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?

Skulpt Aim: 2 Week Update

Two weeks ago I began using my Skulpt Aim device and took my initial measurements. The results (here) showed that I had many places that needed work, so I added workouts that specifically focused on those areas.

My Workouts:

Week 1:
Monday: FAB ab day 23 + SurfnTone 
Tuesday: FAB ab day 24 + arms
Wednesday: FAB ab day 25 + SurfnTurf
Thursday: FAB ab day 26 + arms
Friday: FAB ab day 27 + arms + legs
Saturday: FAB ab day 28 + SurfnTurf
Sunday:  MAD Abs day 1 + arms

Week 2:
Monday: MAD Abs day 2 + arms + legs
Tuesday: MAD Abs day 3
Wednesday: MAD Abs day 4
Thursday: MAD Abs day 5
Friday: MAD Abs day 6
Saturday: MAD Abs day 7
Sunday: MAD Abs day 8

During the first week I was on February vacation and focused on fitness. Week two was a wreck. I was  distracted by all of life's big and small things.

My Results: Two Week Update

With the help of mrC, I took new measurements. My overall body fat according to the Skulpt Aim went up from 27.2% to 31%. This surprised me until I remembered that I took my initial measurements myself which means the results may not be as accurate. I have also learned that the amount of water in my body at the time that the measurement is taken can affect the results. (edit) I have learned that water does NOT affect Skulpt measurements.

The numbers on my individual muscle groups have also changed both positively and negatively, but I think all of the changes are attributed to how the measurements were taken. I'm hoping that the next measurement will bring some clarity to the results.

Initial results (front)

Two week update (front)

Initial results (back)

Two week update (back)

Several people were skeptical of the total body fat results (including myself), so I reached out to my friends at TI Fitness and they took my body fat measurements using an Omron hand-held device that they use with clients. They did it twice using both the athlete and normal settings. My body fat results ranged from 20.6 - 22.4 which is very different from the Skulpt Aim results. Once again I find myself feeling skeptical and wondering which set of results are more accurate. (edit) I should mention that the Omron device uses a different technology (which is widely criticized as unreliable) than the Skulpt Aim to measure body fat and I feel that the Skulpt Aim measurements give a more accurate assessment of my muscles (or lack of muscles, haha!).

My Plan: 

I'm going to continue my original plan, but hopefully with more consistency and increase the amount of weight that I use. And since I have leg envy, on leg days I'm going to try Carrie Underwood's Workout Moves for Legs and Thighs.

Do you have leg envy?

This post is part of the Workout Wednesday link up 

hosted by Diatta, Sheila, Amanda and Heather

and Wild Workout Wednesday!

Disclosure: I was sent a Skulpt Aim for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are my own.

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?

Fitness Friday: McFarland USA

Last week over February vacation, mrC and I had enjoyed date night at the movies. Fortunately for me, mrC is a runner too and likes to see movies about running.

Based on real events, this movie tells the story of a group of boys destined to live a life picking in the fields of California until their teacher convinces them to run cross country. This movie is about more than just running though. It teaches many lessons that we can all take away whether we are runners or not.

1. Believe in yourself. Together they learn that they can achieve so much more than they thought they could. They begin to see a future for themselves once they start to open up and trust each other.

2. Never quit. These boys fight through underdog status and cultural barriers just to run. Even when it's hard and you feel like no one believes in you, you have to keep going.

3. Chase your dreams. The boys were afraid to dream because life was pretty bleak for them. Just because no one before you has done it, doesn't make it impossible. If you want something you have to be willing to go after it.

4. Do what you love. Working hard was never a problem for the boys. They worked hard for their families, but it wasn't what they loved. Once they followed their hearts, happiness followed. You can't put limits on your happiness. Love what you do and you will be happy

5. Stick together.The failures and successes bring the team, the coach, and the community together in ways that can't be broken. So much more can be accomplished together than on your own. Loyalty is so much more valuable than a high paying job or fancy neighborhood.


Have you seen any good movies recently?

This post is part of the Fitness Friday link up hosted by Jill 

and Cynthia, Courtney, and Mar for Friday Five

Knee Rehab Week 11: And We're Done!

I passed my final post-op assessment, and just like that, knee rehab has come to an end.

Even though I'm done with PT, I still have strength work to do, so I promptly signed up to take three SurfSet classes over Winter Break. I'm planning to steal ideas from class to do at home to hit those "need work" areas according to my Skulpt Aim measurements.

Runs: 37.3 February miles

Tuesday - 3.15 miles
The plan: run 30 minutes

The cold weather and snow piles are still chasing me inside to the treadmill, but at least I am enjoying the time.

Thursday - 4.3 miles
The plan: run 40 minutes with 20 minute tempo

mrC and I put on our outdoor running gear with plans to run downtown after his appointment, but it was so cold and cloudy that we decided to just go home. Allie over at Running on Peanut Butter blogged about her tempo run, so I decided to give it a try. The tempo speed I selected was a little slower than it's supposed to be, but now I know where to go the next time.

Sunday - 5.08 miles
The plan: MRTT group run - 5 miles

I had to get outside for at least one run, even if it was colder than they said it would be. There's nothing like a few miles and good company to take your mind off the cold though! It was a flat out and back route early enough that the traffic was light.

Weekly Workouts:

Monday: FAB ab day 23 + SurfnTone + final PT assessment

Tuesday: FAB ab day 24 + run + arms

Wednesday: FAB ab day 25 + SurfnTurf

Thursday: FAB ab day 26 + run + arms

Friday: FAB ab day 27 + arms + legs

Saturday: FAB ab day 28 + SurfnTurf

Sunday: MRTT run + arms

Challenges:

I finished up FAB Ab February, one of my favorite 30 day challenges, and am feeling so good that I began MAD Abs March. Give me something to cross off and I'm a happy camper.

Even though the pRana #TakeTheLeap yoga challenge is coming to an end, I'm going to continue to do daily poses and try to limber up! Here are some of my favorites from the week.

What did you finish last week?

High Five Friday: February Edition

Happy Fitness Friday! Today I'm joining my friend Angela at Happy Fit Mama and taking a moment to High Five some of my favorite February moments.

Despite the snow storms and frigid temperatures, so many great fitness things happened this month. I'm sad to see February end because it means my winter vacation is also over, but I'm excited to see what March will bring (including warmer weather, hopefully!).

1. Doing more yoga to improve my stretching routine and focus on the muscles that are clearly too tight.

2. Longer and longer runs plus my first treadmill tempo. It's a work in progress, but I'm looking forward to maybe doing it once a week.

3. Getting back to SurfSet after a two month hiatus from knee surgery. Highly intense strength training is addictive.

4. Joining the Simple Hydration Run Team. Best water bottle. Great group of people.

5. My new favorite recovery tool: the tennis ball. I'm amazed at how much better my TFL feels after digging into my glutes with that thing.

In case you missed it:

1. Thoughts That Every Runner Has During A Run - just a fun read.

2. Always #LikeAGirl - the commercial that got things fired up for female athletes.

3. Meet The Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Who Lost A Leg -- And Then Became A Runner - an amazing story about the journey from that fateful day in 2013 to the finish line in 2015.

4. But You Don't Look Like A Runner - runners come in all shapes and sizes, duh!

5. Oiselle Plans Flagship Retail Store in Seattle - I'm really hoping they consider opening another one on the east coast next…like maybe Boston?!?


What do you want to High Five today?

This post is part of the Fitness Friday link up hosted by Jill, 

Friday Favorites at Housewife Glamour, 

and  Cynthia, Courtney, and Mar for Friday Five

Skulpt Aim: Getting Started

I was selected to use and review Skulpt Aim, a fitness tracker that measures body fat and muscle quality instead of activities, through my affiliation with Raynforest.

The Skulpt Aim is a device that replaces the pinching tool used to measure body fat by sending a small electrical signal through your skin. The current changes speed as it moves through skin, fat, and muscle.

What's in the box:

The Skulpt Aim comes with a base charger, usb cord, small water bottle, and convenient storage bag.

Getting started:

After charging the device for a couple of hours and downloading the Skulpt app on my iPhone, it was time to take measurements. The device, app, and website all provide thorough instructions (with video) for how to take measurements. You can go step-by-step through all of your muscles or you can opt to focus on just the ones you want.

I would recommend getting someone to help you take the measurements. Doing it on your own like I did can be a little awkward. It's hard to reach your backside without creating tension. Also, the sensors must be sprayed after each reading, so I stood on a bath towel, but you could also spray over a sink.

My Results: the Before

Skulpt Aim rates your muscles according to five categories which are also color coded:

red = needs work
orange = average
yellow = fit
green = athletic
white = skulpted

My overall total body fat is 27.2% putting me in the needs work category (eek!). I took a screen shot of the individual muscle numbers.

My actual results from Skulpt Aim app

My plan:

Basically I am going to work on every area that is red! Seriously. I will be continuing the PT leg exercises that Dr. Bri gave me with added weight and adding an arm workout to my running days. Something like this:

found on Pinterest

My goals:

Every week, I will attempt to take new measurements and hopefully see improvements in my muscles. I don't have a lot of meat on my bones, but what I do have isn't exactly filet mignon, you know? While I don't want to become a body builder, I would like to tone up and fall into the fit range.


Do you track your body fat and/or muscle quality?

This post is part of the Workout Wednesday link up 

hosted by Diatta, Sheila, Amanda and Heather

and Wild Workout Wednesday!

Disclosure: I was sent a Skulpt Aim for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are my own.

Knee Rehab Week 10: Pushing Boundaries

My PT pushed me around during my one session. Instead of focusing solely on strength, he has been testing my balance and landings with lots of single leg and hopping exercises. I'm not that great at hopping backwards on my non-dominate leg, shocker!

I've been slowly increasing my run time and hit another milestone this week. My "long" run also included a change of scenery and elevation.

Following yoga poses for 12 days challenged my body in ways that it hasn't been in a long time.

Tuesday - 3.22 miles
The plan: run 30 minutes

With the nearly 80 inches of snow piled into snow banks lining the roads, there's really no safe place to run outside. Spent 30 minutes on the treadmill and it was the best run I've had in months. My knee is still feeling mazing, but the tight TFL I've been dealing with didn't give me any problems at all.

Thursday - 4.21 miles
The plan: run 40 minutes

One thing I  haven't gotten used to living in NH is the dry, winter heat. My day started with a killer headache that just didn't want to go away. A good run on the treadmill was just the medicine I needed!

Saturday - 5.19 miles
The plan: run with Winter Warriors at Runner's Alley

I joined some fellow MRTT-ers at the Saucony event at our local running store. After sharing why we #WantToRun, we bundled up for a very cold 5 mile run. It was my longest and hilliest run since surgery, and I'm happy with how it went.

Weekly Workouts:

Monday: FAB ab day 16 + PT

Tuesday: run + FAB ab day 17

Wednesday: FAB ab day 18 + PT exercises

Thursday: FAB ab day 19 + run

Friday: FAB ab day 20 + PT exercises

Saturday: Run + FAB ab day 21

Sunday: FAB ab day 22 + PT exercises

#BringingYogaBack Prana Challenge
For the past 12 days, I've pushed myself to try poses that I never thought I could do. I learned a lot about my body's strength and flexibility. Check out the pRana goodies and use this discount code leapnpinks15 - for 15% off - valid through 2/28!

What boundaries are you pushing?

Knee Rehab Week 9: Running for Time

My return to running after knee surgery has come with a new perspective on my runs. Instead of running for distance, I am setting run duration goals. I used to get all caught up in the miles (which probably led to many of my injuries), but this year one of my goals is to "just run."

Running by time reminds me of the time I bought my first brand new car. It was a base model with no extras…not even a radio. Oh, and it was a standard which I had never really driven before. Without the radio, I was forced to listen to the engine of that car as I learned to drive it. Now, without the distraction of hitting a certain distance, I am learning to drive my runs. Running by time is allowing me to pay attention to my breathing and how I feel.

Tuesday - 2.55 miles
The plan: Run into town and back (thinking 25 minutes)

Instead of running the neighborhood loop, we decided to do a snow test of the sidewalks and the side streets. All of the sidewalks were a mess, but the streets were mostly pavement. If the snowbanks weren't crowding the roadways, we could've easily run against traffic and enjoyed the rare sunny, snow-free February day. By the time we got back to school, my quads were burning from running on the snowy sidewalks!

Thursday - 3.07
The plan: run 35 minutes

My chiropractor appointment was right after school and then it started snowing, so I had to make a date with the treadmill. About 20 minutes into this run, I started to feel blah. I hung in there for another 10 minutes before calling it quits. This was just a low energy run (aka I need a break from winter!).

Saturday - 4.65 miles
The plan: run 45 minutes

It was bitterly cold before the arrival of yet another snow storm. Even if the temperature wasn't a feels like -3, there's nowhere to run as the sides of the roads are lined with 3-4 feet high snow banks! After spending the last couple of days rolling my gluteus medius with a tennis ball as suggested by my chiropractor, my hip felt pretty darn good! So happy with this run and relieved that my knee is not showing any problems as I increase my running time.

Weekly Workouts

Monday: #tightercore + FAB AB day 9 + PT exercises

Tuesday: Run + #tightercore + FAB AB day 10

Wednesday: PT + #tightercore + FAB AB day 11

Thursday: Run + #tightercore + FAB AB day 12

Friday: PT exercises + #tightercore + FAB AB day 13

Saturday: Run + #tightercore + FAB AB day 14

Sunday:  #tightercore + FAB AB day 15 + PT exercises

#BringingYogaBack
This 12 day challenge is part of the prAna #TakeTheLeap 30 day yoga challenge. During the 12 days, prAna Ambassador, Michael Fukumura, shares a “Spring Awakening” sequence that offers daily poses. I love being exposed to new poses and seeing how my body responds. I'm learning that I have tight muscles in more places than I expected and that I'm not as strong as I thought I was.

Do you for time or for distance?

Congrats to Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts winner

Holly D!

Fitness Friday: The 4 Minute Mile

About a month ago, I found out about a great running movie called, 4 Minute Mile.

Ever hear of it?

It's an inspirational movie about a high school track star who struggles to stay focused when he has to deal with family problems. His resolve to achieve his dreams are within reach with the help of the right coach until a tragedy threatens to impede his goals.

I won't tell you how it ends. You'll have to watch it for yourself to find out if he can run a four minute mile.

This movie has a great message about barriers. Personal barriers. The things that hold us back from what we want to achieve. It got me thinking about the barriers in my own life. The fears. My fear of failure, judgement, the unknown, change. While I would like to think (and tell others) that I can get past my barriers, my fears, all on my own…it wouldn't be true. I have been able to chase my dreams and reach my goals because of the coaches in my life. 

On this Valentine's Day eve, I would like to say thanks to my favorite "coach", mrC. Without you, I would have never run a half marathon (let alone 12!), tried SUP, or started this blog. Thank you for all of your encouragement and for believing in me. 

Who is your COACH? 

This post is part of the Fitness Friday link up hosted by Jill

and Friday Favorites at Housewife Glamour.