Category Archives: Treadmill

Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Who Helped Make You the Person You Are Today?

August 27, 2013 Kim 53 Comments

For my 43 today I did a side plank with a front reach – pretty much just what it sounds like.

I really liked this move – I could feel it in my core, hips and shoulders!!! And, you know that I had to flip and do a set of 43 on the other side!!

I tried to make sure and keep my hips lifted the entire time – I was shaking by the end of each set – success!!!

I also started up Garage boot camp this morning! It has to be in the garage because at 6:00am it is dark outside now. I just have a few ladies who asked me if we could keep going with boot camp even though summer is over so we are going to try it for awhile. Today we did a repeat boot camp – ABC Boot Camp!!!

After boot camp, I did a super quick run before taking Hunter to school. Treadmill at 1.5% incline – 3 miles fast + 1 cool down mile for a total of 4 miles in 30:05. I’m sure Hunter was thrilled to hop in the car with his sweaty mom!!

We all have people in our lives that have helped mold us into the person we are today. It might be your parents,

a teacher,

a coach,

or any other person who has been a major influence in your life.

Some of you might be sitting there thinking – “Yep, I know exactly the person who has helped shape me into who I am.” Others are probably thinking that there are too many different people and you can’t pick just one. And, some of you might not know yet who you would credit with helping you develop into the person you are or want to be.

For me, I know exactly who has made me the person that I am – my grandparents!!!

Growing up, I spent every second I could with my grandparents – when we lived in other states it was harder but I loved and cherished every visit!!!

The summer before I started 9th grade, my parents got a divorce. I lived with my grandparents that summer (and many after!). Poppa taught me the things that my dad wasn’t around to teach me – how to build a book shelf, how to weed-eat, how to kill a rattle snake (I lived in west TX!!), how to drive, how to swim – the list could go on and on.

And, Mema taught me about life!! She never met a stranger – from the check-out clerk at the grocery store, to the security guard at the mall, the small children at church and the oldest neighbor on the block – she would talk to anyone about pretty much anything.

Mema always wanted to look at the person/people in the picture not the camera!!! In all of our wedding pictures she is looking at me because she said everyone should look at the bride – at the time I didn’t totally understand – now I do and I think it is one of the best wedding gifts I received!

Poppa showed me every day the meaning of a true work ethic. He was still working at 80+ because he loved being able to get out there and do things. He taught me that any job – no matter how big or small – should be done to the very best of my abilities. I try to live up to that standard today in all of my endeavors.

Because of issues/factors that I haven’t ever mentioned on my blog, my mom is not the person that I really ever tried to please. However, any time that I felt like I let my grandparents down, I was devastated. In fact, several years during my early 20s are the only period in my life that I didn’t talk at least once a week with Mema – and that was because I knew she didn’t approve of all of my choices and I hated knowing that I was disappointing her!!!

The biggest thing I learned from my grandparents was how to really love someone. They showed me true love every day of their lives! They loved each other completely with no reservations and they loved me that same way. There was never a second that I ever doubted the love my grandparents had for me. Because of that love, I was able to open myself up to the love of a great guy – Chris, now my husband of 17+ years!

I’m blessed beyond belief to have had the amazing grandparents that I did. Even though they are no longer with me, I know that the lessons I learned from them will remain and be something I continue to strive towards every day!!!

Who made you the person you are today? What is the biggest thing you learned from them?

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

I’m Not Ready to Say Good-Bye

August 22, 2013 Kim 36 Comments

Today I used my wobble ball (not really a ball – more of a disk I guess) –

I tried to stay balanced (tried!!) and did some shoulder work.

I started with a lateral raise –

From there, I lowered my arms back to the start –

Then I raised my arms to the front –

I tried to keep all of the movements slow and controlled. Even with just 5 pound dumbbells, my shoulders were burning by the time I finished all 43 and the wobble ball really increased the challenge since I had to fight to maintain my balance.

I also did my 2nd round of this week’s challenge with Taylor – Wake Me Up – and trust me, this workout will wake you up!!!

I decided to get in a quick 3 mile run on the treadmill because I might have to cut some workouts in the next couple of days. I ran at 1.5% incline – 7:05, 5:45, 5:03 and then cooled down with 0.5 miles.

Yesterday morning I received a phone call that I did not want to get. Tim (my twin) called to tell me that Poppa had passed away.

He was sitting in his chair on the porch at the ranch – one of his favorite places to start the day – yesterday morning and my aunt walked out to check on him and he was gone.

I’m happy that he was home and spent his final minutes enjoying the view that he loved so much!

But – I wasn’t ready for this good-bye!!! I wanted to have one more visit.

I wanted one more Bear Hug because Poppa is the one who taught me how to give Bear Hugs!!!

I wanted one more chance to tell him how much he meant to me and how much I loved him. I very selfishly want more time with my grandpa (Poppa)!!!

I know that at 98+ I was fortunate to have had as much time with him as I have but that doesn’t make it easier to say good-bye.

Today I will drive to Texas and prepare myself for the final good-bye knowing that Poppa has been reunited with Mema (my amazing Grandma) and that they are once again happy together!!!

Take a minute today to give someone you love a Bear Hug and tell them how much you love them!!!

Kim

Chest, Fitness, Push-Ups, Running, Treadmill

Train your Brain

August 20, 2013 Kim 61 Comments

Today for my 43 I did incline push-ups. (probably not the best choice because I had already done lots of push-ups in my challenge workout but….)

Pretty basic today but push-ups are always good!!!!

This is the 6th (and final) week of Taylor’s challenge – and it is a good one for sure!!! I still have 2 more chances to try and lower my time!!!

I decided to run today – my Achilles has been sore for a long time now and I’m trying to make sure that it doesn’t get worse while still training. Anyway, I ran on my treadmill today – 1.5% incline – 6 miles 35:31. I did a progression type run – increasing my time every 30 seconds – a fun way to make the time go quickly and push myself at the same time.

Yesterday I read several articles and posts about the benefits of exercise on your brain. I’ve also read a lot of things about the importance of training your brain. And, since it is back to school (or close) I thought it would be fun to have some brain challenges today!!!

1. o t t f f – What are the next 3 letters in the sequence?

2. d n o s – What are the next 3 letters in this sequence?

3. What’s lighter than a feather but even the strongest person in the world can only hold it for a few minutes?

4. What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?

5. I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?

6. What goes around the world but stays in a corner?

7. The man who invented it doesn’t want it. The man who bought it doesn’t need it. The man who needs it doesn’t know it. What is it?

8. What English word has three consecutive double letters?

9. Say my name and I disappear. What am I?

Can you solve these? Feel free to share a riddle – I love trying to figure them out!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim

PS – answers tomorrow!!

Butt, Fitness, Hamstrings, Quad, Running, Treadmill

Some Happy News!!!

August 15, 2013 Kim 64 Comments

Today for my 43 I used a fun piece of equipment that I really want to use more but this little thing called TIME is holding me back –

Instead of punching, I did front kicks!!!

I did 43 with my right leg and then switched and did 43 with my left.

And, in case you can’t tell – the pictures are me trying to pose (they were after I was done with my workout) and my balance was off!!!

I got up before the roosters so I could run (3rd day in a row – longest streak in a long time!!!) on my treadmill again and still have the entire day to tackle my long list of projects.

I ran with 1.5% incline – 6 miles in 41:52 (about 6:59 average pace) and then did 1.5 miles much slower for my cool down. I’m happy that after 3 consecutive days of good runs my legs feel OK!!

Some of you might remember that the day we got to Florida (July 20) my Poppa had to be airlifted to the hospital. He had a heart attack and tests later revealed that his heart was only operating at about 15%.

He was in the hospital for about a week and a half and then he was moved into a rehab hospital to try and regain some strength. He has been in the rehab hospital for 2 weeks now and gotten a little stronger every day.

My twin brother (Tim) called me yesterday and said that this afternoon he gets to return to his beloved ranch on the mountain!!!

I know that it will be a hard road for my aunt since she lives at the ranch with him and is the primary (sole) care-giver but I’m so excited that he gets to go home!!! Hopefully I can get down to help out soon!!

At 98 he will never fully regain his strength but I know that he will be much happier at the ranch than in a hospital and I am very excited for him to go home!!!

Happy Thursday!!

Kim

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.