I am getting excited to kick of 2016 with my first race. April 9th will mark my first Half Marathon of this year as well as my 7th Half Marathon! 7 has always been my favorite number so I am going on a vibe that this will be a great one. Last year I did this race for the first time and used it as a training run for the VCM that I do a 2-person relay with my dad. In all honesty that was the original plan for this year as well. This past winter I had decided that I would take a step back, work on strength training and take my focus off of running. I just was not able to completely stick to this one, I needed to run.
Last year in Vermont it was a pretty rough winter. We had a ridiculous amount of very cold days along with enough snow to keep Olaf alive for centuries. We were clearly living in the set of Frozen making it not always enjoyable, or even safe, to get out there and get miles in. This winter has been awesome. We have gotten little snow and the temperatures have been like a dream. Yes, clearly I live in the wrong state. I hate the snow and cold! Despite that, I always pound pavement year round. It has been amazing to be able to get out there more this winter. Even though I was suppose to put running on a vacation, I couldn't stop myself from getting in some miles!
Running has become the best habit I ever picked up. As much as I had planned to change my focus it was not possible. Running means more to me than just staying fit. It means more than the muscles in my legs and the bones that carry me for miles. It means happiness, peace, acceptance and growth. In ways I did take my focus off the miles. I put that focus back into myself. Therefore getting out there and running was simply integral for me.
Once February hit I decided that I was going to start training for Half Marathon #7. I wanted to feel and be ready for this race. Using it as a training run got swiped off the board and added to the things I "must" do. I have managed to run four to five days a week. January's miles exceed last years miles by 40 miles. February's miles were 38 more than 2015! This was just what I needed to set the fire under me for this year. I have new goals I want to accomplish which means I will need to work harder than I previously have. I need to get those extra miles in. I need to be sure I am putting in more time, dedication and effort into my runs this year.
Strength training has been going great. I feel like I have found a good balance with the Sandbag and video workouts I do. Some days I do my own variation of exercises for strength training. I do my best to try to switch it up so there isn't a monotony I am creating. The last thing I want is to get bored and fall off track. I want to be stronger, faster and better with each run. I keep this in mind on the days I want to skip a workout. I truly do love running and working out yet there are days where I it takes more effort than others. I don't skip my workouts though. I am always reminding myself why it is I do this and the end result is such an awesome reward.
I have always logged my runs. Every mile and my time on every single run! This year I started using the Believe Training Journal. I really like the layout. There are prompts to each week to get you to think of a focus. It is also filled with quotes, inspiration and useful running info and tips. Not only am I logging my runs and my workouts each day, I am taking the time to put an intention on it and dig deeper within myself. I also have been logging my routes just in case I want to go back and repeat a certain one. I even try to make a note about how I feel after each run. I definitely recommend this journal to any runner!
Things are right where I need them to be and I am feeling confident in my training. I don't use any specific method, I have taught myself and know what works best for me. Three Half Marathon's are already on the book for 2016 with two others I will add in the fall. I would like to squeeze one more in if I can. Then there is the 30K in September I plan to challenge myself with. Needless to say I am getting excited for spring and all the races I have planned. I am eager to add in the miles and push myself farther than I have.
"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond
where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made
of. This is what we do. This is what it’s all about".
~ PattiSue Plumer
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Happy 2016 Friends! We had a wonderful time ringing in the New Year here in VT. Mother Nature also decided to come out of hiding and cast white stuff down upon us finally. Last year we had a pretty brutal winter. The snow wasn't that bad, it was more the cold and bitter temperatures that challenged us. For many of us runners the unwelcoming weather conditions do not stop us from getting out there and doing our runs. I have been happy that December was so warm and cannot complain that winter has finally arrived. I am hoping spring decides to grace us with her presence early as well. Until the I will bundle up and pound that pavement no matter what the conditions.
This means I get to use me new winter running shoes. A proper shoe for winter conditions is really important if you plan to stay on your feet an injury free. A couple years back I invested in a pair of Salomon trail shoes that were awesome. It was time again for a new pair and even though I have to admit I looked at a few other brands I ended up going with the Salmon Speedcross 3. The first time I took them out it took some getting use to. Now that I have gotten to put a few miles on them I really like them. The tread is like a snow tire, they hug my feet, keep me warm and grip the road. Of coarse I still have to be cautious as I run and my time is slower than I like.
Which leads me to hating my slower times! I know I need to be safe and realize this is only temporary. Yet I am a bit obsessive with writing down each run, miles and time. When I look down at my Garmin and see that I am 30 seconds to a minute behind what a normal pace would be for me it does get to me. I have worked hard at getting to a pace that I am proud of and like challenging that pace and pushing myself. I know a run is still a run and getting out there in the winter months means I need to change some of my own expectations of myself. I am not in control of the weather or conditions. The bottom line is staying safe and having fun on my runs. Letting that go is something I need to work on and I know this.
At the end of November I talked about "Taking The Focus Off Of Running". Now it is time to put that in affect. It is time for me to dedicate some time to my cross and strength training on the days I am forced to stay inside. To be a better runner we have to be sure to take care of every part of our body. This means working different muscle groups in order to perform better when we are out on our run. A few important benefits of cross training is that it helps to prevent injury, allows your body to rest and recover from your runs and increase a runners performance with power and efficiency. I strive to be a better runner with each run. It has nothing to do with anyone else but myself. When I first started running I only ran. Once I added in strength training I saw a difference in the way I ran and felt withing my runs. Over the next couple of months I will be putting in more time to cross train before I start training for my Half Marathons in a couple of months. In retrospect I am in training mode, working on being stronger and more flexible for those runs.
Last week I talked about my goals for 2016 . I was able to get one last run in for 2015 and finished with a total of 1,444 miles. That ended the year for me with 255 more miles than last year. To add to my 2016 goals I would like to hit 1,500 for the year. It's a new year with so much to look forward to. I am excited to see where this year will take me physically and mentally. Working on being a better runner means I am also a better mother, partner, friend and a happier and healthier version of who I aspire to be. I am a work in progress, there is always room for improvement and growth. I am ready to work on all of it!
Happy New Year! What are your goals for the following year?
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Hello mama's. I know how hard it is to try to stay fit when you have little creatures running around and always demanding something of you every second. They want "this" and they want "that." What do you want? Just thirty minutes to do something for yourself. You try your best to stay fit and squeeze in exercise as often as you can. Most days it seems near impossible! Once you think you have the kids occupied with something else all you have to do is start exercising then suddenly everything is falling apart and you can't even manage to get through the first five minutes without yelling pleading with your kids for a few minutes so mommy can do her exercises. I get it!
The best way I have discovered to try and stay active with having toddlers around is to include them. Be an example for your children. Living a healthy lifestyle is important for them to witness in order for them to continue to make healthy choices for themselves as they get older. Here are some ways to be active with your children:
Go for a walk or hike: My children love to be outside. If it is looking like a day where I may not be able to squeeze a run in or I just want to get moving with my kids, we often go for a walk or hike. I have been hiking with my almost five year old since he was a babe. He loves to be in the woods and calls it an "adventure". He often is the one to request a hike and we have a couple spots we frequent. Just the other day I was driving with the boys to run an errand and my son requested a walk in the Forest. Instead of doing my errands I turned the car around and went to the town forest so we could hike. I usually wear my two year so it becomes an even better work out for me. Hiking is definitely one of our favorite things to do together.
Yoga: Okay, so yes, I typically prefer to do yoga by myself. But let's not forget about the theme of this: having kids and exercising. My two year old does a pretty good downward facing dog. He definitely can get his hips up there better than I can. He is pretty hysterical trying to mimic poses. When there was just one child in this house I use to take my oldest to a Baby Yoga class. It was filled with little toddlers doing yoga and dance. Little yogi's are the cutest! Explore if your area has any classes like this, it is so much fun.
Strength Training: If you are trying to get your workout done and your kid wants to join in: improvise. Children love to imitate our actions! My oldest is really good at coming up with his own set of "weights" or "sandbag". For weights he uses two play handheld footballs and for a sandbag he stuffed it with his stuffed animals. This way he can still exercise with me and I don't have to worry about him dropping the the kettle ball on his toes. So if your kid doesn't want to leave your side challenge them to join you and be creative with their own exercise equipment.
Have A Dance Party: We almost always have music on in our house. Both boys love to have me dance with them. We hold hands, jump, twirl and bounce around the room. It's not only fun but it gets us all moving in a healthy and happy way. Next time your kids are complaining they are bored or want to do something turn on some music and have fun.
Use Your Children As Exercise: This can be a fun one! If they won't get out of the way then pick them up and swing them around. Lay on the ground and suspend them in the air. Have them jump into your arms from the couch and lift them up. Who needs weights when you have toddlers! They will have a blast and you are sure to get a good workout. Believe me, it can get exhausting!
Stroller Running: Last but not least, if you are in need of a run but cannot find the time to do it without children, bring them along. I will be honest, I love running (I think we have all figured that one out by now!) yet I much prefer to run solo. Stroller running is not my first choice and it becomes a different workout. It takes a different mindset to get through a run and is not always the most enjoyable for me. The upside is I get to put in my run and my son gets to nap. It's a win-win. He loves to come along and we will sometimes stop after at a park to have a snack. It becomes quality time together which makes it worth every second of pushing that stroller for a few miles.
Staying active and being healthy is important for me and for my children. Obesity in children is sadly a problem for many children. While every child and situation is unique, we as parents are solely responsible for our children's health and well being. As parents we need to be setting healthy examples for our children in the food choices they make along with teaching the importance of being active. The CDC estimates that:
* Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
* Approximately 17% (or 12.7 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese.
That is sad to me. We are doing our children such a misfortune by neglecting to teach them about being healthy and making good choices for themselves. When they are not old enough to make these choices it is our responsibility to make decisions for them. We are our children's biggest role models. We are the ones they watch every day. They see every little thing that we do and desire to mimic us. They strive to be just like "mommy" or "daddy".
Being active with our children is important. It doesn't have to feel like work, make it fun! Along with creating a healthier lifestyle you are also making some incredible memories. Both are pretty priceless if you ask me!
Happy Holidays!!!
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I spent early spring into most of the summer in "training mode" I had four Half Marathons on the book from April to October which meant I was logging some serious miles each month. Having those races scheduled gave my running more of a purpose for me, besides the usual therapy session it always is when I am pounding pavement. Having a race date meant I would be that I was ready for each one of those races. I kept up with my long runs and committed to cross training on my off days. By the fall I was even cross training and running both in the same day. Now it is the end of November and there are no more races on the schedule for the remainder of 2015. I am no longer training and it is time to shift my focus.
I have to admit I am conflicted with the fact that there isn't just "one more" Half Marathon before the end of the year. Then there is another part of me that is happy I can fall back into my running without having to complete a certain distance or time. My miles have decreased and as I write down each run and begin adding up my miles for November I hate that they have depleted as they have. The beginning of the month my husband was gone for ten days which cut out miles for me. I did some stroller running but that just isn't the same. I know with the winter weather coming that soon conditions will also limit my miles and how often I get outside. I do live in Vermont so it is inevitable that the snow will eventually fall.
The next couple of months I am going to do my best to take my focus off the miles and put it into strength training. Over the past year I have become stronger, faster and a better runner because of cross training. Just recently I purchased my first sandbag. I will blame this new obsession on my friend Annmarie from Fit Foodie Mama. I have been following this amazing chick and became fascinated with watching her sandbag workouts. Annmarie is a DVRT Master Instructor, fellow runner and foodie. (If you do not follow her I suggest you do! Trust me, she has some good stuff over on her site!) It was only a matter of time before I caved and invested in my own sandbag. That is exactly what happened a couple of weeks back! Guess what?! I love it!
Perfect timing for me to get into DVRT Sandbag workouts! While winter takes it's time to go by I can at least spend some time strength training and getting ready for running in 2016! I can't wait to start putting races on the calendar and running towards new goals. I would be lying if I said I didn't think about running...a lot! For me it is something I can call my own. Running frees me and makes me feel fierce. I know with every mile I am creating a better me. I don't do many things for myself, but I do run!
Exercise does not need to be work. It does not have to be dreadful. To be successful in any exercise routine you need to find something that you enjoy doing. I rarely do a workout a second time if I did not like it. For me I want my workouts to be fun. I want to feel like I did something. I want to sweat! These have been the key things for me in my cross training which make me want to do my workout. I have said it before and I will say it again: Grokker! I love the variety of workouts to choose from. I have been using Grokker for months and find it to be such an asset. There really is a workout for everyone on here. For the Foodie, they even have recipes!
Vermont winters may not be a runners best friend yet maybe this is Mother Nature's way of making me appreciate my runs even more when I do get out there. I will fill the time in between with cross training and looking at the calendar to start planning for 2016!
Happy Running And Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!
