To Grandma's Marathon I Go!

Disclaimer: I received free entry to Grandma's Marathon 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!

Back in the elementary school days, my best friend talked about her parents running "Grandma's Marathon". Being a youngin' with little knowledge of running, I pictured them traveling to visit their super ripped runner Grandma and then running a marathon with her. Like she must have her own marathon. Whatever distance that was, I wasn't sure.

Years later, I learned that Grandma's Marathon is indeed a running race and they may even have a Grandma there to take pictures with. Not my Grandma, but someone's Grandma! Started back in 1977 along the scenic North Shore of Minnesota, the Grandma's Marathon is now listed as one of the Top 50 Marathons to Do Across America and around 9,000 runners participate.

Like I said, it's a pretty big deal, and I am ecstatic to be running this race as a BibRave Pro in 2018. Only 182 days to go!


That being said, I should probably start running one of these days!

After spending this year pregnant and our third precious baby boy being born in early November, I am now easing back into run/walk intervals at 5 weeks postpartum. While allowing plenty of time for recovery and stretching, I plan to build up my base mileage through the end of December and January.


By mid-February, the 16-week training cycle for Grandma's will begin! I plan to use the Hanson Method’s Beginner Plan because it is low mileage and as intense as I want it to be, making it a great plan for postpartum training.


This is my second time running a marathon at 7 months postpartum and I'm focusing on keeping realistic expectations, prioritizing rest and recovery over high mileage, and making those running workouts count when I can fit them in. As for time goals, I'm not setting anything crazy because this is my first race back after baby but realistically I would like to run a sub-4:00.

If you're interested in running Grandma's, check out grandmasmarathon.com to take in all of the distances and highlights of the marathon weekend! Prices do increase at the end of this month plus there is a bonus if you register now...


By registering before 12/31/17, you will receive a bonus full-zip fleece lined jacket! I could use that cozy jacket on cold wintery days like today. Brrr. That's life in #Minnesnowta.


After taking a year off marathoning, I feel so blessed with the opportunity to celebrate my 10th full marathon with this epic race. Follow along with me and fellow BibRave Pros Angie and Amy S as we train for #Gmas18!

What races are on your 2018 calendar or your race bucket list?



Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

5-Minute Healthy Meals | Luvo Review

Disclaimer: I received Luvo Healthy Meals 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!

Our littlest one is one month old this week and the past two weeks have been crazy. Not the typical newborn crazy but the 101.5°F fever-not sleeping-mastitis-give-me-antibiotics-now sort of crazy. Uff... He is a sweet, easy going baby but that infection has made this my toughest postpartum recovery to date!

Now here we are, cuddled up and I'm on the mend. I haven't ran a stride since 39 weeks pregnant (except emergency running after 2-year-old once) and that's just fine. The goal now is to fully recover and take care of my family. Running will come back one of these weeks!

How does a household keep rolling when mom is sick?



Thankfully my husband is amazing and he has been doing the dishes and putting the bigger boys to bed... while I went to bed at like 8 pm. We have eaten a lot of breakfast food and I have even popped in a few freezer meals for myself.

As a BibRave Pro, I received a shipment of Luvo Healthy Meals right on my doorstep! I was able to try 11 Luvo meals including the steam-in-pouch and bowl options.

These meals take about 5 minutes to cook in the microwave and the "bowl" meals come conveniently in a microwaveable bowl! Less dishes, very helpful.

Chicken & Corn Chowder Bowl

After making my way through the Luvo meals, the Chicken & Corn Chowder Bowl was one of my favorite. The chicken and herb-base is very tasty and it contains 15 g of protein and a 1/2 cup of vegetables. When I think frozen meals, I usually think high sodium, but this meal is on the lower end containing only 320 mg of sodium while other brands' meals contain around 600 mg of sodium!

Luvo's 3-2-None Philosophy is about simplifying nutrition and making it easy to eat well. Luvo meals focus on fruits & veggies, whole grain, and quality proteins while limiting sodium and sugar by delivering flavor through herbs and spices instead. Then they leave out artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.

This 3-2-None Philosophy is what sets Luvo Healthy Meals apart from other meals found in the frozen food aisle.


As for my personal taste opinions, our household favorites were the Chicken & Corn Chowder, Chicken Chile Verde (my husband's favorite!), Quinoa & Veggie Enchilada Verde and Orange Mango Chicken. The price of each meal varies, with the ones I selected being $5.99 to $6.99 each.

A quick meal before feeding baby!

The Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese, Kale Ricotta Ravioli, Thai-Style Green Curry Chicken and Turkey Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes meals just weren't my thing.

Orange Mango Chicken

To find a store that carries Luvo products near you, check out their Where To Buy page! If you're like me living in the boonies where Luvo isn't available, you can order online on the recently updated Luvo website. They ship your meals right to your doorstep in a foam cooler. That was so handy!

Be sure to use the discount code BIBCHAT (case sensitive) for 10% off your Luvo order and stop by #BibChat with Luvo at 8 pm CT on December 19th!


When is the last time you were sick? What were your survival tactics?!



Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.