First Run 5K 2014

Finally a recap of my first 5K of the year! Happy Friday!

Once again I couldn't resist starting off the year with a race. mrC and I returned to Lowell, MA to run the First Run 5K on New Year's Day in the bitter cold.

I ran the 10K of this event in 2012 and 2013, but this year I decided the 5K was a better fit since it was a Wednesday and I'm still easing back into my weekly mileage. This year's race was bitter-sweet because my Gpa passed away the day before, so I dedicated the 3.1 miles to him.

It was a really, really cold race. My legs felt great in my Athleta polartec tights, but I had my hands and face bundled up until about half way. The course is easy with just a couple of small inclines and loops around a busy neighborhood. It's a popular race and since the course is not closed, there are places where you get stuck behind clumps of runners. I wasn't worried about my time, so this didn't bother me at all.

This was my first race since the BAA Half that I ran injured. It felt really good to be running again and I was happy to cross the finish in 29:36.

I'm really glad that I went ahead and ran this race. Although it felt wrong at first, running did make me feel better. Afterwards, I had planned to look for friends that I knew were running, but I just wasn't feeling very "peppy" so we headed home.

This was my first race for the #14in2014 challenge that I signed up for with Jill and Jen. You know me, I love challenges!


Did you run on New Year's Day? How was it?

TrainingTruths: Let the January Thaw Begin!

It's never easy to go back to work, is it? I don't know if it was the 1900 mile round trip drive to Cincinnati or the two full weeks of holiday break, but going back to work last week seemed harder than usual. I was also less enthused about doing my workouts because it was freezing, but I managed to do it. The January Thaw that commenced on Sunday morning certainly helped!

Monday - I can do rain and I can do cold, but I can't do cold and rainy so I hit the treadmill for a 3.1 mile run.

Wednesday - I had a meeting after school and after driving home, I just couldn't muster the energy to bundle up for a 15 degree outdoor run. Instead I opted for another 3.1 mile treadmill run. One positive outcome of running inside is that I spend more time stretching.

Saturday - I waited until Friday night to try to reserve a board for SurfSet class (bad idea), got closed out, and tweeted my disappointment. Good thing I did because in the morning two people cancelled and Christine tweeted to let me know that boards were available. I braved the slippery road conditions to get there and it was worth it!

Post by TI Fitness Training.

Sunday - It was long run day and the temperature was a perfect 40 degrees. Only a little black ice (the driveway was the worst) remained from the day before and the sunshine was so refreshing! Not only had I been missing the pavement, but also the Vitamin D. Even though mrC was out of town and my stepdaughter went back to her campus duties, this solo long run was a success.

Did you enjoy the January thaw?

How Runners Can #TurnItGreen and Win $5000!

The following post is sponsored by REPREVE

More and more I'm hearing talk about how we can help the planet through recycling.

In my house we recycle all the time. I live in a town where recycling is heavily encouraged and residents take their trash to a transfer station for sorting. At the school where I work, students and faculty are also encouraged to recycle.

Runners can follow some simple tips to go green too!

#TurnItGreen X Games contest: UPDATED!! Dates: Jan. 17 - Feb. 2.

Grand Prize: $5,000 cash

To celebrate the X Games, REPREVE invites you to share how you "turn it green", or how you live a more sustainable life by recycling or reusing materials, by sharing an image or video on Twitter, Instagram or Vine with the #TurnItGreen hashtag to be eligible.

Once you share the image or video with the hashtag, you will be entered into a sweepstakes where five entries will be randomly selected as the Top Five. Those five will be voted on by visitors to Repreve[dot]com where the image or video with the most votes will win a $5,000 cash prize. The other four video entries will receive a REPREVE Jacket and a Go-Pro camera (retail valued at over $350). More info available here.

**If you submitted an entry before Jan. 17, REPREVE is asking you to resubmit your entry**

How will you #TurnItGreen?

Now let me say congratulations to the REPREVE green beanie giveaway winner: 

Louise Bourque Cunningham 

Please email me your mailing address and I will get your beanie to you right away!

Training Truths: Saying Goodbye

Last week was about saying goodbye.

We closed another year while ringing in the new one.

We bid adieu to our old goals as we made plans for 2014.

Sadly, I also said farewell to my beloved ninety year old grandfather.

Monday - back to Booty Barre. I don't know how she does it, but Becki makes 2 pound hand weights feel like a ton. On top of that, my arms. abs, and legs become a shaky hot mess! It's awesome and I can't wait to go back on my next break.

Tuesday - mrC joined me for a cold, but sunny run to the beach and back for a nice little New Year's Eve 5K. I was feeling festive in my new eggplant Nike running top and sparkly winter hat.

Wednesday - After finding out late Tuesday that my Gpa had passed, mrC and I decided to still do the First Run 5K on New Year's Day. Honestly it felt wrong to be hanging out at a race, but it did feel good to run.

Thursday - We drove to Cincinnati for the funeral. No running this weekend, but I did take a walk at every stop and stretched my legs whenever and however I could.

In the car using the dash as a prop:

In the hotel room using my yoga for runners app:

After the 1900 mile round trip, I am looking forward to a good run. I know that it will feel good on my legs and on my grief.


**I have also extended my REPREVE beanie giveaway for another week as I get caught up. You can still enter here.**

Fitness Friday: Five Favorites of 2013

Even though 2013 didn't play out exactly as I had hoped it would in the running department, I still had a great year and found tons to love about it. Today though, I just want to share my top five favorite things from 2013.

Wave Rider 17s - I probably say this about every new pair of Mizunos that I get (hey, I can't help it if the shoes are THAT good), but this pair seems to be a combination of everything I loved about the 16s and the Sayonaras rolled into one shoe. Lightweight, fast, and super comfortable. You can check out my full review here.

Oofos Recovery Shoes - I first told you about these shoes back in September, but what I haven't told you is that they have barely come off my feet since then. These shoes are so comfortable to walk around in especially after a run. Even in the bitter cold of New Hampshire's winter, I am sporting these around the house.

Ninja Professional Blender - In 2013 I discovered smoothies and then promptly blew up the blender. I have been so happy with my new Ninja. It has an oversized pitcher or the option to blend into an individual cup that can be taken on the go. It's powerful, quick, and not nearly as loud as my last one!

Challenges - I participated in a ton of challenges throughout the year and loved everything about them. I was so motivated by them that I decided to host my own for the 2nd Annual Chilly Challenge. As a matter of fact, today is the day to announce the winner! Congratulations to @nicowhat! Please email me your mailing address and shoe size so I can make arrangements for you to get your new Wave Rider 17s!

(shoe color may be different than pictured)

Giveaways - Who doesn't love free stuff? Last year I was fortunate enough to host giveaways for an assortment of fit gear from headbands to calendars. Some of you found yourselves trying new protein or using a free race registration. 2014 is off to a promising start too. Check out how you can get your hands on a free eco-friendly beanie.

What was your favorite thing about 2013?