running

running update

ya…so…. remember my last running update? I sounded really motivated and was going to DOMINATE the training plan I had created. Well, to make a long story short. That DID NOT happen.

I have a million and one excuses as to why it didn’t- but I will spare you. I have, however, been running- but the longest I have run so far is probably 6 or so miles. I have been working on my speed and strength- and I have been really consistent on my weight lifting- so I haven’t been totally off the wagon. I have some amazing new workouts that I’m doing at home- just in my nasty unfinished basement- but I feel like they are working. Would you want me to share them!?

With hesitation I share my favorite workout clothes- only because I don’t want yall to buy them all up in my size 😉 : sports bras & long pants & top | colorful shorts

So- there’s my update. Nothing fun. Nothing exciting- but the truth. I am rededicating myself to running though- I have signed up for a half marathon to run with some friends in a few months so I now have a goal that isn’t moving! Wish me luck!

Maybe I can follow my original training plan- just slightly tweeked- starting now.. well actually, starting next week because I just got my touch up for my microblading (post on this to come!) and can’t sweat for 9 more days hah:

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happy running!

xox

February 27, 2018February 27, 2018

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back at square one

Well you guys- we are at day 1 of my new training program- and when I say ‘Day 1’, I not only mean the first day of the program, but also starting from basics when it comes to fitness and running.

leggings | top | shoes | socks

Running through most of my pregnancy (read about it here and here), definitely has helped me keep some sort of fitness level- I can tell a difference on the way my body has reacted after this pregnancy as well as from my short jogs/weights already- but I don’t care who you are and what you did during pregnancy- your body has gone through some major shizz the last several months and is just not the same- not only that, but I have csections so I’ve had to recover from major surgery which has left my core a MESS. BUT- all of that aside- I now have some work to do and as you know from this post- I’m excited to get back at it as I have some pretty big goals to tackle this coming up year. I won’t lie though- it is frustrating when you go out for what should be a super ‘easy’ run in your head (2-4 miles) only to find you can barely make it and WAY slower than your 26.2 mile pace once was!

Back to the present though- I have been jogging about 4x per week 2-4 miles for the last several weeks and think I am ready to attempt a little more scheduled training.

this is what I am thinking:

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I didn’t include any paces for the workouts- because I am going to go off effort for this training cycle vs a designated pace- because I really don’t know where my paces should fall right now. I will know better after this cycle for the next phase though!

I don’t have any races lined up officially as of right now- I want to see how this training goes first- then re-evaluate and go from there. I do have some dates in mind though…keep you posted!

happy running!

xox

November 26, 2017

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Boston let down.

*I warn you- this post is raw and unedited. Take it as you will.*

I was notified a few weeks ago that I was not accepted into the Boston Marathon. Those who qualified by 3:23 or more got in. I qualified by 2:43.

To be completely honest- I was shocked when I received the email. Friends who have run Boston several times had been telling me I was safe and good to go…But, when they released the cutoff time- this is the strictest Boston cut off time they have ever had, by over a minute. The posts flooded in on their instagram and blogs about how they needed to change the qualifying times if the cut off was going to be that strict. Or limit the number of charity runners etc and give more spaces to those who trained their asses off to qualify and are now not going to toe that line in April.

Now.. I qualified over a year ago and have been pregnant and had a baby since then- I was planning on quickly getting back in shape and going to Boston in April to take on the Boston Marathon and earn my jacket. That is clearly not going to happen this year.

I thought I would be really upset – maybe even cry if I didn’t get in- but you know what, I didn’t. I surprised myself. The week I received the email- my oldest daughter had been in the hospital for 4 days and was having surgery that day for what they thought (and it ended up being), osteomyelitis and bacterium. As horrific as that week was with her in the hospital, it put things like the Boston Marathon (and LOTS of other things I was stressing over lately) in perspective for me. Yes, I want to run it (and I will!), but – it’s not in the cards for me this year and I am completely ok with that. That week- whether or not I was running the Boston Marathon, was the last thing on my mind.

I can qualify again. I can train harder. I can run faster.

I might fail a few times along the way – but that is ok. I have my three beautiful kiddos who will see their mama work hard for something she wants – and that starts now. I am officially released (post csection) to start running again- so this pup and I️ are back at it.

Boston – I’m coming for you.

November 6, 2017November 6, 2017

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pregnant & fit-ish : running

I thought during this pregnancy, I would start a series called ‘Pregnant and Fit-ish’. This is my third pregnancy, and even though I am FAR from a super fit pregnant chick, I do try and stay active. I consider myself a middle of the road pregnant chick when it comes to working out. With my first babe, I did nothing but eat and maybe some walking. With my second, I kept up spin classes through most of the pregnancy and lots of arm workouts. With this one, well, read on and you will see!

Today, let’s chat about Running while Pregnant

Let me start by saying- I never ran during my other two pregnancies. With my first, I really didn’t do anything and with my second, I did some weights and spin classes. This time, however, I wanted to keep up running to help with the horrific anxiety I get during pregnancy. Running is a release for me- so I thought I would try it.

A little background: I had to stop running the month before getting pregnant because my body was basically revolting against me. I took the month off, found out the next month I was pregnant. My doctor advised me at this point to hold off on running until the end of the first trimester – due to various reasons – which really wasn’t a problem because I felt like CRAP… Plus I was having to organize our out of state move which sucked up any amount of energy I could possibly muster. So, at my 12 week appointment, I got the green light from my doctor to start easing back in to running. She suggested I start just like I was a new runner- which is what I did.

Fast forward to now: I try and run Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays. I do incline treadmill walking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My weekday runs range from 3-4 miles and my Saturday run ranges from 4-6 miles. My incline treadmill walking goes about 2.5 miles. After I complete the run or incline walking is when I then do either my arm workout or my leg workout (more on these workouts to come!)

Now, this is what I am comfortable with. This is what makes me feel like I am getting in a good little workout without overdoing it. It is slow, steady, and with lots of bathroom breaks- but I am loving it. I keep my pace comfortable – and something that allows me to complete a full sentence if I were to try and talk. That way I know I am keeping my heart rate in check. This is not something I am doing to keep my weight down, or anything like that – because gosh knows I am weighing WAY more this pregnancy than I did in my other two at this point…(10lbs more to be exact).

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FAQ’s

Is it ok to start running if I wasn’t running before pregnancy?

My first response: talk with your doctor. Generally speaking, don’t start anything new during pregnancy, but this also depends on your fitness level before. Start walking and gradually increase how fast and far you are going and see how it goes!

Are there benefits to running during pregnancy?

Yes!! Increased energy, easier labor & delivery, quicker postpartum recovery- and for me a sense of calmness and decreased anxiety! Exercising during pregnancy has also been shown to positively affect baby!

Any special things I need to run while pregnant?

Yes, and no. If your pre-pregnancy running stuff still fits you- Great- but for me that’s just not the case. I’ve needed a bigger bra first and foremost (keep the girls nice and tight!) and now a couple maternity running tops- just because they are more comfy. I also highly recommend a support belt. These help take the pressure off of your back, belly, and bladder as you run! This is the one I use, and so far, I love it. I highly recommend not running without one during pregnancy. Bonus, you can wear it post baby as well while your core is healing! Also, make sure your shoes are not worn out. You want supportive, good shoes always- but especially when running. See my post about shoes, here. And lastly, a water bottle! You need to carry water with you on your run. Non-negotiable! See my favorite water bottle here. Here is my favorite sports bra– when I’m pregnant and before! Here are the tops I’ve ordered and am loving thus far.

| fitsplint |

What should I eat after a run?

While what you eat is important, the most important thing is your hydration. You HAVE to stay hydrated when pregnant- especially if you are working out. It is dangerous if you do not- for yourself and baby. Post workout nutrition food wise should consist of something healthy and nutritious. Think- green/fruit smoothie or some greek yogurt with some homemade granola. Or some of our favorite protein fudge!

How much should I run and how fast?

I personally don’t have any hard and fast rules I follow on this- I have a generally mileage I like to stay near but if I’m not feeling it that day- I stop. Or if I feel great, I keep going! This will primarily depend on your fitness level before and how comfortable you feel during your pregnancy. Fighting through pain is something we do when we are NOT pregnant- to push ourselves to get stronger. Pregnancy is not the time to do this. My doctor told me to use the ‘talk test’- This means if I am struggling getting out a sentence, then I am pushing it too hard. I should be able to get out a sentence. Or, if you have already gone pee two times in a 2.5 mile run- you might just call it quits for the day like I had to today! Just go with it.

When should I stop running during pregnancy?

The answer to this is: when it doesn’t feel good or beneficial anymore. If every time you go out, it sucks and you feel awful. Try switching to walking instead. Listen. To. Your. Body. It is the best gauge of whether or not you should be doing something. Again, pregnancy is not the time to push through something.

Enjoy this time with your babe! Get outside, get some fresh air! Get sweaty! All while knowing you are bonding with you babe and helping you both out.

happy running!

xox

May 28, 2017May 28, 2017

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running and getting started

It’s a new year, a new you- right? We’ve all said it. Now it’s time to act! Some may have made a resolution to eat healthier, or go to the gym, or a fitness class – well, in my opinion, the easiest fitness resolution is to lace up your shoes, put one foot in front of the other, and head out your front door.It’s hard to start from the beginning- I know. I did it once in the beginning and then after each of my babies (where I had c-sections), so, I know what it is like to start from scratch. It’s hard. You find no joy in those first few runs where you are huffing and puffing and can’t imagine ever liking that feeling. Stick with it, and I promise you will. Here are some of my tips and thoughts to get started:

Start with a time goal. Say I am going to step out my front door and jog when I can and walk when I must for 30 minutes. This is easier and more rewarding than a distance goal.
Get outside! Distract yourself with the beauty of nature. Of the air. Of the birds. Get some Vitamin D! Plus, there’s no excuse of, “I couldn’t get to the gym today to use the treadmill.”
Sign up for a fun-run/race. Don’t let this intimidate you! Sign up for a local 5 or 10k with a friend and set it as your goal. You don’t need to shoot for a time, just to have fun and finish. This is one of the greatest motivators for me- something to work towards. My husband is one who can not keep motivated on working out without a race in his future.
Don’t quit. Be consistent. Tell yourself that every M/W/F/S you are going for a run or walk- and don’t come up with an excuse. Any run is better than no run at all. Make it a routine that you will be upset about missing.
No comparing! The only person you should compare yourself to was the person you were yesterday.

It will be hard at first- I won’t sugar coat it; but, it is rewarding to see yourself transform physically, emotionally, and spiritually! So, lace up those shoes, put one foot in front of the other- and get running!

xox

January 17, 2017

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CIM race recap

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As you may know from reading here, I had a very hard time the 8 weeks leading up to this race. So, I’m not going to sugar coat it and tell you it was amazing, I trained hard, I ran hard, and I did amazing- I’m going to tell you the ugly truth. I didn’t train much, I felt awful, and It SUCKED. Not every training plan will go according to plan, and for sure not every race. I will say, one day, I will be back to race CIM. It was a great course, great volunteers, and overall a fun race. But, back to the ugly details:

I was planning on killing this race. When I finished St George I was already planning my training schedule on the flight back home. I had 8 weeks between races and was ready to get to work. I had a 2 week recovery planned, 4 weeks of hard training, and a 2 week taper on the calendar. I was ready to train hard and dominate CIM.

My body had other plans.

It started with strep, then tonsillitis, then bronchitis. Once I was over that-I had about a week of health before my entire family came down with the stomach flu. It was brutal. Once recovering from all of this…it was time to taper- insert eye roll here. My plan of attack was to just hang on for as long as I could and then just finish. I knew I could not race it as planned, and had come to accept that and was ready to just have some fun.

Mom and I flew out to San Francisco to hang out with Ashley for a few days before. [side note- our Mom is amazing. CIM was her 2nd marathon!] On Saturday, the day before the race, the three of us road-tripped it down to Sacramento. We stayed at the beautiful Westin Sacramento and were thoroughly enjoying ourselves – we visited the expo and ate a great dinner…

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About 6pm shiz hit the fan. It was then that my body revolted against me even more- an hour later I was in a minor emergency place with a painful bladder/kidney infection – fever and all. We gathered up my antibiotics, a giant jug of cranberry juice and decided we would just see how I felt in the morning. The next morning was better, but not great; however, I was there and told myself even if I had to walk it, that I had already bought a shirt that said CIM 26.2 or nothing so… 26.2 it was going to be!

So here is your ‘real’ picture, behind the scenes, not the sugar coated ones:

I ran the first half in about 1:42…. and it was at mile 14 that I said to myself, why are you doing this? You can’t keep this up the whole time feeling like this! So, I backed off and decided to not hurt myself or push myself beyond my abilities that day. There was lots of walking, plenty of texting and complaining to my husband and sister, and calls to encourage my mom by telling her how much I was hurting too! I rounded the final corner and saw Ashley, some of our friends and completed my 4th marathon in 4:15. It was not my fastest, not my slowest, but probably the one I am most proud of. Just shows- on a small level, when things seem to be going against you, you can still do hard things.

Our mom finished a bit later, taking 40 minutes off of her previous marathon time!She’s a rockstar. I love trips like this with mom and Ash. I get so emotional at finish lines, especially seeing people I love – and people I don’t know!- encourage, support, and crush accomplishments like this! Like you’ve heard before-

If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon. fullsizerender-39

December 19, 2016

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