This story is a little bit of a winded one but aren't they all?

My entire (young) life I was in some sort of sport, dance, basketball, gymnastics, oh gymnastics was my thing. I honestly don't remember a time when I wasn't in SOME sort of sport. Being fit was just something that happened. Now I wasn't ever the "skinny" girl or anything like that but I never felt out of shape or anything of the sort growing up. I always felt pretty confident and I know it was because I was so active that it never dawned on me to really worry.

BECAUSE I was so active, paying attention to my eating habits was never an issue. Gymnastics was my sport, sure I did other sports but I lived and breathed gymnastics once I got a little older. Being in the gym 3 nights a week for roughly 3 hours and then roughly 4 hours on Saturdays, also figure in private lessons which were an hour or so on other nights of the week and THEN on top of that meets. My eating habits were just NEVER a worry, which once I got older was something that really plagued me.

I did gymnastics until I was in high school, then once I quit competitive, I continued private lessons with a coach of mine. I was about 16 by the time I quit the sport, and any other sport, completely. At that age I had never truly learned what it meant to really take care of my body. I was always working out so when I was hungry I ate whatever it was that I wanted. This pattern continued. I ate what I wanted when I wanted and never gave it a thought.

It hit hard when I quit and I didn't even truly realize it.

The weight started adding up and having always had an okay body image I didn’t really pay too much attention it. Working out, running, fitness were just not my thing. I always visioned myself as a gymnast, nothing else. Once that chapter of my life was over, that was it, I even had moments where I was so discouraged that I convinced myself that this was it, this was what I truly looked like and felt like, that there was nothing I could do to change anything.

I graduated high school, started college and realized that something needed to change. I just didn't feel good, I was always tired. Eating never really crossed my mind honestly (and I worked at Subway, go figure)... I started doing workouts at home, in my bedroom every single day. I lost weight, not a lot but it worked enough to make me mildly happy.

Then I got bored and stopped. That was the trend from then until after I had Oliver, so for about 7 years I went in and out of training, not training and everything that came along with it.

Fast forward to 2014 after Oliver was born. I wasn't in the best shape prior to getting pregnant and I made sure that I didn't limit myself on anything food related during that pregnancy. After Oliver was born something changed and I realized I needed to get myself into shape, not only for me but for my son. The little note to the entire thing is that looking back I took it to a really unhealthy extreme, I was dealing with pretty intense postpartum depression. I worked out like crazy, I ate as healthily as possible. I took every chance I could to get out of the house and get to the gym, away from my family from everything to work on myself. I lost the weight pretty fast, I was in incredible shape but I wasn't really entirely happy. I loved my son, I loved my family but I wasn't happy. It took a long time for me to really come around and realize that just because I was a wife and a mother didn't mean that I wasn't also my own person. My entire life, my DREAM job was to be a Mom so it never dawned on me, in the moment, that I could be dealing with something so intense. it still seems a little off putting that for someone who wanted to be a Mom so bad, that I could be plagued with postpartum depression (totally different topic but still, it can happen to anyone and there shouldn't be ANY shame in that!!!!! I wish I would have realized it at the time and dealt with it because my oldest sons first six months are so foggy to me because of this!)

Moving along to my second pregnancy, totally different experience. Maybe it was because I had a toddler or because I was aware of what was to come but I was much more in tune with my body and my mental and physical health. I stayed in shape, I was healthier, I didn't gain as much weight... Charlie stayed inside quite a bit longer, about 50% longer than Oliver did! The delivery was much more enjoyable and I was with it the entire time. I love both my boys more than life but I can tell there was such a difference mentally for me between each pregnancy and delivery.

I realized after Charlie was born that I was no longer working out for myself, I was no longer getting fit for myself but for them as well. I realized it was going to be tough and I was willing to do that. Instead of working out outside of the home, I started using the Sworkit App, I worked out at home, joined a few Facebook groups geared to at home working out/eating healthy challenges. I was present and I was getting stronger.

THIS TIME IT STUCK.

There hasn't been that drop off, that boredom I dealt with for YEARS just never crept back up. I can't fully explain it, something clicked and I didn't question it.

Charlie is going to be 3 in July and I can honestly say that I have been actively working on myself emotionally and physically since the day that he was born.

I have been running for the past 2 years, consistently for the first time in my life.

I'm committed, my mind is clear and I am willing to put in the work.

This journey has taken me at least twelve years. 

TWELVE

YEARS

So when someone comes to me with a pitch about a miracle pill, drink or wrap I will politely decline the offer because it is so much more than that. Health and wellness isn’t something that you get form a "quick fix" it's a journey that we all have to go on; maybe we don't all get there the same way and that's okay but what's NOT okay is tricking each other into thinking that it CAN be easy because IT'S NOT. It's hard, it's emotional, it's the hardest damned (sorry but it's true) thing in the world. We have to come to terms with who we are, what we want and work our A** off to get there.

I did participated in the ADVOCARE 24 day Challenge after Oliver was born, yes, but bottom line, that was WAY more MEAL PLANNING based than anything. I also did the Whole30 Diet after Charlie was born, this was 100% meal based, no supplements or anything of the sort at all and honestly, I didn't lose any weight but I did learn a TON about food and learned what I wanted and didn't want to put in my body.

My tried and true method has always been:

I cut soda, added a butt load of water and I drink my coffee black. I track my calories using My Fitness Pal (add me, I like new friends @mmlarose)... I workout daily, I run, I crosstrain (looking at you Sworkit) and I do anything I can to be active.

2006 vs. 2018...

***THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION AND WHAT HAS WORKED FOR ME. I DO NOT PRETEND TO THINK THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY METHOD TO HEALTH AND FITNESS. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN JOURNEY, THIS IS JUST MINE***

*CHEERS*

If you all recall, last year I was training for a full marathon (posts HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE). My first full marathon at that. I got hurt. My IT Band started acting up and I had to take a break. When I came back I knew I didn't have the time to sufficiently train for a full so I chose to go with another half marathon.

In doing so I needed to make sure my knee was protected. After speaking with a Physical Therapist I decided that KT Tape was the route for me to take.

This stuff worked wonders. I never had to worry about my knee, I knew that I was going to be pain free, and I was!

I trained fully with the KT Tape and was able to wean myself off of it towards the end of that training cycle. 

I have been fine ever since, until here recently. Trail running has created a tiny knee niggle that I can guarantee, if I don't take care of will turn into something more.

I've been using my KT Tape exclusively, stretching even more regularly than normal and making sure I am aware of the tiny bit of pain I feel from time to time. I will not allow the pain to get out of control and take over my training. I'll take days off and rest if that means I can run again a few days later. I'll use my KT Tape, I'll protect my knee!

This BibRave campaign was a no brainer for me. I've been using this stuff for over a year, it works, bottom line. Being able to rep this product as a BibRave Pro is such an honor. That coupled with the fact I have an AWESOME coupon code for a product I personally love, I mean what's better than that?!

USE CODE "BIBRAVE30" and get 30% OFF ALL KT TAPE ORDERS!

Seriously, incredible, right?!?

SO, moving on. When using KT Tape it's extremely important that you use it correctly. There are multiple videos on their website showing you how to use their tape correctly for whatever area you are concerned with. Watch these videos, make sure you understand what you are doing. I watched the same video every day for a week before I felt confident doing it without step by step visual aids from the video.

Here are just a few tips as well..

Also, be sure to check out the entire family of products they offer. Depending on your pain level, your usage, you'll choose a different product. Educate yourself! My personal favorite is the KT Tape Pro... The original is solid as well but personally I like the Pro because it lasts longer and with my training cycle I would eat up a LOT of tape having to re-apply every single day!

Disclaimer: I received a package of KT TAPE 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!

*CHEERS*

Yesterday's post, I shared with you all why I am running an ultra marathon in April. This is an extremely important race for me for multiple reasons and I would love for you to check it out.

Once I decided on this goal, found out I was going to be a BibRave Pro and immediately had the opportunity to Opt-In to test out these UA Horizon RTT Trail Shoes. It was a match made in running-land heaven!

I got the "You're In" email and literally shrieked with glee! Ask my husband, he'll confirm this!

The shoes came, I instantly fell in love with them. They were beyond comfortable, stylish and sleek. I was itching to try them out on the trails and planned a run with my Mom that upcoming weekend.

The previous week before our run it was incredibly rainy, the trails were quite muddy and I knew these shoes were going to be put to the test. Man did they rise to the challenge. My Mom, who wasn't running in trail shoes, could barely make it through our run. I was trucking along at a really respectable speed in these shoes, I felt steady on my feet in the muddiest of conditions.

These shoes are incredible. I highly recommend them and will purchase them in the future 100%.

Along with these shoes, I was introduced to an awesome series of trail running races put on by Under Armor, the UA Mountain Series! If you're interested in running these races, any distance, please use code BIBRAVE20 for 20% off registrations!!! If I was able, I would be running each of these races!!

Disclaimer: I received an UA Horizon RTT trail shoes 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!

*CHEERS*

Please Follow Along

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I've had this itch to run more, run farther and run longer for quite a while now. For the past year I've been training almost exclusively for half marathons and one 5k. While those experiences have been great, I just always felt like I wanted more. 

So what did that mean? I didn't really know. I knew a full marathon was going to be something I'd tackle eventually, after all a dream of mine (maybe a really insane dream) is to qualify for Boston at some point in my life. But it just didn't feel like that was what I wanted. Running a full just didn't scratch the itch I was feeling.

I've been learning about ultramarathon's a lot from being a part of two incredible local running groups (Arch City Run Club and JCRC - Jefferson County Run Club)! I had ran one trail last Summer with one of my best friends (also my best running friend! ;) ) and I loved the feeling of it! I then signed up for my first trail race, a 13.1k trail race late last year that I ran with my Mom. After that I was hooked. I became part of the SLUG (St. Louis Ultra Runners Group) and never looked back. I immediately signed up for the Double Chubb 50K and have been training ever since! I felt motivated, I felt alive, I felt like this was what I had been missing! I'm turning thirty in September. I've wanted to accomplish something extraordinary (running related) before that time. This was it, this was the thing I needed to do. I want to do this for me, I want to do this to show my boys (husband included ;) ) that you CAN do anything you put your mind to. I want to inspire THEM to be extraordinary in their own right, I want them to be proud of their Mom. I want to show them that just because I am their Mom doesn't mean that is all that I am. I am someone they can look up to, someone they can aspire to be like!

I am doing it.

For me.

For them.

April 15th, rain or shine, hot or cold, I'll be out there trucking through all 30-ish miles of that race. 

I'm hoping to finish within seven and a half hours *fingers crossed* however, no matter my time, no matter my pace I will finish this race. 

I have ran the course multiple times, I know my way around, I love it so much. 

I am well aware I am not a seasoned trail runner or even an ultra runner *YET* but I will be one after this race, I will attain this goal. The community of trail runners and ultra runners in this area is outstanding, I've ran in a few group runs out on these trails and I have never felt more included, or understood as I have with those groups. They inspire me, they are what I aspire to be.

The countdown to April 15th is on, I'm nervous, I'm scared, I'm excited.

I - CAN - NOT - WAIT

Disclaimer: I received this set of Brilliant Reflective Strips 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!

Before this BibRave campaign with Brilliant Reflective I was very naive about my running safety. I always thought, if my clothing had reflective material, I was fine. Boy was I wrong, you can read my full review of this product and everything learned in the topic HERE. But for real, just because you think you’re being safe out there, it never hurts to do some more research on the matter and really indulge yourself in the topic. After all, we only get this one life, let’s be safe and smart together!!

When opening up your Brilliant Reflective Strips you’ll see an image where it shows you just where to place your reflective strips on the front, back and even sides of your clothing. This isn’t just a recommendation, this graphic shows you just where these strips must be placed for a human being driving down the road to, sooner, recognize you as a human being as opposed to a static object.

So the big word here that we need to learn about is Biomotion.

“(Which is) Literally, motion from a living organism. It’s important to you because the sooner you appear as a person and not a light, reflection or a sign, the quicker the driver’s brain responds and reacts. The human mind requires cues to help it perceive the difference between static obstacles and human beings on the move. The positioning of reflective material on the body and bike is absolutely critical to visibility.” - via Brilliant Reflective info sheet

Reflective material should be placed on shoulders, wrists, hips, knees and shoes! No matter what you’re currently doing it never hurts to rethink or re-examine your reflective strip placing. In all cases, think 360°!!!!

Applying these strips is a piece of cake, I’ve gone through the process for both iron on and stick on via Instagram Story which I am going to paste below for those of you who would like a more visual tutorial, however the directions on the packaging are superb and so well written out as well!!!

So here we go...

Stick on:

Iron on:

Thank you all so much for following along on this campaign. Safety is such a big issue for me, I love knowing that I’m as safe as I can be when I’m out on the roads running and it makes me happy to know my friends are as well! This may end BibRaves safety month but I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to test such an incredible product and learn so much about my own personal safety!!! I hope you have all enjoyed following along and here’s to many more safe runs in the future!!!