If
you read my post last week, I mentioned my need for resting, hence my reason
for creating a calendar.
I needed something to keep me accountable. So even
though I wasn’t able to follow it perfectly. I was abele to get some workouts
in and a rest from cardio.
Wow! What a week it's been. This week I was able to teach my first Barre class!! What a dream come true. A few months back, I passed AFAA's Group Fitness Test. It's funny how some things just fall into place. Prior to taking this test, I was interested in teaching at this studio, that just happened to be hiring. I feel so blessed to be mentored in this fitness industry. I love being a part of people's fitness journeys. Everyone is so different, maybe that is just my love of teaching and inspiring. It you were to check my Instagram account it would be filled with fitness-minded people. No matter where they are in their journey, I find inspiration through them. It also holds me accountable.
So this month in May, I am focusing on enjoying fitness. This is a real challenge for me because I am so competitive. I'm the one who feels disappointed when I see someone got in a run and I didn't. This really is a huge challenge because I'm trying to break those inner thoughts of "being skinny," and change them to "being strong." Raising a little girl, I know that how I view myself and my actions towards my body will reflect to her. I want to inspire her to be STRONG!!
Here was my week in fitness:
Saturday: 1 hour barre
Sunday: 20 minutes of Yogalosophy, 1 hour barre
Monday: 3 mile run,
Tuesday: Total Body routine by Tone it Up, 5 mile run
Wednesday: 3.5 mile run, 20 minutes Yogalosophy, 3 rounds of Malibooty by Tone It Up
Thursday: Ballet Barre
Friday: Run
So I have no races coming up. My focus is to stick to it and LOVE it.
Since my new addition to the barre, I have never felt so strong. Yesterday I was able to do a few chin-ups! YES, not one, but a few (like THREE!!). I feel dainty, but toned. If you haven't had a chance to try the barre, you must!!
What is barre?
Barre is a fusion of mat pilates, yoga, and ballet- inspired sculpting moves. There are a lot of little movements that you are doing that are tremendously challenging. When you walk into a barre studio you will usually see a wall with mirrors along with a ballet bar attached to it. You may also see a variety of props (mats, balls, hand weights, bands, etc).
I love barre clothing. If you checked the history on my computer, you'd find about 4-5 websites that I visit frequently on there. I've always been one to wear fitted shirts, even during pregnancy and post pregnancy, despite my lack-of-baby-but-ever-so-present bump. I know that is not the case for everyone, but barre clothing is very fitted. The purpose of this is so the instructor and your self can see the movements in your leg. It's easy to hid a bent leg in a loose fitting pant, which is why it isn't recommended.
Here are a few of my favorites, despite the price :)
Also socks!!! A crucial part of barre are socks that provide traction. Since you do a lot of planks, babalancing, and maybe a few tendus, you need socks that have grip. Here are a few cute ones. Also your barre studio may provide a pair for you for a small fee.
Can't get to the barre? Check out these following links for a great workout at home!
Hope that helps with what Barre is. I could post and pin barre clothing all day long.
It's March already! Thank goodness we are finally seeing rain! Although this pushes out my longing for beautiful Spring runs, I'm glad the rain has finally showed up.
This week I wanted to share about how to cross train when running. I'm really not a gym rat. I do love gyms, but when I'm a member of one, I usually stick to the cardio machines and classes. It's too intimidating to be among large men throwing their weight around (literally and figuratively speaking). You know those guys that throw their barbell down creating a huge crash and then groaning. What is with that?!
Anyway...cross training is super important for runners. I think that yoga or pilates/barre is the best. Running can be hard on the knees, IT band, feet, back, you name it..it can hurt on a run. Stretching is super important, and like last week I said I'd do more to stretch. Little by little I'm getting there. I really love yoga for it's ability to slow me down, be less competitive with others and strive to balance. Barre, my newest obsession, is similar to pilates, but incorporates weights, ballet, and some yoga. I love barre because you focus a lot on hip flexors and legs, which is what I struggle with on my runs: tight hips.
Walking is of course a great path to take. I struggle because I can't differentiate walking as an exercise and walking as a sign of surrendering during a run.
Swimming: I miss that the most from gym memberships, like Cal Fit, that have pools on site. There are some great workouts that can really up your running game. Pool running is very popular, but I'm still learning about that. I can't quite wrap my mind around how silly I'd look and I keep thinking I won't be very coordinated.
Biking: Again, this would be another great one. With kids, it's hard to cross train and train for that matter, but strapping them to a seat while they enjoy a ride is a great way to get in some miles that can help support your training.
Whatever it is make sure you stretch and warm up, just like running. What a bummer to get injured cross training preventing you from running. Errr! That would be the pits.
What is your favorite way to cross train?
Saturday: 17 mile run
Sunday: 2 Barre classes
Monday: 5 mile run
Tuesday: Beach Barre (Beach Babe video) and Barre class (skipped my first run in my marathon plan :()
Wednesday: 6 miles
Thursday: HIIT the Beach with Tone It Up, Barre class (skipped my second run in my marathon plan:()
Friday: 5 mile run
Are you training for anything? How much do you follow the training plans?
It's the last day in February. I know this month is short, but it really did go by super quickly. It's March already.
Today I decided that I would focus my post on long distance running. I still consider myself a novice to running. Its been almost 5 years, but I've not really gotten into the sport of running until recently. Prior to that it was more about competition and PRing every time I ran! Now I'm really working on that "push," that is needed in those long miles.
So far I've my longest mileage is 16, which is a big number, but then when I think a marathon is 10 more miles, I'm so discouraged. I unfortunately break a few rules when running.
1. I don't stretch as much as I should. I usually go for my runs at about 5 in the morning and getting out of bed is a task, much less stretching. This is something I know I need to work on.
2. I run without water. It's a bad habit that I can't shake. I've always trained without water, but I know I that isn't the best. Staying hydrated is especially important in the long miles. I haven't yet figured out how to run and hold water. I think I'd just rather stop and get a drink at a high school or something.
3. I don't wear shades and sunscreen. Ugh...as much as I hate to admit this it's so true. I lather up my little one and try and keep her shaded, but I lack the energy to do it myself (ha energy, and here I am talking about running long distance:). I am currently in search of a good sunscreen that won't just be like rubbing a bunch of chemicals into my skin to "prevent skin cancer."
So there you go. I confess, I'm a loser when it comes to proper care when running. My goal this week is to do better. Luckily it will be raining most of my runs so I still have a bit of time to find my pure sunscreen.
What running/workout rules do you break?
This week in fitness:
Saturday: 2 mile run, 1 hour barre class
Sunday: 13.1 run on my own
Monday: Set the Bar (Tone IT UP BEach Babe Workout DVD) and Kettlebells With Katrina
Tuesday: Karena's Holiday Arm routine (3x) a little cardio yoga.
Wednesday: 6 mile run
Thursday: Beach Barre ((Tone IT UP BEach Babe Workout DVD) and A few youtube Barre workouts:
Friday: 5 mile run, some more barre or yoga!
I'm so excited about completing a marathon. Although it is discouraging at times. I just created a 26.2 route that gives homage to my start and training in running. I couldn't find any local races that were marathon length, so I just made my own and am hoping others will come cheer me on. I hope that's not too weird?! :)
