Tag Archives: running

Cardio, Core, Fitness, Quad, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

My Biggest Failure – Friendships

January 14, 2014 Kim 119 Comments

Today I did a box plank jump that Taylor (Lifting Revolution) demoed (along with some other great moves I can’t wait to try!).

To do the move, get in plank with your feet on the box (or stool if you don’t have a box). Hop your feet down in front of the stool and back up.

Not gonna lie – this move sort of scared me. It took me several practice hops to feel like I had any sort of rhythm. Talk about a great all-over body move – TRY IT!!!

And – another running day!!! 1.5% incline – 8 miles – 59:51 plus 1 more mile nice and easy to cool down.

Sometimes I look at my life and wonder if I’m a complete failure at friendship!!!

The past few years have really made me question my ability to truly form relationships with others.

Chris has heard me question this characteristic a few times (way more often than he prefers probably!!).

I just can’t figure out why I seem to fail at friendships!!! I’m not talking about the acquaintance type of friendship but the close relationships – the type of friendship where there are no secrets and no need for pretending. The friendships that you think are the forever kind.

I have always been very independent and able to fend for myself so I’m not really a “needy” friend.

Sometimes I wonder if the fact that I don’t even have a functional relationship with my mom plays a role in the whole friendship thing.

I completely understand that people change over time but I also think that true friendship is stronger than those changes. However, I’ve learned (been told) otherwise in the past couple of years.

I don’t think friends have to talk every day or even every week – I think that true friends just pick up where they left off. Until one day they don’t.

This past fall has been a huge time of transition for me. I don’t know the first thing about owning a business and between trying to figure it out and keep it running (without hiring anyone), working out, blogging and most importantly, keeping up with my family, I haven’t done much with anyone and that has cost me at least one friendship.

I don’t really know what to do to change any of this. I just know that I feel completely inadequate as a true friend at this point in my life. Part of this is my own feeling and part of this is based on the demise of a friendship that I thought was one of those “till the end of time” ones.

Sorry that this is such a depressing post – just something that has been on my mind a lot lately!!!

Happy Tuesday!

Kim

Biceps, Core, Fitness, Quad, Running, Thighs, Treadmill

I’m Not Ready to Give Up

January 12, 2014 Kim 60 Comments

Today’s 44 was one that I saw Tara do (Family Sport Life). I didn’t totally master it but it was still very effective. To start, you balance yourself on a stability ball (knees on it) and then you do the actual move – bicep curls.

If you look closely you can see that I had to tap my toes (more than keep them up actually) to keep from falling on my face. I’m going to keep working on the balance aspect!!!

Besides working my biceps (10 pound dumbbells), this move was good for my core (balance) and my quads were burning by the end!!!!

And then I ran again – 2 days in a row!!! Yesterday I got in 6 miles and today I ran 6 at just under 8 minute/mile pace and did another 1.75 miles to cool down.

So, you might remember that back in October I attempted my first 50 mile race and it did not go well.

I made a lot of mistakes but I also learned a lot. And, way down deep I know that I can run a 50 (and maybe even a 100 miler!!!).

Yesterday morning I was scrolling through FaceBook and saw a post from the Heartland 100/50 (the race I did last year) saying that they are changing the 50 and making it a day race!!!! (Last year it was at night – pitch black on a rocky road, cold, lonely…….)

Then this happened –

In May, I’m going to try again to complete a 50 mile race!!!!

Actually I’m going to do more than try!!!! I’m going to take the things I learned last fall and apply them and this 50 mile race is going to be a great experience!!!!

In October, I wasn’t mentally tough enough to push through the pain and other factors that were involved.

This time, my head will be in the right place and there will be no giving up!!!

I’m excited to get another chance to fulfill my goal of competing in an ultra!!!!

Happy Sunday!!

Kim

Butt, Calves, Fitness, Running, Treadmill

You’ve Never Been Where?!

January 8, 2014 Kim 96 Comments

Today for my 44 I did rocking squat – it was every bit as awkward as it sounds!!

Start in a squat position –

More than anything this is a nice way to warm-up your shins and calves – and get a little burn from holding the squat!!!

And, it was another happy day on the treadmill!!! I did 8 miles at a fairly steady pace – just a few seconds under an hour or right at 7:30 pace and then another 1.15 miles super easy. I’m hoping to have more running days this year – trying to be smart about it though because I have a history of stress fractures. (in 10 years I’ve had 3 or 4 in my right foot and 1 in each hip)

Somehow I have a 15 year old and an almost 13 year old and neither one of them have ever been to the circus!!!

What?! How did this happen?

And, to make things even worse, neither Chris nor the boys have ever been to a rodeo!!!

I feel like they have been sheltered and are missing out in a big way!!

Of course, then Chris reminded me that they have been skiing, to lots of beaches and for 5 straight summers we went to Hawaii starting when Hunter was 4 and Jordan 6. (The Hawaii gig was because we got to fly Space A, free, on the tanker – and I think it is time for another trip!!!)

But still, the circus is like having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich – it is part of growing up!!!

Jordan said, “I’m not going to a circus. I don’t want to see clowns juggling swords with creepy faces.” OY!!!

Maybe I will take them to a cattle auction!! None of them (Chris or the boys) have ever been to one of those either and I think everyone should experience the thrill of a cattle auction!!! (I used to go with my grandparents – good times!!!)

Have you been to the circus? A rodeo? What about a cattle auction?
What is one place you think all kids should experience at least once?

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill, Uncategorized

I Have a Secret to Share

January 6, 2014 Kim 111 Comments

Today for my 44 I used my step(s) and did some decline plank jacks!

The set-up with the steps –

I put my feet on the taller of the 2 (it is 8″) and my hands on the other (6″).

I “jacked” my feet off and on x 44. This was a fun way to do a plank hold and get my heart rate up!!!

Hard to take pictures while holding a 1 arm plank but you get the idea!!!

I’m trying to increase my mileage (without being too crazy!) so I ran again today. Just putting in miles – trying to learn to run slow (I tend to get impatient) and not so hard because I know that is the best way to be able to run more often (for me!).

My secret –

I keep reading about body image and people who want to make changes in their diets and exercise habits to change their bodies (which is completely fine!).

But, I can say in all honesty that I really do like my body just the way it is.

And, you know what? It has nothing to do with having a six pack – I know I have one somewhere, I just keep it safely covered up. It has nothing to do with a perfect butt – mine will never be the super cute shape. Basically there isn’t any of me that is perfect.

And when you really think about it, we all have a different definition of the “perfect” body anyway. Some people think that perfect is super skinny, some like curves and some (me) prefer strong!!!

I love my body because it is strong and healthy and lets me do the things I love.

I ask it to let me run 5 fast miles and my legs manage to pick up the pace and kick it into gear. Some days I really push by body and ask it to run more than 40 miles and it will usually somehow find a way to get it done.

There are days that I think there is no possible way I will be able to accomplish everything I need to but somehow my body finds a way to make it happen.

I love my body because it allowed me to have 2 babies who are now closer to men than babies!!!

There are still nights where I look in the mirror before bed and think, “time to make a change.” (I know that Chris is nodding his head right now because he is the one who hears that on occasion!!!)

But on most days – I love the body that I’ve been given and that I have worked hard to make as strong and healthy as possible!!!

Do you love your body for the things it allows you to do every single day?

Happy Monday!!! Ha Happy Monday!!! It was supposed to be back to school but they cancelled all of the area schools last night due to extreme cold, blowing snow and icy roads. So, the boys can help me finish putting up the Christmas stuff!!! (I know they are excited!)

Kim

Butt, Core, Fitness, Plyo, Running, Treadmill

One Kind Act Is Worth More than 100 Acts Done out of Resentment

January 4, 2014 Kim 48 Comments

Last night I asked Hunter for some suggestions for today’s 44. He came up with one and it was rough!!! I’m not really sure what to call it – HARD?

The move consists of a jump in the air – roll (fall, whatever) back – crunch – pop up (hardest part for me!) – jump – repeat x 44!!!

I asked Hunter if he would do the demo and he agreed even though he had already taken a shower (so sweet!).

I decided to get in another run today. Since I ran nice and easy yesterday, I bumped it up today.
1.5% incline – 5 miles in 30:52 (then some easy miles!)

The other night at dinner I told Chris and the boys that I was going to try to make kindness a bigger part of my daily life.

I decided that for the month of January (and hopefully longer), I would try to make a purposeful effort to do something kind each day.

I know it’s only been a few days but in that short time I’ve discovered something – the act of kindness is all about the attitude!

Yesterday’s act of kindness was something that I would have done anyway but by changing my attitude and wanting to do something kind I actually enjoyed it so much more than if I had just done it and felt resentful for having to do it at all!!

I think that I’m going to enjoy being more purposeful about seeking out ways to be kind and I can already tell that this is one of those things that is going to make my life that much happier!!!

There are many times that I do things but resent it the entire time – my hope is that by choosing to look at some of these things as an act of kindness the resentment will fade and it will become more natural for me to look for ways to be kind!!!

I think that in the big picture I am the one who will benefit the most from choice to try and perform more acts of kindness!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Day With KT