Rockin' Booty

With all the leggings and yoga pants being work this winter season, you gotta remember to work the glutes! On my way to the gym this morning, I realized I hadn't done a good butt-focused workout in awhile so decided to make today Butt Day!

After a quick warmup on the elliptical, I did 50 squats on the smith machine for the first time in a long time. I always felt that I was positioning myself wrong when I do squats on it so today I really focused on making sure my position was correct each time I squatted. 

Finally I completed this set. To add some "challenge", I added weights when I did the donkey kicks and with the lunges.

Quick Sunday Workout

After a thrilling last night (hello new car!) and then a movie to get to today, I wanted a quick workout in this morning. I decided to focus on arms and abs after some cardio on the elliptical. Pulled up my phone and found this classic that I have done a few times!

Hope you all have had a nice weekend! I am taking advantage of having one more week of break and not thinking of school!

Twas The Day Before Christmas....

....and after a night of wine, seeing good friends and lots of talking, and an 'eh' night sleep, it was off to the gym for a pre-Christmas workout!

Another new one by none other than Peanut Butter Fingers! 

30 minutes on the elliptical and then completed this circuit! 

Merry Christmas Eve!

Tis The Season

Greetings! I have been getting in some great workouts over the past week, but with all the Christmas hustle and bustle, I have completely forgotten to post them on here. Tonight is my family's big Christmas party, so I am quickly posting the workouts before getting back to finish things up for tonight!

This one has already been done several times this holiday season. Clearly you can do it not just in the Christmas season, but the festive look of the workout makes it perfect for Christmas! 

A new favorite that I really felt in my hamstrings and thighs (hello deadlifts, squats and wall sits!).I complete this 2x through. 

And with all those yummy holiday treats, you can't forget the abs! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday surrounded by loved ones :) 

Circuit Workout after sweets

Last night was my sorority's alumnae chapter's cookie exchange! 21 yummy treats ranging from my peppermint bark to classic chocolate chip cookies to other delightful treats! Needless to say though, this morning, sweets were the last thing on my mind!

I have found a bunch of new workouts online I've wanted to try and today was another circuit workout. I split up my cardio warm-up by doing 20 minutes on the elliptical and 10 minutes on the bike before going into the aerobics room to do this Holiday Circuit Workout!

Monday-Brr Workout

Today was a chilly Monday (felt like snow weather in my opinion!) and after a pretty hectic day at work, I wanted a new workout routine to wake me up. I have saved a few new workouts from Peanut Butter Fingers (all "winter" themed) and gave this one a go-round 2x after warming up on the bike.

I did BodyPump on Saturday and could still feel my thighs screaming today when I started this workout, especially with the wall sits!

Shaking legs workout

Holy crap, my legs were shaking after this! I think some muscles that haven't done some work since the marathon were screaming after this. 

Finishing out my gym visit with Super Sweaty Abs

Post Thanksgiving workouts

Thanksgiving break was wonderful! Surrounded by family, lots of food and wine, and beautiful scenery down in South Carolina! I went for a run on Thanksgiving to the beach and back, and rode bikes around, but that was it workout wise! Honestly, it felt nice to have a break from my usual routine :)

....Though that's not saying I wasn't looking forward to getting back to the gym yesterday! 20 minutes on the ellipitcal before moving on to abs and legs. 

Legs were a mix of machines (hamstring curl, abductor, adductor), squats, leg press, and leg curl.

Today I got to the gym later than usual and didn't want to stay too late so did a quick 30 minute workout. 1 mile run on the treadmill and then arms, focusing on biceps and triceps.

Finished out with lat pull downs and chest presses. 

23 days until Christmas!!!

Happy Thursday

Do you ever have one of those days where you are in a good mood and have bouncing step to your walk? That's how I felt today after a great Autism Teacher training/conference with my county....and being free at 2:30! Being at the gym at 3 was such a change especially when I'm in school during that time.

So what did I do at the gym?......EVERYTHING! And it felt wonderful.

20 minutes on the stairmaster to start out then headed to the weight section for arms.

3x15 bicep curls

3x12 tricep kick backs

3x10 front arm raises 

3x12 skull crushers

2x12 chest press

I then decided to do some glute action:

3x15 laying leg curls

20 squats

20 plie squats

20 donkey kicks

20 fire hydrants

20 side leg circles

30 alternating lunge jumps

30 sliders

20 deadlifts

And to complete my workout, abs!

:40 sec plank

5 side plank dips

20 crunches

15 vertical leg crunch with weights

:15 cobra position

:40 sec plank

40 russian twists

10 jackknife sit ups

30 bicycles

:15 side planks

TGIT....aka almost Friday!!!

Starting the weekend off right

Finally it's the weekend! 

Heading to Baltimore for a weekend with my best friends, but wanted to get in a workout to start out the fun! Scrolling through Pinterest, I chose the Weekend Circuit Workout

I also added in a :30 sec plank at the end of each round and started with 20 minutes on the elliptical on the cross-country setting.

Have a great weekend! 

Brrrrr

Brr!! It is officially flannel sheets and glove season!  And whenever I start running again, it'll be leggings, running gloves, headband, and long sleeves! 

I focused today on abs and glutes. My lower body has felt sluggish since the marathon because I went from running and having that be my main glutes exercise to not running. Hello legging season!!

Glutes:

20 minutes on Stairmaster

Laying leg curl 4x12

Glute kickbacks 3x12

Squats on Bosu Ball 3 holds for :30 seconds

Abductors 3x15

Adductors 3.x15

Single leg deadlifts with dumbbells 3x12

30 Butt Lifts

Abs:

30 vertical leg crunches

20 oblique crunches

:30 sec plank

40 Russian twists

40 bicycles

5 weighted sit ups

:20 sec side plank

:45 sec plank

20 jacknife sit-ups

Have a warm Friday tomorrow!

 

Another half marathon

Half Marathon #4 will be taking place in April! My mom and I signed up to do the Waynesboro Park to Park 1/2 Marathon in April. The price was the cheapest I've seen for a half and it'll be nice to do a race so close to home (20 mins away)....and with my mom!

Yesterday's workout was a good one. I was still a little tired from Saturday's workout and wasn't really sure what I wanted to do so decided to whip out one of my favorite circuit workouts.

I skipped the 1/2 mile run. Not ready to run just yet. I did start out with 20 minutes on the elliptical. 

First long workout since MCM

A week ago right now, I was halfway through the marathon. That seems like a lifetime ago! I went to the gym twice during the week, but both were for like 40 minutes. 20 minutes on the elliptical, easy, and then 20 minutes doing arms and abs, again easy going. 

Yesterday--after a night of Halloween fun aka eating pizza and candy while passing out candy to adorable trick or treaters--I was ready to get in a hardcore-full body workout.

After starting out with 30 minutes on the elliptical, I did some leg & glutes exercises:

3x15 laying leg curls 

3x15 adductors and abductors

3x15 calf raises 

50 squats 

25 walking lunges with weights 

Abs:

40 sec plank

40 leg lifts 

30 scissors

30 criss crosses

20 cross crunches

20 heel touches

20 plank jacks

1 min crunches

1 min v-hold

1 min bicycles

And last, arms.

3x15 tricep dips

3x12 tricep pulldowns

3x15 rows

3x15 skull crushers

3x10 side arm raises 

3x12 chest press

A good solid Saturday morning workout. 

Ooorah. ;)

Marine Corps Marathon recap

It's hard to believe that it is already been 4 days since I completed my first marathon. I went back to work Tuesday and lots of people were impressed by how well I was walking! Thank goodness for massages is all I'm saying ;)

Now let's see how I can recap a marathon....

Race day had me up at 4:30! Yikes. Mrs. Farrow, Caroline, and I hit the road to the metro by 5:30 and were on the metro heading into the city a little after 6 (with a herd of other runners). We arrived at the Pentagon station and started the walk to the Runner's Village.

While I was waiting in line for last minute bathroom before lining up, the American Flag came flying in by skydivers.

A quick goodbye and off I went to line up by the Arlington National Cemetery. They didn't have official corrals, runners just lined up in sections based off of expected finish time. I crossed the start about 5-10 minutes after the gun went off.

The first few miles of the race were super CROWDED! Trying to get a pace, running around people, and avoiding getting bumped into or tripped. I can't remember when exactly the crowds seemed to thin out (if they ever really did).

The first half (13.1) miles went by super fast in my opinion. That part of the race took us through Downtown Rossyln, Key Bridge & Georgetown, Rock Creek Park (which was rather peaceful being in woods compared to the city), and Kennedy Center. I saw Caroline and Mrs. Farrow at the Mile 10 sign and was so excited to see them! I was feeling good, I was maintaining my happy pace, the weather was perfect, and seeing the excitement in my sister's face and Mrs. Farrow's was an extra boost. 

Miles 11-14 took us through Hane's Point which I remembered from my Nike Half in April. I loved running alongside the water. I passed the Half mark just a little over 2 hours.

And then the unfortunate happened.....

That evil thing that has haunted me all year.

My IT band started hurting.

at mile 16 (Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, World War II Memorial) .

*Cue curse words*

I tried slowing down my pace to see if that eased up on the pain. Helped for a bit, but then it became obvious that it wasn't going away. 

Miles 16-19/20 (those miles were a blur) were spent trying to run, fast walking, random stretch breaks and just frustration. Yes, my happy mood had changed to frustration. 

Mile 20 was the 14th Street Bridge....aka the never-ending bridge. It just kept going! It probably wouldn't have seem so long if I wasn't in pain. At  this point in the race, I stopped caring about my time (I had gone into a race with a hopeful finish time) and started focusing on how to stay strong and in the least amount of pain for the remaining 6 miles (and to not have my band go completely out on me). 

I shuffled/ran/walked the remaining miles, but when I reached that final mile, I ran. I wanted to get to that finish line. 

I passed the 26 mile sign and was ready to take on the hill that finished the race (yes, only the Marines would have runners go up a hill to end a marathon). The hill curved and I could see Caroline and the whole Farrow clan (Ben, his parents, sister and brother in law) along the side and in front of me, the finish arch.

I had mixed feelings when I finished....some anger over my injury, exhaustion (hello, I just ran a marathon), and a bit of excitement and numbness.

A marine places the medal around your neck and then salutes you which is totally awesome.

 I waddled through the finisher's shoot to get my finisher's box of food and water and then continued slowly on to find my "fan club".

Caroline and Ben found me first which had me burst into tears (I promise I'm not this emotional). They helped me over to where the Farrows were where lots of hugs and pictures were given (as well as a bag of ice for my band). And sitting on the ground for at least 5 minutes was heaven.

Thank you to all my friends and family who tracked me in the race and posted sweet messages on Facebook and Instagram. Seeing those afterwards put such a huge smile on my face!

I have evoked the core principals of the Marine by demonstrating honor, courage & commitment in a successful "mission"!!!!

Marathon complete!

Recap to come soon :) 

Saturday morning workouts

Oh how I love Saturday morning workouts! It  is always a great start to the weekend.

 30 minutes on the elliptical to start the workout. 

Leg/IT band work:

abductor 4x20

adductor 4x20

glute kickbacks 3x15

squats on bosu ball- 4x12

toe taps on bench - 3x15

Then onto abs. I did a 30 minute Ab Burner class Thursday night and I was still feeling it this morning!

50 crunches 

50 russian twists 

:30 sec side plank with elbow crunch (each side)

1 minute plank

30 v-ups

20 v-up position with leg lifts

Arms:

30 tricep dips

30 rows with barbell

30 skull crushers 

20 pec flies

30 shoulder presses

30 chest presses

We are in the single digits for the Marathon! 8 days!

A little sweatin' and abs

With the marathon now less than 2 weeks ago (*operation don't go into panic mood*), I am now focusing on staying healthy and strong, especially my IT band. After my last long run on Sunday (and Bodypump class Saturday), I took yesterday off and my muscles were happy about that.

I started out with a mile run on the treadmill (seriously, that's even a struggle. I guess I really can't stand treadmills) before finishing up my warm up with 15 minutes on the stairmaster. That's where the sweat really came from.

I then moved on to IT band strengthen and leg work by doing the following:

adductor 4x20

leg press (both legs) 4x20

leg press (right leg) 4x15 

leg kickback machine (works the glutes and hamstrings) 3x20

resistance band work.

As for abs, I did the following:

1 minute right side plank

1 minute left side plank

1 minute plank

30 right oblique crunches

30 left oblique crunches

20 scissors

20 mountain climbers

10 regular sit ups 

10 vertical leg crunches

10 Russian twists

15 mountain climbers 

10 scissors

60 bicycles 

Running to movies

Something I have started to do for long runs is listen to movies I have on my ipod instead of music. I am become rather sick of my music, and I have caught myself looking at my Garmin more or clicking through my music while on my run, getting majorly distracted from focusing on my run. I decided to play a movie that I have seen numerous times before and practically have memorized (ahem, Sex and the City). It actually made the time go by a little faster because I was "watching" the movie in my mind and wasn't focusing on my time, etc.

Only bummer about this is that it drains my ipod battery faster.

But....if you're looking for something different other than music to run to, I recommend movies! 

Almost 16 days until the marathon, ahhh!!

Where have I been....

Still trying to get organized in my classroom and actually get a good flow going....lesson planning....trying to get sleep....fitting in workouts when I can and running....actually getting in 16 miles for training so my hopes for the marathon have been raising...trying to get sleep.....get the pattern?

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've written on this. When I have gotten to workout, it's been something quick with machines or free weights. I did go to a BodyPump class which had my arms screaming the next day.
 My marathon training was starting to become disappointing because of my IT band, to the point where I was looking into dropping out :( But I didn't want to give up just yet. I haven't gotten past 12 miles, and even then, it was painful. I laid off the running for about 2 weeks, doing at most, 3 miles every few days. I worked on my IT band exercises and glute strengthening exercises. Last Sunday, I had this optimistic feeling that I could complete a long run. I decided to try for 16 miles, by doing a 8 mile loop finishing at Ben's. This was because if my IT band was hurting, I would just stop and be done.
BUTTTT......16 miles went pain-free!! I was so excited at the end that I had completed new mileage and didn't have any pain once! Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me as I go for 18 miles this weekend.

I hope (no promises!) to update more soon :) 

Bodypump and recap of this week!

My 2nd week of work (first full week!) is complete! I'm still feeling a little crazy trying to get organized and prepared for each day, but I'll get there! I haven't had time to really sit down and update this as often as I was before. So here's a recap of what my workout routine has been like this week:

Monday: .....I know I went to the gym, but don't remember what I really did....
Tuesday:.....same goes for Tuesday. Shows how my brain is fried.
Wednesday; Didn't get to the gym till 6, which of course is the most busiest time to go. I did about 20 minutes on the elliptical, and then did various machines (pretty much any that weren't occupied).
Thursday: Decided to skip the gym and go for a run. I don't get to go outside really and the one window in my class doesn't get much natural light in it and I just wanted to get outside. Of course, it started pouring 1/2 mile into my run and then stopped around a mile later.
Friday: There was no way I was going to the gym when it was so nice out! Clearly my body enjoyed the run because I ran a 22 minute flat 5k!! What?! I wish I could keep that pace up for longer races, but I felt like I was flying!
Today: BODYPUMP CLASS! I've been waiting to go to the bodypump class at my new gym since I moved up, but haven't gotten the chance to yet. I got to the class right after it had started so I quickly grabbed some weights and starting moving. Boy were my biceps and shoulders screaming! I also got commented on by asking if I was a teenager :-/. *Sigh*. While waiting for Ben to finish up, I did some more abs on my own and then went for a easy 30 minute "stroll" on the elliptical.

Love this quote! I look at the gym as my playground, how can I have fun there! It's been hard these past two weeks going there later than expected and/or more tired, but I always do feel better once I do go, even if it's not for too long. I look to the gym as the time I can just put in my headphones and get lost in my own world.

Tomorrow's an attempt at another long run, keep your fingers and toes crossed for me that my IT band is nice!

Saturday morning workout

I survived my first week of teaching! I still have lots to get done for next week, but the first thing I wanted to do to start out my weekend was sleep (got 9 hours and slept past 5:30! Glorious!) and get a nice workout in since I slacked in that area this past week.

Oh yeah, and got this friendly reminder this morning....ahh!

Ok IT band, time for you to stop hurting so I can actually get in new miles!

Today's gym: arms, abs, and it band exercises 

Warm up was 30 minutes on the elliptical before putting on my weight gloves and heading to do arms. I did 3 sets of 12-20 for the following:

rows

bicep curls

front arm raises

tricep dip machine

chest press

shoulder press

Abs was 3 rounds of:

30 crunches

30 sec plank

30 bicycles 

30 sec side plank (each side)

20 scissor kicks

I finished out with some it band exercises with a resistance band. Nothing like a good night sleep and a good morning workout to start off your weekend! :)

Tomorrow is suppose to be a 16 mile run. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me that I'll  be able to get up to 16 if not close (pending on how my it band feels)! 

Full Body workout

Happy Friday!! I am finally getting to sit down and get back on this! This past week I have been at school getting ready for this year (ahhh) and am just exhausted after I get home. My workouts have been 'eh' all week, but today's workout was exactly what I needed going into the weekend. In between cardio rounds, I did exercises starting with the legs and worked my way up.

15 minutes on the stairmaster 

3x15 abductor

3x15 adductor

3x25 leg press 

3x15 leg extension

lunges around the aerobic room

2x25 single leg deadlifts 

15 minutes on the bike

10 jackknife sit-ups

20 Russian Twists

10 weighted sit ups

30 crunches

:45 plank

20 hip twists in plank

30 vertical leg crunches

10 weighted sit ups

15 minutes on elliptical 

3x15 weighted tricep dips 

3x20 lat pulldown

3x20 bicep curls

3x12 front raises 

3x15 rows with bar 

That 15 mile Run.......

Remember last week when I mentioned I had to run 15 miles on Saturday? That didn't happen. I had to stop after 10 (all of which was run in POURING RAIN) because my IT Band was realllllyyyy hurting. I ended up walking a mile back to Ben's (so really I ran 10 and walked 1). I was pretty disappointed because I really wanted to reach new mileage and also worried me because if my It Band hurts around mile 8, training the rest of the time is going to be brutal. This weekend is back down to 12 miles. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me that my IT band gets stronger and doesn't hurt anymore!  

New mileage tomorrow

Tomorrow morning I am going to run 15 miles. That is the most I've ever run before. I'm a bit anxious, mainly because I'm hoping my ipod holds up for the whole run (it's been dying quicker lately) and I have enough water (when I ran 12 last week, I ran out around mile 8...not good). I'm thinking of driving before I run to the half way mark and leaving a water bottle there. I'm going to route my run in a bit so I can figure out the halfway point. Wish me luck!

My workout today was basic, but a good way to start out my Friday. I actually got to the gym around 6:45 (whhhhaattt??) and was surprised to see the gym pretty dead. Isn't NOVA suppose to have people up super early?! Anyways, started out on the elliptical for about 30 minutes before a round of abs and arms. I didn't focus on legs at all because duh, the mileage I'll be putting in tomorrow. 

The rest of the day I spent working in my classroom (a lot more work goes into preparing the room than I realized) and then drove down to Fredericksburg to see my family as Caroline moved back to college! Even though it's only been a week & half since I saw them, it was still nice to see them and go out to dinner :)  

Have a good night! 

New gym plus abs!

Greetings from NOVA! 

I am all settled in and got my gym membership set up yesterday at a gym called XSport Fitness. It's an express one because it is 24/7 (cause clearly I plan on working out at 3am) plus its a decent size gym and very affordable monthly rates. 

I started out by 30 minutes on the elliptical before doing some leg machines, especially ones that weren't at my old gym, such as the abductor, adductor, and laying down leg curl. After a few rounds of legs, I grabbed a mat and laid down on the only avaiable floor space I could find (the one con to this gym, no space really to do abs, etc unless you use the aerobic room when a class isn't going on) and did a great ab circuit. 

40 sec plank

40 leg lifts

30 scissors

30 criss cross

20 cross crunches

20 heel touches

1 min crunches

1 min V-holds

10 jackknife sit ups

20 Russian twists

10 weighted sit-ups

30 crunches

20 weighted oblique crunches

:45 sec plank

20 hip twists in plank

25 Russian twists

30 Vertical Leg Crunch

10 Weighted Sit-Ups  

Not wanting to leave just yet, I decided to do some various arm exercies (tricep dips, shoulder press, flys).

I left the gym feeling very upbeat which is always a good way to start a Friday :) Hope everyone else has a great Friday as well! 

Recap and Moving

Just a little more than 24 hours till I make the move to Northern Virginia! My room is cluster right now with boxes, bins, bags, little piles and for someone who is OCD about things being organized and neat, I'm trying not to go a little crazy!! Ben came down this past week and took half of my stuff, mainly just stuff for my classroom, which helped! 

With all the craziness of packing, last minute items, and goodbyes, I haven't gotten to update on this with some great workouts I've done over the past few days.

Friday: Resistance/body weight workout (will describe below)

Saturday: Bodypump class

Sunday: off

Monday: 10 mile run....MCM training

Today: Cardio with abs and arms.

Resistance/body weight workout 

Friday's workout started out with 20 minutes on the stairmaster before heading to the aerobic room to do some body weight and resistance band workouts. I didn't really have a certain workout in mind, just did various workouts. The first one I did was an exercise I did in the Pure Barre class which works the glutes. It is hard to describe in writing (I should've gotten my sister to get a video of me doing it) so here is a Youtube clip of it!

BarSculpt seated Pretzel

Another great leg and glute exercise is using a resistance band around your legs and do side leg lifts. 

Another Pure Barre idea is getting a small ball and putting them between your thighs, hands on the bar, and squatting as if you are sitting in a chair. Squeeze the ball with your thighs (pulsing) for 30 seconds, rest for 15, repeat. 

One last exercise I can remember (I am drawing a blank on everything else I did) was doing leg kickbacks with 5 pound barbbell held by my legs. Always a great glute workout, especially with the added weight! 

Now back to packing! Next time I post, I'll be up in NOVA! 

Arms, abs, and glutes!

I didn't get to go to the gym yesterday after a morning run so added in arms to my cardio & abs workout today. I am housesitting all this week and even though I am still in the area, living out of a bag for the week makes me feel out of my usual routine!  

Warm up: 20 minutes on the elliptical on the hill climb setting. 

Arms: 

Followed with resistance bands exercises on the bar to work back and triceps.

Abs:

10 jackknife sit ups

20 Russian twists w/ dumbbell

10 weighted sit-ups

30 crunches

20 weighted oblique crunches

:45 plank

20 hip twists in plank

25 Russian twists w/ dumbbell

30 vertical leg crunches

10 weighted sit ups 

Glutes:

And of course, a good stretch to end!! Have a good hump day!

Hello Weekend!!

Monday seems like forever ago and I am so excited it is finally the weekend! One of my good friends from high school got last minute tickets to see Rascal Flatts so her, Tori, and I are going to see them tomorrow! This will be my 4th time seeing them and after not seeing them since 2009, I am looking forward to a good summer concert (which they always put on!). I've been looking for a opportunity to dust off my cowboy boots ;)

After babysitting today, I was looking forward to a chill day at the gym. Friday afternoons seem to be dead at my local gym which I like because it sorta feels like your own gym. Caroline was there at the same time which was nice to have a gym partner. I did an easy 30 minutes on the elliptical before doing this Weekend Circuit Workout 3x through:

Afterwards, I did some nice leg stretching (I feel like all I've really done this week is run and jump on a trampoline) and then took some major advantage of Target on getting classroom supplies! Tax-Free Weekend people, just a reminder! 

Catching up on this...

I finally feel like I can sit down and catch up on this blog! All of Friday and Saturday I was at JSL Champs with my swim team where I stood on my feet all weekend! I literally sat down to eat, and drive to and from home. No wonder my feet were swollen come Saturday night! Talk about a way to kill your legs. So much so, I was suppose to do a 9 mile run on Sunday but that clearly didn't happen. No way. Instead I went to the gym and do a few rounds of cardio and abs.

Yesterday my best friend Tori asked if I wanted to join her for an insanity class at her gym since she could bring a guest for a free. I had planned on going to the gym anyways after babysitting, but wanted to give the class a try (plus girl time is never put down). I have known a few people who did insanity in their home, but that seemed to die out quickly.

Tori and I got to the gym right when the class had started and it was off to a FAST start! Lots of jumping around and getting that heart rate up FAST! 3 instructors rotated on doing the class and we did different circuits with each instructor....certain time on squats, jump lunges, pushups, then repeat. The class was only 45 minutes long and both of us were super sweaty by the end of it. My butt and hamstrings are really sore today, which is good because that is an area I've been trying to focus more on. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who is just getting into the fitness scene because I felt a bit overwhelmed at times and the speed is fast.

My roller is going to be my best friend tonight for sure! 

Pure Barre

Today at 12 I tried out Pure Barre at the request of a friend who has really enjoyed the classes. Pure Barre is: In just 55 minutes, you will achieve a total body workout targeted at the areas of the body women struggle with most:  seat, hips, thighs, abs, and arms. Each strength section of the workout is followed by a stretch section, which will help you achieve a long, lean, and strong physique. 

The first class is also a free class is which is a nice bonus!

The class takes place in a small studio and all you need is a ball, resistance band, and light weights. 

It always takes a new class for me to get a reality check about my muscles. This class had me doing various positions and exercises that I have never done and my thighs were screaming towards the end of the class and my butt was definitely feeling it. 

My instructor was super sweet as well, she went over some exercises after the class that I struggled with and explained what the muscles were doing. Something I always have to remind myself, especially when trying out a new class, is that some aspects of the class won't come easy the first go-round and to not compare yourself with others because they probably have done this a few times before. 

If you live near a Pure Barre studio, I recommend you give a try (remember, first class is free class!). I saw that ACAC offers Barre Strength classes which I am assuming is very similar that I will have to try out! 

Weekend Recap

Saturday 

Saturday was a 4 mile run day and I decided to change up the scenery (I can only run the same Crozet routes so many times before going crazy) and run across the street and run around the old XC course at my high school. Figured it would be just about a mile to the course, do the course then run back to make it 4 miles. 

Well I spent 2.5 miles running through cobwebs (I felt sticky and like a bug was on me all day), leaping over logs, and recreating trails that have overgrown. It was bit of an obstacle.

Afterwards, I came inside ACAC to do some stretching and various butt and ab exercises while Ben finished up (single leg deadlifts, step ups, planks, v-ups).

The highlight of yesterday was hiking up to my favorite overlook, Humpback Rock. It's about a 40 minute hike up the side of a mountain to large rocks that overlook the valley and where I live. It's very breathtaking.

Today

Today was a 7 mile run day. I woke up around 8 to get a run in (it was a bit rough getting up when I was dead asleep and very comfy) but I wanted to be back with plenty of time to spend with Ben before he left. It was wonderfully cool with temps in the low 60s. 

But oh were my legs sore after yesterday! I felt it as soon as I got out of bed. I stretched the best I could before heading out. The first 2 miles I felt like I just shuffled along, not going at my best full stride. When I can tell I am going slower than my usual pace, I try to not look at my watch and not get discouraged. I know my body wasn't feeling its best ( I am also fighting a cough), I am not going to run 100%. My IT band acted up a little bit around mile 5, but wasn't too bad. I ended feeling a lot stronger than I did when I started and actually ran just about the same time I ran 7 miles my last time. 

Lots of leg rolling happened tonight along with my peppermint foot & leg lotion! 

New ab routines

It is officially 100 days until the Marathon!  

Yesterday (which I forgot to post) was focused on cardio and abs. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and then starting on 2 new ab routines:

210 crunches....84 kettleball swings and box jumps! 

I always end up doing these ab routines anyway, but after the Cardio & Ab circuit, it didn't hurt not to do it! 

Today was a 3 mile run (where I found $10! My lucky day) and came inside and did one of my top arm workouts:

I always feel like a beast whenever I finish an arm workout, I hope I'm not the only one! 

Squeezing in time for arm workouts

I am finally getting to sit and relax after being on the go since 6:30am! A shower and lunch felt wonderful.

I woke up at 6:30 to have time to get a 3 mile run in before practice. I hit the pavement around 7:10 which left me with plenty of time before practice. I am glad I had my water bottle filled more with ice than water because it was still pretty warm at 7 in the morning, but my water stayed cool. This humidity is just ridiculous.

After coaching and a doctor's appointment, I had some time to kill before another appointment so I went to the gym to do some weights. My plan is to do arms on weekday run days (Tuesday & Thursday), cardio and abs on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays, Saturdays are 3-4 mile run and most likely abs and Sundays will strictly focus on my long runs. I am also hoping to get in some yoga (yes I have said that before, but I mean that now!) every week to stretch out the muscles. 102 days till the Marathon! 

My arm workout consisted of:

3x20 bicep curls

3x15 skull crushers

4x10 tricep dips

3x15 tricep kickbacks

3x15 chest flies 

3x15 deltoid raises 

3x15 tricep pulldowns

3x20 lat pulldowns 

20 triangle pushups.

Run, Butts and a snack idea!

My day started out with this awesome selfie, my swim team is pretty awesome.

After practice I did my 4 mile run for my MCM training. I ended up running around in circles in a neighborhood, but was on a time limit before babysitting so I didn't want to waste time driving somewhere. This weekend is a 3 mile run (Saturday) and a 5 mile run (Sunday). I won't get into my long runs until August and unknown territory (mileage I've never done before) in September! ah!

I had an awesome butt workout yesterday that I really felt today when I bent down to pick up kickboards at practice! 

I tried a new snack idea today that a coach told me about and I was pretty impressed by it...Zucchini nachos! Slice up a zucchini, cook for a bit (I did 2 1/2 mins in the microwave), sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on it, cook for more to melt the cheese and enjoy!

Early Morning Workouts

Yesterday and today, I have woken up 45 minutes earlier to get a workout in (due to schedule and heat). I thought waking up at 6:30 instead of 7:15 would be harder, but my body must've remembered me waking up at 6 for work this past year! I've enjoyed getting my workout over and done with first thing because I feel more refreshed for the rest of the day.

Yesterday

Was at the gym by 7 for a 45 minute workout. Got on elliptical for 20 minutes before doing a Cardio & Ab workout.

Today

For my Marathon Training Schedule, today was a 3 mile day. It also was going to be in the upper 90s and I knew I would not want to run after practice (when I'm standing in the sun for 3 hours prior). I got a run in (when the weather was so comfortable!) before practice. After practice and a swim lesson, I went back to the gym to do weights. 

I was feeling really strong during this and it was one of those gym moments where I was in zone and feeling "like a beast" (to quote Ben). 

Happy 4th of July!

Just stopping in to post my workout from yesterday!

In honor of it being so hot out lately, I found this Hot! Hot! Hot! workout that kicked my ass in the end...100 burpees?! Ah!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th of July! I'm up at Ben's for the weekend and I'm looking forward to a cookout this evening with his family and fireworks tonight (especially since Ben went up to PA to buy some good big ones!) 

Leg Day + Greek Tortellini Salad

Happy USA Soccer Match Day!

I haven't gotten to see any of the exciting US games this World Cup, but am watching the game now! Now I won't feel as much as out of the loop with what people are talking about. Just hope I don't jinx it! 

I decided to do a Leg Focus day at the gym. 

3x20 leg press

3x15 leg extension

3x15 leg curl

3x25 calf raise with weights

3x20 single leg deadlifts with dumbbell

3x20 single leg step ups

3x10 squats on bosu ball

3x25 leg lifts on side with resistance band

3x20 clams

3 :30 sec butt lift holds

Lunch...Oh I was so excited about getting home to have lunch today after making it last night! I found a recipe for Greek Tortellini Salad and made it last night and have had it in the fridge. It was worth the wait, so delicious! I've attached the link to the website with the recipe :) With the 4th of July approaching, I reccomend it for any party or BBQ you may be going to!

http://itsthelittlethingsblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/greek-tortellini-salad.html   

Weekend Recap + Sandwich idea!

This past Friday I ran the Vine to Wine 5k at a local vineyard. I got to see my good friend/Disney buddy Hannah who was also running. It seemed like the humidity had gone down by 6:30, though I still decided to run in a sports bra and shorts. The course started at the vineyard, took us to the main road and then turned back.

The first mile I felt great....2nd mile is when the humidty hit and I was really glad I wasn't wearing a top and wishing there was more than 1 water station....3rd mile my thoughts were holy shit it's hot, I wish I had run with water, and where did the shade go?. Yes a 5k is short, but it can be tough! Especially on a gravel road in the sun.

The water at the finish was so refreshing. Oh yes, as was the wine!

I put on my Crozet Running shirt afterwards to represent the store who was also a sponsor! 

This race was put on my Corkscrew Running who does various other races in vineyards and I would love to do another one! 

Sandwich Idea

I found this sandwich idea online a few months ago and finally got around to getting the ingredients and making it today for lunch. So delicious! It left me satisfied and not feeling full & heavy like some sandwiches do. Also, it was very refreshing! Chives& onion spread with tomatoes, avocados, and cucumbers! I meant to get a picture but it was a bit messy....and I was really hungry! 

50 reps!

Greetings yall!

After a humid 3 mile  run yesterday with my mom (though now I get a sneak peek on what to expect on Friday for my 5k), I enjoyed getting inside for my workout today. I did 20 minutes on the bike. I'd much prefer biking outside on an actual bike than on a stationary bike. While on the bike, I searched on my phone to find a workout that stuck out to me. I have done one of Peanut Butter Finger's 50 Reps Workouts and found she had another one that looked good! 

I was nice and sweaty after this!!