Five Tips for Summer Running

I’ve been thinking lately about how to make the most of summer running, because while I love this season and particularly this month (fireworks and my birthday, what could be better?) the heat and humidity in the Northeast can mean training is a challenge. I am not a natural warm weather runner, and in fact I sweat and eventually wilt in the heat, so it amazes me that I can accomplish what I do, looking back. How do I do it? I follow these five tips for summer running, for the other runners out there who would rather require long sleeves for a long run than an ice bucket to pour over their heads afterwards.

 

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Running the Portland Eastern Promenade

I tend to keep running while I’m on vacation, because I enjoy it, it’s a nice way to start the day, and you can even use your run to explore a city (like I did in London last summer). While I was on vacation in Maine, I didn’t go for a long run, but I did enjoy a 5ish mile run each morning I was in Portland, kick-starting my appetite for eating all the burgers and cookies, sampling the ice cream spots, and enjoying my first dinner at the amazing Fore Street restaurant. There was no better way to greet the morning in this port city than coming down the hill from our B&B in the West End, running the Portland Eastern Promenade along the waterfront, and looping back uphill for a nice cool-down stroll. After stopping at the bakery for a breakfast cookie of course…

 

 

 

 

My First Marathon Training Plan

Ever since I finished my 9+1 last November and received my guaranteed entry to the New York City Marathon for this year, I’ve had people asking me how I was going to approach my training. It’s no secret that I’ve never followed a training plan before. I’m not particularly fond of doing things just because someone else is telling me to (“because I said so” is probably my least favorite response to “why”?) and even though I considered trying to stick to something for my first half, when I was able to do it after figuring it out for myself I simply carried on that way. Yet the marathon is different. To successfully cross the finish line I need to get advice from those who have been there before and use a training plan so that I stay on track. I think I’ve now settled on my first marathon training plan, but getting there was definitely a process.

 

 

 

Racing For Fun

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about running and racing for fun. As I’ve mentioned many times on this blog, when I first started running, I made a promise to myself that I would not ever let it become just another competitive activity. I took every activity I tried very seriously when I was a kid, and running was going to be something I did just for me, to have fun, get outside in the fresh air, and get away from the craziness of life in law school. And then, about six months after I started running, I entered my first 10K race.

 

 

 

 

Scotland Run 10K Race Recap

Happy Monday! I’m checking in with my usual weekly workouts post, along with a Scotland Run 10K race recap since that took place on Saturday. It wasn’t the “highlight” of my running, considering the light rain that fell throughout the race, but then again, it seemed appropriate for a Scotland-themed event. I was just happy we had a few days with sunny skies and warm breezes this week before the crazy weather kicked in again.

 

 

 

Weekly Workouts and Updates 2/16-2/22

I’m feeling pretty refreshed this Monday after getting to spend some of the weekend at the place I still consider home in Connecticut. It’s always nice to escape Manhattan, and when I don’t have the chance for awhile, I tend to get a little bit antsy, so I took advantage of the opportunity during the one weekend in February I didn’t have a ton of plans. I don’t have much to report on the running end of things. I took it easy again this week because of how I was feeling the week prior. But I’ll share my usual weekly workouts and updates anyway. And some photos of Sasha, because when I’m home I spend all the time with her that I can.

 

 

 

Weekly Workouts and Updates 1/24-1/31

Rabbit, rabbit. Starting February off right! January flew by pretty fast, but not before I squeezed in some good runs during the last week of the month. So let’s take a look at my weekly workouts and updates and see what’s next for me with running.

 

 

January Highlights

We’ve reached the last day of the first month of 2016. I feel like I was just getting ready for the new year and reflecting on 2015, this month flew by so fast. That’s why I want to focus on making the most of the present instead of worrying about the future this year – it goes by in the blink of an eye, and I don’t want to miss a moment! Since this blog serves as a sort of adventure log for me as well as being a place to collecting running and recipe tips, I’ll be recapping each month like I did for several months of last year (April, May, June, and July) and then lost track of doing with all my traveling. I’m settled into the swing of my new routine now, I’ve learned a lot from blogging having reached the one-year mark, and today is all about my January highlights!

 

Staying Safe on a Snowstorm Run

After all the snow brought on by Winter Storm Jonas this weekend, there’s no better time to talk about running in the snow. I shared a few tips about running safely in the snow last January but I thought I’d update those with what I’ve learned since, especially when it comes to running not just in snow, but after a major weather event.

 

 

 

Weekly Workouts and Updates 1/11-1/18

This week was a blur of activity, running and otherwise. First I’ll recap my weekly workouts and updates about my running and race plans, and then I’ll fill you in on all the other goings on that have filled the first month of 2016.