August runfessions

August 31, 2018 by 28 Comments

It’s the last Friday of the month which means Marcia has opened the runfessional, so let’s get to it, shall we?

I runfess that I didn’t last long in the Summer Blowout Challenge my kickboxing studio threw down for the month. While I held it out there as one of my August Goals, I runfess that my body just doesn’t love burpees…check that, my body doesn’t even like burpees. And, with a daily installment of said burpees, it does beg the question…what was I thinking?!

I runfess that the monotony of physical therapy is starting to make me feel a little restless. On the flip side, the work with the PT is paying off, so I’m just gonna suck it up and move on, right? Right.

I returned to the gym this week to avoid the heat and I runfess that some people’s gym-behavior never ceases to amaze me. Can someone explain to me why people insist on talking on their cell phones while on the treadmill (or any machine for that matter!). I sent most of my last run next to a guy who tried to carry on a conversation while attempting to walk/run on the mill. Really the call couldn’t wait?

I runfess that I’ve been wanting to “break-up” with one of my ambassadorships for a couple of months now. I’m not loving the direction they’ve gone with their products and have really come to prefer a competing brand. The ambassador program itself is also lacking and a bit disorganized – I’m not even sure who I should send my resignation email to!

So tell me, got any runfessions to share?

I’m linking up with  Rachel and Meranda and Lacey for the Friday Five.

 

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Filed Under: Friday Five, Runfessions

Soaking up the end of summer

August 26, 2018 by 33 Comments

Happy Sunday!

It’s been a couple of weeks since I last joined the Weekly Wrap, so as I sit here lazing on the deck I thought I’d check in.

With nothing to train for I have enjoyed just running when I want to. And, given how hectic work has been leading up to a big event last weekend (where I got to don my race director hat again!), this do what you can when you can approach has fit the bill.

For the past couple of weeks, my runs have pretty much hovered around the 3-mile mark at whatever pace my legs have felt like moving. I’ve also spent a lot of quality time with my physical therapist, adding dry needling and electrical stim to the treatment plan.

And this week pretty much followed the same pattern:

Monday:  Physical therapy – so much single leg work, glute bridges, wall sits, and hamstring curls…my legs were jelly.
Tuesday:  3-mile run
Wednesday: Another trip to the physical therapist and more legs of jelly.
Thursday: 3-mile run; spent the afternoon with the family enjoying mini golf, bumper boats, arcade games, and way too much ice cream 😉
Friday:  Rest and a family trek to Mystic Seaport.
Saturday: 4.25-mile run
Sunday:  Rest

With my big work event behind me, this week also meant the start of some much needed time off. I had Thursday and Friday off and will be off again Wednesday through Labor Day this upcoming week!  I’m looking forward to more family day trips, lots of time grilling and chilling on the patio, and just soaking up as much of these final days of summer as I can.

How are you spending these final days of summer?

I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

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Filed Under: summer mode, Weekly Wrap

August 2018 Goals

August 5, 2018 by 42 Comments

With no training plan in sight, most of the past week was about spending some quality time with the physical therapist (who introduced dry needling into the mix), grinding out the PT exercises on my own, with a couple of HIIT workouts thrown in for good measure.

There was a lot of time spent stretching and rolling, and I even made it to the massage table. I ran just once and the great news is there was no knee pain! While my hip didn’t feel great, it didn’t feel awful either  – so we’ll take that as a win. It’s all about progress.

So now that August is already off and rolling, it’s time to lay out my monthly goals.

  • Continue daily PT exercises along with weekly visits with the physical therapist
  • Return to running 3 days a week
  • Continue cross-training twice a week (kickboxing and the Arc Trainer)
  • Complete the “Summer Blowout” challenge – designed by the kickboxing trainers – think a crazy mix of sit-ups, push-ups, squats, burpees, etc.
  • Feel ready to start half marathon training by September

What’s your big goal for August?

I’m joining Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

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Filed Under: goals, Weekly Wrap

August Coffee Catch Up

August 3, 2018 by 39 Comments

Happy Friday!

I am so ready for this weekend to begin! It’s always nice to kick things off with a little catch up over coffee. I’m grabbing an iced one today – how about you?

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that the heat and humidity have returned with a vengeance! With nothing to train for at the moment, I can feel my motivation to face the swampy mess fading fast.  I’ve been eyeing a couple of fall races and once I get a handle on my husband’s work travel, it will be time to hit the registration button.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m now officially living in a house of teenagers! My “baby” turned 13 last weekend, and the older brother turns 16 on Monday. Enough said…heaven help me!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that after 2 weekends of hard work, the patio is in and we’re enjoying it. Now I’m on the hunt for the right furniture and some decorative plantings to finish it off. It’s been a great spot to enjoy a cocktail (or two) and an evening fire.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I am really looking forward to taking some time off at the end of this month. I’m starting to feel fried at work and let’s just say some days I’m short on patience!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that while I can’t wait to get to my time off I’m not ready for the summer to end and school to begin. These days are just flying by far too quickly for me, and there is still so much I want to do before getting back to the routine of homework and school sports. If I could just make August about 2 or 3 weeks longer that would be perfect 😉

What would you tell me over coffee? What have you got planned for August?

I’m joining up with my friends Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date, as well as linking up with  Rachel and Meranda and Lacey for the Friday Five.

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Filed Under: Friday Five, Ultimate coffee date

Wrapping up July

July 30, 2018 by 32 Comments

I swear if I were running at a pace equal to how fast these days are clipping by I’d have a PR or two!

Instead, as I predicted, in my July goals, the month was very low-key on the running front. And, honestly could stay that way for the rest of the summer. But before I look ahead to August, Iet’s quickly wrap-up July.

Running – July was my lowest monthly mileage of the year, and if it hadn’t been for the RnR Chicago Remix I might have run even fewer miles. Both the hip and knee made it clear that time off and extra self-care were needed. I even finished the month with a week of non-running – though I did make an exception to log a little road time with my youngest son!

Strength Work – I made daily PT exercises a goal and for the most part, this was a win, as the only days I missed were during the Chicago weekend. I also logged 7 hours working with the physical therapist, leaving most sessions with jelly legs as Abby has really pushed me with a lot of single leg work. My plank streak also grew to 211 days, and thanks to the 5-minute Plank Challenge, I upped the ante on the length of planks.

Cross-Training – My July goal was to get to kickboxing class twice a week. Unfortunately, work and camp pick-ups made this a challenge so I had to settle for a weekly class and supplemented with time spent on the Arc Trainer.

Macro Plan & Weight Loss – I started following a macro plan in July and did hit my goal of doing a better job with meal planning and prep. I spent the month trying to figure out how to scale back on the carbs a bit while increasing my protein. As a result, I saw just a half pound off the scale but did lose a half inch in my waist.

I’m still noodling over August goals, so, for now, that’s a wrap!

I’m joining Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

And, with Erika, Marcia, and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run.

How was your July? Have you set any goals for August?

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Filed Under: month in review, Tuesdays on the Run, Weekly Wrap

July Runfessions

July 27, 2018 by 34 Comments

And just like that we’re at the last Friday of the month! Yep July is winding down the runfessional is open, so I’m linking up with Marcia to bear my sweating sole – see what I did there 😉

I runfess that I can’t believe last week this time I was so nervous about flying halfway across the country to hang out with a group of women that I’d never met in person. And now they all feel like old friends and I cannot wait to see them again!

After traveling to Chicago last weekend, I runfess that I can totally understand how air rage happens! I got stuck next to Cologne Man, and if that wasn’t bad enough he proceeded to nod off and was practically resting his head on my shoulder. I runfess that I may have “nudged” him awake and then he decided to take his shoes off and tried to cross his legs – did I mention he was barefoot and sitting in the middle seat?!

I’ve now been following the macrolife plan for a couple of weeks and I runfess that I’m still trying to get a handle on tracking what I eat.

I runfess that I’m now on a quest to find a carb-free wine 😉

Sharing some #runfessions for this week's #FridayFive Share on X

There…I feel better now. What are you runfessing?

I’m also joining Rachel and Lacey & Meranda for the Friday Five link-up!

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Filed Under: Friday Five, Runfessions

RnR Chicago 10K Recap

July 26, 2018 by 6 Comments

Disclaimer: As a member of the Rock’n’Blog team, I received free race entries to both the 5K and 10K races. As always, all opinions are my own.

Time for part 2 of my Chicago weekend highlights!

When I left off Tuesday’s post, the 5K was done and we were enjoying a fantastic blogger brunch. Since I was remixing with the 10K the next morning, I decided to head back to the hotel to put my feet up and give the cranky hip a break. After a nap, I took a walk with Kim to Millenium Park to check out the infamous Bean.

We circled back to the hotel, picked up Deborah and headed out for another great meal, this time at Quartino. With an early race start time looming (hello 6:30 a.m.!), we called it an early evening.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago 10K

Kim, Deborah, and I were up and out of the hotel by 5:30 in search of a little pre-race fuel. The plan was to once again meet up with everyone around the gear check, but with a lot more runners than the 5K it was harder to find everyone. I get the added bonus of running into Skirt Sports sisters Ericka and Danyell. We found Kim G. and her mom, spotted Marcia briefly, and made our way to the very crowded corrals.

Soon we were off, and just a few minutes in we got hit with the first big blast of rain. While the start was a little congested it didn’t last long as we quickly split off from the half marathoners and headed south down the Lakefront Path. We followed the Path for almost 4 miles before rejoining the half marathoners. My cranky hip reared its ugly head somewhere around the 5K mark, and my walk intervals became a little longer. I swear it felt like it took me forever to reach the 4-mile marker.

We ran under McCormick Place, which was really the only part of the course I could have done without. It was dark and the ground was uneven and I saw a woman trip in front of me – thankfully she didn’t go down. Once out of the tunnel, there was just the long 1.2 mile stretch to the finish. At this point the skies opened up again – really Mother N was that necessary?! I was so happy to cross that finish line!

I got my medal, water, and chocolate milk and headed for the exit. While it looked like there was a lot of post-race food at the finish, I was too wet to want to stop to partake. I found the Remix medal tent and then made the short walk back to the hotel.

Cleaned up (and dry!), there was time for one more fun Blogger Brunch before checking out of the hotel and heading to the airport. It was nice to have Erica and her friend Melissa join us.

Overall this was a fun race, despite Mother N’s hissy fit. The course was nice and flat, and running along the water was a bonus. I do wish the course would have taken us through a little of Chicago the way the Half course did I would definitely run this race again!

Have you run an RnR race?

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, blogger meet-ups, race report, RnR Chicago

Meeting Runner Friends and RnR Chicago 5K

July 24, 2018 by 19 Comments

Ah, my Chicago Weekend – I’m honestly not sure that I’m going to be able to do justice to the fun that was had this weekend. While yes there were races, for me this weekend was so much more about the amazing connections I’ve made through running than it was about the running itself.

I couldn’t possibly encapsulate everything in one post so this will be a two-part recap. Let’s get started…

Friday – Let the fun begin!

I arrived in Chicago around noon and took the L from O’Hare into the city. After getting a little turned around, leaving the train station I soon found the W Hotel. No sooner had I checked in then I heard someone call my name, and turned around to find Deborah’s smiling face. We quickly dropped our bags in our rooms and headed off to meet Kim at the expo. Deborah and I easily fell into conversation – it was much more like catching up with an old friend than meeting someone for the first time.

The RnR Expo was held at McCormick Place. Packet pick-up was quick and easy, including changing my registration from the half marathon to the 10K. I was disappointed to see how small the race shirts were running and the fact that we were told exchanges couldn’t be done at the expo. The other snafu was neither Deborah or I were given the bracelets needed for the Remix Challenge (we remedied that later). Kim quickly found us and set off to check out the expo. I first met Kim at RnR Vegas in 2016 – it was so great to see her again! Added bonus, we got to meet Kim’s mom – she is awesome. I love that she runs so many races with Kim!

Among the vendors we checked out, we stopped at the KT Tape booth – and I have to say this may have been my saving grace. Leading into the weekend I had been really worried about both my hip and my knee – huge props to the KT rep who taped my knee! I could feel a difference just walking around the expo.  

Overall the expo seemed a little on the small side, but I did pick up this cute Brooks shirt.

This pic doesn’t due the deep blue color justice

We headed back to the hotel to wait for the “other” Kim to arrive. Kim and I were sharing a room for the weekend – despite not having met before I was pretty sure we would hit it off…and spoiler alert we did 🙂 That night we had a great dinner at Barrio.

Saturday – More Runner Friends & the 5K

With the 5K scheduled to start at 7:30, our group planned to meet up at 7. Deborah, Kim, and I walked the .8 mile to the start and caught up with Marcia, Sara, Emily, Kim and her mom. It was overcast and drizzly, but we were all smiles, reminding each other it was better than the blistering heat July in Chicago could bring.

Knowing that I had the 10K to run Sunday, I seriously toyed with power-walking the 5K. Despite all the walking on Friday (5.5 according to my Garmin), my taped knee was feeling pretty good, but what my hip would allow was anybody’s guess. Once the race started, in typical 5K fashion, it took a bit to find any open space to run. I settled into 5:1 run/walk intervals and figured I’d give the run a go until my hip said otherwise. While I was far from quick, it was a nice steady run and, best of all, the hip stayed quiet! Win!

Next up was a blogger brunch at Beatrix! There we were joined by Holly, Wendy, Linda, and Suz waiting for us! Sara and her husband soon followed. I absolutely loved the energy at the table – so many fun stories, so many laughs! I know I may sound like a broken record but you would have never guessed that many of us were meeting for the first time!

I’ll leave it here – the rest of the weekend highlights and 10K recap later this week….

Check out part 1 of my RnR Chicago weekend and epic blogger meet-up! #RNRChi #EpicBloggerMeetUp #RocknBlog #Runnerfriends Share on X

Have you ever participated in a blogger meet-up?

I’m linking up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesday’s on the Run.

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, blogger meet-ups, race report, RnR Chicago, Runner Friends, Tuesdays on the Run

Chicago Race Week

July 22, 2018 by 36 Comments

Happy Sunday!

I’m just off the plane from such a fun weekend in Chicago hanging with some of my favorite runner/blogger friends! I can’t stop smiling! More on those shenanigans coming in a separate post along with a recap of RnR Chicago.

But first, let’s quickly catch up on the week that was. Since this was “race week”, I was super tentative about my knee – there was lots of heat and ice treatment, and very little running.

Monday – Physical Therapy and gait analysis. The appointment was a long one with lots of single leg squats, glute bridges, and band work. Abby the PT also filmed me running and I will get the analysis from her team at my next appointment.

Tuesday – Yoga. I’ve not been hitting my yoga mat nearly enough! My body so needed this stretch.

Wednesday – 3-mile run. When my alarm went off in the morning I was so tentative about my hip and knee that I spun myself in knots and never got out the door. It bothered me all day that I had let fear get the better of me so I headed to the gym after work to hit the mill. It was a surprisingly solid run – a win and a reminder to never give up!

Thursday – PT exercises and time with my massage therapist

Friday – Travel to Chicago! I still managed to get 5.5 miles walking in (according to my Garmin)

Saturday  & Sunday – Remix Challenge – RnR Chicago 5K on Saturday and 10K on Sunday. Given how my knee and hip have been feeling, being able to get through both races was a huge win!

My flat runner for Saturday’s 5K

Daily planking also happened – my streak is still going at Day 203. Kim and I even planked together in Chicago for Rachel’s Plank Challenge.

And that’s a wrap! The plan for this week is to take a rest from running. I’ll focus instead on kickboxing, strength training, and yoga to give my hip a much-needed break.

I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap – I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting both of these great ladies this weekend. Stay tuned for my Chicago recap!

Tell me something about your week

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Filed Under: Weekly Wrap

A quick wrap up

July 15, 2018 by 32 Comments

I swear I every time I blink a whole week or more goes by! Somehow we’re already halfway through the month – yikes!

I’m knee-deep in prepping and packing for my oldest to head off to overnight camp so I’m just quickly sharing some highlights from the past week and linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

All by myself
On Tuesday I made a last minute decision to head over to the studio for a midday kickboxing class – let’s just say work was really pushing my buttons and the chance to hit something was very appealing 😉 Well I arrived to discover I was the only one there – yep I got a private class – just me and two instructors. It was an awesome workout with lots of attention on my form.

When you get to class and realize you’re the only one!

Time with the PT
I got in two sessions with the PT last week – and man oh man was I sore after each appointment. The work is tedious but necessary. Someone, please send me some patience!

The Ice Pack as my BFF
I feel like I spent a good bit of the week with an ice pack attached to my leg. I’m not sure what I did but coming off of last weekend’s run my left knee has been super sore. Seriously, some days I feel like I just need to wrap myself in buddle wrap! Oddly, the knee doesn’t hurt during kickboxing, but running was a whole different story.

Only one run
Yep, there was only one run this week – just a 5K on Saturday. It was a slow run/walk but it was miles nonetheless. On the bright side, I got to wear my fave new visor 😉

 

This week should be fairly low-keyed as I keep my fingers crossed that I won’t need to power walk Chicago!

How was your week? Have you ever had a solo class?

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Filed Under: Weekly Wrap