Week 7 – More of the Same

February 20, 2022 by 26 Comments

This week was had a bit of a “wash, rinse, repeat” feel as Mother Nature continued to keep us guessing on the weather. I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Here’s a peek at this week’s workouts:

a view of the moon from Thursday’s run

Week 7 – More of the Same

Monday — Lower Body Strength, Core & Stretch.
Tuesday — Yoga.
Wednesday — 3.1-mile run, Core & Stretch. The weather pendulum swung back towards milder temps and I was happy to test out some of my new gear provided to the Brooks Team with a midday 5K.

I loved the new gear – especially the Brooks Levitate shoes!

Thursday — 3-mile run & Stretch. With a rare commute to the office on the schedule, I knew I needed to get my workout in early. Mother Nature gifted us with 47 degrees before sunrise – catching the full moon was an added bonus!
Friday — Upper Body Strength, Boxing, Core & Stretch.
Saturday — 4-mile run & Stretch. Back to wearing all the layers, but on the plus side, I had the park mostly to myself!

Sunday — Snow squalls and falling temps overnight left everything heavily glazed this morning so I’m lingering over coffee and easing into my day. I haven’t been on my bike all week and there are many classes I have bookmarked so I’ll be jumping on for a ride soon – currently I can’t decide between Tunde’s Mary J Blige ride or Denis’ BHM Fresh Friday ride.

Overall a decent week. Nothing wildly out of the ordinary – whatever discomfort I was feeling in my hip flexor last week seems to have subsided and running continues to feel good. I’m still trying to navigate the new job schedule, so the timing of when I work out has been a little all over the place, but I’m getting it done, and that’s what counts.

Based on the forecast for the week ahead, it looks like there will be more weather flip-flopping to contend with….but there’s also more daylight happening so that’s a plus. I have Monday off for the Presidents’ Day holiday so I’ll be taking full advantage of the predicted 50-degree weather!

In case you missed it:

Is it time for new running shoes?

What are you looking forward to? Any signs of Spring yet?

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Is it time for new running shoes?

February 18, 2022 by 10 Comments

Happy Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Fit Five Friday with My First 5K and More, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, Zenaida, and yours truly!

Today’s post is inspired by a recent exchange with my husband who’s been complaining lately about calf pain after each run. When I asked how long had he been running in those shoes and received a somewhat blank look in response, I reminded him that running in shoes past their prime could cause discomfort and lead to injuries.

While I’m always game for a new pair of running shoes, the general “rule” is to replace them every 300 – 400 miles. That mileage range depends on several factors including the terrain you run on, your running style, and weight. Consider these 5 signs that it might be time for new running shoes.

Fit Five Friday – Is it time for new running shoes?

Appearance Matters — This one may seem obvious but if your shoes look like they have seen better days, it may be time to retire them. Don’t just pay attention to the wear of the tread, also look at the wear and tear (literally!) on the uppers, especially at the seams and the collar of the shoes. Did you know that creasing along the outer midsole is a sign of compressed cushioning?

High Mileage — So even if you don’t track your mileage, if you pay attention to the date you purchase your shoes, you can come up with a rough estimate of how miles you’ve logged on those shoes. It’s also important to bear in mind that not all miles are created equal – the surface you run on matters. Treadmill runners can probably go to the higher end of the mileage range vs. road and trail runners.

Too Many Activities — Do you use just one pair for all activities (road running, trail running, cross-training, and walking)? There is something to be said for using your shoes for their intended activity – i.e., use your running shoes just for running. And, if you run on both roads and trails, be sure to have appropriate shoes for each surface. Your run shoes will break down faster if they never get a break because the midsole foam never gets a chance to bounce back (typically it takes a day for the foam to recover). So if you’re a run streaker, you’d be better served to have a couple of pairs of shoes in rotation.

Experiencing Pain — The age of your shoes may not be the cause of your discomfort but it’s definitely something to consider. If you’re feeling joint pain (hello knees and hips!), pain in your feet, or significant muscle fatigue, it may be time to start shopping for a new pair.

Blistering — Blisters come from ill-fitting shoes. If you are experiencing blisters when you didn’t before, it may be a sign that your shoes are losing their shape.

Is it time for new running shoes? Five things to consider. #FitFiveFriday #bibchat #runchat #runningshoes Share on X

Do you track the mileage on your running shoes? How do you decide when to retire your shoes?

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 post, 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: #FitFiveFriday, Running Shoes

Week 6 – Weather Whiplash in Full Effect

February 13, 2022 by 24 Comments

After dealing with frigid temps and an ice storm last week, this week we had a “heatwave” as the thermometer showed temps in the 50s! Of course this morning we woke up to snow falling once again. Honestly, Mother Nature just pick a lane, LOL.

My hip flexor got a little cranky this week, so I dialed back on the running, and even took a full rest day. Here’s a quick look at how things played out.

Week 6 – Weather Whiplash in Full Effect

Monday — Flash 15 full-body strength, Shadow Boxing, Core & Stretch
Tuesday — Peloton Ride, Core & Stretch
Wednesday — 3.1-mile run & Stretch. The weather was just picture perfect, and with a very full schedule of Zoom calls, this midday run was just what I needed!

Thursday –– Rest day. I was surprised to wake up feeling sore all over – my right hip flexor was especially unhappy. So rest day it was.
Friday –– 1.3-mile walk & Yoga. While I had planned to do my Thursday run, the flexor gave me pause.
Saturday — 4.1-mile run, Core & Stretch
Sunday — On the plan, Peloton Ride, Stretch…and shoveling!

While Saturday’s hilly route definitely challenged my flexor, all is quiet today. Hopefully, things will stay that way as I’d like to start adding in a 4th run day in the upcoming week. I’m also looking forward to diving into Marcia’s Let’s Run Toward Spring Challenge, which starts on Monday.

In case you missed it:

Five Races I Hope to Run in 2022

Tell me about your week. Is anyone else dealing with weather whiplash?

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

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Five Races I Hope to Run in 2022

February 11, 2022 by 12 Comments

As more and more things open up, I continue to be cautiously optimistic. And, in that spirit, for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m sharing some races I hope to put on my calendar for 2022.

Five Races for 2022

Boston’s Run to Remember (May) — This half marathon is a sentimental favorite as it was my first! I’ve run this race 5 times (3 times for the half and twice for the 5-mile option), and it never disappoints. I was registered for the 2021 race but they had to postpone so my registration was transferred to this year.

B.A.A. 10K (June) — This is another Boston favorite as an out and back through Back Bay. The B.A.A. always delivers a great race! I’ve run this one 3 times before and the only thing that gives me pause is how crazy hot it can be in late June.  My brother and I usually tackle this one together so hopefully, I can convince him to get out there with me.

Philadelphia Distance Run (September) — This half marathon will be a new-to-me race. It’s a Brooks-sponsored race, and while members of the Run Happy Team are not required to run a Brooks race, I love the idea of supporting the brand, and this flat and fast course through Philly looks like a good one.

Ocean Road 10K (October) — A point-to-point course winding along the Rhode Island coastline. This race has a great vibe and fun medals!

OK, so for race number 5, I will admit that I’m undecided. I’d like to run a 15K or half marathon in November – but which one? I could stay local and run the BAA Half Marathon or the Harborside Half along Boston’s scenic North Shore. Or, I could travel a bit for Hot Chocolate Chicago 15K or the Richmond Half Marathon. After the past two years, I’m gun-shy to registering too far in advance so I’ve got time on making a decision.

Adding some races to my calendar! #RunHappyTeam #Bibchat #FitFiveFriday Share on X

What races are you planning to run this year? Any suggestions for a late fall race?

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 post, 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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Week 5 – February Freeze & Goals

February 6, 2022 by 28 Comments

February has rolled in and with it has come some very frigid weather. Ma Nature also thought it would be fun to serve up another storm, this time a mix of snow and ice, making getting outdoors a challenge. But of course, the workouts happened…here’s a quick peek at how the week played out.

Photo by Izzy Park on Unsplash

Week 5 – February Freeze

Monday — Full Body Strength & Core. I like starting the week with a solid strength workout and mixing in Jess’ Flash 15 classes has quickly become a Monday favorite. Robin’s Eminem 20-min core class was not for the faint of heart!

Tuesday — 3-mile run, Core & Stretch. Run, slip, slide & repeat. Road conditions were suspect in some spots but I managed to stay upright.


Wednesday — 1.5-mile walk & Yoga.
Thursday — 4-mile run & Stretch. “Feels like” temps in the low single digits had me on the treadmill.
Friday — Boxing, Upper Body Strength & Stretch. Ice/Snow storm outside so decided to mix up the workouts inside with one of Peloton’s new boxing classes. Rad’s Eminem class was fun and combined with some upper-body strength left with me with jelly arms.

Gloves not needed, but so fun!

Saturday — 4.3-mile run, Core & Stretch. With everything heavily glazed over, I reluctantly returned to the treadmill. I’m so glad Kim suggested the BHM Block Party live run. The energy between Andrian & Jess was great and even though I couldn’t see Kim on the Leaderboard it was fun knowing she was running too.

Sunday — Currently coffee, though the plan is a Peloton ride later.

February Goals

I’ve also set a couple of goals for the month:

  • Expand My Running Base — I’ll be shifting to 4 days/week of running and inching my “long run” to 6 miles.
  • Peloton’s Boxing Contender — Complete 90 minutes of boxing in 7 days.
  • Return to Food Prep — I fell off the food prep wagon around the holidays, so I’m long overdue to get back to this!

What have you got planned for February?

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

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February Coffee Talk

February 4, 2022 by 15 Comments

Happy Friday! It’s time for another edition of Fit Five Friday!

I’m so ready for the weekend and happy to kick things off with a little catch-up over coffee with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date. Grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage and let’s chat a little.

Over coffee, I would have to mention the weather. Would you believe after last weekend’s blizzard that left over 2 feet in its wake, we’re getting another storm today?! This time it will be icy rain and sleet. Thankfully, school has been canceled so there’s no need to be out on the roads.

Source: Boston Herald

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m two weeks into the new job and really enjoying it. I’m definitely in that information-overload phase where you’re trying to learn “all the things” and the lingo, acronyms, etc., but it’s all good, and everyone I’ve met so far is super helpful.

And speaking of the new job, over coffee I’d tell you that I made a trip into the office last week for an in-person senior team meeting. I can’t even remember the last time I commuted to an office! It was kinda comical on just how out of practice I was trying to organize my things and make sure I was dressed professionally head-to-toe vs. just enough to pass the Zoom call test.

Over coffee, I would tell you how challenging it is to shop for a new car these days – thanks to supply chain issues, blah, blah, blah. I finally found the model I wanted at a nearby dealership and was planning to head over for a test drive, then the blizzard hit. I thought for sure this would bide me a little time, but would you believe snow and all the car sold 🙁 Back to hunting…

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 post, 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: #FitFiveFriday, Ultimate coffee date, weather

Week 4 – Winding Down January

January 30, 2022 by 24 Comments

The month of January is winding down, and I, for one, am hopeful for a much calmer February. I’m off and running on the new job, and really enjoyed my first week! Mother Nature continues to play her games with the weather with plenty of wind and “feels like” negative temps, capped off with blizzard conditions this weekend. Ah life in New England…nonetheless, the workouts continue. Here’s how my fitness week played out.

Week 4 – Winding Down January

Monday —  Strength training & Stretch. This stack had a little bit of everything and was a great way to get the week started!

Tuesday — 3-mile run, Core & Stretch. When I saw that there was a chance to catch some warmer weather later in the day, I switched my run to midday. I had to hustle to get it done between Zoom calls, but it was worth and this run felt great!


Wednesday — Core and otherwise rest. I woke up feeling oh so tired and a bit creaky, so I did a quick core workout and then called it a rest day.
Thursday — Peloton Bike, Upper Body Strength & Stretch. It was an all Bowie morning!


Friday — 4-mile run, Core & Stretch. It’s been a while since I was out and back before sunrise.


Saturday — Full body workout in the form of shoveling! We got hit with blizzard conditions, so there was a good midday workout thanks to some quality time spent with a shovel 😉
Sunday — 4.25-mile run, Core & Stretch (and yes, more shoveling!). Road conditions were not run-ready so I hit the mill, before joining Cari virtually for a live core class to celebrate her 300th strength class!

After another round of shoveling in the frigid air, I’m looking forward to couch/football time later today.

Tell me about your week. Any snow where you are? 

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

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Runfessions for January

January 28, 2022 by 13 Comments

It’s time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by Darlene, Renée, Jenn, Zenaida, and me!

And, since it’s the last Friday of the month, I’m linking up with Marcia for Runfessions. I’ve got a few things to share so let’s get to it!

Runfessions for January

The l-o-n-g-e-s-t month!
I runfess that January has felt like the month that would not end. I admit that it always feels a little long to me, coming off the holidays and all, but this year has been an especially long rough ride. Thankfully things have started to settle down this week, but still, I’m happy to put this month in the rearview mirror.

Thanks to Cari for sharing this New Yorker Cartoon

In need of a routine
Because January was so chaotic, my workouts were really all over the place – I just fit in what I could, when I could. I runfess that I really miss having my workouts planned out, and I cannot wait to get back into more of a routine.

Distracted drivers
Is it me or are distracted drivers getting worse? I have had more than my fair share of close encounters with distracted drivers lately, especially those who only look left while rolling out of side streets to make a right-hand turn. I runfess that I may have had a few choice words for some lately.

What are you runfessing?

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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Week 3 – Starting to Exhale

January 23, 2022 by 28 Comments

Things are finally settling down a bit as I finished wrapping up my now old job and my mom came home from the hospital, and I am starting to exhale. As always, workouts were a lifeline, here’s how things played out.

Weekly Run Down — Starting to Exhale

Monday — 1.5-mile walk & Yoga
Tuesday — Full-Body Strength, Core, Lower Body Strength & Stretch. My last day at work was a hectic one, but I was determined to get my workout done. This was a great stack – I especially liked the Amy Winehouse stretch and will keep this one on repeat.

Wednesday — 4.25-mile run. I spent this entire time feeling like I was running into a headwind! But, despite the wind, the run felt pretty good.

Thursday — Peloton bike, Upper Body Strength & Core.
Friday — 1.5 mile walk & Core.
Saturday — 3-mile run, Core & Stretch. It was 14F with a feels like of 3 degrees, but I have to say I just love a snow run! The roads were so peaceful.

Sunday — On the plan is a 4-mile run and Core.

The new job starts on Monday and with it a new routine. I’m looking forward to returning to consistent early morning runs/workouts and starting to build some mileage.

In case you missed it:

Fit Five Friday – Tips for Winter Self Care

How was your week? 

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

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Fit Five Friday – Tips for Winter Self Care

January 21, 2022 by 8 Comments

Winter weather is in full effect and for some that is a cause for celebration and for many others, it’s a reason to hibernate.

I think this season of frigid temps and shorter days can sometimes be a challenge so for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m sharing a few winter self-care tips.

Fit Five Friday – Tips for Winter Self Care

Be good to your skin — Winter air can really sap the moisture from your skin. Factor in the forced heat of an indoor setting and you can see why your skin needs some extra attention. Now’s the time to swap in a heavier moisturizer for both your face and body. Also, pay attention to your daily hydration – check out my tips for staying hydrated in the winter.

Try dry brushing — I was first introduced to dry brushing while on vacation a couple of years ago. Dry brushing offers a combination of exfoliation and light massage by brushing natural bristles over the skin in gentle strokes. The practice offers many benefits including removing toxins, unclogging pores, improving blood circulation, and relieving stress.

Embrace the outdoors — Grabbing some fresh air is too important to both your mental and physical well-being to skip just because the temperature takes a dip. Unless icy conditions make it impossible to run or walk, I make it a point to get outside daily, even for just a few minutes. Getting outdoors helps to reduce feelings of cabin fever, which is especially important with so many of us still working from home.

Five tips for self care this winter #FitFiveFriday #selfcare Share on X

Find some Vitamin D — Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is especially triggered in the winter thanks to a lack of sunlight. Just another reason to embrace getting outside; however, you may find that at this time of year, that alone is not enough. Consider taking a Vitamin D supplement or investing in a light therapy box to support your needs.

Declutter your space — While this may not seem like an obvious form of self-care, clutter can be stressful! Decluttering gives you an opportunity to purge things from your living space that may not be serving you anymore. Take advantage of this time of year to clear out your closets, kitchen cabinets, office space, etc. – keep the things you truly love and possibly make room for some new items. Added bonus, someone else may be able to put your donated items to good use!

What do you do to take care to take of yourself during the winter months?

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! Please remember to link back to your hosts and to comment on at least two other blogs – don’t just link-drop!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Self-care