She Runs By Faith

Disclaimer: I received UCAN Edge Gels and Bars in exchange for my 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! After running my last marathon in May and with the goal marathon still months away, I have been switching up the race distances this summer.  I ran a local 5k in June, we moved in July (talk about cardio! :), and then I ran my first (and only) 10k for this year in August - the Grand Forks 10k. Racing and training through the summer has been a great opportunity to practice pacing and also to sweat my face off in the hot, humid midwest. It's wild how our weather contrasts itself through the different seasons! As a BibRave Pro, I have been given the opportunity to fuel with UCAN's Edge Gels and Energy Bars. I have been taking the UCAN Edge before heading into workouts this summer and eating the bars as a healthy snack. Their newest flavor - Pineapple - fits...

We have been enjoying this last taste of summer as August is coming to a close. Harvest is rolling a little later this year and it still feels very "summer" - especially today. It's hot and sunny! No complaints here though. Currently we are in week 3 of our school year and getting into the school routine again has been refreshing. While public school starts here after Labor Day, I debated on if we wanted to start early again this year. It's worked in our favor over the last couple years but we didn't "need" to this year and we did just move this summer. My justification for starting a few weeks early is that we are able to take off an entire week here and there - for holidays or travel... or sick - throughout the school year and it doesn't throw us off track with the material we're covering. It's also nice to be done with school a week or so before Memorial Camping in the spring! I was a little unsure of how it would look with teaching thr...

Disclaimer: I received Brooks Ghost 14 running shoes in exchange for my 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 summer is running away from us, whether we like it or not, and I'm making the most of this summer running! Over the past four weeks, we moved, my oldest kiddo finished up his baseball season, we attended two county fairs, a family reunion and hosted my in-laws for a week. It's all been a great time in and of itself though I do feel like I'm currently "running" on empty! I pretty much feel like an empty shell of a human right now. Just being honest. Through all of the *things* of summer, my goal was to maintain an average of 40 miles per week to prepare for CIM (California International Marathon, for any non-runners!) training to start. Aside from my 0 ft of elevation gain (seriously, treadmill will be my only hill workouts at hom...

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the PAC-MAN Virtual Challenge: Level Up 2022 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 kicked off spring marathon training with some Virtual Run FUN this year! Where are my PAC-MAN fans at? The PAC-MAN Virtual Challenge: Level Up 2022  is unique because each runner has the opportunity to complete the challenge, level by level, and then to push on for the BONUS level! I don't usually run virtual races but the "leveling up" appeal to this challenge drew me in. Who doesn't love to chase a good Bonus Level?! I ran some of the miles outside and some of them on the treadmill. This virtual race experience is very flexible! Get the miles done wherever you want and at whatever pace you want, as long as you finish them within the challenge dates.  With the crazy cold and stormy winter we've had, I was thankful to have the...

Summer is almost here and I really should be packing boxes, but I would rather write up this term review instead :) Where to start. We started Term 3 on Valentine's Day... E was somewhat nearing the end of this wrestling season and, when he wasn't wrestling, the kids and I were skating. There's no better way to pass a super long winter with energy-full kids than skating at an indoor rink! Taking four young kids skating solo is chaotic but I love skating just as much as they do. That same month, we acquired a hard-hitting stomach bug - just E and I actually. Thankfully, the rest of the family escaped unscathed! Long c@vid caused some issues for me that hit a little harder that month. I'll just blame it on an extra long winter... we all needed some vitamin D!  On March 31st, E completed his state testing requirements and it went really well. Testing with four kids in the house is a little complicated, as some sections had to happen when toddler was awake and some sections...

Disclaimer: I received free entry for the Fargo 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! We're all thankful Spring has finally arrived up north. That's where I'll start!  This has been the coldest, snow storm-iest and longest-feeling training cycle that I have ever had. I did what I could, running outside as much as possible and especially on the weekends. The treadmill was a huge help for speed and some tempo sessions, and also when my husband was recovering from his time in the hospital and I needed to keep an eye on the kids 24/7.  All in all, the training got done and I really enjoyed the variety that Heidi @ G Training set me up with. This is the most strength training and pilates sessions that I have done before! These sessions kept training fresh, I felt much stronger and it kept many of the "niggles" at bay. (Usually I'm a tight h...

Disclaimer: I received Turtle Flip Watch Out Mittens in exchange for my 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! Let's be honest. This winter has really been dragging on! I am currently training for the Fargo Marathon coming up in May and have had a more solid mileage base and logged more miles than I ever have before in marathon training. With a nice balance of strength + pilates work mixed in, I have actually really enjoyed the higher mileage!  With all of the winter miles, there have been plenty of stinking cold, blizzard-y runs taking place. Plus, this winter has had WAY more winter storms than our usual! But you have to make the best of the weather you're given - and that means dressing appropriately and getting outside whenever I have the chance.  I received some pretty sweet mail from Turtle Gloves on Valentine's Day: the TURTLe-FLIP Watch Out ...