Napa To Sonoma & Eugene Half

I am going to try to keep this short since I am a few races behind.

On Sunday 7/20 I ran the Napa To Sonoma Half Marathon.  If you like wine, beautiful scenery and running then this race should be on your bucket list.  If you hate wine and feeling like you're in a postcard then this race would be your nightmare and also we shouldn't ever hang out.  I didn't have a stellar performance myself but I still can't get over what an awesome course and race this was. First off, the organization on race day exceeded my expectations.  We parked down by the finish line, loaded onto a shuttle and were dropped off at Domaine Carneros.

On the Napa-Sonoma Line.  Very similar to the Florida-Georgia Line.

The scenery was unbelievable.  You literally start in the middle of a vineyard, where I watched the Oiselle ladies and Lauren Fleshman warm up around the lake while Meb did laps on the Elliptigo. It was one of those is-this-real-life-? race moments.

Just chillin in a vineyard waiting to run 13.1

This race was made even better by the fact that I somehow convinced MFR to join me very last minute - thanks to a bib transfer. Besides doing Hood To Coast every year, MFR is not a big distance runner.  He prefers training for Oly tri's, basketball, tennis, golf...just about anything other than running past that 6.2 mile mark.  So the fact that he ran N2S the weekend before doing another half in Eugene is nothing short of a miracle.  The alternative of having breakfast with my 96 year old Grandma while I ran might have also swayed his decision.

Couples who run together....run together

#team10barrel top, Nuun sunglasses, Picky Club sweatband & Oiselle Rogas - all the bases covered

To save you the mile by mile replay, I'll just say the race went okay.  I was really full again, as in this must be what it feels like to run pregnant feeling.  I just ate way too much the night before and the morning of.  I was running on tired legs and had to walk some in the last 3 miles.  I also stopped at the lone beer stand for a shot of Guinness at mile 11.  Why not?

I pushed through the last few miles and ended with a 2:04, a few seconds off my Zooma time.  As long as I live in the Bay Area, this race will be an annual tradition.  Honestly I don't think it gets much better as far as courses and scenery go. I think it sells out day of as well so if you're interested, stay on it!

Wine medal #2

Next up was Eugene this past Sunday (7/26).  It was a weekend filled with friends, family and reminiscing in my "hometown."  The race itself was great, I've always loved Eugene marathon.  It's a good course, good size and finishing on Hayward Field is surreal.  I was having too much fun to be bothered with photos but here are the two horrible pics I took all weekend:

Expo

Dad, MFR, Bro, Mom, Nephew #1, Sis-In-Law, Nephew #2

This was my 3rd time running Eugene (2008,2009) and my fastest to date. For the 3rd week in a row I ended up within a 30 second window with a time of 2:05, a few seconds off N2S.  The not so funny part was I thought I had Sub 2'ed.  I ran Garmin-less with two friends and although we chatted the entire time, I thought we were going at a pretty good clip.  I should have known better since I normally can't hold a conversation and run at the same time.

When I found out it was 2:05 I was shocked but not that disappointed.  It was a great weekend and fun race and that's what I expected on my tired legs.  At least I am consistent.  Afterwards I ate ALL the pancakes, showered up and met up with these two for ReNUUNion beers!

Ninkasi w/ Sweaty & Devon

After 3 half marathons in 4 weeks, I am ready to concentrate on Hood To Coast and New York.  I am starting with a good base and now it's time to focus on the marathon.  I'll worry about that Sub-2, PR'ing the half etc... after November 2nd.

I am coming for you NY - Actually looking at this photo makes me think I should reconsider this PR goal.

Zooma Napa Valley Runner Report: Me

On Saturday I ran the Zooma Napa Valley Half Marathon. It was a great race and a blast running with my fellow ambassadors. Over the past weeks, a few of us did runner profiles of other Zooma participants and last week we were asked to post our own. It's a little late but here goes:

Name: Kara, Bird Legs or Bird to my friends

Age: 32
Current City: San Francisco, CA

Race (10K or half marathon): Half Marathon

Why are you running ZOOMA Napa Valley?  
I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ambassador for this race but I would have run it regardless. It's local, it's my favorite distance, it's in wine country and I've heard great things about the Zooma race series. When they announced the new location in Napa, it was a no brainer.

When & why did you start running?  

I started running in 2006 when I signed up to do an Olympic triathlon with Team in Training. For a few years I only did it as part of tri training. I've only really been serious about running on it's own since 2012. I run because I love the community and experiences running presents. I also love the way I feel when I am done with a run.

How many races have you done & which was your favorite?  

I've done over 50 races (60 if you include triathlons). It's hard to pick but the Napa Valley Marathon which I ran in March was definitely one of my favorites. The course was so beautiful, it was the perfect sized field and I ran a great race. I'd recommend it to anyone considering doing a marathon.

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be & why?  

Jennifer Aniston because she is my life idol. I am pretty sure we'd be besties if we started running together and she could fill me in on her anti-aging secrets. I know that's ridiculous but I don't apologize for my lifetime celebrity girl crush.

What is your favorite running memory?  
Running Hood To Coast with Team Nuun last year. It will take a lot to top that weekend.

What is your one running must-have?  

My Brooks and my allergy medicine.

What is your favorite post-run indulgence?  

A sandwich in my neighborhood called the SanFranPyscho - honey turkey, gouda, garlic spread etc... and an ice cold 10 Barrel Apoclypse IPA.

Who is your running inspiration?  
All my friends who run, both in real life and in blogger-world. I take pieces of inspiration from each of them. Everyone has different training plans, goals and attitudes towards running. No two runners are the same so I look to different people to inspire me in different areas (training, speed, nutrition, recovery, mental toughness, strategy, fueling, races, attitude etc...). That's what's so great about the running community. Even after years of running, I still learn something new and am inspired daily.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from running? 

It's all about balance.

Check out some of the awesome ambassadors I had the honor of running with this weekend:

Miriam from LongRun Happiness 
Amanda from Running On Waffles 
Katherine from Dream Body Warrior 
Lynda from FITNESSMOMWINECOUNTRY 
Karen from Reason To Play 
Nicole from The Slow Life

Zooma Napa Valley Runner Report: Andrea from San Bruno

The ZOOMA Napa Valley Ambassadors are excited to bring you our Zooma Napa Valley Runner Report Series. Each week we’ll be featuring a ZOOMA Napa Valley half marathon or 10K runner on each of our blogs. As women runners, we want to use our role as Ambassadors to highlight and share the stories behind the incredible women preparing to run ZOOMA in June. Each runner has a special and unique story, and we invite you to learn about our runners through this series. Please feel free to click through the links at the end of each post to read about additional ZOOMA racers.

For week three, I am spotlighting Andrea from San Bruno, CA.  If you want to be inspired then look no further.  Andrea's story is why I love runners and the whole community.  She's lost a ton of weight, looks amazing and has now run too many races to count.  If you're considering running and you think it's not in the cards, this is the motivation you need to see it's possible.  Andrea - you truly are an inspiration and I look forward to meeting you in Napa!  And I hear ya on the Brooks:)

Name: Andrea Hall   

Age: 32

Current City: San Bruno, CA

Race (10K or half marathon): Half Marathon

Why are you running ZOOMA Napa Valley? 

I wanted to run a women’s half and my first half was in wine country—it was beautiful!  I’ve heard some positive feedback about ZOOMA races as well so I wanted in!  And a part of me always runs for all those who don’t think that they can…yet.  So for all the women who look at your event and think “wow, that’s cool I wish I could run” I do this until they all realize that they CAN!

When & why did you start running? 

Around 2010, I’d lost about 50 lbs (with a lot more to go) and the walking I was doing was starting to get easier.  I knew to continue on my healthy living journey I was going to have to continue to challenge myself to try activities that would push me to physical levels I’d yet to get to. 

How many races have you done & which was your favorite? 

I’ve completed 11 half marathons since my first in Aug of 2012.  I’ve honestly lost tract of the other distances that I’ve run because I’ve done so many—5Ks, 10Ks, mini marathons, etc!

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be & why?

Do they have to be runners too? LOL.  I’d want to run with…you know I seriously pondered this—I passed it initially when I didn’t have an immediate answer—and I can honestly say that I don’t desire to run with a celebrity.  BUT a dream run would be with all my social media friends/followers/inspirations in one event.  Where the race expo is our pre party and meet/greet and the post-race is just one big social media party—we leave the weekend truly as friends and not just followers!

What is your favorite running memory? 

Definitely completing my first half--it was a wave of emotions!  I was proud of myself for accomplishing my goal, sad my Mom wasn’t physically with me anymore to see what I’ve accomplished and happy because my best friend’s sign asked me to be her Maid of Honor!  There’s something about your first half that can never be replaced by any PR or run moment!

What is your one running must-have? 

My Brooks!  Not that I condone running naked ;) but my Brooks running shoes are definitely my BFF when it comes to running!

What is your favorite post-run indulgence? 

I always look forward to some LF chocolate milk when I cross the finish line.  But I also enjoy some hearty breakfast post run like pancakes and bacon!

Who is your running inspiration? 

My best friend who got me into running and my Mom who I’ll always keep on keepin on for!  She was my first (and always will be) “cheerleader”!

What is the most important lesson you have learned from running? 

I CAN do anything that I set my mind and focus on!  Consistent and hard work will get me anywhere I want to go!

Want to read about more of our amazing ZOOMA runners? Check them out here: 

Alison on LongRun Happiness 
Sarah on Running On Waffles 
Deb on Dream Body Warrior 
Deborah on FITNESSMOMWINECOUNTRY 
Stephanie on Reason To Play 
Jan on The Slow Life

Are you running ZOOMA Napa Valley and would like to be featured in our Runner Report series? Email runningonwaffles@gmail.com for more information

Some Quick Things

Besides a short run and yoga class, I've taken the last week and a half off to let myself recover properly post marathon.  I am already anxious to get back running.  Despite my lack of sweat; I do have some random updates to share.

I am participating in the Zooma photo a day challenge via Instagram.  Each day has a different theme and they are giving out a pair of Altra running shoes every Friday. I've missed the past two days due to work travel distractions but I'll be back with a vengeance for today's hydrate theme.  Nuun anyone?

Speaking of Nuun; they are being pretty awesome lately.  New product launch - Nuun Energy.  I bought the sampler pack and will be reporting back soon but considering I love Nuun and caffeine, it's sure to impress.  Also, they are giving away a team entry to (the sold out) Hood To Coast 2014.  It's no secret that I love me some HTC, we're going on year 7.  The downside is it's a pain in the ass to get into and it's expensive, so Nuun has solved that.  Details are here and you have to enter by Monday March, 17th. 

Nuun Energy

I finally got a new pair of running shoes yesterday. Sticking of course with my one true love/worlds best running shoe, the Brooks Launch.  My old pair were about 300 miles past their prime and about 200 days bast their ripeness.  They got me through three Sub- 2 Hour half-marathons, a half marathon PR and a marathon PR.  Launch purple/silver ya done good. It's the end of an era but it's time to move on to the caribbean/silver/coral (aka the only color they currently have in my size).

Welcome Home

While I was purchasing these bad boys, I saw on the Brooks blog that they are requesting race medals which they are going to build a massive runner shaped statue out of at their new building in Seattle.  Details are here on how you can become part of Brooks history.  I've already sent my Mountains To Beach medal in.  And when I say "my" I mean MFR's since he also did that race and I can't part with any of my hard earned medals so I used his "duplicate."  He'll never even notice.

Although I've been laying low on the workouts, I have been following along with the Lorna Jane March Ab Challenge.  It only takes me a few minutes each morning and I can already feel a difference.

Finally February stats:
Running: 84 Miles
Spinning: 29 Miles
Weights: 45 min
Yoga: 1 Hour

Not stellar but it was enough for a marathon PR so I'll take it.