Kelly Trepp, Author

Confession: I started writing this post nearly two weeks ago and it's just getting posted. It is not easy to find the time to commute, work, workout, cook, clean house, and write a blog. Oh and let's not forget sleep! It's all about making priorities. And like I posted earlier this year , I plan to spend more time with family (especially in light of recent family illnesses), spend more time focusing on myself and my health, and more time nurturing my relationship with God. So far so good. I'm sorry that my blog has been neglected in the process. The hubster and I recently started a new chapter in our lives. Chapter one of our married life began with a commitment to getting in better shape. I took that idea and ran with it. I ran 13.1 miles with it. He took that idea and cheered me on from the starting line, to mile 7, to the finish line where he greeted me with flowers. I kid, I kid. The fact of the matter is, hubby would join me on most of my long runs and would r...

Irony is ever present in my life. Earlier this month I posted about spreading the Treadmill Love . Well, this weekend, the treadmill and I got a whole lot closer. Typically, I reserve my treadmill for my shorter, weekday runs. I run three to four miles, three days a week on the treadmill while watching programs on my DVR. Alternatively, I normally choose to run my long runs outside on the weekends. This weekend, however, I did my seven mile run on the treadmill. **gasp** I know it sounds dreadful, and I will not lie to you, it was not the best run I have ever had. But the important thing is I completed the seven miles. And hubby was able to hang with me the whole run this time, albeit on the couch. He did hop up to hand me a banana around mile four and to write down my splits for me since I could not track them on my Garmin 305. Mile Time Best Pace 1 10:15 N/A 2 10:11 N/A 3 10:09 N/A 4 10:00 N/A 5 9:53 N/A 6 9:49 N/A 7 9:58 N/A The tot...

It is kind of ironic that my last post was mocking my inability lack of desire to cross train, and no sooner than I post my blog entry do I have the worst back pain of my life. Background information: I started having lower back pain when I first took up running in the summer/fall of 2009. I was seeing a chiropractor once or twice a week until our insurance changed from reasonable copay to large deductible. Bi-weekly chiropractor appointments were not so feasible after that. Shortly thereafter, I began to increase my time spent lifting weights in the gym. I upped my core exercises and left running aside until I regained my strength. Since then, I have not had any many problems with my back, other than your everyday aches and pains from spending extended periods of time sedentary in a chair. Until yesterday. So I spent the majority of today popping Tylenol and avoiding thinking about my usual Tuesday evening run, which I forwent in favor of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred . I ...

With a week of moderate training, a mock Thanksgiving dinner, and 13 hours in a car over the weekend, seeing the number on the scale has not budged is a blessing. I was fully prepared for a raise in weight this week ( I say this now that I didn't have to see a raise on the scale) . Having one weekend a month to let yourself go is not the worst thing in the world. What is? Letting yourself go completely. Knowing I had an off weekend filled with holiday fun has prepared me to step up my game in training this week. Staying steady at 128 pounds is fine by me. The flab on top of the jeans that I'm starting to see creep back? Not fine. I am so ready to get my butt kicked in cross training today ( Jillian Michaels is my punishment of choice). In fact, I am looking forward to it. I ran an easy 3 miles last night. While that was great for cardio and for helping me to achieve my goal of completing a half marathon in March, I need to focus on strength training tonight. I worked har...

Over the weekend, I received an email reminder from the Rock n Roll Half Marathon that I have 19 weeks until my first half marathon. 19 weeks may seem like a long time, but since they have put a countdown on it, I am feeling the pressure! So today I have created a training calendar to keep myself and my running mate on track. Feel free to take advantage of this calendar and use it yourself, I made it public for you. How sweet of me?! This calendar is a modification of the 12 week Novice 2 schedule for half marathon training created by Hal Higdon . Since I have an extra seven weeks, I added in a few more long runs and some cross training days. I believe cross training was a big help in building my endurance when training for my 5-Ks. I will be using Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred dvd, more likely than not. It is a n ass butt kicker! You'll notice that towards the end of the training period, a 5-K race and a 10-K race are involved. We are on the lookout for races on ...