When in Missouri...

You go to The University of Missouri and run the track at Stankowski Field. 

Last year when I went to Missouri, I had a couple mile repeats on my training schedule so after late night baseball games, we headed to the track.  As tough as it was,  I loved the sweat inducing heat and humidity, coupled with the energy of the track.  There's something contagious about the energy of college students running around the track, playing scrimmage soccer games on the fields, and enjoying sand volleyball games all under the Rec Center stadium lights.  

This year I once again had a track workout on the schedule, so I headed the Rec Center for some 800s.

You have a good sweatfest! 

Are you noticing a trend here!? SWEAT! I have never sweat like I do when running in Missouri, but I love every minute of it! Holy humidity batman! 

With Heidi training for the Chicago marathon, me keeping up with my training schedule, and Heather being willing to jump on her bike and meet us out on the trail...we all accomplished our run, with SMILES! 

You RV it!

Saturday morning we loaded up in the Minnie and heading off to Camp Comfort. Ashton couldn't miss a great selfie opportunity, with a sleeping Holly photobomb.

You CANOE a boat.

I love turning nouns into verbs. Sidenote...rivers, floating, boating etc are a tad different in Missouri than in Oregon.  In Oregon, when we make reference to the river and floating, it usually includes rapids and inflatable boats...which lead to quite a debate..what is a TAHITI? Is it more of an inflatable kayak? Or an inflatable canoe!? Ok...back to our FLOATING ADVENTURE..

In true Missouri redneck fashion, after dropping off a vehicle at the end of our float, we all piled into one vehicle, and road in the back of the truck. 

And then we floated. And carried our boats. And laughed. And swam. And took a lunch break. 

 

It doesn't get much better than this.

Yes, the selfie stick made the float. 

Canoes, Kayaks, and Paddle Boards...OH MY! 

There is just something about dads throwing kids! 

I just love these kiddos! NUUN TEAM FUN! 

You spend the night at Camp Comfort. 

You participate in a several hundred boat water balloon fight! 

I have never experienced such a thing! And it was amazing! We entered the water balloon fight completely unarmed, but thanks to the phenomenal driving skills of Phil, we maneuvered our way through all of the boats, scooping up water balloons from the water and equipping ourselves with our own ammo.  

Hours later we returned soaking wet with battle wounds and stories to tell!

You teach the kids to wake surf! 

PRICELESS...the smile on all of the kiddos faces when they mastered wake surfing.  I got in the water with all of them to help them get the feel of getting up and we were 4 for 4...all of the Crouch/Figueiredo clan are now wake surfers!!! 

 

There's something about a boat...it rocks to right to sleep! I'm right there with you Parker!

You have a very serious RACK-O tournament! 

The Figueridos and I played Rack-O when they came out to Oregon for Spring Break, and this guy was so determined to win, that he wanted to play over & over & over! He was a little nervous to play in a round with his Grandma {serious game player}, Dad {Rack-O Champ} and myself...

This is what a reigning champs game face looks like! 

The grandkiddos loved helping Grandma and she loved returning the favor. 

Ashton might've been nervous, but he was quietly strategizing a WIN!!!! Rack-O CHAMPS!

You have hysterical jumping photo outtakes! 

You squeeze in a little tennis playing.

When in Missouri we squeeze in as much fun as possible, and we have been talking about playing tennis together for weeks...so we didn't let a little rain slow us down! These boys were naturals...future tennis players for sure! 

Family is not defined by your blood relatives.

I am beyond blessed to have an amazing family, and I thank God for them everyday! But I am also extremely blessed to have friends that are like family to me. Holidays, especially summer holidays, are all about spending time with family doing what we love.  I got on a plane Labor Day weekend to fly across the county, and was welcomed with loving arms, as if I was family! I spent the weekend doing what I love, with people I love. 

You summarize the weekend with one picture!

Cascade Lakes Relay 2015

Ok, Ok..yes, I ran the Cascade Lakes Relay a month ago, and yes, I am just now getting around to blogging about it.  My new life motto is #betterlatethannever! For those of you who know me, you know I LOVE relays! As in I would run a relay every weekend if I could.   So here is my recap, in more pictures that words!

I was so thankful to be asked to run with the same team again this year...last year I was a last minute sub...AND to have the same legs! I was runner 1, which meant I was able to kick off the relay with a run around Diamond Lake! Last year I was really just starting to kick up my training, and perhaps not quite ready to tackle the 20+ mile. This year I was significantly more prepared, and excited to see what I could do.  

I finished my first leg of 7.36 miles at an 8:48/mile pace and felt great! I was ready to let the good times roll!!

As I handed off to John I was ready to be a cheer leader extraordinaire and to get my van dance party on! 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love how relays turn an individual sport into a team sport...where the success of a team really depends on supporting, encouraging, and cheering one another on.  

Relays also wouldn't be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who bring excitement, fun, and SAFETY to the event! 

Despite the heat and tough terrain relays are ALL SMILES!

TEAMWORK...it's what it's all about! 

This guy...an amazing runner! An amazing person!

Oops..relay foul! Time with the other van is limited, but it's always fun catching up with them at the major exchanges! 

Its a RELAY tradition! 

BROTHERS! A family that runs together...

I can't think of a better way to kick off the night runs than by a top-of-the-van-dance-party! I love the nighttime runs...it doesn't get better than a blinker lit, star filled sky run! 

Doesn't he look like he is having a blast!!!? I was excited to see him come in to the exchange so I could take off into the night! 

Another RELAY tradition; a relay isn't complete without a headlamp selfie. 

How can you NOT enjoy a nighttime run with these views?? I busted out 7.47 more miles, at an 8:53/mile pace.  

GUUUUUUUU!!!!! Relays are filled with many team and van inside jokes, and this is one of them! You had to be there...but long story short, he ran up to the van screaming GUUUUU, and he wanted a GUUUUU! 

With 90deg+ weather, water sprayers were a lifesaver! TEAMWORK! 

Meet our new vanmate...the bearded, braided lady with a doll! 

And yes, she rocked 3 miles WITH the wig on, CARRYING the baby! 

It's hard to beat a natural ice bath.  My third and final leg was 6.04 glorious miles at an 8:53/mi pace. 

Team selfie!!! Courtesy of Mark's Selfie-stick! 

This picture says it all and sums up what a relay is all about!

Dance parties AND wings...they're a MUST! 

She gets by with a little help from her team! 

SEE, even in extreme heat, with a lack of sleep and upset tummies, there is FUN to be had! 

Rocking our awesome new CLR hats! 

And we FINISHED!!!!

Another great CLR in the books! An adventure consisting of 2 vans, 12 stinky-runners-turned-friends, PB Pretzels, m&ms, licorice and more; headlight & glow stick lit runs, and accomplishing such a great feat! Until next year...

No More Hamster Wheel

I often hear from others how busy I am, how I am involved in so many various activities, that I am constantly doing fun and interesting things, and from the social media perspective, my life looks pretty great! And it IS!  I have been beyond blessed with the opportunities that I have been given in my life, and I wouldn't change it for anything! HOWEVER...recently, I have been comparing my life to that of a hamster wheel...it's moving. And it's moving fast.  But it isn't going anywhere.  

I am not usually one to make monthly goals, but in an effort to break the monotonous routine I am, consisting of early morning runs, work, evening meetings/commitments, repeat, I am going to write down a few things to focus on this month.

1. YOGA 2-3 times per week

I started doing yoga more consistently a couple of weeks ago and LOVE it; not only for the physical benefits, but for the ability to mentally disconnect from the craziness of life.  With my life spinning non-stop, so does my brain/mind.  AND...I'll be completely honest, I struggle to quiet my mind, which can be overwhelming at times, and make it hard to really focus when focusing and clearing my mind is necessary.  Think...running for hours...

SO, I made the best investment ever!!! For $5/month, I have unlimited access to Jasyoga's videos, that I can enjoy anytime of the day, in the luxury of my own home.  *now I don't want to sounds anti-social, but finding a class that works with my schedule isn't always easy. However, Saturday morning yoga at the winery seems to always work with my schedule ;) What I love about the videos is that they're specific to athletes, and an athlete's needs {time constraints, specific area of the body that needs special attention, etc}:

Jasyoga is a revolutionary approach to yoga for athletes. Our practical solutions are designed to help you recover, prevent injuries, and perform so that you can achieve your goals, no matter where your active lifestyle takes you.

2. PLAN A DISCONNECT TRIP

I am fortunate enough to travel and be on-the-go quite a bit, which I love, but I want to plan a trip where I can just disconnect.  No phone. No Schedule. No obligations.  Even for just 24 hours.  How great does that sound? And how amazing does THIS place look!? 

3.  MORE STRUMMING TIME {2-3 times per week}

Every time I pick up my guitar, I am reminded how much I enjoy playing.  As my friend said the other night, playing is a form of therapy.  For me, it's also my favorite way to worship.  

4.  FINISH WHAT I STARTED

Quitter is a word rarely used to describe me, except when it comes to projects around the house.  I always have good intentions, but that's about as far as it goes.  I buy things that I think will look good and they end up with the tag still on them, leaning against the wall or in my office/junk room, for months {sometimes longer}.  Speaking of office, I have had grand plans for it, for, well...4 years.  Well, recently I hired some ladies to help me with redecorating part of my house, and it was wonderful.  It helped jump start what I have wanted to get accomplished for quite a while.  Well my time was running short, I was getting overwhelmed with them constantly calling and nagging me {just doing their job}, so as we approached {key work there} the completion of the two rooms that were my priority, I told them I would complete the last few things, and wanted to take a break until I had more time to commit to the next stage {that office I was talking about...}

Well, several weeks later I still haven't hung the rod with the two curtain panels I had made, and the huge clock I purchased is still leaning against the wall.  This month is the month I finish what I started.

I am excited about my goals and having things to focus on to break the monotonous routine of my life these days.  Do you make monthly goals? If so, what are some of YOUR goals for the month of June.