The WORST kept running secret.

I should title this post—>  The time I lost my car keys on my trail run.  They fell out of my pocket.  If you live in Utah and find a single car key just hanging out in the mountains, let me know. Some day I will figure out life and not have to constantly call my dad to have him save the day but until then… I will just keep losing everything.  

It was a great run though.  My legs felt fresh and they wanted to cruise.  This pic is at the top of a .5 mile STEEP hill that used to kill me the first few times I did it.  I think hill training will be my secret weapon for Boston training.  It is a miracle for me to get through marathon training injury free so I can’t do a ton of speed work (because when I do, I get injured).  Instead of lots of speed, I will also work on getting strong from the hills.  

Hills are speed work in disguise.  A disguise that makes your lungs almost explode and every muscle in your lower body burn.

 

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“It’s the worst kept secret in running:  If you want to improve strength and speed, run hills….  Running up hills forces the knees to lift higher, one of the most desirable developments for any runner, because this governs stride speed and length.”  (source)

Looking for some hill workouts to try and how to run hills?  Here are some great sources:

7 Hill Running Workouts That Increase PowerHow to Run Hills CorrectlyHow to Learn to Love Running Hills (includes 5 hill workouts), a treadmill hill workout I used to do a lot,  the 3 hill workouts I used for my cross-country kids, and Three Workouts for Better Hill Running

The moon looked pretty sweet this morning.

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A little later on we went over to Paige’s house to blow dry our hair.

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And then it was back home for the classics.  It is alarming how quickly we go through this bbq sauce.

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PS Fun (or maybe not so fun) fact—>   A DQ was just built in a parking lot that I drive by DAILY.   From this time forward I will get to be tempted to stop and buy a huge oreo blizzard every single day of my life.  Good thing marathon training starts soon…

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You can check out my latest article about my deep love for running with my sister HERE!

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Would you say you are injury prone or does it take quite a bit of wear and tear for you to get injured?

Who runs with one of their siblings?

Any restaurants/ice cream places/donut shops near you that call to you daily?

Favorite blizzard flavor?

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89 comments

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I have a feeling running hills is going to be a great way to prepare for Boston…this feeling is based on the fact that last year I ran the Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half in Boston which was on part of the marathon course, including the fabled “heartbreak hill” at mile 23. Going into that race ready to run hills strong is going to be SUCH an asset.

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Good to know! Thanks so so much Brenda!

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I have only had minor injuries. I’ve never been out for more than a week or so (unless it was by choice). I’m pretty lucky!

It is flat as a pancake where I live. If I want hills, I have to run the overpass. I can drive about 15 minutes and get some decent hills though, so I can’t complain too much.

No specific restaurants that I feel the need for daily, just random foods. Taco salad bowls, froyo, apricot turnovers, and lately, baked potato soup. Yum!

I’ve been on a strawberry cheesequake blizzard kick lately. Yum!

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Luckily, I’m able to run a lot without injury…knock on wood…fingers crossed!
I have a avoid the bakery section at whole foods because I love their vegan chocolate chip cookies.
I actually love hills. Flat running gets so boring.

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Get the a Spibelt. I use mine ALL THE TIME. Running, walking, hiking… you name it. Fits my phone and keys and sometimes my glasses too. Check it out! :)

http://www.spibelt.com/products/spibelt

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I feel like I’ve always been injury prone. It takes a lot for me to stay healthy, especially with running!
I love Oreo blizzards as well! I would also love the s’mores one if they always offered it.

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I think it takes a bit of wear and tear on me to get injured. Over the last two years I’ve had to take a few days off here and there but I’ve never had to take more than a week off (knock on wood!!!)! Then again I’ve never really focused on speedwork as much as I am now.

I go through Sweet Baby Rays really fast too! It’s the best BBQ sauce ever and goes perfectly with just about everything!

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Ohhh your sweet potato looks delicious!

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I ran my first half marathon with my dad. He is the only other runner in my family, it’s awesome!

Cafe Rio calls to me daily. Sweet pork salad…. mmmmm.

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Oh also, hill work TOTALLY prepared me for St. George. I ran up Emigration Canyon every Saturday and it allowed me to CRUSH Veyo!

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you are so lucky with that awesome sister of yours…
im the only nut that likes running, everyone else i know hates it, breaks my heart…
my daughter who will be 5 in a month does like running, she never walks always rushing around lol.. quite adorable if u ask me..

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It seems like since my last injury things have been more prone to getting injured. I went to Mayo Clinic last week and have a new doctor now. He believes being immobilized so long this year changed the dynamics of how I walk and is sending me to Mayo PT therapist who is a marathoner to strengthen things so I don’t continue to re-injure things.

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I was thrilled when I saw the dq being built! It’s right on the way home from the hubs’ work! He has already brought home a blizzard and it wa amazing. I get to run next Tuesday!! (But bittersweet because I don’t want my newborn to grow up so fast!) I got my sister into running and I love when we get to run together!

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Yay for running again but I have to agree with you on it being bittersweet when those little tiny babies grow up so fast! Love that you love running with your sister and blizzards:) Have a great day Kendra and I hope you are getting some sleep!

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I don’t currently run with my sister but I am trying to convince her to start running with me this season!

I don’t think I am injury prone but I probably haven’t trained as hard as most people have, I have been focusing on just gaining my endurance base and then work on my speed work after. I think this year will be the one where I focus on my speed!

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Starbucks calls to me daily… they’re everywhere and hello… caffeine!

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Very injury prone :( I ramped up the hills earlier this year a little too much, too fast, and ended up with Achille’s Tendonitis. I don’t think it was totally the hills’ fault, but that’s the first thing I blamed :) I feel so much stronger after a good hilly run though! This time I will be smarter with incorporating them!

I really like the Pumpkin Pie blizzards when they are in season. Otherwise the cookie jar one is my favorite! Oreo AND cookie dough, can’t beat that!

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Dairy Queen is my #1 sweet treat weakness! I probably ask my husband around 3 times a week to go! He only says yes sometimes, haha My favorite is the chocolate extreme blizzard! Chocolate + ice cream= heaven!

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DUDE. Tie your key with your shoelaces. Seriously. Life. Saver. DO IT. :)

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I used to do that all of the time. I am regretting stopping! Back to the shoelace.

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Oreo is HANDS DOWN the best Blizzard flavor everrr! With s’mores in a close second!

Totally agree about hills! They were the best thing I could’ve ever done when I was training for my first marathon. The big hills that everyone else struggled with felt really easy for me, it helped so so much! And for me, hill work is easier mentally than speed work, at least for me!

Your lunch is exactly what we’ve got planned for dinner tonight, I finally stocked up on Costco turkey burgers. And everyone knows SBR’s is the best bbq on earth.

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I have definitely injured myself a few times, but after doing so I have learned to listen to my body. I used to push through discomfort and that is what ultimately led me to injury. I’m keeping my fingers crossed this year that I dont mess up my race plans with injuries!

Since moving to Chicago, I have developed a new love for donuts. There are a couple places near me that have a phenomenal selection so that’s always dangerous. Also the Jeni’s ice cream that I just discovered this weekend!

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There’s a cafe next to my office with the most amazing chocolate chip cookies in the world. It waves to me every morning, like the mannequins in Confessions of a Shopaholic.

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While I feel like I am injury prone, I think its just that I have muscle imbalances/weaknesses/tightness that creep up on me and cause issues whenever my mileage gets high. I am usually able to catch it and deal with it early (with the help of m chiro) but my long term goal is to fix those issues so I can run more and better!
I ran with my sister once…and we made it 9.5 miles and with .5 to go I tripped on a curb and broke my finger. So that was the end of that:)

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Sometimes I run with my brother, but he’s a total speed demon, so i feel like I’m holding him back sometimes. But it’s nice to feel like there’s someone in the family who gets what all the fuss is about :)

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I’ve been injured and had knee surgery in the past, so I stay well aware of how my body is keeping up during a training cycle.

I haven’t lived in the same town as my brother for like 5 years, so running next to his speedy legs has been out of the question. I’m grateful to get to run with my in-law sibs, however, whenever we see them on vacation!

If I make it to work without stopping at the Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts for a coffee, I count that day as a success. ;)

I’m really glad you had your phone with you on that run!!!

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Hmmm… it’s weird, I feel like I used to get hurt all the time but now I’m a lot stronger and it takes a lot to really knock me down! I guess it’s from eating better and adding in some more strength. The funny thing though is if I get hurt or a weird ache or ANYTHING it is ALWAYS on the right side of my body. Every time, like I’ve literally never hurt anything on my left leg/foot/hip/anything and hurt my right a lot!

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Karen, I have the exact same problem, I think I have had everything I can have in my right side – peroneal pain, knee pain, Achilles pain and now piriformis. I’ve tried to strengthen a lot too but it still keeps on happening – going for gait analysis on Thursday.

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I can only run about three days a week or I get injured. I make those days count, but I just cross train a few other days to get more workout time in. It works for me!

Brooke’s hair is so long! It’s just unbelievable! I love it so much!

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I run with my sister when we are in the same state. Way back in the day we would run at mid night in Texas with her dogs. It was the only time less hot enough to run. It was a good time typically topped of by Wendy’s frosty. Now we drink nasty protein drinks and salads but we each average 2-3 mins faster than our frosty days. Dang nutrition.

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I always get a Reese’s blizzard. Theeee best!

My worst fear is losing my keys while running! I usually will pull out one shoe lace, put my key on and then lace it back up. Makes me feel a little more secure! Good thing you had your dad to call!

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Thanks for posting those articles! I definitely need to get some hill work in :) I’m definitely injury prone on my left side. Chipotle’s my biggest temptation, and I pass 2 on the way to work.

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ohhhh the banana cream pie blizzard from DQ is heavenly :)

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I lost my car keys during a race one time. My very nice sister and BIL drove about 50 min. round trip to get my spare key. Luckily, someone turned my keys in, and we were reunited! Yahoo! I’m much more careful with them now. Sometimes I tie a single key into my shoe laces. I also got a Spibelt. And I’ve bought lots of tops with little zipper pockets. Athleta has many to choose from.

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back in the day they used to make a banana split-flavored blizzard, but in the worst mistake of mankind i think they got rid of it about 4 years ago. saddest day of my life.

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Have you ever tried tying a single key into your shoelaces? I’ve done that for all of my runs for years because I’m afraid it’ll fall out of my pocket. I just knot the laces 2 or 3 times, and it never comes out. I’d usually never link to my blog in a comment, but I mentioned that little running in a post, and there’s a picture so you can see what I mean!
http://www.healthy-liv.com/archives/158

My favorite DQ blizzard is the chocolate truffle one– so delicious!

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I am somewhere in the middle on the injury scale. The time I got really injured I pushed it way too far after knowing I was hurt.

I just ran a big hill this morning and thought the same thing. I’m not a fan of speedwork in general, so in the past hills really have been my speed work. I like being surprised at a race!

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My husband actually runs the last few miles with me during my races…well he tries to at least. Oh and I’ve actually lost my cash and credit cards during a run last month. Yeah it was a pain but at least I got good pictures during my run lol. I kept taking my phone out of the SpiBelt and in one of those times everything fell out.

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I have never had a running injury, but I don’t have times like yours either.

I never met a blizzard flavor I didn’t like.

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There’s this fabulous ice cream place that I pass on my way to and from the gym. They have homemade s’mores ice cream!

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Ohhh noooo your car key! I am terrible about stuff like that and also always call my dad (or now husband, lucky guy) to rescue me.

I’m so excited to follow your training for Boston! I am not a marathoner, but it’s inspiring to read your blog!

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I haven’t had a blizzard in forever but used to LOVE the peanut butter cup one! We don’t have many DQ’s in the area but I heard one opened somewhere out here recently. I should find it.

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I would probably go for the Oreo blizzard too!
I never used to be injury prone but with three ankle sprains/tendonitis since 2011 and now knee pain…hmm and I have had hamstring and groin issues too. Yeah. Injury prone.

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Ahhhhhhh my #1 running fear has NOTHING to do with injury or being abducted, I am terrified of loosing my keys and being locked out of my car/house!

I’m also a super weirdo, and even though I’m from FL, I far prefer hills to flat!! They help break up a run and keep me engaged.

My greatest joy in life… running with my brother!

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Oh no, please tell me this isn’t true!

Hills, hills…here I come….

That reminds me–where is your weight while going uphill? forward? Are you on your toes?

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Heath bar blizzards are my favorite.

What type of burgers are you eating? They look delicious!!

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They are turkey burgers from Costco. Heaven.

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I want so much to run with my sister!! We ran together 3 years ago and then she just did her first 5k post accident in August. By post accident I mean in march of 2013 she was t boned and critical. Broken pelvis, arm and a traumatic brain injury. She is the strongest person I know physically and spiritually!! Someday we will run together again until that I day I will cheer her on during the long process of getting it all back!!!

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Thursday I do my first hill training run for my Ultra Relay in Feb. Perfect timing!

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butterfinger blizzards are totally the way to go. I just got into the bostonmarathon too, so a blizzard is a perfect treat post long run.

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I happen to live at the top of a hill of at least 10% grade thag is about 350m long, so I do some hill training on every single run. But I also do hill days, and my 10k time has greatly improved.
I got my sister hooked on running again last year and We do the same 24 hr. relay race on the same team with 17 girls in total. She even lets me do her training plan for her and we have a lot of fun together.
There are no donut or ice cream Shops other than Tim Horton’s within a 40 minute highway drive of me. It is a good thing! The restaurants all close except 2 for 6-8 months of the year so you quickly got out of the habit of eating out’ I also live in a Tourist Town so the prices are pretty high to eat out.There is One seasonal ice Cream Shop within open from July 1 to Oct 1but it is only open from mid afternoon until about 8pm
fare Blizzard is a tie between Oreo or Choc chip cookie dough without the chocolate syrup.

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My twin sister and I have been running together ever since we ran track in junior high school. We both ran the mile! Now we live in different towns so we rarely train together but we run at least a couple half marathons together every year. And we both read your blog daily :)

Reese’s is by far the best blizzard at DQ!!!

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My body looooves to get injured, so I am really trying to stick with my strength training this marathon training cycle!

And oh my goooondess, when did Brookers get so BIG?!

PS. If you could send those beautiful views my way, that’d be great ;).

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I’ve also lost my key while trail running! But I was alone and my phone was locked in my car along with everything else important. WHOOPS! I ended up taking a ride from a stranger about 25 miles back home. Not fun!

Brooke is so ridiculously adorable and I know I say that ALL the time but I just can’t get over the level of cuteness she brings to this blog.

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I’m sure your dad loves that you call him to save the day! Don’t stop calling! That’s what parents have children for!

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I have to know what top you’re wearing in the first pic!

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Losing my keys is my biggest fear. I will only put my key in a zippered pocket- I don’t trust those little “bag” pocket things with no actual closure.

I am very injury prone. I run tons of hills (no choice but to run 2 miles uphill from where I live and most days I’m too lazy to drive anywhere) and will limit speed work for my next marathon.

Starbucks calls to me daily and Chipotle would be a close second.

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While my sister and I have grown into different paces lately and dont always run together, my first few years of running were exclusively hip to hip with her. Honestly I dont think I would have started if she didn’t get a training plan from a friend that started with us running 30 seconds of a time! I love running with her and just being able to share the love of running together!

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I used to run there. Those are seriously tough hills!! You are awesome! That trail is pretty empty this time of year, I am sure it will turn up.

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My sister and I used to run together all the time :) we also did our first marathon together. She is so funny and full of stories, I just listen and the miles tick by! Now that she’s cleared to workout after having her first baby, I’m hoping we can run together soon!

I drive by not one, but two Dunkin Doughnuts on the way to work every day. Talk about torture!

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Oh my that DQ would be totally dangerous for me! I love the photo of Brooke with her blow dryer :) So cute! I love running with my sister every now and then, but usually my iPad is my best running friend when I am on the treadmill ha!

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Not a fan of the blizzards but Dunkin Donuts is right around the corner from my house. I go there so much that the girl who works the drive thru sent me a friend request on facebook.

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Great article! It makes we want to hug you both!

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I ran with my baby sister once (and then she gave me up for “adoption” and swore she would never run with me again (I tricked into running more miles than we initially planned to). But I have a run scheduled with her and my twin sister in a few weeks (they both live in Jamaica so I don’t get to see them often ). I’m looking forward to it!

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Can’t tell you how much I loved the article about running with your sister! So touching, I had to get up and call my big sister across the country!
Love your blog! :)

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Oh that pic of her and the blowdryer is too cute!

Obviously double oreo blizzard :)

You are so right about hills! I love to trick myself and do hills on the treadmill then normal incline and it feels “easy! “

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I lost my apartment key once while running. My husband had to come home in the middle of the day from work to let me in. It was in the 20’s and I was freezing by the time he got there. (Live in Houston TX.. Anything below 40 is ridiculously cold for us.)

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Yes, speed work actually is a sure fire way for me to get injured also. I TOTALLY agree about the hills- when I used to do millwork, it helped with everything- speed, strength endurance..
I love me some oreo blizzards. They are sooo good. I haven’t had one in YEARS though.

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So I’ve definiely been there with loosing the key!!! I always tie it into my shoe and double knot! Boom no more lost key problems…unless u loose your shoe! Lol!

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Neither of my biological sisters run, but when I was running, I kept trying to get my step-sister and step-brother to run a race with me. Neither had ever done it. My bro & I actually signed up for The Color Run at one point, but it was only a couple of months after I had my daughter, so I bailed… I really thought I’d bounce back a lot quicker! but no. FINALLY, last spring, we all signed up for The Hit & Run & had a blast! It was their first 5k (and like my first since that is one of two I’ve run since having my daughter 20 months ago…died.). They keep asking when the next one is! I really need to start running again! It is so fun! http://wp.me/p4JEHT-4l

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I haven’t been injury prone in the past, but after spraining my ankle it has seemed really weak and rolls a lot. Running hasn’t been an issue, but stuff like walking has :)
I’d love to run with siblings, but both brothers are freakishly tall and I feel like a wiener dog shuffling next to a greyhound. Not the most pleasant experience.
Favorite blizzard: Banana cream pie

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FYI, I safety pin my keys to pocket or waistband or bra, something. I started doing it when I rowed because I thought, “If the boat flips, how do I get back into my apartment afterwards??” Turns out, the boat flipped once and I still had my keys! I do the same for running now.

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I almost always run alone, but when I do run with someone, it is always with my sister!

Wendy’s calls to me….

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Banana pudding blizzards are excellent running fuel!

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oh hills.

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Oh no! I hope that maybe a fellow train runner will see this and have your keys!

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One time I had a Nerds Blizzard and it was surprisingly delicious!

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Hill running really is speed training in disguise. About a mile from my house, there is a MASSIVE hill. Like, probably half a mile long, with 30-40% incline. At the top, the sidewalk is actually stairs. All the time, I see this guy just running up it repeatedly and sweating everywhere. I used to see him and think, “what is he doing???! He’s insane!”

Fast forward to my track club’s first marathon training run this fall. The crazy hill runner guy was there. And he crushed all of us!

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Well, I lost my key once in a porta-pottie as I was pulling down my shorts and you can guess where it fell. :(

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Hide your keys under the lip of your bumper. I always do this because I am terrified that I will lose the keys in the middle of a multi hour trail run. Generally I hide the keys on the bumper curve near the muffler. My bumper has a wide enough shelf there.
Sticking the key in your sports bra is also a good option unless you sweat alot like me. Then your sweat shorts out your key fob, causing your car alarm to go off when attempting to start the car which won’t start no matter what because it doesn’t recognize the key. good times! happy runnings.

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I have a large safety pin hooked to my car key. I pin it inside my shorts. Haven’t lost it yet:-)

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OK- I so wish you were my running partner! I love hills but right now I’m running inside cuz it’s so cold here so I did that treadmill hill workout you posted! Love it! I was a sweaty mess, but it was awesome…also- love oreo blizzards. I have to cover my eyes when I drive past a dq- I will stop if I don’t, then I have to run more hillzzzz. Love your blog. Cheers :)

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My sister and nieces and for our 5k this weekend the littlest sister and nieces!! I’m the oldest and my motivator is my younger sister (by 18 mths). She runs – marathons just finished NY and is doing Boston this Spring and is totally amazing!!! She has passed on to her twin girls her love of running. For 2014 they set a goal of a 5K a month and have graciously allowed me to tag along for several of them, even running with me and I’m slow. For the December North Pole run our little sister and her 2 girls (one she is currently pregnant with) will be running with us too! Our brother has also done a couple of 5K races so he isn’t left out.

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You and your sister are awesome, I love how much you support each other! She is also a tough cookie to have run 5 miles in flip flops:)

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Never ran with a sibling, love snickers or oreo Blizzards but ice cream makes me sick so… And yeah, I’m totally injury prone. Sucks. :) Love that you started out running with your sis and that you ran through the pain just to hang with your cool sister.

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Ahhhh, I love that story about your sister. I had a little girl crush on her before that marathon and that story sealed the deal. Big sissies are the best!

One of my friends went on a run and didn’t have pockets so she put her remote clicker in her jog bra. She got so sweaty the clicker wouldn’t work. She had to call me to come pick her up :) Now we use the shoelace trick.

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The only times I was able to make it injury free while training was when I consistently did barre training in addition to strength and running. Hill training really does work, I was able to run San Francisco without killing myself. Good luck.

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Totally normal to go to your friends house to blow dry your hair. She’s a smart cookie, that one! I want a sister to run with. :( I mean, I have a sister…but she doesn’t live close….AND the fact that she doesn’t run makes a difference…haha

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I’m all about the Skor blizzard!!!

Knock on wood, I’ve been able to escape injury for the most part!! I attribute it to really valuing sleep and listening to my body. :)

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