Weekend of Firsts

This weekend is a weekend of firsts.

1) It is David's first half marathon.
2) It is the Inaugural Portland Rock n Roll race.
3) It is my first big race of season.
4) It is my first race representing wear blue : run to remember.
5) It is my first destination race. 
6) It will be the first race of three to qualify to become a half fanatic.
7) It will be the first time I can cross off something on my running bucket list.


This will be a rocking and awesome weekend! I can feel it already.

Portland Rock n Roll Prep

We leave for Portland tomorrow morning. We're driving down to for the expo tomorrow and spending the night. The girls get a sleepover with Aunt Whitney, which they are SUPER excited for. I just finished packing my bag and I hope I haven't forgotten anything for my husband or I.

We're checking into our hotel when we get there and walking to the expo. I have two booths I want to find tomorrow. First booth I am going to find is the Hippie Runner Gear booth. I need some new headbands since some of mine have gone missing or the girls have stretched them out. Afterwards, I am going to find the Team Future booth with Dan and Jackie Evans. I have been fundraising (kind of unsuccessfully) for Team Future this year. I am nowhere near my goal but I am still trying.

After the expo David and I are going to drive over to the park where the start line is so we can get an idea about where it is. Plus we're meeting up with some other members of the wear blue: run to remember group in the morning. I need to figure out where the meetup place is so I don't get lost in the morning. haha I first heard about wear blue: run to remember last year at the Seattle Rock n Roll. This year I am going to be joining them and will be representing with them and the other group members by wearing a wear blue: run to remember shirt at each of my 4 big races this year.

Depending on where you check depends on what the weather is supposed to be for the weekend. Weather.com says chance of showers with a high of 69 while weatherbug.com says sunny with a high of 75. I am hoping weather.com is wrong. I want David's first half marathon to be a great experience with awesome weather. No rain allowed. Just in case though I have two different outfits for the race. Never know what is going to happen.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Good luck to those who are racing this weekend. Hopefully I'll meet up with some bloggers this weekend and be able to grab some pictures along the way. If anyone is near corral 21 look for me. I'll be running with my hubby.

Race Season starts Sunday & Pictures

Well...my race season anyway. Sunday is the Inaugural Portland RnR Half. I will be running with my hubby. It will be his first ever half marathon! Sunday is also the beginning of my path to becoming a Half Fanatic. I am becoming more and more excited as this weekend gets closer. I looked up my race confirmation this morning and found out I am in corral 14! Woohoo! While I will be a few corrals back with my husband I am still excited about my corral number. I am pretty sure it's the closest I will get to the front of an RnR start. lol

Training has been going well and stuck in among other things. Classes, BT and doctor's appointments for Lillie, Navy related stuff, and our move date is coming up quickly too. Things have been super crazy but that's life.

Last month I ran a Heart n Sole 5K. It was a beautiful day for it too!It was put on by a local runner for her church group. It was a lot of fun. I met some other runners who I have talked to in the PNW Dailymile Groupies group on facebook. Diana did a great job organizing everything and made some awesome medals too.

Running Stats:
Miles: 3.1 miles
Time: 34:52
Average Pace: 11:14

Rounding mile 2

With my friend Chris at the end

The group of runners before the start

Ivy has also been doing some of her own training. There are some kids' runs out in Idaho that she wants to do. So we have been doing a lot of walk/runs. She has been having a great time with it. We have a one mile loop around our area that she loves to do. She has even started walking Max, our bullmastiff.

The start of our 2 mile walk

She even has her own hydration pack.

I looked and about this time last year I bought myself a new pair of running shoes. While for Mother's Day David thought I could use another pair. So he surprised me with letting me pick out a pair while we were at Road Runner Sports last weekend. They are Mizuno Wave Rider 15s. They are SO comfortable. While I was there I bought myself an early birthday present, a garmin Forerunner 610. I have been needing a new watch since my forerunner 305 has been pooping out on me more and more.

LOVE my new shoes.

So while I haven't been blogging I have been keeping busy with training. Good luck to everyone that is racing this weekend. I know several of you have races coming up.

Cold Morning Run

It was COLD this morning. Last night I decided I was done with indoor running and it was a good time to start running outside again. I don't know if I should have kept running outside or kept inside but either way it was a lesson learned. My lungs hurt, my eyes were watering from the cold and I should have worn a jacket instead of just my cold wear shirt and another t-shirt.

With all that said though...I REALLY enjoyed being back outside running! It was a bright, sunny morning. It was quiet out on the roads. My short running distance buddy was disappointed she didn't get to tag along this morning. Buffy is our Whippet/Beagle mix and loves going 3 miles or less with me. I just thought it was too cold for her since we don't have a jacket for her yet. This picture is from earlier in my training season during a late morning run. This is how she starts our runs out. By the end of the run she is right beside me. It is always fun when Buffy comes with me. She likes to be out and is good on the leash, just very excitable.

Today's Stats:
Miles: 3 miles
Time: 34:23
Average Pace: 11:27/mile
Playlist: General Music today (Need to load some more books)

Saturday is supposed to be nice. We have a hike planned with the girls so I am hoping it doesn't rain or snow. That would also help with my run that is on the schedule. Hoping the weather cooperates and is actually nice.

The Jelly Bean is back!

Run with  Jess is hosting the 2nd Annual Jelly Bean virtual race. There are new events and ways to participate this year. Hop on over to her blog to check out all the details. I signed up for the 5k and 10k events this year. Click the link below to be taken to her post.

Run with Jess: The Jelly Bean Virtual