Running Rachel

Handstand Friday

Rachel — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:44:00 +0000

Happy handstand Friday. I hope you and your family are healthy, happy, and enjoying the beautiful spring/summer weather! Here in northern California the boys and I have been keeping busy playing, exploring, and enjoying the great outdoors. That being said… remembering to photo document my handstands has taken a back seat. Yikes. Sorry. Life does happen for bloggers too.

This weekend I will be running my sixth half marathon with a group of girlfriends. I am super excited, and am hoping to snap a bunch of handstand photos of the girls and I as we run along some beautiful vineyards. If you follow me on instagram, you will be able to see some sneak peak photos from the race weekend too!

Have a great weekend! Did you join me for handstand Friday today?

Random question: would you be interested in me setting up a link up each week? You link up your blog post/ instagram photo of you doing a handstand?

This post Handstand Friday first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post Handstand Friday appeared first on Running Rachel.

I am a Product of the 80s

Rachel — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:14:00 +0000

A little throw back Thursday fun… I am a product of the 80’s. Never one to fully grasp fashion even at a young age. I was totally rocking this get-up when I was 7 years old. Good times.

My mom has been having fun scanning in old photos of me and my sisters this week. I have enjoyed walking down memory lane by viewing these hilarious moments stuck in time. I am a child of the 80’s. I hope you enjoyed my throw back Thursday hilarity too!

Do you have some comical old photos of yourself as a child?

This post I am a Product of the 80s first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post I am a Product of the 80s appeared first on Running Rachel.

Sometimes Running Sucks

Rachel — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:16:00 +0000

I love to run. I have always been a runner. However, to be honest… there are some days when I just don’t want to run. Sometimes running sucks. You are tired. It is early and it is cold. You don’t wanna. Then you lace up and remember why you love the run.

Last week’s training plan did not go as planned. I didn’t do it. I moved. I was active. But I did not run. I caught one of the boys head colds… which eventually dropped down to my chest. I didn’t want to push myself to prolong the cold (which is now going away).

The only running I did last week was a quick run Saturday morning. I struggled. It was hot. I didn’t’ want to run. I don’t know if I am feeling burnt out from training and running… or if my body is fighting this cold and leaving me with little energy. But it was hard.

I may not have completed my training plan last week, but I did move. I was active and did something. I am a firm believer in listening to your body. Sometimes you need rest. I am hoping this helps me in the long run.

What I did last week:

Monday: Spinning class
Tuesday: Walked 3 miles; biked 3 miles
Wednesday: walked 3 miles with the boys
Thursday: biked 3 miles with the boys
Friday: walked 3 miles
Saturday: 2 mile run

I have been noticing that I need to run. Even if I am still having a productive cough (yet my lungs are clear)… my body is craving a run. I am cranky. I need to run. My legs may be heavy and my energy low… but I need to run. This is what is on my training plan for this week:

Training plan for this week:

Monday: 3 miles treadmill run/walk
Tuesday: Speed work on treadmill (6×400) with 400 recovery
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 5k easy
Friday: active rest
Saturday: family day
Sunday: Half Marathon #6 with friends

As you can tell by my plan I am struggling to find my motivation. I love running… but I am not a big fan of training all the time. I feel like I Run to Train… Train to Run all.the.time. I miss running for the love of running. Running for fun.

I am looking forward to just running for the love of it after my race this weekend. I am hoping that running for fun… will remind me that running doesn’t suck. That when I am lacking motivation, I can remember to lace up my sneakers and enjoy the run!

What do you do when you are lacking motivation to complete your training?
Do you love to run?

This post Sometimes Running Sucks first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post Sometimes Running Sucks appeared first on Running Rachel.

Some Things Never Change

Rachel — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:38:00 +0000

Today I celebrate my birthday. My mom shared a photo of my from my 1st birthday (below) of me chowing down on birthday cake. It seems like I have always been a lover of sweets, chocolate and cake! Yum!

In honor of my birthday, I will eat my cake… and I will enjoy it too! Because some things never change… like my love of desert. I may or may not be sharing my cake with the boys. I may or may not be eating the whole thing by myself.

Like in life, you need to enjoy the sweet things (cake). I will also be putting in some sweat sessions in this week too. But nothing celebrates birthdays like cake! Yummy!

Sometimes you just need to eat your cake and enjoy it! Today is that day for me! I will enjoy my birthday … and the cake! Happy birthday to me!

This post Some Things Never Change first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post Some Things Never Change appeared first on Running Rachel.

This is my Mother

Rachel — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:41:00 +0000

According to my oldest son who is 7 years old, this is how he views me. While at his co-op last week, the teacher had the students fill out a booklet describing their mother. This is my mother. I got the biggest chuckle at how my son viewed me. He is always watching. Ever observant at what I do rather than what I say.

Check out those muscles on me! Trust me, I do NOT have those muscles in real life… but I will gladly accept them if he thinks I have them! Mama is strong! He also knows that Mama likes to run!

My favorite candy is Reece’s pieces. Not necessarily favorite food… but I am a sucker for chocolate and peanut butter treats! And yet… apparently even though I have huge muscles and love to run, I am lazy! Not sure what that means, maybe because I like to sleep in and not wake up at 5AM. Silly boy.

My mother’s favorite sport is running. I look angry. Perhaps I am a focused and determined runner. Maybe I am running with my double jogging stroller and it is getting away from me. Or perhaps it is a rude car/driver who almost ran me over and I am chasing it down with my mad super hero speed!

Oh of course, this is true. My mother and I like to eat. A way to my children’s heart is through their stomach. I just love that he is eating a massive hamburger and I am eating a salad (or maybe a bowl of pasta). Again, he is very detail oriented.

The above is my mama. This photo was taken in Redding, California in 2006. Shortly after I became a mama for the first time. I was wearing my son (who shared his view of me above) while spending quality time with my mom.

Happy Mother’s Day to you amazing Mothers! You deserve to be recognized and appreciated every day! You are loved. You are appreciated. You are Super Mom!

Happy Mother’s Day!

This post This is my Mother first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post This is my Mother appeared first on Running Rachel.

Handstand Friday and Motherhood Reflections

Rachel — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:46:00 +0000

Happy handstand Friday… and early happy Mother’s Day to you special Mommies out there! I am late posting my handstand Friday photo this week because well honestly… I forgot to take it. I have been focusing on rest and recovery (trying to kick this sinus/head/chest cold) that I completely spaced on this fun challenge.

Today the boys and I have spent the majority of our day outside exploring, enjoying, and playing. I forgot how much fun life can be when there is no expectations, no time restraints or restrictions, and we can just freely be, do and enjoy the day!

We explored a nearby park and checked out baby ducks, turtles, and of course fought bad guys (and protected princesses). We also had to practice our handstands too! After all it is handstand Friday!

I have been impressed by the boys handstand improvement. My oldest is holding his position longer … and my two younger boys are actually getting up off the ground. Even if it is for but a moment. The two younger boys donkey kick their way up in the air. While my oldest (and myself) do the walking approach to get into position.

I have eluded to the fact that children need to run free to roam and play. I am finding the same to be true for this Mommy. One of the main reasons I love to run… and do handstands… is because it reminds me of my youth. My ability to be care free and just enjoy the daily activities that life throws my way.

Viewing the world upside down, even for a fleeting moment, can give new perspective. Running (no matter how fast or slow) and cherishing the wind in your face gives me great happiness. When I let go of all my expectations (adult given) and just be… I find my happy place.

When my boys are happy… Mommy is happy. When Mommy is happy… the boys are happy. When WE are happy… this makes for a very HAPPY HAPPY Mother’s day (and birthday) for me!

Happy Mother’s Day!
What makes YOU happy? Where is your happy place?

This post Handstand Friday and Motherhood Reflections first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post Handstand Friday and Motherhood Reflections appeared first on Running Rachel.

Victory in the Every Day #todaysvictory #c9atTarget

Rachel — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:21:00 +0000

I am sick. All the snotty nosed kisses from my boys have spread to Mommy. This has put a damper on my training for my next race, which is in 2 weeks. Taking a cue and listening to my body, I am resting. I am not stopping. I am healing and recovering.

Instead of moping about my productive cough and lack of running… I decided to celebrate the health I do have. There is victory in the every day. Living and learning the lesson to keep moving forward. It is not if you get knocked down in life (sickness), it is how you pick yourself up and move on that matters the most!

In hindsight, I now realize that my body was dragging the past few days because it was attempting to fight off a cold. I am picking myself up and continuing to move forward. I may not be completing my prescribed training plan… but I am taking care of me and my needs. I am moving forward. I am finding victory in the every day.

Taking advantage of the sunshine and cooler temperatures, I loaded the two not-so-little boys (5 & 3 years old = 75+ lbs) in the double jogger. The boys, our dog, and I set out to the near by trail at the park to enjoy some fresh air, movement, and change of scenery.

The effort wasn’t hard. I didn’t break a sweat or get out of breath. It was just a nice change of pace for us… all while still moving my legs this morning.

Just like in all things motherhood… it wouldn’t be an outing without a bit of humor.

While on the trail, we passed a temporary horse corral (left there from this weekend’s Western Festival). The boys got all excited. Then the unexplainable happened.

T-man (3 years old) shouted to the horses: “Hey Hussy!” (translation: hey horsey!)

Just as a scantily clad curvy female runner frolicked/ran past our stroller! {Gah!}

I couldn’t help but giggle the entire walk home. They were clueless. I am hopeful that the girl was clueless.

However, Today’s victory was that I didn’t get beat up! and I chose to have an active rest day rather than a sedentary rest day.

I am choosing to find victory in the every day! Laughing when life throws me curve balls. Continuing to move forward when life gets challenging.

Where did you find Victory Today?

I would love to hear your about your victorious day!

*Disclosure: This post is sponsored C9 by Champion and Target.

This post Victory in the Every Day #todaysvictory #c9atTarget first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post Victory in the Every Day #todaysvictory #c9atTarget appeared first on Running Rachel.

Time to Put in the Work

Rachel — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:36:00 +0000

Just like playing the comparison game… dreams don’t work unless you do. This is why I am sharing with you my training plan for the week, to help hold me accountable with my workouts.

Last week was an off week for me. I had trouble pushing through the hard workouts. I didn’t want to run. I didn’t want to sweat. I just had a hard time motivating myself.

I don’t know if it is from over training, hormones, starting to battle a sickness (my kids love sharing their germs with me) or just a symptom of wanting rest! I covered the prescribed distances and workouts in the training plan… but not with out a struggle. I just didn’t want to work hard.

Last Week’s Training Plan:

Monday: rest
Tuesday: Speed work (10×400 w/400RI)
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 7 miles; (1 mile easy, 5 miles at MT, 1 mile cool)
Friday: Row Workout handstands!
Saturday: 12 mile run

This week I am going to tackle my training plan and put in the work. But I also know that my body is requiring rest. I have a feeling I am coming down with a head cold… or suffering from allergies!? Either way my head is a leaky faucet lately and I do NOT want it dropping down to my chest! My half marathon is 2 weeks away!

This Week’s Training Plan:

Monday: Spin
Tuesday: Speed work (5×1000 w/400 recovery)
Wednesday: Spin
Thursday: 6 mile tempo run (2 easy, 3 miles at ST, 1 mile cool)
Friday: Swim Laps & handstands!
Saturday: 8 mile long run at HMP +20

Honestly, there are some days where I am not willing to put in the hard work. I just want the instant gratification of success. Work is hard! To achieve my goals (whatever they may be) requires persistence, commitment, and dedication… which is hard! But sometimes… the thing that is hard… that you work for… is the best thing when you finally reach it!

Keep pressing on my friends! Put in the hard work! You will see success!

What is on your training plan this week?
How do you press on when the work gets hard?

This post Time to Put in the Work first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post Time to Put in the Work appeared first on Running Rachel.

The Comparison Trap

Rachel — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:15:00 +0000

I have been trapped by the comparison trap. Many times. In life. All different areas of my life: parenting, fitness, faith, family. I compare. I get stuck in that rut comparing MY LIFE to THEIR LIFE. I do not see their personal challenges… I just see their success.

I find myself comparing MY beginning to someone else’s middle. Then I begin to struggle and doubt my efforts and my personal journey. That blasted comparison trap!

This got me to thinking about my blog and my fitness level and YOU! I have created this space to be about my journey. I am super excited that you have chosen to join me for this amazing ride. However, what I do what to share with you is that I am not perfect… not even close. I want to do my best to be transparent and honest with you about my successes as well as failures.

I love the running community. I love that runners come in all shapes, sizes, ages, stages of life and ability levels. I love that just because someone LOOKS like they are fast… it doesn’t necessarily mean they are! It is always a guessing game in this sport. It is a fantastically surprising one too!

This is me, I love the running community. I fit in. Standing tall at a whopping 5’3” and 150 lbs… I blend right in the colorful chaos of diversity in the running community. I have fluff. I have extra skin. I have extra weight to carry. Yet, I am strong. I am healthy. I have a can do attitude to push through when the going gets tough. I am a runner.

To be honest, I too get very caught up on the darn number on the scale. It is just a silly number that measures one area of your health. It does not define me. Yet, I find that the number does have some sort of control over me. I obsess over it. I feel like I am not a quality athlete because my BMI is no in the healthy range or at a certain percent. I compare. I fall victim to the comparison trap.

When I run, I need to run for me. Just like with all things in life… I need to do it for me… and not for others. Comparing ourselves to anything will only confuse or harm us. Be proud of who YOU are! God created YOU for a purpose. You are Uniquely YOU!

Thank you for following me on my journey as one mom… who runs through life one day at a time! Running for faith, family, fitness, FOOD and always fun! I will never claim to be perfect. Nor do I have it all together. It is my hope in that sharing my flaws (and successes) we can grow and learn together! If you would like MORE silliness from me, feel free to check out my facebook page for more updates!

Do you fall victim to the comparison trap?

This post The Comparison Trap first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post The Comparison Trap appeared first on Running Rachel.

Healthy Energy with FRS

Rachel — Mon, 06 May 2013 03:35:00 +0000

As a mom to three healthy, active, vibrant, wiggly… active little boys I have always wanted to bottle up their energy for my own use. Energy in a bottle. Genius! I know I am not the only one who thinks it would be an amazing idea. Apparently, FRS Healthy Energy is one huge step ahead of me with their healthy performance energy in a bottle line!

Thanks to FitFluential and FRS Healthy Energy for sending me a package sampling their product line. They must have sensed this worn-out energy-needing Mama needed some healthy energy! This box came just in time for me to use it post-Ragnar and while training for my next half marathon.

When I am not thinking about my training plan and racing schedule… I am wrestling the boys and trying my best to keep up with them and their busy schedule. Seriously, my boys wear me out quicker than running a 15 mile training run in the heat! This mama could use some energy in a can mid day… most days… and healthy energy is just what I need!

To be honest, the first thing I tried was their healthy energy drink. My first can was the low calorie wild berry. I chugged this bad boy after my 15 mile run a few weekends ago. The taste took a few gulps to get used to… but it reminded me of a thicker (pulpier consistency) juice. I enjoyed it over ice. It was very refreshing.

Did drinking the beverage give me more energy? I can not say a definite yes or no. But what I can share is that on that same day (after running 15 miles in the heat) after drinking my FRS Healthy Energy, we went to a church function. It was a late night. I made it without crashing. No sugar cravings. No HANGRY from Mommy. And yet I was able to go to sleep well… no jitters! I think it did its job.

Mid afternoons are the hardest for me. It is when my body wants to slow down and take a nap. Unfortunately for me, my children do NOT have that same desire. So… we stay busy and on the go. Thank goodness for FRS. I am super thankful that it does not give jitters or those other harmful side effects!

They also have healthy energy soft chews. I was sent the pomegranate blueberry to use, chew and enjoy. It has a good healthy taste… but was very easy to go down. I used these as my healthy energy while on my 12 miler yesterday. I never bonked and had the energy from using the chews.

I have seen FRS Healthy Energy promoted at my local sporting good store. I have been curious for a few weeks about the product, and am thankful that I am able to try it out. I have learned a bunch of cool things about FRSH Healthy Energy since trying it! For example, Quercetin! This natural, powerful antioxidant is in FRS products!

FRS products contain the powerful antioxidant quercetin, which is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables such as apples, blueberries and grapes. This has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials to provide sustained energy, increased endurance and immune system support. Healthy energy to sustain you with out the sugar crash… while helping to support your immune system! Winning!

Would YOU like to try FRS Healthy Energy? You can save $1 off a 4-pack of FRSH Healthy Energy at GNC with the promo code 21460. All you have to do is print (this post) and show the cashier at GNC as a coupon (or show via your smartphone). This coupon code expires on May 31, 2013.

Or… you can enter the Ultimate Fitness Giveaway that FRS is running! By entering, you can win FRS gear each week and a grand prize winner will win a personal trainer, sessions with a nutritionist and a one-year supply of FRS! Submit your entry by May 31, 2013 for your chance to win this ultimate fitness prize!

*FitFluential LLC compensated me for this campaign. All opinions are my own.

This post Healthy Energy with FRS first appeared on Running Rachel.

The post Healthy Energy with FRS appeared first on Running Rachel.