Streaking Continues & A Boot Camp Run

Well. We made it back to China after an amazing two weeks in the US. 16 hours in an airplane and a ton of time zones later = a whole lot of jet lag for me. My body clock has been upside down. That hasn't stopped me from running though.

In fact, my #runstreak is alive and well! For 34 days now, I have been running at least one mile a day, and I'm still feeling good. Three days a week I run longer. Typically Tuesday and Thursday are 5Ks and on the weekend I try to run a little more. While in the US, I did a couple of weekend long runs. I ran 5.5 with my MRTT group in Manchester and then 6.5 with the MRTT in NJ. These were my longest non-treadmill runs since March!

Fast forward to today. mrC joined me for my #runstreak morning mile.

Instead of just running my #runstreak mile and calling it a day, I decided to add some boot camp exercises at the end. I've been missing my #SurfnTurf classes at TI Fitness, especially after my visit while in NH, so I've been trying to do my own strength training. The other day I ran to the fitness center, did some strength exercises, then ran home. I was sore. I loved it.

Here's what it looked like today:

triceps dips

step ups

push ups

split squats

squats with side crunch

On a side note, you can probably tell from the pictures that I'm back to warm weather running. Although I am missing the cold weather I enjoyed while in New England, I do like that I can still wear my favorite shorts. The Oiselle distance shorts became my go-to when I was looking for shorts with less bulk, but good coverage. The bonus on these is the three separate pockets, including two with zippers. I never have to worry about my keys!

What body weight exercises do you do on your own?
Do you have a favorite pair of running shorts?

Hanging Out in NH: GMMRTT, SurfSet, & Trails

Wow! Time flies when you're having fun! 

After landing in New Jersey last Wednesday, mrC and I spent a day and a half letting our bodies get used to being back in the USA.  On Friday I hopped on another plane for a short flight to New Hampshire for a long weekend visit.

I started the weekend with a Girl's Night Out with MRTT. We pretty much took over an entire room at the Bedford Village Inn tavern. I haven't seen these women in person since we were home in August, but because we interact so much in the Facebook group it felt like I'd never been gone. 

After dinner, some of us braved the chilly NH night to hang out by the fire pit. It was a great night!

On Saturday I headed to TI Fitness for some Boot Camp and SurfSet. Although I keep busy in China with running, biking, hiking, yoga, and Zumba, nothing compares to a good full body cardio workout. 

Boot Camp was broken into two parts: first we were on the floor obstacle course style and then on the ledge (which you can't really see in the picture). On the floor we ran, shuffled, zig-zagged, and jumped while mixing in some strength exercises that we pulled from a box. For example after going through the floor course we did 20 reverse flies. On the ledge we focused on step-ups, jumps, triceps dips. Stuff like that. It was awesome! 

The 30 minute SurfSet class was fast paced and challenged my body in every way. I miss these classes so much because it's such a fun way to get sweaty and it's the only way I ever did strength. I'm struggling with that in China.

On Sunday morning I hit the trail for a MRTT group run. I ran a lot of miles on the rail trails in New Boston, Goffstown, and Manchester before moving. I've been watching the progress of improvements via Facebook, so I was super excited to see first hand the newly finished bridge connecting Manchester to Goffstown. 

The weather almost didn't cooperate, but the skies dried up just in time for the group to hit the trail. 

After fitness class on Saturday I raided Runner's Alley for some new running shoes. The Mizuno Wave Rider 19s are so much lighter and softer than my old shoes (which were overdue for replacement) and I love how Feetures socks just mold to me feet. 

Between the cooler temps, the trail, and my new gear, running the 5.3 miles felt amazing. 

Do you do non-running things with your running group?

What was the last pair of running shoes you bought? I'm loving my new Mizuno Wave Rider 19

MRTT Giddy Up & Go Half Marathon Relay

I'm so happy that I was able to attend the GMMRTT Giddy Up & Go Half Marathon Relay event while we were back in the states for vacation/operation sell the house!

After only being in New Hampshire overnight following our Cape Cod vacation, mrC drove me to Lake Massabesic for the event. (On the way there we spotted a van full of some of my Sunday Runday Goffstown running buddies. I wish I had a picture of all those ladies smiling and waving at me on the highway!)

Just like the last event I attended, the GMMRTT chapter leaders organized an amazing day. Teams of 3 completed the 13.1 miles, cheered for each other, and munched on food donated by Panera and Market Basket. At the end of the event, door prizes were awarded. It was a great day!

Here are some of my personal highlights:

Seeing my friend, colleague, and running buddy.

Enjoying the beauty of New Hampshire.

My Relay Team.

Supporting other runners.

Running the trail with a little help from my friends.

The bling.

This group of amazing women (and the amazing husbands behind the scenes who pick us up, drop us off, take up the slack, and TAKE PICTURES!)

Are you a member of your local MRTT group? 
What do you love about your chapter?

#CheerBoston from Dubai

It's Marathon Monday and I'm super EXCITED to support my #BostonStrong runners today via the BAA LIVE stream.

Last night mrC and I went back to the Dubai Mall for some dinner on the Waterfront and to see the famous Dubai Fountain Show. We had dinner at Carluccio's, right on the promenade and watched the first 3 minute show while having dinner. Since the show is every 30 minutes, we walked around to watch from different spots and saw the show three times.

This morning, I joined my GMMRTT friends for a virtual Boston Strong 2.62 Miles to support all the runners of the Boston Marathon.

I am so happy for ALL of the runners, but especially my running friends, my MRTT peeps, and my fellow running bloggers.

So good luck to all my Boston Marathon running friends:

Angela Bekkala
Jen Boudreau
Dani Holmes-Kirk
Lauren Lisi Pino
Kathleen Wheeler
Elizabeth Beeson
Zoe Schwalje
Kelly Herr
Cape Cod Runner
Hungry Runner Girl
Cross My Heart Fitness
Stuft Mama
We Run Disney


Do you know someone running Boston today?
Give them a shout-out in the comments!

Packing Up and Working Out

Today is our last day in New Hampshire and for the past week I've been cramming in as much fitness fun as I can around my last days of teaching and packing. So many people went out of their way to help me get ready for the move and to say such kind things to me.

After spending Monday and Tuesday telling my classes that I was moving, it was really nice to run a few miles with the Run Club and work off some of the emotions.

Run Club date with littleC

I spent the week working with my substitute and was surprised by several farewell moments from the faculty and students.

Friday night I went to the #GMMRTT free yoga session at Diamond Fit Diva in Manchester and then stopped for some drinks at LaCaretta after.

Photo credit: GMMRTT 

As usual I spent my Saturday morning with TI Fitness at #SurfnTone class. We did so many squats that my legs are still sore today. I'm going to really miss these classes until we come back to visit.

Saturday afternoon my stylist was able to squeeze me in for an early color, cut, and wax before heading out of town. It's going to be tough to find someone who "gets my hair" in China.

My last #SundayRunday was spent running a 6 miler with a group of runners from #GMMRTT. Our runs have been so fun and make the miles fly by. I'm so happy I could spend it with these awesome ladies.

I've loved every mile spent with my #MRTT friends including this morning's 6 miler. It's great knowing I can keep in touch and meet up whenever I'm in town! #GMMRTT #SundayRunday #IRunSimple #ZOOMAnation #mileschangeyou #staystrong

A photo posted by AmyC (@runningescapades) on Mar 29, 2015 at 7:10am PDT

I've loved every mile spent with my #MRTT friends including this morning's 6 miler. It's great knowing I can keep in touch and meet up whenever I'm in town! #GMMRTT #SundayRunday #IRunSimple #ZOOMAnation #mileschangeyou #staystrong

A photo posted by AmyC (@runningescapades) on Mar 29, 2015 at 7:10am PDT

Want to see more pictures of my adventures in China? Follow me on Instagram!

I will be spending the rest of today packing and doing last minute errands before we head out to spend a few days with my in-laws in Massachusetts and my family in Ohio. There won't be a lot of time for fitness, but I'm going to squeeze it in whenever I can!

Do you have any packing tips I could use?

Training Truths: Big News!!

Today I can tell you more about why I have been so stressed out lately. mrC has a new job and we are moving…to China. Yes, China!!

My head and heart have been on a roller coaster over this. It is very exciting and a little terrifying. Obviously I want to be with mrC, but I also hate to leave. Ironically, I have been begging to move closer to the city, but I never expected a move this big!

Needless to say things have been CRAZY. This week I start transitioning my classes over to my substitute at school and try to find a way to say "see you later" to the friends I have made. Although we are leaving New Hampshire at the end of the month, we will be back in August for our scheduled vacation ---> and I'll be planning some ZOOMA fun while I'm back, so stay tuned!

Weekly Workouts:

Monday: MAD Abs day 16 + arms + legs
Tuesday: Run + MAD Abs day 17 + Pop Sugar triceps workout
Wednesday: REST day + MAD Abs day 18 (also rest)
Thursday: MAD Abs day 19 + arms + legs workout
Friday: run + MAD Abs day 20
Saturday: SurfnTurf + MAD Abs day 21
Sunday: run MRTT 10K + MAD Abs day 22

Tuesday - 3.34 miles
The plan: run 30 minutes and wear green!

GHS Run Club St. Patrick's Day run. It was sunny, windy, cloudy, rainy, and I'm pretty sure I saw a snowflake too! :)

Friday - 4.12 miles
The plan: run 40 minutes

I didn't find my motivation until almost 7 PM, but once I got started this treadmill run was pretty good. And I had some company!

Sunday - 6.21 miles
The plan: run MRTT Frozen Booty 10K

I was looking forward to this event ever since it was postponed in February after one of our big snow storms. Originally I was only going to run the 5K (it would have been my first post-op), but with the delay, I was able to run my first post-op 10K! After the run, we all hung out at Portland Pie for lunch, door prizes, and girl talk.

photo credit MRTT

Have you ever made a big move?

Training Truths: Dealing with the Rain

My life has been stressful lately.

Behind the scenes here at RE, we've been dealing with bad gallbladders and job changes. It hasn't been easy, but then again life isn't always easy. I saw this posted on social media recently: "if you want rainbows, you have to deal with the rain."

Usually my way of dealing with stress is to workout, but the last couple of weeks I have been shutting down. Here's what I managed last week.

Tuesday - 3.18 + arms
The plan: Run 30 minutes

mrC had his gallbladder removed on Monday and after a night of dishing out pain meds every four hours I skipped my Professional Development day at work. I tried to nap when mrC did, but found myself lacing up my Mizuno Wave Rider 18s instead. It was my first run from home in months and the hills felt horrid, but it was a good 5K run in capris.

Sunday - 4.94 miles
The plan: 5 mile run with MRTT group

After already skipping my run on Thursday, I woke up thinking of all the reasons I wasn't in the mood for this run. Then I realized that I needed it. As soon as I got my feet moving, I started feeling better. (almost) Five miles of conversation later and I couldn't believe that I almost skipped out.

Photo from MRTT member Mary Beth

Weekly Workouts:

Monday: MAD Abs day 9
Tuesday: MAD Abs day 10 + run + arms
Wednesday: MAD Abs day 11 + arms + legs
Thursday: REST!!!! + MAD Abs day 12
Friday: Another REST day + MAD Abs day 13
Saturday: SurfnTurf class + MAD Abs day 14
Sunday: Run + MAD Abs day 15

Challenges:

The one thing I have been able to do consistently is the MAD Abs March challenge. It also seems to be paying off because according to the Skulpt Aim, the muscle quality of my abs is FIT! (check out my progress here and here).

How do you deal with stress?

Training Truths: Back in the Game - Skirt Chaser 7K!

Spoiler Alert: I ran a race over the weekend! Keep reading...

It was a slow week for me. I skipped workouts. I made excuses: dentist appointment, cold & windy, I was tired. The only thing I did consistently all week was my MAD Abs March daily challenge.

Tuesday: 3.21 miles
I did get out and run with a friend from work. It was cold and not the greatest run. I led us down the wrong street. My calves were super tight. We had to run the last 5 minutes around the school parking lot. Ugh. But there you go, still smiling at the end.

Saturday: 4.26 miles
Saturday was all about the race. The Skirt Chaser 7K was my first race since coming back from my knee surgery in December. It was my first 7K and my first race in a tutu.

FYI, I have zero tutu experience or knowledge, so while trying to release the static in my skirt, I also really straightened out the tulle. Oops! Lesson learned: it's supposed to be curly and puffy.

The race started right in front of TI Fitness studio where I spend most of my Saturdays at SurfSet. After parking in the bank garage, we said hi to the TI Fitness gang in the studio, but passed on the glitter tattoos because we were meeting mrC's family for lunch after the race. I was both excited and nervous, but as soon as I met up with the MRTT group I felt like my old self.

The theme of the race was that the girls take off first and the guys follow 3 minutes later. A "catch us if you can" kind of thing. mrC did not run, but as usual he did take great pictures and this video of the ladies start.

The 4.2 mile course was a loop around familiar Elm Street and Chestnut. I love finishing a race feeling strong, especially one with an almost mile long hill right in the middle. 

TI Event Services organized a great race. I loved the 7K distance and the pre/post race activities. And, I loved my outfit: Athleta Tracker Hoodie and Miles Compression Tights (both are on sale!) and Mizuno Wave Rider 18s.

Did you race this weekend?

Have you ever had a comeback race? How did it go?