February Coffee Chat

February 3, 2023 by 30 Comments

It’s time for another edition of Fit Five Friday! We’re also rolling into the first weekend of the month which means Coco and Deborah are hosting the Ultimate Coffee Date. I’ve got my mug of coffee, so let’s chat a little.

Over coffee, I’d start by mentioning the weather. Winter has hit hard this week! Temps today will hit a balmy -4 degrees and this weekend will be even colder with windchills of -30. The weatherman is giddy about breaking records and I’m trying to embrace my treadmill runs.

Speaking of the weekend, over coffee I would tell you that I’m headed to the Run Show Boston this weekend and am looking forward to being immersed in all things running!

Over coffee, I would tell you how frustrating it is to try to hunt down contractors! I shared last month over coffee that we’re planning a remodeling project this year – we’ve got plans we love but are having no luck landing a general contractor. The one contractor we really liked, announced plans to retire and the others on our list don’t seem capable of returning a call in a timely manner – which doesn’t bode well for what it would like to work with them!

Despite the slow progress on getting the remodel off the ground, over coffee, I would tell you that the “great purge of 2023” continues. Bags of clothes have been donated – though there’s still much more to do. The big undertaking will be tackling the “mini man cave” – my boys’ hangout room. While the room has all the trapping of a teen boy cave, it still also has oodles of toys, Legos, collectibles, etc from their younger days. It’s time to be ruthless and get in there!

What would you tell me over coffee? Is winter hitting hard where you are?

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!


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Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

Running Out of January

January 29, 2023 by 14 Comments

It’s taken all month, but it finally feels like things are settling down a bit. Here’s a quick look at how my workouts played out.

Running out of January

Monday — Upper Body Strength & Core – I decided to do another week of Robin’s Advanced Strength split program on the Peloton app.
Tuesday — 4 miles. A snow-sleet mix left the roads and sidewalks an icy mess so there was shoveling and then a treadmill run.
Wednesday — Day 2 of Robin’s split focuses on legs. Later in the day I finally got to my first PT appointment – perhaps, in hindsight “leg day” was not the best idea LOL I was toast by the time I finished my PT work. I also hit reached my first 1,000 minutes on Peloton.
Thursday — Rest Day. Holy DOMS Batman – everything was sore! Aside from lots of stretching, I gave my body the break it needed.
Friday — 2-mile walk, Core, and Day 3 of the Split. The last day of the program focuses on back and biceps.
Saturday — 3.2 miles. Finally, the sun returned it felt glorious! (See the header photo)
Sunday — 5.5 miles. I don’t usually run back-to-back days, but after taking Thursday as a rest day, I didn’t want to miss completing 3 days of running for the week. I was a little concerned when I started since my TFL felt super tight. It did squawk a little during the later part of the run, but overall this was a pretty good run.

Although I didn’t get any time on the bike (something my PT wants me to do), I feel like this was a more balanced week and my best week of January. Fingers crossed this continues as we head into February.

In case you missed it:

Runfessions from the PT’s Table

Tell me something about your week. Do you feel like you’re finishing the month strong?

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

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Filed Under: Weekly Run Down

Runfessions from the PT’s Table

January 27, 2023 by 25 Comments

Happy Friday! It’s time for another edition of Fit Five Friday, and since it’s the last Friday of the month, I’m joining Marcia for some sole cleansing Runfessions. So let’s get started!

Runfessions from the PT’s Table

So I started physical therapy this week and I runfess that it was both eye-opening and humbling.

While I’ve posted running reels for IG, I runfess that I don’t study my gait. In fact, I haven’t done a gait analysis since I worked with Coach Marc a few years ago. So it was interesting to have the PT film me and then pick apart assess my stride. He quickly pointed out a hitch in my right leg motion thanks to a very tight TFL.

He next put me through a series of moves and determined that my right glute is probably not engaging. I runfess that despite all of my lower body strength training there’s clearly some work to do to correct my imbalances – my quads are dominating and it’s time to make the glutes earn their keep.

I runfess I did breathe a huge sigh of relief that the PT feels pretty confident that what ails me can be course corrected and thankfully there was no talk of “not running”. I may have to slow my mileage build a bit but I will get there.

Have you ever worked with a physical therapist? Was it a yay or nay experience?

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, and share your fitness-related posts! Please remember 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!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Physical Therapy, Runfessions

A Very Long Week

January 22, 2023 by 22 Comments

This week kicked my butt! I’m not really sure what it was but I just felt off all week. I’m sure it didn’t help that I was in the office two days. Those extra early mornings and long commutes (not to mention meeting-filled days), left me feeling especially drained – I often marvel now at how once upon a time commuting was a 5-day-a-week thing for me! Despite Monday’s holiday, this was a very long week!

Weekly Run Down – A Very Long Week

Lots of gray skies this week!

Monday — 2-mile walk, Core, & Day 3 of Robin’s Strength Split – Back and Biceps
Tuesday — 3-mile walk otherwise rest
Wednesday — 2-mile walk, Yoga, & hip mobility work
Thursday — 3.5-mile run & Core
Friday — Peloton Bike & Core
Saturday — Rest – didn’t feel so hot
Sunday — 5.5-mile run

I was definitely off my game this week and just did my best to power along. I kept up with my commitment to daily stretching but only ended up running twice. The combination of the week’s crazy schedule and feeling less than stellar had me shuffling my runs around, and eventually, I decided to take a pass on my planned hill workout. Given where I live, I run hills on the regular so I’m not too concerned about missing this run.

The highlights of the week were definitely completing Robin’s Strength Split Program and getting a much-needed deep tissue massage on Thursday. I really enjoy the structure and challenge of this split program and have it cued up to repeat this upcoming week.

In case you missed it:

Five Challenges to Reaching Your Fitness Goals

Did anyone else feel like this was a long week?

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

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Filed Under: Weekly Run Down

Five Challenges to Reaching Your Fitness Goals

January 20, 2023 by 20 Comments

At the start of the new year, you may have set some fitness goals – perhaps a new race distance? Or going for that PR? Or a mileage milestone? Or the addition of strength training, cross-training, or a new sport altogether. Whatever goals you have laid out, it’s important to be prepared for possible pitfalls along the way.

Fit Five Friday — 5 Challenges to Reaching Your Fitness Goals

Lack of Consistency – Progress towards any goal requires a consistent approach. Striving for small efforts done consistently will always yield greater success vs. trying to make big efforts in fits and starts.

Lack of Time – The companion challenge to consistency may be scheduling. When you’re facing multiple demands on your time (work, family, and other personal commitments), it can be tough to find time for your workouts.  Scheduling your workouts as you would any other meeting or obligation is key to ensuring that you have the time you need to make progress toward your goals.

Unrealistic goals – While a goal should stretch you beyond your comfort zone, if the goal is too big of a reach it could backfire when you struggle to make progress. Now I’m not discouraging anyone from shooting for the stars, but it may be helpful to build in smaller goals along the way so you have some success and can build momentum.

Someone else’s goal – Are you running that marathon because you really want to run a marathon or because your friend is? When chasing your goals gets tough you need to remember your why – so it is really important that you pick a goal that matters to you. If you’re chasing a goal because others are doing it/have done it and you feel like you “should” then you’re not setting yourself up for success. And, is it really a goal you want to be pursuing in the first place?

Mindset – Even if you do everything right, you still may encounter setbacks. This is where not only your why matters, but also your mindset. The thoughts you hold and your self-talk will have a significant impact on your ability to reach your goals. Building a practice of positive self-talk (through mantras and affirmations) will serve you well when things get challenging.

What challenges do you face when trying to reach your fitness goals?

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 share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!

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Click here to enter


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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Friday Five, goals

Trying to Settle In

January 15, 2023 by 27 Comments

Not going to lie, these first two weeks of this new year have definitely kept me on my toes. When I got to this weekend, I decided that this is a perfect time to hit the reset button and see if I can finally settle into a routine. But, before I look ahead, here’s a quick peek at the week that was.

Trying to Settle In

Monday — 1.5-mile walk, Lower Body Strength & Core.
Tuesday — 2-mile walk otherwise rest
Wednesday — 3 miles.
Thursday — Upper Body Strength and 1-mile walk. I decided to return to Robin’s Advanced 3-Day Split Strength Program on the Peloton app. Day 1 targeted chest, shoulders, and triceps.


Friday — 30 min interval run
Saturday — 2-mile walk and Day 2 of the Split focusing on legs and core.
Sunday — 4 miles

To give my runs some structure this week I started following Team Wilpers Half Marathon Challenge. The plan is designed to get runners prepped for their Spring races, and while I don’t have a Spring half on my calendar, I’m going to use this training plan to help smartly guide my mileage build-up, while getting me out of my “easy runs all the time” rut.

Run Happy Team Year 2!

A highlight of the week was being able to announce my return to Brooks Running’s Run Happy Team! I make no secret of my love of this brand and RHT is a great community of runners to be a part of.

In case you missed it:

Fit Five Friday – Five Current Favorites

What was a highlight from your week?

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

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Filed Under: Run Happy Team, Weekly Run Down

Fit Five Friday – Five Current Favorites

January 13, 2023 by 8 Comments

Happy Friday!

Thanks for joining me, Darlene, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida for another edition of Fit Five Friday! This week we’re inviting you to share 5 things that motivate you. You are, of course, always welcome to write about any other fitness-related topic. Personally, I’m deviating this week to share a few of my current favorites with you. This post contains affiliate links.

Five Current Favorites

Garmin 255 – My husband gifted me a new Garmin 255! So many features that I still need to learn, but I already love it!

Brooks Shield Hybrid Vest 2.0 & Shield Hybrid Jacket 2.0 – OK I’m cheating a little here with this one but I honestly couldn’t pick between the two. I’m usually a vest-first girl when it comes to running outerwear, (the Brooks Shield Hybrid Vest has been in my constant rotation), but when Brooks sent Run Happy Team members the jacket last fall it quickly became a go-to for both my running and non-running days. Both the vest and jacket feature multiple pockets (a must for me!) and are surprisingly warm without being bulky.

The jacket made it on my November vacation – perfect for hiking the California coast!

Cozy Karma Asym Pullover – This pullover from Athleta lives up to its name, cozy inside and out! Its wrap front and asymmetrical neckline give it nice visual interest. It’s become a staple and perfect to snuggle in on a cold day.

The Five Minute Journal – I’ve shared before some reasons to start a gratitude journal. After seeing a few reviews, I started using the Five Minute Journal in August, and it has become a key part of both my morning and evening routine. I really like that it provides space for morning gratitude, daily highlights and affirmations, and reflection. What are some of your favorites?

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 share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, fave things, Friday Five

Week 1 and 2023 Goals

January 8, 2023 by 20 Comments

As I mentioned over coffee, re-entry after being off for the holidays was a tad rough. Work went from zero to sixty with everyone wanting to do “all the things” all at once! My mom was transferred to rehab on Tuesday so there’s been a lot to navigate there – but she’s doing great so that’s a win!

With all that was going on, my workouts were pretty much on auto-pilot, but I got ’em done.

Monday — 3 miles & Core


Tuesday — 2-mile walk, otherwise rest
Wednesday — 1-mile walk, Lower Body Strength & Core
Thursday — 1-mile walk & Peloton Bike
Friday — 3 miles & Core. Sleet had me heading to the treadmill, but vibing out to a fun 80’s playlist helped to get the miles done.


Saturday — 2-mile walk, Upper Body Strength & Core
Sunday — 4 miles & Core

Setting Some 2023 Goals

For the past couple of years, I have passed on setting any big annual fitness goals, choosing instead to set smaller monthly goals to keep me on track. For 2023 I’ve decided to set just a few goals:

  • Reach the starting line of my Spring and Fall races feeling prepared — I’m looking forward to doing more racing this year, and so above all else, I want to go into each race feeling strong and ready to go. This means being consistent in my training to build mileage smartly.
  • Develop a PT maintenance routine — As I’ve mentioned before, I spent way too much time last year playing a cat-and-mouse game with my quad/hip flexor injury. I’ll be starting this year with PT and my goal is to develop a routine to follow well after my sessions with the therapist are done.
  • Complete 12K Peloton minutes — I hit over 10,000 minutes in 2022 so I think 12K is doable.
  • Stretch daily — Focusing on my flexibility will go a long way toward helping me reach goal #1.

In case you missed it:

One Word for 2023

First Coffee Chat of 2023

How was your week? Any races coming up?

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

 

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Filed Under: goals, Weekly Run Down

First Coffee Chat for 2023

January 6, 2023 by 17 Comments

Happy Friday!

It was a bit of a rough “re-entry” into the first week of the new year and I must admit that I’m ready for the weekend! I’m kicking off the first Fit Five Friday of 2023 by linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date. So grab a mug of your beverage of choice and let’s chat a bit.

First Coffee Chat of 2023

Over coffee, I would tell you that it’s hard for me to believe that I will be celebrating my first year anniversary at my job! And, what a year it’s been – big fundraising events, a change in the CEO position, and so much more. It’s been hectic at times, but I do enjoy the challenges of my “new” position.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m going to my high schooler’s college counseling meeting for parents next week. It’s starting to get real that my “baby” will be applying to colleges this fall.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I am hoping to dive into a house remodeling project this year. My husband and I have never loved our kitchen/family room layout and if we can settle on a contractor we like, construction could begin in the spring.

This could be me in the Spring

Over coffee, I would tell you that thanks to the anticipated remodel project, one of my non-fitness goals for 2023 is a massive purge! I am on a declutter tear and my boys are hiding their things LOL

Over coffee, I would tell you that the Fit Five crew has decided to try something new this year and we have created a whole calendar of suggested topics for the Friday link-up. You can, of course, write about whatever fitness topic strikes your fancy, but we thought it would be fun to try some themes this year, (we’re all still planning to continue to link up for both coffee and Marcia‘s Runfessions) – I hope you will join us!

What would you share with me over coffee? Any home remodeling advice you care to share?

Welcome to FitFive 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! Who’s ready for some fun?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Ultimate coffee date

One Word for 2023

January 3, 2023 by 11 Comments

Kim and Zenaida have invited everyone to share their word for the year for this week’s Tuesday Topics link-up. I love to see which word others have selected! (After reading here, be sure to check out what others are sharing!).

I have picked one word to serve as the theme for the year since 2015. Past choices have included Thrive, Progress, Belief, Brave, Intentional, Curate, Mindset, and Emerge. For 2023, my word is Cultivate.

Cultivate — to promote growth or development; to devote oneself to; to give special attention

This word will serve as a good reminder to intentionally invest in the things that matter most – family, friends, fun, and my physical and mental well-being – and, to say no to the things that don’t.

Have you picked a word for the year?

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Filed Under: one word, Tuesday Topics