Traveling: Awesome time running in different places!!

Let's face it. Sometimes business travel can be a drag. Running through airports to catch connecting flights (like O.J. Simpson) and being in meetings ALL day where you never see the outside of the building during daylight hours can be a drain. 

Over the span of a few weeks, I had a bit of a crazy work travel schedule - plus - a long weekend away for Memorial Day.  Business trips are not always an ideal for running and activity, since they often consist of being sedentary for the duration of the meeting, but I found a way to not only go out and run outdoors but to also take in some sights! 

During this time, I was fortunate to have the chance to run in multiple states and countries - in the time frame of just a few weeks. Shouldn't all our runs allow us to explore this much?!

Week 1: NY state

Hard Cider Run, Warwick, NY

Week 2: Düsseldorf, Germany

Running along the Rhine River

Week 2 Toronto, Canada

Early morning run on banks of Lake Ontario and through the marina

Week 3: Vero Beach, FL
Florida coastline looking out across the Atlantic Ocean

Week 4: Back in NJ
Having to juggle workouts with work... while taking advantage of on-site facilities

Week 5: Puerto Rico

I can only hope that I have the chance to keep exploring and checking out new places to run!!

It's over...FitBit

Almost a year ago I finally succumbed to peer pressure at work and got a FitBit, which was part of a work wellness challenge. It was supposed to be for a few months and then I was going to let it go.

After getting started, it was a little addictive to check my steps and miles. I did find myself intentionally walking around the house on weekends, to ensure that I would build enough steps, or to volunteer getting up to get something, just to add steps..

Spring has sprung...almost

With the first day of spring upon us -- along with another forecast of a few inches of snow...its a good time to revisit my training progress. 

While one more day on the treadmill won't kill me...enough is enough, right?

To break up the monotony I've taken to the exercise bike for a few miles. This has not only given my legs a rest from running ...but also allowed me to not be as tired; especially since I've been doing so much shoveling. I can only hope that after today's winter storm forecast, that we can look forward to warm, spring weather. 

Now-I just need to pick a race this spring and sign-up! Perhaps a 10 miler or half-marathon should be in order?!

You know it's been a while since you've run when...

Despite the forecast for more winter weather and a little bit of a snow squall this morning, I decided to get myself outside for a change. With all the snow and cold weather in the Northeast, it's not been easy to get outdoors -- especially when the roads haven't been cleared to run on.

Continuing New Year's resolutions

Most people abandon their new year resolutions by February...and some never make it out of January.

So as we turn the corner from February into March, I thought I would get myself back on track with my 2015 training. While the flu and illness sidelined me for a few weeks over the last month, I'm still angling toward a half marathon in the first part of this year...And my stretch goal is to complete 2 or a half and a full marathon this year.

Reinventing my on-going FitBit challenge

A few months ago I posted the number of steps I had taken through our corporate FitBit challenge. My goal was to hit 1 million steps - in less than a month. That would prove to be an aggressive task, given it would be over the holidays and during the winter.



On December 31st, I checked my progress.

Happy New Year and keep running

There's nothing quite like getting up and starting the year off with a great run.

New Year's Eve brought me to my second run streak challenge of the year.
And even though I didn't sign up for a race this year on New Year's Day, I am itching to find a race to keep up my running streak.

Through these running streaks, I've found that even being able to run 1 or 2 miles daily is tremendous mental break. And equally important, is the physical benefits of running daily have helped me to improve endurance and race times by almost a minute in the 5K during the course of my run streak. 

It started in April. When a one month challenge to run everyday during the course of the month, led to a steak of over 100 days. Then we started another challenge (Thanksgiving to New Years) in order to stay fit & active during the changing seasons.

So start your year with a run streak of at least 1 mile per day and see how much better you feel!
Happy New Year!