Time flies when you're...working out??

Seriously.  A lot of people ask me how I manage to spend 3 or 4 hours at the gym.  Easy peasy: addiction.  But secondly, I make sure to switch things up and do new and fun things including classes and machines.  For instance, I like to start my Monday/Wednesday routines with a run - usually a 4-6 miler depending on how much time I have.  Then I go to the weight room for 45-60 minutes (or however long I have left before 5:00PM). Trust me, I could easily spend an hour or two in the weight room alone just by switching things up. At 5, I take a group gym class which keeps me motivated and also disciplined. It makes sure I do all the exercises that I might "accidentally" skip in the fitness center on my own.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I opt for the stairmaster.  A good 45 minute workout on that sucker will have you burning serious calories.  I'll switch and do some free weights or use the machine, making sure not to repeat what I did the day before.  It's really more of a light lifting or stretch kind of day.  Then again at 5, I take a HIIT (high intensive interval training) which combines a lot of cardio and plyometrics as well as strength.  Followed by a 30 minute core class.  Depending on the day there are other classes to shoot for but this is kind of my routine.

What I love about it is that why I do spend a ridiculously large amount of time at the gym, it's always different, never boring because of all the choices and machines to use.  I can always find some new area to target/work on or some new class to get involved in.  And while the first few minutes are always the hardest, once I get going the time just flies by.

I (sham)Rocked this bitch!

Happy Almost St. Patty's Day! In honor of the Irish and of course Kim's birthday, why not celebrate with 13.1 miles of pure blissful running?? And that's exactly what the weekend entailed.  I met up with Kim and her parents Friday afternoon and we trucked it down to Va Beach.  And while I have recently decided that Va Beach is overrated and full of bitter and foul memories, it is wonderful for flat, record breaking races.

I met up with Kim and her parents after work on Friday and headed down to the ghetto.  Her parents signed up for the 8K, which they ran on Saturday.  And of course the work out-a-holic in me volunteered to run with Kim's mom so she had company.  Day 1 = 8K Day 2 = half marathon.

And while Va Beach is rarely good for anything else, it is wonderful for flat road running.  Before I knew it, I hit mile 1, then 4, and then 7.  Typically mile 8 is my hardest mile (she's kind of a tough bitch - more than half way, but a daunting 5 to go) and this race was no exception.  Once I hit 9, I knew the rest was smooth sailing.  And I ended up was a new PR! 1:54:38!!! Almost shaved 3 whole minutes off of my last half marathon time.

And while I hate to brag, I shamROCKED that bitch.

Overall Results			Age Group Results			Gender Results
Time:	1:54:38.0		Group:	Women 25 to 29		Gender:	F
Place:	1715		Place:	103		Place:	630
Finishers:	3891		Finishers:	311		Finishers:	1877

Medal/Bottle opener

PreRace/PreDawn Pic

Post Race

 

Manic Miles & Oh Yea It's Monday

First off, let me start by saying Happy Birthday to my Sole Mate Kim! Today's her birthday and we have been through a lot together.  Talk about walking (or running) in somebody else's shoes, Kim and I have done that.  As camp counselors (where we met), going through grad school, working in rehab, running a marathon together...you get the picture. We've done a lot.  So happy birthday to one of my most favorite people and best friends.

Secondly, I'm gearing up for another race on Sunday, woohoo! So I got in 8 miles yesterday and 4 miles today.  My times are seriously improving.  Today's run was at an 8:36 pace - and though it was only 4 miles, that still faster than a previous 4 miles.

Thirdly, today I ate at Panera for lunch.  Panera is a go-to for me because it always has calorie and nutrition information available.  It also has so many different options so I never get bored.  Anyways, I had a turkey BLT and a salad (again my go-to).  So for dinner, I was inspired.  Since I've been trying to eat healthier and eat more protein, I made a BLT turkey burger for dinner.  Add a little broccoli and some quinoa, and you've got yourself a meal!  It was delicious and totally a quick, easy fix for one person.  I used my little george foreman grill to cook everything. After running, aerobics, and dancing, a quick easy meal is the way to go at 8:00PM.  Anyways, I'm off to finish my dinner but something to consider: Just because you cook for one (or two even) doesn't mean it has to lack taste and can still be reach in protein and nutrients.  Enjoy!

Lastly, it's Monday.  Daylight savings totally sucks.  Bentley and I are having issues. Can you tell by this sweet puppy face?

Switching It Up

This weekend, I had the opportunity to go on my annual Father/Daughter weekend aka "Daddy/Daughter" weekend.  Basically, my dad, sisters and I head somewhere for the weekend and do a bunch of fun stuff, eat a bunch of junk, and just relax - something we don't do nearly enough.  Not to mention that Bailey's in college, I work full time, and Riley has school so our schedules don't always coincide.

This weekend we hit up Massanutten.  And boy did we do it good.  I woke up early to hit the gym (even on vacation I'm always trying to stick to a routine) where I managed 6.5 miles on the elliptical and an hour of weights/core. Some people think my workout routine is obsessive.  And I have to admit, to a point, it is.  I work out 6 days a week because that's important to me.  I'm the only one who can change my body, my lifestyle, so I'm the one that has to put in the work.  I mean, it's okay to watch tv five days a week but not workout?  Really?

Anyways we took the opportunity to go skiing.  And boy was it fun.  After about 3.5/4 hours we called it a day but not before I worked just about every leg muscle in my body.  It felt good to do something different and exciting.  And it reminded me the gym needs to be the same way.  Get out of that rut and try new things at the gym if you're a member.  Take a new class or try a new weight exercise.  After so long, your body gets used to routine and the changes stop.  So on to new and exciting things in addition the old ones too.

Boy am I glad today wasn't leg day.

In It For The Long Run

A few days have passed since I've started the new blog and a lot of things have happened.  First, I've been thinking about the commitment I've made to working out and running again.  It's been 6 months since I re-started the journey (the first time was in grad school when I lost the majority of weight).  And what a glorious six months it's been.

In that time frame I started retraining for half marathons, started weight training again, amped up my workouts, and ultimately decided to living the healthier life style.  And while it's not always easy, it's so worth it.

I worked out a ton this week. My usual regimen is about 2.5-3.25 hours a day.  And while that sounds like a lot, I love that my body can handle that kind of conditioning.  For instance my Wednesday was fabulous.  I ran 6.2 miles (in 52:04 I might add - a new personal best), managed the stair stepper for 20 minutes, took a weight lifting class, and took a dance class.  And this is pretty much a typical workout day.  I love it.

Of course there are those days when the last thing I want to do is lace up my running shoes and hit the trail, but the more I workout the fewer and farther in between those days are.  It's kind of fantastic.  It reminds me what it feels like to be passionate about something again (whether running or cross training).  I always used to joke the best relationship I've ever had is with my running shoes.  And in all actuality, it's true.  No matter when or where I need them, they're right there.

Sweet accountability.

All in all, my workouts, the running, and yes even the dance classes - well it looks like I'm in it for the long run.

Girl with a Curl

A little bit about myself just to get you started...

I'm a twenty - something year old girl who lives for running (seriously I think it saved my life), finding that next adventure, and figuring it out what it means to be fit, healthy, and happy.  I'm a whole lot of everything - sarcastic, honest, blunt, funny, loud, overbearing, over-sharing, anxious, critical, etc.  You get the picture.

I have my Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy and my B.S. in Health Sciences, though I haven't been formally trained in health exercise of lifestyle training.  These are just some of my thoughts on fitness, fun, and life not to mention the chronicles of my own journey including the ups and downs of weight loss and learning what it means to be strong.

Phew, that was a mouthful (did someone track those calories?).  :)
Well, here we go.