1. I’M WATCHING: Hold on to your calves, get a gander at the footage from the Miwok 100. The Miwok 100K is very hilly (approximately 12,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain) with spectacular views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tamalpais and the Point Reyes National Seashore. Did y’all catch that? 100k as in kilometres, as in 62.2 miles and not for the faint of heart.

2. I’M READING: Fifty Shades of Grey. Well I have it, but not sure if I’m ready to start reading.

3. I’M PINNING: Murphy’s Law of Running, priceless.

4. I’M LISTENING TO: Florence and the Machine’s Breath of Life‘ for ‘Snow White and The Huntsman.’ Move over Mickey.

5. I’M EATING: Frozen Yogurt: I am a massive nut for froyo, and Adonia Greek Frozen Yogurt by Ciao Bella is the absolute perfect summertime any time treat. So many flavors to try…

Pick a topic, any topic, and tell me what you’re up to this week!?

SPRING FEVER PLAYLIST:

- Lana Del Rey: Off to the Races

- Kanye West: Stronger

- Alex Clare: Too Close

- Beyonce: Irreplaceable

- Evans Blue: Dear Lucid (One of my all-time favorite songs to run to, ever.)

As far as how you rock out, do you like the beat of the song or the words?

Health.com asks, What’s Your Workout Personality?
They have an awesome star guide to help you find the right fitness regimen. Mine was actually pretty spot-on. Although I think I’m more of a biker than a dancer, ha.

Sagittarius
Your adventurous spirit craves scenery changes and new, exciting workout goals.

Watch out for: Static, repetitive exercises. They’ll lose their luster in no time.

The stars say: Indulge your curiosity. Learn to swing dance or sign up for a long-distance bike ride.

What does your sign say about you?

Wishing all you mamas, nanas, and great grans a very Happy Mother’s Day!

With apologies to country music lovers, and with Happy Mother’s Day wishes to all our running moms…

Mamas, please let your babies grow up to be runners

Don’t let ‘em watch TV and sit on the couch

Make ‘em go run and not be a slouch



Mamas, please let your babies grow up to be runners

They won’t sit at home and they’re rarely alone

Runnin’ with someone they love



Runners are easy to love and they’re easy to hold

And they’d rather get running shoes than diamonds or gold

Waist pack hydration and beeping wrist watches


As each run begins a new day

And if you don’t understand them they won’t run away



Mamas, please let your babies grow up to be runners…


Go on, brag about your mom!

Under Armour recently debuted their latest campaign, What’s Beautiful? After watching the What’s Beautiful short video, I had goose bumps…and immediately wanted to hit the gym. The women are insanely gorgeous, fit and all-out hawt!

What’s Beautiful encourages women to declare a goal that challenges their personal fitness and athletic aspirations. Gals can then post videos, photos and diary entries to share their progress.

DECLARE A GOAL. DOCUMENT YOUR JOURNEY. RISE TO THE TOP.
We’re going to show the world what beautiful really is. Are you in? The three women who push it the hardest and farthest will become the new faces of Under Armour Women and have their lives sponsored for a year with greatness, glory and gear. Step up. Declare your goal.

Under Armour will nominate ten finalists and 3 winners will be named. One by public vote! And the loot is suhweet! Three winners will be awarded a one-year ‘sponsorship’ deal with Under Armour which includes access to special events, training with UA celebrity trainers, gear for a year and nutritional support. The remaining finalists will earn an on-going spot on the Under Armour Women’s Ambassador Team and receive $1,000 worth of Under Armour gear.

I am fully behind this campaign! I love seeing strong, fit women kicking a**.

What would be your declaration? I will….

I interrupt our regularly scheduled Monday post to let you know I’m moonlighting over at the fantastic iRunner Blog. I am a massive fan of this site, the authors, the content, and I have learned an ample amount about running and health from the team. I have the distinct honor of now being a part of the team. [blushing] No, I didn’t have to pay them to let me join, but I should have! Seriously, this is a damn cool plus-up.

So, if you don’t mind, please check out my first post at my regular column, “Running to Me.” Today we’re talking about how not to lose your running mojo. We all get that post-race lull or just get the average running blues where fatigue sets in. I’ve got a few good tips on how to keep your running smart.

What helps you break out of your running or workout funk?

1. I’M WATCHING: To promote an upcoming campaign, Discovery Channel has set up an intimate 24-hour camera at the “Penguin Encounter” exhibit at SeaWorld San Diego. Watch a Live Cam of the Most Entertaining Penguins Ever – it’s totes adorbs.

2. I’M READING: I am highly addicted to Entertainment Weekly. My brother is a subscriber so I collect them in bulk once he’s done. This week’s cover – Dark Shadows. Adore Johnny & Tim Burton. Cannot wait to catch this flick!

3. I’M PINNING: Mother’s Day is around the corner and I’m scouring for the best card and gift ideas!

4. I’M LISTENING TO: Don’t Carry it All, The Decemberists. The hus turned me on to this tune, he says I should really listen to the words. Hint taken.

5. I’M EATING: Pistachios! I hope there isn’t like a Dateline hidden camera in my kitchen watching me sneak these by the handful. This tiny green nut is tasty and bonus – packed with amazing nutrition.

What’s your favorite thing to stuff in a piñata?

How do you make it through the last mile of the race? Are you trying to beat the person in front of you, trying to beat your PR or just trying to get that medal? I just finished my 2nd half marathon and it was definitely more challenging than my first for several reasons.

• I knew there would be hills but didn’t expect so many, and no matter what the cheering crowd said it was NEVER the last hill.
• To the walkers: I understand if you have to walk at the end of the race but what’s up with walking at the start. Please move to the back of the line.

And this was my first half that I ran solo. I missed my coach. How was I ever going to make it to the end without that person yelling at me “Pick it up NORAK you can do it?” This race I was running alone, which is really what I dreaded more than the hills. I filled my iPod with great music, put my ChronoTrack D-Tag on my shoe all by myself and went out the door like a big girl. My supportive husband was waiting for me at mile 3 so that motivated me up the first 3 hills. I set up text messaging at the splits for hubby and my running partner back home. Those texts kept me motivated up to mile 10. After all, I didn’t want them to think I fell down or got picked up by the medics along the course.

Once I passed mile marker 10 I had to find a new motivation. I don’t remember hearing any music or listening to the crowds past the 10th mile. What I kept hearing in my head was my son-in-law telling me how to run up hills and kick it at the finish line and my daughter yelling at me to keep my feet moving and don’t stop. I pictured her beside me yelling loudly inspirationally to go faster until your feet hit the finish line. She may not have physically been with me but I felt her presence every step of that last mile.

Thanks for the motivation my sweet daughter. So thankful you challenged me to take up the sport of running. I think I’ve still got a few more races in these knees and looking forward to our next one together.

What pushes you through the last mile?

*Full disclosure, I promise I didn’t pay my mom to say these things. But Norak, the checks in the mail:) And you definitely have many more miles to go!

Fitsugar rattled off the Top 26 Must-Have Tools for Home Chefs, and here’s what I swear by from the list:

• Pyrex Storage Containers: Seriously use my Pyrex every. single. day. Hey brides to be – register for these!!
• Oil and Vinegar Misters: I was a cynic at first, but now I think these Mr Misters come in handy for baking, spraying pans, and managing a whole bunch of other kitchen duties.
• Slow Cooker: Who doesn’t like to come home to the house smelling like you’ve been slaving away all day?

What I would have liked to see on the list:

• Calphalon non-stick pans: We use our Calphalon pans every day and clean-up is beyond easy!

See how awesome cooking can be?! What’s a gadget that you want to add to the list?

1. I’M WATCHING: All the Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon coverage. Let’s ALL give a big GOOD LUCK to Norak! She’s running the race this weekend. I mean, how kick a** is my mom?? SQUEAL!

2. I’M READING: 8 Well-Meaning Workout Strategies that Backfire over at FabFitFun. If you haven’t checked out Guliana Rancic’s site, where she shares the latest and greatest in beauty, fitness, diet and wellness, you need to head over – like now!

3. I’M PINNING: Blame Betty Crocker. We had a nice Twitter convo yesterday and I am in the mood for baking! Strawberry Margarita Cake – too soon for Cinco de Mayo? NEVER! Gracias!

4. I’M LISTENING TO: I hung up on Carly. Call me NEVER. I just got a listen to a new Maroon 5 song – Payphone ft. Wiz Khalifa. Kinda like it!

5. I’M EATING: Blame Italy, but I am on a total pesto kick. Can’t get enough of the fresh green stuff.

Plans for the weekend??