Training Tuesday: Sharing My Running STRENGTH Workout With You & Best Way To Start The Morning?

Happy Tuesday! We survived Monday after a long weekend! Yesterday & this week is probably our busiest day/ week of the year (working in a small business)- thank you to those customers that understand how busy we are. You really do make my job so much better. Also looking forward to when Friday is here…

First run back yesterday! Stella & I did an easy three miles and I kept the pace easy (9:47). Luckily the core trail was mainly clear from ice, so we didn’t have to worry about slipping! Also it was COLD- 28* at 3:30 in the afternoon?! Brrrr. Felt so good to be back out there. Running certainly is a great workout for our bodies, but also a really great break for our minds as well.

Kicked off this morning in the best way ever- jasyoga! Along with a side of coffee, ofcourse.

Also- he fits so well….Brady loves water so much that I think he may just permanently implant himself in a sink and wait for us to turn the water on ; )

Here’s my FULL strength routine that I’ve been incorporating the past few weeks. I always change my strength exercises every 6-8 weeks to get stronger and not burn-out. Also don’t mind the Maple distraction a few minutes in ; ) I normally do 3 rounds of 10-15 sets.

• Lunges with weighted rotation (I normally use a 10 Ib medicine ball at the gym, but use an 8 Ib weight at home)

• 5-star one legged balance - I LOVE this one for keeping my knees strong. It definitely helped get me in-shape for ski season!

• Bridges

• Push-pull ab workout (this is one that I recently got when I did a PT consultation. My hip is slightly imbalanced, so she gave me this one to help balance me out)

• Bicycle holds with the blue ball (took this one from Pilates. I hold each rotation for 5 seconds and the ball goes under my bra strap area on the floor)

• Plank- finally held mine for 4 minutes last night!!

• Rotation with ab-engagement (medicine ball/ weight) and arm lifts

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Does your cat love the sink as well?!

Strength moves- give me YOUR favorites?

Running- mental or physical benefits for you (or both)?

Photos From Our Long Weekend & Shoe Dog Book Review

Happy Monday! How was your Holiday weekend? I cannot believe that it’s the last weekend in November?!? Also we got a BUNCH of snow Saturday- finally our first good snowstorm in what feels like at least two years. We couldn’t even remember getting this much snow last year at all. Today is also a great day because I’m going to start running again! I’m building back up slowly and for the next 4 weeks (basically until Christmas), my mileage won’t peak above 33 miles per week and I think the longest run I’ll have is 7 miles. Much needed break before I begin my marathon training for Eugene! Let’s catch up on the long weekend shall we and then I’ve got another book review for you too.

Gym time. Mainly lifting some lift weights, lots of lunges, ab work (most days during the week), and balance-related things (I’ll post my full strength workout tomorrow!).

Longest plank held EVER!! So close to getting my 4:00 plank hold goal for this month!

Made our own movie theater with some popcorn (we did it on the stovetop in a pan and it was both equally fun + scary) and candy! Rented Wonder Woman at our local library (it was blue-ray which made the quality even better and a free resource for us!).

Lots of kitty cuddles.

Working on another goal for the month! I crocheted a coaster!

Lots of snow on Saturday. We did a long snowy walk and then spent the rest of the day cuddled up by the fire. It was MUCH needed!

New training plan is ready to go for Eugene- following Hanson’s Marathon Method again. I’ll share my plan on Thursday with you and also my goals for the late-Spring race!

Shoe Dog By Phil Knight Book Review - 5/5 stars

Normally sports books are some of my favorite (also really love reading autobiographies), so I knew that once I was able to read this one it would be something I enjoyed. However, I had NO idea I would like it this much. I know sometimes that autobiographies (especially ones when the author is a ‘business tycoon’ may be filtered, so obviously everything read needs to be taken with a grain of salt) can be really ‘in favor’ of the author, however the story behind Nike is mind-blowing.

I had NO idea how his idea came to become (he also has an MBA, so I felt like I could relate to him on some level) Nike, how many times they almost went bankrupt, and how they made their ideas into reality. It also centers around Eugene/ Beaverton, OR (which is where my marathon will be held in April), which got me even more excited my race knowing more of the history behind the city (along with Nike itself).

I did think that the ending felt a bit rushed, but the entire journey from its fruitition to becoming a multi-million dollar company (and beyond by now) was amazing. Phil also blends in how running helped him brainstorm, relive stress, and work out business deals- also something I could easily relate to. This book was definitely a page-turner for me and I already can’t wait to re-read it (probably right before the marathon ; ) ….). I’ve never been a huge fan of Nike (and definitely still have some qualms), however this did provide me some appreciation for it!

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Ever read Shoe Dog?

Five things you did this weekend?

Snow- do you love it?! Anyone else get a snowstorm this weekend?

Post-Thanksgiving Food Coma & This Is What I do When I’m Not Running.

Happy Black Friday! No shopping for me today (but Alex will probably be picking up a larger TV because we “need one” ). Oh well, at least Wonder Woman that we rented at the library will look good! I hope you had a great Turkey day. Heres a few photos from our day. 

Breakfast to start our day!  

Always watching us.  

Coffee & Heated Blanket cuddles (while watching the parade/ pre- cooking) 

THIS STUFF IS AMAZING.  

My first Turkey!  

Post food walk around the lake! 

& this is what I do when not running. Very productive morning!  

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Stuffing- yay or nay? 

favorite post-food tradition? 

who cleans the fridge in your household?  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for you all and the supportive running community. I’m so grateful for a great family, Alex, Stella, Maple, and Brady and to be spending the day with them.

Since I love any opportunity I can to list out all that I’m grateful for, here’s a few others!

• Running shoes

• Colorado

• Snow

• Blue Skies

• Hot Cocoa

• Coffee

• The Holidays (including Holiday decorations)

• Ability to run

• Cooking or baking

• Books

• Facetime with family!

• Those who sacrificed their life for our safety, security, and freedom

• The hardwork of my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents before me to give me the life that I live today

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What are you grateful for?

Training RUNdown: 11/12-11/18

Happy Humpday and the day before Thanksgiving! If you’re traveling, I hope you have safe travels. Anyone running a Turkey Trot? I’m bummed that I’m not doing ours, but know that my full 2 weeks off of running are completely necessary. I’m also all about switching up my normal routine right now- including taking an Epsom Salt Bath yesterday morning before work (it was amazing)!

Also my LONGEST PLANK EVER?!? No stops. No adjustments. Straight through. Maybe I will actually reach my goal of a 4:00 plank by the end of the month!

Brinner is one of my favorite things. Especially when Alex is away (he got back late last night)- it’s an easy way to get in a lot of veggies without much prep. I put in sauted spinach, onions, peppers, and cherry tomatoes.

ALSO- I NEED THIS!

Here’s a recap of last week’s training (sans running):

Monday, 11/12: Nothing besides this s’mores latte from Hash-House-A-Go-Go

Tuesday, 11/13: Travel day back home. Nothing!

Wednesday, 11/14: Took Stella for a few walks and that’s about it : )

Thursday, 11/15: More walks!

Friday, 11/16: 20 minutes of elliptical and 40 minutes of strength/stretching

Saturday, 11/17: Another rest day!

Sunday, 11/18: 20 minutes of biking and 40 minutes of strength/stretching

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What are your Thanksgiving traditions? ——> Watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, normally doing a Turkey Trot, and always always a Green Bean Casserole

Favorite things to put in eggs?

Ever tried a S’mores latte?