TGIF and welcome to Friday Favorites! I have to admit that the week has flown by. The best news by far is that is finally Fall (insert shouts of joy here)! It’s been a long and hot summer here in the desert, and while the temperatures are still in the 90s, at least it’s finally coming to an end.
Friday Favorites!
For me, that also means a return to regular work. Most of my clients get out of Dodge for the summer, but will be returning over the next month or so. While I love having some time off, I also love making money, so there you are. Welcome, Autumn!
Preparing for my Fascial Stretch Therapy class
I’m especially excited because I will be welcoming my clients with a new set of skills. My Fascial Stretch Therapy level two class is only a few weeks away! I have my lodging arrangements set (sharing an Airbnb with two other students and saving a significant amount of money) which makes it finally seem real.
I’m also studying like a maniac. So much to learn! My current reading is Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers, which is honestly changing the way I approach everything about stretching and training. I’m also reading Fascial Stretch Therapy by Ann and Chris Frederick, the creators of FST (and the teachers of my course next month). In addition to that, I have many articles to read, mostly by Thomas Myers, approaching anatomy and physiology from a body worker’s perspective.
My favorite part of class preparation by far is that I am getting stretched! My boss, who is level three, is using the level two techniques so that I will have a grasp of what level two is all about. She did that last year for level one and it really helped. She stretched me on Wednesday and I could feel the difference on Thursday’s run. My right hip, which usually turns out a little, was right in place. Yes, fascial stretch therapy is great for runners!
Popsugar Must Have Box
Popsugar sent me the September Must Have Box to try and, as always, it was full of fun goodies.
Here’s what was in the box: Jack & Lucy Wide Brim Hat: This super chic felt hat is so cute! (retail value $58) NCLA Mani-er Tool Kit: So handy for quick nail repair. Just toss it in your purse! (retail $16) Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer: The color is called “the warning” so watch out! 😎 (retail $22) Flint Lint Roller: You guys know I have a few dogs, right? I can toss this in my purse for a quick cleanup after I leave the house! (retail 10) The GFB: The dark chocolate coconut Gluten Free Bites are vegan, soy-free and non-GMO. And so good! (retail $5) Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask: My hair really needs this (I know I put it on my face, but I didn’t want to take off my hat!!!) 😊 (retail $16)
Want your own #MustHaveBox? Check it out at here. You can save $5 on your first box with the code SHOP5!
LaceUp Running Series Ventura
Who wouldn’t love to run a half marathon along the coast in Ventura? Well, I suppose there are some people, but I’m pretty sure most of my readers would love it! This is just a reminder that the LaceUp Running Series Ventura is coming up on Saturday, October 22!
Ventura is a destination that is perfect for a run-cation. There not many things that are more inspiring than running along the California coast at sunrise. There is also a kid’s 1k which includes a t-shirt and finisher’s medal for $15. You can save 15% on any Lexus LaceUp race with the code debbieruns15 (excluding the kids’ race).
One of the best perks of any LaceUp Running series race is that the photos are FREE! Here are a couple of mine from the Irvine race.
Winner of Nathan Sports Giveaway
The winner of the Nathan Sports Run@Work gear, including a Hipster, SpeedShot Plus Insulated, and a Strobelight LED is Nikki F.! Congratulations!
Best of CDR
And finally, in case you missed it, here’s what’s been going on here this week.
5 Training Tips to Help You Conquer a Hilly Race
I’m currently training for the Tram Road Challenge, which is basically 3.7 miles straight up. If you are training for a hilly race, these tips will help you conquer it. Even if your race is perfectly flat, you will run it stronger if you follow these tips! As for me, this week I managed 12 hill repeats (hence the picture below), plus some downhill running, even though, as I said, my race is straight up!
Tropical Pina Colada Chia Pudding with Outshine Fruit Bars
I made my first Chia Pudding for this sponsored post and incorporated Outshine Fruit Bars into the recipe. The result was delicious and fun! I’d say it was perfect for kids, and it is, but adults will love it too. To prove it, I’ve already made it again. It only takes a few minutes to make (though it does need to chill for a few hours). Well worth that wait, though!
Favorite from Instagram
So what version do you prefer from the Instagram photo above? Have you ever tried chia pudding?
This post contains affiliate links and some sponsored content. All opinions are, as always, my own.
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Rachel
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Anything Goes with Marilyn
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Michelle, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Suz, Lora Marie, and Me!
Giveaway Roundup and Try Out Thursdays with Smitha
The Blogger’s Pit Stop with Kathleen, Janice, Julie and Me!
Living a Life of Fitness, Health and Happiness with Jill
Friday Favorites with Heather
I think the hat looks really cute on you! I’ve never been a hat person but I’d like to be
I think I wrote something similar on your post! 🙂 I always buy hats (especially running hats) but rarely wear them.
Looking great in your SKirt Sports Debbie! Love your reveal of the PopSugar Must Have Box. I wish my head wasn’t so gigantic as the hat is a bit small on me.
I would love to be stretched!!! Also the 3rd pic is my fav, so intense!
great batch of faves! thanks for linking up. i loved this month’s POPSUGAR must have box and i love the photo on the right 🙂
I would like to be stretched, too. Thanks for sharing this article. Your tips are useful, and, last but not least, you look beautiful with the hat.
I always seek for essentials to help me recover (especially the skin) after spending loads of energy on high-intensity workouts. Thanks for that suggestion!!
Btw, If you asked me, I would definitely go for the 3rd image on the right. Haha it looks so intense which motivates a lot to put more effort on my training process. Thank you. 🙂
i wanna join in stretch therapy class. that sounds amazing! you did great activities and love your Chia Pudding . YUMMY!
Stretch therapy class is really a good idea! You looks great in the photos by the beach. And also your hat is pretty! Take care, my dear!
Looking great in your SKirt Sports Debbie, tretch therapy class is really a good idea
thanks for sharing
to be stretched is the favorit part, haha. By the way, love your usefulTips to Help Conquer a Hilly Race
Stretch therapy class is really a good idea, Your tips are useful
by the wat the hat is cool
So many interesting things in a post. I wish your stretch class will be successful. Btw, the Must have box looks stunning. Can’t wait for your next post.
Congratulations! a Hipster, SpeedShot Plus Insulated, and a Strobelight LED – There are very good. They deserved for you.
Oh recently I was trying to stretch at home and I find it very helpful! Btw, the Chia pudding looks cool and tasty! Does it take a lot of time to prepare this? Thanks for your sharing!
Thanks for your sharing. I think next time I will try stretching before running. My thigh becomes easily tough just after some minutes of running. Chia pudding looks fun and worth to try. And the dark chocolate coconut Gluten Free Bites looks delicious.
You inspire me a lot. There were many times that I tried to stretch but failed and had to stop because I was not a really flexible person. It was so hard, you know. But this could be the way for me, so I think I’ll try again. Thank you for sharing!