Live Love Run Together

Use Journaling to Set Goals and More Journaling is a multi-purpose tool that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Putting thoughts on paper solidifies memories, brings clarity to feelings and emotions, and is a perfect starting point for developing plans or goals. In this digital age, it may seem odd to revert to a traditional notebook and pen, but it works for this specific purpose. Right now, it may be particularly useful to write a few notes about what you are experiencing during this Coronavirus crisis. We’ve all felt some level of fear, anger, confusion and frustration. Consider journaling what has happened since the Stay-at-Home order went into place. Describe what a current day looks like and what you want to do once the order is lifted. Be sure to write about something you are grateful for or happy memories you’ve made with your loved ones. Writing down your experience during this crisis could be both cathartic and enlightening.     Startin...

How Are You Doing? What’s New? How are you? How has life changed since the Stay at Home order? Checking in to see how you are doing and what you’ve been doing during this Stay at Home order. Things are calming down a little as we’ve learned more about the virus and what we need to do in order to flatten the curve, as well as stay safe at home. We’ve also established new routines, which helps calm the chaos. It’s definitely different and sometimes frustrating, but we are adapting. Do You At Your Fullest Motivation on the trail We’ve Made Some Changes My big running goals have changed into keeping up a solid base and participating in some virtual activities. I'm spending time in my gym, walking Stella and running as much as I can, of course. My key races were postponed, so there’s no reason to keep up with big mileage. I do miss race days, run clubs and running with my training partner, immensely. However, I’m also looking forward to when we can get together agai...

Finding Motivation When It's Lost Some days I wake up ready to run; other days, not so much. I occasionally struggle with motivation like most runners. Over the years, I’ve implemented several methods for finding motivation when it's lost. Let’s be real, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to staying motivated all the time. However, maybe some of these tips will be helpful the next time you are debating whether or not to skip a run. Look for Inspiration I am often inspired by other athletes. Learning about other people’s achievements and seeing excitement for our sport reminds me to celebrate my own successes. 1. P odcasts and books: There are so many running-related podcasts that are both informative and entertaining. My favorites are Marathon Training Academy and Trail Runner Nation, though I listen to many more. Books written by or about athletes are also inspiring. I’m following a plan from Run Less, Run Faster by Bill Pierce, Scott Murr and Ray ...

Keep Calm and Run On Well that escalated quickly. The threat of Covid-19 or Coronavirus is infiltrating every single aspect of our lives – work, school, vacation and socialization. Adjusting to this fluctuating quarantine situation has been chaotic and emotionally taxing. However, I’m holding onto the fact that this, like all chapters of our lives, is only temporary. Throughout the world, we are hearing the collective sigh of athletes as races are canceled or postponed. I’m sure weddings are being postponed along with first communion and baptisms at churches, high school and college graduations, birthdays and family reunions, not to mention spring break vacations. And that’s the fun stuff! Since all the CDC and WHO guidelines remain fluid, what a popular word that has become, it’s difficult to find control throughout this chaos. Schools and churches have closed, restaurants and bars are now closing, coffee shops and restaurants are drive-through only, for now, and grocery...

The Epic Challenge – March 2020 My good friend Krista and I were chatting over a run, as we usually do, about doing a stage race. We both wanted to run a 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon over four consecutive days, but we didn’t want the expense of a Florida vacation to accomplish this crazy challenge. After discussing potential options over post-run coffee, we decided we’d do our own Epic Challenge. We completed our first Epic Challenge in 2019 while training for the KalHaven Ultra Marathon. Who would have thought we’d do this again in 2020? In addition to KalHaven, we are both training for the Lighthouse 50. The Epic Challenge sounded like a good training opportunity yet again! Epic Challenge 2020 started on Wednesday, March 4. We completed the 5k near Krista’s home just before sunset. I was pretty warm from my car ride down to her house, so I didn’t think to wear gloves. My hands froze in the headwind, but we were running swiftly and had tailwind on the way bac...

My Fxck Cancer Fundraiser for 2020 I found Fxck Cancer in 2019 when I started out as an ambassador for NUUN hydration. NUUN ambassadors share training and race day accomplishments in a closed social media site. While admiring many athletes on this platform, I spotted a unique triathlon shirt. The shirt was black and hot pink and had “ Fuck Cancer ” written in huge letters across the chest. The man sporting this awesome shirt was also riding the most impressive hot pink tri-bike. I was intrigued. I found the Fxck Cancer website and read about this nonprofit; it is a 501c3. I knew right away that this was the right organization to support as I started my journey to 50 miles. They had an ambassador program, so I submitted an application. I watched my email every day for weeks, anxious to see if it had been approved. Finally, the day arrived when I learned Fxck Cancer approved my application and welcomed me to the 2020 Fxck Cancer Ambassador team! I was so elated! In e...

Welcome March, Welcome Spring Thank goodness we made it through February, the shortest, yet longest month of the year. It always seems extra cold, extra snowy and extra gray in February, though it really wasn’t nearly that bad this year. We did have plenty of beautiful blue-sky days. Even so, I’m so glad we finally made it to March. There is so much to celebrate this month! We are now in meteorological Spring, daylight savings is just a week away and we are about to re-start my local run club for the year. My little brother’s birthday is in a few weeks too – Happy Birthday! March is also Woman’s History Month. I'm grateful to have many women in my family and incredible friends who I admire and inspire me often.   Obviously, the most important women in my life include my daughter and Mom. I want to thank my Mom for most recently taking care of me after a minor surgical procedure and making sure I stayed focused on recovery and not on the training I was missing. We spen...