Samantha Palmer

The past 10 days I've been a bit banged up. Yesterday I deleted my Strava. They say half the battle in marathon training is actually making it to the starting line healthy. Well if you would have asked me 24 hours ago, I would have told you I was probably going to withdraw from the … Continue reading Comparison: The Thief of Joy →

It had been 4 years and 13 days since I stepped to the starting line on an outdoor track. The track left me heartbroken and defeated in 2014.  I was attempting to force times to prove to myself and others that I could excel in running post-collegiately rather than do what I loved.   As soon … Continue reading Unfinished Business →

No matter what level you are training at, there has probably been a point in time where you have had a few weeks of great training—you’re hitting workouts, long runs and you feel confident and invincible. Then boom, out of “nowhere” you suffer one day whether it be a bad race, workout or long run.  … Continue reading So you had a rough day? →

I posted a blog just over a year ago recapping 2016--in my mind, 2016 was the year of heartbreak and breakthroughs.  But guess what?! 2017 was a year of heartbreak and breakthroughs as well. January and February After running 2:36 at CIM in 2016, I was motivated and ready to knock out my first track … Continue reading 2017 : A year of injury, change and breakthrough →

"OMG! You ran a huge PR!  Did you feel amazing?!" I've been asked this question a few times since my 4th place finish at the USATF Marathon Championships and my response has been the same every single time. "Every step over the last 5 miles hurt, I felt like I was running through mud and I … Continue reading Running HURTS →

It's been three days since I finished 4th at the USATF Marathon Championships which was hosted by the California International Marathon and I still have to remind myself that it wasn't a dream.  I truly believe that CIM is a magical place and it has become my "home course" the past few years for the … Continue reading The Magic of CIM →

Since my freshman year of college, I have had 4 different coaches.  Throughout my 5 years of undergrad, I had 3 different coaches--I brought some of the inconsistency on myself since I transferred schools after my sophomore year.  Following graduation, I went on a 9 month hiatus  without a coach and then I found a coach who … Continue reading Even Coaches Need a Coach →

Earlier this year I wrote a blog on my journey as a Lone Wolf and how  marathon training can be lonely at times.  Marathon training is heartbreaking, humbling and not the most flattering lifestyle but the joy and beauty it brings is unbelievable.  Despite a little hiccup in training this past month (stress reaction in my fibula), … Continue reading Lone Wolf to rabbitPRO →

Disclaimer: I am not a registered dietitian; I received my undergraduate degree in Dietetics but never completed my internship following graduation to become a registered dietitian.  When a runner is faced with an injury that will take them out of the sport for a period of time, there are always fears that immediately take over … Continue reading Nutrition & Injuries →

My alarm goes off at 6:15am and the very last thing I want to do is get out of bed and battle the cold temps for a 90 minute run on Monday morning and that 45 minute afternoon double sounds worse than going to the dentist.  Every single runner at some points gets in a mental … Continue reading Embracing the Daily Grind →