Falling in Love with Running

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Fall is the perfect time to fall in love with running! 🙂

– The weather is cooler.

– The summer craziness has (maybe) died down.

– You are getting back into a routine (??—if you are in school or have kids in school).

– Plus, a season change is always a great time to make a change in your life!

Through this little ol’ blog of mine, not only do I want to share things with you about my life, but I also hope to encourage you to make choices to improve your life, lifestyle, health, and wellness.

I’ve had so many people say to me: Oh, I can’t run. I could never run that far. I wish I could run.


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I understand (or maybe I really don’t)—running is hard!! And I think that’s why so many people shy away from it.

But if you want something bad enough, you can do it!!

Now of course, everyone is different and some people honestly don’t like running—that’s fine—then find some other form of exercise you do enjoy. Are you motivated by others? Go to group fitness classes. Do you like to dance? Try Zumba. If running is too intense try walking. There are a TON of options out there.


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Today’s run:

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 35 minutes

Weather: cool, cloudy, fall-like, ~50*

It was a good run overall. Although, I hurt my knee while riding my bike yesterday (I jammed it into the handle bar.), so my knee was still sore today.

I loved how quite the neighborhoods were though since no one was working on this Labor Day.


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I wore my new headband I got through Etsy.

It has velvet on the underside to prevent it from slipping—similar to BIC bands or Sweaty Band.

This one was only $8.50 (plus $2.00 for shipping), which is cheaper than the other two brands. Score!


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Yesterday’s breakfast was so good, I had to recreate it again today.


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Blueberry Banana Oats

Ingredients

1/4 cup old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup water

1/2 banana, sliced

1 teaspoon chia seeds

1 teaspoon flax seed

1/4 teaspoon honey

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

dash of salt (opt.)

Directions

1. Combine oats, milk, water, banana, chia seeds, flax, and honey in a small pot on the stove top.

2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until desired consistency. Stir often.

3. Stir in vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

4. Top with shredded coconut and sunflower seed butter.


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I think I will be making more hots with this cooling weather.


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Iced decaf coffee made in my French press last night.

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I have been a busy little bee today:

– finishing my laundry

– vacuuming

– shopping (I got a pair of tall boots (!) and a couple of dress shirts for Craig. I love shopping for others!)

– working on grades at school

– washing dishes

– reorganizing the recipes on my blog

– packing my lunch for tomorrow

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I had a very enjoyable weekend, and it actually felt like a weekend! Yeah for 3-day weekends!! 🙂

Hi, I'm Michelle

I love running around the lakes of Minnesota, running after my two boys, and racing anything from the 5K to the marathon. I have been blogging here since 2010 when I ran my first marathon. I finally secured my sub-3 hour marathon after trying for 8 years.

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Leave a Reply

9 Comments

  1. 9.6.11
    Holly said:

    The oats look great! It’s been so long since I’ve had oatmeal and it used to be the ONLY thing I’d eat for breakfast. I miss it! I must make a reappearance soon. 🙂

    I was also talking to my sister yesterday about why fall running is the BEST and tried to get her to take it up! But she just wasn’t interested, heh.

  2. 9.6.11

    Super cute headband! I need to get one 🙂

    I love Fall running too- I feel like I could run for hours without a drop of sweat.

  3. 9.6.11
    Jamie said:

    Nice post Michelle! I totally agree with about Fall…and about running! If I can do it…anyone (ANYONE…ANYONE) can! I just posted my running story the other day…it kind of piggy-backs what you’re saying here!

    http://cueyourlife.com/2011/09/02/my-love-affair-with-running/

    Keep up the great writing! Happy Tuesday!

  4. 9.6.11
    Michaela said:

    I think the hardest part of starting to exercise is going back the second day. I think it really helps to have a training plan–it means there’s one less thing you have to think about when you throw on your gym shoes.

  5. 9.7.11

    I like it! Ill try this in the cooler weather, I normally just have a protein shake before and after my run.

  6. 9.7.11
    Sarah said:

    what a cute headband 🙂

  7. 9.7.11
    Katie said:

    Ooh I love etsy! I have gotten such good things from easy sellers. (vintage earrings for $4!)

    I always run in the fall, because it does feel perfect for running. But then I always stop when winter comes and can’t keep it up. please share any tips you have about how you maintain in winter …!

  8. 8.27.16
    Jeannie Rivera said:

    Looks delicious. Michelle. Not sure if I’m just missing it but i don’t see any blueberries listed as an ingredient yet it’s in the name of the recipe.

    • 8.28.16
      Michelle said:

      Oh wow! Good catch. . . I’m not sure how I missed that. :/ It has been a while since I’ve made these, but I’d guess I threw in a handful of blueberries.