November | 2016 | VT Runner Mom

“We only have what we give.”

~Isabel Allende

Runner’s High Acai Bracelet

What a crazy week it’s been. With the recent election of our Country’s 45th President, it’s been difficult to see so much sadness, fear, anxiety, and turmoil in the lives of people around me and the world. Despite who you voted for, we truly have to pick ourselves up and come together. My Facebook feed alone, is a continuous scrolling of negative posts, and fighting. I have to admit, last Wednesday, I felt like I was walking around in a fog, stunned. As I started to feel sorry for myself and get sucked into the vortex of the web, I did a lot of thinking and soul-searching. What can I do on a small-scale that would help others and keep me focused on the importance of what makes me happy? My family, friends, running, and animals make me the most happy in life. I also love making my Mala and Acai beaded bracelets. Then an idea popped into my head! I could make my “Runner’s High” Acai bracelets and give 50% of the proceeds on each bracelet to VASS. Vermont Adaptive.org . This is taken from their website; Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is the largest year-round disabled sports non-profit organization in Vermont offering the most diverse program opportunities and unique, specialized equipment. Vermont Adaptive promotes independence and furthers equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational opportunities including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, tennis, horseback riding, and more. They serve clients of all abilities with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities from all over the world.

The VT 100, which takes place in West Windsor, VT each July is one of the biggest fundraisers for VASS. VT 100 Check out all that the VT100 does for VASS, every penny raised at the VT100 is given right back to VASS. I can’t wait to participate as a runner in 2017 along with hundreds of other athletes; horses, runners and riders. An incredible event raising money for an outstanding organization… helping EVERY BODY find their journey through sports.

So, please check out the RUNNER’S HIGH Acai Bracelet on my website and consider buying this beautiful, inspiring running bracelet for you, a loved one, or BFF. Keeping in mind that 5o% will be going to VASS. Runner’s High Acai bracelet.

I love wearing my Runner’s High bracelet when I run. It gives me my positive mojo and keeps me grounded and now it gives back to VASS!

I hope you all have a wonderful Fall of running or riding or whatever you do in life that makes you happy. Let’s stick together and make this world a wonderful place for all around us……

see you on the trails.. xoxoxoxo

I feel alive and free on the trails……

goofing around on old round bales…

YIPPEE …. 254 days until the VT 100!! There will be a few other races before that to get us ready.. Since the VT 50 this past September, we’ve taken very little time off from running. Guy has run the VT 100 six times, finishing four! He’s hoping to snatch up his 500 mile buckle this year, I’m hoping for my first 100 finish! We’ve decided for 2017, we’re really going to put a ton of effort into training. Learning to train our legs, minds and stomachs for the long haul, hopefully creating a much more enjoyable hundred miles….I’m loving my new book I bought.. “Running Your First Ultra” By Krissy Moehl. Krissy is an insanely accomplished Ultra runner. I love reading about her life experience with running and her training schedules are incredible!!! Lots of do’s and don’ts. With hard work and dedication, you can do this, whatever distance you choose. Check it out, it’s a keeper! A book I will keep coming back to!

We’ve really decided to document a lot of the training this year. You can follow me at VTRUNNERMOM on Instagram. I think when you reflect back on whatever your goal is, you totally remember the whole journey, not just the big day. I want to focus on each moment, each run, feeling more around me in the woods…listening to the brook, or the crunchy leaves under my feet, the sound of my breath as I conquer the hill. I was just saying to Guy on our run yesterday, that “I feel so alive and free!!” Coming through my injury, I have learned that life changes and it’s ok. I think change can empower us and give us strength to new things. I’ve definitely put more energy into running than riding my Arabians, but at this moment, it feels right! I feel for the first time since the accident, I’m listening to the little voice in my head and what’s in my heart…..Life keeps moving forward and I’m happy to be along for the ride.

Taking the iPhone along has created such funny memories…..we take it out and take small videos or snap goofy/inspiring pics of each other! It gives your heart rate a brief break and a chance to act like a kid again. I love inspiring people around me to get up and get out. If you enjoy walking, running, biking, swimming, riding, etc… try to spice up your training..We forget that we are actually training, because we make it FUN!!! Everything we enjoy in life should be fun!!

Guy head standing !!

Keeping a running log has kept me accountable, a great app I downloaded on my iPhone is “Running Log”. It keeps track of daily, weekly and monthly mileage and time. In October, I ran 84.20 miles! That was exciting to see….Usually I would just kinda guess, this makes it more of a game..