6 Favorites from '22

2022 was a fun fitness-filled year, and it was filled with many favorite things.

That being said, shall we play a little game? Maybe a "Pick 6," of sorts? Better yet, how about a round of "6 Favorites from '22?"

Trying to narrow it down to just six favorites is tough, but also not so much. I have found, it's always best to go with the first thing that pops into your head when thinking of such things. After all, those very "things" pop-up for a reason, LOL.

My Red Hot Love of Running

What can I say?

I became a runner in the summer of 2005, and I have not looked back. What started as a hobby of sorts, soon morphed into a red hot love of the sport. 

It didn't take long before the world of racing entered the scene. Along the journey of racing and training came a lot of trial and error...and a lot of other perks as well.  

Breaking-out of the Burnout

Running burnout.

There's two words that do not fit together very nicely, am I right?

Thankfully, I don't think I've ever truly suffered from said burnout. There have been times, though, when I have needed to scale things back a bit and/or shift my focus. There may also have been some goals that got modified along the way as well. 

All of which has been fine and dandy. After all, I'm still running.

Taking a Chill, Having a Chai, Enjoying a Chat

Well, here we are again.

Another opportunity to chill out, over a chai (or any beverage of your choosing, hot or iced), and have some friendly chatter. 

Things have been rather low-key in some regards, but also crazy active in others. It is what it is, and I choose to just keep on keeping on. It's all good.

Assimilation

Is there anything better than getting back into one's routine, even if it's not exactly like what you're used to?

After the previous week's busyness with travel and "suitcase living," it was nice to lay down some roots (very relatively speaking) and have some structure. With our snowbird lodging in place, I was able to get back to work (literally) and resume a little more consistent fitness routine. Of course, with the weather much different than what's typical for my January regimen, it took some adjusting and quite a bit of trial and error. 

And it's still a work in progress...

Favorite Finds in my Running Arsenal

We all have a few favorite things when it comes to running.

While my Arsenal of Running Essentials has evolved over the years, it has many items that are invaluable to me. In the past year, though, a few key items have been added that I can't imagine life without.

Care to hear about them?

Global Running Day - Let's RUN!

We are runners, and runners run.

We have the gear, and we have the gadgets. We even have our own special day, Global Running Day!

Since its inception in 2009 (when it was first called National Running Day), this special day is celebrated, annually, on the first Wednesday of June. In 2016, its name was officially changed to Global Running Day (source). 

Shall we celebrate? I'm game, are you? 

Summer Running - It's My Jam

It's no secret that I love Summer. 

And, I love summer running. I can say, in all honesty, Summer is my favorite season for running.

While many find the heat (and humidity) of the summer months too much to bear, I find it invigorating. After all, I'd rather be too hot than too cold. Call me crazy.

Favorite Things My Favorite Shoes Would Say

Oh, for the love of shoes.

Well, not just any shoes. We're talking running shoes here. I've worn many in the past (almost) 16 years of lacing up. Some have been good. Some have been duds. And some have been nothing short of total perfection.

I'm a proud sentimentalist, and I don't easily part with cherished pieces. That goes for greeting cards, thank you notes, past training logs and an occasional art piece from our (grown) kids' (childhood) art classes. And, my running shoes are no exception.

Turtle Gloves and Toasty Hands

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Turtle Gloves to review as part of being a Bibrave Pro. Learn more about becoming a Bibrave Pro (ambassador), and check out Bibrave.com to review, find, and write race reviews.

There's that saying...Cold hands, warm heart. And, that usually applies to me all.the.time. Especially in cooler weather, my hands (and fingers) will feel the chill before any other part of my body. Brrr.

Enter Turtle Gloves.

Gratitude - I've Got Some

Gratitude. Tis the season.

This has been quite a year, for us all. So many changes, so many unknowns. Yet, so much to be thankful for.

I've written previous Thankful posts (in 2019, in 2018, in 2017, in 2016, in 2015 and in 2014), and I honestly don't know if I could say it any better. Bear with me, I'm going to go with (mainly) what's been said before, but tweak some of it to make it more current.

Out & About with the Koala Clip

Question: Do you carry your phone with you when you head out for a run?

I sincerely hope your answer is YES!

Having your phone along, while out and about, is pretty much a given these days...isn't it? It's not only a security blanket (of sorts) should there be an emergency, but it's a vital source for workout apps, music/podcasts, and GPS assistance. And let's not forget all those pics and selfies just waiting to be documented.

Priorities, right?

If I could live (and run) anywhere...

If I could live and run anywhere...

Gosh, the possibilities are endless. I won't name any specific cities (that could potentially elicit some drama...and we don't need any of that these days). But I definitely could give you some ideal settings and backdrops. 

Care to hear a few?

All Fueled Up with SiS

Disclaimer: I received a supply of Science In Sport gels to review as part of being a Bibrave Pro. Learn more about becoming a Bibrave Pro (ambassador), and check out Bibrave.com to review, find, and write race reviews.

Ever find a product that felt like a perfect fit, right from the start?

As a runner, I had my go-to brand of gels that I used for fuel. I used them for many training runs and races, for many years, with never any glitches. I don't know if their formula(s) changed, or if my body chemistry (for lack of a better metaphor) was altered...but in recent years, those gels were no longer compatible with me or my fitness needs.

It felt like starting over when I began my quest for a new fuel. You know the drill...trial and error with various other forms of fuel (different gels, chews, powders), some with water (and some without), before running (or during a run). Yadda Yadda Yadda.

I had tried the SiS gels a couple years ago, and was really excited to try some new varieties. Let me sum this up in four words...These Gels Are Great!

Kinda Outta Kilter

It was one of those "outta kilter" weeks.

Isn't it crazy how when things get tough, they multiply (and/or just keep getting tougher)? Fortunately, tough times makes us tougher. Once the battle is over, we're much stronger for the fight...but it can seem pretty ominous at the time. 

Such was a peek into my life this past week.

My Summer Running Essentials

Summer, easily, is my favorite season for running. 

I love the fresh air (even on a hot, humid day). I love the sunshine. And I love logging all those outdoor miles. Even without much happening this year for Fall races, I still plan on running and training as if there were (though with some modifications).

A huge part of running is the having the necessary gear. Having the "right" gear, though, will vary from one runner to another. Just as we all train differently, we all have different preferences on what we deem essential.

A Winter "Wonder" Land

Ever wonder, really wonder, exactly what season is happening outside?

Well, this was such a week. It was cold. It was windy. There was fog. And rain. And more snow. But, there was sunshine. And it got warm.

Talk about your "wonder"land.

Running & Racing; Then & Now

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Well, not exactly...at least in terms of my experience as a runner.

A lot has happened since my first-ever race. Physically, I have definitely gotten faster, stronger and more consistent. Emotionally, it's been a bit of a roller coaster (but in a fun, adventurous way).

Shall we take a jog down Memory Lane?

Just Cool It...and don't skip the cool-down

What happens after the run?

There are many benefits to warming up before a run (or a race), but did you know a proper cool-down is also beneficial? Taking a few minutes to cool down not only benefits your body, but also your mind. It gives your heart rate a chance to return to normal as well as your breathing.

And let's not forget about the muscles that made the workout possible. A little stretching and TLC will enable them to relax and cool down as well.

Coffee Chat: Summer Don't Go...

What happened to summer?

That's the thought that's been on auto-repeat for the past couple of weeks. I could tell the days were getting shorter (those #5at5 runs have seen the sun rising later and later), and now the temps have gotten cool as well. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm just not ready for it to happen...yet.

In fact, there are several things I have enjoyed this summer. I don't want to see any of them coming to a screeching halt.

Let's gather for a virtual cup of coffee (or any beverage of choice), shall we?  Maybe there's a few others out there who want summer to stick around for a little longer....