What I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Running at 50 Spoiler Alert: Running isn't the hard part. Learning everything that comes with it is. There is a quote that says: "The best time to start was years ago. The second-best time is today." Whew. That one hits differently now. Looking back, I'm not sure I would have listened to that advice twenty years ago, but I sure wish I had started this journey a lot sooner than the ripe old age of 50. About a year ago, I casually asked

Stress shows up in our bodies in more ways than most people realize. It doesn’t just feel like being overwhelmed or mentally drained—it has real, physical consequences that can affect nearly every system in the body. When stress becomes chronic, it can impact: Cortisol levels Cardiovascular health Immune function Mental health Inflammation levels And here’s where things get a little more serious. When cortisol stays elevated for too long, the body can shift into a state where

If you’ve ever been to Reno in April, then you already know the weather spins a giant wheel every morning and decides your fate. Will it be snowing? Will it be windy enough to blow your eyelashes off? Will you need shorts, leggings, a raincoat, and emotional support? The answer is usually: yes. Raven and I at Reno,NV 2026 But somehow, for the 2026 Reno's Biggest Little Half Marathon, we hit the weather jackpot. It was absolutely perfect running weather. Cool enough to be comf

Let's talk about GLP-1s. By now, most of us know someone who is taking one. Maybe it's Wegovy. Maybe it's Zepbound. Maybe it's Mounjaro. Maybe it's your neighbor, your coworker, your cousin, or the person who suddenly lost 50 pounds and claims they "haven't changed a thing." As someone who has been on a GLP-1 since 2023, I wanted to share my experience—the good, the bad, and the "why is my body doing this?" moments. I'll also share some of the information I discuss with patie

We’ve all heard it. Or we know someone who’s on it. The “magic” medication conversation. “They’re losing weight so easily.”“They didn’t even change their diet.”“It just melts off.” And yes—some of that is true. GLP-1 medications can significantly reduce appetite and help with weight loss. That part isn’t the myth. But here’s the part that gets left out of the group chat: Medication alone doesn’t build long-term lifestyle change. And when the medication stops, research is show

Alright friends, buckle up—because this one is a two-for-one special: a little running, a little chaos, and a whole lot of “why did we sign up for this again?” energy. As most of you know, my family and I have a slight obsession with running—especially trail runs and anything in Reno. Why Reno? Because it’s close, it’s easy, and honestly… it keeps calling us back like a toxic ex with really good snacks. This year we’ve done two races hosted by the Reno Running Company, and le

Let’s have a real conversation—no judgment, just honesty. Why is it so easy for us to come up with reasons not to start? “I wish I had time.” “I wish I had your energy.” “My pain is just too bad.” I hear these all the time. And truthfully? I’ve said them too. Because life is busy. It’s overwhelming. It’s exhausting. When you’re juggling being a mom, wife, provider, daughter—and everything in between—it can feel impossible to add one more thing to your plate. So this isn’t abo

We once again went to Auburn, CA, for another amazing race. This race was so much fun. It was a little warmer than the last run, but the weather is great. We were able to run with tank tops and shorts, but in the last race, I was still in my coat. So, I was so excited. Trail Run 2026 The views for this race was gorgeous. We did not start in the same place as Formidable or Jan 1, but it did not disappoint. We did get to see some of the same places, like the bridge, but the vie

Let me just start by saying: I clearly did not understand what “formidable” meant when I signed up for this race. The sign created for the race - 2026 For reference, formidable means inspiring fear or respect through being impressively powerful, intense, or capable. Cool, cool… sounds fun, right? 🙃 Looking back now, I have to laugh because when I signed up for this race in Auburn, I thought, “No big deal. I’ve been on this trail before. I got this.” I saw the medal previe

I’m over 50 and taking up running and walking. I hear all the time how “cool” it is that we’re sharing our adventures. People tell me they wish they could do it too. And every single time I say the same thing: If I can do it, you absolutely can too. We’re all in different stages of life. Our why is different. Some of us want to lose weight. Some are recovering from addiction. Some want to be able to move at 80. Some of us are quietly trying to outrun our own mortality. Whate

We are still training consistently. While we do take one to two rest days per week, we are now following a structured routine that includes strength training every other day with running in between. My husband and I do different workouts based on our individual needs, but we follow the same overall schedule, which helps keep us both accountable. I am still using the Runna app to build and guide my training program. I’ve adjusted my plan to include one full rest day per week,

We have all heard it before—the race itself is only 1% of the work , while the other 99% happens during training . Living in a colder part of California, training outside has been an adventure of its own. We regularly find ourselves running in 30-degree weather , and there are days when we’re training in rain or snow . Learning what to wear to stay warm, dry, and comfortable without overheating has been a process of trial and error. Shoes: Finding What Works for Your Feet For

We’re just two weeks away from the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, and this one is definitely bittersweet for us. Living in California, we absolutely love doing the RunDisney races here—they’re magical, convenient, and full of nostalgia. But last year, we were told that RunDisney at Disneyland would be on hold again . RunDisney paused the races in 2020 due to COVID, and now they’re pausing again because of upcoming Disneyland construction. That means… no Disneyland races

We’ve all heard the saying that people only see the 1% —the finish line, the medals, the before-and-after photos—but they don’t see the 99% of effort it takes to get there. And that 99%? That’s where the real work happens. There are plenty of days when I’m not motivated to exercise. I’ve had a long day at work. I still have mom and wife duties waiting for me at home. And somehow, I still have to figure out when and how to fit training into my day. That’s where Runna has tru

As some may know, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. Even at a young age, I understood I would never be the “skinny girl.” I wasn’t built like a ballerina—I was built like an athlete. In high school, I was incredibly active: basketball, volleyball, track, and softball . But as adulthood rolled in, everything changed. Work, responsibilities, parenting, and exhaustion slowly edged out my fitness routines. 🔁 The Cycle of Diets, Successes, and Setbacks Like many peo