Category Archives: Running

Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

I’m not Ready for This!!!

August 13, 2013 Kim 68 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a weighted sit-up. I just used 5 pound dumbbells and reached them to my toes as I did the full sit-up and then pressed them straight up on the way down.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqO_INSG_ZU’]

I ran today (first time in a week!). This week I’m trying to focus on running on tired/sore legs as part of my preparation for my 50 mile race which is just 2 months away. It is a very fine line for me to have weeks with higher mileage and yet stay injury free.

Today’s run was a steady pace (8:00 minute miles) for 8 miles with a 1.5% incline on the treadmill – 64:00 minutes plus an easy 0.75 mile to cool down. It is really hard for me to keep the pace even (I get bored and want to play around with the speed) but I did because I’m trying to focus on getting in extra miles not speed right now!

Today is the first day of school – how is that even possible?! I love summer – the sun, the heat and most of all having the boys home!!! We pretty much always have a good time together even when we aren’t doing anything major.

Summer has flown by and now we are entering a new phase!

I sent both boys to preschool without batting an eye! All day kindergarten? No problem!! In fact, the day Hunter started kindergarten, I hosted a brunch for all my friends who were sending their youngest to school. We had mimosas and everything!!!

But, 2 years ago, when I dropped Jordan off for his first day of middle school, I thought that I was going to have a complete breakdown before the day ended!! I was a shaky mess pretty much the entire day.

Today I will leave my baby (Hunter) at the middle school for the first time and my first-born (Jordan) will have his first day as a high school freshman.

I’m not sure that I’m ready for this! I feel like I’m at a point where I want to start rewinding the years because I’m going to wake up soon and be packing my boys to leave home. I better stop now before I dissolve in a puddle on the floor.

I’m going to just enjoy the ride during these next few years!!!

Happy Tuesday!! I hope I survive the day – I just want them to have a great start to the year!!

Kim

Fitness, Running, Treadmill

What Does a Runner Look Like?

August 6, 2013 Kim 51 Comments

Today’s 43 was a throw-back to my track career!!! I did 43 200 meter sprint repeats (@ 6mph) with a 200 meter recovery jog (@ 9:13mph) between each. Not gonna lie – this was hard but reminded me how much I loved track workouts!!!

I started with an easy warm-up of 0.5 miles. The 43 counting the recover jogs was 10.75 miles. I did an easy 0.75 mile cool down to finish for a total of 12:00 miles in 92:50.

My legs are tired but in the best way!!!

What does a runner look like?

Have you ever tried to explain what you think a runner looks like? Truthfully, there have been a couple of times that I have said something about a recent run to someone that I don’t know well and they kind of do the sly “once-over” thing like they are trying to decide if I’m really a runner.

Those little glances sort-of make me stop and think – do I look like a runner when I’m just walking through the grocery store (on the rare occasion when I have on “real” clothes)?

Can you look at a group of people and single one person out as a runner?

I think it is hard to look at a picture like the one above and pick out 1 or 2 as runners! In the picture above we all have on jeans (which we would never wear to run!!!) so is there a give-away? I don’t think there is!!

Do you have to look like the people below to be a runner?

I don’t think so!! Very few people are ever going to fall into the elite runner category but we are still runners!!!

Every single person in the picture above is a runner – because they are RUNNING!!!

Even the little cuties above are runners!!!

So, what does a runner look like? Anyone who laces up a pair of running shoes, puts on their favorite running attire and hits the pavement (or treadmill!) putting one foot in front of the other over and over again is a RUNNER!!!

all runners - different paces & different distances but all runner — all runners – different paces & different distances but all runner

I could list 100s of runners just from all the blogs I read!! Some run marathons, some run 5Ks, some don’t race, some run with their kids, some run every day, some run once a week, some are super speedy, some run a mile at a time, some run hours at a time but all are RUNNERS!!!

Some of the runners I know are as young as 4 some are much older, some are male, some are female, some are short, some are tall – there is no set formula or description of a RUNNER!

The quote above is NOT one I like – because what is a runner’s body? I will never look like one of the Olympic runners but I’m still a RUNNER because I run!!!

If you run, you are a RUNNER!! It doesn’t matter what you look like because all RUNNERS have a great gift in their body!!!

Happy Tuesday and Happy Running!!!

Kim

Biceps, Core, Fitness, Running

Last Day in Paradise

July 29, 2013 Kim 40 Comments

Today I used my band again for my 43. I did a bicep curl while in a V-sit position.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3KdK7gLSFM’]

I love moves like this because not only am I working my biceps but also my entire core so it is a double bonus!!

And since this is our last day here in Florida, I took advantage of the beach for another hot, steamy run!! 4 miles – 32:33 + 0.5 miles cool down – I actually ran the last 2 miles much faster than the first 2 but I was really having to work hard – the humidity just sucks the energy out of me!!!

Today is our last day before we start the LONG drive home and I plan to enjoy every second of it!!! For me that means plenty of time on the beach doing my favorite thing:

For the boys, it probably means more time hanging out with their buddies (the Page boys) playing games on their phones/iPads:

Notice how Chris is right there in the mix with them?! The other day I walked in from the beach and the little video below is what I saw! Crazy!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tebgl-EEi3Y’]

Last night we got some great sunset pictures on the beach.

I love all the variety in the colors. All of those pictures were taken in a 20-30 minute window but they are all so different!

Fun with friends!!

So, I’m off to enjoy my version of paradise!

same type shot - different day — same type of shot – different day

Happy Monday!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running

Pictures are Better than Words

July 24, 2013 Kim 31 Comments

Today for my 43 I did a move that I just tried for the first time yesterday (thanks, Taylor!!). The move is a plank with alternate thigh taps.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGOTXHt7u1E’]

I counted a right tap and a left tap as 1 rep. This was another one of those fun ways to spice up a plank!!

I also went for another humid Florida run. I only ran 3 miles (24:54) and then walked 0.5 miles. Today’s route was nice because I had water views almost the entire way!!

The condo that we are renting has some really neat beach themed pictures hanging around.

For years, Chris and I have talked about retiring to a beach. This vacation has pretty much solidified that for us – I love everything about being here – the water, the sounds, the art, even the feel of sand on my feet all the time!!!

The boys enjoy the time in the water, time hanging out with our friends here, and the whole relaxing feeling of vacation!!!

Matt (on the left) and Chris have been friends since they were young (like junior high)!! Matt & his family live in Texas but they flew out for a few days while we were here – so much fun to catch up with them again!!! Watching Chris and Matt play in the water yesterday reminds me that we are all kids at heart – they road waves for an hour and had a great time!!! (the boys were all at the pool!!).

Vacation is the perfect time to relax, recharge and reconnect with friends!!!

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Running, Squats

Sometimes we Indulge – Sometimes we Overindulge – Looking for Moderation

July 22, 2013 Kim 53 Comments

Today’s 43 was a play on one that Nellie featured for one of her Weekly Wednesday workouts. She showed a split squat with a side kick this past week. I don’t have my step here but we have stairs!!!

I stood on the 2nd step and did a squat then pushed up into a side leg raise. Not gonna lie, about 15 in I started wishing that I had used the bottom step – oh, well gotta make up for yesterday!!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmz70luvMZw’]

Even though I only did 1 side for the demo, you know I had to do 43 with the other leg – I just didn’t want to film my backside!!! This move was great for burning out my quads and my hips!!!

After that I headed outside to take advantage of the beauty all around me!! I ran 4 miles (8:37 pace) and walked an easy 1/4 mile cool down. It wasn’t too hot yet (around 80) but it was muggy – I was dripping with in the first 5 minutes!!!

I’m one of those people who doesn’t ever completely deny myself things. If I want a piece of candy,I usually go ahead and have it.

When I go shopping, I might come home with

Sometimes I even buy stuff that we really need!! (Pretty much I love to shop!!)

And, we all know that I enjoy an evening

So, I don’t really have a problem with indulging in things! However, I know my personality and I also know that if I’m not careful I can easily overindulge.

I may have consumed more than 1 candy bar in a setting before. I might have shopped all day and bought a ton of stuff that we don’t really need. And, on very rare occasions, I might have more cocktails than I should.

Each time that I overindulge, whether it is with food, shopping, cocktails, sometimes even with working out, I remember why it is so important to practice moderation in all things. I don’t beat myself up, I just remind myself – I try to practice moderation on a daily basis. Sometimes I overdo certain things (like feeling the need to run 5 hours!!!) but overall I try to live a life of moderation in all things!!!

Do you ever overindulge? Do you beat yourself up or just remind yourself of why moderation is the key?

This week I plan to indulge (possibly over-indulge) in the beach and sleeping (very rare for me to not get up early anymore but I’m going to try and catch up)!!

Happy Monday!!! I’m off to the beach!!

Kim

Day With KT