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  • Tag: Run Happy

    • Heart Breaker Half…errr…10K

      Posted at 3:55 AM by Brittany, on February 24, 2014

      While searching for the race I wanted to run for my birthday, the heart breaker half was the first to jump out at me. Close to home, but far enough away to feel like I was traveling.

      002

      The only problem was that I hadn’t run more than 2-3 miles since December. While I knew I could do it, I didn’t know if I wanted to suffer through the pain of pushing myself in a race that I hadn’t trained for. Lucky for me, this race also had a 10K option. Perfect.

      Portland Feb 2014 065a

      Portland Feb 2014 066a

      The race started right outside of Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Oregon. I was so thankful the gym was open for everyone to wait in, because it was so unbelievable cold I began to question why I ever signed up for races in the winter. My entire body hurt.

      Portland Feb 2014 072

      After waiting for what felt like an eternity in the frozen tundra of Antarctica, we finally started the race. My legs were so heavy, and my fingers were numb. I was convinced I was just going to run this 10K with the hopes of not wanting to die. I had no intention to “race.”

      This was hands down THE most gorgeous course I have ever run. Rolling hills of farm lands, pigs and cows, and amazing trees welcoming the sun on the horizon. I didn’t stop to take any photos (sadly), but it was sort of like this.

      roadsign

      20130807-083357

      20140217-200944

      Actual photo from the race I found on IG! This lady was great.

      Actual photo from the race I found on IG! This lady was great.

      The course was enough to make standing in the cold worth it, and I was quickly reminded of why I decided to run. The joy I get from discovering new areas on foot is indescribable. I found myself comfortably running about a 9:30-9:50 pace and decided I was going to try and beat my previous 10K time. I decided I was going to “race” instead of just run.

      20140216-211850

      I’m growing another human out of my neck, to keep warm in winter.

      I beat my previous time by 1 minute and 28 seconds. Every second counts, if you’re a runner you will know what I mean. I was FOUR seconds away from getting UNDER an hour, but was still more than happy with my end time of 1:00:04. I stopped for about 10 seconds at mile 4 to get a drink…those damn 10 seconds..

      Portland Feb 2014 079a

      The race was amazing, but my favorite part was moments after I crossed the finish line. A woman came up to me and thanked me, I had unknowingly paced her the entire time. This was her first 10K, and the excitement just poured out of her. She thanked me over and over for helping her complete this race, and told me my pace was amazing.

      Portland Feb 2014 077a

      We matched..how cute.

      I am by no means a fast runner, but to know that my 9:41 pace inspired someone else to push it to the end was something I’ll remember for a while. She made my race complete. Needless to say, I was on a runners high the remainder of that day.

      photo (2)a

      One of the best medals I’ve received!

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      Q: What’s your ideal scenery for a run? Or bike ride? Definitely this.

      b

      | 49 Comments Tagged 10K, Nature, Portland, Run Happy, Running
    • Stick With What You Know

      Posted at 8:56 AM by Brittany, on February 8, 2013

      Confession: I have been running in the same shoes for a year now. Any running expert will tell you shoes need to be retired anywhere around 500miles of usage (I’m looking at you dad..shoes from the 1990’s!.) Oops..I think I exceeded that. I can’t help it..I’m as frugal as they come! I finally..FINALLY went last week to buy some new shoes, but it didn’t go so smoothly..

      I had no specific shoe in mind, I just wanted a new pair. I have to admit I was partial to Brooks for a few reasons. Number one being I reverted back to my high school days of being a brand snob, and Brooks are just “cool.” They also make vegan shoes..double cool. Oh and my boyfriend runs in Brooks, and so does Scott Jurek..triple cool. I’m telling you now..what an awful way to base your shoe choice. You can possibly guess by now I ended up buying a pair of Brooks.

      Brooks Ghost 5..what a GORGEOUS shoe.

      Brooks Ghost 5..what a GORGEOUS shoe.

      Gorgeous as this shoe may be, after a 4mile test run something wasn’t right. Just my luck that with a prettier running shoe would come problems. Any shoe I’ve ever worn that was “pretty” (heels, fancy flats, studded flippy floppys) ended up causing PAIN! NO PRETTY SHOES! So despite Brooks awesome reputation, pretty shoes, and catchy slogan..I had to take these vegan shoes back.

      20130208-080024

      I decided to buy another pair of my old shoes, but no one had them in store so I had to wait a WEEK and order them online. I ate a lot of cookies to pass the time and drown my sorrows.

      20130208-080153

      I also had to put 11more miles on my old shoes, which really ended up hurting my knees. My left knee still hurts. Ugh..never waiting a year again! I did have a good run with my running partner despite the knee pain, and the views were awesome too..but nothing is worth hurting your body!

      1896 Olympia Brewery. I need a beer to sooth my funky knees!

      1896 Olympia Brewery. I need a beer to sooth my funky knees!

      I am now coming to the falling action of this story. Yesterday I received my new shoes. There is something magical about seeing the UPS or FEDEX truck outside your door. Oh so magical.

      20130208-080042

      Aesthetically these shoes are awful. Absolutely AWFUL. They look like they were colored by a 5yr old, funny that they have similar colors to the Brooks. Physically..these shoes were like running on CLOUDS! I AM SO HAPPY with these shoes! I took them out for a run IMMEDIATELY and could have cried I was so happy. It was such a good run I even found some chachachaangge.

      20130208-080215

      That’s a whopping $0.11 cents, and I sure did STOP running to pick those coins up!! I can’t get to Disneyland without money people!

      The moral of this long story is: STICK with what you know!! The tread difference on the bottom of these two shoes was embarrassingly pathetic. I was LONG overdue for a new pair, and I am stoked to have my beloved Asics. I am now partial to Asics because they WORK FOR ME, this is how you should choose a running shoe! Maybe one day I will run in some Brooks, but until this shoe is discontinued I will stick with what I know!

      Q: What do you run in and whyyy!?

      b

      | 68 Comments Tagged Asics, Brooks, Disneyland, Free Money, Half Marathon, New Digs, Run Happy, Running, Vegan
    • BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalistic nomad striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long bike rides, deep connections, exploration, and lots of cucumbers.
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