I Have Run

Since my last post was about how to fail at running, here's a post about succeeding...on your long run. My long run last week, which was 18 miles, reminded me of a lot of things I'd forgotten since I last did long runs that were approaching the 20 mile mark. Fuel . I went years without using fuel on my long runs. Once I found a fuel my stomach can handle, it made a huge difference in how much energy I have at the end of my runs. On my 16 miler the previous week, I noticed how hard it felt between miles 8-10. I typically take a GU before I hit mile 8 for this very reason. So on my 18 miler, I GUed at 7.5 and 13. Take the good with the bad. There will be both. My first 15 miles were awesome. I kept thinking I was due for a good long run and that it was finally happening. Then the last three miles happened. They were miserable. Straight into the wind on legs that were starting to feel the first 15. I just had to remember it would ultimately make me stronger. Stick

Over the weekend, the hubs and I talked about my running goals. I had the realization last week that I was putting pressure on myself based on what I was seeing other people do. I was comparing my mileage, my workouts and my paces to other people's on social media. Especially other people training for Boston. I was beginning to wonder if I should change up my training plan or if I needed to push myself harder on my "easy" runs. Then I stopped looking. Stopped comparing. Because the surest way to fail, whether it means I get injured or that I stand at the starting line in Boston over trained and exhausted, is by comparing myself to others and messing up my training as a result. Instead, I pulled out my training log from 2013 when I trained for both a spring and a fall marathon injury free and first achieved my goal of qualifying for Boston. I have modified my training plan for the next 55 days to closely mirror what I did in the weeks leading up to the fall marath

My friends know me. And love me. Or at least Megan does. Because she brought me these when I babysat her darling little girl. And by babysat I mean let her take a nap at my house. Easiest babysitting job ever. I was actually a little sad I didn't get to play with her. So I'm waiting impatiently for the next time I get to hang out with her. Her mom can come too if she wants. Wednesday night we had one of my favorite easy meals for dinner. Bonus: both my girls love it as well! Here's the non-recipe recipe: small corn tortillas (the smaller the better); heat each tortilla in a skillet to melt a little Monterrey jack cheese on top; top with steak, cilantro, onion and a squeeze of lime. I season my meat with pepper and McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning . Last night I hit the treadmill for some speed and hill intervals. The day was a little crazy, so running after my girls went to bed was my last resort. I'm not sure how I completely trained for a marathon

Running is like riding a roller coaster. Some runs feel like it's all downhill. Other runs feel like a slow, stomach churning uphill climb. Luckily I have found a few things that make running easier for me. Maybe they will make it easier for you too. It might not seem like it on every run, but hopefully you'll see a difference overall. First I have to get my head in the game. Running is so mental. If I find myself constantly struggling, I try to spend an entire run focusing on those times my runs have been great, those races that have been incredible, those moments that deserve a spot on my highlight reel. And I stretch. I haven't always done this. In fact, I have been terrible at stretching most of my running "career" (even with my yoga background!). With my recent leg and bum issues though, stretching has been the key to staying in the game for me. I found which stretches target my trouble spots and am doing them religiously before and after my

Although it is unseasonably warm in Utah, I know some of you are experiencing an actual winter. I put together some motivation to keep you moving during the cold "winter" months for Skinny Mom . You can check out my ways to stay motivated HERE ! Valentine's Day was a success all around at our house. Grace's class Valentines turned out jolly good. And her Valentine's mailbox was a hit. Ellie decorated her own box at school. She was kind of sad about that. Especially when Grace ended up with this masterpiece. And Grace's costume for her Alice in Wonderland party exceeded my expectations. It wouldn't have been as perfect without the crown we borrowed from Megan. She was the Queen of Hearts for Halloween, so she was also my source of inspiration and information for the rest of the costume as well. And it was well worth the gold glitter that is all over my house that may very well be a permanent addition. Any holiday can be counted as

It's a rest day today so I can do my long run tomorrow. It's hard to believe I'm already up to 18 milers in this marathon training cycle! Like marathon training, Valentine's Day is also in full swing around here. Yesterday we finished Ellie's Valentines, and I made another batch of sugar cookies. These were partly made at Scott's request for birthday cookies for a guy at work who made a special request for a double batch as his birthday present. And yes, the guy is turning 40. Tonight we'll finish up Grace's Valentine's and make her Valentine box for school, and I'll tackle putting together a costume for her Alice in Wonderland themed Valentine's Day party. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. It's a good thing I work well under pressure. What are your Valentine's Day plans?

Randomness #1 : After I ran this morning, I stopped at Old Navy to try on pants. I have a credit there and need something besides jeans to wear when I work at the school, so I figured Old Navy would solve my problem for less. Every pair of pants I tried on made me feel like an 80 year old lady. They just aren't flattering. I'm hoping it was a retailer problem and not a current fashion trend problem. I was trying to go the inexpensive route, but I might have to suck it up and pay a little more. I'm willing to pay a little more to look at least a little closer to my age.   Randomness #2: I failed to share my incredible day of eating last week. I can't remember what I had for breakfast last Wednesday, but for lunch I had the most incredible salad prepared by the even more incredible Megan. Seriously, she has yet to disappoint me with anything she has made or recommended. And yes, she even made the dressing. Then for dinner I met my cousin at California Pizza Kitchen

The last time I weighed myself was October 17th. Over three months ago. It was also my birthday. I'm still not sure why I thought that would be a good birthday present to myself. It wasn't. Then the scale sat unused but tempting and taunting me until last month. The day my 8-year-old daughter randomly decided to weigh herself was the day the scale disappeared. The number on the scale has become a measurement of so much more than weight for too many people, especially women and girls. After managing to resist weighing myself for nearly three months and instead focusing on how I felt and how my clothes fit instead, watching Grace step on the scale was like being punched in the face. I don't know what motivated the curiosity of my incredibly fit daughter. My child who has a six-pack that would be the envy of nearly every woman I know. My child who is long and lean and incredibly strong. My child who probably weighs more than many of her classmates only because her

I added cottage cheese to my scrambled eggs this morning for the first time. I was expecting a taste explosion in my mouth since I love both scrambled eggs and cottage cheese. To be honest, I didn't notice a huge difference. It just tasted like scrambled eggs. Maybe I need to try the cottage cheese as a topping instead. Because the toppings are always the best part. Today's toppings were avocado and salsa. However, avacado trumps all other toppings because there just aren't many things in this world more delicious.   And I NEED to try these. Yes. Need. There is no want involved.   I did already try THESE Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats. During my long run on Saturday, Megan described them to me in detail. Then she sent me the recipe, so of course I had to make them. They are pretty darn good. I didn't use dark brown sugar like the recipe calls for but used light brown sugar instead because it is what I already had. I think they might have a little more caramel flavo