Running at Rancho La Puerta!

I have experienced the most magical place and I HAVE to share it with you! What would you say if you could visit a place with 4,000 acres of running and hiking trails, mountains, an obstacle course, an organic farm, multiple pools, multiple fitness facilities and a spa? If you're like me, you say, "Count me in!" THAT is Rancho La Puerta.

What initially drew me to The Ranch was the running clinic. I have been a runner for well over a decade and I've never had a coach run with me, video tape my stride AND help me be more efficient with both my running and my stretching. This alone was a FABULOUS experience for me!

There is a 5 mile obstacle course that I HAD to try! (Full disclosure: I have never done an obstacle course before.) What I loved about it was, it wasn't a race. It was about finishing. EVERYONE who finished was a winner. The support and the course were fantastic.

One would think that running paths, and hiking trails as well as an obstacle course would be enough for the perfect vacation, but that just scratches the surface. When you visit The Ranch, you are transformed by the food. It is spa cuisine that LITERALLY transforms your body. I have never enjoyed food SO much in my entire life. Veggies, fruits, grains, spices ALL perfection.

Every inch of the grounds is perfection.

I have never seen so many fitness class options in one place in my life. It truly is a mind-body-spiritual experience. I tried an aerial yoga class. SO fun!

BUT I didn't stop there. I had a full menu of classes from yoga, to Pilates, to water classes, racket sports, cardio, dance, flexibility, to meditation offerings.

I am a firm believer in stepping outside the box when given the chance, so I took a chanting class AND a sound healing class. Both were amazing. Yes, I am looking for a chanting class back home. I want to continue with it! Mindfulness and meditation are essential and I love exploring new ways for myself to balance.

I did find a moment to sit by the pool. It has been a LONG time since this mom had a moment to herself to chill poolside and I cherished EVERY minute!

I have always prided myself as an urban runner, but I have to tell you, I LOVE running trails! The wildlife, the mountains, the greenery. It's running perfection not to be missed.

I will most certainly find my way back to Rancho La Puerta. There were SO many other classes I wanted to check out. If you're interested in an all inclusive experience with a running program, check them out on their website and on Instagram!

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Gettin' Away...

It is official...I am a Mombot, homebody. Why, you ask? Good question...I am going to Vail on Wednesday with The Bro for SIX DAYS! Husband will be watching the kiddoodles for SIX DAYS!

I am freaking out about it. I am freaking out about it! Husband says "go kick up your heels." I spend all my days with the babies...ALL my days. I have never been away from them for this long, and I'm having a hard time with it. Don't get me wrong, I love to ski, and I will enjoy myself...it's just that six days seems like a really long time to be away. I am trying not to freak out about it...Trying...Not...To...Freak.

Am I nuts (I should have called this blog "am I nuts" seems I ask that quesiton a lot) Do you all freak when you have the opportunity to get away?


On a completely unrelated note...Husband took Miss Peach to The Art Institute this weekend. We have a children's book about Georgia O'Keeffe, and Miss Peach loves it. She and Husband took the bus downtown to look at some of her paintings...

When she got home, she said "Mommy, I really liked the Mooseseum...but Georgia wasn't there...she was painting. I think she will be there next time." So cute!

(oh, I owe you a Run Report...tom., I promise...tom.)

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A Carpenter, I am Not

Why do birds suddenly appear...
every time, you are near?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.
Awww, isn't that cute? The Little Man was crying in the car on the drive home, and when Mommy sings this song, he always calms down:) Everyone...awwwww.
Why do stars, light up in the sky...
every time, you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.
Seriously, it is like a magic weapon against crying for The Little Man. While it is great to have a tool such as this...try singing a Carpenter's song over...and over...and over...and over...and over...
On the day that you were born,
the Angels got together...
and decided to create a dream come true.
About a half an hour in, I started to go crazy. The car turns nutty. Everyone knows if I stop, The Little Man will cry. Soon it becomes a toss up...which is worse, another round of the Carpenter's sung by Mommy, or The Little Man crying? You tell me...
So they sprinkled moondust in your hair,
and golden starlights in your eyes so blue...ohhhh.
Let's just say, it was a long car ride home, and leave it at that:P

I am back from the beach, and I want to hug my high speed internet{{hug}}! Now I'm off to catch up with EVERYTHING (blogs, design, you name it). Hope your holiday was great...more tomorrow:)

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Enjoy the Beach?

I am sitting here, in a cabin just off the beach. Most folks would consider this Heaven. I do enjoy the beach...I love watching the kiddos have fun...They love the beach:) I have never been much of a sun/beach person. I don't know...give me a ski resort any day of the week.
Here's what kills me. No (yes no) TV, and really just the tiniest bit of internet (teeny, tiny). Currently, the internet has timed out again, so I am typing...then I will save...then I will restart the internet and post. Why bother, you ask? I enjoy blogging. That is what I do to relax. I'll go you one better, I enjoy TV! While Husband reads every night, I blog and watch TV. I will not apologize! I just told Sissy today (hi Sissy *waving*) "television and internet are like a warm blanket".
So, there it is. I am out here in the boondocks, on vacation, with no TV and just enough internet to drive me crazy. I will be back on Tuesday to catch up with you all. That is not so bad, right? Monday, then Tuesday...TV and the high speed good stuff!
Can you believe Husband was able to tear me away from the Olympics? I can't...What did I miss? I know I missed the men's marathon, bummer!
Oh, speaking of running...how did my 18 miler go, you ask? It was what I am calling a complete disaster! Husband mapped out an 18 mile course in the car (wasn't that sweet?). So, off I go...3 hours later, and I am nowhere near done! There is no way I am running slower than 10 min. miles, and I'm thinking I should be done. Basically, I called it quits after three hours. I ran somewhere between 16-18 miles. I really can't figure out how I was going for so long? The 16 miler only took two and a half hours...no way 18 would have taken more than three hours?!? All I can figure is we had the distance off. I am calling it a miserable three hour workout and calling it a day...
I will be back in full force on Tuesday...until then, I promise, I will enjoy the beach:)

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