This past weekend, I turned 48. As I get closer and closer to a new big round number, I keep thinking I'll start freaking out about getting old. But I feel better at 48 than I did at 47 (well, except for that pesky ankle/heel issue.) Last year at this time, I was deep in Marine Corps Marathon training with the Hansons plan. I was also recovering from what had been a month long virus - it started with several days of violent stomach upset that led to weeks of reduced appetite and lack of energy. While I would not recommend that weight loss method (I dropped 7 pounds in 7 days and it stayed off), it was the first time in years that I was not packing on extra marathon pounds. It was also the first time in years that my weight had not … [Read more...]
Have Skirt Sports, Will Travel #sisterhoodofthetravelingskirt
Post contains Affliliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, I get paid a small commission. It's been about 7 years since I first put on a Skirt Sports skirt and went out for a run. That first skirt was the Happy Hour skirt (basically a Happy Girl without the pockets). I fell in love with that skirt - for running. As I slowly built up my collection (I was the queen of clearance sales and ebay), I got in the habit of putting on a running skirt, running bra, and tank top when I'd get up. As a stay at home mom to two, I needed to be ready at any moment to head out on a run. Slowly but surely, the Happy Girl became a staple in my "mom uniform." In the last few years, my non-Skirt wardrobe has dwindled. I … [Read more...]
The summer where no running goals were met
This has been an interesting year for me so far. In some ways it was super planned (our trip to Australia and New Zealand) and some ways it's been completely a "roll with the punches" year. I'm still dealing with the hail damaged rental car, my kitchen is still not started, and Monday I worked 4 different gigs. (I won't be doing that again, see below for what I'm letting go.) But the weirdest part of the whole summer is that I had no real running goals. Well, except to actually start running again, so I guess I nailed that. End of post. No? Ok, here were my goals for the year with updates on where life is. Running Continue running injury free. Ooh, I completely blew this one. I still can't run too many days in a row without my … [Read more...]
How is it already Friday again?
This week has just flown by. But time spent at my parents' house always does. I've been so busy that I realized today that I'd completely forgotten to blog this week. I guess that's a good sign - I've been too busy with real life to write. And thankfully, it's all good busy. So today, you get five random things... Today Jones and I fly home to Virginia. I'm looking forward to being home, but I also always wish I was staying here. It's been awesome spending two weeks with only one child. I haven't gotten to do this since he was 4! We got to check out the International Crane Foundation, the Minnesota Zoo, and the National Eagle Center. He's a good kid and he's starting to explore college options (GAH!) and we both survived him taking econ … [Read more...]
How running took me from depression to a new career
For many years, if you asked me, I would say running was my anti-depressant. And it was (and still is to some extent) a big part of my mental health. But in so many ways, running has changed me AND its role in my life has changed over the years. Since our Tuesdays on the Run topic is "how has running changed me", I'm going to chronicle my relationship with running through my 6 word running memoir. 1. Running off the beer and wine. Yeah, that was my college running. It was all about running on the weekdays so I could drink what I wanted on the weekends. It sort of worked LOL. 2. Running to wear my skinny clothes. Once I was out in the real world, I just wanted to stay in my small suits. I liked the way I looked and I ran purely to … [Read more...]
Five Reasons to Run ZOOMA Great Lakes
Disclaimer: I work for ZOOMA, so I am a bit biased, but I also think ZOOMA is pretty awesome. Credit to ZOOMA for most of the below pictures. The course is lovely. It's mostly on back roads, with decent shade and some nice views of the lake. There are rolling hills (my favorite!), but no huge hills to speak of. The resort grounds are spectacular. (I haven't been in the rooms, but they look nice on the website.) There several pools, a miniature golf course, and various other outdoor games and sports. There is also a boat rental where you can rent anything from kayaks to paddle boats to pontoon boats. Oh, and they have nightly bonfires! And there's been a short extension on the ZOOMA rates for the resort. Book your room at … [Read more...]
Running around the clock: is that BHAG enough for you?
Do you have a BHAG? Do you even know what a BHAG is? Today on Tuesdays on the Run, we are talking about goals. But not just any goal: Your Big Hairy Audacious Goal. I've been chasing my 50 states goal for a few years now. And I've made some pretty good progress: 38 states (and DC) done, 12 to go. Unfortunately, the majority of the remaining states are out west. Getting to them takes time and money that are currently being prioritized for other things. (Yes, Australia, I'm talking about you.) But there's another goal that's been running around in my head for a long time now: an Ultra. I'm ready to go beyond the marathon distance (or I was until I got injured.) But I'm not a trail runner and the thought of getting lost in the … [Read more...]
August Coffee Date: Pour me another, please!
It always amazes me how fast the months slip by. It's hard to believe I wrote my last "coffee date" post from New Zealand. We've been back 3 weeks and I still feel like I'm trying to catch up. Apparently, taking two full weeks off from life does not work well for me. Anyways, I’m joining up with my friends Deborah and Coco for a virtual coffee date as well as linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday Five 2.0. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I haven't made it to bed before 1am in over a week. And it's not like I'm sleeping in - I've gotten up in time to run at 6:30am a couple of days and I've had early commitments several days. I live for the few days I've gotten to sleep in, but … [Read more...]
Dear Running: I’d really like to become friends again
Another month gone, another month where my running has been sporadic. Today is the last day of the month and our Tuesdays on the Run tradition for the last day is to rate our month. I'd kind of like to give my month a big fat F. But, honestly, that would be me just being pissed at running. Most of my life has actually been going well. So let's chat... Let's start with the good... Running I ran my 76th half marathon and my 2nd international half marathon on the very first day of the month. It was not a great race for a lot of reasons, but I finished and I could still walk the next day. Definitely an A. I started training for my 5th Marine Corps Marathon. I'm a good bit behind on distance and don't plan to catch up, but I'm … [Read more...]
DuClaw All Along the Hop Tower Chicken Kabobs
Thank you DuClaw Brewing for sponsoring this post and sending me the DuClaw All Along the Hop Tower . All opinions and the marinade recipe are my own. Welcome to the July edition of “Cooking with Beer”! Each month DuClaw Brewing sends me a beer and a friend and I create a recipe. It’s a fun time to think outside the box and try a new beer and new food. This month’s beer is “All Along the Hop Tower”, a double IPA with a nice hop combination that is balanced by the higher alcohol. This month was a little unusual. In addition to the beer, DuClaw sent me a marinade to try. I definitely wanted to check that out, but I also wanted to create a recipe, so my partner in crime suggested we use the marinade AND make one of our … [Read more...]
Here we are, runfessing again
I swear it was just yesterday that I was runfessing about my lack of running in June and here we are in July and I'm still not running much. I must runfess that I have no real excuse not to run a lot of miles - my ankle/heel is probably 90% pain free and even more so when I massage it and foam roll. I've even done some icing lately after the few times I've run this month. I know, who am I? I must also runfess that we are now down to 93 days before the Marine Corps Marathon and the last double digit run I did was the half marathon in New Zealand on July 1. Between work, the weather, my son's econ class... I can't seem to get my runs in. I really need to start training. OK, even more than that, I really need to start caring about … [Read more...]
Add some ZING to your summer with OLD BAY Seasoning
This post was sponsored by OLD BAY. All opinions and recipes are my own. I've spent most of my adult life living within an easy drive of the Chesapeake Bay, where OLD BAY seasoning is a fixture in cooking. I can't remember a time when I didn't know what OLD BAY was. It's been a regular seasoning option for seafood for what seems like forever. I have a lot of fond memories of OLD BAY and beach weekends from college onward. It seemed like OLD BAY always brought us together for fun times and good food. But it's not just a seafood seasoning. When I asked my Facebook friends what they like to use OLD BAY on, one actually responded with "wouldn't the list be shorter if I just told you what I DON'T use it on?" OK, then. Suggestions … [Read more...]
