Taper Time & Zooma Napa Valley Ambassador

Today I ran my last 20 miler before I start tapering down for NVM.  It feels good to be on the downward slope.  I've put in the work, now I just wait and hope it pays off on race day.  Last week I received a package in the mail from Tritreats and was very excited to find our 2nd place trophy from our Ragnar Vegas Ultra Team.  Granted we were 2 of 2 but that's not the point, the point is we got a trophy from an actual race.  I had a great weekend in the rainy city, relaxing and hanging with friends.  During a Sat. morning excursion, I ended up at Lorna Jane and came across this little gem:

Lorna Jane Active Living Journal
I track all my workouts online but I like to have a physical "journal" as well to plan my week ahead while I am in bed on Sunday night.  It fun to look back through and it's just nice to have a break from being on my phone/i-pad/laptop non-stop.  Last year I used the Believe I am Journal to track all my training and loved it, but when I went get one for 2014 they were sold out:(  Enter the Move Nourish Believe Diary.  It's got a great layout to log workouts but also some good healthy recipes, motivational quotes, workout tips etc... to keep you inspired.

Added bonus - it's only $20 now.

I am beyond excited to announce that I was selected as an ambassador for the Zooma Napa Valley race, taking place on June 28th.  If I could create the perfect race, this would be it.  It's flat, small, on a Saturday (very rare), great swag-bag, in wine country and has an awesome medal.  Nailed it.  I'll be running the half marathon but there is also a 10K distance.

Medal

I've been wanting to do a Zooma race for a long time.  It's a women-centric race series that was started in 2008 by Brae Blackley who has done an amazing job of combining a girls weekend with a race-cation.  Really the only acceptable way to do a race.  As you can see below they have some great locations and this will be their inaugural race in Napa.

• Mission: To inspire women to live healthy, happy, & active lives.
• Boutique events in awe-inspiring destinations with a “fit girls weekend” schedule of activities
• 2014 events held in Amelia Island, FL, Austin, TX, Annapolis, MD, Napa, CA, Chicago, IL, & Cape Cod (Falmouth), MA

What does it mean to be an ambassador?  It means that I get to help spread the word about this race and evangelize the Zooma mission.  Along with other local ambassadors we'll be helping out by working some expos and leading a few group runs for people training for the race.  All things I am really looking forward to. Here's a great description of the weekend:
  
You’ll be welcomed to your wine country getaway with a Fitness Expo at the host resort, then feted at the Honest Tea Mocktail Party. Walk from your cozy bed to the start line to run an unforgettable race through the vines.  After the race, its time to celebrate with an After-Party Expo at the host resort, including wine tastings, live music, a pool party, food, and shopping. After a quick shower, you and your best running girlfriends can visit some of the best winery tasting rooms in the country.

What's in it for you?  Did I mention it's in Napa?  If you're still not convinced read this recap of Zooma Florida by Runladylike.  It's what convinced me that I had to do one of these races.  As an added incentive you get 10% off registration fees, for either distance when you use the code: NAMB10.  Come join for my two favorite activities, wine tasting and running.  Hope to see you there.