Confessions of an Amateur Athlete

The Y Race Phoenix  2017 was my second half marathon in just a week, and even though my legs paid for it, it was a fantastic event! This was my first time running the Y Race Phoenix Half Marathon, 5k, 10k & 1 mile fun run benefiting the YMCA. And I discovered this hidden gem has been around for 49 years.

The Arizona Distance Classic Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, and 5k is a true hidden gem in Oro Valley, Arizona! This was my first time running the event, and I had an absolute blast. Read on to find out why as I share the details about my awesome race weekend. credit: Oro Valley Photography

I've ran the Rock n Roll Las Vegas before ( last year's recap ) But this time I had the opportunity to see a side of Las Vegas I'd never had the chance to experience before! 

I wasn't on my selfie A-game for this race.  So how do I tell my  Phoenix Marathon  story? How about 13.1 things that make this race really stand out! Think it can't be done? Read on!

Lately I've seen a ton of negative reviews coming from the San Francisco Marathon.  Such as THIS one. However, every race is an entirely different experience for each individual runner. And I'm here to tell you that I LOVED the San Francisco Marathon!  I had bad plantar fasciitis, was in pain the last few miles, but STILL had a great time.  So that says a lot.  Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I'll keep the PROs and CONs short.  Then we'll get to ALL the awesome pics. ;-) Now, here's a quick rundown of the PROs: --The weather was PERFECT!   Overcast, foggy, slightly chilly but perfect for a full marathon.  The sun DID come out a little later but not until about mile 20.  -- The start was practically right under the Bay Bridge and since we were staring early, it was still night.   The Bridge was all lit up and made for an awesome start! --The scenery! I wasn't the only one snapping selfi...

PART ONE Team FAST & FABULOUS My Team and I just finished the Ragnar Trail Relay at Snowmass this past weekend.  It was an amazing adventure!  This was my first trail Ragnar, and it was very different from the regular road Ragnar Relay events.  Should you run the trail versus the road Ragnar Relay?  Is a Ragnar Trail Relay for you?  I'll share my experience and let you decide for yourself! We all arrived via different routes to the Snowmass village, just outside of Aspen on Thursday.  We stayed at the Westin and they offered a really great deal for Ragnar runners!  Besides a great price, the "Ragnar Trail Perks" package included a catered dinner at the Snowmass Club with a guest speaker!  View from hotel! On the shuttle ride to the dinner, we had the chance for an impromptu Q&A with the Race Director.  He informed us that about 40% of the Ragnar Trail participants in the past have said ...

Day after my race, and the adrenaline is still flowing!  Great race + Great friends= Great time!  But let's start at the beginning. Here's my Race Review for the Rock and Roll Arizona! Rock n Roll Expos are the best in my experience.  I always get excited going to their expos. There were a few minor things I noticed at this one.  A couple of sponsors that I typically always see weren't there.  Five hour energy, muscle milk, etc.  Big brands that I love visiting for the swag.  But there were still plenty more swag items to pick up, lots of great deals on race attire, etc.   All in all the expo was still a success, just seemed smaller this year.  Still a better expo than many other races I've participated in.  My favorite booth this year was the Post cereal tent.  I'm a cereal connoisseur and I ate my fill of it! After the expo, I carb loaded with more than a dozen other friends also running the race.  I al...