Police Chase 5K

My husband John and I ran two 5K’s this past weekend. We ran Let’s Get Movin 5K on Saturday and the Massachusetts State Police Chase 5K on Sunday. After the race on Saturday, my legs were a bit tired, but I knew I can run another 3.1 miles.

This was our first year running the race. John works in law enforcement. Watching the Mass. Police air-wing fly over us was cool. I wish I got it on video, but it went by so fast that I didn’t have time to take my phone out. I did get my photo taken with the pink cruiser! And I met the Mass. State Police’s first comfort dog 🙂

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Let’s Get Movin’ 5K

This was my fourth year running the Let’s Get Movin’ New Balance Foundation 5K for Fitness. I enjoy this race and we run it every year because it is a nice, flat course. Also, it is in my hometown 🙂 The organization provides physical activity and nutrition programming to youth in the community, and the run celebrates health.

Each year we ran the race, the weather has always been HOT. Luckily it was only 3.1 miles and it was a flat course. I have always seen myself improve during this race throughout the years. Last year I came in fourth in my age group. So this year I was determined to do my best!

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Sugar Free Dessert

Who doesn’t like dessert?! It can be challenging to be on a diet and fight the temptation of sweets. Dieting does not mean cutting out all the tasty foods. We all need to have some excitement and treats in our lives! In fact snacking in a healthy way cuts cravings that makes us reach for the unhealthy foods like cake, cookies, and potato chips. By ensuring that our treats are healthy (think low fat, low sugar, low calorie etc.) we satisfy our cravings without ruining the hard work we put in to get and stay healthy.

There are so many healthy snacks out there but it is important to choose carefully. Just because a snack is branded as healthy (low fat, high protein, low sugar) doesn’t mean it actually is healthy. Learn about nutritional labels and study them when you are picking out a dessert. One of the best ways to ensure that your dessert is to make it yourself as you know what is going into it and can control the nutrients.

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Run To Remember

Memorial Day is about honoring and remembering the military personnel who died while serving the United States. The Run To Remember is held on the weekend of Memorial Day and it honors the military and law enforcement. This was my first year running the race, and it won’t be my last.

The race offered a half marathon run or a five mile run. My husband John, and I both ran the five miler. It started off at the Seaport District in Boston, and the course went around downtown Boston. We passed the Boston Common, ran down Comm. Ave and Chinatown, and finished by crossing the bridge into the Seaport.

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Turkey Meatloaf

Haven’t decided what to cook for dinner? I have a great, healthy recipe of a favorite childhood meal: meatloaf. But my healthy version of meatloaf: turkey meatloaf! This is a meal you can prep a few ingredients the night before.

This is actually my husband’s recipe. But like I told him, his recipe is my recipe! He is very kind to let me share it. It is one of my favorite meals.

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Healthy Snack: Yogurt

Yogurt is commonly known as a healthy food and a great snack for anyone on the go. However, few really understand the true benefits of yogurt. Yogurt contains many essential nutrients such as vitamin b-2 and b-12 as well as magnesium and calcium. Speaking of calcium, because yogurt is made of milk it is rich in animal protein, a key source in growing and restoring muscle.

Also, don’t forget about your digestive system which is vital for a healthy body. Yogurt contains a healthy source of probiotics which provides benefits such as building up the immune system and helping digest foods.

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Gym in the Morning vs. Evening

One of the questions I get asked a lot is: what time is best to go to the gym, in the morning or in the evening?

I am a morning person. I am at the gym at 4:30am Monday through Friday. I work a 9am-5pm job and find that is the best time for me. I go to the gym after work too with my husband four days a week. But I really go to do a second workout, more cardio and kickboxing. When I get home, I quickly change into my gym clothes, eat dinner, and we are out the door. We rush to get there so we can come home and still catch prime-time television. On the days I go twice, it is hard to relax. My body has been up since my alarm went off at 4am and I have been on the go since. When I get home, sometimes I do want to change into my pajamas and relax on the couch watching The Office re-runs. But I enjoy going to the gym at night too! I look forward to kickboxing, and running sprints on the indoor soccer field. My second workout is a different workout than in the morning. Trust me, the days I don’t go in the evening I look forward to not moving from my couch.

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Run For The Troops 5K

My husband and I ran the Run For The Troops 5K on Saturday with Team Hidden Battles! Hidden Battles is a non-profit organization that strives to aid the healthy minds of veterans, military personnel, fire fighters, police officers, and first responders through treatment and counseling for depression, PTSD and suicidal thoughts.

Over 4,000 runners and walkers came out to run or walk. The weather was about 50 degrees. I wore a short sleeve shirt, but put on the race shirt because it was chilly at the start of the race. I never run with a shirt that has a neck collar (I always wear a v-neck shirt). The sun was out, which made it feel warm during the race.

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Earth Day Challenge

Living in Boston, about four months out of the year is not good running weather. It is cold and snowy, and the wind makes it even harder to breathe while running. I have to turn to the gym treadmill to get my run in. Though, I do not mind running on the treadmill. This winter my legs got used it. I did A LOT of running and walking at the gym. Treadmill runs are much different than outside runs. I feel like my run goes by slower because I am watching the news and not taking in the beautiful views of a beach or a pond.

Also living in Boston, there are not many races in the winter. I love the feeling of receiving my bib and race t-shirt, crossing the finish line and receiving my medal. I get the “itch” to run a race at the start of winter. I search and sign up for spring races in the winter!

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Afternoon Snack

How often do you find yourself sitting at your desk as work with your stomach growling just before or after lunch time and decide to raid the candy bowl on you’re coworkers desk down the hall? An important part to any healthy lifestyle is not getting rid of these cravings, because that’s just not possible but learning how to manage them better. Not everyone has a refrigerator or kitchen to store food at work or a cafeteria so having healthy snacks around is not always easy however there are great solutions!