Triple T: Team Camp, Travel, and Training

That's the perfectionist in me - of course I cannot just write an update, I have to have a creative title :)
Team Camp
The Sonoran Distance ladies headed up North to Flagg for camp last week.  And it was nothing short of amazing.  And even I am saying that despite conditions being a little 'rough' for me!  I think everyone gave me crap all week, but I am not the greatest "camper" - - and when a spider (no joke) crawled across my face at 2am on the last night, that was game over for the live off the land experience!  Seriously no electricity, no phone service, no wifi, nothing - and for someone who for work is constantly buzzing and beeping that in itself was a huge culture shock.  Looking back at it though, I kind of liked it - - maybe no one really needs me that bad :)
I could wrote a whole post on the experience in itself, but CB style I am boiling it down to Top 3:
3.  (Least favorite) Running up to 10,200 ft  always sounds better the night before.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHh veyyyyyyyyy.  We did this 7 mile hill race as a team that literally is just a vertical climb to the top.  BRUTAL.  I mean at mile 2 I was swearing at myself saying why, why, why do I always say yes to stupid things like this?  Especially things that require a 4 am wake up call.  lol.  The highlight had to be at mile 6, teammates Ariana and Priscilla ate a burger for the MAMA BURGER challenge - GROSS.  I did manage 6th, and we all placed top 10 - HELL YEA!  SDP representing!

This was minutes before the start when we realized what the hell we just signed up for - 7 miles, 2200 elevation gain (already at 7700 ft at the start)

2.  Feeling at "home".
I feel like I am coming out of my shell now  - but always feel like a complete weirdo as every trip I have all my 'accouterments" -  foam roller, rubber bands, R8 roller, yoga toes, 3 different pairs of running shoes, compression stuff, the list goes on.  I have had people recognize me from the airport saying  - "Hey  I think I saw you doing like some leg swings at the airport" - yep that was me :)  But in Flagg, it was like being with 11 other aliens!  Everyone had their weird stuff and routines - - except....it' wasn't weird?  I fit in!
1.  Stronger Together
It truly is our rally cry  that originally we got from and to support our amazing sponsor, Pantene, but it really does embody our team.  We are a strong group of women who support each other, not ripping each other down  - and this weekend I think a lot of us got closer, worked out any differences we did have, and kind of became determined on a mission to empower other women to do the same so we can all rise :)  LOVE IT.
0.  Archery
I am adding this in because seriously when I retire from running this is my sport.  Autumn taught me how to shoot the thing - and then I hit 3 in a row (after initially pointing it the wrong way) - wicked fun!  This could be way too political of a statement, but I think we should have bow and arrows instead of guns, I mean at least you would have to really want to hit your target because it takes like 5 minutes to get it ready :) And I am not sure, but I don't think you can die from arrows?  But you sure as heck would be on your butt.

My archery coach (and amazing runner too) to the right is Autumn

seriously, I think I look like a natural? No?

Travel
This past week I had an awesome opportunity to travel to SLC for work and got to run with teammate Natalie Como - -we had 8 miles (also a 4 am wake up call that sounded great the night before) - that went by so fast.  Catching up was a fantastic way to start the day, and sometimes in those quiet miles of the morning the conversations you have are so real, so important :)  After I left Natalie, I went to Corner Bakery and ate the entire menu.  The man came over with everything and asked me what the person joining me would like to drink.  I smiled, and said there was no one, and he  -verbatim  - "Damn girl, that is awesome".  Ha.  Lately, I have been starving non stop.
After a work meeting that went spectacular - the kind that gets you on a total high, just like running, I headed to Cincinnati.  It was a quick in and out, but in a span of less then 48 hours, I got in:

•  tough as hell track workout on my old stomping grounds
•  6 meetings
•  Justin time 
•  dinner + 2 runs + Graeters +  SDP/Pantene meeting with John and Ariana   

It was good to be back in Cincy and see someone you know literally on every corner - and it was even better playing tour guide to SDP :)

Breakfast with the Pantene team!  (We agreed beforehand to behave while ordering and not completely scare them -even though we literally just had ripped off the miles :)

Training
The training update this week is about transition.  I am moving from "running" to being a "runner" which has different demands of your body.  And I feel it.  We have put together 5 solid weeks of 55-60 miles, and 2 weeks of track work (12 X 400, and 7 X 800).  Sleep, nutrition, hydration all change, and I am just working my way through that now.  I also have transition with work that I need to manage through, scope of role changed significantly, and right now it is very overwhelming :(  But like with all things - give me 3 months and I will figure it all out.  I have gotten lots of messages about race plans, game plan,etc.  That too is under construction :)  As soon as it is all ironed out I promise to share!  As for now, I wake up everyday, truly happy, truly smiling, and more focused then ever for 2:43!

ahhhhhhhhh, nothing makes me happier, back to the track!