Monday Motivation - Spring Forward

by Meghan Reynolds

We lost an hour yesterday but we are gaining more daylight overall. This is a great time to reset, check in on your goals or set new goals. Now that it is lighter for longer after work, I'm heading back to the trails and running in Forest Park 2x a week. My goal is to run a fast half-marathon so the trails will give me the hill work and endurance work that I need to build up my leg strength and the trails are great for a new vantage point. 

When setting goals, remember to make the SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Creating your goals within this framework helps you narrow down your dreams and aspriations and really figure out what is possible and by when. 

Here is a typical goal that we see from our friends and clients: "I want to run a fast or faster half-marathon."

That's a great goal but what does it mean? Which half-marathon? How fast? How fast was your last race? Our questions encourage people to think about what they want and by when.

If you make your goals, SMART goals, the above goal would look like this: "I run a 1:45 half-marathon by July 2014."

Need help setting goals? Email us - we're happy to help!

Cait's Plate: Kale Salad

Caitlin Grams of Caitlin Lives Well, brings us delicious recipes inspired by her New Year’s Resolution “to make one new recipe a week”.  This week, Caitlin takes on Kale! We highly recommend kale for a great, nutrious recovery food. It will help your immune system rebound after a long run, half-marathon or marathon!

Kick-A** Kale Salad

If you take one lesson from Cait's Plates - please don't be afraid of kale. Kale used to really intimidate me. It was so dark and leafy and much more bitter than regular lettuce or spinach. I didn't think anything could make it taste better. This all changed the day I combined kale and goddess dressing. A match made in heaven I tell you.

There is a secret I've discovered to kale - it needs a little something to soften the texture and take away from the bitterness. Goddess dressing works perfectly, as does olive oil. As soon as I started to use kale in my salads it became hard for me to use any other kind of lettuce - the hearty texture of the kale is addicting. 

Here is one of my favorite kale salad recipes. Kale itself has so many nutritional benefits - it is high in fiber and anti-oxidants, packed with vitamins and minerals, detoxifying, lowers your risk of multiple cancers - what's not to love? Avocado and nuts add healthy fats. beans and tuna/chicken/turkey add protein - this salad packs nutrition like no one's business and will keep you full for hours after a tough workout.

Kick*** Kale Salad:

serves 1 hungry runner 

Ingredients:
2 cups kale, washed and roughly chopped

1/4 cup garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 avocado, chopped

1 handful alfalfa sprouts

1 carrot, chopped

1 persian cucumber, chopped

1/2 red pepper, chopped

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons dried cranberries

Optional: 1/2 apple, chopped, 4 oz tuna or grilled chicken or sliced turkey

2 tablespoons dressing of your choice - often I will make my own:

Dressing:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp mustard

1/2 lemon, juiced

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Toss with dressing and dig in! 

Half-Marathon Recovery

Here are our top tips for optimal recovery the week after a Half-Marathon:

1) Take at least 2 days off from running and any strenous activity

2) Ice and then ice those muscles and joints some more (continue icing for as long as you feel sore)

3) Take a yoga or pilates class or go for a bike ride a few days after

4) Listen to your body - your recovery time will be different from others. Start running again when you feel ready! Make your first run back an easy, short run.

5) Get a massage! A massage will help repair and heal your muslces so you can get back out there.

6) Reward yourself and smile! You did it!