Inspired Fool

I love your idea of a photo from every run-- one of my primary joys from running is to experience beauty on each run. In fact, I loved your idea enough that I created an Instagram account just so I could follow your posts (my children are shocked that I have embraced this technology). I'm looking forward to your pics and might start a similar project of my own!

I love your challenge. I'm turning 40 this month and your ideas have inspired me-- I may craft a birthday month challenge for myself now!

What's in the eggplant dish? Looks yummy.

Thanks for sharing this-- my daughter now has an incentive to run with me!

I've been eating out again, which is not only a less healthy choice but also an expensive one. I will limit myself to no more than one meal out each week.

Congratulations on a race well run! Any more races on your horizon?

Week 4 already??? Maybe I'm stuck in a different dimension where its still only week 2.... I've kept up with my challenges for the most part, but have fallen behind some in my cross training while recovering from my 50 K. This week, my focus will be on resuming my strength training with renewed vigor and dancing more!!!

I'm originally from that area (upstate NY). A beautiful place! Have you raced there before?

Also running the Riverside 24 hour relay on June 7-8.

Update: I am never satisfied unless I have a significant running event on the horizon. Consequently, a few days after finishing the 50K I went and registered to run a 24 hr relay trail race as a one person team. So that is a 24 hour event in which I will repeatedly run a 6 mile trail loop. I wish that I could blame some of my rash decisions on alcohol but, truth is, I seldom drink. This past week I have stuck with short trail runs while recovering from my 50. I've also begun experimenting with night-running, as I will have to become accustomed to this for the 24 hr event. Sadly, my lower back is still giving me grief, but I feel its (gradually) improving. This week, I will begin increasing mileage again and fit in a balance of trail and road runs, as well as resuming my cross-training.

Race Report: So, yesterday was the 50 K the race began in 35 degree weather, with wind and rain; my back was still acting up, and I was fighting a throat/sinus illness... and.... it was the best race ever. The course was beautiful, incorporating some decent elevation gain, fabulous views (when I wasn't watching my feet); a varied terrain, with river, fields, wild flowers, rocks, evergreens, and blooming dogwood trees. 31 miles, running through the woods (mostly in isolation) definitely takes your mind to interesting places. Early on, I had lines from the Invictus running through my mind... by mile 14 this had devolved to the Oompa Loompa song (from Charlie and the Chocolate factory) which, regrettably, I do not know the words to. Consequently, I spent at least one mile hearing "Oompa loompa loompity doo" on repeat in my fractured mind. Other brain treasures which emerged before reaching the 31st mile and crossing the finish line include: "ratta-tat-tat-ratatouille" (on repeat) and a simple minded cookie chant each time I left an aid station. By mile 14 my back was screaming loudly; by mile 24 I decided that simply moving forward was victorious. By about mile 29 my back pain was under control and surprisingly (shockingly) my back actually feels better this morning than it has in almost 4 weeks. It was my farthest (and slowest) trail run, taking 6:03 to complete-- a time which I'm actually quite pleased with (though my marathon time is under 4 hrs). I had decided around mile 22 that running ultramarathons over hill and dale was an act of insanity which I would Never engage in again. By mile 28, I was planning to register for another. Thank you, everybody, for your encouragement as I prepared for this distance!!

Yes-- except ours isn't labeled, so you need to know all the states

One of our parks has a (super large) map of the U.S. painted on the blacktop. Basically, one person shouts out a state's name and you have to sprint to the appropriate state before getting tagged

I'm also registered for a half marathon May 17th outside of the Grand Canyon Taking the girls and making it a mini vacation

Week One Update: First week went well-- I incorporated dance and strength training, got my mileage in (I'm in my taper for Sunday's race), nursed my injury (finally noticing real improvement) and practiced my mental training program. Additionally, I "got out of the box" and shook up my routine this week by PLAYING much of which was accomplished at our local parks (I live within a short walk of no less than 5 parks and our weather has been beautiful) with my daughters. Specifically, I shot hoops, threw Frisbee, flew kites, and played 50 states tag (which was my personal favorite). This next week will see the completion of my 50K so that is where my focus is now. Also, I've noticed that I really struggle with "keeping up" with posting and following threads, so I've decided to scale way back on my online participation and become an NF minimalist. Have a great second week everyone!!