Tuesday Topics – Page 43

Category: Tuesday Topics

24
Dec
2019

Tuesday Topics: My goals for 2020

categories: DWTraining, Half Marathon Training, Race all 50 states, Running, Tuesday Topics

How is it that it is almost the end of December and the end of this decade?! Honestly, how did 10 years go by so fast? Or did it go that fast? I have no idea what I was doing December 31, 2009 but I do know I wrote my first blog post a year later on January 2, 2011. 🙂

This week’s Tuesday Topic: What are your goals for 2020? You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

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I have a new coach and am excited to be working with him. I love the personalized plan and the constant communication with Dan. We have a weekly call on Monday at 5pm in which we discuss my upcoming runs, concerns, and anything else I want to talk about.

When I signed up with Dan I told him my goals. I think there were too many. One can dream, right? 🙂 Well, I didn’t say I wanted to achieve them in 2020 but sometime in the future. Now that I’ve had a chance to think about it some more, I want to focus on a few of them. I am also including some personal ones. Ready to find out?

⇒ Be injury free. Please go away plantar fasciitis.

⇒ PR in the following distances: 5k, 4 miles, 8k, 10k, 10 miles, and 13.1.

⇒ Get a sub 2 half marathon.

⇒ Run a marathon. I am hoping either the MCM in October or the NYC in November.

⇒ Buy a house.

⇒ Travel to Mexico. It’s been years since I’ve been there and really hope I can make it next year.

⇒ Run a couple more half marathons in new states. I am registered for GA and KS but still need HI, NM, ID, ND, SD, SC, and WY.

⇒ Be more patience at work and at home.

⇒ Do more fun things with friends. I realized that I always use the same excuse “I am too tired” with them and don’t do enough fun things with them.

⇒ Find joy in everything that is possible. Life is short to not find joy in it.

My mother will be making mole today. My sister and nephew are coming over and it should be fun. One of my cousins invited us over to her house on Christmas Day so that will be fun too. Happy Holidays to everyone! Enjoy this special time with loved ones!!

17
Dec
2019

Tuesday Topics: Turtle Gloves Lightweight Turtle-Flip Convertible Running Mittens Review

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Product Review, Tuesday Topics

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Turtle Gloves Lightweight Turtle-Flip Convertible Running Mittens as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

Tuesday Topics-22.jpg This week’s Tuesday Topic: How do you cool down after a run? You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

I’m deviating from this week’s topic to write a review about the Turtle Gloves Lightweight Turtle-Flip Convertible Running Mittens. I am always looking for new running gear to stay warm during the Winter. When the opportunity came to try out these gloves, I immediately signed up.

I was sent a prototype of the new running mittens. When I received them, I was a bit disappointed because I was expecting them to be thicker. I mean, running mittens have to be thick to keep your hands warm, right? Never judge a book by its cover. After my first run I knew these gloves were perfect for those cold days of running.

Turtles Gloves-1

The mittens are made of polartec material. They’re also wind and water resistant. My hands never felt cold on my runs. As a matter of fact, my hands were a bit sweaty! Not a problem. I didn’t have to take my gloves off but instead just convert them to a fingerless glove. See the video below.

Two things I was not crazy about:

⇒ 1) The color. They’re an ugly and boring gray. I made a face when I saw them. Then I remembered that were a prototype and were made specifically for us to review. Definitely cannot get picky about the colors. 🙂

Turtles Gloves-2

⇒ They were too big. I ordered a medium and should have asked for a small. Obviously that was my fault. I used my watch on my left hand to tie the glove. The gloves need an elastic around the wrist for a more comfortable fit.

Overall, they’re great gloves. They’re thin but also wind and water resistant. They keep my hands warm which is all I ever want from a pair of running gloves.

These have not yet been released. You can still go to the website to check out the other styles that they offer. Remember, use promo code TURTLEGLOVESBR to save 15% on your order!

10
Dec
2019

Tuesday Topics: My year in bling

categories: BibRave Pro, Tuesday Topics

Happy Tuesday! Hopefully you’re staying warm wherever you are. We had a few “nice” days but now it is going to be C-O-L-D.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Show us your year in bling! You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

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This year I ran a total of 5 races compared to 6 in 2018 and 10 in 2017. However, I did run in 3 different states so I am happy with my 5 races. Even though I ran 5 races, I “only” got 4 medals. 🙂

Here are my races and medals:

⇒ Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle – This is one of my favorite races and I LOVE it! It was my first race of the year and it is always so much fun. I saw quite a few friends, including Marcia and Wendy.

⇒ Delaware Marathon Running Festival – This race was hilly! Part of the course was pretty too while running in Brandywine Park. The best part was seeing Kim!!

⇒ Missoula Half Marathon – I’ve heard so many great things about this race. It is well organized but expensive to get there. Hotels are expensive too. The course is nice and mostly downhill.

2019 Missoula Half Marathon-33

⇒ Elmhurst 4 on the 4th – This is another one of my favorite races. It is cheap, easy to get it, and plenty of parking. Plus, it is the only 4 mile race I run. Sadly there is no medal but that is OK. Maybe one year?

⇒ Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Half Marathon – This was my last race of the year. I was undertrained but I definitely enjoyed the race. I ran the International Half Marathon and about half of the course is in Canada. This is one race that you have to to. Everything about this race is simply perfect.

2019 Detroit Half Marathon-2

Which one of these races would you want to do?

03
Dec
2019

Tuesday Topics: Holiday gifts for runners

categories: Tuesday Topics

How is it that it is already December? Going back to work after a few days off for Thanksgiving Break was exhausting. My kids were still in vacation zone and let me just say that no on was in the mood to work.

Hello December 2019.jpg

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Holiday gifts for runners. You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

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A few bloggers have already written about this topic so I will include the links below.
⇒ Wendy at Taking the Long Way Home
⇒ Marcia at Marcia’s Healthy Slice
⇒ Lisa at Mile by Mile
⇒ Sandra at Organic Runner Mom
⇒ Debbie at Coach Debbie Run

A few things that I like are:
⇒ Balega Socks – I love SmartWool but now am loving Balega socks. My favorite are the ultralight/ultraglide socks. They’re thin but yet cushioned enough to provide enough support.

Balega Socks-1

⇒ Road ID – I never take mine off. Yes, I even shower with it. 🙂 Mine has two of my sisters’ contact information in case of an emergency.

Road ID-1

⇒ Gift cards – I get my running shoes from Running Warehouse or Zappos. I love that they offer FREE shipping. If for some reason you change your mind, you can also send them back for free. I run in Brooks shoes and have the Launch, Ghost, and Levitate.

⇒ Garmin watch – So many great ones out there now. I love mine. I have a 225 and have had it for 4 years. Mine is simple and I use it to track my shoes mileage, pace, distance, and time.

Garmin Record-3

⇒ Black Diamond Storm Headlamp – I run in the morning and it is very dark outside. My headlamp is perfect for those mornings.

⇒ Oiselle Lightning Layer – This is one of my favorite Oiselle items. I can wear it over another top or a sports bra. With the vest and the headlamp, for sure you will be seen!

⇒ Koala Clip – It is a pouch that holds your phone, keys, ID, etc. It has a magnetic clip that you clip inside your sports bra. The Koala Clip does not chafe nor does it bounce.

⇒ BibBoards – They’re bib fasteners. The nice thing about these is that you don’t need safety pins hence no holes in your race shirt. There are so many different and fun designs to pick from.

BibBoards-1

Do you own any of the items I listed above? It not, which one would you like to try?

26
Nov
2019

Tuesday Topics: Why I am thankful for running

categories: Tuesday Topics

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! Also, thanks to everyone that entered my birthday giveaway. The winner is: Marcia Kadens.

This week’s Tuesday Topic: Tell us why you’re thankful for running? You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!

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Thanksgiving is around the corner. I am not one to “just” be thankful on that day. I like to be thankful every single day for everything that I have. After my mom’s stroke in March, I am even more thankful for so many things.

√ I am thankful that it was a mild stroke. She was in 3 different places (hospital and rehab) and came home on May 5th.

√ I am thankful that she is comes home with me on the weekends (she lives with my younger sister) and we get to watch TV and spend time together.

√ I am thankful for the stories she tells me of when she lived in Mexico. Life wasn’t easy but she did the best she could. My dad was living in the US and my mom was in Mexico. There were times in which she was here working while the kids were in Mexico being taken care of by family members or a neighbor.

√ I am thankful for the sacrifices she and my dad made to give us a better life. We emigrated to Chicago in 1978. I was 5 years old and I still remember that day. It was July 4th and I remember seeing the Sears Tower.

√ I am thankful she didn’t give up after my dad died. At 47 years old she became a widow with 7 kids. I am 47 years old. I put myself in her shoes and I haven’t done 1/4 of the stuff she had already done when she was 47.

I know I went a little off topic so now let me talk about why I am thankful for running. 🙂 Running is my ME time. Running helps me cope with the challenges life brings me. Things are so much better with my mother, but still it is tough being an adult. Haha, I think we can all relate to that. Work stresses me out and I am constantly looking for ways to help my students. While I run I am in my zone, staring ahead while listening to music. Sometimes I think about the different things that need to be done once I get to work.

And last but not least, I am thankful for this blog, this linkup and ALL OF YOU. I love the support and encouragement I get from my virtual friends. Some of you I’ve met and if I haven’t, I hope I get to meet you soon. With each post I get inspired and I smile. We never judge. It makes me happy to read and see how we lift and encourage one another whether it is from dealing with an injury or from being nervous with running a marathon or another race. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!