Category Archives: Running

Cardio, Fitness, Plyo, Push-Ups, Running, Treadmill

What Would You Do?

February 13, 2014 Kim 1 Comment

Today’s 44 is thanks to Josie @ Yum Yucky. She did a twisted burpee which I’ve never done before so I had to fix that!!!

And since I did her move I’m going to share her video instead of making my own (plus it is parent-teacher conferences so the boys are out of school and still asleep!!).

Josie’s videos are way more fun than mine ever will be!!!

Pretty much anytime I do 44 burpees I feel like it is a good move!!! Oh, and I did the push-up on every rep!

I also did a nice easy run today – still working on increasing my overall run days and mileage!!!

I have a couple of situations that have come up and I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to handle them. I thought I would throw them out here and see what advice y’all have.

1. I met with a couple back in October who wanted to have their reception in our venue in March. They loved the venue and had a date picked which was available. I explained that a 50% deposit along with the contract holds the date and the balance is due 1 month prior to the event.

They came back in January for another look and said they still wanted the same date. I told them it was still available and again explained the procedure to book it. They have emailed a couple of times saying they will get the deposit to me the following week – which hasn’t happened.

Earlier this week I had a phone call from someone who wants to have a large shower at our venue on the same date (March 15).

I emailed the couple and told them that they still haven’t officially booked the date and if this other party completes a contract and pays me then they can have it.

The guy called me yesterday and said, “OH, no we are still planning on that date. We will meet you on Saturday to give you the deposit. Our invitations have already gone out with the date and address.” Seriously?!

What would you do?! I told him that I need the contract and not just a deposit but the entire amount since Saturday is a month prior.

2. The day after we closed on the venue (in August), we had a charity event that had been booked for months. It was actually free for them because they are a non-profit health agency that does a lot of great things.

About a month later the lady in charge of the event contacted me and said they loved our venue and asked if I would be interested in donating it for a few more of their upcoming events. She gave me the dates and I had them all available so I said, “Yes, I would be happy to. Let me know how you want things set-up and what all you need for each event.”

Last week I realized that the first event was on the calendar for this week. I kept thinking I would hear from them. I was trying to plan out my week and actually my day because it was on a day that I was completely booked with appointments, other events and stuff for Hunter’s school.

Tuesday morning I emailed my contact and asked her what I needed to do to set up (the event was scheduled for Wednesday). I told her that I had some appointments Wednesday morning and would be tied up all morning so I needed to take care of it in advance since I had them scheduled for 12:30 on Wednesday!!!

She emailed me back at 10:50 on Wednesday (less than 2 hours prior to the original meeting time) and said that they had decided to cancel the event!

What would you do?! Now I am completely torn about the next 3 dates that I have marked off for them. I feel like I’m committed to still offer the dates but now instead of being happy to help this group out I feel like I’m only doing it because I can’t go back on my word.

I like that quote – maybe I should put that on my business website!!! (just kidding -sort of)

Feel free to share your advice – I’m still trying to figure out this whole “running a business” gig!!!

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Off my Game a Bit but Totally Nailed my Step Goal!!!

February 11, 2014 Kim 66 Comments

Today’s 44 was all about the core. I did a sit-up with a twist. Start on your back with the soles of your feet together and your hands clasped over your head –

From this position, sit-up, twist to the right while bringing your arms down to the right –

Return to the start then come up and twist to the left –

This was a good move because to complete all 44 reps I actually had to do 88 sit-ups!!!

Today was a running day – 1.5% incline – 9 miles in 69:29 + 1.75 miles nice and easy.

Tuesday is pretty much always a treadmill day for me because I like to watch Monday night’s episode of The Bachelor and I don’t feel guilty when I’m running at the same time!!!

Guess What?!

When you run over 10 miles, you can easily get 10,000 steps – all before 7:00 am!!!

I guess today’s goal needs to be 20,000 steps so I don’t turn into a slug for the rest of the day!!!

My schedule feels off today (and it’s only 7:30) – I think it’s because I have a sick boy. Even though my boys aren’t little any more, when they are sick they seem younger!!!

Poor Hunter – came home from school yesterday completely fine and then about 2 hours later he was totally miserable – terrible headache and a stomachache. He has been sleeping pretty much nonstop since 6:00 pm yesterday evening. Hopefully a day full of rest and liquids and he will feel much better again!!!

Maybe if I run up and down the stairs all day checking on him I will reach my 20,000 step goal – taking care of my sickie and getting steps – sounds like a game plan for the day!

Happy Tuesday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Welcome, Elise from 9toFit!!!

January 31, 2014 Kim 60 Comments

Today’s 44 was a simple move. I did an oblique reach – lay on your back with shoulders off the ground and reach your right hand to your right foot.

And, of course, this move has to be repeated for a 2nd set of 44 on the left side.

I’m fixing to hop on my treadmill and run my virtual race with Kristen (in spirit – she is in CA and I’m in KS) for the STUFT 60 Challenge – 37 miles on tap so it will take a chunk of my Friday!! (and then I will be done!!!)

I’ve been excited for today all week!!! Because today I have a very So, no more wasting time let’s meet my guest!!

Please welcome Elise from 9toFit. If you haven’t read her blog yet you need to – this girl is amazing. She works full time (actually these days she is working way more than full-time!!!) as an accountant and still manages to come up with some incredible workouts and recipes that she shares with all of her readers!!! Plus her insight on different topics, like the fact that weight is just a number, is amazing!!

1. I read that you were a college athlete (basketball on what sounds like a great team). What are a couple of your favorite memories? My favorite memories all involved just hanging out with my teammates. Even though it was serious when we were on the court, as soon as we got off we knew how to have a good time! One of our best memories with them was probably the 2^nd time going to Elite 8, when we got to go to San Antonio and see the Riverwalk and everything. Just an awesome experience!

2. Did you have an athletic scholarship and if so did you feel extra pressures from it? Yes, I was a 5 year scholar athlete at Bentley University, since I red shirted the first time I blew out my ACL. Being on scholarship at Bentley was like having a job. When we traveled for games we treated those trips like business meetings. So I don’t know if I’d say extra pressure, but it was definitely very serious, and you are expected to win!

3. As a team athlete in college, I’m sure that team support is still vital for you. Who makes up your support team?
Yes, I feel like it’s so important to surround yourself with positive people in your life. What is it they say, you are most like the 5 closest people to you or something? Therefore I try to surround myself with people who have similar goals and values. My main support team is definitely my boyfriend of 4 years, Mike, my family (my dad gets up with me 2 days out of the week to work out at 5:30am!) and a few of my best friends I’ve had since 7^th grade.

4. Do you love your job as an accountant? Is this something you always wanted to do?
Haha, short answer No & No. My job has its up and downs. I am a public accountant, so for those of you who know about the dreaded busy season, you feel my pain. The days can be very long and working weekends is never fun! But I ended up getting into accounting because Bentley is a top business school in the Boston area, and numbers have just always been something that clicked for me. Do I want to work in accounting forever? Definitely not, I’d love to be in the fitness industry but, on the bright side, I’m getting a lot of business experience!

5. I know you use the Cody app. Will you explain it for those of us who still don’t know all about it?
Yes! I love the Cody app! So it is basically like instagram or twitter but for fitness (you can download it on the app store on your iPhone). You are able to track your workouts with pictures or statuses. Just like on instagram/twitter you can follow people and be followed, and also like or comment on people’s workouts. On top of that there are a ton of “coaches” who have training plans, both free and paid, that provide you with great fresh workouts. Really the community on there is amazing and growing quickly! If you haven’t checked it out yet I recommend you do, it’s a great way to track your workouts and be social at the same time.

6. Is your 6 Pack ab training an ongoing group or is it just part of the time? Is it in conjunction with the Ab of the week?
The 6 Pack ab training plan is a series of workouts that people can subscribe to and have forever. The people at Cody actually came to me to be a “coach” on their app. So I put together an ab training plan which we named 6pack abs. Over 1,500 people have subscribed to it either on their phones or online! I actually just launched the 2^nd version recently, a 2.0 version! It has 8 different ab workouts, with 3 different intensity levels for each. So no matter what your fitness level you’ll find one that works for you. I’d love for you guys to check it out online here or on the cody app. The plan costs $9.99 but you pay once and it’s yours forever!

And back to your original question, the ab of the week section on my blog is kind of what started the training plans. People who followed me, and the cody team saw these and that’s what inspired the training plans you guys can now subscribe too.

7. Are you a vegetarian or do you follow any specific diet? Do you have any foods that you completely avoid?
Definitely not a vegetarian, I love meat way to much! I’m not a big diet person and I don’t completely cut foods out. I try to just not eat like crap but if I feel like ice cream, I’ll eat some ice cream. I can honestly say the only food that I won’t eat is like McDonalds cheese burgers or something. If I am eating fast food I would choose something like Panera or my favorite.. Chipotle!

8. If you could go anywhere for a month, where would you go and what would you do?
Well I’m super excited that in September I will be going to Italy! So right now that’s where I would want to go! lol I can’t wait to just unplug for all my electronics and explore some place I’ve never been.

9. What if your favorite form of social media? Do you have any tips for how to integrate all of the various forms into a normal day? Besides Cody, I would have to say Instagram. I love instagram, because I like pictures so much better than words. Maybe that’s the lazy in me talking. I think it’s interesting to see what people are up to and there’s no better way than through pictures.

10. Do you have a favorite form of exercise or do you prefer to mix it up?
I like mixing it up, every week I think I have a good mix of running, weight lifting, spinning etc. I’ve tried a ton of workouts from actually getting in the ring and sparring, to doing zumba. Right now if I had to pick though hot yoga has been doing my body some good. Flexibility is not something I was blessed with so it’s a challenge for me but so needed.

Didn’t you love learning a little about Elise?!
Make sure you check out her site and learn even more about her!!!
And today I’m actually the Feature Friday over on her blog so feel free to join me over there for a Fun Friday!!!

Happy Friday!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Hamstrings, Lunges, Plyo, Quad, Running, Treadmill

500 Days of Activity!!!

January 28, 2014 Kim 99 Comments

Today’s 44 was a challenge!!! I did a back lunge – front kick – back lunge (all right leg) – jump lunge to switch sides and then repeated the moves on the left side for 1 rep. Between all 3 moves (lunges, kicks and jumps) I was definitely breathing hard!!!

I liked this move but 44 reps was a lot!!! Sometimes I don’t think these things through very well!! Oh, well – it’s good for me!

It was also a run day – 1.5% incline 7 miles (51:04) + an easy cool down mile.

I probably won’t run again until Friday – big run on tap!! I’m doing a virtual race as part of Kristen’s (Stuft Mama) STUFT Challenge for Run Sixty Feet. Kristen is raising money for Run Sixty Feet with her run on Friday (she’s running 37 miles since it is her 37th birthday – what a great way to celebrate a birthday!!). I’m planning to do the same (37 miles) on Friday in support of both Kristen and the cause (Run Sixty Feet).

Today is my 500th day of daily moves – 365 days of 43s and 135 days of 44s!!!

I started this adventure on September 16, 2012 when I turned 43 with a goal of doing some form of activity every single day. Using my age is a great (although sometimes not so great) way to have a set goal for each move.

After a year of Daily 43s I enjoyed it so much that I decided to continue with Daily 44s.

There are occasionally days that I’m not as motivated to do 44 reps of anything (so I usually pick something fairly easy and just get it done) but most days I love the challenge of doing something 44 times!!!

I plan to continue the rest of this year and when September rolls around again I will decide if a year of Daily 45s is on tap or if it is time to do something else. Who knows?! I might still be doing Daily _____ when I’m 75!!!!

Oh, and I guess this is also my 500th day in a row to write a blog post since that is sort-of part of my goal, too!!! At some point I might switch to weekly updates on the daily moves but for now I enjoy posting everyday so I’m just going to keep going!!!

Do you have any Daily Streaks?

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Plyo, Running, Squats, Treadmill

All Unique yet Bound by Commonality

January 26, 2014 Kim 44 Comments

For the 44 today, I did a variation on a squat jump – a criss-cross squat jump.

(Not sure why I feel the need to post the video – I always look like a total goof!!! But, that’s pretty much me all the time so…..) Anyway, you can tell that the challenge of this move is to stay low while jumping your feet out then crossed – a quick move but also effective!

I did a nice easy 6 mile run today at 1.5% incline and 8:23 pace. 5 run days in 1 week!! This next week will have fewer days of running because I have a mega run on Friday!!!

I know we are all unique but sometimes that is more obvious than other times – at least in my world.

Because I’m a people watcher, yesterday at Day 1 of the Bridal Fair (fixing to head back for Day 2) it was so interesting to observe the differences in the brides.

The future brides were –

young (one couple that stopped at our both was around 18 or 19)
older
slim
round
happy
frazzled
organized
absolutely no clue what they were doing
pregnant
mothers
dressed up
wearing PJs (yep saw some that came out in lounge pants)

But watching all of them as they made their way through the masses, I truly think that no matter what they looked like or had on or who they had with them the thing that united all of them was the fact that they all have a special day coming up!

Some of them don’t know yet when that day will be and others have set dates that are years away (not kidding – a couple of the brides aren’t getting married for several years) but they all have the excitement of knowing that there is someone special in their life who wants to build a future with them.

You can see that it was rather crowded – this was the case for big chunks of the day.

So, today we will head back and there will be more people watching and appreciating the uniqueness of each bride that we talk to – each story will be different but all of them will include LOVE!!!