Brutal Course?

Last Saturday, promptly at 7:30am, Laura and I each started our appropriate technological running devices and set off for a 16 mile run.  From Laura’s house we headed into Fremont, crossed over the Fremont Bridge, ran along the water, up and over 15^th and into Magnolia.  We used those first few miles to get warmed up and find a comfortable pace.  Once we got into Magnolia, the route leans in an upward slant to the entrance of Discovery Park.  Just outside the park, I needed to stop because I had a “rock in my shoe”.  ;)  Those darn rocks!  After the adjustments were made, Laura and I continued up, up, up….  We rounded a corner and the view was beautiful.  Despite the grey day, the setting was picturesque.  The Islands, calm water and a ferry boat set the backdrop.  Those are the moments that make the run/pain/hills all worth it.  Had I not been out for a run, I would have missed it.  Another reward was presented to us, downhill to the water; Out to the lighthouse and along the bay while listening to the waves lap the shore.  It always ends too quickly – back up to the top!  Coming out of Discovery Park, we headed to the Ballard Locks.  Laura and I were able to have a few jelly beans while we watched the crew boats pass through the locks.  Laura also got to enjoy an earshot of her favorite thing; a guided tour about flora and fauna.  Leaving the Locks and Elm tree behind, our next destination was Golden Gardens.  Five miles to go…I am beginning to get tired, but just five left – I can do it! We can do it!  Three miles – I need to stretch.  “Are you sure we haven’t run more than 13 miles?!  I am really tired!”  Laura and I are both feeling pain in various parts of our bodies; Laura and her knee, my hamstrings and left foot.  Let’s be done!  Two miles, one mile, home!  Phew we made it.  “I told you it was a hard run!”
Both Laura and I are recovering from the run and nursing our injuries.  Thanks to Dr. Scott and his team at Elite Sport and Spine (http://elitesportsandspine.com/)!  I hope Laura and I will both be out for a run this weekend.

Check out the 6 days of running Laura and I will be doing in August. http://transrockies.com/transrockiesrun/transrockies/race_route.htm  (Scroll to the bottom)

50/50 update

The pot has grown a considerable amount!  We are over $500, let’s keep it going – Can we hit $1000 or $1500?  Don’t miss your chance at winning half the pot, buy your tickets today!  Spread the word.  Drawing will be held on Feb. 14^th.

Saturday (1/28) Run & Some Other Fun

I am striving to get better at keeping up with posting.....
In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, I changed the background. Heart

Saturday Laura and I will head out for our 16mile run from her house at 7:30am.  Our route will cover Discovery Park, Golden Gardens, Ballard and Freemont.  If you are interested in joining for some or all of the run, please let Laura or I know.

Everyday Athlete in Kirkland will be hosting a Ragnar Training Run on Monday Feb. 13th @ 6:30pm.  After the run is a Ragnar 101 clinic.  This is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in or running Ragnar for their first time.  It is also a chance for "old hats" to meet other Ragnar teams, share/trade tips on how to have a successful race and possibly win some prizes.  Here are details for the event

Ragnar Relay Training Run Monday, February 13th!
Join Everyday Athlete and Ragnar Monday, February 13th at 6:30pm for a Fun Run and a Ragnar Relay 101 Clinic to follow.  Think of this as Ragnar Basic Training:  learn tips on how to make this year's Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage the best time of your life, meet other Ragnar runners or start a team.  You'll have the chance to have all of your life questions answered (at least those involving Ragnar and running relays) by the Race Director, meet other Ragnar Brand Ambassadors in your neighborhood, and maybe win some awesome prizes from Ragnar's amazing sponsors including Clif Bar, GU, Nathan Hydration, and Petzl (we're still in the process of badgering them into giving us stuff to give away!).  As an added bonus, everyone who attends will receive $5 dollars off of a registration to ** Captain Jack's 8K, as well as the  March Forth 5K/10K (As the name eludes to, this race is on March 4th, nice double entandra!) in Seattle at Green Lake.  We're also giving 10% off any regularly priced merchandise in addition to our Customer Rewards Program which effectively is a 20% discount!

**Also hosted by Everyday Athlete is the Captain Jack's 8k on Sunday April 15th at Juanita Beach Park (8:30am start time).
Who doesn't love to dress up and talk like a pirate while running?!  Every person gets a prize from the treasure chest at the end of the race.  For more details check out the link below.
http://www.everydayathlete.us/CJ8k.htm

Remember back in November when Laura and I did our first trail run - Grand Ridge?  Well, we enjoyed the small race size, straight uphill climbs, plummeting downhills, falling in the mud and the AWESOME snacks that Evergreen Trail Runs (http://www.evergreentrailruns.com/) provides; we decided to tackle another race.  Today, Laura and I registered for the Lord Hill Trail run on February 26th.  We will be running the 20 mile course (2 laps around the 10 mile course) with a total elevation gain of 3400 feet.  Here is a link to the details and a map of the route.  http://www.evergreentrailruns.com/226-lord-hill-trail-run      Wish us luck! :)

50/50 Raffle Update -
The pot is up to $130 so far.  Let's keep it growing! Can we reach $1,000? Winner takes $500!  $2/ticket or $10/tickets.  Who wants tickets?  Get your tickets!!  Contact me: tamariasanderson@gmail.com or 206-226-7746 or through FB

Happy Running!
Tamaria

50/50 Raffle

Hello!

I am back from Maui and recovering from snowpocolyps.  It has been a rough couple of weeks.  I got a few of my training runs in, but not as much as I would have liked.  Such is life, right.  We do what we can.  I hope to be posting some pictures I took with my phone while on my 16 mile run in Maui.  I just have to figure out how to do that...

Laura and I enjoyed a 10 mile snow/ice run on Saturday.  We also got some resistance training while on the Burke-Gillman trail.  You can run as fast as you want and get nowhere on ice!  Laura got in another 7 on Sunday while I stuffed about 7lbs of chip & dip in my mouth while enjoying friends and some football games.  I made up for it on Monday with a 10 mile hill run.

While we were running (still), Laura and I decided on our next fundraiser!  It is a 50/50 drawing.  What is a 50/50 drawing you ask?  It is the best kind - whoever wins the drawing gets half the pot and the rest goes to us for fundraising.  Everyone wins!  Well, I guess that is only three people.....
We are selling tickets now through Feb. 13th.  We will draw a name on Feb. 14. $2/ticket or $10/10 tickets.  Please contact me (tamariasanderson@gmail.com or 206-226-7746) if you are interested in purchasing tickets.  We are going to do cash or check for this raffle.  So far the pot is up to $60 - lets see if we can hit $1000, winner takes home $500!!

This weekend Laura and I are scheduled to run 16 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday.  Saturday will be a mix of road and trail.  I think we may hit the Tolt Pipeline for at least 10 of the 16.  Not sure the route for Sunday yet.  We would love to have anyone join us - let me know if you are interested.  Tomorrow, I will post our routes.

Thanks again for all of your support!
~T & L

Gaiters - When You Are Gettin' Dirty

For all of you ladies that are into getting dirty, check out this website.  Laura and I will be purchasing a pair or two.
http://www.dirtygirlgaiters.com/index.html

Stay tuned.....details will be posted soon regarding a drawing.  Starting tomorrow, we will be selling raffle tickets.

Tough

Happy New Year!

Here we are in 2012!  Although we don’t have flying cars, we can sit in the movie theater sending an email from our “smart” phone!  Didn’t see that one coming :)

After taking some “time off” to enjoy the holidays, Laura and I are back at it.  January not only brings a new year, but a 32 week training schedule and 28 weeks left to fundraise.  January 1^st marked the inaugural day of training with a 14 mile run.  Laura and I were not able to run together as Laura was visiting friends in Montana.  After her solo run in MT, I received a text message from her; “14 miles in MT elevation – kicked my ass!”  Laura has since returned home and asked me, “Are we going to die during this race?  How in the hell are we going to run starting at 9,000 feet elevation?!”  I responded like I knew what I was talking about, “We will be fine!  People climb mountains all the time and they live/train at sea level.”  Little did she know I was and continue to frantically search Google to find articles, books, blogs, etc. of training tips on how to live through this race!  Thankfully, there is a wealth of information out there and most of it has been encouraging!  I believe that through our training – all the mileage, hills, stairs and cross training – and our very strong wills; we will finish, alive!

If anyone is interested in running with us, just contact us.  I will post our runs on a weekly basis with where we plan to run.  Join for all or part of the run - the more the merrier!!

Next on the agenda – fundraising!  28 weeks left to reach our fundraising goal of $5500.  To date, we have raised $1800 (thanks to everyone who has helped us!) - Only $3700 more to go.  If I am doing the math correctly, that means we need to raise an average of $132/week to reach our goal…..can we do it!?  Not without your help.  Any amount helps!  Not only are you helping Laura and I on this amazing adventure, you are helping SOS Outreach.  SOS Outreach is a non-profit organization that provides underprivileged kids in a chance to learn a fun skill (skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing) while incorporating a value-based leadership curriculum (http://www.sosoutreach.org/page/about-sos-1).  Your donations will help the Seattle chapter of SOS Outreach.   
You can help us spread the word by posting our blog on your FB wall or sharing our stories with your friends and family.
Thank you again - we won’t be able to say it enough!

As always, keep checking back for updates and events!
Laura and Tamaria