New Year's Resolution- 2015 Here I Come

* Write in my blog more often
* Get my art resume updated
* Run your own race. 
* Sign up to NYC and Marine Corps Marathon lotteries and Sign up to Rehoboth Marathon and North Face Endurance again! 
* Don't try to fix everyone's problems, let people live out their choices on their own....
* Be more conscious with money PLEASE!
* Find other ways to give gifts that does not require $, bake for them, help them out, cook them a dinner, listen to them....write them
* Trust your first impressions, they are almost always right on target, stop doubting yourself so much
* More morning runs (Please, catch more sunrises this year)
* Continue to floss EVERY day.....(I have bad teeth, okay!)
* Reach out to all people who matter.....stop wasting precious time thinking you have time....we may not
* When with the kids, live in the moment...soak it in. They are only young once. Cuddle with them as much as possible....soon it will be uncool to even cuddle. 
* Assume the best first, always.....going to the worse conclusion first makes me into a bitter person
* Forgive, forgive, forgive....seriously, let go of those unhelpful thoughts and get over the small stuff....forgiveness heals the forgiver
* Be the best and most supportive great-auntie ever!!! woot woot!
* Pray more, pray with my kids, be open about what you pray for ...encourage them pray too.
* On Facebook: no more than 10 minutes a day...live life, don't spend most of it watching others live theirs. 
* Make art daily....it does not have to be the next solo show.....just make art, it makes more happy thoughts, happy moments. 
* Time to close the thought door to some folks who have caused pain in the past, and are still populating my mind...good bye already! 
* Get rid of clothes you do not wear....donate them....gift them away
* Place all art I make, no matter how small, on Etsy....just a year experiment.....let's see what happens...
* Read some of my blog posts to my kids.....I realize they don't know that side of me. 
* Take more family portraits....stop being the photographer always....kids need to see more of mom in the albums. 
* Help kids with their BIG ideas, no matter how silly they seem at first. Encourage their BIG dreams by providing what they need to make it happen....(but don't become the primary driver of them. )
* Be present with kids...get off the damn computer already and be PRESENT!!! 
* With hubby, don't hang things over his head if something did not really bother me.....be unpredictable for once and just let it go. 
* Water.....drink more water.....maybe get a water bottle that works 
* Continue more art playdates with whomever wants to make art AND deal with my kids at same time
* Run without music once in a while....don't be afraid to hear breathing for an hour.
* Let inspirational people inspire you, and if possible, let them know just how much they affect you
* Volunteer with kids....make it count
* When the kids want to do something, make time to do it.....fully
* Write letters.....and send them
* Leave for work on time.....allows you to drive safer
* Kiss kids and hubby every day before work
* Hug kids more.....lots and lots of hugs a day
* Cook better dinners damn it.....how about COOK dinner?
* LISTEN to what is not said....try to listen to all that is being expressed
* Tell each child what they are good at on a social-emotional/ personal level.....(not academics, or club talents)
* Clean up apt. more often so kids can have friends over more. Come up with a sustainable clean-up system
* Invite more people over to dinner

North Face Endurance Marathon - 06/07/14

                  Went to The North Face Store in Tysons Corner to pick up my bib. I looked at the directory and guess where The North Face Store was listed.....? Under T for THE North Face.....how stupid....

Getting ready the night before. Earphones, sunscreen, vaseline, 14 GU's, 7 S-caps, visor, bug spray, Road-ID, chafing stick, smart wool socks (got free as part of race packet), hydration pack, bib, safety pins, TP in a baggie, advil, $, water, wallet, car keys, credit card, address to place to park for race....

 I am off!!

Wore my 50K t-shirt for good luck. 

The day is absolutely beautiful!! 

Shuttle to race from parking lot was a school bus....the shuttle back to our cars after the race was so STINKY, even with the windows open. 

Got there an hour early so got a chance to look at the water for some time. 

What a beautiful day to go for a LOOONG run!!

Muddy crossings....love them....I call them feet spas...I LOVE mud...but better yet, I love stream crossings....only way to get through them is getting in...

Running through mud here!!! 

View of the course.....How can one not want to trail run. I did not need my music at all....it was the PERFECT running weather...

Got my medal!!! ran the whole way, the whole time (except steep hills and when I needed to use the potty once)....But I felt so strong the whole way and my feet and legs behaved....no complaints...

Met Dean Karnazes!!!

SCREAM!!!!

Okay, I feel like a total groupy now!! Karnazes' book, Ultramarathon Man was the first book about running I read and he makes running seem so easy, accessible....such a super humble man.

The medal looks nice....I wish they had the milage on the medal itself, but I see how economically this makes more sense. I need to get myself a medal rack now.....

My shirt....okay, I think they were not that creative with the logo, but I am wearing this all day Sunday....and no, my chest is not really that big.....:(, just the angle of the picture...

I need to give my sneakers a bath today. We had 2 stream crossings that were about knee deep and dozens of muddy passes. I am so doing this again next year!!

 Having a blast....!! I am also so happy with my time....I ran an average 4 minutes a mile faster than my 50K....!! Feeling strong and loving it. 

All About: North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon- Washington, DC

* The North Face Endurance Challenge is in Algonkian Regional Park, Great Falls Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail * The course as an ever-changing terrain. Overall, the course consists of 50% single-track, 30% dirt or gravel double-track, 10% gravel carriage road and 10% paved road.
* Total elevation change is 1,526'
* Very well organized, starts on time 
* The course is beautiful 
*  The post race party had plenty of food for all finishers. 
* They even have a water truck for cleaning the mud off our shoes. 

* Water stops only every 6-7 miles

* Course is only about a foot wide for most of it, technical trails

* Be ready to run most miles in WET feet

* It's an out and back course shared with 50k and 50 mile racers, you are spending a lot of time dodging off trails to move over for runners going another direction

* 9am start time is a bit late and will get hot very fast

* Food and drinks were plentiful

* Only about 1000 runners, and that includes the 50k and 50 mile runners

* You won't get a PR....

New 16-week training plan- Runner's World

                I was all relaxed in my running schedule until I did the math and figured out that I am EXACTLY 16 weeks from my next marathon, the North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon in Virginia. I looked around online and decided on Runner's World's Running 16-weeks Plan. It has very specific schedule with tempos, speed, long runs and 3 days off a week! But, I am not getting off so easy. It has FOUR 20 mile runs embedded in the program. I may be biting off more than I can chew....but we'll see. So far, I am pumped for springtime and know the warmer days alone will get me out there more. I printed out the plan and posted it on my fridge and made a copy to carry around with me to work. 

Just Signed Up for Marathon Number 3: North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon-June 7, 2014

Here are some facts about the North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon race from various online sources....take with a grain of salt. 
* The North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon returns to Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling, VA.
* The course keeps runners on their toes with ever-changing terrain. Overall, the course consists of 50% singletrack, 30% dirt or gravel double-track, 10% gravel carriage road and 10% paved road.
* 7 hour cut-off for marathon (another website source claims 8 hrs)
* Course guide can be found at: http://www.thenorthface.com/downloads/pdf/Marathon_DC.pdf
* Considered among the region’s best trail races
* One year it was very muddy, another it was very hot (90 degrees)
* Come early, they had 10 portapotties for 800 people
* advice: walk up the steep hills, you'll be faster
* The half marathon is more like 14.6 miles.
* It was very well organized,
* started on time.
* Aid stations where well stocked
* Volunteers were attentive and knowledgeable.
* The post race party had plenty of food for all finishers.
* They even had a water truck for cleaning the mud off our shoes.
* Water stops are only spaced out every 6-7 mile
* The surprise of the course is that only about a foot wide for most of it and extremely uneven with muddy sections and horseshoe prints that you could roll your ankles in. (train in trails to train your ankles properly)
* At around mile 4, there is a stream too wide to jump. So be ready to run the remainder 22 miles with wet feet. (ready!)
* It's an out and back race course shared with a 50k and 50mile
* Marathon starts at 9am in June. A bit hot (wear appropriate cool clothing, sunscreen, carry water)
* Not recommend to anyone wanting to get a PR, it's a trail race after all .

This is me doing the Half-Marathon Challenge June 2013

Figured out source of odd foot pain....

                        I was getting this odd pain on the outer, middle part of the bottom of my left foot and started to worry. But during my 5 mile run this morning I figured out why it was hurting me. During my trail race, this past Sunday I had to do a lot of very, very steep walks. At some points these hills just became too much and I would push off primarily with the balls of my feet. I must have done this at least 5 times during the 13.1 miles and did not think of it again until now. I am somewhat relieved that it's not a more serious injury, and in fact, I have noticed that after a manageable run, where I don't push myself too hard, it hurts a bit less.

My North Face Endurance Challenge Half-Marathon in Sterling, VA

               This was my first trail race and it was so fun!! Lots of obstacles such as very steep hills going up and down, some muddy areas, and some areas where you had to cross a small body of water over rocks. 

At the beginning everyone waiting for the race to begin. 

Beautiful views all around

More beautiful views

A golf course...perfect skies

The sound of rushing water

Very calm view

Single track for most of the trails

More rushing water

Back inland for more single track 

almost there....

View of water from up above

up and down.....very hilly course

Dusty, dirty ankles....

My bib and my medal.....The race was actually more like 15 miles....

Just got my first pair of trail shoes!!!

                   I got myself the 1010 Minimus, New Balance. I have heard some mixed reviews on them, but overall they are the ones that felt most like my own sneakers at the store, so I needed to trust my instincts. They get shipped in tomorrow, so I will let you know how they turn out.....can't wait!!

I am in love with trail running!!

                         This past Sunday I ran 10 miles, most of it on trails and I come out of this experience a changed woman. I can't imagine a better running scenario than this one.  It was 65 degrees, misty rain coming down. The best part of the experience though was the fact that I did not experience any pain or discomfort right after. The rest of the day was like I have not run 10 miles at all. Not to mention that I was not excited about going that morning. My bones felt heavy when I woke up, I had watched a movie late the evening before, so I was operating on little sleep and not in the best of moods. Nonetheless, it was an awesome run!! The experience also made me feel sure I could finish my trail-based race in 2 weeks well within the 4-hour cut-off. If anything, I will not be a PR at this half-marathon, my pace is at least 2 minutes slower in the trails, but the workout overall felt much more comprehensive. Every part of my body was sweating while trekking up and bounding down like a child down these steep hills but I had a smile on my face the entire run. I can say with no doubt that this was the most fun I've had so far on a run. Can't wait for next weekend to go back and discover more of Rock Creek Park. 

My First Ever Trail Run

                          In preparation for my trail race in two weeks I have been meaning to do some practice runs in some trails, any trails. The one that is most convenient to me is Rock Creek Park, literally, a few blocks east. For those of you who do not know Washington, DC, Rock Creek Park is where Chandra Levy disappeared right before 9/11. In attempts to get ready for my run, I searched online for advice and safety tips on running in Rock Creek alone, etc. What I discovered were lots of posts from women stating how they are afraid to run Rock Creek. So with some trepidation I arrive at on of the the parking lots of the park at 6am. The sun had just come up, it was 62 degrees, and no one was around; all I see are green luscious trees and all I hear are bird chirping in a warm spring morning. I had my pepper spray in one hand and my water bottle in another, my phone strapped to my hip with a timer set and MapMyRun app ready to record my coordinates and time my run. I was so blown away by my run that I think I want to have part of my weekly miles to be on trails from now on. Below are pictures I took form the trail.... 

Up a hill....

Looking down at a creek below...

and run back down a huge hill......to water level.....the stream was so calm...

And looking down from way up high....

I wanted to bad to take my shoes off and soak my feet in the cool water.....maybe next time...lol

Oh what fun!!

This path is like an obstacle course...

Down by Pierce Mill.....

A view of the sky from below

Roots, roots and more roots....picking up those feet...