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 

Motivational Monday

I was reading my diary from years ago when I was in college. I found something I had written and it inspired me. I hope it inspires you too! 

Life is just a flash. Hold your loved ones close - never go to sleep angry - be confident in what you believe - pray without ceasing - make goals that you have to work for - pressure yourself into doing things you don't think you can - take risks - don't stress about the small things. 

Tip of the day.

I'd encourage you to start a diary or a journal if you haven't already. Who knows maybe one day you will inspire yourself. 

One thing that I will always love is fireworks. This past weekend was the beginning of riverfest in wichita and my husband took me to see the fireworks. I got many great photos but this is my favorite! 

What about you? What inspires you?

Until next time, 

Janelle 

Memorial Day & First Run!

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day remembering those who we have lost and spending time with family! I was so excited to run my first "long run" since my injury. The rain lately has been so crazy I haven't been able to do that. 

So monday morning after some coffee and a blueberry struessel muffin from starbucks I headed out on my run. I geared up with some cliff energy gel and my new running belt! I cannot tell you how helpful that running belt was for me. I barely even notice it was there. I will recommend that to anyone looking for some place to keep their valuables, water, and food while running. 

 

When I first took off running I was running an eight minute mile. That is extremely good for me. In fact it is way too good because just a mile into it I began to feel it. Also, the extreme heat and humidity didn't help much either! I slowed down immensly and decided that I am happy with my 9 and 10 minute miles. 

 

Over all I was very pleased with the progress I have made in my recovery. I am so grateful for my health and the ability to run. Those 3 weeks without running were very difficult for me. Are you healthy? Do you have the ability to excercise? Take advantage of it now because it won't last forever! 

Here are some pictures. 

My cliff energy gel. This stuff is amazing!

Me looking not so great after my run. I'm sporting my arm band and running belt! Can you tell it was a great work out?!

Then just a fun picture of the double rainbow from this weekend!

What an awesome weekend! I am so blessed! 

Until next time, 

Janelle