At the beginning of the year, I set up one big scary goal: Take each day as it comes. Roll with the punches and keep on moving forward with a smile on my face. I've struggled with accepting that. The planner in me wanted everything on paper (yes, I still use a bullet journal - writing things by hand works for me), but I have so many balls in the air that I had to pencil it all in. And I'm glad I did. Life had some ups and downs and twists and turns this month, but if it could not have worked out better if I'd planned it in January. The month started with some wacky weather that threw us all into a tizzy. I was going to run RNR Raleigh, but there were too many unknowns and Beer Geek cancelled his trip, so we all ended up staying … [Read more...]
The year without a spring
After a long winter, there's nothing I love more than the first few runs of spring where a skirt and tank top are the perfect clothing. That time when it's warm enough to not need layers, but not so warm that you feel like you are melting at the end of the run. Yeah, we aren't going to get that weather this year. I know that Virginia is lucky - we aren't getting the snow and cold that states farther north are, but I'm so over being cold. And I'm even more over the temperature swings. One day it's too hot to run outside because it's in the high 80s and I'm not acclimated to it. The next day I'm pulling out my Toasty Cheeks Tights again. I think I've worn my gloves on runs more in April than I did in February. And to add insult … [Read more...]
Training Plan: Run all the races
Word on the street is that it's spring. I'm not really sure I believe that since I ran a half marathon this past weekend wearing all the layers. All.of.them. But supposedly it's here. Which means it's time for our Tuesdays on the Run discussion of how your spring training is going. Do you have an "A" race coming up? My "A" race this year is Ragnar Pennsylvania. I know that you are thinking "but you run Ragnar every year, how does this require training?" Well, I'm running my first Ultra Ragnar. Yep - half the runners, twice the miles. Now I'm the mini miler on the team, so my mileage may not be more than some runners have in a regular Ragnar, but I don't know the plan yet. So I need to train to run about 30 miles over the course of 36 … [Read more...]
Who knew running could bring me luck?
I didn't choose running. Running chose me. And in choosing me, it made one of the luckiest girls around. Today on Tuesdays on the Run, we are talking about luck and running. Are you a lucky runner? I know that I am. When I started running, it served one purpose. And I'll talk about that on Thursday when I write a throwback piece about why I run. But running really brought so much more to my life than I ever expected. It's brought me friends. Oh, so many friends. I can't even imagine what my life would look like without the amazing runners I've met. Its brought me so many opportunities: Ambassadorships with many cool companies. A trip to IMG Academy with Gatorade. Managing packet pick up for the Nike … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Treadmill Addict
That's right. Somehow over the last 3 months, I've run more miles on the treadmill than I have outside. And I've come to accept that. I've had a treadmill for 12 or so years. I don't remember exactly when we bought one, but it was sometime right before or after Shoo (who is now 12) was born. I know this because I remember putting him down for a nap on the bed next to the treadmill and running while he slept. That treadmill was my lifeline when he was little because he refused to nap in a stroller. (Jones, on the other hand, used to nap for HOURS as long as the stroller or the car was moving...) So, I'd drop Jones at preschool, get Shoo down for a nap, and run for as long as he'd sleep. But once the kids got older, I only used … [Read more...]
February: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Post may contain affiliate links. It's that time again - Tuesdays on the Run and "rate your month." Join Marcia, Patty, Sarah, and myself as we talk about how the shortest month of the year went. That shortest month of the year thing? Yeah, that's really messed with me. I *think* I'm going to eek out 100 miles this month, but as I write this, I have 9.9 miles left to run and two days of running left. Oops. I did make running a bit more of a priority than last month, but 3 days fewer is messing with my running statistics. #firstworldproblems Of course, the fact that I haven't manage a run longer than 8 miles isn't helping either. Planning last week's long run on a record warm day for February did not do me any favors, … [Read more...]
Love Letter to a Skirt
In honor of Valentine's Day and Tuesdays on the Run, I thought I'd write a love poem. I've waxed poetic in the past about my love affair with running, including one from my pre-Skirt days. So, today, you get to be amazed by my poetic prowess as I swoon over my favorite skirt. Ode to my Happy Girl, Oh, how I love thee! Let me count the ways. I love thee for the length That provides me with a pleasing appearance And a chafe free run. I love thee for the patterns. Oh, the many, many patterns you tempt me with. I love thee in Tantrum, Escape, and Psyched. And Aberdeen, Paradise, and Snake Charmer. But I love thee for so much more. Each season I love thee for the new prints. And the unicorns I search for on ebay. But … [Read more...]
Marine Corps Marathon, I just can’t quit you…
It's almost that time of year again. Time to start sorting out my registration for the Marine Corps Marathon. Do I try to get online and sign up for 17.75? And then run one of the hardest races in the area for the pleasure of handing over my credit card to pay for my guaranteed entry? Or do I take my chances and enter the lottery? Or is it time to give back and fundraise for a worthy cause (there are so many, I'm not sure who I'd even pick). Regardless of what method I decide to use to enter the Marine Corps Marathon, one thing is certain: I will be running it again this year. I didn't mean to fall in love with the Marine Corps Marathon. I truly believed I would be one and done. Even after I returned to the world of marathoning, I … [Read more...]
There is no such thing as too many shoes!
Today on Tuesdays on the Run, we want you to show us your shoes! Here are mine... You might notice that they all have something in common. Yes, they are all Altras. I will admit to being part of Altra's Red Team, but even if I hadn't been asked back in 2018, I would still only run in Altra's. I've been an ambassador for the last 4 years and I had the pleasure of meeting the creator at the Runner's World event a few years ago. The story of the creation of the shoes is interesting (it involves a toaster oven, just sayin') I was first introduced to Altra Running shoes when I was given a pair as an ambassador gift when I was a ZOOMA Ambassador. I was running in "barefoot" and low drop shoes and having all sorts of issues with not … [Read more...]
My “I don’t feel at all guilty” running pleasures
Yesterday was quite a day. I accidentally deleted a chunk of my blog sidebar, I got to spend a significant amount of time getting gum out of someone's hair (my hands still smell like a bizarre combination of mango and peanut butter), and I nearly killed myself trying to get my skinny jeans off over my fluffy socks. I mean, yay, my skinny jeans fit, but who knew that fluffy socks were such a problem... Anyways, today's topic for Tuesdays on the Run is "Guilty Running Pleasures." I'll be honest, I don't feel so guilty about any of them. I deserve them all. Why? I just do. Luckily, Beer Geek is generally in agreement about them. So here are some of my not so guilty running related pleasures: Skirt Sports - Big surprise, right? I … [Read more...]
Not every month is about the running
The month of November is not over. In fact, I still have 13.3 miles to run in the next three days. I've run 100 miles a month for the last 11 months, so I absolutely plan to hit those miles. Thankfully, I'm doing the Runner's World Run Streak again, so I'm slowly chipping away at them. Today for Tuesdays on the Run, we are rating our month. Normally, I just rate my running, but this month I'm going a bit deeper and talking about some other aspects of my life. Overall, I'd say my month started with a C, but it managed to pull itself together and end with around an A-. So, here's what's been going on with me... A few weeks before the Marine Corps Marathon, I started having some weird symptoms. Nothing major or painful, but … [Read more...]
Thankful for the Unexpected Life
Today's Tuesdays on the Run theme is "Thankful". I've had a surprisingly hard time writing this post. Not because I have nothing to be thankful for. I do. I have a wonderful husband, two boys who only occasionally drive me crazy, a loving extended family, a nice home, food on the table... Heck, I could write a whole post just about how thankful I am for running. But something else has been struggling to be put down on paper, so here I am at nearly midnight, free-writing a post. My life has not gone as "planned". If you'd asked me in my early 20s, if I wanted to spend my life in the DC area, I would have said absolutely not. If you'd asked me in my mid-20s if I ever thought I'd have kids, I would have said no. If you'd asked me in … [Read more...]
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