I can do hard things

It's been a bit of a crazy week. My city is hosting the UCI World Road Cycling Championship. Very cool to have this surrounding us when the last time the US hosted this event was in 1986. Cycling mania is in full effect.

And as luck would have it, my husband is working out of town all week and he is the cyclist in the family. So far, we have seen the women's and men's individual time trial events. If the weather isn't absolutely miserable, we are attending the men's finals on Sunday.

Since I am the only parent this week, I have been sneaking workouts in between school drop-off/pick-up and conference calls. I have also been working on my #BOSUstrong challenges. It's all about balance this week.  Check out my instagram for my crazy attempts.

Monday - speedwork that was a miserable fail. I stayed up too late the night before, and I just couldn't get it together. 4.8 miles done. Enough said about that.

Thursday - had an AWESOME 8 miler. Many of the cycling teams zipped by me along my route. I couldn't get my camera out fast enough to get any pictures. My pace was too fast for miles 2, 3, 4, but I just couldn't slow it down. I finished strong and should be ready to knock out 17 miles on Sunday.

Except the forecast is rain, rain, and more rain. The last time I ran in this kind of weather for a long run was on a 20 miler two years ago. I thought the run went well, but then I couldn't run a mile two days later. Marathon of 2013 = out the window.

This time, I will run smarter. No puddle jumping. No zigging. No zagging. One foot in front of the other. And remember my favorite mantra, "I can DO hard things!"

Run Wright

Wish me luck on Sunday.

6 Ways I Stay Balanced

If you forgot to join me last week for the #BOSUStrong challenge or just weren’t up for the cardio, make sure you join me this week as it’s all about the balance! We’re standing on one leg, lunging, and squatting our way through the week.

But balance means more than just being able to stand on one leg, it also means being able to do what you love while making healthy choices at the same time. It means putting in the work and still finding time for pedicures. Or eating the Oreo(s) but balancing it out with a spinach & kale smoothie.

Here are the 6 ways I stay balanced – what are yours?

• I make time for myself by saying "no" when it's not in the best interest of me or my family.
• My favorite me time is reading the latest "must read" book.
• My rule when it comes to a balanced diet is nothing is a no in moderation.
• I make fitness a priority by scheduling my workouts just like a meeting.
• When I get stressed or overwhelmed, my go to is running. Miles make it melt away.
• I do not enough, but changing things up to help my family stay balanced. This is how my little guy stays balanced.

So I want to know – are you #BOSUStrong? Copy and paste the above, fill it in and make it your own and then tag me in it (@runjillybean #runjillybean) and share with your friends! Let’s all be #BOSUSTRONG.

The daily prompts are below. You can also follow along HERE.

Week 2, it’s all about that BALANCE (9/21-9/25):

(Make sure you tag @Bosu_Fitness on Instagram & @BosuFitness on Twitter):

• Monday, 9/21: Happy Monday sweaties, this week we’re all about that balance. Let’s see you stand on one leg – ready, set, GO! #BosuStrong #SweatPink #FitFamily @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
  • Bonus: Y’all know we love to #jumpjoymonday! Show us your BEST jump shot and tag @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad
• Tuesday, 9/22: We want to see you #dropitlikeasquat…on your BOSU or perhaps one leg? #BosuStrong #SweatPink #FitFamily @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
  • Bonus: It’s time for #treetuesday! Show us your best tree pose. @BOSU_Fitness @FitApproach #BOSUStrong #FitFamily #SweatPink #ad
• Wednesday, 9/23: Let’s lunge it out sweaties! #BosuStrong #SweatPink #FitFamily @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
  • Bonus: #workitwednesday, show us how you’re workin’ it this Wednesday and tag #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Thursday, 9/24:  It’s #totalbodythursday. Show us your favorite total body balance  move! #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Bonus: Give us a #tbt of a time when you really challenged your balance (feel free to get creative!) #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad
• Friday, 9/25: #FreeFriday. Show us your favorite way to get your balance on! #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad


• Bonus: Happy #forearmfriday. Let’s forearm plank it out y’all! #BOSUstrong #FitFamily #SweatPink @Bosu_Fitness @FitApproach #ad

Notes: You do not need to own or have access to a BOSU to participate. By participating you will have a chance to win a BOSU and other fun prizes. And please, if you are using a BOSU throughout this challenge, never stand on your BOSU with the dome facing down (images or moves down on the BOSU incorrectly will not count during this challenge).

Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by BOSU but all opinions expressed are my own. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Fit Approach (Sweat Pink) community.

5 Things That Make Me #BOSUStrong

Today I am embarking on a 4 week challenge with BOSU and Sweat Pink to prove to the world that I am #BOSUSTRONG. I will squat, mountain climb, plank, push-up, lunge, clamshell  and bridge my way to a stronger and happier body.  And I will encourage Cooper and Debbie to join me on this fun journey because we are one big, happy #FitFamily.

Being #BOSUStrong is not just about movement, sweat, or even owning a BOSU, its about being a leader, an inspiration to others, and sharing my own fitness journey with others. The 5 things that make be #BOSUStrong are:

• My strong commitment.
• My ability to persevere 
• My love for a challenge.
• My healthy attitude.
• And my spirit.

So I want to know – are you #BOSUStrong? Copy and paste the above, fill it in and make it your own and then tag me in it and share with your friends! Let’s all be #BOSUSTRONG.

Twitter: @runjillybean
Instagram: runjillybean
Pinterest: runjillybean

Well hello there stranger!

I'm not even sure where the time has gone, but I sure think a lot has happened. The trick is what can I remember?

The highlights since my last past so long ago:

1. I finally ran a marathon (Richmond 2014).
2. My Dad kicked colon cancer in the booty.
3. Still have an amazing little boy and husband.
4. Still have awesome friends and extended family who support me in whatever I set my sites on.
5. A job that I like most days, but challenges me every day.

The lowlights:

1. A few more injuries to get over, namely a broken arm this past winter in a poor attempt to learn ice skating for cross-training.
2. Not enough running, but enough to commit to another marathon. I've missed some of my must do races (Monument 10K, Shamrock Half).
3. .... I'm one lucky girl.
4. Except I had to cut my figure skating career short.

Yes, after swearing repeatedly during the last 6 miles and for 2 days afterward that I would NEVER do another marathon .... I'm doing another marathon. Only 66 more days to fill you in on that adventure.

What have you done that you said you would never do again?

What's the craziest non-running injury you have ever had?