BackatSquareZero

Work, running, family/friends, food - trying to find a healthy balance. Ambassador for: #Mizuno #FitFluential #SweatPink #TeamChocolateMilk #RocknBlog Check me out: Twitter/Instagram: @BackAtSquare0 Follow my blog at: http://backatsquarezero.com Facebook it: http://www.facebook.com/BackAtSquare0 Follow me on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/BackAtSquare0 Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/BackAtSquare0 Email me: [email protected]

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Over the years I've been told that my thighs were "thick", "curvy", and just plain old "fat". But, I'll let you in on a secret - my legs are my favorite part or my body. Yes, they are a double digit size, and they always will be (even at my smallest when my thyroid and hormones work I'm a size 10, currently I'm a 14/16). But, it is not the size that matters. My legs make me feel strong and powerful. They carry me over marathon mileage, push me through speed work, row like a beast, and out lift almost everyone at Orange Theory (including the guys)! I'll take strong over skinny any day. Cheers to strong and powerful legs! #DoubleDigitSize #NotAshamed #StrongLegs

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Up to 1.75 mile run intervals then a 1 min walk to give the ankle a second to calm down. Baby steps forward. :) Plus, negative splits on this hot & humid cut back week run. I know my pace will get slower and slower all summer in this weather so it is all about effort and today was a great one. #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon

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10 Greenway miles done. The 97% humidity zapped my energy so I happily took it nice and slow. Always a great feeling just to get it done. #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon

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Almost everyone survived week 6 of speed work - minus the pair of love bugs I accidentally swallowed and then tried to cough back up. Ughhhhh!!! Training tip: when they say to fuel for your runs eating the wildlife is not what they mean! #MizunoKnit #PeachtreeFit #MizunoPeachtree #trainingtips #sponsored @MizunoRunningNorthAmerica

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It's been 2 weeks since I started up with coach Michelle @running_wanderlust I'm a big believer that even coaches need coaches, so now that I am healthy enough to run more it is great to be back at it. Having Michelle as a coach gives me more accountability and motivation, as I hope I do the same for my girls. Plus, she is a very hands-on coach just like me so I'm loving all the communication. #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon

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I know as it gets hotter and hotter my runs will get slower and slower - that just means that my approach changes. I look at my watch way less. I run more by effort and feel, as opposed to looking at or worrying about my speed. I accept that I will be slower than usual, but I remind myself it is just about getting the miles in. 9 miles, crazy humidity, feels like 85 degrees and it will only get hotter from here. However, other than feeling really HOT I felt strong. #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon

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11 weeks until family time. I am on count down! Cannot wait to go be aunt Abby!

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After 4 awesome weeks of speed work I was so sure I'd be flying (for me, it's all relative) on these shorter intervals tonight. Hahahaha... doesn't running have a funny sense of humor. Shortest intervals, yet slowest. I was pushing as hard as usual, but my times just didn't reflect that. I guess after 4 awesome Thursday night speed work sessions it was time for a bad one. Running can't be beautiful all the time. #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon

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When you walk out of OTF and catch a glimpse of yourself in your star tank and suddenly you feel like WonderWoman! Probably because we had a new move, half get ups, and I used a heavier weight than the 2 dudes next to me. #strengthtraining #crosstraining #orangetheoryfitness

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Woohoo! Easy run done. One of the mistakes I made when I first started running was that my runs were all different distances, but they were all easy runs. One of my biggest suggestions for all runners is to make a plan which incorporates easy runs, speed work, your long runs, and all strength/cross training so that you aren't working on the same thing every day. #MizunoKnit #PeachtreeFit #MizunoPeachtree #trainingtips #sponsored @MizunoRunningNorthAmerica

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Hypothetical Question- If I just run off and steal her (and big brother) do you think they look enough like me that I could fool people? Crazy aunt... miss them so much! Going to need a bigger house.

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This was a ROUGH one! Worst long run in a long time and I know why - 80 degrees, sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and swimming through humidity. 9 miles done, but it felt more like a shuffle than a run. Time to start waking up way earlier! #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon

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Week 3 of speed work- Not back to where I was (hello, 13.1 9min miles), but feels great to be adding in some speed work and working on getting faster and getting back to my old paces. Was hoping for 6 miles, but it was DARK on the trail after I finished 5 so called it quits. #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon

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When you've had a really crummy day, see my Instagram stories for details, and you suddenly get pictures of the cutest little chef - got to love the little things that make you smile. #CrazyAunt #Family #Love

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8 months post break- First time running more than a mile at a time before giving the ankle a break. Up to 1.25 mile run/1 mile walk intervals. Baby steps back. #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon

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Loving all my awesome new gear from @mizunorunningnorthamerica I wore the Atlanta Track Club shirt to OTF today. #MizunoKnit #PeachtreeFit #MizunoPeachtree #sponsored @MizunoRunningNorthAmerica

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9 miles today Still at 1 mile run/1 mile walk as my ankle needs the break every once in a while, but making progress. Easy speed is now down to 11:30 from the 11:45 it was a month ago. Baby steps. Hoping to be up to running without breaks by June! #RRCACoach #RunCoach #HalfMarathonTraining #MarathonTraining #MizunoRunning #ChicagoMarathon