Winter running

Winter is settling into our little corner of Montana, but that didn't stop Cola and I from getting out and having a great run yesterday.  My Dad's dog Roscoe seems to be loving running as well, can you see him there behind Cola?

When I take the kids to my parent's house while I run Roscoe comes along and the two dogs run about three times as far as I do.

I have kept most of my runs the last couple months shorter and easier, and am now getting excited to start training for a half in March.  YAY! I did 10 miles Christmas day and it felt great, so I feel like I am in a really good spot.  I will start adding in a day of speed work every week.  I like to have a long run of 14 miles at least once before a half, so I will gradually build up to that.

I was a little overdressed yesterday and got hot right away, but that is the beauty of layers. 

Today is supposed to be below 0 with the windchills.  I am hoping to run outside a little, but I will be okay with keeping it in the house also.  It is annoying when the eyes try to freeze shut.  Haha, yep just looked at the weather forecast for today.  Windchills of -20.  The chances of keeping it inside just got bigger!

While this is really fun. I hate being cold.

Sorry Cola! I might wuss out today.
Would you rather run in the cold or the heat? 
I would much rather run in the cold.  Heat sucks the life right out of me.
Stay warm!

 

A Perfect Christmas and a Run too.

Merry Christmas a day late!  The kids and I had a fun time Christmas eve delivering Christmas goodies to family and neighbors and singing Christmas Carols in the morning. We drank lots of apple cider and hot chocolate and ate lots of goodies!

My husband and I had our parents and my big sister's family over for appetizers.  First we managed to get a family photo with the self timer on my camera

The kids were having a hard time sitting still since they got to open one present as soon as the pictures were done!

Lil Cowboy played some cribbage with my Dad

the Grandmas visited

and us girls, plus my niece, played rummy.

Christmas day we kept it low key.  We opened presents, ate breakfast, put together presents etc.

I even got in a heavenly much needed 10 mile run while everyone else watched movies.  It was one of those runs where I was feeling like I could run all day.  I think Cola was pleased with it too.  I didn't get a picture of it, but we had a white Christmas and the run was beautiful!

Trying, not trying

After a week of beautiful weather and running in tanks, short and capris

It's back to hats, tights, and gloves this week

 

Cola doesn't care, he just wants to run

I guess I would have to agree.

 

What I have been doing besides blogging lately

• went to an excellent Mary Poppins put on by local talent
• taking kids to things
• moving Ralf the Elf on the Shelf around the house
• running
• working working working
• finally put up my Christmas tree
• trying to ignore all the great sales on running things (key work there is trying)
• taking advantage of a few great sales on running things (I'm not perfect)
• I used Asics buy one get one free to get something for my little sister for Christmas and one for me too (win win!) I would love to show you what it is, but that would give it away for her!  HA! But I love it.

Have you saved money in the long run on running things by taking advantage of Christmas sales?

 

I confess to having bought three things.  Asics 12 days of Bestivus sales were killing me. 

 

 

 

It's December still right?

The weather right now here in Montana is so nice.  In the 50s in December!  My little dog and I couldn't help but take advantage of the weather. With the kids in school we had lots of time to run and play.

                                               Tuesday I ran in capris and a short sleeve shirt.

I think these are my most favorite capris ever

and we ran trails.  So heavenly.

Wednesday I had plans to hit the trails again, but after spending all morning helping my Dad and brother vaccinate heifers I found I needed a nap after lunch. My full belly wouldn't have liked running anyway.  I hadn't had a nap in ages and I have to admit that felt pretty awesome.  After that I didn't have a whole lot of time so I just ran the roads close to home.

In shorts and a tank.  In December.  It is supposed to get cold again this weekend so I am soaking it up while I can.

I have to work today, but hopefully I can squeeze in a couple miles after work.

Is the weather this amazing where you are?

Year of Running 2014

I am linking up with Miss Zippy for this one.  This is a brief look back at my year in running, which was pretty awesome.

You can link up with Miss Zippy too, or just check out everyone else's great links

• Best race experience.  Hmm this is a hard one.  After struggling a lot last year and the first part of 2014 with leg pain, I was truly grateful for every race I ran.  I will have to say perhaps best overall race experience was the Missoula Half Marathon in July.  Missoula puts on a well run race and I got to have a girl's weekend with my friend Billie Jo. It was also my first half marathon in over a year and I felt pretty good!

• Best run. Hmm I have to admit I have had a lot of great runs and at this point in the year it is hard to narrow it down, but I would say maybe the run where I ran into a bear.  Excluding the bear part, it was a beautiful run and I loved every minute of it and the bear made it all the more memorable! I loved how green and lush everything was and all the wildflowers, plus I just felt good. It was a perfect day to be out running, in my favorite place to run

you can't see it, but there is a bear down the road!

• Best new piece of gear.  My Armpocket.  Love this thing.  So comfortable to wear and I can put so many things in it!
• Best piece of running advice you received.  Hmmmm.  I think this is indirect, but when I went to the doctor in January and he told me my problems were most likely coming from my back this changed everything for me.  I started doing yoga and worked more on core strengthening.  6 weeks later I quit waking up in the middle of the night in pain and my running started to pick up again.  I still yoga twice a week and have some issues, but only a whisper compared to what it was.

• Most inspirational runner.  Shalane Flanagan.  That girl really goes for it! She sets big goals and while she didn't reach them, she really puts her heart into it.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would it be?  Triumphant and Happy.  It feels so good to not be struggling with quad pain and to be running races again strong and happy.

 How would you sum up your running year in a couple of words?

Stocking Stuffers for Runners

 We braved the elements this weekend and went to the playoff game in Bozeman.  Hard to believe the day before it had been a balmy 62 degrees and Saturday we were sitting in a snowstorm with windchills around 0 degrees. 

It was a great game but the Bobcats lost.  We had a great time cheering them on and can't wait for next year and more Bobcat football.

 

 Despite being cold, my son wanted to wait around and meet some of the players.  He was excited to meet the quarterback, who was a freshman this year so will be back next year. He let Cade hold his helmet and was so nice!

 And this beast, who is such an amazing defensive player.  He is a senior and we are sad he won't be back again.

The players were amazingly gracious and thankful to the fans who had hung around in the super cold.  There was lots of interaction, fist bumps and high fives.  The kids left there very happy and I left an even bigger fan.

I am sure no one needs a whole lot of motivation to get any shopping done with all the great deals floating around right now, but I still wanted to share some of my favorites!

Cocogo is my go to form of hydration for running and working out. They are running a special one day only Cyber Monday Cocogo Sale. Everything is 20% off on Monday, plus another 10% off with my Ambassador code,(use CHRISTYRUNS when you check out) plus bundle discounts still apply (like 25% off a case or 10% off a 3-Pack and free shipping over $55).

 I discovered Armpocket this year and now never run without it. Armpocket armbands are great for runners, walkers and any active person on your gift giving list. Shop now for their pre-holiday deal: $10 Armpocket gift card with any $20 purchase - use code FBHoliday14

Handful bras are 20% off with the code TAKEOFF20.  These bras nearly never go on sale so this is a great deal to take advantage of.

And my favorite running gel.. Humagel!  I couldn't find any codes for this one, but it is always a good thing to have on hand and they recently added four new flavors with caffeine. 

What is the best deal you have found today?