Michelle

Five Runfessions for January

January 29, 2021 by Michelle 34 Comments

Welcome to another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!

It’s also the last Friday of the month which means Marcia has opened the Runfessional. So I’m combining the two in one post – here come my 5 runfessions for January!

Five Runfessions for January

At the start of the month, I set the goal of daily yoga. Today marks Day 29 of my yoga streak. I runfess (or is it yoga-fess?) that I surprised myself for getting this far in the streak. Honestly, when I threw out this idea of daily yoga as a goal I didn’t have a lot of confidence that this one would stick. It’s nice when you surprise yourself!

That said, I yoga-fess that this challenge has not endeared me to yoga – I’m just not a yoga person. Having said that I cannot deny that this daily time on my mat seems to have helped. So, the million-dollar question is, will yoga stay in the mix come February?

I am happy to be back to pain-free running and will now be building up my base again. However, I runfess that I continue to have no interest in “running long.” I have been thinking about working my way back up to an 8-mile long run but with winter’s bitter cold temps finally making an appearance, the motivation is low.

And, why 8 miles you may ask? That distance has always been the “sweet spot” for me – it’s not a big leap from there to dial-up training to the half marathon distance. On the other hand, I runfess that I just do not see myself signing up for a virtual half marathon again any time soon. If I’m running a half marathon I really need/want it to be an in-person event. Given the way things are playing out, I do not foresee any in-person races happening until at least the fall.

I also runfess that my love of my Peloton bike is certainly not helping my motivation to run far in the bitter cold. There are so many classes I want to take, and new content is always being added. Sometimes it’s a struggle between deciding to head out for a run or hitting the bike.

So tell me, have you tried daily yoga? Are you motivated to run long without a race on your calendar?

Here are the guidelines:

Your link should center around some kind of fitness (exercise, wellness, mental health, nutrition… the possibilities are endless!)
Please link back to your hosts! It’s the right thing to do!
Share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!
Feel free to share about Fit Five Friday on your social media! Tag #FitFiveFriday to get the word out!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Runfessions

Week 3 – Oh hello winter!

January 24, 2021 by Michelle 35 Comments

After enjoying relatively mild temps (40’s) and no trace of snow, Ma Nature reminded us this week that it is still winter in New England. On the flip side, the sun made a return appearance! I don’t know about you, but for me, bright sunshine always helps to make these cold winter days much more tolerable.

Here’s how my workout week played out…

Braving Saturday’s wind!

Monday — Peloton 20-minute ride, 20-min Bodyweight Strength, and Yoga for Hamstrings. I continue to enjoy the theme of these “Year of Yes” workouts, and this yoga class focused on hamstrings was so needed and made a repeat appearance throughout the week.

Tuesday — 3.5-mile run and yoga.
Wednesday — Rest day plus sun salutations. I woke up with a headache that left me feeling really off so I did a 10-min sun salutation sequence and called it a day.
Thursday — Peloton 20-min ride (another “Year of Yes” ride!) plus a 5-min cool-down ride, 10-min core, and a repeat of the Yoga for Hamstrings.
Friday — 3-mile run and yoga. It was oh so cold, but the sunshine was glorious!

Saturday — 4-mile run and yoga. A biting wind made this run extra frigid, but the combination of early morning sun and quiet roads made this an enjoyable run.
Sunday — Marcia’s 20-min Standing Abs and Strength workout and Peloton 20-min Yoga for Hips. If you have not checked out Marcia’s YouTube channel you really should!

It was another week of pain-free running! And, as you can see the yoga streak continues (Day 24 as of today!). On both Friday and Saturday I changed things up a bit up by starting with the 10-minute sun salutation sequence as a warm-up before heading out for my run – it seemed to work well so this may be the plan for the upcoming week.

How was your week? Do you find certain combinations of workouts work best for you?

In case you missed it:

Fit Five Friday – Staying Hydrated in Winter

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

Filed Under: Weekly Run Down

Fit Five Friday – Staying Hydrated in Winter

January 22, 2021 by Michelle 28 Comments

Does anyone else struggle with staying hydrated…especially during the winter months? I think it’s so much easier to be mindful of taking in enough fluids when the temps are soaring, but when there’s snow on the ground or the temps are frigid, not so much.

I’m making it a conscious goal to focus on my hydration, so I’m sharing a few tips on ways to stave off winter dehydration.

Keep water front and center – Yeah I know this one is pretty obvious, but I think it still important. Filling your water bottle and keeping it with you in clear view as you go about your day will go a long way in reminding you to keep drinking. (Added bonus – refill your bottle as soon as you empty it!)

Eat water-rich fruits and veggies – You don’t always have to drink water to stay hydrated! From melons and apples to leafy greens and broccoli, there is no shortage of water-rich foods to choose from.

Source

Watch your caffeine – While I love a mug (or two) of hot coffee on a cold morning, it’s important to remember that caffeine is a natural diuretic. So when I feel the need to warm-up in the afternoon or evening, caffeine-free tea is my drink of choice.

Tips for staying hydrated this winter #FitFiveFriday #winterfitness Share on X

Give your water a flavor boost – Infusing your water with fruit, cucumber, or mint helps to fight the boredom of drinking glass after glass of plain-old H20.

Track your intake – There are a number of hydration apps available that can help you to keep track of your daily intake, including setting alarms and reminders. Or, if you prefer pen and paper, use a “habit tracker” or Post-it note reminders.

Do you find it harder to stay hydrated in the winter? What are your tips for staying hydrated?

Welcome To Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida! Who’s ready for some fun?

Here are the guidelines:

Your link should center around some kind of fitness (exercise, wellness, mental health, nutrition… the possibilities are endless!)
Please link back to your hosts! It’s the right thing to do!
Share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!
Feel free to share about Fit Five Friday on your social media! Tag #FitFiveFriday to get the word out!

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, hydration

Week 2 – Let the running begin

January 17, 2021 by Michelle 35 Comments

This week marked my first runs of 2021. After taking a week plus off from running I was itching to get a little time on the road this week. The goal was to take it slow and see what my body would give me. Here’s how my workouts played out…

Weekly Run Down Week 2

Monday — 30 mins Yoga. It was a long workday with way too much time spent hunched over my laptop. This yoga class with a focus on twists was a perfect remedy.

Tuesday — 3.25-mile run plus 10 min yoga. Finally a run for 2021 and happily it was a good one. Everything felt smooth and easy and I was tempted to run further, but I know I’m better off if I take this slowly.

Wednesday — Rest day plus 10 min yoga. I realized I had gone 2 straight weeks without a rest day, but I did 10 minutes of sun salutations to keep my yoga streak going (Day 13).

Thursday — Peloton 20 min ride, 20 min Full Body Strength, and 10 min yoga. Everything felt good about this workout – it was a great way to start the day! Added bonus, I ended the day with a sports massage.

Friday — 3-mile run plus 10 min yoga. Another solid run on a cold but beautiful morning. (See the photo at the beginning of this post).

Saturday — Peloton 20 min Full Body Strength, 10 min yoga, and a Zoom ride with some blogger buddies.

This Sun Salutations class has become one of my favorites. I’ve taken it a few times now and it will probably stay in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

It was so much fun to see and chat with Coco, Darlene, Kim, Deb, Deborah, and Renée! A big thanks to Kim for organizing and photo credit to Coco 🙂

Sunday — 3.5-mile run plus 10 min yoga. The wind made everything about this run hard…but on a positive note, my hip continues to feel fine!

So tell me something about your week.

In case you missed it:

Five Key Elements of a Morning Routine

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

Filed Under: Weekly Run Down

Five Key Elements of a Morning Routine

January 15, 2021 by Michelle 24 Comments

Welcome To Fit Five Friday!

It’s time for a brand-new Friday Five, and we are thrilled to bring you this Fit Five Friday link-up! Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday to share your weekly fitness favorites!

5 Key Elements of a Morning Routine

There’s no doubt that how you spend the first hours of your morning sets the tone for your day. With the holidays and some time off behind me, I’ve spent these first few days of January re-focusing on my morning routine.

For me there are 5 key elements to a morning routine:

Hydration — Drinking a glass of water after you wake up helps to rehydrate your body, boosting both your energy and mental clarity. Yep…as much as I love my coffee, it’s water first!

Movement — Of course you knew this one was coming! Whether you only have time for some stretching or a few yoga poses, or take on a walk/run, ride, or full-on “gym session”, any type of exercise does a body good. And, no surprise, those who exercise in the morning benefit from boosting their metabolism and enjoying more energy throughout the day.

What's in your morning routine? Sharing 5 key elements for the first edition of the #FitFiveFriday link-up Share on X

Meditation — For me, meditation is a chance to get centered and connect before the chaos of the day kicks in. There are so many advantages to making meditation apart of your morning – it’s a moment to pause, set intentions, and reflect while lowering your stress level – honestly I’ll probably do a whole separate post on this at some point.

Planning/Intentions — I’m an old-fashioned pen & paper planner girl and my morning is not complete without a little time sitting quietly with my planner and a mug of coffee (finally!) to review schedules, identify the “must do’s” vs. “like to do’s” and set my plan/intentions for the day. Taking time in the morning to plan and set your intentions for the day helps you to avoid diving into the day on autopilot.

Self Care — Carve out a little time for some form of self-care. An additional step to your skincare routine, incorporating a body scrub into your morning shower, dry brushing, or the like can be very restorative. I don’t consistently do the same thing every morning, but I am trying to add a little self-care to my day.

Ultimately the key to a good morning routine is finding what works best for you. If there are elements you want to add or change in how you approach your morning, it helps to start slowly. Conventional wisdom says it takes at least 21 days to form a habit. And, taking baby steps is more likely to be effective than making one giant leap – especially if the routine you’re trying to adopt is a radical departure from where you are now. Finally, if part of your routine feels more like a chore than a source of inspiration, you might want to consider making some changes until you find what feels right for you.

What are the key elements of your morning routine?

Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, mornings

Weekly Run Down – Week 1

January 10, 2021 by Michelle 30 Comments

First full week into 2021 and what a week it turned out to be! As I expected, returning to work after some time off was chaotic at best. But any drama there was quickly overshadowed by all that took place in DC. Needless to say, I have been keeping my word of the year Mindset front and center!

On the fitness front, the week was thankfully far less dramatic, and as always provided an opportunity to channel any stress! I made a conscious decision to not run to give my cranky right hip a break. Here’s how my workouts played out…

Monday — Peloton 30-min ride and 10 min yoga for hips. I loved this Hamilton ride and scored a new PR!
Tuesday — Peloton 30-min ride and 10-min yoga. I always know that Alex’s classes are going to be challenging, but I swear he was on fire from the opening minute. I just what I could to hold on.

Wednesday — 3-mile walk and 10-min yoga
Thursday — Peloton 30-min ride and 10-min yoga. I have to say that I really was not a fan of this Beyonce ride. The instructor Ally was just a little too into the theatrics which really detracted from the ride in my opinion. Ah well, can’t expect to enjoy all of the classes.
Friday — 5-mile walk, 20-min strength class, and yes yoga. I did the walk with a friend and the combination of being outdoors and catching up was good for my soul. I really liked the yoga for hips class I did earlier in the week so I repeated it.
Saturday — 3-mile walk and 10-min yoga
Sunday — Peloton 20-min ride and 20-min yoga. This combination of classes was my absolute favorite of the week! I have really been enjoying the “Year of Yes” rides and the positive messaging. And Denis’s yoga classes are always good. I bookmarked both of these classes and will be taking them again.

I think the combination of a run break and daily yoga was the right call as I have been feeling good and I’m itching to get out for a run this week! And, while I was initially wondering how I was going to make this month’s goal of daily yoga a reality, I think I found a nice balance aiming for 10 minutes a day with a longer session on Sunday.

New Friday Link Up!

I hope you’ll join me and my fellow co-hosts Jenn, Renée, Darlene, and Zenaida for the new Fit Five Friday Link-up! Come prepared to share about all things fitness!

In case you missed it:

My Word for 2021

How was your week?

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

Filed Under: Weekly Run Down

My Word for 2021

January 5, 2021 by Michelle 24 Comments

Since 2015, I have chosen one word for the year. A word to serve as a “theme” or guide for the year ahead. In most years since I have started this practice, I have settled on a word fairly quickly. But this time around, it took a little longer.

Mindset – a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations.

So much about 2020 really threw me off my game. I felt like I spent a great deal of time reacting and dealing with the negative energy of others. Whether it was related to the pandemic, the racial unrest, or the election on a large scale, or to my job or watching some “friends” reveal their true colors on social media on a more personal level, the year was often an emotional roller coaster, leaving me feeling depleted. In selecting Mindset as my word for this year, it serves as a reminder to me that while I cannot control outside forces, I do have control over the energy I allow in and how I choose to respond.

What's your word for 2021? Focusing on my #Mindset #oneword #tuesday topics Share on X

Have you picked a word for the year?

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

Filed Under: one word, Tuesday Topics

Enjoying a week off & setting January goals

January 3, 2021 by Michelle 26 Comments

Today marks the last day of a glorious week off! It was super low-key, providing the mental break I seriously needed. I’m now feeling refreshed and ready to take on some new goals for the month. But first, here’s how the past week’s workouts played out.

Monday — 4 miles. My right hip was feeling pretty wonky after just 2 miles so I was pleased to eke out 4.
Tuesday — Rest to give my unhappy hip a break.
Wednesday — Peloton 25-minute ride, 15-min Bodyweight Strength & 10-min stretch
Thursday — 3 miles. And with this run, I wrapped up 2020 with 646.4 miles. I also had a deep tissue massage which did wonders for my hip.

Friday — 2.3-mile walk and 20 min slow flow yoga
Saturday — Zoom ride with blogger friends followed by 30-min full-body strength & 10 min yoga for glutes. Thanks to Kim for organizing the ride!

Top Row: Coco, Renee & Kim Bottom Row: Marcia, me, & Kim

Sunday –– I chose to sleep in this morning and as I sit here lingering over coffee I still haven’t decided what I will do today. The only thing I’m certain of is that there will be movement and yoga…as you’ll see in my goals below.

January 2021 Goals

Given all that took place in 2020 and all of the uncertainty that remains, I am reluctant to set any big running/fitness goals for 2021. Thanks to the ZOOMA Run Club, I have set a run/walk mileage goal of 750 miles – that’s 62.5 miles/month which feels doable, especially without any big races to train for. I have always liked to set monthly goals to help keep me accountable and provide a focus, and that’s how I plan to continue to roll in 2021.

So here’s the plan for January:

— Daily yoga
— Peloton Winter Launch Challenge (1 class/day)
— 62.5 miles
— Return to mindful eating and leave the deserts alone

In the closing weeks of December, I really let all forms of recovery slide so the return of a cranky hip on Monday’s run was not a complete surprise. I’ve often toyed with the idea of daily yoga and now feels like a perfect time to give it a go. Some sessions will be longer than others, but I look forward to seeing how I feel with some focused effort on my mat.

Any suggestions for online yoga classes? Have you set any goals for 2021?

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

Filed Under: goals, Weekly Run Down

New Year’s Coffee Date

January 1, 2021 by Michelle 16 Comments

Happy New Year!

I can’t think of a nicer way to kick off 2021 than with a little catch-up over coffee. I’m linking up with Deborah and Coco for the first Ultimate Coffee Date of the New Year, so grab a mug of your favorite beverage and join us!

Over coffee, I would tell you how much I’ve been enjoying my week off. While we couldn’t do many of the traditional outings and events we usually do, we’ve had a good time just being together. There have been movies, puzzles, board games, and most importantly, lots of laughter. We needed this time together before classes and work resume.

Over coffee, I would tell you how excited I am for my oldest – he’s already received two college acceptances! He’s still got a few more applications to submit, but having those yeses under his belt sure allows him (and me!) to breathe a little easier.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I have the house all to myself today. J and the boys went skiing this morning so for the first time in a long time I have a day to myself! I’m going to take advantage of the quiet time to write out my goals for the year and to dive into my new book.

Your turn…What would you tell me over coffee?

Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

BUFF® DryFlx+ Collection Product Review

December 29, 2020 by Michelle 14 Comments

Disclaimer: I received a BUFF® DryFlx+ neckwarmer and headband 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!

While temps around here yoyo’d for a bit, there’s no doubt now that winter running season is in full effect. Having the right gear can make all of the difference when dealing with the elements, which is why I jumped at the chance to try out the BUFF® DryFlx+ neckwarmer and headband. I’ve been a long-time fan of BUFF® products so I was really interested in seeing what this new collection was all about.

Well, if you’ve been following me on Instagram then you already know that both items have become staples on my runs. I am especially in love with the neckwarmer! It is warm and cozy, yet does a great job of wicking away sweat and offered great breathability – especially important when using it as a face mask. I also appreciate the seamless design which helps to avoid any potential rubbing or chaffing.

The headband is also designed as a one-knitted piece using the same material as the neckwarmer. While I tend to be more of a hat girl for winter runs, I can say that I liked that this headband stayed put, wicked away sweat, and kept my ears warm. Can’t really ask for more than that, can you?!

Overall, the DryFlx+ Collection is another win for BUFF® in my book and why they continue to be one of my favorite brands.

Sharing my review of @buff_usa DryFlx+ Collection! #BUFFRunBR #bibravepro #bibchat #tuesdaytopics #runnersroundup #winterunning Share on X

If you’re interested in BUFF® products, be sure to go to https://buffusa.com/bibrave and sign up for the BUFF® newsletter to receive 15% off your purchase.

You can check out other BibRavePro reviews here:

Run, Eat, Ralph

RunCanvas

Running on the Other Side of 40

Fun Size Athlete

Running on Pixie Dust

Fit x Brit

The Late Runner

The Valley Isle Runner

Ken Stands on Things

Are you a fan of neckwarmers? Headbands or hats?

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