October Goals

October 4, 2020 by 22 Comments

Hello October!

I make no secret of my love of Fall weather, and I always feel like October is when Fall is at it’s best. And since we’re at the beginning of a new month, I’ve set some goals. But, first here’s a quick run down on this past week.

Monday — Strength training

Tuesday — 3 miles

Wednesday — 2.25 miles

Thursday — 3 miles & Day 1 of Core-Tober

So happy to see October arrive!

Friday — 2-mile walk & Core day 2

Saturday — A stack of Peloton workouts

20 mins of core?!

Sunday — 4-miles, yoga & Core day 4

October Goals

While I did hit the mark on my yoga and strength training September goals, I fell short of my mileage goal of 75 miles. I finished with 60 miles and would like to see that number bumped up this month. So here’s what I’ve got planned for this month.

  • 80 miles
  • Complete the Peloton Core-Tober Challenge (29 core workouts from the BreakThrough Crew instructors)
  • Complete the Detroit Free Press virtual half marathon
  • Strength training 3x’s/week
  • Weekly yoga
  • Break-in my new Peloton bike (9 days and counting until delivery!)

What are you looking forward to this month?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Filed Under: goals, Weekly Run Down

Time for October Coffee

October 2, 2020 by 24 Comments

Fall is in the air and it feels great to settle in a mug of hot coffee and catch up with friends. I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date. I’ve got my usual Starbucks Pikes Place with GLG Collagen and a splash of cream – what are you drinking?

Over coffee, I would first ask you how you’re holding up. To say times are tough right now would be a serious understatement. Personally, I’m beyond tired of 2020 and all of the madness, chaos, and sadness that has come with it. I’ve had to put myself on a news detox – while I like to be informed, some days are just too much to bear.

On a much lighter note, over coffee, I would tell you that school continues to go well for both of my boys. My oldest has been on campus for 6 weeks and his school just keeps rolling along in their little bubble. For my younger son, we’ve settled into a hybrid schedule and knock-on-wood so far so good. I’m holding my breath and hoping we can make it to Thanksgiving break.

Over coffee, I would tell you that we are in the thick of the college process now. I am utterly amazed at what marketing machines some of these universities are. We receive so much mail and the emails are nonstop. I keep thinking that if they all cut back on their fancy brochures perhaps they could drop their tuition costs!

Over coffee, I would tell you that I looking forward to the new season of SNL, cause really couldn’t we all use a good laugh? Now let’s hope I can stay awake to actually watch it 🙂

Now I’d tell you that my cup is empty and I need a refill. So your turn, what would you tell me over coffee?

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Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

September Runfessions

September 25, 2020 by 22 Comments

Marcia has opened the runfessional and I’ve got a few things to share, so let’s dive right in, shall we?

I runfess that I am nowhere near “half marathon ready” with the Detroit half just a few weeks away. When Detroit race organizers announced they were going virtual I had every intention of dropping down to the 5K. For those not keeping score, I have done nothing in the long-distance department all summer – I’ve had zero interest. I kept saying “I gotta remember to change my registration” …well as you’ve probably guessed, I kept forgetting and when I finally logged in to do so, the virtual 5K was sold out! Doh! Ah well, the half marathon swag is pretty sweet and on its way, so always earned never given – I will get it done.

Which of course begs the question – why sign up for the BAA’s Finish Strong Challenge which includes a half marathon?! I runfess that fall weather running giddiness may have played a role. LOL! I really wanted a goal to push for to finish out the year so the Challenge seemed like a good idea (half marathon and all) – plus, I runfess, I know I’m going to want to redeem myself after the Detroit effort.

I runfess that while I’m looking forward to having some running challenges this fall, I continue to “drink the kool-aid” that is Peloton. My bike will arrive (finally) in a couple of weeks, and in the meantime, I continue to love the new content they’re adding. After doing the “Crush Your Core” program earlier this summer, I’ve been trying to keep a fairly steady diet of core workouts going, so when the Breakthrough Crew Facebook group (from this summer’s Pelothon) announced a core challenge for October, you know I am all in!

So tell me, what are you runfessing?

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Fall running and new challenges

September 20, 2020 by 28 Comments

Mother Nature has gifted us with some glorious fall weather lately and I couldn’t be happier – especially since I’ve got a few new run challenges on the horizon! But before I get to those, here’s a quick run down on the week that was…

Monday — Yoga
Tuesday — 3-mile run plus core
Wednesday — 1.25 -mile power walk plus core
Thursday — Peloton Strength – upper body and core classes
Friday — 2.5-mile run plus Pelo strength
Saturday — 4-mile run plus core
Sunday — Currently still lingering over coffee, but planning to get a walk and some time on my yoga mat.

New Challenges

Running has felt good lately (thanks I’m sure in part to the cool fall weather we’ve been having), and I’m finally feeling motivated to take on a couple of run challenges and virtual races. Here’s what I’ve got planned:

Hadrian’s Wall – I’ve had this one on my radar since I first heard about it earlier this summer, so when my brother called me looking for a challenge to take on, I knew what I wanted to do. We’ll each be trying to cover the 90 miles over the next few weeks – should be fun to see who finishes first!

Womxn Run the Vote — This relay kicks off tomorrow and benefits Black Voters Matter (BVM), a nationally recognized advocacy and policy group that works to boost Black voter turnout at elections on every level. The week-long relay covers 680 miles from Atlanta to Washington DC, following a route from Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site in Atlanta to the MLK Jr. National Memorial in DC.  BVM is a great advocacy group so I’m psyched to be logging some miles for this cause. I’ll be running with Team SnaptheVote! 

 

Excited to celebrate fall running with some virtual races and challenges! #FreepMaraBR #BibChat #BibRavePro #WomxnRunTheVote #WeeklyRunDown Share on X

I’ve also got a couple of virtual races lined up. I had registered for the Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon early this year and was psyched to run it as a BibRave Pro. Of course, like all other major races, this one has gone virtual. The Detroit races are selling out quickly, but if you’re interested in joining me be sure to use code BIBRAVEDET20 for 10% off your registration.

Additionally, I signed up for the Boston Athletic Association’s #FinishStrong Challenge, which consists of running their annual distance medley (5K, 10K, and half marathon) as virtual runs during the final three months of the year. I missed getting to run a BAA event this year (kind of a tradition with me) so this feels like a good fit and will give me something to focus on as the year winds down. I also like that the challenge also supports some great causes.

 

Has Fall weather made an appearance where you are? Do you have any challenges or virtual races coming up?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Weekly Run Down – Back to School Part 2

September 13, 2020 by 29 Comments

With this week came the end of my staycation and the return to school for my youngest son. Everything felt a little out of kilter including the weather as we teeter tottered between humidity one day and fall-like temps the next. I never really found my workout groove…here’s how the week played out.

Monday — Labor Day and the last day of my staycation. I’ve been enjoying the combo of a short run and strength work.

Tuesday — Powerwalk & Upper body & core work. As expected the first day back to work after a week off was a l-o-n-g day! I runfess I thought about just phoning it in, but knew I would feel better if I got some sort of workout in.

Wednesday — 3-mile run & core work. The humidity returned with a vengeance and this run was hard!

Thursday — Rest day – I woke up with a migraine that just never let up 🙁

Friday — Another couple of miles run plus strength training. I had heard a lot about Jess’ classes but had yet to try one so it was an all Jess workout!

Saturday — 4-mile run & core work. The weather was gloriously cool with no trace of the mid-week humidity. A house along my route had a number of painted rocks along their stone wall – I just loved seeing these words of wisdom!

Sunday — Today will be all about hanging out and enjoying some football. I will probably get a walk or short run in and some core work to keep this week’s core streak going.

I’m happy to say that my son’s return to school was relatively smooth. His school is going with a hybrid approach so he has in-person classes every other day. It will definitely take us a bit to find our new rhythm…but then again, isn’t that the story of this year?!

How was your week? Does it feel like fall where you are?

In case you missed it, check out my Knockaround Sport Sunglasses Review.

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Filed Under: Weekly Run Down

Knockaround Sport Sunglasses Review

September 8, 2020 by 20 Comments

Disclaimer: I received Knockaround Sport Sunglasses to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews! All opinions, as always, are my own.

Knockaround Sport Sunglasses Review

I have been looking forward to trying out a pair of Knockarounds since I read Janelle’s review earlier this summer. I love sunglasses, but I don’t always love how much you have to pay for a quality pair so I was very curious to see what Knockaround had to offer.

Well after wearing them on runs, walks, and just out and about running errands, let me just say that there is just so much to love about these shades!

Great protection – Knockarounds feature polarized mirror lenses with UV 400 protection which filters the light coming through the lens so you get a crisp and clear image all while protecting your eyes. And, as an added bonus, the lenses are also impact-resistant.

No slipping – We all know how ridiculously humid it’s been this summer, and yet my Knockarounds never slipped. The Sport Collection has these subtle, but highly effective rubber grips on the nose – perfect for those sweat-fest runs!

Lightweight – Knockarounds are made with a super lightweight polycarbonate material which means you can just put them on and forget about them.

So many colorways and styles – Knockaround offers fifteen different frame styles in a wide range of colors, plus special Limited Editions. While I love the “Fast Lanes” I received in Clear Grey frames and Green Moonshine lenses, I’m already eyeing the many other color combos and styles available. You can even custom design a pair to make them uniquely your own.

Affordable – Prices for Knockarounds with polarized lens start as low as $20, and just $15 for the regular lens.

Sharing my review of @knockaround sport sunglasses #knockaroundbr #bibchat #bibravepro #tuesdaytopics #runnersroundup Share on X

Functional, stylish, and affordable – it’s really not hard to see why Knockarounds are so popular!

If you haven’t tried them yet for yourself, then let me sweeten the deal by offering code BibRaveKnocks5 for a 20% savings on your entire order (one use per customer).

Do you wear sunglasses when you run?

 

I’m linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up.

I’m also linking with  Debbie,  Deborah,  Lisa, Jenn, and Laura for the Runners’ Roundup.

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Filed Under: #BibRavePro, product reviews, Runners Roundup, Tuesday Topics

Weekly Run Down and September Goals

September 7, 2020 by 15 Comments

For as much as I usually like to set monthly goals to help keep myself accountable and focused, I somehow never got around to setting any for the month of August. Say what?!

Somehow, despite my rather lackluster interest in running lately, I did exceed to hit my baseline goal of 50 miles/month. But on the whole, August was very much a “do what you feel like” kinda month.

For September, I’m climbing back on the goals bandwagon, but first here’s a quick run down on the week that was….

Monday — Yoga. Chelsea is quickly becoming one of my favorite yoga instructors.

Tuesday — 3-mile power walk and core work.
Wednesday — 2.5 miles and strength training.


Thursday — 3-mile power walk and core work.
Friday — 1.6 miles and strength training. Robin’s upper body classes are no joke – my arms were jello when this one was done.

Saturday — 3.1 miles and core work. The weather was ideal – now if there was just a way to bottle it for the rest of the year!

Sunday — 2.5-miles power walk, core work, and PT exercises.

On the whole, it was a pretty low-key week. I’ve been enjoying the combination of short runs followed by strength training and can definitely see that trend continuing – especially while my desire to run long remains low.

Getting back to setting monthly goals! #SeptemberGoals #WeeklyRunDown #bibchat #onepeloton Share on X

September Goals

  • Run or Walk Daily
  • Run 75 miles
  • Strength for Runners classes or PT exercises, 3x’s/week
  • Core Workouts, 4x’s/week
  • Strength training (upper body or full body), 3x’s/week
  • Weekly Yoga

My staycation ends today and school for my youngest son starts this week, so I’m going to work on planning out my workouts again. These goals should help to give me a little structure.

Do you map out your workouts when you’re not training for a race? Did you set any goals for September?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Filed Under: goals, Weekly Run Down

Labor Day Weekend Coffee

September 4, 2020 by 19 Comments

Happy Friday!

I’m joining Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date. So grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat a little…

Over coffee, I would tell you that I am in the middle of a glorious 6-day staycation. It’s been so nice to unplug from work and have the extra time to get some odds and ends done. Now if I can just figure out a way to become independently wealthy before Tuesday 😉

Over coffee, I would tell you that I cannot believe my oldest son has already been back on campus for two weeks! After having him home for 6 months, the house feels oddly quiet. While I really miss him, I’m so glad he’s back with his friends and in a classroom again. I give his school such high marks for having a great plan to bring students back safely. I’m keeping my fingers crossed they can make it through the next 11 weeks and complete the semester.

Over coffee, I would tell you about my latest obsession – watching the World’s Toughest Race – Eco-Challenge Fiji on Prime Video. 66 teams on an 11-day trek across some incredibly challenging terrain. J and I rarely binge watch, but this show hooked us right away!

What would you tell me over coffee? 

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Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

Wrapping up August

August 30, 2020 by 26 Comments

It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I sit here on my deck embracing the peace and quiet. It’s a far cry from what continues to play out on a daily basis all around. Each week I hope we’ll collectively be able to catch our breath, but it has yet to be. I am tired y’all…just plain tired.

As I have said so many times since March, my workouts help to keep me sane. And this week was no different…here’s a quick recap of my workouts.

Sadly this was an August with no beach time 🙁

Monday — Strength training. I loved this upper body and core combo!

Tuesday — Yoga. I may have gotten a tad ambitious with Monday’s workout because DOMS caught up with me with a vengeance. Time on my mat provided some relief.

Wednesday — 3 miles with temps in the 50s! I will admit I came very close to hitting the snooze button and skipping this run, but I knew I would regret missing this cool morning. Turned out to be a decent run.

Thursday — 1.75 miles and strength training. I decided to revisit Monday’s strength combo along with a short warm-up run. My appointment with the massage therapist for later that afternoon was perfect timing 🙂

Friday — Rest day. I took full advantage of my day off by sleeping in a little and then lingering over coffee far too long before meeting a friend for a long outdoor lunch. Perfect day, but no workout and I’m okay with that.

Saturday — 3 miles. With thunderstorms threatening I took my run to the mill. Running with one of my favorite instructors and The Weekend soundtrack was the perfect antidote to the treadmill.

Sunday — 3 miles. Saturday’s rain cleared out the humidity and it was another beautiful morning.

Like last week, I had both Thursday and Friday off this week – and let me just say that having 4-day weekends is something I could get used to! LOL! With Labor Day on the horizon, I’m looking forward to being off from work starting on Wednesday and giving myself a nice little 6-day staycation. It will be a good way of getting September off on the right foot – hopefully Mother Nature will play nice.

Are things cooling off where you are?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Filed Under: Weekly Run Down

End of Summer Runfessions

August 28, 2020 by 12 Comments

Here we stand on the final edge of the summer…and what a summer it has been! Seriously 2020 is the year that just keeps on giving, isn’t it?

I’m so glad that Marcia has kept Runfession link-up going – I have a couple of things to share before we move into a new month and new season.

In July, I runfessed that I was not ready to return to a gym or studio yet. Well, I runfess that not much has changed my feelings on this. I canceled my gym membership shortly after making that runfession, and now with the days winding down on the freeze on my OrangeTheory membership I’ve made the decision to pull the plug and cancel this membership too. Perhaps at some point down the road if I change my mind I can always re-join.

I runfess that now that we’ve had a brief taste of fall with some cool mornings last week I have absolutely no tolerance left for this returning humidity.

I runfess that instead of quietly stressing about my current running slump, I’m just going to let it go. I’ve been feeling pretty “meh” about running lately, and while I’m definitely up for a daily workout, I’ve caught myself on more than one occasion feeling like “I should run” vs. “I want to run”. Nothing good comes from “shoulding” on yourself so I’m letting that go…eventually the desire to run will return.

I runfess that I’m more than a little impatient waiting for my Peloton bike delivery. Believe it or not, I ordered it at the end of July and it’s not scheduled to deliver until October. I have heard that some people are getting their bikes sooner so I runfess that I may or may have called to check on my order status a couple of times.

OK so tell me… any runfessions to share?

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Filed Under: Runfessions