Marathon Mom

Pre and post workout routine! This only seems fitting after yesterday's post on my latest injury that came out of no where! Over the past year I have dealt with a right hamstring injury that finally resolved but now my right glute/hip is mad! I'm hoping because it came on quick and big that is goes away just the same! In the mean time I'm spending lots of quality time with my pals: foam roller, therapy ball and ice pack! In the midst of dealing with the left leg junk I was contacted by Ashley to try Ouch Wraps  they are premade, reusable hot or cold packs that you either throw in the freezer or microwave and done. They are great size and easy to use everywhere and even better easy to wrap on and stay put! I've used mine as ice for the legs and heat for my shoulder and back. I loved my Ouch Wrap and so did O thanks to the cute design, many others available online. Now you can try one too with the discount code: MARATHON! Or better yet, enter to win your own Ou...

Last Monday I thought I had irritated my SI joint which happens too frequently, but I soon found out I was wrong. I quit part way through my Sunday run as my low back and hip were so tight and achy and decided that was it...1 week off running. Monday I headed to the sports chiro and it looks like the whole things stems from a super tight glute medius and low back. So here I was undergoing 1 hour of Graston, the pain of someone pushing their body weight into my butt followed by acupuncture. Sounds like a fun Monday, right?! The good news, the hamstring is nothing and is all radiating from the glute, yay! but the bad news is my self imposed 1 week running break in hopes it is all I need to run a strong 2014. Wish me luck! I never thought I'd be running towards nontraditional therapies with all my issues. Instead of racking up the miles this week, I will hit the pool (yes it is out to the world, so hold me to it!), bike and elliptical. Also in the plans is 3 strength sessions, ...

I should first mention I began this post Friday morning, so if it makes little sense that I am heading to conference on a Sunday that is why! Life got in the way of finishing so here it is, better late, right? Just a quick post before I run off to sit all day at a conference on infectious disease, I may come back thinking I have some strange disease and full of nasty bugs so watch out! (Actually I got to listen to all the outbreaks traced to reptiles, perfect considering O was having reptile day at school complete with animals!). But first a couple better things... Nut Butter Monster Cookies- Gluten Free/Vegan 1 cup Peanut Butter (sub any nut or Sun Butter) 1/4 cup Applesauce 1 tsp Vanilla 1/2 cup Unrefined or Coconut Sugar (could do less) 1 tsp Baking Powder 1/2 cup Oats 1/4 cup Shredded Unsweetened Coconut 1/2 cup Salted Nuts (the sweet and salty mix is great) 1/2 cup Raisins (can sub choc chips or other dried fruit) Mix nut butter, applesauce and vanilla. Add i...

Guess what I’m still here, 3 days in a row! Starting to get back to “real” running now that the leg is better. Still following with my sports chiro monthly and focusing on strength with lower mileage. I am happy to be back into some speed work and looking a forward to working with a new coach (other than myself!) and improving my running. I decided that I need a change, I written my own plans for years but think after my year of injury I need to change things up a bit. I should be stronger and faster now with all the strength and core training but I’m not thanks to injury. I know with a change in training and injury free I can get to where I want to be. Thursday morning I grabbed my cute new BAMR band and hit the treadmill nice and early for some intervals. Tracy has me running less miles but high intensity and I’m loving it! So how’d it go: After an easy 10 min warm up my ¼ mile repeats were: 1:30 (Had to try with the treadmill set at top speed!) 1:33 1:31 1:35 1:32 1...

Here I am again, 2 days in a row posting. Looks like I may have finally found time for things besides work! With less workouts my focus has turned to healthy eating and I think most days have been great, lots of fruit and veggies for snacks and limiting processed foods and mindless snacking. I feel great. Of course I have been experimenting in the kitchen during my low running weeks and another success! Had to share my main dish first, cookies will come later. Broccoli "Cheese" Quinoa - Gluten Free & Vegan 1 onion chopped 2 cloves minced garlic  1 head broccoli   1 cup uncooked quinoa  2 cups water Mix in cheese sauce: Cheese Sauce 1 acorn squash roasted & puréed (about 1-2 cups)  1 1/2 cups water 1/4 cup nutritional yeast salt  pepper 1-2 tsp red pepper  Cook quinoa, while that cooks sauté onion and garlic until soft, add broccoli cook about 10 min mix into cooked quinoa. Combine "cheese" sauce ingredients and mix into quinoa. Ca...

2014 Running Challenge First, 12 runners committed to running  12 races in 2012 . Then, in 2013, almost 900 runners signed up to run 13 in 2013. Many have even gone beyond 13 races! In September 2012 I had what I thought was a little idea to run 13 half marathons in 2013, I shared this idea with Jill and we were shocked at how far reaching this little idea grew! Not only has it been fun to share this with so many others but the inspiration is huge! Next? It's time time to start thinking about the new year. New goals and endless possibilities of what you can accomplish. I'm excited to announce that I'm teaming up with Jill again in 2014 to bring you 14 in 2014! Now, it’s time to plan and commit to a running challenge for 2014 COMMIT to a year-long running goal! To be honest, 13 in 2013 was tough, I spend much of the year dealing with an injury that sidelined my running goals. While I was able to complete my races with less then the performan...