Tag: BibRave

Best Dam Race

Disclaimer: I am promoting Run Laughlin 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!

Ever run a race in 2 states?

How about 2 times zones?

I first heard about Run Laughlin about 2 years ago.  It first jumped out at me because it was one of the places we would vacation or drive by as a child.  If there was a lake nearby, odds are we spent some time there at some point.  It sounded like a great trip for me and my dad for memory lane but I couldn’t make it work with my schedule for 2016.   Boo.  Sadly, it’s not in the pocketbook in 2017 either- but I can dream right?

LAUGHLIN

I mean the race boasts views of Lake Mojave, the Colorado River, the Heritage Trail, the Davis Dam and the Black Mountains.  Lake Mojave and the Colorado River take me right back to childhood- I grew a up a lake baby- swimming before I could walk.   Family vacations were spent in Nevada and Arizona but I haven’t been back in years.  More like decades.  😛

The race starts and finishes in Laughlin, Nevada but miles 8 and 9 take you over the Davis Dam… and into Arizona.  How cool is that?   And because Arizona remains on Mountain Standard Time all the time- the time on your watches and phones may get screwy.  While I think this is equally cool- the mileage data nerd in me wonders what it does to your mile splits? 🤔  But it gives you an awesome story to tell!


Even better- if you are looking for a last minute half marathon PR for 2017- this course boasts a net elevation drop of 433′.   Now there’s a good hill in the beginning but that just makes things fun right?

Dang, now I wish I was running this even more.    Hmmmmm.

Want to run it?  Use BIBRAVE20 to save 20%!  Then tell me all about it!

Where did you vacation as a kid?

Running for Salinas

Disclaimer: I received an entry into the Salinas Valley Half Marathon 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!

It’s race weekend!

Man, that one came up fast!  Well, actually, how is it August?  😛

It’s time to head on up to Salinas and meander my way through back roads enjoying the sites of crops, check another Mission off the list, and enjoy half marathon #27 in Steinbeck country.

My training has been ummm, a little absent this month.  With work going through a conversion, I tried but my running took a hit.   As did my sleeping.


So with that in mind, I have zero goals for this weekend other than to have a good time.  I plan to just go out there and enjoy the views and the course.   I know I will be slower than normal and that’s fine.  More time to enjoy the course, right?   I here there’s a great BBQ at the finish- I think I’ll finish just around the time a BBQ craving hits.  😛

I am hoping this odd heat wave with mugginess breaks though.   The weather stalking has commenced and right now it’s looking like a warm morning.   I will be drinking lots of water.

What are you do this weekend?

 

 

To Sur….with Hills

We interrupt regularly scheduled programming  for a little announcement.  😛   My workout recap will be up on Wednesday.

Disclaimer: I received an entry into the Big Sur International Marathon 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 thought it was fitting that I drop the news about marathon #2 on the anniversary of marathon #1.

One year ago today, I crossed the finish line of my very first marathon.  Unlike some, I hadn’t planned on running a marathon, in fact when asked, I usually said “oh hell no”.   It was never a goal of mine, it just kind of happened.   All of sudden I was registering for it, training for it, hurting over it, and then running it.   And I didn’t hate it.  😛

I kind of always knew I was going to run another one but nothing ever seemed right.  Every time I looked at websites or checked dates, it all seemed too forced.  Nothing clicked for me.   Then a chance to run the Big Sur International Marathon came up.  Once again, it just seemed to happen.

Views along Highway 1

Big Sur is an amazing race that runs point to point along Highway 1 in CA with some of the most amazing views.    It offers a marathon, 21 miler, 11 miler, 12K, 5K and 3K.  You name it and there is a distance that will work for you.  It is also is extremely popular and registration for the marathon runs by lottery system, the remaining distances are first come, first served.    A few years ago, I ran the Monterey Bay Half Marathon (then named the Big Sur Half) and the loved it.  We drove Highway one home and the scenery is just amazing.

Elevation

That said, I had my hesitations before throwing my name into the hat.    I know I say I prefer races with hills but this has HILLS.  It took me 5+ hours to run San Francisco, could I do this?   But it was calling my name, so I took a chance.   When I found I was in, I was torn between jumping up and down in excitement and wondering what I gotten myself into.😛

But self doubts aside- I am so looking forward to this race.  My hotel is already booked and I have a starting day for marathon training- Christmas Day. 😂     Now I just need a training plan.    I got this.

Have you ever run Big Sur?

Training plan suggestions?

Summer Racing

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Salinas Valley Half Marathon 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!

Summer running- happened so fast, summer runnin’- had me an asthma attack.

Haha, couldn’t help myself.  😛

Every summer for the past few years, I’ve run a half marathon in July.  Always near the beach, sometimes on the beach.  Last year the heavy marine layer and my asthma conspired together to make me want to swear that off.  😛   Combine that with what is shaping up to be a crazy busy July and it seemed like a good idea to pass on running a half next month.

Instead, I’m taking it inland.   I’ll be running the Salinas Valley Half Marathon on August 5.  Salinas isn’t that far away so it will an early morning drive up to run the race before driving back home.  This is actually a race that has been on my radar for a few years.   The course is through vineyards and crop fields which is my favorite and it seems to be the perfect size crowd for me.    Last year’s race was actually canceled due to the smoke from the Soberanes fire, we were on fire for what seemed like forever last summer.   😢

Ok back to some fun stuff-

  13.1-mile course along the agricultural fields and vineyards of Salinas Valley

  • –       Begins at historic Soledad Mission, ends at Pessagno Winery

    –       Travels along River Road Wine Trail, passing several wineries and tasting rooms

    –       Post-race wine tasting, music, awards, bbq lunch and more

    –       This is in the heart of “Steinbeck County” where many of Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck set his novels and short stories.  (A humorous sign placed at one of the hills calls it “Beast of Eden;” a play on words to Steinbeck’s novel, East of Eden.)

    –       Crops are identified along the route

Beast of Eden- how awesomely punny is that?  Plus, it starts at a Mission.  Fun fact- California has 21 Spanish Missions.  I’ve been to 3- used to sing in the choir at one actually- so this will be #4 for me.    And it will be half #27.  😛

As for that beach race in July?  I may run the 10k.  We shall see.  😛

Vegas Baby

Disclaimer: I received an entry into Rock n Roll Las Vegas 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’m going to Las Vegas!!!

Seriously, I still can’t believe it’s happening.  I also still don’t know how but that’s beside the point.  😛  I have wanted to run this race ever since I flipped a page in Runner’s World a few years ago and realized there was a race on the Vegas Strip.  And it was at night.   I want to do that!!!   As amazing as it looked, I could never make it work.   So when the chance to run it came up this year, I leapt without looking.


I’m going to Vegas!

Sorry had to say it again.  😛   I haven’t been to Las Vegas since I was a child- seriously the only thing I remember is colorful carpeting and even that might be confused with another memory.    Ha!   Due to scheduling conflicts, my mother is busy so I’m also flying solo this race trip.  Who wants to join me?!? Slacker’s first real trip to Vegas?  😁


This is also an afternoon- evening race so I don’t even have to worry about an early wake up call!   I can sleep in and look forward to an afternoon run with thousands of other crazy runners like me under the Vegas lights!  Is it November yet?

Now I just have to figure out how I am getting there.   This could be my first plane ride since my senior trip in high school!  Ok, now this post is making me feel nostalgic and old.  😛

I will have a discount code soon that I will share with everyone.

Have you ever run Las Vegas?

Want to come run with me?