Swim workout!

It's almost the weekend!!

This time tomorrow I will be arriving in Virginia Beach for Tori's bachelorette party and I am STOKED!!

Since I am now a member of all 3 ACAC Charlottesville locations, I decided to dust off the swim suit, cap and goggles and go for a swim after GOTR today; especially since the downtown location is less than 5 minutes from where we meet for GOTR. I was pretty excited to get back in the pool after a year of not swimming!

 

I found the following workout on Pinterest to do:

For those who don't know what 'pull' is in swimming, it is when you get a block and put it between your legs and swim with just using your arms. My shoulders were screaming!

 

It felt pretty good to get back in the water again :) Although I did end up ramming my left foot/big toe into the wall when I was swimming breaststroke because the woman I was sharing the lane with was also doing breaststroke and was more on my side than hers. Ouch!! What a way to end a workout :(

 

Now off to pack! Here's an early 'cheers' to everyone, hope you all have a great weekend!

 

 

Gym update

Semi-exciting news (depends if you are a gym rat or not)...due to my new TA job with the county, one of the benefits is a huge discount with my gym, ACAC. There are 3 ACAC locations in the Charlottesville area. I currently belong to the small, express one in Crozet, which doesn't offer half the amount that the other 2 locations do (including a pool). So today, I took advantage of that discount and signed up for a 3 for 1 deal...all 3 gyms for $60! Hello! I am super excited to try a bunch of classes and perhaps get back into swimming!

In the terms of working out....

I was hoping to have a great, feel good workout today cause my day had been awesome so far. Well halfway through being on the elliptical (where I was stuck either watching Wife Swap, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, or the local news...all less popular choices), my stomach started grumbling. I had had a granola bar around 2ish, since I had eaten lunch around 11:15, and had hoped that would tie me over till dinner. I was trying to ignore it but I could tell I was losing fuel while doing arms and then abs was almost torture cause every crunch was a growl from my tummy monster! Needless to say, make sure you never workout on an empty stomach!!

Arm workout:

3 x15 bicep curls

3x15 upper back machine

3 x 12 tricep back extension

3x15 shoulder press

3 x 15 chest press

 

 



Bikini season isn't over yet....

Happy 1st day of fall!

 

Even though today is the first day of fall, bikini season isn't over quite just yet! This weekend is my best friend Tori's bachelorette party and we are heading to VA Beach for what should be a fun weekend! The weather is suppose to be perfect this weekend, highs in the upper 70s and sunny. Perfect for sitting out on the beach talking with the girls. Though I'm not sure if I plan on getting in the water, I still plan on packing a suit!

(Tori, in white, with the bridal party at her shower!)

 

 

I started out with 20 minutes on the stairmaster, then did a mile incline walk on the treadmill (this only happened cause I wanted to watch the end of the Redskins game) before moving onto the smith machine for 50 squats (5 reps of 10).

 

Afterwards, I moved to the aerobic room and did the following Butt workout:

I then did the following ab wokout to complete my day:

30 Russian Twists

10 sit ups

:30 second plank

20 vertical leg crunches

:20 second plank

10 jack-knife sit ups

40 oblique crunches

:15 second side plank (each side)

30 crunches

:40 second plank

 

 

 

Strong and quick circuit workout

It's hump day (for the next 2 hours at least)!

 

Today's workout was a quick one but I felt it hit all the body parts!

After a 30 minute warm up on the elliptical, I did the following workout. It ended taking me about 20 minutes instead of 30 but that could depend on each person!

 

 

What is  great about this workout is that you could do it at home if you aren't able to make it to a gym!

 

Run Like a Diva half recap pt. 2: Race Day! (with playlist)

Good morning Divas, it's race day!

 

5:20am-- Off goes the alarm.

5:25am- my ass is out of bed and I'm stumbling around the hotel room to the bathroom in the dark.

5:45-Dressed and drawstring bag put together. Enjoying my peanut butter and toast. Also wishing the hotel room wasn't so cold.

6am-- Ben (who was probably re-considering our relationship and wondering why he is dating a runner) and I are in the car and heading out to the race site! Expecting to arrive between 6:30-6:40.

6:40-Hit traffic a few miles out from site.

6:50- start to panic.

7am-Panic has set in realizing that there is no way unless the cars part like the Red Sea that I will be able to park by 7:15....we've also barely moved a mile.

7:15- Ben and I stare at the car clock. We're still about 4 miles out. I start contemplating either turning the car around or jumping from car to car to see if  I can get closer.

7:30- My co-worker, who is also running the race, texts me saying "omg traffic! Did you hear that they delayed the start?"...a bit of relief goes through my mind.

8:00am- Pull into parking. Have heard that start has been postponed to 8:15....8:30...

I realize I have time to go to the bathroom and actually run into my co-worker!

8:20am - bag dropped off at bag check and I head for the start line.

8:30-- announcement is made that they are delaying the start another 15 minutes so more cars can get in (the road that leads into the winery is part of the course and that's where cars are sitting bumper and bumper)...so I do what any girl would do (or Diva in this situation) and start to befriend the girls around me.

8:45-Still no start and I'm starting to be very grateful that it is not hot out!

8:55- And we are off!!

 

Instead of doing the originally planned waves with 5 minute breaks, they just had everyone run which made it for a very fast quick pace start! I also kept bumping into girls who started out the race walking! Huge runner pet peeve of mine, people who aren't honest with themselves and put themselves up a lot higher than they should be...if you plan on starting a half by walking, get in the way back please! My mile 1 & 2 were my fastest splits and I knew I had to slow my pace down or it would come back and get me in a few miles.

 

I am glad I did because most of the first 6 miles were hills. And not just a little "push yourself a little" hills, but HILLS. I felt that I would be prepared for any hills because of where I live but wasn't expecting most of these.  I even said out loud at one point when it was just hill after hill (or really mini mountain after mini mountain), "shit, another one?!". I do have to say I was pretty proud of myself for being able to get up all of them and not having to walk or slow down, like a lot of ladies it seemed.

 

Then came the gravel or more like the dirt roads with gravel on top of it. Big no no in my opinion because you are having to watch your footing. I slipped a few times, can't speak the same for some other women who slipped and landed pretty badly or scraped themselves up pretty rough. The whole time I just stayed focus on my music (my playlist will be listed below) and enjoy the lovely morning. Seriously couldn't ask for a prettier day to run!

 

Around mile 9, I knew I was going to PR from Disney (yes!) and just knew I had to keep my pace going for the remaining 4 miles. At this point, we were back on paved, non hill roads. Miles 10-11 were in a neighborhood where we did a big loop and it was so nice to see some of the families come out and cheer us on. One street in particular was even making a tailgate out of the event, kids were lined up along the street cheering with posters and dads were passing out little cups of beer to us!

 

My mom's and my song, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, came on around mile 12.5 which brought a huge grin to my face! The song gave me an extra boost of energy and I flew to the finish. My finished time was 2:09 (though my garmin forerunner said I ran 13.22)! 

 

Besides the medal, they also had roses and sparkling cider waiting for us at the finish. After gulping that down and getting my official finisher photo taken, I fast waddled (I guess that's what you could call it cause my legs weren't really moving in the motion of walking) to collect my bag and find Ben in the crowd.

 

Despite the panic at the beginning with traffic issue and the unsure of what exactly was going on, I was pleased with my run! Knocking off 4 minutes is a big deal in running and my body wasn't as tired or sore as it was after Disney, though I was grateful to have Ben drive afterwards!

After having my first ever burrito at Chipotle (usually a small taco girl), Ben and I spent the rest of the day laying around and watching tv, perfect way to relax after a half!

 

Diva Half Playlist:

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody - Fergie, Q-Ti &GoonRock

Roar- Katy Perry

Anything Could Happen- Ellie Goulding

This Kiss- Carly Rae Jepsen

Heart Attack - Demi Lovato

Edge of Glory- Glee

Thriller/Heads Will Roll- Glee

Circle the Drain - Katy Perry

Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

Aint No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye

Feel This Moment - Pittbull

Firework - Katy Perry

Applause - Lady Gaga

Born This Way - Lady Gaga

Bulletproof - La Roux

Can't Be Tamed - Miley Cyrus

I Wanna Dance with Someone - Glee

Like A Prayer- Madonna

Next to Me - Emeli Sande

S&M - Rihanna

Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

See You Again - Carrie Underwood

Flashdance -Glee

Dance in the Dark - Lady Gaga

Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga

Titanium - David Guetta & Sia

Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Judas - Lady Gaga

Don't Stop Believin ' -Glee

Old Time Rock n Roll - Glee

Rain Over Me - Pitbull

Diamonds - Rihanna

We Found Love - Rihanna

United States of Pop 2009 - DJ Earworm

Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan

Set Fire to the Rain - Adele

Glowing - Nikki WIlliams

Spice Up Your Life - Spice Girls

 

 



Run Like a Diva Half recap pt. 1: Expo

Good evening readers!

I believe I have finally recovered and gotten reorganized from this weekend. Besides the run on Saturday, I also had a bridal shower yesterday (Gatsby would've been proud of the 1920s themed!), and I ended up getting back home later than expected, 6am this morning came quite quickly!

Friday evening: Expo

After picking up Ben, we drove the hour+ (gotta love NOVA traffic on a Friday evening) to the Health & Fitness Boutique so I could pick up my packet as well as check out the vendors. It was easy to spot where the expo was taking place when we pulled up because of all the ladies leaving with their pink drawstring backpacks. We got there a little more than an hour before it closed so I felt very rushed to pick up my stuff and look around. The inner OCDness in me does not like waiting till the last minute! I ended up getting some goodies for me and my mom, who is my running inspiration.
I always like to get stuff that I couldn't just pick up at Dicks or a big sports place. I like seeing the different vendors and getting a chance to see workout clothing companies!

Race shirt, bib and drawstring backpack!

My goodies!

 

As well as got a picture with the Diva Drag Queen (at least that's what I assume he was)

 

After the expo, Ben and I went and checked into our hotel (shout out to the Courtyard Marriot at Dulles Town Center for a wonderful stay) before going to get a later than expected dinner....and where else better than to carb up than at Noodles & Company! Super yummy!

 

After laying out all my stuff for the morning, I hit the sack. 5:20 wake up call can come quickly!

 

Packing for Diva!

As I am typing this, I am currently watching Friday Night Lights (nothing like a high school drama football series to get you motivated, right?!) and packing for the half! According to my countdown, it is 1 day, 11 hours and 9 minutes away!

It is suppose to be a high of 65 degrees on Saturday, perfect running weather! I plan on running in shorts and sports bra but am packing shirts just in case as well as a jacket to wear before the run!! Since it is an all girl, "Diva" themed race, I am going for a black and pink running theme..no costume like for Disney but I always like to get in the theme for things!

Besides the important clothes, I am packing sunblock (can still get burnt in 60 degree weather!), my garmin forerunner, chapstick, my chew blocks that I chew that miles 3, 6, 9, and 11, sweaty bands (I am hoping they have a stand at the expo tomorrow!), and my pre race breakfast...toast and peanut butter! Yes, I am packing bread and toast!

After Girls on the Run practice (can I just say that I am loving this program!), I stopped by the gym and did a quick butt and ab workout. I didn't want to do any legs because they have felt tight this week and I'm wanting them to be fresh and ready to go Saturday!

Sunday Power Gym workout

Good evening readers!

This morning's workout was a great way to start a Sunday. As a quote that I have seen numerous times, "Workout in the morning before your mind decides to do something else".

I started out by doing 20 minutes on the Stairmaster  followed by 50 squats on the Smith machine  before doing this Power Gym workout that I found via Instagram (Workouts_Daily):

 

Warm Up

10 sit ups

10 supermans

10 arm circles

10 leg swings

10 deadlifts to overhead press

repeat two times

 

Workout

10 deadlifts to overhead press

15 pushups (*it said with medicine ball which I failed tremendously at...if you can do it, more power to ya!)

20 sit ups

10 walking lunges with dumbbell

15 trx rows (*see below for what a TRX is...it may be my new favorite equipment)

20 burpees

repeat three times

 

25 reverse crunches

10 side lying leg lifts

Repeat two times

 

 

5 days, 13 hours and 2 minutes until my half!

 



Dropping a pant size workout

Before I get into todays workout, I want to talk about the 1st day of Girls on the Run!

The excitement and energy that came from the 16 girls in my group was un-describable. I couldn't help but not smile the whole time seeing how much fun they were having by incorporating running into a simple "Get To Know Each Other' game. Most of, if not, all of the girls already knew each other because they go to the same school and are in the same class, but they were still getting to know little details about each other. After this first day, I can already tell the hype behind the program :)

Now, onto today's workout....

Decided to do a combo of a butt and leg workout and rediscovered this workout after doing a 20 minute workout on the elliptical:

 

KEEP CALM, IT'S ALMOST FRIDAY!

12 miles broke my heart

Happy Labor Day everyone!

 

Due to hosting Tori's Bridal Shower Saturday and helping her out with some bridal duties yesterday, my 12 mile run was moved to today. Having feel great about my past 2 long runs and feeling good about my time, I was ready to get this 12 mile run over and done with.

 

Playlist was set.

 

Due to my shorts not having pockets, I find a second source...stapling a zip-lock bag to my shorts to hold my chew blocks.

And off  I went!

 

And just like the title says, the run broke my heart. It was my fault for starting the run at 9 and running during the 2 hours where the humidity was rising. I ran out of water around mile 8, but thank god for being near Liz's house to refill it, but then my hips tightened up on me around mile 9 so I finished feeling pained, heat exhausted, and miserable.

I texted Ben when I finished telling how much it sucked and I felt awful and his response made me feel better and a bit stronger about myself. He told me that "Most people would have quit. But you didn't. That's beastness" . I had many times today where I thought about just stopping and walking back to my car, but I wanted to get to 12 miles. The heat is what really got me and wore down my body sooner than I wanted. Luckily the half will be starting much earlier than 9 so it won't be as warm then! Anyone else ready for this humidity to be over?!?!

 

Got home and my dad immediately started a bath for me in the whirlpool, best dad ever!!

 

Since my 12 miles are done, I will spend the next two weeks tapering back, running no more than 5 miles. I can't believe how much faster this training has gone than my Disney training. Maybe it's because I've done this before so my body remembered!

 

So lesson from today's post: Be safe and weather wary when you plan on going running!! Make sure you have plenty of fluids and listen to your mind. If you start feeling dizzy, nauseous, or anything along those sorts, STOP!