Despite the craziness, I did manage to have an extra few hours on Sunday, so I could squeeze in my Skirt Sports 13er! I made the best out of it by using the time to explore Chicago, which was pretty cool (there's a good chance that I literally took a million pictures). I'll be recapping that in a bit, but before that, I wanted to also share my posts for the #13Daysof13er Instagram Challenge. Since the 13er was on the 14th of the month - Skirt Sports came up with this cool challenge to share pictures and posts in the 13 days leading up to race day! I ended up having a lot of fun with it, so I thought I'd just share it on my blog as well for anyone not on Instagram (although - you really should be - it's only the best form of social media out there ;).
So without further ado, The 13 Days of 13er Instagram Challenge:
Day 1 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: What do you LOVE about YOU?"
I
love how dedicated I am! When I commit to something, I am determined to
do it and will do whatever it takes to get there! Whether it was
running my first 5K, which then became a Half Marathon, followed by a
Full Marathon (and then some Ultras, Imogene Pass Run, and Pikes Peak). I
signed up for those races, committed, put in the training and
accomplished what I set out to do! Which is why I have no doubt in my
mind that I WILL someday qualify for Boston. I don't necessarily know
when, but it will happen! It's not too late to join in on the countdown
too! What do you love about you?! #REALwomenmove
Day 2 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: Who is your role model?
My running role model is @ShalaneFlanagan!
I think it's so cool that she isn't afraid to share her goals and
dreams very openly and publicly!!! Whether it be going for the win at
Boston or going for records, it's very inspiring to hear about them
beforehand and watch her go after them! It is equally inspiring to see
her pick herself up and keep setting new goals even after she doesn't
reach some of them. I was so impressed that she keep going at this years
Boston Marathon and finished despite losing the lead pack miles before
the finish line. Definitely someone to look up to! #REALwomenmove
(P.S. Shalane Flanagan ACTUALLY commented back on my post!!!!)
Day 3 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: "What is your hardest workout?"
Today's question is actually very fitting because I had speedwork on the schedule for today! Speedwork is BY FAR the toughest workout for me, especially in the mental sense. Honestly, I don't like running fast! AT ALL. I've determined there are two types of runners out there: those who would prefer to be in a lot of pain for a short amount of time, or those who would prefer to be in a little bit of pain for a long amount of time. I am definitely the latter! I would run a marathon over "racing" a 5K any day of the week! The short, fast stuff is very tough for me mentally. Thankfully, it does tend to pay off. Since I started doing consistent speedwork once a week, my overall speed has improved drastically. I have PR'd in every race distance from 5K to 26.2 since I started doing speedwork last November. So while I dread it every week and complain about it while I'm doing it, I know it's good for me and I get through it! What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, or so I've been told! #REALwomenmove #NationalRunningDay
Today's question is actually very fitting because I had speedwork on the schedule for today! Speedwork is BY FAR the toughest workout for me, especially in the mental sense. Honestly, I don't like running fast! AT ALL. I've determined there are two types of runners out there: those who would prefer to be in a lot of pain for a short amount of time, or those who would prefer to be in a little bit of pain for a long amount of time. I am definitely the latter! I would run a marathon over "racing" a 5K any day of the week! The short, fast stuff is very tough for me mentally. Thankfully, it does tend to pay off. Since I started doing consistent speedwork once a week, my overall speed has improved drastically. I have PR'd in every race distance from 5K to 26.2 since I started doing speedwork last November. So while I dread it every week and complain about it while I'm doing it, I know it's good for me and I get through it! What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, or so I've been told! #REALwomenmove #NationalRunningDay
Day 4 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: "Who is your Best Running Friend?"
This is a tough one because I've met SO many awesome people since I started running! So I'm just going to give a shout out to all my running friends! From my best childhood friend Amy who unintentionally inspired me to start running long distance in the first place (in the summer and fall of 2012, we were both getting into running and because she was naturally much faster than me, I turned to distance running for the first time in an effort to be good at something "of my own"), to my friend @kelleelyn who I met on Instagram and have since stayed at her house (having only met online prior) and traveled to Phoenix with, to all of the lovely local ladies I've met both here and in Montrose, and finally to all the awesome people I've met through #MyFitnessPal - you guys all rock! Thank you for continually inspiring me with all of your Bad Ass-ness!!! (and sorry, I don't have pictures of everyone, but there are only so many pictures you can fit into a 2"x 2" square!) #REALwomenmove
This is a tough one because I've met SO many awesome people since I started running! So I'm just going to give a shout out to all my running friends! From my best childhood friend Amy who unintentionally inspired me to start running long distance in the first place (in the summer and fall of 2012, we were both getting into running and because she was naturally much faster than me, I turned to distance running for the first time in an effort to be good at something "of my own"), to my friend @kelleelyn who I met on Instagram and have since stayed at her house (having only met online prior) and traveled to Phoenix with, to all of the lovely local ladies I've met both here and in Montrose, and finally to all the awesome people I've met through #MyFitnessPal - you guys all rock! Thank you for continually inspiring me with all of your Bad Ass-ness!!! (and sorry, I don't have pictures of everyone, but there are only so many pictures you can fit into a 2"x 2" square!) #REALwomenmove
Day 5 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: "Who do you wish was waiting for you at the finish line?"
My hubby! We works most weekends and so isn't able to make it to a lot of my races anymore (and especially now since I do SO many) but it just makes it all the more special when he can be there! This picture was right after I finished my first 50 mile Ultra Marathon last September! It was SUCH a long day, I was so happy to have him there to celebrate this huge accomplishment with me! #REALwomenmove
My hubby! We works most weekends and so isn't able to make it to a lot of my races anymore (and especially now since I do SO many) but it just makes it all the more special when he can be there! This picture was right after I finished my first 50 mile Ultra Marathon last September! It was SUCH a long day, I was so happy to have him there to celebrate this huge accomplishment with me! #REALwomenmove
Day 6 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er
challenge: "Toughest Race Ever?"
While I've ran more challenging and
longer courses than this, The Desert RATS Trail Marathon last year was
the toughest race for me mentally, by far. What is normally a beautiful
trail close to home, was, that day, a rainy, muddy (SO muddy) nightmare!
Those were the longest 26 miles of my life! It was a long, slow day and
I wanted to quit so many times! But despite the never ending mud
constantly caked to my shoes, and a lot of mental battles about why I
even run, I EVENTUALLY finished (and with a smile on my face - although
that was mostly because the sun finally came out for the last mile) and I
couldn't have been prouder of myself for sticking with it and not
quitting! Not every race will be a perfect, joyous occasion - but that's
what makes things interesting and leaves you with some great stories to
tell! #REALwomenmove
Day 7 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er
challenge: "What Inspires You Most?"
Honestly there are so many things
that inspire me to run - other runners, seeing myself improve, setting
goals...but I think I am most inspired by the incredible scenery I get
to witness when I run! I have lived in Colorado almost my entire life,
and had no idea how lucky I was to live here until I started hiking and
running. There are so many beautiful places right outside my front door!
Running to these views always puts me in such a good mood and reminds
me of why I run! #REALwomenmove
Day 8 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er
challenge: "What Is Your Favorite Cross Training Activity?"
My favorite
cross training activity is...drum roll please...Hiking!!! I actually
fell in love with hiking before I even started running, so it will
always have a special place in my heart. I just LOVE the glorious places
hiking has taken me - I have climbed some of the tallest mountains in
the continental United States, been to some of the most beautiful,
pristine alpine lakes, seen a sunrise from 12,000', hiked over fields of
snow in July, and gotten caught in rain and hail storms with miles
still to go! As challenging as it can sometimes be, every hike I do
turns out to be an incredible adventure and is so worth it! Today's
picture is my hubby and I at the summit of Torrey's Peak - the third
14er we climbed in 2011 - the first summer I got into hiking. It is
still one of my favorite hikes to this day! #REALwomenmove
Day 9 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: "Flat Kate" / What's your favorite race outfit?
I've actually got two favorite race outfits these days! When I'm running for #TeamBeef, I love how my red team jersey matches with my @SkirtSports arya print gym girl ultra skirt! When I'm not, I'm in love with my new @skirtsports electric tank and the vixen skirt! Both outfits always with a @sparklysoulinc headband and my trusty @brooksrunning Ravenna's! #REALwomenmove
I've actually got two favorite race outfits these days! When I'm running for #TeamBeef, I love how my red team jersey matches with my @SkirtSports arya print gym girl ultra skirt! When I'm not, I'm in love with my new @skirtsports electric tank and the vixen skirt! Both outfits always with a @sparklysoulinc headband and my trusty @brooksrunning Ravenna's! #REALwomenmove
Day 10 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: "What has been your most fun race ever?"
That's an easy one: The #WaltDisneyWorldMarathon!
I don't do a whole lot of out-of-state traveling for races, but when I
decided I was ready to attempt my first full marathon, I knew it had to
be at #Disney!
I went there several times growing up and it's just SO much fun and
magical, I thought it would be PERFECT for my first marathon. And it
totally was. As much as I cringe at the pricing of Disney Races, they
seriously know how to put on a great race and a great experience! The
whole race was a blast - running through the different Disney parks and
past all of the characters. The race is huge (20,000 racers), so there's
always tons of people on the course and lots of crowd support. This was
my first marathon, so I ran it conservatively, but it was also my best
executed marathon to date - I felt good the entire time and never had
that, "why am I doing this" thought. I was even able to speed up over
the last 6 miles and finish at a faster per mile pace than I had ran the
first 20 in. It was just pure and total FUN!!! Plus, what better way to
recover after a marathon than by spending a week at #WaltDisneyWorld!? It truly was a great experience and I can't wait to go back someday to complete the #DopeyChallenge. #REALwomenmove
Day 11 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er
challenge: "What goes through your mind at mile 10 of a 13er?"
I always
group mileage together to help get through runs mentally (ex. "1/4 of
the way there", "5 miles to go", "single digits", etc.), so my first
thought at mile 10, is "ONLY a 5K to go!" And since I've been in full
marathon training mode for 6+ months now, the word "ONLY" is actually
pretty applicable! #REALwomenmove #skirtsports
(P.S. the photo above was from my most recent half marathon 2 weeks
ago, and I'm pretty sure it was right around 10 miles! I busted out a 2
1/2 minute PR running it in 1:41:50!)
Day 12 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: "What is your favorite post-race treat?"
Very fitting since I'm on #TeamBeef,
my favorite post-race treat is a burger and fries (several hours
post-race that is)!!! I also enjoy chocolate chip cookies, so I had
photoshop those in as well! #REALwomenmove (and eat) #skirtsports
Day 13 of the @SkirtSports #13DaysOf13er challenge: "Show us your finish line smile!" #NoDescriptionNeeded #REALwomenmove #skirtsports
Day 14 of the @SkirtSports #13Daysof13er challenge: Run a 13er!
There wasn't an official post for the 14th day, but I thought it would be fun to finish it off with this! I also ended up taking a TON of pictures along the route, including 13 Selfies for 13 Miles - something I came up with while I was running. I'm not even a huge selfie person, but after I had taken a couple, I decided it would be fun to go for it and try to get as many well known landmarks and areas as I could! So here those are:
 |
| The Chicago River Walk |
 |
| Navy Pier |
 |
| The Lakefront Trail |
 |
| This path extends from the Lakefront Trail out along Lake Michigan around the Planetarium. |
 |
| Adler Planetarium |
 |
| Shedd Aquarium |
 |
| The Field Museum |
 |
| The Skyline, about to head into Grant Park |
 |
| These Gardens were right by the Art Institute |
 |
| The Art Institute |
 |
| Up close selfie with "The Bean" |
 |
| Far away selfie with "The Bean" |
 |
| Ohio Street Beach |
After finishing my 13er, I grabbed lunch and then headed to the condo we were staying at. It had SPECTACULAR views, so I sat out on the balcony enjoying the views, the weather and my new finisher's skirt (it is SO comfy)!
No comments:
Post a Comment