"Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Hospital Hill race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

With so much going on it's been crazy getting a training plan nailed down for Hospital Hill, however it's an extremely important race for me so once I got things in place and got started, it just flowed! This last week has been one of the best training weeks I've had for any race I've ran!

Why is this Half Marathon race important to me?

First and foremost, it's my first race for BibRave. Being a BibRave Pro has been seriously a dream come true and just the fact that I get to run a race as part of their team is just beyond incredible. I'm also looking forward to meeting the other BibRave Pro's who will be running the race as well!

Second, it's the second race I've ran out of town, the first one was over in Illinois and truth be told we could have driven in the morning of the race. It was fun being surrounded by friends during the run but it just didn't carry the same weight as Hospital Hill does! For some reason the fact that I literally have to travel overnight to make it to the race just really sets it apart from any other race I've ran.

Third, it's the first race that I feel fully capable. I've always known I could get out there and run a half marathon. I've done it on a couple occasions without any training at all and finished without incident. This time, this time it's different. I've been running consistently for almost two years now, the first year I was still a little shaky as far as how consistent I was and the second whole year was such a huge learning process, what works and what doesn't etc. I feel confident in myself, my abilities and the training plan set ahead. I've never had a training plan I felt full capable of handling without struggle!

So week one. Here we go.

Day 1:

The plan : Run/walk anywhere up to 6 miles at an easy pace.

The reality : Pretty easy 3.75 miles @ 10:17 avg pace.

Honestly, the first two miles felt GREAT but I had been having some tightness in the back of my legs still from the Ultra Marathon a week prior, so the last 1.75 was just getting myself home in one piece. I had been doing a lot of foam rolling, stretching and yoga to attempt to clear up the tightness, it was feeling really great which was why I went out as far as I did. Anyway, I shook it off and stretched like crazy that afternoon!

Day 2:

The Plan : Run between 7-9 at an easy pace (Long Run)

The Reality : Still feeling tight I decided to walk 2 miles and let my legs shake themselves out. It felt good to just walk/lightly jog. I stretched like crazy that entire day and evening as well, I was starting to feel a lot better by the end of the night and the next morning the tightness was virtually gone!

Day 3:

Day 4:

Day 5:

The Plan : Run/walk anywhere up to 6 miles at an easy pace.

The Reality : Walked a mile with my boys! I was so proud that they made it a whole mile without complaining. Their reward was playing outside with their new bubbles and they had a blast! It was really nice relaxing on this day and I plan on incorporating at least one day a week to walking with them, I want them to understand why I train, what it means to me and that they can be a part of it!!

Day 6:

The Plan : 1-2 mile warm up. 2 miles at tempo (9:24 avg pace) 5-7 x 150m strong followed by 250m jog. 2 miles at tempo ( 9:09 avg pace). 1-2 mile cool down.

The Reality : 9.49 miles @ 9:53 avg pace. 2 mile warm up. 2 mile tempo @ 9:17 avg pace. 6 x 150m strong with 250m jog. 2 mile tempo @ 9:24 avg pace. 2 mile cool down.

I felt so good after this run, like I said before I do really enjoy speed work but honestly, even a few months ago it would not have been possible for me to hit those times the way that I did. Adding those sprints in between the tempo sections was a definitely test of my endurance!

Day 7:

The Plan : REST

The Reality : REST! We went out to celebrate our anniversary that evening, our actual anniversary is today!! Happy 7 years to us :)

Day 8:

The Plan : 9 miles at an easy pace (Long run)

The Reality : 9 miles @ 9:52 avg pace.

I just really have to say that it was incomprehensible for me to hit this pace less than a year ago. Last August I ran a 10 miler for a long run and it was beyond difficult, I think I averaged over a 12 minute mile. I was beat and was very glad that it was my longest long run of that training cycle. I've been working my butt off here lately and I'm really beginning to see the results, what I love most about seeing the progress shows me that it's possible, progress is possible, whatever we want is possible as long as we are willing to put in the work.

Day 9:

The Plan : Run/walk anywhere up to 6 miles at an easy pace.

The Reality : 4.01 miles @ 9:53 avg pace.

I really regret wearing this tank top today but let's be real, I was lazy and just wanted to get my run in before lunch, so I did what I had to do. Watched this weeks episode of Grey's Anatomy while running, I love that show and it keeps my mind occupied!

SUMMARY:

This week was a little longer than the rest will be but I started out at a weird date. All in all I would consider this week a success. I'm looking forward to the next five weeks of Hospital Hill Half Marathon training!!! I can't wait to race in Kansas City this June!! If you're interested in running I would highly suggest you sign up TODAY as prices will increase tomorrow!! On top of that, I encourage you to use code "BIBHHR18" at checkout and receive AN EXTRA 15% off of your registration!! Who doesn't love discount codes for races?!?

I hope everyone has an awesome week and I look forward to seeing you all back here next Monday for week two of my Hospital Hill training recap!!

Let me just start off by saying, I have been eyeing these Orange Mud Vests for the past year or so. I had been researching and settled on this brand, I knew I was going to be training for a 50k so figured I would wait until that training started to take the plunge. Little did I know the universe was going to align and as part of the BibRave Pro Family, I was chosen to test one out! Talk about your perfect timing!

The second I received this vest in the mail, I was extremely impressed. The simplicity and the minimalist features make this gear vest the perfect for absolutely any type of runner. Yes, minimalist but also it can carry anything you could possibly need. Seriously, it almost defies science if you ask me! Minimalist AND extremely great storage?! Yes, please!

I trained for AND RAN my 50k in this vest and knew it was going to be a game changer. I fit everything I needed and then some into the pockets of this vest. The 1L bladder was also perfect, I was able to fill up at the half way point easily and quickly and was on my way! I was able to carry my extra water bottle with sports drink (I didn't want to put the sports drink in the bladder itself, I have read mixed reviews but decided to go just water!), all of my fuel (which included sport beans, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, energy bites and some pretzels with peanut butter!), as well as tissues, toilet paper, chapsstick and my ID, because you just never know! Do NOT let the size deter you or scare you away from this pack, it's small but MIGHTY as all get out!

I 100% stand behind this gear vest and think it is absolutely worth the investment! I look forward to wearing it on every one of my training runs for my upcoming half marathon in June!!

To score your very own Orange Mud Gear Vest head on over to OrangeMud.com and use code "BRGV15" to get 15% off your order!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

*CHEERS*

It's been a week and a half since I raced in the Double Chubb 50k.

I'm still a little shocked to know that it's already over.

So many weeks of training, long runs, trail runs, worrying about every little detail.

Thankfully I had another race to jump right into training for, otherwise I know I'd feel pretty lost right now.

Race week I was a bundle of nerves and anxiousness, ask my husband, I was a mess!

Also, both boys were sick on and off the week before the race as well.

I was worried about them, worried about what they had gotten and of course that little thought in the back of my head that said I would contract it as well and be out on race day.

Disclaimer: I received the Orange Mud Gear Vest to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I did my best to pack as much as I possibly thought I would need.

 I used my Orange Mud Gear Vest to hold all of my fuel for race day, also it held my ID and Insurance Card (you just never know!)

Let me just say, this vest was a life saver. 

The one I had before was much larger and heavier and I was a little worried about having to carry it for 30 miles.

The second I received this vest and tried it out, it was a huge game changer!

It's light but holds SO MUCH STUFF at the same time. 

(if you're interested and want to try it out for yourself, use code BRGV15 for 15% off at OrangeMud.com)

I obsessively checked the weather, it was calling for rain and with each passing day I kept telling myself, "It'll change, It'll be fine."

The entire week leading up to the race the weather was excellent, I was super thrilled about this because the course gets really tricky when it's been rained on. I figured even if it rained on race day, the fact that it didn't rain the entire week before would be reprieve enough.

Night before the race, it stormed, and it stormed a lot!

Race morning I was just ready to go, get the thing started.

We got to the starting line.

The race started.

I definitely shot out way too fast, I always do that and regret it big time later on.

The course starts out on a pretty intense uphill, so there's that as well.

The second I got on the course I realized the rain from the previous night was going to have made things very interesting.

Mud, there was mud, huge puddles everywhere.

Navigating the course was definitely more difficult that it had ever been on any training run.

Due to the fact that my legs were fresh I went harder than I should have, a lot harder than I should have, that coupled with the mud my legs were shot really early on. Having to run and navigate through thick mud took a lot more out of my legs than running or jogging on flat land, again I was not prepared for that.

I hit the 25k mark with 20 minutes to spare, I stopped briefly, talked with Andrew and then was off again for loop #2.

Before leaving he asked me if I wanted my rain jacket, the weather had been fine up until that point, a tad chilly but in all honesty that made running a lot more enjoyable. Anyway, I turned down the rain jacket and by the time I reached the first aid station, roughly 5 miles in, I highly regretted not taking that rain jacket with me.

Temps seemed to drop crazily AND it was raining.

THANKFULLY that aid station had the greatest people ever, and one of the men had an extra poncho and he let me have it for the remainder of the race. Seriously, that one rain poncho really made my day and gave me the drive to keep going.

My hands were numb, the rain was coming down and I hadn't even tacked the muddiest and muckiest part of the race yet!

I was miserable, I was wet, I was cold and I was tired.

I made it to the turn around point and it was really hard to put myself back out on that course for the 4th time. (the course is a series of 2 out and backs so you're running the same stretch 4 times total)

Again, that aid station was incredible, filling up my water bottle, handing me every type of food they had, packing a PBJ in my Orange Mud Vest (even though I tried to turn it down & let me just say I've never enjoyed a PB&J more than that one, these aid stations were the BOMB!)

The entire way back I walked almost all of it, I was spent, and my watch had died right after the 25k point so I had no idea how much time I had to finish, I had no idea how far I had gone.

Mentally and physically I was drained of almost everything.

I cursed the course on many many occasions!

I fell at one point and my hands were covered in mud.

There were so many times I thought I knew where I was, thought I was about at the end of the trail then I realized I wasn't. Tears may have been shed at those points.

So where the trail ends, about a mile before the finish line, there's a port-a-potty that you can see a little ways off, kind of like a beacon that says "YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!"

Let me just say, I've never been so happy to see a port-a-potty in my entire life! Once I got to the port-a-potty I knew I was just about done, all I had to conquer was the HUGE hill that the course has at the end.

I knew, though, I was going to finish at that point, which made that hill not as unbearable.

I got to the top, I texted Andrew and said I was on my way down the hill.

I was almost there.

The emotions started to set in.

I saw the clock and knew I was going to complete the race in time.

I had done it.

I had completed my first ultra in extremely crazy weather conditions.

I was a muddy mess but I have never been happier to cross a finish line, have a medal placed over my head and knowing that I finished what I had set out to do.

This race, that day, is something I will never forget.

The support from all of the volunteers and race staff was incredible.

I have never felt so supported on a course in any other race.

The aid station volunteers were so knowledgeable about what I needed even before I knew I needed it. They cheered, high fived and just kept my spirits alive throughout one of the most excruciating experiences I've ever gone through (child birth not included, because let's be real, nothing can really compare to that)

I plan on tackling the 25k next year, and I can say with certainty I will always partake in the Double Chubb race (whether racing or volunteering), it will forever hold a special place in my heart and I plan on supporting it from here on out!

And if you're looking for a challenging 50k or 25k to race and you're going to be in the St. Louis area April-ish next year, come on by and check it out!!! It's worth it!!

*CHEERS*

For the past couple months I have been updating my Athlinks profile and have been having a really great time doing so!

What is Athlinks, you ask?

It's a website/app where you can set up your profile, input your information and claim all of your past race results in one place. Not only that you can set yourself up for future races you'll be taking part in, share your goal times and follow along with other athletes as well!

Athlinks is absolutely brilliant because I never have to wonder what my certain race PR is, I just log into the app, click on the "statistics" tab and bam! There I have it, all of my information readily available.

I also love being able to look back at my earlier races, all the way back to 2011! I can see how I've grown and hold myself accountable to every single one of my times! "If you've crossed a finish line in the last 10 years, you'll find yours here." - Athlinks.com

*CHEERS*

By the time you're reading this I will have exactly 17 days until my first Ultra Marathon, my longest race to date!



Last week I wrote about WHY I'm doing this race and today I'm going to share with you all the training journey I have been on the past 3 months in preparation!



Due to the Midwest and the crazy weather plenty of runs have been done indoors on the treadmill. Not necessarily ideal but it was that or nothing.



The great part is that I have been able to get out on the exact trail I'll be running on during the race. I have ran the trail backwards and forwards, done the crazy hill that's going to be awaiting me at the end of the race. I know the trail, I know quite well and I feel extremely prepared in that aspect.



I'm hoping to get in a 20 miler sometime in the next week or so, may be a bit tricky but I'll get in something long-ish out there *fingers crossed* I have been able to hit long distances, longest run was 18 miles and it felt really good actually! I've been running pretty much daily, taking the "active rest" days as power walking days.



I try really hard to do SOMETHING every single day to keep my legs sharp and used. I have also been doing some long-ish runs back to back days so my legs get used to being ran on when they're tired. I haven't pushed it too hard but I do need my legs to get used to running while tired because let's be real, 30 miles on a trail and they'll be tired!



One of my favorite part of this entire training cycle has been the exploration of a new terrain, I've been solely a road runner until late last year when I discovered the trails! It's also a huge plus that I've been able to share this experience with my Mom. I really feel like it's a pretty unique thing to be able to do this sort of thing with a parent, maybe no and I'm just crazy but either way, I love the time we get to spend together out there, sharing a passion and a love for running and the outdoors in general. It's really special and something that I'll be able to treasure forever!



My other favorite part has to be watching my boys watch me train. They know my running shoes, they know that when we go down into the basement that I'm running. They love to ask, "Mommy, how's your run?" every now and then during a treadmill run. They also ask that whenever I get home from running outdoors. They're invested as well, no they don't understand that I'm in training for a huge race, but they know this is something important to me. I love that they get to watch me run, they get to watch me be dedicated to my health and fitness. I really hope to be able to pass this love along to them!



Overall I'm super happy with how my training has gone, sure there have been hiccups, a couple weeks in there where I was sick and had to step back so that I could recover, then having to readjust the plan BUT that's life, especially when you're dealing with a 16 week training plan, life happens and we just have to roll with the punches. It's much easier to be adaptable than to get frustrated and give up all together (let's be real, it's taken me YEARS to be able to be okay with this idea when it comes to training!)



 I've essentially switched over to training for my upcoming Half Marathon in June, the goal is to PR that race SO I wanted to make sure I give that race it's due as well. Overlapping these training plans has been interesting and I'll let you all know how that feels closer to the 50K and then give a recap afterwards on whether it was a good idea or not! I'll also write out, roughly, my entire training cycle and plan that I stuck to throughout this cycle in hopes that it may help someone else out there looking for a plan that can be easily adaptable (hello moms who love to run!)

I hope everyone has been having a great week!!