Xterra Black Canyon Half-Marathon

Trail running...there's nothing like it.

It hands you your tail but still leaves you smiling.

Loved every painful second of this race.

My weekend with Runs 'n Roses

For the fourth time, Sara and I were sucked back in for another wonderful, tortuous weekend of costumes, running, cramming into vans, running, living off of Cliff Bars and Gu, running, NOT sleeping, and running. Fun, right?!!

This year at Del Sol, we were asked to be a part of Erik and Katherine Jenkins team, Runs 'n Roses. Katherine is a former client, current friend and gym partner, of mine (who is in unbelievable shape, I might add;)). To help fill the team, I talked my dear friend, Marisa Sherwood to come and do her very first Ragnar with us. We never could quite fill the last 2 team spots so our team of 12, remained a team of 10. Our van 1 was Me, Sara Marisa, Katherine and Erik (lucky guy).

Sara, Erik and I agreed to take the 3 extra legs which turned MY total mileage to 24. No biggie, I thought, without considering that I'd be running 11 straight miles at 7am after an hour and a half of sleep, on legs that had already run nearly 12 miles just hours prior. My lingering stomach issues (lets leave it at that), the uphill and the head-wind didn't help either. The last 2 miles of that run were, unarguably, the most difficult 2 miles that I have EVER run. You know when you're looking for the softest place on the ground to pass out that you're in trouble. But I finished without stopping, walking, or puking and there is absolutely no better feeling than finishing something that challenges you in every capacity. And that's why we keep coming back to Ragnar:) Do I hear ULTRA, next year??!!

Me and Katherine

Evil-E

Feeling strong on Day 1:)

One of our favorite things to do at Ragnar is check out all of the team names and costumes...not the most obnoxious costume, but it cracked me up!

Lookin' good, Kat!

Faker!!

Sara, Katherine and I at the finish line

Team Runs 'n Roses

How blessed am I to live in Arizona where November affords such amazing race weather?! This month held 'firsts' for all of us; Casey's first 'Platinum' recognitions in 2 cycling events, the Tour de Safford and the Tour de Tucson, Cade and Phoebe's first 5k, and my first half-marathon.

 

12k's of Christmas!!

This was the first year for this race that benefited local animal shelters.

The kids loved getting to pet all of the sweet dogs, but I hated how much my knee hurt the entire 7 1/2 miles. I have been off of my legs since. I'm feeling so out of shape and our race is in less than 2 months! My break is just about over:(

It's On!

We finally have a full team..a PERFECT full team...


So excited to do this with these awesome women.

Thanks for going crazy with us,

Sara

Summer

Heidi

Aimee

Brittny

Melissa

Cheryl

Lisa

Sandi

Brook

and Kelly!!