Chicago Marathon Countdown – Motivation

T-minus 4 weeks and some until the 2015 Chicago Marathon!  Last year I wrote a NYC Marathon Countdown (Motivation, Logistics,  Packing, Fueling, Race Day Outfit) series each Wednesday prior to the marathon.  I thought it would be fun to do the same for Chicago now that it is a month away.  Today's topic: motivation! Compared to last year, I think my motivation is a little better (I just need more hours in the day).  Of course I still have those…

Chicago Marathon Training Week 15 – 9/7-9/13

Hello Hello! If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram (need to add the feed to my website - I use to have one on my Tumblr) you all know I was in Bird-in Hand, PA for the half marathon this past Saturday (recap coming next week).  Here is one of my favorite shots from the weekend: Run/workout wise....the same ole story. Thank goodness I walk to/from work everyday; while it may not be running I am glad for the…

Chicago Marathon Training Week 14 – 8/31-9/6

Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend. I stayed in the DC area with a quick trip to Baltimore for the Charles Street 12 Miler.  Monday 8/31– 2 mile walk  Tuesday 9/1– 2 mile walk  Wednesday 9/2 – 2 mile walk  Thursday 9/3 – 2 mile walk  Friday 9/4 – 3 mile elliptical  Saturday 9/5– 2 mile run @13:01 min/mile + Charles Street 12 Miler @12:28 min/mile Sunday 9/6 – 60 minutes restorative yoga  Total: 25 miles (8 walk | 3 elliptical | 14 run)  Groan..another…

Friday Five – Reasons to Run the Annapolis Running Classic

Happy Friday!! Who is ready for a long weekend?  Today I am back with a Friday Five post and linking up with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia.  This week’s theme is Fall Races, so as an  Annapolis Running Classic Ambassador I thought it would be the perfect time to share Five Reasons to Run the Annapolis Running Classic.  1. Beautiful State Capitol Course I ran the 2013 Annapolis Running Classic Half Marathon (recap here).  The course starts at the Navy Marine Corp Memorial Stadium and takes you through historic/downtown…

2015 Georgetown 5K Race Recap

Told you I had another recap! The Georgetown 5K was a late addition to my race schedule. Brittney at Corral B (she is a Chicago based blogger) spent the summer in Washington, DC for an internship.  We both run about the same pace, so a run together was a must! Unfortunately work got a little hectic so I had to cancel our first planned run. While trying to reschedule, Brittney mentioned she was going to run the Georgetown 5K.  Image: Bishop's Events  Of course it…

2015 Crystal City Twilighter 5K Race Recap

The first of four recaps - woo hoo! About a month ago (Chicago Marathon Training - Week 8 to be exact) I ran my first evening race with Kathryn, Courtney, Emily, and Prianka in Crystal City, Virginia.  We were also celebrating Kathryn's birthday! What a fun idea...I'll have to think of something similar for March :) Image: Pacer's Running Packet Pickup The Crystal City Twilighter 5K is put on by our favorite local running store, Pacers! Similar to their other…

Chicago Marathon Training Week 13 – 8/24-8/30

Another training week complete! At the beginning of each week  I say to myself, "I will hit all my scheduled runs".....but of course I haven't had that perfect training week...yet (one day I will + it should be more manageable now that the Quantico Tri is over...recap coming soon). Monday 8/24– 2 mile walk  Tuesday 8/25 – 2 mile walk  Wednesday 8/26 – 2 mile walk  Thursday 8/27 – 2 mile walk  Friday 8/28 – 2 mile walk  Saturday 8/29– 16 mile run @12:00 min/mile (average)…

Chicago Marathon Training Week 12 – 8/17-8/23

Another training week is in the books.  I can't believe Chicago is less than 7 weeks away! As I predicted..I was a bit swamped returning to the office.  By the time I caught up, it was already Friday! Here is how my week went:  Monday 8/17– 2 mile walk  Tuesday 8/18 – 2 mile walk  Wednesday 8/19 – 2 mile walk  Thursday 8/20 – 2 mile walk  Friday 8/21 – Rest day  Saturday 8/22– Quantico Sprint Triathlon - 750  meter swim, 20K bike, 5K run  Sunday 8/23…

TKO Soft Grip Jump Rope Review

Image: TKO Sports Group Did you know on average a person can burn 10 calories/minute jumping rope? Do you have jump rope memories from gym class? Before I left on my vacation I was able to try the new TKO Soft Grip Jump Rope.  When contacted about this opportunity, I thought it would be a good way to add some variation to my cardio workouts.  One of my trainers use to have me jump rope for 2 minutes in between…

Chicago Marathon Training Week 11 – 8/10-8/16

Vacation has been great! My mom is a planner extraordinaire so our days have been filled with fishing, hiking, walking, and exploring the different ports.  I wish I paid attention to her itinerary in advance, because I could have scheduled in some early morning runs while I was in Ketchikan and Juneau (here is a great post by Pam of We Run Disney on "How to get it done: training while on vacation").    Monday 8/10– Fishing Tuesday 8/11 – Walking…