My New Running Routine

Before having a baby I could go out for a run just about whenever I felt like it.  Training for a race was no problem because I only had work, home and Neil to worry about not another little (demanding) human being. Nowadays workouts involve a lot more preparedness with a lot less planning.

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When Edith first arrived I tried to plan for workouts, carve our time in my day or try to workout in the evenings but as I quickly learned babies are unpredictable and exhausting.  After “missing” workout after workout because either my scheduled time didn’t workout or I was exhausted by the end of the night I knew I had to figure something else out.

Nowadays I put my workout clothes on as soon as I wake up so that I am ready to fit a workout in whenever the window of opportunity opens (or maybe I just put them on because who doesn’t love to wear leggings). I also am taking advantage of the BOB and I would say 99% of my runs are done during the day with Edith in the BOB. Actually now that I think about it I haven’t been on a solo run since moving to Oregon. I could wait until Neil gets home from work to run but honestly by the end of the day I just don’t want to run and I still have dinner to make and a bedtime routine to follow with Edith.

So, I am running 3-4 times per week logging around 6-10 miles right now with plans to increase a little bit each week.  I am also registered for three races, yes THREE! I have a 5k that I am running in April with Edith in the BOB (Neil is running the 5 miler so I’m on BOB duty), I have a quarter marathon in May and another 5k in August.  It feels so good to be back on track with my running and in a real routine even if that routine is less predictable.

How has your running routine changed over time? How do you make time to run?

 

 

Find Your Strong: Saucony Virrata

I’m finally back in my running/workout groove and it feels so good. I am getting out with Edith in the BOB at least three times per week for a run and on the other days we get out for at least a walk. I am also back to strength training regularly and as of today I am back in the yoga mode.

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One of the greatest things about getting back to regular workouts is trying out new fitness gear. Lately, I have been trying out the Saucony Virrata’s which are really amazing and super light. These shoes have a 0mm offset so they are a whole new experience for me and I am really enjoying them. I have been on a number of walks in them and some very short runs and have been wearing them for strength training at home.

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Description from the Saucony Website: Stripped down to strong. The Virrata is our lightest and most flexible training shoe and allows your foot to move naturally. We removed everything that isn’t helping your run improve. What remains is a feather-light, ultra flexible shoe with advanced cushioning that promotes a powerful stride and allows your foot to move the way it was meant to. Built on a 0mm offset, this shoe lets your feet do the work while providing plenty of protection from the road. The breathable mesh upper makes the shoe incredible lightweight and quick-drying to run in wet weather conditions. Weight: 6.0oz.

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I love how light weight these shoes are and am looking forward to working on upping my mileage in them overtime but for now I am slowly transitioning into them. Oh and did I mention that they are pretty nice to look at as well? I love that they are black with florescent highlights. They are flashy without being over the top.

Disclaimer: I was sent these as part of the FitFluential Ambassador program. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Are You Ready to Yoga? I’m not.

Today is the last day of February’s Health Challenge- 10 day cleanse, and tomorrow starts another challenge this one the entire month of March, 31 days. Yes, that would be 31 days of yoga in a row.
mountain top yoga long trail
Is your head spinning? Yeah, I know mine is too. The good part is I won’t be alone I have a handful of other crazy yogis ready to participate (you can sign up here if you are crazy enough to join us.)

As excited as I am for this challenge I am far from ready. I was hoping to have more time to prepare and get myself back into yoga mode but when you have a baby, a husband, a house and a new city to explore somethings fall to the wayside so I guess I’ll be jumping right into this challenge.

My hope is that a month of yoga will get me back on the mat regularly, help improve my running and flexibility and destress my mind and body. Why are you participating or Why do you practice yoga?

I practice yoga to calm my mind.
I practice yoga to relax my body.
I practice yoga to strengthen my body.
I practice yoga for community.

For those participating you will find an email in your inbox tomorrow with more details.

Getting Back At It Workout Edition

I have to say that over the last month I haven’t been really working out. I mean I have gone for some walks and done a few workout videos but really I haven’t done much.  I’ll blame it on the whirlwind move that we just made and the fact that for the past two weeks I have been living in a smaller space with three feet of snow outside.

Well now I have finally moved and that means back to working out and better yet back to running!! I haven’t wanted to jump back into running to fast or too hard since it has been awhile so I have been trying to stretch my body out, especially after 7 hours on a plane this past week!

This past week I have been really using my DailyBurn membership (that I have been wasting my money on because I haven’t been using it) and did the 15 Min Mobility workout with my favorite trainer Cody.  I also did the Bikini Butt workout but you surely won’t be seeing me in a bikini, um ever, but I will be sporting some new workout gear.

There really is nothing better than new workout gear to get you in the mood to sweat. I absolutely love to buy new workout gear but I haven’t in so long because I just haven’t wanted to spend the money.  However after wearing the same yoga and running pants for the past 6+ months (I mean what new mom really wears pants without an elastic waist- right?) I was in dire need to new gear. Moving however has really strained our budget for this month so I had to decide get one pair of my favorite $70-80 running capris or get a whole new fitness wardrobe for $70-80.  Well as you might have guessed I went with the latter.

I took advantage of the Active by Old Navy sale (up to 40% off through January 16) and bought myself four pairs of compression capris, a fleece quarter zip, another long sleeved quarter zip, two active tanks, yoga pants and a new sports bra for what I would have spent on one pair of my favorite running capris (although I still would love a new pair of those as well).

So far I really have enjoyed my new gear and although less expensive than some of my favorite workout gear it still holds up well to wear and washing. I also am loving that it doesn’t stink after a few wears even after washing. I have some workout clothes that no matter how much I wash them they still have a slight odor which is really a huge turn off.

Now that I have new gear I am excited to wear it all and am looking forward to one more light workout and stretching, maybe even a yoga session tomorrow before I start back up and running on Monday.

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This post is sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy’s Active wear in stores or at oldnavy.com #GetYourActiveON

Ready To Run…In The Rain

So as you all know by now we are moving to Portland OR, actually Neil moved last week and I am moving tomorrow with Edith.  I also signed up for my first postpartum race which means I need to get back to running regularly. While I am glad that I won’t be having to do all of my running either in the freezing cold ice and snow or inside I am now trying to rework my running gear for the dreary Pacific Northwest winter weather. Of course moving to a new climate just gives me a good excuse to go shopping for new workout clothes.

Running In The Rain

The first thing that I picked up is a short sleeve wicking running top. When choosing a running top I wanted it to be short sleeve because I like to layer as well as something that was fast drying since Portland is notorious for rainy winters. One top I found that fulfilled my needs was this Old Navy GoDRY Active Tee. I plan to layer this new top under a windbreaker/rain coat so that I can stay warm and dry when I do my outdoor runs.

One of the other items I decided to purchase for “running in the rain” was a new pair (or four) of compression capris.  I figured if I got a new top I should probably get new bottoms to go with them and of course since I got an amazing deal on them (my Old Navy had Compression Capris for as low as $5.50 on sale) I might as well get four pairs.  I like my full length running tights but figured since the weather is a bit milder in the Pacific Northwest that I might be more comfortable in a capri length pant.

In addition to needing a new top and capris for running in the rain I also like to wear a Brimmed Running Cap to keep the rain of my face and head dry and lastly an essential- Body Glide .  If you haven’t tried Body Glide and often find yourself chaffing when you run you should get some now! I figure since I often chaff already on longer runs that being damp won’t help that situation so I might need to order Body Glide in bulk. Tip if you do find yourself chaffing Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom works amazing to heal and relieve chaffed areas.

Now I am so ready to get to Portland and start running! I also love that if the weather is too nasty that I can head over to my apartment complex gym and hop on the dreadmill if needed. Now I have no excuse to miss a run!

What are you essentials to have for running in the rain?

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This post is sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy’s Active wear in stores or at oldnavy.com #GetYourActiveON

This great line of active wear is also on sale – up to 40% off through January 16.

New Year, New City, New Race

This morning I finally did it- I signed up for my first postpartum race. I have only been running a handful of times since giving birth to Edith but I am ready to get back at it.  I finally have a new pair of Brooks running shoes and honestly there is nothing better than a new pair of shoes to help motivate me to get out and use them. I decided to sign up for the Hippie Chick Quarter Marathon (which is sponsored by Brooks) with the possibility of switching to the half (I have until 4/30/2013 to decide if I want to switch).

I was going to sign up for the half but then looked at a calendar and realized the race is only 19 weeks away and that for the next 2.5 weeks I am going to be in snowland and then another week of transitioning/moving into a new home and time zone so I’m look at closer to 16-15.5 weeks of real training time.  Since I haven’t been running regularly I didn’t want to over do it so I think that a quarter marathon is a good place to start for my first postpartum race, although I might sign up for a 5k before I run the quarter.

So here is a loose training plan:

Weeks 1-3: Yoga, Core and Cardio Workouts- at home

Weeks 3-12: Get back to my 5k pace

Week 12(ish): Run a 5k

Weeks 12-19: Work up to 6.5-7.5 miles

Week 19: Run the Hippie Chick Quarter Marathon

Q: For the moms out there did you run during your pregnancy? How was it getting back to running postpartum? When did you run your first postpartum race and what distance did you run?

Christmas Gifts: Fitness

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All of these products are favorites of mine and ones that get used the most at our house.

1. Jade yoga mat is one of the most used items in my fitness collection.  I have a number of other yoga mats and this one is by far my favorite.

2. I live in my Lululemon Wunder Unders that Neil gave me for my birthday a few years ago; I wear them for yoga, running and strength workouts (and to lounge).

3 & 4. Both my husband and I love to use the SPIbelt when we go running and love our Trigger Point foam roller post runs.

5. My Brooks PureProject running shoes are my new favorite running shoes. They are so comfortable and not to mention super cute.

 

What fitness items are you giving out this year?

Disclaimer: This post was NOT sponsored.  These are all items that I use regularly at home and I think they would make wonderful gifts.