Friday Favorites

This weeks I've got so many favorites. At home I been working with Lil on Art appreciation. This was a fun project week.

Loving my running community: Moms Run This Town. I feel so blessed with the community of this group. Being a momma can be so overwhelming, you become submerged in a culture where every move you make (or don't) is criticized and debated about. I found that this company of like minded moms has been such a great support system for us, plus I love running and being around women who understand that truly makes me feel accepted.

And HOORAY, it's Bikini Series Time. I've been following Tone It Up for 3 years now and have loved it so much. Karena and Katrina do a great job at creating fun and dynamic workouts that have made me as well as many other women stronger.

 

 

I recently was searching for some protein and I decided to buy some Vega Sport Protein. I've never enjoyed protein, the chalkiness taste is what I struggle with. Perfect Fit by Tone It Up is a great one also, but Vega Sport is easy to purchase as it is in stores. I've decided that combining it with milk and Nesquik (so silly, I know) seems make it more tolerable. I love Vega a lot because of its ability to nourish my body after a hard workout or run. Having a shake makes it easy for me to have a recovery shake.

 

 

 

My mid afternoon coffee drink has been my favorite. I fill my glass half up with milk, a few shakes of cinnamon, and the rest with coffee. Yum Yum!

Where do you find community?

Linking up with Heather and Jill

                                 



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Shoe Review: Under Armour Speedform Gemini

Shoe Review: Under Armour Speedform Gemini

(found on Under Armour website)

This is the 5th edition in the Speedform family following: Speedform RC, Speedform XC, Speedform StudioLux, and Speedform Apollo.

This shoe fits like a glove. It's light, but still has a bit of cushion, allowing the runner to have some stability, but some great spring in their stride as well. 

This shoe is the 5th shoe of Under Armour that I have used and I am a huge fan. A very comfy shoe that is like a second skin. I experienced no shin splints, ankle soreness, or knee pain while wearing these shoes. When running in new shoes, I have found that it takes a few runs to adjust to the shoe. Some shoes come with a few of the above injuries for the first few miles, but eventually find their stride. 

The Speedform Gemini was a relief to slip on a pair and just get me.. Sounds so strange, but after the many shoes and miles I've run, it's tough to find a pair of shoes that you find both comfort and speed with. Also I recovered well after my run.  Here is data from my runs with these shoes:

 

This is a wonderful shoe for both novice and seasoned runners. It eases you into whatever pace and mileage you have for the day!

Pros:

Lightweight

Fits like second skin

Adapted quickly with no negative side effects

Cons:

Medium support

 

These thoughts are my own. I did receive these shoes for free from Under Armour/Map My Fitness.

This post was first featured on The FIThusiast

Workout Wednesday: Sweater Weather Interval Run

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Fitness Friday

Happy Friday!

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Hope all is going well. The days are getting shorter and they also seem to be cooling down. I’ve really been trying to make an effort to take our dog out for some exercise. I use to make him run with me often before Lilly. It took a while for me to learn how to push and keep him by my side.

He is such a silly dog, slowing down usually after a mile, but if a car or squirrel rolls by he takes off.

Here was our week in fitness:

Saturday: 8 mile run

Sunday: Yoga

Monday: 6 miles total run, Barre

Tuesday:HIIT

Wednesday: 6.8 mile total run, Bikini Bootcamp

Thursday: 3.8 mile run with the pup, Tone It U p Love Your Legs x3, 2 mile walk

Friday: Walk, Total Body workout

Who are your favorite Fitness Stars on Youtube?

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It's Fitness Friday

Happy Fitness Friday!

 

IG: @mommy_runner

How is your SWEATember going?

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.

Saturday: Barre, 4 mile run

Sunday: 8 mile run

Monday:  Barre, Spitfire wokout

Tuesday: 2 mile run, HIIT like a Girl, Barre

Wednesday: Barre, Circuit training Found here

Thursday: #.8 mile run with my #MRTT friend and then did the route again, 2 rounds of the following workouts by Tone It Up.

Friday: Total Body workout, Walk

Hope your are having a great week.

Share your favorite HIIT workout in the comments.

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Interval Running: Quick and Easy

Just wanted to share my interval run that I did this morning!! I’m trying to include at least one interval run a week. 

It is great for torching fat and miles. 

Sometimes it’s easy to just zone out and hit mile after mile at  a consistent pace, but with interval running, you are forced to pick up the pace. This causes you to leave the aerobic zone and enter into the anaerobic zone. Your muscles are forced to switch from slow, sustained movement to quick, rapid movement.

Run for 5 minutes

Sprint for 30 seconds

Walk for a minute

Repeat as many times as needed.

Enjoy! Hope you have a great Thursday!!

Have you done interval running? Share your favorite!

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Book Review: Run Like a Mother

Book Review: Run Like A Mother 

by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

This is a wonderful book....no INCREDIBLE! Even if you aren't a huge fan of running, this is still a great read. It was a super fun book, filled with antidotal stories and inspirational sayings. One thing I really liked about the book was the format. It has 26 chapters, each having a .2 little quip. It discusses topics from diet, pregnancy, trail running, running with an injury, and the essentials to wear on race day.

I never knew I could love running more, until I read this book. Both Shea and McDowell have different views of running (Shea like me is competitive, where as McDowell focuses more on the journey and process.) I enjoyed both of their perspectives and how to be both a mother and a marathoner was truly inspiring. 

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys running and participates in races. Its an easy and very enjoyable read. 

Naturally I give this book an 6 out of 5 because it was AMAZING!!

They also have Train Like a Mother, which is high on my to-read list

Also visit Another Mother Runner, Shea and McDowell's fun website. 

Click here to register for their Mother's Day race!

 

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My First Marathon in 26.2 sentences

This past Sunday, I did it. The 26.2 miler! I didn't run a race, I just created a route and wnet for it. Some may say foolish, but it was so rewarding and dare I say fun. I cruised to my tunes and carried my Camelbak and hit the pavement hard. Here is how it went.

1. "Wah-hoo, Let's do this." Started a little to fast, but raring to go.
2. "Slow and Steady." Slowed my pace a bit to more
3. "Excellent." It was so beautiful out. The sun was just rising."
4. "Go, Go, Go." Still trekking.
5. "You Don't Know You're Beautiful." This song got me pumped. Cheesy yes, but whatever works.
6. "20 miles to go." I can do this!
7. "You can do this." Feeling great!
8. "8 times 3 is 24. I'm almost a third done." Getting excited about conquering new ground.
9. "Done with the loops." I had to run a 2 mile loop 5 times before changing. It was brutal
10. "Did I just sprint." Waiting for a light to change
11. "Just keep running, just keep running." So close to the half marker.
12. "I'm gonna get to see my family soon." I was so excited that the miles kinda went by quickly
13. "Can't wait to see my family." Eager anticipation made this mile a quick one.
14. "Where is everyone." I was so anticipating my family to be cheering me on at this point.
15. "Oh, my gosh, there they are. " I later found out I was too quick for my husband to catch me and was able to cheer me on on my way back down the path.
16. "Ouch." This is when I began to feel uncomfortable, still strong, but 10 miles seemed really long at this point.
17. "I can do this." My family cheered me on once more.
18. "8 more miles to go." .
19. "7 miles to go."
20. "Just a 10k."
21. "5 miles to go, you can do this." I felt like people running around me knew I wasn't doing well.
22. "I hate this song." I became so reliant on my music. Typically I run without, but I wanted a change during this run. My mental state thrived on upbeat songs. All others created a dark place :).
23. "Why am I doing this?!" This was my wall
24. " Help." I had to call my husband for encouraging words and he once again drove over to tell me I could do it.
25. "Pricetag" This song got me really going. Bopping my head, picking up my pace. and really dancing through this mile.
26. "And we will never be ROYALS!" I was grooving to this song. Does running 26 miles make you kooky?! YES, yes it does.
.2 "SPRINT!!!!" Finish strong!

So there it is. Not quite 26.2 sentences, but short and sweet. Thanks for all the support.

 

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The Daunting Night Before a Race

Since the beginning of the year, I decided to commit myself to accomplisheing the MARATHON!!! At first this idea seemed like a challenge, but no more that what I accomplished when I set out to do a half marathon. 

However, the hours of running, though I enjoy a schedule, its really taken alot away from family time. I'm sure that I will still run marathons in the future, but right now, with much on my plate, this was too much!!

I ended up cutting some of my training short, with my longest run being 21 miles and last week. I skipped the taper week. I know that your legs need to be fresh for a race...but I;m not running one.

What I mean is that tomorrow I will set out and run 26.2 alone, with just my family to cheer me on. My only reason for this was that there were no local 26.2 races, and I wasn't about to let all my training go to waste. 

So instead I decided to create a route that had helped me train for races before. Most of my long runs dealt with running in circles (totally boring), so as a treat I'm running around all my favorite routes. I'm really excited about this! I know that I created a beautiful path, so it will be great to see how it turns out.

I'm not focused on a time. It'd be great to finish in 4:30, 4:00 would be better, but I know that that I won't have the competition of others to keep me motivated.

Anyways wish me luck.

I'll be sharing all about it next week.

Here is my race attire.

Should I make a race bib?

Any ideas what I should enjoy after the race?

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When Running Hurts

Yesterday I decided to do my long run. Unfortunately we weren't at our home so I couldn't get up early and run due to the unfamiliar area. What I'm about to explain is how running huts and sometimes sucks.

Marathon training has its highs and lows. On one hand you have a plan for running (which I truly appreciate) but you also have to stick to the plan in order to reach the goal, which can sometimes be a pain. Training for a marathon is a part time job. I am constantly thinking about my runs, what to eat to have energy, maintaing hydration, cross training, and dedicating 2-4 hours on the weekend to complete the long runs. 

So yesterday I needed to complete 21 miles. Since Spring Forward, waking up at 5 am is difficult and dark. So what was my plan???

Run 11 miles on the treadmill and then when the sun came up run 10.

A plan that sounded practical was not fun AT ALL.

The 11 miles on the treadmill were seriously brutal. I have the hardest time with pacing and always find myself running slower than normal. Or even running slower, but with less energy and feeling exhausted. 

After 2 hours on the treadmill, I had just about had it with running. 

Why Why Why? did I commit to this.

However, the first few miles on the pavement in the morning, felt heavenly. I'm sure I looked ridiculous because going from a moving conveyor belt to hard pavement is quite an adjustment. 

The only thing I can relate it to, is if you have played Guitar Hero for a while and then stop, you can still see the moving keys that the game provide.

Anywhoo, by mile 15 I think I hit a wall. I was so disappointed with myself. Last weeks long run was beautiful and serene. An easy 19 miler in comparison to yesterday's run. 

I felt defeated and exhausted. I just kept telling myself that I would feel amazing after it all. Knowing that I completed that run was a VICTORY.

I was able to finish the 21 miles, but it hurt and it was hard. But even though running that far and that long, I came away with still appreciating running. 

So yes, running does hurt sometimes, probably more my pride than any body part, but I continue to come back to it because of all that it has taught me. 

It has helped me to be a better woman, a better athlete, a better mom and wife. And even though guilt sometimes occurs on those long runs, I know that my healthy habits will keep me around to hopefully one day see my kids running races.

Are you a runner? What was your most memorable run?

 

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Fitness Friday: Marathon Madness

Happy Fitness Friday!

Hope all is well! We are enjoying some sweet weather here in California. Cool mornings with very warm afternoons. Spring is beginning to make its way here. Despite the lack of rain, I'm eager to begin running season. Although I ran through Winter. I just think that Spring is the true beginning of running. It was in April of 2010 that I headed out one Spring day and decided to go for a run. From that moment on, running has been my favorite.

Which lead me to running races, 5ks at first, followed by 10ks and a few halfs. I always told myself that running marathons was too much. No one can seriously do that and enjoy it. I focused on speed and running goals like a half every month (on my own, not races). Somewhere in those months I began thinking about doing a marathon. I'm not sure if it was the push of those 13 miles becoming 14 and 15 miles or the idea of doing one more hardcore thing before we have another Hurley.

So 2014 rolled around and I decided to start training for a marathon on Jan 1 ,2014 with no race in mind, just chose a plan on Nike plus app and started trekking. The ideal timeline would have put me at running in late April. But I was determined to speed things up. And although this goes against a lot of things, I've trained for a while at high mileage. So far so good. Last week I ran my 19 miles and felt wonderful. This week it's 21 and may have to be on the Dreadmill?! Yikes!! Any suggestions??

I found this video and thought it was so true about marathon running:

This week in fitness:

Saturday: 5 miles, 1 hour barre

Sunday 19 miles, 1 hour zen barre

Monday: Rest and Ballet Bootcamp by Sweaty Betty

Tuesday: 5 miles, 1 hour barre

Wednesday: 3.25 miles (speed work)

Thursday: barre videos, 6 mile run, 1 hour barre routine

Friday: 1 hour double shot barre

Here is some inspiration to get you through the week. 

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Fitness Friday: Long Distance Running

Happy Friday!

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?! :)

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Why I Can't Just Run

It seems that all I share about is my love for running. I know I'm obsessed. I never thought I was an outdoorsy kind of gal, but I crave hitting the pavement and rest days are SOOOOOOO difficult for me. 

I've noticed that since having Lil and doing more weights/toning my running has gotten stronger. I will say it was its strongest when I was doing hot yoga daily. Stretching is key to avoiding injuries, but its easier said then done. I got a foam roller from Christmas and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It helps me stretch my muscles and gets me excited about stretching after running (I'm not sure that's possible, but it really works. You know how new running clothes make you faster. Like that!)

I've been working hard on staying strong and not skinny. I still have those nasty inner thoughts that tell me I need to be thinner, but you know that saying "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." I think its wrong! Nothing feels as good as being STRONG! I love that I can throw Lil around, even though she's pushing close to 3o lbs (Way to go, LIL!!). I love that I can run and play with her. 

This is another reason why I want to start some sort of mommy workout community. Accountability is so important to staying on top of your health. It's easy to let your mind ttrick you into one more cookie and a week away from the gym. But when you incorporate friendship and camaraderie, who can resist that?!

I think that's why I'm so inspired by the Tone It Up ladies. They have realized the importane of being a part of a loving, health centered community. And they make it fun!!

Anyway, as much as I love to run, I'm trying to find more of a balance in my fitness life. 

However...did I mention that I'm training for a marathon...when will I learn?!

Do you have a fitness friend who keep you motivated? Who inspires you to stay healthy?

 

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Fitness Friday: Baby It's Cold Outside

This weather is cold!!! California cold that is. Yesterday I went running at 9 and it was below freezing, nothing like making sure you don't slip on ice. However, we are in need of some rain. Despite the cold, it is beautiful. The sun is shining. But I forsee the new year bringing in some heavy downpour to make up for the dry November and December. 

How are you staying active despite the weather?

Last month I won a free month of yoga at a nearby hot yoga studio. It's not Bikram, but they do a lot of Vinyasa yoga, which is quick paced. I've been trying to go to the studio before school. They offer a 6 am class and I am able to leave just a little early to shower and get dressed. Despite my hair looking like a wet dog, I've managed to make it to school on time. In just the two weeks I've been going ( a total of 7 times), I've noticed a HUGE change in my body, mostly in my waist. It is more shapely. My running has also benefitted. I'm not having knee pain or back pain as much.

I was also able to finish my goal of running one 1/2 marathon every month for a year. It was challenge for sure. Some months a 13.1 mile run did not look fun and other months I was able to go further. On a cool June morning, I completed 16 miles. Reflecting back, this was a great challenge for me to be able to complete. I'm not sure how I will challenge myself next year, but I'm hoping that 1/2 marathons will become fun again :)..

This week in fitness:

Saturday: 75 minutes yoga

Sunday: 13.1 mile run

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 1 hour hot yoga, 2.5 mile run

Wednesday: 1 hour hot yoga

Thursday, 3.3 mile run

Friday: hot yoga and a run?

The California International Marathon commences this Sunday. I wish that we lived in a place where we could sit outside and watch the marathoner's go by. It is such a thrill to be a part of that event. I wish all those runners luck!!

Happy Friday! Make today count!!