Rock & Roll Arizona Marathon

State 17 was possibly my most proud marathon. I ran the Rock & Roll Arizona Marathon as a St. Jude Hero and raised close to $2000 for St. Jude Research Hospital. Running for kids with cancer made running feel even more important.

This race fell on MLK weekend so it worked out perfectly for a quick weekend trip. We escaped the "Icepocaplypse" happening (or not happening) in KC and spent the weekend in sunny (or not so sunny) Scottsdale.

We arrived on Friday and spent the day familiarizing ourselves with Old Town Scottsdale... which means we ate. all. the. things. We decided we really like Scottsdale. That evening we drove out to Carefree to have dinner with my aunt and uncle. 

Saturday morning had us out in search of carbs. We received so many recommendations for where to eat in Scottsdale, but my favorite by far was the Daily Dose Diner. The breakfast was amazing and I had what was seriously the best pancake of my life. Every pancake I have will try to live up to that pancake and probably fail. Sorry pancakes.

Off to the expo:

Let's rock this!

This was my first R&R marathon. I've heard mixed reviews but they are supposed to be well-planned and very efficient when it comes to the expo, start, finish... yada yada. It was fine. I didn't have any complaints, but it wasn't as flashy as I thought it would be. It was pretty similar to other bigger races I've done. 

After the expo we headed to Tempe to check out the ASU campus and find a spot to watch the KSU basketball game. ASU has a fun bar-district right off campus where we made ourselves at home. The best part was climbing "A" Mountain! It's a tiny little hike but such a cool thing to find right in the middle of civilization. My favorite part of visiting different states is seeing all of the unique parts of each city/town/state. An on-campus mountain seems pretty crazy when you come from Kansas.

Everyday an adventure.

Race Day: Let's do this.

Racing was not actually in the plan for this race. Checking off a state and getting in a good long training run was. I'm training for my first ultra-marathon and this race fit perfectly into my training schedule. 

Drew dropped me off at the start an hour early so I could warm up and get in a few extra miles before the actual race started. It sounds a little crazy, but doing a 30 mile training run is so much easier if you have a crowd and aid stations for 26 of it!

The race started in downtown Pheonix and ran through Scottsdale and then ended in Tempe. The weather could not have been more perfect. It was cool and overcast and excellent for running. 

Run Run Run.

The views made this race. Everywhere we ran, we were running toward mountains. Even though we never left the city, we were surrounded by the beauty of nature. I felt such a sense of calm just gazing at those mountains as I ran. 

My goal was to stick with the 3:45 pace group, but I started to feel a bit claustrophobic in the crowd. I pulled ahead and seriously enjoyed running my own race. I was in the zone.

The only mishap came around mile 8 when I started to feel some serious chaffing in my left underarm. I've never experienced this but I guess it came from wearing a tank top in the middle of January. My armpits were not ready for it! I pulled into an aid station where they saved me with copious amounts of vaseline and I was off on my merry way.

Around mile 16 I stopped for a potty break. When I returned to running I could feel my pace slow. I wasn't upset about it though. I just kept moving forward, enjoying every moment of the run. We hit an out-and-back portion and it was fun to pass others in their St. Jude shirts. We shared cheers and high-fives.

Feeling amazing!

The final miles flew by, even at my slower pace. Around mile 24 I realized the race was almost over and I literally became sad about it. I have never in all of my marathons felt like I didn't want the race to end! I was having such a great time and even though my body was ridiculously tired, I wanted it to keep going! 

I finished strong and happy. I felt accomplished, and most importantly I felt like my body was capable of more! 

I collected my medal and my banana and then picked up my sweet finishers jacket! It was by far the best perk of the race. Drew waited paitiently while I had my legs massaged and then found me an almond-milk latte to warm me up. Have I mentioned what a great support he is???

30 miles total! Earned that medal!!!

After a quick shower and re-fueling, Drew and I set off to experience more of the famous in-town hiking. Driving 10 minutes to a mountain seems like a dream. We Kansans are easily impressed!  We arrived at Piestewa Peak late in the afternoon. We chose a relatively easy hike that didn't seem too populated. The climbing felt so good as it stretched my legs!

Feeling on top of the world.

Monday morning had us up early to make the most of our last morning in Arizona. We had one goal: Camelback Mountain. After pulling into the parking lot on one side of the mountain and reading multiple signs warning us of the difficulty of this climb and the need for mountain-climbing experience, we made the decision to drive to the other side of the mountain. Good idea.

We beat the crowds and had a really great time climbing up the mountain. The hike was a great workout, but we felt safe and only slightly out of our element. The views were spectacular and the weather was perfect.

This guy...

My motto for the year has been "Be Brave". I've been trying to override my initial "no" response to things that are out of my comfort zone. As we ascended the mountain I realized it was much higher than I first thought. We kept getting higher and higher and I kept trying to turn off my fear of heights. Once we came to a spot where the trail stopped and rock climbing began we took a time-out to evaluate. We had to catch our plane and continuing the rest of the way up the mountain would put us in a realy time-crunch. Plus I was really f-ing scared of going and further.

I'd like to think if we'd had more time I would have made it to the top, but who can say? We took some pics and then headed back down the mountain. I hope that someday I can make it back to Camelback and get all the way to the top. For now, these views were the best part of this trip for me.

Always reppin' KC.

Trips like these are the reason I set a goal of running a marathon in every state. Exploring this country and experiencing all that each state has to offer (especially with Drew!) is the best part of this journey. 

Now we just have to figure out where to go for state 18...

Marshall University Marathon

West Virginia was State #16 in my 50 states marathon quest. Slowly but surely, we're checking them off!

#16 was a good one. Not only did I set a new PR, but I took second place in the whole dang thing. This will probably never happen again in the next 34 states, so I'm going to take a moment and let it soak in. 

We road tripped to West Virginia, which turned out to be a much longer drive than we anticipated. But never fear, we made it fun. After school on Friday we drove to St. Louis and stayed in an Air B&B... which happened to be double-booked. We enjoyed a tiny bit of time in St. Louis and then headed out the next morning for Huntington WV. 

Our travels took us through Louisville Kentucky where we stopped for lunch. While eating at the bar, we learned from a fellow one seat over that we were on the "meth trail" and it probably wasn't a good idea to stop at any rest areas. Good information. #dangerahead

We barely made it to Huntington before the expo & packet pick-up was over. Thank goodness we did! The Marshall University Marathon gives the best SWAG! Seriously, I have never received so many useful goodies from a race.

I look like I actually went to Marshall!

Race morning was cold, but the day promised perfect racing conditions. I'd worked my ass off during training and I was ready to run. The course was a loop, so the half marathoners ran the loop once, and the full marathoners ran it twice. My goal was a 3:20, so I found the 1:40 half-marathon pacer and stuck with him for the first loop. He was an awesome pacer. I felt comfortable and strong throughout the first half of the race. I was so sad to say goodbye and worried about holding the pace on my own.

Once I was on to the second loop, I was pretty alone for a bit. It was a mental struggle trying to keep up the pace without anyone around. However, once I reached more populated areas where there were spectators, I heard people start yelling to me, "Your the second female!" Holy cow, I cannot tell you how energizing that was! My pace and motivation were instantly back on track!

I kept hoping/wishing/praying that I could catch the girl in front of me... thinking I could win this thing! However... I also needed a porta-potty. I didn't want to stop, fearing I'd lose my chance to win, or be passed by the girl in third. Finally, around mile 18 when a lady shouted that I was the second female, I shouted back, "How far ahead is she?!?!" When the response was, "about 10 minutes", I decided it was okay to take a bathroom break.

Once I was back on the road, I again wavered with my motivation. I was tired. But I think this is the most mentally strong I've ever been in a race. I kept telling myself that it was okay to be tired, but that didn't mean I had to slow down. Around mile 22 I was passed by two guys who made a comment about how they'd been chasing me for miles. I decided to latch on to them and try to keep up with the quicker pace. I followed them and stayed right behind for another 3 miles. I was tired and hurting and couldn't keep up the pace. Again, I wasn't feeling defeated. I just kept up the positive self-talk and pushed the pace as hard as I could.

The final mile of the race runs through Marshall University. Students lined the course and handed out green and white carnations to runners to drop on the memorial of the plane crash that killed their entire football team. It was an extremely emotional and unique aspect of the race. This is why I love small races, they always have a way of putting a stamp on the course.

As I neared the football stadium, I looked down at my watch and realized I was so close to my goal. I hit the accelerator and gave everything I had in those last yards. We entered the stadium and I was handed a football to carry across the finish line. Again, such a unique experience.

I heard my name called, and looked down at my watch. 3:20:35. I damn near cried.

I accepted my medal, grabbed a water, and made my way for the finish line shoot to wait for Britt to come in. It isn't very often that I get to be the one cheering her on at the finish. All it took was two bowel obstruction surgeries in the last 6 months to slow her down enough so I could come in ahead. Have I mentioned how tough Britt is? :)

Watching her finish that marathon was one of the greatest moments! Her smile and joy as she ran toward the finish-line was amazing. The girl's love for running is infectious!

When I told Britt that I took second place, she immediately suggested we go find my prize. I hadn't even thought about a prize! We found the race director who gave me this vase! I was so excited. Then he suggested I go to the beer tent and have them fill it with beer. OMG. That would be amazing. It never actually happened, but I like the thought of it still.

Holy crap I won a vase!

Since I've never won anything at a race before, I was pretty jazzed about this vase that I assumed came from the dollar store. It turns out though, the vases are hand-blown glass made in West Virginia. Even cooler, I guess.

Race bling.

Can you tell I'm excited???

I just love this lady.:)

The rest of the day was spent doing what we do... eating, drinking, and making friends. The following day we drove all the way back to Kansas City. I am insanely grateful for this sport, for my friend, and for the many memories we make along the way.

In thinking about my race preparation, I credit the mental prep just as much as I do the physical part. I continuously coached myself on the fact that to reach my goal, I was going to have to suffer a bit. At some point I found this quote from the ever-inspiring Kara Goucher. Every time I look at this picture, I get goosebumps. 

I actually made it the wallpaper on my phone. In the weeks leading up to the race, every time I would turn on my phone, I'd give myself a tiny pep talk. I printed the photo, not intending to do anything with it. But I ended up carrying it with me throughout the entire race. The words "you will not fail" rang so strong in my head. I am so grateful for the spirit of Kara Goucher guiding me through what was my greatest race.

Hey Bear!

I own a pint glass that says something to the effect of, "I'm outdoorsy in the fact that I like to drink on patios". I think that gives you a clue as to my experience and enthusiasm for the outdoors.

But I read Wild and I saw the movie.  And if anyone can make hiking through the mountains with all of your belongings on your back look like a good time, it's Reese Witherspoon.

So back in October a group of gals from work was talking about going on a backpacking trip.  Never wanting to be left out of anything, I volunteered to tag along. Fast forward to the actual trip, and somehow there were just 3 of us left.

So Rachelle, Sue, and I set off for the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas to do some backpacking.

Rather than tell the whole ridiculous story, I will leave the photos as evidence that I actually did this. I hiked many many miles. I slept in a tent. I narrowly avoided a rattlesnake and a bear. I bathed in a creek. I filtered water from a creek. I ate food from a bag, cooked on a tiny portable stove. I hitchhiked home when the trail was too much to take. I was brave.

Rachelle, our fearless leader.

Waterfall.

Trail register, in case you disappear.

My partner in crime!

Creek-crossing.

I credit Rachelle with teaching me how real selfies are taken.

Off we go!

Me & Sue, loving life.

Someone should have checked Sue's bag. She packed it all.

Bath tub, drinking water, cooking water, place I fell into.

Which way do we go???

Wilderness Women!

Expertly crossing a creek.

Googling "what to do if a rattlesnake is in your path".

Post hike beers!

Camping is cool.

Waterfall / Shower

Keep on going!

Filtering Water.

We lost Sue after day 1, and Rachell and I hiked on together. At one point when we were setting up our tent at night, she looked at me and said, "You've never pitched a tent before, have you?" And I said, "Aren't you lucky that out of all the people who signed up for this trip, you get stuck with me?" This was the most out-of-my-comfort-zone I have really ever been. Ever. And I loved every minute of it. 

Maybe not the ticks...