Back, Cardio, Chest, Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Squats

Happy Anniversary to the Love of my Life!!!!

May 25, 2013 Kim 22 Comments

Today’s 43 was brutal in every way!! I did Man-Makers!! Heard of them? Get a set of dumbbells (I used 15 pounds) and get ready!!

Put the dumbbells on the ground about a foot apart. Jump down to plank placing hands on DBs and do a push-up (you know, like a burpee). Then do alternate arm rows (while still in plank!!). Jump up into a low squat and bring weight to your shoulder. Stand, using your legs for power and push arms straight overhead. That was 1 rep!!! Repeat (43x if you are doing my version!).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmcosP5QWo0′]

After I finished that ~~torture~~ 43, I decided to go out for a run to shake out the last bit of soreness in my legs from Thursday’s long run. I finally used my new Garmin on a run!!! I just ran 3 miles in 26:00 + 0.5 miles walking to cool down!! It is already muggy and humid today!!!

Chris and I are celebrating 17 years of wedded bliss today!!! So, I think it’s a good time to share some of our story.

We met in August of 1995 at Whalers Bay in Lubbock, TX. (yep – we met at a bar!!!) Chris was with 3 other guys and I was with a group of people. My roommate that summer was a hostess there and had seen Chris in before. She purposely seated me next to him and his friends. Chris and his buddies all had large notebooks with them (the Dash 1) and were “studying”.

I started talking to Chris and asked him, “Are you a pilot?” His response, “No, but I want to be.” (he was in pilot training at the time)

I drank Rum & Coke that night (more than a few) all paid for by Chris and his pals, and because of that Chris’ buddies called me “rum & coke” for months after we met!!

At some point that night, Chris and I made plans to go out over the weekend. He called me the next day and asked if I had a chance to go out of town would I do it. I figured he was standing me up. Actually, he invited me to go to Austin to hook up with some friends of his and go to a Live concert.

We went to the concert, did 6th Street up rightgot a little sleep and drove back to Lubbock (Oh – it is 7 hours each way). Yep, we met in a bar, our first date was over 7 hours from were we lived – pretty sure we broke a lot of “dating rules” but it all worked out and look at us now!!! And we didn’t go as crazy as some people – the SLS Dating Site scene isn’t for us – but we did break a few conventions here and there!

Chris told me later that he knew on the way to Austin that I was the person he wanted to marry!!! The Monday after our first date he sent these to me at work!!

We dated the rest of the year (my first year as a teacher – 6th grade Science) while Chris was in pilot training. Most of our dates were like this:

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8wFBUF1ZWY’]

Well, maybe not exactly, but we did spend lots of time with the other guys (and their wives or girlfriends) in pilot training at a great piano bar called Off Broadway and karaoke happened often – good thing Chris can sing!!!

We were engaged all of 8 weeks!!! Not because we “had” to get married! Chris graduated from pilot training on May 24 and we got married the day after – we figured it would save his family a trip to TX (from Kansas).

at 2 and on the day of Pilot Training Graduation

The frame says – From long ago and far away…Love brought us to our wedding day.

It was a busy but incredible weekend!!! Chris sang to me at our wedding (a complete surprise to everyone, especially me!!)

Beautiful in my Eyes by Joshua Kadison (now know as “our song”)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRKqxSZeq4s’]

Obviously that isn’t him singing but it could be!!! (If you’ve never heard the song, it is definitely worth listening to!!)

Our wedding was Saturday and on Monday, Chris had to go to Altus, OK for his next training phase. I still had a week to finish school. So, we started our married life the way it would frequently be – the life of a military pilot and spouse!!!

The night I got to Altus, we ate at the O Club (Officer’s Club) – right when we walked in we heard our song so of course we danced cause that’s what you do!!!

I can’t even count how many times we have gotten up in the middle of dinner or while cleaning the kitchen to dance to our song (because I had my ipod playing on random)!!! The boys ~~love it~~ just roll their eyes and ignore us!!!

Happy Anniversary, Chris – you will always be the love of my life!!!

Do you and your spouse/significant other have a song? Do you drop everything and dance when you hear it?

Happy Saturday!!! I’m off to spend the day with my true love!!!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Hunter, Hunter, and more Hunter

May 24, 2013 Kim 18 Comments

Today’s 43 was total core (oblique) work!!! The rest of my body is sore – between the long run yesterday and the burpees the other day (been awhile since I’ve done push-ups!!)so I decided to take it easy today!!!

The set-up for this move is similar to a crunch (on your back, knees bent, feet on floor) except you keep 1 elbow firmly on the ground the entire time. Start with left elbow on the ground at your side and right arm extended straight up – crunch up, reaching arm straight up (elbow on ground).

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

In the video, I only did 4 per side but you know in “real-life” I did 43 per side!!!

No other workout today – yesterday drained me!!!

Hunter has had a lot of events the past couple of days!!!

6th Grade Graduation:

His bright outfit made it easy to find him up on stage!!

getting recognized for the Presidential Gold Award

The kindergarten students and 6th grade students all marched up to the stage together and sang the same song that Hunter’s class sang 7 years ago (for his Kindergarten graduation) – so cute!!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uunoP2oTcB8′]

Yesterday at school was Super Sports Day – always a great way to end the school year!!!

one of the many inflatables behind Hunter

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=714XPHocS4Y’]

Hunter isn’t paying any attention to Chris – but some of his friends are all about waving!!!

And finally, last night was the semi-annual cello bash! Hunter takes private lessons from a wonderful cello teacher and every December and May she hosts the cello bash for all of her students. It’s a great event (but long, very long!!!).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ00Y0o-ny4′]

The Pink Panther song is my favorite (because I don’t know the Mission Impossible theme as well).

Thanks for letting me share all about Hunter!!!

Any exciting plans for the long weekend?

Happy Fun Friday!!!

Kim

Biceps, Fitness, Running, Treadmill, Triceps

Day 250 = 250 Minute Run turned into a 200 Minute Run

May 23, 2013 Kim 26 Comments

The 43 of the day – Monkey Extensions which is a move I found when I was looking through my many pins on Pinterest! This is actually part of a workout by Michelle & Lori at Purely Twins. (check out their site – they always have lots of cool workouts, tips, recipes….)

So, to do a monkey extension, start with fairly light dumbbells (I just used 5 pound DBs today) and pull your hands up close to your arm pits:

From the start position, extend your arms straight out and slightly twist your hands so that your palms face the back:

Bring your arms back in to finish 1 rep.

This move is nice – it works your entire arm and your shoulders. While I was doing my 43 I watched myself in the mirror because I could feel myself pulling my shoulders up so I tried to make sure that I was keeping them relaxed.

Today is my 250th day of daily 43s so I decided to run 250 minutes!! I’m not sure why I thought this would be a good idea since I am only about a week back into doing any kind of leg work (and cardio) after 3 weeks of very little – but that has been part of my plan for awhile now so I went with it!!

The first 2 hours (120 minutes) went great – hit right at 15 miles which was my plan and goal from the start. Things went downhill from there. I spent the next hour (60 minutes) doing a walk/run thing which eventually turned into just a walk. When I got to 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes) I stopped.

I could give several reasons why I stopped but I think they are all just excuses. In the end, I just wasn’t able to do it!!!I’m not sure if I believe the quote above but I’m going with it!!!This one I totally agree with – I’m very disappointed with myself right now!!

This one sums it up – considering my semi-lack of training lately, I should have given up my goal to run 30 miles in the 250 minutes (4 hours 10 minutes) and just focused on running the entire time.

So, I will foam roll and soak and try again another time!!!

Happy Thursday!

Kim

Core, Fitness

Graduation Day!!!

May 22, 2013 Kim 32 Comments

Today’s 43 was all about the core!! I got this move from Nellie’s blog Brooklyn Active Mama. Every Wednesday she features a new move and today’s Weekly Wednesday Workout was the windshield wiper!!!

I made a slight change to the way she had it demoed – in her version, you keep your knees bent. I decided to increase the challenge and keep my legs straight!!! You lay on your back with your arms extended out from your body and legs straight up. Slowly lower your legs to the right (as far as you can go while keeping your upper body still) then move your legs slowly to the left – a right and left = 1 rep. Confused? – watch the video!

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lMDsIFtV4w’]

I had a hard time keeping my shoulder still – gotta keep working on it!! Try some of these and you will immediately feel it in your obliques!! After completing 43 I think I will be sore tomorrow!!!

Today I went back to one of my favorite workouts – Combat!! I did Combat 60 – Ultimate Cardio Fighter!!! It was awesome – I’ve definitely missed my combat time!!!!

I don’t know about other places/school districts but in our district you have 4 graduations before you finish school!!! Kindergarten, 6th grade, 8th grade and of course, the final graduation from high school.

Today, I have a 6th grader and an 8th grader graduating!!! (Which means that we are officially done with elementary school – Hunter and entering high school – Jordan!!!)

The 8th grade graduation is just names being called out – not really a ceremony. The rest of the day is just “filler” for the kids. We may win a “bad parent” award but Jordan didn’t want to go today and we said it was fine – his summer started yesterday!!!

I still made him let me take a picture!! Can you tell he has only been up a few minutes?! And, of course, he is in his standard white!!! (He has worn white Nike shorts and a white Nike T-shirt every day since the beginning of 6th grade – with a few exceptions when he had to wear specific things!!!)

Hunter’s graduation from 6th grade starts with a lunch for students and parents/families followed by a 6th grade talent show and then the “graduation.” It will be fun!!

Hunter loves neon yellow!!! And the bowtie is nice addition for sure!!!

Do y’all have graduations from each “level” of school?

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

Butt, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Power Moves, Push-Ups, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Tornado Tragedy

May 21, 2013 Kim 29 Comments

Today’s 43 was a killer!!! Taylor at Lifting Revolution did a post a couple weeks ago featuring 30 variations of burpees!!! I decided to turn some of those burpee variations into my daily 43s since I like ~~pain~~ to challenge myself.

Today I did a burpee with a box jump (43 times – what was I thinking???).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA3x26yZPf8′]

Disregard the fact that I look like a total dork – and about killed myself jumping on the step!! Check out Taylor’s site – she makes the move look easy and she actually jumps into a squat on the box!! (I was lucky to jump up and not fall off!!)

Since yesterday I talked about my lack of motivation these past few days and the overwhelming consensus was to just “suck it up” and do it – that’s what I did today!!! After the intense 43 I ran!

I ran on the treadmill (still hesitant to hit the streets!!) – 1.5% incline, 6 miles in 40:43. I felt better after that run about working out than I have in awhile!!! I went for an easy 2 mile walk with a neighbor for my cool-down!!

Tragedies affect all of us differently. The devastating tornado in Moore, OK yesterday really hits home with me. I’ve never lived there but I think the fact that I’ve driven through Moore (on I-35) literally hundreds of times (one of those being less than 2 weeks after the huge tornado in 1999) and the fact that so many children were killed makes this one of those things that strikes a major chord with me!!!

The tornado was about 2 miles wide! I know last night they had 51 confirmed dead and 20 of those were children!! Plus all the people they are still searching for!! And the loss of virtually everything for those who survived is mind boggling.