#TrainingTruths: Workouts and Yogurt

June 13 - If I'm going to become a better runner, I have to take time to think about what I'm actually doing. Obviously I'm running, but what else is going on that might help or hinder my training?

In an effort to be more conscientious about my fitness choices I'm starting a weekly post in which I will share...well, my training truths. Mainly I'll be focusing on my workouts and food, but really any topic is fair game. The point is to be honest and maybe learn something.

Workouts:

#TrainingTruth: Sometimes I run when I shouldn't because I'm so caught up in meeting the weekly mileage.

Two weeks ago I officially started following another Nike+ training program as I get ready for half marathon #5. Even though I have been running regularly since last August, I still like the structure and guidance of a plan.

This plan suggests three runs each week. Week 1 of the program I missed a day because of a work event so I didn't reach my weekly mileage. Week 2 was better and I even ran an extra day trying to catch up a little. This is a good way to get an injury.

#TrainingTruth: I am consistent with strength training in small portions.

I've been working on strengthening my core. I love these weekly workouts and wrote about them here. When I faithfully followed these 30 day challenges in the past, my running felt better, easier. Last month I tried to do more than one challenge and that was a big fail. Lesson learned. Don't over do it!

Food: 

#TrainingTruth: I need yogurt to counter the side effects of the junk food I like to eat.

I have always been a picky eater with stomach issues on top of the fact that I devour all things salty and by definition "junk." I tried Activia because Jamie Lee Curtis said that in two weeks I would feel awesome.  I don't know how it works; I can only attest that it does...for me. Running is much easier when you don't have to worry about stomach issues. My favorite flavor is Raspberry...

Want to know what others are eating? Go here. 

What have you learned about yourself this week?

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to asses ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary. If you feel like sharing your #TrainingTruths, tag a Twitter post with the hashtag, comment on Facebook, or leave a link to your post in the comments below. 

Bloggers Unite

 
June 11 - Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet up with some awesome New Hampshire ladies. We had a fun time getting to know one another and chatting about blogging, running, and races. There's nothing better than meeting more women passionate about running and fitness.

Let me introduce you:

Janine - blogs at The Purple Giraffe. She wears tutus when she runs!

Angela - blogs at Happy Fit Mama. She's a marathoner!

Sarah - blogs at Run Far Girl. She used to teach high school English!

Cheryl - blogs at Live Fit Daily. She's a Georgia Peach!

This summer I will be running the Lozilu Women's Mud Run in Boston along with Angela, the Color Me Rad 5K with Janine, Cheryl and possibly Angela, and maybe I can convince Sarah to run Zooma Cape Cod. Hopefully there will be some non-running adventures to get us together again too!

Do the people in your life share your passion 

for running or fitness?

What new adventure have you been on recently?

National Running Day

 
June 6 - National Running Day is a day for people to declare their love and passion for running as well as make resolutions and set new goals. I made a bold move last year.

Most runners will tell you that every day is running day, and I agree.

However, setting aside a day to come together to celebrate and encourage others who may be just beginning their running adventures can be an awesome experience.

The National Running Day website has some great suggestions for celebrating, but all you really need to do is get out there and run.

Pin this if you ran or plan to run today!

Source: talk.brooksrunning.com via Amy on Pinterest

Happy National Running Day!

How will you celebrate?

I'll be running with my BRF after school today!

Why do you run?

I run because it makes me smile and keeps me fit.

Goal Maintenance 101

June 1 - Most of us set goals for ourselves at the start of the new year. I am no different. How can we ensure successful completion of the goals that we set?

1. Check Progress: To be successful at achieving our goals, we must take time to reflect. We should not only decide what we want to achieve, but also determine a plan for assessing our progress. Every day? Once a week? Monthly? Find what works for the type of goals you have set.

2. Big versus Small: Many of us set large goals for ourselves: i.e. "run a marathon." This is good, but by making smaller sub-goals we are more likely to see the results we want. A sub-goal to "run a marathon" might be "run a half marathon."

3. Adjust: If you find that a goal you set for yourself feels out of reach, change it up. Extend the end date. Reduce the total miles. Tweak the goal pace. Making accommodations is better than giving up.

In January, I wrote about my goals for the year, and although I think I have been keeping up with them, I haven't assessed my progress since the end of February. Yikes!

No time like the present:

1. Keep Running: Although my miles have decreased as I struggle to get through my calf issue, I have maintained a fair amount of miles for March, April, and May.

2. Run a Race every Month: This goal has been fun to keep. Sometimes I even ran more than one race because so many of them sounded fun.

3. Continue to improve my blog: Running Escapades was nominated for Fitness Magazine's Fiteratti Award, featured on Fitblogger, and nominated for a One Lovely Blog Award.

4. Add another New England state to the list of places I have run: Not until August...

5. Keep meeting new running friends: Met up with some FFAs at the Saucony Find Your Strong Event and another Rhode Scholar Blogging Ambassador in Providence.

How do you make sure you keep your goals?

One Lovely Blog

 
May 29 - I have been enjoying some stress free weeks of running following my last half marathon earlier this month. My calf tightness is on the mend thanks to the ART and Graston techniques applied by my PT. I ran a 12K a couple of weeks ago because it was one of my favorite running routes and had my best race photo ever taken. See for yourself...

I wish they all turned out so nice, but unfortunately they usually look like a monster invaded my body.

Thanks KrissyK for making me look totally amazing in at least one race photo in my lifetime.

More good news - today I found out that I was nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award by Angela from Happy Fit Mama.

Isn't Angela super sweet? 

The One Lovely Blog Award is a "pay it forward" kind of way to recognize your favorite blogs. 

Here are the rules:

1. Post the award logo and and picture on your blog and link back to the person who nominated you.

2. Tell seven things about yourself.

3. Nominate up to 15 additional bloggers who you think deserve the award.

4. Post a comment on the blog of each nominee to tell them him/her they have been nominated.

So, seven things about me that you might find the least bit interesting, hmmm...

1. I named my dog after a baseball player.

2. I'm an organizational freak - think Monica of Friends!

3. I recently jumped on a trampoline for the first time ever.

4. I really love watermelon.

5. My favorite pizza is from LaRosa's in Cincinnati.

6. I've never been on a cruise.

7. I'm running my first "mud run" in July.

And the nominees are...

1. The Wannabe Athlete

2. Living the Dream

3. Running With The Girls

4. Westford Mommy

5. msfitrunner

6. Eating The Week

Have you ever had ART or Graston? What do you think?

It can get painful, but it seems to be working for me.

How do you feel about race photos? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

I love them, but hate that they usually look terrible.