Race Decisions

Wednesday: TIU Jump Your Heart Out and Thigh work out

Who knew 15 pound dumbbells, a mat and a jump rope could be such torture devices?!

OUCH! 

I really like the variety that TIU has given me. I would never pick up a jump rope on my own, but, boy is it tough! I don't think my calf liked it too much though - oops!

I really can't decide about a full marathon for this fall, so I'm looking at other races. Maybe I'll just go half marathon crazy instead! Here are some potential races, let me know what you think!

White Tail Trail Half Marathon

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 This is dubbed one of Ohio's most scenic races. It takes place at Caesar's Creek state park in the beginning of October - so I would imagine the fall colors are stunning! I absolutely loved doing the 20K trail race in Hocking Hills a few years ago, and I believe this would be similar.

Cincinnati Half Marathon

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I am very partial to the Flying Pig Marathon, but this race came on the scene a few years ago and promises to be a flat course (unlike the Pig!). I have not run it yet, but of course it's close to home and I like the idea of flat race downtown -  not easy to come by!

Mason Half Marathon

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This race is even closer to home and is also rather flat! I have not done this race as a half marathon - it used to be a 15K and I ran that a few times. It's hard to pass up a half only 20 minutes from home!

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Which race would you do?

Track Party

Tuesday: Track: 5 sets 800 - 200. 1/4 warm up and cool down

Tuesdays at the track are becoming my favorite work out lately.

I love the feeling I get when I know I'm pushing myself and the reward of getting faster or hitting your times consistently each time.

We had much cooler temps  last night - what a difference that makes!

Here are my 800 splits:

1: 3:24 (oops, clearly held back too much!)

2: 3:13

3: 3:17

4: 3:13

5: 3:16

My 200s were pretty much the exact same each time. I'm clearly more concerned about my 800s.

Pre and post track work out. Still smiling.

And I got to try out my new shorts (New Balance)!  

Then it was time to watch the sunset and have a little dinner.

I ran out of room for the kale pre-blending, so I added it in late.

The goal for this month is to foam roll! Especially after sessions at the track.

Weekend Review: Labor Day Shenanigans

Saturday: 5.6 mile run outside; weights at gym
Monday: Elliptical and weights at gym

Oh, I LOVE long weekends, but I absolutely dislike the day after long weekends!

Oh, well, they are inevitable, so might as well make the most of them!

We started off the weekend with a date to the movies.

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We don't often go to the movies, but we do enjoy it when we do.

I just can't wrap my head around spending so much money to be annoyed by people kicking my chair, using their cell phones and talking when i could enjoy the movie in just a few months from the comfort of my living room.

#iamanoldlady

We were in the mood for a comedy, and We're The Millers did not disappoint!

**If you are easily offended or did not enjoy The Hangover or Bridesmaids, this movie is probably not for you**

Saturday morning was a very humid run. I saw lightening on my way to run and during the run I was hoping it would start raining. I got to run with Sarah and my friend Helen who I have not seen since I got married! It was fun to chat and catch up while we sweated buckets.

First run in my new purple Kinvaras

Finally got to try out the new Kinvaras I bought a few weeks ago.

Totally love these shoes. I think this is my 5th pair of Kinvaras. They are amazing.

After running I picked up K and we headed to the gym together.

He got in some cardio while I did some some TIU toning.

We also went on a little trip up to Columbus to cheer for the Crew (and to see Clint Dempsey #2). It's a shame he plays for the wrong team! There was an almost 2 hour delay due to lightening. Thankfully before the game we fueled up on Jeni's ice cream. Doesn't K look so thrilled that I took his picture!? I had to - it was his first time having Jeni's!

The rest of the weekend was filled with family, friends, stuff around the house and another trip to the gym. We also purchased the materials for next house project and we are excited to start it soon!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day!

Biker Babes and Football

Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Biker Babes TIU workout, abs

"Running, for me, is like a cheap therapy session. It's the solitude that allows me to think a bit more clearly and "de-stress."  Ruffin Rhodes,

This quote was in my email this morning and it seemed to fit in with my last post, so I thought I would share it.

What's better to de-stress than a looong weekend though?! Happy Labor Day weekend!

Wednesday night I had my women's running club meeting (pool party!).

It's always fun to hang with the ladies and enjoy some delicious snacks and wine.

On the way home, I witnessed this sunset. Yes, I pulled over to take a picture. #nerd

It was even better in person.

We've had some amazing sunrises and sunsets lately. They always make me feel at peace.

Thursday night I did a TIU workout. It was one I had never done before - Biker Babes.

It was tougher than it looked! And man, trying to do those squats right after jumping off the bike was quite the balancing act. I almost fell flat on my face.

That would make an interesting story on how I broke my nose...

I got home just in time to throw together a quick pizza using my now favorite 2 Ingredient crust before starting my Fantasy Football draft.

I can't believe football season is practically here!

Yum. Pretty good night at our house -  pizza, wine and football!

Now, just a few more hours of work to get through before the long weekend!

Enjoy and be safe!

A track work out is cheaper than therapy & Mizuno Sayonara review

Monday: TIU Love Your Booty, 3 mile run outside
Tuesday: Track workout: 6 800s, 1/4 mile warm up and cool down - 3.5 miles total

I definitely woke up on the wrong side of bed yesterday.

It didn't help that I woke up at 4 and didn't go back to sleep (should have just gone to the gym). 

But really that's just an excuse.

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I let the beginning of my day dictate the rest of the day. I had classic Eeyore syndrome.

It would have been easy to skip my track workout, especially given the 90 degree heat.

It turns out though, the track was just the therapy I needed.

A Mizuno representative met us at the track last night so we could test out the Wave Sayonara or the Wave Rider.  

I opted for the Wave Sayonara - it's similar to the shoe I currently run in.

Then it was time for the torture therapy to start.

The shoes must work, as my 800s were faster than normal.

I ran all of them between 3:21 and 3:35.

I'll take it! And the shoes!

Honestly, I was very skeptical.

I have a hard time finding the right shoes, so I was happy to test them on the track with the option of switching them back out if I needed to.
I was very pleasantly surprised though.

The Sayonara is very lightweight, but also cushiony.
I couldn't believe how great they felt on my feet! And the colors are great (because that's the important part, right?!). I mean, check out the pink ones!

And extremely spent after the work out.

I felt so much better after the good ole sweat session.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a real therapy session would help well, but sometimes a good hard run does the trick too and it's friendlier on my bank account.

Weekend Review: The Color Run #kindawesome!

Over the weekend I had the awesome opportunity to run The Color Run because of the amazing people at KIND.

Sarah and I arrived at the race early to pick up our packets and to have time to stop by the KIND booth since we were KIND ambassadors. As soon as you walked into the festival area you knew it was going to be #kindawesome!

We knew we wanted to do some sort of fun costume for the race, so we made tutus last week!

Lots of women (and a few men) were also rocking the tutus.

There were so many fun outfits - patterned leggings, silly hats and fun sunglasses. It was #kindawesome to see everyone's creativity shining through their outfits.
 

 

We had such a good time. It was #kindawesome to do a fun race. Sometimes I get so caught up in my time or training for longer races, that I forget about the fun and silly side of running.

I definitely recommend The Color Run for a fun day, family event, bachelorette party, girl's day or just any excuse you need to get a little exercise and have fun!

Don't expect to set any PRs, but do expect to have a #kindawesome time and be covered head to toe in color!

Recipe: Kale, Edamame, Mango Salad

Wednesday: TIU Abs & Summer Sizzle

Wednesday was strictly a toning day for me. I'm trying to give the calf some extra rest to make sure it's ready to run this weekend.

However, I did do some crafting last night and that always gets my heart pumping and makes me sweat.

I'm just not a good crafter and it totally stresses me out.

I think I handled this one OK though, and it's complete - and you'll get to see it Monday!

Over the weekend K and I attended a pool party.

I was trying to decide what side dish I would bring to share. I knew I had a race the next day, so I wanted a healthy option for myself. It's August, so it's hot outside, so I also wanted something light and refreshing.

Then, I was introduced to Kale, Edamame and Quinoa Salad.

Remember the girl who introduced me to the 2 ingredient pizza crust? She introduced me to this as well. She's a genius!

There's such a mix of flavors in this - red onion, edamame, lemon, mango, avocado, tomatoes.

It's amazingly delicious.

*I totally forgot the garlic in the dressing and it was still fabulous, so I can only imagine how much better it will be with garlic next time.

Now run to the grocery and make this, you won't regret it!