Finding Strength in Stillness: Adding Barre to My Running Routine

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been adding Barre workouts into my training to supplement my running, and it’s been a surprisingly refreshing shift. These classes are definitely not the type of workouts I’m used to — no pounding pavement, no long miles, no finish‑line countdown. But that’s exactly why they’re starting to feel so valuable.

At first, I wasn’t sure how Barre would fit into my routine. It’s slower, more controlled, and way more focused on tiny movements than anything I normally do. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was actually enjoying the classes. They challenge me in a completely different way, and I can feel them working muscles I usually ignore.

What’s really stood out is how much they’re helping with my balance and core strength, two things that matter more for running than I ever gave them credit for. I might not leave class drenched in sweat, but I leave feeling stronger, more aligned, and more aware of how my body moves. And honestly, I think it’s already improving my running — especially on days when my form starts to fall apart.

It’s been a good reminder that not every workout has to be intense to be effective. Sometimes the quiet, controlled work does more for you than the miles themselves. And right now, Barre feels like exactly the kind of support my running needs.

If you’re curious about how cross‑training can support running, exploring strength for runners or core stability work might be a good next step.

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Hydration, Sodium, and a 13.5‑Mile Reality Check

With the Kenya race coming up in just 40 days, I’ve been trying to unravel what really happened with my hydration and fueling during the London Marathon. I knew something was off that day, but I didn’t have the numbers to understand why things fell apart the way they did. So this week, I finally decided to get serious about it and started using an hDrop wearable on my runs to gather real data instead of guessing.

Today’s 13.5‑mile run gave me more insight than I expected — and honestly, more than I was prepared for.

According to the hDrop, I lost 1,783 mg of sodium during the run. Meanwhile, I only took in 1,200 mg, which means I was already in the red before I even hit double digits. No wonder things felt off toward the end. Sodium loss has always been a blind spot for me, but seeing the actual numbers made it impossible to ignore. This is officially a fueling issue I need to address before Kenya.

The water situation wasn’t much better. I lost 77.1 oz and only took in 54 oz. By the end of the run, my body was absolutely feeling that shortage — heavy legs, sluggish brain, that unmistakable “you’re running on fumes” sensation. I ended up cutting the run short by two miles because I ran out of both food and salt around mile 10. Not ideal, but also not surprising given the numbers.

The good news? Now I know. And knowing means I can fix it.

For recovery, I booked some time at the Sweat Houz, which turned out to be exactly what I needed. I spent an hour cycling between the infrared sauna, the cold plunge, and wrapped it all up with a vitamin‑C infused shower. It felt like hitting a reset button — physically and mentally. A small reminder that recovery is just as important as the miles themselves.

So the work continues. I’m dialing in my hydration plan, rethinking my sodium strategy, and making sure I’m not repeating the same mistakes in Kenya. Today’s run wasn’t perfect, but it was productive — and right now, that’s the win I needed.

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A Small Step Forward (Blisters Included)

After the London Marathon, I’ve been struggling to find my rhythm again. Part of it was the emotional hangover of a race that didn’t go quite the way I hoped. Part of it was physical — I genuinely wasn’t sure how my feet would hold up after the blisters, the bruising, and everything else they endured on race day.

So on Sunday, I decided to test things out with an easy run. Nothing ambitious, nothing structured. Just a gentle check‑in with my body to see where things stood.

And amazingly… it went better than expected.

My legs felt lighter than I thought they would. My breathing settled quickly. For the first time since the marathon, running felt like running again — not a chore, not a question mark, but something familiar and comforting.

Of course, because my feet love to keep things interesting, I did end up with another blister. At this point, I’m convinced my socks and shoes are conspiring against me. Clearly something needs to change before I start stacking more miles. Whether it’s new socks, different lacing, or a full shoe rethink, I’ll have to figure it out soon.

But honestly? Even with the blister, the run felt like a win. A reminder that progress doesn’t always show up in big, dramatic ways. Sometimes it’s just a quiet, steady step forward — one that tells you you’re going to be okay.

And right now, that’s exactly what I needed.

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London Might Be My Last Marathon — And I’m Surprisingly at Peace With That

I’m not ready to say it with absolute certainty, but I think the London Marathon may have been my last full marathon. The decision isn’t final, but the idea has been settling in quietly, the way a truth sometimes does long before you’re willing to say it out loud. I’ve already decided that when I’m in Kenya, I’ll be switching from the full marathon to the half — and honestly, that feels right.

What makes this harder is that my training leading up to London was incredible. One of my best cycles ever. I felt strong, consistent, and genuinely excited. I went into race day hoping for something special.

And in many ways, the day was special.

I started in the Team Green area, which felt like a little oasis before the chaos of the race. Hot tea, picnic tables, no bathroom lines — it was the calmest, most civilized marathon start I’ve ever experienced. I soaked it in, feeling grateful and ready.

The first ten-plus miles were everything I hoped for. My pace felt smooth, my legs felt good, and I was enjoying the energy around me. But then the heat crept in, and my fueling just didn’t keep up. By mile 15, things started to unravel. I was still enjoying the run, but my body wasn’t responding the way I needed it to. I had to walk big portions of the second half, and eventually I couldn’t take in any more food. Even water had to be taken in tiny sips.

Still, I made a choice: if I was going to finish, I wanted to finish strong. So I ran the last few miles, lifted my head, and crossed the line with a smile. And that smile was real. Despite everything, I genuinely enjoyed most of the race.

As for injuries? Nothing dramatic — just a sunburn, a few blisters, and one very bruised pinky toe. Honestly, that feels like a win.

So maybe London was my last marathon. Maybe it wasn’t. But if it was, I’m glad it was this one. A race that challenged me, humbled me, and still gave me joy. A race that reminded me why I started running in the first place — and why it’s okay to let the definition of “runner” evolve.

For now, I’m looking ahead to Kenya, to the half marathon, and to whatever comes next. Maybe the marathon chapter is closing. Maybe it’s just changing shape. Either way, I’m grateful for every mile.

#LondonMarathon #MarathonJourney #MarathonRunner #RunningCommunity #RunHappy #RunStrong #RunLondon #MarathonLife

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One Week to go

It’s officially one week until the London Marathon, and I’m feeling all the emotions. I’ve logged over 520 miles preparing for those 26.2 on race day — miles filled with discipline, doubt, breakthroughs, and a lot of determination.

No matter what happens next weekend, I’m proud of the work I’ve put in. Now it’s time to taper, breathe, and get ready for the big moment.

London, I’m coming for you.

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59 Days to London: Finding Strength in an 18‑Mile Run

With just 59 days until the London Marathon, today felt like a turning point — the kind of training day that reminds you why you signed up for this journey in the first place. I headed out for my longest run of the cycle so far, 18 miles, and finished feeling strong, steady, and surprisingly grateful.

Long runs have a way of stripping everything down to the essentials. It’s just you, your breath, the rhythm of your feet, and the quiet space to think. And with everything happening in the world — the uncertainty, the heaviness, the constant stream of headlines — being able to step outside and run for hours felt like a privilege I didn’t want to take for granted.

There was something grounding about it. Mile after mile, I kept coming back to the same thought: I get to do this. I get to move, to train, to chase a goal that once felt out of reach. I get to spend a morning outdoors, watching the sun rise higher, feeling the air shift, and letting my mind settle into a rare kind of calm.

Training for a marathon is never just about the miles. It’s about perspective. It’s about finding small pockets of clarity in a world that often feels anything but clear. It’s about choosing to show up — even when it’s hard, even when life feels loud, even when the finish line still feels far away.

Today’s 18 miles reminded me that progress isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply the quiet confidence that comes from doing the work and realizing you’re stronger than you were a few weeks ago. And with 59 days to go, that strength matters.

There’s still plenty of training ahead, but today was a win — a reminder of resilience, gratitude, and the simple joy of being able to run.

#LondonMarathon2026

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Surviving Orlando’s Surprise Cold Snap: Two Days We Won’t Forget

If you’ve lived in Central Florida long enough, you know we get our share of chilly mornings — but every once in a while, Orlando throws us a curveball. The last two days were one of those rare moments when “Sunshine State” felt like a misnomer and we all collectively wondered whether we’d accidentally woken up in Canada.

What started as a brisk forecast quickly turned into a genuine freeze event. Temperatures dipped far lower than our tropical landscaping — or our nerves — were prepared for. And like many Floridians, we learned a few lessons the hard way.

The Plant Casualties

Let’s talk about the garden. Florida plants are resilient in their own way, but they’re not built for nights that flirt with freezing. When the cold settled in, it settled deep, and by morning it was clear that several of our plants didn’t make it through the night.

Tropical varieties took the biggest hit — leaves wilted, stems darkened, and some plants simply collapsed under the shock. It’s always tough to see landscaping not even a year old struggle. Some plants may regrow from the roots once warmer weather returns, so all hope isn’t lost.

Still, it’s a reminder that even in Orlando, a little freeze prep goes a long way.

The Frozen Tankless Water Heater Saga

The bigger surprise came from something we rarely think about: the tankless hot water heater mounted outside the garage. Tankless systems are efficient and compact, but they’re also vulnerable when temperatures drop below freezing. And that’s exactly what happened.

At some point during the night, the cold was enough to freeze the unit. Waking up to no hot water is a rude shock — especially when the air outside still feels like a refrigerator. It’s one of those moments where you realize how much we take warm water for granted until it’s suddenly gone.

Thankfully, once temperatures rose, the system thawed out. But it’s a lesson learned: even in Florida, exposed plumbing needs a little protection when the forecast dips into the danger zone.

Looking Ahead

Warmer days are already on the horizon, and soon this cold spell will be just another story we tell about “that one winter when Orlando tried to be a northern city.” The plants will hopefully recover, the heater will be insulated, and life will return to its usual sunny rhythm.

But for now, we’ve earned a hot cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and maybe a little pride for making it through Florida’s version of winter survival mode.

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A Tempo Run I Didn’t Think I Could Do… Until I Did

Today was one of those running days where the mental battle started long before the first step. On my schedule from Runna was a 6‑mile tempo run, and honestly, I’d been stressing about it for days. The paces looked intimidating, and I kept convincing myself I wasn’t ready, wasn’t strong enough, wasn’t quite “there” yet.

But there comes a point where you can’t put it off anymore. So this morning, I bundled up, stepped out into the cool air, and told myself one simple truth: “The worst thing that happens is I get a solid 6‑mile run in.”

With that mindset, I started. One mile at a time. One pace target at a time. And something amazing happened— I hit every single pace.

Every. One.

Somewhere between the steady breathing, the rhythm of my feet, and the crisp morning air, the run shifted from something I feared to something I owned. By the time I finished, I was buzzing with excitement. Not just because I completed the workout, but because I proved to myself that I’m stronger than the doubts I walked out the door with.

Today was a reminder that the hardest part is often just starting. And sometimes, the run you’re most nervous about becomes the one that lights you up the most.

Here’s to showing up, trusting the process, and surprising ourselves along the way.

#Londonmarathon

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Looking Ahead to 2026: A Milestone Year in Motion

There are years you simply live through, and then there are years you step into with intention. For me, 2026 is shaping up to be one of those rare, powerful years—the kind that feels like a turning point long before it even arrives.

This is the year I turn 50. A number that once felt distant and abstract now feels like a badge of honor. Not a finish line, but a marker on a much bigger journey. I’m stepping into this new decade with gratitude, curiosity, and a determination to make it unforgettable.

And what better way to celebrate a milestone birthday than by doing something bold, challenging, and deeply meaningful?

🏃‍♂️ April: Running the London Marathon

In April, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon again, one of the world’s most iconic races. The energy, the crowds, the history woven into every mile—it’s a dream race for so many runners, and I’m thrilled that I will get another chance at it.

Training for London feels symbolic. It’s a reminder that strength isn’t something you lose with age—it’s something you build, nurture, and reclaim. Every run is a step toward that start line, and every mile is a celebration of how far I’ve come.

🐘 June: The Lewa Safari Marathon in Kenya

Just a few months later, in June, I’ll be heading to Kenya to run the Lewa Safari Marathon—a race unlike any other in the world. Set in a wildlife conservancy, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and incredible conservation work, it’s more than a marathon. It’s an experience at 5,500 ft elevation, a hilly dirt terrain and temperatures between 80-90 F.

Running through Lewa will be a privilege: a chance to challenge myself physically while supporting a cause that protects wildlife, communities, and one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet.

✨ Turning 50 With Purpose

If there’s a theme for 2026, it’s this: movement. Forward, upward, inward.

Turning 50 isn’t about slowing down—it’s about leaning in. Leaning into adventure, into health, into experiences that stretch me in the best possible ways. These races aren’t just events on a calendar; they’re milestones in a year that I want to remember for the rest of my life.

So here’s to 2026: a year of big goals, big miles, and big meaning. A year to celebrate where I’ve been, embrace where I am, and run boldly toward everything that’s ahead.

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Christmas at Universal Studios

There’s something truly special about visiting Universal Studios during the holiday season. The park transforms into a winter wonderland, with twinkling lights, festive music, and holiday cheer around every corner. It’s the kind of place where you can’t help but feel the spirit of Christmas the moment you walk through the gates.

For me, the highlight of the season is always the Macy’s Holiday Parade. Watching those giant balloons float down the streets of Universal is pure joy. It’s like stepping right into the magic of the iconic New York parade. The colorful floats, lively performers, and whimsical characters bring the holiday spirit to life in a way that feels larger than life.

Standing along the parade route, I found myself grinning like a kid again. The music, the costumes, the sheer scale of it all—it’s impossible not to get swept up in the excitement. It’s my favorite thing to watch, and honestly, it’s worth the trip all on its own.

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