Horsetoothin' around

A few weeks ago, some of my husband's family came up to visit us for an evening. My mother-in-law packed a lovely picnic lunch, and we all took a drive up to Horsetooth Reservoir, just west of Fort Collins.

Confession: I've lived in the area for several years, and this was the fifth time I've been to the reservoir...once was at night, twice on hikes that overlooked the water (no time to look, only concerned about breathing and getting back to the air-conditioning), and the other was a boating expedition, where I was more focused on tubing and drinks.

So, we went to Horsetooth, picnic-ed (is that a word?), and I was gently reminded how beautiful the view is. The view, the water, the mountains, and all of the green trees and bushes. It was warm, but not hot, and of course there was a breeze to keep everything moving.

In essence, a lovely summer evening.

I threw on these anchor print shorts after work, going for a monochromatic look with my navy blue shirt. The anchors also seemed a bit fitting because of the marina and boats at the res (in retrospect, of course I dressed for a nautical theme ;] ) At times, these shorts can look pajama-esque, but a navy button-up helps to elevate them a bit, and keep them looking more sharp & smart than lounge-y.

I'm trying to enjoy all of the summer things before fall gets here and we are inundated with Pumpkin Spice lattes and pictures of leaves and sweaters and boots (can you tell how I feel about fall taking over everything?).

On that note, I've got plans today to celebrate a new friend's wedding at a poolside reception, and then enjoy a free music festival with more friends (and great beer).

Here's to a few more weeks of gorgeous summer, Colorado!

button up: thrifted (J Crew)

shorts: J Crew Factory

sandals: Target

beautiful nature: c/o of Colorful Colorado

linking up:

DC in Style // Shopping My Closet // Sydney Fashion Hunter

The Red Closet Diary // A Pocketful of Polka Dots // Classy Yet Trendy

Tucker Up

the third time I ran 13.1 miles

Third time is NOT the charm. For me, at least. I'll blame it on running solo...

Let's back track a bit. About two months. To the beginning of this past May, for the Colorado Marathon Half Marathon. Normally my Dad and I run these races together, but the poor man had shoulder surgery a month before, so I had to go it alone. And it was not pretty. Although my cheering section was bigger by one person, so that was nice :)

I won't tell you my (terrible) time, or my average pace, or all the nuances of the race, but I will say I felt great, until my right knee (an IT band issue) started hurting at mile 3, then was very painful by mile 6 (other than my knee, the rest of me felt great! no blisters! I was fueled and hydrated and rested and raring to go!). Up until then, I was maintaining a pretty good pace (for me). From mile 6 and on, I alternated walking and running. I stopped at every aid station to use the restroom and rehydrate, and take some (more) ibuprofen.

The race starts in the Poudre Canyon and ends in Old Town, Fort Collins, with a beer garden at the end (hallelujah!!!). The course is beautiful, and mostly downhill - it's a race that a lot of people PR (personal record) in. But not I.

It's ok, though - I finished, and had a nice cheering section with posters (that I requested ). One read "Run Annie Run" and the other "Worst Parade Ever."

I added my own little hashtag: #yougoglencoco

So, not my best race, but it's given me motivation to figure out this IT band/knee issue (now my other one is starting to hurt when I run - perhaps I'm overcompensating?) for my next half in September.

And don't you worry, my running buddy is all signed up and has gotten the OK from his PT. Good thing, cause I need his motivation for those thirteen miles. And by motivation, I mean singing, and dancing, and "Anne, how ya doing?" and his grape-vining, and his running circles around me, and his running backwards, and then up and back, and making sure I don't fall over dead.

If I haven't said this before, my Dad is my favorite running buddy.

He's also usually down to buy me breakfast and a Bloody Maria after, too.

#willrunforfood

at the race expo with my Pop

that is me. a (very) slow runner.

and my cute Mama

with my friend, Ryan, at the start.
his first half, and he did it in under 2 hours!

professional race pictures - I try to smile when I see the photographers.
this was mile 4? 5?
and of course I wore my Colorado flag shorts - it was the Colorado Marathon!

almost to the end.
my mantra at this point: "beer, bacon, breakfast. beer, bacon, breakfast."

after I finished, before the beer

at the finish, nice and sweaty

black floral dress: c/o Aéropostale

black cardigan: Ann Taylor

black flats: Target

green shirt: Target

Colorado flag running shorts: SOARK

running shoes: Mizuno

sunglasses: Smith Optics

visor: Margaritaville (it's more of a state of mind)

medal: at the finish line