Only about a week into June but…Better late than never right?
May brought a lot of changes to my training, mainly, a focus and a fall goal. Before last month, I didn’t have a goal race. I had a rough plan that I wanted to “get back in shape.” I wanted to run a bunch of local races and just build fitness on it.
Then I was selected to run the Big Cottonwood Marathon. I’m still planning to race frequently and get the speed in, but I’m also going to add in long runs. I’m not going to run a lot of long runs because I know I’ll burn out, plus running long in the 90-degree summer isn’t always the most enjoyable thing.
The focus of the month was to begin getting back into shape and consistently log miles. May, June, and July all have the same goal to keep consistently building miles. I’m not going to build to 100-mile weeks or anything, but I am going to keep building. I’m not in the same shape as a year ago, and I’m not in the same shape as when I set my half marathon PR a year and a half ago. Do I think I can get back to that in 100 days? No, but I’m going to work towards what I can do.
All of my races last month were ok, not great. I don’t have any that stand out to me, but I’ve also been running on tired legs. I haven’t tapered for any, and I won’t taper for any in June either.
Swimming:
Swimming has been good, and I’m glad I’m getting back into the pool. I don’t feel any “fitter” from swimming, and I don’t think the fitness will translate, but I’m enjoying it. I appreciate how I can mindlessly swim laps without a care in the world.
Goals for Next Month:
In June, I would like to get more fit than I am right now. That seems like a broad goal, and it is, but it’s the only goal. I just want to work on my fitness and progress. I’m going to keep racing frequently as well as swimming and see where it takes me.
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. There are often giveaways as well as discount codes.
The year has come and gone. Last week, I recapped my running in 2017 and now it’s time to recap blogging since this is a Running Blog. I have begun to think a lot about blogging in 2018. Where is it going? Is it dying? Will fueledbyLOLZ die?
Eventually yes, all good things must come to an end. I have a longer post about the direction the blog will “go”. Mentally I have written the post, but I haven’t strung 500 words together. In summary, I probably won’t kill FueledbyLOLZ, but I will post less in 2018.
Instead of focusing on 2018 (which I will do at some point), it’s always fun to look back at the year and hanging out with friends and fellow bloggers and internet users.
Blogging brought many new friendships! Photo Credit Marty D.
Thoughts about Blogging:
I do like blogging and I enjoy it as an outlet. For me, blogging will never pay “the bills”. I am lucky that I do occasionally get sponsored posts which equate to extra spending money. Those come and go and are completely unpredictable.
Plus, I don’t accept sponsored posts from something I wouldn’t personally use or buy which also limits how many I receive. It’s nice to receive sponsored posts, but will they pay the bills? No. It’s also nice to receive free product to review and try, and I’m always cautious when I do that (for instance, I’m clear in shoe reviews if I didn’t pay for shoes…which 95% of the time, I paid for them).
The platforms of which people choose to blog is also changing. With Instagram growing, many running bloggers have stopped sharing posts or writing lengthy posts and gone to microposts on instagram. You must do what works for you. I am not there yet because I do see blogging as an outlet. While my grammar and spelling leave a lot to be desired, it’s nice to connect with other bloggers and readers in that form, especially my “real life” friends (and dad) that don’t use social media but subscribe only to blog posts.
Blogging is 2017 wasn’t my highest viewership, in fact one of my lowest, but I still enjoyed it. At the end of the day I blog for “me” but it’s nice to share the experience with others. If I wanted to keep a personal diary (which I do keep a personal notepad), I wouldn’t press publish on a public website. Thanks wordpress for being more organized than I am…
Questions for you:
Bloggers: How was your 2017 in terms of actual blogging?
Do you have a favorite post? Do you keep a personal diary?
I feel like I have overloaded this week with running blogs. You could say I’m running right through Holidays…ha terrible LOLZ pun. This is a running blog so I’m glad I have running related topics (with my own training) to talk about.
Anyways, December has nearly left and I accomplished what I wanted too (running wise) this month.
Running Stats:
Total Miles: 246
Range of Paces: 6:40-12:00-untimed
Shortest Run: 2.0 miles
Longest Run: 17.25 miles
Best run: I don’t have a favorite run this month. As cliche as it sounds, the month as a whole was good to me. To keep it short, I will say my best was also my longest run. I felt strong and as if I could just keep going.
This whole month went smoothly. December was the first month I ran the miles I wanted. Not to beat a dead horse again but during December I finally felt like I was training (not just coming back from injury).
I didn’t do much speed work but focused on building my base with easy runs. Since I didn’t cross train a lot during my stress fracture, I lost a lot more fitness than in previous injuries. I’m not complaining about that and I do believe resting was the right thing to do. My goal in December was to build fitness back up with lots of easy, untimed runs.
Another food for thought:
During the month of December I also began using the GNC products I was sent to review. The included the protein powder, amino acids, preworkout and bars.
I promised I would review them when I had time to finish the majority of products I was sent. Since I finished the amino acids last week, the timing was perfect to review them now. I believe some of the products helped me recover quicker from runs so I wanted to include the review in my monthly recap.
During DecemberI used the Complete Amono after each run. I mixed it into whatever I was consuming post run. I added it to pancakes, oatmeal and even milk. I think my favorite method was actually just adding it to a glass of milk. I set a goal to have the complete amino after each run and I made that goal. Like running, consistency is key. It’s hard to review a product without using it consistently for a while. Honestly, I believe it helped me recover from runs faster.
The complete amino does not have an unusual taste (the fruit punch is what I like) so it isn’t gross to actually consume.
The amino acid powder has 30 calories and contains 5g BCAA blend of leucine, isoleucine and valine as well as 2.5g betaine .
Do I think it was the sole reason I stayed injury free? No.
Do I think it was one of the blocks for building a solid foundation and base to stay injury free? Yes.
I liked the powder so much I ended up purchasing another container from GNC. If you know me well, you know I don’t waste money on expensive foods…hashtag #walmartshopperforlife). I doubt the point was for me to end up buying the product but I really like it and I have felt better since beginning to use it. So thank you GNC for opening my eyes to that.
I also enjoyed the protein powder because it made me remember how much I enjoyed making pancakes. I am just over 75% done with that container. Once finished with the protein powder, I will probably purchase that again too. I don’t make protein pancakes every day but I do make the a few times a week again. I think the protein powder is similar to any protein powder but it tastes good and I have no complaints.
Out of the items sent the preworkout energy drink is my least favorite. I don’t drink caffeine (not even coffee) before I run. The preworkout drink is geared towards someone who does drink caffeine, so it makes sense it wouldn’t be a fit for me. While the preworkout drink tastes good I don’t foresee myself using it. The few times I consumed it I felt as if I had more energy but it isn’t something I would personally use regularly.
Overall thoughts?
I am firm believer the GNC amino acids and protein powder are helping my running. I 100% recommend the amino acids to any runner or athlete. Thank you to GNC for sending me quality products that I am benefiting from. I enjoyed being on your campaign.
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Goals for January:
I’m going to lump this into one big post with my 2015 goals. Briefly, my goals for January are to maintain and grow my base smartly. I will continue to grow my base appropriately as well as train for the Phoenix Full Marathon.
I also have a few races I’ll be doing:
January 1st: Hair of the Dog 5k Va Beach, VA
January 10: Wilmington Delaware 10 miler Wilmington, Delaware
Anyways this has been a much longer training recap than normal. That is partly because I think that nutrition has played a big role in my recovery and training this month.
It seems like the second half of my year was far more exciting then the first. I like to save the best for last right? Actually after the marathon my life seems to have simmered down.
July:
I turned the big 23. I’m an old lady now.
I finally ran a 5k PR that I feel I’m never capable of again (18:35).
Life is good!
August:
As with the rest of the summer I worked a lot between 50-70 hours and was really burnt out.
I ran an 8k PR and then was hit by a cylist who broke my arm.
I ran the Rock and Roll VA Beach half marathon with Laura and Heather. It was awkward because I ran it with a broken arm.
I moved to Texas.
I ran another half marathon a week later in San Antonio. 1800 miles of driving, two half marathons back to back…only to go a few seconds faster in San Antonio and win a sweet Growler.
(one week later) I found out I was moving to New Jersey.
The night we found out we were Jersey bound
October:
I drove back across the country seeing Laura along the way.
I moved back home with my parents (again!) for a few weeks before my marathon.
Kris and I dressed up like Pumpkins for a 10k that I missed my PR by 5 seconds.
I moved to NJ. After moving to NJ, I took some time off of running and just relaxed and looked jobs for a while.
December:
I haven’t (honestly) done a lot of note worthy things this December. It’s been just assimilating into NJ and looking for jobs. I hope I have something to report by the end of the year. I guess I’ll work on that.
I took photos in the snow. It counts as productive.
Although 2013 was anything but calm I truly enjoyed the year. It seemed like it flew by and that I was happier then I have been, especially in the later half of the year. It seems like I should have been more stressed being jobless and the 4000 miles I drove in 2 months but I wasn’t. It was a really good year. I have found the more stressed “I should be” is when I become less stressed. Little stressors that shouldn’t stress me out often are the worst for me.
The end of December only means one thing for blogging. Time to reflect upon the year and see how you have changed (or not) and the excitement of your life. I can honestly say 2013 was the most crazy year of my life. Pictures seem to be more interesting then random musings so where we go. Like last year I broke this up into two posts since I need more content and long posts are boring.
January:
I began my New Years running the Hair of the Dog 5k in a prom dress. YAY! (you are supposed to wear last night’s outfit)
I worked anywhere from 50-75 hours weekly. It was awful but I needed to save a good amount of money because of my unsuspecting future. (Which I needed for sure!). Sadly I’m not one to take selfies at work. This was the boring month. The first half of my year seems pretty tame compared to the second half.
Questions for you: Tell me something about your first 6 months of 2013.
