Recovery Day!

I'm totally in a state of recovery over here.  I'm more sore after my 6 miles yesterday than I have been after some of my half's.

It feels good in a twisted way though.  I pushed hard on a route I usually run a good 1:30 to 2:00 minutes slower per mile than I did Sunday, so it makes complete sense that my quads and butt are feeling it today.  Oddly enough my shins hurt to...ok now that I think about it not odd given the equal amount of down hill.

It's been a compression sock, sweats kinda day...I didn't even bother changing before going to my board meeting tonight either.  That is unheard of for me, when meeting with those that wear ties I tend to dress accordingly (I mean I only have to dress up once a month so it's kinda fun), but I was sore enough today that I didn't give a crap.  Plus oddly the meeting was over in less than 30 minutes, so I'm glad I didn't get all done up! 

I've spent a ton of time rolling, using a ball on my foot, and a torture stick on my legs.  They feel better, but man I'm worn out!

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I leave you with a pic of Sky from one of her walks with Grammy and Grampy...thank you Jan for sending me the pic!

 She loves dandelions!

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How are you recovering from the weekend? 

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P.S. Happy Cinco de Mayo...I totally spaced it and did nothing Cinco de Mayo'ish as all.  Fail!

Marathon Relay - My New Running LOVE!

I discovered a whole new way to run races today and I have to say I'm head over heals in love with the marathon relay!  Specifically with the Tacoma City Marathon Relay!

Team Kicking Asphalt had a blast out there today!!!  We finished in 3:49:34 and had so much fun along the way! 

From L-R Chuck (Michelle's brother), Michelle, Alicia (long time friend of Bob and Michelle), Me, Dev (Josh's son), Elya and Josh...pre-race.  Photo credit - Bob

I can't tell you how much fun we had waiting at each exchange, cheering friends and strangers alike as we waited for our runners.  I saw Amy come through the water station at every exchange (except the one at the end of my leg) and we all cheered and screamed our heads off for her, and all the runners really.  

It was kind of cool because we got to each exchange (always at a water station) so quickly that we would see everyone (minus the speedsters that were leading) up to the 3:35'ish pace group go through over and over again, and it was awesome and fascinating to see how some changed over the course of 26.2.  The best part was cheering those same runners across the finish line.  It was extra special when someone we knew ran past, but we were pretty excited for complete strangers as well.  

   In race group selfie, waiting for Alicia to arrive and send me on my way.  Photo credit - Michelle. 

I LOVED being able to cheer and observe the race, but also get to run as well.  It's the best of both worlds really.  I knew we'd have fun as a team, but I had not anticipated how meaningful it would be to cheer other runners on, and watch my friends who were taking on the full marathon.  

I also found out what it's like to run when you have a team waiting for you.  I set a new personal record...5 Mile Drive in 52 minutes, which is the fastest I've ever run it, and that was with a couple extra miles tacked on as well!  

I decided to just go for it and see what I could do.  My legs felt it...I was so ready to tag in Chuck when I got to the exchange.  But, it was worth it...I'm really happy with the pace I kept and how I felt doing it...hard, but I got it done!   

I'll tell you though, there is no pride in passing full marathoners when running a relay leg.  I was fresh and only running 6 ish miles, and they were on miles 12-18 and doing their best to get up and down the hills.  I felt bad every time I passed a marathoner because some of them were clearly in pain and ready to be done.  

        Finished!  Photo Credit - Josh

Tacoma City Marathon Association put on another great event.  Tacoma City Marathon is the biggest race of the year around here and they were very organized and runners had everything they needed along the course.  They even had wicked cool medals for us! 

Race medal turned bottle opener...brilliant!!  I opened a few bottle with it today!  :)

I seriously want to go find as many relays as possible to run now!  Can't wait for whenever the next one is!

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Who else ran this weekend?  Tell me about it!!!

Race Expo Friday!

I'm the worst blogger ever!!!  Sky and I met Michelle at the race expo to pick up the Relay Team Packets and look around and I didn't take a single picture.  Boo...blogger fail. 

I tell you it seems like being part of Kicking Asphalt is a curse of some sort.  First Alex had to drop out due to injury, then Elya broke her ankle and was replaced, and then just this week Josh ended up with an injury and can't run.  Thankfully his son Dev is going to run in his place. 

It's kinda strange that Michelle and I are the only two original team members left.  I'm knocking on every piece of wood I can find, and considering renting bubbles for us to live in until 6am Sunday morning! 

I'm super thankful it's all worked out though and it's been pretty easy to find replacements as needed.  Everyone is ready to run Sunday morning, and I'm so excited to run my first relay!  
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I totally missed the Thankful Thursday post yesterday because Sky and I had a play date at Elya's house! 

When it's this nice in the PNW anytime before July 4th (that seems to be the magical date that we start having amazing summer weather) you drop everything and get your booty outside and enjoy it!

Sky was upset to be in timeout so like a good friend Selah sat there with her and kept her company. 

After that we had an impromptu bbq with a few friends...again I failed as a blogger...I was too busy enjoying the sun, wine, and company and this is the only pic I got!  

 Rain boots and swimsuit totally normal no?

Sky and Mark were playing a mean game of basket ball and Sky got a ball right to her face.  She was more angry than hurt I think.

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In life news I wanted to point out there is a new little box over on the right side of the blog for Jamberry Nails.  I've been using the wraps for a little over a month, and LOVE them! 

How cold I not love them...they have a runner girl wrap!

It just so happened that finding out about this company coincided with a little nudge I was feeling to figure out a way to try and earn some spending $$/contribute to the household income in some way.  After 3 years I'm a little antsy to work on/at something that is mine alone.  Since we don't want to put Sky in daycare, and I really don't love the idea of going back to a 9-5 office job I was a little stumped as to what my options were.  As a result I made the jump and became an Independent Consultant with Jamberry Nails!

This may just end up being a way for me to purchase a product I love at a great discount, or if I put the effort in and really work for it (which I am...I have a time frame in mind as to how long I'm going to give this my best effort and will reevaluate at that time) it may turn into a legit income.  

What does it mean for the blog, not much of a change really.  I have zero desire to push Jamberry on readers, friends, family.  The only reason I'm mentioning it is because this blog is about my life, and Jamberry is now part of my life.  So, I'm sure there are going to be pics or posts that mention my nails/Jamberry etc.  It's really more a point of reference for readers.  

If you want to see what they are about great, the link to my site is in the box to the right.  If not, that's fine as well.  

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Who's racing this weekend?  Let us know what finish line you're chasing!