There's something so relaxing about finding a gravel road and running out in the middle of no where.  UNTIL, you come up over the hill and you annoy the happily grazing cows.  The entire field stopped what it was doing and stared at me.  They stared non-stop until I was on my way. ;-)  Sorry to disturb you guys.....

Received a 30.00 dollar off coupon for a trail race admission for my volunteer time at the Dances with Dirt Race.  YAY!  It doesn't expire for a year... so I have plenty of time to pick something fun!

BACK AT IT!  I COMPLETED AN ENTIRE WEEK OFF OF RUNNING!!  I probably wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for the sore throat, body aches and fever for 3 days at the end.... ;-) My sore throat is still around so I took it easy this am.... but it sure felt good to get back out there!

I just spent a wonderful week in Vegas with friends!  I took the entire week off from running.  I feel refreshed and ready to run and run and run!  Don't forget to take time off friends... you would be amazed at what it can do for you!!!

A few weeks ago, my friend Autumn and I were chatting over the wire.  She moved to Kansas awhile back but we still keep in contact.  Autumn has been struggling with her weight for some time.  Here is Autumn with her husband, Robert. 

Autumn reported to me that she was trying really hard to get things on track and workout.   She has been taking walks and attending kickboxing classes.  She was extremely proud the day I talked to her because she had taken a 2 mile walk!!  WAY TO GO!!!  When Autumn lived by me, it was hard for her to walk often and she used a walker for assistance when she tired.  Now she is walking without that walker ;-)  Autumn started talking to me about doing a 5K or running one day.  Of course my ears immediately pricked up. ;-) I told Autumn that one of the number one things that she needed to do was make sure she had good shoes.  I have certainly learned that the hard way.  We talked about going to a specialty store where they can determine what was best for her.  I told her to start saving.  Autumn said that was one of her problems presently was that she had an old pair of shoes that were worn and really hurting her feet.  
I purchased Autumn a new pair of New Balance running shoes and sent them off to Kansas.  Autumn LOVED them ;-)  I am soo glad I could help her begin her journey.  It is so worth it.  Here is Autumn this week!!!  Look at this beautiful lady!!!  WAY TO GO AUTUMN!!!!  (Your shoes look great too!)

A MUST READ!  HILARIOUSLY TRUE.


http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/comedy-sketch-pokes-fun-at-how-much-runners-talk-about-running?cid=social49086526&adbid=10152908458951987&adbpl=fb&adbpr=9815486986

If you haven't read this article.. you should.

https://runningthroughshadesofblue.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/she-put-on-a-lot-of-weight/

GREAT STUFF!!!!!

Todays 10 mile run was brought to you by humidity :-(

THIS!!!!!

Hats off to Women's Running magazine!!!! Not all runners are rail thin. Not all runners run 10 miles a day. Not all runners are after first place..... some of us out there run because we love to run. :-)

Dances with Dirt Ultra by Baraboo Wisconsin

Great meeting up with some super fun runners!

Great day for a track workout!  Do you do a little extra at the track?  I generally try to get there once a week.  I use the track for side steps, high kicks, bleacher runs, backward drills, lunges, etc.  Any speed work I do is done at the track too.  Its a fun change once in awhile.  Today was cloudy and slightly cool.  PERFECT!!!  

BOOM!  I SURPRISED MYSELF ON THIS MORNINGS HILLY 5K BY GETTING A 2ND PLACE IN THE 40 AND UP FEMALE AGE CATEGORY!!!  

Well, I didn't get to the Clayton Ridge run/walk this am... my little walking buddy was up too late babysitting... so I set out earlier for my long run which I planned out on a gravel road in the middle of nowhere with very little shade.  About 6 miles into the run.. I needed to go to the bathroom and the road signs mocked me... I was running dangerously low on water... and I stumble upon a crappy beer... I was sure glad to get home to my sweet pup who was waiting happily for a walk.   

Busy weekend coming up!  Friday morning I am going to walk the:

1st Annual Clayton Ridge Interact 5K Run/Walk

with my daughter, Maddie.  It makes me a little crazy not to run a race sometimes... but to get to do something active with my daughter is worth the "pass" on the run. 

So, once the run is over, I am heading out to the trails to do my long run for the week.  So I will get a great run in anyway ;-) 

Saturday I am running the: 

Colesburg, IA 4th of July Kaboom 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run

Had a nice hilly gravel road run this morning.  It was a bit sloppy but it was shaded off and on, so it was worth it. ;-)

Can I hide somewhere and read?!!!

I need to finish the book I'm reading so that I can jump into this pile of magazines!!!!!

Had a great vacation weekend!  Took the family to a water park/fun resort.  On the way home we stopped at the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, Iowa.  Whose idea was it to drag me into Scheels?!!  That place actually makes my heart beat faster... and I have NEVER walked out of there with less than 100 dollars worth of something.  ;-)  

So I live in Iowa.  It is sooo humid here in Iowa during the summer months.  I hate humidity. Sigh..... The other day I ran in blazing sun but the humidity was in the 50's... so I completed a long run with no problem.  Today the humidity is above the 70's but no sun, total cloud cover... and I made it 2 miles before I said NO MORE!  Thank the lord the bigger races in this area all fall during the nice cool fall months.  

Cross-Training Day.  If you are a runner... many times you hate this day.  Other days it's not so bad.  Today was one of those days I wanted to run, but I held back... I chose to do the 21 Day Fix workout.  Sometimes I stream videos off the internet when I need a cross-train option.  To be honest, I have seen this video advertised on one of those "in the middle of the night" infomercials... so I was quite skeptical.  The set includes diet instructions and portion sized containers.  (Not for me)... But it also comes with workouts.  So I tried the workouts.  

I have got to say, I loved it!  It was under 40 minutes... I sweat and I was sore in my rear the next day.  So worth a try if you are looking for something fun, different and quick.  You need some hand weights for some of the videos.

Long Run Day

I am going to try these Muscle Milk chews I grabbed at Walmart one day. I am not sure what to expect, and to be honest... I am a little frightened. I guess we will see. I usually have to stick to Stinger brand. SEEMS to be the one gel or long run Carb source that doesn't make my stomach upset.

Lets hit the dirty road

Heading out to do some gravel running and maybe squeeze in some hills. Do you stretch before you run? I don't.... but I do take my dog for a quick 1 mile walk before my run. That works for me. I save the stretches for when I get home.

I hate to push my likes... wait, I take that back.  I WANT to push what I like... ;-)
If you are not a member of the RunJunkEes Run Club.  You need to go over to Facebook or their website http://www.runjunkees.com/ and check them out.  I have found this group to be a great resource and I have met some FABULOUS running friends through this group.  Please check them out!