Category Archives: Community

How I Run: Team LUNA Chix PDX’s Kristin Minto

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In honor of our inaugural Team LUNA Chix Portland Run season, I’ll be introducing my teammates via this interview series throughout the next few months…get to know these impressive ladies, and come join us for a run Monday nights from 6:30-7:30 pm in Portland (click here for details)! 

As a fellow dog-lover, runner and wine connoisseur, there was no question that Kristin Minto would make a great addition to our core Team LUNA Chix Portland Run group. She and Ben go back to their days as OSU Beavers, but it wasn’t long after we moved to Portland that I was plotting to get her to convert from orange and black to (LUNA’s) yellow and blue.

When Kristin’s not working alongside oral surgeons by day, you can find her getting her cardio fix at Burncycle, working on her conditioning at The Edge, hitting the philanthropy circuit (she’s on the board of the Children’s Cancer Association here in Portland) or cuddling her adorably-gigantic pooch. She’s just one of those incredibly-inspiring people who seem to have found 27 hours in day and make the most of each and every one of ’em.

After dominating the Rock ‘n’ Roll Portland half marathon this spring, Kristin’s also started training for her first 26.2 at the Portland Marathon this fall. I see quite a few long runs in our future, and predict a few good stories in the process, so you’ll have to stay tuned…

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1. What’s your favorite route? We are so fortunate to have Forest Park located right in the heart of our city that I would have to say my favorite route would be a good ‘ol trail run. Aside from it being beautiful, I like to mix up my training so I’m not just road running 100 percent of the time.

2. What shoes do you wear? Brooks

3. What other run gear can’t you live without? My iPod loaded with great music!

4. What’s your best time-saver or “runhack?” If I’m running short on time and can’t get a decent run in, I run stairs. There are a couple sets of stairs in the West Hills and near OHSU that I frequent.

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5. What running-related thing are you better at than anyone else? Ooh boy… Not sure on this one! I would say I’m probably better than most at dodging the photographers during races. I’m not a big fan of having my picture taken mid-race. However, I usually get a good laugh out of the ones that do get snapped. They really know how to capture some doozies!

6. What do you listen to while running? Everything from Pitbull to Guns N’ Roses as long as it has an upbeat tempo. There is nothing like a playlist loaded with upbeat music to put a little kick in my step when I’m feeling a little sluggish or unmotivated for a run.

7. For what are you currently training? The Portland Marathon.

8. What are your recovery & sleep routines like? I will admit that I could be a little better in the sleep department just because it seems there aren’t ever enough hours in the day. I try my hardest to average seven hours a night, though.

Hydration and foam rolling are typically part of my recovery routine, and if it’s a post-race recovery, I can usually be found rewarding myself with a mimosa and brunch!

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9. What’s the best running advice you’ve ever received? “Listen to your body.” It’s so true. Sometimes if I feel like I can’t catch my breath or just feel “off,” I will pull out my earbuds and just asses my breathing and what’s going on while I’m running. I can usually straighten out whatever is going on and get into my normal groove.

10. What’s your favorite running-related memory? Running my first race and crossing that finish line for the first time. It’s so rewarding and such a great feeling of accomplishment!

11. Fill in the blank: I’d love to go on a run with __________. My pup Oscar.  I would love to go on runs with him more often, but he’s a big boy and tuckers out quicker than I do, so I only take him on 3-6 milers.

It gets a little embarrassing when we come to a stop light and he lays down on the sidewalk at an intersection for a break…. Like EVERY intersection!

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Thanks, Kristin! Can’t wait to hit up some trails, long runs and, oh, maybe even tackle a relay together this summer. 

Runner friends, shoot me a note — info (at) kineticfix.com — so I can feature you, too!

ClassPass-ing in Portland: Round 3

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After our initial #30ClassesIn30Days ClassPass challenge, Carolyn and I have settled into a nice rhythm with our weekly workouts: We hit up our favorite spots for cycling, strength training and yoga each week, but pepper in some new studios here and there to keep our fingers on the pulse of the Portland’s ever-growing fitness scene.

Not familiar with ClassPass? Check out my previous posts on it here and here.

And just as I’ve said it’s tough to get a bad meal here in Portland, we’ve learned pretty quickly that it’s just as difficult to find a poor workout here, as well.

Whether you’re looking for the precision of Pilates, mobility work for recovery days, an array of options for cardio or strength training, or simply functional workouts with the effectiveness of CrossFit with a tad less intensity — this city’s got it all; just pick your poison.

Although the sustainability (and longevity) of this business model remains to be seen — both for ClassPass and for participating studios — I’ve found it to be a useful discovery tool. We’ve stumbled upon places we may never have otherwise heard of, and it’s helpful for comparing and contrasting different studios before committing to class packages or monthly memberships.

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Here are a few recent highlights:

Pearl Pilates: Offers both individual and small group Pilates and Gyrotonic sessions by highly-trained instructors

Pedal PT: Full-service physical therapy office with a specialty in bicycling and running injuries

Portland Fit Body Bootcamp: Personal-trainer-designed workouts in a fun, safe, high-intensity group environment

Recreate Fitness: Trade mirrors and machines for hopscotch and hurdles in a friendly, supportive environment

YAS: Dedicated to the combination of Yoga and Spinning to combine cardio, strength training, stretching and alignment

Stay tuned as we explore more great Portland fitness spots in the coming months…

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Wanna check out ClassPass? Here’s a list of cities where it’s currently available.

How’d you stumble upon your favorite local studios?

May Goal Check-In

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What a whirlwind month! Our first LUNA clinic in the books, a few Pacific Northwest adventures, an uptick in work, some Midwest travel, plus baby and birthday celebrations made for one heck of a busy May.

But as I sat down to reflect on the past 30 days, I realized that this month was less about missing the mark on the original plans I had laid out for the year — and more about how the goals themselves are evolving as the months go by.

Wondering what this is all about? Read more on the five goals toward which I’m working this year.

Here’s the latest on my progress:

1. Seeking Balance

Back in January, my definition of “balance” really meant figuring out how much I could fill my plate without it overflowing. One main component of that was running — training and racing and everything that comes with it.

But as the months unfold, I’ve accepted that there’s going to be a natural ebb and flow in my relationship with running, and I’m enjoying seeking a different kind of balance with a range of activities. Instead of planning my weeks around races and trying to fit everything else in between, I’m fitting runs into my weeks where it makes sense.

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2. Training Smarter

How is it that I can feel awesome on a nine-mile hike up Mt. Hood with 4,000+ feet of elevation change, yet as soon as I head out the door to do a measly three-mile run, my SI joint starts protesting?!

One of my biggest frustrations that I’m working through is not being able to focus on running speed or distance as much as I’d like this year (so far). But rather than continuing to fight it, I’m (finally) learning to give in and fine-tuning my efforts other areas, such as hiking, biking and strength training.

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3. Facing Fears

In other news, I’m back in the pool! Well, I’ve been in a grand total of…twice since my last update…but it’s a start, right?

And as much as I was dreading my first session back, it was just like they say about riding a bike. After a few laps I found my groove, so now the trick is just remembering that feeling and being more consistent about carving out time to get in and practice.

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4. Pushing Myself

I’m also learning that, just as “balance” can have different meanings, so can “pushing yourself.” As in sometimes it’s physical front, sometimes it’s emotional and sometimes it’s mental.

But rarely do (or should!) all three happen at once.

So while racing has had to take a temporary back seat, I’ve been forging ahead in other areas — namely work and some exciting projects coming up. More on that soon! 

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5. Giving Back

This past month was all about getting out and about in the Portland community — a place I’m so proud to be able to call home. We had our first Team LUNA Chix clinic with the ladies from Zest Nutrition (and raised $300 for Breast Cancer Fund), the SweatPink crew hit up NoPo Run Club for their anniversary run, and I’ve continued making my rounds to meet with local studio owners.

We’re getting the wheels in motion for more charity events (spin-a-thon, anyone?) for LUNA, so stay tuned. But in the meantime, we’re calling all local Portland ladies to join us for our free weekly workouts on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the Duniway Park Track in Portland; all levels and abilities are welcome.

Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for more info!

How are your 2015 goals coming along? 

Brace Yourself: Title Nine Fit Fest (+ giveaway!)

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If you read my recent piece on the nine things you just shouldn’t wear when working out, you know that one of my pet peeves is unsupportive sports bras. Because the last thing us ladies want to worry about during a workout is painful, sag-inducing bouncing, right?

Ain’t nobody got time for that. 

But who actually enjoys shopping for sports bras?! Most of us are unsure about our size (all the measurements!) and are even more clueless when it comes to how it should fit (strap ’em down or hike ’em up?). And don’t even get me started on the process of trying them on; it takes a Cirque-du-Soleil level of contortionism to wrestle into some of the styles out there.

If you’re anything like me, you emerge a hot, sweaty mess from the dressing room with nothing more than a deflated ego to show for all that effort. So you make an educated guess, hope for the best, shell out some cash and then get the hell out of there with something — anything.

Sound familiar? 

Well, it turns out that bra experts at Title Nine feel our pain — literally — and are making it easier (and more fun) to find the correct sports bra by hosting local “FitFest” events to help every athlete find her perfect fit and get on the road to a more comfortable workout.

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As we all know (or should know), the most important foundation for any workout is a bra designed specifically for each of our unique body types, sizes and activities. Title Nine’s FitFest aims to help ladies address all those pain points — and more — by featuring:

  • Personalized bra fitting advice from a “bravangelist” expert
  • An expanded assortment of bras for every size and shape
  • Bras for different activities: sports, work-to-workout, everyday and date night
  • A “Bounce-ath-a-lon” for people to put bras to the test, with stations like hula hooping, jump roping, running and burpees
  • Snacks and drinks (because, duh, pretty much anything is more fun with a glass of vino in hand)

So when the invitation for Portland’s FitFest landed in my inbox, I knew we were in store for an interesting evening of bonding over…boobs! I’ve never been professionally fit before, and with all the different workouts I do, I figured my Bravengelist would have her work cut out for her.

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Jamie, Tasha, Liz and I met up for happy hour, and then we made our way over to the event to check things out. After mingling with some of Portland’s fittest ladies (bloggers and industry folks), the Bravangelists met with us one-by-one to get down to business.

First, they took personalized measurements and asked a few questions about our preferences, lifestyle and favorite activities. Next, they combed the racks for styles that would be a good match.

My Bravangelist, Jamie, pulled several bras that would be good for high-impact workouts, as well as a wide range of cross-training activities. Basically, I told her I needed the girls to be able to take whatever I throw at ’em, so she went straight for the heavy artillery styles with all kinds of snaps, straps and adjustable pieces.

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As I tried on each style, Jamie came in to check the fit and how well it performed with a variety of bounce tests. Mostly this consisted of me jumping up and down to test the support of each bra.

Normally I grab a cute one, guesstimate my size and try it on to make sure it fits ok, but after going through the FitFest, I see now why it’s so important to try a range of styles at once. Not only does it give you more variety from which to choose, but when you try them on in succession, you also have a much better idea how they perform in comparison to one another.

Also — I’m not a fan of mirror selfies…but in the interest of #keepingitreal,  I’m including one shot of the bra I ended up choosing.

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I picked Moving Comfort’s She Be Fierce Bra in Celery Stripe ($44), which delivers all the features us less-endowed ladies demand without feeling overbuilt, overpadded and overdone. It’s easy on/off, there’s separate encapsulation inside to avoid the dreaded “uniboob,” plus the material’s supposed to dry crazy-fast after the sweatiest of workouts.

And I just love the name, which happens to be based on Shakespeare’s line, “And though she be but little, she is fierce.” Whether he was talking about this bra or the wearers, I’d like to think he was right.

But the best part of the evening? 

Well, if boobs are funny, then boob balloons are funnier. And apparently we’re all 30-something-going-on-13 because we really got a kick out of these things.

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Interested in attending a FitFest in a city near you? Visit TitleNine.com for a full list of participating locations and details.

Or, better yet, CLICK HERE TO ENTER my giveaway for a FREE PERSONALIZED FITTING (either in-store or by-phone, depending on location) and ONE SPORTS BRA! 

Note: Winners within driving distance of a Title Nine store will be asked to redeem their prize at the closest/preferred retail location.

Good luck, and remember to give your girls some support!

Meet My BlogFest Buddies (+ registration giveaway)!

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Summer’s almost upon us, which means one thing in the blogosphere: BlogFest with SweatPink is coming!

BlogFest brings together health and fitness bloggers for four action-packed days of in-depth blogging sessions, unforgettable celebrity workouts and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the largest fitness conference in the world.

And because I work with the SweatPink crew and am returning for a second year, I was asked to be a Blogfest Buddy this time around. IDEA matched me up with two fabulous first-timers to help show ’em the ropes, so to speak.

Before you get to meet them, though, I’ve got an exciting announcement to make: As in, I’m giving away THREE FREE BlogFest registrations, if you’d like to join us in July! Details on how to enter are below…but first:

Meet my Blogfest Buddies!

Carleeh from Mamarazza on a Mission

1. Who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself and what you blog about.

My name is Carlia, though I have gone by Carleeh since I was about 10 yrs old. I am the mother of three: one 14-year-old boy and two girls (a 12-year-old and a five-year-old redhead)!

I am 34 and have been married for 15 years in June. My husband is a combat-wounded veteran with PTSD from multiple deployments to Iraq. Currently, I am his VA caregiver. I live 30 miles north of Seattle in a small community called Smokey Point.

When my blog is up and running it will be focused on my fitness journey while juggling VA paperwork, kids and staying centered in faith and yoga. I am currently studying to be a CPT with NASM and a Pound fitness instructor.

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2. What are you hoping to get out of BlogFest 2015?

I hope to make friendships and meet with girls I have known on Instagram for years. I am also going to absorb all the bloggy goodness I can to make a legit blog and sweat buckets with the industry’s best!

3. Anything you’re really excited/nervous/anxious about when it comes to the conference?

I have been dying to get to take a Piloxing class, especially with my friend Tasha! I’m nervous about being a newbie in a field and lifestyle that everyone there is accustomed to.

Fitness started to become a passion almost two years ago when I wanted to lose weight, and I decided to look into it as a business about six months ago. I am social, so I’m also anxious that I will be overly excited and embarrass myself. LOL!

4. What are your favorite healthy snacks?

I am addicted to beverages. I love, love, love Kevita, and I also love infused waters. I typically have a water bottle with fruit or herbs at all times. I do really love to eat chocolate-covered strawberries, fresh mango and watermelon, along with trail mixes and chia pudding.

5. What type of workout could you not live without?

Deadlifting and agility/bootcamp . I love ladders, muscle ropes, lifting weights and flipping tires. But I adore yoga, too. I need them all or I would freak out; I like to mix up my workouts (ClassPass is my dream)!

6. If you could close one fast food chain, which would you pick?

I would love to close Burger King; just the thought of their food grosses me out. {shudder}

And next up is…

Amanda from The Road to a Healthy Life

1. Who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself and what you blog about.

I’m a social media and branding professional in the Boston area with a passion for fitness and wellness! I started “The Road To A Healthy Life” in 2012 as a way to stay accountable; I was working in the beer industry and had picked up some unhealthy habits.

Starting and keeping the blog held me accountable and made the whole “let’s get healthy” goal fun and attainable. I blog about everything from weird and funny things that happen on long runs, to self image issues to interviews with local fitness companies.

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2. What are you hoping to get out of BlogFest 2015?

I’m hoping to meet people who love to blog and motivate people! I’m actually going to be a Lightning Round Speaker, so I’m looking forward to learning a little bit of everything and taking the whole experience in!

3. If you could go back to school, what area of study would you focus on?

I would love to go back and study sports medicine. The human body is capable of so much, and I feel like I would be interested in learning more about our physiology.

4. What is your go-to place for fitness questions?

I’m a part of a bunch of local Facebook and workout groups. If I have a question, I have no problem asking anyone and everyone willing to listen!

5. What is your favorite blog you follow and why?

I love reading Dirt in Your Skirt, and Relentless Forward Commotion! Not only are the ladies behind these blog excellent athletes, but they are amazing writers who always seem to publish the right thing at the right time.

6. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?

The best thing? I think my mindset! Before I made a serious change, I was angry and lethargic and unmotivated.

After making slight changes, like trying to go for my first run, I found a re-ignited passion for goal setting and loved seeing real improvement. I went from gloom and doom to being excited about trying new things and getting out of my comfort zone!

It’s truly been the best thing that’s happened to me — and without that change, I doubt I would be as happy as I am right now!

Thanks again, ladies! Can’t wait to hang out in-person at BlogFest in just a few short months…

And in the meantime, I’ll be choosing three lucky people at random who enter for the BlogFest giveaway, which runs today through 5/25:

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

If you went to BlogFest, who would you like to meet? 

April Goal Check-In

Source: Fast Company

Source: Fast Company

First things first: Yes, it’s mid-May. And we’re talking about April.

Better late than never!

Plus quite a bit has changed since I last touched base with my goals, so I wanted to be able to address it in this month’s recap.

Wondering what this is all about? Read more on the five goals toward which I’m working this year.

So here’s my update on how things have been going:

1. Seeking Balance

Quality over quantity. Quality over quantity. If I keep repeating that to myself, it will (hopefully) one day become second nature.

Unable to contain my excitement over living in what still feels like a “new” city, I got over-excited and over-committed myself this summer. Whoops.

Between work, travel, training, LUNA coaching, family events and other obligations pretty much every.single.weekend…the pressure’s started to build.

I’ve been feeling it in my gut with each additional ‘yes,’ but only recently did this start to register in my head. So in an attempt to stay true to this goal, I made some hard decisions this past month and had some even harder ‘no’ conversations…both with myself and others.

Like, revealing to Ben that I don’t think I’m up for both the century ride and a 50K within two weeks of each other this month. Or telling my Ragnar Utah team that I won’t be joining them for next month’s event.

And examining my other summer races in the process. Not just the whats, but also the hows and, most importantly, the whys.

I can’t help but feel some sense of failure — like I’m letting others down, as well as myself. But the fact that there’s a small victory to be found in reclaiming ownership of my schedule — and the relief that comes with that — is also not lost on me.

Balance, I’m realizing, requires bigger-picture focus. And as I get clearer on the vision I have for myself — outside of just training and racing — I feel like I’m getting closer to that sweet spot of being able to keep moving forward and challenging myself without throwing the rest of my life out of whack.

2. Training Smarter

Another motivating factor has been my SI joint, which has been extremely vocal as of late about me needing to reassess my activities in the short-term. Although I’m cleared to run, per my doctor, I’m not able to race or do speedwork without pain, so being more deliberate in my approach to workouts and events will no doubt serve me well.

In the meantime, I’ve been religiously going to the chiropractor, getting monthly massages and hitting plenty of yoga classes. And, thanks to ClassPass and this guy, I’m still focused on all that good strength and mobility cross-training to build a strong core and activate those glutes.

3. Facing Fears

Ben and I we so proud when we mustered up the motivation to hit the pool one Saturday for an early morning workout. Everything was awesome — until we got to the gym and realized it wouldn’t open for two more hours.

Needless to say, with everything else that’s been going on, swimming’s been on the back burner. Although I hope that it’ll be different this month; I do think some time following that black line would be a welcome change for both my body and mind.

4. Pushing Myself

The 50K is fast-approaching on May 25, so that’s exciting! I’m half pumped and half nervous to tackle this event with Ben, however, as it’s our first ultra-distance together…and more than double his longest race distance to-date (13.1 miles).

Most of April has been spent pushing myself on the non-physical front, though. Through the HUSH Meditation community, I met a wonderful friend/coach/mentor, and we’ve been helping each other — me, helping support the amazing work she does; her, helping me better define my ‘why,’ as well as my career vision.

I’ve been feeling scattered as of late; don’t get me wrong — there’s no shortage of great stuff going on, but I’m in the process of wrapping my head around how it all ties together. As a result, it’s made for a more contemplative, less hard-charging month, which is pretty much a theme across the board for late April and early May.

5. Giving Back

Finally, we’re a little more than a month in to Team LUNA Chix Portland Run’s 2015 season, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this group of women. We’ve been doing weekly workouts, and we also just hosted our first clinic of the season — a yoga and nutrition workshop to raise money for our charity, the Breast Cancer Fund (more on that in an upcoming post).

The team is gelling, we’re working on getting the word out so we can grow in size and make more of an impact, and we’ve been getting a consistent group of ladies each week who rally through a few miles together. See for yourself via our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts — and come join us Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the Duniway Park Track in Portland!

How are your 2015 goals coming along? 

How I Run: Team LUNA Chix PDX’s Nicole Licking

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In honor of our inaugural Team LUNA Chix Portland Run season, I’ll be introducing my teammates via this interview series throughout the next few months…get to know these impressive ladies, and come join us for a run Monday nights from 6:30-7:30 pm in Portland (click here for details)! 

As soon as I put the call out for athletes this season I got a note from my sister recommending Dr. Nicole Licking, and from the moment I met her, I knew she’d make an incredible addition to our team. Her relationship with running started as a way to stay in shape — quite literally, a jog/run class in college — but has turned into a way of life, and she’s eager to share that experience with other women.

When she’s not logging miles, Nicole works at OHSU as a neurologist who cares for patients with movement disorders. She likes to use running as a release and a means of escape within a busy schedule.

Fun fact: Not only is Nicole well-traveled, but she’s also lived just about every place you can think of — I dare you to find a corner of the country she hasn’t explored or lived in! And while she claims to have never been much of a competitive runner, Nicole does admit to enjoying the thrill of running across the finish line knowing that she gave it her all.

1. What’s your favorite route? Whatever route I can take straight from my front door!

2. What shoes do you wear? Asics

3. What other run gear can’t you live without? My hat — blocks the sun from my eyes and keeps the rain off my glasses

4. What’s your best time-saver or “runhack?” If I don’t have enough time for a run, I use my work-out videos. In 30 minutes, I can still improve my cardio and strength. When that doesn’t work, I take the stairs at work!

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5. What running-related thing are you better at than anyone else? Focus. My academic training has taught me how to just keep going, even when you think you can’t.

6. What do you listen to while running? Anything up-tempo

7. What are you currently training for? Life! I just enjoy running, as it is my “me” time

8. What are your recovery & sleep routines like? As I get older I am understanding more and more how important stretching can be. I am working on improving this in my post-run/work-out routine. I am very religious about getting to bed on time. I need eight hours of sleep a night!

9. What’s the best running advice you’ve ever received? Running is 90% mental

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10. What’s your favorite running-related memory? Winning my first trophy (2nd in my age group in a 10K). I know it sounds silly, but I had never been recognized for true athletic achievement before!

11. Fill in the blank: I’d love to go on a run with __________. My mom

Thanks, Nicole! I’m excited to get to know you even better this season as we cross a few more finish lines together. 

Runner friends, shoot me a note — info (at) kineticfix.com — so I can feature you, too!

How I Run: Team LUNA Chix PDX’s Tiffany Henness

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In honor of our inaugural Team LUNA Chix Portland Run season, I’ll be introducing my teammates via this interview series throughout the next few months…get to know these impressive ladies, and come join us for a run Monday nights from 6:30-7:30 pm in Portland (click here for details)! 

Does stalking on Instagram count as meeting someone nowadays? If so, then that’s how Tiffany Henness and I first got to know one another (or, rather, how I started following her and liking #AllThePuppyPictures).

But as far as our first real-life run-in goes, we crossed paths (literally — while on a shakeout jog) one morning at IDEA World Fitness Blogfest with SweatPink last summer. And when I found out we’d both be in Oregon as I was recruiting for our Team LUNA Chix Portland Run, I started bugging her by phone and email, as well.

Digital lives aside, I’m thrilled to have her on the team and to be able to log more miles together this season — not only because she’s super-positive, a great role model and loads of fun to be around, but also because this RRCA Certified Running Coach, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and ultra-runner is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to living a healthy, fit lifestyle.

She’s in the process of launching her new blog (Thoroughly Thriving — check it out!) where you’ll be able to follow along on her adventures and pick up some great tips. But in the meantime we sat down to chat about a mutual love: Running.

1. What’s your favorite route? Anything trail or scenic. I get bored running the same streets too often, so I frequently explore new areas or reverse routes to keep it interesting.

2. What shoes do you wear? I’ve been in Saucony Guide 7’s for over a year now and am very pleased.

3. What other run gear can’t you live without? INKnBURN running shorts. Best ever.

4. What’s your best time-saver or “runhack?” Learning to run with as little as possible has been huge for me. I don’t need a watch, music or a water bottle. I can totally manage running by feel, reaching inward for motivation, and last up to an hour before finding a water fountain or something. It’s freeing, mentally and physically, to be more minimal on the run.

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5. What running-related thing are you better at than anyone else? Ha! I’d say running without music or mental distractions, simply because almost everyone I know believes (falsely) that they simply could not run without music.

I certainly enjoy tunes once in a while, but I’m great at running in silence, entertaining myself, focusing my mind on my breathing and effort when I need too, and being more meditative when I run.

6. What do you listen to while running? Normally when I listen to music during a run it is because I’m on the treadmill. Therefore, I listen to anything with a solid, driving rhythm (Knights of Cydonia by Muse) or even just a song that makes me smile/laugh/want to dance (Uptown Funk).

7. For what are you currently training? Autumn Leaves 50k in October (and I’ll hit up the Portland Marathon on my way there). Of course, all of this is only in preparation for a hopeful first 50 miler in 2016. I have some big longer-term goals I’m chasing.

8. What are your recovery & sleep routines like? There is no routine right now, but when my mileage increases and I start hitting 14+ mile long runs, the routine will reveal itself.

Here is a complete description of my usual recovery and sleep routine. It boils to some active recovery exercises and small snacks followed by lots of hydration, a full meal, a quick nap, and then light stretching/mobility. Occasionally beer or ice cream is also involved.

9. What’s the best running advice you’ve ever received? Well, I’m not a fast runner and — believe it or not — I used to be even slower than I am now. I was sure that people who ran fast must not feel as awful and uncomfortable as I did.

I have a good friend who is an incredibly fast amateur runner, however, and when I said I didn’t think I could ever run as “effortlessly,” he kindly explained that simply because he runs faster does not mean he’s in less pain (not the injury kind, just the regular ‘ol pain of running). His lungs still burn, his muscles still cry out for him to slow down, his body still feels heavy some days.

He said if I wanted to run faster, then I just had to RUN FASTER and learn to handle the increased discomfort and effort that brings.

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10. What’s your favorite running-related memory? So many! Probably my husband (then boyfriend) and I finishing our first marathon together. That’s when I started using running unreasonable distances as a way to learn about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, my limits and potential.

11. Fill in the blank: I’d love to go on a run with ______. MOXIE!. I love my dog, but she’s rubbish at running right now — tripping me, stopping to sniff and pee everywhere. My dream someday is that she’ll be a great running pal and we can do a half marathon together!

12. Anything else you want to add? Visit me at ThroughlyThriving.com where I write about nourishing, training and giving in order to get the most out of life!

Thanks, Tiffany! I’m pumped that we now live in the same city and will be hitting the track and trails together more often. 

Runner friends, shoot me a note — info (at) kineticfix.com — so I can feature you, too!

ClassPass-ing around Portland: Month Two

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Yep, what started out as a one-month experiment has now quickly become a verb. My workout buddies and I “ClassPass” around town each week, testing different workouts, meeting with studio owners, spreading word about new places and making all kinds of fit friends in the process.

If you’re not familiar with ClassPass, I wrote about my initial experience with the service here. During our first round, Carolyn and I threw down the gauntlet for #30ClassesIn30Days, but now we’ve issued each other a much more sustainable challenge: hitting a handful of new (to us) studios each month.

Aside from one hiccup at a Saturday bootcamp where the class was overwhelmingly large and somewhat unruly, we’ve had nothing but excellent experiences across the board. Portland’s really stepped up to the plate when it comes to delivering quality sweat sessions.

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Here are the latest and greatest from round two:

The Grinning Yogi: Warm yoga haven whose mission is to provide consistently accessible, affordable classes for all levels

Fulcrum Fitness: Bootcamp and personal training gym featuring a mix of exercises that work different body systems

Hot Yoga for Life: Fusion of sweat and serenity, this place promises to strengthen your body and leave your spirit softened

Vibrant Studios: Lively community of movement classes, workshops, musical concerts and nutrition-based food events

Yoga on Yamhill: Non-competitive approach to yoga that fosters health and well-being and is accessible to everyone

Can’t wait to see what’s in store for month three!

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Wanna check ClassPass out? Here’s a list of cities where it’s currently available.

Are you a creature of habit when it comes to workouts, or do you like to mix things up?

Happy Earth Day! Now Go Outside & Get Sweaty

Earth Day

Each year, Earth Day — April 22 — marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

Not only is it the largest civic event in the world, celebrated around the globe by a billion people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities, but Earth Day is also an opportunity to spend some time outside, celebrating the great outdoors.

It’s also why I’m challenging you to do two things today in honor of Mother Earth:

  1. Get off your computer/phone/iPad and do something nice for the environment, whether that’s picking up trash, teaching your child about Earth Day, taking your recycling in, planting a garden, installing solar panels on your roof or sending a letter to your elected representatives.
  2. Get off your butt, and do something outside to celebrate! Of course, my suggestion is exercise-related, which is why I created the body-weight workout below to be completed in your local park. So why not grab the family, talk about the importance of ecology and break a sweat together?

Earth Day Workout

How are you celebrating Earth Day this year?