Tag Archives: running

Stability (6/22-6/28)

June 28, 2014 Kim 42 Comments

This week I used my stability ball and focused on the butt – I ended up doing a lot of new moves and some of them were HARD!!!

Sunday 6/22 – 44 stability ball kick back toner.

Start by placing your hands on the ball – and kick right leg back.

Pull your right knee in to the ball –

Repeat for 44 reps and you will feel this in both legs – your left leg will be shaking!!! And, of course, you don’t want to be off balance so this has to be done on the other leg!!

I will definitely be doing this move more often!!!

Monday 6/23 – 44 hip lifts on stability ball.

This move looks fairly simple but after about 20 you will feel your butt and hamstrings a lot!!

This was a lifting day – Chalean Extreme Burn Circuit 3. Ready to move on to the next phase!!

And, I did a 10 mile run in 76:56 followed by 1.8 miles easy.

Tuesday 6/24 – 44 plank with shins on stability ball and alternate leg lifts.

This was hard to do and hold plank – my butt hurt, my arms were shaking and my core was burning – all signs of a good move.

I did another 10 mile run (76:15) followed by 1.6 easy miles.

Wednesday 6/25 – 44 side leg pulls on stability ball.

Start by leaning on the stability ball with your left side and extend your right leg to the side –

Pull your right knee in to the ball and hold for a 2-count –

After your right hip is dying (or when you complete all reps – 44) then switch sides to go again!!!

This move is another one that I will be doing more often – it was a great way to really work my hips!!!

I finally started the next phase in Chalean Extreme – Push Circuit 1. This phase involves heavier lifting with fewer reps. I have been sore the past couple of days so that is good!!!

And, I pulled out one of my 10 Minute Solution DVDs – Kickbox Bootcamp. This one is fun because the 5 sections are all a little different and it is a great whole body workout!!!

Thursday 6/26 – 44 single leg dead lift with one leg on stability ball.

This move was much harder than it looks!!! Keeping myself balanced was a huge challenge!! And, you know that I can’t just work one side!!

This was another 10 mile run day (I’m not sure why I did 10 miles every day I ran this week – just the amount that fit into my day!!) in 77:12 followed by 2.25 easy miles.

Friday 6/27 – 44 reverse leg lifts on the stability ball

Not gonna lie – this was one of my favorite moves of the week!!!

And, it was a lifting day!! Chalean Extreme – Push Circuit 2. I think I did heavier weights for shoulder presses than I ever have (not saying a lot but…..)!!!

Saturday 6/28 – 44 stability ball leg squeezes with a butt lift.

squeeze and lift your butt - hold for 2-count before lowering — squeeze and lift your butt – hold for 2-count before lowering

This move was great for the butt and inner thighs!!!

And, since we had to go clean for the 3rd day in a row at the venue, I decided to run through town and let Chris start the cleaning!

It was exactly 10 miles at an 8:30 pace (humid and muggy)!!! And, I didn’t have to clean – running beats cleaning any day!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Biceps, Core, Fitness, Lunges, Push-Ups, Running, Squats

Balance Is Key (6/8-6/14)

June 14, 2014 Kim 51 Comments

This week my daily 44s were all about working on balance. I used my wobble balls for each move –

Sunday 6/8 – 44 leg abductions while standing on wobble ball.

You can see that I stood on the flat side for this move. And, after I did 44 abductions with my left leg I had to switch and do another set!!

I promise I really was standing on the wobble ball – sometimes the pictures don’t come out exactly like I want them to!!!

Monday 6/9 – 44 decline push-ups with my toes on a step and my hands on wobble balls.

Not gonna lie – this move was HARD!!!!

I’ve been lifting fairly consistently again with Chalean Extreme – this day was Burn Circuit 3. I also did a workout that I don’t do very often – ReeBok Cardio Tone. Pretty much this was my version of a recovery day!!!

Tuesday 6/10 – 44 squat pulses on stacked wobble balls (to make an actual ball) –

probably not super safe but..... — probably not super safe but…..

Just balancing on the stacked wobble balls was entertaining!!!

This move was a challenge!!! Once I actually got down into the squat position, I actually got about 16 pulses the first time and then 20 something the next time before falling off. Obviously, it took several attempts to get all 44.

And, it was a run day!!!
10 miles in 68:11 + 1.1 easy miles

Wednesday 6/11 – 44 side plank hip dips with elbow on wobble ball.

This move was hard – just holding plank while balancing on the wobble ball was a challenge!!! After I finally finished the first set I flipped over and had more fun!

Back to the weights – Chalean Extreme – Burn Circuit 1. Then I did one of my favorite workouts ever – Les Mills Pump – Combat!!!

Thursday 6/12 – 44 band bicep curls with wobble balls on band.

Adding the wobble balls made this move so much harder – it was a fun challenge!!!

I pulled out another DVD that I rarely do – Mari Winsor Pilates from Shape. It is a nice recovery type workout.

Friday 6/13 – 44 lunges on wobble balls.

another one that was hard to get into position for — another one that was hard to get set-up

This was hard to balance initially but once I got the position it was good. By the time I finished 44 my quads were burning!! The added balance challenge made it a lot different than a standard lunge. And, of course, I don’t want to be unbalanced so I switched sides and did another set of 44.

And, it was another running day.
10 miles in 79:18 (nice and relaxed today) + 3.1 really easy miles

Saturday 6/14 – 44 jump squats onto wobble balls.

This actually was a really fun way to do jump squats – the added balance challenge was great!!!

And, I wanted to get 3 days of lifting so it was another day of Chalean Extreme – Burn Circuit 2.

Lately I’ve been happy with my workouts – I’m trying to keep a mix of running, lifting and other workouts. In the next few weeks I will probably start to increase my running again – I have a couple of running events coming up and want to be ready.

How often do you work on your balance?

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Uncategorized

Hunter’s first Half Marathon and Our First Trail Race

June 8, 2014 Kim 149 Comments

Saturday was one of those days that will always hold a special place in my heart – Hunter ran his first half marathon and I had the privilege of being with him every single step!!!

If you notice, this race was a trail run. Now, I love running and have run for many (many) years, but I’ve never done a trail race. Quite honestly, I thought it just meant dirt and grass instead of a road race.

Even in the information about the race, it didn’t really say much –

See the part in the above paragraph about some creek crossings that require you get wet?! A little misleading!!!

First off, Hunter and I drove to El Dorado (about 1.5 hours from where we live) Friday so we could pick up our packets, see where the race was and then have a nice relaxing evening at the hotel. Jordan said he didn’t want to go and Chris had drill weekend so it was just the 2 of us.

Everything was great and we had a nice evening. I learned that Hunter snores (a lot!!!). And, I listened to a heavy thunderstorm ALL night long – it was still raining when I got up at 5:30.

We left the hotel a little after 6 to drive to the race site. About 20 minutes after we got there we had a super happy surprise –

Chris took leave (without telling me!!), got up at 3:15 and drove through huge storms so that he could spend the morning with us!! Such a great surprise – true love!!!

Hunter was super quiet while we were waiting to start – he said he was just ready to run and quit standing around!!

Because of all the rain, they had to make a change to the half because a bridge was out (gushing water over it) and they didn’t want us to run over it – nice!!!

We finally started and I could tell right away that we were running slower than normal. About half-way through the first mile we went through a small ravine and I realized that my efforts to avoid the puddles before the race were a complete joke!

Oh, well – might as well just go with it!!

Around mile 3 Hunter wanted to slow down and I told him we were already going a lot slower than normal – I think he was just worried he wouldn’t be able to finish.

The 4th mile was an experience!!! We were running along and then this happened –

There was an area that was washed out and almost impassable. There was a rope tied to a few trees and basically one or two people had to pull it taut so the next person could use it to get through. It took a long time and then not even a quarter mile ahead we had to cross a stream and get over a log and up a steep bank to move on. Good thing Hunter was there because he showed me (and the people behind us) an easier way to get back up. (no picture because by this point our hands were covered in mud!)

Mile 4 took 26:57!

During mile 5 we left the forest (or whatever it was) and had to run up a mountain (OK, not a mountain!!) to get to the top of the dam (hence, Storm the Dam Trail Run).

Seriously, when we saw the hill on Friday Hunter figured we would have to run up it but I said, “No way – it’s way too long and steep!”

at the top - hard to tell how big the hill was — at the top – hard to tell how big the hill was

We didn’t get a full picture of the hill but Chris was at the bottom when he took the above picture. The nice thing about running along the top of the dam was the view! Gorgeous lake view for almost 2 miles!!!

Around mile 6 or 7, Hunter said he had to go to the bathroom – ummm…..plenty of bushes. He said, “No.” I told him to just suck it up then!!!

For about 4 miles Hunter was pretty cranky and I had to just keep him going.

It’s funny because all the pictures Chris was able to get make it look like a fairly easy trail run! However, it was not!!! We spent 8-9 miles of the race slogging through 2-3 inch deep mud and water. It was like skating on mud – fun stuff!

Around mile 11, Hunter finally realized that he was going to finish even with all of his discomfort!!! He started being a little peppier and we picked off over 15 people in the last 2 miles!!!

almost done - finally on pavement!! — almost done – finally on pavement!!

(FYI – the girl in the green shorts ahead of us, passed us at the end – turns out she was the marathon winner – they started an hour before us)

Hunter was happy to see Mrs. Beisel (she used to be the counselor at his elementary) and her cute son!!! I think it was the first time he had smiled since we started!!! He said he smiled one other time during the race!!

Not gonna lie, this might have been the only time the entire morning that I wasn’t smiling – I was a bit overcome with emotion and pride in Hunter!!

Like Hunter said, he trained for a road race. We ran through mud, creeks, hurdled numerous trees, climbed through barbed wire…..

Hunter’s shorts took a beating – I think he fell at least 6 times during the race!!!

Ummm….I don’t like to get my shoes dirty normally and this was mud to the extreme! Surprisingly, I loved every second of it and would do it again (even after a thunderstorm!!).

It was so nice to see a friend at the finish – thanks, Megan!!!

Good thing that we got a late checkout at the hotel so we could go shower before driving home!!!

Finish time – 2:39 (the goal had been 2:00 but that was before we knew what a trail race was!!!)

Place – 62 for Hunter, 63 for me (118 total runners)

Hunter was 4th out of 5 in his age group (11-19). Pretty impressive considering that he was the youngest (at 13) finisher in the half!

I went into this race planning to run it with Hunter (not race it) and I am so happy that I was able to share this experience with my son!!!

back home - clean and proudly wearing our shirts and medals — back home – clean and proudly wearing our shirts and medals

Truly, one of those days that couldn’t have been any better!! (Hunter just mumbled that it could have been a lot better – not sure how?!)

Happy Monday!

Kim

Back, Butt, Core, Fitness, Lunges, Running

A Little Bit of Everything!! (6/1-6/7)

June 7, 2014 Kim 33 Comments

This week was full of running, weights, kettle bells for the daily 44s and of course – Hunter’s half marathon!!!

Sunday 6/1 – 44 standing chest presses with kettle bell (17 pounds).

Then it was 7 miles in 53:16 + 2 easy miles.

Monday 6/2 – 44 pile squat with kettle bell row (20 pounds).

Because I was so sore from all of last weeks workouts I thought about not lifting but…..

I did Turbo Jam Cardio Party 3 to kind of work out the kinks. Then I was ready to go with Chalean Extreme Burn Circuit 3 (heavy shoulder work – joy!!!).

Tuesday 6/3 – 44 Russian twists with kettle bell (14 pounds).

I counted a right-left-right as 1 rep. Russian twists are never my favorite and adding the KB made them really hard for me!!!

And, it was another running day!!
15 miles in 1:56.37 followed by an easy 0.75 miles.

Wednesday 6/3 – 44 jump squats with kettle bell behind my head (20 pounds).

I had a video but technical issues so I went with the picture instead. Just know that jumping and landing in a squat without beating myself to death with the KB was quit challenging!!!

This was a double workout day!!!

First, Chalean Extreme Burn Circuit 1 – thankfully it wasn’t quite as painful as last week!!!

Then, I had to run since it was National Running Day!!!
5 miles in 34:56 + 2.3 easy miles.

Thursday 6/5 – 44 box step-ups with kettle bell (20 pounds). This is a move that Josie @ Yum Yucky did the other day (minus the kettle bell) as part of her full body fat burning challenge.

And after my left leg was shaking then I had to do a quick stretch and switch sides!!!

This move was HARD!!!

I did a DVD that I haven’t done in ages – Quick Fix Total Mix. This has 9, 10 minute workouts. I only did 6 because that’s all I was feeling – 2 different ab workouts, 2 for the butt and 2 for legs and arms!

Friday 6/6 – 44 alternating lateral lunges with kettle bell – figure 8s (20 pounds).

I liked this move!! I counted a right lunge/left lunge as 1 rep and just moved the KB in a slow controlled way!!

And, I ran again!!
7 miles in 47:50 + 2 easy miles.

Saturday 6/7 – 44 knee repeaters.

(clearly not me – for some reason I can’t get my videos to load right now)

I love this move – it is a great warm-up for the day. And of course, this is a move that had to be the same on both sides!!!

And, the rest of my workout is fixing to take place!!!

Hunter and I are off to the races. We are running Storm the Dam half marathon. It is a trail race so that will be new for me.

I am so excited to run with Hunter in his first half – it will be awesome!! Hopefully he will share about his training and race experience soon!

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Biceps, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill, Triceps

Back to Work!!! (5/18-5/24)

May 24, 2014 Kim 30 Comments

This week has been all about getting back into a solid workout groove. For the past couple of months I sort of let my weight training and cross training take a back seat to running. Even though I plan to keep logging lots of miles, I need to add in the other work again!!!

Sunday 5/18 – 44 shoulder burners!! This move was a front raise, flip arms over and do a bicep curl with arms out in front (and up), shoulder press, then reverse each step for 1 rep – oh, and I stood on my wobble balls just to increase the FUN!!!

flip arms over - palms up — flip arms over – palms up

Not gonna lie – my shoulders were dying by the time I finished all 44 of these!!!! (and I only used 5 pound dumbbells)

I did a DVD that I haven’t done in a long time – Jackie Warner X-Treme Crunch Free Abs. This is just over 30 minutes of serious ab/core work. The first half is all done standing and the 2nd half is on the ground. About midnight Sunday night I could really feel all of those moves!!!

I also did a treadmill run. Lately I haven’t even tried to push my pace much and I’m still going to focus on running more miles at an easy pace but every once in awhile I need to pick it up.

5 miles – 35:27 + 1 easy mile to cool down (all at 1.5% incline)

Monday 5/19 – 44 step-ups with a bicep curl.

Push off foot on step to lift up and curl at the same time.

After I did 44 on this side I had to switch sides – a total of 88 bicep curls!!! (the main reason I stuck with 8 pound dumbbells!)

ready (not sure what I'm doing with the weights!) — ready (not sure what I’m doing with the weights!)

The nice thing about this move was that it got my heart rate up besides working my biceps, butt and quads!!!

I did one of my favorite workouts – Les Mills Combat – Extreme Cardio Fighter. 60 minutes of kicking and punching at a fairly high intensity!!! Love it!

Tuesday 5/20 – 44 fall backs with medicine ball.

This move was HARD!!! It is great for your core and also for your quads.

The rest of the workout was 10 Minute Solutions – Hot Body Boot Camp. Not gonna lie, of the 5 10 minute sections my favorite this time was the stretching!!! I think I was dragging a little!!!

Wednesday 5/21 – 44 waving triceps while standing on wobble balls.

Trying to stay balanced on the wobble balls and keeping my arms extended the entire time turned this into a great challenge!!! (8 pound dumbbells)

This was a running day – 10 miles in 78:43 plus 1.2 easy miles.

Thursday 5/22 – 44 pull-overs while on a stability ball. This move was from Nellie (Brooklyn Active Mama) and her weekly Wednesday workout.

I’m not sure I dropped my arms as far as you are supposed to but I was trying to keep my form good and not bend my arms – lots of muscles involved here!!! (1 12 pound dumbbell)

I wanted to do something a little easier so I did The Biggest Loser – Weight Loss Yoga. Ummm….there was very little easy about the workout. Bob Harper knows his stuff and after 50 minutes of yoga I felt like I had worked out for sure!!!

Friday 5/23 – 44 triceps kickbacks while in chair.

I know that I should have been lower in “chair” but my quads were burning!!! (8 pound dumbbells)

It was another run day and I decided to make it a bit of a harder pace because lately I feel like I’ve been running slower most of the time.

8 miles (1.5% incline) in 53:27 + 2.4 easy miles. I try not to run hard too often anymore (I used to do it every single run – part of why I was injured more than not) but it was nice to push the pace. (6:41 average)

Saturday 5/24 – 44 leg lifts with a medicine ball between my lower legs.

Yikes – that move was hard!!! The medicine ball I used was 8 pounds and I told Chris that the hardest part was the ball hurt my ankle bones!!! Even with the whining, I still did another set of 44!!!

Hunter and I are supposed to be out running right now – his final long run but it is raining and I’m not a diehard!!! I have zero desire to be soaking wet for over an hour and a half!! We will run later or even in the next day or two – we have some flexibility since he is going to run quite a bit this week before scaling back for the final week before his race!

This week wasn’t a high mileage week for me but it felt good to get in a few runs again. I’m ready to focus on a new goal and plan to keep my miles up while getting in more strength work again!!!