This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Show us your year in bling!  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Feel free to post any running related blog postRemember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

No doubt this has been an interesting year.  I started off the year with a few races in my calendar.  Now I don’t remember how many but I do remember that a couple were half marathons in various states.  I was really hoping to complete my goal of running a half marathon in each state.  Maybe 2022?

I may not have run many races but I have been busy running all of the miles.  Those that have been reading along know I started working with a coach in May.  I have made many improvements and each month have also increased my mileage.  And let’s not forget my running streak!  🙂

Here is a list of the races I ran this year.  They were not all live races but I still ran and got some swag (except the last one).  

Publix Atlanta Half Marathon – This was only real race I ran this year in March.  It was hilly and hard.  I had more fun spectating the Olympic Marathon Trials the day before.  The medal was OK but I definitely earned it.

The Great Run Across Illinois – I did this with Marcia.  The goal was to run 210 miles and we did  it.  I did not order the medal but did get a shirt. 

Quad-City Times Bix 7 – A virtual race done with friends too.  Thanks to Kim for organizing the group!  We had lots of run coordinating our outfits.  Running 7 miles was not easy due to the heat but still made the best of it.   No medal but I got a shirt as well. 

California Coast 500 Challenge – I did this with my BibRave Pro friends.  The goal was to run 250 miles from June 8-September 7.  I wasn’t sure if I would complete it because I had to quarantine and could not leave my house (I don’t have a treadmill either).  I needed about 20 more miles.  Once I was able to run outside, I got it done.  However, I then found out that the deadline had been extended due to the fires happening at that time.  I did get a medal, but got the wrong one.  I was told that I could send it back and I would get the correct one.  I got lazy and just kept it.  🙂 I also got a shirt.

Unofficial virtual 5K – I had to add this one.  No medal and no shirt, but being proud of meeting my goal.

Overall, it wasn’t too bad.  Like many of you, I made the best of it.  I got 2 medals and 3 shirts.  I like the shirts that I got.  They’re soft and comfortable.  They’re a reminder of the challenges I did during this “awful” time.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Holiday gifts for runners.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Hey there!  Welcome to December!  It is time (or maybe you already did) to start thinking of gifts for your runner friends.  Here are a few of my suggestions but I am also including posts from other blogger friends with their suggestions.

5 Holiday Gift Ideas for New Running Moms

5 Gift Ideas To Keep You Fit in Quarantine

Complete holiday gift guide for the Peloton obsessed

11 Amazing Holiday Gifts for Runners

Gifts cards – You can never go wrong with a gift card.  Personally I love them.  Some great stores include Amazon, Zappos, and Running Warehouse.  

Garmin watch – Recently I ordered a refurbished Garmin 235 from Amazon for $117.  For the past few weeks it’s been available for $99.  

Koala Clip – I love mine and use it on every run.  It is perfect to carry my phone.

Socks – A runner can never have too many socks.  A few of my favorites are Lily Trotters, Balega, and Smartwool.  I have also heard great things about Feetures and Swiftwick.

ROAD iD – I’ve had mine now for a few years.  I even got one for my mom when she traveled back and forth to Mexico.  Hers is retired since now she is never by herself.  I wear mine all of the time and never take it off.  

Peloton Membership – There are two options: the All-Access Membership ($39/month) where you can access the entire library of classes on the Peloton and take workouts on the go with the Peloton App and the Peloton Digital Membership ($12.99/month) where you can take Peloton studio and outdoor running classes on the Peloton App (Peloton bike or tread is not required).

Spiral hair ties – A friend of mine introduced me to them a few months ago and since then I have been using them.  I know they’re not as tight as a hair elastic hair tie (I use two) but I like that they don’t pull out my hair when I take it out.  

What else would you add here?  Which one of these gifts would you like to get?

Thank you to everyone that entered my birthday giveaway.  The winner is: Lisa.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Tell us why you’re thankful for running this year!  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I am thankful every single day for everything I have.  But now with this pandemic, I am even more thankful.  I know it is tough for everyone.

I am very thankful for running.   It is my ME time.  I listen to music, think about my day, or cry.   Let me tell you other reasons why I am thankful for running.

🟣 You.  As I mentioned above, it is a tough time for everyone.  However, you’ve all been there for me.  You inspire and motivate me.  You also believe in me.  Oh, and you listen when I complain about the school situation.

🟣 Working with a great coach.  I have known my coach for a few years but this year was the first time working with him.  I have had many great runs and have seen many improvements.  I am very excited to see what I do next year.  Watch out everyone!

🟣 My running shoes and gear.  You all know how much I love my running shoes.  They may be from the same company but I love the feeling of wearing new shoes every couple of months.  What’s not to like about new gear?  I treat myself and love buying some new Oiselle items.  They make me feel good and make me happy too.

🟣 Being outside.  Thanks to Covid, we are “required” to stay home.   If it isn’t for the trip to the grocery store, I wouldn’t even have the chance to go outside.  Running gets me outside even if it is just an hour.  My mother rarely leaves the house and many times I feel bad about it, but I know it is for the best.

🟣 Running streak.  Knock on wood no injuries.  I had plantar fasciitis last year and it was one of the worst injuries.  I began a running streak in August but had to stop running when I quarantined when my mom and sister got Covid.  I started again two weeks later and today it is day #88.  Not sure how long I will keep it going but for now it is a huge motivator for me.

I know it will be different from previous years but I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  What’s the worst fitness advice you’ve ever received?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I think over the years I have received mostly good fitness advice.  Ha, now do I always listen to or do what I am supposed to do?  Not all of the time.  🙂

Here is a list of the worst advice I have received.  Thank goodness I don’t not listen to it anymore.

√ A weight scale shows whether you’ve made progress or not.  Definitely not.  I do have one but now am wondering why I even have it anymore.  Once my pants are too tight then I know I need to do something about it.  The number on the scale is higher compared to 10-15 years ago but I am still wearing the same pant size.

√ Exercise alone is the only way to lose weight.  It is a combination of exercise and eating healthy/good eating habits.  I do watch what I eat but sometimes I do indulgence and have wine and mashed potatoes for dinner.  Talk about stressful times!  

√ If you can talk while running then you are not running hard/fast enough.  Run faster!  Over the last year or so I’ve really learned to understand and love my easy runs.  There’s no pressure and the pace is supposed to be slower anyway.  

√ You need to carbo load the night before a race.  Pasta and more pasta was always the key to a successful race/run.  Now I eat what I want but am careful NOT to eat too much or anything that I know will not sit well the next day.  I know too much spicy food is definitely not good for me.

√ Running is bad for your knees.  Definitely not.  Yes I have had some issues with my knees but it’s been because I needed to strengthen other parts of my body (i.e., hips and glutes).