Run Eat Tri Yogi

"Oh no, what happened?" is my usual reply, thinking they have an injury.  The reply from the other person usually goes along like "Well, it's not that I can't. But I don't. I don't like it and don't want to do it." I get it. You have no idea how much I get it. That was me most of my life. Remember those 1-mile runs in gym class? Day from hell. Always the last one with the gym teacher calling out, "You can just walk the last lap." It didn't help that I needed an inhaler for most active sports. Even after I lost 49lbs (yes, the OCD in me hates that odd number too), I had no desire to run. "Why would I run when I can just walk the same distance and not be in pain? Or hate myself?" I had lost most of my weight with changing my diet and walking; I felt no need to change anything. In fact, I was one of those people who would get angry over your running posts. Seriously, why? Why would anyone want to put themselves throu...

I was on my 3rd lap of the 7 mile loop and as I was trying divert my attention to anything else so as to forget about the tiredness in my legs at the time.  I thought "Well, this should be a very boring race recap.  Not even blog worthy... Captioned: I ran 7 miles over and over again and it hurt." But by the end of that lap, I was in a much better place. Last year's race. Loved it so much I came back! I arrived early on race day for packet pick-up and to get closer parking than I had last year.  It was dark and the handful of people there were wearing headlamps. After grabbing my bib and bag, I sat and warmed up in the car for awhile -- and charging my Garmin that I'd left in the car overnight. After 45 min or so, I grudgingly exited my toasty car (no, I didn't run it that long but it was warmer than outside!), grabbed my gear bag and headed to the main aid station area. This is what I enjoy about loop races -- I have access to my gear after each lap. ...

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! ...