How about July!

Let me begin with a runfession of sorts....

I did not set any goals for July. What? Gasp! Shocker! What was I thinking?

I had a lot of things happening in July, and just never got around to fine-tuning any specifics on a strategy to get through the month. I know, my bad. Sometimes, though, not having stuff etched in stone can work in one's favor.

Back in Training Mode

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! I'm back in training again!

Yes, indeed. Marathon training officially commenced this week. In all actuality, my marathon training isn't really that different from other training except for the rather lengthy training runs in the final weeks before taper. But I digress.

Runfessions - Recent Reality Checks

When is the last time you had a reality check?

For myself, there have been ample opportunities as of late. Reality checks are actually good for us...they keep us humble and, often times remind us that we are human and not without fault.

Chicago R'n'R ReMix 2018

The 2018 Chicago R'n'R Remix was quite the epic experience.

I'm no stranger to the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series (I ran St. Louis in 2013 and Las Vegas in 2017), and I also ran Chicago before (in 2014). This particular endeavor, though, will stand out as quite an epic extravaganza.

Much to Smile About

Have you smiled lately?

This past week had me smiling all over the place. Sure, I'm a glass-half-full kind of person and I usually can find something to smile about. But this week? The smiles just came all on their own.
Care to hear the details?

Midnight Madness 15K Recap

I had a thirst for redemption...

Have you ever run (or attempted to run) a race that turned out to be (quite literally and figuratively) a hot mess? 

Enter the Midnight Madness Road Races. I first tackled this event back in 2016 (recap HERE). What happened to me in 2016 was every runner's nightmare...horribly hot and humid weather, an uncooperative body, and nonstop pain and frustration that ended with my first-ever (and only) DNF. Last summer was a non-issue (#sidelined from surgery), so this year was my first shot at redemption from the disaster of two years ago.

Sweat Equity:101

It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

Boy, oh boy, did we have our fair share of humidity this week in Iowa. We had pretty warm temps, too. Mind you, that is NOT a complaint. I love the heat (probably more than most people), but I spent the majority of the week "glowing" all over the place.

Pay it Forward on the Race Course

Have you ever thought about paying it forward on the race course?

We've all heard of race etiquette, but paying it forward takes your best race day manners a step further. Positive actions not only affect your performance, but they also impact others. It's not always all about us, after all. Why not try to share the race day love with others?

With that in mind, I try to have as much fun as possible whether I'm gunning for a PR or just using the race as a training run.  Here are five simple actions (that don't take any extra effort) I have learned to prioritize whenever I pin on a race bib:

Two Races in Four Days...Why Not?

Ever run two (unrelated and unplanned) races in the span of four days?

Just recently, I said, "Why not?" and gave it a go.  

Although both races, the Sully Freedom Fun Run 5K and the Lake Red Rock Balloon Fest 10K, were a lot of fun, both had rather unique and challenging circumstances. We don't grow by cowering within our comfort zones, right? Why not be adventurous and try new things? 

Let me set the scene by doing a little compare and contrast...

Embracing all that's Tough

This past week was an interesting one, to say the least.

It was a great week, but it also had some tough moments. Battles fought. Hills conquered. Heat endured. Victories won. Care to hear the nitty gritty?

Chatting Over Coffee....

Shall we chat?

What's the latest and greatest in your little corner of the universe? If we were chatting over coffee, what would you tell me? Let me share a few tidbits from my recent endeavors, and then I'll gladly listen to yours. Fair enough?

Summer Running Coping Strategies

I think we're all feeling pretty hot, hot, hot right now.

It is the summer, after all. It's gonna be hot. There's bound to be some sunshine, and the humidity will probably make things tough.

We all experience the heat differently. Sweating through the triple digits does not make one a badazz nor does postponing a run make someone else a wimp. Plain and simple, we all are going to have different comfort levels when it comes to what seems feasible and what seems impossible in the heat of summer.

Let's RALLY!

This week was all about the Rally.

Have you ever had to rally before? I have spent the past 12 months in a rally of sorts, assuming the title role in the Runner Who Rallied Back saga. A few days ago, June 29th, marked the 1-year anniversary of my emergency surgery (full details of  that adventure are HERE), so this past week has been sort of a lengthy and introspective walk-down-memory-lane.