There are just no words

December 17, 2012 by 3 Comments

If you want to help the Sandy Hook victims and their families, here are some ways (thanks to Beth at Shut Up and Run for posting them).

 Wishing you peace,

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Lessons from Training

December 13, 2012 by 8 Comments

As I make my racing plans for 2013, it seems only fitting that I do so based on lessons I learned during the past training cycle.

Lesson 1 – Get comfortable with  being uncomfortable
Almost from the outset, I remember looking at the workouts, target paces and mileage Coach Bennett had laid out for me and often my thought was – “he wants me to do what?!” But I chose to work with a running coach because I wanted to shake things up, right? So good bye comfort zone!

Lesson 2 – Trust in the training
Despite being uncomfortable, I followed my plan as it was laid out.  This was much more a test of me getting out of my head (fighting the “I can’ts” or “What ifs?”), and just taking each run as it came.

Lesson 3 – Hill work will make you stronger
‘Nuff said here.

Lesson 4 – Listen and be kind to your body
As much as I embraced my plan, I was also careful to listen to my body and cut a run short or take the rest day when I needed it. I was also diligent in what I call “proactive self care” – in the form of lots of foam roller, icing, massages and a lot more yoga. Collectively, I believe this all helped me to stay off the injured-reserve list.

Lesson 5 – Reflect and find the positives
My bi-weekly calls with Coach Bennett were so critical for this. As I mentioned HERE before the ZOOMA Half Marathon, the biggest gift Bennett gave me was to help me to take the time to look back, whether it was the past 2 weeks, the past month or the entire training cycle. To remind yourself of the challenges faced, obstacles overcome and successes all help to put your mind in the right space.

For 19 weeks I worked with Coach Bennett – through the crazy heat of summer, through hill work, through a sometimes cranky ITB, through many, many miles…and the results this fall were 3 races and 3 PRs. But more importantly, I believe I’m a changed runner, which will hopefully serve me well as I get ready for 2013.

 

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Filed Under: lessons learned, running coach, training

Decaffeinated Monday

December 10, 2012 by 7 Comments

I was racing to get out the door this morning to get to BOKS on time so there was little time for coffee…and I went from there to a chiro appointment. So it’s late in the morning and I’ve still not had coffee yet…(never a good thing)…so a bit of randomness coming at you:

  • Wrapped up week 3 of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge with a woeful 30.75 points. Having kids home and a little knee pain at the beginning of the week really threw me off my game. Definitely looking to up the numbers this week!
  • And because I love a good challenge, I just signed on to the Chilly Challenge for the month of January. This fun challenge is sponsored by Amy from Running Escapades and Janine from The Purple Giraffe It’s a friendly team competition to see who can log the most miles in January – just pick a team and start logging those miles. (And of course, there are some fun prizes involved.) Great idea to get the new year off to a good start!
  • I’m starting to do a little race shopping for 2013. I already have the Old-Fashioned 10 miler for February but want to find a spring half marathon. While I was super excited when the Nike Women’s Half Marathon announced they were coming to DC this spring, the $160 price tag quickly killed that enthusiasm. Seriously?!
  • 14 more shopping days till Christmas and I am desperately holding on to my zen! This will be a week of power shopping and online ordering!

OK, now for the safety of those around me, I’m off to find some coffee!

So tell me – what’s the most you’re will to pay for a race? 
Are you done with your shopping yet?
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Filed Under: Chilly Challenge, Holiday Bootie Buster, holiday sanity, race shopping

Running for Recovery

December 6, 2012 by 6 Comments

Looking for a way to help those still trying to recover from Hurricane Sandy?

Join the Race for Recovery 5k/10k hosted by Michele at NYC Running Mama. Michele has put together some amazing giveaways, but more importantly, by participating you’ll be supporting a great cause! 100% of the proceeds goes towards the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund.

There’s still time to register – you can go HERE for more information.

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Filed Under: Hurricane Sandy, virtual race

Reflections on Training

December 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Since wrapping up my last big race of the fall a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been thinking a lot about this past training cycle

Working with a coach was one of the best decisions I could have made. Throughout the 19 week plan that Coach Bennett Cohen designed for me I was pushed well outside my comfort zone

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Monday Motivation – 28 to go!

December 3, 2012 by 9 Comments

28 days…that’s it…that’s all that’s left of 2012. 

So how will you finish the year? 

Have you reached your goals for 2012?
                               Or, are there still things you’d like to accomplish?

Have you gone on “workout cruise-control?”
                               Or are you laying the foundation to kick off 2013 on the right foot?

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit
….you’ve got 28
                              …what will you do with them?

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Filed Under: finishing strong, Monday Motivation

November Rewind

November 30, 2012 by 7 Comments
Good things for the month:
  • PR’d the Chilly Half Marathon – I went 3 for 3 in PRs for my races this fall and I couldn’t be happier! 
  • I’m working with a chiropractor and after just a handful of sessions my ITB is noticeably improved.
  • Started the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge which has definitely helped keep my motivation level up post-race. 
  • Enjoying just running how far I want, when I want — everyone needs time off from a training plan
Things I could do without:
  • Raynaud’s Disease– with the drop in temperatures in the last couple of weeks, the annual battle with Raynaud’s begins. Hand warmers and mittens become constant running companions now until Spring.

What’s up for December:

  • I’m running with my brother in his first 5K – cannot wait!
  • The Holiday Challenge has highlighted for me that I really need to do a better job getting enough fruits & veggies on a daily basis, so I’m going to focus on better meal planning.
  • Meditation – I was trying to follow the Chopra Center’s latest 21-day challenge last month, but I didn’t make it a priority and I missed a bunch of days. So I downloaded the Challenge and will start again on December 1, seems like a good way to go into the holiday season, don’t ya think?
  • Finish the year healthy and strong — continue the yoga classes, chiro visits and strength training. I would have loved to hit 1,000 miles for this year but with 137 miles left to go I’m not sure I’ll make it. Right now I think it is doing my body a lot of good to have back off the mileage so I don’t want to jeopardize that for a random goal.
 How’s your year wrapping up? Any goals you’re still working towards?

 

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Filed Under: Chilly Half, chiropractor, Chopra Center, Holiday Bootie Buster, meditation, month in review, Raynauds

How I spend my Monday mornings

November 26, 2012 by 9 Comments

I started this Monday morning the same way I have started my Mondays for the past 8 weeks – in a school gym with 40 energetic kids! I’ve been volunteering as a Lead Trainer for a before-school physical activity program called Build Our Kids Success, or BOKS.

The premise behind BOKS is quite simple, that through physical activity you can jump-start a child’s brain and help set them up for success throughout their school day. The program combines play, team games, physical activity and short talks on nutrition. BOKS is an initiative of the Reebok Foundation and those of us who serve as trainers were invited to the Reebok World Headquarters for a day of training before bringing the program into our schools. I attended a training session back in August and left so enthusiastic, I couldn’t wait to get started!

We kicked off the program in my sons’ school in mid-October, meeting twice a week before school for a 50 minute session. It’s been great working with the kids, watching them learn a new skill every week (this week was burpees!) and listening to them as they eagerly want to tell you about how active they were over the weekend or what new healthy food they’ve tried. Hopefully these kids are gaining some skills and habits that will stick with them long after the program ends.

I’ve had so much fun with this program that I will probably sign on again to help coordinate the Spring session. You can’t help but feel motivated after working out and playing with the kids – sets a great tone to start the day!

By the way if you are interested in finding out how to bring BOKS to your child’s school, you can check out their website HERE

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Filed Under: BOKS, kids, volunteering

Random runs, chiro visits and other randomness

November 21, 2012 by 11 Comments

For whatever reason it was a flury of chaos around my house this morning…so it’s a bullet points kind of day.

  • I must admit it feels kind of funny to wake up every morning and not have my runs and workouts pre-determined by a training plan. I’ve been heading out the door with no real destination in mind, just running to run and when I’ve had enough or am crunched for time, I head back.
  • Signed up for my first race of 2013 – going to run the Wampanog Old-Fashioned 10 miler again. J and I ran it back in February (you can read the race report here). It’s a really well organized local race and I like the course. I also like racing this distance and hope to find a few others to do next year.
  • I’m headed to my second appointment with a chiropractor this morning. I attended a gait analysis clinic this past weekend where this chiro was the guest speaker. While I’ve had a gait analysis done before in running stores, it was very different to have it done by someone trained in the neuromusculosekeletal system the way he was…plus it helped that he’s a marathoner. I’m going to work with him for a few weeks and see how my ITB responds.
  • We’re staying local for Thanksgiving this year – my brother’s hosting and I’m really looking forward to a lowkey day with the family. The plan’s to either hit an early yoga class or get a run in, then finish cooking and head to my brother’s place for a day of food and football!
Are you running a Turkey Trot? 
Traveling for the holiday or staying local?
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
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Filed Under: chiropractor, no training plan, randomness, Thanksgiving, Wampanoag 10

Monday Motivation: Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge

November 19, 2012 by 4 Comments
Join The Holiday Challenge

The Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge starts today! This Challenge seems like the perfect way to kick off this Thanksgiving week. Amanda from Run to the Finish has once again put together a great Challenge with Twitter chats, a Facebook group and prizes to help everyone stay motivated through the holidays. I’m definitely looking to improve my point total over last year!

There is still time to join the Challenge – you can register HERE. Please tell Amanda I sent you!

Now I’m off to kick off my Challenge with a 4 mile run and a little yoga!

Happy Monday!

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Filed Under: Holiday Bootie Buster, just having fun, Monday Motivation