Weekly Update

Since I am starting training tomorrow and I have set monthly goals, I am going to be doing a "weekly update" to keep myself accountable.

Goal Part 1: Head for the trails.
Status:

 I have not gone to the trails yet (I haven't done that much running this week).

Goal Part 2: Schedule the workouts you like to do.
Status:

I tried to do hill repeats not once, but twice this week, but my ...monthly cramps... decided that they did not want me to do hill repeats.  Bummer.  I tried.  I really did, but each time I only got through one repeat.  I will try again, although I know my next few weeks are going to be filled with pretty boring, easy runs (beginning of a training cycle).

Goal Part 3: Set Goals

4-Week Goal: Consistent in half-training.

I don't start until tomorrow.

3-Month Goal: Blog twice a week.

Done for this week (barely, I almost forgot to blog tonight).

6-Month Goal: Sub 2:00 Half-Marathon

That is a long way away.

Goal Part 4: Sign up for a short-for-you race.

I haven't signed up yet, but I know for sure that I am going to do one in September.

Goal Part 5: If you are on the fence about going on a run, GO!

I was not so good at this one this week, but I am hoping that next week with a solid training plan starting, I will be better.

I am not even going to recap my weekly training because I really didn't have anything specific planned.

And, I am not judging you, even if you run weird (better than not running at all), but I love this oldie, but goodie Don't Be That Awkward Runner Video.

Overnight Oats and Fitness Friday

So you need to go check out run4treats.  It is a great blog run by a physical therapy student (and obviously a runner).  She kept talking about Overnight Oats, so of course I had to try them.  The idea is simple: combine a few ingredients together the night before and enjoy a yummy breakfast the day of.  I am in love.  I may never eat anything else for breakfast ever again.  They were just so delicious.

Here is the recipe:

Combine all ingredients, then put in the refrigerator overnight.  "Flavor" in the morning.

1/4 Cup Old Fashioned Oats (Not those quick ones, the "real" ones).
1/4 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt (I just bought a big container of it and I have been using it for all sorts of recipes lately-- including delicious Tzatziki sauce that I will post a recipe for soon).
1 1/2 Teaspoons Chia Seeds (She told me not to skip them.  I got them at Whole Foods in the Bulk Foods section).
1/3 Cup Milk (can substitute almond milk)

I made mine with strawberries and Nutella (add in the morning), but she had some other suggestions:
Honey, Banana, and Peanut Butter
Blueberry Cobbler
Pumpkin Pie
Nutella Banana


Half-Marathon training starts on Sunday and I am so excited to be back in a routine again! Wahoo!!!

Fitness Friday and a GIVEAWAY!!!

I am super lucky to have this giveaway from the great people at the Color Run.  I am so excited to be able to present y'all with such an awesome giveaway as my very first giveaway.  I have never done the Color Run as I am planning to run my first in March, but I will give you all the details!!!

The Color Run is also known as the happiest 5K on the entire planet.  That is pretty exciting!



It is a 5K run where you get covered in colored powder at each kilometer.  The Color Run has two "rules:"

1. Wear white at the starting line.

2. Finish plastered in color.

Another thing I already love about the Color Run is the charity connection.  Even though the Color Run is a for-profit organization, it has an emphasis on charity. In each city, The Color Run partners with a charity.  The partnerships happen in different capacities, but it is great knowing that you run for a cause!  It just makes running that much better!

Nervous about being covered in color? Don't be, none of these people look worried.  They are all ecstatic to be running covered in color!! I can't wait to try this!

This event isn't only for runners.  According to the Color Run FAQ, "you can run, walk, crawl, or cartwheel if you wish." So there is no excuse not to enter this giveaway and do the Color Run!

What are you waiting for? Enter the giveaway!!! You will receive one Color Run entry to the city of your choice!

View cities here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I was offered two free entries for this post- one for myself, and one for a giveaway.  All opinions are my own.***

Check out http://www.talkless-saymore.com for her #fitnessfriday.

August Goals

I literally just wrote July 32nd on something, then realized that didn't exist and it was AUGUST (one of my favoritest months)!!!  So, a goal setting post for YOU (and me) was necessary.

In the January issue of Runner's World, there was a resolution guide, but it was unique.  It gave you goals each month to help improve your overall running.  Much more manageable than the goal of "getting better this year."  After all, goals should be SMART:

Okay, I will stop boring you now.  I just had to put a little bit of geeky-ness in there.  But for real, you shouldn't set a super broad goal without setting smaller steps in there.

Anyway, I have kind of forgotten about it, but I saw that another blogger was doing some August goals, so I decided to dig out the old Runner's World (well the website actually), and commit to the August goal.

The broad goal of August, as defined by Runner's World, is "Rediscover your Mojo."  They must really be geniuses because this was just what I was needing!

No, I need to rediscover it.

There are five specific parts to the August goal of rediscovering your mojo:

1. 

Head for the trails, where the shade will often be more plentiful than it is on a road. Plus, technical trails require concentration, which means you’ll be mentally engaged with your footing—not with the heat or your remaining mileage.  We have some trails around here, but not too many.  Maybe I will try the beach too? It kind of defeats the purpose of the shade, but I could do it early morning.

2. Schedule the workouts you like to do: If you really like hill repeats or despise tempo runs, run accordingly. “It may not be perfect physiologically,” says Leivers, “but if it’s a workout you’re excited for, you’re more likely to actually do it.”

I start official half-marathon training the third week of August, but I will try to do some fun things between now and then.  I really like hill repeats.  They are hard, but I like them (I have no clue why).  I also really like tempo runs because I feel legit.  I mean I get to run fast.  Who doesn't like that? I am not a huge fan of long runs, but I am beginning to like them more (which is a good thing because they are pretty important to a half-marathon buildup).  Spoiler alert: September's goal is mastering the long run, so I am pretty excited about that.  Why haven't I been doing these goals the whole year?

The only hill in Charleston.  Well pretty much the only one.

3. Revisit—or set new—both short- and long-term goals. “Give yourself four-week, three-month, and six-month goals,” says Baker. “Once your goals are out of your head and on paper, they are closer to happening.” 

4-Week Goal: Be consistent in half training.  I want to only have missed two runs for the scheduled runs of the month.  Unless something terrible happens, then I will adjust.

Three-Month Goal: By November 1st, I want to have blogged twice a week every week.  I know, not really running related, but it will keep me reliable for my training.

Six-Month Goal: Sub-2:00 half marathon.  That is technically a 4.5 month goal because I want it to happen by the end of the year at Kiawah.  And if it doesn't happen then, you can bet I will be signing up for the Charleston 1/2 Marathon in January.  But only as a last resort.  I have heard the course isn't that great.

Well actually 1:59:99

4. Sign up for a short-for-you race—could be a 5-K, could be a trail half-marathon. “The immediate satisfaction you feel from crossing a finish line can kick-start the rest of your training,” says Underhill.

I am running the ALS HOPE Race 5K in September so kind of delayed, but it will be fun and it is for a great cause.  Check out runs for ALS in your area.  They are for an AWESOME CAUSE!

5. Finally, if you’re on the should-I-go fence, mentally fast forward to later that day. “I always know I’ll feel worse if I haven’t run,” says Jessica Hofheimer, a running coach and Pilates instructor in Reston, Virginia. “I’ll be disappointed in myself, so it’s worth it just to try. Plus, there’s nothing like the feeling of being done with a run.” 

I probably should go.

It's cute.