Figure Friday: How To Stop While Skating

Happy Friday! We’re back (at the moment ha) to our regularly scheduled Figure Fridays!

Find this weeks ‘How To’ Instructional Video HERE - How To Stop!

Last week was honestly a doozy. I ended catching my cold, I had a huge exam to take on Saturday, worked over 25 hours at my 3 jobs, and had a final paper due for one of my classes. I’m just holding on, keeping my head down, and hoping that I make it to the end in the next four weeks. It’s kinda nice to not have to think about running any crazy races right now because I don’t think I would even be able to focus on it! I do really miss the stress-relief that running provides me, but two more weeks off before I’m lacing back up. I also know that taking the time now will help get me to the start line injury free at the Providence Marathon in May! I really do miss these views.

I mainly am taking a month off from running because it’s been YEARS since I’ve last taken any time off! I always say that I’m going to take 2 weeks off, but always end up coming back after one week. So, this time I’m STICKING to it and trying out new things! I’ve been doing a trail subscription of Pure Barre this week and am going to try out other online fitness classes (since we have none where I am at the moment!) for the next few weeks. It’s been fun to be sore after 15-20 minutes of strength/body work and know that this will make me a better runner in the future. It’s also been really fun to think really big about what my goals for 2020 can be. I’ve had a million different ones swirling around in my mind and while I haven’t made any concrete decisions yet, there are a few that I’m really interested in! Flashback to running in Eugene- so much fun to travel to races!

I also wanted to share with you some goodies about my current training that I’m doing to prepare myself for the start line in Spring 2020:

*Stretching more often

*Getting in QUALITY strength training sessions 4-5x/week!

*Breaking out that foam roller

*Focusing on my nutrition- I love to balance out some treats with also some really good wholesome meals! (cue RFCFES Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie baking spree ; ) …….)

*SLEEP!

*Meditate & Journal- I’m all about that self-care!

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I also wanted to make sure to share with you the discount code for the Bahamas Marathon in January 2020! Register before TOMORROW to save 15% off with the code MBSpecial HERE . I was planning to go to this race, but unfortunately student budget & family has taken top priority at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the deal and then TELL ME ALL ABOUT IT. I’ve never been to the Bahamas and hope to one day!

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Favorite things to do on the ‘off season’?

Ever tried figure skating before?

Ever ran a race in another country?! How’d it go?!?

Training Tuesday: RACE RECAP & Product Review

Good morning! I’ve got my race recap for you HERE !

I received a BUFF Tech Fleece Headband as being a Bib Rave Pro to give my honest and unbiased opinion. You too can become a Bib Rave Pro beginning in November!

I thought it would be fun to do a product review with you as a type of stats breakdown because sometimes it’s easier to read that way.

Before getting the headband I was looking for: A wind resistant, warm layer that’s light and not too tight around my head- I definitely found it in my Buff Tech Fleece Headband!

Pros Before Running In It: it’s light, the color is so cute, I love how large it is to cover my ears completely, and the fleece is so warm.

Pros while running in it: It doesn’t move around, it really does keep the wind out, & it’s not too warm (you know those bulky fleece headbands? This is not one of them!)

The best part about it? It’s not thick at all! I love how it’s got-all of the technical features that I’m looking for, but is really made for runners!

Product Review: OOFOS Project Pink Sport Sandal

Disclaimer: I was given a pair of OOFOS project pink sport sandal from being a Bib Rave Pro in exchange for my honest review.

OK. So you all know that I’m a HUGE OOFOS fan. I wear them all around the house instead of slippers, have a pair to wear outside, and then have my beloved slides to wear when out and about town. I believe that they are an AMAZING company and have 100% helped me get through my previous bouts of Plantar Fasciitis.

One thing that I had been wanting for a while now was a pair of sandals that I could wear with socks in the house. I love my slippers in the winter time, but they never give me enough support. SO, I was super excited to hear that Bib Rave was teaming up with Oofos and these beauties were the sandals for the promotion.

I also really really love that they are giving back with each purchase of a pair of these sandals. They are donating $10 for every pair of Project Pink sandals purchased to Dana Farber Breast Cancer Research.

I only stand by companies that have a great mission and give back and this is a company that I will continue to support. I have five pairs of Oofos and while I love them all, I really REALLY love the sleek look of the black of these and the ability to sport them with socks. I know it sounds weird, but I really need some good support post-long runs and these give me all the support and more.

My only request for this company? Is to make some closed-toe shoes for me to wear at the hospital! I always refer anyone having foot problems to snag a pair of Oofos - they have definitely changed how I walk (they have the craziest amount of support in all the right places), how I view recovery, and helped get me to so many race finish lines! I will ALWAYS pack a post-race bag now and make sure that I have my oofos because they really are that great.

If you aren’t a fan of Oofos, then make sure to go grab yourself a pair and bonus: remember that you can also help give back to Breast Cancer research just by shopping on their website! (maybe go try some on at a store near you and then grab yourself a pair on their website to make sure that your $ gets donated to the Dana Farber Cancer Research!).

Endure Strong Training Review

I had the opportunity to be a part of the Endure Strong Training group as being a Bib Rave Pro and decided to utilize the summer to get some speed under my legs for the Beach 2 Beacon 10k (find my race recap HERE!). I knew that I've always wanted to have a running coach (because sometimes I have no idea what I’m doing when I’m training for races!) and what better group to train with than one run by Jared Ward?!? Within the first week of being part of the team, I was blown away with how involved in the entire training and coaching process he was. We had several group training phone calls with Jared throughout the Summer and they covered topics like Nutrition, Recovery, and Injury Prevention (along with a way for you to submit questions to them!).

I had A LOT going on during my B2B training-moving to Maine from Colorado, beginning Nursing School, planning a wedding, commuting 2 hours a day to school and back (4 days a week), and lots of family visiting on the weekends. I knew that training would be a challenge, but that is one of the main foundations for the Endure Strong team- we are all busy, but we also want to help you achieve your goals (Jared is the perfect example of someone who is crazy busy, but still manages to crush his running goals)!

I had wanted to PR in the 10k (my previous PR was 55:00), but also knew that after training for my 50 miler getting speed back was going to be an issue. With the training program, you get 2 runs emailed to you each morning (one for that day and one for the upcoming day). I had one day a week as my rest day and averaged around 30-35 miles. I will honestly say that I did NOT follow the training plan to a “T” because I was still recovering from my 50 miler/had a million life stresses and wanted to take that as a priority, so I was not 100% sure that hitting a sub-50 minute 10k would even be in my wheel house.

I did, however, feel prepared and excited for race day thanks to the Endure Strong training plan and supportive atmosphere of the team! You can read more about how big a PR my Beach to Beacon race was here, but I know I wouldn’t have been able to quickly bounce-back post-50 unless I had the Endure Strong team behind me.

Cheers to new PRs and hoping that I get another awesome opportunity to be a part of the Endure Strong training team again really soon! You can check out some of my apparel and race discounts from being a Bib Rave Pro HERE

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Ever train with a running team before? How were your experiences?!?

Favorite male and female pro runner?!

Ever really ‘raced’ a 10k? How’d it go?

I DID IT and How I Log All These Miles?!?

Wohooo! Marathon #7 was a success! 1 minute PR despite stomach cramps that came on around mile 14 & not being able to take another one for the remainder of the race!

I’ll have a more detailed update for you later this week, but my mom and I are enjoying exploring Oregon the next few days : )

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"Disclaimer: I will be receiving a Strava Summit Membership as I review Strava as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

I thought it would be fun to share with you one of the ways that I keep track of all my runs, mileage, and elevation gain—> Strava! I’ve just started using this platform a few weeks ago and LOVE the simplicity of it. I don’t need to type anything in, hit record, or hit save other than have it already linked up to my Garmin (I have the Forerunner 235 & LOVE it). It gives me the option to set goals for myself for the week, upload photos, and connect with other runners from all over the U.S.!

If you’re maybe the one to be motivated by challenges (AND want to be held accountable for them), they have those too! You have to do your activity outdoors for it to count, which is perfect for those Spring/Summer/Fall months when you’re not confined indoors.

Also they have CLUBS you can join. I’m still finding new ones all the time, but some of my favorites include a local Steamboat Springs Trail Running club, Honey Stinger, BibRave, Nuun, and Strava itself!

Make sure to follow me along on Strava, so we can give each other kudos and motivate others to get active outdoors everyday!

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-Are you on Strava?

-Anyone else run a race this weekend?!? How’d it go??

-Any tips/recommendations for us to eat in the Portland area? We’re driving around the state a bit, then will be back there later this week!