#FitFiveFriday — Page 12

Five Things Over January Coffee

January 7, 2022 by Michelle 20 Comments

Happy Friday! It’s time for another edition of Fit Five Friday! It’s also time for a little catch-up over coffee with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date. So grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage and let’s settle in for a chat.

Over coffee, I would tell you how much I enjoyed having the week off between Christmas and the New Year – it really gave me the downtime I desperately needed. The week off was filled with streaming movies, board games, and just hanging out. We did venture out to see Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which was fantastic, and to visit one of those big drive-through light displays – otherwise we were homebodies and it was glorious!

Over coffee, I would tell you that my oldest has decided not to return to campus this month. Clarkson has not been a good fit and he wants to transfer. Sadly I think this is the downside of not having been able to make final campus visits before committing to a college (thanks covid!). Nonetheless, I’m glad he told us he wanted a change vs. just trying to stick it out where he’s not happy. He’s already registered for some classes for the spring semester locally and is busy figuring out his options for the fall.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I was offered a new job right before the holidays! I have been craving a change for a while and this new opportunity will be big and challenging in a good way. I start my new gig in a couple of weeks.

Over coffee, I would tell you how excited I am to finally be able to announce that I was selected for the 2022 Brooks Run Happy Team. Brooks has been my go-to running shoe for years so I’m really looking forward to representing a brand I love.

Lastly, over coffee, I would tell you that I’m really enjoying the “Mindfulness and Running” course I have been taking for the past few weeks. The course is offered by my run coach Marc. It’s been a great opportunity to explore different approaches to mindfulness and meditation and how mindfulness can positively support your running.

And now that I’ve talked your ear off, I’ll ask, what would you tell me over coffee?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Share your fitness-related link, link back to your hosts, and please share the link love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Run Happy Team, Ultimate coffee date

New Year’s Eve Runfessions

December 31, 2021 by Michelle 13 Comments

Happy Friday and welcome to the final 2021 edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by Darlene, Renée, Jenn, Zenaida, and me!

And what better way to close out this crazy year than with one more trip to the Runfessional? I’m linking up with Marcia to share a Runfession or two…so let’s get started.

New Year’s Eve Runfessions

Weather driven vs. Schedule creep — Mother Nature has thrown a little bit of everything at us and it’s only December! I runfess that I have been letting the weather app dictate when I head out for my runs. Of late I have not been able to drag myself out of bed to run in the cold, dark morning when I can snag a sunny run in the 40s/50s in the mid-afternoon.

On the other hand, I runfess that I so much prefer to workout in the morning that way I know I’m guaranteed to get it done before schedule creep takes over. The dilemma is real.

Still no 2022 goals yet — As most of you know who have been around here for a bit, I’m a big goal-setter. And, yet, I runfess that here we are on the last day of the year and I’m still trying to decide on some fitness goals for 2022. I’ve been noodling around some ideas but still nothing definite. Honestly, I never set any big goals for 2021 – just smaller monthly goals, which seem to work out just fine…so who knows maybe that’s the way to go for 2022.

Time for another sugar detox — I runfess that I have been fully enjoying all the holiday foods and cocktails – no regrets. But I am planning for a mini detox in January to help reset things.

Any runfessions to share? Anyone else dealing with crazy weather? Have you set any 2022 goals yet?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Runfessions

Last Minute Stocking Stuffers for the Runner in Your Life

December 17, 2021 by Michelle 14 Comments

Anyone else in a last-minute scramble to finish checking off their “gifts to buy list?” (Please don’t tell me it’s just me!)

If you still find yourself with a runner on your gift list, here are a couple of last-minute stocking stuffer ideas. This post contains affiliate links.

Photo by David Everett Strickler on Unsplash

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Runner in Your Life

OCOPPA Rechargeable Handwarmers – I have shared this before and it continues to be a favorite! As someone who suffers from Raynaud’s, my biggest challenge for winter runs is keeping my hands warm. This rechargeable handwarmer offers 3 heat settings and fits nicely in the palm of my hand.

Balega Running Socks – Seriously what runner doesn’t need a pair of high-quality socks? Balega is one of my favorite brands – their comfort and durability cannot be beat!

Flex Fixx Foot Care – And speaking of taking care of your feet, this 3-piece foot massage set is the perfect solution for over-worked feet!

Looking for some last-minute gift ideas? Check out my 5 stocking stuffer ideas for runners! #FitFiveFriday #RunnerGifts Share on X

Audible Gift Card – While I admit that I prefer to listen to music when I run, I have been loving listening to audiobooks on my walks. Audible has thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and original content so there’s bound to be something to fit everyone’s tastes, with a choice of 1, 3, 6, or 12-month memberships.

Knuckle Lights Advanced — This is actually on my wish list 🙂 I’ve had Knuckle Lights as part of my gear for as long as I can remember. This newer model features an ultra-bright, wide flood beam making them the perfect companion for a walk or run.

What’s on your wish list?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Gifts for runners

Fit Five Friday – 5 Benefits of Cross-Training

December 10, 2021 by Michelle 19 Comments

Runners, obviously, want to run and often forgo all other activity in the name of “logging all the miles”. With winter weather settling in (at least here in the northeast!) and many runners shifting into the “off-season”, now is the perfect time to incorporate some cross-training into your weekly workouts. So for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m sharing 5 reasons to cross-train.

Fit Friday Five – 5 Benefits of Cross-Training

Reduce your risk of injury – Many running injuries are the result of overuse. Runners tax their Joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons through repetitive, linear movement. Cross-training provides the opportunity to engage a variety of muscle groups, giving those overused running muscles a break while awaking and strengthening some under-used muscles. Better muscle balance helps to reduce your risk of injury.

Improve your overall strength – Cross-training via some strength training provides runners with multiple benefits to improve overall performance. I’ve shared the benefits of core work before, but runners can also benefit from both bodyweight workouts and lifting weights. Studies have shown that incorporating resistance into your cross-training can improve your running economy and your overall performance vs. just running exclusively.

Maintain or enhance your aerobic capacity – Many cross-training options provide a great cardio workout so you can maintain or maybe even enhance your aerobic capacity without taxing your joints.

Provide active recovery – Many runners struggle with the idea of taking a rest day so low-key cross-training can be a great alternative. Moderate cross-training helps to promote blood flow to your muscles, aiding your recovery.

Avoid Burnout – Cross-training gives you a great opportunity to explore other workouts apart from running. This helps to keep things fresh and helps you to avoid both mental and physical burnout.

Of course, cross-training is not meant to replace your running, but to supplement it with workouts that will hopefully help to make you a stronger, well-rounded athlete.

Do you consistently cross-train as part of your routine? What’s your favorite cross-training activity?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Cross-training

Fit Five Friday – December Coffee Catch Up

December 3, 2021 by Michelle 13 Comments

It’s that time again for a little catch-up over coffee with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date. And, of course, it’s Friday so that means another Fit Five Friday link-up! So grab a mug of your fave hot beverage and let’s chat.

Fit Five Friday – December Coffee Catch Up

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m looking forward to slowing down and embracing this time of year. 2021 was another wild ride, and while we’re far from “back to normal”, I’m all in to enjoy the holiday season as much as possible!

Over coffee, I would tell you that I am giddy at the thought that my son will be home in just two weeks for his winter break! It felt so good to have him home for Thanksgiving, but 4 days was far too short of a visit. This time he’ll be home until mid-January.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m excited to see the Van Gogh Immersive Experience later this month.

Over Coffee, I would tell you that while I love seeing all of the 2022 race announcements arriving in my inbox, I’m holding off on taking advantage of all of the “early bird” registration specials. I am optimistic that there will be many more in-person races next year, but given all that is happening in the world right now, I’m taking a wait-and-see approach before shelling out money for registrations.

Over Coffee, I would tell you that I’m teaming up with my brother to run the Great Wall Virtual Challenge. The Conqueror Virtual Challenge always comes up with creative medals! We thought this would be a fun way to log some miles as the winter sets in, especially since my brother has visited the Great Wall in person.

What are you looking forward to this month?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Challenges, Ultimate coffee date

Black Friday Runfessions

November 26, 2021 by Michelle 21 Comments

Does anyone else feel like Thanksgiving kind of snuck up on them? In general, I feel like the fall has gone by in a blink, but these last few weeks have been a blur.

Now it’s the last Friday of the month which means Marcia has opened the runfessional. It’s also time for another Fit Five Friday hosted by Darlene, Renee, Jenn, Zenaida, and yours truly, so let’s get started.

Black Friday Runfessions

I’m sure that I have runfess this before, but I am not a fan of Black Friday mania. While I love a good deal, I want no part of the frenzied shopping in crowded stores – especially these days. Thanks but no thanks – I’ll stick to shopping from my couch.

And, speaking of shopping, I runfess that I’m am struggling with gift ideas for my teenage sons. Honestly, they have what they want, except for the ridiculously elusive Xbox Series X which is sold out everywhere and has been for months.

While I am usually an early morning runner, I runfess that I have been fully embracing the midday run lately thanks in large part to the weather. We’ve had a string of unseasonably warm afternoons that have been too tempting to pass up (<30 in the mornings vs. upper 50s and 60s in the afternoon). Mother Nature is starting to make it clear that this weather trend is coming to an end, but it was fun while it lasted.

What are you run-fessing? Do you shop Black Friday sales?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please be sure to link back to your hosts, and share the link love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Black Friday, Runfessions

Fit Five Friday – National Running Safety Month

November 19, 2021 by Michelle 27 Comments

This post was originally published on November 7, 2014, and updated on November 19, 2021, and contains affiliate links.

November is National Running Safety Month. While I’ve previously shared some running safety tips in the past, with the recent end of Daylight Saving Time, I thought some of these tips were worth re-visiting.

Fit Five Friday – Five Tips for Runner Safety

Light It Up — It may seem so obvious and yet I continue to see runners pre-dawn (and well after dusk) running with absolutely no lights or reflective gear on. The little reflective strip on your running shoes is not enough – lighted or reflective vests, armbands, and the like are a must. I’m a big fan of my Noxgear vest. Carrying lights or wearing a headlamp also makes you visible, with the added bonus of lighting your path as you run.

Find a Buddy — There’s always safety in numbers. Find a running buddy or try running with your dog.

Tune In — As much as I enjoy running with music, I think it’s so much more important to be completely tuned in to your surroundings, especially when it’s dark. If “running naked” is not an option for you, then run with just one earbud in and keep the volume low, or wear try open-ear headphones, like AfterShokz.

Carry your Phone & ID — If you run alone, bring your phone. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but it’s always better to have it. Also, be sure to have identification on hand. I never head out without my Road ID! In the event of an emergency, an ID could be your most important piece of gear.

Share Your Route — Always make sure someone knows your route, when you’re leaving and when you expect to be back. I have a handful of favorite routes and my husband knows them as well as I do. Also, consider using a tracking app like Garmin’s LiveTrack or Life 360.

**Bonus tip: Try to vary your route and time — I know this one can be hard, especially if you’ve got to get your run in before work or the kids get up, but be careful not to follow such a pattern of behavior that someone can pick up on your schedule.

How do you stay safe on a run? What’s your best safety tip?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, early morning runs, Friday Five, National Running Safety Month

Five Lessons from My Sugar Detox

November 12, 2021 by Michelle 24 Comments

Welcome to another edition of the Fit Five Friday link-up hosted by Darlene, Renee, Jenn, Zenaida, and me!

As many of you know I finished my first ever sugar detox on Halloween (of all days!). While I definitely found it to be a little challenging over the first couple of days, overall it was a really good experience. Today I want to share a few things I learned along the way.

Five Lessons from My Sugar Detox

Sugar, sugar everywhere! — When I shared my reasons for wanting to try a sugar detox, this was at the top of my list. While I consider myself to follow a fairly healthy diet, it was truly eye-opening to discover just how much added sugar was in a lot of my favorite foods. I have now become a ruthless label reader.

Importance of protein — Focusing on my protein intake especially at breakfast and lunch really helped me to keep my energy level steady throughout the day. I struggled the first couple of days with this, but as I focused more on protein-packed meals and snacks, my energy level improved significantly.

Meal planning is a must — I cannot stress enough how incredibly important meal planning is when taking on a sugar detox. When you can’t default to your usual standbys, you must learn to get creative. It was helpful to not only plan meals, but snacks as well. The added bonus was I discovered a number of new recipes that I will continue to make.

Focus on the “cans”, not the “cannots” — Going into a detox like this, mindset is everything! If you spend the whole time focusing on what you can’t eat, getting through a detox like this will be a long haul.

Tastebuds will adjust — When I started my 2-week break, one of my concerns was getting through my morning coffee. I’m not gonna lie, that first cup (or 3) definitely took some getting used to. But fast-forward to the last day of the detox, we were facing the long drive home from visiting our college boy and after having a cup of less than stellar coffee at the diner where we had breakfast, I wanted a “good coffee” before we got on the road. We swung through Dunkin and I grabbed my usual “regular” coffee and I was so surprised at just how sweet it tasted! I ended up drinking only half of it.

I’m really glad I gave this break from sugar a try! I finished the 2 weeks feeling really good and with a lot more insight into how my body responds to certain foods.

And, while I haven’t been as strict in what I consume since the detox ended (hello wine!), I am much more mindful of my daily consumption. My husband J, who was a great sport and joined me on this 14-day venture, and I have talked about doing another detox following the holidays.

Have you done a sugar detox? What did you learn? And, if not, what do you think you’d miss eating the most?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Nutrition

November Coffee Talk

November 5, 2021 by Michelle 23 Comments

November Coffee Talk

Over coffee, I would share the somber news that my mother-in-law passed away last week. Her health had been in decline since her stroke six years ago, so on many levels, her passing brings some peace. The funeral is this weekend so we’ll be heading to upstate New York later today.

On a much lighter note, over coffee, I would tell you that my husband and I visited my son at college last weekend for Parents’ Weekend. It was so good to see him and we had a great time! And now I count down the days until he’s home for Thanksgiving 😉

And speaking of Thanksgiving, over coffee I would ask if you are as annoyed as I am by how this holiday gets short-changed? I have already spied some Christmas decorations on houses during my runs and don’t even get me started on the retailers!

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m excited about a potential new career opportunity on the horizon. I’m also crazy nervous about all this new position might entail. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can share more about the opportunity soon.

What would you tell me over coffee? Have you seen Christmas lights and decorations out yet?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Ultimate coffee date

Five Things to Consider Before Applying to be a Brand Ambassador

October 22, 2021 by Michelle 24 Comments

Everywhere you look it seems like more and more brands have jumped on the ambassador bandwagon. I’m sure I’m not alone in receiving a consistent stream of DMs from brands touting their ambassador programs. Combine that with many of the more established brands that have either opened or will soon open their applications for 2022, and brand ambassadorships seem to be at an all-time high.

Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of some great (and a couple of not-so-great) ambassador programs. Here are a few things to consider before you hit the submit button on your next application.

Do you really love the brand? — This one may seem obvious, but if you are not a true fan of the brand, just stop right here. As an ambassador, you should be able to authentically share with others your love of the brand…both in words and consistent use of the product.

Are there any potential conflicts? — Will representing the brand present any conflicts for you in your professional life? Or, what about other brands you may already be working with – do they offer a product in the same category? For example, if you love the hats of one brand, can you promote them if a brand you’re currently working with includes hats as part of its product line? Some brands may consider this a conflict.

What are the program requirements? — Consider how often are you expected to post via social media? Blog posts? Are you expected to attend live events (when they return)? The range of commitments is as diverse as the number of ambassador programs out there, and no two programs are alike so be sure you know what you are committing to. You owe it to the brand and yourself to be clear about what you can and are willing to do.

What are the program rewards? — Is the brand providing you with free products or are they offering a discount on your purchases? I was recently contacted by a company that wanted the sun, the moon, and the stars, but in return, they were only offering a very modest discount. Consider whether this will be a mutually beneficial relationship – your time and your reputation are both valuable.

Do you have the right audience? — Will promoting the brand fit with the rest of your content or will it feel like it’s coming out of left field?

Brand ambassadorship programs can be a lot of fun and a great way to connect with others…and they can also be a lot of work. So, choose wisely.

How do you choose a program?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Share your fitness-related link (exercise, wellness, mental health, nutrition… the possibilities are endless!), link back to your hosts, and share the link love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers! Please don’t just drop a link.

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday

Five Things Over January Coffee

New Year’s Eve Runfessions

New Year’s Eve Runfessions

Last Minute Stocking Stuffers for the Runner in Your Life

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Runner in Your Life

Fit Five Friday – 5 Benefits of Cross-Training

Fit Friday Five – 5 Benefits of Cross-Training

Fit Five Friday – December Coffee Catch Up

Fit Five Friday – December Coffee Catch Up

Black Friday Runfessions

Black Friday Runfessions

Fit Five Friday – National Running Safety Month

Fit Five Friday – Five Tips for Runner Safety

Five Lessons from My Sugar Detox

Five Lessons from My Sugar Detox

November Coffee Talk

November Coffee Talk

Five Things to Consider Before Applying to be a Brand Ambassador

Hi, I’m Michelle

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