RUNNING: a TRIBUTE to my MOM

On June 2, 2016July 29, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Uncategorized4 Comments

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My mom is an inspiration to me. We’ve run marathons, half-marathons, 10K’s and 5K’s together over many years. We were training for a marathon when she found out she had pancreatic cancer. She’s a fighter and a tough lady, going into her 4th year with cancer she’s up to running a loop around the park. She’s the true hero and is awesome. There’s many hero’s out there like her. When I’m ready to quit and be done during a race or a training run, I think of her and know she’d do anything to be at mile 16 wanting to quit but she will never be there again and that’s what keeps me going.

Running is a funny thing, it’s therapy and craziness all in one. But we always come back for more. There’s a camaraderie not quite like any other athletic group. People of all shapes and sizes, fast or slow can be a part of the running community. We all feel the same as we cross the finish line regardless of how long it took us to get there.

So on those days, like today for me, when 16 miles took an extra hour, we have to tell ourselves…just keep running, one foot in front of the other.

Running Tips:

Push through the Pain | A Winner Runs Through It | When It’s OK to quit a Race

Shop Running Sales:

MEMORIAL day: SALES for ADVENTURES

On May 30, 2016July 29, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, Backpacking, Hiking, Running, ShopLeave a comment

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This holiday weekend I have already put a few adventures in the books to remember. Today on my 15 mile trail run up to Palisade Upper Lake, it went from blue clear skies to a downpour in five seconds. Good thing I was prepared with Rain jacket, beanie, hat w/visor to keep rain off my face, capilene layer, buff to keep my neck warm with the cool wind. The downpour didn’t stop me. I was prepared.

Palisade Lower Lake, Post-run muddiness

The wildflowers on the ridge, Big Holes Idaho

Yesterday I needed a puffy! The ridge top winds were SOOO cold! I was prepared but I would have miserable had I not been. The wildflowers made me forget how cold it was. They are just starting to show off their colors. It was a beautiful day with sunshine (which we have been lacking). It’s been raining for over a week now! So the cold sunshine was a warm welcome!

There’s so many great deals out there. Tomorrow is the final day! Shop before it’s too late.

SHOP great MEMORIAL DAY SALES:

Patagonia Outlet :get additonal % off based on total amount dollar spent
Backcountry.com :get 20% off one full priced item or up to 50% on select items
Alltrec.com : get 20% off select gear
Campsaver.com : 20% off full priced items and 20% off outlet items

path TO a MAGICAL forest

On May 25, 2016July 29, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, Shop, TravelLeave a comment

‘Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary day, nature gives us a MAGICAL FOREST.’

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A rainy day called for a weekend adventure to Yellowstone National Park. I wanted a week or two more to explore all the nooks and crannies of the park. There’s so much vastness and so many cool things to see in the park. As I started down the mile loop to Artists’ Paintpots it started snowing and I felt like I was on a path in a Magical Forest. I was a kid again exploring my make believe play land. Only now, I’m an adult playing in my grown up play land.

In 1988 a fire burned a majority of Yellowstone Park. I remember driving up to Island Park and into Yellowstone and watching the fires burn. It was crazy and so much smoke. Over 9,000 firefighters were brought in to fight the fire. It’s healthy for a forest ecosystem to burn and naturally regenerate itself.

Lodgepole Pines affected by the fire of 1988.

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Fires approaching the Old Faithful complex Sept 7, 1988.

Weekend adventure necessities and they’re on SALE! (Click on Links)

PANTS | SHIRT | DRESS | JACKET |SHIRT | PUFFY | SHORTS | BAG | SCARF

RAIN rain, DON’T go AWAY

On May 20, 2016May 25, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, Shop2 Comments

I want to play in the rain, so rain rain, don’t go away, please stay today! I love when it rains and today was a downpour. Teton and I loaded up the car and went for a drive. I remember as a kid we’d always drive to Jackson or Yellowstone on rainy days. We’d laugh, talk and sing along to our favorite songs. I love the smell and sound of rain. It’s like nature is getting a fresh shower. The colors are more vibrant, the air is more crisp. Did I mention, I LOVE the rain?

Teton and I adventured to Mesa Falls. I’ve been coming to these falls since childhood. My great grandparents would snowmobile me into them in the winter, my grandpa would take me for motorcycle rides up to Mesa Falls. Each time I visit them I’m in awe of their beauty and massiveness. They are just off the road on your way to Yellowstone Park via the West Entrance. If you get the chance, take the scenic byway to see them. It’s worth the extra 20 minutes. We were at Upper Mesa Falls today, info HERE

Part of the fun of playing outside is being dry and warm. My favorites to bundling up. Oh and yes, I like layering and Puffys!

Rain Coat | Puffy Layer | Puffy Vest | Shirt | Pants | Teton’s Vest | Shoes

LACED up SHOES, cotton CANDY clouds

On May 18, 2016May 25, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Running, Shop2 Comments

Another morning, I don’t want to get up and run, AGAIN. My body still hurts from the long run on Saturday. I want to sleep in, there’s a million other things I’d rather do and I will name all of them. But… I lace up my shoes, head out the door and start. It’s always hard. Whether it’s a 5K or a 100 mile race, the training regiment is always hard. The diligence of training is not easy. It’s mind over matter. For me the hardest part of running a 100 mile race or training for any race is always the consistency of training. I need to build the muscle strength, the stamina, the mental capacity from daily training. One must be serious about training to cross the finish line on race day. LOVE this article on running consistency: HERE

So today, I started out slow, a lot of things on my mind. As I put one foot in front of the other and two hours later, I felt amazing. I loved the COTTON CANDY CLOUDS and the green valley below and the Tetons watching me from a distance as I ran my miles. All the burdens on my mind, solved, lifted off my shoulders. Running is my personal therapy. I LOVE IT! Nature does that to me. Just me, the clouds, the badger off the side of the road, the little squirrels and deer peering over at me, stopping in that moment to lock eyes with me as I run by. I LOVE nature and the calmness it brings my soul. That’s why I choose to run up a very steep hill for 6 miles and venture into the woods. A great article on Running and the benefits: HERE

Runners, we’re a different breed but a happy one. We know the sacrifices, the journey and rewards at the end. Be it a finish line or our car. WE DID IT! And that’s why we come back the next day for more.

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A great quote from Runner’s World.

RUNNING NECESSITIES: (Shop Links below)

SHOES | SHORTS | SHIRT | SOCKS | GU PACKS | HAT | LITE LAYER | HYDRATION PACK

JERRY visits YELLOWSTONE national PARK

On May 17, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, Backpacking, Hiking, National Parks, Shop, TravelLeave a comment

West entrance of Yellowstone Park, Madison River

Jerry in the park. @jerryoftheday is one of my favorite Instagram feeds. No, not because they’re making fun of people, I don’t like that, but because it’s a feed about people trying to be AWESOME at something: skiing, a trick, a jump, anything but failing miserably. I couldn’t help but comment on the Yellowstone National Park tourists that recently put a bison calf in their car. To their credit they were sincerely worried about the small bisons’ safety. Full article HERE

I feel bad for: 1) The little bison, it had to be put down because it never reunited with it’s herd 2) the concerned visitors. They thought they were doing a good deed but were fined. The name of the game: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. Check out the park rules HERE Wildlife are not domesticated animals, they are WILD. Take caution and don’t try to pet the moose or get a close up of the bear you see just off the trail.

North Entrance, Mammoth Hot Springs

I’ve witnessed too many times myself, tourist wanting to get that great shot with the wildlife. Take caution, wildlife in National Parks are not furry friendly animals. Look from a distance and get a tele-photo lens so you can enjoy the National Parks!

NATIONAL PARK SITE SEEING MUST HAVES: and they are on SALE

my FIRST love: THE grand TETON

On May 14, 2016May 14, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, Friday Favorites, National Parks, Shop, TravelLeave a comment

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I LOVE the Tetons…as in the Grand Tetons. I grew up in the shadows of them and thought they were pretty but didn’t truly fall in LOVE until my first time hiking over Hurricane Pass when I was 14. I’ll never forget coming up to the summit on Hurricane Pass after a BRUTAL, yes, it’s hard and yes, I was a teenager, hike to the top. As I reached the summit, there stood the Tetons and the Grand bolding applauding me for my accomplishment of the summit. Those mountains were mesmerizing and larger than life! I felt like I could reach out and touch them. That day, I fell in LOVE with the Tetons.

I’ve spent many days since then in the Tetons, climbing the Grand, the middle. Hiking/running/backpacking/skiing in and around the canyons surrounding the Teton Range. There’s something magical, mysterious and captivating about the Tetons and their majestic beauty.

Today my family biked in the Park with the Tetons overshadowing us all day long. I have many memories with the family adventuring in the Tetons, riding the boat across Jenny Lake, bear encounters and more. The family motto: A family that plays together, stays together. We’re missing a few siblings but it was fun to get out and enjoy NATURE. We laughed and had fun along the way.

I think this is for the visitors from Asia. They have holes in the ground for bathrooms. It made us laugh. Not a typical sign you see daily.

Friday Favorites:

it’s a BEAUTIFUL day, ENJOY it

On May 12, 2016May 12, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Running, ShopLeave a comment

Monday my training schedule had me running 10 miles. I looked out the window to see the trees were almost horizontal because the wind was blowing so hard. Ugh, I had no desire to run a mile, let alone 10. I told myself, “it’d be good ‘training’ and training for anything is not for the faint of heart, besides, it was a beautiful day, go enjoy it!”

The wild wind blowing my hair.

It turned out to be fun to run. I laughed as the wind literally blew me off the road with some gusts and stopped me dead in my tracks as I ran into it. I was rewarded at the end, I DID IT! That’s the joy of training and pushing ourselves. The sense of accomplishment at the end. HERE is a great article to get over a training hump. Happy Running! Andria

My Road Running Favorites:

Without RAIN, there would be no RAINBOW

On May 10, 2016May 10, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn AdventuresLeave a comment

‘Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true.’ ~Unknown author FullSizeRender

Yesterday there was a crazy hail, rain and wind storm and then a full rainbow appeared. It was fitting to be with my mom to honor her as my mother. She always taught me perseverance, hard work, and to follow your dreams. Thank you mom! I’m grateful for all you have taught me and most importantly, never give up on myself and to follow my dreams.

Love you!

CROSS training: a PEDAL in the PARK

On May 5, 2016May 14, 2016 By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, Running, Shop, Tetons Corner, TravelLeave a comment

I was too tired to run today, so I decided on a cross-training day. Teton and I decided to bike through Grand Teton National Park. I personally KNOW how important cross-training is for your running training, whether it’s a 5K or a 50K, it’s important! The races I didn’t do any cross-training, I could tell. Check out this great article on why cross-training is important: HERE My cross-training is fun and casual, biking, water-skiing, hiking. I keep it light since my training days are more intense.

It’s early season in the park so not too many people. There’s still snow in mountains so we biked from Taggart Lake parking lot to Jenny Lake. A must do! The views were splendid. And Teton LOVED it! Fitting don’t you think?!

Grand Teton National Park: Trail/Bike Map: HERE

Safety While Biking in Park: HERE

A Pedal in the Park Essentials: ON SALE!

Casual Shorts : Patagonia Button Down : Day Pack for Buddy : Sunglasses

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