Five Things Over July Coffee

July 7, 2023 by 30 Comments

And just like that it’s Friday again – these weeks are just flying by! It’s time for another edition of Fit Five Friday and since it’s the first Friday of the month I’m I’m linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date.

Five Things Over July Coffee

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’ve been enjoying a lovely stay-cation this week. My office has an org-wide shutdown for the week of July 4th so I’ve been blissfully logged off my computer since last Friday afternoon! It’s been a fun week of catching up with friends and family, time reading and lounging on the deck, and generally just recharging. I was feeling fried and this mid-year break couldn’t have come at a better time!

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m knee-deep in design decisions and I’m loving every minute of it 🙂 We’re anxiously awaiting our appearance before our town’s conversation board but with lead times being what they are we need to work on parallel tracks to settle cabinet/appliance/countertop etc. decisions.

a wine dispenser sounds like a necessity, don’t you think?

Over coffee, I would tell you that once again I did not get into the London Marathon. Can’t say I’m surprised, but I always hold out a little hope. Maybe it’s the Universe’s way of reminding me that, at least for right now, I have no interest in running more than 10 miles and that I have too much on my plate to take on marathon training.

Over coffee, I would tell you that we’re 3 weeks away from our family vacation! I’m looking forward to seeing the glaciers, wildlife, whales, and all the amazing landscape Alaska has to offer.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’ve momentarily jumped on the Threads bandwagon. I’m pretty sure I don’t need another social media app but admit that curiosity got the better of me. So far it reminds me of the early days of Twitter but there are features missing that would help to control what shows up in your feed. Apparently, more features are coming…we’ll see if it lasts on my phone.

Will you join Threads? Any vacations or staycations planned? 

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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 show your hosts some love and visit some of the other bloggers in the link-up.

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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Staycation, Ultimate coffee date, vacation

Runfessions for June

June 30, 2023 by 18 Comments

Happy Friday! It’s time for another edition of Fit Five Friday – and since it’s the last Friday of June, I’m linking up with Marcia to share a couple of Runfessions. So let’s dive in!

Runfessions for June

Did the race even happen if you don’t write the recap? I runfess that on more than one occasion I sat down to write my recap of the Run to Remember 5M but inevitably got distracted and never got it done. Then time passed, there wasn’t much blogging in June and it was only just the other day that I realized I never got back to finishing the post. Oh well, I’ll at least share the medal 🙂

I runfess that I need a more focused approach to my strength training – I used to map out my workouts on Sunday evenings, planning my stacks in the Peloton app. Well, there was very little (read no!) planning this month, leaving me feeling like my workouts were a bit haphazard. I’ll be returning to my planning ways in July.

Do race registrations come in bunches? I runfess that no sooner did I receive the confirmation email for the Twin Cities 10M than I started contemplating what else I might run this fall.  Gotta love a runner’s thinking, right?

Any runfessions to share? 

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 show your hosts some love and visit some of the other bloggers in the link-up.

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Five Things I’m looking forward to this summer

June 23, 2023 by 6 Comments

The Summer season is officially here – though you’d never know it based on the current thermometer reading. Nonetheless, I’m ready to embrace all that this summer has to offer. For this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m sharing just a few things I’m looking forward to this summer.

Five Things I’m looking forward to this summer

Vacation! — We’ve booked our Alaskan cruise and I cannot wait! I’m looking forward to seeing the glaciers, wildlife, whales, and amazing landscape.

Brooks Hype Fest — I’ll be headed to LA in August for the Run Happy Team retreat. Added bonus will be getting to spend time with Wendy!

Catching up with friends — Between life stuff and my work schedule over the past couple of months, I’ve not spent as much time with friends as I’d like. So I’m changing that! I caught up with some friends for dinner earlier this week and have booked a number of lunches/ coffees/dinners/hangouts for the upcoming months.

Time at the beach — I love the beach and yet sadly did not get any time on the sand last year. I’m hoping to change that this year.

College visits — I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my youngest son is now a senior and applying to colleges this fall.  It’s been so fun to watch my high schooler come into his own during his Junior year and I can’t wait to visit campuses and see what resonates with him.

Bonus item! — Breaking ground for our remodel! We’re scheduled to go before our town’s conservation committee in a couple of weeks and if all goes well we’ll be able to break ground this summer!

Tell me – what are you looking forward to this summer?

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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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Run Happy Team, summer mode

Fit Five Friday – Summer Fitness Goals

June 9, 2023 by 16 Comments

With the summer months laid out before us,  I’ve been thinking about what my goals will be. So for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m sharing some summer fitness goals.

Fit Five Friday – Summer Fitness Goals

Have a Healthy Build-up for Fall Racing — While I haven’t landed on a fall race calendar, I have several options I’m considering. I shared over coffee that I’ll be working with Coach Marc again – my goal is to reach the starting line (s) healthy and feeling confident.

Acclimate & Embrace the Heat — I make no secret that summer running is my least favorite, but I’m going to do my best to navigate summer running by focusing on my hydration & electrolyte intake and getting out extra early.

Daily Stretching/Mobility Work — I’m already off to a good start with this one so the goal is to keep this streak going all summer long.

Dial in My Nutrition — While I don’t like to focus on the number on the scale, I can feel that I’m carrying more than I’d like. I’ve let my chaotic schedule get the best of my eating choices over the past couple of months, so now I’m going to make the most of the season’s farmers’ markets and grilled proteins to get back on track.

Have Fun/Try Something New — Summer is about having fun and I’m here for it! I’ve been thinking a lot about getting out of my comfort zone and joining one of the local run groups. The thought of running with others is intimidating to me (cue the “I’m too slow” voice) but I’ve also been craving building some new connections – and why not through running?

Tell me, what have you got planned for the summer? Registered for any fall races yet?

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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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Friday Five, goals, Summer running

An Iced Coffee Chat for June

June 2, 2023 by 29 Comments

Happy Friday! I’ve got both today and Monday off and am looking forward to having another long weekend! And, since it is the first Friday of the month, for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date. It’s going to be another warm one today so I’ll be having my coffee iced, how ’bout you?

An Iced Coffee Chat for June

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Over coffee, I would tell you that last weekend I ran Boston’s Run to Remember 5 Miler. I still haven’t gotten around to writing a recap, but I will say it was a lot of fun to be back at a race – my last race was in November! I finished thinking about what I might run next and I’m pretty excited I’ve decided to reconnect with Coach Marc again.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’ve been enjoying spending time in my garden. It’s one of my happy places and I’ve been loving seeing the colors start to pop!

Peonies in full bloom!

Over coffee, I would tell that my husband and I started watching Succession and we’re completely hooked! This family is a train wreck and we can’t stop watching.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I recently joined my office book club. It’s been a fun way to connect! So far we’ve read Woman in the Library (meh), Lessons in Chemistry (loved!), and Black Cake – definitely our best selection yet! Black Cake is an amazing story of a family’s history shaped by the secrets of the matriarch.

Over coffee, I would tell you that recently we had a great meeting with our contractor. Fingers crossed we’ll break ground on the new foundation by the end of July. I can’t wait to dive into all the choices for flooring, tile, cabinetry, and appliances! Just another excuse to watch HGTV 🙂

What would you tell me over coffee? Do you have any good advice for surviving a remodeling project?

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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Just a Couple of May Runfessions

May 26, 2023 by 11 Comments

Hello, Long Weekend! Here we are at the start of Memorial Day Weekend – the unofficial start to summer in the US! It’s also the last Friday of the month, so for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m linking up with Marcia to share a couple of Runfessions.

A Couple of May Runfessions

I runfess that despite my best intentions I have not shifted back to early morning running yet. I blame my erratic sleep patterns. Thankfully, the weather has cooperated and my midday or post-work runs haven’t been too warm. But I know I’m on borrowed time….

My schedule has been so crazy lately that I blogfess I actually missed my blog anniversary last month. I started this blog back on 4/27/10 with this post. My blogging has definitely taken a hit in the last few months, and there are many moments where I think I just don’t have the time. But I love the folks it has brought into my life and the connection it continues to provide.

Do you keep track of your blogging milestones?

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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Ways to Beat the Heat – Summer Running Tips

May 19, 2023 by 21 Comments

Welcome to another edition of Fit Five Friday! With many of us already getting our first taste of summer-like temps, it seems like the perfect time to share some summer running tips. I have made it no secret that running in the heat and humidity is not something that I enjoy, but as a fan of fall races, there’s just no way around it. So I’m going to do my best to embrace it, keeping these tips in mind…

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in the summer of 2014, and has been updated.

Ways to Beat the Heat – Summer Running Tips

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Hit the road early —  Temperatures are much lower earlier in the day so why not get out before the sun’s rays become too intense. This one is a must-do for me!

Get acclimated — As you make the adjustment to running in warmer temps, this is not the time to get hung up on hitting target paces. Take those first hot runs slowly, focusing more on effort than pace. Your body will adjust within a couple of weeks.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate — I’m always surprised by the number of runners who proclaimed not to carry any fluids with them when they run regardless of the distance. For long runs, I get that not everyone loves carrying a handheld water bottle but there are other options – a hydration vest, fuel belt or just strategically stashing water along your route. For shorter runs, at least make sure you hydrate well before and after your run. Drink according to thirst!

Dress the part — I’ve said it for winter running and the same holds true for summer – avoid running in cotton clothing! All cotton does is trap sweat, stay wet, and potentially cause chaffing (which of course always begs the question – Why any race shirt is cotton?!). Stick to light-colored, moisture-wicking apparel…and don’t forget sunglasses and a hat or visor.

Be willing to head indoors — That’s right…I said it! Sometimes, it’s going to be just too dang hot to run – so be willing to switch things up. Either hit the treadmill or opt to make it a cross-training day — great days to head to an air-conditioned gym, studio, or the comfort of your own basement, right? And, if you’ve got access to a pool – lucky you!

Above all, I think the biggest key to managing your workouts in the summer heat is to listen to your body! You can never go wrong with that approach, right?

How do you manage summer running?

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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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Friday Five, listening to your body, Summer running, tips

Five Fave Fitness Power Songs

May 12, 2023 by 18 Comments

Happy Friday!

Thanks for joining Darlene, Jenn, Renee, Zenaida, and me for another edition of Fit Five Friday. This week we’re talking Favorite Fitness Power Songs. Of course, you should always feel free to write about any fitness/wellness-related topic.

I definitely like to/need to have music on my runs and I keep a pretty wide variety of songs on my playlists – though you’ll never find a country song! My “favorites” depends a lot on my mood, but here are five songs that are currently in rotation often.

Five Fave Fitness Power Songs

“About Damn Time” by Lizzo — Honestly it was hard to just pick one Lizzo song. She just makes me smile.

“Glow Up” by Meek Mill

“Run Run Run” by Jill Scott — I mean with a title like that how can you not include it?!

“Back in Black” by AC/DC — My youngest son got me to add this one to my library and I find myself playing quite a bit.

“Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna

“Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Yes, I know that’s actually six songs…I had a hard time taking one off the list. 🙂

I’ve got a race in two weeks so as I put my next playlist together, tell me some of your favorite power songs.

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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April Runfessions

April 28, 2023 by 19 Comments

The breakneck pace of 2023 continues and here we are approaching the end of April. Since it’s the last Friday of the month for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m linking up with Marcia to share a couple of Runfessions. So let’s dive in!

April Runfessions

I runfess that despite my best efforts to hold to a set workout schedule, many weeks I find myself juggling my workouts to fit things in where I can. I keep hoping for a light at the end of my hectic work schedule tunnel …but MAYhem is just around the corner.

While I’m beyond happy to be running relatively pain-free and overall running has, dare I say felt good, I runfess that I feeling a little meh about running in general. I’m feeling the need to shake things up a bit but haven’t quite landed on the “what” yet.

I runfess that I recently did this…

I’ve applied before to the London lottery with no luck so I’m not at all expecting to get in – but just the thought did spark a little excitement. You never know 🙂

Do you feel like April flew by? Do you ever get bored with your running?

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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Five More Things About Me

April 14, 2023 by 13 Comments

Happy Friday!

Thanks for joining Darlene, Jenn, Renee, Zenaida, and me for another edition of Fit Five Friday! This week we’re inviting you to share five words that describe yourself – you are, of course, welcome to share any fitness/wellness-related post. I’m deviating a little to share five things about myself – I shared five things a couple of years ago which you can read here. It was a fun post to write so why not another one?!

Five More Things About Me

Home Decor — I love home decoration. I can happily spend time pouring over paint chips, fabric samples, etc. Home stores are one of my happy places! This will hopefully serve me well when the remodeling project begins.

Beach — Speaking of happy places, I am truly happy when I am near the ocean regardless of the season.

Swimming — While I love being on or near the ocean…I cannot swim. Oh, the irony!

Sushi — I’m pretty sure that I could eat sushi daily.

Candles — You will often find lit candles in my house or on my deck when the weather cooperates. My boys often tease me for buying more candles – I find them soothing and a subtle scent can be very relaxing.

Tell me something about you!

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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Filed Under: #FitFiveFriday, Friday Five