More pics from San Diego-Thanks Wendy!
Pre-race coffee and dessert
Matt at the finish!
Post race at Ocean Beach
Del
My summer nemeses.
'Nuff said. Enjoy it while you can, right? 
What are your off-training indulgences?
By the way, the Ravenna's run like a dream. L.O.V.E.
Runningly Yours,
Happy Happy New Shoes!! (And new shorts too!)
With both my beloved Brooks Infiniti 2's and my Brooks Launch nearing 350 miles, it was time for some new shoes. However, my Infiniti's are becoming extinct and there were none left in my size. ***GASP*** What is a runner to do? Since I know at some point I will need to try something else, I decided to order the Brooks Ravenna's.
I believe they are supposed to be the comparable shoe. I received them in the mail today and it was love at first sight.
New shorts and shoes!! SO EXCITING!!! 
How cute are they for summer? They totally match my new shorts that I had to order so that I wouldn't have to pay $8 for shipping. I know, makes total sense.
And they have other colors I can buy for winter. (Because THAT is what is most important, lol!)
Happy Running!
I also purchased a new pair of Launch for my track and tempo workouts. They are so light and comfy. I just feel faster when I put them on. And who doesn't love a lime green shoe?
For racing, I wear the ST4 which are AWESOME!!! My lucky shoes!
Seriously, if you are in any other shoe besides Brooks, you are doing yourself a dis-service. I LOVE my Brooks shoes!! (Can you tell I am a Brooks-kinda gal?)
*Side-note- this is why I still wear 'civilian' clothes and shoes that are 10 years old. I spend all of my $ on running clothes and shoes. So much more fun!
Runningly Yours,
ARR Summer Series #2- Cooler than a polar bear’s toenails.
Well, not exactly, but it was only about 85 degrees this morning instead of the usual 95! I am SO happy with this race! Yesterday I kept telling myself just to relax, just run against myself, and have fun with it rather than dread it. (after my debacle of a race 2 weeks ago) I told myself that I was only allowed to turn on the nervous energy at 4:30am race morning, but other than that, there would be NO pre-race freaking. It helped me so much.
I woke up this morning, had my special breakfast (still need to share that!) and headed to the race. This is a trail race, so I wasn't exactly sure how I would feel while running, but I was just going to do what I could and HOLD back the first mile.
Mile 1- 5:48
Mile 2- 5:51
Mile 3- 5:51
.1- 5:50
Official time= 18:06- 5:50avg. pace
I finally ran a consistent race! I felt so much better and didn't feel like I was going to keel over and die during the race like I did at ARR #1. I didn't break 18 minutes, which I really wanted to do. I thought 5:50's would do it, but I guess I messed up on my math a little! (big surprise!) This race was a break-through for me more on the mental side of racing. I stayed strong, stayed relaxed, and didn't panic when it got hard. Making progress!!! I also earned top female, so that is pretty cool as well. There were 360 women, 441 men. I was 28th overall.
Next up, my VERY FIRST 10k in San Diego on the 4th of July. I have been told it is a fast, competitive course. I looked at the results from last year and there are some super fast women that run this. I am very excited to run with them and practice racing with some speedy chicas!
Runningly Yours,
Together we could break this trap, We’ll run till we drop, baby we’ll never go back!
Pre-race at the start line, it was already warm at 5am!
I HAD to use these lyrics as I swear between the Rock and Roll San Diego Expo and Marathon, I probably heard "Born To Run" a million times! What a wonderful weekend we had!
This race was a very important race as Matt, Bradford, and Dan were all trying to qualify for Boston, and without making you wait, they ALL DID!!! I am not going to be too wordy, I will let you look at fun pics instead, but I will share a bit about Matt's race.
Matt was feeling great going into this marathon. We got to the start line at about 5am
The BQ fellas!
*Thanks to my wonderful sis and her boyfriend Brian who woke up so early to support Matt!!*
Don't they look ready to start the day! LOL!
All of the guys were in corral 2. DK was with them as he was banditing the entire 26.2 miles to pace the fellas.
Nerds at heart.
I jumped on the course with Matt at mile 11 and he was looking SO strong. I talked to him for a bit, he wasn't out of breath and was averaging a 7:08 pace, he needed 7:15's, so all was well. I admit I did bandit some of the race but I will say that I used all my own water, gatorade, and gels. I also made sure not to be annoying or get in anyone's way. I was trying to be a good bandit.
Anywho, we made it over to Fiesta Island at about mile 17 and the clouds had burned off already. It was getting very hot and there was no shade. I was really worried about Matt at this point. He and the sun do not get along so well. He had slowed a little bit, but still had great form and was hitting his paces pretty close. He was staying with me and his body was not hurting, so all in all, he still had more in him! At mile 24 we started to pick it up a bit and I could not stop from crying as I was (am) SO proud of him. I knew he had it in the bag at this point and I was getting ready to jump back into the crowd. He shouted "Cross with me!" So together, we came across the finish line at 3:09:48. He had 1 minute and 12 seconds to spare for his Boston Qualification! Bradford and DK came in next at 3:10:46 and Dan came in with a new PR at 3:14. Wendy PR'd in the half too, she rocked that thang! Our friends Lisa and Todd smoked the 1/2 marathon as well! Big shout out to Brandon, Blake, and Angela who same out to support Matt. That was so awesome and just made the race even more special for him!
Wendy kickin' bootie in the half marathon!
Wow, what a celebration!!! We were all elated!!! Looks like its Boston again for us in Spring!
The following days were spent at Hamilton's post race,
That's better!
T-Lo abd Lil' Lisa- who also PR'd in the half and her husband Todd placed 3rd in his age group!!! woohoo!
The guys! Ready for a good beer, at last!
Cousin Brandon came out for the festivities!
Siblings! Yes, I did put on SPF 45!!!
Amigos
the Del,
Hotel Del Coronado
Show me the face of a Boston Qualifier!
Mark and Wendy relaxin'
Happy Danimal
George and Bradford
There's DK!!
drinking Sangria at El Camino
and the beach!!
Dog beach at Coronado, Tank's favorite place on this earth!
He has pure joy in his eyes at the dog beach! So awesome!
Gosh, I sure do love California! Matt's plan is to not do another full marathon until Boston. He wants to try some shorter distances and half marathons for the time being. Oh yeah, he also wants to break 3 hours at Boston...
Next up- Summer Series 5k this Sunday! I am hoping to race this one a tad smarter. Ugh.
Runningly Yours,
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