She Runs By Faith

Disclaimer: I received SmellWell odor-eliminating pouches  to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! "You look like a runner." Doesn't that feel like a compliment? I mean, who doesn't want to look like a runner! After watching a couple of my marathons last year, my husband swears that runners have a certain "look" to them. Being that runners come in all shapes and sizes, I haven't been able to pinpoint that common denominator just yet. Maybe it's the tights-wearing in the cool weather, fancy GPS watches or bright neon gear in the summer months that gives us away? Now say someone approaches you and says: "You smell like a runner." That probably wouldn't make you smile, right? I know I would probably slink away to the nearest shower. My Shoes + Lots of Miles ≠ Smells Like Roses Runners do cover a lot...

For me it's been the latter. Hardly running. There are times to push and times to cut back. Now is a time to cut back but I feel really good about it. I'm running enough to maintain fitness to cover the miles of the Hot Chocolate 15k coming up in April but I'm not pushing my body's limits either. Honestly, I'm exhausted and all I want to do is eat beef tacos. Running the Hot Chocolate 15k is still the plan though I'm going to run at a more enjoyable pace rather than race pace. Take in the sights, visit with fellow runners. Besides, I'm guaranteed a PR since this is my first 15k ever, right! ;) That's enough beating around the bush. What it comes down to is that I'm really excited to share some news with you all but I'm not quite ready yet. Soon enough! Until then, just enjoy some beef tacos for me. With crushed Doritos is a bonus. Hot Chocolate 15k Training Week 4: 03/13-03/19 MONDAY:  3.17 mi, 00:30 @ 09:27 pace. Due to m...

The first 18 months of our second child's life are still a blur in my mind. As I was warned, our second bundle of joy was much different than his older brother. Our first was a "by the book" baby and quite easy going. Our second is quite the opposite. His struggles started with constipation and sensitive skin rashes and then ear infection after ear infection. While I adore all the cuddles from our sweet babies, my little W was very much attached to my hip for a looong time. We have many special memories together in those early months but we also had quite the challenges as well. I know, I know. Enjoy every second because the years are short but some days feel extra long. Like suffocatingly long. And the nights were even longer. Everything our sweet second-born did was high-intensity. All babies are born needy but some are definitely more intense and less content than others. Dr. Sears' High Needs Baby articles cover the topic much better than I can...

Disclaimer: I received the Beachbody Performance Nutrition System to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! I have mentioned before that I am a no-frills kind of runner. I keep my routine, gear and nutrition relatively simple. My pre-workout banana + PB toast, gels during the run and post-workout chocolate milk have served me well but I'm always up to try something new! As a BibRave Pro, I received the opportunity to try some of the products in the  Beachbody Performance Nutrition System  as I train for the Hot Chocolate 15k Minnesota  in April. The Beachbody Nutrition System is NSF Certified , meaning they have been rigorously tested to meet NSF’s strict banned substance standards when taken at the recommended serving size. The Beachbody Advanced Performance Stack Pre-Workout: ENERGIZE Beachbody's Energize is a pre-workout energy boos...

It has been quite a while since I last shared a recipe and these Frozen Energy Bites are just too good not to share! My youngest brother sent me this recipe and I had to try it for myself using  Once Again nut butter . I had the privilege of enjoying Once Again's Cashew Butter, Peanut Butter, Almond Butter and Sunflower Seed Butter. Their products are organic and contain minimal additional ingredients, which I really appreciate. Their main ingredient: Nuts! Now on to the recipe. Because you know you want to try these: Frozen Energy Bites 2 mashed bananas 1/2 cup nut butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 cups quick oats 1/2 cup chocolate chips Optional: add 1/4 cup honey or applesauce  It really doesn't get more simple than this! I mixed everything together in my Kitchen Aid starting with the bananas and moving down the list. I did try the recipe with two different nut butters: first with Once Again's Almond Butter and second with the Peanut Butter. They bot...

Disclaimer: I received the XX2i France2 sunglasses to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! Until the last few years, I rarely used to wear sunglasses. I didn't see them as a necessity and I felt self conscious in them because they just didn't look right on me. My thinking changed over the countless hours I spent running outside in the elements. I needed to do something to protect my eyes and skin while in the sun to prevent long-term damage such as skin cancer or eye cataracts. Finding the right sunglasses makes all the difference. I have had some that slipped off my nose during runs, some that wouldn't stay on top of my head and others that scratched easily. Thankfully, I finally found the sunglasses that fit the bill! As a BibRave Pro, I received the XX2i France2 sunglasses and I have nothing but good things to say about them. They have exc...