Category Archives: Exercise

Portland Fit Fix: 9 Reasons to Try 9Round Fitness

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One of the most exciting things about moving from San Francisco to Portland has been getting to know another city, meeting new people and, naturally, scoping out a fresh fitness scene. It also means playing athletic guinea pig and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, usually testing the limits of my coordination (or lack thereof?), as well as my stomach’s ability to keep lunch down.

Case in point: 9Round Fitness, a 30-minute circuit training kickboxing/boxing workout in Portland’s Pearl District. As much as I’ve been around the proverbial exercise block, this was my first taste of any kind of punching/kicking program…and on my first visit I’m pretty sure both the double-end and speed bags hit me more than I hit them.

Yet, like Vince Lombardi said, it’s not how much you get knocked down (or in my case, around), it’s about getting back up. So two visits later, I finally started to get the hang of things, and now I’m hooked. Here’s why:

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1. With 30-minute circuits, you get an efficient, effective workout in the time that it takes to watch your favorite TV show.

2. There are so many health benefits to boxing for fitness; it’s the ultimate High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout.

3. The challenge of learning a new skill makes it all the more rewarding, especially when you can finally (wo)manhandle a speed bag.

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4. New rounds start every three minutes, so you can swing by at your convenience and don’t have to worry about rigid class times.

5. Kickboxing and boxing are terrific ways to mix up your cross-training, build strength and confuse complimentary muscles into working harder.

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6. Workouts are supervised by a trainer, which not only encourages proper technique and form, but also keeps you from slacking off.

7. Rest assured, you’ll hit all your major muscle groups in this total-body workout after nine rounds of different exercises.

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8. You won’t get bored, either, because no two workouts are the same; trainers switch things up each day, so expect something new every time.

9. Finally, there’s something to be said for breaking a sweat with friends; whether you’re struggling, cruising or simply laughing through the workout, it’s an incredible way to spend some time together.

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Interested in giving this workout a whirl? Visit 9Round.com for more information.

Booty-Blaster: 5 Band-Based Exercises to Activate Glutes

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Ever since my most recent marathon-training injury, I’ve been on a mission to get my sleepy glutes firing again on all cylinders. Studies link glute weakness to Achilles tendinitis, shinsplints, runner’s knee and iliotibial-band syndrome, along with a host of other overuse injuries (i.e. my medial tibial stress response), so a strong booty is key to not only keeping a steady core, but also the body’s entire kinetic chain from getting out of whack.

My PT prescribed a series of exercises using a Thera-Band, which got me race-ready. But during my post-marathon running hiatus I’ve been kicking it up a notch with the ReXist360 resistance training system, which is designed to intensify band-based workouts without any unwanted pressure added to the back, knees or ankle joints.

Read on for my five favorite butt-busting resistance exercises!

1. Clamshells

Place band above your knees. Lie on one side, prop your upper body up on one arm and stack your legs on top of one another with knees bent. Slowly lift top knee toward the ceiling, keeping feet together and body in alignment. Hold for a second at the top, squeezing glutes, before lowering in a controlled manner. Repeat 20 times before switching to other side.

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2. Glute Bridges

Place band above your knees. Lie with back on the floor, and bring heels close enough to be able to touch them with your fingertips when arms are extended down by your sides. Place hands on hips, and open knees slightly so they press out against band to activate glutes. Driving your heels into the ground, lift hips toward the ceiling, and squeeze glutes before lowering. Repeat 20 times.

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3. Monster Walks

Place band above your knees (or around ankles to make it tougher!). Step legs out until they’re hip- to shoulder-width apart. Sink butt into squat position, making sure that knees don’t extend beyond your toes — think about sitting further back and lowering your behind into the position to protect knees. Maintaining that wide-legged stance, slowly squat-walk across the room. After about 30 steps, turn around and repeat.

As you can see, I’ve still got some work to do on my ankle mobility to get down into the correct position!

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4. Side Lifts

Place band around knees (or, again, ankles to make it more difficult). Use bottom arm to support head and top arm to steady yourself. Straighten and stack legs, lining up hips, knees and ankles. Keeping core engaged and top foot parallel to foot on floor, slowly lift top leg toward ceiling. Pause at the top of the movement, squeezing glutes before lowering. Repeat 20 times before switching to other side.

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5. Squats

Place band above knees. Stand with feet parallel and hip-width apart. Slowly sink your butt back until legs are at a 90-degree angle (thighs are parallel to the ground). Again, take care to keep knees from caving in toward one another or extending beyond toes, and keep chest up as much as possible (I’m still working on my form, hence the mat under my heels). Hold for a second before driving back up through heels to come back to standing. Repeat 25 times.

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Disclaimer: I’m not a PT or a doctor; these are simply some exercises I’ve found helpful for getting those glutes firing again! If you’ve got an injury or concern, though, be sure to check with your own health care provider first so you can make a plan of action together.

Portland fit fix: Rejuvenate, refresh and replenish at YogaPod

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Contrary to the 21-day myth, there’s now scientific evidence that it takes about two months — or 66 days, to be exact — to form a new habit. But thanks to YogaPod, a vibrant and transformational yoga studio in Portland, I’d argue it only takes about a week to fall back into a much-neglected, yet healthy, routine.

Bear with me for a moment: Like those green, cruciferous veggies, we all know how good yoga is for us, but I find (in my experience, at least) that it takes some time to develop my palate enough to be able to thoroughly enjoy and appreciate it, especially during training when the goal is to keep your head above water with workouts. Anyone else?

Well, this is precisely why Carolyn (one of my LUNA teammates) and I decided to get back on track with a recent seven-day #YogaBinge at YogaPod.

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Not only would a week-long yoga immersion aid in off-season recovery, I figured, but it’d also be a great way to see how one of the newer workout facilities in the city stacked up. YogaPod founders, husband and wife team Gerry and Nicole Wienholt, expanded the Boulder-based brand to Portland this past summer after seeing a need for a luxury yoga studio in Portland’s Pearl District, and true to form it’s got a high-end look with a welcoming feel.

If there’s one word that comes to mind upon entering YogaPod, it’s community. From the friendly management and front-desk staff (shout out to Anthony, a fellow ultra runner!) to the inspirational chalk board in the hallway, and from the relaxed vibe in the space to the teachers who take a genuine interest in their students, it’s clear that this place is rooted in creating an experience full of positivity, clarity and compassion for all who enter.

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And as far as the classes go, we took advantage of the convenience of morning, afternoon and evening slots to get a good sampling of what YogaPod has to offer. Throughout the course of the week we toggled back and forth between the two rooms — both clean, light and spacious — for Restorative, PodHot and PodFlow.

Classes are well-balanced (i.e. not all Chaturanga Dandasana-heavy) and the music is right up my alley — a thoughtful blend of traditional instrumentals with some newer songs that gently flow with movements. When Carolyn and I compared notes, we both agreed that our time at YogaPod was the perfect antidote to a hectic week — so much so, in fact, that we both found ourselves feeling like the time passed quickly in each session.

If you’re local and want to jump-start your own yoga journey, YogaPod offers a free week of classes for first-timers. Or if you just want to dip your toe in the yoga waters before jumping in, come check out their free community class on Saturdays at 5 p.m. with Ati, one of my favorite yogis in the city.

She brings such lightness and enjoyment to her practice that you can’t help but want to come back for more. And that habit — for rejuvenating your body, refreshing your mind and replenishing your spirit — is one you won’t want to break!

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Interested in learning more? Check out YogaPod’s website at Portland.YogaPodCommunity.com.

Fight the funk: Thriving in an off-season full of SADness

Source: Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian

Source: Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian

After living in California’s year-round sunshine for the last decade, the one thing everyone warned me about when moving to Portland was the winter — aka a half-year of clouds and rain. Like some inescapable boogeyman, they all seemed especially wary of it, issuing the same words of caution every time: It’s coming, and you can run but you can’t hide.

Hrmph. I brushed off what I thought were idle threats, feeling pretty confident in my plan for dealing with the lack of sun. No Vitamin D? No problem. I create my own endorphins during morning workouts, after all. It worked during San Francisco’s foggy days, plus having my fall marathon to prepare for meant I’d be keeping busy with a solid schedule of cardio, cross-training and PT work.

I’ve Got That Wintertime, Wintertime SADness

And when I got home from my travels post-marathon, I really did relish those first few lazy mornings. But then a week of planned rest days turned into two…and by the third week I found myself seriously struggling to get out of bed in the morning. That’s when I started to get concerned.

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Of course I’m just self-diagnosing here, but I think it’s something along the lines of Seasonal Affective Disorder, which, when combined with the fact that I’ve got nothing on my race calendar in the foreseeable future, can be a dangerous combo. Plus, factor in post-marathon blues that are hitting just as I’m taking a good chunk of time (4-6 weeks) off from running, and I knew I’d have to take matters into my own hands to keep from sliding down a slippery slope.

Making a Training Plan for the Off-Season

As I was explaining my predicament to Hubby the other day, he suggested that I create a loose plan for the next few weeks since he knows I’m goal-oriented and thrive on having the structure of a training schedule. You see, the off-season isn’t really off at all; quite the contrary, it’s a break from the typical training volume and racing intensity, but cross-training to stay fit and active is still fair game.

So while I’m taking a mental break from the rigors of racing and allowing my body to (hopefully) heal once and for all from a few nagging injuries, it’s an ideal time to rejuvenate, plan for 2015 and work on getting stronger in ways that will compliment next season’s running. Here’s what my rough plan looks like for the next few weeks:

  • Monday – Yoga for flexibility
  • Tuesday – Cycling for cardio
  • Wednesday – Weights for strength
  • Thursday – Pool for non-impact
  • Friday – Freebie to explore different workouts & studios
  • Saturday – Long ride for endurance
  • Sunday – Rest day

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What About Other Goals?

Usually I try to eat pretty healthy, but ever since the marathon I’ve all but abandoned that bandwagon. A glass of wine…or three? Sure, why not! Bacon and buttered breadcrumbs on top of that mac & cheese? Yes, please! An extra helping of dessert? Don’t mind if I do! While it’s important to not get too uptight about this stuff, I do feel better when I eat fresh, whole foods, so Hubby and I are making a concerted effort to get back on track with our eating habits.

I’m also participating in a fun Holiday Sweat Challenge from the folks at RuntotheFinish, SweatGuru and Fit Approach. It’s chock full of workouts, healthy recipes and an extra dose of motivation to get us through the holidays without packing on the pounds — not to mention, there are some pretty awesome prizes up for grabs. If you want in on the action, register here!

Other stuff that’s been on my to-do list:

  • Set some short- and long-term work-related goals
  • Spend some quality time with our dogs
  • Finish setting up and organizing our apartment
  • Cook, bake and experiment with new recipes
  • Get more sleep — still in search of that eight hours!
  • Explore the local fitness scene & review classes
  • Get together more often with friends and family
  • Keep consistent date nights with Hubby
  • Start planning for 2015 for myself and the LUNA Chix PDX team

So there you have it. The holidays are here again, and it’s time for making merry, spreading cheer…and, yes, even squeezing in some killer workouts so we can fight the seasonal funk, build on this year’s successes and start 2015 off on the right foot!

How do you feel about off-season, and what are your tips for making the most of it? 

4 tips for making the most of fall workouts

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Before we make a hasty retreat indoors for the next few months, make some time to take in the crisp fall air (not to mention the gorgeous foliage) with an outdoor workout.

Regardless of where you live – city, suburb or sticks – here are four simple ways that everyone can squeeze in some solid head-to-toe activity, alfresco.

1. Savor the changing scenery

Map a new route using an app such as Runtastic, MapMyRun, Runkeeper or Strava (all free), and let your mind wander for a few miles while you enjoy the fall color. These apps allow you to track various fitness activities, including workout details and data (duration, distance, pace, speed, elevation, calories burned and route traveled on an interactive map, etc.), plus some even offer databases of routes to help you keep things fresh.

2. Get playful in the park

Make like a kid and get crazy at your local playground with this total-body workout from FitSugar. Bonus: Kill two birds with one stone and bring Junior along to help supervise your cross-training circuit and burn off some extra energy of his/her own.

3. Loosen up — and layer up

Shorter days and cooler temps are no excuse to skip out on a sweat session. But trying to work out with cold, tight muscles can be a recipe for injury, so prime your body with a proper warm-up and the appropriate attire. Not sure what to wear? Here’s a handy guide from Runner’s World that provides expert advice on picking the correct outfit for all conditions.

4. Stay safe after sunset

Before you hit the streets at dusk (or dawn), take the proper precautions by wearing reflective gear and portable lights (try a Petzl headlamp or Knuckle Lights), which are designed to help you stick out like a sore thumb in low-visibility settings. Finally, try to choose a well-lit route and steer clear of areas with excessive car traffic whenever possible.

How does your outdoor workout prep change with the seasons?

Portland fit fix: How Revocycle is fueling an indoor cycling revo-lution

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I have a theory that there are two types of people who work out: those of us who “embrace the suck” and find solace in the burn of each rep or the quiet rhythm of breaths and footfalls during a run…and those of us who try to tune everything out and just push through the pain with the aid of numerous distractions.

Well, as much as I’d love to tell you I’m a member of the former group, I’ve got to admit that I’ve always tended to fall into the latter. That is, until I stopped into Revocycle here in Portland and had an experience that, quite literally, redefined my idea of a good workout.

In an attempt to mix up my cross-training, I decided to check out one of founder Michael Hosking’s early-morning classes a few weeks ago. He started off by helping each student find the proper bike fit, down to precise angles for a safe ride, while reminding us that our goal was to use excellent position and practice beautiful form in an attempt to notice the muscles and the movement and the breath.

Ohhh no, I thought as I started calculating my odds of getting noticed if I ducked out the door. This is going to be the longest 50 minutes of my life. 

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But after quashing those initial feelings of panic, I committed to opening myself up to the experience. After all, as Hosking explained, by paying attention to our bodies, pedaling exactly on the beat of song, tuning in to our breath and heart rate and engaging in mindfulness, we’d be maximizing the benefits of a cycling workout without putting ourselves at risk for injury.

And just because it’s not a loud, high-intensity workout doesn’t mean it isn’t tough; it just means you feel refreshed and rejuvenated after, rather than drained and exhausted.

“Finding the zone is about minimizing distractions,” he recently told Fitness magazine. “Music can help you do just that. If you focus on the rhythm and sync your pedaling or steps with the beat, you can help quiet racing thoughts. It’s moving meditation.”

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And how! For the first time ever, I wasn’t tempted to speak a peek at the clock; time flew by as Hosking expertly intertwined music with instruction, and before we knew it, we were all drenched in sweat, smiling from ear-to-ear and entering our cool-down.

You see, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my approach to working out while in PT these past few weeks. Namely, learning that some of my major muscle groups had gotten lazy and stopped functioning — and that I hadn’t even noticed — has made me realize the importance of awareness with movement.

Clearly, my body’s trying to telling me that disconnection won’t cut it anymore. Removing excess ‘noise’ (both literally and figuratively) in workouts and getting into a more authentic ‘zone’ — in which I’m working hard and totally engaged, yet feeling profoundly peaceful — is not only more relaxing, but also powerfully effective.

And did I mention pretty darn addicting?

Portland-Metro area residents, your first two classes are FREE. Visit Revocycle.com for more information and to register. 

Make exercise more fun with The Fitness Games

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After being sidelined from running for a bit, I’ve been on the lookout for alternative ways to fuel my competitive fire. Enter The Fitness Games, a new app that aims to make exercise as addicting as Candy Crush Saga.

Some background: I met founders Arya Farzin and Joseph Phillips, two nationally-certified trainers with a combined 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, at this year’s IDEA World fitness conference. Not only are they super-nice, extremely-passionate guys, but there’s a great story behind the creation of the app: Obese for most of his life, Arya decided to make a change when he was 19 years old. After losing 200 pounds, he made it his mission to help people all over the world make the same positive changes…and have fun while doing it.

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So here’s how it works: Instead of having to go it alone each day until my marathon training resumes, I can challenge anyone, anywhere, to any type of workout, post photos and videos to show progress, or simply challenge myself with one of the app’s workouts. What I love most, though, is that I can find a partner  — regardless of geography or time zone — to connect with via GPS so we can compete and track our progress in real time.

Whether it’s a virtual elliptical buddy (yep, I need some help staying on the machine for 45 minutes) or motivational match-up for some strength training, all I do is post the the workout I want to complete via the app dashboard. Other users respond if they are interested in doing the same workout, and then it’s go-time!

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Workouts are divided into four categories: Cardio, Strength, Full-Body and Cross Training. Each category operates on a unique scoring system that was carefully designed to determine how hard users exercised to determine the winner of each head-to-head contest.

Points earned during challenges can be used to level up, as well as unlock free workouts. And all workouts performed are tracked, scored and saved so users can see their progress over time.

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If you’re looking for a way to get motivated and make workouts a team effort, this is a simple, yet effective, tool for tricking yourself into being more consistent. And, let’s face it, there’s nothing like a little friendly competition to get us all stoked for that next sweat session, right?

Let the games begin!

This post was sponsored by The Fitness Games through their partnership with Fit Approach. I was not compensated monetarily, but was provided the Platinum Version of the application for review. As always, all opinions are my own.

Detroit Marathon: Week 7 training recap

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This week was a whirlwind with two trips to Seattle (one for business meetings and workouts with the SweatGuru team, then another personal one with Hubby and friends).

And even though my training took a bit of a hit, it didn’t stop me from getting sweaty. We documented our adventures via the SweatGuru blog, so if you’re in need of a great studio when in Seattle, you might want to check out these spots!

  • ModBody Fitness – bootcamp with Stacey, who is doing Ironman Boulder this weekend
  • Ian Fitness – bootcamp with Abril and the energetic early morning crew
  • Troy Lucero Acme Yoga Project – challenging Ashtanga class with Troy, who got me into my first handstand
  • Parkour Visions – by the end of class, Brian had us hurdling over six feet walls
  • Sync Fitness – bootcamp with Jill, whose flow and music we absolutely loved
  • Lab5 Fitness – Roy had us feeling the burn with this Pilates-based strength & cardio class
  • Urban Yoga Spa – we topped off the trip (and pampered our tired muscles) with some hot yoga

Needless to say, I’m a little sore from all the different activities — and I definitely discovered a few muscles I haven’t used in a while.

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But there’s one thing that’s really been concerning me this week: a plantar fasciitis flare-up in my right foot. It’s something that started as a nagging annoyance during last year’s marathon training, but lately it’s been getting worse.

I’m waiting until we get to Portland and get settled to attack it professionally with some type of massage, PT, acupuncture or ART (still deciding and polling athlete friends; let me know if something’s worked well for you). I know that not running will ultimately help, but it’s not quite to that point, so I’m icing, rolling and taking Advil in the meantime.

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So rather than overextend myself by doubling up on miles, squeezing in extra workouts or switching up the schedule too much, I ended up modifying things this week by skipping the first three days of workouts while on the road. Luckily one of those days was an “off” day, but I am feeling anxious about missing the Tuesday speed work.

Other than that, training is progressing well, and I’ve got renewed faith in the program, thanks to last week’s 10K race. My “easy” run pace is slowing to somewhere in the 9:00 range, but I’m still able to maintain the tempo (8:46) and long (9:29) paces, so I feel like I’m on the right track.

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Thanks again for following along, and stay tuned for next week as I close out the second month of training! 

Body After Baby: Tried-and-true tips for new moms

Photo courtesy of BeyondFitPhysiques.com

Photo courtesy of BeyondFitPhysiques.com

After catching up with ultra-mama Sarah Evans a few weeks ago, I thought it’d be fun today to revisit some of the great advice from a few of my other “mom friends” about reclaiming their pre-baby bodies.

We’re not talking about fitting into some kind of Barbie doll-sized skinny jeans, though; we’re talking about getting your groove back — feeling good inside and out, finding a new routine and establishing healthy habits for the whole family.

That’s why I love the sentiment in the photo above, and it’s also why I find people like Sarah and the other moms I interviewed so inspiring.

I still don’t know how they find the time — or the energy — but I admire their creativity and determination for maintaining a fitness routine despite a new (and pretty darn demanding) member in the household.

And speaking of “homes,” Hubby and I are making our way north to our new one this week… More on that in this week’s marathon training recap!

Moms, how did you get back into your fitness groove post-baby?

Checking in with ultra-momma Sarah Evans

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I first spoke with Sarah Evans earlier this year after seeing that she totally smashed her marathon PR (and qualified for Boston) a mere four months after having a baby.

Inspired and intrigued, I asked if I could pick her brain, and my interview with her continues to be one of the most popular KineticFix posts to this day.

Six-plus months have passed since then, and we have yet to coordinate trail running schedules (one day!), although we do connect every so often over social media to root each other on.

So I figured it was about time for us to catch up on life, running and our shared love for getting lost on the trails…

KineticFix: How has training been going since we last chatted?

Sarah Evans: Training has been fun and one of the things that has remained consistent and steady in my life.

Since the first of the year I’ve ran several races, including a PR (personal record) at the Kaiser Half Marathon in February (1:33:40), a 35k on my (34th!) birthday in March and a fun 5k (tried to break 20 min; not quite there yet!) with my mom in April, culminating in my first Ultra (a 50k) this month!

I’ve continued running, cross training with cycling and have been including a lot more yoga and HIIT (high intensity interval training), boot camp-type workouts to my regimen instead of the boring, slow strength training that I did in the past.

I also decided to resign from my job as a medical device rep at the first of the year to stay home and raise my daughter for the time being. Since then I’ve studied for and passed/received my personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and I’m also going to take classes to become a certified run coach next month through Road Runners Club of America.

So I’m really exploring other opportunities in the sport that I love while still being able to stay close to home with my baby girl.

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KF: Wow, you’ve sure been busy! So can you share your latest tips for maintaining a workout schedule with a increasingly-active baby girl?

SE: With having an ever-changing and super-active baby, running has continued to remain my outlet and my ‘me’ time to get out in the early mornings before the day gets hectic (or exhausting!).

I still maintain my Sunday mornings with my friends on the trails; those are my 3-4 hours that are an unspoken religion to me to get out solo, so my husband is very supportive of that routine. But I’m also finding more time to run with my daughter in the BOB stroller, since she’s becoming much more aware, active and awake for longer periods; it’s a time we can spend together and I can start sharing my love of running with her!

During a typical weekday, I’m awake around 5:30/6am to get in a run or a spin on my bike before my daughter wakes up (at 7am). Twice a week I get until 7:30am to go on a longer run if I want, and my husband gets up with our daughter. It gives me some extra ‘me’ time and my husband gets some of those precious morning minutes that are so sweet with a baby. It’s a great compromise and schedule that we have worked out!

On those mornings, I know I have a chunk of my training done for the day, and then me and my daughter can enjoy the morning together taking a walk, playing in the yard or at the park. Then I will add on small/additional ‘workouts’ throughout the day.

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That’s what I think is important for many busy women and moms to realize: You don’t need a full hour or two a day to work out. Just add it in little by little throughout your day! I keep resistance bands, my yoga mat, foam rollers, some small hand weights, ankle weights and an exercise ball out in our living room all the time (hey it eventually blends in with all the toys!).

While my daughter is laughing at her reflection in front of the mirror, practicing crawling or working on developmental skills with some toys, I can get in 10 minutes of core work, leg and butt exercises, lunges (during which I will hold her for extra weight!), you name it. I also have 10-20 minute ‘bootcamp’ or total-body workouts I’ll do, where each exercise is done for one minute.

It’s easy to stop those workouts, if needed, in the middle and pick them up later in the day. And when my daughter takes a nap, I’ll fit in a 20-minute yoga session in between dishes, laundry, taking a shower and preparing her meals. It is truly the small things you do throughout the day that add up.

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Another way I also stay active with a 10-month old baby is by walking (or many times run!) when I do errands. We jog the mile to the grocery store or run/walk the 1.25 miles to the park, all instead of driving the car. We spend a lot of time outside, so that automatically lends itself to being active, in fresh air and staying fit.

And how I maintain my workout and training schedule is truly planning my weeks in advance. This works especially well when you have a training plan for a race mapped out, then you already know what  will be running weeks/months in advance!

I will put the entire plan into my calendar, marking down what mileage or workout I need to do and on what days. Then when I look at my week on Sunday evening, I already know whether I need to carve out time early in the morning, during a ‘lunch-break’ (for me that may be nap-time) or sometimes later in the evening.

This helps because just as I’ll schedule a lunch, a meeting or an appointment with someone, I also schedule my run (or any workout, spin, strength, core work, etc.) It’s  important to make that meeting with yourself, and this way it’s really difficult for me to miss a run or cross training workout because it’s pre-scheduled into my day!

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KF: All great ideas! Speaking of getting active in the great outdoors, you’ve entered ultra territory, too. Why the step up to longer distances? 

SE: I am competitive, especially with myself, and I’m always looking for the next challenge. I found myself wanting another hurdle to overcome (as if having a baby or my come-back from breaking my foot two years ago wasn’t enough!).

I had recently broken my personal records for the marathon and half-marathon within four and six months, respectively, post-baby — so I thought an Ultra (starting off with a 50K) would be the natural next step. Pair that with my absolute LOVE of the trails, and it seemed like a no-brainer.

There’s a big difference going from road runs with speed to the long, slow pacing of a trail ‘ultra’ distance. It taps into a different part of yourself and your spirit, and it seems to exceed a certain fitness level and delves into mental strength…but I like that new challenge!

I’m hoping that this isn’t my last Ultra. The community that surrounds the trails and ultra-running is very unique, open and friendly, and I love the feeling I get from getting dirty, sometimes lost (I think you can relate!) and being out in nature.

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KF: Oh, yes! I like to say that if there’s a way to get lost, I’ll find it — especially on the trails. What’s next on your list, and can you share your game plan for getting there?

SE: I’m looking forward to kicking it up a notch and getting back into speed work and intervals when I start training for the Chicago Marathon, which I will be running along with my mom for her first marathon! This was also my first marathon in 2008, so I am looking for another personal record and Boston Qualifying time.

I’ll create my own training plan; I enjoy researching and finding new workouts to add to my runs and being my own coach. There’s not the pressure of answering to a coach, but I’m also my own worst critic, so I do a pretty good job at keeping myself in check!

I am also working out the details of registering for the 2015 Boston Marathon (with my last marathon qualifying time) and then trying to get into the Boston to Big Sur Challenge next April where you run back-to-back marathons, six days apart, on opposite coasts of the country. And I’ve always been a big fan of The North Face Endurance Challenge, so that could possibly be another 50k (or dare I say 50 mile!?) opportunity.

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On the exploring and fun side, I have a deep desire to also run Rim to Rim (and maybe Rim!) in the Grand Canyon, so I may be putting together a group for late next Spring.

All of these races really are just a celebration for the running that I do on a daily, weekly basis. I don’t run just to race, the races just seem like a great opportunity to add on challenges to my running, which I still do purely for the freedom, joy and love of it.

I am very excited to share this passion with my daughter and possibly run a race with her one day, as I am doing with MY mom this year! I am also very lucky to be able to spend time at home with my daughter in her first year of life and to start to use my personal training and coaching certifications for my own knowledge and to share with my friends and family who seem to enjoy picking my brain for advice and input in their own active lives.

Now, as I look at my plans for the next year, there seems to be a lot going on. But in the end, it’s done for the fun of it all, to spend time on the trails with my running crew and to celebrate our training with races…not to mention coming home to my husband and daughter and going out for Mexican!

It’s the easy, simple things sometimes 🙂

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Special thanks, Sarah, for taking the time to chat. Can’t wait to follow along on your adventures over the next year — and hopefully hit those trails with you soon!