What a Week!

Fun Fact:  When I run, whether it's outside or on the treadmill, I lip sync the words to whatever song is playing in my ear buds. Not just mouthing the words, but full-on, thinking-I'm-on-stage lip syncing, facial expressions included.  I must look ridiculous, but when you're running for a long time, you gotta keep yourself entertained!



After my 8-miler

Bump in the Road

My training took a hit this week, very unexpectedly.  I ended up admitted to the hospital for a while with excruciating abdominal pain.  Worst. Pain. Ever.  I 100% thought I was dying, it was unlike anything I'd felt before.  I ended up having an intestinal obstruction (Weird, I know.), and I had to spend some time on an I.V. making sure that it wasn't serious.  All-in-all, I'm fine.  I missed my mid-week runs, and I couldn't join the team for the big Boston run this week, but I have full clearance to keep training.  I was able to do an easy 4 miler on the treadmill yesterday, and I had an awesome 8 mile run outside today.  I felt great, and I enjoyed every minute.  If all goes well this week, I'll be joining the team in Boston next Saturday...a very important day.

Luv You Health, LLC.

Since the training was minimal this week, I thought this would be a  great week to share with you an interview with Jessica Sowards, co-founder of Luv You Health, LLC.  I truly cannot say enough about her and Chris, their kindness, their positive example, and all-around awesomeness.  When I approached them for sponsorship, they did not hesitate whatsoever.  This thing I'm doing, running my first Boston Marathon, it's scary.  I've never done this before, and I want to do it well.  Their support is a gigantic boost to my training and confidence.  As their first sponsored athlete, I want to make them proud.

What prompted you to make such a drastic change to your lifestyle?  Was it mutual right away, or did one of you lead the charge?
We were both searching for a way to be healthier and lose some weight. When we discovered this thing called a 'vegan diet' we were intrigued, and after  looking into it further, we decided together that this was the direction we wanted to take.

How did you decide that vegan was the right approach for you?
Based upon what we wanted for our health, concern for the environment, and love for animals we mutually decided that this was the perfect way to embrace all of that.

How did you both adjust to the changes?  Was it gradual, cold turkey?  Was it hard at first?
Haha, we did it as 'cold turkey' as we could! Once the decision had been made, we emptied our fridge and cabinets that day! And directly after went shopping for vegan friendly foods, tofu, prepared veggie burgers (which contained egg whites, but helped with the transition possess of the learning curve, after about a week we discontinued that from our fridge as well.)  tempeh, and LOTS of fruits and veggies!

We both adjusted so well and so fast that we haven't looked back!

I wouldn't say is was 'hard' necessarily, it just took a little longer to prepare our foods when we had to learn how to cook new things and figure our what a particular ingredient was and where to get it. We looked at it as a fun little adventure that we were undergoing together!

Where would you like to see Luv You Health in five years?
In 5 years, I would love to see us having multiple flavors of our bars released, and In retail stores across the country, including places like Whole Foods, Starbucks, gym and natural food stores, just to name a few! We have a few other products that we are discussing about marketing as well. We would also love to see our luvyouhealth.com website as a reliable and trusted source for your whole foods, nutritional and fitness product needs.

Like I've said before, my training runs are fueled by the product of their desire to live healthier lives.  These bars are phenomenal, just like the pair that created them.  Their link is on the left, just click the logo.  You owe it to yourself to try them out!

Music Anyone?

One thing I discovered on my run this week is that it is so much fun to hear new songs or long-lost favorites when I'm running a long distance.  I added some new stuff to my playlist this morning, then hit the pavement.  So, I have a plan.  I'm going to start creating a my marathon playlist, and I'm going to save it for Marathon Monday.  I know it'll power me through those 26.2 miles having fresh tunes between Hopkinton and Boston.

Here's where I need your help.  I need some songs!  Email me some suggestions, songs that are fun, upbeat, maybe even calming to settle my nerves at the beginning.  Every person who suggests some songs will be entered into a drawing for a Luv You Health gift.  Ready, set, email!  My email link is up on the left.

Have a super week!
Kelly