Life Updates Lately, Discount Codes For You, and How I'm Building Back Up

It’s been a MINUTE. I have been so busy and am super thankful that today was a snow day. I ~finally~ feel like I’m almost caught-up on life lately. It has been a whirlwind since the beginning of November. Let’s start by saying that we finally got a wedding date- June 6, 2020! So a lot of my time has honestly been spent putting together our website, ordering save the dates, and invitations. We’ve got a lot already planned, but it’s taken up so much of my free time! Cheers to finding the perfect venue and getting married in 6 months!

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I am also officially obsessed with this coffee! Anyone else tried it? I might need to stock-up before it goes away.

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We’re all decorated for the Holidays over here! We put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving (the earliest we’ve EVER done)! Who else has their tree up already?

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I also feel like this almost all the time right now. 2 weeks until finals!

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Brady is still trying to poison himself over here- this time with red berries from our Holiday decorations.

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I also started back up running a few weeks ago (YAY)! I’m not going to lie, it was really challenging to get out the door the first few runs. I was super sore after my first 3 miler back (hard to go down the stairs sore) and then it slowly started to feel easier. It felt so good to be back to my old running routes, but my brain definitely had a hard time adjusting back to the ‘longer duration’ activity mode. I had to keep pushing through the tough parts to get miles in the first 5-6 runs, then it started to ‘click’ again. Perfect timing for my Providence Marathon training to start back up again after the New Year! I also really missed the morning sunrises.

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I found that when I wasn’t running I was a bit more anxious, had less energy, and missed the daily structure that running gives me! I filled my time with a lot of yoga (jasyoga is my favorite platform!), barre on-demand videos (I used the free trials!), and doing strength work at the gym. We also started eating mainly plant-based a few weeks ago, which helped take my mind off running and I think it helped me ease into the diet. I don’t think I would have been able to switch my diet and be in crazy-intense marathon training right now! My goal for the next few weeks (probably until the end of the year) is to get between 30-40 miles per week. This week, my plan is to run 6 days a week with each at 5 mile increments, along with 3 quality strength training sessions (normally around 30-40 minutes). I’ve also reached out to a run coach to get some insight into what I can improve upon in my training for the future!

PS while you’re here, come sign-up and run the Providence Marathon with me! The swag that you get for both the full and half marathon looks AMAZING!

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There’s also still time to sign-up and train for the Bahamas Marathon happening in January! We were planning on going, but with the wedding date set we really need to focus on saving funds for that. Hopefully next year we’ll be able to go because I’ve always wanted to run on an island!

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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.

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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!

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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 !

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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!

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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!

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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!)

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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!

Checking In: Keeping Track of My Mileage, Currently Obsessed Over, This Was Nice

HI! I’m HERE! Things have finally FINALLY settled down a bit, but WOW am I surprised at how crazy-busy life has been lately. Between moving things in, having our first guests visit (Alex’s parents), two exams in one week, and running less-than-ever, I have really had NO free time. Any free time that I have had, I’ve been trying to fit in a run or maybe maybe five spare minutes to read before falling asleep.

As I’m typing this, I was questioning whether I even wrote my 50 miler race recap. Oy. I’m tired. I did, however, run one of my fastest 5ks ever!

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We also made it on our first hike last weekend! Up Black Cap mountain and it was so nice. Hoping to get in another good hike this next weekend. I just really loving being in the mountains here whenever possible.

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I also did a WHOLE LOT of studying last week. Probably way more time than I should have, but I’ve been loving all of my classes lately!

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Gilmore Girls- always applicable in everyday life. Also, my view almost everyday:

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I’m hoping to do a full recap of how the first 6 weeks of Nursing School has gone- so look for that at the end of the week. I certainly won’t be holding anything back or sugar-coating it all (if you were wondering). I’ve also been obsessing over ice cream stands and twists in a cone again. Soooo good.

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I’ve also been skipping some runs lately. Don’t get me wrong- I LOVE to run, but I’m also really enjoying this new season in my life where I’m trying out other activities (hiking, cycling, strength training) and just generally enjoying the perks of not being in serious training mode. So, my sneakers may be in my car waiting for that run that I just never got to that day and I’m not worried.

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"Disclaimer: I received an Strava Summit Membership to review 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!"

Since I’ve basically put all of my personal life stuff on hold lately, I’m also REALLY thankful for Strava to keep track of my weekly mileage.

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Also, how cool is it that they partnered with my last race and the photos directly linked with my Strava account? I also really love how you can track so many activities (including YOGA!), it can keep track of your elevation gain (so awesome when you do races like Mt. Washington!), and get kudos from your friends after your activity (important when you run solo most of the time like me to still feel like you’re part of a community)!

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I will have my Mt. Washington Road Race recap up for you tomorrow (look at me all organized again!) and hopefully my nursing school first 6-weeks experience and what it’s been like to leave a full-time salaried job to go back to school on Friday.

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How do you keep track of your running mileage?

Favorite thing about Summer?

Ice cream- soft or hard serve?!

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!

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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.!

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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.

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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!

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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!