She Runs By Faith

Disclaimer: I received Adidas Ultraboost X shoes 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! One thing most runners have in common is a love for SHOES. Really, they're a pretty important part of this whole running thing, right? (barefoot enthusiasts may disagree) Though I would say I'm not too picky with my shoes, my  "Shoe Must-Have List" includes: Lightweight Neutral to Minimalist Style Affordable (Cute colors are a bonus) As a BibRave Pro, I have had the opportunity to grace my feet with the stylish, lightweight Adidas Ultraboost X women's running shoes. They have a unique look, a sock-like feel and more heel support and cushion than I am used to. Per the DICK'S Sporting Goods website , the Ultraboost X running shoe is "designed with unique energy-returning boost™ technology , this technical running shoe features 20%

This has to be the craziest stretch of the year so far! The past 8 days have included our 5-year anniversary, W's 2nd birthday, my 30th birthday and my mom's birthday. Now we just need someone to be born on the 25th to make it a birthday streak - any May 25th birthdays out there?  The morning started off with a complimentary birthday Hazelnut Cappuccino at The Ember coffee shop followed by another complimentary Mint Condition cold coffee at Caribou Coffee and a trip to the thrift store just for fun (where I found some excellent books ). Groceries at Sam's Club (I wish those were free), a free "Grand Slam" breakfast at Denny's and free 10 oz Froyo at Cherry Berry (that was donated to my brother). You know that saying "too much of a good thing" ? Yeah. I was totally good-things-overloaded. After the wild birthday morning, I did use a birthday gift card to buy some new runner reading material: the Hansons Marathon Method . Though I'm

Disclaimer: I received BUFF UV Arm Sleeves 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! The sun is out and it's time to break out the summer running gear! My sock and tank top tan lines are developing slowly but surely. And with sunny running comes the need for sun protection. As a BibRave Pro, I have had the opportunity to add  BUFF UV Arm Sleeves to my warm-weather running attire. I'm usually pretty good about putting sunscreen on my shoulders, as they seem to burn first, yet I tend to neglect the rest of the arm. Thankfully, these sleeves offer UPF (ultraviolet protective factor) 40+ sun protection! Even though today's run was full of sunshine, the windy 60°F morning felt chilly. Too hot for a full jacket but too cold for just a tank. The BUFF Arm Sleeves provided some balance by keeping me warm for the warm up mile. The 88% polyester/12% Spandex

Hey, Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! So I've been at this "blogging thing" for four years now. FOUR YEARS. Just a month shy of when I first entered the calling of motherhood. It has been quite a journey. Whether via blog or old journals, I honestly feel "writer's regret" when I read my own writing. Maybe it's over typos or grammar mess-ups but mostly over the ideas themselves. What was I thinking?! I had no clue. Ugh. Stupid. I should delete this (or burn my journal).  I did look back through some posts from earlier in my motherhood journey and am giving myself grace. Each year, each season, each post is part of the journey. A learning curve and preparation for seasons to come. Life really is a journey of constant learning! Every. Single. Day. So, yes, blogging for four years and motherhood for four years. That certainly still qualifies me as a rookie but I thought it would be fun to share ten random "Momser

Forget those high-waisted, tight-fitting "mom jeans" of the past (that have oddly come back into style). Motherhood does have style! While time to spend on yourself is hard to come by as a mom, I do appreciate efficient, simple style options that show a little personality. Lately I have traded in my massive diaper bag for a cute boho cross-body bag from Mato Naturals. Now that our boys are toddler/preschool age, I'm able to hit the road with a couple diapers, wipes, my wallet and a snack. That's it! Freedom, I tell ya. Freedom. (At least until our third sweet one arrives this Fall) Mato Naturals is a sustainable lifestyle brand founded with the main goal to make available Eco-friendly products at very affordable prices. They offer a wide variety of organic products ranging from everyday use items to fashion and style products from bags and sunglasses to cosmetics and even organic cloth diapers. Sidenote: I would love to try out their organic cloth diaper

Disclaimer: I received Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Mini headphones 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! Running while listening to music clearly has its advantages. I used to only use music for training runs but last year I raced my last two marathons while listening to music. Running with tunes is proven to boost mood and motivation . And I believe it! Those races ended up being my second and third fastest marathon times. The downside is, when my earbuds are in, I'm zoned out and tuned out to my surroundings. The ear buds eliminated nearly all of the surrounding sound, though running with one ear bud out did make the practice more safe. (Notice the dangling extra ear bud in below picture.) As a BibRave Pro, I received the wireless Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Mini headphones. This has been an exciting opportunity as my first step into the world of

The first trimester (and the all-day sickness) came and went. And, praise the Lord, it went quickly! Now here I am, not really knowing what to write. With my first pregnancy, the blog didn't exist. With my second, I was all about the baby updates. I feel like I exhausted many topics, i.e. Running in the First Trimester  and How & Why I Run During Pregnancy . Interesting topics but they are exhausted none-the-less. With our third, though just as precious in our eyes, I'm struggling for words. Maybe I'm just more tired? I read a couple "third pregnancy" posts from other bloggers lately, which were hilarious, though not particularly true for me. While a few things are difference (more tired, more achy), not much has changed since my last pregnancy. Despite this being my third pregnancy... I do take my prenatal vitamins daily and have been ever since nursing W. I still exercise regularly. We are planning on another home birth and praying that B3