Two Half Marathons In Two States In Two Days Road Trip...Day 4 - RACE DAY!

Find out about the 1st day of our journey here: Crazy Road Trip...Day 1
Find out about the 2nd day of our journey here: Crazy Road Trip...Day 2
Find out about the 3rd day of our journey here: 



{The Events of this Blog Entry Happened on 05/07/2016}

Well...It's A Look!

Okay so OMG it is the day of the Grand Canyon Half Marathon.  The day that my two half marathons in two days begins.  The day that would either make or break me. I got about 6 hours of sleep so I was dragging a bit when I walked in the bathroom and saw my face all I could think was that it was a good thing I didn't have to look beautiful to run this race! {Because I mean yikes! Look at my face...I look like a partied all night and was heading out for the hair of the dog remedy so I could function...when all I had was one Guinness!!}




I knew that today's race was going to be a long one and it didn't help that my nerves were out of control {and by that I mean they had lost their damn mind} because this was my first real "Trail" race ever! I was excited to knock that off the bucket list so that I could do more of them in the future but in my head at the moment that I woke up I was going to die...in the woods...with nothing but me and my new trail running shoes.  One thing that I knew was going to be super important {espically after the lesson I learned at the Tacoma City Half Marathon...god that race sucked!!!} would be me getting a good meal in from the beginning.  So I took the left over steak, potatoes and veggies and ate some of that! {Not going to lie an egg would have made it perfect but whatchu going to do when you only have limited amounts of time in the morning and no way to cook anything...that's right you close your eyes and dream of eggs LOL!} One thing that I completely switched up and changed this race {I know, I know, I know! Don't try anything new on race day...well dammit I had no choice - Limited coffee options in the Grand Canyon itself LOL!!!} was that rather than finding a coffee stand because that just wasn't going to happen in the Grand Canyon area, I decided to give the Vanilla Frappe bottle from Starbucks a try! WOW!!  So happy I did that because between the food and the coffee I was perfect and ready to go...conquer this canyon!

So while I may not have been ready for this specific half marathon through the canyon they call grand...there was one thing I was not counting on, SNOW! I mean come on!!!  This girl might be from the North and doesn't mind the snow but HOLY HELL I sure didn't pack for this kind of weather...never in my life did I think that it was going to be in Arizona in May and it would snow!

Okay so I took a bit to get over my shock at 0530 and headed out to get dropped off...however, we were now on a frantic hunt to see who would be open this early so I could get oh I don't know a hat, gloves or an Alaskan Parka! We did find the local gas station in town that was open and I was able to grab hand warmers and a hat...which without I would have wanted to die!!!

After the impromptu shopping trip and shock wore off my MIL took me down to the start line with

snow still falling for me to begin my very first trail race.  One of the things that I love the most about Vacation Races is how well it is organized and even thought I thought that I was going to vomit from being so nervous at the beginning it was not chaotic at all.  So here we are all 2000 people standing around Smokey the Bear...in the snow...waiting for the official start to happen and the waves to be let loose in the Grand Canyon.

So now I heard the words I was excited to hear and the first group headed out and the excitement started to built even more because I was about to start making my way throught the GRAND CANYON and there would be a kick ass medal waiting at the end for me! It was fun to watch each wave take off and I had a goal in my mind that I would be done by 03:30:00 and back on the road shortly after to head to the Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland...but I'm telling you I should have taken the snow that was falling from the sky as a sign of what was to come for me {...then again, how often do I take hints?! Exactly, my point!!}!






So for the first 1.5ish miles we were running on compact gravel that was HORRID to run on.  I have only been a pavement runner up to this point and it was possible that with the first couple of steps that I took that I was regretting not doing more {well actually ANY} trail running before coming down here to the Grand Canyon but WHO CARES I WAS RUNNING IN THE GRAND CANYON!!!  About .75 miles in a runner that was running late and much faster of a runner than myself came barreling through and got caught up trying to push past me and ended up tripping me!  So now here I was picking myself up off the ground with an ankle that was now killing me and NEVER ENDING GRAVEL!!!  I told myself that I was just going to take it easy the whole time because I was here and I was not going to quit.  So until about mile three I hung out with the sweeper ladies and helped them motivate the who were at the back of the pack and already thinking they werre just not able to do it and some first timers that were still freaked out! The one thing that was nice was that the sweepers were amazing! They reminded me that it wasn't my fault that someone came pushing their way through and knocked me down...and hurt my ankle...and there was no shame in taking it easy for a while.  So that's exactly what I did until about mile 3 {lots of run/walk intervals...that seemed to get my legs opened up and my ankle feeling better after a while!}.

At the three mile point I decided that I was going to take off from the sweepers and see how I could do on my own.  One of the things that I loved the most about this race was the unlimited amount of views

When Work Gets In The Way...You Plan A Trip To Cali!!

Okay so it isn't a secret that I have been working and training to be an Ironman and I was supposed to be heading to Couer D'Alene to do the Ironman 70.3 there!!  Couldn't have been more excited because it was in the PNW {Kinda...I mean I'm nice when I invite Idaho in to that group} but it is the climate that I was used too...I am not a HOT weather girl!  It makes me cranky.  However, work got in the way and I was forced to push my race out to 07/24 to do it in Whistler...AAAAAND wouldn't you know that once again schedules got in the way and I'm unable to run that one as well!  I felt like I couldn't win...what am I training for if I can't even run a darn race!!!!  However, I think that it is a blessing in disguise becaue I am not exactly where I want to be yet and when I get to the Ironman race I want to own it!

So with all of that being said the Ironman gods have opened up for me and found a race that I am actually able to partake in! I have moved my race from Couer D'Alene to Santa Cruz, California!!  I am super excited about this move because from what I have heard Santa Cruz is an amazing course, beautiful the whole time and challenging all at the same time!

Okay so my excitement doens't come without nerves becaue I am going to do an Ironman in an different climate setting than I'm used too, but that just means I have more to train for, more summer running, more summer riding and all the things I know I need to do to be ready for this.

I looked at the maps for the different segments and I will freely admit that I cried a little...I mean there is some elevation changes involved and we all know how I feel about hills...and if you don't they should go away and we should live in a flat world {Now, I am mostly kidding about that because I am a Washington girl and I love my mountians, but that doens't mean I am ready to ride my bike up them yet!!}.  If I was to break down the different parts here are my thoughts:

Swimming Part:
When looking at the maps I am not to worried about it.  I am good at the swimming.  I'm not saying that I could skip the pool this summer and rock it out, but I'm not saying that it is the part of this race that I need the most practice on.  Now...again with that said, I do need to get outside and do more open water swimming because that I something that I don't do all that often...or ever rather.  It is a 1.2 mile loop and the harbor area that is the transition place is beautiful.  I can't wait to get out of the water and go running up the beach because it is going to be classic California beauty.

Bike Part:
Now here is the part that I will be the first to admit is going to be the hardest part for me.  I need to spend a lot of time on my bike this summer.  I need to get a lot of miles in.  I need to figure out how to become one with my bike because the whole dying buffalo thing at a stop light hurts...but beyond that I am beginning to think I need to learn how to love hills!  There is some major elevation gain within the bike course and like it or not I can't afford to lose it on the hill so...yeah, leg day and bike ride anyone?!

One thing I am excited about is look at the course itself!  I will be looking at water the entire (well almost) time that I am riding and I can't think of anything better.  There is something so beautiful about the Pacific Ocean alone the 101 highway that reminds me why I love the Left Coast of the US the best...and I am going to get to spend a lot of time on it!!!

The Run...The 13 Point 1...The "Will My Legs Make It" Part:
So here is the run part.
A Half Marathon...
...After a 56 mile bike ride!

I am loving the course that they have outlined for the run to the finish line because again look at how much of the coast we are going to be running along.  There is going to be beauty in every step that I take and I can't think of a better way to run, walk and/or death crawl my way across that finish line to call myself ann IRONMAN!!

Once again, just like the bike part, I am going to need to learrn to love the hills that are all around me and start training hard core.  Since there is a time limit I can't afford to walk all the hills and after looking at that elevation chart...I DON'T WANT TOO!!  I am thinking hill repeats are going to be part of my training this summer hard core {And weirdly I am excited about it...NEVER EVER thought I would say that!!!}.

So over all I am way too excited about this one!  I have an amazing hotel right in Santa Cruz, I am going to have a great road trip down and hopefully I'll get to see some of my friends in the Bay area while I am there.  The only thing that I don't love about thecourse is that it is an out and back for both the ride and the run...and I've never been a fan of out and backs, but I think I'll be able to deal with this one okay as again I get to stair at the Pacific Ocean the whole time!!!

...looks like the meal planning, gym time and everything are going to be ramped up and maintained all summer long!!!  What are your favorite ways to kick off a new training schedule?!



Who's coming with me?!

Meg

aka Nutmegz
HF 12033
HTR Member

Holy Hell What Have I Done?! A full Marathon...in Hawaii!!!

OMG OMG OMG!!!  I mean did you hear me scream OMG?! I can't believe what I just did...I registered for my first full marathon!!!  I don't know what I was thinking but for my birthday this year I am going to run my first full marathon in Honolulu, Hawaii! 

I mean 26 point 2 miles.
From one side of the island to the other.
Going around Diamond Head...and back!
Again...did I mention 26 point 2 miles on my feet?!
I'm already tired thinking about this...but excited...but tired!

While I sit here and think that I am crazy as hell for doing this there are so many reasons why I know that I am going to be able to do this because of so many things that have changed in my life over the past few months.  I know that everyone says "...if I just train hard then things will fall into place and I can overcome any obsticle that I put my mind too..." {sure this is true but there is so much more to it in my opinion...nothing worth doing is easy and running a marathon or even contemplating the idea of running a marathon is EASY! F*^K You if it is a light Sunday afternoon stroll...actually could you give me some training points!?} but I find myself more motivated when I have a community behind me, when I am being motivated and I am returning that motivation back, when my words matter and actions speak volumes to show people that the impossible can happen...and let's face it the idea of me running a marathon goes right along the lines with the word impossible!

Okay so yeah, a marathon, what the hell am I thinking!?!?!  Look at this course map!

That's like the entire length of the island and back right?! No no, I know that it's not...but it is a long ways.  I am happy that I have until December to train for it, I'm thankful I know people going and will be rocking this out with me and I am speechless when it comes to those who support and cheer me on - people that I never expected it from, people I've never met but would love too and people that may not understand what I do but have an open heart.

Beyond running the full marathon on 12/11/2016 I am also doing the 1 Mile race distance the day before...and it is cracking me up because people are like "OMG you are running a race before you do a full marathon...I could never!" {OMG it's a mile...call me crazy if I said I was going to do a full and a half in the same weekend - actually if I ever say that then please come and lock me up because I am CRAZY!} ...but it is only a mile, I would do that walking around the city doing nothing at all so why not earn an extra medal {HEHE BLIIIIIIIIIING}.

The next 200-ish days are going to fly by, they are going to be here before I know it so I am thankful that I have amazing running buddies who have given me an amazing training plan to get me ready which brings me to another point...I am not scared to do it! That to me is something that I never thought I would say...mainly because each and every time I step up to the starting line of a half marathon I am so nervous I could puke...{Don't worry I never do, but the nerves set in none the less}.

Okay, so today is my blogging day and I just needed to make that announcement that you know I'M CRAZY AND RUNNING A FULL MARATHON!!!!  I'll be back again later with more...but while I'm away leave me a comment!  What was your first marathon? How did you train?  Any tips for this first timer?! ...any help is welcome :D

Meg
aka Nutmegz
HF 12033

A Girl Goes To San Antonio...And Leaves Part Of Herself There!!

So anyone who knows me knows that I am not a fan of Texas...but I was shocked when I came to San Antonio that I finally found a place in Texas that I not only didn't want to leave but also fell in love with; so much so I left a part of me there.

I was dreading going to Texas for work to the point where I would have done anything not to go...but I am so happy I did.  The day that I got in, Sunday 05/15/2015, it was hot...it was humid...and frankly I was instantly reminded as to the reasons why this Washington girl doesn't go anywhere near the south.  The whole trip started when I was leaving Jacksonville, FL and it took WAAAAAY TOOOOO long! There was a medical emergency on the airplane and what should have been only a 3 hour flight took almost 12!

 I got in to the airport so late that I BARELY made it to the rental car pick up location {and before I got any further can I please ask why, and I mean WHY is it that when I am in Texas the only cars that I can rent are Fords.  I am a Chevy girl...this was depressing choices at something that I love doing the most weekly when I travel - but when my only choices are Ford, Ford and more Fords it isn't much fun at all!!!} and then I was going to have to navigate my way through a new city, a new loation and on a hungry grouchy mood {again all factors that wasn't helping San Antonio}.  Okay so I was going to chalk the evening up to a loss and go to sleep and get up early in the moring and head out for a run before work.  Well let's just say that about the moment that I got up to the 17th floor that my room was on my suitcase decided to explode and my stuff decided to leave a trail down the hallway {So yeah I was done and the week hadn't even began}...I was going to sleep.

View From My Room

Okay so one of my most favorite things to do in a new city is to get lost in the city itself; to become

apart of it and fade away in to the hustle and bustle of the streets and be invisable to just about everyone; except those few people in life who can get past my wall and actually get me to smile at them and open up {and I can count the number of people who have done that in my life on one hand...it's not easy, but so worth it with me when it happens} ...but the opening up usually comes when I'm sitting at a pub or at a bar eating dinner by myself.  However the best hands downed way I found to see San Antiono in a way that I've never scene it before is to go running.  I headed out first thing Monring for a run down by the riverwalk since that is where my hotel was and throughout the downtown area including the Alamo.  Is there a better way to see history, culture and everything you didn't expect other than getting out there and being apart of it?! Nope, I don't believe so...which is why no matter how much I wanted to not run in the AM I knew that I would see something new each and every morning...and that made getting up worth it!!   My favorite part of getting up for an early morning run besides everything that I've already talked aobut is the ability to eat a great breakfast and eat coffee...however I am not a looker when I get done running, infact I look like a tragic mess - but at least I went out there!




Work was a bust that day because I drove across town for what was supposed to be a big meeting that turned in a big old flop...But I was so excited to get back to the hotel because I found out that there was a pub in the basement of the hotel called Dirty Nelly's {Or Nuckies as someone I met kept calling it...not sure they got Nuckies from Dirty Nelly's but I'm pretty sure they said it to make me smile and laugh each time!!  I crack up easily and all...}  and I was so excited to go because Ryan and I had just been in Ireland an in the shadow of the Bunratty Castle stood a bar called Dirty Nelly's that we fell in love with while there and never  in a million years did I think that I would leave a peace of my soul & heart in an Irish Pub in Texas...but I did; I left a big part of myself on that third barstool and can't stop smiling each and everytime I think about that bar.  Now, lets talk about the dinner that I had there.  I went in an ordered my usual Double Jameson on the Rocks with a Guinness back...and then couldn't decide on dinner - so I asked the bar tender...what's good here and I ended up with Irish fries and Sheppards Pie! {Holy. Mother. Of. God. That was one of the best meals that I ever had...} 

I sat at the bar and talked to so many different people that came and went as I was enjoying my beer and whiskey while listeing to some Irish Music...and the funny thing is that I can't remember most of the people that I talked to but there was this one person in town for a conference that was a blast to talk to...and it is amazing to have the nights when you lose track of time lauhing and making new connections.  At the end of the day in my book losing yourself in the people who are all around you is something that will change your soul and smile all at the same time {and left me thinking wow this week isn't going to be as shitty as I thought it would be...}.

Tuesday morning I was up adn running for my frist day of testing at work with my fruit salad, protien shake and Thrive patch on to help me through the day and I'm not going to lie as I was driving to work I was already counting down the hours until I got off work and was able to get a run in, dinner and see if San Antonio could shock me anymore and embed itself within me deeper {and yes it did in ways I can never explain} but alas I have to make it through a long day of looking at data and fielding the endless questions that I knew were going to come my way.  Once I was done with my annoying as he
ll day I was ready to run out of the door, hop in my car and get out of my work clothes and see what the River Walk had to offer...

I found myself at a place called Cafe Ole along the riverwalk and wow what a great time.  The margaritas were on point {although some might call them too "tarty" but maybe that's just because they are sissys and can't handle it...hehe} and the fajitas were so much better than anything you will find in Washington!  I didn't stay out that late Tuesaday night because there was something about laying in bed, watching TV and eating chocolate cake with berries from room service...and that is exactly what I did {and boy was it amazing}.  I loved the simplicity of getting lost in the doubet covers and falling a sleep with a big smile on my face!

The Riverwalk in Downtown San Antonio

So here we are, Wednesday morning, and I am not feeilng life in general.  There were horrid thunder and lightening storms and I wasn't sleeping to save my life.  I was up pacing my room so in the morning when my alar went off 2 hours after I had fallen asleep I just knew that it was going to be a ruff day {and the pic of my face proves that}.





I knew that my day wans't going to inlude any type of working out or anything exciting because I was spend...like almost dead spent and thinking at work all day long when you are fighting the tired makes you even more tired!  I ended up taking a nap, watching TV, sleeping more and watching a little more TV before I decided to go check out the Riverwalk at night and finally I was able to fall in love with it even more.  Around every corner there was something new to see, something new to expierence and something new to love.  The Riverwlk is amazing in the day and there is nothing like the energy flowing through that river with all the people who come to expierence it daily but there was something differnet at night...something that can't be explained other than a girl having falling in love witha city and the city loving her back as well.

I found my self at the Alamo again so I could see it at night and then at an old skool place called Pat O'Briens that served THE BEST HURRICANE that I've had yet in my life...and I slightly love them {Everyone in hondours knows that hehe}...but just look at the Alamo at night!  There was a silent peacefulness about it at night because all the tourists were gone, all the people pushing you for a photo were gone and even all the noice of the city was calming down...which gave me a moment to realize that when I wake up in the morning I was flying away from this city that I fell in love with, didn't expect it and felt heart broken about leaving - but it was better because I know that I would be back soon, and I would get to expierence more and more of what this city had to offer {that doesn't mean it didn't hurt because I am not a person who likes new places, who wants to stay and wants to expierence more and more but that was me with my last night in San Antonio and I didn't think that I was going to get a wink of sleep...but there could be chocolate cake hehe}.

Did I run as much as I wanted too while on this work trip? No.
Did I eat as healthy as I should on this work trip? Hell No
Was I ready to leave this city? No

Like I said in the begining, I am not a person who likes anythign about Texas but there was something about San Antonio that took over my  heart and soul that week and I had the hardest time gettign on that Airplane and flying home because it was so far away from my favorite running path, Irish pub, istes and etc...but knowing that I got to do everything that I've done so far and everything else I wanted to do but didn't have time and would be there waiting of me next time; it would just slowly kill a small part of me until I get back down there again.

I hope everyone has an amazing night & I hope tonight you can close your eyes and remind yoursel of your favorite person, place or expierence that you have taken lately...then go out and plan your next adventure.



Meg
a.k.a. Nutmegz
HF#120333

{05/19/2016} Two Half Marathons In Two States In Two Days Road Trip...Day 3 & Packet Pick-Up

Find out about the 1st day of our journey here: Crazy Road Trip...Day 1
Find out about the 2nd day of our journey here: Crazy Road Trip...Day 2



{The Events of this Blog Entry Happened on 05/06/2016}
Okay so here we are day three...and I was already tired thinking about the day that we had ahead of us.  Today was the day that we were going to be driving to the Grand Canyon and the MIL {aka Mom In Law...but that's a lot to type over and over again so we will just shorten it to MIL} and I were up early because of the fact that the Grand Canyon was not 5 hours like I thought it was from LA...NOOOOOO it was more like 8 and that meant 9 with stops because we liked to take our time.

We were up and ready to head out of the house around 0630 because we HAD to be in the Grand Canyon Village area no later the 1700 to ensure that I was going to pick up my packet and other stuff from the expo in time...but I wasn't worried about that!  I am not to proud to admit that I was totally jelly of the husband, daughter and puppy that were snuggled up together as I left because they looked sooooo comfy but I was about to start a road trip that at the end of it would mean that I would have ran a half marathon THROUGH THE GRAND CANYON!!

One thing that people tend to hype up in LA is the traffic and how horrid it is ALL THE DAMN TIME {and I totally don't get it because well I'm from Seattle and traffic happens so turn on some tunes and enjoy it!} but I will admit that I was blown away by how long it took us to get from Simi Valley to Pasadena where we had decided to get coffee - and well now I was in dire need of a potty break!

One of the things that I have always wanted to see in California, and more specifically Pasadena, is the Rose Bowl.  I see it every year New Years Day on TV watching the Rose Bowl Parade and never actually made it down there to check it out for myself.  Well, there happened to be a Starbucks around the corner from the actual Rose Bowl so of course we had to stop by and check it out!  It was even more beautiful in person than on TV {with the exception that all the roses around it were dead...} but the pic still turned out amazing and now I was able to say that I had been at the Rose Bowl.  {I am not going to lie when I say that going to the Rose Bowl Stadium made me want to register for the Inaugural Pasadena Half Marathon because the finish line is going to be IN THE ROSE BOWL...but Lordy I think my Hubby would murder me if I signed up for another race!!!}

Okay so here we were like 1.5 hours in to our journey and now we were on a hunt for Starbucks and gas...it was becoming more and more evident by the minute that whatever schedule I had created for today in my head was going to be thrown out the window in a matter of moments; if not already.  The thing about going on an adventure with me is that I am always down for anything so if someone says "OMG there is that thing I've always wanted to see..." I am the first person to help them get there because what are you going to do in your life...read about all the things you want to see, or see them when you have the opportunity? So gas was gotten and we actually got to drive down a famous neighborhood of Pasadena called the Bungalow District and it was awesome to see all the bungalow style homes being renovated and brought back to their original glory...something that the Pasadena area was famous for a few decades ago.  So after this tiny detour...coffee was gotten and gas was acquired and we were back on the road!

The drive itself out the Grand Canyon wasn't anything to ride home about...however, being a history nut like I am I thought that it was cool AF that we were driving parallel to the original Route 66 and everything that came along with that.  Because we were in such a hurry we didn't get a chance to stop in a the little towns and explore like we would have liked too but that doesn't mean we didn't find cool little towns to get gas in and/or pee in...because there was a lot of that happening {but then again I was downing a water bottle every 10-15 minutes} so why not find the neatest places to stop that we could.

One of the coolest things that we did was pull over at this Oasis of a gas stations that had a Dairy Queen built in {and a hotel that you wouldn't catch me staying in even if my skin was crawling off and rotting...oh god it was horrid} and it just seemed like the epitome of Desert America.  We decided about this point that we were hungry so we stopped here, ordered some chicken from Dairy Queen to thrown on our salads and were on our way to keep driving down the same stretch of road for about 56000 miles {okay okay fine...it was more like 300 miles but it seemed forever} and find the left turn that would lead us to the next long road we had to drive up.

Along the way we stopped in a city called Needles and it is right on the border of CA/AZ on the CA side...but it was cracking us up because the MIL and I were using gas buddy to make sure that we {Yes I know that hurt my head too...but thanks for hanging in}.

were getting the best priced gas we could find and this city was claiming to be "The Last Real Route 66 City" and I'll be dammed if it wasn't but it was also the town with FOUR DOLLAR GAS! Oh hell no...that is a budget breaker, so we pulled up gas buddy and found that four miles away was Arizona and they had gas for just over two dollars a gallon...WINNER WINNER WINNER.  So that was the first time that we saw the "Welcome To Arizona" sign, however it wouldn't be the last because you had to go back to California just to get back on the freeway to go to Arizona.


Okay so we border hopped and got gas on the cheap and now were back on our way...and then the rainstorm and stupid drivers set in and since I was not driving so I was hanging on for dear life as the MIL was trying to go around different semi trucks, cars and stupid Volvo drivers {apologies if you drive a Volvo but for the love of god if you are going to drive in the fast lane do not, and let me repeat, DO NOT  drive 30 under the speed limit because dear god - we will attempt to move you out of the way...} and then there was the Grey Hound bus driver lady...mmm she made the road rage come out full force.  The other lesson that I learned was that if you are going to pack everything in to a big ass SUV make sure that you have everything that you need near you because wearing booty shorts, a tank top {especially when you have specific um assets we shall say} leads to the truck drivers radioing each other letting them know a good boob shot is coming and lots of awkward waves! {I'm not a blusher in life but hell I was dying by the end of that supply gathering adventure throughout the Tahoe}

The last town that we were going to hit before driving north down a two lane road up to the Grand Canyon was Williams, AZ.  We were excited to find civilization again after many many many hours of nothing but tumbleweeds.  This was legit the cutest Route 66 town I've ever explored...and couldn't wait to get back there to explore more since we were still racing against the clock and we needed to get to the packet pick up.  Okay so nothing exciting happened between Williams, AZ and the actually getting to the Grand Canyon it's self so yey we have made it to packet pick up!!!

Now this was my first Vacation Races half marathon or event in general and I was really excited about this one as I won it from my amazing running group, The Half Twisted Runners, and couldn't have been more proud to be there repping for them with our other members...tho I was by far the slowest of all them I got the most fun for my entry! {Or so I am going to keep tellig myself and I'll come back to that on the next post...because holy hell!}  The packet pickup itself tho was the BEST reace expo that I have been to yet.  It was simple, well organizaed, and each and every person there was so happy to see you and meet you.  I was in and out of the expo pretty quickly and that was mostly because I needed to go pee, find out hotel and lord we needed food.

Okay so we decided to stay at the Grand Canyon itself at a place called Yavopi Lodge and it was like the most amazing little hotel that one could have expected for less than $150 per night.  Now one of the funniest things that happened is when we went to the Ranger station to get in the park we were told that we needed to spend $30 for a 7 day pass but I didn't want a 7 day pass as I was only going to

be there for 24 hours...if that; and so becaue the MIL was 63 she was able to buy a LIFETIME pass for $10!!  I mean seriously...that's a little bit of a price difference when you think about it...but a better deal for sure.  Now back to the lodge where we were staying...there is a more expensive option on their property but you have an Eastern view vs. the Western View that I had...and frankly I couldn't tell you the difference for almost $60 more!  The MIL and I checked in to the room, got flat me all laid out and decided that before we died in bed we would head back in to town for dinner.

Now, anyone who knows me knows how excited I get about stupid stuff and I was WAY EXCITED about taking the MIL to the Big E's steakhouse in town because the last time I was up at the Grand Canyon that is where my friends and I ate and it was wonderful!  The meal this time was no exception everything was wonderful...to the point where I had the best idea for taking my left overs to eat both Pre and Post race {...and holy hell it was wondeful even cold and eating it with my fingers because we forgot to get a darn fork.  But what are fingers really for if not eating with them, riiiight?}

Well dinner was over, we found the quickest way to get to and from the starting line and the hotel and now there was nothing left to do other than go to bed...however everyone was making fun of me because it was like 8PM and I was ready to crash but I'm thinking sleep is one of those vital things that will keep me going over the next two days. We did make one more stop before actually heading to hotel, well it was on the way, but the MIL wanted to see the Grand Canyon sine we were there...and it was sunset so there wouldn't be a better time to go see the big wonderful amazing hole in the ground.

Now, the funny thing about the Grand Canyon to me is that you drive all that way to get up there, and when you don't have a ton of time because you are on a schedule you find yourself wondering how long you have to stand there to make it worth it.  Well to be honest the MIL and I lasted about 4 minutes becaue it was so FUCKING cold!!  Like could it get anymore windy and cold...but lord I sure didn't expact it to stay around {because it is May after all...} but the view was breathtaking and I'm glad that we decided to check it out & then leave before the hypothermia set in!

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon

I litterally couldn't believe that when I woke up I would be heading out the front door to do something that I never thought I would be albe to do and that was amazing but the more and more I thought about it...Yup, I'm crazy...but sometimes it takes a little crazy to do awesome things!!!

Meg
aka Nutmegz
HF#120333

(<--- Lord I look like I need some beauty sleep!!)

Next Blog Post: Crazy Road Trip Day 4 (GC Half Race Review & Getting to Disney)

Watch Out World...Big Things Are Happening!!!

am·bas·sa·dor

a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity

Synonyms: Campaigner, representative, promoter, champion, supporter, backer, booster

There are time in life that the efforts that you make, the work that you put in, the positive attitude no matter how much you wanna die that everything starts panning out!!  I can't even begin to tell you guys how excited I am to announce that I am an offical ambassador for the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon from Alaska Airlines!!!!!

This announcement and appointment comes with a lot of emotion backing it! Let me explain a little bit more...I have never been the leader of the pack when it comes to running - I've always been a "I'll see you when I get there and you are already rested" runner but I'm okay with that! I'm breaking down walls, I'm doing things I never thought I'd be able to do and I'm bettering myself with every step I take...but it doesn't come easy {and no that isn't because I just love to eat chocolate cake and cookies in bed...but that sure doesn't help either but it is SOOOOOOOOO gooooooood!!!} but because chaning yourself, your habbits and running 13-point-freaking-1 miles isn't easy no matter who you are!!!

I am Meg. I am chubby.  I am not fast...but I can run the most miserable half marathons out there thinking I was going to die and finish with a smile on my face and planning my next one before I've even gotten my bottle of water - but after I get my medal because let's face it...BLIIIIIING!

I have four mottos that I live by when it comes to running and I can't wait to bring my excitement for everything out to the pavement of my hometown {Seattle} which will be a comeback race for me since last year during this exact race I had to medical out because my knee gave in {and not going to lie I shouldn't have attempted to do six half marathons in six weeks...well my first six half marathons ever in six weeks! ...Again with my good ideas hahahaha} and I thought better to tap out than to really hurt myself.  But here is what every runner should remember:

1. It's not about finish times, it's about finish lines

2. Listen to music, sing out loud, dance while you move and live it up

3. Talk to everyone who is around you...you never know when your words will mean the world to someone and make a difference in their race

4. Run when you can, walk when you half to and crawl if you must!

I can't wait to see what the next month brings me, I'm excited to work with the Rock 'n' Roll association, Alaska Airlines and all the other ambassadors!!!

Meg

Half Fanatic #12033

{05/12/2016} Two Half Marathons In Two States In Two Days Road Trip...Day 2

Find out the first day of our journey here: Crazy Road Trip...Day 1


{The Events of this Blog Entry Happened on 05/05/2016 - Happy Cinco De Mayo}
Okay so here we are day two of the crazy ass idea I had to drive all over the place so I could run two half marathons and we are waking up in Simi Valley...zombie-like and with 4 hours of sleeping am waking up to head down to the Disneyland Hotel to get the packet pick up for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon underway as the next day I would be heading over to the Grand Canyon to run the half marathon through the Grand Canyon itself!

I was not looking forward to this packet pickup because the Wine & Dine Packet Pickup/Expo was a total flop and lord it took me forever to just get my Bib...and I didn't even attempt to go shopping for some RunDisney gear so I was dreading the idea of showing up for chaos again, but I was SHOCKED that it wasn't anything like the dreaded event I made it out to be in my head {and yes now that you are getting to know me better I would agree with you that it is entirely possible that I make things worse in my head than they actually are...but hey it is at least highly comical!}.

2016 Tinkerbell Half Marathon!!

10k Starting Line on Disneyland Dr

It was exciting driving up to the Disneyland Hotel because the starting line for the 10k was up and getting ready for the day before...and that is a site that I love to see.  Starting lines...those means that there are finish lines to be had, bling and new goals to crush. {If you look at them any other way then they become dreaded and they lose their excitement...so no matter what you have to do to love the look of a starting line then do it - I personally dance and sing and jump in place...kinda looking like an idiot but I own looking like a smiling idiot who can't wait to get her BLING!}

Probably the hardest part about the expo was that there were lack of clear signs on where to park...we knew that we were going to the Disneyland Hotel but lord I hadn't been to Disney since they redid the streets and built a parking garage...so I got lost a few times! {And I'm not going to point any fingers but a certain Apple GPS talking lady *cough* Siri *cough* didn't help me much either}  However, once we parked we started walking towards the Disneyland Hotel my excitement started growing more and more and more!!!  OMG I WAS GOING TO RUN TWO HALF MARATHONS IN TWO DAYS AND I WASN'T GOING TO DIE!!! {...Or so I kept telling myself}

There is one thing that you can't deny when you head to any event at Disney and that is the fact that

At The Disneyland Hotel

The Green Carpet

everything will be over the top and magical...and this Expo thing was no different.  So after we passed under the Mickey Mouse house of Magic it was a slight jaunt to find the exact place that we were supposed to be...which we heard was not a red carpet nooooo it was a pixie green carpet!! {You know being the Tinkerbell half and all...}

Now, here is where everything changed and got super exciting for me because my mind was blown...THERE WAS NO ONE AT THE EXPO! Apparently going on a Thursday morning at 1000AM on the dot was the best idea that I've had in many many years...because we waited in line for oh I don't know 1 minute to get my bib! Now, while it only took me one minute to get my bib and another one minute to get my shirt it was when I turned the corner that I found out where everyone was...they were in line to get their Dooney & Burke hand bags and other Tinkerbell Merch!!! {Call me crazy but fighting through thousands of women to get a Tinkerbell Wine Glass is not my thing...but I'm not saying if you bought an extra one that I don't want it! HAHA}

The Empty Expo!! #AlwaysGoOnThursdayMornings

I think the other part of the expo that I liked the best and hope Disneyland half marathons continue with it...and maybe Disney World could pick it up as well...was that the green carpet took you down to a basement to get your prepaid merch, bibs and etc and then you followed the green carpet up stairs to go shopping.  By separating it you didn't have the HUGE crowds trying to get official merch getting in the way of packet pickup folks and creating mad confusions! It really was one of the best packet pick ups I've ever been to yet!

Official 2016 Ariel New Balance's

The other aspect of the expo that blew my mind was the New Balance booth area was crazy but I had signed up to get on the Virtual Signup/Appointment List the night before to get my Tinkerbell Half Marathon 2016 Limited Edition shoes...and the appointment time that I was given was Noon!  Well here was my issue...it was 1030AM and I was not in the mood to wait around for an hour and a half because I was hungry so I thought "Go ask if you can sneak in earlier...and if not, screw it let's get foooood" and as much as my stomach didn't want New Balance to work with me I was so happy and completely surprised when they let me come on in at 1030AM to get my shoes!!!  Now...call me snooty or pickey {because I am in some ways} but when the New Balance lady helping me, Megan, brought out the shoes that I wanted to get...the Tinkerbell editions...I tried them on and had to put them back because they said "2015" on them and not "2016".  I didn't want to buy a show that was the official shoe of the half marathon and have it have a different year on it than what I actually ran...so I landed on Ariel! I love them to pieces and don't worry I did not in anyway attempt to wear them to the race {because I like my feet and don't enjoy blisters}.

Okay, so now we were done at the expo...grabbed some new race shirts, shoes and random samples and we could go eat breakfast!  So, if you know me at all you know how I travel and for those who don't know me yet will get to realize that I travel differently than most people.  I am always looking for amazing new places to eat, places the locals go and places you just don't hear about unless you start talking to people from the area...and California Donut was the food quest of the day.  It was located in the heart of LA and no matter what people say I love LA...I mean look at this skyline!!

I did apparently bring the clouds to Cali with me because it was overcast AF the entire time that we were down there...and windy! But I mean come on there isn't anything more beautiful when you look at the city other than their skyline...the history, the growth and the story that it tells {Now don't get me wrong I love the Seattle and PDX skyline more than anything but this one is amazingly beautiful as well...and somewhere in there CELEBRITIES are hanging out...I've just got to find them (Kidding)}

This Place Is AMAZING!

One of the nice things about trying new places if you sometimes get to see neighborhoods you would have never gone through before which gives you a different level of understanding and appreciation of the city that you are in.  California Donut was in a part of the town that I've never been in before and it wasn't exactly what I expected but if you are ever in LA you need to GO GO GO GO GO GO GO eat here!!!!!!  Everything that we got was amazing, fresh and left me wanting to eat their entire store front as if Hansel and Gretel were at the house made of candy and HANGRY!!

I mean Nom Nom Nom!

As a PNW girl I can appreciate a good doughnut and have been known to drive 4 hours each way to pick up a VooDoo Donut or 30 {I mean OMG right...8 hours for doughnuts...this chick is cra
cra!} but I was completely blown away by what I saw! Everything was clean, colorful and looked like just came out of the fryer and were needing to get in my mouth!  We got a few different donuts to take home to our family because you can't get fancy donuts and not share...{and yes, I understand you wanted some but I just couldn't bring them home I'm sorry}...but you sure can test the waters and have one on the car ride home, HEHEHE!!!

No, we are going to get serious for a moment and just tell you that I learned my lesson the hard way regarding something...When you are in the Hispanic District of LA and you see what looks like an amazing sausage wrapped in a croissant and it has the word "HOT" after it that doesn't mean warmed up...NOOOOOOO that means so hot with spices directly from the devil that make you drool on yourself and curse the food you keep eating in misery because it is so good despite it burning your mouth off!!   I am not kidding you when I say that it was one of the best breakfast croissants that I have ever had and there was the perfect balance between bread, meet and cheese and if you have to ability to withstand the heat GO GET ONE!!! {It doesn't hurt that I was eating spicy AF food on Cinco De Mayo!}

After the drive back up to Simi Valley was completed that was the end of the adventure that day!  The hubs, kiddo mom and law and I hung out with our amazing friends and watched movies and just lounged!  I didn't want to do anything too big as the next day I would be getting up at the earliest sight of dawn to drive East to the Grand Canyon because I had to make it by 400PM for packet pickup...so being rested and just NOT being in a car anymore for at least one afternoon/night sounded amazing!!!  

...let's just say that the rest was needed because the next few days were comically tragic, amazing and any other action word you want to dub it but it was one thing for sure - an adventure that would change me, challenge me and have me laughing for hours a day with my Mother In Law!!  Stay turned for the next blog post for {05/06/2016}: Day Three of my crazy adventure!!!

Meg

aka Nutmegz

#HF12033

Half Twisted Runner