New races, new friends!

I had a fabulous run this morning, but skipped my ride with the Competitive Edge girls tonight.

My left knee is bothering me a little, and now that I have signed up for a 5K saturday, I want to be in my best condition to go after that PR!

I've decided to head to West Hartford Saturday & meet up with Kristin @ Bigger Girls Can Run Too & Kristin @ Running to Somewhere! I'm even more excited because I also discovered that one of them is running RnR Providence & the other the Hartford Half, and I am doing both. I love to meet new racing friends!

So tonight I am taking it easy, keeping my eating in check and working on blog stuff & organizing training plans. So exciting! As a sneak peak...

Both books came in the mail yesterday, and I can't wait to dive into them. Especially the recipe book, YUM! There will be reviews and giveaways once I've made it through them thanks to the amazing folks over at Joy Bauer, where we'll be doing a little collaborative work this summer.

oh, and my winner?

My Running on Empty giveaway winner is...

 Sarah @ Running on Words!

Ann is doing some serious kick ass work in the weight loss department! I could use a motivational boost from her. Check out her blog & cheer her on!!

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Running on Empty Review & Giveaway!

A little while ago, I was given the opportunity to review and giveaway a copy of Marshall Ulrich's book Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America. I'm a slow reader when I'm busy, but this was a great book, that I spent a little time every night reading until it was done.

Marshall is an ultramarathoner, adventure runner & mountaineer, who at the age of 57 sets out to run across America. The book details his history, and the time leading up to the enormous journey, as well as  an incredibly detailed account of the transcontinental run merged with life experiences and lessons throughout. 

My favorite part of this book was the fact that it wasn't just a recap of "how the run went down." It was laced with motivational stories, quotes, thoughts, and experiences. In one of my favorite passages is where he is looking for clean socks, and his wife (who is stressed & tired as well), snaps at him & he breaks into tears. He then details his feeling of self-doubt...

"Dealing with this self-doubt wasn't foreign to me. I've had there thoughts before: entering active military service, going into college, seeing my children being born, other races in other places. Am I man enough to rise to the occasion? Will I fail? How could I have ever thought I would do this? It would be so much easier to just lie back and not take the steep and challenging high road....

We can be our own worst enemies when it comes to those doubts and negative self-talk. Being around people with positive attitudes helps, but ultimately it comes from within... You remind yourself that it's easy to quit but hard to live with it afterward."

Reminds me a little of my post from last week (HERE)

The book is inspirational & motivating from front to back and is a must read in my opinion. The entire book will make you think of pushing yourself, experiencing new things, and appreciating the little things in life.

So who wants to win a copy??

How to Enter

leave a separate comment for each

1. Be or become a follower of my blog

2. Add me to your blogroll

3. Like Running to Health on facebook HERE

4. Blog, tweet, or facebook this contest (1 for each)

I'll pick a winner on July 4th!

Good luck!

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