I finished the St. Patrick's Day 5K this morning in 25:02.  Not my best, but I'll take it happily!  

This week rounds out my first month in the Springs and I'm proud to report that on my training runs I no longer notice the altitude as acutely as I did a few weeks ago.  Today, however, with nerves and the "race factor" that makes us runners push ourselves a little harder, I noticed the extra 5,524 feet above the flatlands of Illinois.  I usually run negative splits, especially in…

This morning I woke up, checked the weather, and started in on my preparations to get downtown to participate in the St. Patrick's Day 5k. I've run this race since 2008 (except in 2012 when I ran the LA marathon). Even though I'm not really running yet, it's my favorite 5k so I didn't want to miss it. The two main reasons I love this race are:

1) So many people participate and get in the spirit of "green," regardless of speed.

2) It's a flat (for here) course that takes place…

I am one happy runner - tomorrow marks my first race in the Springs! I am exhilarated to begin my first season at altitude (I'm a transplant from the flatlands of the Midwest). As the Ascent get closer  I'm sure I'll rethink my present excitement about altitude!

Hello fellow Quinnians! 

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Blog post By MtnMama of UpaDowna.org

Ever get that happy-go-lucky, nothing-can-make-me-sad-today feeling? Welcome to your happy place! For me, most of the time, my happy place is in the outdoors. As an athletic woman who enjoys many sports, I was struggling with the "right" kind of happy place. Being an outdoor enthusiast and a co-founder of an outdoor adventure non-profit,…

Some people run away when they hear the term 'lactate threshold,' but you don't have to! Even the recreational endurance athlete should understand the concept so that they can plan their training more effectively. And while the best way to know what your LT is to get tested with a blood lactate test, understanding the concept and the approximate effort levels associated can help you get faster.

I'm going to explain LT in a way that I hope everyone will be able to understand.…

Last month Kaci Licktieg, Team Pearl Izumi ultrarunner and physical therapist, presented some tips for keeping your legs happy throughout the winter. She brings up a good point about how slick, wintry surfaces can place increased demands on our stabilizing muscles. Lack of proximal strength, specifically in the gluteals, has been…