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).

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  How did you get back on the fitness wagon?  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!

It is tough to be motivated at a time when there are no races.  There have been a few but not to the extend of how it was before.  During the first couple of months of the year I was not motivated to run or workout.  In late April I got a coach and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made this year.  To me now is the perfect time to get fit and train for next year.  

Here are some tips that have helped me get back into a fitness routine:

Set goals

I have a few goals for next year.  Well, my goals were for this year but, well, we know what happened.  I am seeing many improvements in my running and it gets me excited for when we start racing again.  Many times I feel like it is too good to be true.

Rely on support from others

YOU all inspire me.  We’re all going through a rough time right now but yet I know I can count on you for support and guidance.  Your posts make me smile and let me know that things will be OK.  We will get through all of this.  I love reading about your tips, new workout classes, and new gear to try out. <<I trust you more than any other influencer out there.  🙂

Make it fun

I’ve always made a point by saying that running should be fun.  NO pressure.  It is not our job, just a hobby.  Right now for me it is a way to start off the day.  I enjoy the solitude and the silence to clear my head.  Also, it doesn’t have to be just running.  I love reading about Kim’s Orangetheory workouts, Deborah’s Peloton classes, Darlene’s trail walking, and Wendy’s Crossfit/strength workouts, etc.  The common theme is that they’re all making it fun.