Training Truths: Under-the-Weather

After coming off a runner's high from my latest long run, I spent most of last week feeling under-the-weather. Ironically, it was an awesome weather week here in New Hampshire, but I was dealing with a below-the-neck chest-thingy which meant no running (plus I had ZERO energy to even try).

from Women's Running

Monday - Thursday: All through the January Thaw, the only thing I could muster was some stretching and foam rolling.

Like my shirt? You can find it here

After a brief conversation with my running watch on Friday, I finally put on my running shoes.

Instead of aimlessly running on the treadmill while watching episodes of Friends, I decided to try a new treadmill audio workout via an invitation extended to FitFluential Ambassadors from Motion Traxx. The Treadmill Express workout features special workout music paired with audio coaching that makes you feel like you have a coach right in the room with you.

Workout #1 is a 20 minute workout broken up into 4 stages: a 2 minute warmup, 12 minutes of hills & valleys, 40/20 Tabata inspired sprints, and a 2 minute cool down. It was an intense cardio blast that kicked my butt! Motion Traxx also offers Cycle Express and Elliptical Express workouts.

This week Saturday SurfSet became Saturday Surf and Turf. This split class allowed more people to participate with 25 minutes of #SurfSet and 25 minutes of #BootCamp. The class size increased to two groups of 9 that rotated between the two workouts. They did this because SurfSet has gotten so popular and there was a wait list again. I'd much rather do Surf and Turf than get closed out of a class!

After a very snowy ride home, I jumped on the treadmill to run some #megsmiles to honor Meg Menzies who was tragically killed while out on her morning run last week. I tried another Motion Traxx Treadmill Express workout.

Workout #2 is another 20 minute session divided into 4 stages: 2 minute warmup, 12 minute progression hill work, 6x20/20 sprints, and a 2 minute cool down. This is hands-down HARD work, kids. Get it. If you are looking for a way to challenge yourself on the treadmill, you need it.

My long run on Sunday was a bit of an adventure. It started snowing during the first four miles making the roads too slippery to continue, so I ran the second 4 miles on the treadmill.

How do you decide whether to workout or not when you're not feeling well?

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?

My 2014 Bucket List

Welcome to 2014!

When putting together my goals for the new year, I started by looking at the past. I can't change what did or didn't happen, but I can look forward and focus on new achievements I'd like to make.

So after thinking long and hard, here are my 2014 goals:

Keep running - Am I crazy to go chasing 1000 again?? I'm pretty sure I learned my lesson about listening to my body, so I'm ready to set my sights on that evasive number again.

Run at least 2 new races - This year I'll be joining Team Too Vicious and Delicious for  Reach The Beach MA in May. I have a couple of other new races on my list of possibilities, but nothing definite yet.

Complete a race in a new state - I'd love to find a race to do while in Florida over February vacation, but it's hard when I won't be there on a weekend. My other options include Vermont or Connecticut.

Try at least 2 new fitness activities - Through my membership in Blog & Tweet NH, I found and fell in love with SurfSet and Booty Barre classes. I still want to try Stand Up Paddle Boarding and maybe even Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga.

Get coaching certification - I'm hoping to connect with other New Englanders to earn my coaching certification through an RRCA course in the Spring.

Make healthy food choices - When I gave up wheat, I began to really learn about food, started following WIAW, and discovered quinoa. I love finding new ways to use it, especially in old recipes. Here's an easy recipe where I swapped out macaroni to make cheesy tuna quinoa:

What's on your 2014 bucket list?

A New Name in Sports: REPREVE Recycled

The following post is sponsored by REPREVE

Here in New Hampshire, recycling is a BIG deal. In our household we do it daily and take our trash to the local Transfer Station where we sort our recyclables. You might remember when I told you about my favorite yogurt company helping the planet and today I want to tell you about how your choice of fit gear is too.

REPREVE is a recycled fabric made from recycled PET introduced to the world in 2012 and already using over 629 million plastic bottles recycled by people like you and me. REPREVE fabric is already being used in many brands that you know and love.

• Patagonia
• Swiftwick
• Polartec
• The North Face Denali jacket
• ChicoBag
• and more listed here

So how does it work? REPREVE takes plastic bottles and other recycled materials and turns it into cool stuff that we wear and use every day. 

For example, it takes 6 recycled plastic bottles to make one REPREVE green beanie.

Would you like to wear an eco-friendly beanie made out of recycled fiber? You can win a REPREVE beanie of your own by entering the rafflecopter giveaway below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I want to thank REPREVE for sponsoring this post and inspiring me to #TurnItGreen. Next month I will be telling you about an exciting contest where you can win $5000 by showing how you #TurnItGreen! 

Training Truths: Christmas Break Workouts

In addition to not having to work and being able to sleep in if I want to, Christmas Break means that I can do workouts in the morning again. I love starting off with a good workout and feeling ready to take on the rest of the day.

On Monday I made my way back to Booty Barre after trying this workout at a NH Blog & Tweet event. Becki must have taken it easy on us that day, because after just a 50 minute session this time, I was sore for two days!

Tuesday was the unofficial Christmas Eve Family 5K. My husband and stepdaughter joined me for a morning Santa hat run to the beach and back. Surprisingly we only got honked at once.

mrC was not impressed with the lack of holiday cheer

Before the unwrapping of Christmas presents and chaos began on Wednesday, I did a quick strength workout in the basement.

While in Massachusetts on Thursday my brother-in-law offered to lead us on a morning-after-Christmas run through Forest Park on the Bright Nights 5K course. It was the perfect follow up to a busy holiday visit. Later we spent an extra 1.5 hours in the car trying to get back to NH during a small snow event, so it was good that we ran before leaving.

Friday was a rest day except for another quick strength workout.

I did my long run on the Manchester Rail Trail on Saturday morning so that mrC could run the first 4 miles with me. The first mile of the trail was a frozen icy mess, but then we found that someone had hand-shoveled a 1.5 mile path large enough for running. Rather than struggle on the trail, I opted to run the last three miles on downtown streets.

My Athleta Polartec tights kept my legs nice and warm!

Sunday was another day of strength followed by a football game workout from Amanda at RunToTheFinish. She always has the best workouts!

With only days remaining, the Chilly Challenge has begun to heat up. There are about 12 challengers  (and several very close) in the running to win a pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 17s  Will it be you? Have you posted at least 5 Instagram photos of the daily challenges? Check out some of my favorites from last week.

Did you workout more or less over the holiday?

Review: Mizuno Wave Rider 17

Happy Fitness Friday! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying all of your new fit gear.

Earlier in the month my friends at Mizuno sent me an early Christmas present - a pair of shoes to try out before their release. As soon as I saw the new Mizuno Wave Rider 17s, I knew they were going to be fabulous.

Admittedly, the first thing I was excited to see when I opened the box was the color. I had been eyeing the slate gray shoes since seeing the color options on my laptop.

When I slipped them on, I noticed right away that the shoe felt wider. The toe box especially seemed much more roomy than the Wave Rider 16s. I have worn the 16s for more than 200 miles and never thought of them as narrow, but next to the 17s you can definitely see and feel a difference.

In fact, the new Wave Rider 17's toe box width reminds me a lot of the Wave Sayonara.

Although these shoes are lighter than the 16s (can you believe it?), they are still supportive and very flexible.

I've already put my Wave Rider 17s through the New England initiation and they are awesome on the road...

on the snow...

and on the treadmill.

In addition to function every runner girl knows that running shoes must look good. The Wave Rider 17s have some fashionable features that standout, like colored aglets.

A cool new medallion design.

And look at the rainbow reflection.

Once again Mizuno has completely spoiled me in more ways than one: they treated me to another pair of awesome shoes and every time I lace them up, I'm reminded why I fell in love with their brand.

What new fit gear did you get for Christmas that you are loving right now?

Update:

Road Runner Sports spotted this awesome review and asked me to share their exclusive review video with you! Enjoy!



Women's Mizuno Wave Rider 17 Video Credit: Road Runner Sports

WIAW: Raspberry Protein Bars

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends.

It's also #WIAW, so I wanted to share the newest homemade protein bar recipe I tried over the weekend.

I'm really enjoying making my own bars and knowing what exactly goes into them. The recipe is very similar to my Banana Peanut Butter Bars and Blueberry Protein Bars, but I used Sunbutter for the first time.

This recipe only takes about 15 minutes prep time (I'm usually ready to put them in the oven right as the beeper tells me it has pre-heated) and 15 minutes to bake. So just 30 minutes until delicious-ness!

One of the best parts of baking is the removal from the oven. Everything smells so yummy. I flip the baked mixture onto a cutting board and remove the wax paper right away, but then let it cool for a minute or two before I cut it into squares.

After opening presents this morning, we're heading to Massachusetts to spend the holiday with my husband's family. These homemade bars will be a great little snack on the 2.5 hour drive.

Do you have any favorite snacks for when you're traveling?