Tiny Thunder Running

Hey friends! If you follow me on instagram, you know that I have been following along with this awesome challenge. Each day there is a prompt of a quick workout to get you moving. I am not one to rely on challenges to keep going but they sure are fun to participate in! So whats my point? Well this week, they asked us bloggers to write up why we live a #noexcuses life. So here it is. I haven't always been into fitness or eating well and I can't even remember when it really all fell into place. I do know that back in college I definitely put on some weight and was not about to go buy new, larger sized, jeans. Instead, I hit the college gym and it felt great. I stopped eating some of the things that weren't so great and things went back to how they were supposed to be after a few weeks.  After college, I kept wanting to try to learn to run but never succeeded but continued to do other workouts 3-5 times per week. Once smart phones came around, and the couch 25...

Before I get to the actual content of this post.. I have to admit something embarrassing . I wrote this post Monday but every evening it seemed like I didn't have the energy or time to get this posted.. hoping next week is better!! Anyway, without further adue.. Happy Friday and time to relive last weekend before we make new memories during this one. After lazing around most of the day Saturday, I had half convinced myself to do the same on Sunday. It would have been easy to do, ya know. But because I had just signed up for a trail half marathon just 2 weeks ago, I knew skipping out on the opportunity for a run longer than 5 miles IN DAYLIGHT would be a bad idea. I had already planned to do so prior to signing up for this half marathon, craving some distance, so I knew what I needed to do. I did laze around and do a few things in the morning and finally set out around 1:30pm. Yaktraxs, camelbak and energybits in tow, I was off and running. Those first 2 miles down ...

While everyone else is recapping out their 2014 race years (and some 2015 races already!!) , I realize I have never even recapped my last 5k of the year which occurred all the way back in November! This is not because it was anything short of amazing rather it was followed very quickly by my first marathon and then before I knew it the holiday season was among us. Before I officially recap out my year, I want to share the lovely race that was the 2nd Annual 5k Hero Run . I attended this last year as a new race and as part of a trio with two of my co-workers. We had so much fun we decided to go back. credit This year the theme was “HERO RUN RETURNS” and based on the batman logo. It was pretty clever and at check in we received our long sleeve tech shirt PLUS a pretty cool fruit diffuser water bottle. I stole this pic from one of my running mates.. shhh. But that was not the end of the cool-ness. Of course because it was a hero themed race lots of people dressed up as...

Last night, on a local running store's facebook page, I saw the link to a local trail half marathon. The only catch? It is just 2 weeks away! The super awesome part? It's only 30 minutes away AND only cost $25 to enter. There's no medal or fancy swag, but I started to think about it. So I kind of jokingly shared the post to my personal page and just a few minutes later, there was some likely discussion going on in the comments feed. One of my coworkers, and frequent running partners in crime, commented that it was weekend she would not have her little guy. A river runner's mate also commented that this was a race he has done since it's inception and raved about it. Another friend commented that she has heard great things too. I had already mentioned the idea to my husband and I got the usual "you're crazy" smile/smirk and head shake. Once the above facebook situation happened, I was in. So, today I signed myself up. When did I become that pers...

On Saturday I had the joy of meeting up with the local running group, River Runners on the yearly "Milkshake run." Nothing formal and no registration but TONS of fun. Whats the story? Every year the  Pennsylvania Farm Show  comes to town and with it lots of delicious food. I mean there are animals, square dancing, tractors, and all that jazz too. But we all know that we really just go for the food. At least I do. Run So we all met up at 9:00 am Saturday morning.. photo op first of course.. then hit the Wildwood Loop. This is a loop of 3 miles total, 2 of hills, 1 flat and boring as all get out. I did one loop with one person then started chatting with another and we set into our pace and rhythm. It was great. A nice solid 6.2 miles to start the day. There were a few sketchy areas that were still icy but we carefully "skated" around them and continued. Eat After we pounded the pavement, we changed out of our sweaty clothes and headed over to the main attr...

It's about darn time I get back in the swing of things and get back to Inspiration Thursday posts. I have been super slackin but as I am slowly getting caught up from the holidays and sickness, I am getting more time to get back to everything else. via via via via No matter what your goals are for the year.. keep pushing.. keep doing.. keep moving forward. Even if you take a step or two back now and then.  You got this!!

Monday night I posted a pretty delicious looking picture on instagram. Have no fear. It tastes JUST as delicious as it looks!! I cannot take any credit for this, but will tell you to go check out Taylor Made's post for full details. What you will need: -10 ounces whole wheat penne pasta -1 lb spicy Italian chicken sausage ( I used turkey) -1 5-6 oz. bag baby spinach -2 cloves garlic, minced -1 cup chopped grape tomatoes -1 cup prepared tomato sauce (e.g., Prego) -3/4 cup plain greek yogurt -1/4 cup milk -1 and 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or less if desired) (I used sharp chedder) -1/2 tsp salt (I didn’t use any) -1/2 tsp pepper (I forgot this) -1/2 tsp garlic powder -1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (less or none if you don't like spicy) Directions -Preheat oven to 375 degrees. -Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. -Cook chicken sausage in 1 tbsp butter over medium heat for 12-14 minutes, or until ...

Anyone who lives in any of the states getting slammed this week with bitter cold either goes all in and heads outsideto run, or says screw that I am staying inside. Yesterday I decided I was going all in and bundled up, put my lights and reflectors on, and, well, my ninja mask. Well ok. Maybe not a ninja mask, more like a balacave for the motorcycle, but crazy nonetheless. It definitely did the job as did the rest of my wonderfully warm layers. I also tried out my yaktrax  knowing there was snow and ice from Tuesday's little storm. They definitely worked out very well and I could not have done it without them. Now mine are really the ones made for walking, but they definitely did the trick. I got mixed reactions regarding my frozen 4 miler- from wow you go! to you are insane, it's too cold! Other runners understand. Sometimes you just need to go. Sometimes there is no substitute for getting out there, crazy or not. I did a lot of thinking on this run. I have bee...