It’s a happy Saturday over here. I ran my first half marathon in four years this morning and not only PR’d but went sub-1:45 with a finishing time of 1:44:25. It was a seven and a half minute PR from my last half marathon in 2010 where I ran the same race I did today, [...]
Running
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Final Prep for the Thunder Road Half Marathon
November 13, 2014 { 27 comments }I’m two days away from the Novant Health Thunder Road Half Marathon and I’m mostly over the top excited but the butterflies are starting to creep in. Mainly for this reason. The low on Friday night is 25 degrees. It is going to be FREEZING at the 7:45 a.m. start. And y’all know how I [...]
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My New Pink ASICS + Weekly Workouts
October 19, 2014 { 13 comments }Good morning! You may want to put your sunglasses on because I’m about to share some bright shoes with you! :cool: Several weeks ago I posted about my new Brooks Ravenna running shoes. Well, I’m happy to report that I’m still running in them and they’re working out great. I also received another pair of [...]
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A Radio Appearance on WFAE’s Charlotte Talks to Talk Running!
October 16, 2014 { 9 comments }I arrived back in Charlotte at 5 p.m. yesterday and hit the ground running. I Ubered home from the airport (obsessed with Uber…) and was changed and on my yoga mat by 6 p.m. I got in 45 minutes of stretch before heading out for a girl’s night. My 4:55 a.m. alarm was a rather [...]
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Half Marathon Training: New Shoes & Socks
October 4, 2014 { 41 comments }I’ve completed five weeks of my half marathon training plan and there are six weeks (42 days!) left until race day! Up to this point I have not missed a single scheduled training run. I think that may be a training plan record for me! This morning my alarm went off at the early hour [...]
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The End of Hashtanga + The Yoga & Running Dance
September 30, 2014 { 27 comments }I finished Michael Gannon’s 30-Day #Hashtanga Challenge today. During the month of September I made my way through the ashtanga primary series through 30(ish) Instagram videos. I have been practicing ashtanga (on and off) for about five years now and this challenge gave me some new energy around not only my ashtanga practice but my yoga [...]
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Weekly Workouts + Half Marathon Training…Four Weeks In + Double Digits!
September 28, 2014 { 13 comments }Watch out! Half marathon training is getting serious. I entered into double digits on my long run this week! It was the first time I’d crossed into double digit territory in well over three years. And it felt great! I met my amazing running partners bright and early on Saturday morning. I have been all [...]
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3 Things I Love About My HM Training Plan + Last Week’s Workouts
September 22, 2014 { 12 comments }I have completed three weeks of my half marathon training plan and although it’s early days, I have to say this is probably my favorite plan that I’ve ever followed. For those of you who asked, I’m using Smart Coach through Runner’s World. You input a recent race time along with your upcoming race distance [...]
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Workouts: HM Training Week 2 + Back to BodyPump
September 14, 2014 { 8 comments }It was such a great week of workouts! First, I wrapped up week 2 of half marathon training feeling super strong. I am following a training plan that is challenging me, especially when it comes to speed and tempo runs. I go into them wondering how I can possibly pull it off and then it [...]
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Last Week’s Workouts: First Barre Class + First Long Run of HM Training!
September 8, 2014 { 25 comments }Good morning and happy Monday! Okay, first. Sorry that there are some blog related glitchy things going on. There have been issues with the comments not showing up (although I am seeing your comments on the backend and will respond to them so keep leaving them!) and also still with the mobile ads blocking text. [...]
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Meeting Matt Elliott: Runner’s World Cover Star + Olympic Hopeful
August 27, 2014 { 9 comments }One of the best things about working with Run Charlotte Run is that it’s getting me engrained in the running community again. I didn’t realize how much I had missed it. Since starting this position I have connected with local runners to share their stories, attended group runs, visited local running stores, participated in a race and [...]
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OrthoCarolina Classic 5K Race Recap: A New PR!
August 24, 2014 { 19 comments }On Saturday I woke up early, pinned on a bib, laced up a timing chip and made my way to the starting line of a race for the first time since December 2012. As most of you know, I am the content manager for a new running website, Run Charlotte Run, that is hosted by the Charlotte [...]
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My New Favorite Lululemon Outfit for Running and Workouts
August 22, 2014 { 21 comments }Happy, happy Friday! We are pretty excited about the weekend over here. It’s going to be an active but fun one. I’m running the OrthoCarolina Classic 5K on Saturday morning (Charlotte readers…join me!!!) to represent Run Charlotte Run and then heading over to Metro CrossFit for our third annual Throwdown. I’m all signed up for a [...]
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Weekend: Baking, Long Run, Movies & More + Weekly Workouts
August 17, 2014 { 29 comments }I went into this weekend with no plans other than teaching my normal Saturday and Sunday yoga classes and a long run with a friend. I was totally okay with that since I’ve been out so much lately but then I ended up having fun plans come together at the last minute on both Friday and Saturday [...]
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The Best Week of Workouts: New PRs, New Distances
August 4, 2014 { 9 comments }Last week’s workouts were in one word…AWESOME! I have really been focusing on CrossFit and running lately and it’s paying off with results. I hit a new deadlift PR in CrossFit this week and ran the longest and fastest that I have in years. It feels SO GOOD! On my run this morning I was [...]
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This Week’s Workouts: Running Happy
July 27, 2014 { 9 comments }Hi and happy Sunday! I hope everyone has had a great weekend. I’m checking in to share this week’s workouts. It was a good mix that was light on the lifting, light on the yoga and a little heavier on the running. The road has just been calling my name lately so I’ve been going [...]
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This Week’s Workouts: Quality Over Quantity
July 20, 2014 { 7 comments }Workouts have taken a back seat since work has ramped up so I’ve relied on two of the fastest and easiest ways to get workouts in, CrossFit and running. I love that I can get both done in under 30 minutes and feel like I got a good workout in. I tell people this all [...]
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Summer Running Playlist + This Week’s Workouts
June 29, 2014 { 5 comments }I regularly post my yoga playlists for y’all but I received a request last week for a running playlist. Recently, I have been listening to TED Talks and audiobooks while running more than music but I put together a playlist for you with my current favorite upbeat songs that are sure to motivate you through a summer run! And [...]
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The New Rules of Running
June 25, 2014 { 19 comments }So…I have something exciting to share. Over the last few months I have slowly started to increase my running and much to my surprise (and delight!), it has felt 100% amazing and right. I like to post periodic updates on the status of my running since this blog is named Peanut Butter Runner and it [...]
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Last Week’s Workouts + Visiting CrossFit Above the Bar
May 12, 2014 { 6 comments }Good Monday morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Sullie did! (Her life is really hard.) Here’s a recap of last week’s workouts. Well balanced, still heavy on the lifting/CrossFit and a complete rest day! Body feeling great and focusing on good nutrition right now. Monday AM ashtanga practice by the pool [...]
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Four Pigeon Variations to Stretch Tight Hips
May 9, 2014 { 17 comments }A couple of months ago I wrote about 3 yoga poses for tight, rounded shoulders. The response to the post was great and I’ve received many requests for a version focused on the hips. If I had to identify two areas of the body where my yogis, CrossFit athletes and personal training clients are tight [...]
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Day in the Life: When Clients Cancel, A Good Run, My Book is Done!
May 2, 2014 { 28 comments }Happy Friday! Happy Friday! Happy Friday! I’ve got two big reasons to be happy today. 1) I turned in the FINAL draft of my book yesterday! 2) I’m celebrating with a trip to the beach to visit my parents. Flying out at 6 a.m. Saturday and can’t wait! So I thought I would do a [...]
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This Week’s Workouts: I Ran 14 Miles!
April 27, 2014 { 12 comments }Good morning and happy Sunday! I missed y’all yesterday but I spent Saturday afternoon sitting in front of the computer writing about the anatomy of the core muscles so I was ready for some fresh air after that. I took Sullie for a run/walk instead of blogging. One of the things I always tell friends [...]
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This Week’s Workouts: My First Time RXing Fran!
April 13, 2014 { 12 comments }Thanks to my unusual midweek travel to see my grandmother, I’m still off my normal workout balance in that yoga has taken a backseat for the last few weeks. It’s okay though because I hit a major milestone last Tuesday in CrossFit…read on for more details! :) Monday Cardio/Strength 5 rounds: 250 meter sprint on [...]
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This Week’s Workouts: Lots of CrossFit
April 6, 2014 { 13 comments }Right on the heels of me blogging about the workout balance that works for me…I had a week with hardly any yoga and lots of CrossFit and running! The balance is definite an ebb and flow. Some weeks I’m all yoga, yoga, yoga and others it feels better or works well with my schedule to [...]
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Finding The Right Workout Balance: Lift, Run, Stretch
April 2, 2014 { 67 comments }One of the questions that I receive all the time is how to find the right workout balance between cardio, strength and mobility. I totally understand this question from both ends of the spectrum. Mindset #1 – “I do this one thing and it’s all I want to do!” I spent a good 6 years where [...]
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This Week’s Workouts + 3 Reasons Why Women Should Lift
March 23, 2014 { 93 comments }I hope everyone had a great weekend. I’ve got my weekly workout recap for you today but first I want to talk about a subject I feel passionately about…why women should lift weights. I want to start out these weekly workout posts by discussing some sort of fitness topic. Let me know if you have [...]
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This Week’s Workouts + Learning to Love Deadlifts
February 23, 2014 { 17 comments }My workouts this week were really well balanced. Three strength training workouts, two good runs and lots of yoga. Furthermore, I loved the balance of my strength workouts with one big squat day, one deadlift focused day and one all over circuit training day. As I’ve mentioned before, I try to get in barbell squats [...]
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This Week’s Workouts + Running Shoe Talk
February 9, 2014 { 25 comments }I have sad news. I have been running in the Mizuno Wave Elixir for about a year and a half now. I am so in love with this shoe. After running in Brooks Adrenaline’s for 10+ pairs, I was looking for a change when they updated the shoe and it no longer fit my needs. [...]
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This Week’s Workouts + Brady Bands Giveaway
February 2, 2014 { 138 comments }Happy Super Bowl Sunday! (Yesterday someone asked me what I was doing for the game and I asked them, “what game is even on tomorrow?” True story.) I’m checking in with my weekly workout recap but I also have a fun giveaway for you at the end so read on! Overall, it was a great [...]
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Running Is The Easiest Travel Workout + This Week’s Workouts
December 29, 2013 { 15 comments }Even with the Christmas holiday this was a good workout week for me. One of my favorite things about running is that you can do it anywhere with minimal equipment and minimal time. No driving to a gym or yoga studio, you can just head out of the door and go. It’s always my default [...]
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Five Miles Never Felt So Good
December 21, 2013 { 9 comments }Happy weekend! Mine is a balance between hanging out and relaxing and running around trying to get the last of Christmas taken care of. This month flew by! It is a beautiful day here in North Carolina – 72 and a little overcast with peeks of sunshine coming through the clouds. It was too nice [...]
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Running 4K (yes, you read that right) for Cancer
October 31, 2013 { 7 comments }Good morning and Happy Halloween! My morning got off to a scary start with a pre-5 a.m. wake up call to train a new client at 5:30. There is something about waking up in the 4 a.m. hour that feels so much earlier than after 5. The good news, I slept like a champ last [...]
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#notrunning. And it feels good!
October 24, 2013 { 41 comments }I ran five miles this afternoon. I’m pretty sure this was my longest run since April when I struggled through five miles and had to stop for walking breaks every mile. The difference was that today’s run felt 100% perfect, empowering, relaxing and right. For so long a huge part of my identity was “runner.” [...]
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My Favorite Treadmill Workout
October 11, 2013 { 24 comments }Happy, happy Friday! When I run outside I am happy to keep a comfortable pace while I listen to music or an audiobook, enjoy the scenery and zone out. On the other hand, when I run on the treadmill I need a lot more stimulation. One way that I entertain myself is by reviewing BodyPump [...]
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The Themed 5K Phenomenon
August 8, 2013 { 31 comments }I was scrolling through my Facebook feed today when I saw the latest in the crazy, over the top, themed 5K trend…Bad Prom 5K. As I sat there and said, “oh my god….what next?” I knew I had to write a post about themed 5Ks today. There must be some major money to be made in [...]
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Puppies & Pizza
July 9, 2013 { 29 comments }It’s after midnight. I tried to go to bed but it’s 77 degrees in my house, the air conditioner sounds like a freight train and I can’t sleep. So hello! Clearly, when the AC guy told me the motor could “go any day now” he wasn’t kidding. ;) I’ll have to take care of this ASAP [...]
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My First Marathon Experience
May 1, 2013 { 63 comments }I commented on a post today that Sierra from Posh Meets Pavement wrote about her thoughts in her final week before running her first marathon. Reading about all the things Sierra is feeling in the days leading up to the marathon and writing this response to her brought back a flood of memories from my [...]
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Yes, women should run…but along with other things.
April 23, 2013 { 71 comments }Hello and happy Tuesday. I am excited that you liked the side crow video tutorial. They’re fun for me to do and I’m glad they’re actually beneficial to you. I’ll keep doing these pose breakdowns. It won’t be all arm balances and inversions…I will cover some of the more mainstream poses and variations for those [...]
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Weekend Part 2 – Bad Movies, Cookouts and Workouts
April 8, 2013 { 13 comments }On Saturday night I saw one of the worst movies I’ve seen in quite a while. Maybe it’s not fair to say “the worst” because it wasn’t that the acting, special effects, etc was that bad…it was more the overwhelming amount of graphic action. It was Olympus Has Fallen. I just cannot hang with nonstop [...]
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Thoughts on the Run
April 1, 2013 { 21 comments }I had several thoughts cross my mind when I was running today. 1. The first two minutes of my home run route are brutal. I turn off my street and head straight up a short, steep hill. I always ask myself why I like to run so much when I can feel so winded in [...]
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Taking the Bitter with the Sweet
March 19, 2013 { 32 comments }I was talking to my sweet grandmother a few weeks ago and telling her all the things that I had going on. There might have been a bit of whining involved and I loved it when she totally called me out and said, “you have to take the bitter with the sweet.” So for the [...]
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Default Distance
March 10, 2013 { 41 comments }I have this thing where anytime I go out for a run I default to three miles. Not two, not four…but an easy 5K. It’s been my “default distance” for as long as I can remember. Of course when I am in training programs for races I vary the distances to follow the plan but [...]
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On Why You Should Not Go To Ikea Solo
December 30, 2012 { 17 comments }Today I made the terrible mistake of going to Ikea solo. Part of me felt like a woman on a mission as I battled crowds, (not so gracefully) lugged 55 pound boxes onto my push cart and withstood lines 100 deep to check out but the other part of me felt lonelier than I have in a [...]
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Mobility Homework // Communities In Schools // Cupcakes
December 10, 2012 { 9 comments }Happy Monday! I hope your week is off to a great start. Given that it’s “focus on mobility month” and I haven’t shared much with you on that topic, I thought I would start today’s post off with some existing resources I have on the blog. Foam Rolling 101 – I actually made instructional videos [...]
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So Much To Share
December 9, 2012 { 17 comments }I love Sundays. They inspire me. Always. I woke up before my alarm so I had some time to lounge before teaching my 9:15 hot class. I made espresso and oatmeal and got back in bed. It was a gray, rainy morning so it was so cozy to hang out in bed. (And that’s one [...]
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Wanna Be Cancer Free 5K Race Recap
December 8, 2012 { 11 comments }This morning I ran the Wanna Be Cancer Free 5K to support my friend Dominique from Free To Be Athlete. One of her team members has a rare form of cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, and organized this non-profit to support the fight against cancer through the promotion of a healthy, athletic lifestyle. This was the inaugural race and I think [...]
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Carb Loading…and Les Mills GRIT!
December 7, 2012 { 14 comments }I’m drowning my sorrows and preparing for tomorrow’s race with pizza. And red wine…and strawberry ice cream. Okay, I’m totally kidding when I say that I’m carb loading for a 5K. The truth is that I’ve just been craving pizza all week and something about Friday night pizza feels like complete perfection. Running nutrition lesson…despite [...]
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Focus On Mobility
December 4, 2012 { 64 comments }I try really hard not to whine and complain on my blog. Especially when I am fighting a long-term battle with something. That said, I’ve been in an epic battle with my body over its willingness to run. If you’ve been reading for a while you have probably noticed how little running and racing I’m [...]
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What I Ate, A Workout And A Giveaway
November 28, 2012 { 26 comments }A big thank you to y’all for being generally awesome over the past few days. I have a few things to share with you today. Recent eats, a workout and a 5K giveaway so read on. First, the food. I apologize in advance for all the iPhone photos as my DSLR hasn’t even been turned on [...]