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?

WIAW: All Pro Science Inspired + (giveaway)

As a blogger, I occasionally get asked to review product. I don't accept every offer, just the ones that I have a genuine interest in trying. A couple of weeks ago All Pro Science sent me some 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein to try.  

The first thing that appealed to me about APS was the "free" list: gluten-free, high-fructose corn syrup free, soy free, dairy-free. I was impressed with the all-natural approach. Secondly, APS offers more flavors than I've seen in other protein powders. Complete 100% Grass Fed Whey is offered in six flavors: French Vanilla, Bavarian Chocolate, Strawberry Creme, Banana Creme, Cinnamon Roll, and Mocha Latte. APS sent me Banana Creme.

Now, you might be shocked to learn that I am not a banana fan. I can eat a banana after a race if there aren't other options, but at home I usually leave them in the fruit bowl for mr.C and the kids. Having said that, I wasn't about to let that stop me from trying the protein my friends at APS were nice enough to send me.

First I used it in my morning smoothie. Honestly, I could not taste the banana flavor at all. My wild berry smoothie tasted the same as always.

After that I had to search for recipes because banana is not a flavor I use in the kitchen at all often. The first recipe I found was for homemade protein bars. I modified the original recipe to make it gluten-free.

They were really good! I had them with my lunch and took them to a soccer game for my snack. I even grabbed one for a quick bite before a run. It was perfect.

Feeling a little more confident, I tried another recipe that I found here for some protein bites. The only thing I changed was the protein flavor.

The banana flavor was a little too noticeable for me in this recipe, but they made an excellent post-workout and after dinner snack.

APS also sent me some Natural Blue Berry Ice PreCharge single packets to try. These are suggested for pre-workout use, but I wanted to try it in a smoothie, so I added it to my morning wild berry mix. I absolutely loved this flavor!

I'm not an expert on protein, and honestly, I couldn't tell a difference between this brand and others that I have used, but knowing that APS focuses on offering all-natural products and has gluten-free ingredients makes this a winner for me.

Do you use protein powder? Or would you like to try it? All Pro Science is generously giving one lucky reader 1 tub of protein (your choice) + a $25 gift certificate.

To enter: 
- Leave a comment telling me which fitness activity you like most.
- For extra entries share/tweet/blog/Instagram/Pinterest this giveaway. Be sure to leave a link to what you did in the comments so I'll know! The more you share, the more chances to win!
- Earn more entries for following APS on Twitter and liking their Facebook page. Leave a comment for each letting me know that you did.

Giveaway details:
- Winners must be US residents
- Ends Sunday November 3 at 10 PM EST. Comments after that time will not be included in the drawing.
- One name will be selected randomly from the valid entries. 

Can't wait? Use this exclusive promo code RUN40 for 40% off your order of All Pro Science products.

Updated: Congratulations to NEW giveaway winner Electra!

Please email me with your protein flavor choice and mailing address.

Disclaimer: I received this product for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Training Truths: I'm a Creature of Habit

Last week began with me continuing to give myself a break from worrying about running. I want my angry muscles to get happy again and trying to run before they are healed was not doing me any good. Although my adductor pain from the summer is gone, running the half marathon with under-trained legs left some angry knots in my already weak left quad.

So with the focus not on running, I continued my #squatstreak with 50 squats every morning. I also drink a bottle of water (straight) either right before or after my squats. Then I foam roll. Call me a creature of habit. It works for me.

I continued to do my daily challenge workouts. I'm still loving the variety of these workouts and learning new exercises that push me to use my muscles in ways that I haven't before.

By the end of the week, I decided that I could go for an easy run. So on Saturday morning I laced up my Mizuno Wave Creation 14s and put on some of my cold weather gear. With the temperature hovering at 34 degrees it was a perfect morning to try my new Athleta relay capris!

Breaking the bad habit of little-to-no warming up, I headed down the driveway doing the Frankenstein walk and some lunges. My plan was to run a 2 mile out & back and if I felt any pain/discomfort I would turn around right away.

Admittedly, I was nervous. I really wanted this run to go well. I found myself chatting it up with the paparazzi my husband fearing that the first step would send signals of pain. Finally, I pressed the start button on my watch and took off. Two happy miles later, I returned.

Was it perfect? No, but it wasn't painful.

In the spirit of Halloween, and this is all the spirit I can muster, I put together a fun little themed workout. I tried it out on Sunday. It might be a little tougher than on paper. Let me know what you think!

Are you a creature of habit?

Fitness Friday: Run For Your Lives

Happy Friday everyone!

It's hard to believe that the end of October is right around the corner. The end of the month means trick-or-treating, Halloween partying and for most of us calorie consuming!

If you are looking for some great ways to burn the candy calories, Tribesports is sharing 4 ZOMBIE SURVIVAL Workouts put together by Al Kavadlo, kettle bell bombshell and hybrid athlete.

Here's a sample of one of the workouts:

Here are the links to all of the workouts so you can find the right one or try them all!

http://tribesports.com/workouts/zombie-survival-fitness-circuits

http://tribesports.com/workouts/zombie-survival-wrecking-bell-workout

http://tribesports.com/workouts/zombie-survival-evasion-and-escape

http://tribesports.com/workouts/zombie-survival-under-siege-workout

Would you rather run from zombies through a 5K obstacle course to burn off those calories? Then Run For Your Lives is perfect for you. Use discount TRIBE to get 20% off race registration.

Tribesports is also hosting a competition and will reward you with prizes for all your hard work during training. Prizes include 10 pairs of tickets for Run For Your Lives race entry, a Bodymax Kettlebone Kettlebell, and 5 Join The Tribe T shirts. To participate, all you have to do is share how your training to survive! More details here.

Tell me, how will you combine fitness and Halloween this year?