Its good to remember this once in awhile ;-)

50K was a success!  It took me around 6 hours!  It was a struggle at times, but not as bad as I thought.  My recovery was pretty minimal the days following!! WOO HOO!!!

This week is my peak week for mileage.  I will be running a 50K this weekend on Saturday.... only one more month until my 50 miler!!!

Do you know how many darn times I have fallen on the ice this winter?!!!  YIKES!  Yesterday I was lucky I didn't crack my head open... luckily my ponytail saved me.  I am going to rethink this training for an ultra during the winter months thing.....

Sweet heaven it has been cold around here.  I love winter running... but my legs just couldn't take this fiery chill.  The temps have been hovering around 2 degrees to way below zero.... which would almost be doable if the wind wouldn't pick up those days... ;-(  Anyway, I have been getting in some runs at the gym.  I don't mind.  Do I prefer to be outside?  Uh, HELL YES... but you do what you have to do.  ;-)

Check out this great article!!!

http://running.competitor.com/2014/01/training/how-cold-is-too-cold-to-run_93795

3 Degrees, very windy = Windchill of -21 degrees.  THAT IS COLD!  I could only pull off 3 miles this am in the dark and the cold before my legs stung so bad I wanted to yell obscenities for part of my run. ;-)  Looks like I will do some more tonight at the gym. ;-)  

Feeling a tiny bit better today!  After taking pretty much a full week off of running, I am back at it!  My legs felt so wonderfully rested this am.  Lifted some weights this am too.  ;-)

Sick.... horrible cold.  Its bad enough that I can't mentally think let alone run. HA!  So I have rested Sunday, Monday and now today.  I will run Wed, Friday and Saturday.  Long run is still on the books.... I don't want to skip it.  I do think my body needs rest or a wrecking ball for that matter... ;-)

Day two of 2016 and I have 41 miles in.... its going to be a RUNderful year!!!!  Well, as long as I don't do any more long runs on a treadmill.... but darn it I was cold this am..... Wow, and look at my matted down sweaty hair?!!!  Sorry to those who had to see this. HA!

Training is going well.... I am running around 40 miles a week right now... and its only going to go up, up, up.... ;- )  RUN ON!!!!!

My ultra training is going well.  My vegetarian diet continues to do well.  My Hammer fueling is going well.  I have some excitement right now for my ultra.  I am pretty sure when it is a week away I wont. ;-)  But who knows?  Maybe I will ;-)

My ultra marathon training began a few weeks ago.... I hope I survive ;-)  Finished my 18 mile training run for the weekend... now for some laziness until Monday!!!

HA HA!!! THIS!!!!!!!!

So excited to be back at it after 2 weeks of no running and resting an injured leg.  RUN ON!  HAMMER ON!!!

Great track run yesterday!  Not sure why I chose to run on the track for 16 miles... but it went really well.  I listened to my first audio-book.  That was the best decision... why did I not think of listening to books during long runs in the past?  You lose yourself!

Super excited about my new baby!!!  I was sad to say goodbye to my 220, but this 225 that measures heart rate via wrist with no more strap?!! SO WORTH IT! ;-)  Lets bring on the runs!!

20 MILE RUN ON THE TREADMILL THIS AM.  PART OF MY ULTRA TRAINING... RUNNING ON A TREADMILL IS BLOODY BORING...  WHICH IS GREAT PREP FOR RUNNING 50 MILES. ;-)

Des Moines IMT was by far my favorite race this year.  I did the half this year and planned for it to be relaxed and fun!  It was and my time was great considering all the stops I made to have fun!  I felt strong and never once thought, "wow, I'm tired."  Here are a few pics from the race.... I DID get to meet Kathrine Switzer and get a signed copy of her book. YAY!

NEVER TOO EARLY!!!

HEADING INTO THE LAST 2 MILES OF THE RACE

JUST A LITTLE FUN AND LIVE ACTION

GETTING READY TO MEET KATHRINE.  SHE WAS SO KIND AND I WAS SUPER PUMPED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY!

M Y BOOK!!

GREAT WAY TO FINISH OFF MY YEAR.  NOW FOR SOME ULTRA TRAINING.....

HEADING TO THE DES MOINES MARATHON!  SUPPORTING KATHRINE SWITZER AND HER FEARLESS MOVEMENT!  RUN ON!!

TODAY'S GYM SUPPLIES!  Now that I am getting ready for my 50 mile ultra in April... strength training at the gym will be a regular event.

Really pumped about spreading the word on Hammer nutrition, fuel and products!  There are a lot of products on the market for running fuel.  I sampled Hammer a few years ago and have been hooked ever since.  I have had other fuels that I could tolerate during races... but Hammer's products actually make my performance smoother and my recovery quicker!! If you want to try something... take 15% off on your first order.  You can order products individually... so that if you don't like something... its one bar, or one packet... etc.  ;-)

Want to know what my favorites are?

Feel free to let me know if you have ANY questions ABOUT ANY of Hammer's products!!! ;-)

Really GREAT 16+ mile run on the trails today!  I felt strong... although I finally broke down and realized WHY I must buy a pair of gators... ASAP! ;-)

THIS IS HOW I HAMMER!!!  TRAILS and PERPETUEM!

When you are hours into the middle of no where... finding one of these gems is like finding some gold....

Look I stumbled upon an alpaca farm?! 

This morning's run was the best run I have had in a long time... NOT because of a PR or because I went really far.. but because I played.  I stopped and used the restroom... stopped and took pictures... went at a slow pace, watched some wildlife and watched the sun come up over the river.  It was a cool 40 degrees so I could wear a long sleeve running shirt, and some crappy Dollar General gloves and a fall headband.... I LOVE this time of year... it makes me feel so awesome!  I live a block from the Mississippi.... I can run this path any day I want... I don't do it often... but when I do, it feels like home.

I am standing in Iowa.... the hills across the Mississippi are Wisconsin's... ;-)