A few months back, I attended the WOW Summit in National Harbor. I got exposed to many healthy brands during the summit, and I was so happy to have a new bag of healthy vitamins, probiotics, treats, and food to take home with me to add to my healthy eating arsenal. One brand that I got to try at the summit was FlapJacked . I had seen their Mighty Muffins in Vitamin Shoppe, but I'd never actually given them a try. I first tried their Maple Pumpkin Mighty Muffin at the summit, and I fell in love! I really struggle in the mornings, and anything that would allow me to get a quick, healthy breakfast that I could eat while I'm running around in the morning is a plus for me. Just a quarter cup of water in the Mighty Muffin cup, a quick stir, and less than a minute in the microwave, and I can start shoveling yummy goodness into my big mouth. Oh, and I can consume 20g of protein in the process! Schwing! So, when the folks at FlapJacked contacted me about trying out their line...

I absolutely love the Annapolis Running Classic . It is my favorite race every year, and I was happy to be a member of the Nap Run Classic A-Team for my second year in a row! Everything about the race went great for me this year, without question. The weather was perfect, I didn't have to run it alone, I could do packet pickup pretty close to my house (even though I almost forgot!) and I could sleep in a little bit more this year since my boyfriend and I decided to get an Airbnb place nearby. Me after picking up my packet, in all of my Annapolis Running Classic swag. Nerd alert! My boyfriend, on the other hand, forgot to select our local running store as a packet pickup location, so we had to drive up to Annapolis the night before the race once again. At that point, we figured we might as well get an Airbnb, since it was so annoying last year dealing with traffic in the morning (not because of the race, but because they were randomly doing construction on the high...

A couple of months ago, I attended the WOW Summit , and got to try out a ton of healthy products. One of those products was a package of Biotin Bursts from NeoCell . For the past year, I have been pretty good about taking biotin. My skin, hair, and nails have definitely appreciated it! I'm always looking for easy way to take biotin. That's why I was so pumped to try out the Biotin Bursts . These little bursts are yummy and easy to just chew and go, which means I can keep extras in my purse to take with me in case I forget to take one before I leave home (read: no need to grab a glass of water like you might if you had to take a capsule!). ...

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Key West Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! A few days after running my last half marathon of the year, it seems appropriate that I start planning out my half marathons for next year, right? I am so excited, you guys! It looks like I'm kicking off my 2017 race calendar in Key West, Florida! That's right! I'm running the 2017 Key West Half Marathon ! I will definitely be looking forward to some fun in the sun while we're in the dead of winter here in Maryland. Even more exciting: I'll be running the race with one of my favorite people! I'm planning to fly down to West Palm Beach, meet up with my roommate/teammate from college, drive down to South Beach to meet up with my best friend, and then all three of us head down to Key West! My college roommate/teammate, Jade, will be running t...

Disclaimer: I received a SPIbelt Performance Series running belt to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! Over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to test out the SPIbelt Performance Series running belt. I am totally in love with it! I'm really picky about my running belts, but when I find one I like, I tend to stick with it indefinitely. Running belts are important to me because I love to listen to my running playlist or podcasts when I'm running. I also have to carry keys, my ID, gels, and other thangs while I'm running, especially for my longer runs. The SPIbelt enables me to carry my big ol' phone (IN the Otterbox case, mind you) while I'm running, without worrying about bounce, which is probably the thing I'm pickiest about. ...

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Legend Compression socks to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!  Recently, I had the opportunity to try out Legend Compression socks. To be honest, I'd never heard of this brand before I received them for my review, but I'm always excited to try out new compression socks. It's really interesting to see how different brands fit differently and where improvements can be made. When I first started wearing compression socks, I went nuts with crazy prints. I quickly realized that it was much harder for me to put together a Lex-appropriate outfit with the prints than with fun, solid colors. I'm more of a matchy-matchy lady than a mix-and-match lady when it comes to my fitness gear. I'm trying to push my fitness fashion comfort level, but it's still a work in progress. In the meantime, I'll keep rocki...

Every once in a while, I end up in a beauty blog/Instagram/Pinterest hole. I never know how I get into them, and rarely know how to get out, but they usually result in me buying something to try out at home. This time, the result was me purchasing some Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water  along with the Always Off Makeup Remover Cloths . Now, you might be thinking,  doesn't this lady rarely wear makeup?  Yes, it's true that I don't usually wear makeup; however, in my never-ending beauty tip hole (which, quite frankly, doesn't sound quite right), I learned that micellar water can be used as a general cleanser, and is good for sensitive skin.  What exactly is is micellar water? This post from  Elle is a pretty good primer.  "Turns out micellar water has been around for over a hundred years, first gaining momentum in France, where it was designed to help Parisians deal with the region's infamously harsh water supply. The formula is made...

Is my Wednesday Wishlist a little random? Maybe. Is it mine? Totally! This is a list of 5 things I have on my wishlist this week. Please note that I haven't been sponsored for any of the items on my wishlist. I genuinely want these things without any prompting! There may be an affiliate link or two thrown in there, but I haven't been compensated for any of these items. ...

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Run Inspired 10k as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! In just a little less than two weeks, I'll be running my first race in months -- the Run Inspired 10k ! I haven't run a 10k in quite a while, but I also haven't run in quite a while... whoops! So, on Sunday, October 23, I'll be heading up to Winterthur, Delaware for what sounds like a totally amazing race! This race is described as, "A challenging 10k (6.2 miles) on paved pathways that lace and intertwine through Winterthur’s rolling hills, gardens, and forests." Doesn't that sound enchanting? This is all going down at the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library , which is supposed to be a beautiful mansion/venue. I've never been, so this will be sort of a racecation for me! ...

Happy Tuesday! Can you believe it's already October? This fall is just whizzing by!  Today is the last day of my first Whole 30, and it's a bittersweet ending. I know that it doesn't actually have to end, but it was pretty exciting having a goal and a timeline and checking off the little boxes on my calendar each day I completed. I'm super proud of myself for taking it seriously all month and not cheating! I feel great, I've lost weight, and I feel like I've finally gotten my diet back in check. I can't wait to share my final results with you - along with my general thoughts on the program - but for now, that's all I'm going to tell you until I'm done (which is in less than 24 hours! Wow!).  ...

Rabbit, rabbit! Happy October, beautiful people! Today, I'm participating in my first Ultimate Coffee Date linkup, and I'm excited to tell you what I've been up. The Ultimate Coffee Date is a virtual coffee date hosted by CoCo and Deborah , so please show them some love and check out their pages. ...

It's Throwback Thursday! Since there are only 50 days left until the race, I thought I'd share this 2015 post with 3 reasons why you should run the Annapolis Running Classic. As a member of the A-Team, I gain free entry to the race, but I also get to share a discount code with all of you! Use the code ALEXIS16 to take 10% off on registration this year. Hurry before it sells out! Today, I'm just doing a check in with you lovely readers with three reasons why you should run the Annapolis Running Classic  in November. I cannot contain my excitement for this race! I only have two scheduled races remaining this calendar year, and this will be my last one for the year. I have been training, though I really need to pick up the training a bit over the next few weeks. It is so daggone hot outside, though, so I will really need to plan out my runs! Yesterday, my dad offered to take me through a brutal stair workout. I'm going to take him up on his offer, bu...

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I have been getting my sweat on ALL. WEEK. I am more than halfway through my first Whole 30 program, and I've finally gotten into a groove with fueling myself with Whole 30 approved foods so that I don't feel totally drained by the end of the work day. This week, I'm linking up for both the  Sunday Fitness and Food  (with  Ilka  and  Marathons & Motivation ) and the  Weekly Wrap  (with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin ) Link Ups! Be sure to give the link up hosts some love if you get a chance! ...

Disclaimer: I received a pair of pink AfterShokz Trekz Titanium headphones to review as part of being a BibRave Pro . Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! Have you ever needed something, but didn't know where to start looking for it? That's how I was with wireless headphones. Time after time, I would get all tangled up in my Tabata workout, coiled up in my dumbbell curls, or get everything knotted together on my long runs. Surely there's a better way , I would tell myself. I mean, it's 2016! Somebody had to come up with a way to make it easier to listen to music while working out! Time went by, and every time I would tell myself, I really need to research wireless headphones , I just never followed through. That's why, when I heard that I would have the opportunity to test out the AfterShokz Trekz Titanium headphones , I jumped right on it! ...

When I first heard of Shower Pill , I thought it was something you dropped in your shower to clean it out. I know what you're probably thinking: Why does this lady always get so far off the mark when she is guessing?  I don't know the answer, people. Welcome to my world. :-) Needless to say, I was wrong. Shower Pill is actually a brand of amazing body wipes to get the stank off of you so you can keep your day moving along smoothly! These are perfect for me because I'm always running from activity to activity, often times with no opportunity for a much-needed shower. For example: During my Friday lunch break, I went to a community yoga class, then had to return to the office. Well, I couldn't sit there all funky for the rest of the day. That's just disrespectful to my officemate! Instead, I wiped myself down after yoga, and kept it moving. Ever since I started using them a couple of months ago, I have not been able to stop raving about them. Every chance I g...

This is a sponsored post. All opinions in this post are my own. If you have been reading this blog for at least a couple of months now, you've likely noticed that I took the site through a redesign, and that I've added a few new topics up at the top there. I've decided that, because I have traveled so much and love to talk about traveling in general, I would start writing a bit about my travels! Lex Landing  will be where I feature travels around the country and abroad (such as this post on one of my favorite places in Arizona), and Lex Local  will be where I talk about things I do and see in my area (such as this restaurant I recently visited). For now, they're just tags I'm using on posts, but eventually they will be their own pages. I hope you enjoy my travel posts! Speaking of Lex Local, I have really been working to get out and try new things in my area. It's funny: I was born and raised in the DC Area, but I still feel like Jon Snow - I know nothi...

I'm a huge fan of Skratch Exercise Hydration Mix ! It's my favorite hydration drink, and I use it for running, volleyball, hiking, and general workouts. The first time I tried Skratch was when I won a bag of their Lemons + Limes flavor at an event hosted by a local running store. When I tried it out, I realized it was exactly what I was looking for in a hydration beverage! It didn't give me any stomach problems, the flavor was nice and light, and the packaging was easy for a klutz like me! The most significant difference between Skratch and other brands, for me, was that they use cane sugar as opposed to artificial sweeteners. I found that artificial sweeteners really upset my stomach, either right after my workout (if it was a shorter workout or volleyball game) or in the middle of my workout (if it was a long run or race). Any runner can tell you that you do not want your gut in knots while you're running! Heck, any person  could tell you that!) I also real...

Disclaimer: I received this pair of Oofos sandals to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews! Amazing. That's the word I would use to describe the Oofos Ooriginal Sport Sandals I tested out. You guys know I'm a skeptic, so when I heard that these sandals were good for recovery, I threw some major side eye at 'em. When I received them, I thought, at the very least, I got some new flip flops!  Man, did I underestimate these sandals! Holy cow! ...

Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to check out The Habit  in Rockville, Maryland -- the first location in Maryland.  When I first saw the signs pop up, I thought that it was some monk/nun-theme restaurant. When I first stepped foot in the door, I realized that this was ridiculous and incorrect. I was so happy to try The Habit with some of my fellow Maryland bloggers! We had a good mix of people with varying diets and food allergies/preferences, so we got to test out a pretty good range of menu options. I'm not usually one to head out to a burger joint -- but not because I hate burgers! Most burger spots don't have many - if any - options for folks who don't eat red meat. (I very rarely eat red meat.) I love a good turkey burger, but I usually have to make them myself. Some places offer vegetarian options that are just the same, bland, rock-hard veggie burger patty. Blech. Fortunately for me, The Habit was not that! ...

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was in Northern Arizona. I had an absolutely amazing time, and returned home to the DC Area feeling refreshed. The coolest place I visited while in Arizona was definitely the Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monumen t in Flagstaff. I know what you're thinking. Yes, I visited the Grand Canyon. No, I wouldn't describe the Grand Canyon as "cool." It's absolutely awesome! I mean, it's the Grand Canyon, people!  But Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument... I really connected with these parks. I visited these two parks a day before visiting the Grand Canyon, and they were totally unexpected and wonderful. (A little background  on Sunset Crater and Wupatki  Monument, in case you've never heard of these amazing places.) There are many reasons to visit these beautiful parks, which are located along the same road, but I'm going to narrow them down to five simple reasons. ...

The prizes for my annual #AwesomeInAugust Instagram Challenge will help you lead your fit lifestyle! One winner will receive a prize package with all of the prizes! The prizes are: A $50 Amazon gift card so that you can treat yourself to whatever fitness-related gear you might need! A sampler pack of Skratch mixes and fruit drops so that you get your hydration on. A box of Shower Pill wipes so that you can freshen up in between different fitness activities. A Milestone Pod so that you can keep track of your runs without having to remember to bring a device with you.  Check out this post for additional rules.  Good luck! ...

Rabbit, rabbit! August is here! You know what that means, right? It means that my annual #AwesomeInAugust Instagram Challenge is here! Check out the rules on my Instagram post , and stay tuned! I will be revealing the prize package (that's right, PACKAGE) later this week! I'll just say that I'm super excited about it and that the participating brands will help you with some of your fitness needs! ...

Disclosure: I received nutritional boosters from Bob's Red Mill in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts shared in this post are mine.  Here I am! Back at ya with another smoothie recipe! I am totally digging smoothies and shakes this summer! I'm really bad about breakfast, as I've mentioned about a kajillion times on this blog, and these easy drinks are just what the doctor ordered. Just about every morning - after I hit the snooze button a couple dozen times - and finally decide to get my lazy butt out of bed, I am always in a rush to get ready and grab something quick and easy to eat. Usually, I have to eat or drink whatever it is while I'm commuting to work, which is definitely not ideal. Smoothies and shakes are things I can throw together quickly and easy, and I can actually drink them while I'm getting ready. Chai-flavored smoothies have always been a challenge for me, so when I received my box of nutritional boosters from Bob's Red Mill...

Disclaimer: I received a stick of Body Glide to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! Ladies and gentlemen, I'm just going to cut to the chase here: I love Body Glide! Seriously! This stuff is seriously amazing and has not only helped my summer running, but has also enhanced my sweaty summer life in general. I tested it out while going for track workouts, tempo runs, playing volleyball, hiking, and even just on particularly hot days at work when I was wearing a skirt or shorter dress There are so many great things about Body Glide , so I thought I'd narrow it down to my five favorite things about this product in order to save you from some of my typical long-winded ranting and raving. Before I jump into my list, I should probably tell you what Body Glide is, right? According to their website, Body Glide is officially , "The original anti cha...

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own, of course. Gotta keep it real! Update: Boyfriend got his luggage delivered at 3 a.m. today. Hallelujah!  As I sit here at the baggage claim in LAX, waiting for my boyfriend's bags to arrive from his layover in Nashville (they didn't make it onto his flight, unfortunately), I start going through a list of what we'll need for our hiking adventures in Sedona and the Grand Canyon this week. I want to be certain we didn't forget anything important! In about 16 hours or so, we fly out to Phoenix for a week in the  Grand Canyon State . I know the ol' bf is going to be jet lagged in a few hours, so I want to figure out if we’re missing anything before that happens! ...

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bob's Red Mill. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  I'm becoming the Smoothie Queen! (At least that's what I tell myself.) I've been experimenting with different flavor combinations and trying out different types of protein powders to make quick and easy smoothies for breakfast and post workout. The goal has been to eat more fruits and vegetables, consume more protein, and cut down on the number of calories I take in each day so that I can lose these pounds! When I had the opportunity to try out Bob’s Red Mill's new nutritional boosters , I was ecstatic! They sent me a huge box of four full-sized nutritional boosters, plus a little recipe book, a scoop, and a cute blender bottle.  Vanilla, chocolate, and chai were the three flavors that were featured in the box I received, and these flavors are versatile enough for me to be able to test out a lot of different recipes. Let me back up a second, though, and tell you...

Hello there, friends! I've been running around like crazy, preparing for BlogFest , working out, starting my marathon training, and doing regular stuff like, ya know, going to work and sleeping! This is just a quick check in so that you know that I'm alive and well (and almost 10 pounds lighter!). I cannot believe BlogFest is less than a week away! I have my business cards ordered, I've started planning out my outfits (shout out to Coach Debbie for this awesome post on what to pack!), and I have some Shower Pill  wipes  (affiliate link)  en route from Amazon so I can wipe the stank off of me in between sessions. I am so excited and nervous at the same time! I cannot get over the fact that I was selected for this amazing opportunity! Another amazing opportunity: I'm on the A Team for the 2016 Annapolis Running Classic ! This will be my third year running the race (10k once, half marathon twice), and my second year as a race ambassador. This is hands down my...

Greetings, friends! I come to you today with a little DIY project. I know I don't post these very often (mostly because I don't have a lot of time for DIY projects these days), but I thought this one was fun, and could be a little motivational nudge for those of us out there who are looking for a fun way to continue losing weight -- especially since we're officially into the summer! This is a super easy, cheap, and quick DIY project. In fact, most of the supplies for this project were purchased at the dollar store (or 99 cent store, for my NYC friends)! What is the purpose of these weight loss jars? Well, there are a few answers to this question. First and foremost, I have found that it is a lot more motivating for me to continue my weight loss journey when I can actually see  results. With these jars, you can see the marbles disappear from the "Weight To Lose" jar while you fill up your "Weight Lost" jar! Another good use for the jars is to e...

Oh, hello summer! I can't believe you're finally here! It's that time of the week where I link up with Sarah and Tamieka ! This week, we're talking about our favorite summer activities. For me, fitness is easiest to incorporate into my routine in the summer. Yes, I know that the seasons shouldn't  matter, but the reality is that they do! I am not a cold weather person, so winter is a real struggle for me. Spring and fall are great seasons for fitness too, but there's something about the summer that makes fitness -- especially with friends -- so much easier! In the DC area, it seems like just about everyone is doing something outdoors at least once a week. It's great! Okay, so I don't just do all fitness all the time (I'd have a 6 pack and killer traps if I did). I love doing all types of activities during the summer, and most of them are outdoors. My summers have been a mixed bag the last decade or so. No summer is the same, which is ju...

It's the start of a new week! Are you excited? I know I am! I have a challenging week up ahead, but I'm ready to be back into my regular schedule, with some hot yoga with friends sprinkled in throughout the week. I've been getting in my marathon training runs, and this heat wave we're beginning to experience in the DC Area isn't making that any easier! It's been just about a week since running the Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon as a BibRave Pro, and while I've been training and playing volleyball and all that jazz, parts of me are still in recovery. Those parts include my poor left foot, one of my toes, and my dignity. :-| In case you couldn't tell from my post image on the left here, this was not my best race ever. I did not PR. I did not smile at the finish line. I did  finish, however, and sampled a lot of wine at the finish line. As an athlete, I have known the old adage that, "you win some, you lose some," for quite some time,...

Happy Thursday, everyone! This week has shaped up to be an excellent week for fitness for me! I'm down a few pounds since this time last month, and my body is finally feeling ready to really get into my marathon training. This week, I've played a volleyball double header (I subbed one match for my friend's team after my game on Monday), I did some hot yoga with my friend Jackie on Tuesday (our first time at Pure Om Bethesda ), and on Wednesday I hit up Sarah's yoga class after work, followed by an interval workout at a local track . I've been stretching and foam rolling, hydrating, weight lifting, and eating much healthier, and I feel GREAT! Since it's Thursday, that means I'm throwing down my thoughts on my summer vacation plans as part of the Thursday Throwdown ! This is where you get a chance to link up with Tamieka , Sarah, and me each Thursday! ...

Exciting news, you guys: The Thursday Throwdown is moving to a weekly format! Woohoo! Hopefully that will make it much easier for you lovely people to link up with us when you want. This month, we'll be focusing on summer, especially since June straddles two seasons. Today's theme is Transitioning to Summer Fitness Activities . This is one of my favorite things about summer: I can do all of my favorite things outside now! (And I love being outside!) Last summer, I got the chance to do a lot of outdoor activities for the first time, or for the first time in a long time. I got a chance to try stand up paddleboarding and kayaking on the same day, and I had the chance to play some grass volleyball and go for a long bike ride with friends. Last summer rocked! This summer, you have a lot to live up to! Each year, around this time, I am trying to reconfigure what I pack for workouts/runs. I take things out of my gym bag that I won't need for months (e.g. my running glove...

Happy Global Running Day, friends! For the second year in a row , I am linking up with my fellow Sweat Pink Ambassador Kristen from Jonesin' for a Run  for a National/Global Running Day Interview ! I'm also linking up with the Wild Workout Wednesday ladies, especially since they're focusing in on Global Running Day this week. Bonus: Nicole from Fitful Focus included one of my speed workouts in her Ultimate Running Workout Roundup post today! I love reading about people's relationships with running, and am often inspired by what gets people running in the first place! I usually learn something new about running when I read these interview responses. I hope you get a chance to read some too and learn a little something extra about running today! ...

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! Let me start by revealing what may have already been obvious at this point: I AM A BIBRAVE PRO! WOOHOO! What does that mean? Find out here . As you know, I have reviewed quite a few races here on Flecks of Lex. I have run even more than I have recapped, but one of my running resolutions for 2016 is to get better about that, which I am! What's great about BibRave is that I can write much shorter reviews there, which means that I can get them posted quicker, and that I can also use them as a guide to write an extensive post for my race recap when the time comes. ...

A couple of weeks ago, I ran the second half marathon of my running "career." The race was the Frederick Running Festival Half Marathon, and I set a new PR! (Granted, my only other half marathon featured an extended portable toilet visit, so it's possible my results are a little skewed, but it's all good.) The weather was amazing, which I hope will be my race tradition during this running season. We've been getting tons of rain in the DC Area, so any break in the depressing weather is a great thing! I don't spend much time in Frederick, and despite it being less than an hour drive from home, this was the only time I'd ever actually run a race in Frederick. I wasn't sure what to expect of the crowd or even the route itself. All I knew was that I was going to have to wake up super early to drive up there, and it was going to be a long, lonely race. Or so I thought... ...

It's Thursday, which means it's time for the Thursday Throwdown linkup! This week, Sarah , Tamieka , and I chose to revolve the theme around motivation . Because I have been working my butt off the last few weeks, I can tell you that I am being motivated by sleep right now. Boy, I cannot wait  to hop into bed! I've had a lot of stress-induced insomnia this week in particular, and I'm feeling like today is the day I fall asleep before 1 a.m.! (That's the earliest I've been able to fall asleep this week... whomp whomp.) But before I do that, I need to share what  really motivates me! To answer the question of what motivates me, I had to think of the answer in two parts. The first was what motivates me generally, in life. The second was to think about what motivates me in my health and fitness efforts, more specifically. ...

One of my running resolutions for 2016 is to write my race recaps quicker. I tried to give myself a deadline of a week per race, but obviously I didn't hit that mark like I'd planned. I have three race recaps to complete before my June 4 half marathon , so I apologize in advance for the multiple race recap posts you'll be seeing over the next two weeks! Pike's Peek is a pretty popular race here in Montgomery County, Maryland. It's a 10k down a normally-busy main road, running from north to south, passing a few Metro stations along the way, as we run from the Shady Grove Metro to the White Flint Metro. It's hosted by the Montgomery County Road Runners , of which I am a new member. There were about 3,000 runners who participated in the race on April, which is a pretty good amount! The weather was absolutely gorgeous, sunny, and not too hot -- especially since you're running on a road with no tree coverage to protect you. ...

On Saturday, I will run my second race of the week. You read that correctly, and yes, I know: I have lost my dang mind. On Sunday, I ran the Frederick Half Marathon, where I got to run in perfect weather, through a beautiful city, and hit a PR. Hopefully I'll get around to writing that recap some time this weekend! On Saturday, I'll be running a muddy race with a bunch of tough women, and I can't wait! As I mentioned in my last post about the Dirty Girl Mud Run , I haven't run a mud race in about two years. I'm so happy to be doing it again, though, and to run it with my friends who ran it with me last time! I love mud runs! I like getting dirty and having a good laugh with friends. I think mud runs get a bad rep, and so many of the bad things I hear about them aren't even based in reality! Or they're "user error" related! This afternoon, I read this great post from Janelle over at Run With No Regrets . It's called 5 Silliest Myths Ab...

May is a great time of year! Mother's Day is in May, people make those corny, "It's Gonna be May," and "May the 4th Be With You" jokes all in one week, Memorial Day rounds out the month, which also means that outdoor pools open on the East Coast. It's a great time to be alive! For this month's Thursday Throwdowns , we're focusing on making May a Motivational May. This week, our theme is May Mantra, which means we're talking about how we focus, or what we say to ourselves to push through something that may be challenging or difficult. I've definitely had my share of struggles over the last several weeks, and I've had to tap into my "mantra bank" to make sure I stay focused. Work has been wicked busy, which means less time for blogging, and less energy for things like marathon training and volleyball. Nevertheless, I've made myself spend just a little bit of time focusing on blogging and fitness, and while it's n...

I haven’t run a mud run in about two years. Inconceivable! I really enjoyed the last mud run I ran, and had a blast with my friends. There’s something about doing a muddy obstacle course race that makes you feel like a beast when you’re done -- even if you were sweating and rolling around in the mud like an absolute pig. :-) In just a couple of weeks, I’ll be running the Dirty Girl Mud Run for the first time. It's a 5k with about 10-12 obstacles. This race is cool because it is the World's Largest Women's Only Mud Run! Not only that: The Dirty Girl Mud Run (DGMR) has Bright Pink as their national charity partner ! According to their website, "Bright Pink is the only national non-profit organization focused on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. Our aim is to reach the 52 million young women in the United States between the ages of 18 and 45 with our innovative, life-saving breast and ovarian health programs, thereby empower...

I saw this on a good friend's Facebook page a couple of days ago. She went on a 30-mile, 2-day hike down in Florida, and was having some major feet issues after the first day. Ouch! I thought this line about not leaving your toenails behind was pretty fitting for today's Thursday Throwdown theme: Earth Day! I love being outdoors, so celebrating Earth Day just comes with the territory! Want to enjoy that park where you take your kids, or comfortably feel the sand between your toes? We'd better take care of Mother Earth, y'all!! One way we can all help out is by following the seven principles of Leave No Trace  when we spend time outdoors. You'd be surprised how often people carelessly leave trash behind when they're outdoors, or how many people disrupt things in their natural habitat for the sake of being the "rebel" in their group. Not cool, people. ...

On Sunday, I made a pretty great mistake. I know, I know. That doesn't make sense. Except that it does ! It all started with Saturday... On Saturday, I played in a volleyball tournament out in Herndon, Virginia. The stars were aligned in such a way that Murphy's Law took over the first half of the day, and I ended up playing a position I rarely play (mostly because it's my worst position, and at 5'6, I'm quite short for that position). Needless to say, after a long day of volleyball, my body was not very happy with me. I went home, took one of my amazing Epsom salt baths , and got my recovery on. Sunday morning, I ate breakfast, and headed into DC for my first ever Zengo class, at a beautiful, brand new studio in Cathedral Commons. I learned about the free class at this new location through my new homegirl  Sarah , who found out about it through Active Life DC . ...

Oh, well hello there! I'm so glad you could join me today, because today is a special day: Today is the first day for the Thursday Throwdown! Woohoo! If you missed my introductory post about the Thursday Throwdown, you can check it out here . For today's theme, we're talking about spring cleaning, but maybe not in the way that you're used to talking about spring cleaning. Because Sarah , Tamieka , and I are healthy living/fitness bloggers, we're putting our own little twists on the topic (or, as I would normally say, putting some stank on it!), and encourage you to do the same. If you decide to write about what spring cleaning means to you, please link up with us! I'll include the linkup information and image below for all of you bloggers out there. Now, on to the Thursday Throwdown! ...