Week 6 Complete! Total Weekly Miles=25 Miles

Breathtaking view alongside the Spokane River

  
What a beautiful day for a 12 mile run! We had four ladies show up today, although we missed Andrea who was running in beautiful Hawaii (see previous post). Although it was still 30+ degree weather, it was much better than -1 degrees.

Sarah looking strong around mile 4

  We ran along the Centennial Trail starting from Gonzaga University along Upriver Drive and back towards Riverfront Park. We saw many runners out this morning, including a large group from Spokane Team Blaze. Hoping we continue to have good weather for our long Saturday Runs..
***Here is Bethany and Ashley after finishing their 12 miles-Looking good Ladies!***

So Week 6...COMPLETE!

Sarah and Mirna happy to have finished 12 miles!

But just wanted to give a shout out to Andrea-we missed you this week and hope you are having a great time in Hawaii- ALOHA!

-Posted by Mirna

Hawaii 5-miler

Outside our home in Kailua, Hawaii - after our 5-miler

For week 6 we had two 4-milers and a 5-miler. I decided to do my two 4-milers prior to leaving for our vacation to Hawaii, so I did them back to back on Sunday and Monday. We traveled Tuesday and rested Wednesday so by Thursday, I was ready to hit the streets of Kailua, Hawaii. My husband and I headed out in 72 degree weather...ahhh...so nice!! We completed our 5 miles, enjoying the sunshine and scenery. Now time for a couple of days rest so I can participate in a local women's only 10k on Sunday. I'll have to add a few miles on in order to get my 12 miles in for this weekend's long run, but looking forward to the race! Hoping the mamas in Spokane had a great run this morning!

~ posted by Andrea

Week 5 Complete! Total Weekly Miles=19-21 miles

GOODBYE TO FEBRUARY! Welcome MARCH!
Hopefully we will be able to run in warmer temperatures and better running conditions...hurry up Spring!

 -posted by Mirna

Brrrr.......FREEZE!

Andrea and Mirna were the only brave ones (or crazy, maybe?) who attempted the long Saturday run outdoors. We woke up to -1 degree temperatures, so with hat, gloves, extra layers, and scarves in place, we began our run. Our training schedule only called for 8 miles, but since we are doing 12 miles next week, we decided to be overachievers and complete 10 miles instead.

Marathon Mama Bandits (Mirna and Andrea)

 We saw less than a handful of brave souls outside running, so it ended up being a fairly quiet run. Since there is still lots of snow and patches of ice on the road we treaded carefully up around the south hill. Thankfully cars were kind to us and drove slowly and far out from us as most of our run ended up being on the road.

Our Spokane Treadmill

It probably took a good 2 miles to warm up, overall it wasn't as bad as anticipated. So 10 miles completed today! Much better than the "dreadmill!" It did warm up to 5 degrees by the time we finished.

-posted by Mirna

Holy Cow! - Or Should I Say Moose?!

I woke up Wednesday and looked out the window to determine my running fate for that morning...Hooray! Dry and no snow yet so it will be an outside run!! I dressed quickly and set out for my first mid-week 5-miler. I am 2 miles into my run and minding my own business when about 1/2 block ahead of me is our local resident moose staring right at me! Holy crap, now what?! My neighbor had warned me to be alert for the moose and I always keep my eyes and ears open but now that it was right in front of me, what the heck should I do? I quickly ran up to the end of another street and turned his direction to see if he was still there. Yes, he was, and he had also turned and was watching me. All I could think of was to get out of there. But if I run, will he chase me - you know, like the running of the bulls? I didn't want to encourage him but needed to get out of this dead end area. Thankfully, when I got back to where I first saw him, he was gone. Whew - though now I was on high alert - where the heck had he gone? The last 3 miles I tried to get through quickly. On the last mile home had another brief scare (a truck pulled up to me slowly, stopped and put down the passenger window and some guy tried to talk to me. I'll post more on this as part of a "safety post" another day.) Anyway, made it home safe and sound, though a little shaken. Needless to say, and due to the snow, I was happy to run on the treadmill for my 3-miler on Thursday - I can't believe I even thought that! Some day I'll post a photo of my moose friend - I'll have to find one I have previously taken.

~ posted by Andrea

Top 10 Reasons Why I Run by Bethany

Finishing the 2nd leg of the Spokane Marathon Relay 2010

10)  Cheap & Easy: While I love doing the tris, I love the fact that for running all I need are my shoes.  I don’t need goggles, swim cap, earplugs, nose plugs, a bike, helmet, clipless pedals, special shoes, patch kit, pump, the list goes on and on…  I am tired just thinking of all of the things I have to do to prep my bike and everything I need bring with me for a ride or a swim.

9) Shirts: Why lie. But they have to be dry wick and they have to be cute!

8) The Finish Line: It is the most amazing feeling in the world to finish your first running race or triathlon. I never thought I would compete in a triathlon and run a marathon. I just thought I wasn’t a runner. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you start to believe in yourself. I am happy to say that this is flowing into my personal and professional life as well.

7) Healthy Weight: Yay for muscles! I want to be an Athleta model!

6) Peace & Quiet: While I usually like running with friends, I still enjoy the occasional run on my own. Often I choose to leave the I pod at home and just listen to the sounds all around me. It is amazing what sights and sounds I have seen and heard; it is like nature is putting on a show just for me. There was a time when I lived and breathed nature: camping, fishing, and hiking deep in the woods to find adventure. One thing that a lot of people don’t know about me is that if I could choose another life I would probably be a hermit living in the woods or on a beach somewhere (preferably Kauai) but then reality hits and I know I wouldn’t even last a day; I have a tough time killing spiders, let alone wild game for dinner (yes, I am one of those freaks that carries spiders and bugs outside).

5) Strong, Beautiful, & Healthy: Running makes me feel all three of these things. It makes me want to be a better person in all areas of my life.

4) Goals & Sense of Accomplishment: Setting goals and reaching them – even if when it seems nearly impossible - this is what keeps me going most days, especially right now when I feel like every training counts!

3) Friends: What would I do without my runner friends?!!! The most amazing and inspiring women I have ever met in my life! Most of them are busy working moms that still find time to fit in their training, even if it means getting up at "the butt crack of dawn"! – quote from Mirna

Leavenworth Half Marathon October 2010

2) Food & Drink: Dark Chocolate, Kona Brewing Co. Pipeline Porter, Starbuck’s Cinnamon Dolce Latte, Wine, and GOOD food.

And the number one reason I run…

1) ENDORPHINS: Definitely my drug of choice. Sanity. Health. Well-being. Not only for me, but for my family as well. They don’t have to deal with a grouchy mom and I am setting a good example for my little guy – he already runs his "laps" around the house each night! And my husband will be competing in his first race (besides Bloomsday, of course) this summer: The Warrior Dash.

Shanna and I after the Seattle Rock N Roll Half Marathon June 2010

My Treadmill: The Las Vegas Strip

Enjoying my "treadmill"

I'm turning the big 3-0 this year in May, thus why I've personally chosen to run a full marathon. Therefore this past weekend I met two of my best girlfriends in Las Vegas for an early 30th birthday celebration.

However, I needed to make sure I stayed on track with my training program. I did 3 separate runs (3 miles, 9 miles, 3 miles) before I left for Vegas. I finished my last run, a 5 mile run, in beautiful Las Vegas. Although I missed running the long run with my marathon mamas, it felt so great to run outdoors in sunny Las Vegas.

The 50+ degree weather sure beat the frigid temperatures of Spokane of 26 degrees.
(See previous post).~Posted by Mirna