dicks sporting goods – imperfectly courtney

Nutrition, Running, STL, Whole30, workouts

So I’m Running a Half Marathon on Sunday…

April 4, 2013 Courtney

oh yea. That snuck up on me. So remember when I posted about my CrossFit Endurance Half Marathon Training Plan?

Well somewhere in between all our traveling, school, and horrible weather I just didn’t keep up with it. I know that I have gotten faster, but I needed to know that I could run the distance. So I just added in some long runs when I could… I know I CAN finish – I just don’t know how fast at this point. I am SO excited to have my friend Emily coming into town to run with me, but she has been out for awhile due to a knee injury. I’m deciding to just take this race as a fun run and hope to PR. I plan on getting some more speed training in before the Pittsburgh Half Marathon next month, but I hear the course is hilly. Regardless of how the clock says I do on Sunday, I know I’m WAY fitter than I was last year when I ran this race (Thanks, CrossFit!)

Obviously not the best comparison shot. But last year I was busting out of my Mens Size Large Jersey. That same jersey is baggy now! Having less weight to carry for 13.1 miles is going to make a huge difference. If I had to guess around that time last year I was probably hovering around 215lbs give or take – Today I weight 189 (yes, I weighed myself on the Whole30. If that’s the worst thing I do these 30 days I’m doing ok). That is 26lbs difference, but I know I’ve gotten a lot stronger and likely gained muscle.

Last year I my longest training run was 8 miles. This year I did a 10 mile training run 2 weeks out. On the treadmill. I’m pretty sure if I can do 10 on the treadmill I can do anything.

This past week I’ve been eating super clean being on the Whole30 – and hydrating like crazy. My only concern is my fueling, since I haven’t tried any natural things like Dates/Rasins I may just stick with my Honey Stingers (at least they are organic!) and Nuun. I’m still not sure though.

All that to say I really am looking forward to this race, it’s going to be fun.. I love the racing environment. It’s electric. Pushing yourself to the limits and then going further is exhilarating. Not to mention watching the Dick’s Sporting Goods #RunFor videos has got me super pumped up to run. Check out this one from last week, I think it is my favorite yet.

If Team Hoyt can run 1000+ races including several IRON MAN races, I certainly can go out there and knock out 13.1 miles.

What do you #runfor? Any races coming up? Hows your training going?

Running

#RunFor Family – Asmeret’s Story

March 26, 2013 Courtney

I have been honored to work with Dick’s Sporting Goods on an amazingly inspiring campaign called #RunFor. This campaign is all about the sharing the different reasons why we run. This campaign will lead up to me running in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Half Marathon! (In 39 days… EEK!) Each week they are releasing a new video telling the stories of different runners and the reason why they run. I shared last week about Lisa and Sally. This week’s story hit really close to home for me. If you read my health story you know that while I have struggled with my weight my whole life my “A-HA!” moment came after having my daughter in 2010. I knew that I didn’t want her to struggle with the same health and weight issues that I had to struggle with. I knew I had to set a good example for her. So I began running and eating right. And it was all she knew. She would bring me my running shoes and tell me “Go Mama GO!” when she was like 18 months old. She loved running with me and watching me run. Now she is 3 and she still asks me to go running. It has become a part of our lives. Not only to a run to set a good example for her, but I run to be healthy for her and my husband. They motivate me to be the healthiest I can be so I can be around longer to share life with them.

This week’s #RunFor video is about Asmeret – A mom who wakes up at 3:30am to run everyday so she can be around to care for her kids. Like I said, I totally get this one. I wake up at 4:15am four days a week to go to CrossFit before my daughter wakes up. Being around for her, and showing her what it is to be strong and healthy, makes it all worth it. Check out Asmeret’s Story:

I really do love these videos, they are SO inspiring. This is the third video in the 13 video series. If you have missed any just hop over to the Dick’s Sporting Goods #RunFor page to catch up.

Are you an early morning runner/gym goer?
What do you #runfor?

This post is part of a paid campaign with Dick’s Sporting Goods. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Coffee Date

Coffee Date: Birthday Eve!

March 22, 2013 Courtney

Hey Friends! I’m SO excited that it is FRIDAY! This week has been a rough one trying to get adjusted back to central time, catch up on a ton of work (regular work and blog work… SO much fun stuff coming your way!!) and trying to get back into a routine with workouts. I’m also excited for the weekend because TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY! YEEESS!

Alright – who is ready for some coffee? I’m drinking out of my moose cup. Be jealous.

To recap: I talked about Mexico, my birthday, AND my awesome partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Pittsburgh Half Marathon! Check out the latest in the #runfor Inspirational Video series here.

What do you do to celebrate your birthday?
What would you tell me if we were having coffee?

Linking up with Alissa

Running

What do you #runfor

March 20, 2013 Courtney

Running has been a part of my health journey from the start. When I started it was all I thought I could do to get the weight off. So I started, slow and short, but I kept going. As I continued to run I realized that I could get better at it. Every mile I ran I thought of those who told me I never could. I went from not being able to run for 30 seconds to training for a marathon. It became more than just a way to lose weight, running became an outlet. It was my way of showing everyone I could. No, it was my way of showing MYSELF I could. Lacing up those shoes and hitting the pavement became my way of finding myself, of finding my strength. And that is why I continue to run.

(Compression Socks from Lunatik Athletics)

I run for ME.
I run for those who said I couldn’t.
I run for strength.

Everyone has a reason for running. Dick’s Sporting Goods wants to celebrate and share those stories. For each week leading up to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon they will be releasing videos sharing stories of different runners and why they run. This week is the story of Lisa & Sally. Check out this video and see what they #runfor

Inspiring.

Be sure to check out the video from week 1, as well as future videos over at the Dick’s Sporting Goods #RUNFOR Page.

If you’re a runner, What do you #runfor ?

I am participating in this campaign with Dick’s Sporting Goods. All thoughts and opinions are my own.