Moving to Knoxville

6am came quick on Sunday! I made a Starbucks run for us in my new Volunteer Traditions hat (Tennessee, best state flag ever).

We used Little Guys Movers and they were amazing!! So quick and super friendly! 2 1/2 hours later, we’re home! We were busy unpacking all day/night. You don’t realize how much crap you have until you move! 

First sunset. If you look closely, you can see the Smoky Mountains. Pictures don’t do the view justice!Dinner was at Brixx since we didn’t really have groceries. I asked Austin if we shared a pizza, then could we get a smores dessert pizza..he said yes?! 

I have no regrets. After moving and unpacking all day, this was so delicious!  Monday was spent exploring our area and remembering Memorial Day. A lot of men in our family have served in the military, and I only have respect for those who have and are serving! Thank you soldiers! 

Today was solo, Austin had to leave for a trip 😦

I enjoyed sitting on our porch with a cup of coffee and my to do list.  

There is a park about 10 minutes from us , Rudy was especially excited! 

The greenway extends 5 miles but there are several miles of trails also! I’m excited to explore them very soon!        I decided to hit the treadmill instead. Our fitness area is so awesome compared to our last! I’ve never used the row machine before. I set it for 2000m..yeah, crazy idea after a 7 mile run!     I always rehydrate with Nuun!! Yssterday I bought popsicle molds. For super easy healthy popsicles, freeze a bottle of Suja! Yumminess and watching my favorite movie since don’t have tv yet.   Tomorrow I’ll venture out on my own to run errands. I spotted a Juice Bar yesterday when we were driving around. I might have to make a pit stop 😉 

Throwback: Marathon 1 vs. Marathon 2

It’s been almost a week since Country Music. My legs feel a little heavy but other than that, I’m recovering better this time around! 

My first marathon was 6 months ago. Here are a few pictures from that awful day! Or at least I thought it was awful. I promised myself I would not run another marathon! 

             

Looking back, I appreciate the experience. I learned a lot within the last 6 months! 

What I did differently:

• Training group: The first round of training I ran alone. Running with a training group was the best thing I could have done! You have accountability and people who know what you need to do to fulfill your goals. 
• Weekday runs & switching it up: I only ran maybe twice a week during the first training. Each of those days were 3 or 4 miles max. No type of plan, just getting out there and running what I felt. I got discouraged fast when I began training. So, I told myself well as long as you get the long runs in on the weekend you should be fine?! WRONG! It is crucial that you also run during the week and alternate your runs (speed, tempo, progression, etc.) 
• Cross training: I did lift some weights from time to time during the first training. I tried to incorporate more cross training in general into this round. Switching it up can help break up the running. I also did more ab focused workouts. A strong core is essential for every runner! 
• Fuel: During my first training, I rarely took any fuel with me..maybe a granola bar. I didn’t know enough about GU’s or chews. When race day came, that’s what I had 1 granola bar?! During this race I took 4 GU’s. One mistake that I did make though, I took too many GU’s in a short amount of time and it did not sit well. Next race, I’m going to space it out better and have a small snack with me. 
• Accessories: I ran with a water belt the first time around. Never doing that again! It adds a lot of weight around your waist. I’ve been using a hand held bottle and things went much smoother. 
• Food: You can’t eat everything in sight! When your training, you get rungry. I didn’t eat whatever I wanted but, I did over eat to compensate for the calories burned. This time around I’ve been smart about giving my body what it needs with a few treats thrown in. I’ve found a balance and ended up losing almost 10 pounds this training cycle. 

If you did not see on my Instagram account, I’ve been accepted into the Chicago marathon through the lottery!! My goal this race is to run stronger and focus on changing the things I did wrong last race. Maybe a sub 4 race time?! Even if it’s 3:59:58, I’ll be ecstatic!

Training will start June 22nd!! 🙂

 

It’s the end of the month..

 
Good luck to everyone racing this weekend! 

  

The Day Before

We started the morning slow. I got to sleep in until 7am, haha yeah that’s sleeping in for me!

Got ready for our breakfast date at The Perch. I can’t remember the last time we went somewhere for a breakfast date?! 

I got an egg white omelette with veggies. Austin got some type of crepe (I wasn’t paying attention when he ordered) and we shared a banana Nutella crepe 🙂 

Checked my e-mail on the way to the race expo and had this in my inbox!   And a weather update on the Facebook page, yay!  Once we got into the expo, my heart was racing (pun intended lol). I was overwhelmed with joy and nerves! 

  
Countdown!!!

  

I left a short but sweet note for the kids of St. Jude 🙂 there wasn’t a whole lot of room left on the wall! I loved reading the positive messages for the kids!!A lady handed this doll to one of the St. Jude reps and said, “I made this for the kids.” I about cried! 

Signing up as a St. Jude hero has been SO rewarding! If you have the opportunity, do it! I’m supporting the kids by fundraising but they are supporting me as well. I’ve received constant thank you e-mails and hand written cards encouraging me throughout my training.

You can’t go to an expo and not buy some merchandise.

Brooks tee with all things Nashville, LOVE!  Since it will be raining, I purchased a race day hat..LOVE this too 🙂   Bright and fun Sparkly Soul headbands. I got the hot pink and green headbands!    Tomorrow will be a challenge. I’ve trained my body and my mind the last 16 weeks for this race! 

Thank you to everyone who have followed me during the training of my second marathon! 

My race day attire is ready and so am I! (Not pictured my throwaway long sleeve and a rain jacket) 

  

Marathon Training: Last Day of January

Ending January with a Fleet Feet Nashville 15 mile group training run!

So, funny story..

I prepped my overnight oats last night, right? (hence the name). Well after the run I was really hungry and couldn’t wait to eat breakfast! I pull out the container and it’s the leftover salad I packed for lunch yesterday. I guess I was so tired this morning that I didn’t even realize what I grabbed 😦

Luckily I had a bottle of Nuun ready post run. My body was needing the electrolyte boost and hydration. Awesome part is that there are water stops on our run and Nuun is available at some of the stops!

I was definitely happy to get home and eat!!

Rudy is always creeping when someone has food. Just like his mom, he loves to eat.

January was more of a recovery month for me. Lots of elliptical and bike miles were logged but, I did get those crucial long runs in!

February is a new month, think of it as a fresh start. Make lifestyle changes, not temporary changes.

Be Smart: Rest Your Body

Not the way I expected to end 2014..

The past 2 weeks or so, I’ve had pains developing in my lower left shin area. It started out as an annoyance but, the pain has become unbearable (whether I’m walking or sitting). Before Thanksgiving I committed myself to the Runner’s World Running Streak

Bascially, you run 1 mile everyday from Thanksgiving to New Years. This sounded easy! It’s only a mile. It does not have to be fast, as long as it’s 1 mile.

I think the problem started when I took on this “streaking'” challenge on top of participating in NHerShoes Holiday Shred

[Bobbi knows what she is doing. When you have the opportunity to participate in a Shred, sign up asap!! I should have only committed to this workout (insert slap to forehead)]

With both workout plans, I did not have a day to really rest my body. I stressed and obsessed about getting the workouts in that I needed to everyday. I decided the other night that I need to be smart and quit the 1 mile challenge. Mentally, it was hard. I keep telling myself I’m not really quitting or giving up, I’m being smart. The Holiday Shred ends on the 27th but, I’ve made the decision of ending the workout plan as well. I need to focus on resting.

I’m running the Country Music Marathon Nashville as a St. Jude Hero in April. I would be disappointed in myself if I could not run the marathon because I was too stubborn to rest.

I’ve done lots of research on this injury. Here’s some helpful things I’ve found out that may help some of you!

• What causes shin splints: Overuse of legs, stress, changing shoes, over training
• TIps to heal shin splints: Rest, ice area for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until pain is gone, strech, wrap with brace/compression, anti-inflammatory medicines
• How to prevent shin splints: Warm up before workout, stretch, stop working out when pain arises, do exercises to strengthen stabalizing muscles (hips and ankles)

As a runner I know that food is the best medicine. There are foods to eat that help with inflammation.

• Good plants to eat: Peppers (hot or mild), berries, tomatoes, beets, garlic/onions, tart cherries, dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, broccoli), ginger
• More good stuff: Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines), whole grains, nuts, soy, low fat dairy, olive oil, coffee

Let’s be realistic though…it’s the holidays. My eating is NOT going to be perfect. I will enjoy myself but, I need to remember to incorporate these good foods into my diet and not only eat holiday treats.

The next week, I’ll focus on resting and getting in some low impact workouts. Here’s too hopefully a stronger/smarter year of running in 2015!