Get Up & Run?

Getting up early is HARD. When I first started working out in the morning, my alarm went off around 6am and I thought that was ridiculous. Actually, I started working out early because I was training for my first marathon and had no other time in the day to get my strength and runs in, so early on my way to work was my option. I would shower afterwards and head to the office. It was during this time when I came to appreciate getting sweaty in the early morning hours and feeling like I accomplished a million things before the rest of the world would get up. I would also only do this three times a week to start (M/W/F) and then find time to workout on the other days (my “sleeping in” days).

I have come to love the early morning hours. If I could go to bed earlier, I definitely would and get up even earlier. Currently, I’m awake most of the time between 5-5:30am and it’s been a more challenging adjust to get back to my routine after having the girls. Sleep feels most important and I’m sure that aging also plays a part in that. When I was still pumping, it actually seemed easier to get up early because I kinda had a time-sensitive thing to do! And since that chapter has closed, getting up early has become harder. When I have trouble getting up, I remind myself how much better I feel after I’ve worked out and that having this time to myself before the craziness begins is super important to me.

Some things that have helped me create and STICK to a morning routine:

• Consistent alarms. Both at night and in the morning. I try to go upstairs to start my bedtime routine around 9pm, knowing that I plan to wake-up by 5:30am.

• Have a nighttime routine. I used to be really good at stretching and journaling at night, but stretching has been neglected the last couple of weeks. I DO, however, use my yoga toes, journal, and read on my Kindle every night. Currently reading this.

• Lay-out your workout clothes the night before. I lay out all of my clothes for most of the week on my ‘off’ day, so I don’t have to think about what I’m going to wear in the morning.

• Have a plan. When I first started, I knew that I was going to run on the treadmill or outside for ‘x’ minutes and then do my strength routine. I think I even had the workouts written down on note cards (LOL).

• Prepping things make it easier. I have my coffee ready for the morning (1 cup before I workout), graham crackers (2) ready to eat before running/working out, and have my breakfast/lunch/snacks all ready too.

What has helped you stick with a routine? I definitely stray from my routine sometimes too and that’s OK! I think it’s important to give yourself grace and if sometimes you want to workout later in the day, then do it. I used to be very rigid in my running and workout schedule, but having kiddos has totally changed my perspective. I listen to my body more and get more sleep when it’s been a rough night of wakeups.

Training Thursday: Why You Should Vary Your Running Shoes

Happy Training Thursday and Friday-eve! Can you believe that I’m back to blogging at least once a week?!? I know- maybe I shouldn’t gloat too much. You never know what can happen over the next few weeks! This past weekend we had a scare with my Dad, who had a small heart attack. So, I was unable to bring you my weekend recap. He is doing much better now (he also had a stroke less than 3 years ago, so we are very very lucky with him) and hope that varying his medications will decrease his chances of having another one. I’ve heard of being blessed (and also unfortunate) with being in the “know” regarding healthcare when you become a nurse, but I definitely experienced it this past weekend. I knew what his prognosis could be, what they should be doing with his treatment (and maybe, what they didn’t do well-enough) and also hopeful when test results started coming back. Guess this means I’m almost an RN now or something?

Anyways, let’s bring you back into the running world and discuss why you should vary your running shoes! I never wear the same running shoe twice in a row and always switch them up based on the workout I’m doing/ running route I’m going on/ how I’m feeling etc.

They provide your feet with varied pressure points and challenge them.

Your feet are less likely to become relaxed if you’re constantly changing where they have cushion/ where there is less cushion/ where you have more vs. less support. It’s like a small workout for not just your feet, but also your body. You are forced to adjust your form to adapt to the change-of-scenery for your feet. If you’re going out for a run, why not get the most out of it and challenge your feet in a new way (and give them a vacation from the shoes that you wore yesterday)!

Your performance will improve if you have the right type of equipment.

If you have the necessary equipment, then you’re better prepared for the environment (and that includes your running shoes)! If I know that I’m going to be running on the roads, then I grab my shoes that have better grips (like my Brooks Cascadia or Ghosts). If I know that I’m going to be on the track, then I grab for my lightest shoes (Brooks Launch is my favorite). You also should be varying your running routes and terrain to save your joints from the constant wear-and-tear of the same terrain.

You’ll decrease your chance of injuries.

I haven’t (knock-on-wood) dealt with an injury related to running since I began rotating through my running shoes often. Before, I may have grabbed for the same shoe twice in a row or hung onto that beloved pair of sneaks for a bit too long. Now, I know that if I want to prevent injuries -> I never grab for the same thing twice and I retire my shoes earlier rather than later (a new pair of running shoes is a lot less expensive than repeated sessions of physical therapy or surgery)!

What goes with one outfit, certainly doesn’t go with another. (Just Kidding- well, kinda…)

I mean if you don’t look or feel cute in your running outfit, then are you even doing it right? I’m just kidding! But seriously, I save my favorite shoes (currently Brooks Glycerins) for those runs when I need some extra pep in my step. Maybe you’ve got a favorite pair of sneaks or those ‘special sneakers’ or maybe you need a pair! Whatever it is, I think that everyone should get their own pair of ‘ruby red slippers’ like Dorothy has and feel like they’re “home” when they slip into them.