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 the first 2 minutes of a run. It usually takes me a good 5-10 minutes to feel warmed up and comfortable in general.
2. Sullie tagged along on my run. It was 70 degrees and sunny today so tons of people were out running and walking with their pets. I find it incredibly endearing that after 6 years of running with me that Sullie still has hope that there is a chance that I’m going to stop running and let her go play with the dogs we pass. Lots of leash tightening and “leave its” happened today. (Side note, check out those grinch feet! Someone needs a little trim.
3. I can definitely tell that I’ve been lifting and CrossFitting more and yogaing less because my legs were all kinds of tight on my run. Literally burning all the way from the bottom of my calf up my quads and hamstrings and into my hips. I made sure to do some extra stretching and mobility work tonight.
4. Running still isn’t feeling great in general but I managed to get three miles in today but not without walk breaks. It is what it is although as I was huffing and puffing up a hill I did wonder how in the world I ever ran 26.2 miles. Just the other day I couldn’t even recall the last time I ran over 10 miles. Those were different times, that’s for sure!
5. Running without music is much easier on a beautiful day when you can really soak in spring happening all around you.
What do you think about when you’re running?
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July 22, 2026
I am such a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast. 95% of the time I’m craving a breakfast that is on the sweet side. That mostly alternates between smoothies or yogurt bowls with overnight oats, chia pudding or oatmeal occasionally thrown in there. On the rare occasion I go savory – it’s scrambled [...]
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July 19, 2026
I want to bottle up this summer and make it last forever (well, maybe minus the wildly hot and humid weather that makes running a big thumbs down). I mentioned this in my last post…but I am really enjoying the slower pace and the days that feel like they have more space. While I’m trying [...]
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July 10, 2026
Happy Friday! I hope this post finds you well and enjoying the summer. We are in the dog days of it over here in Charlotte – the heat and humidity is off the charts – but it’s something I’ll embrace because I deeply appreciate the massive slow down that summer has brought. A lot of [...]
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June 21, 2026
I recently traveled to Big Bear Lake, California for the inaugural Big Bear Peaks + Pines three-day stage race hosted by TransRockies Running. This was my third TransRockies event in 12 months (see also Colorado + Moab) and I’m here to tell you that they can do no wrong when it comes to race organization [...]
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May 30, 2026
Happy weekend! Another week in the books! I got three runs in (6.5 miles, 5.5 miles, 5.5 miles) and I have a trail run planned for tomorrow. Total weekly mileage will end up around 30-35 miles depending on if I go for 13 or 17 tomorrow! I’m 16 weeks out from the Golden Ultra so [...]
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May 23, 2026
Happy Memorial Day Weekend. It’s a very rainy one here in Charlotte and while I am a little bummed not to be spending the weekend in Florida with the fam or by the pool at our swim club (just opened for the season!), I’m also welcoming a slower pace and time at home. It’s been [...]
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May 3, 2026
Hi and happy May! As we roll into the first full week of a new month, I have almost a month’s worth of lunch ideas for you. It’s a great mix of sandwiches, bowls, salads and wraps. I hope you enjoy and find some inspiration for your midday meal! Open-faced chickpea salad sandwich on toasted [...]
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