Hardcore abs and leg resting

Happy Hump Day!

 

Finally catching up on my posts and I definitely want to talk about my ab workout from Monday. With my half coming up this weekend, this week will be focusing on taking it easy. My hamstrings were feeling tight after BodyPump Saturday and a 7 mile run Sunday so on Monday so I'm hoping resting legs + lots of rolling will help with that!

 

Warning...lots of planks!

 

Yesterday, Ben and I enjoyed this beautiful spring weather

by going on a 3 mile loop around his neighborhood (I think only the 2nd time I've ever gotten Ben to go on a run with me!) though my hamstrings were still feeling off. More rolling and stretching today and a rest day from gym!

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler recap

Yesterday I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in DC...and yes, amongst the cherry blossoms!!

I got back from Georgia afternoon and honestly, the thought of waking up early the next day to do a race was something I kinda wasn't looking forward to. Yesterday was my last day of Spring Break and having to set an alarm for 5am was dreadful!

But alas, 5am yesterday and I was up! Grabbed a quick bowl of oatmeal and was out the door to meet up with friend/sorority sister Amanda at the Pentagon City metro station. Driving on 95 at 6am on a Sunday and no traffic, I was there in no time and got to see a gorgeous sunrise.

We hopped on the metro with the other runners heading in and were on the mall with plenty of time. It was chiller than I expected and I was glad to be wearing my North Face jacket to keep me warm (by the end of the race, it was quite warm!).  We were in our corrals when the elite runners started at 7:20, awaiting for the 7:30 start for the rest of us.

I was in the blue corral, which was the 1:24-1:31 expected finish time. I had no plans on PRing or any time expectancy, I just wanted to enjoy the run and maintain my previous 10 miler time.

The first mile of any race always feels like a running of the bulls, everyone is just going while weaving in and out trying to find "their spot". I was feeling good (while weaving in and out), but also had a slight panic in the back of my mind that I didn't think I could keep up this pace for all 10 milers (especially since I had to go to the bathroom for the first 4 miles and all the porta potties were packed), but after every mile, my pace was either the same or faster than the previous mile! When we passed the halfway mark at 5 miles, I was at least 5 minutes faster than any of my 5 mile runs before and I was starting to get hyped about knowing I could maintain this pace and get a sub 1:30 PR!
The course was gorgeous, the temperature was perfect and I felt like I was flying! What a great way to end my Spring Break.

The only "hiccup"/confusion was at mile 5.5 when I saw the mile 6 sign! What?! I looked down at my garmin to see if I had somehow blanked and flew through mile 5, but my watch was saying 5.5. I was under headphones, but could tell by other runners around me that they were also confused. It wasn't until after the race that I found out there had been a medical emergency along the route before the race so they had to adjust the course a bit. The course wasn't fully 10 miles,  but I appreciate the best the race committee could do to make the race still go on and make it as close to the 10 miles!

The only hill on the course was at the finish (What is it with DC races and having hills at the finish?!) but I didn't even notice, I even surprised myself by how fast I took off on it! I knew I was going to PR and I wanted to knock off any second I could! I crossed the finish 1:27 after the start, but since my start was 5 minutes after the first gun, my time came out to be 1:22!!! Although that was for 9.6 (according to my garmin), I would've stilled PRed from my 1:30 time :) Yes!!!

The route amongst Haines Point...my favorite part.

My aunt and uncle were in town for the Cherry Blossoms and were awesome enough to come from their hotel to see my race! It was great to have them there at the finish and hang out with them for a bit after. I also wanted to soak up how beautiful (I know I've used that word a few times already haha) DC looked that morning with the cherry blossoms and a cloudless sky!

Overall...loved this race! Flat course amongst the monuments and water of DC (minus the hill at the finish), great spectators (DC really knows how to bring in great spectators) and easy commute with the metro. The only con I have of this race is charging extra to get a medal. Races are already starting to get so expensive and to add an additional charge to get a medal seems a bit ridiculous. I would've liked to add another medal to my collection, especially after that great race!

Week recap and 2 years

Recap of workouts from this past week!

Monday: Cardio on the elliptical followed by this circuit

Tuesday: 3 mile run outside 

Wednesday: Went to the gym....but drawing a blank on what I did (this is what happens if I don't do daily posts)

Thursday: Skip Day 

Friday: Was feeling a bit out of it/worried about my recent back pain. Cardio on the elliptical then did a variety of leg, butts and abs.

This morning was suppose to be an 11 mile run in training, but it ended up being around 10. 

And....Happy 2nd Birthday to Fit for a Princess! Saw on my timehop that I started the blog 2 years ago today! 

Cville 10 miler recap!

This morning I ran a hometown race, the Charlottesville 10 Miler. The 10 miler has been been going on in cville for 40 years and is a very popular race. I signed up last fall for the early bird price. This was my first race since the marathon and the first one out of 3 races I have within the next month (another 10 miler and a half).

Woke up at 5:45, got some toast and peanut butter and was out the door by 6:15. Got to the start line and parked by 6:40 and had 35 mins to chill until the start. Parking next to the start/finish closed at 7 and I wanted to make sure I got a spot and wouldn't have to be shuttled! 

Runners were allowed inside UVA's basketball arena (the start line was on the street right outside) which was super nice because of bathrooms (no porta potties!) and getting to stay warm because it was chiller out than expected this morning! I took some time to stretch and just wake my body up. 

Headed out to the start around 7:10 and saw a high school friend! It was great to see a familiar face and have someone to quickly chat with :) 7:15 and we were off!

The course is known for being extremely hilly and it was no joke! The first miles took us around Uva campus with a little hill here or there but I was feeling great! Saw another friend cheering with her sister near UVA as well! The middle part of the race took us through downtown cville and older neighborhoods and that's where the monster hills were. Any flat section I took advantage of catching my breath before conquering the next hill. 

However, I was pleased with my time thus far and not having any IT band issues at all, I was just taking it one step at a time and enjoy seeing cville sights.

Around mile 7.5-8, I started feeling sick. I didn't want water (I had been taking sips at every station) and my stomach was in knots. Bathroom or sick? I was wondering if breakfast hadn't settled well. I just took some deeper breathes and focused on knowing I'd be done soon. By the time I reached mile 9, I was feeling better and was ready to be done in just a little more than 8 mins! Course the hills weren't done yet so had some more pushing not through to do. I also started listening in one the convo between 2 girls beat me (my wireless headphones had died) and found out one of them had gone to Radford! 

A few more hills later and I was across the finish line! My time was 1:30 flat which is my usual 10 miler pace and I was happy with that :) I ended up parking eighth near the finish line so was able to get in my car and out the back way quickly. 

Thanks for a nice run Cville! Nice to run along various spots in Cville and see familiar faces! 

Weekend recap

All this pre-spring weather has made running so much enjoyable! This morning was 8 miles and it was beautiful out....but so windy!! It was running against resistance the whole time. This should be prepare me for a hilly 10 mile race Saturday, right?

Yesterday was Body Pump day! I love how this class has become part of my weekly routine. I did realize after class that  I will be missing it for the next month due to out of town trips and prior engagement :( April 18th will be my next class, see you then Body Pump!

After class I did add a little more abs before calling it a day. 

30 Russian Twists

30 crunches

:45 sec plank

20 Jackknife sit ups 

40 bicycles

:30 side plank each.

Here's to another week!

Burning Body and Wantable Box!

Greetings!

Not much to post about today's work, did 3 miles on the treadmill and some abs. Yesterday's workout is the one to share because it was a full body, sweating, good workout. I'm a fan of workouts that are long and change up different workouts with different reps.

I also want to talk about an exciting package I got in the mail today, my first Wantable box! I discovered Wantable through Pinterest and instantly liked how it is exactly like Stitchfix (for those of you who have jumped on the Stitchfix team) but for accessories, jewelry, intimates, or fitness! You give them your measurements and range what you hate, like, or love with various workout apparel. You pay a $20 monthly membership which also comes out of the price of any item(s) you select. 5 pieces are mailed to you and you have 5 days to return. If you keep 3-4 pieces, you get 20% off the total price and if you keep all 5, you get 30% off!
My box consisted of 2 long sleeve tops with hoods, a tank top, a tank top with built in bra, and a sports bra. They were SO SOFT!!! I knew I was going to return one of the tank tops because I had one exactly like it already and one of the long sleeve tops because it was tye dye which I'm not really a fan of. I ended up just keeping the sports bra (which I am in need of anyways) due to budget reasons. I requested more bottoms for my next box which I can't wait to get!
www.wantable.com if you want to see more!

Abs abs abs!

Another day of snow coming tomorrow and I skipped the gym yesterday so today was full intense gym session. 

I had a feeling school would be canceled tomorrow (which it now is) so I didn't feel rushed to get into the gym and then home for dinner, shower, and regroup for tomorrow. I started out with a strength training circuit that I've done a few times before and really enjoy the change up of different muscles being used. 

Next I wanted to focus on abs. Found this longer ab workout on Pinterest and really liked that the reps were shorter, but was longer so could feel my abs burning by the end. Plus 3 rounds of 60 secs plank through out! 

 

And for anyone who will be snowed in tomorrow, this one is also great for an at home workout!

I finished out with a quick spin on the bike just because I wasn't ready to be done just yet ;)