Mindfully Moving

Mastering marathon training as a single mom…   I am a single mom who has managed to train and run 4 marathons in the last two years. In that time I have qualified for Boston 2x and got a 30+ minute PR!! And never missed an activity for my kids for running. Anyone who has trained for a half or full marathon (or ultra) knows the commitment and dedication to the process is the hardest part. I have been able to successfully get my training in, stay strong mentally in training, and commit to the process. This is what you can do if you want to commit to your running goals.   1. schedule your running and strength training into your week. write it down. Put it on a calendar or planner.   2. Journal about your progress and each run. What is one positive you can pull from each run? how did you feel? See below for the ones I use.   3. Set goals. I created a vision board with running goals included in my overall vision board. See a pic of mine below :)...

Becoming a morning runner…. Life has its challenges for sure, but waking up shouldn’t be one of them. Yes some days it’s more difficult to get out of bed than others, but for the most part, I wouldn’t trade those mornings for the world.  The alarm goes off anywhere between 4:30 and 5 am.These early spring mornings bring me quiet before the storm of the day about to erupt. They allow me time to sit in the quiet, journal and make intentions for the day, drink my coffee and get out the door.  Stepping outside the door, I can feel the brisk air, I can see the sun beginning to make its way up for the day, I can hear the birds chirping, the deer are still out and often staring at me to see why I am up. The cars are minimal with most people still cozy in their beds or just waking up themselves or making their coffee. The roads are quiet except for my consistent footsteps…right foot, left foot, repeat. I start to pick up the pace and take my first few steps down my quiet street and th...

  Why do I run?? My running started about 20 years ago as an adult. I never ran in high school, although wish now that I did. Running was used as either a punishment or for conditioning when you grow up in sports…you miss free throws, run a lap. At the end of a two hour practice…run sprints. Until I became an adult, I never realized that running could be about more than just conditioning or punishment.  Let running be about more than just running.  So what is it about?  When I started, it was a time filler. Filling time, giving me something to do, and getting back into shape. I would hit the treadmill at the gym and LOVED running hard or intervals. Then I began training for a 10 mile race. I had never run a race before and got hooked up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to raise money and run for their charity. This gave running a positive purpose. It was a commitment. I ran that 10 miler with such significant IT Band pain that I barely finished. I am certain I ...