A Rainy Fitness Friday

A plus of running in the rain? You usually can't tell what's sweat and what's rain ;)

This week I felt like a failure. My eating wasn't the best and I didn't work out that much.

Even though it felt like a disaster in the moment, when I look back I realize some positives.

The eating has no excuses. But, why beat yourself up over it? It's already in my body, I need to move on.

The lack of exercise was because of a stomach bug I was dealing with. I had a couple of good days, but I rested because I should not have been jumping around, running, etc. When your body tells you it needs rest, listen.

Fitness Friday!

What have you done this week that you want to share? Or better yet, give the rest of us some ideas! :)

Pump Up Your Run

I have been avoiding intervals outside for a long...long while now. I have been consistently sticking to the dreadmill to get these workouts done.

But, for some reason, I felt like it was time yesterday to end this weak spell.

Since I ran 7 miles last Thursday I am pushing my long run to this Thursday, so I put 4-5 miles on my schedule yesterday. I was grumbling during my warm-up, feeling kinda bored with my usual run. So, 3 minutes into it I decided to sprint. Well, I got tired, so I slowed down...and there you have the start of my intervals.

The first 2 miles were great, the third mile was HARD. First, because I was running hard and my body was starting to feel it, and second, because I had done some strength workouts in between miles 1 and 2.

It went like this:

2 miles of 400 m intervals (sub 7min/mile and 10min/mile+ recovery pace)

20 walking lunges

10 standing bicycles

10 front squats/ static sumo squat/ jump squat                                                  

10 push-ups

X3

1 mile 400 m intervals

20 walking lunges

10 kicking bicycles (single leg kick; opposite arm to opposite leg)

10 squats 

10 push-ups

X3

2 miles at average pace (mine was 9:10ish)

walking/stretching cool down for 10 minutes

Ta-Da! 

Honestly, the last 2 miles felt like a 'breeze' after the sprints and strength workouts.

And, of course, you can personalize this more to your likes/dislikes and your focus for that session.

Enjoy (seriously), and get out there!

PS: for a "how-to" on different kinds of squats check this site out: Jillian Michaels squat workout guide

Fitness Friday!

Fitness Friday!

This week I have stuck to my running schedule and even completed an 8k at 9:10 p.m. on 11-12-13...cold, but super fun and everyone was full of energy! It was also my friend's first race, so that is DEFINITELY something big to celebrate : )

Share your tips, tricks, guilty pleasures, goals, or accomplishments...

Magical Podcast and A Food Review

I have finally found the hidden treasure that is podcasts.

I like listening to music when I am doing faster runs (tempo, intervals, or farltek), but for my long and easy paced runs I was getting tired of the same routine. I do enjoy running with nothing blaring in my ears, especially when it is nice outside or right around dinner time (the lighting is always GORgeous)...but, sometimes you just need a little distraction. 

Cue the clouds opening and harp playing?

JillianMichaelsPodcast.com

Jillian Michaels' podcast are keeping me busy these days. She is funny, gives great and realistic advice, and the shows themselves vary in topic so much so that it's hard to even categorize her podcast. I have been listening to them for about 2 weeks now, usually 2-3 times per week. I haven't gotten tired of her or them in the least bit and I have even learned some neat tricks. Imagine that...learning and running, shew whee, am I an overachiever or what? ;) 

But, really, I do recommend browsing through ITunes and sampling the huge selection of shows they offer. (PS: Most are free!)

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To do something (sorta) new today, I am going to, very amateur-ly, review a product.

Yesterday I was having some stomach issues, no details needed (I could have probably even gone without stating that)...and so I wanted to keep my food as neutral as possible. I have family visiting so we all ate dinner at my parents' house and my mom made baked spaghetti. Now, her baked spaghetti isn't all that bad and she does add spinach, but it was still a little too heavy for me. 

I went ahead and brought some Fage 0% Greek yogurt over (my favorite) with some frozen cherries and an Amy's Rice Macaroni and Cheese Gluten Free dinner. I know, frozen meal, but I liked the ingredients and I was majorly craving cheese.

When I first cooked it I was a little worried because I could smell the rice pretty predominately, but shew whee, I am glad I didn't base my opinion on just that. It was soooo good! I wasn't even expecting it to be that delicious, but it baked up perfectly, with the top layer have a little "meatier" texture to it.

The cheese was REAL and tasted real good ;)


                                                         I give this dish 4.5/5 stars!

Fitness Friday!

Fitness Friday!

This week has been up and down with my healthy eating habits...but I am on week 2 of my new workout routine (lifting 4X per week with 5 days of running and other cross training). 

Today, when I couldn't run as scheduled I still walked [briskly] for 30 minutes and then walked to work. 

What are some things are are doing/have done this past week to improve your healthy lifestyle?! :)