I am so stoked to officially announce that I am a Momentum Jewelry ambassador! I was actually an "unofficial" ambassador for a while and then the company's first official ambassador, but since then had voluntarily stepped down to allow other amazing folks the opportunity to work with this awesome company.
Well, a few weeks ago the ladies from Momentum reached out to see if I'd be interested in helping out for the upcoming year and I couldn't turn them down... So I'M BACK!
In case you don't know about Momentum (or need a brief refresher on the brand), let me give you a quick rundown.
The idea of the company came to Amy in the middle of her favorite gym class, stuck in a plank that just wouldn't end (and people say nothing good comes from planks - HA!). While searching for anything to look at to take her mind off of the pain, her eyes fell on her naked wrists. That's when she knew... She needed to find a way to put what drives her to challenge herself in a place where she can always see it when she needs it! It was then that she combined her more than 20 years of jewelry making experience with her love of being healthy and her need to spread a message of encouragement and positivity. She wanted to create quality products, made with love in the USA, designed to empower as many people as possible in a way that truly speaks to them (and that is EXACTLY what she did!).
I've been rocking Momentum Jewelry for a long while now - whether it's a Motivate Wrap, FootNotes, Inspire Necklace, Wish Wrap, Tee, or many of them at the same time (you know how much I love an extensive #ArmParty). And look at the amazing care package they sent to welcome me to the 2017 team! (I may also be waiting for my recent order of 7 wraps and some FootNotes. I mean, honestly, one can never have too many personal cheerleaders in their lives ;))
I've been wanting to try the Sip by Swell bottles ever since they've appeared on
the shelves at my Target and the sweatshirt is BEYOND perfect!
Anywho, not only did I want to let you know the good news, I also wanted to give you a heads up in case you wanted to apply to be an ambassador yourself! The online ambassador applications will be open and available from January 25th (tomorrow) through January 27th (Friday). This is not a super long window, so I want to make sure you are well aware of the opportunity in case you want to take advantage of it! You can find out more about the program and apply HERE.
Last night the hubby and I went to see the movie 'Patriots Day'. Normally I am not a movie go-er (I find it hard to justify spending $25+ to watch a movie in the theater, not to mention I would prefer multi-tasking in my living room if I want to "watch" a flick), but I had a gift card from my birthday so we went to the theater after I ran the Pasadena Half {recap coming soon - I'm just waiting on the free race photos to come through so I can add them to the post).
Anywho, I had a few folks ask my opinion on it so I thought I'd try to get my feelings down onpaper on the InterWebs.
I walked into this movie knowing what to expect. I was told that they did a great job researching the facts, but obviously it was a little "Hollywood". I was also told that it didn't necessarily focus on the Boston Marathon itself or the runners, but more on the manhunt that ensued afterwards (which I can understand since it makes for more of an "action" film). With that said, I still wasn't really expecting what happened.
During the previews the hubby and I did our normal "thing", where we give the movie a thumbs up or thumbs down as to whether we would want to see it (Really?! A Fast and the Furious 8?! EIGHT?!). And then it happened...
As soon as the movie started I started getting panicky. I knew the story, I knew what happened, but it was like my heart couldn't take it. From the opening scene until the credits I think I was crying for 95% of the film. I had friends who were running that race. I had friends who crossed the finish line shortly before the bombs started blasting. I had friends who could have been among those injured or killed.
This wasn't just a movie or a story, this was REAL! And it hit real close to home.
For those of you who don't know, I qualified for the Boston Marathon this past October and hopefully will be able to register later in the year for the 2018 race. This race is not only one of the world's oldest continuously running marathons, but it is one of the most prestigious! Runners can work their entire "career" to qualify for this race and still never get in. This isn't just 'any old race', this is a pinnacle race. The best of the best run their booties off in hopes of claiming one of the coveted spots to toe the line in Hopkinton and make that final left onto Boylston Street.
Literally it took me half way through dinner to try and compose myself (the hubby joked and said that the folks at the restaurant probably thought he was a rude guy and was making his wife cry).
Don't get me wrong, I thought this was a very well done film, but I don't know that I was ready for it. Just as I don't think I am able to watch a movie about 9/11 (one of my cousins worked in the World Trade Center and I still remember the panicky feeling I had when none of us could reach him), I don't think I was ready for this one. It hurt my heart.
I love how Boston, the running community and the world at large rallied. I love that an action that attempted to instill fear and hatred in the hearts of many has actually been flipped on its head to cause strength and perseverance. There will always be "bad" people in the world, those who are willing to cause harm to others; we live in a fallen world and there is no way to get around that. But love can conquer all.
PS I am not saying this is a bad movie or that people shouldn't see it, just that I was not expecting it to affect me the way it did... so if you're going to see it, think about if your heart can truly handle it before stepping into the theater.
Saturday, January 21st – Rest Day, Stretched & Foam Rolled
43.25 miles of running... not too shabby! I've got another race tomorrow, which is why I didn't have my long run on Friday, but after that I should be race-free till Phoenix. (PS If you haven't registered yet, make sure to check out @runemz's IG to WIN an entry to the half or full! And if you don't win, you can still use "WERUNSOCIAL" to save on your registration fee for either distance! Hope to see you there! #ItsGoingDownAtPHX)
If you follow me on Instagram, I'm sure you've started noticing a new 'series' I've been sharing. I've been calling it #CarlessTreasures and it is pictures of things I have found while out on my runs/ walks/ workouts.
It started a few months ago when my body began revolting against me (first it was my hip, then my tummy and now it's my back). I knew I had to listen to my body, no matter how much it sucked. I needed to take it easy and let off the gas!
I knew I needed something to look forward to, especially since walking reminded me that I wasn't running and took twice as long. That's around the time I noticed a treasure on the ground and 'knew' what I was going to do. Looking for discarded items was a perfect way to spend my time while I wasn't putting the pedal to the medal and grinding through my workouts. Taking joy in the little things and looking for trinkets brought a smile to my face (and I needed that!).
Let me clarify, not everything is a treasure (even though there is a saying that one man's trash is another man's treasure). I do not pick up edible items. Anything that I would not give to someone else as a gift (whether that is bottle caps, spit out gum, etc) is not coming home as a treasure. I also try and keep things smaller than the size of my palm (mostly because the jar I am storing my goodies in would fill up way too quickly if I had tons of giant finds).
If you've seen the pictures then I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, but it's usually things from buttons to bouncy balls, pennies to pins, lighters to Legos, beads to bracelets, toys to trinkets, and anything in between.
I've had folks ask me what I plan on doing with everything. I'm not 100% sure, but I do know that at the end of the year, I'd like to donate whatever money I've found to a running related charity (a friend mentioned she did this with her #FoundChange and I loved the idea). As far as the other items, I might make them into something (the hubby suggested a shadow box or picture frame), continue to store them, give them away, donate them, who knows?!
And if you've clicked on the hashtag lately, you may have noticed that not all of the hands are mine... Yup, other people are joining in on the fun and it is AMAZING! Although obviously people do not need to add #CarleesTreasures to their pictures (since they are #DougsTreasures, #JanetsTreasures, #NonCarleesTreasures), it is so fun to see the hashtag growing, as well as see what other people find along their journeys. I LOVE THAT IT IS SPREADING!
Um... isn't it AMAZING?! I love seeing what some people see as treasures!
Some days I don't find anything and some days I end up with a whole hand full, but no matter what, looking for discarded trinkets, misplaced toys or abandoned treasures helps to turn my focus outward, gives me something to look forward to and reminds me to find joy in the journey.
PS Because a lot of people have asked, the treasures currently reside on our counter in a pink mason jar. Why a pink mason jar?BECAUSE I FOUND IT (and shouldn't you keep your found treasures in a found treasure container?!)!
Folks tend to like these posts (because real life that doesn't get play time on social media is pretty interesting sometimes), so why not do another one... A day in the life of YOUR'S TRULY!
**Seeing that I work from home (and part time), I tend to try and get all of our errands and chores done during the week when the hubby is that work - that way, when he is off, we can just spend time together doing FUN things (instead of the somewhat boring and mundane). Yesterday (Monday, January 16th) was one of those days...**
5:40am :: Wake up
5:40am - 5:50am :: Check my IG account from the comfort of a fluffy blanket and living room couch
7:50am - 8:00am :: Get breakfasts ready (coffee for the hubby, cereal for us, doggy food for the pup)
8:00am :: Wake up the two sleepy heads
8:00am - 8:20am :: Eat breakfast, chat about the day
8:20am - 8:45am :: Walk the pup (we have a 'tradition' of walking the hubby down to his truck before work and wishing him a GREAT day)
8:45am - 9:00am :: Get ready
9:00am - 9:30am :: Go to Petco to pick up some dog food for Walk (we feed him a vegetarian kibble, but do crumble up a small slice of "meat" on his food)
9:30am - 10:00am :: Go to the grocery store to pick up a few ingredients for a Mac and Cheese I have to make for the follow day's Growth Group "Comfort Food" Potluck
10:00am - 10:30am :: Go to the pharmacy to drop off expired and unwanted medicines (I read "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin and in it she mentioned doing some cleaning of old stuff that no longer brings you joy. Well, let's just say that when the hubby was surfing on Saturday morning I did a quick sweep of the house and bagged up quite a bit of things that needed to go - old meds being some of that)
10:30am - 11:00am :: Come back home to get ready for an afternoon run
I get judgy eyes from Walt when he knows I'm leaving
3:15pm - 4:30pm :: Take Walt to his vet appointment (an annual exam... along with getting his butt glands squeezed - YUM - and finding out that he needs to have a tooth pulled, which will cost $1,000 - OUCH!)
He HATES the vet, but is such a good pup for the doctors!
4:30pm - 6:00pm :: Work on my Carlsbad Half Marathon Recap (finish writing, edit photos, publish and share on social media platforms)
6:00pm - 6:30pm :: Make dinner
Taco Tuesday a day early = Mexican Monday!
6:30pm - 7:00pm :: Eat dinner with the hubby
7:00pm - 7:30pm :: Walk the pup
7:30pm - 8:00pm :: Get "gifts" ready to be mailed out (since the post office was closed in observance of Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day)
Packages flipped over to protect everyone's privacy ;)
8:00pm - 9:00pm :: Read
9:00pm - 9:30pm :: Foam roll and stretch
9:30pm - 9:45pm :: Get ready for bed
9:45pm :: Lay down for the day
As you can see, it may not be super exciting, but it's my life and it's perfect for me! I may have spent yesterday running around like a chicken with my head chopped off, but I was able to cross off quite a few things from my STD list and went to bed feeling accomplished, worn out, and with a smile on my face! What does your daily routine look like?
This is actually the first time I've run it, even though it's about 3 miles from our house (I've volunteered a couple times). #RealTalk: There are two reasons I hadn't put this one on my race calendar. First, it happens about 3 miles from the house. That means during the majority of my long runs I end up running along the course, so it's hard to justify spending money on a race that I literally run at least once a week. Which leads me to reason number two - the cost. This race is a pretty penny. Seeing as I run the area on a weekly basis FOR FREE, I've never put this one on the calendar.
That is, until THIS year. I saw that one of my friend's, Jenny, had a giveaway for a registration for the race and decided to enter. I looked at my training calendar and saw I had 20 miles on the docket for the weekend so figured if I won I could put the 13.1 miles towards my necessary mileage and cross another race off the list. Low and behold I WON!
As I mentioned, this race was part of a larger run, my 20-miler. If you've done long distance running, you know how amazing having spectators, a race environment, aid stations, etc can be for your morale on a run. I decided I would get in 7 miles before the race (so I took the "long way" from my house to the starting line), that way when I crossed the finish line I would be DONE for the day (#RealTalk: There is nothing harder for me than crossing a finish line where everyone is stoked to be done and having to head out for more miles... If you're ever using a race as part of daily miles, I would ALWAYS suggest ending your run at the finish line).
The full marathon started at 6:15am and the half started at 7:45am,
so when I ran up around 7:15am the starting area was pretty empty
How funny is this?! The official photographer saw me snapping my selfie and wanted to take a picture of me doing it... But look at my GO GO GADGET ARM! Doesn't my arm look forever long?! Source
In case you were wondering, my alarms were set starting at 4:35am (although I woke up before the first one went off), left the house by 6:05am, and got to the starting area around 7:15am. Before I left I ate a Clif Bar (Sierra Trail Mix is my jam) for some fuel and then took 5 PROBAR BOLT chews at the starting line of the race and then again around mile 7.
I always set multiple alarms because I'm worried I will oversleep
and normally wake up before the first one even goes off...
I was stoked to get a text from Kelly as I was finishing up my pre-race miles asking me if she could run with me for a few miles. If you follow any of her social media accounts then you know she is AMAZEBALLS (and I can confirm from first hand experience), so I sent her a picture of my highlighter colored outfit and told her to be on the look out (she told me she'd be at the Mile 1 marker so I had a better idea of where to find her).
The game plan for the morning was simple. Do what I could with whatever body showed up. I told the hubby, since he was picking me up from the finish line, that I'd probably roll across the finish line between 2:00 and 2:15 (I normally tell him a quicker time so he for sure doesn't miss me crossing ;)). I figured I'd shoot for 9:15-9:30/miles, but expected that the race adrenaline might help me get there a little sooner (or at least help to keep a smile on my face the entire way). When I got to the starting line, my watch showed that my 7 miles took 1:07 to complete (and once you see the elevation chart from my run you'll see why those first few miles were a little slower than I was aiming for).
The starting of the race was much like any other - there were crazy port-o-potty lines, tons of runners milling around (I think I heard there were 8,500 runners in the half), a few different corrals (I believe there were 5, but I didn't see anyone regulating them), and an exciting buzz. I was slightly worried that I would get chilly in between my pre-race miles and the start of the half, so I put a Mylar blanket in my hand held's pouch (but I ended up not needing it).
Dare I say, just about perfect running weather!
I was also a little freaked out about how much time to leave between my run and the race. I didn't want to get there too early and freeze (or have my muscles get tight), but also didn't want to cut it close and have to rush (especially if I needed to use the potty or anything). I timed it so I got there about 30 minutes beforehand and it worked out perfectly.
After the National Anthem, Linzie and I made our way into Wave 2. He had just ran Dopey the previous weekend at Walt Disney World, so told me he wasn't sure how his legs would do. We said our good-bye's in case we lost each other on the run (which we did, but we have another half marathon together on Sunday so we'll see each other again then!).
The first mile of the course is a bit uphill (but, like I told the runners around me, I would rather have it at the beginning than at the end... and since it was an out-and-back course, we would be running down it on the way to the finish line), but I was still feeling good after running the previous 7 miles.
As you can see, my first 7 miles had a bit of elevation change (we live on a few hills),
and the half marathon had some decent climbs as well
And, just as she said, Kelly was at the Mile 1 marker. I waved her down and we found our groove. We chatted about life since our last run together, gave out a ton of high-fives and encouraging yells, met some amazing fellow runners who introduced themselves and said hi, and had a grand old time.
Don't get me wrong, neither of us are where we used to be (or where we want to be), but we did our best to dig deep and get the mileage done no matter what! At one point Kelly was having a difficult moment and I told her that cheering on other runners helps me because it takes the focus off me and helps to celebrate someone else's accomplishments.
The course is AMAZING (but, then again, that's why the hubby and I pay the big bucks to live here... where everyone else comes to vacation ;)). I didn't stop to take any pictures, but that is mostly because I feel like I have 80 billion pictures of the coast from other training runs. Even though I run the route weekly, I am still taken back at the beauty around. We are beyond blessed to be able to run (and live) in this area! I do my darnedest to never take it for granted!
There were a few places on the course where it felt a little congested (since it is an out-and-back course, runners going "out" are on half of the road and runners coming "back" are on the other half, but they also had to half those sections to accommodate the half marathon runners and marathon runners), but overall it seemed perfect (and I was stoked I didn't have to stay super far over in the bike lane like I normally do when the roads are open).
The volunteers and spectators were AWESOMESAUCE! A lot of the volunteers had signs, which was so great! (I don't know about you, but reading something helps to take my mind off the run a bit... and some of the signs make me LOL) Also, when you registered you could personalize your bib, so they were able to cheer you on by name (rather than "Go Runner" which also works but isn't as personal ;)). There were even a few rockin' bands on the course!
I know some folks don't dig the out-and-back courses (Kelly mentioned it can be a little defeating when you see folks heading back and you aren't there yet), but I really enjoy them. I like being able to cheer on fellow runners, look for friends, and know what to expect for the second half of the course since I already ran it.
Around Mile 11.5 Kelly had to veer off and make her way to her car, but before she did, we made sure to grab a quick picture. As you can tell, the miles may have been a little more difficult than we would have liked, but at least we know how to have a good time! #BadAssLadyGang #FindYourTribeLoveThemHard
I texted Ryan to let him know where I was. Since I had the seven miles pre-race, I didn't really know what overall pace we were running for the race specifically. I knew the 2:00 pacers started at the beginning of Wave 3, and they hadn't caught us, but I wasn't sure if that was because of the delayed start or because we were running faster than that. I was SHOCKED when I turned the final corner and saw that the official time said 2:01 and change (I knew there was a delay between when the first wave started and when I crossed the timing mat so knew I had knocked out a sub-2 half).
I ended with 20.25 miles, averaging a 9:09 pace (really only stopping for
traffic lights on the first 7 and then the break between those miles and the
start of the race... everything else was cruising)
20 miles DONE AND DONE!
Officially, my half marathon time was 1:57:20, which ended up averaging 8:57 per mile. I am over the moon with this finish time (even if it is almost 20 minutes slower than my current PR). Not only was this part of a larger training run, but it was also one of my first long runs back since being injured (even if I wouldn't say I am currently 100% "healed").
I have had one other really good 20-miler, and coincidentally, it was last fall when I ran with Kelly for part of it. Normally my long runs are not focused on time (and don't get me wrong, this one definitely wasn't), but it is still nice to see a faster number for a longer distance. PS Feel free to watch Kelly's recap of the run if you haven't seen it already (and subscribe to her YouTube channel, cause her #BQorBust vlogs are a MUST!).
Although I didn't pay for this race myself, I definitely believe it is a worthwhile race (if you don't live in the area and run it on a weekly basis, that is). The course is stunning (running along the Pacific Beach for the majority of your race doesn't get much better), the volunteers and staff are top notch and the perks are amazing (not only did we receive a participant tee, but we also got a quarter zip long sleeve shirt, a goodie bag at the finish line and some purrrrrrrty bling).
Stoked because I can use the finisher tee in a future quilt and actually wear the long sleeve zip-up... AND IT HAS THUMB HOLES!
By the way, can you believe that this is the FIRST Picky Bars I will have ever tried?!
A BIG THANKS to Ultima for allowing Jenny to giveaway an entry, and for luck to be in my favor! [Now I just have to decide if I want to run the rest of the races in the series to get the TRIPLE CROWN :)] Also, PROPS to the Carlsbad Marathon & Half for collecting shoes for donation. Although it's always hard to part with old running shoes, it's a little easier when you know they are going to bless someone else.
The hubby and I donated TEN PAIRS! Can you tell I have a hard time letting them go?!
Do you run local races or prefer to travel to new destinations to run?
