Fitbit

Giving this little guy another shot. Hoping it will help with my lack of motivation. Anybody out there ever used a Fitbit?
Happy Fitnessing!

Real Talk About Running

The past couple weeks I've been avoiding this place. I had a great run in the canyon a few weeks ago with friends but since then, running has sucked. I really can't narrow down why. I don't know if it's because I'm just tired and overworked or maybe I'm not getting enough nutrition but I have had a few terrible runs lately and an even worse attitude towards running.

A couple Saturdays ago I completely skipped my long run. Just because, and I've never done that before but I really didn't care to wake up at the crack of dawn, especially on a Saturday to do something I had absolutely no motivation for.

This past weekend I ran the Timp Half Marathon and let's just say I had a very different experience from last year. I started too fast and by mile 9 I was struggling to hold my pace. I knew I started too fast within the first few yards but I usually finish a race thinking I started too slow so I just went for it. However, never in a half marathon have I had to STOP running because of exhaustion. By mile 10 I was walking/running and then mile 11 hit me with some nasty sciatic pain that caused me to come to a complete halt. I could not move without a stabbing pain in my lower back. I took a moment to stretch it out and was able to walk again and then run soon after to finish. I felt like I barely finished though and had a somewhat disappointing time of 1:56. ugh. At that point, I was really wishing Eric would have been at the finish line to cheer me up instead of on a scouting campout. Darn.

I really thought I could have done it in under 1:50 but I also think I have been setting unrealistic goal times which only leads to disappointment when I don't meet those goals.

I do this in my training runs too, which is another factor as to why I hate running these days. Lately, I am not able to complete training goals due to exhaustion which makes me feel like a wimp.

I'm not saying you shouldn't challenge yourself but I need to be more realistic in my goal setting. For example instead of saying I wanna finish the St. George Marathon in October under 4:15, I'm switching that goal to finishing in under 4:32, which is under my last marathon time. A great accomplishment I will focus on is finishing in under 4:30. But.. if I finish in under 4:32 that will be fabulous.

It's always hard to remember, but at this point in my running "career" I can only compete with myself. Trying to compete with other runners is only going to upset me when I don't beat them or run more mileage than them. I shouldn't grab my self confidence from the fact that I can run faster or run farther than another runner. Focusing on the mental and physical benefits of running and the personal goals I can accomplish is what is going to keep my relationship with running going strong.

Happy Fitnessing!

Monday Monday...

Happy Monday! Try not to hate it too much! Monday can be as fun as you want it to be. Go do something fun! I have a little dinner/Dancing with the Stars party every Monday night which always makes me happy. I also do running speed work and go to a traditional yoga class which is the same every week. Doing this each Monday keeps me in routine (which I love) and sets me up for a great week. What do you do to start the week off right?

Happy Fitnessing!

Feeling Stronger

Lately I've felt myself getting stronger and I can't even describe how amazing it feels. It is the reason why I continue to work out consistently. I don't consider myself to be a fast runner, heavy weight lifter or have an amazingly toned body. When I challenge myself and push my limits, I see myself breakdown. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'm still here and because so, I'm stronger!

Guys, this has nothing to do with being stronger but this is the best stretch after a run... feels A.MAZE.ING! Try it!

Okay now that I'm feeling stronger (and maybe just more confident in myself)... I've decided I'm ready to run the St. George Marathon - that is - IF I can get into it. I really want to. I heard if you enter as part of a "team" you have a better chance of getting pulled. Anybody reading this... tell me, where's the lottery loophole? Help a sister out here.

Happy Fitnessing!

Sisters.

Stretching. Love these two weirdos.

Party time now I'm done with my long run for the week!

This weekend my sister Shenelle was in town and she and my other sis Larissa ran 4 of my 9 miles with me yesterday. I loved seeing their beautiful faces in the middle of a long run. It totally boosted my spirit and even though it was only 25 degrees and the ground was covered in snow, it made my run feel almost effortless.

Happy Fitnessing!

Running Music

Music is one of my biggest motivators, especially when it comes to running. Running can be boring and even though I LOVE how I feel after a run, I still need motivation to get my legs moving. A great beat or new song can do wonders to get me out the door and can also make me feel extra cool or strong during the run. Here's a peak at some of the music I've got on my playlist.  

Happy Fitnessing!

Awesomeness

Wanna experience something awesome? Go do a workout even when you think your body is telling you that it's not up for one that day.  Then, in the middle of that workout when you think you've had enough, push yourself further! When you're REALLY done, that is when you can sit back and take all that awesomeness in. Aren't you amazing? Wow, you're body can do some AWESOME things!

I often experience this awesomeness. Probably because only about 30% of the time do I really want to go workout. Seriously though. No matter what the workout may be... (running, yoga, spin, interval training, etc. etc.) something more attractive is always beckoning me (my warm bed, work, friends/family... the couch and cookies in cupboard, etc). It's only up to me to take control and fight the urge to curl back under the covers or leave work at a decent hour. It's also up to me to push myself further, even when I think I'm done.

Today was that kind of day. After almost 9 hours of work I headed to a rejuvenating and one of my most challenging yoga classes. I decided before I even arrived that I was going to "take it easy." I practiced the entire class at a lower level than normal until we were at the end of the practice and teacher instructed us to begin taking 3 back bends. Uh, not happening today was the first thought my mind was trying to communicate to my body... my body answered back with........ a full back bend!.... and then another and just.. 1... more! Yay! I did it. How did I do that when all through class I was telling myself I was too tired, that I should just take it easy... ? Well, I told my mind that I did not really come to this yoga class to "take it easy" and to be grateful for this healthy body that can do AWESOME things!

It seemed to have worked.




Happy Fitnessing!

A Fashionista's Shoulder Workout

Hey there!

Today, after an early morning spin class, I did a workout that I have been doing once a week for the past month and I'm really loving it. It is a shoulder workout I found on a friends fashion blog. I love this workout because it doesn't take long (only about 15-20 minutes after a warm up) and I'm already seeing results just from doing it just once a week!

This fashionista not only knows how to work her outfit, she knows how to work her shoulders. Check out those babies! Awesome!

Thanks for the workout, Sara! I hope my shoulders can look as great as yours soon!

Happy Fitnessing!

4 Great Excuses

Ever had any of these excuses?

I took today to rest and not do a work out because I wasn't feeling up to it (or I was just feeling lazy). Then I see this and I'm like.. uhhh man! I should have just made myself workout but I let these same excuses get in the way. I always think "I'll be better tomorrow" or "I'll just do that tomorrow." Reality is, I gotta start NOW!

Time for a yoga sesh and into bed I go!

Happy Fitnessing!