Half Marathon Training Begins!

I'm on a mission to kill myself this week, y'all. Case in point: My workout schedule for the week...

Monday, July 1 - 4am - 4:30am - Cardio
                           4:30pm - 5:30pm - Barre Class
Tuesday, July 2 - 5:30am - Run 3 miles {First official training run for my half marathon!}
                           5:30pm - Glutes/Legs/Abs {Strength Training}

Wednesday, July 3 - 4am - 4:30am - Cardio
                                5:30pm - 6:30pm - Barre Class

Thursday, July 4 - 6:30am - Run 3 miles

Friday, July 5 - 4am - 4:30am - Cardio
                        5:30pm - Chest/Triceps/Abs {Strength Training}

Saturday, July 6 - 6am - Run 4 miles
                            8:30am - 9:30am - Barre

Sunday, July 7 - 6:30am - Run 2-3 miles

I don't plan for a rest day because inevitably I know "life" will happen and I may miss one of these planned workouts.

What's with the 4am cardio sesh? Well, I work at my gym on MWF as the opener, and I sort of use that time as a "just in case I don't get back to the gym for a workout later" session. I figure 30 minutes of cardio is better than nada. I typically do get back to my planned workout after my normal 9-to-5 job, but some days, sh*t happens. I'm lucky that my main job allows for some flexibility - I don't necessarily have to be at the office the entire 9-to-5, as I can log on and work from home in the evenings if need be, so sometimes I get to the gym earlier for my strength training sessions, which makes my evenings a lot nicer for getting dinner on the table and not rushing the bedtime routine with the boys.

This week is the start of what is going to be a hectic few months of workouts due to training for the half marathon in the midst of it all. I didn't want to give up my strength training or barre classes just because I'm running because I don't believe replacing one thing with another is going to make me better. The running is purely going to be in addition to my normal workout routine, which is why I have scheduled those so early in the morning {plus to beat the SC heat}.

Wish me luck with the half marathon training!                          

Gym Session: June 25

I haven't done one of these posts since before my Florida vacation!

Today I'm working my Back, Shoulders and Abs - feel free to use this workout for yourself and/or tweak it to fit your needs. I also think I'll be jammin' to a Michael Jackson playlist in remembrance of his passing on this day four years ago.

Gym Session ::: Tuesday, June 25th ::: Back/Shoulders/Abs Day

Cardio :: Elliptical :: 30 min
SUPER SET
Front Shoulder Raise ::  3 sets / 15 reps / 8 lb DBs
Dumbbell Lateral Raise :: 3 sets / 15 reps / 8 lb DBs
Bent-Over Barbell Row :: 3 sets / 15 reps / 30 lb BB
Shoulder Press :: 3 sets / 15 reps / 12 lb DBs
Lat Pull Down :; 3 sets / 15 reps / 50 lbs
Back Extensions :: 3 sets / 15 reps / holding 5-10 lb plate
Planks :: 3 sets holding for 1 min ea set
Stability Ball Crunches {Obliques and Center} :: 3 sets / 15 rep ea side
Medicine Ball Russian Twists :: 3 sets / 20 reps ea side w/15 lb ball

Hope you have a great workout today!

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The First Run Is Always The Hardest

This weekend, I decided I should just go for it and hit the pavement. As I mentioned in Thursday's post, I wanted to start this week getting prepared for my half marathon training, though my official training start date is July 1st - 16 weeks out.

Even though I'm in the gym regularly on the elliptical or treadmill, this was just so different. Here's how I did:

Yeah, crappy.

I had only planned on running about two miles anyway, but still, I just did not feel in good running shape at all...plus I was not in A/C like at the gym...it was very hot and humid {thank you, SC}. I am so far from where I was just six or so months ago when I was training for the half marathon I didn't end up doing. I know I'll get back, but man, what a hit to the ego this was. I'm not going to let it discourage me though...I know I will improve with time and that is what training is for. I've never been much of a "runner" - it's a totally different kind of fitness for me. Put me in a dance studio and I could go for hours, but when I run, sometimes I feel like I might die. I'd like to be someone who runs regularly - if I could run a consistent 20 miles a week, I'd be satisfied.

I also think a those running results had a lot to do with the fact that a) I went out the night before and had a few drinks with friends, b) I didn't drink as much water  that day as I should have and c) my body was not properly fueled with the right foods.

Anyway, I know I've got a long road ahead of me {pun totally intended - hehe}. It's more of a mental challenge than anything. I know the endurance will come, but it's the mental battle that I have the hardest time breaking through. I have to find ways to not get bored - gorgeous scenery, great music, etc.

My plans this week and going forward are to:

a. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day and cut back on alcoholic beverages during training.
b. Be a bit more strict on my diet - only consume what will fuel my body and cut out unnecessary calories.
c. Plan out my run times so I can know what to expect and thus keep up with my running schedule easier.
d. Stay motivated and not get discouraged!

I'm using Map My Run to plan my routes and RunKeeper to track my stats for each of my runs. If you're new to running, training for anything, or just looking for some good fitness apps, I highly recommend these.

A 13 in 2013

This goal must be met, people. My goal to run a half marathon sometime in this lifetime. What better year for a 13-miler than 2013? It sounds so unlucky that it just might be lucky.

I have decided to make a goal of the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon again this year.

It was my half marathon goal last year that I never made good on. It is on October 20th. This would put my official 16-week training start date on July 1st. I actually plan to get back into running over this next week and a half so that I am ready to be in training mode on July 1st.

Here is my 16-week training plan:

It's going to be a challenge, and I know that {especially with the Charleston, SC heat and humidity in July and August!} But I really want this...I have for a long time...and it's high time I got my ass in gear and got it done!

I plan on updating y'all throughout the training...follow me on Facebook and Twitter for my RunKeeper app updates. I use that app on my iPhone to track my mileage and time - I love it.

Wish me luck and keep me motivated with your support!




Random Update: See above where I mentioned that a 13 in 2013 "sounds so unlucky it just might be lucky"? Well, I just happened to look over at my blog archive and realize this is also my 13th post since starting the blog!

You Snooze, You {Don't} Lose

Weight, that is.

For many people, fitness is hard to squeeze in to the often busy and hectic lives we live these days. A lot of us start the day rushing to get the kids and ourselves ready for the day, then rushing to get everyone to their respective destinations and at times may not return home until there's just barely time left to get a meal on the table. Where does a workout fit into this kind of life?

Well, what I just described above is pretty much what my life seems like most days. Especially now that it's summer time, my kids are in their daycare and day camp and then the hubs and I each work all day. After work, there's usually an activity, or beach time, or pool time for the boys...and then of course managing to get dinner on the table and get them through their bedtime routines. So when am I working out amidst all of this?

That's AM, people.

That's right, I have to start before the hectic day even begins - while everyone else is still enjoying themselves in dreamland.

On M, W & F, I actually HAVE to be out of bed by 3:30am because I am my gym's opener those days and have to be there by 4:30am {an extra side job I picked up that gave me the perk of a free membership}. So what I've been doing is waking up a half hour earlier to get there at 4am and do some cardio before I start. It's not a full workout, but it gets that out of the way and I normally find time to get some strength training in later in the day.

On Tues and Thurs, I get to "sleep in" until 5:00am. I get ready, get to the gym around 5:30-5:45am and workout until 6:45am. I get home around 7am to relieve hubby and let him get to work while I freshen up and finish getting the boys ready to head out the door at 8am.

It's not easy. On Tues and Thurs, I definitely want to hit the snooze and just tell myself I'll workout "later". But I know that I might really not if the day gets away from me or exhausts me completely. So what do I do to make it easier for myself to just get up and go those days?

1. MOVE THE ALARM CLOCK AWAY FROM THE BED
This is key for me. I read this advice somewhere once and thought, "now
 that's genius". If I actually have to get myself up and out of bed to turn off the buzzer, I'll be likely to just stay up and go. After all, it's the getting up that is the real battle in the first place.
  
2. SET OUT WORKOUT CLOTHES THE NIGHT BEFORE
If I can make it so I have to do the least possible in the morning, I am more likely to go. I don't have to rummage through drawers in the dark or try to find the right gear.

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3. SHOWER THE NIGHT BEFORE
This might not be for everyone, but if I'm already clean and ready to go, that is that much less time I need in the morning to get out the door and to the gym. Otherwise, I'd need to get up 15 min earlier than I already do. I jump in and rinse off really quick when I get back from the gym.

Good news is, your body tends to get on a new schedule in two weeks time, so hopefully it will only get easier and easier for you to roll out of bed. I hope some of these tips work for you if you decide to be an early riser for your workouts.

Getting Back Into A Routine

Hey y'all! I didn't post much here last week because I was on vacation with my family in Florida. We went to Disney World and Sea World - it was an action-packed week - also not my best week fitness-wise. I had the good intentions of using the resort's fitness center all week, but I made it like twice. Ugh. Bad Gym Bunny.

It's not easy to stay on track while on vacation, so I'm not even going to pretend like it is. This particular vacay was go-go-go from sun up to sundown. We had to get up early each day, get ourselves and the kids ready, do breakfast, then head out to the theme park of the day early to beat crowds. We would stay at each one all day long and be exhausted by the time we got back to our resort. And then of course, that's when cocktails would start flowing.

So yeah, I wasn't at my best at all...and I'm seeing the havoc I've wreaked on my body this past week. But in all actuality, I am glad I enjoyed myself...that I did make it to the fitness center twice (meaning I did make an effort) and we did walk around all day at the parks. I read online that the average person walks anywhere from 6-13 miles a day at Disney World. We also didn't pig out on park food - we brought a cooler with our own lunches and healthy snacks.

But now it is definitely time to start this week off the right way. I'm working the opening shift at my gym this morning and I came a little early to get some cardio out of the way before my shift started.

Bottom line, it's OK to relax and enjoy yourself once in a while, so long as you get yourself back on track right away. And these two happy guys - well, they were worth it.

Why You Should Use Weight Gloves

Hey y'all - I'm here to tell you about an important item I carry every time I hit the gym --- weight gloves.

Here are my reasons why you should have a pair in your gym bag too:

1. Prevent Callouses

Strength training is an important part of anyone's fitness routine. But that metal or plastic-y exterior of the weights can wreak havoc on your hands.

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Wearing weight gloves can prevent this painful and not-so-good-looking problem.


2. Better Grip

Many glove options provide a better grip for you - making it less likely to slip on the bar or drop a dumbbell. Many are moisture-wicking to keep hand sweat at bay.

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And here are some that I recommend, if you're looking for your own pair:

{GoFit Elite Weight Lifting Gloves}