“I have been running strong since I started working with Maureen two
years ago. I do her “pilates for runners” class once a week and work
with her on the reformer once a week. My balance has improved
tremendously. The exercises for hips and glutes have kept my form
solid mile after mile. In my last two marathons, I did not notice any
single muscle breakdowns like I have in the past.”

I had never tried Pilates before but  was very excited to try something new that could be beneficial to me and the runners I coach.

This past Thursday I had the opportunity to go to Flow Pilates Studio in Lincoln Park and take Maureen’s class. The class provides a full body challenge geared to endurance athletes with particular attention to muscles needed for good form, and efficiency for long runs. Maureen, being a runner herself, understands that being sidelined with an injury so she combines the principles of mat Pilates with exercises to increase range of motion and prevent injury.

Benefits you’ll discover from Pilates for Runners:

• Strong core (abs & back)
• Muscular balance
• Strength and flexibility
• Body awareness and mind-body connection
• Improved posture

I really enjoyed Maureen’s class. She has enthusiasm and passion for both Pilates and Running that is contagious. I never felt self-conscious about being a newbie and the hour class flew by. It is clear that Maureen has put the time and research in her work to create the best combination of movements to increase strength and fight imbalances in runners.

I highly recommend Maureen’s Pilates for Runners class to anyone that is interested in Pilates, staying injury free, looking for a new workout routine, or wants to find a fast-paced, fun workout.

If you’re interested in learning more about Maureen, you can check out her website, Ryan Wellness Coaching and try out her class at Flow on Thursdays at 6AM.

Have you ever taken a Pilates class? What did you think? 

Of course, the first thing I did after I heard from my doctor was sign up for a race. I will be running the Madison Half Marathon on November 10. I have 12 weeks to train for the race and I’m really excited to start doing speed workouts again. The plan is to run 4 times a week: 1 interval workout, 1 easy run, 1 tempo run and 1 long run a week.

I really enjoy intervals because they offer a lot of variety and flexibility and you can do them on a track, the road or the treadmill. I’m planning on mixing it up with longer intervals (anywhere from 800 meters to 1-2 miles) and shorter intervals (200, 400 or 600 meter repeats). The recovery time between each interval will be slow and allow my heart rate to return to normal.

My second favorite speed workout is the tempo run. Typically tempo runs are run at 30 to 45 seconds slower than your 5k pace. I aim to be around 80 to 90 percent of my maximum heart race. The purpose of the tempo run is to be able to sustain a hard pace for a long period of time without slowing down.

For my long runs I will be using two different types of long runs: the long, steady run and the fast finish long run. For the long, steady run I will run easy the entire run and speed will not be important. For the fast finish long run I will start at my normal run pace and then run my goal half marathon pace for the last 30 to 60 minutes of the run.

I don’t have a specific goal time in mind and I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself. I’m going to train smart and enjoy the journey.

Do you incorporate speed workouts into your training? What is your favorite speed workout? 

As you can see it’s a stress fracture in the bottom of my pelvis. It is an uncommon injury, but sometimes happens with female distance runners.

It has been a really tough injury to deal with. I thought it would be healed in 6-8 weeks. I thought I would be able to run the Chicago Marathon and I thought I would be able to run Boston. I thought and hoped for a lot of different things.

I didn’t get to participate in any of the races I hoped I would. I even signed up for a 10k in the beginning of February, but couldn’t run it because of what my latest MRI showed.

Instead of going in to the depressing details I’m focusing on the positive. I’ve learned a lot this past year. I learned that sleep is more important than running and being able to jog a 10 minute mile is the most glorious feeling in the world. This injury has changed my perspective on running forever.

I’m a big believer that whatever doesn’t kill us, will only make us stronger. It’s the challenging times that really change us for the better and make us who we are.

Since I have been able to slowly start running again I have signed up for my next race!

I will be running Fleet Feet’s Soldier Field 10 Mile race on Saturday, May 25. It’s the 10th anniversary of this race and I’m really looking forward to running along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront and finishing on the 50-yard line in the center of the field.

This race is going to mean a lot to me. I have survived one of the worst injuries a runner could have and I am coming out on top. Being out of running for a year made me realize how much I appreciate and missed running and how much it means to me. Running isn’t just about running a race, it’s about getting out there and doing what I love and hopefully doing it for many years to come.

After the gym I came home, sat around in my sweaty workout clothes and ate a big bowl of oatmeal. Another  one of my favorite things to do on Saturday.

After I showered my Mom and I rushed over to Starbucks to meet my day of wedding coordinator. To give you a little background information …I was a day of wedding coordinator for 4 years during college. I didn’t do much of the planning, but I would coordinator the rehearsal, ceremony and reception.

Being a day of wedding coordinator is a lot of work. It can be a stressful 12 hour day where you’re running around trying to make sure everything is perfect and everyone’s happy (basically impossible). I LOVE creating schedules and timelines and didn’t think I would want to hire a coordinator until I realized I don’t want any of my family or friends doing the job. I know if I don’t have someone who knows what they’re doing I wouldn’t be able to let go of the control. I would end of coordinating and worrying about everything when in reality I’m not going to be available to do that on the day of my wedding.

I was nervous going into the meeting because I hate giving up control, but I instantly clicked with Tami from Creatively Yours Wedding Planning. She was extremely professional, seemed very enthusiastic and didn’t seem to be burnt out. The wedding industry is an interesting beast and you can easily get burnt out after doing it for many years. I’m really looking forward to working with Tami and letting her take care of all the details so I can just relax and enjoy the day.

After our meeting my Mom and I went shopping to find something to wear to my cousins wedding next weekend. She found a great outfit at Coldwater Creek and I found this dress at Express.

I also found this gorgeous turquise purse at a resale shop for $12. I like that it will give the outfit some color.

I usually hate shopping so this trip was a success. My Mom and I spent the rest of the night watching the Devil Wears Prada and cuddling with our pup. It was a great Saturday with Mom.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was spent with family and doing lots of wedding planning.

I’m off to the gym, but before I go I wanted to share a treadmill workout I’ve been loving lately.

It’s from Carrotsncake.com. Running on a treadmill can be super boring, but having a set workout and constantly switching up the speed or incline makes the workout fly by.

What’s your favorite treadmill workout? 

#RunChat challenged everyone to list 5-10 reasons why they love running.

I know most runners have a love/hate relationship with running, but I am not one of them. I feel lucky to only have lots and lots of love for running. I don’t ever have to force myself to run. I always WANT to run.

Here are my reason why I love running:

1. It’s my therapy. Running has been there when I’ve had my best and worst days. Running has helped me get through the ups and downs of the last 4 years of my life. 
2. Friendship. I have met some of my favorite people and have developed so many good relationships through running.
3.  Running clears my mind. I find it when I am running I’m able to think more clearly about the issues I’m working through.
4. It makes me feel alive. Plain and simple, running makes me feel the blood pumping through my veins, the beat of my heart, and the dreams in my head.
5. Happiness. I use my running time to run away from past demons and run to future happiness. I always feel my best and I’m the happiest after a run.

Why do you love running?

I first heard about Pretty Muddy from Meghann’s Blog and after doing some more research I knew this was a race I wanted to participate in.

The Pretty Muddy 5K course is covered with obstacles and lots of mud! Some of the other features are:

5k Course (3.1 miles, run or walk)
Women Only (sorry, guys)
Mud (lots of it)
Architectural Obstacles (much better than shabby hay bales and shaky plywood)
Pretty Epic Finish Line Party (entertainment, music, drinks & celebration galore)

The great people at Pretty Muddy are offering a ONE TIME $20 discount for their Chicago Race on September 7, 2013! The code is GIRLTIME and you’ll get the best price of 2013 if you use it to register by the end of the month! You can check out all of the race info here.

Who wants to get Pretty Muddy with me?