How I filled my Weekend with No Running

No running this weekend meant extra time to catch up on my sleep, relax, and enjoy the outdoors! Saturday was spent by pampering myself with a mani/pedi, farmers market, and checking out the Mustang Round-Up to get my dad a gift for Father's Day.

After getting my nails done and running a few errands, I headed to the gym to do a quick strength session and 30 minutes on the elliptical. 

The gym that I go to also has a hot springs/pool area outside (Old Town Hot Springs if you're ever in Steamboat area) and it's so nice/distracting to be in the elliptical room. Unfortunately the treadmills are facing mirrors, but they do have tv so that's a bonus! After the gym, I headed home and we watched The Jungle Book. It was SO good if you haven't watched it before (the newer release, not the cartoon). 

Sunday was spent getting 10 HOURS of sleep then eggs and heading out for a hike out the Sarvis Creek Wilderness.

We hiked out 2.5 miles to Sarvis Creek, where there's a few different spots with small beaches/ rocks to relax on. We were the only ones here and it was so gorgeous out! We ended up meeting 20+ people on our hike back down, so we timed it just right. Stella found a GIANT stick and loved launching herself into the water to retrieve it (water was just a tad too cool to swim in).

She's really very skinny when she doesn't have all that fur! 

After the hike, we headed home to make lunch (pb 'n banana with popcorn for me) and finish up packing before we leave Wednesday afternoon! We are driving to Maine and are hoping to arrive there very late Friday night. So excited to have some r 'n r and see our fam!

How was your weekend?

Running or no running?

Anyone taking any fun vacations anywhere?!

Easy ways to add running into your life

So maybe you ARE already a runner or maybe you've only ever thought about running or maybe you've never thought about running but someone you know is totally in love with running, these few tips will help you add running into your life!

I could list off all the amazing benefits that running does for your mind and body, but I'll leave that to you to figure out once you begin!

1. Try a run/walk ratio. I did this when I came back from an Achilles Tendinitis injury and it really helped me ease back into running and not re-injure myself. I also did a similar technique when I was training for my first half-marathon. I would choose a telephone pole ahead of where I was right then and say to myself to 'just run until I get there' then I can walk/ take a break/ stop the work-out all together. This really helped build-up my confidence too as I soon found that I was able to go longer (most of the time) without stopping and could build up to running a farther distance/time, while reaping more benefits from running!

2. Set a goal. Whether that goal is to run a 5k, 10k, marathon, be able to run a mile without stopping, become healthier, lose a few pounds etc. I've found that working towards a goal helps me stay motivated and accomplished when I reach it. I began running on the treadmill (which I really loved) to simply get into shape and lose a few pounds that I had put on when I was injured with a torn meniscus. Once I felt myself starting to get in shape (and convinced by a friend who had recently started running), I signed up for my first half-marathon (a bucketlist thing) and since then, I've kinda always enjoyed training for something and participating in a training cycle too!

3. Buy some new fun running gear. Whether it's new running shoes, shirt, pants, iphone holder to play your music, watch, etc. A new piece of gear that you really REALLY want to try out can help motivate you to begin running (even if it is just a day or two per week). I can't explain how excited I was to begin using my new Garmin watch when I got it- I had to test it out (even when it was almost hurricane-like weather out).

4. Make a plan to fit your run in that works for you. This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to do your run at the exact same time every day, but it does mean to hold yourself accountable to your runs (at least when you are getting started). Creating a habit out of something like running takes a few weeks and until it becomes more than just a chore/task you need to make sure to fit it in your schedule. Whether that means planning to run during your lunchbreak and not letting anything come up to deter you from that lunchtime run or strapping on your sneakers as soon as you get home to do your run before you get sucked into anything else at home. Make time and hold yourself accountable. 

So there you have it! A few easy ways to add some running into your life. While starting a new schedule is hard and keeping yourself injury-free is easier said than done, but listen to your body- if it feels like you're doing too much or running feels too hard, slow-down, take some walk breaks and be patient. The best things come to those who wait :) 

How do you add running into your life?

Any tips/tricks to begin running or work towards a big goal?

Running While Anemic

I've been meaning to do a post on this for a while and look! I finally got around to it.

This post is only about my personal experiences with anemia and running and remember to always consult a professional if you ever sense something is off with your body. 

So, let's dive right in- shall we?! 

I jokingly assumed that I had anemia in college because I was always tired, vegetarian (not eating the healthiest foods), and everything (from running, walking up stairs, strength training) just felt 'hard'. Fast forward to when I moved to Colorado (helllooo high altitude), I had begun eating meat again, but always thought that the exhaustion I felt was due to the lower oxygen available when you live and work-out at 6,623 feet above sea level. 

I never officially got my blood checked out until I was in the hospital with a kidney infection. While it was absolutely terrible (anyone who has ever had a kidney infection would agree...), it was also a blessing in disguise because they told me that my iron was extremely low and that I was anemic. It was honestly a great feeling because I finally had an answer as to why I could never run 'faster' or improve my race times as much as I thought I would, I would feel foggy a lot of the times at work or during schoolwork, I only felt a certain amount of empathy towards others, going up stairs would leave me exhausted and out of breath sometimes, and I always felt like I was living in a cloud. I also could summon myself to pass-out when at the hospital (especially when getting blood drawn/ donating blood).

Prior to being diagnosed with anemia, I would do my long runs and feel a constant headache (like I was dehydrated, but I was keeping up on my electrolyte/water intake)- it actually wouldn't go away until I finished my run (and ALWAYS had to take a nap afterwards, no matter whether it was 8 miles or 14 miles). 

My doctors put me on a slow release iron supplement as soon as I left the hospital (about 65 days ago) and I have been on the slow release tablets since. So, what differences have I noticed thus far?

• I have more energy. ALL the time
• I've started to run faster at my easy paces without giving them anymore effort
• When I finish my long runs, I no longer have headaches or feel like I need a nap (even after my 20 mile runs)
• Going up stairs no longer leaves me breathless
• I bruise less-often 
• I no longer feel like I'm living in a fog and have already felt myself feeling happier more often
• Almost all of my runs (since I recovered from my kidney infection) were done with a smile in my believe training journal. Prior to my diagnosis, about half of my runs each week were sad faces
• I've noticed my metabolism increase (could also be that I'm able to run more mileage each week) and more muscle definition throughout my body
• I can focus on tasks at hand and not feel distracted as often

So, overall I think I still have some improvements to see when I've been on the iron supplements for 120 days (~4 months), but I am already feeling so much stronger than I ever have before! It's really exciting to think where I will be when my iron and RBC count reaches a normal level. Here's to the next 60 days!

Happy Global Running Day & Valuable Lessons that Running has Taught me!

Happy Global Running day! I figured I would take this fantastic holiday that is dedicated to US- ALL of us that run (whether you walk, run, jog, spring, very occasionally take a few running steps a day) and list some of the most valuable lessons that running has taught me!

• It has increased my appreciation of the outdoors. I have always loved being outside (besides those few years in College where I tried to "fit-in" and claim that I "hated" camping/hiking/bugs etc. I think that there is almost nothing that comes close to the refreshing feeling you get when the weather is beautiful and temperatures are perfect. The air feels fantastic, you're able to explore nature when you run outside, and sometimes you can even enjoy the time outside with your furry friend!

• It has provided me an outlet to work through anything. I originally took up running to get into shape during college and really only ran on the treadmill (because I was convinced running outside was just too hard for me). I used running/working out (sometimes to an extreme at times through college) as a way to cope with my parents divorce, grandfathers attempted suicide, hardships with friends, dealing with homesickness, getting rejected from medical school, loneliness, heartbreak. BUT I also used it as a way to celebrate all the positives in my life: getting accepted to graduate school and the peace corps, securing my first 'real world' job, falling in love, making new friends, meeting a new goal in my personal life, finishing a great book, the first day of spring, Thanksgiving, etc. Running really has been there for me. It may not have solved all my problems or fixed anything, but it provided me a clear mind to think through things and oftentimes brought about a new perspective that I didn't see earlier. If there ever comes a day when I cannot run, I think I will still utilize walking/just being outdoors as a way to celebrate both the good and bad things in life. 

• It has given me so much confidence. Do I need to be running all the time to have confidence? No. But has it helped rebuild my confidence after tough times? Absolutely. Even when I was injured with Achilles Tendinitis and in a boot for 3 weeks, I didn't lose my confidence completely (it was a little hurt because I was unable to run, but I utilized that to push me more once I became healthy and actually came out stronger on the other side) because I knew I was still considered a 'runner' even if I wasn't running right at this very small period in my life. I had such strong confidence in High School, then College and the few years post-college slightly damaged me. I never completely lost all confidence, but I did kind-of lose yourself. It's funny because many will exclaim that they 'found themselves' in College, but I found it did the complete opposite for me. I had a lot going on in my personal life and it destroyed me. It was until several years after graduating college that I found myself and my confidence again (although sometimes I will still go through shaky 'unknown' times). Running played a major role in that. Running my first marathon was a HUGE confidence booster, then running my second marathon and completing it (while not feeling completely destroyed) changed me. It was one of those pillar moments where I finally believed that I was actually a runner (sure my race times still weren't considered 'great' by any standard), but crossing that finish line twice was special. I was no longer ashamed to tell people that I ran or boast about my race times because you know what? Only 0.5% of Americans have run a marathon and I was one of that VERY small statistic (found here). It didn't even matter what my time was. 

• It's helped me grow up and mature. There's nothing like an early morning run (or maybe late run for you night owls) and getting up early every morning forces you to grow up really quickly. You know what else makes you grow up? Those early Saturday or Sunday morning long runs. Going out drinking and partying before a long run the next morning for a half-marathon goal race does not mix well (trust me, I did it in college and definitely do NOT recommend). Running has forced me to become (and appreciate) the magical time of day that is the early AM.  Even when I'm not planning to run, I love to get up early and just enjoy my cup of coffee on the deck. Especially when training for marathons, you have to become a good planner and mature quickly. There's no way you're able to fit in training runs and a full-time career (and/or other responsibilities) if you are scattered and not have a pretty set schedule (with some flexibility obviously).  

There you have it! A few things that running has given me. I am continuing to grow, mature, learn more, and experience new places because of running. Now, go out for a run! Unless you're in the same boat as me and are tapering and today is a scheduled rest day- I'll be running with you in spirit!

ALSO don't forget to sign up to be a Brooks Endorsed Athlete here . You get some inside recipes, training plans, deals, and even sign a sweet contract! All about those deals!

What are some lessons that running has brought to you or your loved one?

Are you running today?

Do you do anything special on Global Running Day?

Track Tuesday & 5 DAYS

Started off the morning (my last early morning run until the Marathon) with an interval workout on the Track!

My training schedule called for 2 miles warm-up (10:00min/mi pace) then 6 x 400s at 1:56 pace (actual: 1:46, 1:52, 1:51, 1:52, 1:50, 1:47) with 200 recovery in-between sets then 1 mile cool-down. I felt so strong and definitely wanted to keep going, but I will save my legs for the race on Sunday! 5.25 miles total. 

I recovered tonight by putting my legs up the wall. I'm trying to do this and a foot stretch to help with any plantar facistis that I have at least once a day leading up to Sunday's race. Anyone else a fan of putting their feet up the wall? I normally try for just 5 minutes, but honestly love it so much that I've been like that for up to 15 minutes!

Also saw another gorgeous sunrise on my drive into town this morning. It's amazing what you can see when you're up and out of the house early!

We made Run Fast Eat Slow's Sweet Potato Salmon Cakes tonight and the Avocado Cream on the side. I didn't have any limes or jalapenos, so I subbed for some lemon juice and red pepper flakes--> IT WAS AMAZING! Highly recommend this recipe from their book if you haven't tried it already. It was pretty easy once I popped the sweet potato in my Instant Pot for about 20 minutes (this one was pretty large and took 10 minutes longer than most do). Prep and cook-time were ~25-30 minutes. 

Tomorrow's another rest day (all the rest days are ROUGH- I have way too much energy at night and need to fill them with some new projects)! I already scheduled a mani/pedi to treat myself after the race, so I know that will help push me towards that finish line! I haven't really started to feel too nervous yet and am mainly just excited for race day (I'm sure the nerves will come...). Happy Tuesday!

When do you like to do your speed work? Tuesdays? Wednesdays? Do you do it more than 1 time per week?

Favorite running recipe? 

Favorite way to rest & recover at the end of a long day?