The Spartan Race and an Ode to Sean Kelly's

Since January I have been training for the Montana Spartan Race that I completed last Saturday. This was the first time I've really stepped out of my comfort zone to challenge myself in a competition and I was doing it alone. I had never ran a Spartan and we are lucky enough to have this race in Montana.

During February, the Spartan Race put on a workout at the Adam's Center in Missoula to give a preview to what the race is like and how one should be training. I was really excited to attend even though I knew I was going to get my butt kicked because I was no where near the shape I needed to be in. Low and behold, Montana got a huge storm that weekend that dumped about 8 inches. Priorities took over and I decided to skip the workout and go skiing.

After a great day on the mountain of powder, beer, and cheese fries, I was beginning to regret my decision to skip the workout because now I was going into the race totally blind. I immediately started strength training and endurance which I knew needed work. I knew the biggest challenge would be my upper body strength, which I made my mission to improve in the coming months. A month before the race I heard the founder of the Spartan Race would be designing the course.

Fast forward to the week before the race. I started to get glimpses of the course obstacles that were being posted online and felt good about them. Two days before the race, the founder, Joe Desena, was quoted on the news saying this was the most difficult Spartan Sprint (the first of three levels of the race) he had ever seen. I'm a firm believer that in a given time frame, if you aren't prepared for an event whether it's fitness oriented or a test, if you aren't ready now, you never will be. I had worked really hard to get to the level I was at and I honestly didn't know if it would be enough until the moment of truth.

My friend Heather was gracious enough to come with me and be my support and photographer and I'm so glad she came. I personally thank her for dealing with me talking about how nervous I was and waiting in line for almost two hours to pick up my race packet. I told myself my one rule was to never quit. I started training early enough that it was not acceptable in my mind to be unprepared.

Without going into great detail about the race, let me just say it was tough. I walked out of it legs burning, bleeding, and shaking. That's what climbing a mountain and 200 yards of army crawling under barbed wire will do. But I was happy. All the hard work had paid off and I placed 267 out of 1855 females. I had set and achieved another goal and it was the best feeling in the world. I encourage you all to do the same and I hope to see you out there next year.

Heather and I after the race with a well deserved beer.

Earlier this week my coworker informed me that Sean Kelly's, an Irish Missoula icon, is closing at the end of this month. My reaction: "What?! Where will I get pub chips and gravy!? And Velvet Hammers? And a shot ski?!?!?" To hear that this Irish staple, community supporting, music venue was closing broke my heart.

So here's to you Sean Kelly's. You have served me well through many work socials, St Patty's Days, and Christmas parties. I am truly saddened to think about running Run for the Luck of It next year and not having soda bread, Irish stew, and Highlander waiting for me. Has anyone noticed that every running event myself (and most people) participate in end in beer? This isn't a coincidence. 

Velvet Hammer. Hard apple cider topped with Guinness. Do not knock it until you try it. Hard cider is so sweet that the Guinness adds a robust creaminess that ends in perfection.

Then there was the shot-ski. Where else will we invite a stranger to join our PB&J shot on St Patty's Day? Festive I know, but sooo delicious. Maybe I should just ask if I can buy the shot ski... Stay tuned.

Summer is upon us Missoula dust off the Chacos and get those calves into hiking shape. See you out there.

Recipe for Endurance

The last couple of weeks have absolutely flown by. Summer is just around the corner and it's time to play. Last weekend a couple of girlfriends and I headed to Quinn's Hot Springs for a much needed pool soak. Between the tequila sunrises, good company, and an entertaining bridal party, our overnight adventure to Plains was a perfect getaway. Endurance recipe #1: Surround yourself with the people that make you a better person and you can make it through anything. Adding vodka also helps.

Hiking is my favorite form of exercise. The snow is melting off the mountains and the trails will be clear to roam. The excitement is killing me. My dad and I headed up the Bitterroot Valley to Lake Como, a beautiful lake north of Darby. Having only lived 6 miles from the lake for several years, we couldn't believe that we had never hiked to the lakes inlet up the canyon.The Como Peaks are one of my favorite views in the Bitterroot. Endurance recipe #2: Keep life exciting. Explore new places and things will never get old.

Moving on to the BEST kitchen "hack" I have learned to date thanks to my coworker. Maybe I'm the last person to know this-- but I still feel the need to share it for any of you out there that aren't aware. I make smoothies just about every morning for breakfast. I love my blender, but cleaning it daily for one smoothie can get old. I make kombucha so I have a ton of mason jars around the house. It just so happens that most blenders fit the mouth of standard mason jars. You know where I'm going with this, and YES you can use a mason jar instead of the blender pitcher to make your smoothies! Endurance recipe #3: Try the best you can to get along with your coworkers. I know I'm thankful for this one.

 Last but not least, the final (and actual) recipe. I'm a huge fan of crackers. They are a weakness of mine. I have gone through countless boxes of Cheezits, Wheat Thins, Goldfish, and Ritz Bits Sandwiches with Cheese. These are all so delicious and so terrible for you. Last summer my friend Jory brought a bag of homemade crackers on a camping trip in Glacier. I don't think I will ever buy crackers again. They are so simple, tasty, and actually healthy. I give you Endurance recipe #4: Endurance Crackers by Oh She Glows

Endurance Crackers

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chia seeds*
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup pepita seeds (or pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds
• 1 cup water
• Spices of your choice to mix in with the seeds or sprinkle on top. I have used chili powder, garlic powder, curry powder, and salt.

1. Preheat the oven to 325F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, mix the seeds together. Pour the water mixture onto the seeds and stir until thick and combined. Season with spices at this time if you wish.

3. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet with the back of a spoon until it’s less than 1/4 inch thick. Not to worry if a couple parts become too thin, you can just patch them up. Try the best you can to get to this thickness as you don't want the inside of the crackers to not fully cook. 

4. Bake at 325F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, slice into crackers, carefully flip onto other side with a spatula. Bake for another 25-30 minutes, watching closely after about 25 minutes. I typically take mine out around this time. Allow to cool completely on the pan. Store in a container or plastic baggy.

Endure and enjoy! Until next time explorers..