Rock N Roll San Diego

I can't believe it has already been 2 weeks since the San Diego Rock N Roll ; I have literally been going non-stop ever since and am just now getting around to blogging about the truly EPIC summer fun!

My parents and I flew in early Friday, and spent the day sight seeing, walking around, and enjoying the good eats of San Diego.  Saturday I went to a bloggers meet-up/tweet-up at the expo; it's always fun to actually meet people you feel like you already know through their blogs and twitter! Below is our fearless organizing Pavement Runner, in true form.  It was so great to meet, and now be able to call all of these fabulous lady's "friends": Tracy,  Melissa, Amy, Amy,  and Tammy!

ROCKIN!

The race started at 6:30am, and do to expected traffic & delays, we took the shuttle from the hotel at 5am, getting up to Balboa Park at 5:15am.  That allowed us plenty of time to use the porta potty and of course do a lil pre-funk with all of the Elvi! One of the Elvi rolled up with a cart blasting Elvis music, drinking a Miller Lite.  At first I thought he was just in character and the can was for sure filled with water or something! NOPE! They were getting their drink on at 5:30am! 

Confession time...I did something I have always wanted to do at a race: start my own porta potty line! Props to Rock N Roll San Deigo, I have never seen so many porta potties at the start of a race, but there were still lines. My dad, cousin and I made our way to the porta potties furthest away from the start line, but the lines were still quit long.  It always annoys me that one line feeds into 5-6 porta potties, and no one ever knows whether its their turn or someone's from the other line. I'm standing their nonchalantly, thinking "now is the time to make my move."  We're standing between two lines, talking, etc., making our way closer to the porta potties. And smooth like butta, someone came out of the porta potta and I confidently bolted for the door.  Not going to lie, I was afraid I'd come out to people upset and yelling at me. NOPE! I came out to a new line formed, with my dad and cousin next in line! 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

THE FINISHERS: my dad had another great race! Joel, my cousin, and I ran together until about mile 9.  Huge props to him for running a half marathon with NO {run} training!

We couldn't pass up a photo opportunity with Swingin Friar! 

Race/course overview:

WEATHER: It was an absolute perfect day to run! It was a little humid at the start, resulting in everyone sweating off the get go, but there was just enough breeze throughout the run to keep us cool

COURSE:  This was my first time running in San Diego, so I don't have anything to compare it to {and I know they made changes from last year's course}; while I enjoyed the course, I feel like there is potential to improve it and include more sights of San Diego.  Unlike the full marathon, which went through Old Town & Little Italy, the half marathon course wound its way through several different neighborhoods. And when I say wound, I mean WOUND. The course has more turns than any course I have ran, which made it crucial to run the tangents {and also resulted in it not being the fastest course}.  The incline at mile 10 mentally messed with me! In looking at the elevation chart, and in talking to the pacers etc, "once you reach mile 10 its all downhill from there."  Well, that was NOT true! Mentally, I was gearing up for mile 10, and was ready to kick it in! Well, I hit mile 10, only to encounter a "hill!" ha! Once I peaked the small incline, and enjoyed some gummy bears from a spectator, I enjoyed the 2.5 mile decline to the finish! 

Overall I absolutely LOVED running Rock N Roll San Diego and had a smile on my face the entire time! I'm bringing back not only my love of running, but of racing! 

Of course there was more to this weekend, than just running...I love runcations!

We ventured to Old Town, not once, but twice, for some of the best Mexican food I have had {include fresh, made right in front of you, tortillas}

This is how us Roberts drink a margarita! 

The food choices along 4th and 5th Ave in the Gaslamp district are overwhelming, as there are so many great choices.  We kept walking by Cafe 21 and their "Fresh Organics, Farm to Table" sign got me every time  but there was always such a long wait {always a good sign; and of course we never planned ahead to make a reservation}.  Finally, on Monday before heading home, we were able to get a table, and it exceeded our expectations.  

A mason jar sangria bar...yes please! 

A trip to San Deigo would not be complete without a trip to the San Diego Zoo.  It was great to "run" into Pavementrunner and meet The First Lady.  While at the ZOO, it was easy to spot the runners...hobbling, and holding the railings as they walked up/down the streets and stairs. 

Monkey see...

Monkey do...

My favorite part of a zoo is the Africa section! I can't wait to actually head to head to Africa in June 2014.

Wouldn't this be a great souvenir to take home with you!?

Overall it was a great weekend filled with running, family, and friends {old and new}.

Being that both my dad and I ran 3 marathons within 90 days {well actually 42, but who's counting!?} and 2 within a 16 days, we qualify to become Half Fanatics.  I'm still thinking about whether or not I actually want to officially become a Half Fanatic.  

Are you a Half Fanatic OR Marathon Maniac? 

I Am For The Child

CASA {Court Appointed Special Advocate}: noun A volunteer who wants to make certain the voices of abused and neglected children are heard.  CASA volunteers get to know the child and speak to everyone involved in the child’s life, including their family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, social workers, and others.The information they gather and their recommendations help the court make informed decisions. CASA volunteers commit to a child until the case is closed and the child is in a safe, permanent home.

18 months ago I sat in an IEP meeting with a mom who didn't feel it was necessary for her to be there, as she believed it was the school's responsibility to provide her son the proper special education without any of her involvement {either at home or at school}; and did not have the tools to navigate her way through an IEP to ensure her son was in the appropriate placement with all of the necessary resources in place. I sat in the IEP meeting fighting with all of my might to have the child removed from the classroom setting he was currently in where he  was separated from the rest of the class, on a modified schedule {only attending class 2 1/2 hours a day, as a first grader}, and spending a majority of that time in an isolated padded room. My heart ached, and my eyes filled up with tears as this child was labeled and had no one to stand up for him and BE HIS VOICE.

Last month I attended an IEP meeting with a proactive mom, who took initiative and asked questions, did what she could to ensure her son had a successful year at school.  I attended the meeting with a joyful heart and tears in my eyes, as I listened to the teacher speak of a boy who was attending school on a regular, full day schedule, showed huge improvements in his test results, was a part of the class, and called his classmates friends. 

The same mom and child attended both IEP meetings...

I AM A CASA
I AM the voice of the child
I AM the one who sees the confident, beautiful, intelligent individual that is the mom on my case
I AM the one who knows, without a doubt, that mom loves her children.  She may not have all of the tools and resources to be the most effective parent, but she is learning, and her love for them grows daily
I AM the one who ensures the children receive proper medical care
I AM the one who sees the good in EVERY situation
I AM the one who knows its in the best interest for the children to stay placed with their mom
I AM the one who ensures everyone else sees the positive in  mom and every situation, when it is very easy to remain focused on the negative 
I AM the one who attends school meetings, doctors appointments, etc to speak on behalf of the children, in their best interest; and provide mom the tools to navigate through all of this on her own.  
I AM the one who is greeted with a huge hug & smile, and a proud, "This is my CASA!!!" when I observe in the classroom. 
I AM the one who now realizes that my standard of living is different from theirs, and that  it is okay.  It does not mean mom loves her children any less.
I AM the one who assists mom in seeking out opportunities, such as summer camp, for her children. 
I AM FOR THE CHILD
*each case is unique, and the above statements are my personal opinion and only apply to the case I was just assigned to

Whitney Houston said it best, "I believe the children are our future...show them all the beauty they possess inside...give them a sense of pride."

As a CASA I give children strength when they are weak, a voice when they can't speak, eyes when they can't see.  I see the best there is in them. I lift them up when they can't reach, I give them faith because I believe.

Becoming a CASA has been the most challenging, but also most rewarding leap of faith I have taken.  As one door closes, another one opens; my first CASA case has officially "closed," but I will always be their CASA and am excited to see, and be a part of, all of the wonderful things to come for them. 


Click here to learn more about CASA and find a CASA organization near you. 

WordFULL Wednesday

If you haven't already done so, you need to check out Shauna Nieguist's book Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life. 

I'm Running Hood-To-Coast with NUUN

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it....Why you ask!? Because I am running Hood-To-Coast with NUUN! Two years ago, while blog hopping, I came across a blog of one of the runners on the 2011 Hood-To-Coast team, which lead me to several other blogs, which lead me to NUUN, and thus started my addiction with NUUN and twitter! 

You might be asking why this is such a big deal:

1) Hood to Coast is the “mother of all relays.” This 200-mile long relay has runners start at the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and then, over the course of 36 different legs (each runner runs three legs) you finish on the sandy shores of the Pacific in Seaside, Oregon. Pretty epic, no doubt.

2) I was selected to join the team, along with 19 other bloggers, runners, fabulous women from across the country.

3) Not only is their product one of my favorites {if you aren't familiar with NUUN, click here} the company and the people who work for the company are truly fabulous. 

It's a know fact that you can't do EPIC alone, so check out the rest of the team:

• Kimberly - Healthy Strides
• Jolene - Journey of a Canuck Mom on the Run
• Megan - Meg Runner Girl
• Lisa - Run Wiki
• Mallory - Run Eat Run Eat
• Leslie - Triathlete Treats
• Holly - Leaps of Faith
• Kara - Welcome to Karadise
• Jesica - runladylike
• Catey - Random Thoughts from the Zoo
• Lisa - Lisa Runs for Cupcakes
• Kristen - Defy Your Limitations
• Sarah - Run Far Girl
• Meghan - Shoe Stories
• Devon - Dev on Running
• Karen - Reason to Play
• Andrea - the MF Dre
• Jenny - We Wander and Ponder
• Lindsay - Twisted Running

Mason, Chief Hydration Officer for NUUN, summed up what the whole relay experience is truly about:

"Having a fantastic experience and walking away with a new set of amazing friends, a giant love of relays, lifelong memories, and a smile on your face."

Speaking of having a smile on your face...

I met up with Leslie at the Rock N Roll Portland 1/2 marathon

This is a running dream come true, and I am so grateful and honored to be part of the team!

Coffee Wisdom

Those of you who know me, or follow me on instagram or twitter, know that I love my morning Dutch Bros {small sugar free white chocolate latte with coconut milk please}.  Here in the Pacific Northwest we take our coffee very seriously...in Medford there is a drive through coffee stand on {almost} every corner, up in Portland you will never be more than a block from a coffee shop, and Seattle is home to the original Starbucks.  Recently, my cup of coffee has been more than a caffeine pick-me up, it's an unexpected sip of encouragement and a little reminder of how to live life to the fullest.  

Words of wisdom from my morning cup of joe:

I encourage you to ask yourself, "Am I doing my part to be the change I want to see in this world?"  We can't do it alone, but every little part adds up. More can always be done, but I spend a lot of my time giving back to charities and organizations that hold a special place in my heart, in an effort to leave a positive impact and impart change. 

Life is short...let the people you love know how much they mean to you, on a daily basis.  Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while, send a "just-because" card in the mail. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life that we forget to invest time in that which is most important: personal relationships.  

SMILE! 

A smile creates happiness in the home, 
promotes good will in business, 
and is the cornerstone of friendship.

It can perk up the weary, 
bring cheer to the discouraged, 
sunshine to the sad, 
and is nature's best antidote for trouble.

What a great reminder...Love Abounds. Next time you are down, or feeling like the world around you is crumbling, take a moment to focus on all of the love that is present in your life and in this world.  

Words to live by: 

These lids, that to most are just a lid, remind me that I need to slow down and enjoy the little things; it's amazing to me how many people aren't even aware of these tidbits of encouragement on their coffee lids. What wonderful, uplifting things are you and I missing as we go through life, because we aren't taking the time to slow down and enjoy.

I challenge you to live life to the fullest...and that includes enjoying the little things, like your morning cup of joe! 

Relay Running, it's Easy {and Fun} as 1,2,3

Today I am doing my first guest blog post over at Rebecca Roams: Relay Running, it's Easy {and Fun} as 1, 2, 3 

A Runcation in the Rose City

One of my favorite aspects of the Rock N Roll events is that they are always in fabulous cities, and thus a great opportunity for a runcation.  Being from the PNW, one of my all time favorite cities to run in is Portland. But Portland has so much more to offer than just fabulous scenery to enjoy; make sure to make the most of your time in Portland and enjoy all the Rose City has to offer. 

FAMILY FRIENDLY:

 Oregon Zoo: One of my favorite places to visit when traveling to a new city is their zoo. The Portland Zoo is  a quintessential Portland experience.  

Rock N Roll Denver

OMSI: The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a scientific, educational, and cultural resource center dedicated to improving the public's understanding of science and technology. OMSI makes science exciting and relevant through exhibits, programs, and experiences that are presented in an entertaining and participatory fashion. 

While at OMSI, make sure to take a tour of the U.S. Navy's last non-nuclear, fast-attack submarine, the USS Blueback (SS-581)! The Blueback was the first battle-ready class of submarines to use the teardrop hull. It was in official operation throughout the Pacific Ocean for 31 years. The USS Blueback served in the entertainment industry too! It appeared in the hit movie The Hunt for Red Octoberand an episode of Hawaii Five-O and has been used as a location for a Discovery Channel documentary and various commercials.

FOR THE ADULTS IN THE GROUP:

One word that most runners love is BEER! Grab up to 15 of your friends, fellow runners, & cheer squad {must be 21 or older}, and pedal your way through a by seat tour of Portland's finest breweries:

Combining Portland’s love of handcrafted beer and biking, the BrewCycle will take you, as fast as you can pedal, to your next ice cold brew! Where you take your bike is up to you, but here are some possible stops:

WHERE TO EAT IN AMERICA'S MOST ORIGINAL FOOD DESTINATION: 

Portland is know for their fabulous restaurants, and the options are endless, but here some of my top picks:

Pok Pok {Thai}

A culinary mecca where chef-owner turns out "lip smacking," "mind -blowing street food" like "unbelievably good chicken wings"

Little Big Burger 

This "hip" local fast-food chain with a penny-pinching, six-item menu slings "fantastic" "made-to-order" sliders that are "tiny but full of flavor" and complemented by "wonderful" white truffle oil–laced fries and ketchup with a "kick"; good thing the service is "rapid", because its no-frills, red-accented shops offer "limited" seating and the line is "often out the door" – it "blows other burger bars away."

Caffe Mingo:

Like dining at your Italian grandmother's house; lovingly prepared pastas and main meet up with a fantastic wine selection

Tasty N Sons {Breakfast}:

drop dead deliciousness

Ox

The custom-made, wood-fired grill stars at this  Boise-Eliot Argentinean that's pulling in crowds for its sizzling mash-up of South American and Pacific NW cuisines

Laurelhurst Market

It's all about the meat

And of course a trip to Portland wouldn't be complete without a stop at the world famous, Portland quintessential,  VooDoo Doughnut for one of their bacon macon bars, VooDoo dolls, or any of their unique, one-of-a-kind donuts {and yes, you will have to wait in line}

And of course, a trip to Portland wouldn't be complete without dining at one of their infamous food carts:

With over 500 Food Carts to choose from, it can be quite a daunting task :) These are my favorites:

The Grilled Cheese Grill: Where else can you enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich on the second story of a double decker bus?

FlavourSpot: Home of Portland's Original Waffle Sandwich.  Being willing to get out of your comfort zone and try the Sausage and Maple OR Ham and Gouda, I promise you will be happy you did. For the more conservative taste buds, the S'more Waffle is mouthwatering deliciousness.

The Whole Bowl: Vegetarian; comforting and healthy medley of brown rice, red and black bean, fresh avocado, salsa, black olives, sour cream, Tillamook cheddar, cilantro, Tali sauce and trace amount of attitude
PBJs Grilled: Oh my, this isn't your average PB&J sandwich.  I really want to try the Spicy Thai: PBJs Peanut Butter, Siracha, fresh basil, curry, and orange marmalade. 

If you are someone who has a hard time making a decision, especially with so many fabulous options, why not take the Food Carts Portland tour?? Join Brett, the defacto food cart ambassador, for a fun and informative tour, while enjoying sample from several of Portland's best carts.

Aren't you excited for a weekend in Portland now, I know I am!!! If you haven't already signed up for the Portland Rock N Roll, you still have time, but HURRY {you only have til the 12th} ! Use "HOLLYROCKS" to save $10  off your  registration