Grab Your Buddy...

My brother and I ran the Muddy Buddy this weekend. 6.5miles of running and biking (one buddy bikes while the other runs, switching off each mile). In between each mile is an obstacle transition zone (climbing walls, jumping hurdles, crawling through mud, running across the reservoir). We had a blast! Next year, better costumes!!!

13.1!

On Saturday I completed my first half marathon, running the whole way! I crossed the finish line at 2:09:11, not so shabby for my first time. This has been a huge goal for me all year, mission accomplished!

Starting out...

The little girl is smiling because she only ran the last 5 yards with her Mom...

Last few strides to the finish line!

"I use these short races to increase my pace..."

The Sean May Memorial run was this Saturday. It is to honor a former Adams County District Attorney who was shot and killed in a suspected act of retaliation four years ago. The proceeds go to his family and to increase the community's access to justice so that everyone may have a voice and a right within our court system. The race was 9 miles, and the longest race I have ever competed in to date. I was up for the challenge. I was talking with some other races at the starting line, and two women were talking about marathons they had completed, and upcoming triathlons they were preparing for. I was very interested and not too affected by the comments until the one woman says, "yes, I use these short races (referring to the 9 miles we were about to embark on) to increase my pace." It was such a casual comment to her, but it horrified me! What did I get myself into here?! Sheer panic set in for the next 5 minutes while we were waiting to begin our adventure. Everyone around me had signed up because it was a quick stroll around the lake, for me, this was to be my largest feat yet! What if I pass out mid-race and my body just gives out?!
9 miles later...
I used the fear of other's ridicule to push my pace throughout the course, I sprinted across the finish like at 1:18:54! I won first place in my age bracket (20-29) and placed on the leaders board as #5 for women! The best part was I had co-workers, friends, and my Mom all cheering for me as I made the last few yards into the finishing shoots. It was truly one of the greatest and proudest moments of my life. And that woman who used the race as a time trial for her marathons? She high-fived me at the end - no judgment! :)

My first race medal!

My racing partner - Mama (who by the way, earned second place in her age group for the 5k race)!

It's a bird, it's a plane, no!...It's Kelley!!!

My Mom and I had our monthly running group race last weekend. It was a new race location for both of us, and opened my eyes to a whole new trail system by my house.I am always excited for a new running route. I broke another personal best this month - 5 miles in 42:23! I am well on my way to my first half marathon later this summer.

Getting into the rhythm...



Holding steady...

Sprinting to the finish line!

New York, New York

Last weekend, my parents my brother and I all ventured out to the big city...New York City to be exact! They do not exaggerate when they say the city is huge! Many people, huge building, hustle and bustle, and of course, fashion! We saw the WTC Memorial, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, shopped FAO Schwartz, saw Grand Central Station, went to the top of the Rockefeller Center, and of course, rode both the subway and taxis!

WTC Memorial North Tower.

Grand Central Station

The top of the Rock, 70 floors up!

Zebras at FAO Schwartz

Martha Kelley Strikes Again...

I've been working around the house this weekend doing some Spring updates. I decorated some new flower pots for the garden plants this year. I planted arugula, bell peppers, tomatoes, lavender, cilantro, and basil. More to come...

I may have gotten carried away with the raffia on this one...

On a side note, it is the little things that make me miss Nick; exhibit A, all the orange Skittles from the bag, Nick always eats the orange ones for me.

I re-created our serving tray to be more "Nick and Kelley" than the standard store decor.

Feels Like Progress...

We had another race with my running group last weekend. My Mom stopped resisting the urge and joined the group (which is funny as I only knew about the group because of her participation in previous years). The group always asks how fast you think you will run the race in order to stagger faster and slower runners so that the group finishes roughly at the same time. I got really confident at check in and blurted out "9:15 per mile." As soon as I said it I wished I could take it back, but the volunteer had already written my start time on my bib and sent me to the starting line. They release the waves one by one, and as the runners waiting to start dwindled, I was noticing how fit and elite the runners with me looked. Oh boy, I'm in trouble. Everyone will soon find out I should have started at 00:00 instead of trying to wait like I was a skilled runner. Come my time, I tried my best to act confident and calm at the starting line, and away I ran. "Keep it cool, look strong." Halfway around, I grab the cup of water offered and try to drink it gracefully while keeping my pace (the water spills all over your face and shirt and you go bouncing along, I should know that hydration won't be a pretty sight). As soon as I see the finish line I start to sprint, anything to keep my time lower than the expected embarrassing results. Soon, they will know I over estimated my pace and should have started earlier. The clock at the finish line was broken, so for DAYS I waited for the results to be posted online. Finally, they were posted on Wednesday...36mins!!! I ran four miles in 36mins, which means I had a 9min mile pace and was NOT a liar!!! This is a new personal best for me at that distance.

Sprinting to the finish...

Farewell to D.C...

Trudy and I spent Nick's last weekend in D.C with him. We walked the monuments and museums, saw China town, and explored Baltimore. The weekend flew by, much to our dismay, but we look forward to more great memories together when he gets home next year!

We were walking behind the White House on St. Patrick's Day when we saw tons on green flags waiving and a large gathering of people. How exciting! A St. Patrick's Day parade...wrong! We got closer and realized the crowd was chanting. We wandered even closer still and discovered it was the flag of Syria. When we put the pieces together, we discovered it was a rally to ask for help in Syria. It was not scary, it was not angry, it was really kind of beautiful. We spend a lot of time thinking about everything that is wrong with this country, and who should have been voted in over who may have won. Yet, when you see people from a nation seriously in turmoil, turning to yours for help...you cannot help but have pride in your country that we are still seen as hope for others. It was really beautiful.

This beautiful tree was in bloom everywhere!

I never did find out what it was called, but it is my new favorite!

Trudy and Nick at the White House.

At the top of the Lincoln Monument.

100 years of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Everything was in bloom.

China Town in D.C

A quick stop for lunch.

Moose came down with something this whole week. It escalated into him requiring hours of veterinary care over the weekend. They sent him home with me with the understanding I would inject him with fluids on Sunday. When the time arrived on Sunday, I couldn't do it! He knows how to give me the puppy-eyes and turn on the charm to get what he wants (in this case to not get stuck with a needle). Luckily, I have friends down the road that volunteered to do this for me so I wouldn't feel guilty; what are friends for right? Moose went back to the vet again tonight for another round of subcutaneous hydration. He is looking much better and well on his way to good health!

East Coast Tour...

I went out to see Nick over President's Day Weekend. I love being on airplanes and seeing everyone reading. I love that people still read for fun. The woman next to me even had library books! 


We took off through Baltimore and headed to Ocean City, MD. Even though it was definitely not swim weather, it was nice to be at the coast and eat seafood right on the beach. Our car ride through Delaware taught us a very important law; no talking on the phone while driving. One minor ticket later...we drove to Annapolis the next day and saw the Naval Academy and famous stadium. I loved the feel of Annapolis. It look like a quaint old colonial town with the modern bustle of people and cars. The streets were brick and the buildings were impressively landscaped and groomed. On top of all of that, we saw the Naval Cadets in full uniform walking around like it was any normal day, it felt strangely patriotic. We were also able to visit Ft. Meade (the Commissary there definitely kicks our little AFB's butt). It is funny how comforting being on a base in a foreign town is; somehow everything is the same again, and everything is safe.

The trip turned out to be a trip of bird watching. We were impressed. We saw groups of blue heron, a family of cardinals, the biggest ravens I have ever seen, enormous hawks in numbers, and two bald eagles! I am not a bird watcher by any means but I was definitely amazed by the variety and ability to see them without even being on the lookout.

Out for a stroll.

Our hotel

You can't help but be happy at the ocean!

Naval Academy

Cheesy mirrors on the ceilings in our hotel.

Low tide, Ocean City

Our first glimpse of the beach!

Snowdash 2012...

We went up 11,000ft this morning to participate in the Snowdash 5k snow-obstacle run. Blew-my-mind! Completely different than any race I have ever run, and a heck of a good time!

The treeline in Evergreen, CO (the ride up the mtn).



The view from the starting line Evans Peak/Echo Mtn.

On top of the world after the race.

My running buddy and I.

Snow Day...

The weatherman said we were supposed to get a blizzard last night and continuing through the weekend. I took this report with skepticism because...we usually exaggerate in Colorado. Well, we did get a blizzard and my work declared a snow day! It took me two hours to shovel the driveway, and I am sure I will be back out again because it is still snowing! I am very excited, I dream of weather like this year round!!!

6am - before shoveling.



That snow is going to fall at some point...

Our poor tree being weighted down!

9am - after shoveling (I took a few breaks).

Visitor in Denver...

Nick's Mom came in this weekend to spend some of the "last days" here at our house before Nick starts training to go back to Afghanistan. We were able to take her Downtown, around our little town, and to show her some of our usual places.


Proud Mother.

We took Trudy to Nick's last hockey game. He has had a blast playing with these guys! Go Bruins!

The Beantown Bruins

The face-off, I heart #25!

And then we did one of the most Colorado things we could think of...The National Western Stock Show!

At the Stock Show.

First Race of 2012...

Every spring I get out to the local road runs, with my main focus being the Bolder Boulder in May. Last year, I broke out of my routine a bit and completed the Rugged Maniac. This hooked me on Adventure Races!!!

Going through the barbed wire "pond" during the Rugged Maniac, Sept 2011. 

For 2012, I vowed to break outside of my norm and compete in more Adventure/Obstacle Course runs, as well as complete longer routes than the Bolder Boulder. This means starting earlier! Today was my first run with my new running club, The Rocky Mountain Road Runners. This was very exciting as I have not been able to find a new running group since I made the move down from Greeley after college.

My first RMRR run for 2012.

Road Trip to AL

Nick and I took a mini-vacation and road-tripped down to see my grandparents in Alabama. Our travels took us through Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. We were able to mark a few more states off our list, and hopefully soon we will have all 50 traveled together!

Resting/Stretching our legs in Arkansas.

Mammoth Springs, AR

Crossing the Mississippi River into Memphis, TN.

I don't know why, but everytime I go down South to visit my grandparents, I get a kick out of their grocery store's name!

Tupelo, Mississippi, the birth town of Elvis!

Showing that there is absolutely nothing to see in Kansas...

...except for wind farms!