Confession: I'm nearer to the end of my 40s than the beginning of my 40s. In fact, it won't be long and I'll be talking about fitness in my 50s. Gulp. But I have a goal of still running races in my 80s, or maybe even my 90s, so I need to focus now on setting the framework for that. I want to make sure my body is as strong as it can be now, so that fewer injuries happen later. Here's what I'm going to create a functionally fit and healthy body heading into my 50s. Use those muscles - In our 40s, we start losing muscle mass. There are plenty of studies showing this loss, but there are also studies that show that it is possible to maintain or even regain some muscle mass as you age. The key? Weights. I'm not a trainer, so I'm not going to … [Read more...]
Eco Soapr Review: Skip the Mess and Help the Planet
Over the last year, I’ve found myself focusing more and more on making better choices - fewer processed foods, products with fewer questionable chemicals, and products that are better for the environment. It’s not really a “new” thing for me - I work for a company that specializes in assisting organizations that promote water conservation and care of the environment. And when my now teens were babies, every choice I made was researched and leaned towards my “crunchy granola chick” side. I made their baby food. I packed their lunches in reusable bags and containers. They only wore Robeez and other soft soled shoes. Heck, Shoo was even born at home. (Let’s not talk about the fact that now my teens would happily choose chips and soda over … [Read more...]
Setting some S.M.A.R.T Goals for 2019
In 2018, I didn't sit down and come up with specific goals for the year. So, it should come as no surprise that I feel like I didn't really move forward in most areas of my life last year. I'm not disappointed about that as I spent most of the year trying to find a new balance between being a mom, working more, and still finding time to train. As we roll into 2019, I feel like I made some good progress on life management, so now I'd like to start moving forward again. To that end, I'm returning to the style of goal planning I used for several years before 2018. Running Run 5-10 "local" races. I know that in the spring I would like to run my favorite four mile race again, I'm going to try to get into the MCM 17.75K, I've already signed … [Read more...]
Starting off 2019 with coffee
Here we are in a new year and everyone's throwing around goals and becoming the "new them". I'm over here trying to figure out how we are several days into the new year and I'm still trying to wrap up 2018. Ah well, I'll get there. Instead of actually accomplishing something, I'll write a blog post. I’m joining Deb and Coco‘s virtual coffee date and sharing what I'd chat about over coffee. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I kind of forgot about my blog over the break. I can't even blame it on being busy - I had time to read a bunch of books and chill with my family. It was just kind of nice to take a break and not wonder what I should write about next. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I don't want a "new … [Read more...]
2018 in Pictures
I love to write this post every year. It gives me a chance to look back and reminds me that even if the year was not perfect, that there was a lot of good in the year. This was a crazy busy year! I traveled for work more than I ever have, but I guess that's what happens when you work for a race organization that has races around the country. So, here we go... January January was a quiet month for me on the racing front, but that's ok as I was concentrating on building strength and getting in shape for the year to come. I got invited back to the Altra Red Team and I spent a lot of time in my workout room. I also made some predictions for 2018. (Spoiler: I was spot on LOL) February February started with being invited back as a … [Read more...]
Runfessing one last time in 2018
2018 has been quite a year. I'm not one to wish my life away, but I'm happy to see this one close, from a running standpoint. In many ways, it was a good year, but my running left a lot to be desired. But in order to close out the year, I feel the need to runfess one last time, so I'm joining Marcia in the Runfessional. I must runfess that I had the opportunity to run a half marathon in a new state this week and I... didn't take it. Somehow, I'm burned out on running, despite not actually running that much this year. I must runfess that I still felt a lot of FOMO seeing various friends post about the ultra that I was supposed to run tomorrow. I spent about 5 minutes considering running it anyways and then … [Read more...]
MCM Mama’s Year in Running – 2018
Yes, it's that time of year again. Time to recap all the running fun I've had this year. I've been doing the Year in Running post for several years now. I've done it in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, so I'm thankful that Courtney has continued to host it. I write this post for myself, but I hope you enjoy reading it as well. Best Race Experience: By far my favorite race this year was the Ragnar Pennsylvania race. While the race itself had some issues, I had the most amazing team and I discovered that running Ragnar as an ultra is truly the most awesome way to experience Ragnar. I'm currently getting ready to register an ultra team for Ragnar Minnesota this coming summer. Best … [Read more...]
Goals? What goals? 2018 (almost) in the rear view mirror
I didn't set a lot of specific goals for 2018. I knew I was venturing into uncharted territory with my increase in work hours. I also had changed up my training with the Faster Way to Weight Loss and I had no idea what that was going to do to my running. Short story: It was an awesome year for the most part, FWTWL is still working for me, and I love working for ZOOMA, but it took most of the year to get my heel (90%) healed. Long story, well, grab some popcorn and settle in. 2018 Goals Running Continue running injury free. Yeah, that didn't work out at all for me. I, like many runners, ignored the "niggle" and kept running half marathons. Until I couldn't. Then I spent from May until late November dealing with off … [Read more...]
2018 in Bling – not the highest bling year ever
Does this count as bling? No? OK, well having just survived the installation of the new cabinets, etc., it's one of the best rewards I've gotten this year. I still have a lot of painting to do and then I need to refinish the floors, but it's a huge improvement over a week ago. Yes, you read that right. It took one week. But let's talk race bling instead. This year was a bit on the "light" side. I "only" ran 1 marathon, 6 half marathons, an ultra Ragnar, my first timed trail race, and a handful of other random races. I didn't get any new states in 2018, but I did get a new country - New Zealand. Despite being a bit on the light side, I got some pretty cool medals. 2018 half marathon medals... All of my … [Read more...]
When Black Friday takes you down a rabbit hole
On Black Friday, I bought a stove. Not just any stove - a normal sized stove. Which means it did not fit in my kitchen. So, my kitchen is currently completely ripped out, waiting for the new cabinets that will fit around the new stove. As you might imagine, I'm a little bit focused on that right now and if I were to right a "gifts" post as is our current topic, I'd probably write about things like sinks and counter tops. Instead, I'm totally copping out and referring you to the posts I've written in the past. I promise if I survive this renovation, I'll be back focused on running again. As it is, I'll be cramming in one measly mile this evening. Here are my best suggestions for gifts (other than to just go buy everything off of Skirt … [Read more...]
Where should we meet for coffee???
I'm not sure how this month flew by so fast. One minute I was running Marine Corps Marathon. The next we are closing out the month of November. I'm not even sure that I accomplished anything LOL. But since tomorrow is the last Friday of the month and Saturday is the first Saturday of December, I am joining I’m joining Deb and Coco‘s virtual coffee date and throwing a runfession or two for Marcia as well. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I recently decided to do a small renovation on my kitchen. My house was built in 1939 and my stove is from 1962. It's needed work for a while, but I kept finding better things to do with my money (ok maybe not better, but definitely more fun.) I almost got it upgraded a year and a half ago … [Read more...]
So, how’d November treat you?
My November was a nice respite after the craziness that was September and October. Don't get me wrong. I love working for ZOOMA and going to each of the races is a high point of the job, but between my travel schedule, Beer Geek's travel schedule, and the Marine Corps Marathon, I was ready for a quieter month. And since I spent the first half of the month recovering from running a marathon way undertrained, I was happy to have a quiet month. I wasn't even jealous that Beer Geek went to Germany for a week for work and I couldn't go with him. That's not to say I didn't have any thing going on. Some highlights from the month: My parents came to visit and we did a whole bunch of projects on the house that needed doing. After living in … [Read more...]
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