Total miles:  43.37 miles — I started off the month really strong, but ended the month with a sore calf, yet again.

Fun places I ran:  Sarasota, along the beach, along with the normal spots in our neighborhoods. Thank goodness for several cold runs this month!

Races I ran: No races this month.

Favorite running thing this month:  My brand-spanking new 26.2 tattoo.

Longest run:  8 miles, though it should have been more.

Non-running workouts:  The elliptical, boot camp, and piyo at Y as well as stand up paddle boarding in Sarasota.

Next month: I am registered for the Celebration half marathon and the Lady Track Shack 5k. Kenley will also be running the 5k, so I am excited to run it with her.

2017 was a great running year… here’s to 2018!

November was a light month of running for me.

Total miles: 35.54

Fun places I ran: I only ran the usual places this month in our neighborhood and around UCF.

Races I ran: No races aside from the Bolt for the Heart 5k virtual race that I still need to complete! 

Favorite running thing this month: Nothing really sticks out this month.

Longest run: 6 miles, on two different occasions.

Non-running workouts: Boot camp and piyo at the Y!

Next month: I will actually start running again next month in preparation for the Celebration half marathon in January!

Happy running!

After running the biggest race of my life, running took a backseat to all of the other fun activities we had this month.

Total miles: 50.8

Fun places I ran: Chicago! This will go down as the best place I ran all year.

Races I ran: The 40th anniversary of the Chicago Marathon.

Favorite running thing this month: The Lululemon Train Times 6″ Short. These shorts got me through a lot of long runs and a marathon. I wore the black ones on race day.

Longest run: 26.2 miles and I earned the title of marathoner.

Non-running workouts: I went to piyo and boot camp this month. I really have missed piyo and I hope to make it to class more through the end of the year. I did boot camp for the first time this past weekend and I really liked it! The class went by quickly and it was a great variety of strength and cardio. I also did the stand up paddle board while we were in Mexico which I loved.

Next month: My next race is the Celebration half marathon in January, so I’ll continue running and training for that race over the next month. My long runs will decrease significantly from what I’ve been doing the last four months, so I am looking forward to that. I’m also looking forward to running for fun and not being tied down to a training plan.

Happy running!

This was the last full month of marathon training and a weird month altogether with Irma arriving right in the middle of it. Nonetheless, here are the details…

Total miles: 124.74

Fun places I ran: Sarasota, Oviedo, and east Orlando… routes that included stops at McDonald’s because that became our thing during training the last three months.

Races I ran: No races!

Favorite running thing this month: My Trigger Point Foam Roller has been one of my favorite things this month. I’ve had some calf pain the last two weeks so this thing hasn’t left my side. I’ve even taken it to work a few days to roll during lunch. It’ll also be making the trip to Chicago with me.

Longest run: My longest run of the month and of my life was 22 miles! Overall, it was a good run, but it was sunny and hot when we ended.

Non-running workouts: I scaled back on my cross training this month. I did the spin bike, as well as some strength training with free weights.

Next month: The Chicago Marathon next weekend! After the race, I’ll be enjoying easy, fun runs for a little while.

Happy running!

Total miles: 140.67 — This was another highest monthly mileage yet.

Fun places I ran: Our Orange/Seminole County 20 mile loop was great! We ran around the UCF campus and all through Oviedo. The loop had several bathroom and water stops along the way and it was a great change of scenery. Also, 20 miles is FAR! We drove some of the route the next day going to church and running errands and I was reminded how far it really is!

I also ran some miles in Indiana next to the lake and the corn fields.

Races I ran: No races this month.

Favorite running thing this month: I was surprised with an early birthday gift from Greg, the kids, and my parents this past week, the Garmin Fenix3. I am still learning about all it can do, but I absolutely love it. The only times I’ve taken it off has been to charge it. And, it’s so pretty!

Longest run: 20 miles!

Non-running workouts: Over the course of the month, I did yoga stretch, the elliptical, piyo, and the recumbent bike. I definitely need to do more cross training next month.

Next month: September will be another high mileage month, including my longest run ever at 22 miles. We are in the toughest three weeks of training right now before we begin to taper the two weeks leading up to race day. I also need to do better with my cross training!

Happy running!

The hottest month of the year has come and gone. Here’s a recap of July!

Total miles: 133.19 — This is the most miles I have ever ran in one single month!

Fun places I ran: I spent a lot of time in Seminole County this month. We ran in Oviedo and Winter Springs several times, on the overpass, road, and trail.

Races I ran: No races this month.

Favorite running thing this month: The list is long! I swear I pack a bag for each long run just to make sure I have everything. I will definitely do a post about marathon training essentials after this is all said and done. Two of my favorite things right now are the Honey Stinger Energy Chews and my Camelbak Hydration Pack. I have the Charm.

Longest run: I hit my “longest run ever” three times this month when we ran 14, 16, and 18 miles. My longest run of the month (and of my life) was 18 miles on the Cross Seminole Trail.

Non-running workouts: I spent a lot of time on the spin bike, both reading and chatting. I also went to piyo which was awesome!

Next month: Marathon training continues and I’ve got a 20 miler on the schedule in just a couple of weeks. School also starts up in a couple of weeks, so our routine at the house will be changing. Hopefully by the end of the month we’ll be in the new swing of things!

Happy running!

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May was my lightest mileage month so far this year.

Total miles: 34.42

Fun places I ran: Greg and I did one stroller run this month in Sarasota. We ran alongside the beach so the views were great! The stroller was heavy! Kenley will likely start riding her bike with us during our family runs. I also ran with the girls at UCF which was a nice change of pace from our normal neighborhood routes.

Races I ran: None!

Favorite running thing this month: I snagged a new pair of running sunglasses this month in preparation for summer running. I went with goodr Sunbathing with Wizards but already have my eye on a couple other colors. I really like them so far!

Non-running workouts: Since I didn’t run as much this month, I did a lot more non-running workouts. I finally got back to piyo! It felt so good to do it again. I also did strength training a couple times this month, as well as many workouts on the elliptical. I went to the Y a lot more this month since it gives me an extra 30 minutes of sleep in the morning.

Next month: Marathon training officially begins! I am excited to be back on a training schedule. I am excited to start training for the Chicago Marathon, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous. It’s getting real. I will also be continuing my fundraising endeavors next month. I’m over halfway to my goal of $1,000 and am completely blown away by the generosity of those who have already donated. THANK YOU!

Happy running!

We are creeping back into the heat here in Florida and it’s only going to get worse!

Total miles: 52.48

Fun places I ran: Disney World! Other than that, just the normal routes in our area.

Races I ran: Run Disney Dark Side Half Marathon — I am working on a full race recap to come with a lot of pictures!

Favorite running thing this month: REST. As much as I hate to say it, I took a FULL WEEK off this month from running and working out. Following spring break, I was having what I thought to be groin pain. I stopped my first long run of the month after two miles because I didn’t want to push it. I ended up at the chiropractor and he said it was my hip flexor and psoas muscle, as opposed to my groin. Aside from resting, I have been focusing on stretching. I ran my race last weekend and it hurt pretty badly on Monday, but has healed up nicely this week. I definitely will be listening to my body over the next few months. I want to go into marathon training completely healthy!

Longest run: 13.44 miles

Non-running workouts: I got on the elliptical a few days this month. I say it every month, but now that I don’t have any races on the calendar, I will be doing a lot of strength training in the coming months.

Next month: I am dedicating the month of May to fundraising for Team RMHC and the Chicago Marathon. If you’d like to donate to a great cause, visit my Team RMCH page!

Another month has come and gone!

Total miles: 67.67 (I couldn’t do that again if I tried)

Fun places I ran: Other than our normal neighborhood routes, I ran in downtown Orlando, Jacksonville, and overlooking the port of Nassau, Bahamas from the Disney Dream!

Races I ran: Best Damn Race half marathon and Gate River Run 15k

Favorite running thing this month: Free race photos! One major perk of the Best Damn Race is that they have free race photos for you to download. I’ve never purchased a race photo because they are usually about $25 per photo. Hopefully more races opt for this perk in the future!

Longest run: 13.16 miles (BDR half marathon)

Non-running workouts: I was on point this month with my Monday morning non-running workouts at the Y. I did the elliptical every single week this month, which was one of my monthly goals. We didn’t make it to the Y as much this month on the weekends because of my race schedule and spring break, so that’ll be on the list for next month. And also, strength training. I failed miserably at that goal this month.

Next month: I will be running my first Run Disney race!