Chi Marathon: The Breakthrough Natural Running Program for a Pain-Free Half Marathon and Marathon

Chi Running Philosophy

Chi Running’s philosophy is based on the idea that humans are born to run (which makes total sense to me.) We were not born to drive a car. Our legs are our built-in mode of transportation.

The Chi in Chi Marathon is for Tai’ Chi because the authors, Danny & Katherine Dreyer have incorporated the philosophies of Tai’ Chi into their running program.

Chi Marathon Training

Chi Marathon works on your mind along with your body when training you for your race. I know that conquering the half marathon is as much a mind game as it is a body game. After reading the first few chapters, I’m convinced that this training plan will have me better prepared for running my next half marathon.

I’m going to train using the Chi Marathon methods and I will keep you posted on my progress. I struggle more with the mental part of running and I do worry about injury from overdoing it and not training correctly.

If the Chi part of the Chi Marathon has stopped you from reading the book, don’t! Read the book!

Let’s Talk About Chi Marathon!

Do you use a “method” of running? Have you had any running injuries? Have you read Chi Running or Chi Marathon? Share your thoughts!

Disclosure: I received the Chi Marathon book in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% my own. Affiliate links within the post.

Related posts:

1. Run Your First Marathon Book Review
2. Half Marathon Training – Week 5
3. Half Marathon Training; 2 Weeks Out + Earthquake in Virginia

Chi Marathon Running Book Surprised Me originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

April is about career, blogging and conferences. To get back on track, I’m going to also work on my running this month. I have decided to sign up for the Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach again. I need a goal to motivate me.

My Half Marathon Race Medal. #momsrunning #RnRVB (Photo credit: ScrappinMichele)

I have decided that each month, I’m going to have a plan of action to follow.

April Plans for Project Balance

Fitness

Related articles

• The MOM behind the Hollywood Half Marathon(savvysassymoms.com)

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• Weekend Quote: Confidence and Awesomeness(ronisweigh.com)

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• Goals for April(motherrunnerwriter.wordpress.com)

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Related posts:

1. Project Balance Month 3 Update
2. 2011 Over; 2012 Project Balance Tech Style Begins
3. Project Balance Update – January 31, 2012 – Month 1

Project Balance is Still Underway, April Plans originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

This last time I was on 10 days of strong antibiotics and I seem to have finally gotten rid of the bug (fingers crossed!)

Last month my focus was on relationships and I read a few books. I will review them in the next week.

This month, my focus is on fitness. One thing that I haven’t mentioned is that I had started Weight Watchers right before I got sick. I have lost 8 pounds so far and that is without any exercise.

This month, I am adding in the exercise. I plan to run another half marathon in September, so I’m starting by getting back to running regularly. I have really missed it (did I just say that?)

Yesterday I went out for 5.5 miles. I walked 1/2 mile, then ran 1/2 mile. It felt so good.

My goal for March of Project Balance is to make working out a priority again. Are you with me?

Related posts:

1. Project Balance Update – January 31, 2012 – Month 1
2. 2011 Over; 2012 Project Balance Tech Style Begins
3. Quick BlogHer Running Update

Project Balance Month 3 Update originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Skullcandy Sound

Not only are the Skullcandy earbuds the best headphones for running, but they also sound really good. I use the Skullcandy In-Ear Buds even when I’m not running because I like the sound I get.

I tried the Skullcandy FIX headphones in both the bud style seen in the blue/black above and the in-ear bud style shown in the red above. My personal preference was the in-ear bud style because I have small ears and I could change the size of the piece that goes into my ear.

Headphones For Running

I always run with my iPhone because it has all my music, my running apps and for safety, I have a phone with me. It would be really hard to answer the phone or make a call if I didn’t use the microphone style headphones for running.

The Skullcandy FIX earbuds also have a microphone. Another reason these are the best headphones for running. You can also change the volume and skip to the next song with the Skullcandy FIX earbuds.

For safety reasons, when I run outside, I only use 1 earbud (or have the sound very low) so that I can still hear cars and other noises. If I am running on a track with other people around, I will run with both earbuds in my ears.

The Skullcandy FIX Buds retail for $39.99 and come in 6 different colors. The Skullcandy FIX In-Ear Buds retail for $69.99 and come in 6 colors.

Disclosure: I received a pair of the Skullcandy FIX Buds and In-Ear Buds in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Let’s Talk About Headphones for Running!

Have you found the perfect headphones for running? Do you listen to music when you run? What do you use for listening to music?

Be sure to follow Skullcandy on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Related posts:

1. New Balance Sports Earbuds With Pedometer & Heart Rate Monitor
2. Digital Soul Hour Celebrates National Running Day with Digital Running Tools
3. ChicaPC-fix Will Clean Your Computer In 1 Easy Click

Headphones For Running; Skullcandy FIX Earbuds originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Holiday Gift Guide for A Fun Fitness

Disclosure: I received some of the products in exchange for reviews, but it was my choice to include in my Fun Fitness Holiday Gift Guide. You will see #spon next to the items I received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Fun Fitness Gift Guide Affiliate Links

Following are Affiliate links to the scrapbooker products in the list above.

Related posts:

1. Tech Moms Holiday Gift Guide
2. Blogger Tech Holiday Gift Guide
3. Gift Guide For The Scrapbooker On Your List

Fun Fitness Holiday Gift Guide originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

New Balance Sports Earbuds

As you can see in the picture below. The New Balance Sports Earbuds have both the earbuds and earhooks. The earhooks pull off if you do not want to use them. The earbuds plug into the heart rate monitor and pedometer. The large button on the monitor is where you put your thumb to test your heart rate. The monitor then plugs into your iPod or MP3 player. The New Balance unit also comes with 2 other sizes of in-ear cushions. I didn’t find the earbuds very comfortable, so I was glad that I could swap the earbuds out for my own. (It has taken me 3 years to find a pair I like. It seems I have very small ears which is why most don’t work for me.)

Heart Rate Monitor

My favorite part is the heart rate monitor. I have never monitored my heart rate during a run. I had to stop and walk while testing my heart rate or it wouldn’t read anything. It is interesting to see the heart rate graph after I upload all my information to the Heart Pal software.

Audio Feedback Helpful

Another really helpful feature is the audio feedback. I was getting my calories burned, steps taken and heart rate announced via voice-over while I was running and listening to music.

The New Balance Sports Earbuds comes with the Heartpal Data Graphing software for Windows (download the Mac version.) It was easy to install and my information uploaded quickly and without any problems. Since I’ve only run 6 times in the last 2 weeks, there isn’t a lot of data there. I’m anxious to see patterns after using it for a few more months.

As you can see in the picture above, I clipped the heart rate monitor to my t-shirt on the opposite side of the wires for the earbuds. That kept the wires from getting tangled.

In the end, the information that I’m getting from the heart rate monitor outweighs any problems I had with the cords. I did find it very interesting to see how many steps I took while I was running and comparing it to previous runs. The more I use it, the more useful all the data will become.

The New Balance 2-in-1 sports earbuds/earhooks retail for $99.99 and are available at the New Balance Audio website.

Let’s Talk About the New Balance Sport Earbuds!

What information do you track when you are running? Do you upload somewhere to see the changes?

Related posts:

1. EA SPORTS Active Goes 2.0
2. Run a 5k with Me and EA Sports Active
3. EA Sports Active More Workouts First Impressions

New Balance Sports Earbuds With Pedometer & Heart Rate Monitor originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

Proof that I did indeed finish my first half marathon.

Related posts:

1. Half Marathon Training – Week 5
2. Follow Me Run My First Half Marathon Race #momsrunning
3. Half Marathon Training; 2 Weeks Out + Earthquake in Virginia

Finished My Half Marathon originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

I’ll be getting up at 4:30 am, putting on my running outfit, shoes and heading to my race. Jason is taking me and he will be at a few of the locations as I pass by and at the finish line. My kids will be following my race via text messages.

I have no goal except to finish.  If you check my Facebook page, you’ll see my update from Nike+ app, either “like” the update or leave a comment and I will hear cheering as I’m running.

Crossing finish line of my first 5k in October 2008.

Follow My Running Tweets

If you want to follow my tweets at ScrappinMichele with hashtag #momsrunning #rnrvb

I will tweet some pictures and updates along the way, but every mile an auto tweet will be sent out with an update of how I’m doing.

So, wish me luck! I will update tomorrow with pictures and let you know how I did. Now I’m off to sleep if I can.

Related posts:

1. Half Marathon Training; You CAN Run, Blisters & Socks
2. Half Marathon Training – Week 5
3. Half Marathon Training; 2 Weeks Out + Earthquake in Virginia

Follow Me Run My First Half Marathon Race #momsrunning originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

5 MORE DAYS of my half marathon training! I am getting so anxious because I’m ready. I want to do it now. I go back and forth being be afraid I won’t finish to I’m ready to run a marathon.

When Hurricane Irene hit Virginia Beach, I was worried that the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon would be cancelled. There goes my half marathon training was my first thought. There was a tiny part of my that was thinking, hmmmm…..that wouldn’t be bad because I can’t fail if I don’t try. I know…totally the wrong attitude to have. But the show will go on….

Half Marathon Training Update

This week I’m taking it very easy with my half marathon training. The last thing I need is an injury.  Today I am going to take a walk. I want to get outside because it is beautiful outside, but I don’t want to run.

Working hard during my half marathon training.

My half marathon training schedule this week looks like this:

• Monday – 4 miles
• Tuesday – Off Day – Birthday
• Wednesday – 2 mile walk
• Thursday – EA SPORTS Active on Xbox Kinect
• Friday – Walk 2 miles & Ubisoft YourShape on Xbox Kinect
• Saturday – Off, drive to Virginia Beach; Pick up my racing packet.
• Sunday – Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon Virginia Beach

Follow My Half Marathon Race

If you want to follow me live, I’ll be tweeting from @ScrappinMichele. I will also use the hashtag #momsrunning since that group of moms who run are so supportive.

I am using an iPhone app called PaceKeepr that will tweet out my progress automatically after every mile. I will tweet out pictures and a few personal updates along the way too.

Here is where you set up the auto tweets.

PaceKeepr will also help you keep your pace. I have no plans to keep up a pace for this race. My goal is to finish.

Pacekeepr will help you keep your pace too.

Let’s Talk About Half Marathon Training!

Were you nervous before your first half marathon? Is there anything you would have done different with your half marathon training?

Related articles

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1. Half Marathon Training – Week 5
2. Half Marathon Training; 2 Weeks Out + Earthquake in Virginia
3. Half Marathon Training; Emotional Hurdles Suck!

Half Marathon Training, 5 More Days, Failing & PaceKeepr originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.

When I started my half marathon training, I was hopeful, but still unsure if I could accomplish this goal. It was important to set a goal and work towards it. My body hasn’t always been my friend and I needed to prove that I can do something if I put my mind (and body) to it. 13.1 miles seemed like a lot of running when I was struggling to do a 5k last spring.

Here I am 2 weeks out and I’m ready. I ran 11 miles last week and while it was tough….I did it. I know that if I can complete 11 miles in my half marathon training, I’m ready for 13.1. I’m so ready that I wish it was this weekend. I don’t want to overdo it so I’m running between 3 and 5 miles until the race, but I want to do more. (Did I just say that?)

I struggle every time I put my shoes on…I dread it..I put it off. But once I get out there and run about 1 mile….I’m hooked. I feel so good and I want to keep going. When I’m done, I feel awesome. It’s that feeling that keeps me running. It’s that feeling that motivates me when I don’t want to run. The half marathon training has taught me to find motivation within myself.

*****Break for Earthquake*****

Yes, just had an earthquake in Virginia suburbs of DC (5.9 if you are counting). I thought for sure it was a bomb or plane crash. Kids were freaking out. Everyone is ok, but phones are out.

Back to Half Marathon Training

So, in 2 weeks, I’ll find out if my half marathon training worked. I hope  you’ll all follow me. I plan to tweet during my race. I’ll be using my Nike+ GPS and you can “like” my Facebook status and I’ll hear the cheers.

Resting my feet that will accomplish so much.

As it gets closer, I’ll set up something here on my blog for you to follow me on my half marathon.

Let’s Talk About Half Marathon Training!

Give me your tips for race day!

Related posts:

1. Half Marathon Training – Week 5
2. Half Marathon Training; Emotional Hurdles Suck!
3. Half Marathon Training; You CAN Run, Blisters & Socks

Half Marathon Training; 2 Weeks Out + Earthquake in Virginia originally posted at Scraps of My Geek Life.