Mountain Mother Runner

RaceHer Box is a brand new subscription box that is launching this summer! I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ambassador to receive a box early and check out the goodies, so I can share it with you! The online shop on their website opens for sales starting June 1st and customers have until June 30th to order the July box. The first boxes will be shipped between July 5-7. RaceHer Boxes are shipped  bi-monthly , costing $35.  RaceHer Box is the ONLY running subscription box just for women runners. Everything inside is designed to help a lady runner feel motivated, empowered and have more fun running! Boxes typically include 2-3 pieces of run-specific gear, 1-2 snacks, 1-2 pampering items and something extra just for fun (5-7 items total). The value of the box will always exceed the cost- this month’s box has a retail value of $60. Founded by Stephanie , a long-time runner, who wanted a way to encourage the women in the running community and celebrate the love of a running lifestyle.

You may be just as confused as me when you read “ultra (?) training”. What is up with the question mark? Well, that has been on my mind for the last week. Initially, I was excited simply to decide to run a six hour endurance race . Stepping out of my comfort zone and pushing the unknown limits of my body/mind is mysterious, desirable, and exciting. Nothing is more satisfying than reaching a point that you’ve never achieved before. I’ve always been a competitive person, and something I enjoy about running is that it’s more of a competition between me, myself, and I. Don’t get me wrong, I sure love pushing and trying to snag a place in my age group, but I’d rather beat my previous goal than focus on beating someone else. With that in mind, I have been reading and watching videos on ultra running. Technically, anything further than a marathon (26.2 miles) can be considered an ultra. After looking at some standard ultra race distances, I came across the 50k (31ish miles). Originally,

Every runner has a unique story. The idea behind writing these Featured Runner posts is to shine the spotlight on bada** women who can inspire you in a variety of ways, while getting a taste of their training plans, advice, and race day superstitions! You may decide to go on your first run, sign up for a local race, join a running club, or push yourself to new distances. The ladies featured here will range from beginners to half marathoners to trail ultra runners. Without further ado, let’s get to know Augusta Gail , this week’s featured runner! I am happy to have Augusta as our very first Featured Runner. Her confidence, creativity, and overall awesomeness sets the standards pretty high for the ladies who we will meet in the future! Augusta is a Los Angeles livin' lady, YA fantasy writer, and creepy cute model who manages to juggle all sorts of creative projects while having a passion for running, too!    Name: Augusta Gail Age: (optional) 27 Wher

The second week of ultra (?) training is over and everyone is surviving so far. Our daughter seems to enjoy cruising around in the stroller more compared to going to the YMCA and my husband holds down the fort for me to get some solo runs in too. Having the structure of certain mile requirements and specific rest days has been a nice change. I’ve only followed, loosely followed , a training plan before. Being a stay at home mom for me has typically meant no plans or structured anything can really be followed. Little Boo wakes up with a runny nose, we stay home so she doesn’t get other kids sick and they don’t give her even more germs. Then, we stay home a few more days "just in case", which quickly adds up for time spent at home/not running. Life is unpredictable with a babe, so we’ve gotta go with the flow.  SUNDAY: Walked 1 mile MONDAY: RAN 3.0 miles @11:42 pace on the trails TUESDAY: RAN 6.06 miles @8:25 pace + strength + walked .5 miles WEDNESDAY: Walked

First off, Happy Mother’s Day everyone! Many families went out for a special brunch so their Mama wouldn’t have to cook breakfast OR lunch (isn’t that the magic of brunch?). How did you get to celebrate today? To share some extra love with your mama, head over to these 18 Quotes about Motherhood . Today marks my third official holiday of being a mother and it has definitely been unique! My husband woke me up at 4:30am and sang me a beautiful “Momma Bear” song he came up with, before leaving for the airport. I fell back asleep, only to hear Eisley calling, “Mommmmmma, Momma come here!” at 6:20, which is about an hour early for her. My plan to not cook today included making a smoothie last night so it’d be waiting for me in the fridge for breakfast. It was a yummy dark chocolate almond milk, raw cacao, banana, spinach, flax meal, and protein powder smoothie to power me through the day. We read books and played for a while, then rode the bus downtown for our little lunch date at t

Have you ever doubted your potential? I have. I do it more than I probably should. Sometimes there are thoughts that creep into my mind and eventually they appear to be truths. In reality, these thoughts are “stuck points” that leave me convincing myself, “I can’t run that far” or “I’ll never be that fast”. But then something strange happens…you pass that unpassable distance or run faster than you ever believed you could. You break through your wall! My personal ‘wall’ is my speed (or lack of). Beautiful Bellingham! Last Saturday was the 24 th annual Haggen toHaggen Fun Run or Walk , hosted by the Greater Bellingham Running Club. The race starts at the Sehome Village Haggen store, winds North through the streets of downtown Bellingham, and then finishes at the Meridian Haggen location. Early bird registration for GBRC members was free (as usual), only $7 for runners, and $5 for walkers. Normal registration fees went up to $10 for both runners and walkers after April 18 th ,

The first week of May went off to a great start. I was finally able to enjoy a trail run with my friend who is training for the Ski to Sea relay event later this month. She will be doing the downhill running leg of the race, 8 miles down Mt Baker! Our PNW weather has remained fairly warm with a few rain showers mixed in, so I only went to the gym one day this week. Nice to be spending more time outdoors without getting wet! SUNDAY: RAN 6.76 miles @8:32 pace MONDAY: Rest TUESDAY: RAN 7.41 miles @8:15 pace/walk .5 miles WEDNESDAY: Rest (turned Massage Practitioner Program application in!) THURSDAY: RAN 4.05 miles @8:02 pace FRIDAY: Rest (Race Director meeting) SATURDAY: RAN 3.2 miles @7:06 pace in Haggen to Haggen 5k! Total weekly miles: 21.92 Tuesday was treadmill day which focused on interval speed work. I did a 1 mile warm up, 2 min@8mph/2min@7mph for 4 miles, then a short cool down, totaling 7.41 miles at an 8:15 pace. Wednesday was an exciting rest da

After the Runnin’ O the Green 5k race experience of pushing Eisley along in her BOB stroller, I decided we should try to squeeze in as many races as we can before she’s too big! Every night before bedtime, we lay in her room and talk about what we are thankful for. When she began saying, “I thankful for races!” it melted my heart, while confirming that we needed to sign up for another race soon. Photo by Jessica Drake Photography I stumbled upon a local raced called the Superhero 5k . The event raises money to allow children from low-income families the opportunity to attend day camps and after school programs at The Firs in Bellingham, WA. Early bird registration only cost $15 and April 1 through day of race was $25. Race shirts were also offered for an additional $10. They changed the course from previous years, but it was still stroller, dog, and family friendly. The event started and finished at Bloedel Donovan Park which is settled on beautiful Lake Whatcom.  O