Rocky Mountain Soap Run: FABulous as Always



Weeeeeeeeee! That was fun!

Sometimes when so much awesome happens in a weekend, it is hard to put it into words. And sometimes when you have a particularly busy week you also forget to publish said blog about #allthefab!

This past weekend, I went out to the mountains to run. The Rocky Mountain Soap Women's Run (in the gorgeous town of Canmore, Alberta) is one of my FAV races. And even though it was a week before the Calgary Marathon, I still was determined to do it. Through a bit of a crazy story, I ended up sighing up for a halfmarathon (OOPS!) and a 10k on the Saturday and Sunday. It was a fantastic weekend away - pretty much unplugged and away from it all.

Check out my past recaps - 2013 & 2014: Further proof of how awesome this race is! 

Here is the weekend wrap-up in pics....

The package pickup is always fun! I like volunteering for it, and picked up for myself and friends.

Wicked Graft! 

Off we went...for a weekend of laffs in the best setting ever. 

Yup. The view from our hotel is pretty sweet. 

While I cleaned out my bladder (yes...use 2 tabs of polident for a clean as a whistle job), 

 

 Tara poured herself some special hydration. She was volunteering in the morning...I was running. So she could wine it up. I decide to wait until after the half to wine. 

 Morning of the first race is gorgeous. A little cool, but it's going to get warm. The finish line is being set up with our post race goodies...and they are prepping the scented clothes for the finish!

Best portapotty...with refreshing spray...Relieve tension pre-race!!

The race starts...and it is one hilly sonofagun. But I know this. But in all honestly...it is gorgeous!

The volunteers rock! I run into Tara at 10km or so. She gives me a high 5 and a big hug to keep up the pace. Then a few runners after me keep on hugging her. HAHA. 

For the most part, I feel strong and happy. Its a great day to run. I realize once I get to 15k that I may not make my time goal, but I push on (the last 6km is a HELLA steady uphill climb) in the heat. With the mantra of one more mile...10 more minutes...keep pushing. By far the hardest half I have done. But damn it is glorious. 

I finish and run into Simon Donato and Chandra Crawford! 

We have a nice visit and a few laughs...

And then it is off for a quick stop before lunch.

 

I  convince Tara to stop across the way of the Nordic Centre so i can have an "ice bath".

I am feeling FAB after the run...was 5 mins slower than my fastest time this year - on flat-ass route - so its a great run. I really like my first 15km pace-wise. Sort of lost the plot on those last 6km. But I've no time to pout or be upset about a missed PB. I've got a 10km race in the morning. Seriously, it's not the same as a flat race. All hills all the time. Yet, out here the mountains make it ALL better.

Wine also helps make anything better!

Before we know it we are back up and back atter for Day 2! 

The race is over before we know it! I felt great the whole 10k...a little rough at the very end, and I have a hard time pushing for a last kick. But man! Feelin fantastic. 

Only a couple minutes off last years 10k time, too. BONUS! 

I convince Tara I need another dip. I peel off the socks and ...head on in. COLD, but awesome!

We are pooped, but energized. AND starving. AND thirsty. 

So before heading home, we decide to celebrate with some patio time

And a drink. Or two. 

Man. A great run (or two), some mountain air, a gorgeous view and Strongbow.

Pretty Damn FABulous. 

I think you might see now why this is one of my all time FAV runs!

Neither of the runs were personal bests. But they were the perfect antidote for what had been missing in my life for a little while. That lovely perfectly happy run. The hills on this course are big, mean, and not at all easy. Personal Bests are difficult to get here. But I got something way more important -  a peaceful mind and a happy heart. I delivered two fantastic back-to-back runs. I felt stong, and I was not really sore. YES! My training was working. The joy of running was put on a platter. I chose to take THAT rather than obsess with what the garmin said. I chose to feel happy and proud of my accomplishment. Running a halfmara followed by a 10k the next day isn't easy. It is especially not easy in higher elevation and with a whole lotta hills. But I ate those hills for breakfast. And came back for more the next day. I did not use words like BUT or ONLY to describe my runs.

I much prefer that mindset.

Hells to the YEH!

What an amazing weekend. I am now super stoked for Calgary Mara which is in 7 short days! 

Bring on #allthefun #alltheFAB