While I am not quite ready to pull out the Christmas decorations (still have to get Halloween out of my yard…), I do have my first Christmas candle of the season burning tonight and it smells delightful. It’s the cedar balsam candle from Trader Joe’s. I stashed it away last year and I sure do [...]
Running
-
Double Digits + Karaoke
October 16, 2023 { 1 comment }Hello and I hope that your week is off to a great start. I am doing something very out of my normal routine – writing this post from a coffee shop. I almost always work from home but it was most efficient for me to stop into a coffee shop to do some work in [...]
-
Lake Norman 15K Race Recap
October 8, 2023 { 1 comment }I ran the Novant Health Lake Norman 15K this morning on a whim and had a very unexpectedly AMAZING race! LAKE NORMAN 15K I have been very casually training for the Charlotte Half Marathon on November 4. I have run 6, 7 and 8 mile long runs and done a lot of 4-5 mile runs. [...]
-
The Race That Wasn’t Run
November 16, 2021 { 10 comments }Happy Tuesday. I hope your week is off to a great start. I walked downstairs this morning wearing my UGA hoodie with the hood up so Finn decided he was going to wear his the same way to preschool. He got out of carpool with his backpack on and hood up and it was the [...]
-
Around the Crown 10K Race Recap + Review
September 10, 2021 { 1 comment }Last Sunday I ran the Around the Crown 10K here in Charlotte. It was my first race since the start of the pandemic and it was an amazing feeling to pin on a bib and experience race day energy again. I sure have missed it a lot. I wanted to write a full race recap [...]
-
Summer Running Essentials
July 1, 2021 { 10 comments }It’s July 1 and it’s safe to say that we are in the thick of summer running. Here in the south, temperatures have been around 90 degrees every day but the real killer is the humidity. All three of my runs this week have been 80+ degrees and 80% humidity. Talk about sweaty! I literally [...]
-
15 Running Questions for Global Running Day
June 2, 2021 { 4 comments }Happy Global Running Day! It’s hard to believe that I have been running for 20 years this year! I started running the spring of my senior year of high school because I had to run a timed mile as part of college cheerleading tryouts. While college cheerleading only lasted one semester, running stuck and it’s [...]
-
Injury Prevention: Recovery Tips + 5 Great Yoga Poses for Runners
March 2, 2021 { 11 comments }This is the third in a series of posts about preventing injuries for athletes. The first was about dynamic stretching for injury prevention , the second was about building core strength for injury prevention and today’s post is about recovery tips and my favorite yoga poses for runners. Did you know that I actually got [...]
-
Injury Prevention: 5 Core Exercises for Runners
February 10, 2021 { 4 comments }This is the second in a series of posts about running and injury prevention. The first was about dynamic stretches to do before you run for injury prevention and today’s post is about core exercises for runners. Having “core strength” and “building a strong core” are phrases that you commonly hear in the fitness industry, [...]
-
5 Dynamic Stretches You Should Do Before Every Run to Prevent Injuries
October 12, 2020 { 15 comments }Most of you know that I have a very storied past with running and injuries. In my early days of running in college and the years following, I battled everything from bursitis to Achilles tendonitis to foot pain to a hamstring injury to hip pain and more. It was so frustrating that at one point [...]
-
How to Strengthen + Stretch to Improve Your Running Posture
September 28, 2020 { 2 comments }This post is sponsored by Zappos. I’m here today to talk about how strengthening your upper back and stretching your chest and shoulders can help to improve your running posture. Even if you are not a runner, these exercises and stretches are beneficial for anyone desiring improved posture. (Brooks Dare Strappy Bra, Brooks Greenlight 9″ [...]
-
How to Break Out of a Running Rut
February 24, 2020 { 5 comments }This post is sponsored by Zappos. I received the following message from a client recently and I wanted to write a post about it ever since because I know she’s not alone. “I need inspiration. Here is how I feel about running: I used to LOVE it, now it scares me. I don’t know what [...]
-
How Mindfulness Changed My Relationship With Running
January 24, 2020 { 0 comments }In this post I am sharing about my history with running and how mindfulness changed my relationship with running by helping me to truly connect with my body and end the constant injury cycle that I was in. I HOW I STARTED RUNNING I started running in college as a way to stay fit and [...]
-
The Great Stroller Running Post
October 20, 2019 { 7 comments }This post is sponsored by Zappos. I am not exaggerating when I say that I might not have made it through the first year of motherhood without a jogging stroller and a pair of running shoes. I truly wish I had a log of how many miles I’ve covered with Finn in this stroller but [...]
-
Summer Running Tips + Favorite Gear
June 27, 2019 { 8 comments }This post is sponsored by lululemon and ShopStyle. Up until I got pregnant, I would always say that I would rather run in 98 degree heat than 30 degree cold. I can only blame it on a hormone shift but ever since I got pregnant, had Finn and have been breastfeeding, I’m more hot-natured than [...]
-
Global Running Day + Update on 2019 Running Goals + My Favorite Running Shoes (with a giveaway!)
June 5, 2019 { 303 comments }Happy Global Running Day! Who’s celebrating with a run? Scott Broome Photography I thought that Global Running Day would be a great time to update you guys on the 2019 running goals that I shared back in December, especially now that we’re almost halfway through 2019 (what!?). Here they are, along with commentary on where [...]
-
Hot Chocolate 15K Race Recap
January 20, 2019 { 6 comments }I’m sipping my Sunday morning coffee with sore calves and hamstrings after yesterday’s Hot Chocolate 15K. The 9.3 mile race was my longest run since I ran the Charlotte Half Marathon at 14 weeks pregnant back in November 2017! Taking that into consideration, I couldn’t believe how good I felt during the race and how [...]
-
My 2019 Running Goals
December 27, 2018 { 14 comments }This post is sponsored by Zappos. I have run less miles in 2018 than I have in any other single year since I started running in college. Following the guidance of my OBGYN, I took most of the third trimester off of running. And then after being cleared to run six weeks after Finn’s birth, [...]
-
2018 Charlotte Marathon Relay Race Recap – Stroller Moms!
November 7, 2018 { 7 comments }My sixth running of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon was my most memorable yet as I joined a team of four other moms pushing strollers to complete the marathon relay. I have run the half marathon five times and this year was my first time participating in the marathon relay. It was a wonderful experience [...]
-
Zero2Run 5K & 10K Running + Strength Training Plans
September 10, 2018 { 8 comments }I am thrilled to fill you in on the details of a new fitness partnership with Emily Breeze that we are launching TODAY! Welcome to Zero2Run! ZERO2RUN 5K + 10K TRAINING PLANS Photos Eben Patten Our Zero2Run training program will take you from zero to the finish line of a 5 or 10K race in [...]
-
A Running Survey for Global Running Day
June 6, 2018 { 20 comments }It’s Global Running Day! I won’t be doing any running today but I’ve loved reading everyone else’s posts about it. I can’t wait to be back out there. Out of all the ways that I move my body, running is what I miss the most and am looking forward to getting back to more than [...]
-
5 Things I Learned About Running In The First Trimester
January 14, 2018 { 40 comments }While I knew that running would change during pregnancy, I was in no way prepared for how quickly it happened after receiving a positive pregnancy test. Running in the first trimester was an experience in learning how to not only listen to my body but also trust it. While I’m well into my second trimester [...]
-
Newton Fate 3 Review + Last Week’s Workouts + An Important Note on Rest
August 20, 2017 { 9 comments }So glad to have many of you on board for fall half marathon training! If you missed Friday’s post, it’s not too late to join us. The fun kicks off on September 4. Since I’ve been talking about running a lot the last couple of weeks, I thought it would be a good time to [...]
-
3 Days a Week Half Marathon Training Plans + Fall Group Training Info
August 18, 2017 { 5 comments }Happy Friday! A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about the upcoming fall running and racing season. I’m looking forward to it and it sounds like many of you are too! I wanted to follow up today with training plans and information on group training. As part of my ambassadorship with the Charlotte [...]
-
Let’s Talk About Fall Running + A 90-Minute Running (and workout) Playlist
August 3, 2017 { 16 comments }Thanks for sending along your good vibes after my post yesterday and I’m so glad that the gratitude meditation was well-received. Sullie is going in to see the vet today at 3:30 p.m. to have the lump checked and for her annual check up. I’ll let you know ASAP what the report is. As for [...]
-
10 Things I Love About Running for Global Running Day
June 7, 2017 { 4 comments }Happy Global Running Day! Over one million people from 185 countries have pledged to run today in celebration of Global Running Day. There is also a goal to have one million kids pledge to run as a way to make fitness fun for kids and to promote physical activity. If you have kiddos at home, [...]
-
Mid-Week Check-In + Dealing with the Emotional Side of Running Injuries
March 15, 2017 { 29 comments }I apologize if any of you were unable to access my blog this morning. It was down until around noon. My tech guru did his monthly updates and security checks late last night and apparently one of the WordPress plugin updates made my blog crash. He had to troubleshoot by going in one-by-one and activating [...]
-
6 Ways to Deal with Calf Strain as a Runner + I Tried Dry Needling
March 14, 2017 { 25 comments }The name of this post should really be, “I got dry needled and lived to tell about it.” One of our teachers, Kari, is a physical therapist and has been doing quite a bit of dry needling at the clinic she manages lately. She has been encouraging me to try it for months now so [...]
-
Let’s Chat About Running: Newton Ambassador + Half Marathon? (And a giveaway!)
February 23, 2017 { 22 comments }Hey, hey! I hope you guys had a great Thursday. My day was long but really good. I kicked it off with teaching at 6 a.m. and then spent the day working on various projects for the studio and my blog. I also met my friend Virginia for a run and did some fun errands. [...]
-
TomTom Spark 3 Review: My Favorite GPS Watch for Music, Cardio and Multi-Sports
February 1, 2017 { 6 comments }This post is sponsored by TomTom. I’m excited to tell you all about the updated TomTom Spark 3 Cardio + Music! Last spring I shared a review of the TomTom® Spark + Cardio GPS fitness watch. It was my first new GPS watch in many, many years and I quickly fell in love with it. [...]
-
Let’s Talk About Running + My First Gait Analysis
December 14, 2016 { 13 comments }Good morning. Today’s post is going to be running-focused. First, an update on where I am with my running along with current training goals. Second, an overview of my first gait analysis that I had done last month at Greenapple Sports. It was an amazing fall when it came to running. I ran five races [...]
-
Air quality and running + Race medals + Facebook community invite
November 16, 2016 { 20 comments }Over 30 counties in North Carolina are experiencing drought conditions and there are terrible wildfires burning in the mountains with over 44,000 acres burned so far. (source) We woke up this morning to a very hazy skyline here in Charlotte and the smell of smoke hanging in the air. As of today, we are under [...]
-
Distance Running: Love Where You Are TODAY
October 19, 2016 { 66 comments }Something has been on my mind a lot lately and I want to talk about it today. DISTANCE RUNNING IS NOT EASY. This has come up in my online half marathon training group as some of my first-time half marathoners have experienced some difficulty in acclimating to the increase in mileage, whether that’s through doubting [...]
-
Running (Marathon Maybe?) + Running Playlist
October 5, 2016 { 67 comments }Running. It’s the only thing I want to do right now. While I’ve made it to my mat four times in the last two and a half weeks, I’m mostly avoiding it. I shared with my class tonight all the things that my practice is bringing up for me. I’m just not ready yet. And [...]
-
Novant Health 15K Race Recap
October 3, 2016 { 10 comments }I ran the Novant Health 15K on Sunday morning as an ambassador for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. I’m excited to share my first 15K race recap with you! It was my first time racing a 15K and I really like the distance. I wish there were more 15Ks and 10-mile races. I feel like it’s the perfect [...]
-
My Fall Race Calendar + Last Chance to Train for a Half with Me!
August 23, 2016 { 19 comments }Hey guys! My 12-week half marathon training plan kicked off yesterday and I’ve got 382 runners training with me! It’s not too late to jump in and join us so send me an email if you’d like to be added to the group! :) I organized this training group as part of my ambassadorship with [...]
-
11 Training Tips for Runners to Get You to the Finish Line Injury-Free
August 17, 2016 { 7 comments }I’m hosting a 12-week online half marathon training group that kicks off on Monday, August 22. I have over 325 runners committed and it’s been so interesting and eye-opening to read the registration emails that have hit my inbox. I asked everyone to send me an email in order to join the group that included a [...]
-
Train for a Half Marathon with Me: Fall Online Training Group!
August 2, 2016 { 19 comments }A few months ago I announced that I was serving as an ambassador for the 2016 Charlotte Marathon and today I have a super fun way for you to get involved too! For the first time ever, I’m organizing a FREE 12-week online half-marathon training group for Peanut Butter Runner readers! My hope is that [...]
-
Running In Newton’s: One Year Later (with a giveaway!)
June 16, 2016 { 394 comments }Good morning! Today is my birthday and I kicked it by teaching yoga at 6 a.m. (just like last year!). My students sang the birthday song to me during backbends so that was sweet. Also sweet was my fiance who surprised me at the end of class by delivering three dozen roses, three balloons and [...]
-
A Letter to Running
June 1, 2016 { 12 comments }Dear Running, Today is Global Running Day and since the name of this blog is Peanut Butter Runner, I thought we should celebrate. Like most relationships, ours has had its fair share of ups and downs over the last 15 years. Okay, wait. Let’s stop here. Can you believe it’s been 15 YEARS!?!? We got [...]
-
How to Balance Running with Yoga and Cross Training without Losing Endurance and Speed
May 17, 2016 { 45 comments }I received a couple running related questions from readers last week that I thought would make a great blog post. When I started this blog six years ago I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon and mostly focused on running. Over the years my workout mix has evolved to a blend of strength, running [...]
-
TomTom Spark Cardio + Music GPS Fitness Watch Review
April 1, 2016 { 17 comments }I have been running with the same antiquated GPS (and gigantic!) watch that I’ve had since I started training for my first marathon back in 2008…until about a month ago when I got a major upgrade with the TomTom Spark Cardio + Music GPS Fitness Watch! Let’s start with a high level overview of all [...]
-
Light Yourself Up!
December 17, 2015 { 26 comments }I come to you with a VERY important reminder. To LIGHT YOURSELF UP if you’re running in the dark. Based on the title you probably thought this might be one of those motivational/let your light shine kind of posts, right? Wrong. While you should always do those things, the point of this post is to [...]
-
Weekly Workouts: Longest Run of Half Training & Hitting 24 Miles for the Week!
November 1, 2015 { 18 comments }I’m on a little bit of a high from my runs this week. I hit my highest mileage week of training coming in at 24 miles in just 3 runs. Each run felt so good and strong. There was the rainy 3-miler turned 6-miler on Tuesday. Don’t you love those runs where you set out [...]
-
Weekly Workouts: Loving the Long Run
October 25, 2015 { 19 comments }This training cycle I have found that my long runs are my favorite of the week. Since reworking my schedule so that I don’t teach early on Saturday or Sunday, I feel like I have all the time in the world to sleep in, have some coffee, get my run in and relax. I usually [...]
-
Weekly Workouts: Halfway Through Half Marathon Training
October 18, 2015 { 13 comments }Happy Sunday! I hope you guys are having a great weekend. I slept in and ate donuts so it’s been a pretty magical morning over here. More on that when I post the weekend recap tomorrow. I’m a little over halfway done with my “informal” Thunder Road Half Marathon training. The race is November 14. [...]
-
Weekly Workouts: Double Digit Long Run!
October 11, 2015 { 13 comments }Holy cow…I haven’t had a “post long run feeling” like this in a long time! This week of workouts started out pretty calm and ended up kind of intense. I planned on doing my long run on Saturday but it rained ALL.DAY.LONG. Unless I wanted to run in 60 degrees with steady rain, I needed [...]
-
First Half Marathon Training Long Run + Weekly Workouts
September 27, 2015 { 14 comments }Hi! I hope y’all had a great weekend. I spent my weekend at the beach in Isle of Palms for our Core Desire Yoga retreat. It was such an amazing weekend. Full recap to come tomorrow. Thanks much for your support in my announcement that I’m going to tackle 13.1 yet again. After taking a [...]
-
Goodbye Summer + Fall Race Plans + Giveaway
September 22, 2015 { 113 comments }Today officially marks the last day of summer. I am a summer girl through and through. I love everything about the long, sun-drenched days, outdoor dinners, beach trips, summer produce and 90 degree temperatures that mean I don’t have to wear a jacket, scarf or boots for months on end. It’s wonderful. My running joke [...]
-
Finding A Replacement When Your Favorite Running Shoes are Discontinued
June 12, 2015 { 40 comments }Has anyone else experienced the agony of finding THE PERFECT RUNNING SHOE only to have it discontinued? This is exactly what happened to me when Mizuno discontinued the Wave Elixirs back in the summer of 2013. Luckily, I was able to make it a while without needing to search for a new shoe because I [...]