Workout Wednesday: Feeling Pumped

First let me say that I am not a certified coach (yet) of any sort. This is just a fun way for me to share a workout/exercise that I found online or learned from someone else and really liked.

The idea for Workout Wednesday comes from Theresa at A Change of Pace. Check out her blog here. I loved the idea because I find great workouts and new exercises mostly from reading and seeing them in use by other active people.

I've been participating in the Under Armour #SweatADay challenge off and on for a few months now. Monday's challenge was a new one for me and really spoke to my buttisimo!

Jumping Side Lunges:




Here's the How-to from Shauna's Instagram post:

"Side lunges...with a lateral hop. Mmm hmm yes. #takeitside indeed.  1 - Start in a side lunge. Bend your right knee and sit your butt back, knee doesn't go passed your toes and heel stays down. Left leg will be straight. Toes are all facing straight ahead. Bring your hands down to the ground. This will assure you keep your butt low! 2 - Hop up and to the left landing in a side lunge on the other side -- left knee bent, right leg straight.  3 - Repeat side to side. I find it hard to get a ton of air when jumping from this position but you will absolutely feel it!  Be cautious of how you land. Absorb the landing with knees bent but then straighten out the other leg so it's a true side lunge." 

I did this exercise for one minute and couldn't believe how much I felt it. In fact, at first I thought I might have pulled something because I was feeling tightness in my glutes that I haven't felt in a long time. 
That tightness told me that I was working my muscles in a good way. The slight soreness I felt the next day was even more confirmation. 

What workout or exercise has you feeling "pumped" lately?

Training Truths: #FuelYourBetter

A few weeks ago I was selected to try a Vega Sport product for the #FuelYourBetter campaign (check it out here) with Fit Approach. I have a pretty good routine for fueling during my longs runs, but fueling before workouts has not been one of my strengths. There are also days when I just need a little something to increase my energy.

I chose Vega Sport Sugar-Free Energizer because it is recommended for use before short runs or low intensity workouts, like all the Booty Barre classes I intend to go to this summer along with some of the other activities on my summer goals list (you can read about those here).

Vega Sport Sugar-Free Energizer comes in two flavors: Lemon Lime and Acai Berry. I'm usually not too picky about sport drink flavors, but the Acai Berry is so much better than the Lemon Lime. It is gluten, dairy, and soy free.

Over the last few weeks I've tried the 5 calorie Sugar-Free Energizer with a variety of activities at home and at school. I love that I can toss the packets in my school or gym bag and mix them right up in the classroom.

I used the easy to mix packets to boost my endurance on short runs after school when my energy is lowest. I don't know if my stamina actually increased, but I did stop thinking about how tired I was.

I also used it to lift my energy before setting out to wash the car and do some light yard work. In all honesty, I only planned to wash the car, but then kept going and weeded the flower beds.

When I was rushing around getting things finalized for the National Running Day 5K event and before tackling a large stack of papers to grade, I mixed some up to help keep me focused.

There are times when we all face something that is holding us back from our best. Vega Sport  has fuel to help prepare, sustain, and recover. You can find your personal fueling plan on their website (here).

Like most fueling product, Vega Sport Sugar-Free Energizer asks for an investment. The prices on the Vega website range between $1.69 for a single pack to $49.99 for a 4.5 oz. tub that makes 40 servings. It is more expensive than other product I have used, but none of others are plant-based. The product is also available for less on Amazon.

Workouts June 2 - June 8

It was a slow week for running and when I did run, it was hot and hard! This week reminded me that my body takes awhile to acclimate to the warmer weather.

Monday - 3 mile sweaty run after school

Wednesday - National Running Day 5K - was able to run 1.2 before heading back to hand out refreshments and prizes at the finish

Saturday - SurfSet & ugly 5 mile run - probably my last run AFTER class until summer is over. It was hot, hot, hot. I struggled.

One of my breaks in a shady spot - Stark Park

Planking - forearm and side planks for 45 seconds each every morning - got a good streak going!


How do you #fuelyourbetter?

This Summer I Will...

Hello Friday! I don't know about you, but it has been a super busy week. Planning the National Running Day 5K event (recap here) kept me literally running around at times, and last night I presented an award at the Scholastic Banquet.

I really like the theme from Cynthia, Courtney, and Mar for Friday Five again this week so I'm putting my summer goals/wish list out there for all of you to see.

This summer I will….

Try Standup Paddleboarding at Hampton Beach - I bought a voucher for me & mrC through Living Social. We live so close to the beach and I have been wanting to try SUP, so this was a deal I couldn't pass up.

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Tone up with a TI Fitness Summer Pass - I'm thinking I should get this unlimited classes deal and make SurfSet my go-to workout on non-running days. The studio is downtown and some of the classes are done outside at a park or even on the rooftop.

Work my Booty Barre - Groupon had a great deal for my favorite studio and with summer right around the corner, my schedule will allow me more time to get to these classes.

Swim and Bike at least once a week -  I love to swim in pools, but we don't have a pool. We do have a pond and beach nearby, so I'm going to make use of it this summer. We live on a main road, so bike riding can be intimidating. As long as I have company, I'll be able to get the bike out there. Or maybe take my bike to a nicely paved bike path with ocean views…that would work too!

Climb Seneca Rocks?? - I'll be visiting a friend in West Virginia and she suggested that we do some climbing. Of course I was agreeable, but after doing some research I'm hoping there is an option that doesn't involve ropes and harnesses!

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What are your summer goals?

Be sure to check out the other Friday Five posts!

National Running Day at GHS!

Yesterday the school community came together as a running community to celebrate National Running Day.

It started about a week ago with displays in the Information Center that showcased running photos, medals, and all the reasons Why [We] Run!

We wore our running shirts like we did last year.

We donated our old shoes to the local running store recycling program.

After school teachers and students gathered together for a 5K run on the local trail.

At the finish line everyone enjoyed the ZOOMA Ambassador goodies from Cytomax and Muscle Milk and a few prizes from Sweaty Bands, Ultimate Direction, and Mizuno.

How did you celebrate National Running Day?

Training Truths: 4 Ways to Stay Motivated

Last week mrC left for ground school and will be gone for three weeks. One of the hardest parts about having him gone is facing run days and still getting myself out the door...alone.

Tuesday - Beyond the fact that mrC wasn't around, there were lots of reasons I was tempted to put off this run: questionable weather, busy day at work, hunger...but I changed into running clothes and that helped get me out the door. Even though my legs felt heavy, I'm happy with my run and excited that my fast last mile streak continued one more run! (9:24, 9:09, 9:15, 8:55)

Thursday - Considered putting this run off until Friday until I saw the weather forecast. Running on a gorgeous day is far better than in a downpour, even if I was tired. While my legs were not happy with the hills, my final speedy mile streak continued! (9:18, 9:02, 9:27, 9:00). I felt so good after that I even did some planks (it's been awhile).

Saturday - After a fitful night's sleep, I woke up feeling sluggish. Worried I would be struggling at SurfSet, I drank some VEGA Sport Sugar-Free Energizer to help boost my energy for a better performance. It was just what I needed for an awesome workout.

Saturday - I cannot resist a run on the beautifully paved Manchester Trail, so even though I was running low on energy after SurfSet, I knew that the scenery of the trail would perk me up. Despite a major blunder when I paused my watch at a light and forgot to restart it, I was happy with my pace - even if my last mile wasn't super speedy this time (9:23, 9:23, 9:25, 9:11, 10:49, 9:37).

What quirky tricks do you use to keep yourself motivated?