Mastering the Phases of Endurance Running: A Guide to Building Your Training Block
Running is more than just lacing up your shoes and hitting the pavement; it's a year-round journey with distinct phases or periods, each essential for peak performance and enjoyment. Let’s dive into the various phases of an endurance running block, from the foundational base-building phase to the challenging taper leading into race day, and the crucial recovery period post-race.
Summer Running Tips - How to Run Better in the Heat!
It’s getting hot and that means running will feel harder than it has the last few months. Don’t despair, you’re not losing fitness, we promise! If you prepare yourself well, you’ll be able to crush those summer runs and take that fitness into the fall with you.
What is the Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale and How to Use It in Running
Have you ever heard of the Rate of Perceived Exertion scale? Even if you have heard of it, maybe you aren’t sure how to use it in your training? Well, we’re here to share all the details about what it is, how it can help your training, and how to use it!
6 Tips for a Successful Return to Running Postpartum
It can be extremely challenging to know when your body is ready to run postpartum. You may feel ready within days of giving birth (at least mentally!), but truly being physically ready can be the difference between a major injury that sidelines you immediately and longevity in this sport. And that’s the confusing part!
20 Weeks Pregnant! How My Training Has Changed
I’ve had quite a few newly pregnant mamas ask me how I changed my training when I found out I was pregnant and what was safe to do or what guidance I received from my doctor. I wanted to start by saying, while I am currently getting a pre/post natal certification at the moment, I am not qualified to provide individual or generic advice on this topic. This blog post will address the changes to my fitness and running routine.
Running Drills For Beginners
Drills are a great way to establish proper form and movement patterns into our muscle memory as well as a way to improve recruitment of the proper muscles when you start to get fatigued. If you’re new to running or have never done drills before, I’ve compiled some great drills for beginners. These can be done after an easy warm up jog or at the end of a run 2-3 times/week. You’ll want to do each drill for 20-30 seconds, with a slow jog back to the start. If you have time to run through the drills 2-3 times, even better!
How to Stay Motivated During Quarantine
Anyone else struggling with motivation right now? I’m here to let you know you aren’t alone. Races have always been my key motivator. If there’s a date to work towards and a clear timeline, it’s a lot easier to get out there each day. With no races on the calendar in the near future, we need to find other ways to keep our head in the game and stick with our training so we can be ready to race when it becomes available.
Journey to Sub 3 - Episode 4: Building Confidence
Things have really turned around the last few weeks and I’m finally building up some confidence after this cycle’s rocky start. I raced a 10K a few weeks ago and while it wasn’t my best performance, I was happy with the results on a hillier course and a lack of confidence in my abilities at that point. Since then, I’ve been recovering quickly from workouts and doing workouts that are slightly new and different to me - challenging me in new ways.
InsideTracker Review - Optimizing Biomarkers to Help Reach Your Goals
When I decided to get blood work done last month, I went to the Inside Tracker site to get a list of tests I should consider taking. I was already thinking of using their DIY testing option - you get the tests done through your health insurance or primary doctor and then upload the results to their site after you receive them. They also have options where you don’t have to deal with your doctor at all, order the tests you want, and just head to your nearest Quest Diagnostics site for the blood work and it all gets loaded directly into their system.
Journey to Sub 3 - Episode 3: 5K Race Recap + Blood Work Results
I grabbed a big 5K PR, but then got tough news in my blood work results. I held off on sharing much over the last 3+ weeks because I was navigating what was happening to me and how to take action. My blood work came back and showed I have a severe B12 deficiency, which explains all the symptoms I was experiencing with fatigue, weakness, poor recovery, etc.
Journey to Sub 3 - Episode 2: Extreme Fatigue
I was a bit worried I wouldn’t have much to share since the first several weeks of a marathon cycle are pretty boring, but shortly after posting my first video in the series I was hit with extreme fatigue. The fatigue is something I haven’t experienced since I first found out I was anemic over 4 years ago. I am continuing with my daily iron supplements as usual and am in the process of getting blood work.
Journey to Sub 3 - Episode 1: So Many New Things
I’m back on that sub-3 journey! As you may or may not know, I didn’t hit my goal in the fall, but I’m back chasing that sub-3 goal this fall at CIM. I thought it would be fun to share this training cycle in a video/vlog series. This goal is huge and hard, so I want to share all the challenges I face each week as an average runner with everyday responsibilities, trying to tackle a big goal.
Smart Summer Running Tips
It’s getting much hotter here in CA. Many of you have been dealing with the heat for a couple months now though, so Paula and I wanted to put together some training and hydration tips to help you stay healthy and strong during this tough season.
Recovery Tips + Tricks
A few weeks ago, I did an Instagram Q&A and received a question on what I do for recovery aside from my compression boots (Rabid Reboot) and easy running. This question made it clear that I don’t share enough of the things I’m doing to help my body recover from tough workouts and high mileage weeks if people think all I’m doing is laying in recovery boots and doing recovery running.