I'm ALWAYS competing against myself! #GoalDigger
Monday, April 30, 2018
Workout Recap: 4/23-4/29
Monday, April 23- 3 mile fun run with the Run856 group
Tuesday, April 24- REST DAY #TacoTuesday
Wednesday, April 25- 2 miles with my sister and nephew + 1.75 miles with my brother
Thursday, April 26- REST DAY
Friday, April 27- 2.5 mile run
Saturday, April 28- 45 minutes strength training
Sunday, April 29- 10 mile run
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| Chatting while running calls for a slower pace :) |
Tuesday, April 24- REST DAY #TacoTuesday
Wednesday, April 25- 2 miles with my sister and nephew + 1.75 miles with my brother
Thursday, April 26- REST DAY
Friday, April 27- 2.5 mile run
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| I really did NOT want to run... |
Saturday, April 28- 45 minutes strength training
Sunday, April 29- 10 mile run
Total Weekly Mileage: 19.25 miles
It was a higher mileage week for me, which makes me happy! I definitely need to amp up the strength training, though. My brother and I went to the gym Saturday for the first time in about 2 weeks and WOW I felt out of shape...
Friday, April 27, 2018
Friday Five: 5 Things I'm Loving This Week
Happy Friday, everyone!! For once, this week did NOT feel like it was dragging out. Maybe it was the nice weather? Or maybe it was the fact that I'm done working this job on Monday and I love it so it's just flying by? Either way, I'm okay with it! I'm hoping to have a fun and relaxing weekend so I hope you all are as well!
1. Running in Shorts
I don't know why, but it feels so freeing to run in shorts and a tank top. It's wonderful not being weighed down with heavy clothing and multiple layers. I'm not 100% sure if this warm weather is here to stay but I've already packed away my winter running clothes because I am over them. I will be pro-shorts (or capris) for the next couple months because I missed them!
2. iBotta
I'm fairly new to this app so I don't have too much to say besides it's AWESOME! All you do is make an account (feel free to use my referral code: IUFLOHR ), claim some offers to get cash back on purchases at select stores (you must add each offer you plan to use), and shop! After you shop, redeem your receipt by scanning it in the app and BAM you get some cash back for the offers claimed and bought! You may have to scan the physical item as well so make sure you have it handy when redeeming. Like I said, I'm new to the app so I don't know everything just yet but I'll try to write about it sometime in the future when I become more comfortable with it.
3. Lenny & Larry's Complete Cookies
I know I'm late to the game on these but I finally had the opportunity to try these amazing protein-filled goodies! Lenny & Larry's cookies have always been on my radar but I've been hesitant to try them due to their high prices. While in Walmart last week, I stumbled across boxes of them on the clearance shelf! They only had the oatmeal raisin kind but luckily that probably would've been my first choice anyway. For only $3 a box, I couldn't pass up this deal and opportunity to finally try these cookies! So far I absolutely love them! They're fairly large so I break them up and eat one over the span of a day or two. The other day I ate half of one for breakfast and that kept me full for awhile. I had another quarter of it before my run, which was perfect and didn't bother my tummy, and then ate the rest of it after. The taste and texture is as close to a oatmeal raisin cookie as I thought possible but without the guilt! For those who haven't tried a Lenny & Larry's complete cookie yet, you should.
4. Turkey Bowls
Yes, I am aware it is April but that doesn't mean I can't love turkey bowls! My mom made a delicious turkey dinner on Sunday that felt just like Thanksgiving. One of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving dinner is the leftovers so that's exactly what I've been eating all week!
5. Hot Tea
Okay, this is another weird favorite this week but oh well. If you read my last post then you know I haven't been drinking coffee all week. A few times this week I have been drinking hot tea which has always been a favorite drink of mine, but this week I'm re-appreciating (is that even a word?!) again. I broke out my tea box this week and am amazed at all the flavored tea bags I've been holding onto! Nothing beats a nice cup of hot tea after a long day or my favorite, a long run :)
Question of the Day: What are you loving this week? Do you have any fun weekend plans?
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| Shorts + Tank Tops = BEST RUNNING OUTFIT! |
I don't know why, but it feels so freeing to run in shorts and a tank top. It's wonderful not being weighed down with heavy clothing and multiple layers. I'm not 100% sure if this warm weather is here to stay but I've already packed away my winter running clothes because I am over them. I will be pro-shorts (or capris) for the next couple months because I missed them!
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| Here's my referral code if you'd like to use it when you sign up! You'll get $10 that can be redeemed once you redeem $10 worth of offers. I have only been using iBotta for a little over a week and I've already received my $10 bonus. |
I'm fairly new to this app so I don't have too much to say besides it's AWESOME! All you do is make an account (feel free to use my referral code: IUFLOHR ), claim some offers to get cash back on purchases at select stores (you must add each offer you plan to use), and shop! After you shop, redeem your receipt by scanning it in the app and BAM you get some cash back for the offers claimed and bought! You may have to scan the physical item as well so make sure you have it handy when redeeming. Like I said, I'm new to the app so I don't know everything just yet but I'll try to write about it sometime in the future when I become more comfortable with it.
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| Little peek into my Insta stories! |
I know I'm late to the game on these but I finally had the opportunity to try these amazing protein-filled goodies! Lenny & Larry's cookies have always been on my radar but I've been hesitant to try them due to their high prices. While in Walmart last week, I stumbled across boxes of them on the clearance shelf! They only had the oatmeal raisin kind but luckily that probably would've been my first choice anyway. For only $3 a box, I couldn't pass up this deal and opportunity to finally try these cookies! So far I absolutely love them! They're fairly large so I break them up and eat one over the span of a day or two. The other day I ate half of one for breakfast and that kept me full for awhile. I had another quarter of it before my run, which was perfect and didn't bother my tummy, and then ate the rest of it after. The taste and texture is as close to a oatmeal raisin cookie as I thought possible but without the guilt! For those who haven't tried a Lenny & Larry's complete cookie yet, you should.
4. Turkey Bowls
Yes, I am aware it is April but that doesn't mean I can't love turkey bowls! My mom made a delicious turkey dinner on Sunday that felt just like Thanksgiving. One of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving dinner is the leftovers so that's exactly what I've been eating all week!
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| Two of my favorite gifts from two of my closest friends! |
Okay, this is another weird favorite this week but oh well. If you read my last post then you know I haven't been drinking coffee all week. A few times this week I have been drinking hot tea which has always been a favorite drink of mine, but this week I'm re-appreciating (is that even a word?!) again. I broke out my tea box this week and am amazed at all the flavored tea bags I've been holding onto! Nothing beats a nice cup of hot tea after a long day or my favorite, a long run :)
Question of the Day: What are you loving this week? Do you have any fun weekend plans?
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Coffee Addictions and Job Hunting
Happy Hump Day! I realize I don't do many posts besides my planned weekly posts so my new goal is to try and post a random post at least once a week that gives you more of an insight into my life :)
11 years. That's how long I have been drinking coffee at least once a day. It started as just an occasional Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee and then turned into having my morning coffee each and every day before (or on the way to) school. As I got older, my morning cup turned into multiple cups a day in order to keep up with college life. Since graduating, I have been able to go back to just one cup in the morning. Well, that was up until this past weekend.
Last week I just wasn't feeling my morning coffee. Typically I would make the cup as soon as I woke up (thank you, Keurig) and drink it as I got ready. For a few days last week I just did not want to finish the cup I made. I'm not exactly sure why but part of me thinks that the k-cups we bought recently have a strange taste to me. I'm totally the type of person to think something tastes strange and then never want it again because all I remember is the strange taste. By Friday I was over drinking my coffee so I decided to try something out.
On Saturday morning (April I skipped my morning cup of coffee. I was honestly excited to see how my body reacted. In the past, not drinking coffee has caused me to feel sick and get a major headache. This has led me to believe I do in fact have a caffeine addiction. So while I was excited to see how my body reacted, I was also nervous that I'd feel sick all day. But to my surprise, I felt fine! I even went on a run later in the day and felt great the whole time despite the heat and my lack of caffeine.
It is now Wednesday and I have not had a cup of coffee since Friday. So far no headaches or nausea. I actually have been feeling great! I have had hot tea a few times this past week but that hasn't been until later in the day. I'm not sure how long I'll go without coffee but I will be keeping you all updated!
After graduating last May, my dream was to find a full time teaching job. Unfortunately the cards were not in my favor and instead I ended up with two wonderful long-term substitute positions for this school year. I have loved both positions and through them have figured out what I like to teach the most. Sadly, my most recent long-term position is ending on Monday and I am thrown back into the search for a full time position. I have been searching district pages for job postings the past few days and honestly, I am not excited to begin the job application and interview process again. So for the next few weeks you will find me subbing in random classrooms everyday and filling out a job application for any teaching position I am certified for!
I hope everyone is having a great week so far and the next few days fly by because I am ready for the weekend!
Question of the Day: Are you a coffee drinker? If so, do you feel as if you are addicted to it?
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| Literally. I always drink a cup of coffee before a run. |
11 years. That's how long I have been drinking coffee at least once a day. It started as just an occasional Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee and then turned into having my morning coffee each and every day before (or on the way to) school. As I got older, my morning cup turned into multiple cups a day in order to keep up with college life. Since graduating, I have been able to go back to just one cup in the morning. Well, that was up until this past weekend.
Last week I just wasn't feeling my morning coffee. Typically I would make the cup as soon as I woke up (thank you, Keurig) and drink it as I got ready. For a few days last week I just did not want to finish the cup I made. I'm not exactly sure why but part of me thinks that the k-cups we bought recently have a strange taste to me. I'm totally the type of person to think something tastes strange and then never want it again because all I remember is the strange taste. By Friday I was over drinking my coffee so I decided to try something out.
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| Dunkin' lovin'. |
On Saturday morning (April I skipped my morning cup of coffee. I was honestly excited to see how my body reacted. In the past, not drinking coffee has caused me to feel sick and get a major headache. This has led me to believe I do in fact have a caffeine addiction. So while I was excited to see how my body reacted, I was also nervous that I'd feel sick all day. But to my surprise, I felt fine! I even went on a run later in the day and felt great the whole time despite the heat and my lack of caffeine.
It is now Wednesday and I have not had a cup of coffee since Friday. So far no headaches or nausea. I actually have been feeling great! I have had hot tea a few times this past week but that hasn't been until later in the day. I'm not sure how long I'll go without coffee but I will be keeping you all updated!
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| I just love seeing my name on everything! |
After graduating last May, my dream was to find a full time teaching job. Unfortunately the cards were not in my favor and instead I ended up with two wonderful long-term substitute positions for this school year. I have loved both positions and through them have figured out what I like to teach the most. Sadly, my most recent long-term position is ending on Monday and I am thrown back into the search for a full time position. I have been searching district pages for job postings the past few days and honestly, I am not excited to begin the job application and interview process again. So for the next few weeks you will find me subbing in random classrooms everyday and filling out a job application for any teaching position I am certified for!
I hope everyone is having a great week so far and the next few days fly by because I am ready for the weekend!
Question of the Day: Are you a coffee drinker? If so, do you feel as if you are addicted to it?
Monday, April 23, 2018
Weekly Workout Recap: 4/16-4/22
Monday, April 16- 2.62 miles with my brother in honor of the Boston Marathon
Tuesday, April 17- REST DAY
Wednesday, April 18- 1 mile run
Thursday, April 19- 3.1 mile run (5k PR! 27:12)
Friday, April 20- REST DAY
Saturday, April 21- 2 solo miles and then 3 miles with my brother, sister, and nephew
Sunday, April 22- 2 miles with my brother
Total Weekly Mileage: 13.72 miles
It was a lighter week for me and I didn't get in my long run, but I did enjoy the beautiful weather!
Tuesday, April 17- REST DAY
Wednesday, April 18- 1 mile run
Thursday, April 19- 3.1 mile run (5k PR! 27:12)
Friday, April 20- REST DAY
Saturday, April 21- 2 solo miles and then 3 miles with my brother, sister, and nephew
Sunday, April 22- 2 miles with my brother
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| I run faster when I hear the ice cream truck! |
Total Weekly Mileage: 13.72 miles
It was a lighter week for me and I didn't get in my long run, but I did enjoy the beautiful weather!
Motivation Monday
This is what I told myself throughout my last round of marathon training. It motivated me to keep working so I could continue getting stronger!
Question of the Day: What are you looking forward to this week?
Friday, April 20, 2018
Friday Five: 5 Things I'm Loving This Week
HAPPY HAPPY FRIDAY! I am seriously so happy that the weekend is finally here. I know I said it last week as well, but this week felt like it was never going to end. I think not having anything exciting going on is partially to blame for this super-long-never-ending week. However, the weekend is finally here so go enjoy it!
1. The Boston Marathon
Seriously, ANYTHING about the Boston Marathon is what I'm loving this week. The fact that people ran 26.2 miles in terrible conditions to the female winner being the first American since 1985. I'm just amazed.
2. Dunkin Donuts On-The-Go Ordering
This isn't anything new but I have been SUPER thankful for it these past couple months. While I'm getting ready, I'll quickly send in my Dunkin order. When I get to Dunkin, I just have to swing through the drive-thru real quick or run in and grab my coffee that is waiting there just for me! Easy-peasy lemon-squeasy. It also keeps me from needing to socially interact with others before having some caffeine in my system or waiting in a long line.
3. The Share the Spark Campaign
The #sharetheSPARK campaign is all about giving others a little extra support or encouragement. Until the end of April, you can get discounted prices on the #sharetheSPARK Motivate Wrap collection in order to help people give others the gift of motivation and support! I just LOVE this idea and am highly considering participating in the campaign. Now just to decide which of the four mantras to choose from...
4. Running Blogs
This has been something I have been loving for awhile but I feel as if recently I have found even more great running blogs to read! I love that each blog I come across has it's own personality and approach to the topic of running. If anyone has any suggestions of blogs for me to check out, please let me know! And if you're interesting in some of my favorites, feel free to ask! Maybe eventually I'll put together a list of my favorites on here (future Friday Five?!).
5. Naps
Apparently this week I have reverted back to my college days where I can't make it through a whole day without some sort of nap. I'm not sure what's been up with me this week, but I have required a nap almost everyday after work in order to be able to function. At first, I was frustrated with myself for being so sleepy and not getting a lot done after work. Now I have just begun embracing that #naplife and taking advantage of the free time I have had this week to do so.
Question(s) of the Day: What are you loving this week? Do you have any running blogs to suggest?
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1. The Boston Marathon
Seriously, ANYTHING about the Boston Marathon is what I'm loving this week. The fact that people ran 26.2 miles in terrible conditions to the female winner being the first American since 1985. I'm just amazed.
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| Source |
2. Dunkin Donuts On-The-Go Ordering
This isn't anything new but I have been SUPER thankful for it these past couple months. While I'm getting ready, I'll quickly send in my Dunkin order. When I get to Dunkin, I just have to swing through the drive-thru real quick or run in and grab my coffee that is waiting there just for me! Easy-peasy lemon-squeasy. It also keeps me from needing to socially interact with others before having some caffeine in my system or waiting in a long line.
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| Source |
3. The Share the Spark Campaign
The #sharetheSPARK campaign is all about giving others a little extra support or encouragement. Until the end of April, you can get discounted prices on the #sharetheSPARK Motivate Wrap collection in order to help people give others the gift of motivation and support! I just LOVE this idea and am highly considering participating in the campaign. Now just to decide which of the four mantras to choose from...
4. Running Blogs
This has been something I have been loving for awhile but I feel as if recently I have found even more great running blogs to read! I love that each blog I come across has it's own personality and approach to the topic of running. If anyone has any suggestions of blogs for me to check out, please let me know! And if you're interesting in some of my favorites, feel free to ask! Maybe eventually I'll put together a list of my favorites on here (future Friday Five?!).
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| Source |
5. Naps
Apparently this week I have reverted back to my college days where I can't make it through a whole day without some sort of nap. I'm not sure what's been up with me this week, but I have required a nap almost everyday after work in order to be able to function. At first, I was frustrated with myself for being so sleepy and not getting a lot done after work. Now I have just begun embracing that #naplife and taking advantage of the free time I have had this week to do so.
Question(s) of the Day: What are you loving this week? Do you have any running blogs to suggest?
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Running Survey
Want to learn a little bit more about me as a runner? Well, you're in luck! I found this running survey awhile back and I finally decided to fill it out and post it! Unfortunately, I do not remember the original source so I can't properly recognize them. If anyone knows the original source, please let me know! Also, let me know if you have any more questions for me!
What is your favorite type of cross training?
Strength training or using the bike at the gym.
What is your favorite song to run to?
I don't always listen to music when I run but when I do, I prefer anything from my middle school/high school time period (2006-2011ish).
What brand of shoes do you wear?
Brooks. I have tried other brands and I just always come back to Brooks.
Do you wear a hat when you run?
I have been trying to lately to avoid getting headaches while running due to the sun beating on my head.
I definitely prefer cooler temps so probably anything between 30 and 60 degrees.
Do you run solo or with a buddy?
Usually alone but lately I have been running with my brother and sister a lot.
Are you a morning, noon, or evening runner?
Morning, if possible! I'm forced to run in the evening during the work week.
Do you have any big races coming up?
Nothing is on my schedule until the Philadelphia Marathon in November.
What is your favorite post run snack?
I don't have any specific "favorites" because I usually just eat anything I can find that I feel will fill me without hurting my stomach post run.
Do you wear your engagement/wedding ring when you run?
Not usually. I wear Enso bands instead.
What is your favorite distance?
The half marathon and marathon. I love longer distances! For just training, I love anything more than 5 miles. It takes me awhile to warm up so shorter distances aren't as enjoyable for me.
What is your favorite race?
5k- Four Seasons Parkway 5k (This was my first ever 5k and it was AMAZING! Great course and phenomenal post-race food!)
What is your favorite type of cross training?
Strength training or using the bike at the gym.
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| I switch between free weights & the weight machines. |
What is your favorite song to run to?
I don't always listen to music when I run but when I do, I prefer anything from my middle school/high school time period (2006-2011ish).
What brand of shoes do you wear?
Brooks. I have tried other brands and I just always come back to Brooks.
Do you wear a hat when you run?
I have been trying to lately to avoid getting headaches while running due to the sun beating on my head.
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| Will run for donuts! |
What temperature is your favorite for running?
Do you run solo or with a buddy?
Usually alone but lately I have been running with my brother and sister a lot.
Are you a morning, noon, or evening runner?
Morning, if possible! I'm forced to run in the evening during the work week.
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| Love me a good sunrise! |
Do you have any big races coming up?
Nothing is on my schedule until the Philadelphia Marathon in November.
I don't have any specific "favorites" because I usually just eat anything I can find that I feel will fill me without hurting my stomach post run.
Do you wear your engagement/wedding ring when you run?
Not usually. I wear Enso bands instead.
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| In this picture I'm wearing two braided Enso stackable bands. Sometimes I wear both, other times I'll just wear one. i just couldn't decide between both shades of purple haha. |
What is your favorite distance?
The half marathon and marathon. I love longer distances! For just training, I love anything more than 5 miles. It takes me awhile to warm up so shorter distances aren't as enjoyable for me.
What is your favorite race?
5k- Four Seasons Parkway 5k (This was my first ever 5k and it was AMAZING! Great course and phenomenal post-race food!)
10k- Hershey 10k
13.1- Garden Spot Village Half (This was such a hard decision! RNR Philly was a close second.)
26.2- Philadelphia Marathon
Random distance- Broad Street 10-miler AND Hot Chocolate 15k
Do you wear a Garmin? If not, how do you track your distance?
Yup! Before I had a Garmin my sister and I used to drive our planned routes to see how far we would run.
What is your least favorite race?
The Run the Bridge 10k because it was SUPER windy on the bridge and I wasn't a huge fan of the route.
Who is your running idol?
Kara Goucher & Shalane Flanagan.
What is your favorite type of run? Tempo? Long? Repeat? Fartleks?
Long run, for sure!
What do you drink to stay hydrated?
Water. Lots and lots of water.
How long have you been running?
About 5 years.
Where is your favorite place to run?I honestly just love the Philly area but I only get over there when I am running a Philly race. Otherwise I love running in the neighborhoods around my house. I know the mileage in the area so I can easily plan my runs.
What do you take on a run? Does it vary by distance?
For shorter runs (under 6 miles), I usually just bring my phone, water, and some gummy bears. For longer runs (7+ miles), I'll bring all of the above plus some GU.
Yup! Before I had a Garmin my sister and I used to drive our planned routes to see how far we would run.
What is your least favorite race?
The Run the Bridge 10k because it was SUPER windy on the bridge and I wasn't a huge fan of the route.
Who is your running idol?
Kara Goucher & Shalane Flanagan.
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| Source |
What is your favorite type of run? Tempo? Long? Repeat? Fartleks?
Long run, for sure!
What do you drink to stay hydrated?
Water. Lots and lots of water.
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| Give me ALL THE WATER! |
How long have you been running?
About 5 years.
Where is your favorite place to run?I honestly just love the Philly area but I only get over there when I am running a Philly race. Otherwise I love running in the neighborhoods around my house. I know the mileage in the area so I can easily plan my runs.
What do you take on a run? Does it vary by distance?
For shorter runs (under 6 miles), I usually just bring my phone, water, and some gummy bears. For longer runs (7+ miles), I'll bring all of the above plus some GU.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Weekly Workout Recap: 4/9-4/15
Monday, April 9- REST DAY
Tuesday, April 10- 1.5 mile run with my sister + 1.5 solo run = 3 miles
Wednesday, April 11- 30 minutes strength training
Thursday, April 12- 3 miles
Friday, April 13- 1.85 miles with my brother
*I was starving and couldn't adjust to the heat so I had my mom come pick us up*
Saturday, April 14- 4 very hot miles
Sunday, April 15- 3 miles with Rachel in Millersville
Total Weekly Mileage: 14.85
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| My rest day consisted of attending a bridal show at my wedding venue and consuming a ridiculous amount of appetizers and wedding cake samples! |
Tuesday, April 10- 1.5 mile run with my sister + 1.5 solo run = 3 miles
Wednesday, April 11- 30 minutes strength training
Thursday, April 12- 3 miles
Friday, April 13- 1.85 miles with my brother
*I was starving and couldn't adjust to the heat so I had my mom come pick us up*
Saturday, April 14- 4 very hot miles
Sunday, April 15- 3 miles with Rachel in Millersville
Total Weekly Mileage: 14.85
Motivation Monday
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Friday, April 13, 2018
Friday Five: My 5 Running Fuels
Happy Friday! And a happy Friday it is indeed! This week was my first FULL week of work without any delays, snow days, half days, holidays, etc. It definitely felt like the longest week. Luckily I have a fun-filled weekend ahead of me so I've had something to look forward to! Today's Friday Five is a little different from previous weeks as I am sharing 5 of my favorite running fuels with you!
I'm hoping that my previous posts have given you a better understanding of who I am as a runner. What I like, where I come from, and all of that fun stuff. Today I'll be sharing with you the fuel I choose to use during my runs. I emphasize the word "during" because these are only things I eat while I am on my runs typically longer than 5 miles. What I eat before and after I run is a different post for a different day :)
I'm hoping that my previous posts have given you a better understanding of who I am as a runner. What I like, where I come from, and all of that fun stuff. Today I'll be sharing with you the fuel I choose to use during my runs. I emphasize the word "during" because these are only things I eat while I am on my runs typically longer than 5 miles. What I eat before and after I run is a different post for a different day :)
Yes, I am a gel type of runner. I know a lot of people are not, but somehow I can manage to slurp down one of these (with the help of water) during my runs. I have tried many different flavors from many different brands throughout my years. It wasn't until this past fall that I found my absolute favorite brand and flavor: Campfire Smores Gu. I personally think it tastes like a melted piece of chocolate. While regular chocolate would definitely upset my stomach while running, this Gu doesn't cause me any tummy issues, thank goodness!
I typically use Gu during runs that are any longer than 7 miles and choose to have one every 7 miles. Everyone is different, so you need to figure out what works best for you. It took me a lot of trial and error before figuring out the best timing for me to down my Gu during a long run or race. During races I will try to eat/drink (what do you REALLY do with a gel?!) when I am approaching a water station so that way I can drink the water to help wash down the gel.
I typically use Gu during runs that are any longer than 7 miles and choose to have one every 7 miles. Everyone is different, so you need to figure out what works best for you. It took me a lot of trial and error before figuring out the best timing for me to down my Gu during a long run or race. During races I will try to eat/drink (what do you REALLY do with a gel?!) when I am approaching a water station so that way I can drink the water to help wash down the gel.
2. Gummy Bears
It may sound goofy, but gummy bears (specifically Haribo!) are my favorite running fuel! I choose Haribo brand specifically because they aren't too mushy and don't tend to melt in your running belt/hydration backpack during a run in warmer weather. Gummy bears have just enough sugar to give me energy in between fueling up with gels. I like to reward myself at every mile marker by eating a few gummy bears. It gives me something to look forward to while also giving me energy. I eat gummy bears during most of my runs but I'll limit my consumption during a shorter run because I don't want to overdo it with sugar. These may not work for everyone, so once again, figure out what works best for you! I've heard that some people will eat Starburst or other sugary candies during their runs.
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As most of you should know, you lose sodium as you sweat during exercise. I never really addressed this issue until I ran my third half marathon in September of 2016 on one of the hottest days of that month. I was dragging myself through the miles, taking in as much water as I could at each water station. No matter how much water I was consuming, I still wasn't feeling so good throughout the race. Finally, I was given the greatest gift of all at one of the aid stations: pretzel Goldfish crackers. At first, I just took them because I felt like my body just needed something other than gels and water. To my surprise, eating the pretzels made me feel a whole lot better! What I didn't realize until later was that my body had been lacking sodium which the pretzels helped out with. Since then, I try and bring pretzel Goldfish crackers with me on hot long runs. The Goldfish crackers are great because they don't crumble as easy as other pretzels so they do well packed into a belt or pocket.
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I typically don't drink anything other than my morning coffee and tons of water, but eventually water can get boring during long runs. Sometime throughout my first round of marathon training, I was introduced to Glacier Freeze Gatorade (the light blue one). I began incorporating it into my long runs by bringing one water bottle filled with water and the other with Gatorade and alternating drinking both. When I get closer to a race, I will switch to the lemon-lime flavored Gatorade because that tends to be at some water stations and I want my body to be used to it. I didn't drink much Gatorade during my second round of marathon training which I think may be thanks to be super hydrated with my hydration backpack!
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I'm not sure where I got this idea to eat fig bars on my runs, but it really is a great choice for me! I usually use the Nature's Bakery brand since they are a little more filling, less likely to crumble in my pack/belt, and come in a variety of flavors. Sometimes a fig bar will be all I eat before or in the middle of my run. When training for and running a marathon, I always have these on hand for those times when hunger hits. They keep me full for awhile! I know I said these would all be things I eat during a longer run, but I sometimes eat these before a run as well as during!
I am in no way a nutritionist and everyone is different when it comes to fueling, so this is just a list of what I personally use. If you feel as if you need to switch up your fueling game, then feel free to try out one of these suggestions!
Question of the Day: Do you use anything different to fuel your runs? If so, what is it?
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Hot Chocolate 15k Expo & Race Recap
On Saturday I ran the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k in Phildelphia. A few years ago I ran the 5k but this was my first year running the 15k. I was pumped because you get a medal for the 15k! I ran this race with my little brother and older sister. This was my brothers farthest distance race and my sisters first longer distance race since having her baby so it was a celebration all around!
Let's start with the expo! It wasn't anything too crazy to make a separate blog post about, so I'll just throw it in here. My sister, nephew, and I went over to Philly for the expo on Thursday. The expo times were a little inconvenient but we made it work. Bib and shirt pick up was super easy and painless. I was even able to pick up my brother's stuff for him which is sometimes a pain for other races.
Right after we grabbed all our goodies, we went over near the shirt exchange area to try on our super adorable quarter-zip jackets we received. For those who have never run a Hot Chocolate run, instead of a typical t-shirt, you receive some sort of running jacket. Each year the design changes so you'll never get the same jacket twice! They also have different male and female jackets which allows ladies to get the perfect fit. You always want to try on your jacket at the expo, though, because some years the jackets run bigger while others they run smaller. Ours fit perfectly, so we threw them back in our bags and headed into the vendor part of the expo.
There weren't too many vendors to check out so we didn't walk around for long. This was a good thing for me because then I wasn't tempted to buy anything, although I was checking out some new clothes that I definitely DID NOT need. The best part of the expo was the CHOCOLATE, of course. They were giving away small samples of hot chocolate and chocolate dipped treats. This definitely got me excited for the finisher's mug we'd receive after the race on Saturday.
Overall, it was a very organized expo but lacked in vendors compared to other larger race expos I have been to in Philly. We still had a great time, though, and it ended with a visit to the Reading Terminal Market so it was a win in my book!
Now onto race day! The 15k started at 8 am but we were advised to arrive by 6:45 am considering the 5k portion had a start time of 7:15 am. When John and I left the house around 5:30 am I was surprised at how nice the weather was. I knew it was supposed to get colder from there, so I enjoyed the warmth while I could. We had to pick up my brother and wait for my sister and brother-in-law before heading into Philly, so we didn't get to the area to park until around 6:30 am. Everywhere was already pretty crowded due to the early 5k start but luckily we were able to score a parking spot!
The temps had already dropped by time we made our walk to the start line. We took a couple pre-race pictures and cheered on the 5k runners before seeking out warmth in the merchandise tent. Shout out to the awesome workers/volunteers for letting cold runners stay warm in the tent! Eventually we made our way towards the start line to figure out the corrals. Between the three of us, we all had a different corral assignment. I'm not really sure how the corrals were organized because we all put in the same pace and my brother and I have the same last name sooo not sure.... We all moved back to my sister's corral because you're only able to move back. We probably could've started in any corral, to be honest, because our bibs were all pinned under our jackets.
I was eager to start because I just wanted to warm the heck up! My hands were the coldest part of my body (thanks, Reynaud's) and I'm still not sure as to why I didn't wear gloves since it took until mile 3 for them to warm up and go back to their natural color. Thanks to the corral starts, we weren't stuck in crowds. We were able to stay next to each other without being bumped around. The first water stop was sometime after the first mile. I had chosen not to run with any form of hydration for this race (mistake!) so I was grateful for each and every hydration station. The first station provided us with water, Nuun, and marshmallows! Something cool about the Hot Chocolate series is the snacks on the course. Each hydration station provides you with a different sweet treat!
My body finally warmed up sometime after mile 3 and I took my jacket off to cool down. The next water station gave out M&M's as their treat and boy was I happy! Each person was given a whole condiment-sized cup filled to the top with M&M's. I dumped them into my hand so I could throw the cup out and snacked on the candy for the next half mile or so. I normally would be a bit hesitant to fuel my body with so much chocolate during a race, but we had decided to run this race for fun so eating candy definitely equaled fun! There was a turnaround sometime between miles 5 and 6 (I think). Turnarounds always make me happy because then I know I'm almost there! Plus, I know what I'll pass on the way back so I can keep track of how much farther I have to go.
The water station that had the M&M's in the beginning ended up giving out candy hearts on the way back. I was a bit bummed because I would've rather had more M&M's but the candy hearts were just as good (though they did dry out my mouth a bit). My brother, sister, and I were still together around this point (mile 7ish) and that felt great! We were having such a great time chatting and enjoying the candy. The last hydration station gave out those chocolate wafer chip things. That was the only candy I decided to pass up and instead put them in the jacket pocket to give to John at the end :)
We crossed the finish line holding our hands up the air together which was pretty cute, if you ask me. As soon as we crossed the finish line, we were handed our medals which are SO cute! We snapped a cute picture in the finisher's chute before exiting and looking for our fan club. We found them quickly which was a surprise considering the size of the crowd. The finisher's mugs were being handed out in a separate tent a good distance from the actual finish so we all walked over towards that tent. Receiving the mugs was quick and painless. We decided to snack on the goodies in the mug (hot chocolate, melted chocolate, and goodies to dip in the chocolate: pretzels, marshmallows, cookies, and a rice crispy treat) on the walk back to the car because our fan club was a tad chilly from standing out in the cold for so long. As always, everything in the finisher's mug was DELICIOUS! I could've had so much more of that hot chocolate.
To finish off such a great time in Philly, we stopped at Geno's steaks on the way home to get one of the best cheese steaks around! Somehow races always need to end with delicious food! Overall, the Hot Chocolate 15k was an amazing race. Philly courses are always my favorite plus who doesn't love free chocolate?! :)
Let's start with the expo! It wasn't anything too crazy to make a separate blog post about, so I'll just throw it in here. My sister, nephew, and I went over to Philly for the expo on Thursday. The expo times were a little inconvenient but we made it work. Bib and shirt pick up was super easy and painless. I was even able to pick up my brother's stuff for him which is sometimes a pain for other races.
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Right after we grabbed all our goodies, we went over near the shirt exchange area to try on our super adorable quarter-zip jackets we received. For those who have never run a Hot Chocolate run, instead of a typical t-shirt, you receive some sort of running jacket. Each year the design changes so you'll never get the same jacket twice! They also have different male and female jackets which allows ladies to get the perfect fit. You always want to try on your jacket at the expo, though, because some years the jackets run bigger while others they run smaller. Ours fit perfectly, so we threw them back in our bags and headed into the vendor part of the expo.
There weren't too many vendors to check out so we didn't walk around for long. This was a good thing for me because then I wasn't tempted to buy anything, although I was checking out some new clothes that I definitely DID NOT need. The best part of the expo was the CHOCOLATE, of course. They were giving away small samples of hot chocolate and chocolate dipped treats. This definitely got me excited for the finisher's mug we'd receive after the race on Saturday.
Overall, it was a very organized expo but lacked in vendors compared to other larger race expos I have been to in Philly. We still had a great time, though, and it ended with a visit to the Reading Terminal Market so it was a win in my book!
Now onto race day! The 15k started at 8 am but we were advised to arrive by 6:45 am considering the 5k portion had a start time of 7:15 am. When John and I left the house around 5:30 am I was surprised at how nice the weather was. I knew it was supposed to get colder from there, so I enjoyed the warmth while I could. We had to pick up my brother and wait for my sister and brother-in-law before heading into Philly, so we didn't get to the area to park until around 6:30 am. Everywhere was already pretty crowded due to the early 5k start but luckily we were able to score a parking spot!
The temps had already dropped by time we made our walk to the start line. We took a couple pre-race pictures and cheered on the 5k runners before seeking out warmth in the merchandise tent. Shout out to the awesome workers/volunteers for letting cold runners stay warm in the tent! Eventually we made our way towards the start line to figure out the corrals. Between the three of us, we all had a different corral assignment. I'm not really sure how the corrals were organized because we all put in the same pace and my brother and I have the same last name sooo not sure.... We all moved back to my sister's corral because you're only able to move back. We probably could've started in any corral, to be honest, because our bibs were all pinned under our jackets.
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| Quick selfie while keeping warm in the merch tent! |
My body finally warmed up sometime after mile 3 and I took my jacket off to cool down. The next water station gave out M&M's as their treat and boy was I happy! Each person was given a whole condiment-sized cup filled to the top with M&M's. I dumped them into my hand so I could throw the cup out and snacked on the candy for the next half mile or so. I normally would be a bit hesitant to fuel my body with so much chocolate during a race, but we had decided to run this race for fun so eating candy definitely equaled fun! There was a turnaround sometime between miles 5 and 6 (I think). Turnarounds always make me happy because then I know I'm almost there! Plus, I know what I'll pass on the way back so I can keep track of how much farther I have to go.
The water station that had the M&M's in the beginning ended up giving out candy hearts on the way back. I was a bit bummed because I would've rather had more M&M's but the candy hearts were just as good (though they did dry out my mouth a bit). My brother, sister, and I were still together around this point (mile 7ish) and that felt great! We were having such a great time chatting and enjoying the candy. The last hydration station gave out those chocolate wafer chip things. That was the only candy I decided to pass up and instead put them in the jacket pocket to give to John at the end :)
We crossed the finish line holding our hands up the air together which was pretty cute, if you ask me. As soon as we crossed the finish line, we were handed our medals which are SO cute! We snapped a cute picture in the finisher's chute before exiting and looking for our fan club. We found them quickly which was a surprise considering the size of the crowd. The finisher's mugs were being handed out in a separate tent a good distance from the actual finish so we all walked over towards that tent. Receiving the mugs was quick and painless. We decided to snack on the goodies in the mug (hot chocolate, melted chocolate, and goodies to dip in the chocolate: pretzels, marshmallows, cookies, and a rice crispy treat) on the walk back to the car because our fan club was a tad chilly from standing out in the cold for so long. As always, everything in the finisher's mug was DELICIOUS! I could've had so much more of that hot chocolate.
To finish off such a great time in Philly, we stopped at Geno's steaks on the way home to get one of the best cheese steaks around! Somehow races always need to end with delicious food! Overall, the Hot Chocolate 15k was an amazing race. Philly courses are always my favorite plus who doesn't love free chocolate?! :)
Monday, April 9, 2018
Weekly Workout Recap: 4/2-4/8
Monday, April 2- 2.75 run with John's cousin
*We had a house guest at John's house this holiday weekend. His aunt and uncle went away for the week so his cousin came to stay with us. I convinced him to run with me early this morning and I was thrilled to have a new running buddy for the day!*
Tuesday, April 3- REST DAY
Wednesday, April 4- 1 mile run with my sister (the wind was REAL)
Thursday, April 5- REST DAY: Hot Chocolate 15k Expo!
Friday, April 6- REST DAY
Saturday, April 7- Hot Chocolate 15k with my brother and sister (real mileage according to my Garmin)- 9.4
Sunday, April 8- REST DAY
Total Weekly Mileage: 13.15 miles
This week was full of a lot of rest days due to weather, being busy, and pure laziness. They allowed me to run a good race on Saturday, though, so no complaining here! Sometimes your body just needs a little rest :)
*We had a house guest at John's house this holiday weekend. His aunt and uncle went away for the week so his cousin came to stay with us. I convinced him to run with me early this morning and I was thrilled to have a new running buddy for the day!*
Tuesday, April 3- REST DAY
Wednesday, April 4- 1 mile run with my sister (the wind was REAL)
Thursday, April 5- REST DAY: Hot Chocolate 15k Expo!
Friday, April 6- REST DAY
Saturday, April 7- Hot Chocolate 15k with my brother and sister (real mileage according to my Garmin)- 9.4
Sunday, April 8- REST DAY
Total Weekly Mileage: 13.15 miles
This week was full of a lot of rest days due to weather, being busy, and pure laziness. They allowed me to run a good race on Saturday, though, so no complaining here! Sometimes your body just needs a little rest :)
Friday, April 6, 2018
Friday Five: 5 Things I'm Loving This Week
Happy Friday!! Honestly, this Friday got here super quickly. This is probably due to being off Monday + Tuesday and then having fun events the rest of the week. No matter how long the week felt, I am still happy it's Friday! Tomorrow I am running the Hot Chocolate 15k with my brother and sister so I am psyched for a fun weekend :)
1. Poshmark
I've known about this app for awhile but had forgotten about it until recently. I have been keeping a lot of old, yet super nice clothes in a bag next to my dresser for awhile now. I have had all intentions to donate them or attempt to sell them for some extra cash. A few weeks ago I decided to give Poshmark a shot and list a couple items. Well boy was I shocked when some of my items ACTUALLY SOLD! And let me tell you, this is addicting!
To use Poshmark is simple. First you make an account. Next take some pictures of clothes you are willing to sell and make a new listing. Once your item sells, you just print the prepaid shipping label Posh mark sends you, package up the item all nicely, and drop it off in any blue mailbox or the post office if it's too big. Super simple! I've already made over $20 just selling some clothes I didn't want anymore that were just taking up space. You can also snag some pretty awesome deals on clothing if you're looking to expand your closet or replace the clothes you're selling! I have had nothing but positive experiences both selling and buying on Poshmark!
1. Poshmark
I've known about this app for awhile but had forgotten about it until recently. I have been keeping a lot of old, yet super nice clothes in a bag next to my dresser for awhile now. I have had all intentions to donate them or attempt to sell them for some extra cash. A few weeks ago I decided to give Poshmark a shot and list a couple items. Well boy was I shocked when some of my items ACTUALLY SOLD! And let me tell you, this is addicting!
To use Poshmark is simple. First you make an account. Next take some pictures of clothes you are willing to sell and make a new listing. Once your item sells, you just print the prepaid shipping label Posh mark sends you, package up the item all nicely, and drop it off in any blue mailbox or the post office if it's too big. Super simple! I've already made over $20 just selling some clothes I didn't want anymore that were just taking up space. You can also snag some pretty awesome deals on clothing if you're looking to expand your closet or replace the clothes you're selling! I have had nothing but positive experiences both selling and buying on Poshmark!
I'm on Poshmark as @elchristman if you'd like to shop my closet :) If you do sign up, use the invite code ELCHRISTMAN to get $5 off your first purchase!
2. Marc Jacobs Shameless Foundation
A few weeks back, I received a VoxBox from Influenster containing this wonderful foundation. If you've never heard of Influenster, it's a app where you can sign up to potentially receive boxes known as "VoxBoxes" containing all types of goodies for you to try in exchange for reviews through different forms of social media. I've been on Influenster for a little over a year now and I have already received a wide variety of boxes containing everything from hair supplies to make up to other beauty items. So far I have had nothing but good experiences and I have even added some new beauty items into my routine, such as this Marc Jacobs Shameless foundation (see how I brought the conversation back to the original topic? I knew what I was doing!). For those who don't know, I am not a big make up person at all. The most I use is a quick powder foundation (is that even the correct term for it?!) in the morning to cover up the redness on my face. Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled to be given the opportunity to try a fancy foundation that suggested the use of a beauty blender (this is totally out of my make up league!). So far I am OBSESSED with this foundation! It covers all my redness without looking dry or too much.
3. Insta Stories
I'm pretty sure Instagram is winning in the "stories" department on social media. I love the set up and ease of posting to my Insta story and viewing other stories. Plus, I love the idea of sharing little bits of my running life with my followers that isn't big enough for an actual Insta post or blog post.
4. Saucony X Dunkin' Kinvara 9
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snag a pair for myself, but I am totally obsessed with these shoes! Running + Dunkin' = two of my favorite things in the world! As of now, my only hope of getting them is to be one of the first people at the Boston Marathon expo which is clearly not happening so I'm just hoping they drop another batch sometime in the near future. Or if anyone goes to the expo and is feeling nice, I'm a size 8 or 8.5 :P
5. Pre-Race Jitters
This Saturday (4/7), I am running my first bigger race since the marathon back in November. I'll be running with my brother and sister, which is guaranteed to be a good time! We'll be running the Hot Chocolate 15k in Philly and I am getting SO excited for it! It's been awhile since I have had to prepare for a race and ran a race that has an expo beforehand (note: I LOVE expos!). Needless to say, I'm getting a bit jittering and it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Question of the Day: What are you loving this week?
2. Marc Jacobs Shameless Foundation
A few weeks back, I received a VoxBox from Influenster containing this wonderful foundation. If you've never heard of Influenster, it's a app where you can sign up to potentially receive boxes known as "VoxBoxes" containing all types of goodies for you to try in exchange for reviews through different forms of social media. I've been on Influenster for a little over a year now and I have already received a wide variety of boxes containing everything from hair supplies to make up to other beauty items. So far I have had nothing but good experiences and I have even added some new beauty items into my routine, such as this Marc Jacobs Shameless foundation (see how I brought the conversation back to the original topic? I knew what I was doing!). For those who don't know, I am not a big make up person at all. The most I use is a quick powder foundation (is that even the correct term for it?!) in the morning to cover up the redness on my face. Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled to be given the opportunity to try a fancy foundation that suggested the use of a beauty blender (this is totally out of my make up league!). So far I am OBSESSED with this foundation! It covers all my redness without looking dry or too much.
If you decide to sign up for Influenster, feel free to use my referral link:
www.influenster.com/r/2816401
**It's just coincidental that two of the things I am loving this week have codes and links!**
**It's just coincidental that two of the things I am loving this week have codes and links!**
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3. Insta Stories
I'm pretty sure Instagram is winning in the "stories" department on social media. I love the set up and ease of posting to my Insta story and viewing other stories. Plus, I love the idea of sharing little bits of my running life with my followers that isn't big enough for an actual Insta post or blog post.
4. Saucony X Dunkin' Kinvara 9
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snag a pair for myself, but I am totally obsessed with these shoes! Running + Dunkin' = two of my favorite things in the world! As of now, my only hope of getting them is to be one of the first people at the Boston Marathon expo which is clearly not happening so I'm just hoping they drop another batch sometime in the near future. Or if anyone goes to the expo and is feeling nice, I'm a size 8 or 8.5 :P
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5. Pre-Race Jitters
This Saturday (4/7), I am running my first bigger race since the marathon back in November. I'll be running with my brother and sister, which is guaranteed to be a good time! We'll be running the Hot Chocolate 15k in Philly and I am getting SO excited for it! It's been awhile since I have had to prepare for a race and ran a race that has an expo beforehand (note: I LOVE expos!). Needless to say, I'm getting a bit jittering and it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Question of the Day: What are you loving this week?
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