Coffee Is Always A Good Idea

There's nothing as good as a strong cup of coffee, unless it's a free cup of coffee.

Since tomorrow is National Coffee Day, coffee only seemed a fitting topic for this post.
What’s not to love about coffee — especially since there are so many good benefits that come along with drinking it! Runner’s World posted an article awhile back “8 Things Runners Should Know About Coffee” outlining the benefits of running and coffee.
Some Saturdays I am not sure what I am more excited about—crossing my long run off the list or making the routine stop at Dunkin Donuts afterwards. Now that I know it may help post-exercise recovery, I can be excited for both!
A good run coupled with coffee and I may just be able to rule the world…. well, my world!

Redefining My Fitness

Redefining My Fitness

At the beginning of summer (Monday following my Dam to Dam run), I started my journey with Crossfit. Like many unaware people out there who haven’t stepped foot in an actual BOX , I was a complete skeptic. All I could think was this is just the next expensive, workout fad…..But, since my husband wouldn’t stop asking me to go, I figured I would at least try out the free first week. Needing a break from running and always up for trying something new, I thought, what could 1 week hurt….

Well, actually, it could hurt a lot! I remember the soreness from that first week….and hurting more than I have ever hurt from a workout. Was I really this out of shape? My motivation for each demanding workout came from knowing it would be done soon. If I could run for more than 2 hours, than could do the daily workout….right?

Well, it’s been more than 3 months and I am hooked. Even though some may call it obsessed, I know the change Crossfit has made in my life — and it’s hard to not be excited. I have noticed a positive difference in numerous areas — from my health, to my confidence, to my fitness level as a whole. And now that I am back into half-marathon training, I have really noticed how Crossfit complements my running performance.

More importantly, Crossfit is pushing me and motivating me to try harder and undefine limits I previously set. The possibilities are endless…..

As we celebrated JD’s 30^th birthday this past weekend, I couldn’t help think about turning 30 in May. And while I have had this “perception” stuck in my head, it’s good to know at almost 30, I can say I am in the best shape of my live and it is only getting better.

From One Challenge To The Next

It’s been awhile since my last post. Here’s what I’ve been up to since mid-May.

Dam to Dam—Not sure what it is about this race, but it always gets the best of me. While it wasn’t a PR or great feeling run, I did get to “enjoy” the time running with good friends. Stacy ran with me the entire way which is not her pace! She motivated me to keep moving (as much as I could I listened) and we crossed the finish together. After that race, I decided I should cross that off my Thifty Before Thirty list. They days are only getting shorter….

Blueberry Coffee—I had to find a way to regulate my obsession with blueberry coffee. Well, that was kind of accomplished. Instead of driving completely out of my way to work, to enjoy this delicious beverage, I found a blueberry syrup online. Add that syrup to some Dunkin Donuts coffee (or even the FREE stuff at work isn’t bad), and I am set for the morning. It’s probably a good thing I found this syrup....the day I received it in the mail was Day 1 of Crossfit.

CrossFit—Yep, I joined in on the CrossFit craze and now understand all the hype. Knowing I needed a change from just running, I decided to test it out. What’s the worst that could happen, right? Although I couldn’t move for the first whole week (very sore muscles), I made it and completed week 2 today! It definitely helps that I’m doing this with a group of friends and every one there really is encouraging and friendly.

I am enjoying the quick, intense workouts, heavy lifting and sense of community. In many ways, it’s reminds me of a half-marathon with the discomfort, exhaustion, competition (either with the group or yourself) and uncertain moments….but it’s only half the time and almost every day. Now, I just need to fit some running in my schedule.

What have you been up to the last month?

Race Day Inspiration

I have completed quite a few races in the last couple years. And during every one, I still recall my first half marathon (IMT half) through downtown Des Moines. I was beyond excited to know that I had trained for this race and even more excited that I was on my way to accomplishing a huge goal by finishing it. During the first two miles of the race, the streets were lined with family members, friends and race volunteers. I remember being overwhelmed by the support and encouragement of these complete strangers and found a new level of confidence in myself. Their cheering kept me moving, one step closer to the finish with each stride. And the nerves of running my first race, 4 times as long of my usual 5k (at the time), lessened as the race went on.

I am so appreciative of the time and motivation every one provides to runners during race season. After being on the receiving end so many times , I knew this year I wanted to give back to the running community. Here’s a look at my first (and very small) opportunity…..it's not much, but it's a start.  

A good friend of mine spent the last three months training and mentoring a group of girls at a local elementary school through Girls on the Run. The 3^rd-5^th grade after school program met twice a week over the course of 10-12 weeks. During this time, the girls participated in interactive lessons and running games that taught life skills and inspired an appreciation of health and fitness. The program ended with a celebration 5k run for the girls.

I had the great opportunity of participating in the Girls on the Run 5k last Friday as a running buddy for one of the girls. As I waited to meet my girl, I chatted with another girl’s running buddy. Apparently her girl was a quick little thing whose family was full of runners. At her young age, they were already giving her tips on her 5k “fun run”. It kind of made me nervous about keeping up with the young, energetic and excited girl I would run with that night.

And then I met my runner. She was so excited to be there around her family and friends. I don’t think she knew what to expect and wasn’t as prepared as some of the other girls. I snapped this picture of her shoes before the race, knowing that running in these, on gravel….wasn’t the best idea. At this time, I didn’t realize what I was in for the next hour (that’s right….the next hour).

As the race began, the smile on her face grew and grew. She was so excited to be participating in this event with friends and even more excited that her family was there to cheer her on. We started out fast, but once we turned the corner onto the path that would lead us through the 5k, she was ready to walk. So, on and off for an hour, we pushed and struggled to make it around the 5k loop. I tried everything I could do to motivate and encourage her to keep moving….And she did everything she could to find a reason to walk (which ironically is usually me with our running group). I answered question after question about running, porta pottys, myself, our distance and anything else she could brainstorm along the way. When we finally cleared the trees, we could see the finish filled with her classmates and other fans encouraging us on. About 200 meters out, her family joined in on the running and shared in her victory across the finish. The smile on her face was just as big as her proud parents.

Even though she complained (my specialty) about running almost the entire way, at the end, she realized how much it was worth it. And if you asked her to do it again, I bet she would. That, to me is running. A struggle, a challenge, an obstacle right in front of you and you make no other choice but to push through and finish.  I never doubted that this experience would amazing….What I didn’t realize is how enjoyable it would be for me. As I push and struggle to finish Dam to Dam next weekend, I know I'll have her smile in the back of my mind, motivating me to finish. Well, that and our reservations at Americana!

Another Year Bites The Dust (Almost 30!)

Thanks to all the amazing family and friends for the birthday wishes today!

One year from today, I will be the big 3-0! Since I turned 21 (the only birthday that seemed to matter), it doesn’t seem like I’ve been getting closer to 30 each year. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was at Drake, living on my own for the first time and enjoying FREEDOM! Birthdays seem to come and go….and besides all the appreciated love and wishes from friends and family, it has always been just another day, another year passed.

Awhile back, I decided I needed to challenge myself and redefine each year. I started thinking about all the things I have always wanted to do, but for some reason, hadn’t gotten to yet. I feel like a lot of plans or dreams get lost in the shuffle of our busy lives and every day to-do lists. And as another year passed, I thought….what am I waiting for? If now's not the time to do everything….then when is the right time exactly!

 

I envisioned a list of comprised trips I’ve been putting off, challenges I’ve been procrastinating on, skills I’ve been waiting to acquire, roadblocks I needed to overcome, and plain old amazing things that I’ve never even thought about doing before.

So, here’s my bucket list of sorts that I intend to finish before May 7, 2014—my “30 Things to Do Before I Turn 30”.

(Since I created my list, I have actually accomplished a few!)

 

 

 

 

 

1. Run another half-marathon (under 2:15)

2. Do more volunteering (Girls on the Run 5k- coming up)
3. Take golf lessons (and get good…. But not sure 1 year is enough time)
4. Sew something (even if it’s just reattaching a button!)
5. Pay off any debt (with exception of student loans….those may take a lifetime)
6. Build a piece of furniture from scratch
7. Study the Bible
8. Master Grandma Mary’s coffee bread (Attempt #1=FAIL) and other recipes (borsch, cookies, etc.)
9. Blog (regularly- define regularly and set goals)
10. Try new recipes and create some of my own
11. Take more road trips
12. Get better at documenting moments (actually use my camera!)
13. Take a graphic design class
14. Reupholster or refinish a piece of furniture
15. Coach a softball team or help out at practices
16. Travel outside the country (Italy, Costa Rica)
17. Travel inside the country (Colorado, South Carolina, visit Alex)
18. Refinish an old piece of furniture
19. Create a 5 year personal plan
20. Go zip lining
21. Take a cooking lesson
22. Join a book club (or start reading more)
23. Grow an herb garden
24. Sister for Crosby (another wheaten terrier)
25. Ride a day or two of RAGBRAI
26. A new house
27a. Run a marathon…..I may be kidding on this one? But if I try, JD must do a half-marathon
27b. If not, run a half-marathon under 2 hours (aka, keep up with Stacy and Shelby an entire race)
28. Visit 3 baseball stadiums/new cities…change it up from Chicago/Wrigley
29. Reach out to family/friends more frequently (birthday, anniversaries, etc.)
30. Start a family

As I read through my list, there are many people that come to mind who can help me achieve these in 1 year. And you better believe I will be reaching out to them (YOU!) for great advice, experience and to share some quality time!

For instance, there is no way I can build something without my dad’s help….mostly because I wouldn’t have the tools! I ask for each birthday/Christmas, but apparently my dad (and JD) don’t trust me with a table saw!

Sewing…I think of my Aunt Kathie who can make anything and everything. Me on the other hand, I tried to sew on a button once and the outcome was very sad. I’m not sure why I asked for the sewing machine for Christmas (thanks Mom!) but I need to start putting it to use.

Running (no matter the goal), I know I couldn’t do any of it without my great running buddies! It’s mostly true that “The hardest step is the first step out the door” but not when you know you’re meeting up with great friends! Some days, 12 miles doesn’t seem like a long enough time to spend chatting outside on a gorgeous day! When we finish, I always look forward to the next run! Even if I can't walk to my car because my legs are SO sore!

I have made a few small dents, but it looks like I’ll be busy this next year! So, wish me luck as I continue to tackle this list. And feel free to share your suggestions or expertise!

What Running Teaches You About Life....

Even though I wasn’t in Boston, I know every time I lace up my shoes and head out the door for a run, it’ll be a different feeling. I know so far I have felt more appreciative of being able to go run, more confident in my ability to battle the upcoming mileage and more humbled when I have finished.

                                                                                                                         

After the events this week, it was nice to spend time this morning with other runners and show support to those affected by the events that took place at the Boston Marathon. The IMT Des Moines Marathon Running Club hosted a Solidarity Run to send support to those in Boston. Hundreds of runners, both avid and casual, showed up for the one- to six-mile trek through downtown Des Moines. After sharing a moment of silence and listening to the national anthem, we headed out on the six mile run. This was just the start of the mileage I needed to cover for the day. My running buddies and I decided after the six, we’d continue running to complete our 8 for the day (well, 10 miles for the overachiever!).

It’s fun to look back and see how far I’ve come with my running. I started out as a sprinter in high school who didn’t understand the serenity and joy it could bring to my life (and wouldn’t run more than 200m). I have enjoyed traveling the neighborhood with our puppy — Crosby pushing me to go further each time — knowing hoping it would wear him out more. The great and not so great runs, the friendships, the races and the PRs…..A few years later and many halfs and races in-between, I still enjoy running and the comfort it brings to my life. And I can confidently say, I always will. Running has provided me with support, amazing friendships, confidence, and a lot of perspective on life. A friend sent me this link recently and it's crazy how many ring true with what running has taught me and I am sure, many others along their journey….

17 Things Running Teaches You About Life 

1. To be good at anything, you have to put in the time and effort no matter how talented you are.
2. Your abilities and someone else’s abilities are not the same. Do the best that YOU can do.
3. If winning is your objective, realize that you have to work 10 times harder than the next best person.
4. No matter how hard you work and how prepared you are, disappointments will happen.
5. The most gratifying experiences usually come as a result of enduring the most painful trials.
6. To be great at anything, you have to risk failing terribly at it.
7. A lot of people endure the same pains that you do.
8. If you focus on putting one foot in front of the other, you will eventually reach the finish line.
9. You cannot reach the finish line unless you start.
10. The mind is a very powerful thing. If you can train your mind to keep going even when your body wants to quit, you can achieve some incredible things.
11. Learning the difference between physically being unable to continue and giving up.
12. Accepting that every day is different — some days 5 miles is really easy, other days it feels like a cruel punishment.13. Pace yourself.
13. You cannot give 100%, 100% of the time.
14. Sometimes you need a day off, a day off from everything.
15. The worst time, the slowest pace, the last person to finish the race is still better off than the person who refused to try.
16. Even if you fall, even if you cannot finish today, you can and should pick yourself up and try again tomorrow.

Source: Thought Catalog 

What gets you up and running?

What a beautiful Saturday! The weather around here (Iowa) has been crazy the last.....well, forever! Like many places in the Midwest, the weather can change at the drop of a hat. Earlier this week it was upper 60s, then with a chance of snow the following days. So, instead of letting the weather mess with our training plan for Dam to Dam, I met my running buddies at our favorite trial Friday night for a lovely 6 mile run. I don't think any of us wanted to be there! While most people were out for happy hour after a long week, our weekend began with running for a hour or so....in the cold, windy, and almost rainy weather. As gorgeous as it is today, I am still glad to have our long run of the week done. Maybe I will head out for a short one today and enjoy this weather while it's here.

To get me through the run I kept thinking and talking about the amazing dinner JD and I had planned. Nothing fancy, but something definitely delicious....homemade pancakes! I love pancakes! They used to be a 'special' weekend treat, but we haven't had them forever.
When I got home for the run, I was tired, cold, hungry....and did I mention cold? While I took a long, hot shower to warm up (which never happened), JD started on the pancakes. Here's the recipe he used:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk (a little less or more depending on the consistency you like)
• 2 tablespoons oil

In a large measuring cup, whisk together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix well. Heat griddle and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Pour batter onto hot griddle. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minuets or until the top starts bubbling, and flip.

Makes about 6 large pancakes.

Sometime we (JD) add blueberries or chocolate chips into the batter for smoothing a little more special.

We were both too hungry and devoured them right away. Sorry, no pictures this time! I was grateful to get take a backseat on cooking tonight and let JD do his thing. And it ended up being a great post-run meal.

The only thing that would have made this meal better would have been adding in my new obsession.....Blueberry Coffee from Dunkin Donuts. Now, I am not a coffee girl (usually); however, JD has me hooked on this stuff. I am hoping that if I drink this long enough, I will fall in love with the real thing.

Don't worry though, my first stop Saturday morning was ..... you guessed it, in line for coffee to start off my Saturday. 

What gets you up and running in the morning?

Continuing What I Started

Another year has come and gone.....and unfortunately, I failed again to continue my blog last year. I am hoping now that things have settled down, I can start right where I left off. Here's a recap of the amazing year, that I'll never forget!

At times, I think back and wonder how I survived 2013 as it was a crazy and busy year...But sometimes the craziest times in our lives seem to turn out as the best! In 2013, in the midst of planning (obsessively) for our October wedding, I decided it was as good of time as any to start a new job and train for another half marathon. Sometimes it's the most hectic of schedules that keep us focused and motivated on the final goals. And I'd have to say, 2013 was no different.

THE JOB

In July, I started a new job in marketing with a great company. This position gives me the opportunity to focus more on writing which was a goal I had set for last year. I continue to enjoy all I am learning and have fallen back into my love for writing!

THE WEDDING

ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE…For sure! I wouldn't change a thing. While I love planning and was focused on every detail, when the day was finally here, I made sure to enjoy and take everything in. People aren't kidding when they say the day flies by. It was a little sad at the end to know everything I had planned for the last year and a half was done…But the end reward was much worth it! And having our family and friends there to celebrate with us made it even more special.

THE RUN

Like I mentioned before, I love planning and am very detail-oriented (some may say "control freak"). So, planning a wedding, my wedding, I was very particlar about every...single...detail. Training for the IMT Half-Marathon (and amazing running buddies), kept me focused on the end purpose and helped get me in shape for the big day. With all of the pre-wedding events like my showers, bachelorette party, and Italian cookie making, PLUS the long 10, 11 and 12 miles runs falling the month before the wedding, I had to carefully plan runs into my schedule. This really proved to me that, no matter how busy you are, you can make time to workout.

It also helped knowing that with running, I could enjoy not thinking about all the wedding details or the constant information I was taking in at my new job. And on most of the runs, spend quality time with the three girls I was training with along the way. In the end, my goal was to "get through" this half-marathon in one piece. But with encouragment from my great running friends (and the crazy one who ran the full marathon), I ended up setting a PR! Now, if I can just get back to that place in my running for this year….

So look forward to more to come from me throughout 2013. This is the year that I will keep blogging!