Where Should I Run My First 50K?

I have decided that my next challenge will be to run a 50k, which is about 31 miles. Mainly Marathons has added the 50k distance to their races, so I've decided to run one of their locations in May. I can't decide which one, though!

Delaware, May 8, in Bear
Connecticut, May 19, forgot to write down the city!
Ohio, May 28, in Bryan

These are all states that I've never run in. Which would you choose?

Training Update

65 days until the Chicago Marathon!

I have been trying to get some form of movement every day, and I'm succeeding so far.

Wednesday: 45 minutes on the bike at the gym, 10 minutes on the elliptical, and corn hole night! The times are from wall sits and planks after my ride.



Thursday: 3.5 miles of hill repeats. yikes.



Friday: rest day. walked a lot to get my steps in.

Saturday: cut back week, just over 9 miles.



Sunday: yoga at the clubhouse

Monday: 3.1 miles so I would have 80 for the month.



Tuesday: 3 miles plus some planks and crunches.



I miss 9 Round and hope to go this Monday! I'm traveling to Jersey so we'll see how I get exercise in. It's kind of a whirlwind trip, but I'm hoping the hotel has a pool so I can do some laps!

What was your favorite workout last week?

Wordless Wednesday

August Goals

It a been awhile since I have set monthly goals, so I thought now would be a good time to jump back in!



July was an 80 mile month, so I'm shooting for 90 in August.



My Chicago Marathon charity team, MDA Team Momentum, is hosting a plank challenge. For every 1 minute plank I do each day, I get 1 point. I'm aiming for 2 a day to start, and then I might start reaching for 3.



I am taking part in Coach Jenny's Year long Chalenge again this year, and she is hosting a Summer Olympics. There are a bunch of daily challenges, and you check off the day if you complete it. (steps, water, exercise, veggies, etc). You count up your successful days for each mini challenge and you can earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold medals depending on how many days you completed. Make sense? I'm aiming for as many Gold medals as possible!



This summer is the second Zooma Summer Challenge. It involves trying new exercises, trying new healthy foods, and an ab challenge. We are starting week 3 and I plan to finish strong!



I have joined my first Step Bet to keep me motivated to move more throughout the day. I just finished my first week and it really had me moving more, which I loved. This challenge should take me through August and into September.



I organized biweekly yoga night at my development's clubhouse. We are using DVDs and practicing together. My goal is to practice twice a week, even on weeks where we aren't meeting twice, which can happen if someone else has the club when we would normally meet.



I started using the Headspace app to help me meditate and I'm really liking it. I used it 5 days in a row and then the weekend happened. My goal for August is to set time aside every day to meditate.

What goals have you set for August?

Marathon Training and Coaching with Knuckle Lights

I received this beautiful pink Knuckle Lights Colors for the purposes of this review as part of being a BibRave Pro (ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to read and write race reviews!



Marathon Training is in full swing and I'm starting to hit big mileage. This month I ran 80 miles and hit 501 for the year so far! I also coach for Run For Your Life in Charlotte and we meet up 3 times a week for group runs. Two of those days we meet before dark and finish in the semi dark. This makes safety a huge concern for me and the ladies that I coach.



Until recently I have been running with a headlamp. Headlamps work just fine, don't get me wrong, but even after wearing one on my trucker hat, I still have lines on my forehead for a couple hours afterward. Luckily, I don't work outside of my coaching job, or it would be a very awkward couple of hours!



Knuckle Lights Colors is super comfy. The band that goes around your hand is adjustable and you can reach the power button without taking them off. The beam of light that they give off is enough to light the way for you, plus whoever is to your right and to your left. It's a very wide arc, perfect for group running!



If pink isn't for you, Knuckle Lights Colors is available in black and light blue as well. There are 2 in the package, one for each hand, and the batteries are included! They are also waterproof, which is super useful on super sweaty days, and those rainy days that we pray for here in the south!



When I first started using the Knuckle Lights Colors, my only complaint was that when the sun came up I still had to hold on to them. I felt more than a little silly when I realized that they conveniently fit in the pocket of my running skirt! It only took me about 4 runs to figure that out. I blame the early hour.



If you worry about batteries running out while you're running, Knuckle Lights also carries a rechargeable version called Knuckle Lights Advanced. It comes with a charging dock that you can put your Knuckle Lights into after every run. They are also twice as bright as the Colors.
Both versions have magnets so they lock together when you aren't using them. No more fishing around in your gym bag for that second light, they will stay together for easy storage.



I know, I used this pic twice, but it bears repeating. Check out knucklights.com and use the discount code to get your favorite color!

What's your favorite feature of Knuckle Lights Colors?

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday Training Update

Chicago marathon training is coming along pretty well so far. I've also started swimming for the triathalon in September, although that's not going quite as well! Don't worry, I won't drown, but I won't break any records either.
I started the training week off with a cold so Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I didn't work-out at all, unless you count holding the couch down as exercise.

Saturday..... I had 10 miles planned but I settled for 8.4 since I was still feeling a little rundown.



Sunday we went kayaking for about an hour and hiked the trail behind our house.





Monday, I ran 2 miles, went for a swim, and hit 9 Round....





Tuesday I ran 3 miles and walked 1...



Tuesday night I held our development's first ladies yoga night. We got together and did some DVDs, nothing crazy, but almost an hour of yoga...



Wednesday I took a day off. I was exhausted.



What was your favorite workout last week?