Tiny Thunder Running

I don't usually write about training runs, but I couldn't pass this one up. Early last week, I reached out to my friend Jeremy to ask for suggestions on a different trail route to switch it up a little. I knew I had a 26 mile training run to do and thought it might be fun to branch out. Jeremy is a local badass ultra-runner so I knew he would have some great ideas. He didn't disappoint. I will admit, I was a little worried about going it alone. All my usual partners in crime were on different training plans this week or out of town, but I planned on going and doing what I could. I am not sure why, but I was totally unsure of myself- even upon arriving to the starting point of my run. I was worried about whether there would be creepers on the trail waiting for me at 7 am. I was worried that I would fall and get hurt. What if I ran out of water or got lost? Twenty-six miles was not a new distance for me, but definitely daunting to complete alone and on a new trail. ...

I can't let this month slip by without sharing an amazing part of this year's running journey with you. This is not about a personal achievement. Not at all. Although personal tooting of our own horns is often the subject of our blog and/or social media posts, that is not the purpose of this post. Instead, it is a celebration of friendship, same pace camaraderie, and the massive amount of miles it takes to cross the finish line of a marathon. Especially a first marathon. Back in January of this year, the running gods aligned me with three amazing women. We all had similar goals for our spring half marathon races and therefore had similar goals for our workouts at each  Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg  led running class. We all held each other accountable to our goals and paces... just a little obsessively. This is a picture of us all bundled up at that first workout. Little did we know... Long story short we trained together all spring and, in the process gained a grou...

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...

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...