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It can be very challenging to gain confidence after a running setback. If you have had an injury, pregnancy, childbirth, or time off for any other reason, returning to running can leave you feeling frustrated if your progress is slow. These 8 ways to gain confidence from Mile by Mile Running will help you prepare for your return to running and work towards gaining the confidence to run hard again. It’s important to remember that progress takes time and setbacks are really a setup for a comeback. By taking things slow, staying positive, and tracking your progress, you will be able to gain confidence to return to running after your running setback.

8 Ways to Gain Confidence After a Running Setback

May 28, 2025view the post

These days, more and more runners are recognizing the value of working with a running coach. You don't need to be a professional runner or even be working towards a big goal to benefit from a coach. Here are some suggestions to help you maximize your experience working with a running coach.

How to Maximize Your Experience Working with a Running Coach

May 21, 2025view the post

Marathon training can really take a toll on the body, and it’s important to keep up with recovery during a training cycle. There are some basic things that runners can do to help with recovery to keep running strong and reduce the likelihood of injuries or burnout. Here are some tips for how runners can improve recovery during marathon training.

How Runners Can Improve Their Recovery During Marathon Training

May 14, 2025view the post

On May 4th I ran in the 2025 Frederick Running Festival Half Marathon. This was a great event, but just not my day. I ran the best I could but had a lot working against me. Here is a recap of my race experience with the challenges and successes along the way.

2025 Frederick Running Festival Half Marathon Race Recap

May 7, 2025view the post

If you have a Mother Runner in your life, you know that their wish list is usually pretty simple: time with family, getting to go for a run, and running gear. But what if it seems like they have ALL the running gear already? Here are 12 unique mother's day gift ideas for mother runners!

12 Unique Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Mother Runners

April 30, 2025view the post

Summer is almost here, which means there is plenty of sun, humidity, and sweat. It can feel like it's impossible to beat the heat. Staying hydrated is one of the most important factors related to running safely and successfully all summer long. Make sure you check out these top 5 hydration tips for hot summer runs in the heat!

Top 5 Hydration Tips for Summer Runs in the Heat

April 23, 2025view the post

Hip internal rotation is a movement at the hip that allows the femur to move inward, towards the midline. It is important for runners to have enough internal rotation at the hips to ensure that the muscles around the hip are balanced, mobile, and stabile. Working on hip internal rotation can help prevent imbalances that can potentially lead to injuries and can help to ensure that the muscles around the hip are working efficiently.

Hip Internal Rotation for Runners: Why and How to Improve It

April 16, 2025view the post

If you are unable to run outside can you do strides on a treadmill? While it is possible to run strides inside on the treadmill, there are some guidelines that will help you get the most out of the them while decreasing your risk of injury.

How to Run Strides Inside on the Treadmill

April 9, 2025view the post

Walking is a great cross-training activity. It has many benefits from adding time on your feet to slowing down and engaging your muscles properly. Walking is good for runners as a supplemental form of exercises. Here are 6 reasons why walking is good for runners.

6 Reasons Why Walking is Good For Runners

April 2, 2025view the post

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Alright, my last post about the Richmond Marathon Alright, my last post about the Richmond Marathon (maybe). This one is about lessons learned/areas for improvement.

1) Starting in the right corral- I knew I wanted to start a little slow but I think I started too far back and I ended up boxed in later in the race. 

2) Increasing fueling- I think I did the best I could on this day but now that I know more about what works/doesn’t work for me I think I can try to get my carbs/hr a little higher for next time

3) Self-doubt- On paper I knew my training showed I could run a certain time. My coach knew I could run a certain time. But deep down did I believe I could run that time? I’m not really sure.

4) My right piriformis- This little muscle has been giving me trouble FOREVER and it likes to rear its ugly head the most during races. I’m working with a PT but it’s hard to address the issue when I can go months without any problems and then at mile 15 of a marathon it starts acting up. So while this is certainly an area for improvement I am not really sure what I’ll be able to do to keep it from happening next time.

5) Ignore the data leading up to the race- During race week my sleep scores were horrible, my HRV tanked, and my watch told me I was “strained”. I might just stop wearing it during the taper next time.

What lessons have you learned during a marathon or big race?

@richmondmarathon #racerecap
It’s been 5 days since the Richmond Marathon and i It’s been 5 days since the Richmond Marathon and it feels like a lifetime ago! I am working on my full race recap which I will post on my website but I wanted to share some reflections on here. Today I want to focus on what went well. Every finish line is an accomplishment, and while every race can teach us something I think it’s always important to focus on the positive.

First off, Richmond was a great race with amazing crowd support! There were some hills (a few steeper than I expected) but nothing crazy.

Fueling went well- after my train wreck of a run a few weeks ago I had to adjust my fueling plan and took out the Tailwind High Carb and went back to regular Skratch instead. I tried to make up for the difference with gels but my overall carbs per hour was a little less than it had been when using the Tailwind. I think I got about 65 g/hour so I’d like to get that up a bit next time but I didn’t get nauseous and took gels up until the end of the race.

Shoes felt good- during that same training run I had some top of foot soreness from my laces. I changed my lacing technique and had no issues on race day. 

Mindset- I did a lot of work preparing for the race mentally and was able to use those strategies during the race. I focused on one mile at a time and shifted my goals when I knew my original goal was not going to happen. 

Pacing- Even though I didn’t run my goal pace I was able to run fairly consistently without drastically slowing down at the end. 

Recovery- I felt pretty good following the race and wasn’t even sore anymore by Tuesday. This was probably the least sore I’ve been after a marathon.

Strong training cycle- this year I feel like I’ve been clawing my way back to where I was a year ago after several illnesses last winter and spring. I had a great training cycle with @lauranorrisrunning and I know I’ve made more progress than my race time shows.

Marathons are a huge investment so I really tried to make the most of the experience!

@richmondmarathon #racerecap
Happy Medal Monday! I can’t believe the Richmond M Happy Medal Monday! I can’t believe the Richmond Marathon was only 2 days ago. I’m barely sore (probably because I was trained for a faster time than I ran) and am feeling good.

I included a list of my marathon times on the last slide here, which I posted in my stories yesterday. I got some messages about how others can relate to feeling like their times “reset” at a certain point- whether it was after an injury, having kids, or just time off from running.

I think we can get so caught up in PRs that it may take away from the overall progress made in the process of training. Sure, there are runners who come back from having kids and immediately set a new lifetime PR. But many of us will need to chip away at our times to get to where we want to be.

Focusing on progress and the gains made in a training cycle vs a specific race time can help to keep things in perspective!

Now, I’m trying to figure out spring racing plans. What’s everyone running this spring?

#medalmonday
What a day! This race (and really, this week) was What a day! This race (and really, this week) was a rollercoaster. I knew pretty early on that my legs and my lungs were not feeling my goal pace. Each time I sped up it felt really hard- way too hard to not even be at 10 miles yet. So I just focused on running the effort that my body would allow. I used all the mental strategies I had to get through each mile. Ultimately, I wanted to run faster than my marathon last November, which I did by almost 2 minutes, making this a postpartum PR. More importantly, I smiled almost the whole time.

After finishing we had to rush to get out of our hotel room and spent the whole afternoon driving home. Over the past 2 days I’ve spent almost 10 hours in the car.

More to come soon…just hoping to get home and get some rest soon!

#richmondmarathon
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