Updates, Goodies, and Articles

Updates: It's been way too long since I've updated the basic layout and pages for HtGR, so I spent yesterday and today getting some of that done. Besides the new header and the new color (I'm still getting used to the purple - the blog has been pink since 2012!), I've updated my About Me and What I'm Reading pages. Definitely check them out...some of you may be featured on there!

Goodies: Last week I wrote a review for Vega Sport's sugar free pre-workout energizer. I had such a good experience with it, and the other Sweat Pink Ambassadors had such good things to say about their other products, that I've decided to try them out exclusively for marathon training.

Before I made that kind of commitment though, I wanted to try what else they had to offer. I reached out and requested some samples, and Vega did not disappoint! I returned from my weekend away to this lovely collection of goodies!

I can't wait to try these out!

Articles: As summer heats up, there's been a lot of talk in the running community about how we keep ourselves motivated to run despite the humidity and soaring temperatures. Most people jump to recommend signing up for a race...but what about runners who don't really like racing?

This article from Runner's World addresses just that. Even though I love racing, I don't like to race in summer, so I found the recommendations insightful. Also, it's a good reminder that there's an entire population of runners who just love to run and don't really like the race experience or covet bling, and that's totally fine! It's too bad you don't see more writing out there geared toward those runners.

Also on my reading list this week was this article from the Women's Running Community on Facebook. Now that training is looming (more on that later this week), I'm scheduling in all my runs for the twenty weeks or so, and of course that leaves me wondering when is the best time for cross/strength/core-training. I love these four exercises because they're simple enough to do at home, but very effective.

Share a helpful or interesting running article in the comments!

Share a new blog you've been loving that I should check out!

Are you particularly loyal to a specific brand for training/fueling?

ABK

Guest Post Alert!

Not over here, but over at See This Girl Run!

Alyssa was kind enough to ask me to write a guest post, and I was humbled and honored to do it! She is such a bubbly, positive energy on the blogosphere! (This is my first-ever guest post, so I was especially excited to write it for someone who's so inspiring and genuinely likeable!)

Okay, exclamation-mark overload.

Anyway, I wrote an entry just for her blog on building mental toughness. Many of us have been struggling with our training lately, it seems...Summer makes it difficult to stay on track. But this is a great opportunity to find out just how strong we really are!

Check out my post here, and tell her hello!

ABK

Bucket List

Not that I'm spending a lot of time thinking about death or anything, but I've been putting together a bucket list over the last few months of things I really want to do sooner rather than later. As in, before it's "too late". Whatever that means.

I'm currently working on #3 on my bucket list: run a marathon.

Most of my bucket list is running related, but not all of it. I wrote a post on Matt's and my dream to sail the world, and that's definitely at the top of the list. I also want to go skydiving, and I'm thinking that's in the nearer future than our world journey.

My sister skydiving for her birthday last year. Her boyfriend is a skydiving fanatic!

But as running is kind of my main focus these days, most of the things I add to my list are running related. #2 on the list is to run a race in another country. Or just, you know, to run in another country.

I mentioned in my last post that I studied abroad in college. I miss Europe like crazy, and I miss traveling in general. I wasn't a runner while in Scotland, but one of the girls on our trip was...looking back at pictures of the trip and thinking of her getting up every morning for her runs, I'm insanely regretful that it wasn't for another two years that I joined the tribe.

Atop Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Highlands of Scotland...on our way to Glencoe.

I mean, how can you look at those views and those hills and NOT want to run them? Plus, the weather in Scotland was constantly misty and cool, making it prime running weather.

I wouldn't say no to a run in London, either.

Princess Diana's memorial in Hyde Park

Hyde Park...can you spot Matt?

I loved every aspect of Europe would love to set aside six months to do races in the other countries I sorely miss: Spain, France, Italy, and Ireland. If only I had that kind of disposable income!

Topping my bucket list is a very easy-to-attain goal to run a race outside of Florida. After seeing all the Peachtree Road Race updates on the blogs I follow, I'm thinking maybe that will be the one!

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On a slightly different note, I wanted to direct your attention to a blog I started following recently. Heather at Run Like a G is the author of one of the most relatable and enjoyable blogs to read these days. She's honest and open, but also has a really fun and laid back writing style. I never feel like she's trying too hard. I especially love the post she did today on positive body image.

runlikeag.blogspot.com

Keep an eye out for updates to my "What I'm Reading" tab, as I plan to add some blogs in the near future.

What's on your bucket list?
Have you ever run a race in a different country?
Link me to a blog you're loving right now!

ABK

New Blog Pages

Things have been slow this week as I've been focusing almost entirely on babying my leg for my 10k this Sunday and revamping my lesson plans for my TPE (teacher performance evaluation). I was finally observed today, so I can ease up a little bit and relax. Of course, today we were delivered a torrential downpour and tornado warnings, so a run might be out of the question.

So this update is really just to direct your attention to the row of tabs just above this post. I have added two new pages in the last week. The "Memoir" contains the story of my first successful run and my love-affair with running. It's the story I mentioned reading to my students that resulted in some of the kids wanting to learn to run.

You know you want to read a hot, steamy love story about a girl and her sport.

 The other tab is "What I'm Reading." I've split the blogs there into two sections: running related, and everything else. If you're finding yourself with some downtime and need some reading recommendations, might I suggest you mosey over to that page and check out what's holding my interest these days?

What blogs are you reading lately that you just love? Share them in the comments!

What is your first memory of running?

ABK