Training Truths: Getting In Tune

Last week I found myself getting back in tune with my body. Trying to stick to the 10% mileage increase rule, I upped my weekly mileage slowly and paid close attention to which part of my thigh was achey, and then attacked it with the foam roller! After my runs I also made time to stretch with my yoga for runners app.

The #squatstreak continued, but I found a new favorite version thanks to Shauna Harrison and the Under Armour #SweatADay challenge: in & outs. After doing 50 basic squats every day for the last 40 days, the in & out squats woke up some gluteus muscles that apparently had been snoozing through the traditional ones.

Tuesday's two miles outside will probably mark the end of running in shorts, but I welcome the cold weather. I stayed on the flattest route from my driveway and kept the hamstring happy.

I was feeling pretty sore after my ART session at PT on Wednesday, so Thursday's two mile treadmill run motivated by the rainy weather was fortuitous. With the pace nice and easy, I focused on my form.

Saturday's "long" run of three miles was my best run of the week. It was my longest post-injury run on a hilly route which in the past would aggravate my hamstring, but it finally felt really good.

On Sunday we welcomed another half marathoner to the household. My step-daughter ran the Seacoast Half and we were there to cheer her across the finish line.

It was an exciting week and I like what my body is saying. What has your body been telling you lately?

Fitness Calendar Review + {giveaway}

As a member of a fitness blogger review network, I was sent copies of some upcoming 2014 fitness titles to review. I was super excited to see that they were running related and quickly noted that they would make excellent gifts for runners.

Complete Runner's Day-by Day Calendar Log: This is a year long training journal that includes logs for easy tracking and offers tips for all levels of running. 

The journal pages allow you to record daily mileage, race details, and more. Each month you'll find tips to keep you motivated. Even the most electronically driven runner will enjoy looking back at the stats from the previous years' log.

Runner's High 2014 Day-to-Day Calendar: This is your standard desktop tear-off calendar.

The daily pages offer fun facts, motivational tips, and quirky race day moments. This would look great on a runner's desk or kitchen counter.

I'm happy to announce that the publisher has generously offered to let me host a giveaway of these titles! 

The giveaway includes: 
- 1 copy of Complete Runner's Day-by Day Calendar Log 
- 1 copy of  Runner's High 2014 Day-to-Day Calendar

To enter: 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway details:
- Winners must be US residents
- Ends November 16, 2013 at 11:59 PM
- Two names will be selected randomly from the valid entries. First name will win Complete Runner's Day-by Day Calendar Log. Second name will win Runner's High 2014 Day-to-Day Calendar

Gluten Free Crock Pot Chili and Pilates & More with Elina

Last week I met up with the NH Bloggers & Tweeters group for the monthly Blog & Tweet event, but not before having a bowl of my husband's delicious wheat-free crock pot chili.

He has masterfully created a yummy chili recipe that simmers in the crock pot for about 5 hours:

2 pounds browned hamburg
2 1/2 tbsp chili powder
1 can green chiles
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 can dark red kidney beans

I add crackers to my chili and like Glutino gluten free original crackers the best.

The October Blog & Tweet event was a Pilates Fitness Class at Pilates & More with Elina in Manchester. Pilates is a conditioning routine meant to help build flexibility and strength. It's a great cross training option for runners.

Pilates & More with Elina is located in the old mills buildings of downtown Manchester. Parking was free and easy, but finding my way to the studio inside the building was just the start of the adventure.

The studio, which opened in September, was a cozy space with hard wood floors that easily accommodated our group of seven.

Elina, who has 19 years fitness experience, greeted us right away and after filling out some paperwork, she led us to the Pilates mats we would be using for the class.

The 45 minute Beginner's Mat class was a mix of beginner Pilates moves put together as a sequential series and a lot of giggling. That's what happens when you put a group of girls together!

Photo credit to Janine

Some of the Pilates exercises involved a good stretch at the end, which felt awesome after Elina pushed us to do more repetitions. Even though we were not moving around a lot, I could feel my muscles tiring from the repetition or holding of positions. I wish I had remembered to wear my Polar Heart Rate monitor because I would love to know how many calories I burned in this class!

In addition to the Beginner's Mat class, Elina explained to the group at the end of the session that she also offers several other classes:

Cardilates - low impact cardio and Pilates with music
Bandilates - Pilates with resistance bands
Rehabilitation - Focus on range of motion and stretching

Pilates & More with Elina offers a range of pricing options from $15 drop in rates to packages and private sessions.

I've done Pilates before and had forgotten what a great workout it is. It was a nice change from the high energy workouts that I've become accustomed to doing. Thanks again to Allie and Janine for organizing our monthly Blog & Tweet events.

And special thanks to Elina for hosting our crazy Blog & Tweet NH group!

me, Amber, Sarah, Allie, Kathy, Karlene, Elina, and Janine

Have you ever done Pilates? What do you think?

Training Truths & #GoalGetter2013 October Update

Wow! October really flew by.

The truth is: I spent much of the month nursing my injuries and woking on strength training, but I also ran another race! As for working toward the remainder of my 2013 goals, it has been good and not-so-good.

I knocked off my first two goals for the year, PR Half marathon and Run in NYC at the New York City Half Marathon in March. It was awesome! I was not expecting to PR, so earning my current best time of 1:57:27 was super exciting. I can't wait to be healthy again and see if I can beat it.

The truth is I would be ok with keeping that PR indefinitely!

Another one of my 2013 goals is to host a fun run. I have put together a couple of group runs in honor of Boston and National Running Day, but I am hoping to organize something bigger and better still to come.

The truth is I would love for this to happen before the end of the year, I just don't know now as I'm still recovering from my injuries.

I added a little mileage to my goal to run 1000 miles and most of that came from pushing through the BAA Half Marathon with the help of my amazing runner husband. After the race, I really went into recovery mode and have been playing it smart as I ease back.

The truth is I really began running again last week. I ran an easy mile on Monday, two miles on the treadmill on Tuesday, and two miles on Saturday. I'm determined to take things slow and get healthy in November. 


My running injury continued to allow me to focus on doing strength exercises consistently and a couple of challenges helped with that. The Under Armour October #SweatADay Challenge hosted by Shauna Harrison and the October #SweatFor5 by ElectraFi showed me new exercises and helped me work on my overall body strength. On Tuesday I also attended Pilates with Elina and really worked on my strength. Recap coming soon!

The truth is my core is the strongest it's been since I was a kid playing high school and college soccer. When I nailed the crow pose (even for only 3 seconds) last week I was so proud of my 42 year old self!




What's your training truth?

Fitness Friday: Race Day Photo Tips

I love Race Days. No matter if it's a 5K or a half marathon, I look forward to every minute before, during, and after the race. Even if I wasn't a running blogger, I would want to capture as much of the event as I could.

If you are racing this weekend, you might want to plan ahead for some of the key photos you will want to get on race day.

Pre-race outfit (include shoes): It's always a good idea to share your race day outfit with friends and family before the race, so they will be able to spot you while they're spectating (because where else would they be on race day, right?). It's also fun to look back on what you wore: what worked, what didn't.

Pre-race friends, family, running group: You are going to want to memorialize who was there to cheer for you, run with you, support you. If there's an expo, snap a picture when you pick up your runner's packet.

Mid-race action shot/course views: Since all your friends and family are going to be scattered along the race course, you will have tons of awesome action shots to choose from, of course. However, you can also snap pictures during your run of funny signs, popular sights along the course, your friends, or even a selfie!

Post-race at the finish line w/medal: This is the most important photo of the day. It's best if you can snap it at the finish line, but as long as you get the bling, you're set. Hold it up, kiss it, you name it. Just get it with the sweaty glow to show how hard you worked to earn it.

Post race scenic: Races often have scenery that make amazing backdrops for that last celebratory photo. Try to pick a spot that sums up the overall atmosphere of the race. Or did you just run a race for charity? Get a picture standing next to the charity sign.

Are you racing this weekend?

I'll be spectating the Manchester Marathon/Half Marathon. If you're running this one, look for me around mile 3. I might be holding a picture worthy sign for you!

What's your favorite race day photo?