annecreates

Flexibility Series for Runners: Part 4: The Final Stretch

This last installment in this series is all about static stretching. It’s my favorite of all mobility training. Maybe it’s because it calls to the inner gymnast in me. Maybe because it feels so good! But static stretching is the icing on the cake of any workout for me, as long as I take theContinue reading “Flexibility Series for Runners: Part 4: The Final Stretch”

The Silver Diner: Vegan Restaurant Review

One of my vegan friends clued me into the fact that the Silver Diner has recently upped its vegan game. Since the Innsbrook location is not too far from home, my husband and I ventured there for dinner for the first time in a couple of years. Known regionally for seeking locally sourced items forContinue reading “The Silver Diner: Vegan Restaurant Review”

Flexibility Series for Runners: Part 3: Foam Rolling

It’s the fitness recovery task we love to hate. Let’s face it: the older we get, the more help we need to recover from our workouts. And our bodies beg the question: why does foam rolling hurt so good? In Part 1 of this series, we talked about why foam rolling is thought to beContinue reading “Flexibility Series for Runners: Part 3: Foam Rolling”

The Power of Connection

It’s no secret that the best caregivers possess the soft skills of connecting with their patients. As a physical therapist with over 22 years of practice, I try to find ways to do this with each person in my care. This ability to connect with patients became even more vital during the pandemic, as strictContinue reading “The Power of Connection”

Flexibility Series for Runners: Part 2

Dynamic Stretching: The Warmup So in part 1, we talked about the ways that dynamic stretching, foam rolling, and static stretching work together to help improve and maintain your flexibility and prevent injury and when it’s best to do these activities. In part 2, let’s delve further into dynamic stretching. Dynamic stretches are designed toContinue reading “Flexibility Series for Runners: Part 2”

The Hop Craft Pizza and Beer: Vegan Restaurant Review

When I went vegan in 2017, one of the things I missed most was pizza. I simply couldn’t find a vegan one that really stacked up to their non-vegan counterparts. It was easier just to not eat pizza. (I know. Sad, right?) That is, until I discovered Hop Craft RVA, which has quickly become aContinue reading “The Hop Craft Pizza and Beer: Vegan Restaurant Review”

Flexibility Series for Runners: Part 1

Static vs. Dynamic Stretching vs. Foam Rolling: The Great Debate of Sports As many of us prepare for fall running race season, I wanted to visit this topic to educate my team! This is part one: the why. I love to geek out on the science of things! If you understand it better, you canContinue reading “Flexibility Series for Runners: Part 1”

Ukrop’s Monument 10k 2021: Race Recap!

Once again, Sports Backers has managed to pivot a traditional race due to the pandemic and turn it into something awesome. Normally held in downtown Richmond, starting and ending in Monroe Park adjacent to the VCU campus in late March/early April, this year’s race was delayed a bit. That’s OK, though, because it coincided nicelyContinue reading “Ukrop’s Monument 10k 2021: Race Recap!”

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

This has quickly become a staple recovery smoothie for me, combining the sweetness of chocolate and banana, the protein of a vegan protein powder and plant based milk, and the goodness that is peanut butter. I simply don’t tire of the combination. Here’s my recipe: Ingredients: 1 cup Silk 10g protein milk (plain, vanilla, orContinue reading “Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie”

WPA Bakery Review!

My husband and I took a trip to Richmond for pizza, and then he had a craving for something sweet. Looking up places that were vegan friendly for dessert, WPA bakery popped up! Pretty famous on the local Vegan scene as a great place for vegan wedding cakes, I was certain they would have somethingContinue reading “WPA Bakery Review!”