Mountain Mother Runner

At some point last December, I found myself searching the internet for upcoming races to kick off 2016. My New Year’s Resolution was to start taking running more ‘seriously’. I wanted to try something new. I wanted an adventure. I needed a goal to work towards so my training would have some sort of direction. Eureka! The Fragrance Lake Half Marathon/10k was just the event I was looking for. Who wouldn’t want to attempt 1,685ft of elevation gain?! This would be my very first trail race, in fact; I had barely run on trails before…so I purchased my first pair of trail running shoes. The next question was, which distance do I sign up for? My confident, competitive side was screaming “HALF MARATHON!” while my realistic side chose the 10k. I didn’t want to be too optimistic. There were only six weeks until the race and I had to balance training with being a stay at home mom. Preparing for a trail run with the majority of your workouts being in the gym (thank you drop-in childcare), not outs...

Although I started running about a year and a half ago, it wasn't until the end of 2015 that I decided my New Year's resolution would be to take running to the next level. I wanted to dive in and learn everything that I could. I joined a local non-profit running club that meets weekly for track practices. I signed up for my first trail race (10k) to step out of my comfort zone, followed by other races, and my first half marathon! Now trust me, I am nowhere close to where I'd like to be. I believe we can always improve ourselves, push ourselves, and learn new things. Here is a list of five tips that can assist you in becoming a balanced runner! 1. Strength Training: Set aside one day per week to focus solely on strengthening your muscles and joints. Major benefits include a decreased risk of being injured, improved overall body composition, and faster running times. As a runner, focus on your lower body and developing a stronger core. A strong core re...