Guest Post! Beating the Running Funk!

Today's guest post is one of my favorite bloggers, Melissa, from Hungry Healthy Happy. Melissa is ALWAYS posting the most delicious meals on her blog and has an enthusiasm for life that I adore. She's starting a new job soon that I am SO jealous of (hello, dream job!) and she has some GREAT tips about breaking out of that running funk that we all go through from time to time...

Hi Happy Healthy Runner readers! I’m Melissa, and I blog over at Hungry Healthy Happy about eating, running, and being generally neurotic about pretty much every aspect of my life. Given the similarity in the name of our blogs, you can guess that Rachael and I have quite a bit in common, and I’m so flattered that she asked me to guest post!

A few weeks ago, Rachael wrote about being in a running funk of sorts. I, too, have recently battled the same thing, so I thought I’d share a few of my thoughts on breaking that funk and getting your running mojo back!

Try Something New

Last fall after I ran my first half marathon, I was in a serious running funk. For whatever reason, I couldn’t get excited for my runs. Since running is one of my favorite hobbies, this really bummed me out. I didn’t want to give up running altogether, but I needed to find my passion for it again. Instead of quitting, I scoured blogland for new ideas and found a zillion great treadmill workouts to try. The first time I discovered HIIT, I was smitten and finally excited to run again. Even though it was tough, it was also challenging and fun. Just the kick I needed to get back into running.

Some other ideas:

·       Any interval workout on the treadmill.

o      It makes the time fly by and always makes me push myself. What’s not to love about that?!

·       Running with someone (or alone).

o      I am typically a loner when I run, opting to rock out to my iPod rather than chat my way through the miles. Flip-flopping my routine makes it more fun and adds some variety.

·       Run your usual route—backwards.

o      Sometimes it’s enough of a change that you don’t feel so bored.

·       A New Playlist

o      I have a very hard time running without music, but sometimes I get tired of the same old tunes. Mixing it up with a new playlist reenergizes me. I actually look forward to running when I have a fun new playlist

Sign up for a Race

Having something to train for really motivates me and gets me going. For my last half marathon in the beginning of June, I used Runner’s World’s Smart Coach tool to come up with a training plan for me. I didn’t follow it exactly, but it really helped me stay accountable during my training. I also liked not having to decide what to do for each run. I just looked at the plan and did it. This is a great plan for anyone else who’s indecisive like me! 

Give It Some Time

If trying new things doesn’t work for me when I’m trying to break a running funk, I generally tend to just keep up with my regular runs. After a week or two, I usually snap back to my usual happy running self.

Rest

Rest?!?! Are you kidding me??? Most of us runners don’t even know what this means. We are not “rest-ers.” But if you’re not enjoying your runs, your body may be trying to tell you something. Like slowtheheckdownyoucrazyperson!!! Take a day, two days, a week . . . I know. The horror! But it might be just what you need to get your groove back.

Try some cross training instead. I used to like strength training, too. Now, I only strength train for muffins. But I don’t hate the elliptical. So find something else you like to do and give the running a little breathing room. It’ll be there when you get back.

Get New Stuff

When all else fails? Buy yourself a new outfit or shoes. It might not help, but it can’t hurt! 

What’s your best tip for getting your running mojo back?

Guest Post! Relax and Unwind... Enjoy Summer!

Today's guest post comes from Tara who blogs at Dashing in Pearls. Tara is one of those bloggers that I immediately wanted to be best friends with because we are both HUGE Astros fans (and true fans are far and few between these days...). Her guest post is like her blog - fun and upbeat! But you should just read on instead of me droning on...

Hi y'all! I'm Tara and I blog over at Dashing in Pearls. I was really excited when Rachael asked me to guest blog for her! A little about me... I'm originally from Houston, left for a little while to go to college, and am now back! I'm a 4th grade teacher so I'm currently on summer vacation! I live with my best friend from college who magically got a job at the school I grew up at last year. I have an amazing boyfriend who is really loud and shares my love for the Astros, even when they're doing terrible. I completed my first half marathon about 2 months ago and am waiting to find out if I got into the Houston Half Marathon in January before I start training for something again! (a side note: Tara got in!! Go congratulate her!)

Today I'm going to share with you my list of things you need to do during the summer even if you aren't a teacher and have months to get these things done. I'm a firm believer that summer should be a time for EVERYONE to relax and unwind, even if it's just a little bit.

1. Get a pedicure. Nothing says "summer" like bright toenails. I've started bringing my favorite color with me so that if I need to do touch ups, I have the color already! My favorite color right now is Essie's Super Bossa Nova. It's bright pink with a little sparkle!

2. Find at least 1 day to sit by the pool (or beach if you're lucky enough), enjoy some summer time drinks, and grill out. Make those things your only "to do's" for the day. No regular house cleaning, running errands, or bill paying. 

3. Find a good book to read. It can be something light (like the Shopaholic Series), something a little heavier (John Grisham) or even something about your favorite activity (Kara Goucher's Running for Women). Because I'm a teacher and have the luxury of time right now, I'm currently reading 3 books: Kara Goucher's, the Paleo Diet, and I'm rereading the 7th Harry Potter before it comes out.

4. Buy a new summer dress. Whether it's for a date night, girls night, or weddings, every girl needs at least one new dress for the summer! Most of my dresses are from Gap or Loft but I love almost every dress from Anthropologie. This one is my favorite but I haven't bought it...

5. Go on a vacation! Or a staycation! Just do something vacation-like, even if it's just a weekend you don't go anywhere but block out any social "musts". It can be with friends, family, or by yourself but take some time to rest and relax. It's nice that I'm a teacher and don't really have to schedule anything but I'm still looking forward to the few getaways that I have planned! 

More than anything, do something you ENJOY!

Marathon Excitement & Weekly Workout #6

First things first... I'M RUNNING THE HOUSTON MARATHON! Thank you to everyone who offered up  kind words while I stressed about getting in or not, but it's official now - I'm going!

Unfortunately, my right leg has been giving me some grief over the past few days (OK, weeks) so in an effort to make sure I'm in tip-top shape for Marathon #1 in November and #2 in January, I'm going to the sports doctor tomorrow morning and have been taking it easy so far this week. Depending on what he tells me, that may or may not affect my workouts this week :(

But here's what it should be looking like:

Planned miles for the week: 20

Monday: Rest/Cross-training day

Tuesday: 2 miles @ 9:57 min/pace

Wednesday: Rest/Cross-training day

Thursday: 4 miles speed work, 2x1600 in 7:56 with 800 jogs in between

Friday: Rest/Cross-training day

Saturday: Rest/Cross-training day

Sunday: 14 miles @ 9:57 min/pace

In GOOD news though (and to give you a little something to look forward to this week), there will be a giveaway here on Friday! In the meantime, I have some fun guest posts lined up for the rest of this week!

:) Hope every one's week is treating them well so far!

Guest Post! "I Suck At Sports..."

Today's post comes from the super speedy and adorable Margot who blogs at The Faster Bunny. Margot is not only fast, but funny... I love reading her blog! She just ran Boston this year AND is running the Nuun Hood to Coast Relay! Plus, I can really identify with this topic, as I am not a team sports person at all and running is the only thing I've really been able to do and do half-way well... I especially relate to her anecdote at the end ;) Enjoy!

I Suck At Sports :  My Tribute to Long Distance Running

You know some some people who are long distance runners but played every other sport in high school too? Give them a ball, a bat, a racket, or a freaking stick and they will MacGyver the bajeezus out of any sport?  

Yeah that's not me.  

Here's my story:  

I remember my last day of school in 7th grade like it was uhhh...16 years ago: A tiny girl named Katrina who was in my gym class signed my yearbook. 

"Margot...we might suck at sports but that's ok.  - Katrina"

Wait What? Suck at sports?? Honestly, I was a little bummed. This wasn't how I envisioned my middle school legacy. I could see my end of the year school award right then. Crowds cheering as I received "Most likely to not succeed at sports".

I thought back to our volleyball unit earlier in the year. How I literally never got the ball over the net, even in a serve, through the ENTIRE UNIT.  How my coolness level probably plummeted to a new low during that sport from the underworld.

And honestly, most of the other "ball sports" were similarly challenging for me.  Soccer wasn't as bad.  What I lacked in skill, I gained in aggression!  

However, like the stubborn girl I am, I figured, eh....surely I'll get on some team in high school.  So I tried out for JV field hockey.  

And I made varsity!!!

Hah.  Just kidding.  I didn't make the team.

Instead, I started running.  2 miles a day in my spare time.  Mostly just because I wanted to be skinny since I was a vain and insecure 15 year old.  About a month later, we ran the mile in the fall of my freshman year.  I ran it in 7:11 with almost no effort.  Not that this is anything that special, but I was surprised at myself.  My mom told me if I was going to run on my own time, I might as well join the cross country team. I told her "Are you crazy??  Those girls run like four miles a day!  No way!".

And then, I took her advice. I joined the track team.  I figured...we'll probably just race the mile every day... and that could be cool, right? 

On the first Friday of practice, it was raining.  I saw my coach after school and asked if practice was cancelled. I still remember the look of confusion and disdain on his face when he answered "No. Why would it be cancelled?  We run in the rain."

I think that's the moment I became a real runner.  

One that runs in rainstorms and snow.  Who has become addicted to the feeling of intense discomfort at the end of a race and nervous butterflies before. 

I ran every season after that in high school.  I was nothing spectacular, but I loved it and got a couple letters.  And no one wrote that I sucked at sports in my yearbook!

Since then running has come in and out of my life in various waves of seriousness.  I've never stopped completely, but developed a talent for running while hungover in my early twenties.

And yeah.  I love it.  Every run isn't great, but the overall result is awesome.  

Three marathons, a billion halves, and one running-ish blog later, here I am.  I could go on and on about what running has done for me, but let's just say it's a ton :).  

I'll leave you with this anecdote:

Last Fall, I went frisbee golfing.  My boyfriend remarked that I would probably be good since I was "athletic". I held back the laughter at this remark and promptly got my butt kicked by everyone playing.  

But that's ok because if we played a game on my field, I know I'd smoke these fools in a race.  

And I probably wouldn't even have to trip them.  

Guesssss what!!!

1. It's Friday! That, in itself, is wonderful.

2. TRUE BLOOD starts this Sunday. And if you are a non-HBO watching, non-vampire-show-loving person, I am so sorry. Because that means you're missing out on THIS:

AND THIS:

AND THIS:

AND THIS:

AND THIS:

AND THIS:

Happy Friday! And you're welcome.

Oh, and sorry guys, there's pretty girls involved too.

3 Things Thursdayyy

1. I'm going for 12 miles this weekend. Everyone can go on ahead and be jealous of what is sure to be a fabulous run with my new shoes and (hopefully) running PIC *ahem, Britt, are you convinced you need to go yet?!)* And Paula, I hope that these shoes work better for me than they did for you... I am the world's best clearance shopper and I died a little when I bought these at (almost) full price, so they better work. Otherwise I will just be getting new legs.

2. My new shoes came in the mail yesterday! Remember them? They are here!!! Well, technically they're sitting in a brown box in my car, but they're in my possession. Now let's just hope they fit when I try them on. :) I should also be getting another package today with a new dress and a new shirt. Ordering things online sucks when you order them because you have to wait, but it's like Christmas when you get them because they're already paid for (and I've already forgotten that I paid for them...)

3. DirecTV says they offer "thousands of videos" at the tip of your fingers to watch immediately (when you're willing to pay $5,000 to rent it through the TV). This is the biggest sham of all times. Sean and I spent fooooreeeeveeeeer (Sandlot, anyone?) trying to "rent" a movie because I didn't want to watch the billionth recorded episode of Criminal Minds sitting in our DVR, but none of the movies were "out yet". Guess what we ended up doing.

Confession

I am suffering from extreme lack of motivation lately. In all aspects of my life.

Here's a really superb indication of this: I started this post at 8 this morning and only got as far as that first sentence. I think the problem is that I don't know what I want to write about, what I want to do with my life, what I want period.

I KNOW.

That being said, since I am fresh out of ideas for everything, my life included, anyone want to do a guest post?  I would love you forever. Topic of your choice. You can leave a comment or shoot me an email at happyhealthyrunner @ gmail DOT com.