Skip to content

Archive for December, 2012

Dec 31

1 Comment

Happy New Year!

I hope this last day in 2012 is full of lots of love and laughter with friends and family. May you have a safe and happy holiday! As Mario and I are getting ready to go out with friends, I want to take a moment to reflect on my running this year. It’s been full of  a lot of ups and downs.

My first run of 2012 was day one of my Boston Marathon training – an easy 5 mile run.

My worst run of 2012 was the Boston Marathon.

Getting ready to catch the bus to the start line

Getting ready to catch the bus to the start line

My most painful run was the Roxboro 5 Miler, but at least I won for the females!

Posing with my cousin, who won for the males

Posing with my cousin, who won for the males

My least favorite race: the Roanoke Canal Half Marathon, but I was 4th female overall!

Dan, Kayley, and Me

My most rewarding race: the City of Oaks Marathon. I’m still proud of it :)

Early in the race

This is my favorite pic!

And my last run of 2012: the same way I started the year, an easy 5 mile run through Raleigh.

 

Best way to start the morning

Best way to start the morning, a cold run followed by yummy food.

It’s been a great year and I’m so excited for 2013. May it be another year filled with many happy miles!

Happy Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: As I said earlier, I ran an easy 5 miles through Raleigh today. But I also did burpees, mountain climbers, weights, and lunges. My body needed something different. Stats are here.

Dec 30

3 Comments

Happiness

Starting January 1, 2013 I am going to be doing a meditation challenge with Oliver from Run to Inspire. I think we both need this mentally and I am even more excited about the challenge after watching this video on happiness.

 

Read more

Dec 29

2012 City of Oaks Marathon
7 Comments

A Personal Record (or Personal Best)

A personal record can be defined as a person’s best time at a particular race distance. Many of us bloggers have our PRs posted on our About Me page or somewhere easily visible. We are proud of what we have accomplished and want to share that with others. However, this morning I came to the conclusion that the definition of a personal record is too limited. Sure, it’s about the time on the clock when you cross the finish line but it’s also about the challenges along the way. A 23:45 5K along a flat course on a cool day isn’t the same as a 24:00 5K on rolling hills during the heat of the summer. For me, the latter is a PR.  Read more

Dec 28

10 Comments

What if Money Didn’t Matter?

Every time I see my childhood best friend, I always feel a little more motivated and a little more inspired. Heck, she was the impetus for me starting this every day blogging adventure back in May. Today we had a very thought provoking lunch and then I saw this video…

 

 

If money didn’t matter, I would teach young people about the joys of wellness and a healthy lifestyle. I would try and teach them how to find that thing that helps them find who they are as a person. Running brings me an inner peace that clothes, tv shows, or fancy purses never will. Running has provided me with an insight into who I am as a person that I’m not sure I would have found any other place. If money didn’t matter, I would mentor young  students and use running as a tool to teach about self discovery.

Mario asks what’s stopping me. I’m not really sure.

Happy Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: This morning I was super excited to run with my cousin who is visiting from New Jersey. We ran an easy 4.5 miles and had great conversations along the way. Although I run by myself most of the time, I do enjoy the company of other runners. Stats are here.

 

I always was the short one

I always was the short one

 

 

 

 

Dec 27

leg swing
4 Comments

Leg Swings

One of my new favorite warm up stretches is the leg swing. I always see the cross country team doing this stretch before a workout so I’ve recently started incorporating them into my pre-run ritual. Along with the other hops, skips, and jumps I do, the leg swing helps to get the blood flowing in my legs.

Here is a great video from New York Road Runners on how to do the forward and side leg swing.

Leg Swing

 

Read more

Dec 26

Godiva
6 Comments

Godiva

I’ll call this post semi running related. Perhaps because I run so I don’t feel so bad for eating my favorite chocolate.

I pride myself in eating few ingredient, natural foods. I’d rather eat two scoops of almond butter or avocado than eat a Special K breakfast bar. But that’s just me… I prefer natural over artificial. Every Christmas I get a delicious box of Godiva chocolate from my parents. It has become my favorite gift. I really do love chocolate. Tonight after dinner, Mario and I were enjoying some Godiva truffles for dessert. I, being the label reader I am, decided to check out what made Godiva so yummy. Imagine my disappointment when I learned red #40, blue #1, high fructose corn syrup, and sorbitol were just a few of the many ingredients in my chocolate truffle. Then I went to their website to see what they had posted about their ingredients. Oh how my disappointment grew…

Godiva:

Unlike brands that rely heavily on artificial flavors and preservatives, when you buy Godiva you’re buying chocolate made from only the highest quality ingredients.

Grade A dairy butter and heavy cream are used in large quantity in the formulation of our fillings – something that is rarely done by American candy manufacturers.

U.S. Grade #1 nutmeats earn our nut confections high distinction. Notably, many of our chocolates contain hazelnut praline, a favorite European nut filling that is in keeping with our Belgian heritage.

Real cherries that contain no food coloring are used to make our famous Cherry Cordials. For other fruit-filled confections, we use fruits that undergo a special drying process to capture the freshness that is lost during conventional freezing. Pure, additive-free cherry and raspberry juices give flavor to our Cherry and Raspberry Buttercreams that simply cannot be matched.

Well I’m pretty sure red #40 and blue #1 are additives. Therefore, I believe the above information to be false. I wonder what chocolatier would be a better replacement? But don’t worry mom, I’m pretty sure that box of Godiva will be eaten very soon. I’m just disappointed they aren’t what I originally thought. Their chocolate is still tasty though :)

Happy Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: Today I did something I haven’t done in almost 2 months. I ran on a treadmill! It was cold and raining here so I took it inside today. I ran 8 miles in 1:05. It was quite boring but I guess it wasn’t that bad. Tomorrow I have a “hill run.”

Godiva

Chocolate Truffle Ingredients

And a few other random Christmas pics….

Breakfast Christmas morning with the family

Christmas morning with the family

Christmas Day Running, Warm up Mile

Christmas Day Running, Warm up Mile and waving at Dad

 

Christmas Day Intervals - doesn't look as fun :)

Christmas Day Intervals – Not as fun as the warm up :)

This was our dinner tonight. Mario loves his new fancy plate and wine glass…

Pork with sautéed apples and couscous

Pork with sautéed apples and couscous

 

 

Dec 25

christmas 1
1 Comment

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has enjoyed a day full of love and laughter with friends and family! And perhaps some running too!! Right now I am finishing up celebrating with the family but I wanted to send many happy running thoughts your way. I might have to run a few extra miles to make up for the cookies I ate today. :)

Happy Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: Today I had to do 6×800 repeats at 5K pace. I was nervous considering the mimosas and food beforehand but I actually had an amazing workout. I was under goal pace for each repeat. I ran a 3:09, 3:03, 3:07, 3:03, 3:07, and 3:03. One thing I am learning about myself (and that I am actually quite proud of) is my ability to be consistent. Since I’ve started doing more intervals, I have noticed my last interval is always consistent with my first, if not faster. Maybe one day I’ll actually negative split during a marathon! Stats are here.

 

Post run in some of my new lulu

Post run in some of my new lulu

 

Christmas Cheer!

Christmas Cheer!

 

I wear these shoes once a year. My best friend gave them to me when I was in 7th grade and I still wear them every Christmas. Best present ever!

I wear these shoes once a year. My best friend gave them to me when I was in 7th grade and I still wear them every Christmas. Best present ever!

 

 

 

Dec 24

Team Red Shift in 2nd place
3 Comments

Back on My Feet

This morning while out for my Christmas Eve run, I took notice of something that although I see quite often, was particuarly clear today. It seemed to me (and maybe it was just because nobody else was out on the streets), that there were more homeless people in the streets than a normal Monday morning. It was sad but I made a point to smile and greet everyone I saw. During my runs through Raleigh I often times see the same homeless people and I wonder what might happen if I stopped and started a conversation. What if I took time to learn someone else’s story? All of these thoughts this morning reminded me of an awesome nonprofit that we ran a race for a few years ago… Back on My Feet.

Founded by Anne Mahlum in 2007, Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other underserved populations by first engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.   The organization does not provide food nor shelter, but instead provides a community that embraces equality, respect, discipline, teamwork and leadership.

Every July Back on My Feet sponsors the 20in24 Challenge. It is a 24 hour event that includes relay races of different distances as well as an ultra marathon. It takes place in Philadelphia and is basically an 8.4 mile loop around a park. In 2010, I particpated in the Gold Level Relay Challenge. As a team, our goal was to run 126 miles, 25.2 miles per person. We actually came in second place and it was by far the most fun I’ve ever had at a race. We always talk about doing it again but schedules never seem to work out or we can’t get enough people. Personally, I would like to compete in the Platinum Level Challenge which means each person runs 33.6 miles for a total of 168 miles, and all in under 24 hours.

Back on My Feet is a great organization that uses running as a tool to empower people. As a teacher, I believe in empowerment as a tool to create a better life for oneself. I was greatly reminded of that this morning.

Anyone care to join me in July?

Happy Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: This may sound weird, but I ran a beautiful six miles this morning. There were hardly any cars on the street and very few people out and about. I felt great but tried not to push the pace. Since I didn’t take my day off yesterday and I have a speed workout tomorrow, I wanted to make sure I felt rested. Stats are here.

Dec 23

rio-2016-olympics-logo
4 Comments

2016 Olympic Marathon

My father-in-law is great. He is currently expressing interest in traveling to Rio for the 2016 Olympics. Why? Well it’s not because he really wants to see Usain Bolt or Shalane Flanagan. Nope. He is however, certain that I’ll be there running my first Olympic marathon and wants to be there to cheer me on. :) Oh I do love my family!

Unfortunately, I’m fairly certain I will not be there proudly representing the USA. Especially since I learned last week that the qualifying times for the Olympic Trials have been lowered. And just when I thought I was getting fast… Read more

Dec 22

create

Create Yourself

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw

This morning was cold. Raleigh, NC had a wind advisory. Christmas is a few days away and a 14 mile run wasn’t on my list of top things to do before the sun came out. But a little motivation can go along way for me. I am creating myself to be the runner who welcomes all weather and all challenges. I am creating myself to be the best runner I can be. I am creating myself to be exactly who I want myself to be.

 

 

Happy  Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: I had a great 14 miles this morning. The cold and wind were actually pretty miserable for the first 5 miles, but then I started to get some feeling back in my fingers. Stats are here. Surprisingly, the pace felt very easy after the tempo run I did yesterday.

« Older Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 803 other followers