Tiny Thunder Running

When I first started running long distances, I was obsessed with asking people how they fueled for long runs. In the beginning of my running journey, I didn't realize there were people that ran more than a few miles at a time, let alone 26.2 and longer. My eyes were opened to the wide world of nutrition and hydration that make these acts of madness possible. My running experience comes full circle now that people have started to ask me the very questions I used to ask. I am here to tell you that while for some people, finding what works is a quick easy process, it can also be very difficult and frustrating at times! Of course, me being me, I belong to camp #2.  In the years since I started long distance running, I have discovered a few things that work flawlessly and way too many that just don't. I am here to share my journey to the perfect solution for me and if you dare to journey on with me, please understand that there will be TMI moments. My goal is to be honest in an ...

Before I get to the actual content of this post.. I have to admit something embarrassing . I wrote this post Monday but every evening it seemed like I didn't have the energy or time to get this posted.. hoping next week is better!! Anyway, without further adue.. Happy Friday and time to relive last weekend before we make new memories during this one. After lazing around most of the day Saturday, I had half convinced myself to do the same on Sunday. It would have been easy to do, ya know. But because I had just signed up for a trail half marathon just 2 weeks ago, I knew skipping out on the opportunity for a run longer than 5 miles IN DAYLIGHT would be a bad idea. I had already planned to do so prior to signing up for this half marathon, craving some distance, so I knew what I needed to do. I did laze around and do a few things in the morning and finally set out around 1:30pm. Yaktraxs, camelbak and energybits in tow, I was off and running. Those first 2 miles down ...

Wow its really been almost a month since the marathon and even longer than that since I last posted here. I guess that goes to show the speed of life and that lack of motivation to sit at a computer after 8 hours of such at work. At any rate, I am FINALLY here to share the experience of my very first marathon.. and (spoiler alert) not my last. I hate that it has taken me so long to sit down and write and hope that I can still channel and remember it all. Okay, yep. Apparently my emotions remember as I just got teary-eyed. Wow. So the Saturday afternoon prior, my sister arrived with her kiddos and I spent the afternoon running around after and entertaining them. This actually worked out pretty great because I didn’t have much time to worry or freak out that the very next day I would be doing something so crazy as running my first marathon. I decided to keep telling myself it was no big deal and that it is just another long run. (really, that’s it.) Saturday evening I made sure I...

Last week my short runs were TERRIBLE. Completely terrible. Tuesday I could barely make it 3 miles. My legs were so tight and 3 miles felt like 30. Wednesday I had such a bad headache and was so rundown I have in and took the day off. Thursday I was supposed to run with a friend, but because my headache was still hanging on for dear life and I was still feeling exhausted I decided to go it alone on the dreaded treadmill. The first 3 miles were the biggest struggle ever. I seriously stopped at each mile trying to stretch and loosen my legs to making running even just a tad more enjoyable. At mile 3, I took a bathroom break. After that it seemed my body finally got on board and realized I wasn't giving up. Finished out pretty well and felt pretty good. After the frustrating short runs of the week, my spirit and love for running was a little down and broken. In fact, Saturday morning I was really tempted to throw in the towel and not go on my long run. I knew I had a super busy da...

Oh my goodness you guys. I have so been wanting to do this giveaway for WEEKS now and never got my crap together enough to get it up here. I hope you will forgive me and I hope you will enter and tell all your friends!! What is  ENERGYbits  any way? In short it is an awesome natural fuel. A little been longer of an explaination, right from the source: " ENERGYbits® are tiny algae tabs so nutritionally dense, they eliminate fatigue and hunger instantly. Want a healthy, natural way to fuel your game or fire up your brain? ENERGYbits® are for you! NO caffeine, sugar, chemicals, gluten or soy, just pure, plant based nutrition, all for just ONE calorie per tab." In reality these beautiful green little guys are my heros. Is that a little extreme? Not really sorry!!  I actually tried these a little less than a year ago and have never looked back. I use them as fuel for running anything over 5 or so miles. I especially love my bits for long runs and they work like a c...