Category Archives: Treadmill

Fitness, Lunges, Quad, Running, Treadmill

Overcoming Fear

May 15, 2013 Kim 37 Comments

Today my 43 was all about working my legs!!! Finally!!!

I did a 4-count lunge: Lunge forward with right leg, clap overhead, clap under leg, clap overhead, step back – switch to left leg – repeat = 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttJjkZp1Rc4′]

Not gonna lie – 43 of these and my quads were burning, my arms were getting tired and I was breathing hard – I might be a little out of shape!!!

Today I RAN!!! This was my first run in over 3 weeks and obviously, my first run since having surgery. I was actually really SCARED!!! Like, awake half the night thinking about it, SCARED.

I don’t know why the thought of running scared me so much. I have run after numerous injuries – Achilles tendonitis, a torn calf muscle, stress fractures galore (the last one in my hip and I ran with it for 3 months) – I’ve run during 2 pregnancies and after giving birth x2 – I’ve run after wiping out during a run with blood streaming down me – but not after having part of my legs striped away.

It is completely irrational – a runner scared to run?!

But today – I was scared to run!!! So, I geared myself in compression stuff (I knew the wraps would be a mess) –

compression shorts compression socks — compression shorts
compression socks

I told myself what I needed to do –

I dug down deep –

And I ran.

As much as I wanted to test out my new Garmin,I decided to save that for another day and stick to the comfort of my treadmill (my overcoming and digging down only carried me so far!).

I started this run slower than I have EVER run but then I felt “it” come back and I drop-kicked the fear and just enjoyed the fact that slow or fast – I AM STILL A RUNNER!!!

I ran 5 miles and walked 1/4 mile.

Did it hurt? Yes
Have other runs hurt? Of course
Can I run through pain? DUH!!!
Will the next one be easier? Without a doubt!!!!

I’m glad that I didn’t let my fear hold me back!!!

What fear are you facing today? Big or little – you can beat it!!!

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

Cardio, Fitness, Running, Squats, Treadmill

My Life as a Pseudo PE Teacher

April 23, 2013 Kim 16 Comments

Today’s 43 involved my step –

14" double step (the Transfirmer) — 14″ double step (the Transfirmer)

I just did quick moving squats from side-to-side (right squat – over – left squat – over = 1 rep).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izJ93vHVoeg’]

This was a quick 43 but it got my heart rate up and my quads were burning!!!

I decided to run today since I won’t be able to run for awhile after tomorrow! Treadmill (snow/ice mixture coming down outside!) – 1.5% incline – 6 miles in 37:05 + 2.1 miles slower with higher incline for a total of 8.1 miles in 63:30.

So, lately I have spent several fun-filled afternoons in the gym while the real PE teacher is coaching at the HS track meets!

This is a great gig for several reasons – a big one is I get to go to “work” dressed like this:

I also get to run around and play – usually with lots of balls!!

In my previous life (before children) I was a middle school science teacher ( and I coached 7th & 8th grade volleyball, basketball and track). Middle school kids are VERY different from these young kids (the afternoon PE classes are 2nd, 1st and Kindergarten students)!!! So, as the “fake” PE teacher, I’ve learned 3 lessons:

Always wear a whistle!!
I need a blingy whistle!!!

I’m not super loud but I can blow a whistle with the best of them!!!
Helpful phrases – “You’re OK”, “I think you’re fine”, “You’re going to be OK”, “keep going, you’re fine”……..little ones have all kinds of reasons why they might not be OK (especially when I have them run a couple of laps!!!) – a little reassurance and they are always ready to go again (till the next time!).
My #1 rule: NO TATTLING!!! Kids like to tattle (or tell you every little thing that someone else did) – on their friends, kids who maybe aren’t their best friends, even on themselves – crazy, but true!!!

I really enjoy subbing in PE (even with the younger kids!!!)! Where else do you get to do stuff like this?Well, maybe not exactly, but we always use some of these:And, there is always at least a little bit of running involved!!!

Happy Tuesday! I think I’m going to put on my bikini, cover-up and flip flops and head south until I find a warm sunny spot – anyone want to join in?

Kim

Butt, Chest, Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

Perspective & Gratitude

April 18, 2013 Kim 22 Comments

Today’s 43 was a great combo move! I did a bench press with my hips raised. (22.5 pound dumbbells using my Select Tech weights)

I wanted a weight that would challenge me to complete all 43 and this weight did the trick!

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

For the rest of my workout I ran (first time in a couple of weeks because of a sore hamstring). It was a great time for me to really think about some things and gain some much needed perspective!!!

8 miles @1.5% incline – 54:24 + 2.5 miles at a slower pace with higher incline for a total of 95 minutes.

Yesterday was one of those days!!! I had a long list of things to do and everyone of them took longer and was more difficult than it should have been. After dropping Hunter at school, I had 45 minutes before my dentist appointment so I went by the medical supply store to pick up some of these lovely support hose

However, the store didn’t open till 9:00. No big deal – headed to the bank to make a deposit. Went around to the drive-thru area and thought they were all closed. Fine – back to the medical supply place to wait.

When I went in the medical store, the guy was super nice and said they were cash-and-carry (no insurance) and recommended another supply store (because I guess these support hose are pricey!). OK. Back to the bank – only to realize that I’m an idiot!!!

What I thought were closed drive-thru lines (which I thought was weird since it was way past 7 or even 8:00am) were open. The problem – they all said open in RED!!! Red means STOP – everyone knows that!!!

See – why I thought they were closed?! Oh well – marked it off the list. Next stop was the post office and thankfully that went smoothly!! By this time, it was almost 9:30 so I spent an hour at the dentist – he thinks I might need a root canal but wants to wait until my next visit to decide (6 months) – Joy!!

After the dentist I headed to the other medical supply place (across town) – found it, along with a sign on the door saying they have moved!! Awesome!! Another drive across town, a phone call (couldn’t find the place) and I finally made it. A super sweet lady helped me, measured my legs and said they might be able to get them here by next week (supposed to have them before Wednesday) and my insurance might cover them. (She called later in the afternoon to say they would be in and insurance would cover 80%!!)

I called Chris on my way to the grocery store to vent – he answered and immediately asked if he could call me back. Of course – par for the day (not his fault, he was in a meeting – just seemed to fit in with everything else). While grocery shopping, I got a text letting me know that my PE sub job was cancelled (track meet cancelled due to rain & storms) – not gonna lie – I was elated!!!

Oh – it was rainy and cold all day yesterday, too (and again today) – sort-of wish I was still enjoying the 90 degree weather that Texas had when I was down.

However I know that the events of my day yesterday are so trivial and insignificant when I look at the tragedy in Boston on Monday and the awful explosion in West, Texas last night. My family is all together and healthy and I really don’t have a single thing worth complaining about!!!

In fact, I have much to be thankful for!!!

I wanted to end with something that made me super happy yesterday – I received my newest shirt from the super talented Cait.

I'm out to chick you — I’m out to chick you

Check out Cait’s online store to see her other T-shirts as well as art work. She rocks!!!

Happy Thursday – I’m going to spend my day being grateful for all of the wonderful things in my life and not complaining about the things that don’t even really matter!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Treadmill

Winner Winner

April 14, 2013 Kim 18 Comments

Today’s 43 was supposed to be easier than yesterday’s!! I wanted to work my abs so I did a star crunch. It ended up being a pretty good challenge!

Lie on your back with your arms and legs making a big X. Lift your legs, arms and head slightly off the ground. Reach your right hand and left leg up (above you), trying to touch your toe – switch sides – 1 rep.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pvMvdU_C5g’]

(special video today – Chris!!) The move should be slow and controlled – a big challenge to get 43 done!!

I typically take Sunday’s off but I have spent a LOT of time sitting the past few days. I take the stairs (4 flights at my hotel and 2 at the hospital) as much as possible but still… I need some activity – I just walked on the treadmill in the hotel fitness center (4 miles @ 2.5% incline – 58:00 minutes). I didn’t run because my left hamstring is still a little sore and the treadmills have really short belts – not my favorite for running!!!

Yesterday was another day full of hospital time, being with my 2 brothers and sister and seeing my grandpa!! My dad is looking really good – not at all like someone who suffered a major heart attack 2 days ago. Hopefully he will be able to go home soon!

FYI – Hunter had a great time at his birthday sleep-over. Pizza, cake, ice cream, donuts, some Xbox, a movie and lots of basketball!!!

So glad that Hunter enjoyed it and everyone had a good time!!!

And the winner of the necklace giveaway…… Jody (Truth2BeingFit) – Congratulations!!!

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

200 Minutes of Running – Done!!

April 3, 2013 Kim 33 Comments

Today I had to pick a fairly simple 43 because I got up at 4:30 so that I could run over 3 hours! Then I did my 43 – crazy plan!!

I did a “dead bug” to work my abs. I laid on my back with my legs up (knees bent at 90 degrees). Then, I alternated heel taps out in front of me until I had done 43 with each leg. This is a nice move to work your lower abs!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifa_Y6y2Pf8′]

I’m not gonna lie – it was hard for me today because I had already run 24 miles!!!

Today is my 200th consecutive day of 43s so I wanted to celebrate with a 200 minute run!! I decided that if I got up at 4:30 and started running by 4:40 I would finish at 8:00 which would leave me time to do a quick demo before I needed to take Hunter to school. Chris helped me a great deal this morning by going in late (he is usually at work by 6:00) so that he could take Jordan to school. Thanks, Babe!!

I set my treadmill at 1.0% incline and started. In 200 minutes (3 hours, 20 minutes), I watched both episodes of Dancing with the Stars from this week, an episode of Dance Moms and 2 episodes of the New Normal – hooray for DVR!!

I did a total of 24 miles in the 200 minutes. I averaged 8:00 minute miles for the first 22 miles then I used the last 20 minutes as more of a cool down.