"Today I ran 9 miles" - said ME!

 

WHAT??????

  

When I was in high school I did track - but I HATED long distances. I was a sprinter, running a mile was literally torture for me. Now I'm running 9 miles?! I haven't always been so great about following through with things. Setting a goal and watching it come to light so rewarding.  

 

Other than increasing my pace, mileage, and endurance I am also getting to see some really cool changes in my body. I am losing inches all over, my clothes are fitting better, I feel awesome.

 

 This picture was taken during the cool down so you can ignore the time and speed (that would be a slllooowwww run) but look at the miles - YEAH!

 

 

I would also like to share something that is a bit off topic. With everything happening around the world this week - bombings, earthquakes, explosions, and tension between countries I really feel to share something: we need to fixate our focus on the good! Focus on the positive, remember that all of us have it within our souls to change the world.

 

 

Live life from your heart - take time to understand what your heart and soul desire and then go out and make it happen - the universe rewards us for being who we are meant to be.

 

 

Thanks for reading, have a great week, I hope you demolish and accomplish! :)

 

 



Seven Miles.

 

Week

 

 

COMPLETE!

 

 

 

This week I accomplished something I've never done in my life - I ran seven miles! Each week from here on out I will be pushing myself to reach more distances than ever before.

 

 

 

I wanted to share something new I have been teaching in my body pump class this week.

It's called the plyometric straddle jump:

 

 

We start in a wide stance on the floor straddling the bench. Jump up onto the bench, knees forward tracking out over the toes. Using our arms we explode off the bench, land soft knees out - get low!

 

 

Talk about crazy amazing cross training. We do this during the lunge track. By the end my quads are on fire and heart rate is through the roof.

LLOOOVVEEE IT!

 

 

I am really happy to share that my body is handling all of this training really well. I feel amazing after my runs, I am getting really excited for this race! I really believe that our bodies achieve anything our minds believe.

 

After my run, I walked up a set of stairs and this is what I saw, so perfect:

 

 

Stay tuned :)

 

Week 6 - That's a Wrap!

Week 6 training schedule was light. My longest run this week was only 4 miles - YEAH!
 

I cannot believe I am half way through training for my half marathon.

6 weeks completed already?

Six more weeks and I will be crossing the finish line.

 

 This week most of my (little) free time was consumed with body pump.

I helped teach at a special event on Saturday so I had to prepare. I cut my runs a little short but I still got LOTS of  strength training in....


Practicing at home :)

Here I am during the back track (my favorite) doing the CLEAN AND PRESS!

 

 

Childs pose right before a WHOLE PUNCH OF PUSH UPS!

 

 

 

PLUS cross training with Turbo Kick + a three mile run.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading - week seven here I come :)

 

 

 



Put the Pedal to the Floor - Week 5

 

This week I really had to apply the "mind over matter" theory.

I had a bazillion excuses not to train but I overcame every single one of them, set my mind on the prize, and ran my face off!

 

 My short runs this week were 4 mile each. Both of them were really tough but I made it through and was so happy when it was over.

 

 

The real challenge came on when I had to face my long run: 6 miles. I have run six miles ONCE in my entire life - last year when I ran my first 10k. I was nervous, I didn't know how my body was going to feel....

 

Here were my stats:

 

AND I FINISHED THE LAST MILE ON THE TRACK!

 

I could not be more proud in this moment. My body felt amazing, my average pace is increasing every time I run, I can feel myself getting stronger. My training from here on out is going to be brand new territory for me. I am going to be tackling distances I have never done before. Thanks for reading :)

 

Commence week 6.....

How bout some fitspiration!

This week has been so crazy. I woke up this morning to run 4 miles and my body was telling me

"Don't you dare get out of this chair, take off your robe, and finish your coffee"

So I stayed home....and got FITSPIRED!

 

I am a group fitness instructor. Teaching LITERALLY is my favorite part of my week!

 

 

While I am a little disappointed that I didn't run this morning, I am glad that I gave myself a little time to unwind my brain and relax. Since I got home from vacation I have not had one day that wasn't filled with "to do's" and "go go go!" I feel like my mind is reset and ready to keep trucking!

 

I am going to share the pics that really helped me this morning:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful day....give some positive energy to the world....

 

 

 

 



Week #5 - the intensity is increasing!

Today is day #1 of week five.

 

I AM NERVOUS!

My training is going to start getting more intense and time consuming.

Here is my training schedule for the week:

 

Stretch & Strength

4 mile run

2 mile run or cross train

4 mile run + strength train

Rest

40 min cross

6 mile run

 

 



Vacation or Train? BOTH!

As I mentioned in my previous post I recently took a trip to visit my family in Colorado. What a nice change it was to have the warm sun kissing my skin as opposed to the Minnesota frigid cold!
This was my view when I landed at the airport.

 

After seeing this I couldn't wait to run outside!

 

One of the first things I did was change into a tank top and flip flops :)

 

 

Then I got down to the important stuff. Personally, it is important for me to establish some sort of accountibility/reminder/motivation to continue my progress. I decided to post my training to do list on my mirror in my room. Every time I looked in the mirror I was reminded of my goals even though I was on vacation.

 

 

And then I got down to work.....

 

 

 

 My dad has a bowflex so I made sure to include some strength training while I was home. I will be 100% honest with you, I didn't follow my training schedule perfectly but I did the very best that I could - and I know that it will pay off in the end!

 

I have always been one of those people who has intentions to

 reach a goal but allow distractions to deter me.

 

At some point you have to decide what is important.

 

 

I am so proud of myself for sticking with my training.

I am on my way to running a half marathon!