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