I got to go for a one mile run tonight!

After 6 weeks off from running due to peroneal tendonitis one mile was just perfect.  I ran from my house right when the sun was casting perfect light on the mountains. I took it easy and was obviously not concerned about my pace. The main goal was to get out and run with no pain.

I taped my foot with KT tape (I still need to perfect my taping technique) and put on my Brooks Adrenaline GTS, thankful for the giant footbridge support necessary for any major overpronator like me. I headed out of my driveway and picked up an easy pace very aware of my body and the feeling in all of my joints and muscles. It felt so great to run and stretch my legs. It was tempting to run more than just a mile but I was disciplined and turned back for home at .5 miles and enjoyed an easy run back to my house. After my run my body still craved the endorphin rush so I hopped on my Concept II Ergometer for awhile until I had worked up a nice sweat.  After my workout I did my therapy band exercises followed by a little icing.

I will be heading back for Physical Therapy tomorrow at the Alpine Clinic tomorrow and can’t wait to tell them about my run. I feel pretty fortunate to be able to work with an amazing physical therapy team at the Alpine Clinic. When not working with amateur athletes like me my PT is the therapist for the U.S. National Ski Jumping Team which is pretty cool to hear about.

So one mile down and hopefully I will be adding many more to my training plans soon. But for tonight I’ll gladly take my one mile run and enjoy the fact that my foot is healing!

Please tell me about a running injury that you have had to deal with recently. 

This sandwich is a twist on the classic French sandwich the Croque Madame (similar to the Croque Monsieur). If you are not familiar with this amazing sandwich I first discovered the Croque Madame while on study abroad in Paris. A Croque Madame is a grilled ham and cheese with a fried or poached egg on top. The egg on the sandwich is said to represent a woman’s hat. The original Croque Madame featured Gruyere Cheese or Emmental Cheese and can now be easily found in the lovely street cafés throughout Paris.

My vegetable garden is beginning to overflow with fresh vegetables. The baby Kale which I planted in my raised beds is organic (the seeds are High Mowing Organic seeds). I like baby Kale because the texture is not as tough as regular Kale and the flavor is more delicate. baby Kale seemed like a delicious complement to the rich flavors of the Pete and Gerry’s Organic Egg yolk, the North Country Smokehouse Bistro Ham, Brie cheese and avocado.

Boylston Street. Boston Strong.

Last week I had an opportunity to revisit the Boston Marathon Finish Line. I needed to go and be there. My husband dropped me off. Boylston Street is back to being busy filled with the every day noises of the city but is forever changed. I had my husband drop me off so I could experience my emotions.

With the city pulsing around me. Here are the quiet moments that I took in . . .

Remember.

No More Hurting People.

PEACE.

Finish that Race.

Boston STRONG.

The One Fund. Please make a donation.Boston Strong.

As I began to write this post I asked my husband who is hoping to start trail running with me soon what he would need or want as a trail running gift for Father’s Day. He looked at me quizzically and said, “A Map????.” He is a man with few needs. A minimalist in life if you will. I am the family gear junkie so hopefully I can be of some help to those of you in need of some excellent trail running gift ideas for Father’s Day.

So here you go:

Organic Runner Mom’s Top 5 Trail Running Gifts for Dad

Trail Running Gifts for the active Dad

1. UltrAspire Surge Hydration Pack: This hydration pack offers 2 Liters of hydration for long summer trail and mountain runs. It has electrolyte pockets for those hot and humid July nights on trail where the sweat can leave a thick layer of salt behind. The Surge has great pockets in the front for extra fuel storage and essentials such as keys, a cellphone, and perhaps a bottle opener for that post-run beer.
2. Darn Tough Socks: for the Darn Tough Dad who hits the trail hard. Using “True Seamless” Technology. These rugged wool socks (with Lycra and nylon too) will become a favorite of Dad for all of his trail adventures.
3. JULBO USA Sunglasses: Many color varieties and most styles come with interchangeable lenses to ensure perfect visibility even at dusk to ensure Dad will be able to navigate the roots and rocks on trail.
4. A Gift Certificate for running Shoes from RoadRunnerSports: Are Dad’s running shoes caked with mud and torn up from the trails. He will thank you for the gift of new shoes to lead the journey on his trail runs.
5. GARMIN 405CX GPS Watch: This is the watch that I have and it has endured many miles with me through the snow, on muddy trails, through water crossings. this watch is great for the gear/techie junkie because after a long grueling run on trails with great elevation gain, Dad can upload his trail run report and brag about his running feats.

What trail running gifts will you be getting for Dad this Father’s Day?

Gratitude

I haven’t been running in 4 and half weeks.

Thankfully I have been very busy with life; Preschool graduation, brand building with our family business, family visiting, digging in the garden, building a new preschool playground, swimming, work travel, visiting with friends, going to the gym, evenings on the patio . . . Life IS GOOD! Even though I can’t run right now I have been filled with gratitude for all of the wonderful things that I am fortunate to have in my life.

I am thankful for this time to slow down. Life post Boston Marathon has me forever changed. I want to try to put any negatives behind me. I don’t want to dwell on what could go wrong or worry if things are not perfect. Life can be fleeting. Take the time to slow down and take in the views of life around you.

I want to soak in the positive energy that is all around me. I want to share my dreams with others. I want to inspire. I want to feel inspired by others. I want to LIVE every day!

I will run again soon and I will be sure to slow down and enjoy the “treasures” in my life.

Wishing you a day filled with gratitude for all that is good in your life.

Do you have a dream summer race schedule?

Dream Big!

I am starting to feel bummed about not running.  In order to stay motivated I have mapped out my potential race schedule for the summer and have added in a couple of big races which may just be a dream depending on how the rehab of my foot goes. TENDONITIS BE GONE!!!!! Hopefully this week I will learn how to tape my ankle and will also begin some strengthening exercises in addition to the ultrasound, muscle stim, and tendon massage.

Other than running the Boston Marathon again in 2014 (YIPPEEEEE!) I am hoping to focus mostly on trail and mountain running. My heart belongs on the trails, in the woods, along rivers, and on mountain tops. I long to soak in the beauty of New Hampshire and Vermont.

So here are the races that I am dreaming of over the next few months (subject to change depending on life but hopefully not injury!):

• JUNE 29th–All Out Trail Race in Claremont, NH which is part of the Western New Hampshire Trail Race Series
• July 7–LOON Mountain Race: A race which has been named “The Most Competitive Hill Climb” by Runner’s World Magazine. This race is put on by Acidotic Racing and features intensely challenging sections of the course with a 40% grade in some sections (Upper Walking Boss).  I want to challenge this mountain again to test my limits and to inspire other women to challenge their own “mountain” races (please join my Under Armour Team as a part of their What’s Beautiful campaign as we encourage each other on the trails)
• July 27–Siskyou OutBack 50K in Ashland, Oregon-I am still hoping to go for my first 50K this summer. Hopefully I will hear good news on Wednesday from my doctor.
• August 10–XTERRA Stoaked Trail Run: 12.5K trail race, WNHTRS. I’ve done this trail race before and it was a blast. Hot, challenging and intense but awesome!
• August 17–VT 100 on 100 Relay: Hopefully the Pete & Gerry’s Organic Chicks can take on this challenge again with our powerhouse women’s ultra team (3 runners).
• August 25–Race to the Top of Vermont: Another insane hill climb this time in Stowe, VT
• October 6–Pinnacle Ultra Challenge 50K in Newport NH: Hopefully my first 50K will go well and I can have another shot at the 50K this time in my home state of New Hampshire.

What races are you dreaming of adding to your race schedule?

A Wonder Girl Tank for a Wonder Woman

Wonder GIRL!

*Sponsored Post: I was provided with this product by Skirt Sports, free of charge for review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review, and simply exchanged my time for product.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am desperate for summer to arrive here in New Hampshire. I am tired of having to wear my winter running and workout gear. I am ready to be wearing my Skirt Sports Wonder Girl Tank as I (hopefully) hit the trails next week! Last weekend it snowed at our house and today the temperature has climbed to 88 degrees. Hopefully this means that summer is here to stay and we can ditch the heavy layers.

I absolutely love running in tanks in the summer to stay cool, for the comfort and because who wouldn’t want to show off all of the hard work over the winter making your shoulders and arms strong. Muscles are beautiful! The Skirt Sports Wonder Girl Tank is awesome because it features mesh panels on the front and the back to keep you cool. This is especially perfect for me because when I run and workout I tend to get very very hot (I’ve even been know to run in a tank top in the dead of winter if the temperatures aren’t too crazy cold). I love this tank too because it is a great length (23 inches). I have a super long torso and like how the Wonder Girl Tank keeps me covered (to prevent those oddly embarrassing race photos if you know what I mean!).  This tank has seams in all of the right places and I have never had any trouble with chafing which is great when you are running marathon to ultra distances.

And perhaps the most clever and perfect feature of the Wonder Girl Tank is the signature “Cleavage Alley Pocket” built right into the shelf-bra. This is a great place to store things on your run such as keys, money and especially my extra Ignite Naturals Reload Energy Gels. I think I had 2 or three gels stuffed in the cleavage pocket at the Boston Marathon.

So if you are looking for the perfect running tank for summer you should check out the Skirt Sports Wonder Girl Tank.

You truly will feel like a Wonder Girl!

National Running Day is June 5th.

Celebrate National Running Day!

I find it ironic that National Running Day is being celebrated this year on the day that I will hopefully be able to get back into my running groove. JUNE 5th is National Running Day. I am officially out of my boot today and hopefully the rest and PT that I have been doing with the addition of some new kinds of cross-training will keep me injury free for the rest of the summer.

Inner-strength and determination!

Hopefully I will celebrate National Running Day this year by going for a trail run with my friends. My fingers are crossed that my Doctor will give me the OK! I have been a good patient and have followed the Doctor’s orders but am now feeling the growing itch to throw on my running skirt and to head out the door.

Here are some ideas for ways to Celebrate National Running Day:

1. Choose a new trail to run on.
2. Find a group of friends and schedule a group run.
3. Print out and wear this cool National Running Day Race Bib on your run.
4. Challenge yourself with a time trial to see just how fast you can go.
5. Run at a different time than usual to find beauty in the day.
6. Run farther than you ever have.
7. Pick a new race to sign up for to challenge yourself.
8. Create a new running goal.
9. Support someone who is new to running and ask them to join you for a run.
10. Go for a run in your favorite place and have an amazing time!

After that all you have to do is get out there on National Running Day, June 5th and RUN!

Your email:

 

Injured=time for reflection

Training while injured. #iwill #whatsbeautfiul

My peroneal tendonitis injury has been a minor setback for my running training or maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. I have been training and racing very hard for the past year and a half. It all began with my quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon. After I gave birth to my second child I spent almost a year climbing out of the fog of terrible postpartum depression. Even though I was diagnosed much earlier the second time it still took a considerable amount of time to rebuild myself both physically and mentally to a point where I felt almost like myself again.

My quest to qualify for Boston began in the fall of 2011. Once I decided to  try for my goal again I decided to take my training to the next level. I hired my awesome Sustainable Athlete Coach Denise and hit the ground running. Now a year and a half later I am a Boston Marathon qualifier and proud finisher. I am very proud that I will be able to run it again next year as I was able to re-qualify at Boston with a strong 3:34 finish that I will never forget. 

Proud Boston Marathon Finisher

During this year and a half I pushed myself harder than I ever have.  I gained more inner-strength and self-confidence than I have had in a long time. I am and always will be what I call a recovering perfectionist. Perfectionism being my biggest roadblock in life. I am tired of second guessing myself and the self-doubt that comes along with being a perfectionist.

I have found more success with running and life in the past year and a half because I have learned to trust myself more and have challenged myself to try new things. Being injured has slowed me down to let my body recover from the strain of training so hard for a year and a half. This time to slow down has allowed me to refocus my goals and to find new ways to achieve what I want to do.

I can’t wait to get back on the trails but I am happy for this time to reflect!

Hopefully in a few weeks I will be back to running on the mountains and trails like last summer!

Dreaming of summer trail and mountain running. Here I am on a Loon Mountain adventure last summer.

Are you looking for a new energy bar, healthy snack or food to fuel your performance? Then you should try KONA KASE!

KONA KASE #performancefueledmonthly

*Sponsored Post: I was provided with this product by KONA KASE, free of charge as a part of my ambassadorship with Fitfluential I was not compensated in any way for this review, and simply exchanged my time for product.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

KONA KASE was started by two guys John and Taylor who like many of us found themselves looking for better ways to fuel themselves with healthy snacks, energy bars, energy drinks, and more in their daily lives and in their athletic pursuits. KONA KASE is a monthly subscription box that is filled with all kinds of endurance nutrition samples.  The subscription costs $15 per month and comes filled with a variety of products to try.  I have a one time first-time user code that you can use on your first months purchase at checkout. When you are ready to ORDER just enter the code FF2 at checkout and your first month will be just $10.00.

I was excited to receive my first KONA KASE in the mail as I always love trying new endurance products to fuel my runs. As you know from reading my blog I am always on the quest for better nutrition that will sustain me as I challenge my body to run marathon distances and beyond.

Now for the goodies:

KONA KASE

•  KIND PLUS–Almond Walnut Macadamia: I ate this bar while enjoying an apple and the combination tasted just like a caramel apple. My daughter (age 4) insisted on eating half of my KIND bar. 
• Zing Cashew Cranberry Orange Bar & Zing Chocolate Coconut Bar: These little nutrition bars are Gluten, Soy, and dairy free and were a heavenly snack. I would definitely pack these in my ULTRASPIRE Hydrapak on my next long training run and I think I even spied them at my local Littleton COOP the other day. 
• TRAC Health CHIA + Blackberry Hibiscus Green Tea: I am enjoying this as I write. I became hooked on CHIA seeds after learning about them from Sarah Stanley of the Blog INSPIRED LIVING and #Wellnesschat. This Tart Tea offers plant based nutrition, antioxidants, Omega 3′s, ECGCG, and fiber and tastes amazing too. It has a hint of raspberry but is not overly sweet.
• Sun Cups–Organic Milk Chocolate Caramel Cups: This sweet treat is both nut free and gluten free as well as Rain Forest Alliance Certified. A little indulgence post long training run . . . yes please!
• Justin’s Honey Peanut Butter Blend: I love the combination of peanut butter and honey and I love being able to purchase this product in these handy little packets as they are perfect to pack for long training.
• Barbara Llewellyn Brown Sugar and Rosemary Cashews: Cashews are one of my favorite nuts and the blend of brown sugar and rosemary boosts the flavor of this already tasty nut.
• I have three more products left to try and I can’t wait: Journey Bar–Savory Sea Salt Nutrition Bar: This may be a great on trail electrolyte replacement snack, Rickland Orchards All Natural Greek Yogurt Bar and a Soy Joy Blueberry Bar.

Now that you have seen what’s in my KONA KASE I bet you are ready to try one out for yourself. I am excited to try out a subscription to KONA KASE to help me on my quest for improved nutrition for my training.

And don’t forget to be INSPIRED in your training and everything that you do!

INSPIRATION