I first have to tell my two amazing friends CONGRATS on completing (and doing it fast too) the Squaw Peak 50 miler! This race has over 14,000 feet of elevation gain/loss over the 50 miles and they rocked it. I went and watched them finish and it made me really want to do a 50 miler someday (not this particular one though because that elevation is a little intense for me).
Amazing and strong women. PS one has 5 kids and the other has 4 kids!
The Blend Retreat started nice and early (I stayed at home and drove up to Park City each day) with a bootcamp class and I never want to do a burpee or push-up again in my entire life.
We finished with a plank competition and I made it to 3:10 but there were girls there that made it to OVER 6 minutes… so awesome!
Lindsay rocked it… her baby is 7 weeks old (I didn’t start doing ab work until Brooke was like 1.5 years old).
After an awesome breakfast with the best potatoes and chicken sausage we met back outside for a hike. I have never been to a blogger retreat thingee before and I didn’t know what to expect but Blend really must be the best one offered. Fitness, food and talking for hours with each other in a super relaxed setting.
This is the best way to hike. Take a gondola half-way up the mountain and then start hiking.
We hiked around The Canyons ski resort (it made me want to get back into skiing again) for a little under two hours and the views were breathtaking.
There were girls that came to Blend from Canada and all over the United States. Many even had their first Cafe Rio experience while here, I am so proud.
After the hike I made it back home to my Brookers and she made a new friend at the park. This girl needs a dog.
I just really like her.
Once all of the kids went to bed I had a high school reunion with two of my favorites. This is a 1984 Jeep and this is what we drove around in throughout all of high school. Many good memories.
I have one food picture from yesterday. My friend that lives in Hawaii goes back home today but she gave these to me before she left. They are perfect because it is totally appropriate to eat half the plate for a late night snack and the other half for part of breakfast because it is fruit and fruit is healthy.
—————————–
Ski, snowboard or neither? Favorite resort to ski/snowboard?
Who has done an ultra before!?! Who wants to do an ultra?
Ever met up with other bloggers? At a conference/retreat or a meet-up?
Best thing that you have eaten this weekend so far?
74 comments
Flower
No skiing in Floria, except for the water variety, which I rock frequently.
I just signed up for a 50K ultra this January but I think the Squaw Peak 50 miler would do me in for sure, haha.
Leah @ Running with the Hayneses
I ski and snowboard, but I started with snowboarding, and that’s what I still prefer. These days I do mostly x-country skiing though because it’s FREE! :)
I got into ultra running after my 4th marathon, and I’ve never gone back! :) I’ve done 50K’s and 50-milers, but definitely prefer the 50K’s. Every time I do 50 miles I end up hating it by the end and swearing that I will never do another one. I’ve done 3 so far…. :)
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy}
Neither on the skiing or snowboard. I more of a beach person! I would love to do an ultra… someday! I had some amazing pulled pork at a graduation party last night. It was crazy good!
Jasmine
I love to ski, my favourite winter sport!! I can’t even imagine running 50 miles, wow they’re amazing!! Love chocolate covered strawberries, best thing I’ve eaten so far is Nutella Cupcakes :) Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Caroline
Yes- I happened to be in the same corral with another blogger at a race back in April. I just spent the weekend at her place and we ran another half marathon together!
Molly Rose
Snowboarding! My husband and I absolutely love it, but only get to go every other year or so. Seriously the best leg/butt workout out there.
I would love to do an ultra … one day! Right now I’ll stick to 13.1 and then maybe after 5 kids I’ll venture into doing more ;)
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Molly Rose
Also, a 3:10 plank is ridic. Get it girl
Lindsay
No desire to ever run an ultra! A marathon is far enough!
Best thing I’ve ate this weekend (so far) is homemade pizza and homemade dessert s’more pizza — yummmm
Lily @ Lily Runs the World
My husband and I took a chairlift up half a mountain on Friday and then hiked the rest of the way up, I agree that it’s the best! We also found a restaurant near the top of the mountain that served the best, warm soft pretzels I’ve ever had in my life. Then we celebrated our one-year anniversary last night and had some traditional Bavarian food in the small village in Germany that we’re staying in, and it was delicious! So, there have been lots of food highlights so far this weekend…
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff
I haven’t done an ultra yet although this fall I will be doing Ragnar ultra style!
I had a caramel latte yesterday that rocked! Food wise nothing too exciting.
Never been to a blogger retreat but I want to!
I love to ski! I live on the east coast so it’s Vermont or Pennsylvania. But I would love to ski out in Utah some day.
Anne
Hi Janae! I have never done an Ultra, (I am a 5K runner) but a friend recently did a 50 mile Trail Run. The 2nd mile involved crossing a stream. When her husband asked if she wanted him to meet her with dry shoes she said ‘ no, it’s only 50 miles.’ HA! She won BTW :-)
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl
The Blend conference looks so fun! I went to the Healthy Living Summit last year and would have LOVED to have gone to Blend, but the timing just wasn’t right. Glad you had a blast!
Cori @ shes going the distance
I met up with Emmeline from Will Run for Pizza. She’s a sweetheart in person. Best thing i’ve eaten so far were grilled wings with Old Bay seasoning and YES i’d love to do an ultra one day..in the far future…
Mary@RunWalkLift
I’m still trying to get back to a place that my body can start training for a marathon. Then I might think about something bigger. But probably not.
My husband snowboards, I have never tried.
Best thing I ate–turkey burger on a bed of arugula with some salsa on top.
Rachel @ Blonde with a Chanse
What a fun day! It looks beautiful up there! :) I have never been skiing or snowboarding and I have lived in Utah for 11 years! BUT I want to! I also want to attend a bloggers retreat now because they look so fun! The best thing I ate this weekend was a homemade Cafe Rio salad. YUM!
BriAnne
How fun! Nothing beats beautiful weather, scenery, food and friends! I just love Park City!
I used to snowboard a lot in high school and college and I’ll brag and say I was pretty good at it. But my husband has had back troubles that flair up once in a while because of fall when he had on a jump once…so I don’t know, it just doesn’t sound very appealing to me anymore, ha! I used to ski when I was little and when we move back up to Utah I really want to get back into it! I think my 5 year old would LOVE it too!
Best thing I have eaten this weekend was like a whole bag of white flesh nectarines. No one else in my family is allowed to touch them – they are my precious. :)
Sam @ The Running Graduate
It looks like blend was so much fun, and those mountains are beautiful!
I love to ski! I mostly ski at smaller mountains here in New Hampshire, but I can’t wait to go to White Face in Lake Placid, NY this year!
The best thing I’ve ate this weekend was my aunt’s homemade stromboli. It had lots of different meats and cheeses! Of course I topped it off with some hot sauce :)
Karin
The Blend Retreat looks so fun! Almost makes me wish I were a blogger…maybe someday;)
I love to ski! I’ve been going since I was 6 years old, but the last few years have been tough as I have either been pregnant or just had a baby during ski season. Not too mention it is sooooo expensive.
Best thing I’ll eat this weekend will probably be tonight. We are grilling some hamburgers and pineapple, yummy!
Nikki @ grab your kicks
Looks beautiful! It’s been fun following along on Instagram with all the Blend activities. Best thing I ate this weekend was a butterfinger flurry.
Marissa @ Run Riss Run
I have never ski’d or snowboarded, but a guy on a plane to Seattle told me that you have to do it before you’re 30 or it just won’t work. I guess I missed my calling since I was 30 when he told me this ;0)
My son’s BFF just moved to our city about 6 months ago, and his parents are from Utah and they made us their homemade version of a Cafe Rio pulled pork salad last night. Delicious. And I have to get her dressing recipe.
Steph D
I was up in Maine this weekend for a conference, and last night, I ate not one, but TWO lobsters! My body says this was a terrible idea, but my soul says it was wonderful.
sara
I hope my 6 week old likes dogs as much as Brooke, he’s stuck with two of them :). Can’t imagine doing 50 miles congrats to them!
Lorraine
Ski… Minnesota Afton Alps!!
I’ve never met up with any bloggers. Are any in Minnesota?
Best food… last nights loaded pizza!
Kristina @ Blog About Running
WOW that sounds like a jam packed day of fun! I hope you slept in a little bit today :)
My goal is to run a 50 miler sometime next year (close to the end of the year)!!!! So awesome that your friends ran one with such crazy elevation! That rocks!
Kristen
I don’t ski or snowboard but I snowshoe- it’s much more my speed.
I’ve gone to some blogger meetups through Blog & Tweet NH but never a retreat. I’d love to but there aren’t any in New England:-(
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
An ultra is definitely something I’ll so at some point, but it’s probably at least a couple of years away. Blend looks like such an amazing weekend!
Brianna @ I run He tris
I have only been snowboarding and likes it but hope to go skiing this winter. I grew up water skiing so I hope it’s as much fun!! I want to go to the Fit Bloggin conference at the end of this month but I don’t know if it’s going to work out yet. The best thing I’ve had all weekend was our brinner last night!!
icurunner
snowboard!! at whistler! (yes, I too am Canadian.)
And no, I don`t think an ultra is my cup of tea… thoes girls are amazing!
Jordyn@ yogirunnerlife.com
ski!!!!! It’s a little too thrilling for me, but I do it anyway :)
Ultra= no way
Ummm I make the best vegan pancakes ever and I throughly enjoyed them :) :)
Liz @ Carpe Diem and Run
Brooke really does need a dog – she is adorable with them!
Brandy
Love that you posted a pic in that Jeep! Just seeing it brought back some fun memories of high school.
MILF Runner
Looks like you had a lot of fun :)
In reverse order…
BACON.
Yes…not at a convention-type thing but at races, and I participated in a fairly sizable blogger event/team thing a couple of times
No ultras not ever. Nope.
I’ve only skied. The last time I went was in the 80’s. All I remember is it was really cold and East Coast skiing sucks compared to Tahoe.
Shelly
I use to snowboard, but haven’t been in years. I really miss it! Those strawberries look amazing!
The Silent Assassin
Oh man, last week I had a mini blends – I hung out with RER, Skinny, StuftMama, Pavement, Meals and Miles, and Fitnessista pretty much all weekend. So cool. Coming to Utah for BC in september…hint hint =)
Nicole@TheGirlWhoRanEverywhere
I have met up with other bloggers! At first I was nervous about it, now I just think it’s so fun!:) someday, I will be in Utah and I will make you bring me to cafe rio bc it just looks amazing every time!
Jane @ 50statecanuck
I’ve done one ultra…not sure I’ll do one again. But never say never. The one I did was one where they laid out a 1km loop and the race was to run around that loop as many times as you could for 6 hours. I did 64. And my ITB was messed up for months. Not a good idea to run around in a circle in the same direction for 6 hours. Haha!
The only other thing I have to say is: “They are perfect because it is totally appropriate to eat half the plate for a late night snack and the other half for part of breakfast because it is fruit and fruit is healthy. ” YOU ROCK!!!!!
jamie
HI Janae! Happy Sunday. I’m rooting for you to overcome this injury. As a graphic designer and mom your dedication and cheery outlook inspired me to create sort of a motivational print to remind myself to see the bright side when things feel cloudy. It’s called “Be Sunshine” and I wanted to know if I could send you a copy? You can see it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/192067834/adventure-print-baby-print-lets-go-on-an?ref=shop_home_active_15
The saying itself coms from a Hindu Monk I once randomly met who told me me that life is like the sky with no clouds and complete sunshine, and that the imperfect life is like the sky that is completely cloudy, and that each of us must strive to eliminate the clouds and be sunshine. You reminded me of this so if you’re interested let me know and I’ll drop it in the mail. Cheers.
Jamie
Becky @ Ok, so here's the plan
I cross country skied once in middle school. Boyfriend skis so I will probably try it one of these days.
The best thing I ate this weekend so far was greek yogurt pancakes with strawberries and coconut on top. Really good!
Erin @ Snapbacks and Racing Flats
I snowboard! Am I good? No… But I can get myself down the mountain! I haven’t been to many mountains, so I don’t really have a favorite. I do love Jiminey Peak in New York!
I would LOVE to do an ultra one day! However, I should probably get a few half and full marathons under my belt first =P.
Never have met any bloggers. I would love to attend a retreat and network/have fun with other bloggers!
The best thing I have eaten was the froyo that I ate this morning… Haha!
Leigha @ Minougirl
I’d like to do an ultra someday! Not too soon though.. gotta do a marathon first! I am sooo jealous of Blend! It sounds amazing! And all the food… yum. I’ve never met any blogger in real life! Probably since I live in the middle of nowhere :) I made homemade pizza last night but tonight I’m making homemade pasta.. not sure which is better!!!
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles
So sad I couldn’t make it to Blend this year – hopefully next year! I went to the Fitness Mag Meet And Tweet last year which was so fun and can’t wait for it again in the fall!
Lily
That first pic is Melanie and Lori??? I used to live in Orem with my husband for the first 6 years we were married. Worked out in the same Gold’s gym as them :)
Robbie
I just wanted to let you know how inspiring your blog is. I have been running for 3 years now and I am in a funk. I am working overnights and have kids in high school who cannot drive themselves yet!!!!! This makes for some impossible training!! Now that it is summer I am ready to pound eh pavement again, slowly. Thanks for the much needed inspiration and best of luck with marathon!!!!!!!!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you and I am so happy your are able to get back to running more now that it is summer!!! Keep up the hard work!
Summer
I snowboard….at snowbird mostly. I used to go other places, but I really like the environment/culture up there. I have ALWAYS wanted to do an ultra, but injuries keep cropping up. Two steps forward, one step back…but progress is progress and I keep moving forward anyway. I’ve been addicted to sprouted bread with vegannaise and avocado lately….a bit odd, but quite delicious. I haven’t met up with other bloggers because I keep forgetting to update my blog…the intention is there. Perhaps I will get around to that one day instead of just stalking yours, which I quite enjoy.
Megan @ The Skinny-Life
I was a little overwhelmed with Blend and all the bloggers. It feels surreal meeting someting in person who you feel like you know through their blog. I’m glad I went and pushed myself outside of my comfort zone because I met some amazing people not to mention all the swag!
Runner Girl Eats
50 miles is nuts! Major congrats to them! I did a plank challenge last summer and got up to a 4:10 second plank before thinking my abs were going to explode. Maybe I will try to do the challenge again to get to 5:10 :)
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine
I still can’t wrap my mind around doing an ultra. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll had the urge!
Best food this weekend was a tie between pizza last night and burger for lunch today.
Hailey
A little part of me wants to do an ultra…says the girl who hasn’t even ran her first marathon yet. I guess I better work on that first :). I’ve never been skiing or snowboarding before! Born and raised in Arizona, I’ve only seen snow like twice. Best thing I ate this weekend was a cinnamon crunch scone from Panera!
Livi
Plus- chocolate has antioxidants so it makes chocolate covered fruit a superfood, right?!
Karen
I’ve never done an ultra, and I’m not sure that I want to….26.2 hurts enough! Maybe if I find the prettiest trail in the world
Logan @ Mountains and Miles
I just finished my first 50M ultra yesterday!! It was awesome! I did it with the North Face Endurance Challenge Series here in DC, but they are having an inaugural race in Park City, UT in July – you should try one of the races out! (they have everything from 5k-50M).
Carson
I’m not a snowboarder or a skier. More like a snow bunny :)
Kelly
I’ve never done an ultra but am dying to do a Ragnar!
Zaneta @ Runner's Luck
OMG… chocolate covered strawberries are AMAZING!!!
I love Brooke’s little flip flops… too cute!!
I think 50 miles (even all down hill) is too intense for me!! I have the greatest admiration for ultra marathoners!!
julie
I snowboard and telemark ski – hands down, my favorite resort is Jackson Hole, but Utah is gorgeous. I’ve skied at Deer Valley and boarded at the Canyons.
Best thing I’ve eaten this weekend was crab fries after a 109 mile bike ride yesterday. I have no ultra aspirations, but I’m doing my first Ironman at the end of the month…I guess that’s like an ultra triathlon?
Amy
Finding time to train for anything with kids is an accomplishment…but a 50 mile race totally blows my mind! I’m just starting training for my first marathon and I’ve got 3 kiddos at home…this will be interesting!
And…best thing I ate this weekend was a chicken, bacon, avocado quesadilla and Ben & Jerry’s Rockin’ Blondies ice cream! So good!
Lindsey C
Best thing to eat this weekend: S’mores over a campfire – yum!!! I was camping with my dad and sisters this weekend, and it was totally worth it to stray from my diet (I’ve cut out dairy, sugar and grains and feel soooo much better than I used to!).
Your friends rocked that ultra! How do they have time to train with all those kids??? Tell them they must teach me their ways…
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables
You are a breath of fresh air girl!! So glad we got to hang out at Blend. Can’t wait to see you in a couple of weeks!
Lew
Ski-The Canyons! I’ve never seen that gondola without snow.
STUFT mama
Yes- we’ll have to do a 50 miler together someday. Ha. Yay for pain free miles my friend! Huge hugs!
Cheri @ Overactive Blogger
I totally would love to do an Ultra someday. I’m really really annoyed though, my friends and my husband-to-be think I’m crazy to even think of doing one and I don’t care too much for their opinions. We will see!
Polly @ Tasty Food Project
Looks like you had such an amazing time! I recently started planking again. That’s awesome that some girls were able to hold it for over 6 minutes!
Whitney
Skiing!!!! My fave mountain is Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon. I’ve never been to a blogger retreat, but Blend sounds like a blast!!
Julie
I’ve never done an ultra, but then again, I’ve only ever done a 5K and 5K mud run.
Great meeting you and talking to you! Brooke is so beautiful and a heart breaker!
Nicole
Skier hands down. Unfortunately it’s made my running suffer, still in rehab after an ACL reconstruction. So good to be back at the gym doing something.
I have been praying every morning for you to get your quad back strong to do the upcoming marathon. Sending my positive thoughts all the way from Australia:)
No to an ultra but thinking about one. NorthFace 50 in the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney.
Love Brooks flip flops, she’s just SO cool!!
Losing Lindy
I love meeting other bloggers. I don’t really ski. There isn’t anyplace close to me, and I really prefer warm. :)
Kari @ Running Ricig
I skied in middle school, but never really enjoyed it, so I didn’t keep it up.
I can’t say an ultra sounds all that fun to me. I feel like at least with a marathon, you still get half the day after the run. An ultra is bit all consuming for the actual race and the training.
Kay
Wow a 50miler, that’s incredible!
Courtney Henry
Your two friends look absolutely amazing omg!! I will have 3-4 kids if running can get my body looking like that!!
Molly@This Life Is Sparkling
I ended up eating Cafe Rio three times while I was in Utah. The pork was AMAZING. And it was so nice meeting Brooke. She is seriously adorable.
Kristi
I love Brooke’s shoes. I want my baby (who’s now 12) to be little again :)
janetha
yay.. so glad you made it up to PC. love you!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
Just saw this post and OHMYGOD I’m ridiculous. P.S. I got my Cafe Rio for lunch on Sunday and it was amazing.