[Fitness, Health and Happiness]

Fitness Friday || Happy Place

Welcome to Fitness Friday blog hop! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health.

A year ago I decided to give up my gym membership with a plan to start working out at home and running from home. After having a gym membership for more years of my adult life than not I wasn't sure if working out at home was going to work. One year later I'm still working out at home (and running from home). Something as little as not having the travel time has made all the difference in the world with consistent strength and cross training.

And after a year I was pretty sure I would stick with it so now I have this, my happy place (the photos were taken for my running scrapbook)...

Bibs and medals. Finally, out of the drawer and proudly displayed! 

I need to hang my Chicago photo (right).

I need another frame for this photo (left) and one of Alec running his first Warrior Dash. I want to cover this entire wall (right) with "active" photos of the 4 of us.

I usually have my weekly workout schedule written here (left). This week started off kind of yuck so I needed this motivation. 



The photo on the right is a challenge from Chad and Alec. A timed 300 Workout! I can do this. Bring it!

Do you workout at home or a gym?

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Fitness Friday || This and That Edition

I'm out the door this morning for one of my most favorite holiday traditions, Black Friday with my daughter. Shopping, Starbucks, Panera for breakfast, the music, decorations, and even the crowds...love it all!

Before I go...

• I'm back to running (see #2)!  I didn't expect to feel stronger than ever :)
• I'm loving the motivation of Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2011. If a little friendly competition is what it takes to keep me on track with the craziness of the holidays, I'll take it!
• Join me every Sunday for the HBBC Link-Up. One more way to keep me accountable and focused on health and fitness during the holidays. You can also find the link in Amanda's (Run to the Finish) HBBC emails. Share your HBBC blog posts! All you have to do is follow me on Google Friend Connect and link up.

Happy Friday!

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Fitness Friday || Running, A Challenge, Inspiring Words

Welcome to Fitness Friday! 

For new participants click [here] for details and to grab the FF button.

Only 4 more days until I get to run again! Not running leaves me wondering what I should blog about for Fitness Friday.

I could talk about the fact that I have handled this recovery (aka not running) better than any other time in the past. 

I could also talk about how much I love Shakeology and may never be able to go back to my regular protein smoothies.

How about if I mention the envelope Chad left in my suitcase when I went to Chicago. This is part of what he wrote about. His gift to me for running Chicago, the Kindle Fire. It was delivered 2 days ago. So cool!

Maybe I could talk about starting the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge at Run To The Finish tomorrow. It's going to be a fun way to enjoy the holidays while focusing on health and fitness too. That means way less stress for me!

Or maybe I'll just mention how much I love this and want "Defy Your Limits" on a tee-shirt and that surprising yourself is the best feeling. 

via (Pinterest Board)

I can't imagine why I thought I didn't have anything to blog about. I can always find running related things to talk about :)

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Fitness Friday || Other Than Running

Welcome to Fitness Friday! 

For new participants click [here] for details and to grab the FF button.

It may be hard to believe but there are things I love to do other than run/workout. Are you shocked? It's true. 

My "other than running"... 

Photography

Some of my favorite shots of 2011

Fitness Friday || Dirty Dozen and Twelve In Twenty Twelve

Welcome to Fitness Friday! 

For new participants click [here] for details and to grab the FF button.

Two things this week. First, remember my quest to qualify as one of the Dirty Dozen in the Dirt Days Trail Race series? I found out yesterday that I did! Not only did I qualify, I'm #10 of the dozen!

Second. My Twelve In Twenty Twelve race calendar is complete. Obviously more than 12 half mary options primarily due to winter weather concerns and traveling but also due to life just happens.

January

• 1/15/2012 Run for Regis Half Cuyahoga National Park, OH 

February

• 2/11/2012 Cedars Frost Bite Lebanon, TN 
• 2/11/2012 Strawberry Plains Half Strawberry Plains, TN 
• 2/27/2012 Last Chance for Boston Dublin, OH 

March

• 3/18/2012 Mercy Heart Half Cincinnati, OH 

April

• 4/15/2012 Gulf Coast Half Pensacola, FL 
• 4/28/2011 Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon Lousisville, KY 

May

• 5/6/2012 Cincinnati Flying Pig Cincinnati, OH
• 5/20/2012 Rite Aid Cleveland Half Cleveland, OH 

June

• 6/10/2012 Lake Health Distance Classic Concord, OH 
• 6/17/2012 Canton Marathon Canton, OH 

July

• 7/21/2012 Alexian Brothers Sports Festival Hoffman Estates, IL 

August

• 8/13/2012 Columbus Half* Columbus, OH 
• 8/21/2012 Little Miami Half Cincinnati, OH 

September 

• 9/15/2012 USAF Half Dayton, OH 

October

• 10/15/2012 Indianapolis Marathon Indianapolis, IN 
• 10/16/2012 Nationwide Columbus Marathon Columbus, OH 

November

• 11/5/2012 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Indianapolis, IN 
• 11/5/2012 Mason Half Marathon Mason, OH 
• 11/12/2012 Louisville Sports Commission Half Louisville, KY 

December

• 12/2/2012 Tour de Ashland* Ashland, OH 

This is simply a guide. A place to start. And always subject to change. Between now and January 1, 2012 I will add a marathon, decide if I'm running the trail race series again and hopefully add a Ragnar relay.

I'm happy to announce Twelve In Twenty-Twelve has teamed up with iFitness. They're generously willing to sponsor up to 12 runners to take on the 2012 challenge. They've been great to work with over the past month and I'm sure next year will be no different.

Who is willing to take on this challenge? Join me in 2012! Email me for details at jillconyers@gmail.com. 

Happy Friday!

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Fitness Friday || Running, Support, Encouragement and A Giveaway

Happy Friday and a big thank you to everyone for making Fitness Friday a growing success and so much fun! 

I don't think a day goes by that I'm not truly grateful for the support of my husband. He is patient with the time involved in marathon training. He helps with everything around the house. He's encouraging on the days I need it the most. And to top it all off he does this like this. I found this envelope in my suitcase when I was in Chicago.

"To be opened Sunday morning before you run! Love you, Chad"

The words on the envelope alone were priceless and to read what was inside brought tears to my eyes. I will cherish this always. Thank you Chad.

Who makes all that you do possible? Who gives you the encouragement at just the right time? 

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GIVEAWAY

It's about safety and peace of mind. Enter to win 1 of 5 Road ID gift cards.

How To Enter 

Leave a separate comment for each of the following:

Mandatory Entries

1. You must be a follower on GFC of [Fitness, Health and Happiness].
2. Leave a comment with one safety tip for runners, walkers, bikers, etc.
3. Like [Fitness, Health and Happiness] on Facebook.

Extra Entries

1. Help spread the word about Fitness Friday. Invite one friend to link up.
2. Tweet about the giveaway.
3. Post about the giveaway on your blog or Facebook.

Giveaway ends 12:00 a.m. EST November 6, 2011. If winning entrant doesn’t acknowledge their win within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only. 

Disclosure: For the purpose of this giveaway, prizes generously donated by Road ID. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions of this product are my own and not influenced in any way by the company or products I received.

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Link up!

 

 

Fitness Friday || Tattoos, iFitness and New Gels

Welcome to Fitness Friday blog hop! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health. A way to meet new friends, find new blogs and get new followers, subscribers and readers. 

Click How to Participate for the details.

Recent new-to-me that I've tried-and-love or want-to-try. 

First, tried and love...

When you signed up for a pace group in Chicago you also got a pace tattoo. This was my first time using a pace guide of any sort and while it's not totally necessary I liked having it. Loved keeping track and using it to calculate a variety of things when I needed a distraction. Plus, it was a conversation piece for people that decided not to use theirs. Do you use a pacing guide during races?

Next tried and love. iFitness Running Belts. The belts are a product that hold up to their claims of "no bounce, riding or chafing." A favorite point is that the pouch stays flat. And I love that they come with the race number holder. I have several to use depending on the type of run. Do you have a favorite fuel belt? Do you wear a water belt during races?

Now, want to try...

For the convenience and energy I've been on a mission to find a gel that I can stomach. A friend highly recommended Accel Gel and was kind enough to give me 2 to try. After doing a little research I'm going to try one of these during my next long run. Usually, just the thought of consuming a gel makes me want to gag. The texture and they're just way too sweet. I'm actually looking forward to trying Accel. Do you use energy gels? Do you have a favorite brand or flavor?

What new-to-you have you tried lately? 

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Fitness Friday || Memories of a Marathon [Quitting Was Never An Option]

 

Welcome to Fitness Friday blog hop! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health. A way to meet new friends, find new blogs and get new followers, subscribers and readers. 

Click How to Participate for the details.

It's still hard to believe it's over. The race has been run. The memories are forever.

Chicago was beautiful. We arrived early enough Saturday morning to take a walk through a park and along Michigan Avenue.

Packet pick up and have the DTAG scanned to activate. I remember feeling butterflies in my stomach at this point.

Ready for tomorrow. Set my goal at 4:30 and signed up to join the Nike Pace Team.

Words that inspire!

At the expo there were 3 large walls listing the names of every runner. Found mine right...there!

Actually running the race. A beautiful morning and it only took about 15 minutes to get across the start line. I found my pace group and stuck close to Marie. She was running her 112th marathon so I figured she must know what she is doing. I was right! She was fun, encouraging and at about mile 15-16 she said to me, "You've got this Jill!" At that point I was 2 minutes ahead of my goal time and feeling stronger than ever. It was the best and easiest 15 miles I have ever run. 

Then, the split second decision of one runner changed that for me when he decided to stop right in front of me. As he stopped and I tried to prevent myself from falling over him I landed on my right food and immediately felt a stabbing pain in my right calf. I thought maybe it just tightened up or minor cramping so I ran past two emergency aid stations. By the third one I could barely run on it. So I stopped just to have it wrapped and to get Tylenol. The EMT tried to convince me to quit the race. All I could think about was if he would hurry I can try to make up the time. He kept asking "are you sure?" No I wasn't sure I would be ok but I was sure quitting was not an option. So, I just ran. One step became one mile. One mile finally became the finish. I didn't meet my goal. I couldn't return to my miles 1-15 pace. Still, quitting was not an option. 

(Proofs from Marathonfoto. I will be ordering a few of these)

I cried twice somewhere between mile 17 and the finish. Not because of the pain. The first time was when it occurred to me [for a split second] that I might not be able to finish. The second time was when I finished.

Since then I've gone over the whole race in my head a million times. I'm planning a do-over in 2012. I've been frustrated and angry off an on since that day. Cried 2 more times. And finally with all sincerity can say, "look what I accomplished! I ran 26.2 miles!"

This was the day I decided to stop beating myself up and taking away the glory that is finishing. Christie O

Now that my biggest goal for 2011 has been accomplished I'm thinking even more about 2012. Thinking about do I really want to run an ultra, trying a different marathon training program, possibly running the Colorado Ragnar Relay, and yes, even a few non-running/fitness goals too. 

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That brings me to a new giveaway generously sponsored by The Run Home! To get you thinking about looking back at 2011 and looking forward to 2012.

The Run Home is your home for unique, handcrafted running inspired and inspirational and motivational jewelry and ornaments! We love to make items that we love, related to everything we love! We strive to make beautiful, affordable jewelry to celebrate life!

 I love this necklace. Love the words, dream and believe. A little reminder on those less than great days. Seeing the 2012 reminds me of the promise of a new year and the endless possibilities. Debbie's shop is a great place to start your Christmas wishlist!

                                                               How to Enter

Mandatory Entries

1. You must be a follower or my blog.
2. Leave a comment and tell me what goals you have accomplised in 2011 and/or what goals you have in mind for 2012.
3. Visit The Run Home and leave a comment on a favorite charm or necklace.

Extra Entries

1. Leave a new comment on a non-giveaway [Fitness, Health and Happiness] post.
2. Tweet about the giveaway.
3. Post about the giveaway on your blog. 
4. Post about the giveaway on Facebook.

Leave a comment for each entry and include an email address. Giveaway ends 12:00 p.m. EST October 29, 2011.  If winning entrant doesn’t acknowledge their win within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only. 

Disclosure: For the purpose of this giveaway, The Run Home generously donated the necklace free of charge. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions of this product are my own and not influenced in any way by the company or products I received.

Now the link up!

 

Fitness Friday || Own Chicago 2011

I've been training for about 20 weeks (Too long. More on that later.) for this weekend. For the past few days I have gone back and forth from so excited to majour butterflies in my stomach.

This morning, I'm eerily calm and relaxed. I'm ready (Disclaimer: the feeling of confidence and being ready is subject to change at any given moment!).

All along I planned packing for at least cool weather. Change in plans for warmer temps. Finally, this is all packed.

This is what I have worked and planned for. My Sunday morning :)

Time to link up! Share your health and fitness stories, tips and photos!

Fitness Friday || 2012 Race Calendar

NOTE: I'm having trouble with InLinkz HTML. If the link up is not available, please leave your Fitness Friday link up in the comments. Hopefully it won't be a problem. Thanks!

Have you started thinking about 2012 yet? I set goals every year and this is a little earlier than usual, but after deciding I wanted to run 12 in 2012 (a half marathon every month) I realized it would take some planning. Since I'm a mom, wife and work full-time and taking into consideration the travel, expense, time, etc. I need to have a plan. In addition to 12 in 2012, I also want to run the Dirt Days Trail Series again, 1 marathon and 1 ultra. And if I can, a Tough Mudder or Warrior Dash type of run. Too much? Is it doable?

At this point the only definite goal is the 12 in 2012. The rest is what I'm considering as goals for next year. I'll decide for sure before January 1. In the meantime, this is how my 2012 race calendar looks as of right now.

January- 

February- 

March- 2012 Cincinnati Heart Mini Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 1

April- Gulf Coast Half Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 2

May- Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 3

June- Dirt Days Trail Series 4

July- Dirt Days Trail Series 5

August- Little Miami Half Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 6

September- Air Force Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 7

October- Community Health Network Indianapolis Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 8

November- Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

December-

As you can see I still have a little planning to do. 

"The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you." ~Unknown

Want to join me for 12 in 2012? Have you thought about what you would like to accomplish next year with health and fitness? Do you have a favorite half marathon? Or a half marathon that you want to run? 

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Now the link up!