for slowest half marathon! It was definitely not the race I was expecting. Having to run past our cars around mile 7 was especially cruel!

This was right before the finish line! Hardly a downhill run....Ugghhh Thanks @penguincity for capturing this shot! — This was right before the finish line! Hardly a downhill run….Ugghhh Thanks @penguincity for capturing this shot!

Clearly, I was not the only one who was a bit disappointed. @gimmeapaw was spot on with her post!

It hurts me to write this recap because I’ve seriously loved all the half marathons I’ve ran. I understand no one can predict the weather and the havoc it can cause on race day and the race directors did a good job handling it. I think they did the best they could with the weather conditions. They also gave all this year’s runners a discount for next year’s race and sent a very well written email afterwards. However, it wasn’t just the weather that did it for me. I wish I could say it was just the wet, cold, muddy conditions that made it difficult for me to enjoy the race, but it wasn’t just that for me. I was also expecting a much more scenic race and the locations we ran through just didn’t have spectacular views. For this year only, the race was east of Zion National Park, so maybe the regular location is much more scenic, but I’m not sure. Ultimately, I know a race is what you make of it and I am glad I experienced this race. It taught me that I need be prepared for everything and sometimes races just don’t go as expected. I need to learn to go with the flow. This race was definitely a mental game for me and I gave up quickly. I did not give it my all and I let unrealized expectations, bad weather, and muddy conditions defeat me. Lesson learned.

I gotta say, I do love that big wooden medal and now I can mark off running while it snows from the bucket list! Ok, it was just flurries but still…

Did you run the Zion Half Marathon? I’d love to know what are your thoughts of the race.

Las Vegas Spartan Super | Race Recap

Spartan Races are some of my favorite races ever! I’ve done more Spartan Races than any other race, with a total of 9 races – 2 Beasts, 4 Supers, and 3 Sprints! I love the Spartan Races because although they are challenging and tough, there is a great spirit of camaraderie and fun too! And you can’t beat that feeling of accomplishment when you conquer obstacles you trained so hard for. Plus: free beer at the finish!

I hadn’t planned on running the Las Vegas Spartan Super this year because I’m a wimp. The race was scheduled to be at the same location as last year and the course was super sandy and I remember how much I did not enjoy trying to run 4 miles or so in sand. But, when a friend of a friend found out she couldn’t run it just 2 weeks before race day, I jumped on the opportunity to have her race deferred to me! I couldn’t resist. The 8 + miles wouldn’t be a problem because I’ve been training for the Zion Half Marathon coming up April 1st. The obstacles and sand however, were a whole other story! Although I knew I couldn’t get myself in top shape in just 2 weeks and I knew my upper body strength was nowhere it had been, I didn’t think it would be so hard. But, yikes did I struggle! It was especially sad to struggle on obstacles that I don’t normally struggle with. I had a lot of help from my teammates and fellow racer on course. Like I said, all that help and support from fellow Spartans is what makes me love this race series! My teammates and I finished strong and for 3 of the 5 of us, it was their first Spartan Race ever. Seeing my friend conquer obstacles she didn’t think she could was so awesome and really made that race special for me!

This race was such a wake up call for me. Like I said, I finished the race and I had a ton of fun running it but deep down I know I can perform better. So, what do you do when you don’t run your best race? You literally wash off the mud and sign up for another one! In my case, you sign up for the Spartan Beast + Sprint coming up in October in Big Bear Lake, CA and aim to get that Trifecta one more time. Let the training begin! AROO!

Have you ever ran a Spartan Race or OCR? What’s your favorite race series?

Rock N Blog Team 2017

I am so excited to be a part of the Rock ‘n, Blog Team for 2017! Rock ‘n’ Blog is a community of like-minded folks who love to run and have fun and earn some awesome bling along the way. This is my first year being an ambassador for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series and I’m really looking forward to running as many races as I can with them! In 2013 I ran my first half marathon, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas and I’ve been hooked on running ever since. So, yea the Rock ‘n’ Roll has a special place in my heart.

They put on a great event! If you’re looking to run your first half marathon, I definitely think it’s a great race for beginners. The energy from the crowds, your fellow runners, and the music really keep you pumped up throughout the race. The series also offers the full marathon distance and depending on the city, they also offer relays, 10Ks, 5Ks, and kid races. There is definitely something for everyone!

Here’s what I have planned for the Rock ‘n’ Roll series this year:

Who’s ready to join me? How about a discount code to help convince you? Use code RNB15 to get $15 off your half or full marathon registration!

Bristlecone Events Groundhog Day 5K Community Run

Earlier this month the kiddos and I woke up early, drove to the other side of town and ran Bristlecone Events Groundhog Day 5K Community Run! I’m part of a running group on Facebook and one of the members was offering free registrations for this upcoming event and of course, I was all for it! Free Race, count me in!

Bristelcone Events is a new racing company in Las Vegas and they’ll be putting some new and fun events this year. The cool thing about their community race series, is that they are only $15 and although they don’t have tshrits and medals at the finish, they’re still fun, community oriented, and organized. They also provide a water station and treats at the end 🙂

This was Diego’s first 5K and he did so great. He took off at the starting line and Elysse and I never caught up! The race was 3 loops with 1 aid station. Jason was waiting at the aid station and cheered us on at each lap. Since Diego was running ahead, I stayed with Elysse and ran alongside her. She started off super excited but about halfway through our first lap, she started to get tired. I’ll admit she got a little whiny and started complaining. It was hard to keep positive with her complaining, but I tried to motivate her as we ran and walked.

Diego finished strong about 5 or so minutes before us and he was so pumped! I think he may have experienced his first runner’s high!!! He went on and on about how much he loved it and how good he was feeling. I was a proud momma 🙂

We’re already looking into doing another family 5K run together and hopefully Jason will join us next time 😉

Have you ever ran a 5K together as a family? What’s been your favorite race?