Tiny Thunder Running

I'm so excited to rack up more minutes using video workouts from Grokker ! There’s everything from yoga [workout type] to HIIT [workout type] for everyone from beginners to advanced, and I'm especially pumped to try HIIT Core [video name] because it will make me extra strong ![adjective]. I plan to do my video workout in my living room [place] before eating dinner[activity] and after a long day at work [activity]. My favorite thing about video workouts is simplicity[noun], and they’re a super convenient way to get sweaty when I am busy[verb]. My goal is to hit 250 [number] minutes this week!. I’ll do HIIT Core [video name] one one of my more intense workout days, and Yoga for the neck and shoulders[video name],  on a rest or lower intensity day.  I challenge all of you![workout buddy name] to beat my # of minutes or to do yoga [activity / video name] with me! (well ok, virtually..) psst! Want more access to more of the amazing videos on Grokker ? Use the cod...

Yes! I did it. I completed my 4th half marathon and my 2nd for the year. I knew it would be a tough one as it was rumored to be hilly. It most definitely did not disappoint. We arrived Friday to get our "packets" which included our race shirt, a nice drawstring bag with the races logo, and some other odds and ends. There was also a digital coupon guide that was emailed to us. We paid our money for the all you can eat pasta dinner and ate as much as our bellies would let us. Once we couldn't eat another bite, we loaded back into the car and headed to our "home" for the night. It was about 15 minutes away from the race location and pretty inexpensive. Neither of us slept well  and we seemed to be able to hear quite a bit of noise from the neighbors, which was a bummer. But it was clean, warm, and an easy place to get to. It was an older motel and each room had a little area of the balcony and a beautiful country view.  Saturday we woke up shortly...

Another day, another awesome review opportunity thanks to my ambassadorship with Sweatpink. A few weeks back, I got an email letting me know I was chosen to receive this product for free in exchange for a review PLUS I get to share the love with a giveaway. Who doesn't love that? The product is a genius one. MealEnders , as they call it,  just does that. Sorry for the rough edges on the bags, we were a little excited to open them. When I told the husband what I was reviewing he was quite the skeptic. He just didn't really buy that this tiny lozenge could actually keep you from wanting to eat. Needless to say, he ate one and fell asleep that night not having ice cream or any snack at all. I knew this was a sign that these are magic.  We have both had the chance to try these quite a few times and both agree on a few things. 1. The flavors are awesome 2. These little things REALLY work 3. Did I mention the flavors are awesome? As you can see in the ...

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 ...

Monday night I posted a pretty delicious looking picture on instagram. Have no fear. It tastes JUST as delicious as it looks!! I cannot take any credit for this, but will tell you to go check out Taylor Made's post for full details. What you will need: -10 ounces whole wheat penne pasta -1 lb spicy Italian chicken sausage ( I used turkey) -1 5-6 oz. bag baby spinach -2 cloves garlic, minced -1 cup chopped grape tomatoes -1 cup prepared tomato sauce (e.g., Prego) -3/4 cup plain greek yogurt -1/4 cup milk -1 and 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or less if desired) (I used sharp chedder) -1/2 tsp salt (I didn’t use any) -1/2 tsp pepper (I forgot this) -1/2 tsp garlic powder -1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (less or none if you don't like spicy) Directions -Preheat oven to 375 degrees. -Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. -Cook chicken sausage in 1 tbsp butter over medium heat for 12-14 minutes, or until ...

Anyone who lives in any of the states getting slammed this week with bitter cold either goes all in and heads outsideto run, or says screw that I am staying inside. Yesterday I decided I was going all in and bundled up, put my lights and reflectors on, and, well, my ninja mask. Well ok. Maybe not a ninja mask, more like a balacave for the motorcycle, but crazy nonetheless. It definitely did the job as did the rest of my wonderfully warm layers. I also tried out my yaktrax  knowing there was snow and ice from Tuesday's little storm. They definitely worked out very well and I could not have done it without them. Now mine are really the ones made for walking, but they definitely did the trick. I got mixed reactions regarding my frozen 4 miler- from wow you go! to you are insane, it's too cold! Other runners understand. Sometimes you just need to go. Sometimes there is no substitute for getting out there, crazy or not. I did a lot of thinking on this run. I have bee...

As a sweatpink ambassador, I sometimes get pretty cool opportunities. This time around I got a free 2 month trial from the folks over at   Gigabody  to try and share my thoughts. I was a little skeptical at first. I mean how many different home workout video services can be out there and really kick butt? This time of year I am super thankful for services like this. I love running outside in the winter, but when it is dark and potentially icy, I like having a good PLAN B. When you first log into the site, you will see something like this. Screenshots of the most popular videos in the main screen and the workout types on the right make it easy to find whatever type of workout might fit the mood for the day. In the top right, you can also see your workout stats too! Pretty cool to see those numbers go up after each work out.  So what workouts did I do? Did I enjoy them? This is the first workout I completed. It was so much more than I expected. This vi...

Thanks to my awesome connections as a Sweat Pink Ambassador, I got to try this   Electrolyte Hydrator  product by Vega. They did supply the product, but all the views and opinions expressed here are my own. I have to admit I was really excited about this product and the whole #FuelYourBetter campaign. I received my product and tried it within a few days.  I am always looking for a way to switch up my hydration from water. What better way to hydrate than with natural ingredients? The good? I think this product definitely does what it says- it hydrates and definitely can fuel in that way.  The bad? I really couldn't stomach this flavor. I am generally not a huge berry flavor but this seemed incredibly sweet. I tried it a few times and even over ice, but just couldn't get on board.  I am usually more of a lemon/lime kind of gal.  That being said, I mostly drank this when I did workouts at home or AFTER a run. I was too afra...

Lets talk about something. How your body can be totally on board with running one day and yet the next day you step out the door, its a totally different story. For instance, Thursday night was balmy but beautiful so after work I was determined to put in a few miles. I usually am so tired at the end of the day since I don't get home until 8pm, but Thursday I was so energized but the warm temps and the sunshine. I rushed home, threw on my running gear and hit the road. I had a glorious run. I ran to Negley park which is a work in itself- hills, hills, hills. But it felt mostly effortless. All smiles as I overlook the Harrisburg skyline... always beautiful from this park.  I managed quite an amazing average -- my best as of late.. in MONTHS! So how is it possible.. that today's run... that was supposed to be 6 miles, that turned into 5 because I was so sluggish? Today was warmer and sunnier (aka not dark) and the humidity set in like crazy. But serio...