Fitness Goals for 2024

December is quickly winding down and we’re reaching that time when folks start to look ahead to plans for the new year. So for this week’s Fit Five Friday, we’re talking Fitness Goals for 2024.

Fit Five Friday: Fitness Goals for 2024

My primary fitness goal for 2024 is to return to healthy running –  emphasis on “healthy”! That means not gimpy; not running and tolerating an injury, just healthy! I have not been on a regular running schedule since September. I did attempt some run-walks in October but quickly shut it down….being patient is not my strong suit, but I also know that rushing back too quickly has not served me well. Hopefully, down the road, I’d like to plan for a race or two – but, first and foremost, it’s all about healthy running!

My other goal for the year is to complete at least 15K minutes on Peloton. To hit this goal will mean that I’m doing the consistent cycling my sports ortho wants me to do, along with strength training, walking…and running 🙂

Beyond these year-long goals, I will continue my practice of setting smaller monthly goals. For the past few years, doing so has helped to keep me accountable and on track. So if it’s not broken, don’t fix it, right?

How about you – are you declaring any big fitness goals for 2024?

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Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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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Five Things I’m Focusing on in December

Happy Friday!

This week’s Fit Five Friday topic is 5 Favorite Fitness Stocking Stuffers! You are, of course, always welcome to link up and share other fitness-related posts. If you’re looking for some stuffer ideas, please check out my past posts here and here.

Today, instead, I’m sharing five things I’m focusing on to close out 2023 on a strong note!

Five Things I’m Focusing on in December

#3for31Challenge – This is one of my favorite challenges hosted by Peloton instructor Robin. The goal is to run or walk 3 miles or move 30 minutes daily in December. It’s just the little nudge I need to make sure that I don’t slack off due to holiday/end-of-year overwhelm!

Completing Physical Therapy – As I shared over coffee, I’m a little more than halfway through my PT sessions and will hopefully “graduate” by the first week in January. Can.not.wait.

Prioritizing Sleep – Yes sleep is often among my goals but coming off of a stressful November things had gotten especially wonky. Since December has begun I’ve made a point of not allowing myself to doze on the couch and instead am following an evening routine that includes heading to bed early.  I’ve been waking up feeling much better rested which sets the tone for a much better day.

Return to Early Morning Workouts – I’m much happier when I start my day with a workout, but thanks to poor sleep and a crazy schedule early morning workouts were not happening as often as I wanted. So this month I’m making the shift back – again a much better start to my day.

Embracing Rest – Rest is different from sleep and I would argue is just as important. Being on the go all the time is draining. This month I’m embracing downtime.

As 2023 winds down, what are you focusing on?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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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Five Things Over December Coffee

Can you believe it’s December 1st?!

The final month of 2023 is laid out before us and it’s a great time to catch up over coffee with friends before the holiday madness sets in! So for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date. Grab your favorite beverage and let’s chat a little.

Five Things Over December Coffee

Over coffee, I would tell you that November was a very hectic month! Work life has been crazy stressful and by the time I reached Thanksgiving, I was feeling fried. Now that it’s December I’m looking forward to cashing in on some PTO.

Over coffee, I would tell you that our home renovations are rolling right along! More of the new structure is starting to take shape and I’m getting more and more excited to see it all come together.

And in the same breath, over coffee, I would tell you that living through a home reno is not for the faint of heart (IYKYK) – it’s a constant state of chaos and I’m counting down the days until my kitchen is unusable. I remind myself it will all be worth it!

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m already at the halfway point of PT. It’s beyond tedious but I’m very happy that the therapist is a runner and has also done some coaching. We talk shoes, races, and all things running and it helps to make the sessions more bearable.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m drawing a blank on Christmas gifts this year (especially for my boys) and the clock is ticking! If you have any unique ideas, please share – and if you need an idea for the runner in your life please check out my gift guide.

What would you tell me over coffee?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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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Fit Five Friday – Holiday Gifts for Runners

It’s that time of year again when many of us are on the hunt for the perfect gift! So for this week’s Fit Five Friday, we’re hoping to ease the load by sharing some gift ideas. This post contains affiliate links.

Fit Five Friday – Holiday Gifts for Runners

Socks – Seriously does a runner ever have enough pairs? Balaga continues to be one of my favorites!

Oofos – Yes a little more pricey but for the recovery benefits, they’re oh so worth it! I’m a huge fan of the OOlala Luxe Sandal but there are so many great options.

Shokz Open Fit While I love my AfterShokz Aeropex, I must admit that the new Open Fit has piqued my interest. I like the ergonomic and flexible ear hook and think these could be more comfortable to wear with hats (especially winter headwear).

OCCOPA Rechargeable Hand Warmers Yes these hand warmers have made my gift list in the past, and with good reason – they work! These warmers feature 3 settings, fit nicely in the palm of my hand, and are rechargeable – so no added waste to the environment with those disposal one-use packets.

Running Gloves – And, speaking of keeping hands warm, how about the TrailHeads Convertible Running Gloves? These gloves give you the best of both with touchscreen gloves and a waterproof mitten shell.

What are your favorite running gifts?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!
Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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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Fit Five Friday – Year-end Fitness Goals

Thanks for joining me, DarleneReneeJenn, and Zenaida for another edition of Fit Five Friday!

It’s hard to believe that in less than 80 days 2023 will come to an end! For this week’s Fit Five Friday, we’re inviting you to share your goals for this final stretch of the year. Of course, you’re always welcome to write about any other fitness-related topic.

Five Year-end Fitness Goals

Get back to running — I have been grounded for 4 weeks – 4 weeks without a run! Now that I’ve got my MRI results and know that there’s no tear, I’m ready to focus on a plan to get back out on the roads.

Continue to Opt Outside — I make no secret that the fall is my favorite season, so why not maximize my time outdoors before winter creeps in? I’ve been walking during my grounded phase and will continue to #optoutside daily as I work on returning to running.

Prioritize Sleep How many times have I said this?! My sleep has been junk lately and I’m really feeling it. I need to lean into my evening routine so that I set myself up for a good night’s sleep.

Meal plan While I’m great at consistently planning each week’s dinners, I’ve been totally winging it on breakfast, lunch, and snacks. My choices lately have not always been the best, as evidenced by the numbers creeping in the wrong direction on my scale, so time to fix that!

Find a race to do “with” my son — My oldest recently announced that he’d like to find a race to train for and we thought it would be fun to run one “together” – of course that’s in quotes because he will dust me at the start line but we’ll be running the same race. He wants to do a 10K in the Spring (before thinking about a half marathon). I’d love to be in a place where I can run a 10K with him.

Tell me, what have you got planned for these final months?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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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Fit Five Friday – Five Current Faves

Happy Friday!

Thanks for joining me, DarleneReneeJenn, and Zenaida for another edition of Fit Five FridayThis week we’re inviting you to share your five favorite running/fitness products. You are, of course, always welcome to write about any other fitness-related topic. I’m deviating slightly this week to share a few of my current favorites with you. This post contains affiliate links.

Five Current Faves

Brooks Chaser Short Brooks has gifted the Run Happy Team a couple of pairs of the Chaser Short this year and I’m a big fan. They come in 3 lengths (3, 5, and 7 inches – the 5-inch is my fave), have a built-in liner, and don’t ride up. They are so comfortable – my only complaint is that I struggle with getting my phone in and out of the back pocket.

Just received this color and I love it!

Brooks Hyperion I received these shoes during Brooks Hype Fest. I was surprised at just how light and responsive these shoes are – they feel speedy! I like them for speedwork and can see using them for short runs or races.

 

AG1 — On the nutrition front, I’ve been using AG1 for the past couple of months. AG1 offers 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, and whole-food sourced nutrients in just one scoop combined with 8 oz of water. I like to add a little lemon juice to the mix to brighten the taste a bit.

Peloton Hip Mobility — I’ve shared this class before in my Weekly Run Downs and it continues to be a favorite. This is 15 minutes of goodness and it is in constant rotation – if you have the Peloton app, I encourage you to check this one out!

Sidekick Muscle Scraper I have to runfess that I’ve had my Sidekick for a while and re-discovered it at the beginning of the summer after catching a video of Molly Seidel on Instagram using hers – thanks for the reminder Molly! It’s become a staple in my recovery routine.

What are some of your current favorites?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!
Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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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Fit Five Friday – Summer Fitness Goals

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 MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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

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 MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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

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 MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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 Coffee Chat

As we ease into a new month, this is the perfect time to settle in and catch up over coffee. For this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date, so grab a mug of your fave beverage, and let’s chat.

April Coffee Chat

Over coffee, I would share how excited I am to have my college boy home for an extended Easter weekend! He got home last night and with the way his class schedule lines up with the days off, he doesn’t need to be back on campus until Wednesday!

Over coffee, I would tell you that once again I’ll be volunteering for the Boston Marathon. I’ll be working bib pick-up on Friday afternoon so if you’re running come see me!

After sharing my contractor woes over the past couple of months it seems only fitting that over coffee I would tell you that we have finally received some bids and have settled on a contractor. Now we need to get past the town’s conservation commission – sigh. Please send me some patience…

Your turn…what would you tell me over coffee?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns 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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