Belingham Trail Marathon 42km

Finally a marathon that is on a trail!
  I have been in search of a marathon since I started running 7 years ago, but I could only find 50km distances or more on trails. Even though I have completed 8 Ultra marathons, I still always wanted to complete a marathon distance. This race was exactly what I have been looking for my first marathon distance, but also include a weekend away with the girls!
Everything was perfect until a few weeks before when I went to cheer for Hailey and Courtney on their race Around the Lake Give or Take 30k.
  I was running around the trails with our dogs Lucy and Charlie while waiting for the girls to finish when I fell and landed on my knee, hip, and wrist. I didn't much of it and since the fall I raced with my dog Lucy for our first 50k in Bellingham. About 40 km into the race I felt a stabbing pain in my knee so sharp it brought me to the ground. That's when i knew something was wrong and I had to limp to the finish line. Still stubborn that I had an injury I still was going to run another marathon the following weekend.

  The race started at 9:00am with 5,000 feet of climbing and connects two of the most popular trail systems, Lake Padden and Chuckanut Mountain. With views of Lake Padden Park and the Cascade Mountain range, and the endless challenge of the Chuckanut Ridge.

  The race started with perfect running weather! The trails were technical, but perfect to get into a nice running pace. I honestly was loving the run! It wasn't until about 15km into the run when I first felt the stabbing pain in my knee that honestly brought me to the ground. I felt the pain stab me from my knee into my back and right down to my foot. I would tried to continue to run, but the pain would stop me dead in my tracks. I just started to speed walk crying and screaming every time I would feel the pain. Once I reached the top of Chuckanut Ridge I was defeated. I honestly couldn't put any weight on my knee anymore, I was stuck on top of the ridge crying and sitting on a rock. I wanted to finish but there was still a long way to go. All I was thinking about was finding the aid station and to pull out. I thought there was no way I could finish, until this person I've never met before tapped me on the shoulder, and asked if I was ok.
  I explained to her about my knee, and then she offered me her support bandage she was wearing around her ribs. She explained how her ribs were separated from giving birth to her last child. She asked me if I minded a sweaty bandage and took it off and wrapped my knee. She never gave me her name or even waited to get it back at the end of the race, just happy to help a stranger.
Because of the kindness of a complete stranger, I finished my first ever marathon in 6hrs 26 minutes.
This is just one example of runners coming together to help each other. We all come to a race for the same goal... to finish!
Congratulations to Gemma with 1st place finish in her age , Sarah 2nd place over all , Hailey 3rd place in her age,Erin and Courtney to completing a strong finish.
What a perfect girls weekend away

n

Lucy and I race 50k together!!!! Daphane and Shaggy's Magical Night Run!

This race was a true example of runners coming together.
Lucy, Kyle and I lined up at the start line at 6:00 pm with 20 other racers.
As soon as the race started 16 of us all decided that finishing safely was more important than a first place medal.
We all ran the 50k together!We would stop,and do a head count periodically to make sure we were all still together..even Lucy!!
This race was a true test of mental and Physical challenge. The weather was windy, raining, and the fog made it very hard to find your way through the mountain.

My wing man Kyle!!

Lucy's finisher dog tags!

Thanks to team work Lucy, and I finished our first 50km race together with 16 runners that at the start of the race were strangers! But we  finished  as friends!
9hrs and 26 minutes of total team work! 

Running the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim trail ...North to south key swap

The Rim to Rim trail is about 40 kms in distance with a elevation gain of 8250 ft .
My idea was to Run from the north to south  , and have a second group run from the south to north  , We then would meet some where along the way to exchange keys , so when we finish our run we could just drive the cars left on each side back to Vegas .
I started this plan about a year ago ....and there was a few bumps along the way ,but this is how we all manged to run the Grand Canyon .....
I first put a question out to my running group Roots and Rocks
"Anyone want to run the Grand  canyon with a key swap in the Middle ??"
I honestly didn't think I would have 20 people interested ...Well I knew they would want to , but wanting to and doing are 2 different things !
I then started to plan the run
Step one hold a meeting and get some cash to book both sides of the Canyon
South side stayed at the Bright Angels Lodge right in the Canyon at the trail head

North Side stayed at in Cabins at kiabab Lodge .
Once the Canyon was booked I had to book Vegas  where after we run we would all meet back at the hotel to fly home the next day .
In Vegas I was able to get 8 room for 700.00 ....Perfect !
Car rentals thanks to Bob was paid for by his points ....Thanks Bob !
OK everything was planed perfect so what could go wrong ....EVERYTHING !!!!


2 weeks before we are ready to leave for the Canyon the USA government shuts down all parks
Grand Canyon is Closed AHHHHHHH....
I hit panic I have been planning for a year
I have 20 people that have taken time off work , paid for a trip and we cant go!!!!
I then called a emergency meeting with the group . I need  plan B .
What are we going to do if the government shut down doesn't resolve ?
Lisa came up with hiking Humphrey Peak 12,,500 ft elevation gain 20 miles long , and the highest point in Arizona ...Umm OK its now a plan .
I held  out to canceling everything until the thursday before we left , so we could get all our money back .We then had already booked Flag Staff so we could have plan B .

Friday night at 9:00 pm I look on Run Like A Girl and someone has left us a message the
Canyon is open !!! I honestly couldn't believe it ! , so I then started to change plans
Message everyone ! get a hold of everyone to re pack , re book , and now plan A is happening
But some people had already left on the Friday and Had not packed for hot weather , because flag staff was -10 !!! , so I had to pack clothes for 2 ladies  , get a hold of Bob and Katie to keep calling the hotels and cabins on the North and south ...while we all fly out in the morning !
Once I arrived in Vegas I got the text that everything was booked , and we are doing the Grand Canyon . I still cant believe that everything was able to work out .
Fast planing and team work !

Getting our bags ready for the car swap

North and south groups ready to say good bye !

On the Plan its really happening !!!!

Chin up  challenge

our cabins at the North end of the rim

We started the Trail about 6:30 as soon as it wasn't dark . There was snow at the top and was pretty cold in the morning .

Our first tunnel we were so excited ;)

I honestly cant even begin to describe have beautiful this run was. I had a hard to time to keep running and not stop to  pull out my camera .

I have gone through so many adventures with these 2 girls . I just cant wait to spend 6 days in Costa Rica with them for our biggest challenge .....250 kms in the jungle ....Cant wait

Found a Chalk board to leave a little Message

Waring !!!

Right before we were at the Phantom ranch we met up with the second group to swap keys and caught up a little on how there day was .

Spreading Canyon love !

We did it !!!!   40 km Rim to Rim Grand Canyon
The south side of the rim was where most people go to visit lots to see , and places to eat or buy gifts .
The girls and I thought it would be a great idea to finish some type of Finisher Medal . I also bought Kyle one !
Vegas Here we come ....But to sleep ;)

The next day we were suppose to be leaving the airport for a 11:40 am flight ...oops the fight left with out us early urrrr ...
so more fast planning !
Kyles mom lives in Seattle and that was the only flight we could get  !
We went on stand by, but were able to get on the next flight whew ! Thanks to Kyles mom saving us in Seattle and driving us to Bellingham   to pick up our bags , and again so many points in this trip seemed to try and jump in our way of a plan and a goal !
But I always Know that things will always work out to plan if you never give up and always have positive people in our life ...I love my friends , and my family thanks for the best running trip ever xoxo

Lucys First Finisher dog Tag !!!....Frosty Mountian Trail Race 27km !

I have decided to make Lucy a dog tag after each race she does with me !!!
I Plan for Run like A Girls Future races to make sure that owners can race with their dogs and each get a finisher dog tag !
I love Lucy and am so proud to have her as my race partner and best friend xxoxo

Fight Like A Girl Race for Breast Cancer.... Hosted By Run like A Girl Dayna ,Hailey , Courtney !!!

After Months of Planning this run for breast cancer we finally made it happen !!! I truly think It went better then we could ever hope ! Raising 4, 000 dollars for Breast cancer and Paying off our trip to Costa Rica where we will be running in the coastal Challenge for 6 days 230 km through the jungle !!!

The Day of the race started at 5 am to set up and mark the trail .  I stayed at the camp ground to set up the table while Hailey and Courtney road bikes to mark the trail .

Courtney is a Artist and make all our signs to put through out the course!!!
I love that as people ran she had signs for motivation all through the course 

I was so proud of all the support I got from my home Town Aldergrove

Robin was amazing he ran the 10 km run in 1hr I have never been so proud and in love with him !

My mom this is her first 5 km race and has had a metal plate put in her foot and toe , but still will do anything to support me! She  walk / ran the 5 km in 49minutes! oxoxo

I was so thankful to my friend Ritz for giving us a cash donation and a product sponsor of her I love your Muff product

Hailey's brother Logan was paralyzed 5 years ago but he still finished the 5km !

We will always welcome dogs to race !!!

Stop and enjoy the view

I think most of the time people get so focused on what they are training for , They often forget or dont take the time to stop , slow down and enjoy what is around them .
Isn't that why we run ? to see things that you cant unless you run , bike or hike .
Next time you are out running take time to stop look around and enjoy the moment  . Believe me you will love it !

Today I stopped on my 11km runaround Buntzen Lake to enjoy a beautiful view , take some pictures and also do 100 Squats for our squat challenge on our fitness  page Run Like A Girl .BC 

100 Squats !

Lucy loved to stop too !