How To Prepare, Train, & Finish Long Distance Runs

I'm not a born runner. My first run was with my dad when I was fourteen years old. My PE class had an assignment to run a mile in under fifteen minutes. I had no clue if I could do that. So my dad started running with me to practice. Years later, I took up long distance running on a dare. A friend of mine, who has run several marathons, told me that anyone could run a marathon; it's a mental challenge more than a physical one. I didn't believe her, so I signed up for a half marathon. 

Since then I have run six half marathons. While I'm still not sure if I'm a "runner", I have grown to love the sport, but more for the mental challenge than the physical challenge. Go figure. 

Here are 10 life lessons that I have learned from running: 

1. You need to have a purpose or goal. Because I don't have running in my genes, I need a race to train for to get me out on the pavement. Having a goal helps keep my motivation high. Running with a purpose keeps me competitive, even if it's just with myself.

2. Training needs to be done in order. Start where you are and work your way forward. If you haven't run in years, don't go out and try to run five miles. Don't wear yourself out before you even begin. What changes can you make today to get you on your way? Push yourself, don't exhaust yourself. 

3. Every run is important. Your first training run is as important as the last one.  You can't slack off for the first six weeks of training and then hope to make up for it in the last six. Conversely, you can't start off like a champ and fizzle towards the end. Be constant and steady. Focus on every run. 

4. Always keep moving. Some days running feels easy. And some days, running feels like you're dying a slow and painful death. But keep moving. You may need to walk or slowly jog but do not stop.  It hurts way worse to stop, trust me. Keep moving forward.

5. Don't focus on someone else's treadmill. During my training, I'd get to the gym at 5:30 am and notice the person next to me was already three miles into their run. My first thought was always, what kind of crazy person has already run three miles at 5:30 am?! Then, I would start running, already depressed that my treadmill didn't say I was three miles in. But that person put in the time to be three miles further than I was. Whenever I've put in the time to do so, I've always hit the three mile mark. Focus on your own efforts, not what other's are doing. 

6. Only think positive thoughts. Positive thoughts may not make you run faster, but they definitely make it more enjoyable. You're running a lot of miles. The distance doesn't shorten just because you're grumpy. So, you can run in misery or you can run in joy. The choice is yours. 

7. Say hi to others on the way. I love running (PUN!) into other runner's, especially during my long runs. It boosts my spirits to know I'm not alone. Sometimes I think about how far they may have come. You never know how their run is going, they will probably appreciate the pick-me-up. 

8. You can't do it alone. Although running can be a solo endeavor, you can't do it alone. You may need an iPod, a water bottle, a knee brace, new shoes, or even a friend to push you through.  Don't make it harder on yourself than it needs to be. Use your resources to make sure you're getting the most out of every run. 

9. Take the time to heal. Rest days, stretching, and foam rolling are all important. They aren't always fun (actually, foam rolling is NEVER fun) and it may be uncomfortable at first, but it is always necessary.  It's good to give 100%, but it's also good to recover. Skipping over healing time will only cause more problems in the long run.

10. Giving 100% doesn't always mean perfection. This has been the hardest lesson for me to learn. When you miss your PR by 6 seconds (which has happened) it's hard to say that you gave it 100%. How can you say that over the last 2 hours, you couldn't have sped up by 6 seconds? Run your race in a way that makes you proud. Give it all that you have and don't beat yourself up if it isn't perfect. 

No matter what race you're running, it will eventually end. You won't be running for the rest of eternity (although it may seem like it). The only thing left to be determined is if you'll make it to the finish line and how you'll feel when you get there. Pace yourself, enjoy yourself, and happy running!

I'd love to hear what lessons you've learned from your fitness routine. Leave a comment below and share your knowledge!

2014 Birthday Theme

VISION

1. The act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be.

2. Something that you imagine; a picture that you see in your mind.

3. The ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.

4. A mental image of what the future will or could be like.

My year of adventure officially came to a close on Friday. Saturday, being my birthday, means the start of a new yearly theme. This year I've chosen to focus on just one word. Vision.

I have an idea of how I want my life to be. I know what I want to do and where I want to go. I know the type of person that I want to be. 

The problem is, I sleep in later than I want to, rush to get to work late, roll my eyes 7.5 out of 8 hours at my job, go out to lunch and eat whatever I want with coworkers, come home exhausted, and proceed to watch television the rest of the night. 

This would be awesome if I wanted to be an unhappy, unhealthy grump, but alas I don't feel that is my life mission.

So this year I'm going to focus on my time. I'm going to live mindfully and progress with purpose. My aim is to spend my time wisely, accomplish the goals I set, and bring my ideas into reality. And I have some pretty awesome ideas. Hope you're ready.

#yearofvision26

The Do's and Do Not's of Talking to Someone About Infertility

Did you know that that 10.9% of women between the ages of 15-44 have encountered fertility issues?

That means one out of every ten women that you know has previously or is currently struggling with infertility. I am one of these people. 

After having a particularly hard day, I put together a list of things I would like my friends, family, acquaintances, and random strangers to know about talking to people struggling with infertility. 

DO:

1. It's ok to talk about your kids. Really, I'll be fine. Your kids are your kids. I'm not jealous of you or wishing that that they were mine.

2. If you find out you're pregant, you can tell me. And you can even be excited about it! When you act blase about it, I feel like you just got the one gift I really want but it's not important to you. I promise to do my best to be just as excited as you are. 

3. Just because I don't have kids and haven't felt a baby squirm in my stomach, doesn't mean we don't have things in common. I'm sure you have interests outside of your kids; and I've been around enough kids to be able to know what you're talking about. I really want to be your friend.

4.  If you only want to talk about your baby, maybe it is best for you to spend time with your mommy friends.  I'm still your friend, but please understand if I want to talk about something other than diaper genies and tummy time.

5. Ask me how I'm doing. Validate my feelings. Simply knowing people care helps more than you can imagine. 

DON'T:

1. Please don't feel bad for me. I am a healthy, strong woman. I am not broken. Your sympthy just makes me feel like you're looking down on me as a woman.

2. Don't tell me that it "might not be in the cards" for me. For as long as I can remember, I've envisioned myself as a mom. You don't get to decide what my future might or might now hold. 

3. Don't tell me to stop stressing about it. I don't actually stress about it. It doesn't consume my every thought. Not being permanently stressed doesn't make it any less painful though. 

4. Don't tell me that I'm better off without children. I know being a parent is challenging, but it's also the most rewarding job I can think of. The good outweighs the bad, and you know that is true so don't pretend. 

5.  Don't tell me that I don't appreciate the good that I do have. I am extrememly grateful for my husband, my dog, my home, and my wonderful friends. I know I am blessed in so many ways. It's possible to feel the pain of infertility and the joy of gratitude at the same time. 


Infertilify has been one of the greatest challnges in my life. My husband and I try to keep things positive though. In fact, we decided to go on a cruise if 20 more of our friends got pregnant before us and soon we will be enjoying sun, sand and surf.

Runner's World Summer Streak

Runner's World is going streaking!

I heard about the Holiday Streak, but living in Utah, it wasn't going to happen for me.  I'm from Vegas. I can't stand the cold, much less run in it. (However I did do much better this year thanks to these babies)

The details on the streak are simple. Run at least a mile everyday from Memorial Day (That's TOMORROW!) until the Fourth of July. That's 39 days and at least 39 miles. 

How many miles do you want to run in the next 39 days? 

Cleanse Wrap Up

The cleanse is over. Went fairly well. 

I'll be honest though, I was starving. Vegetables do not fill me up. They are delicious then 30 minutes later, I'm dying again.

My loving husband may or may not have shown up at my work unannounced with a bag full of snacks on day one due to my consistent whining.

BUT I did not eat a single Oreo or Famous Amos cookie.

Mission accomplished. 

Time For a Cleanse

Remember my plea for motivation? 

 

Didn't work.

 

I overslept this morning, another missed run. Bummer.

 

So instead of coping by eating a bag of Famous Amos cookies and Oreos for a "snack" at work (no, I didn't do that yesterday...) I decided to try a different approach today. A 2-Day Cleanse.

 

I spent my morning rushing around trying to prepare all these meals and snacks for work today. Luckily, I had this on the brain earlier this week so I had picked up a couple things from the store (a.k.a. my husband picked up groceries for me yesterday, sheesh I'm slacking). Side Note: it's not super appetizing to cook chicken breast before 7 AM. I'd recommend cooking that the day before.

 

I didn't get my hair curled or plan a cute outfit, but I did spend the morning helping my insides look better.

 

Here's to a fresh start!

 

[So far I've only had breakfast. I feel good but it wasn't my favorite. Maybe becuase I used almond milk which is also NOT my favorite. I like the protein though.]

 

*Try the cleanse for yourself! Click here.

Half Marathon Training

My work is participating in a half marathon in June. We did this race last year and it was really fun. The office was competitive about it and we were constantly comparing paces to see who would come in first.

This year not so much. 

I think most people I am in denial that it is actually happening. 

This will be my fourth half marathon so the distance isn't daunting any more. I know I'll be able to finish. At this point, however, I will not be beating my boss, which is the whole reason to do this type of thing right?

So today I revised the final few weeks of my plan. 

Here's what I'm agreeing to be accountable to:

I'll keep you updated on how it goes. Right now I'm running about a 10 minute mile. My goal is to finish the race in 2 hours. Last year my time was 2:03.

I'd given up hope of achieving this goal since my training has been iffy so far. But I'm changing the voice inside my head starting today.