Last night I posted ten of my “running tips” that helped me get started running. You all dove right in there with some other awesome tips to share! Some favorites:

• Get out of your head. Don’t think. Just Enjoy. Heather @ Where’s the Beach?
• Just get up and do it. And it’s ok if you have to stop and walk party of the way through. Amanda @ Fancy Oatmeal
• Every runner has a bad run now and then. Don’t let that discourage you! Holly @ The Runny Egg
• Compete ONLY with yourself.  Heather @ Running With Sass
• Don’t think “I’m so BAD at running!” because, really, how can a person be bad at running? Carly @ Swim Run Om
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions about products, techniques, how you’re feeling….ask your running friends, running bloggers, a local running store – don’t be embarrassed! Cathy @ 1970s Kiki Project
• Remember how great you feel when you are done.Take a photo of you with a smile of your face to remember that feeling. Sierra @ Posh Meets Pavement
• FUEL PROPERLY! Kinley @ Better Off Barefoot

Yep. You all are AWESOME! And I have to add here too – in no way do I think running is the only path to fitness or that if you don’t run, you’re like the ice baths and bite monkey butt. I love a variety of fitness and truly believe that if you do something active that betters your health – you’re killing it. And if you do run, at any pace, you’re a runner. Plain and simple.  

I had to take some of these running tips on the road with me this morning. Let’s just say that a six mile tempo run did not sound like the most welcoming idea this morning. I had trouble getting to sleep last night and didn’t sleep all that well. Plus, I have yet to have a tempo run longer than five miles and that extra mile just seemed daunting. I decided there was nothing to do but get out there and go for it. It would be a challenge, but I can rise to the challenge.

Well, that went much better than expected! I did a one mile warm up and then my four tempo miles – 8:37 / 8:33 / 8:21 / 8:15 – and finally finished with a mile cool down. My body never ceases to amaze me.

In my panel discussion on the The Numbers Game (did you catch Part 1 of the recap?), we discussed a lot about choosing which numbers work the best personally as a motivational tool. I definitely find great use in numbers with my fitness related goals. Each workout gives me some feedback on my progress and when I look at the overall trends, I can see progress in my health. I can see how far I have come and think “yea…it’s pretty baller that I can run six miles!!”.

Fitness related numbers always inspire me. I believe it’s because when focusing on things like mileage, pace, sets of exercises, number of workouts accomplished or spin classes attended, the emphasis lies in what my body can DO. Not what it looks like or how much it weighs. That distinction opened up my ability to love and appreciate myself so much more. The body is a pretty cool thing when you really stop to think about it. God did a pretty good job working it all together, don’t you think?  

I hope you get the chance to witness your powerful body in action today and think of every accomplishment it has helped you make. Rise to any challenge and believe in yourself. And now tell me…

• “It’s pretty baller that I can ___________”.
• PS – Don’t forget to enter the Love Grown prize pack giveaway! Ends tonight!

Another long run is officially on the books!

Yippee skippy! I had another 9 miles to tackle today and I made it happen. I headed out a bit earlier than normal and visited an area of roads I haven’t run in awhile. The hills! Oh, the hills!!! Including the hill I so lovingly reference as the “hill of death”. You see it there? The entire mile of hill between miles one and two? I loathe you hill of death.

Let’s just say I played it smart making it at the start of my run so I had a nice downhill slope at the end of my run. I’m glad I managed to push through this run on my own because earlier this week I had considered meeting up with a local running group to face the run. Too bad when I looked at my schedule I realized the timing wouldn’t work.

This morning I had to get out the door, complete my run, and book it home immediately to shower and eat before some plans today. I  know the first time I go with the running group I want the time to actually meet and talk to other runners in my area. You know. Be friendly. So – giving the running group a shot will just have to wait.

What shouldn’t wait? making this for breakfast. Or snack. Or dessert.

I had it for a snack the other day and determined it would make a perfect post-run treat this morning. I was right. I’m all sorts of refreshed now…just in time to go spend a couple hours with more toddlers than I can count. Jealous, no?

Tropical Soft Serve

• 1 container pineapple Chobani, frozen and thawed enough to scoop out
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1/2 tsp xanthan gum

Toss all in a food processor and let it whirl away until it creates that glorious soft-serve consistency. Garnish with your favorite toppings. I opted for Love Grown Simply Oats granola and some chopped mixed nuts.

Fall in love and eat it every day to hold onto the last weeks of summer…or to cool down enough to lessen the increasing desires for fall to arrive. Whichever.

• Are you holding onto summer for dear life or ready to kick it out the door and welcome fall instead?
• How are you getting active today?