Ultra Hard

After Columbus full I felt like my running year ended on a blah note. I didn’t have the race I was hoping for even though I had a great cycle and saw some significant improvements in speed. So I immediately started looking for other races that would maybe full fill my need for one more PR. This time I was going for distance.

The race offered different distances and in the past I had toyed with the 50 miler. This year I decided to look at Columbus as a long run in prep for this race. I decided on the 50k because I believed that was a doable distance for me. Just over 30 miles it would make me an ultra marathoner. One loop was half way so I signed up for two loops. I figured at most it would take 7 hours if I had a bad day. The race started at 8am and I drove from home to be there 30 minutes early.

I got my bib and pack on and waited with 5 other runners who were attempting the 50k that day. Three men and three women. Two went out very fast and four of us hung on to each other through more than half the first loop. The first aid station was at the “Iron Furnace” and we all stopped to take pictures.

At this point I got the vibe that we all just wanted to finish. No one in my group was out for time. So we all hung together for as long as possible. What I didn’t expect was the amount of climbing, technical terrain and level of difficulty I had gotten myself into. The race, for one loop, almost 18 miles, had roughly 2500 feet of elevation. Nobody was aware of that. We all talked about it while we were out there. The leaf coverage was so thick you couldn’t see what you were stepping on so it was like stepping into the dark hoping you didn’t land in a hole. I tripped and twisted my ankle so many times I started praying I wouldn’t break it. 

We all agreed this wasn’t really a running trail but more hiking and climbing. Even the downhills were so steep and leaf covered you’d slip and slide your way down.  There were times I actually held onto a tree to keep from slipping and potentially sliding off the edge of an embankment. Sometimes the trail was so indistinguishable that you’d have to stop and look closely at the leaves to see if they looked like someone had just passed through there. As you could imagine, we got lost. We had to backtrack and climb up and out of where we were to keep going. 

They kept getting ahead of me leaving me on my own and I started to think how unsafe this was being out there alone with no cell service almost falling off a cliff. Even at times when I stumbled (which was often) I prayed I wouldn’t break my wrist or arm and have to walk alone back to the start. I did some math and realized that with all the climbing and hiking I wasn’t going to finish the first loop in three hours but more like 4 ish. Since we started at 8, that meant I’d be out there close to dark and with no one and no headlamp. I decided then not to take on a second loop.   

It was a beautiful location, and if I’d had a buddy or more daylight, I may have stuck it out to finish but in all honesty, it looked like barring anymore problems (I got lost on my own once too) I was looking at a 8-9 hour trek. 

 

With my husband at home waiting on me I just didn’t see a reason to try and gamble this one going my way. I was afraid out there alone and terrified I’d get hurt and no one would even go by me to help.

In conclusion, it was an amazingly difficult course for anyone who truly wants to challenge their trail running ability, but I would caution you to bring a headlamp and a friend. Speaking of that....

I met Katie (second from left) at a trail women’s only weekend “Brokebabes Trail Weekend”.  She is the mastermind behind these super cool ultras and races that cost next to nothing but are so much fun!! I was so happy to see her and a couple other ladies I met that weekend three years ago. We laughed, hugged, shared a beer and they told me about some other 50ks that may be more in my wheelhouse. Katie made the best vegan chili and every racer got a huge mug to put it in plus fresh grilled cheese she herself made for you while you waited. Will I go back? Maybe once I get a couple 50ks under my belt and some solid trail experience. It was tough out there but good. Pushing my body like that felt great and I’m looking forward to next year and what’s to come.

Flight School

A week ago I had the opportunity to visit my youngest daughter in Colorado for her 19th birthday. Audrey was accepted into the Air Force Academy Prep school this last year and left in July for basic training. I hadn’t seen her since she left, and I was excited to spend some time there after a 19 year gap.

We lived there when she was born. I was a military wife living on base at Fort Carson. She was our youngest of four girls. Fast forward to High School. We were civilians now and living in Columbus, Ohio. She decided her freshman year  to move in with her father (we were divorced in 2008) and worked diligently to apply and get acceptance to the Academy. I couldn’t wait to see her. In fact, her younger brother was coming with me and this would be his FIRST ever plane ride! It was touch-n-go whether or not he’d be able to come with me, but in the end, it worked out and we were on our way.

Connor and I kept his coming a secret to surprise her. After we got settled at the hotel and I had a couple hours sleep I went to go and pick her up from the Prep School. I spent time with her that morning doing girls things...like getting our nails done and having a mock tail at the Beauty Bar in Colorado Springs. 

It was hard keeping it a secret!! The nice thing was our hotel had a huge breakfast buffet and a gym so Connor ate and worked out while I was gone. He also watched most of the OSU game in the room before we finally got back and dropped the surprise on her. She and I made plans to run at the Garden of the Gods park. We all dressed quickly and headed over. We were blessed with perfect weather. Sunny, 65 and zero wind. We had a blast. My children don’t run as much as I do so we kept it to 3 easy miles. 

My sister said it best. The first year away from home is the hardest, so us making the trip now made the most sense for everyone. I am thankful that we planned this one ahead of time and had the money to do it. I don’t know how many times we will be back but, I think we made some special memories with her regardless. For Connor, it was a cool trip and the chance of a lifetime to fly somewhere he’s never been. I am so grateful I got to give him this experience and I got to share it with him. It was hard to say goodbye to her. 

The Colorado marathon is now on my bucket list!! 

Where are they now??

Where are they now??

It’s been a minute since I’ve been on here and re-reading my older posts is scary and fun :)

I’ve enjoyed looking back because it was a fun experience and I still wish I had the time for it today like I did then. So much has changed in my life from when this blog began. Who I was then, isn’t who I am now, so a change had to take place on here too.

I still love food and fashion. I still like to have fun. Family is still most important to me...but that has also changed. It’s been a journey and, at times, a struggle but I have so much to be thankful for.

I am no longer a “Miss” I am a Mrs. After 10 years as a single mom somebody reached in and stole my heart. Brian came along when I had completely given up on love. I thought I was unlovable. I believed I would never find someone. Then he changed everything. I never knew another person who was as kind and gentle and loving. But most importantly is the love he shows my children. No matter what he has going on with his own children, he always makes time for mine. Ours.

Our oldest, Madeline was away at her internship in Brazil so she missed this photo on Fathers Day. But her heart was there. She loves having Brian as her step-father. They have a special relationship and he is always there to listen to her and give her the best hugs. We are so proud of her.

Oh yeah and I’ve been running.. A LOT. Ten marathons to be exact. Running has been my refuge and my relief from the stress and sadness that some life circumstances bring. I haven’t figured it out yet but after four years I know I love it. I’m going to keep doing it. I have some BIG goals (more on that later) but it’s been wonderful sharing that with my kids. That has made it worth everything. 

That’s all for now. 

❤️

Moonstruck

Seeing culottes come back in fashion recently has made me rethink the look in its entirety. Remembering back to when I was younger and we called them "pedal pushers" makes it sort of difficult to take them seriously. Who wants to wear a wide leg anything that isn't a short and cannot be considered a pant? It would feel like your very own grandmother had given you the perfect gift. Something only she would wear. Until you add a little skin, a pretty heel, some jewelry that makes a statement that only you can make, and all by the light of the moon.

Shoes are Sophia Webster (no longer available)

Clutch is NeNe

Romper is Motel Rocks

Necklace is Baublebar

Sunnies are Free People

Moon Song - "Her"

Live Forever

Being famous is an idea that I think that most people have toyed with at one time or another. The idea that your personality could be so enamored by so many is alluring. To be revered as someone who possesses a great talent or indescribable level of intelligence is ethereal. Social media gives us all a little taste of that pie. A bite of that big apple. The question is truly what does it all mean. Fame is but a four letter word is it not? When we were in middle school it was popularity we all craved. What happens to the person who achieves it? This movie delves into the mind of a man so famous that even after he dies the world will feel it knows him through his craft. But will they? Who is he really? Do we ever truly know a person through what they permit us to see? When the veil is lifted, will we want to remain in that after light, or will we be emancipated by its reality? 

What I've Been Crushing On

{Everybody got a new cap}

{Fall is in the air}

{The sweetest things at the raspberry patch}

{Downtown architecture}

{Postcard from the edge}

Ticket To Ride

When I have some time off, whether it is on the weekends, or a little mini vacation, I try and take that opportunity to delve in my closet for a pretty treasure or two. Dresses that only see the light of day a few times a season are always special to me. I find comfort in knowing that I will look good in it even before I put it on. I look forward to it, planning ahead of time, and I look forward to the process. Dressing up to me is my way of pampering myself. It's my way of putting my needs first.  Every day life can feel like a wild ride, the perfect dress is just the ticket.

Dress and hat OT. Clutch is F21. Shoes Madewell.  Ray Bans  Overstock. Watch is Arvo.

Two Words

Growing up I had a very independent step mother. She taught me the value of being alone and learning how to tackle that time of your life with grace and strength. She taught me to relish it and cherish it. I remember her taking entire days off for her birthday and going to the movies by herself. She enjoyed going and doing things without anyone else, and she showed me that that was a good thing to be able to do. She taught me about independent films and about finding those smaller theaters to see them in. Driving an extra few minutes was worth it to her. Now it is worth it to me. The weekend this movie came out I couldn't wait to see it. I knew finding someone to go with would be difficult, so I didn't even try, I swiped on a pretty red lip, and some cute shoes, and took myself to see one of my all time favorite actors perform in a movie that was more about the content then the promotion. A gripping story of a man who's job it was to seek out the meaning of life for others, but loses sight of the importance of it. Who in a moment of utter delusion makes decisions that impact his most immediate future. Woody Allen movies have not grabbed my attention like this one did in a long time, Well written and not overdone it sends the message without the need for verbosity. A great date night movie even if your date is you.

How Summer Feels

Summer is a feeling and a state of mind, not just a season. The smell of the warm rain and the fragrant flowers inundates our senses. The sun warms our skin and brightens our days. Our bodies want to rest less and play more.. Our appetites are left ravenous for a simpler, lighter menu. It's like in some way we are new again, For those of us who spend at least half of the year in the cold this is the time we get to breathe again and feel alive like the Earth itself. Summer for all of us is the opportune time to truly appreciate the world we are apart of before it falls asleep once more and lies dormant in the wait for Spring.

Romper and flower crown are F21. Shoes are Jessica Simpson. 

Clutch is NeNe.

What I've Been Crushing On

{Birthdays}

{Morning mist on my run}

{Bathed in sunlight}

{Fellow yogi}

{Best way to begin and end the summer}

Give A Little Love

{Teaching my son to ride a bike}

There is nothing that prepares you for the life of a single parent. No one can tell you how it will feel to face all the decisions alone. There are no guidelines or books for every possible scenario that you will ever have to face. It can be, and is lonely, to stand and face your children who expect and deserve you to have all the answers they need. You're body and mind will be put to the test every day of every week of every year. Even on the weekends you aren't with them you will be in mind and spirit always worrying and wondering. Waiting by the phone in case they need you. Staying close to home in case you're called upon to support them in some way. When they're sick you will be too because missing work won't be easy. Wiping the tears they shed and the ones you will too when someone breaks their heart. You'll struggle to find enough of yourself to go around to each of them hoping that in the end nobody feels they've been forgotten. You'll savor every moment of every day you do have them. You will get to see all their firsts, and be a part of every accomplishment. When the good things happen you will be the first to know. When they give thanks you will be the first to hear it. 

My father took calls from me almost every week in the beginning where I cried that I was afraid to raise them alone. I was afraid I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't sure I would be able to give them what they deserved and needed on my own. He was always so supportive. In his words

 "Nothing has changed. You've been doing it all along". 

I think the harshest words I ever had to face were the ones from my own son. Crying one day he asked that if his father was getting married, did that mean that I wasn't his mom anymore. He was five years old, and I think that was one of the hardest conversations I ever had to have. Trying to help him understand the dynamic of his new life was more than he could handle .He needed me to help him. One Sunday evening fairly recently he and I were going over his weekend, and he became emotional. He wanted to know what it would feel like to have a mom AND a dad. Not having a father of my own, or close relationship with my brother, makes it hard to have that person in his life. I feel like maybe in that I have failed him. I will never know for sure, but what I do know is I believe that I have loved them all enough for us both. That much I am certain of.  

Shimmer And Shine

{The finished look on Instagram}

We all love to shine, but a  little goes a long way when it comes to shimmer. Just that touch of it in the corners of the eyes can make a huge difference. Even with the amount of makeup you see here, the overall look is still very subtle. What I love best is that you don't have to have perfect lines for this look to come together. It's warm and sultry without being overdone. Summer without all the fireworks. Shine on.

After I draw in my brows and apply the foundation to even out my skin tone, I add a small amount of very pale pink powder blush to the apple of my cheeks. Maybelline "Medium Mauve"

Here I use a muted purple liner on the upper lash line and lower waterline.

This one is Almay in Raisin. 

After I cover each lid in a soft off white shadow, I add the shimmer stick by NYX in "yogurt" to the entire lid and inner corner of each eye.

To enhance that color I used a black cherry mascara on the upper lashes only. This one is by Flower Beauty.

Finish with a mat peachy-pink lip by NYX in "hippie chic".

What you need to achieve this look.