Palo Duro Canyon Trail Race Recap

Friday, October 27, 2017 October 27, 2017
The 1st of 4 loops. Photo credit: Bryan McKenney

         Really I don't know how I am going to put into words what this race was for me. I was tested both mentally and physically in so many ways. The fact that I completed a 50 mile race is still blowing my mind as I am writing this. 
         Palo Duro Canyon State Park is one of the most beautiful places to go visit. It is the second largest canyon in the United States, next to the Grand Canyon. This place was stunning. Located about six hours north west of Dallas, it was well worth the drive for this awesome race. The scenery alone was breathtaking. Now since I was running and focusing on getting one foot in front of the other, I was not paying too much attention to it during the race. 
For me, this race started just like another one. I woke up, drank my protein shake, made my coffee and packed my banana for the ride to the start line. Once I dropped my bag next to the Dallas Dirt Runners area, I found my friend Nick, who I wanted to run with. We moved closer to the front of the pack and were off at exactly 7AM. I had forgotten my headlamp and was banking on staying close with others so I could see. It worked but I really should've had a headlamp. 
       The first loop came and went pretty fast. Nick and I set up our main crewing area at the Lighthouse aid station. This was at mile 4ish and 10ish of each loop. Nick's wife (who by the way is AMAZING) was our main support besides the aid stations. My hubby and daughter popped in at a few points but keeping a 2 year old occupied during a race is tough so they were out exploring and hitting nap time during most of the race. 
        The second loop was a little tougher but I was still able to stay on a good pace. I was getting a feel for where I needed to hike some hills and where I could pick up or keep the pace. The sun was out and it was beginning to heat up a bit. Nick and I were basically taking turns feeling good and bad. By the end of the second loop and into the first half of the third loop, I was beginning to feel my hips get really tight. I've had this happen before and figured out it is the result of rolling hills. It was tough to work out but managed to finish the third loop about twenty minutes behind where I had wanted to be. With one loop left, I was tired but more than eager to get to the finish line. I saw my husband and daughter at mile 41ish. This was exactly what I needed to make it through the last 9 miles. He gave me the pep talk I needed and my daughter said "go mama go" and gave me a huge hug and kiss. Knowing that they would be waiting for me at the finish line gave me all the push I needed to keep moving forward as fast as I could. The tightness in my hips hadn't gone away but I was able to work through it and keep moving. Thankfully I was able to zone out the last few miles and just focus on being the finish line. As soon as I came off the trail and headed toward the finish, I was taken over with emotions that I had done it. I set this big goal and was steps from making it complete. I saw my husband and daughter and crossed that finish line to get to them.  
At the finish line! Photo Credit: Sunny Polito

           From the scenery to the community of runners at this race, should put this one on your list of trail runs to complete. The aid stations are full of everything you need plus some (they had chocolate covered bacon!) and the volunteers are truly there to help you get to the finish line. They have a 20k (1 loop), 50k (2.5 loops) & the 50M (4 loops), so grab your friends and make some lasting memories together. www.palodurotrailrun.com
~Samantha, Blissfully Fit Mama
Sipping coffee, watching the sunrise the morning after.
continue reading

DO ANYWHERE WORKOUT

Monday, October 16, 2017 October 16, 2017


     As we all know, this time of year can wreck havoc on fitness goals. So many parties to go to, holiday events and not to mention all the sweet treats that are conveniently in mass surplus EVERYWHERE. Regardless of whether I am traveling to Austin or Michigan for the holidays, I love having a quick go to workout that can be done anywhere and with minimal equipment or even improvised equipment (i.e. towels instead of gliders or adding kids as weight).                          This year we are traveling to Michigan to see my side of the family. I thankfully like to run in the cold but want to be able to have an inside workout to do especially if I can get my sisters to jump in with me. 
    This workout can be done all at once or in pieces throughout the day. It is easy, will get your heart pumping and help keep you in check during the holidays.

The Do Anywhere Workout

 Around the World Lunges x 10-12/side
 Push Ups x AMAP (as many as possible)
 Glider/Towel Plank Cross Overs x 20-30/side
 Pop Squats OR Banded Pop Squats x 15-20
 Incline Triceps Push Ups x AMAP
 Froggers x 20-30

REPEAT 3-5X



** To step it up to the next level you can add weights/ bands to the lower body exercises 💪


Go get your sweat on!

Samantha, Blissfully Fit Mama

continue reading

Rough Creek Trail Run Race Recap

Sunday, October 8, 2017 October 08, 2017

Rough Creek Trail Run Race Recap
     As many of you know, I just finished my first 40 miler on the 23rd of September. Whether you are running your first trail race or your 50th, the Rough Creek Trail Run, which is hosted by Active Joe, is a great race to do. This is the second year that I have participated in this race and can't wait to run it again next year.
     The race is on the Rough Creek Lodge property in Glen Rose, TX, about 2 hours from Dallas. There is a distance for everyone and even a fun run for kids. If you want to get your feet wet in the world of trail running and experience part of the challenging terrain, the 10k is your race. Then there are two middle distances, the half & full marathons, 1 loop and 2 loops respectively.  Lastly, is the challenging 40 miler race. It is 3 loops of the tough, rugged terrain but was oh so much fun. 
My love for this race started last year when I decided to enter the half marathon. I had run a few trail races before this one but not with this challenging of terrain. Needless to say, my experience was a good one. I walked away with a first place female finish & fast forward a year later, I conquered the 40 miler! 

     Leading up to this race, I was so nervous about the distance. I was getting in the mileage that I needed to and following the plan I had laid out. The morning of the race, I was surprisingly relaxed. I got out to the race sight, checked in, said hello to a few racers and headed back to my car to get my drop bag and chair set up close to the start line. My friend, Nick, was running the marathon distance and so we would be starting together which made me feel more at ease. Once the race was under way, I settled into an easy pace. About three miles in, you start the first side of the infamous "rusty crown".  You will find steep up & down hills with loose gravel. Then you came upon the "bowl" where you get to get relief & some easy miles before hitting the other side of the "rusty crown". The first loop seemed to go smoothly. Getting in the fluids and nutrition that I had planned for and feeling good. It took two hours and twenty-four minutes, I changed socks, dropped trash, refilled my hydration pack and grabbed my nutrition for the next loop and was off. Since there is not much coverage from trees on this course and the temperatures were going to be in the mid- nineties, I decided to fill my bandana with ice to go around my neck at the next aid station before hitting the "rusty crown". This made such a huge difference. I could feel the heat and having ice on my neck and down my sports bra (ladies this was amazing) got me to the next aid station feeling great. A hot spot of was beginning to form on the left ball of my foot at about mile twenty. I was worried about it getting worse but knew that once I finished this loop I could take care of it with my foot kit. Only once I did try to fix it, my foot kit was nowhere to be found in my bag. To this day I still have not found it...haha. I remember making it and placing it in my bag but poof it was gone. Bad luck. I slid on a fresh pair of socks and prayed it would just pop itself and I would get a little relief. That never happened. The third loop was harder, but my body was feeling great overall. After all the racers coming through multiple times, the climbs became a little tougher and the down hills were like sliding down a slide. The gravel was very loose at this point but I just kept telling myself to get down or up and over so that I could begin to jog again.  As soon as I hit the last aid station with 2.6ish miles to go, nothing could stop me from getting to the finish line. I loaded up my bandana with ice and was off. Not jogging but running. I knew these last few miles were relatively flat and that I just wanted to cross that finish line. I crossed the finish line in 9:01:05. It was two minutes over my goal of a sub-nine hour finish but I was able to pull off a first female finish. I was so happy. 

      All in all, this particular race is great because of the people that host it and the volunteers manning the aid stations. The first aid station from the start/finish line could be heard from a far. I would be climbing and descending hills and hear hoots and hollers as runners would come down the final hill into their aid station before heading back to the start/finish line. It gave you a little extra push to try to get to them a little quicker. They gave words of encouragement and helped you get back out on the course quickly. The guys manning the "bowl aid station" or the half way point of each loop, were also amazing. They greeted me by name (yes, it was on my bib, a perk of early registration) and again gave me words of encouragement and helped me efficiently get back on the course. Cheering you on as you left their aid station. I couldn't have asked for anymore. 
     Again, if you are looking for a great trail run that is challenging and not too far from DFW, I hope you will give this one a try. Be sure to register early though, as all distances sell out fast. 
Hope y'all have a great day! Stay active!

Samantha, Blissfully Fit Mama

Next up, Palo Dura Canyon 50 miler on October 21st!

continue reading

Warm Kale Arugula Spinach & Quinoa Salad with Homemade Lemon Vinaigrette

Monday, October 2, 2017 October 02, 2017
🙌🏼
Kale, Arugula, Spinach & Quinoa Salad with Homemade Lemon Vinaigrette
Lemon Vinaigrette:
Juice from 2 large lemons (about 1/2c)
1/3 c Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp dried oregano
3 garlic cloves
Stevia to taste (I used just a small squirt, I like mine less sweet. Be sure to taste it as you add)
Salt & pepper to taste 

***Blend all ingredients in a blender in high until a creamy yellow color. 

Salad:
Three stalks organic Kale, remove stems and chop
1/2 tsp olive oil (to massage Kale with)
Organic Arugula Spinach Mix, 2 large handfuls
1/4 dried cherries, chopped
1/2 avocado, chunked
3/4 cup cooked quinoa per package instructions (I cooked mine in bone broth)
Optional: 1-2 tbsp feta cheese or goat cheese on top
***Add chopped Kale and olive oil to large bowl and gentle massage Kale(this helps to soften it). Add in Arugula Spinach mix and quinoa and toss together. Add cherries, avocado and about 1/2 the lemon vinaigrette and gently mix. Serve and Enjoy!!  Makes 2 servings

This goes great as a side dish OR I like to just add my grilled chicken or salmon to the top :)


I want to know what you think of this recipe! Please leave your comments :)
~Blissfully Fit Mama

continue reading
Designed by FlexyCreatives