I love the rocky run! - 

In 2011, I chose to sign up for the Rocky Mountain Soap Women's run.I was going to be my furthest distance - I had only done a couple 10k runs. But this was 12k. And in the mountains. And hilly. But I had someone encourage me to do this race and try to go just that little bit further. I didn't know anyone going, but  I trained hard, losing about 30 pounds in the 5 months before the race. I was so excited and nervous. But the route was so beautiful I quickly forgot about the nerves. That first year, ran the 12k route in 1.5 hours. I won a bra, a book and had an amazing time. The next year, I signed up again. And told all my running pals to come out. I had, by then, ran a few half marathons. And, I ran the same distance 15 minutes faster. It was one of those runs where the paths, the trees, the mountain air seem to make you feel limitless. The hundreds of awesome participants also make the day. There is so much cheering and the volunteers also make the race such a fantastic experience. For me, the run all about the atmosphere. But every time I am out there I just feel stronger, and am so pumped to be out there. 

Since those first two 12k runs, I have run the half marathon  on Saturday and followed it up with a 10km on the Sunday. Both were strong races and I proved to myself I really can push further and be stronger. Last year, I was a week out of a marathon, so I ran the 10km race both days - heck I ran the second race faster than the first! I love running out in the mountains, it must be something about the air here. I always feel great and the view is spectacular. Another part of why I love this race is also the awesome swag. If you haven't done it before, the buff is my favourite piece of swag! I wear mine often. That scented wash cloth at the finish line comes a close second. This year, I decided to try doing the half marathon (its going to be my 35th) on Saturday and 10km on Sunday.  I am so stoked to have come so far in my running journey. And, of course, I look forward to another great weekend in the mountains with a whole lot of amazing women. 

---

---

Guest Post 
Tina Garstat
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crantina
Blog: http://fabulosi-t.blogspot.ca
Instagram: http://instagram.com/crantina

---