This month has both been about a million years long AND flown by at the same time. I really meant to write more often this month (and actually wrote some posts in my head, which I had not done in a long time), but I never seemed to find time to write. But I have some Runfessions to get out there, so I'm hooking up with Marcia to bare my sole. I runfess that even though we are just turning the Omicron corner here, I'm making plans to travel to some races. Right now we are planning to drive, but I'm hopeful that things will change enough that I'm comfortable flying. I have another Mainly Marathons series in mind - the Appalachian Series. But I runfess that I've BTDT on the 7 races in 7 days thing, so I'm only planning to do the three … [Read more...]
January Runfessions: Month 13 of 2020
I can't believe we are already at the end of January! It's been a jampacked month of work and kids and house stuff and, sadly, not a whole lot of running. But I have high hopes for February on the running front... Today I'm joining Coach Marcia (you know she's ZOOMA's coach, right?) for some 'fessions. Runfessions and lifefessions ahead... We are only a month into the year and I must runfess that I'm already struggling with one of my goals. I signed up for Run the Year 2021, with a plan to run 1200 miles and walk the remainder. This month I haven't even hit a combined 100 miles yet. (In my defense, Michigan was way slippier than I expected). I do have to run a 25K this weekend (I NEED the pint glass), so I'll break 100, but I have … [Read more...]
Kicking off 2020 with some new goals
Yes, I realize we are already more than a week into 2020. But mentally, with the way the holiday fell this year, it feels like 2020 started last Monday. So, I'm only a week behind in figuring life out. It's going to be an interesting year, with some things still very up in the air. Things like what schools my kids will be going to and what job my husband will be doing, but hey, my work is fairly stable and my injury is a minor soreness here and there, so I can plan MY life LOL. Running Add some races to my half marathon count. Last year I stalled out after managing 4 half marathons in the early part of the year. Between work and deciding to cheer as a unicorn, I had nothing in the fall. So far this year, I've signed up for 2 in May and … [Read more...]
Coffee Talk: all the running
As I sit here with my coffee, it's only 74* out. I know that is still warm, but it's way better than it's been for most of the summer. Of course, I'll be much happier when the temp starts with a 5 or a 6, but I'll take a teeny tiny cool down. Since it's the first weekend of the month, it's time for coffee! If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that yesterday's 20 mile run was a huge confidence booster. The Marine Corps Marathon 50K has a required 12:30 pace per mile and lately my runs have been barely that, even when I'm only running a few miles. But yesterday I decide to do Galloway running because it was most important to just get the miles done. Not only did I finish, I averaged a 12:06 pace. Since you really only have to … [Read more...]
I’ll take wine instead of coffee…
It's time for the monthly virtual coffee date with Deb and Coco, but this month I had the pleasure of getting to see both of them at a dinner party that Deb threw. So, today we are having wine. If we were having wine, I'd tell you that it was awesome to meet up with a bunch of local MRTT ladies and a few bloggers at Deb's house. I got to meet Kim and Linda and also see the other Deb again. Not only was the food great, but the company was amazing. Kim and Linda were in town for the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler, so hopefully they had a great run today. If we were having wine, I'd also tell you that I volunteered at the Altra booth at the Cherry Blossom expo. I got to try on the new Kayenta (OMG, can't wait to get a pair) and learn … [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...]
Heading into spring with some awesome new products
If I say it often enough, spring will come, right? Because I'm not going to be a happy camper when we jump from the 40s straight to the 90s. Just sayin'. Anyways, right now I'm all about wanting to use some of the new spring products that I've gotten, so the weather better cooperate soon. But before I get to that, here are our new spring topics! Upcoming topics: April 3 – Favorite New Product April 10 – Spring Race Training Update April 17 – Favorite / Least Favorite Thing About Spring Running April 24 – Rate Your Month May 1 – Best / Worst Race Picture May 8 – Run Like a Mother May 15 – Favorite Night Before Race Meal May 22 – Favorite Memorial Weekend Races May 29 – Rate Your Month OK, so here we … [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...]
Five things I’m loving this fall
Happy Friday! This week has been, umm, interesting. This was the first Presidential election where one of my kids was old enough to really be interested and invested, even if he isn't quite old enough to vote. This led to some great conversations and bonding time, but it sure cut into my sleep time. And we all know I'm sleep deprived normally, so you can only imagine how much sense I'm making these days. So, for Friday Five today, I'm going light and easy: 5 things that I'm loving right now as fall arrives. Before that, I want to say thank you to all of our Veterans for all that you do and all that you have done. It's because of you that we even have the opportunity to experience election night. And check out this awesome picture of … [Read more...]
I am not a Skirt Sports Hoarder
As I prepare to head to the Skirt Sports mothership AKA their store in Boulder on Friday, today's topic for Tuesdays on the Run seems more than a little bit appropriate. What are we chatting about? Race Gear: Are you a hoarder or a minimalist? Do you need everything in every color or do you keep as few things around as possible? I admit, I have a few skirts. Ok, more than a few. But I contend that I'm not a hoarder. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a hoarder as "one who hoards or stores up, esp. money." And to hoard as "To amass and put away (anything valuable) for preservation, security, or future use". See? No hoarding here! I use all the skirts that I own. I mean, sure, I have enough skirts to wear one a day for at least a … [Read more...]
Altra Paradigm Review & a May Shoe Event
I'm an Altra Running girl. I was given my first pair of Altra's as a gift for being a ZOOMA ambassador in 2014. I put on that pair of shoes and went for a run and I fell in love! So, when Road Runner Sports offered me the opportunity to try out a different model than my usual shoes, I jumped on it. I was sent the Altra Paradigm (affiliate link). Like the One 2.5 that's my go to shoe, the Altra Paradigm is a neutral shoe. It also has a foot shaped toe box and zero drop, like all of the other Altra shoes I've worn. However, unlike the One and the Impulse, the Paradigm is one of Altra's max cushioning shoes. As such, the ground feel is completely different than my other Altra's. The Altra Paradigm is a heavier shoe … [Read more...]
The sponsor of my dreams
Have you ever sat down and thought about what company you'd love to be a spokesperson for? You know, that person that EVERYONE associates with a particular product. Maybe it's a running product like skirts or shoes, or a particular food brand, or even something bigger. That's our topic for Tuesdays on the Run this week: Who is your dream sponsor? I'll admit I had a hard time with this one. After all, I am an ambassador for some pretty amazing companies whose products I'd own even if I was not an ambassador. In fact, they are just aiding and abetting my obsessions. For example, I love Skirt Sports. I loved them from the day I put on my first Happy Hour (an old version of the Happy Girl.) I bought new skirts as often as I could and wore … [Read more...]
