Tag Archives: running

Back, Core, Fitness, Foam Roller, Hamstrings, Lunges, Plyo, Push-Ups, Running, Shoulders, Triceps

Fun with Workout Toys (4/5 – 4/11)

April 11, 2015 Kim 1 Comment

This week I used a variety of pieces of equipment and other workout “toys” for some of my moves – always fun to use items in different ways!!

Sunday 4/5 – 45 cross behind lunges (curtsey style) off of step – plyo move.

hop back to curtsey lunge with right leg

Push off and hop back to top.

I need to start incorporating more plyo moves into my workouts again!!!

Monday 4/6 – 45 double step – plank jack/tricep push-up.

I set my steps up end-to-end and put my feet on the taller one with my hands on the shorter one –

as you jump your feet back in go down into a push-up

This move was hard – the tricep push-up is what killed me!!!

I ran 10 miles (74:28) followed by an easy mile.

Tuesday 4/7 – 45 V-sit on vertical foam roller with open/close arms. This move is a variation of a move from Lindsay (Cotter Crunch) and her 3 New Core Moves – she did the move as a stationary move focusing on holding. I knew I couldn’t do 45 long holds so I adapted it.

start with arms out and legs out a little

This move might look easy but it was HARD!!!

I did Denise Austin’s Personal Training DVD – always a fun workout for the entire body!! I even did the stretching segment!!

Wednesday 4/8 – 45 hinged barbell pulls.

The key to this move was keeping everything still except the arms.

I only had time for 6 miles (44:17) followed by a cool down mile.

Thursday 4/9 – 45 side plank with a leg sweep front-back-front.

Move the top leg back to the front to complete the rep. This took longer than I expected – I had to pause a couple times before completing all 45 reps. And, then I had to flip over and do some more!

Bring that leg to the front to complete 1 rep! I guess I didn’t use any cool “toys” for this move – oops!!

I did Les Mills Combat – Ultimate Warriors – 60 minutes of fast paced punching and kicking!!!

Friday 4/10 – 45 shoulder presses with a chair. I was a slug and slept till 6:00 so I didn’t get my workout done early. I had my 3rd day of cleaning/set-up at the venue for the past 4 so I decided to do my 45 once I got to the venue.

I used one of our chairs – I held it in front of my chest with both hands (by the front legs) and pressed my arms overhead before lowering to a 90 degree bend. Sort of a fun way to work my shoulders!!

Saturday 4/11 – 45 sidearm triceps extensions.

Can you tell the pictures are after my run? I put my shirt back on for them since I’m not super happy with my abs these days.

I ran 10 miles (73:50) followed by 1.5 easy miles.

Do you like to experiment with new uses for standard equipment?
I like to use different pieces of equipment especially in new ways!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

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Did You Know….?

April 9, 2015 Kim 57 Comments

1. Did you know – The fox doesn’t really say any of the things in that catchy song!!! There is a red fox that roams our neighborhood and sometimes at night it gets on our back deck and garage roof. It is LOUD!!!! The first time I heard it I thought it was a baby crying or a cat fight.

It is a very creepy sound in the middle of the night right outside your bedroom!!!

2. Did you know – it is virtually impossible to find reliable people for any type of service (at least here in Topeka). We have struggled with plumbers, electricians, car maintenance – I don’t understand why people can’t just do their jobs and do them WELL!!!

3. Did you know – Holidays often make me sad because we don’t have family to share the day(s) with. Many times we do things with good friends instead which is always great. I dropped the ball (basically was lazy) and we didn’t have any plans for Easter so we just hung out together.

4. Did you know – with all of the running I have done in 2015 I haven’t done as much strength training or other workouts and as a result I have put on some pounds that I don’t really want!!!

I think it’s time for some –

5. Did you know – I had a giveaway last week for my friend Kristi Pelton’s newest book – Slick and the winner is……

WooHoo – congratulations to Kris!!!!

6. Did you know – It’s Fun Friday!!! Happy Friday!!

Kim

BOSU, Butt, Core, Fitness, Foam Roller, Plank, Recovery, Running, Squats, Triceps

Rest (3/29 – 4/4)

April 5, 2015 Kim 14 Comments

Rest is not something I’m good at or even enjoy that much. However, other than my daily 45s I have now taken 7 days off!! I can’t even remember the last time I did that willingly!

Sunday 3/29 – 45 seated twists.

Return to center –

This was a new (to me) version of an oblique twist – you can definitely feel it in your obliques but it takes out the lower core work that you get in a reclined Russian Twist.

I did a one person race. I ran a loop around our neighborhood that is about 2.15 miles over and over.

Look how cute Chris is - he set up an aid table and a lap counter!!! — Look how cute Chris is – he set up an aid table and a lap counter!!!

Hunter ran 2 loops with me and walked my final loop — Hunter ran 2 non-consecutive loops with me and walked my final loop

Jordan also ran 2 loops with me — Jordan also ran 2 (consecutive) loops with me

I decided that 25 miles was good for the day!! I was only taking a sip of water after each lap and I don’t think that 12 sips in over 4 hours was enough for me!!

Monday 3/30 – 45 foam roller ab tuck. This move is one that Lindsay (CotterCrunch) included in her 3 New Core Moves post a couple weeks ago.

Holding a plank while completing all 45 reps was definitely a challenge!!!

Tuesday 3/31 – 45 low squats while on wobble balls – holding medicine ball – bring elbows to knees.

Adding the balance challenge with the wobble balls was fun!

Wednesday 4/1 – 45 plank walk-ups from floor to BOSU.

At some point I started wondering if I should do 2 sets of 45 – one with the right hand leading and one with the left hand leading. I decided to just go with one set so I alternated lead hands every 5 reps.

Thursday 4/2 – 45 cross body mountain climbers with feet on ledge.

Return to start and bring left knee in –

Left foot in - twist — Left foot in – twist

Obviously this move went faster when I wasn’t trying to pose for a picture!! I liked doing the mountain climbers with my feet up – it changed the feel of the move a little. Right-left = 1 rep.

Friday 4/3 – 45 decline tricep dips (feet on chair – hands on floor).

This move was small but I definitely felt it in my triceps!!!

Saturday 4/4 – 45 diamond butt lifts.

start (feet together - knees point out) — start (feet together – knees point out)

squeeze butt and lift thighs off the ground

This was another small move but very effective!!!

Since I’m actually writing this on Sunday (Easter) and I didn’t work out today, I have successfully managed to take 7 days off without going crazy!!!

Happy Easter (or Passover) or Sunday!!!

Kim

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De-stressing and a Giveaway!!

March 31, 2015 Kim 33 Comments

We all go through periods of stress and I think it is important to have ways to deal with our stress.

I have 2 primary ways of coping when I’m stressed.

My #1 choice is probably not a surprise to anyone –

Actually any form of exercise/sweat usually helps reduce my stress!!!

My other stress coping strategy is reading!!!

I have loved to read since I was young – I used to spend hours reading!! Lately I get most of my reading done between 11:00pm and 3:00am – when I can’t sleep I read because it shuts my brain off!!!

I like all types of books as long as they are fiction. I read to escape and lose myself in the book!!

And…..I actually know an author whose book is currently in the Top 100 best sellers at Amazon – I even helped them with their Proofreading!!!

~???~NEW RELEASE~???~

SLICK (A Standalone) by author Kristi Pelton Cover Design by: Sommer Stein of Perfect Pear Creative Covers

AVAILABLE NOW

Synopsis: People float in and out of our lives and when you least expect it one person changes everything. Tessa Ashby was abandoned in an East Coast boarding school, merely existing, never truly feeling loved. Before fulfilling obligations her father has sentenced her to, she escapes and breathes eight weeks of freedom in Southern California. Bodhi loves: his music, his body and his buddies…the order is debatable depending on the day. His past taught him to be selective with the people he trusts. Bodhi doesn’t date, and he was lucky if he remembered a woman’s name. He was alone in a world of people. All that changed when an innocent, brown-eyed, smart-mouthed beauty shows up on his doorstep.

Are they answers to each others prayers or will manipulation and deception destroy them?

Slick **This is intended for 18+** People float in and out of our lives and sometimes when you least expect it one… GOODREADS.COM

So, I’m giving away a copy of Kristi’s book!!!

Enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win the #39 book at Amazon.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!!

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25112767-slick

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/SLick-Kristi-Pelton…/dp/B00UR5NQDQ/
Social Media links: Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristi-Pelton-author/491995670885838
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7012192.Kristi_Pelton Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kristi-Pelton/e/B00J24DC1Y Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/KristiPelton
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kristipelton/

Core, Fitness, Foam Roller, Plank, Running

Mixing It Up Again (3/22 – 3/28)

March 28, 2015 Kim 23 Comments

This week I have been mixing my workouts up again after months of heavy running. I can tell it’s been awhile because I have actually been sore several days which is rare for me!!!

Sunday 3/22 – 45 second hold in 4 different planks.

This was a recovery and driving day – 7 hours to get back from Texas.

Monday 3/23 – 45 minutes on the elliptical.

Not my favorite piece of equipment but even though I only ran 19 miles Saturday, the mud factor took a bit out of my legs so I needed to recover another day.

Tuesday 3/24 – 45 plie side bends with ankle reach (right-left=1 rep). This is a move from Josie (Yum Yucky) in her 5-minute slimming workout.

Return to the middle.

Staying in plie for all 45 reps was HARD!!! And, my obliques have been sore since Tuesday!!!

I just walked 6miles at a 10% incline so that I could watch Dancing with the Stars.

Wednesday 3/25 – 45 single leg BOSU hops. This is another move from a blog friend!! Allie (VitaTrain4Life) showed this move as part of her intense strength training the other day.

This move was hard!!! I did all 45 with my right leg before switching and doing another set of 45 with my left leg.

I did Les Mills Pump – Combat. It’s one of my favorites and I enjoyed punching and kicking!

Thursday 3/26 – 45 standing medicine ball crunches – single knee in. I got so many great moves from blog friends this week!! This move is one of Nellie’s (BrooklynActiveMama) Weekly Wednesday Workouts.

pull knee in and bring ball down - crunch — pull knee in and bring ball down – crunch

I tried to keep my balance and float my leg back each time but did have to tap my toe a few times. And, of course, I had to switch and do another set of 45 with my left leg.

lift knee and bring arms down with a crunch

This was a fun move with the balance challenge.

I finally ran again!! 6 miles in 47:51 + 2 easy miles.

Friday 3/27 – 45 plank to down dog with hands on a foam roller.

I really liked this move – great core work and stretching!!!

I did one of my 10 Minute Solution workouts – Ultimate Boot Camp. Normally I do all 5 sections but I only did 3 this time.

Saturday 3/28 – 45 standing leg circles (hands behind head).

The funny thing with this move is that I felt it as much in my standing ankle as the thigh of the leg circling. Gotta love working on balance/stability!