Monday, March 31, 2014

March Update: Run, Run, Run

It's amazing how fast time passes at times. Does that mean I've been having fun?? I think so!

March was a fun month of workouts. I focused on strength and tried a new fitness class. Last week wasn't the most productive week of the month, but it ended on a strong note.

Monday - strength exercises for runners. I'm really liking this routine.


Tuesday - Last minute faculty meeting before rushing home to meet the cable guys meant another active rest day. More strength exercises.

Wednesday - Monthly chiropractor visit with another knee cap adjustment. Managed a 30 minute TM run. My knee was a little tender during and after the run.

Thursday - REST day - my knee was still hurting a little so I iced a few times.

Friday - Easy 5K on the treadmill followed by some strength exercises.


Saturday - SurfSet Saturday and then a 6 mile run downtown. Loving the double workouts!


Sunday - strength workout

This month I enjoyed playing along with the Instagram challenges from ZOOMA and Happy Fit Mama. I joined the FitFluential #FFMarchMiles challenge and logged 55.3 of the 100 mile goal. I knew it was an ambitious goal with all my kneecap problems, but I couldn't resist.

What was your best March moment?



Friday, March 28, 2014

Fitness Friday: New Perspectives

In the classroom, I talk to my students about perspectives a lot. It's a prominent theme in several books we read throughout the year and it encourages them to look beyond the surface to consider points that they hadn't thought of before.

I've also talked about perspectives in fitness. What might be easy for some is hard for others. An injury makes you reflect on your goals. You get the idea.


This year I wanted to continue to broaden my perspective, so I set a goal to try more new activities.

On Sunday I joined the Blog & Tweet NH group at New Perspectives Pole and Aerial in Manchester to try the new fitness trend for first time: Pole Fitness


Pole Fitness combines dance and acrobatic moves to create a fun workout that builds strength and flexibility. It involves moves such as spins, climbs, slides, and inversions.

The owner and our instructor Juel is a retired gymnast and certified strength and conditioning coach. In addition to instructing, she also competes professionally!


After some floor warm-ups, our Intro to Pole class started to get up close and personal with the POLE.


Even though Juel did an outstanding job showing us how to do the individual beginner moves, it was the toughest thing I've ever tried. I've never been known for my upper body strength, but it was obvious that the rest of my body is lacking power also.

When I signed up to attend this event, I was expecting to feel awkward during the dance-like portions, but I was ready to push myself out of my comfort zone. I was ready for it to be hard, but willing to try.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that even though I'm not the strongest girl, I was still able to do most of the moves. It was also a relief to feel a sense of encouragement from the instructor and the other ladies in the class.


I don't know when I will be back for more Pole Fitness, but I will be back!

If you're thinking about checking out Pole Fitness, follow New Perspectives on Facebook for information about the upcoming Open House.

Have you tried Pole Fitness? 



Wednesday, March 26, 2014

WIAW: Gluten Free Mini Tortilla Pizzas

Going gluten free has been a lot like learning to run. Like many people, when I first started running, I thought, I have a pair of shoes, how hard can it be? It didn't take long for me to end up in the doctor's office with an injury. I learned my first lesson and got back in my running shoes to try again.

Learning to live a gluten free life has taken a similar path. Sometimes a recipe SOUNDS good, but then when you actually make it you realize that something went terribly wrong. Like with running, I've learned it's a process and I've got to keep trying until I find what works for me.

On Sunday I tried a recipe that I thought was brilliant because it was so easy. I saw a similar recipe online somewhere and thought, I can make that gluten free!

The simple recipe called for small tortillas, pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice. I used corn tortillas (because we already had them in the house), my favorite Cincinnati pizzeria sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese.


Bake for 5-ish minutes in the toaster oven at 400 degrees.


When I took them out, they looked delicious!


I couldn't wait to take a bite.


They were not what I was expecting. The corn tortillas were flimsy, not toasted and crusty like non-GF tortillas from my quesadilla days. They didn't taste bad, but they also weren't good. If that makes any sense.

So, my first attempt wasn't the greatest, but I plan to buy gluten free tortillas and try again.


Have you ever failed at a new recipe?



Monday, March 24, 2014

Training Truths: March Madness

Happy Monday! Last week felt a little bit like March Madness! It was so busy that I didn't even have a chance to write a blog post since my last #TrainingTruths, but I am happy to say that I still found time to workout! My strength workouts took a back burner at the beginning of the week, but I managed FOUR runs and TWO fitness classes over the weekend.

Monday - Unavoidable REST day. There just wasn't time for a workout between school, making dinner, and watching my former student earn runner-up status at the Poetry Out Loud NH High School State Finals at the State House in Concord.

Tuesday - Ran a 5K to the beach and back with mrC and youngestC. One look at us, and I'm sure you can tell we are a family!


Wednesday - Another inescapable REST day. Met up with youngestC after a faculty meeting, went shopping for tennis gear for her, and then joined mrC and oldestC for dinner at the British Beer Company - where they have an awesome GF menu!

Thursday - We woke up to about 4 new inches of snow, but the temperatures warmed up through the day melting most of it by the time I got home from school. It wasn't warm enough for the troops to venture out with me though, so I faced the windy 3.4 route solo.


Friday - After learning about the 16 year old who died after running her first half marathon, I wanted to run in her memory. I did a little strength workout as a warmup and then ran a 5K on the treadmill.


Saturday - It was a double workout day with mrC. We warmed up with an hour of SurfSet and then hit the downtown streets for a 5 miler, oops I missed a turn, 6.3 mile run. (#FFMarchMiles = 49.85)


Sunday - I met up with the gang from Blog & Tweet NH to try out a new fitness class. Full review coming soon!


How are you surviving March Madness?




Monday, March 17, 2014

Training Truths: YoYo Days

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I am hoping that the leprechauns will be bringing the warmer weather to NH, because I'm really tired of having to layer up on outdoor runs especially after the tease Mother Nature gave us last week!

Monday - Sports massage - ahhh! It's not a pain-free experience, but she finds and works out those knots.

Tuesday - I spent the day at a Teacher's Workshop and couldn't wait to get home to put on my running SHORTS! It was a gorgeous (almost Spring-like) day. 3.45 mile run


Wednesday - A little evening yoga.

Thursday - Wintery weather returned, so I hit the treadmill after school. 3.23 miles


Friday - REST (except step back sliders for one minute). Body must have needed a day off because I took a 2 hour nap after school, fell asleep watching TV after dinner, and then slept until 7 AM (which I hardly ever do!).

Saturday - I started the day at SurfSet with mrC and then planned on doing an afternoon run outside because it was another gorgeous 50 degree day. However, Mother Nature had other plans and (literally) rained on our parade. So, I ran 30 minutes on the treadmill instead.

Photo from TI Fitness Facebook Page

Sunday -  Bundled up for a 4 mile cold, but sunny, afternoon run with mrC. I love when he tells me that he is having fun! (33.95 #ffmarchmiles)


Throughout the week I also squeezed in this strength workout that I found on Runkeeper's website. I did 20 repetitions of each exercise using x3 cycles.



How was your week? Are you enjoying warmer weather already?


Friday, March 14, 2014

How Running Changed Me

Running has definitely transformed my life and I'm so grateful for the ability to continue do something that I love. If you follow Mizuno, then you probably know about their new #IfEverybodyRan campaign. Running is a powerful thing and can have a tremendous positive impact.

As a member of the Mezamashii Run Project, I shared my story with Mizuno.

How running changed me...

You can read more stories like mine on the Mizuno Running website or stay right here and see how running has changed these runners:

Running helped me lose pregnancy weight, and it made me a better mama! - Rachel at www.runningonhappy runningonhappy @rfrutkin

Running helped me really learn the values of discipline and time management. I have a much clearer picture of how what I do today can impact what I can or can't do in a few months - even when "today" is difficult! - @snowcreamNsyrup http://snowcreamandsyrup.com

Running my first marathon completely changed my life. I never thought I could run a mile let alone 26.2! Now I feel like there is no impossible! - Linda @LKelnock

Running is continuously providing me with new goals to achieve, and when I do, it boosts my self-confidence. - Lisa at http://www.lulusbigadventure.com


Running taught me how to endure the hard and what really matters. It helps me remember that as a person who tries to always be there for others, I need to be a warrior for myself too. And that sometimes, situations in life suck and even hurt. But no matter what - it can always be worse and being able to head out the door and run is a blessing. - Rachel @turborachel www.busymamafitness.com


Running helped me lose and keep off over 100 pounds, helping me rediscover who I was in the process Denise - http://healthydisneyfamily.com Twitter @DeniseL321


Running is my zen. It's my time to connect with myself and enjoy some me time. It's also taught me that I am capable of anything I put my mind to and that with enough hard work anything is possible. - Courtney @TriGChronicles www.thetrigirlcrhonicles.com

Running has given me confidence to complete any goal I put in front of myself. It has helped me build amazing friendships and made me a stronger woman! - Alyssa www.homefieldfitness.org/blog


Running has taught me about my strengths, given me confidence, a lot of joy and new friends. But most of all, and what I am so ridiculously thankful for, running is one of the big reasons I now love myself and life! Evelin - http://www.evelinruns.com Twitter @evelinruns


I started running to lose pregnancy weight and I never stopped. It has helped me believe in myself more and has given me the confidence to keep going and set new goals - Xiomara www.parkesdale.com/blog Twitter: @xiomeeks

Running's given me a freedom that I never knew I had. It's also given me a sense of community. If you're a runner, we're friends! Love it! - Kim @Runkimmierun www.runkimmierun.blogspot.com


Running has introduced me to some of the most amazing women I know (Emily Frye De Sousa). It has developed new friendships & rekindled old. Without my running girlfriends, I would feel empty. We encourage, embrace & support each other - Megan @dzalumni www.runMegan.com (launching this week)

Running has taught me that I am so much stronger, mentally and physically, that I ever imagined. And that there isn't anything that a good run won't help me get through! ;) - Lesleyanne
http://beachyrunner.wordpress.com/ @BeachyRunner

Running has taught me confidence and made me a stronger person inside and out - Colleen Www.livefreeandrun.net and @livefreeandrun 

Running has taught me that I always have a little more to give, when that be out on the road, in the office or at home. It's taught me not to quit early and it's given me the mental space to let go of "failures" in running or in life - Larissa http://pilotingpaperairplanes.com/ @LarissaDaltonS


Running has been a motivator, a stress reliever, a confidence builder, an escape, a way to bring playfulness and fun into every day, a constantly changing goal, and a way to show myself that I am capable of doing amazing things ... and so are so many others! - Megan http://www.thelyonsshare.org @thelyonsshare

Running has given me ME .. and through this found an "athlete" inside. Every mile is a challenge .. making me stronger than I ever knew I was... - Yvonne  http://ynowanathlete.com@ynowanathlete

Running provides me with a constant challenge, raising me up one day and putting my ego in check the next. It's something that has shown me a strength and resolve that I didn't know I had inside of me. - Jess from Just Call Me Janks. Twitter/Instagram: @jessjanksa


The girl who always failed the mile run in gym class turned into a marathoner — what a beautiful twist. Running changed me into a healthier, happier person, a person I am proud to be, a person who knows she is able to accomplish so much. - Abby from @backatsquare0 www.backatsquarezero.com


Running has taught me how to set a goal, make a plan, and work to achieve it, and the thrill of exceeding my expectations on race day. Running also has taught me that I can't take short-cuts, that I have to do the grunt work, and that I really am stronger than I think. - Coco from @Got2Run4Me www.got2run4me.com

Running has showed me that I am much stronger mentally and physically than I ever thought. It has made me more confident which has resulted in more success at my job. Running makes me a better mother and a better wife and I am so glad it is now a part of my life. - Meg from www.maxfitgirl29.com @maxfitgirl29 on Twitter. 

Running has shown me how far I can push body mentally and physically. It has allowed me to overcome slight depression without medicating myself. In turn running has made me a better wife, mom, and friend. - Larisa from www.larisadixon.com Twitter/Instagram @0to26point2


Running helped me learn to like myself in a serious time of depression. It taught me that I could do more than I thought I was capable of and it pushed me to do more than I ever imagined I would. - Sarah from Www.momrunningonempty.com @momonempty


Running has taught me that I'm capable of doing more than I ever thought possible. I went from only being able to run 1 mile at a time to running my very first half marathon and I can't wait to see how much farther I can go! - Kristen from http://runawaywithkristenk.wordpress.com @RunAwayWithKK

Running has helped me overcome some really hard obstacles in life. I really started pushing my self in running more after my husband had a mental breakdown and was at the mental institution for a week. I had to be strong for him and for my three kids. I decided then and there what happened in life wouldn't dictate who I was - Michelle from http://onemorebiz.blogspot.com/

Running gave me back my health after living a life of autoimmune issues. It has given me a passion to help others feel better and live a new mantra "Life is too short not to feel great" everyday! - Phyliss from http://www.phyllis4fitness.com @phyllis4fitness

Running has made me a better me and deepened my spirituality. It has given me the means to see that greatness is always possible if you work hard - Erica from http://lifeasarunningmom.blogspot.com


Running helped me lose 50 pounds after quitting smoking (I smoked for 20 years). It is something that I am able to do legally blind and tt keeps me focused and on track ever since. - Heather Tuck from @flfitnessmom  www.floridafitnessmom.com 

Running made me realize that I could do a lot of things that I never thought were possible for me. It gave me confidence in myself that I never had before! - Jane from @janieliz19 http://livelikeitssharkweek.com

Running has shown me possibilities. The possibility to dream and achieve a goal, and also the possible to run away sometimes (Don't we all want to at times?!). It has taught me not to fear the start. Many a times I've told myself in running that the first step (and second) is the hardest. So it is with life. - Smitha from @fauxrunner www.fauxrunner.com


How has running changed YOU? Which runner's story do you relate to most?



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