My Top Five Michigan Races

Over the last couple of years, I've mentioned running more and more on the blog.  It's a hobby that I now feel passionate about but didn't at all see coming.  Two years ago I couldn't even run a mile, now I'm training for a half marathon!

In the time that I've grown to enjoy running, I've participated in a bunch of Michigan races.  It's a weekend activity that Justin and I like to do together (and by together, I mean he runs way ahead of me and then celebrates at the finish line with me).  I've run so many enjoyable races that I had a hard time narrowing this list down to my top five.  But if you live in Michigan (or are visiting), these are the races I most recommend running in the mitten state!

1.  Bayshore Marathon/Half Marathon/10k: Okay, so the fact that Justin proposed on this race course definitely helps it jump to my number one spot!  But aside from engagement rings and fiancés, much of this race stretches along the coastline of the Old Mission Peninsula with beautiful views of the bay.  The race is held on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend so the weather is usually mild and there is a celebratory feeling in the air. 

2.  MSU Federal Credit Union Dino Dash: In my opinion, Michigan State's campus is one of the most beautiful places to be -- especially during the fall!  So running 3.1 miles through campus on a crisp October morning is a true pleasure! 

3.  Bier Distillery 5k: If you like scenic nature runs or delicious cocktails (or perhaps both), this is a fantastic race!  The route takes you along the White Pine Trail (one of my favorite places to train) and you get a cocktail made with in-house spirits when you finish.  This race is coming-up in a few weeks.  See you there?

4.  Lake Michigan Credit Union Bridge Run: This race really showcases downtown Grand Rapids!  You run right through the heart of the city and get to cross a few of the big bridges.  The race takes place during September, so the weather is great for running!

5.  Reeds Lake Trail Blazer: What better way to kick-off your 4th of July celebration than with a 5k?  Justin and I ran this race together during our first summer together and decided that we want to create the tradition of running it every year.  Running through beautifully manicured East Grand Rapids surrounded by families celebrating the holiday is lots of fun!

If you're a runner, tell me about your favorite races!

My Top 10 Running Songs

You guys, my big race is this weekend!  I'll be running my first (and hopefully not last) 10k!  In honor of ten kilometers, here are my ten favorite songs that keep me feet moving along that pavement.

1.  No- Meghan Trainor
2.  Mi Gente- J Balvin and Willy William
3.  Worth It- Fifth Harmony
4.  Lose Yourself- Eminem
5.  Believer- Imagine Dragons
6.  That's What I Like- Bruno Mars
7.  Shake Señora- Pitbull
8.  Cheerleader- Omi
9.  Work B**ch- Britney Spears
10.  Thunderstruck- AC/DC

What are your favorite "pump-up" songs?  Leave me your recommendations in the comments section so I can add them to my list!
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Running Tips: From One Beginner to Another

For my entire adult life, I've attempted to run.  About every three years I would jog regularly for a couple months, decide that running was the worst, and then stop.  Until now.

I've been running regularly for almost a year and can actually feel myself improving, finally!  The other day, I ran five whole miles without stopping to walk and decided that I can officially declare myself a runner!

So I'm here today to give other beginning runners some tips.  I am by no means an expert.  In fact, you can find lots of running advice from "experts" online but I usually give these articles the side-eye because the authors apparently don't remember how much running actually sucks as a beginner!

So, from one beginner to another, here's how I've survived a year of running.

Find Goals That Actually Motivate You

Until this year, my primary reason for running was always to lose weight.  This may be a super motivating goal for you, but it just didn't work for me!  I would run for a few months, not see any weight results and then quit.  Now, I run because I want to beat my best times at races.  My boyfriend convinced me to run a few 5ks with him last summer.  As I trained and realized that I could go faster and faster at these races, I got hooked!  Now I'm competing with myself to go faster and farther than before.  This is what works for me!  This is what I find fun about running.  So find what motivates you and go after that goal (and you might need to readjust that goal if you find that it's not inspiring you to work harder).

Follow A Training Program

This is another big one for me!  When I tried to run in the past, I would head out three days a week and just try to run as much of a 5k as possible.  It got boring and disheartening.  Now I realize that not all of my runs have to be the same.  I can spend one run working on speed and the next on distance.  Some practice runs can be short and some can be long.  With this variety, I've yet to get bored.  If you have a friend who is into running, ask him or her to help you come-up with a plan!  If not, there are plenty of training programs online whether you are shooting for a 5k or beyond.

You Don't Have to Run with a Group

So many of the "tips from running experts" you will find online encourage you to find friends or a running group to join.  I actually don't really like to run with others.  So you know what, I don't!  For some reason I psych myself out when I run with other people.  I try to go too fast at first and then burn-out.  I've gotten to the point where there are a choice few people I enjoy running with but for the most part, I'm a solitary runner and that's okay.  So really, find what works for you, group or no group!

If It Hurts, Stretch

I've talked to a variety of friends who run and each person has a different opinion about stretching.  Some stretch before running, not after.  Some do the opposite.  Some don't stretch at all!  This can be very confusing but my best tip for you is to listen to your body.  I wasn't really stretching and found myself having some shin, calf and foot pain.  The pain didn't really feel related to stretching but I decided to do a few stretches before running to see if it would help.  And it did!  I understand what works best for my body right now and if things hurt in the future, I will adjust.

Clothes Matter

And I'm not just saying this because I'll take any excuse to buy cute clothes (work-out wear included).  I have four must-have pieces for successful and comfortable running.  The first is pretty obvious, comfortable shoes.  I wear these but you just have to try shoes on and figure-out what works best for you.  I also think socks are super important!  Regular socks won't absorb sweat properly and will give you blisters.  I wear these for pain-free feet.  Pants have actually been my biggest struggle with running clothes.  I can't tell you how many droopy pair of leggings I've had to tug at while running.  My best advice is to find leggings (or shorts or pants) with a drawstring that you can tighten to keep your pants up!  And finally, don't wear cotton shirts.  They will get sweaty and heavy.  Find tops with moisture-wicking material for a more pleasant run.

There you have it, my running friends.  This is what changed me from a self-proclaimed hater of running to a runner.  I know that running sucks right now, but I promise you that it will eventually suck less!  You can do it!
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Resolutions: Intuitive Eating and Running Races

Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  It seems like there has been a lot of buzz in the blogging world this year about making goals instead of resolutions.  In a way, it seems like we're just giving resolutions a new label but I do see one rather nuanced difference.  I think that goals are more definable, they are actionable whereas resolutions might be a bit vague.  Although you can set actionable goals to your resolutions and voilà, we have the same thing!

When creating resolutions or goals for myself this year I definitely went at it from the perspective of setting-up things I could actually do as opposed to an undefined wish.  Every year it seems that my resolution is to lose weight, but this year I'm focusing on my health in more specific ways.  I'm also calling these things resolutions because it's January, but really these are goals and concepts that I've been thinking about for a few months now.

Resolution #1: Intuitive Eating

I tend to have two modes when it comes to eating:

Mode #1: Be on a strict diet, follow rules very closely and lose weight.
Mode #2: Eat all the things and gain weight.

I so very badly want to fall somewhere in the middle.  I don't want to constantly be thinking about weight loss, diets and calories.  But I also don't want to be binging unhealthily and gaining weight.  That's where a concept called Intuitive Eating comes into play.  At it's core, Intuitive Eating is about eating when you're hungry, stopping when you're full and eating what your body feels it needs.

I am at the very beginning of this Intuitive Eating journey.  And it is a journey!  There is so much to learn and you really have to reset your way of thinking about food.  I've found some really helpful resources to help me along this path and am thinking about chronicling my journey here at Whitney à la mode.  What do you think?  Are you interested in learning along with me?

Resolution #2: Running Races

This past year (with the help of my boyfriend) I went from being a non-runner to having finished eight 5k races.  I'm so proud of the progress that I've made but I have so many more running goals that I want to accomplish!

This year my running resolutions are two-fold.  First of all, I want to run at least twelve races this year.  I've already signed-up for my first two!  A Frostbite 5k in a couple of weeks and an Irish Jig 5k in March.

My second running goal this year is to finish my first (and hopefully not last) 10k.  I've already signed-up for one in May and have started my training schedule.  This is also something I'm thinking about blogging in hopes that I can help other non-runners to see that yes, you can do this!  Let me know if you are interested!

Make sure you stop by and visit the other Blended Bloggers today to learn about their goals and resolutions.  Also, link-up your own with us today so we can form a nice, big support group for one another!

Summertime Fun: Work-Out Faves

Hey, friends!  Sorry my posting has been a bit sporadic lately.  I've truly been relaxing and enjoying every little bit of my summer vacation!

One activity that I've dedicated a lot of time to this summer has been exercising!  I've mentioned before that I've tried to get into running on several occasions but it never became a regular part of my life...until now!  My boyfriend is an awesome runner so he has been helping to coach me.  His expertise and enthusiasm has me more motivated than ever to run farther and faster.  We've run two 5k's this month and I've beat my best time at each race!  I'm excited to keep pushing myself to see what I can do next!

Considering fitness has been a huge part of my summer, I'm excited to be participating in The Blended Blog's Summertime Fun Hop today because it's all about working-out!  If you are stopping by from Sarah's blog, welcome!

What we're most excited to share with you today is our favorite work-out video series by The Fitness Marshall!  Have you heard of him?  He creates these amazing hip hop dance routines to today's most popular songs.  You can find them for free on his Youtube channel.  After a few videos, you will definitely be working-up a sweat but you'll be having so much fun, you don't even realize it!  Need a little more convincing?  A few of the TBBers (myself included) made a video to show you just how much fun we have dancing with The Fitness Marshall.  Being recorded while doing a hip hop dance work-out was definitely embarrassing (what's with my facial expression?!?) but Deena did an amazing job compiling our little video.  I hope you enjoy it!

Fave Fitness Video from Dee on Vimeo.

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