Of course, you already knew that. After all, I only race in their skirts and have for the last couple of years. And I own a few. Or maybe a lot. So, what's different today from yesterday? … [Read more...]
Tips for using a scale to your advantage
Confession: I step on a scale on a regular basis. (I also use credit cards, but that's a post for a different type of blog LOL) So, when I was offered the chance to try out the EatSmart Precision MaxView Digital Bathroom Scale w/ 4.5" Backlit LCD Display, I was totally on board. I use my scale as a tool. I step on it nearly every morning, note the weight, and think about what I might or might not have done to affect my weight. Then I move on with my day, perhaps with a plan to pay more attention to portion sizes or getting up more often from my desk when I'm working. This is what works for me. Otherwise, I find my weight slowly moving upwards until suddenly nothing fits. If I'm paying attention with a scale, I notice trends … [Read more...]
I have no goals
I started 2014 with some amazing goals and totally rocked until the end of May. I feel like the minute I finished ZOOMA Annapolis my motivation went on vacation and I've been struggling to find it again. Despite the lack of motivation, I still managed 3 more half marathons and Ragnar. But, I still have 2 months left of 2014 and I need to find a way to get off my rear and back out there. Since I've pretty much finished all of the goals I set at the beginning of the year, I'm setting 5 new goals to get me through 2014. Get back on an exercise schedule that includes movement at least 6 days a week. Find one of the many end of year fitness challenges and actually participate. If my foot allows, train (yes, actually train) for one … [Read more...]
Tuesdays on the Run: The Mental Side of Running
I'm gonna be honest here: lately training has sucked. My long runs haven't even made it to long run status and my short runs have been minutes off of my normal pace. Yet, I still manage to pull out decent races most of the time. Know what that tells me? My problems are mental, not physical. So, for today's Tuesdays on the Run topic, Patty, April and I decided to talk about breaking through the mental barriers while training. Here are my tips for getting through the rough patches and keep going. [Tweet "Tips for breaking throuhg the mental barriers in training #fitfluential #iamarunner #motivation"] 1. Stop worrying about your pace. When I'm struggling with a run and start worrying about how slow I'm going, it starts a … [Read more...]
5 ways I’m focusing on my health in September
While there were many awesome things about this summer, I have to say that taking care of my personal health was not a high priority. My exercise levels were low and my eating was poor. I hate hot weather, so I spent way too much time inside, much of it sitting in front of a computer. I swear I experience something like SAD every summer. Being hot just makes me feel out of sorts. Add in a bit of crappy running, a touch of perimenopause, and frustration with the way my clothes are fitting and you have a recipe for someone in need of change. So, as we head into my favorite part of the year, I'm making some changes to jump start feeling more like myself. I'm joining the Friday Five linkup with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia by sharing 5 … [Read more...]
Tuesdays on the Run: Ragnar Training
Today's topic for "Tuesdays on the Run" is Costumes: Yes or no. My answer? I'd wear one, but I have never actually done so. End of post. Now I'll go take a nap. No? Ok, well, check out my cohosts, Patty and April, because I think both of them have actually worn them. And I've "accessorized" once and I do dress matchy matchy with friends sometimes. I just completely lack any creative ability to come up with my own costume. So, let's talk Ragnar training instead (where I also will not be wearing a costume LOL). I was apparently pathetic looking enough that another runner agreed to switch with me. I'm now Runner 7, which means a hilly, probably heat of the day first run, but once that is over, my other two runs should … [Read more...]
But I don’t WANT to run a marathon
Or, let's be honest here, I don't want to TRAIN to run a marathon. I love racing. And there's something about a long race that fills me in a way that a 5k or 10k doesn't. But I don't like long training runs. After 10 miles, I'm over it. I don't want to be by myself. I don't want to be running with a friend. I just want to be done. I feel this way even when I have an amazing, feels good, kind of run. I know that someday I will likely run a third marathon. I know that someday the timing will be right. I'll be physically strong and mentally ready to survive the torture that is a 20 mile run. Because running a marathon after properly training is an absolutely amazing experience. I'm not there now. I'm not ready to jump up … [Read more...]
Use it or lose it
Garmin says I ran 35 miles in June, which likely translates to a total of 50 miles of running, 3 weight workouts, and one spin class. Then I ran a half marathon on July 5th and wondered why it was so hard. Yeah, I'm pretty sure a month long taper is the reason. And after the half marathon? I took a two week vacation. Guess what? The end result is hating every step of the 25 miles I ran the week I started back to training. Ya think? Add in some heat, some humidity, and a bit of dehydration and last week's awful 7 miles makes a lot more sense. I'm not sure how exactly I'm going to get from Point A (now) to Point B (Ragnar) with a short detour to Point A-(a half marathon), but I do know I'm going to do it a lot more … [Read more...]
5 Tips for racing in a foreign country
When I read today's topic "Goals" from Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney, I couldn't come up with five things that I wan ted to talk about. I mean, I have a few goals right now: Ragnar - finish with a smile on my face, Wisconsin half marathon - finish with a smile on my face, this summer - survive… Nothing particularly worth talking about. I have a lot swirling in my head right now, but I need to focus on some non-blog related things for a bit before I can figure out what options make sense, financially and time commitment wise. So, I picked my own topic! 1. Carry all of the important things on the plane with you (and when you are packing use a list or pretend to literally dress yourself for the race.). We did not lose any … [Read more...]
Ragnar DC Training Plan
Ok, I'll admit it. I wasn't even planning to train for Ragnar. I mean, I've run 14 half marathons this year and I have another one in August. I looked at the distances for most of the runners for Ragnar DC and they fell around 13-16 miles. Given that I've run several half marathons 24 hours apart, I figured I'd just throw a few doubles into my normal half marathon training and call it good. And then I got my runner assignment. I'm runner 11. I'll be running 8.9 miles, 9.2 miles, and 3.8 miles. The first of the runs is mostly flat, but it's on a trail and largely unsupported. The second is rolling hills on pavement and dirt road. 21.9 miles total. Mostly in the dark. What's that saying? Go big or go home? Guess I'll be going … [Read more...]
My Rock
Red Envelope asked me to participate in their #RedGift campaign to show gratitude to the "rock" in our journeys. While I have a lot of supporters in my life (I'm so lucky to have an awesome family and wonderful friends), the main rock in my life is obviously Beer Geek. We've been together a long time and been married almost 2o years. He's supported me through grad school (where I lived 4 hours away for 1.5 years), building my career, our roller-coaster ride to parenthood, and my decision to drop out of the work force. But, he's been the most supportive when it comes to my fitness journey. Whenever I say, I think I want to... His answer is "you should." And then he follows it up with whatever actions are necessary to make it … [Read more...]
Halfway through the year??? What?!?
I can't believe the year is half over. I also can't believe how many of my goals I've hit. Unfortunately, I'm now living in slackerville as I try to figure out where my motivation went. June was a total loss as far as fitness goes... So, let's see what I accomplished the other 5 months of this year so far: Running Finish another five half marathons in five days. Did it. Rocked it! Want to do it again. I'm aiming for Center of the Nation in fall 2015. I'll do pieces of a few other series along the way. Run 14 16 half marathons in 2014. Ok, let's dial that back to 15. 14 are done (Hello, Venus!) and 15 is coming soon. I'll be offering up my code for the Baltimore Half Marathon soon as I've decided not to run it. Oh, wait, … [Read more...]
