Simply Nicole

| a lifestyle blog by Nicole Raudonis, focused on healthy living, home decor, travel and more

My Summer Running Playlist

| 10 Comments Categories: Running

Typically, you know that if I'm running on the treadmill I've been known to just put on Pandora and just go. However, I've been noticing recently that the One Direction Pandora station has been playing a lot of slow country songs. It doesn't make any sense to me! I used to only run to the Lil Wayne station, but I started getting tired of all the … [Read more...]

Totally Awesome 80’s Run

| 5 Comments Categories: Races, Running

I'm a big fan of the 80s. Although I only lived in the 80s for a little over a year, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" was my first ring tone back in 10th grade. Okay so back to the point of this post.... Do you live near South Jersey? Are you over 21? Do you love the 80s? Then the race for you is the Totally Awesome 80's Run in Pitman, … [Read more...]

Fox Chase Away Cancer 5K Recap

| 11 Comments Categories: Races, Running

On Friday night, after a night of drinks, I went to bed around 11:30pm with my compression socks on. Lately if I wear them at night, my runs in the morning are much easier. Many of you know that I have multiple pairs of the Pro Compression marathon socks. These are by far the BEST of the best. I wore my pinks ones to bed in hopes that by … [Read more...]

On My Radar: Half Marathon Needs

| 10 Comments Categories: On My Radar, Running

Usually when you come to my blog on Monday mornings, you expect to see my Weekend Recap. This weekend however, shockingly enough I didn't take ANY photos! Not a single photo. This weekend was really low-key as well. I felt like all I did all weekend was see The Dark Knight Rises and go food shopping. In fact, I think that is all I did this … [Read more...]

What Type of Runner Are You

| 13 Comments Categories: Running

There's a bug going around my office. People are getting this weird stomach thing left and right, and I just hope that I'm not next. On Tuesday, I started feeling a little off. I did 2 miles on Tuesday morning and struggled through them. On Wednesday night after work, I did another 2 miles and barely made it through my workout. My upper left … [Read more...]

New PDR

| 16 Comments Categories: Running

Yes. I hit a new personal distance record (PDR)! It was a goal of mine back in May to do a 5 mile run on the treadmill. After staying up late on Sunday night watching 3 hours of Bachelorette, I was not in any shape to get up early to run on Monday morning. I went to the gym after work instead. It took some time, but I finally accomplished … [Read more...]

Why Cross Training is Important for Runners

| 6 Comments Categories: Advice, Running

As a runner, I also like to change things up and cross train. Cross training is any sport that supplements your main sport. My favorite types of cross-training include yoga, group fitness classes and weight training. So, why is cross-training important? Cross-training prevents injury. When you balance your less used muscles with the … [Read more...]