Motivate Me! Monday: Rory Bosio

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

Thomas A. Edison

But how do you keep up that determination to try again? We all have our own forms of motivation. I started this blog in 2010 to keep me focused and connected with the running world. It has also been a huge source of my motivation. I look forward to writing about my trail adventures each week and I love reading about other runner bloggers race experiences, especially if those bloggers are local. I can't tell you exactly what it is about local bloggers, but reading their blogs gives me that extra push I need to get out the door. Maybe it's the fact that their stomping grounds are my stomping grounds and I am familiar with the same trails/roads.  Whatever it is, it works for me and I will have a post later on my favorite local running blogs. :)

I have written about motivation before, but I wanted to focus on a specific thing each time that I write about it now. Recently, I have been following the athletic endeavors of an ultra runner named Rory Bosio. 

From what I have read so far, Rory is a resident of Truckee, California (originally from Tahoe) and is a pediatric nurse. She is currently sponsored by North Face and she is a kick-ass ultra-runner (from my own conclusion). She has won the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc twice (2013 & 2014)! 

At her first UTMB win in 2013. She even set a new course record!
Photo Credit: http://bieganie.pl

Running the Grand Canyon Part 1: Rim to River to Rim

This past April, I finally made the decision to run the Grand Canyon...well, at least some of it. :) 

My amazing running friend Kathryn (and by amazing I mean she is a BEAST on the trail!) was going to run R2R2R (that's South Rim to North Rim to South Rim, for those unsure of our South of the Canyon lingo) again and she asked me to come along. I originally planned to run the entire 40 mile-something out and back, but decided in the end to try my hand first at a trip to the bottom and back. I would see how I fared and try again in the fall, hopefully. 

We planned on meeting at the South Rim on Friday night. I decided to take the day off from work and get there super early (like 2 pm) so I could walk around and be a little touristy. I got there, found our hotel room at the Maswik Lodge, and took off on foot exploring what the Grand Canyon Village had to offer. I did some shopping, got a "bite" to eat (as in, I ate prime rib at one of the nicer restaurants with a view!), explored the museums and watched the film in the visitors center. But I really wanted to see the sunset (I have never seen it here before!), so I stayed out until dark to catch a glimpse of it.  

Sunset on the South Rim.

30 Day Plank Challenge

I have decided that I need to make working out (not just running) a daily occurrence. I need to stop doing it willy-nilly and actually stick to it! I found this great 30 day plank challenge that I am going to commit to. 

That's right: COMMIT. 

I'm not just trying it out. This. is. going. to. happen. 

NO EXCUSES!

Does anyone else want to try this with me? Keep me updated with how you are doing. Let me know here, on my Instagram (or username runningroundthecampfire), or on my Twitter (or username tucsnheatrunner). 

READY?

Let's go!

I must have caught a bug...a RAGNAR bug!

I'm a Ragnatic!!!
I've signed up for 2 more Ragnars!

While it may not sound crazy to you, it definitely does to me.
After my most recent Ragnar in February, I told myself I would never run a Ragnar ever again.
I was in a mood that race weekend and I was feeling extra stressed and homesick for some weird reason.

 It was also my worst Ragnar ever.

I felt slow, sluggish, hungry, and extremely tired. I was in a bad place and I should not have run a Ragnar that weekend. My mistake. :/ (Sorry teammates, I know I was a moody monster!)

So, when I found myself wanting to create an ultra team for the new Ragnar Trail Relay, I surprised myself.  I guess, as endurance athletes, we forgot about the pain and go back to things we told ourselves we would never do again.

I remember when I completed my first marathon, I was in so much pain and I thought it was way too long. I had second thoughts about training for a second one. But you know how things go, give it a few months and those memories of pain and suffering will disappear. :)
I'm hoping my next marathon will be in December.
But back to Ragnar -------> I signed up for TWO Ragnars!

In the span of one month...and they are both ultra teams! I am definitely challenging myself with this...considering my training my not be ready for an ultra. I am taking that problem on a day-to-day basis. You'll definitely hear about it later.

On Sept. 20th, I will be running across Northern California (Napa Valley) with an ultra team comprised of 6 runners/mostly strangers all crammed in a van.


And on Oct. 18th, I will be traversing the McDowell Mountain Region and it's trails in Northern Phoenix with an ultra team comprised of 4 runners.




I am definitely......SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!

And a little nervous.
I may possibly be the slowest runner on my team.
My training may not yet be at ultra level but mentally, I am ready for this.

Training posts to come..........................

Oh! And I also applied to be an Ragnar Ambassador!
*Crossing my fingers!*

Going a little Ragnar crazy over here... ;)

Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Training Schedule

This is the training plan I used for RNRAZ this last January.

Please note that it is a beginner training plan; it's for those who are new to the marathon (which I was). 

I made Sundays my long run days so that I could run with TTR, so Mondays ended up being my rest day. 

Always try to make a training plan fit your schedule. If a plan doesn't work with your schedule, then change it. Otherwise, you won't stick to it. 

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Rest	3 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	3 mi	4 mi
2	Rest	3 mi	Rest	3 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	5 mi
3	Rest	3 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	6 mi
4	Rest	3 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	4 mi
5	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	6 mi
6	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	8 mi
7	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	10 mi
8	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	8 mi
9	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT	Rest	12 mi
10	Rest	4 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	10 mi
11	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	14 mi
12	Rest	5 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	10 mi
13	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	16 mi
14	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	12 mi
15	Rest	4 mi	CT	5 mi	CT or Rest	Rest	18 mi
16	Rest	5 mi	Rest	6 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	12 mi
17	Rest	4 mi	CT	6 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	20 mi
18	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	12 mi
19	Rest	3 mi	20 minutes	3 mi	CT or Rest	3 mi	8 mi
20	Rest	2 mi	20 minutes	Rest	20 minutes	Rest	Race Day!

CT stands for Cross Training. On these days, I tried different activities like swimming, biking, weights, hiking, ultimate frisbee, etc. Try to switch it up a bit. Make it fun. :)

Training Tip: Once you pick your final training schedule, write it down in your planner (if you have one) or calendar. Write every single workout down! That way, you'll see it daily and be more likely to do it. 

7 Weeks Until RNRAZ

It's getting closer! My very first marathon!

 

When I first started really running back in 2010, I thought my marathon would have come a lot sooner than 2013. There were numerous occasions when I posted about running and training for one. But the end result was always the same. 

 

I chickened out!

 

I'm not afraid to admit it becuase it's true. I'm freaking terrified of running a marathon.

 

I recently ran another 16 miles for training and I was in so much pain! And it was only 16 miles!!! I can't imagine what I will be feeling after 26.2. I hope there are ice baths like this at the end:

 

No, but really, can there be?

 

But I look back at my training and I know that I got this.

I can do it. It may hurt a lot. But I can definitely do it.

 

With every week that passes, I get more excited!
And a little freaked out, but mostly excited.

 

I've been following a beginner marathon training program that I found somewhere online.
Kinda wished I went with something more legit (I can't even remember the website), but I was super excited to start training so I printed it out and got started. It's been working well so far!

 

My goal for this race is to finish it.

That's it.

 

I'm not trying to figure out a time I want to beat because I have no idea when I'll finish.

Making a PR is marathon #1.

Beating a PR is marathon #2 and everything else after that.

 

Any suggestions to the weeks leading up to the race will be super helpful!
I have been reading a lot about it, but experience from my fellow bloggers is so much better. :)

 

Almost there! Keep sending me good training thoughts!!!

 

 

Also, I want to wish my big sister a Happy Birthday!!! Love you JoAnn!

 

After Hours in Sabino Canyon

Yesterday, I headed down to Sabino Canyon to get in a few miles. I had planned on going around 4pm and run all the way to the end of the road but life got in my way. As usual. :)

So I made it to the parking lot at 5:30pm. Much later than I had planned. The sun was already going down so it turned into a sunset run. The run to the end of the road is about 3.5 miles (one way) but I only ended up going 2 miles in (4 miles total).

It started to get very dark.

And I usually don't mind the dark near my house; But in Sabino Canyon, it's a different story.

The area is notorious for sightings of mountain lions.

And they like to come out at dawn and at dusk, exactly the time I was running.

They like to ambush their prey by hiding in bushes and on rocks. Every time I came close to a bushy/rocky area, I would run to the other side of the road so I would be the farthest I could from it.

I also became hypersensitive to every. single. sound. out. there.

I swear, it sounded like something was following me.

But of course, there wasn't. Thank goodness...At least I don't think there was...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My training for Week 8 of marathon training:

Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday: 4 miles
Wednesday: Weights at the gym
Thursday: 4 miles
Friday: Weights at the gym
Saturday: 3 miles EZ
Sunday: TTR Bear Canyon run. My schedule says 8 miles, but the run is around 16 miles. I really want to check out the trail so I may just go for the full route. It will be my longest run to date. I'm not trying to beat any record, so it will be a nice, slow run. 

Three Things Thursday

1. Back to marathon training! After the Tinfoilman Triathlon on Sunday, I'm very excited to get back to just running. I loved training for a triathlon, but it's exhausting training for 3 different sports throughout the week. It was a fantastic challenge and I can't wait to do it again. But I'm glad to get back to my roots and just run. Only 4 months until my first marathon! :) :) :)

 

 

2. Ragnar Relay Las Vegas.  Less than a month away. But...I'm having second thoughts. O__O I didn't think I would! I joined a team without knowing anyone on it. It's definitely a great idea if you want to meet fellow runners! However, these folks are not really into running. Or so it seems. They seem to like the idea of running and all the gear that comes along with it. I have tried inviting them to multiple TTR events, but no interest. I feel as if I don't fit with the group. And to feel that way AND to have to spend a lot of money on a Las Vegas hotel, it just may not be worth it. I am still IN. I haven't made a decision to drop out, I'm still thinking about it. I don't want to upset anyone, so if it happens, it better happen quick. Have you ever dropped out of a relay team/running group before and did you feel guilty??

 

 

3. Parent Teacher Conferences. Not my favorite way to spend my evenings. But that's how I've been spending them this past week. "Hanging out" with my students and their parents. Once in a while, I even get blamed for their kids not getting straight A's. Somehow, it's our fault as teachers. Yes. It happens more often than you'd think. But most of the conferences were positive. It's just the being at school for 10 hours each day really starts to get to you. :/ 

 

Hope you're having a great week Runnerds!

RNRAZ Training Weeks 1 & 2

I'm officially signed up for the Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon!

I've been putting off a marathon for awhile now. It's all nerves.

It's hilarious how I have no trepidations with the idea of running from Sabino Canyon to the top of Mt. Bigelow and back (about 30 miles). But as soon as I think of running a marathon, I freak out.

It could be an audience thing. Knowing that people are watching me, it can be a little intimidating. But then again, I chose to run RNRAZ instead of the Tucson Marathon because I know I could use the extra support from the crowd. Spectators on the Tucson Marathon route are scarce. It's a beautiful course (I ran the last three miles last year helping to pace my friend Brittany). However, it's not a good first race if you're nervous...like me.

As far as I know, no one ever said the first few weeks of marathon training will make you or break you (please correct me if I'm wrong). My first 2 weeks have not been promising, but they were alright. Good enough for me....for now.

Week 1

Monday
Rest

Tuesday
3.46 miles. 
This run I wasn't feeling so well and the feeling lasted for days. You know that feeling you get after you eat a big meal and then go running? Well, that was it, except I didn't eat a big meal beforehand and the sick feeling lasted way too long...

Wednesday
Wednesdays are supposed to be Cross Training days but with that feeling still lingering, I just couldn't do it.

Thursday
Was supposed to do 3 miles, but again, that feeling put a stop to it.

Friday
Rest

Saturday
Was supposed to do a 4 miler here, but I was planning on running Mt. Wrightson the next day so I put it off.

Sunday
The plan was for a 3 mile EZ. I was just going to combine Saturday's run and Sundays run together on the TTR run. However, a pounding headache and lack of sleep from the night before put a halt on a long run. :/
I ended up running 4.82 miles. 

Week 2

Monday
Rest

Tuesday
Was supposed to be a 3 mile day, but forgot about it. No worries, I just worked out Wednesday. :)

Wednesday
Was supposed to be a rest day, but did a triathlon training block instead, to make up for Tuesday.
Total: 8.07 miles.
Bike: 6 miles  Run: 2 miles

Thursday
3.26 miles. 

Friday
I had the option of either CT (Cross Training) or Rest. I chose the latter. :)

Saturday
I was scheduled for a 5 miler, but I wanted to try running with TTR again so I skipped it.

Sunday
Success!
Finally got to run with TTR!
9.74 miles. 
It was such a beautiful morning to go for a run. Especially in Sabino Canyon on the Phoneline Trail. Full recap soon.

Training is in full swing!

I went to the first TriCats meeting on Thursday. 

And I won some cool swag. Which means it's a good sign I should be in this group. :)

I won this:

And I never win anything. I'm telling you...it's a sign. 

Friday was the first swim practice.

No pictures from that...didn't want to be that girl taking photos of people at the pool. Maybe as the year goes on I'll get some pics...

That practice was fun, and crazy and hard all at the same time. I inhaled soooo much water. Let me remind you I haven't been in a pool for quite awhile. I was beginning to feel pain in my legs after that practice.

Then, on Sunday, we had our first running practice at Reid Park.

I had eaten a semi-large-ish dinner beforehand (i know, stupid, stupid). So, I wasn't feeling it. I ended up trailing behind everyone, with major cramps. Great first impression I left for everyone. And running is supposed to be my thing. Ugh. I could barely make it around one loop.

My legs hurt pretty bad that night.

And then Monday, Labor Day, I decided a hike would be fun, even with the pain in my legs.

Hahahaha.

What a fool I am.

Chance and I hiked from the Palisades Trailhead (#99) on Mt. Lemmon down to Mud Spring, and back again.  The elevation started at 7850 ft and went down to 6700 ft. 

Found it! It's hidden in some bushes. I know bears love this place! Lots of water, berries, and good places to hide. Good thing we didn't see any...

The spring is behind us. Isn't Sookie's backpack too cute?

Why it's called Mud Spring.

The trail near Mud Spring. A big change from the rest of the trail.

Great views. One day, I'd like to hike down to Sabino Canyon one day. That's about 15 miles one way. 

Back up the trail to my car. 

This is what finally killed my legs today.

It was about 6 miles total. 3 downhill and 3 back up. And that is one hard hike!

We hiked half of the red dashed line. 

So, last night, I covered my legs in Tiger Balm. Smelly stuff, but it works. The pain in my leg has faded a little. But I have more practices coming up. I hope my legs can handle it!

*crossing my fingers*

:)

Friday Favorites

1. My last Friday of freedom. Not sure if this can be classified as a favorite. Yay for Friday, but I start the beginning of my last year as an undergrad Monday. Somewhat bittersweet. Although, I'm not quite sure how I feel yet. Give me a few days. ;)
   
2. I saved a dog yesterday. Really. I was driving home when I saw this small shih-tzu running around in circles in a front yard near a main road. I didn't see anyone in the front yard, so I stopped the car and got out, just to make sure. I'm a sucker for animals, so this happens all. the. time.
   As soon as I got out, the little pup ran right over to me and tried to hide in my legs. She was muddy, shaking and soaked. It was storming pretty badly and I guessed she was freaked out by the thunder, escaped from her house and got lost. She was pretty small so I figured she wasn't far from her house. And I was right! My mom and I went door to door (yup, it was still storming) and about 5 houses later...we found her owner! And she was really really happy to have her back! I think I wouldn't have felt as great if they didn't even know she was gone. But that wasn't the case. They were really worried about her! It was perhaps the highlight of my week. I'm still smiling about it. :) :) :)
   
3. I love love love my job. I work for the Girl Scouts now and it is an amazing job that gets more and more rewarding each day. What more could I ask for?
   
4. I started my training plans for the Mount Lemmon Half Marathon. Yes, I'm moving down to the half and I'm okay with it. Sure, I had plans to run the marathon and I was so excited about it. However, life gets in the way, as it did in my case. But I made the decision on my own (as in, no one influenced me) and I'm proud of myself for stepping down. I know I can be very competitive, so this is a major step. All of my runs have been at night and I can't wait until I can starting running in the morning again. I have this wonderful plan of waking up early before school, biking over to the rec center, using all of the fancy machines, and being extremely fit this year. Think I can do it? *crossing my fingers*  I sure hope I can!
   
   
   
   
5. I am seriously considering sending in an application for the Real World. One of my life goals is to be on The Challenge (it used to be called Real World/Road Rules Challenge). I'll let you know if I plan on doing it. I have to send in a video so I'll definitely have to show you that. :)

Training and Stress

My training for the Mount Lemmon Marathon starts in a week!

Eek!

Since Mount Lemmon shut down a few weeks ago, I've been pretty depressed about it. I was planning on training up at camp on the trails, but that may not happen for at least another few weeks. And then I was planning to run up the highway, along the marathon course. But no runners or bikers are allowed on the road due to evacuation concerns. So all of my plans thus far have be derailed. I am considering buying a month gym membership at the Racquet Club so I can run on the treadmill. But I don't want it to go to waste. As soon as it rains, my butt is back up that mountain and that could be anytime. And I already told you how hot it is outside down in Tucson.

So I'm in a predicament. And it's kind of really stressing me out. I haven't run in weeks because of the closure. I can't stop thinking about how my training starts in a week. But I also can't stop thinking about much I want to run this thing. I have been waiting awhile to do a marathon. I was so intimidated by it at first and now I know I can run it. I have to run it. I'm going to run it.

I just wish I could stop stressing about everything. Everything will work out. It has to rain soon....right?

Tackling the Mt. Lemmon Marathon

I'm going to do it! I'm switiching from the Mt. Lemmon Half Marathon to the Mt. Lemmon Marathon. 

This is very exciting for me because:
1.) This will be my very first, mi primer, marathon! 
2.) It is a mostly uphill course with an elevation change of 5250 feet! Loving the challenge!
3.) A lot of people are intimidated by this marathon, they refuse to do it. They think I'm crazy for even thinking about doing it.
4.) I'll have an extra 13 miles to take in the amazing views. 

Last years winner.

Mt. Lemmon means a lot to me. I was born and raised here in Tucson and Mt. Lemmon has always been right out my window. I spend almost every summer up there as a camp counselor. I also hike and camp up there too during the other times of the year. It's pretty much my home away from home. I love Mt. Lemmon. And now, with the opportunity to run up it, it is very exciting and it makes me happy to be a runner.
 

Check out that view!

I regret not doing it last year. Last year was it's very first year and I felt a little intimidated by it since I had just started running in January. I wanted to be involved however, so I volunteered. I enjoyed seeing the runners tackle this crazy race. I loved seeing the motivation and their strength. 

I even got to meet Bart Yasso!

So this year is the year. I'm finally going to do a marathon and I'm going to do the one that means the most to me. This is the training plan I picked up on the website:

I like it because it's tailored to running the mountain. Other plans I looked at don't factor in the intense incline. 

I'll be adding in trails, of course. :)
I'll be up on the mountain as summer so I'll have plenty of time to train during breaks at camp. 

Official Training will begin on July 3rd! 

Anyone else planning on running it?

Two race recaps are coming your way, just as soon as I upload the photos. 

A trail run is planned for this weekend on Mt. Lemmon. I need to get used to the elevation before training starts. 

Happy Thursday!

Marathon Training: Week 1 Thus Far...

Week 1- DONE AND DONE!
I’m doing pretty well. Sure, it’s only been a week, but I have to stay positive, right?
I’m just starting out, so a missed day here and there doesn’t hurt. I’ve heard that if I stick to at least 90% of my training I’ll be okay come race day. I just need to print out my calendar and stick it on the fridge! So far, I missed one easy run because I read the schedule wrong. I’m going off an old schedule, so I got the days mixed up, silly me.  The other run I didn’t miss completely, I just couldn’t finish it. I was supposed to do my long run (3 miles, so I didn’t miss much) on Saturday. And I did…for the most part. I got about a mile and a half in. The lightning was what got me to go inside; otherwise, I would have finished it. Trust me. :)

In honor of my 1^st week completed, I bought a little something for myself...

I thought it would make running a little easier. Now, I don’t have to throw my water bottle from hand to hand when one gets tired of holding it. Sweet! Next week: maybe new shoes? I probably shouldn’t get in the habit of buying myself new gear every week of marathon training…but it’s so much fun getting new stuff! :D Plus, it motivates me to work harder the next week for something new. Does anybody else do this (or something else less expensive)  to push themselves during training?

Don’t worry, I won’t be working as much as I am now which means no moolah. *sigh* And that means I’ll have to buy other things to survive…like food. Oh well, I guess food is pretty good too. Thus is the life of a college student.

Have a great week! :D