Double Portion Inspiration

 Guest blogger-Casie Dussia Founder of Run with Endurance  My first half marathon is Sunday and I'm taking the week off from blogging.  If you missed last week's hair tips  click here .  Guest blogger Casie Dussia is sharing her top ten tips to help you stay focused, healthy and injury free! 1. It's all about the shoes! What is the most common conversation among runners? Shoes! They make all the difference! I highly recommend that you go to your local running specialty store and take advantage of their knowledge. Ask them how often you should replace your shoes. They will answer that question in miles, so keep track of how many miles you put on your shoes. If you're keeping a running log, this is simple - put a star on the date you start using your shoes! And only use your running shoes for running! 2. Drink some water, then drink some water, run, then drink some more water! General rule: take your weight, divide it in half and drink that in ounces per d...

  Ready to run UNCF 5K    My running series is coming to an end and it's hard to believe that my race is next week!  In the previous post I shared my training schedule.  If you missed it click here .  Last Saturday I ran a 5K to prepare my body for race day.  The weather was beautiful and I successfully ran 3.2 miles in under 35 minutes.  I'm sharing some great tips for maintaining your hair during a training program.  I'm sure there are some that feel this is a vain topic to cover, however, you would be amazed how many women forfeit exercising to protect their hair.     Francoise "Frenchie" Gomes For the past 10+ years, I've trusted my hair to Francoise Gomes**, owner of Frenchie's Hair Design.  She's been in the industry for over 20 years and graciously agreed to provide a few tips on maintaining healthy hair. Since there are many differences with hair type, texture, and length,...

Taking on hurdles! The weekend is hours away and it's already week three of our running series.  Everything you need to start in a training program was discussed in the previous weeks.  If you missed it click here .  By this time you probably have your shoes and training attire.  Maybe you've even signed up for your first 5K.  What happens when you are well into your training program and an injury occurs?  A broken toe, a sprained ankle, or a pulled hamstring.  They all represent a number of injuries that can attempt to derail you from the ultimate goal of finishing the race.  That's the hurdle I had to face just a few months ago. I was two months into my training program when I found myself face down on the floor in intense pain and unable to move.  Just seconds before I slipped on the floor trying to run my son into the kitchen before his upset stomach spilled all over the carpet.  It took months to build my endura...

Today I am exactly one month away from running my first half marathon and I am beyond excited.  It's week two of Finish Line Friday's and I'm dedicating an entire blog post to training attire.  Hopefully you had a chance to watch the video from last week.  (Click here to watch the video and read last week's post) Running is one of the most economical exercises to take part in.  You don't have to buy costly equipment to participate which is a great advantage.  ~Your success is contingent upon good shoes and the right clothing.~ I highly suggest that you visit your local running store .  Sure there are plenty of sporting goods stores around and even athletic wear sold in Walmart or Target, but I don't feel anyone understands running better than the associates in your local store.  Most of them are runners themselves and know what's needed to make the time on your feet enjoyable. The purchase of a good shoe before starting on ...

Welcome to  Finish Line Friday's .   Hopefully you had a chance to watch  the intro video that gives a glimpse into the journey we will take over the next few weeks.  I'm often asked why I decided to run 13.1 miles.  Honestly, I'm not sure.  My girlfriend asked, and after a few days of thought, I said "why not."  I've been training about five months and never imagined that my preparation for the race would provide so many life lessons. Most don't realize that when I committed to run, I couldn't even jog a 1/2 mile without heavy breathing, knee and back pain.  Despite that fact, my journey  started with a decision .  Maybe you're sitting there without the ability to even run/jog one minute.  Don't let that intimidate you.  If you have the determination to commit to your decision, you can do it!  Perhaps your training will begin with alternating between a one minute run ...