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...]
Black Friday and CyberMonday 2018: Steals and Deals
Welcome to the weekly edition of Tuesdays on the Run. Today's topic is discount codes and Black Friday deals. Lots of stuff running around the internet right now, so definitely do your research before you buy. It's looking like my Black Friday purchase may be a new stove. I've been talking about it for a while, but I actually have someone coming out next Monday to give me a quote on installation. (Old house + 1962 stove = I'm sure this is going to be expensive!) I was considering getting a new Garmin and REI has a great deal on the Fenix watches right now, but with not running an ultra right now, it's moved down the list of priorities. Here are some other good deals you should look out for (links below are affiliate … [Read more...]
5 favorites that will help me enjoy the winter
Generally speaking, I prefer cooler weather over hot weather. I'd rather put on more layers than be wearing as little as I can in public and still being hot. And after a rather elusive fall, winter apparently arrived yesterday in the form of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, so I guess I need to get mentally ready for winter now. Berres Brothers coffee - Most of the year I drink Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts coffee - whichever is on sale in the grocery store. But once a year, Berres Brothers, a Wisconsin based coffee company, has a big sale and I stock up. I love that they have a ridiculous number of flavor options and that the coffee is smoother than Starbucks. I also love that I'm supporting a small local company (not my local, but … [Read more...]
Madison, Wisconsin – my favorite city to run in
Madison, Wisconsin is one of my absolute favorite places to run, especially in the summer. It’s a small laid back city with a lot of sights to see. It is also a very fitness friendly town with trails of all types and distances available to the runner and the biker. Add in the lovely weather in the summer and you have a great destination for a runner. It's also where Beer Geek and I plan to retire to eventually. It took me a long time to convince him (umm, close to 20 years...), but he's on board with living there from spring through fall and traveling the rest of the year. Sounds like a great retirement plan to me. 6 more years to go... Here are some of my favorite places to run: Mendota Lakeshore Path - This is one of … [Read more...]
Rockay Running Socks Review
This post was sponsored by Rockay Socks and contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I was recently given a pair of Rockay Socks to review. I had never heard of the brand before, but I'm so glad that they reached out. There are many things I love about them, but the thing that excites me most is their goal of creating great products while helping the environment. The socks I were sent are 66% Polyamide, 30% Organic Merino Wool, and 4% Elastane. The combination of materials provides for a comfortable sock that is warm and sweat wicking. I admit that I have not had a chance to run long distances in them yet (thanks to my heel), but I've worn them for walking and day to day wear and they are super comfortable. The socks … [Read more...]
Race Day Mistakes: This is What You Should Not Do
Growing up, one of my favorite books was Berenstain Bears "The Bike Lesson". The whole book is about the father making mistakes when teaching them to ride a bike and then telling them that "This is what you should not do. Let this be a lesson to you." Let me be your Bike Lesson. This is what you should not do... Overdress - yes, it often feels chilly waiting at the start line. And no one wants to get the shivers. But wearing too much can quickly lead to overheating if it's actually warm out or getting sweaty and then freezing if it's not. Most suggest dressing like it's 20* warmer than it is. I have to be careful about that as I tend to run cold. SOLUTION: Throwaway clothes. My personal favorite is a zip up hoody, usually … [Read more...]
Starting the month with a whole lotta coffee
I survived! I knew going into this fall that September and October were going to be insane. They did not disappoint! But it's November now and with Shoo's birthday on Halloween, the craziness ends. Time to take a deep breath and get everything under control. Since I actually have time to take a real coffee break, I'm joining Deb and Coco's virtual coffee date. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I was more sore after the Marine Corps Marathon than I have been after a race in years. Seriously, the lack of a bathroom on our main level darn near killed me. On the bright side, not only did I refuse to walk up and down the stairs to do anything for my kids, I made Shoo be my legs and sent him to get things for me. Thankfully, by … [Read more...]
DuClaw Sweet Baby Java Peanut Butter Pie
Thank you DuClaw Brewing for sponsoring this post and sending me the DuClaw Sweet Baby Java. All opinions and the pie recipe are my own. Welcome to the October 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 “Sweet Baby Java”, an espresso bean infused version of Sweet Baby Jesus. Each month when I get my beer from DuClaw, my friend and I brainstorm ideas for the recipe. Last year when we got this beer, we went ended up making a soup. So, this year, we wanted to go back to our original plan of a dessert. Despite being based on Sweet Baby Jesus, this beer is more coffee and … [Read more...]
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