Train Run

This morning I decided to mix up my long run a bit and do a train run. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, you jump on the train, ride it however far away you'd like and then run back. I don't think I had run longer than 13 miles in a training run since before #Fontana2SD so figured I'd get in a 16-miler this morning - which is perfect because the Solana Beach train station is about 16 miles south of the Oceanside Transit Center.

I got over to the train station around 6:40am, bought my $4 train ticket and jumped on the Coaster. I love that Oceanside is the first stop on the train because it means your pick of the seats when you get on. I always love to get a beach view facing the way the train is moving (I don't tend to get motion sickness, but better safe than sorry and not travel backwards before a long run).

I got quite a few weird looks from the commuters heading to work, but WHO CARES?!

Thanks for the ride, Coaster, but I've gotta run!

It was about 70* and 80% humidity when I got off the train. I'm really over this humidity crap, but I guess there is very little I can do about it (other than whine). I didn't have a plan for the run - just take in the views and enjoy the scenery (it's pretty hard to top running along the Pacific Ocean for 16 miles).

Let's get this party started!

Sometimes you just need to stop and smell (or take a picture of) the flowers!

To my surprise, around Cardiff I heard two bubbly ladies yell "Carlee". I turned around to see the every sweet Kate and Sheri coming up on me! YAY! We didn't plan it, but it was awesome to get in a couple miles together (and we promised we would make it a regular date - especially now that Ms Kate has a 50K on her schedule!).

These ladies - they are the sweetest! I was stoked they wanted to slow down with
me for a bit and chat it up!

I stopped around mile 6 to take some of my PROBAR BOLT chews (and again around mile 11.5 or so) and popped in to a local 7-Eleven to refill my water bottle around mile 8. Other than that (and a few sign selfies) I was chugging along at a decent clip.

Making my way back north!

I even found a patch of fake grass to take my chews on ;)
Love being #FueledByPROBAR

I wasn't looking at my Garmin, but whenever the mile notification would beep I'd take a peak and was rather surprised at how strong I was running. The sun started coming out around mile 10 and really started to heat up (one of the nice things about the sun burning away the marine layer is that it tends to drive the humidity down).

During Ragnar SoCal I had to run up the stairs at this beach, today I decided to run
down them! SO MUCH BETTER THAT WAY! 

From looking at Google Maps yesterday, I knew from the Solana Beach train station to the Oceanside one it was about 15.5 miles so anywhere I could add a little distance (going into a little neighborhood along the coast) I would. I ended up just a tad long (finishing about a half mile away from the train station), but it was a perfect cool down walk back to my car (and I was even able to grab a couple pictures at the beach before heading home).

Sweaty, sweaty lady!

Proud of the end result!

As you can see in some of the pictures, I was pretty soaked from sweat, but I finished very happy with the effort I put in and the time on my watch. I think you could say that I earned my shower, all the chips and salsa tonight and a rest day tomorrow!

Back at the Oside Transit Center and figured I NEEDED a selfie w/ a train, right?!

Have you ever done a train run before?

Dear Insecurities, Screw You!

I know I've been posting about this a lot lately, so if you are "over it" or maybe it isn't something you struggle with, feel free to skip today's post and come on back for tomorrow's post if you'd like, no hard feelings, k? But for the rest of us, this self-hate, self-doubt, pile of insecurities has been at the forefront on my mind lately and I wanted to talk it out a bit.

While I was out running yesterday, I had an apostrophe... Lightning had just struck my brain...

The only thing insecurities are hurting is YOU!

Let's use the example of feeling insecure about running outside in your sports bra. And let's even say you pass someone who thinks that you aren't their cup of tea. Well, let's be real, they will probably forget about you in all of 3.7 seconds. So then, WHY DO WE PUT SO MUCH WEIGHT ON IT?! Why do we get in our heads and worry about what "they" may think of us?! WHO THE FRICK CARES?! They don't and we sure as heck shouldn't!

Not only can running in your sports bra be rather freeing (after you get over the
'scary as heck' feeling), but you also save on doing some laundry ;)

Now I am not saying that you can't be dissatisfied with how you look or that you can't be working on yourself to get fitter/ healthier/ stronger/ etc, but what I am saying is that these insecurities that we are feeling are hogwash! They're holding us back from being in love with ourselves! They are truly preventing us from living our lives! And THAT is NOT cool!

I normally HATE pictures of me from the back (the first thing I see are
my 'love handles/ muffin top'), but if I am going to embrace me then I
need to embrace ALL OF ME!

Earlier this week I went out for a run down by the beach. It was the Fourth of July so I got all decked out for my workout.

I use any excuse that I can to get dressed up for an occasion ;) 

Well, let's just say I had more than my fair share of nasty looks and rude comments. I just don't understand why people (especially females) are so judgmental of one another. #RealTalk - it hurts. It stings me to my core and I replay the looks or comments over in my head for days on end. But on Monday I had to stop and smile. I have a fabulous life and I felt sorry for all of the folks that were grumpy and not as joyful as I am. I don't know if it is a jealousy thing (that I am willing to go outside and potentially look like a fool without caring what people think of me) or if my happiness (saying "Good Morning" or "Happy Fourth") really just rubbed them the wrong way, but whatever the issue, it's THEIR issue!

Source

So, for today, I'm yelling "SCREW YOU, INSECURITIES, SCREW YOU" and planning to live my life without focusing on the negativity! Let's vow to love ourselves and love one another, to build each other up and ROCK THIS LIFE!

Source

What's your best tip for blocking out the negativity around you (whether it is coming from internal or external sources)?

#Andreas40thBdayRun Recap

A few months back, Andrea announced she wanted to host a virtual run for her birthday. She'd be turning 40, so a 4.0 mile run (walk or even Gibbler Gallop) would work out perfectly! Not only did she want to encourage everyone to get active, she was going to use her birthday to DO GOOD and donate the proceeds of the event to Girls on the Run... Um, can you say AWESOMESAUCE?! Obviously Ryan and I had to be a part of it so signed up once registration opened.

Your $40 registration fee got you AWESOME bling, a super cute
tee, a signed headshot from Andrea and the ability to be a part of
something bigger than yourself and give back to others!

When Andrea mentioned she was going to be putting together a low-key in-person event and wanted us to be a part of it, we had to make it happen! Ryan and I decided to make a little trip out of it, heading up Saturday afternoon so he could do a little bouldering at Stoney Point Park before heading towards the hotel we got for the evening.

Since he normally comes along on my running adventures and
plays photographer for me, I decided I'd do the same for him
on this climbing exploration.

Part Rugged Woodsman and part monkey!

We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then checked in to our room. Ryan showered and I decided to look for nearby desserts. I came across CoolHaus on Yelp and once I showed Ry the ice cream sandwiches they offered he was all in! I ended up ordering the Blue Hawaiian ice cream on a Fruity Pebble "cookie" and Ryan got the Fast Food ice cream (complete with french fries) on one Chocolate Chip and one Junk Food cookie (complete with potato chip crumbs).

The ONLY way to fuel for #Andreas40thBdayRun

After chowing down on our delish treats, it was back to the hotel to get our gear ready for the following morning. Even though it wasn't a race, you know we had to make sure our #FlatMcDots were ready for the adventure! And obviously the only socks to rock for the run would be #TheGibblers - DUH!

You know me, always gotta be prepared, so I set my multiple alarms and hit the hay. (We were staying in Culver City and the run was going to take place at the Santa Monica Pier which was about 20 minutes away. We figured we should probably leave the hotel by 6:45am to make it there and find parking before the run started at 7:15.)

We made it over to the Original Muscle Beach and found parking nearby with zero issues. It was funny to watch the crew start to arrive because there were so many of #TheGibblers that we were easy to spot (and PRO Compression was AMAZING enough to supply socks to folks who didn't have them already).

GIBBLERS UNITE! Photo Credit: @PavementRunner 

Photo Credit: @IvieAnne 

Once everyone arrived, we got down to business. It was going to be a super casual, informal run down the beach for two miles, then spin back around to where we started. You could run, walk or even cartwheel down the bike path - the only requirement was to have a BLAST (oh yeah, and maybe to stay out of the way of the other folks using the path).

Obviously the entire hashtag wouldn't fit in my watch, but I still LOVE it!

A good time was had by all, running, laughing and lollygagging along the boardwalk! The hubby and I normally try and get at least 4 miles in on #SundayRunday, so it was PERFECT (and Ry even mentioned how he almost forgot that he was running because he was chatting it up and having a grand ol' time!)!

Photo Credit: @PointOneMiles - the ROCKSTAR who helped put this shindig together!

I don't know... Ryan put his arm up and I thought he was making a muscle...

Photo Credit: @PointOneMiles - the ROCKSTAR who helped put this shindig together!

One of the faster #SundayRundays with the hubby and he didn't even complain!

Andrea was a ROCKSTAR and tried to run with all of the different 'pace groups' (as she called them) and socialize amongst everyone (which is hard to do, especially while running) - but when we saw her coming back in we ran over to make a love tunnel and cheer her home.

Once everyone made their way back, we celebrated in the best way possible - with BLING! Andrea congratulated us all individually and put our medals around our neck's. How sweet, especially since it was HER birthday!

Isn't she purrrrrrty?! 

After everyone got their bling, we hung out a bit and took pictures before heading over to Starbucks to rehydrate ;)

Me and the birthday girl!

A McDot sandwich ;)

Ha, and check it out... Some of the shots (including the group shot) made it into an E News article... That sort of means I'm famous, right?! ;)

It was funny to hear all of the comments as we ran and then all walked around. I even heard a couple chatting and one of them said "It must be a parade". Well, shoot doggy, we are one of the bestest parades around town if you ask me ;)

THIS CREW! Can't even put into words... We chat daily and they are the
absolute BEST (even if we were missing the E of our CHAP*L)

PS I don't know if any of you know Ken, the man behind Superhero Events and the Free Hugs Project, but he was awesome enough to not only come out and run with us (he is a GREAT GUY), but to also make a little video of the morning's events! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!

Since Ryan and I had to head back to the hotel to shower before checking out, when everyone else made their way to Lulu after caffeinating up, we decided to split and go get cleaned up. We ended up hanging out around LA for the afternoon since we were heading to La Habra for Andrea's birthday dinner later that evening. We did a bit of shopping window shopping and chillaxin' before having a FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC evening with friends!

Not only could you get a print off one of your photos, but you could get a duplicate to put in the photo album as a keepsake for the birthday girl...
WHAT A FABULOUS IDEA!

It was an honor to get to spend the day celebrating an AMAZING woman! Oh yeah, and overall, the virtual run was able to raise over $7,000 for Girls on the Run! It was a win-win-WIN!

Have you ever signed up for a virtual run before?

Workout Recap - Week 27

Sunday, June 26th – 4 mile run with the hubby, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Monday, June 27th – Strength Training (abs, back, legs and arms), 5 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Tuesday, June 28th – 8 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Wednesday, June 29th – 7 mile progression run (first 3 with the hubby, last 4 solo), Stretched & Foam Rolled

Thursday, June 30th –  10.5 mile bike ride, 4.44 miles of #TeamSparkle trail running, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Friday, July 1st – 12 mile run, Stretched & Foam Rolled

Saturday, July 2nd – Rest Day

The hubby always comes along for my running
adventures, so it was time for me to tag along on
one of his bouldering/ climbing adventures!

40.44 miles of running (including some on the trail) - shoot doggy! Although, let's be real, this whole #MayGray and #JuneGloom is really putting a damper on my running... especially with the 95% humidity it is bringing with it... Now that it's July I am expecting sunny and DRY weather... like the San Diego I am used to (and the one that we pay a MAJOR Sunshine Tax to live in)!

How were your workouts this past week?

Trail Thursday

Did you know that the ladies of Sparkle Athletic are putting together #TeamSparkle Trail Thursday runs throughout the summer?! Well, if you didn't know, let this serve as your warning. You may have missed out on the first one (since it was yesterday), but make sure to check out their Facebook page to see the upcoming events (one on July 21st and one on August 11th). The runs are open to everyone - no matter your pace or experience on trails - so if you can make it work, I'd highly recommend it.

I made my way to Orange County yesterday afternoon. I am never fully sure about SoCal traffic, so I tried to leave with plenty of time to get me there (leaving at 4:15pm got me there around 5:40... but thankfully we weren't meeting until 5:45 so I had a couple minutes to spare).

I may look calm as a cucumber, but trails tend to freak me out a bit!

We met up at a nearby Albertson's parking lot (since you have to pay to park at the trails, why not car pool and save some money?!) at 5:45pm to be to Santiago Oaks Regional Park by 6pm. There were 13 of us in all!

We decided we'd all stay together and knock out 4 miles on the trails. We'd stop every half mile or so (depending on the terrain) to catch our breath and regroup. There were some decent hills to climb (thankfully I was a little prepared since Carrie took me to run this park a few months back), but we conquered them like the strong women we are!

Source: @According2Kelly's Instagram Feed

You can see a bit of the waiting time when the hills leveled out

Source: @EliseWallace's Instagram Feed

Even though we didn't start running till after 6pm, it was still rather warm (I think the car said 82* when we started). Thankfully once the sun started to set the hills offered some decent shade and we would get a lovely breeze every once in a while.

Apparently I was going too fast to be captured on 'film'... Or maybe I was doing my
best Bigfoot impression... How do you think I did?! 

The views were pretty AMAZING (although, I've gotta #KeepItReal... I wasn't taking them in as much as I could, seeing as I was trying not to twist an ankle or step in horse poo, but whenever I was brave enough to lift my head for a second or two what I saw was stunning). There was even a waterfall along our route! SHOOT DOGGY!

A view of Orange from the hills

Some of the trails we attacked

A waterfall... We aren't in a drought... Apparently all of the water is hiding in the Santiago Oaks Regional Park!

The sun starting to set, but the temps didn't seem to let off much... 

TOAD STOOLS! Although I don't remember seeming any frogs around.

All-in-all we ended up with 4.44 miles (just about perfect, right EMZ?!) and were back where we left our cars by 8pm.

Word to the wise... NEVER look at your pace when trail running! 

It was a great way to spend my Thursday (even if the 5 hour trip 'only' led to a 4 mile run, the drive is ALWAYS worth it)! I won't be able to make it to the next two trail runs, but if you're in the OC area you should totally back it happen! They will be meeting at different trails around the area so check the event pages and put them on your calendars!

What are your thoughts on trails? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Think every stick is a potential snake?