Her Tern Half-Marathon Recap 2015

It's almost been a week and I'm finally getting around to writing up a race recap for the Her Tern Half-Marathon. It's kind of crazy to me that it's already been that long, and that the whole race weekend went by so fast.

It was my first half-marathon and it's an accomplishment that I'm pretty proud of. During the race I kind of thought about why an official half-marathon race is so special since most people run that distance and even longer sometimes during training, but I couldn't quite figure out an answer, other than that it just is. Ask almost anyone who has run in an event of any distance, and they'll tell you, there's something so exciting, so electrifying about participating in a race. The Her Tern Half took all of this excitement to a whole new level.

The Her Tern Half and Quarter are advertised as 'boutique' races that pamper participants in nearly every way possible, and I've heard from so many people that it's their favorite race of the year. They even offer a training program weeks in advance of the race to help runners of every level prepare, which I think is so cool. I definitely would have signed up if I lived in Anchorage. 

I went camping in Seward (post to come soon!) Friday night and then drove directly to the race 'expotique' in downtown on Saturday after packing up our campsite. It was a beautiful sunny day, which made the outdoor expo even more enjoyable. They had the entire road blocked off between Skinny Raven and Her Tern with tents set up including the most amazing fitting rooms ever. Every staff member we encountered was extremely friendly and helpful, and acted like they were genuinely happy to be there answering any questions and handing out bibs and goodie bags.

I used the amazing coupons included the event packets to purchase a Her Tern Half labeled Nathan water bottle (I love the narrow silicone spout!), a HTH labeled Brooks Running tank (which I LOVE), and some Nuun hydration products. I had both kids with me, which wasn't a problem at all, as it was an extremely kid friendly event. There was even a sign decorating station for kids (and adults) to decorate signs to hold while cheering on their moms. Genius! And Riggs was served popcorn by a very friendly staff-member, which made trying out some of the Moving Comfort sports bras (see my favorite, here) even easier. I was a little bit obsessed with the fitting rooms and kind of wanted to grab some snacks and lounge around in them for a while, haha. 

On race day I got up a little early to eat a little bit of yogurt but didn't end up eating like I should have because my stomach just felt a little off and I was trying to pack the kids up to head in to Anchorage. I met my sister downtown and she stayed with me to cheer me on at the start line, then took my kids to church with her for the morning, which was so nice.

I used the bag drop at the race since I would be alone at the finish, and it went very smoothly (it was my first time using a bag drop and I was a little nervous about it for some reason). I actually didn't do any running warm-ups before the race because of the length of the race. I did do some light stretching and a few dynamic stretches in the five minutes before the start, but that was it. Maybe TMI, but I was able to successfully use the restrooms right before the race, and that was a huge bonus. I never ended up having to use an outhouse at any of the aid stations during the race, which I was a little worried about. And I didn't pee in my shorts, so that's awesome (am I the only one who struggles with this for races? I know I'm not so don't be shocked haha). All good things!

My goals for this race were to have fun and not get injured, and also to finish under 2 hours, which was an easily attainable goal since that was at a pace well below my usually training pace. But I didn't want to give myself any extra pressure, because I really really wanted to enjoy my first half and not be sore the rest of the week from pushing myself too hard. I'm very competitive when it comes to sports and have a hard to forcing myself to slow down, so I knew this was going to be a challenge.  

At the starting line I just felt so at ease and didn't really have the usual pre-race jitters, which I thought was a good sign that I would be able to take it slow and easy like I wanted to. Once the race started I just settled into an easy pace and sort of pretended I was just doing a nice and slow weekend long run. I needed to run around 9 min miles on average for the whole race, and ended up running about 8.15 m/m's for nearly the whole way. 

For me getting passed is really mentally challenging further on in the race and I had a little guilt complex while running because I kept passing the participants who had signed up for the walking version of the race. I was really inspired because a lot of them were running and were putting all their effort into completing the race and I felt that connection, that common bond that comes from suffering/working through something hard together. 

I was feeling great during miles 10-11 and then just sort of started to feel out of it during the last two miles. I kept thinking I just wanted to stop and lay down on the side of the trail, even thought my legs weren't feeling that tired and my breathing was just fine. Also the last half mile was uphill nearly the whole way, and that was really really tough for me. I slowed down A LOT the last mile. 

I did not pack any sort of nutritional supplements and took about two sips of the electrolyte drinks they offered at the turnaround point (about mile 7) which in retrospect I think was a big mistake. In addition to not eating breakfast, I think not fueling during the race really contributed to my feelings of fogginess and fatigue during the last two miles. 

probably the happiest I've been at a finish line
(even happier than at the Twilight 12k)

Despite the slip-up with not fueling and with slowing down the last couple of miles, I'm really happy with how the race went and thoroughly enjoyed myself during most of the run. The 'post-race pamper party' was amazing and I wish I could have stayed longer, but I was also excited to get back to the kids. There were gourmet cupcakes and mimosas and photobooths and more and the atmosphere was just so fun and encouraging, it's definitely a race I recommend doing with a friend or group of friends. 

My next race will be the Skinny Rave Half-Marathon on August 16 in Anchorage, which is a part of the Big Wild Life Runs put on by the city. My sister is doing it too and that makes it even more exciting. I ran three days this week so far, taking it super easy the first two after the race and running very slow and easy then did a typical training day on Wednesday of 5.5 miles at easy pace (8:30) with a tempo mile in the middle (7:30) and some striders at the end. Went camping again Thursday so took that day and Friday off, which actually felt just about right. 

1) post race happy smiles 2) participants received bracelets with coordinates of the finish line instead of a medal 3) My own personal little foam-rolling station on the sidewalk after the race 4) results - you can see how much my pace slowed (to 9:35 for last mile) reflected here.

Anyone have any big races coming up or plans/goals/dreams to do a half or full marathon in the future?

Friday Favorites: beautiful things

always.

find inspiration, think deeply, be grateful and write things down once in a while.

[journals: here]

focus on what is really important and invite your friends over,

even when your house is messy and your fridge is empty.

that vanity. that curtain. I'm in love.

you're smart, Alice Waters.

Happy Friday!

checking in

We are busy this morning getting ready for an impromptu camping trip with my BFF and her kids, but I wanted to drop in and share a thought for the day, as well as a link to my first post as a contributor to NW Healthy Mama, 3 Simple Ways to Completely Reset a Hard Day.

Pause everything (nothing’s getting done anyway), connect with your child, and feel the difference it makes in your day. Meditate on what’s ultimately important in life and realize that all the mundane tasks you feel pressure to get done can wait. Those dishes will still be there in an hour, an afternoon or even tomorrow, but our children won’t always need us in the way they do now.

That's just a little snippet from my post, be sure to click over, read it, and let me know your strategies for reseting a tough day.

Carrot Zucchini Apple Chunk Muffins

Summer is in full bloom and that means your garden may be producing more veggies than you know what to do with. My friend Andrea posted some great ideas about incorporating home grown fruits and veggies into meal planning to make sure your garden's bounty doesn't go to waste over on NW Healthy Mama, be sure to check it out.

Zucchini is a common veggie that people always seem to have too much of, and one of my favorite ways to use up the extras is to bake them into muffins. They add a moistness that just can't be beat, and it's a great way to add extra servings of fiber-rich veggies into your diet. 

I tweaked this Apple Carrot Zucchini muffin recipe a few weeks ago and have found myself making them again and again. Everyone loves them and they're a great summer snack staple for the kids. So, if you have some extra zucchini just lying around needing to be used up, get the muffin pan out and get baking!

Carrot Zucchini Apple Chunk Muffins

1 C coconut oil, melted
2 eggs, room temperature
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C maple syrup
3 cups flour
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1 C shredded zucchini
1 C shredded carrot
1 C chopped green apple (I just cored and chopped one medium green apple, peel on and dumped it in)

Preheat oven to 350°F and spray muffin pan with oil or line with cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, mix together oil, eggs and sweeteners. Add dry ingredients and gently stir until combined. Fold in zucchini, carrot, and apple chunks.

Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean, with a crumb or two attached (bake time varies based on size of muffin tin).

Northwest Healthy Mama Contributor

If you don't already read the Northwest Healthy Mama Blog, add it to your list. A budding online community for moms who live and love in the Pacific Northwest, NW Healthy Mama is a great resource for learning how to maximize life in the beautiful and bountiful region of the country we call home.

"NW Healthy Mama was born when a love for the beautiful Pacific Northwest was paired with a passion for all things healthy and active. Here at NW Healthy Mama, we believe healthy is not a specific diet, but rather a frame of mind, a meal that helps our families thrive and an adventure outside with good friends. We believe in enjoying motherhood and loving our people well." 

I'm beyond excited to be joining the team as a contributor to the site and can't wait to gently remind everyone that Alaska belongs on the list of the amazing states that make up the fabled PNW.

Friday Favorites: words that inspire

Happy Friday, friends! Do you see a pattern in the quotes I posted today? These are some of my favorite reminders when I'm having a hard time with my current goal of living intentionally, and choosing joy daily. If you've got a little time, check out these posts:

A Helpful Guide to Overcoming Envy

Perfection: the thief of 'good enough'

8 Things Every Person Should do Before 8am

And be sure to check out my Facebook page, where I share articles, photos and thoughts every day that interest and inspire me.

Also, I'm running in the Her Tern Half Marathon Sunday morning, and if you feel so inclined, I'd sure love to have some happy running thoughts sent my way!

beating the Alaskan heat: knik river days

We've had unusually warm weather nearly non-stop since the beginning of spring this year in Alaska. And just for the record 'unusually warm' refers to anything over 75°F, especially when it lasts for more than a few days in a row. Now before you laugh, 80°F in Alaska just feels differently than it does in many places downstates and also, we don't have air conditioning in our homes here. 

Finding fun ways to get out and enjoy the heat with kids is as easy as finding a safe and cozy spot next to some water. It can be a lake, a river or even the ocean, depending on where you are in the state. Beaches offer a magical combination of rocks and sticks and water, and kids of all ages will play contentedly for hours under the right conditions. Just be sure to throw a blanket and some towels in your trunk, and pack plenty of water and some snacks too for maximum enjoyment.

I usually put the kids in their swimsuits and lather on the sunscreen while still at home so it has a chance to start working before we get out in the warm summer rays. And to make going home as least messy as possible, I strip them down and change them into fresh diaper/underwear (and sometimes pajamas depending on how late we stay at the rivers edge) before putting them in their carseats.

When conditions permit, we bring fire and dinner making supplies and stay until the kids (and us) are sleepy. Sometimes Steve will meet us after work to enjoy a cookout on the beach, and sometimes it's just me and the kids. Either way, it's always a fun day down at the river and I'm thankful to live five minutes away from such a fun and beautiful place!

destination: Knik River, Palmer, Alaska

driving directions: 40 minutes and about 38 miles from downtown Anchorage (see google map driving directions, here). Take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage, take the Old Glenn Exit before Palmer/Wasilla Interchange, drive about 8.5 miles down the Old Glenn and take first left after crossing the Knik River. Drive down the beach until you find the perfect spot.

Blueberry Oat-Crumble Coffee Cake

I love to bake. And even though we try to eat as much whole food as possible, sometimes you just need to have some coffee cake. It's all about balance. That being said, I do try to adjust recipes to include healthier substitutions whenever possible.

Our local grocery store had a special on blueberries this week, so I picked some up with the idea of making a blueberry baked good of some sort. When I was browsing Pinterest for blueberry cake or muffins, there were a lot of recipes that were just over the top with sugar and oils, or just too many ingredients in general. I wanted something simple and easy to make, but that would turn out well and taste indulgent. 

This cake is all of those things. All the ingredients are things that should be pantry staples for most people, and it's quick to whip together. And the best part? It is probably the best blueberry coffee cake you'll ever eat. Moist. Bursting with blueberries. Perfect crunchy crisp on top. Divine.

Blueberry Oat-Crumble Coffee Cake
adapted from bluberrycouncil.org

topping:
1/3 c old fashioned oats
1/3 c almond flour/meal
1/4 c brown sugar
2 t cinnamon
3 T butter, softened

cake:
1 2/3 c flour
2 t baking powder
6 T coconut oil, melted
3/4 c maple syrup
2 eggs
1/2 c sour cream
1/4 c plain yogurt (full fat)
2 c fresh blueberries, set aside about 1/8 c to sprinkle on top of batter after it's in baking dish (frozen should work too)

1. preheat oven to 350°F
2. spray a 9x9 baking pan with non-stick spray.
3. make the topping: in a small bowl, stir oats, flour, sugar, and cinnamon. add butter and blend with fork until crumbly. set aside.
4. make the cake batter: in a large bowl, lightly beat eggs, then add coconut oil, syrup, sour cream, and yogurt and beat until blended. add flour and baking powder to bowl and stir until combined. gently fold in blueberries.
5. pour batter into prepared pan. evenly drop reserved blueberries on top of batter, then sprinkly the topping mixture evenly on top.
6. bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes.
7. let cool in pan 30 minutes before serving.

Homer Spit Run 10k to the Bay recap 2015

Since about Tuesday of last week I have been having some issues with tightness and soreness in my left leg. Mostly centered in my glut and lateral knee, I realized it was probably my IT band and started doing some area specific stretches a few times a day to help. I had planned on doing a 7 mile run Wednesday but cut it short at just over 6 miles because it was still feeling pretty tight, and decided to take Thursday and Friday off to try and loosen up that leg before the race Saturday. 

Sitting in the car for five hours on the drive down to Homer on Thursday did not help the healing process but instead caused even more tightness and and my leg was just constantly aching over the course of Thursday and Friday. I stretched thoroughly Friday night and Saturday morning before the race, but still felt a general tightness running along the outside edge of the leg while running. 

I ran the first mile a little faster than I had planned but was still feeling great through miles two and three. From mile four on I started to feel a lot of fatigue in my legs and the last mile it was pretty tough to keep my pace under 7:45 m/mile. My goal has been to stay under 7:30 the entire race and to finish in under 45 minutes. My time was 45:39 so not too far off but I'm excited to try and beat that time in my next 10k sometime in the future. 

Overall it was a fun experience and I'm so glad I made it down for the race! I'll mostly be focusing on training for the Her Tern Half Marathon, which is three weeks from today. I'm not trying to do anything other than finish the race while enjoying myself and enjoying my first half-marathon experience; hopefully I'll remember that when race day comes around.

According to my Garmin watch I beat my previous 5k PR (from the Heart Run), which is pretty exciting. I'm looking forward to racing a 5k at some point soon to see if I can get cut off even more time.