Marathon Monday

Marathon Training has begun and I am so excited to share this journey with you! We are just sixteen weeks out! I have changed my diet a lot recently to start to prepare for my marathon. I feel like I am eating all the time but I know in the long run it will be worth it! (No pun intended) What am I eating you might ask? 

Here is what a basic day is like for me. 

Breakfast - Protein Bar 

Morning Snack - Greek Yogurt 

Lunch - Grilled chicken salad with veggies - little or no dressing. 

Afternoon snack - Fruit 

Dinner - Brown rice, meat, veggies.

Evening snack - banana sliced with almond butter frozen

Also lots and lots of water Gatorade and energy gels on days with long runs! 

I downloaded this app on my phone called "Run Trainer" to help me train for my marathon. So far it has been great! When you sign up it allows you to choose how many times you want to run a week and what day you want your long run to be on. It is very flexible and that is what I love about it! 

What about you? Anyone else planning on running a race anytime soon? 

Until next time, 

Janelle 

5 Tips To Living Without AC In Your Car!

No AC? No worries! I have struggled with having no air conditioning in my car for the last three years. It has been a very humbling experience for me. In fact, now it's hard to imagine my car having air conditioning! I have learned to live without it just like millions of people do and you can too! 

People always ask me, "Why don't you just get the air conditioning fixed?" Well, first of all it cost a lot of money. I was quoted a thousand dollars last time I checked. Secondly there are no guarantees the air conditioning will continue to work the following year. In fact it is more likely for a 2001 Saturn like mine to break down at any moment. That is why I haven't spent a thousand dollars to get the ac fixed. So today I am here to share a few tips that I have learned while not having ac in my car. 

1. Wear comfortable loose fitting clothing

If you know you are going to be out and about when it's really hot try and remember to wear clothes that won't make you sweat a lot. I prefer shorts and a tank top.

2. Wear layers so you can change in the car if you have to work or bring clothes to change into before you leave.

I always wear layers! It's a pretty obvious way to keep from getting too hot and it's quick and easy. 

3. Bring ice water and cold snacks to eat on the way home. 

It is very important to stay hydrated so you don't pass out! Also, who doesn't love a good snack to eat at the stoplights. I usually pack fresh fruit, veggies, cheese, and pretzels to snack on. 

4. Roll down the windows.

This may seem like a no brainer but don't forget that even though it's hot every bit of air helps!

5. Bring a spray bottle. 

Bring a spray bottle to spray cool water on you while in the car. You won't believe how good the cool water mixed with air circulation feels!

I hope these five tips were helpful to you or someone you know that doesn't have air conditioning in their car this summer! 

This made me smile! 

Until next time, 

Janelle 

Summer lovin'

It's summer!  I use to hate summer. It's so hot and everyone is sweaty and grumpy. I don't have air conditioning in my car so I sweat on the way home from work. When I finally got home I would be so disgusting I would have to take a shower immediately. It was just no fun. I know many of you don't have air conditioning in your car this summer. I may not be able to fix it but I do have a few tips that I will share with you in a future post!

When I started exercising and getting healthy, everything changed. I no longer dreaded going outside in the summer heat. I looked at it as an opportunity to sweat and get a good work out in! For example did you know that mowing the lawn for an hour burns close to 400 calories? Plus, it's a ton of fun! Bring a glass of ice water and a snack with you outside and just pull weeds for an hour. It might surprise you how much you enjoy it. 

This is what summer means to me. Swimming snd strawberries! 

Top Five Reasons I Love Summer

1. Swimming

Swimming burns a ton of calories, it's relaxing, and you get to spend time with friends. 

2. Late night walks

Late night walks give you a chance to see the world from a different perspective. When the world begins to settle down for the night, you get to watch the sunset with no disruptions and get some good exercise! 

3. More outdoor activities 

I always spend more time outside in the summer. There is just so much to do! From running to baseball the possibilities are endless. God created this beautiful world so lets enjoy it. 

4. Healthier Snacks

Have you noticed that in the summer you crave healthier foods? I always crave watermelon and strawberries in the summer! The good thing about summer is those fresh fruits and vegetables are so much cheaper! 

5. The sun sets later in the day. 

Because the sun doesn't set until 9 in the evening you have so many more opportunities to spend outside. Who can pass up grilling with your friends on a cool summer evening?  

What is your favorite summer activity? I want to know! 

Until next time, 

Janelle 

Getting to know you

I have been wondering about my readers lately. I have been blogging for quite awhile now. Sometimes it can feel like my posts are just sitting there unread and unloved. When I first started this blog, my number one goal was to inspire people. So today, I have a few questions for my readers. Please answer honestly! 

1. What age did you first start running? 

2. How far is the farthest you have ever ran? 

3. How fast have you ever ran? 

4. Have I inspired you in your journey towards a healthy lifestyle? 

5. Do you think I should continue my blog? 

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read my blog! I really appreciate my readers and I hope I can inspire someone today! 

Until next time,

Janelle 

The Good the Bad and the Ugly

There is something that every runner experiences at some point or another. It is the highs and the lows of running. When you disappoint yourself beyond belief or you surprise yourself to the fullest. The most incredible thing to me is how quickly your muscles can change. I have been recovering from an injury for a few weeks now and it has been a learning experience. It seems at times like all of the cards are against me. I ended up going for a run and completely disappointing myself. It was one of the most humbling running experiences I have had since I began my running journey. Here are a few tips to staying positive. 

1. Don't be hard on yourself. Everyone has bad days.
2. Think about your good runs when you have those bad days. 
3. Listen to your body. If you need to take a break take one! 

My meal of the day is grilled chicken salad. It's delicious and super easy to make!

I am so excited to announce I have started a running club where I live. If you are interested let me know! Please remember that all are welcome! 

Until next time,

Janelle