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?

So where have I been?

My Fall marathon didn't happen. I had what I thought was a great second 20 miler, but it fell apart in the form of patellar tendinitis and ITBS on my good knee. I think I dodged and jumped too many puddles on that long run. I tried aggressive PT, but it just wasn't to be.

At the same time, my dear Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. He is doing great now, but it has been a difficult winter with multiple hospital stays and lots of road trips back and forth for me.

And then there was the Polar Vortex. Missed school days, too cold icy conditions just made the running option not a good for me.

So I'm calling a do over.

I've gotten in 3 runs and 2 strength training workouts per week for the last two weeks. I'm up to running 5 miles without pain (fingers and toes crossed).

I'm running the Monument 10k on Saturday with my long run being 5 miles, so no goal like last year's awesome PR. Just running smart and healthy before heading to a work conference across country later that day.

And that 5 mile run, I wasn't smart and ran yesterday when it was 70. I waited until today where the the high was 49 with midday run. I should have had plenty of time to beat the rain. Why do I believe forecasters? The rain started in earnest even before my halfway point. I sucked it up and finished strong with NO puddle jumping. Wet feet are better than knee pain any day. I ran a little faster than I wanted to by a minute per mile too fast. Oops.

And here's the wet look proof. Glad I had another layer on over my Tough Chik long sleeve.

And the reward to warm me up from the inside. The temps dropped 10 degrees while out there.

And then my dear hubby surprised me with these from Carytown Cupcakes. Oh, I love cupcakes but I certainly didn't run far enough to justify even one of these.

Here's to another week. Here we go!

Jilly Bean

I don't know what week it is.

I had a near perfect running week, and didn't have time to write about it thanks to work craziness. And a random pain starting on Monday that made me have amnesia.

So I need to focus on the good.

I had a great tempo run earlier in the previous week (5 miles at marathon pace). The bike trainer went well, then I screwed up my watch for my speedwork. I got frustrated and just made up a workout. Needless to say, it wasn't my best run.

I put off getting my flu shot because I usually feel yucky for about two days after, and I needed a root canal this week. Oh boy, this week was going peachy keen.

The big question was how was 20 for the second time going to go.

I had an awesome running buddy for the entire 20. It misted rain almost the entire which wasn't bad because it helped break the humidity. The coaches were nice to us And my brain didn't turn to mush at mile 18 like last time. And I remembered to leave my watch on, so the trusty Garmin really said 20 miles this time.

Just realized that I hide the marathon option when I set up Garmin Connect because I would NEVER run a marathon. Whoops, time to change that setting.

How would I rate the run?

Well, maybe not exactly.

But I was able to move better after this one. I even took Little Dude to the Fall Festival at his old school. Now, I wish I could have moved like this, but that just wasn't gonna happen.

More later on how I recover from these long runs.

Anyone else feel not so good after getting a flu shot?

Felt bombdiggity lately?

 

Jilly Bean

I bagged a workout

It was a cross-training day. So here's my excuse.

Remember my tooth nightmare, I would rather forget it, but evidently I needed a root canal. That was the source of all my pain. And I'm scheduled to get my crowns placed next week, so I was lucky enough to go in and have a root canal this week. I wouldn't even get a flu shot for fear of messing with my 20 miler, and here I am letting a dentist mess with my mouth and persnickety TMJ for an hour. Sure why not.

Normally, they give me Valium to keep my TMJ at bay (really because I'm a wuss), but I didn't have anyone to drive me today so I sucked it up. I have to say that my dentist was awesome.

I was supposed to bike but I just bagged it. Cold, rainy, jaw a little achy (I could almost write country music), so I put the sweats on and didn't sweat. I'm really glad I didn't have to run tonight and I should be fine for Saturday.

Except for this.

We have been so lucky this training cycle with rain that I could avoid. Will Karen just go away?

Doesn't she know we have 20 miles to run?

And because I need all the motivation I can get, I came across this quote earlier this week. It spoke to me because when November 16th comes around, it is all up to ME! I've got this! Right?

What are your tips for getting through a soggy, long run?

What illnesses, etc. cause you to skip a workout?

 

Jilly Bean