29 Things I’ve Learned about running in 29 years.

Today is my BIRTHDAY! OK, MONDAY was my Birthday.. but  I never got around to posting this so here it is!

I’m now 29 years old and will stay 29 years old forever.

I kid.

I have thought of 29 things I have learned about running/racing that I feel of great importance.

 

1. Do not dry shave your armpits before you run. Not even with soap.. remember this?

2. Setting your alarm/phone across the room almost guarantee's you will actually get out on that run.

3. Running with friends is better vs. not running with friends.

4. Do not eat cookie dough ice cream and run 2.2 afterwards you finish it..

5. Double. and triple check your garmin is actually charging the night before a race. Then check it right when you wake up to make sure it charged.

6. In the winter, put your clothes in the dryer before heading outside for the run.

7. Whenever you tell anyone you need to do a “quick” run.. you’re a liar.

8. If you run “rim to rim” have gators and extra socksx2 and moleskin..

9. Chew gum always.

10. Don’t stress if you have to miss a training run.. or don’t reach your goal for that day. EVERYONE has bad running days. In fact 89% of my long training runs SUCK. Just saying.

11. I don’t care how much I train for a marathon.. I always feel exactly the same at mile 21 either way.

12. You CAN finish a marathon.

13. Fueling every 4-5 miles of a marathon is actually a smart thing to do.

14. I like new running shoes. LIKE A LOT. Mizuno waveriders are my marathon shoe and wave sayonaras for halves.

15. ALWAYS wear a thong during a long run/race and use glide. Butt chafe is real.

16. Running socks are actually life changers. I don’t know how I ran in “normal” socks for so long. Smartwool socks are top on my list.

17. You always sweat more after a run.Like a MAN… At least I do.. I think it is weird..

18. Your thought during your first run after having a baby will be “ I will never run again.” But you can and you will.

19. Fiber before a race is BAAAAAD.

20. You actually get used to the smell of porta pottys

21. You never regret a run..

22. Train slow to run fast.

23. Do YOU. You don’t have to do what your friends are doing. Everyone trains different.

24. If I feel a little off, or pain. SKIP the run & rest!

25. Cross training is super important!

26. If running is feeling like a chore. Take a break.

27. Diet Coke after a long sweaty trail run/marathon/long run/ 10 am?… is  always a good idea.

28. Running makes me happy.

29. Heart rate training gets an A+. Start slow, and don’t expect to get faster and faster every day. But over time you will naturally get faster!

Little Red Riding Hood

Oh hey! I hope you guys are having a great summer so far! With school out it has been busy around here! Ash and I have been busy and we want to share our experience with Little Red!

This past weekend Ashley and I did the little red riding hood bike ride. Ashley has done this ride multiple times and it was my first time.

Little Red is put on by Bonneville Cycling Club. It is more of a ride than a race.

I have to admit that before the race I was really nervous about it! I have done plenty of triathlons but never a bike ride. I get anxious around a lot of bikes, I think it is just the idea of nicking tires and seeing myself crash to the asphalt clipped in to my bike.  The fear is real.

Anyway, everyone kept telling me it was just a FUN race

.

I have to tell you that I had a great time. It was very laid back and the ride has the best support, volunteers and participants of any race I have EVER done.

There are 5 different distances you can choose from.

• The Century (100 Miles)
• The Metric-Plus (70 Miles)
• The Half (50 Miles)
• The Quarter-Plus (36 Miles)
• The Short Hop (27 Mile)

The longer the distance you are planning on doing the earlier you start. So 7:30 am for the century and they actually let you go in waves. Every group is given a safety spill before you are sent off.

There are several rest stops along the course. Every stop is stocked with first aid needs, sunscreen and porta potties. They really have anything that you may need. There is also snacks, fruit, granola bars, popsicles, PB&J sandwiches, and a favorite..oreos with PB. The volunteers at each station are absolutely AMAZING!

Along the course you will see support vans, volunteers on motorcycles and they are at your beck and call and of course to remind you to stay safe by riding in single file line (the roads are not closed for the race.) They are supplied with tires, and tools to help if you happen to have any issues with your bike.

Every participant was encouraging, motivating and just happy to be riding!

I started at 7:30 with my friend Ashley (a different Ashley)

And Ash started about two hours after.

It was a bit chilly at the start but after about 15 miles we were warmed up.

6 inch Subway sandwiches were served for lunch along with all toppings you could ever want! Tomatoes, hummus, pickles, olives, cheese, etc. there were also, creamies, oreos, grapes, oranges, bananas, cookies and chips! Seriously, you will be well fed.

 

I took a salted carmel gu at mile 25. We ate our lunch at mile 50.

I had a neck issue that continued to bother me and got worse towards the end with plenty of deep blue on it,and IBU.

Initially, we wanted to do the century (100 miles) but at the 70 storm clouds were rolling in and my neck was killing me. (I had previously been fitted on my bike, it just a knot that has been hurting me for the last 5 years.)

That was my longest ride ever! So to finish the 70 I felt pretty fantastic.

Ashley started later in the morning and did 50 miles…30 weeks pregnant. YES, She is amazing!

It is a great race and we will be back year after year. The support is amazing and the ride is incredible. Well, minus a few farms that had 100 to many cows.

Registration is the hardest part of this race! It is a super popular event so if you are planning on doing it next year, plan to stay up late and register right when it opens because it sells out within minutes. Yes, MINUTES!

Shorts: Soas Racing Top: Fabletics

We loved it and had a great time at Little Red.

Hobble Creek Half Giveaway!

If you follow us on Instagram you probably noticed a giveaway we are running there!

Candice will be running the Hobble Creek Half and now you can too for FREE!

Free race entries are just as great as free lulu. Right?

Go to our Instagram and tag 3 friends!

You must follow us and @runnerscornerutah to be eligible to win!

If you do not have instagram.. no worries! Leave a comment here and tell me one weird thing you do while running?

Winner will be announced Tomorrow NIGHT!

 

-Candice & Ashley

Healthy Chicken Fajitas

Ashley here. I wanted to share this super easy dinner idea for you guys. It's one of my favorites and a go-to meals. Plus I think I particularly like Mexican food when I am pregnant.

What you'll need is...

2 Chicken Breasts 

1 bell pepper

Taco Seasoning

Spinach or whole wheat tortillas

And any of your favorite toppings. I like... Salsa, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, olives and some low fat shredded cheese.

For tonight I doubled the recipe because I wanted extras for the week. Between working, kid's football games, a sister's graduation and getting ready for the Little Red Riding Hood Bike ride this weekend.... Let's just say this week is a busy one. So having dinner in the fridge ready to warm up. I'll take it.

Step 1. Cut your chicken breasts into cutlets. (cutting them in half so they are not as thick). Oh and then I like to pound it out a little to tenderize it.

Step 2. Sprinkle/Rub the taco seasoning on the raw chicken.

 Step 3. Cook chicken in a medium preheated pan.

 Step 4. While the chicken is cooking, slice your bell pepper and sprinkle with taco seasoning.

 Step 5. Once chicken is cooked through and through. Slice it.....

 Step 6. Put those peppers in the same pan you just cooked the chicken with.

 Step 7. Once the peppers are tender toss them with the chicken.

 Step 8. In another pan, warm up your tortilla with some low fat shredded cheese.

 Step 9. Load it up  with all your favorite toppings.

 Step 10. Wrap that bad boy up....

 ....and enjoy every bite.

Easy right? And if you double it, then you've got two meals set for the whole week. And if your lucky some lunches for work too.