Thursday, July 2, 2009

happy 4th of july everyone ( a few days early, but the next few days are gonna be busy).

i will be running the peachtree road race (flying in and out of atlanta and running the race in 24 hours)...whew! but it will be fun. i cannot wait.

and then hanging out with the family the rest of the weekend. also hoping to fine tune a survey for this site and for running attire. i am very interested in starting a running attire line for women - specifically designed to meet the needs of women. so if you have any input please let me know...

tired today. drinking a coke zero for some extra energy. get to leave work at 4:30 today so that is great.

have a wonderful weekend!
michele

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Finding Time to Run

Some days I find it hard to squeeze running into my busy day (and night). There are only 24 hours in a day, and at times, I wish there were more hours.

Luckily, I truly love to run and most days, fitting it into my schedule is just something I do. It has become a part of my daily routine, like taking a shower, brushing my teeth, etc.

I do set two alarm clocks for 5:00 a.m. (I have a hard time with the initial wake up call), set my clothes and running shoes out in the bathroom the night before so they are there waiting for me (I have friends who actually sleep in their running clothes), and plan out in my head (the night before) whether I am going to run inside on the treadmill or outside. I prefer to run outside, but I don't like running alone in the dark.

Some days I will run a few miles (while it is dark and my husband is at the gym) on the treadmill. Meanwhile my 4 and 5 year old are still sleeping. The air conditioning unit upstairs helps drain the noise of the treadmill. I, also, have a baby monitor hooked up so I can tell when they get up. When my husband returns from the gym, I then go outside and run a few miles. And on the weekends I wait until it is light and run completely outside. I prefer running outside, but the treadmill mixes it up and works with my schedule.

While getting dressed for my run, I will plan out my run in my head. I don't "set it in stone", but I like to know what the plan is for my run. Will I be on the treadmill or running outside. If I am going to run outside, I will spend a few minutes visualizing where I will run. What streets, parks, etc. I find it inspiring and motivating to see myself running. And most days, that is the course I will run. And some days, I will deviate from "the plan" which is fine too. Once you get moving, it all comes together.

So just a few tips that work for me on finding time to run. Would love to hear from you too. Stick with me as I get this blog running.

We are all belladonnarunning!

Have a great day:)
Michele



So finding time can be tricky. But once you get in a running groove and a routine, it gets easier each day.

running and thinking

while on the treadmill this morning (i have to alternate days on the treadmill and days outside because my husband and i alternate days of being in the house while the girls sleep), i realized how important your feedback is to this blog. i need your input.

i am going to add some pictures and "stuff" to jazz it up, but i want to hear from you. let me know what you would like to see on a blog. what topics do you want in relation to running for women? what would make you come to this blog? as a runner (any level runner, what do you need)? i am listening..send me your requests..

thank you:) i look forward to sis - sharing, inspiring, and supporting.

belladonnarunners unite!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

come on...give me some feedback...

hello all female runners..i am waiting to hear from you:)

blogging is a lot harder than i realized. i love creating the posts, but getting people to read your blog is a bit challenging. but i love a challenge and will persevere. it is a lot like running. you have to work up to the "race". so i guess i am in the training stage of social media. but i am learning and getting fit.

if you are reading this, be sure to see my blog from day one. there are lots of questions on there for you. i need to put it in a survey format. work with me. i am learning. but i seriously want your feedback. i really want to create a blog and website for all female runners. beginners, experienced, etc. it will be for all of us.

running has been such an important part of my life for years, and i want others to share in the passion. have i won major races or coached? no. i simply love running for running.

so come on...run..and while running think about what you want to see on a blog and website. i, also, want to develop an apparell line so think about what is missing in running clothes. what do you want? fabric? colors? prints? cuts? reflective material? etc.?

cannot wait to hear from all of you.

let's get running. we are all belladonnarunning..beautiful women running.

michele

Monday, June 29, 2009

monday morning

it is monday. not much time to blog...but really want to hear from people about what they want in a blog, site, and running attire. what is out there that you love. what is not out there that you want? reflective running wear? colorful wear? standard colors? the cut in shorts? the new skorts for running? tops? jogbras? let me know...and if there are any clothing designers and seamstresses who want to help design and sew let me know. i have ideas but need help executing them. it will be fun:) keep on belladonnarunning.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sunday, Sunday...

Hello everyone! Yesterday slipped away from me, and I did not get a chance to blog. I did run 6 miles though. Yay!

But today's run (Sunday) was even better. It was one of the runs that makes me realize why I love running sooo much. The run seemed effortless and meditative. I don't even remember a lot of the run because I was in my zone. It all came together and felt right. This is why I love running.

Not only did I get a great workout all around (I ended up going 9 miles), but I felt wonderful. Not once did I feel sore or tired. It was just one of those days. Thank you:)

As a runner, we all know that there are good running days and not so good running days. But it is the good days that make it so worth it. That lead to us being passionate about the sport.

And there is no way to predict how you are going to feel until you get out there and start moving. I must admit that I was feeling a bit tired (we went blueberry picking yesterday morning and then had a cookout at our house last night) when I was lacing up my shoes. But from experience, I know to keep going through the motions to see how I feel once I get outside.

A few minutes into it, I felt great. And then I just went with it. The meditation mode set in, and I felt light and airy. When I got back home I was very energized yet relaxed. Ahhh..

I have a little stiffness now because I don't typically run 9 miles (more 6 miles) but no worries. It simply reminds me of the great run I had this morning.

This is what running is all about. Share your stories with us. Be sure to see my Day One message and send me your feedback. I want to hear from you.

Take care...We are belladonnarunning....

Friday, June 26, 2009

day one

Hello everyone!

This is my first blog entry. Whew!

I am very excited about creating a blog for women runners (and for those who want to try running). There are no prequisites except an "interest" in running. It does not matter if you run half a mile/week, 50 miles/week, or simply dream about running. Belladonnarunning is here for you.

I envision a blog (and hopefully a website very soon - any good designers out there?) that gives women runners a place to SIS - share, inspire, and support. I am going to list some of the topic areas that I would like to see on the blog (and eventually website) and would love your feedback and ideas.

Here we go:
1. Pictures - A section where people can post pictures of them running, racing, resting, etc. Must be running related.

2. A "my story" section - A place where women can share their running stories.

3. Food and beverage section - What you like, what you recommend, recipes, tips, etc.

4. Training tips - From beginner to advanced.

5. Safety information - How do women runners stay safe while running? Your ideas and thoughts.

6. Getting motivated - What keeps you running? How do you keep going? How do you find the time to run?

7. Words of support - Let's support one another.

8. Races - Upcoming races. Anywhere and everywhere.

9. Injuries - Links to great sites, recommendations, prevention, tips, etc.

10. Running clothes and shoes - What works? What you want. I am designing some running wear so would love to hear what women want in running attire.

11. Music, Visualization, psychological games - What works for you before, during, and after a run?

12. Pregnancy (pre, during and post) and running -Thoughts? Recommendations? Jogging strollers.

13. Stretching - I need help with this one. I need to stretch...

14. Sponsors/Links - Would love to hear from you.

So, this is a start. Please chime in and let's get this blog running. Thank you. I love all you belladonna runners:)