Blog Update!

It has been over a year since my last post on this blog, but for great reasons!  I have had a year that can go down in the record books of 'Most Amazing'.  Not only have I been planning my wedding that will be coming up in September, but I have been training and running the Boston Marathon, completing my first year of teaching 2nd grade, and working on my other blog Living the Teaching Life (check it out here).

Wedding Planning Update:

I am the luckiest gals in the world because I get to marry a man that is hands down Incredible!  Not only is he very handsome, funny, and loving, but he is a very sexy police officer *wink*.  We also share a passion for working out, but I still kick his butt in running.

Boston Marathon:

Yep--you read right!  Boston, baby!  I was very fortunate to have qualified for the Boston Marathon after my first marathon.  This year was especially amazing because of the strong community that stood together to show that no one can break us from being Boston Strong.

Blog Update:

Now that I am free for the summer, I truly wanted to start focusing on this Running blog.  Running is a major part of my lifestyle, and I have found some great ways to stay strong and healthy over my many years on the road.  It is important that a running community works together, so I want to share with you all of the tips and tricks that I have found to work or fail miserably! Also, I will be sharing with you some new workouts that you may find in magazines or online articles.  I will test run each and give you my honest opinion of how it worked. 

I am hoping that you are ready to begin this wonderful summer out with a POW!

My First Marathon!

Last month I ran my first marathon, The Fargo Marathon.  It was an experience that I will never forget, and I am proud to say that I ran to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  Here are some pictures from my experience:

Picking up my packet at the expo.

Always good to have some signage to cheer you on.

My family there to cheer me on.

I evidently have a running trademark: peace signs.

I will be beginning my training for the Twin Cities Marathon next week.  This video really inspired me because sometimes I forget about the importance of my own run.  It is not about only the winners, but it is about me and my courage to do it! 

Cold Running Gear

With the wind chills below zero, a runner needs to bundle up in light, warm layers.  Here is some of my favorite cold weather picks for all my winter running girls.

Why Do You Run?

Can you fill in the blank?  It is a simple phrase, but there are thousands, maybe millions, of reasons why we run.  There is a spectrum of justifications: relieve stress, test limits, fitness, disease prevention, time alone, time with friends, weight loss, freedom, strength.

We all put one foot in front of the other, but the picture in our minds varies.  The reason we run changes how we run.  If you are a person who enjoys the company of another runner, your pace encourages being able to talk; however, if you are trying to become faster, you use interval training (and we all know the lack of breath we have during intervals).

I encourage you to fill in the blank.  Even print it off (click here for printable) and put it on your fridge.  Setting goals is the first step to understanding who you are as a runner.  It will push you to become the person and runner you are looking to be.

Beauty Run Gear