Wehrspan Lake
Name: Jess Allen @ Blonde Ponytail
Location: Wehrspan Lake in Omaha, Nebraska
Distance: 7 miles
Why I love this run: The paved trail around Wehrspan Lake is mostly flat with a sprinkling of rolling hills, removed from any busy streets or neighborhoods. The 254 acre lake is a popular spot for fishermen, but the trails are never too congested with runners to enjoy a leisurely lap or two!
A few weeks ago I blogged about Scott Jurek – his book tour, his visit to DC, and his {will run for margaritas} shirt (which he gave to me!). While in town, Phil Hargis & Chris Farley – hosts of Gotta Getting Running TV – interviewed Scott for the show. Scott is an awesome guy, and this interview is no different!
If you want to learn more about Scott & his new book, Eat and Run (I’m 3 chapters in & it’s really great), check out his interview below - and I even make a cameo around the 17 minute-mark.
For all things running and margaritas, follow {will run for margaritas} at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/
Zooma is on the move – and they may be coming to a city near YOU! Zooma – the women’s race series that inspires women to live healthy, happy & active lives – currently races in Austin (TX), Annapolis (MD), Cape Cod (MA), Atlanta (GA) & Great Lakes (WI). On July 26, Zooma is announcing a new location!
Where do you think ZOOMA will go?
Have you raced a Zooma race? What location?
Want to win a sweet swag bag from Zooma? Enter here
It’s HOT in DC, and that means most of my runs include a water bottle of sorts. I’m a big fan of, and use, everything from a CamelBak to Nathan Hydration Bottle depending on the length of my run and the temperature.
A few weeks back my dear friend Lisa (Run Wiki) gave me a {Simple Hydration} bottle. With temperatures in the high 90’s (and even reaching 106 degrees), this was the perfect week to take it for a (running) spin. I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome!
For starters, I love The Hook – which allows the bottle to rest on a waistband, sports bra, or race belt. The bottle fits perfectly in my hand (with the help of the hook) and I’m able to run effortlessly. It’s so lightweight that I forget that I’m holding a water bottle.
{Simple Hydration} also features a contoured design for a nice, secure fit on the center of the lower back or waist, a BPA Free bottle, and it’s proudly made in the USA.
Sports Bra: I love this one! {Simple Hydration} fits perfectly in my sports bra and doesn’t bounce around or move. I tried this with two different styles of sports bras and each style worked. Even with a full water bottle, it doesn’t feel heavy. 
Hand Held: I really liked the way {Simple Hydration} fit into my hand. It’s so lightweight that I forget I’m holding anything. The hook helps relive “stress” associated with holding a bottle, so my hand/forearm never wears out or gets fatigued. 
Waist Band: I love the concept of a water bottle in my shorts (without wearing a race belt), but this didn’t quite work for me. It may have been a function of the shorts that I was wearing, so I encourage you to try it with different styles and fits. If you’re walking or run-walk, {Simple Hydration} will work like a dream. 
Final Thoughts: {Simple Hydration} is 13oz. so I suggest using the bottle on a shorter run or on race day – but if you’re headed out for a 22 miler during cooler months, this bottle will do the trick. {Simple Hydration} is the perfect lightweight water bottle option. Overall, I’m really happy with the product – so much so that it’s become my go-to water bottle!
Want to LOVE your water bottle? Pick one (or 2) up here!
For more information about Simple Hydration, follow SH on facebook or Twitter:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/simplehydration
Twitter: @simplehydration
note: i was not compensated in any way for this post. my thoughts and opinions are my own.
My {weightless workout} is featured on Randomly Specific today. In my free time, I’m a Personal Trainer that rarely uses weights or dumbells during a workout. I’m a strong believer that meaningful (and effective) workouts can be done without the help of weights.
Grab a resistance band (or buy one here) & a pair of shoes, and you’re ready for my {weightless workout}.
Do you use a resistance band? What’s your favorite exercise?
Have a question about an exercise? Feel free to email me @ willrunformargaritas@gmail.com
For all things running and margaritas, follow {will run for margaritas} at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/
{home} is where the heart is is
home. i love that word so much. home is family and love and laughing. it’s the ocean and salt and breeze. it’s running and biking and swimming. it’s everything that i love more than anything.
i just spent the best and most bittersweet days in florida with my family. it’s bittersweet because this is the last time i’ll be going {home} to florida for awhile. my dad is finally joining my mom in mississippi – she’s been there two years, anxiously waiting, hoping, praying for a job transfer to florida; they are finally tired of living apart.
i know {home} is where the heart is. i know mississippi will become our temporary home – and there will be family and love and laughing. but there’s something about florida that I don’t want to give up. it’s a part of who i am.
i took advantage of everything i love about our florida {home}
What exactly is a Tempo Run? And why are Tempo Runs important?
A Tempo Run is a rate of performance at a steady pace. In other words, you’re running almost as fast as you can for a defined amount of time. Tempo runs help develop metabolic fitness; and as a result, your anaerobic (or lactic) threshold will improve – this is key for running faster.
Tempo runs are typically run slightly slower than your 10k race pace – between 20-30 seconds depending on where you are at in your training and fitness level. If you incorporate tempo runs into your weekly training schedule, your body will adapt to running that fast for that long. Most important of all, tempo runs train your body (and mind) for race day pace.
I prefer to run my tempo runs on a track – it’s a controlled environment and I’m able to see the benefits (and improvement) week over week. If you don’t have access to a track – don’t worry! Tempo runs can be done on any surface (e.g., road, trails, or treadmill). Incorporate this tempo workout into your weekly schedule, and you’ll be running PR’s in no time:
Sample Workout
1-2 mile warm-up
Strength & Agility Drills, including butt kicks, high knees, windmill, and striders
3 miles at 10k pace + 20-30 seconds/mile (over the course of 4-5 weeks, work up to running 5 miles at tempo pace)
1-mile cool-down
Note: Similar to track workouts and hill repeats, tempo runs should only be incorporated once/week
Do you incorporate tempo runs into your weekly workouts? What’s your favorite tempo workout?
Are you on Twitter, Facebook, or Pintrest? {will run for margaritas} wants to connect!
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Facebook: {will run for margaritas}
Pintrest: run4margaritas
Two years ago I married Mr. Jones – one of the best days of my life, to date. I can’t even wrap my head around how it’s already been 2 years, but I guess it goes by fast when it’s total wedded bliss (wink). Seriously though, I have such a supportive and loving husband – I don’t even know how I got this lucky! More than anything, he supports my {running} dreams and never judges me when I tell him that I want to run {this} fast or PR at {that} race. And the best part, he still loves me even when I don’t run {this} fast or get {that} PR. He believes in me, he supports me, and most important of all, loves me. Here’s to 2 + forever more years together.
My biggest fan!
Hi! I'm Melody - a running lover and fitness fanatic with a margarita problem. I live in VA with my husband, 10 pairs of running shoes and 3 bikes. I love all things running and racing {I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do – plus, I need to do something to burn the margarita calories}! [Read More …]