Run Eat Tri Yogi

Judging by the way I've been feeling and moving around (slooowly), one would assume I had one helluva rager weekend. And in a way, it was. But this one included camping, running and one sharp medal (literally).  It was the Ragnar Northwoods. It was everything that I thought it would be -- no sleep and madness. Alright, maybe it was due to lack of sleep that made it seem like madness.   I drove in and dropped my gear off before driving up another 3 miles ahead to park my car in a field.  Once I took the shuttle back, I met up with my teammates (who were awesome enough to carry my gear to the campsite!).  I only knew our captain but I have to admit, he did a great job of recruiting  a    wonderful group of runners.   After we cheered on our first runner, I decided to grab some dinner.  I was the last runner and wanted to get those last minute carbs in before my leg started. I wandered around the village and got lost amongst...

This is not what I had in mind for my next blog.  The thought of DNF never even crossed my mind. That's not entirely correct; I mentally prepared myself to push through 50 miles so I would not DNF.  I knew it would get ugly after 35+ miles but that's also what makes endurance sports enticing, isn't it?  You know you'll hurt and regret your decision at least once during your race but the glory of completing the distance with that gratifying cross of the finish line makes the pain all worth it.  And I was so ready to endure that cramping, blisters, fatigue and everything else that comes with ultra running.  The morning of the race was uneventful.   We had arrived for packet pick-up the day before the race, packed up our race gear, I noted all the food aid stations on my arm and unsuccessfully, tried to get some sleep.  I probably got about 4 solid hours of sleep before the alarm went off at 3:20am. The temperature was perfect - mid 60s - though th...

"If you empower women, you can change the world." -- Oprah Nicole DeBoom comes to mind when I hear that quote.  Nicole won 2004 Ironman Wisconsin wearing the first prototype of a running skirt. For those who aren't familiar with the distances in a full ironman, you swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and then run 26.2 miles.  Are you exhausted and sore just reading that?  My heart starts pumping harder every time I think of those distances.    That was 12 years ago on this date. 3 days after winning, she founded Skirt Sports. You can read more about her story   here  . Before I start, I have to get the legalities out of the way. So bear with me!  I'm a proud Skirt Sports ambassador. It doesn't mean I get paid for mentioning them in any of my blogs or social media posts nor do I profit from any sales made with my discount code (DMR20, by the way). I do receive discounts and various perks as an ambassador. Let's move on to the good stuff! ...

12 hour run through the night on a 400 meter high school track. Sounds like torture, right?  That's what I thought last year after I'd signed up -- and then found out it was on a track!  I survived it, loved/hated it, and came back for more this year. Wearing my "lucky charms": Fearless skirt Chattanooga 70.3 tank This time though, I brought my girls with me. It's a very small race and because it was well-lit on the track, tent would be placed near the aid station and I would see them while I was running, I felt it was safe.  (I was also given a green light by the race director).  I also managed to talk my boyfriend, Ben, into running this with me... or should I say "highly suggested" this race to him and he made the decision to go ahead with it ;) Germantown High School Our little station. The race started at 8:00pm and as most ultras go, it was a great energy from the start.  There were the 24 hour runners who'd been running sinc...