Tag Archives: running

Trails, Roads, Races, Treadmills – Running Is Running

My Treadmill
My Treadmill

If you’ve read my blog at all you know that I LOVE my treadmill!!!  I log the majority of my miles on the treadmill and I rarely race anymore.

This wasn’t always the case for me.  I used to hate everything about the treadmill.Screen Shot 2015-03-24 at 8.46.21 PM

I ran competitive track and cross country in high school and college.  When I was in grad school (in Alabama) I raced a lot and never once trained on a treadmill.

It wasn’t until after we had Jordan that I converted to being a treadmill runner.

Because of the nature of Chris’ job –

returning from a deployment (2011)
returning from a deployment (2011)

he has always had to be away for varying lengths of time.  I didn’t want to share my running (I’m selfish like that!!!) by pushing a stroller so we bought a treadmill.  (I’m on my 3rd in 16 years!)

Over the years I’ve learned to love running on the treadmill.
*  It doesn’t matter how cold or hot it is outside
*  It is never raining or snowing or muddy

this would NEVER happen on the treadmill
this would NEVER happen on the treadmill

*  I can always pause for a pit stop without having to duck behind a tree.
*  I stay caught up on my DVRed shows!!
*  I could run during nap-time, early morning or after the boys were in bed when they were little and couldn’t be left alone and I was doing the single parent gig!

Most of the time I’m perfectly fine with the fact that I am a treadmill runner.  However, there are times that things come up that make me question if I really am a true runner since most of my miles are on the treadmill.

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I know that there are differences – no wind, not a natural incline, controlled climate…..I try to accommodate for some by setting my treadmill at 1.5 incline for all of my runs and then using the incline for hills on occasion.

I don’t race much these days – mostly because I always raced to win not just to finish a race and the training required for that is more than my body can handle these days since I have had more stress fractures than I can count.

Screen Shot 2015-03-24 at 8.43.39 PMSo, sometimes I question whether or not I am a real runner.  I know that there are many people who scoff at the treadmill and would say “NO, those miles don’t count.”

However, I know that running is running and it doesn’t matter where you run, how far you run, how fast you run or if you take a picture to document the run – RUNNING IS RUNNING!!!

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In my heart I know that I am a runner – I am a treadmill runner and proud of it!!!

What are your thoughts – is all running the same?
Do you run?  Where do you like running the most?

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Race Day – 50 MILES!!!

Today is race day – 50 miles!!!

The week was very light because I’ve been trying to rest up some before running for hours.

Sunday 3/15  45 side lying front leg pulses.

pull the top leg to the front (I can't get my leg straight out)
pull the top leg to the front (I can’t get my leg straight out)
pulse leg up & down
pulse leg up & down

I was laying in the sun because it was cold and I didn’t want to turn the heat back on!

time to work the left leg
time to work the left leg
pusle
pulse

Monday 3/16  45 squats with knee lift across body – hands behind head the entire time.

squat
squat
bring right knee up at a diagonal
bring right knee up at a diagonal

Squat again and then –

bring left knee up at a diagonal
bring left knee up at a diagonal

This move was really fun!  Since I counted a right & left knee raise as 1 rep I ended up doing 90 squats.

Tuesday 3/17  45 BOSU step overs.

stand on BOSU with right leg - left leg steps front
stand on BOSU with right leg – left leg steps front
bring left leg to back
bring left leg to back

This move went quickly but my stationary quad was burning by the time I finished 45 reps (front-back-front).

Time to work the other leg! Start front.
Time to work the other leg! Start front.
back
back

I did an easy 5 mile run – 39:23 followed by 0.35 easy miles.

Wednesday 3/18  45 weighted pulsing lunges – set weights down, pick weights up.

Ready to work
Ready to work
go down and set weights on the ground
go down and set weights on the ground
come up without weights
come up without weights

To complete the rep, go back down and pick up the weights.  Umm….this wasn’t my best idea since it ended up being 90 lunges total on each side!!!

ready for side 2
ready for side 2
down and set weights down
down and set weights down
up without weights
up without weights

And, back down to get the weights to complete one rep!!!

Thursday 3/19  45 oblique punches with legs up.

punch right hand to left foot
punch right hand to left foot
punch left hand to right foot
punch left hand to right foot

I liked this move – it was fairly simple!!!

Friday 3/20  45 boat poses with moving arms (out in front – up).

start
start
arms up
arms up

This was a great core challenge!!!

Saturday 3/21  45 quick back & forth calf pumps.

thanks, Hunter!
thanks, Hunter!
other leg calf up
other leg calf up

This was a quick back & forth move of my calves – a good stretch before my race.  I took pictures of Hunter showing the move Friday morning before I left home so that all I had to do this morning was the actual 45.

Now, I’m off to run 50 miles!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Headed to Texas!!!

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So, the other day when I talked about our spring break I didn’t mention the fact that I’m taking a quick trip to Texas.  Really quick!!

I’m driving down today (Friday) and will drive home on Sunday.  On Saturday I’m running a little race –

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Yep – even though I might have said that I was moving on and done with the 50 mile races, I’m running 50 miles on Saturday!!!

One of the great things about this race is the fact that it is in

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I haven’t lived in Texas in a lot of years, but it is my home country!!!  I will always be a Texan!

I’m excited to return to my home state to race – it has been a long time.

Also, I’m meeting up with a blog friend – Chelsea from TheDancingRunner.  She has run many marathons and has decided to give ultra running a try!!

I’m going to Texas solo – trying to plan a quick trip with the family is much harder than just going alone.  However, my sister

Mandi & Griffin
Mandi & Griffin

who only lives about an hour away is going to come up and stay with me Friday night and hang out at the race Saturday!!!

I feel like I have trained hard for this race and put in the miles.  Now I just need to be smart on Saturday and remember how much I love running!!!

Screen Shot 2015-03-19 at 9.04.22 PM50 miles is my goal – I know that I have it in me to complete the entire race!!!

How many times do you try something before you give up?
Do you have any goals that you have tried and failed but you know you can achieve?

Happy Friday!!

Kim

Some of My Favorite Workouts

For years the only type of working out I did was running.  Now I love trying new exercises and workouts.

I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite ways to workout.  I can’t share all of them because this post would go on for way too long!

1.    10 Minute Solutions workouts – I like the variety in all of these workouts.  Some are mostly cardio, some are toning and some are a perfect mix of everything!

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2.  Jari Love Get Ripped DVDs – these are weight training workouts that focus on high reps.

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3.  TaeBo – sometimes old school is the best!!!

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4.  Various workouts on my Pinterest board – many from blogging friends.

5.  Jillian Michaels workouts – I feel like I get a good workout with all of Jillian’s workouts.  I think sometimes her cuing isn’t great and she doesn’t always make sure both sides get equal work but I can work with those issues.

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6.  Chalean Extreme – the first time I did this program was the first time I really pushed myself to lift heavier weights!!!

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7.  Les Mills Combat – these workouts are just fun!!!

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8.  Insanity – this is definitely hard work but I love that it is cardio and toning with no equipment required.

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9.  Turbo Fire (and Turbo Jam) – working with Chalean is my favorite!  She makes every workout fun and the time passes quickly.

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10.  Running!!!

Bonus:  I really enjoy my daily moves!  Doing these has really forced me to try new moves and do different things which I think is great for my body.

What is your favorite way to workout?

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Taking it Easy (3/8 – 3/14)

This week I took several days off because my legs were tired and I’m trying to rest some before next Saturday!

Sunday 3/8  45 sit-ups with my feet propped on the door.

ready
ready
up - reach
up – reach

Monday 3/9  45 rear leg lifts with band.

ready to lift right
ready to lift right
lift with slight pull on band
lift with slight pull on band

After one side has been worked over, it’s time to switch and hit the other side.

left leg ready
left leg ready
lift & squeeze butt
lift & squeeze butt

I did Turbo Jam – Lower Body Jam & Ab Jam – both fun workouts!!

Tuesday 3/10  45 reverse lunge to warrior 3.

lunge back with left leg
lunge back with left leg
push off right foot and lean forward
push off right foot and lean forward

I love how many muscles are involved in these 2 moves.  And the balance challenge always makes me happy!!!

lunge back right
lunge back right
push off with left and lean forward
push off with left and lean forward

I did a 9 mile run in 68:35 followed by 1.2 easy miles.

Wednesday 3/11  45 crunches with a medicine ball toss (8 pound).

This was the start of taking a few days off since my legs felt tired.  I still ended up with almost 20,000 steps after a day of cleaning and setting up at the venue.

Thursday 3/12  45 bent over tricep pulses.

ready
ready
lift
lift

An easy move on another day off  (other than 8 hours on my feet while ironing table cloths).

Friday 3/13  45 pike and row on BOSU.  This move is another one that Nellie (Brooklyn Active Mama) shared in her Weekly Wednesday Workout.

Wrap the band around your foot a couple times – I also ended up choking up on the band to have enough resistance.

start by leaning back (work the core!)
start by leaning back (work the core!)
pike your leg up and row (pull shoulder blades together)
pike your leg up and row (pull shoulder blades together)

This was a fun move because it worked so many muscle groups and had an incredible balance challenge!!!

ready to work the other side even though my abs are burning
ready to work the other side even though my abs are burning
Lift leg and pull arms back
Lift leg and pull arms back

Saturday 3/14  45 squats on a 30% inclined treadmill.

ready to start
ready to start
down
down

I really liked this move – and it was perfect since I had just finished my run!!!

have to work the other side - sorry for the backside view
have to work the other side – sorry for the backside view
down
down

(It’s been awhile since I did pictures with my shirt off but just keeping it real – back fat and all today!!!)

I did this move after running 5 miles – 36:54 followed by a nice easy mile.

4 days out of 7 off is a lot for me but I think it was time to rest!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim