nike running – Runs With Hips

Old Programs, New Potatoes

December 29, 2016 runswithhips

Hello Huggers, hope your Thursday is going swell.

It’s nearing the end of winter break (for work at least) and am already bracing for the staff development day Monday – yeah, the day AFTER New Year’s Day. This year will be a very conservative celebration for NYE, to say the least. Maybe even a 12pm turndown because I’d rather wake up for a run than an aspirin before returning back to school to finish out the next half of the school year. Yay!

****

The food program has been great as of late. Mike turned me onto potatoes o’brien (sic) this week and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since. Literally have eaten them everyday. I’m a hash brown kinda gal so, this is a big deal! I made them myself this morning with some oven fried bacon (turkey for Mike) and a fried egg. I am by the way, very proud of the portion control! One egg, 2 strips of bacon, and just about a cup of potatoes. I did fry the in grape seed oil, but I am a noob and didn’t want to ruin them.

The workout program was fantastic today! I went on my first sorta long run in a really long time. I remember when I would gear up to run a 10k, 6.2 very real miles. I would never make myself run a 10k. In fact, most of my successful 10ks actually began as planned 5 milers that morphed into a mental mind game of running half of the most intimidating mileage I feared to go, the great 13.1. So, in a sense this one was no different. I planned just a 3 mile run, my old usual run.

Before I knew it, I was 3 miles OUT instead of AROUND. I got caught up in my music and bargained with myself that I would just walk back. I kinda wanted to see if anything on my familiar route from once upon a time had changed. Nope, all still there. Including the muddy ditches I was reminded – because apparently I have forgotten the lost art of jumping over one and instead ran right thru it.

I’ll probably never run again in these shoes anyway. I seem to have also forgot how vital having a well fitted running shoe is. I need to try and find a good pair on sale this weekend. Speaking of sales, Tom Thumb has a huge sale on their Organics line on teas and coffee, so I have stocked up as I am getting back to my daily intake of green tea.

Hip Huggers, I really am focusing on being mindful of my meals, in the coming year. I bombed it so bad in 2016, y’all. But I know I need to get back my old program in weight loss: consistent tracking, calories, macros, whatever. So, I’m off to research a what my favorite weight loss peeps are using. See you in the last post before the New Year!

Question: Loose leaf or bagged teas?

Eating, Fitness, Lifting, Running

Fog, Food, and Free Weights

January 20, 2015January 20, 2015 runswithhips

Hey Hey, Hip Huggers!

This morning, I had planned for a run.. but the fog was ridiculous!

(source)

So, while I waited for the sun to come and do it’s thing,
I cooked up this complete breakfast and grabbed a book to
keep me busy. Just until the fog let up a bit.

2 hours, a LOT of fog still lingered… and no sun.
Visibility had to be 10 yards or so. Just too dangerous
to run, even at the speed I planned on sloshing about at.
So finally, I opted for a quick lifting sesh instead.

For the first time in quite awhile,
I concentrated on just one muscle group
and keeping my heart rate between
70 – 80% by still having an active rest in between.
My workout consisted of:

Shoulders:
15 Dumbbell Presses
15 (ea.) Single Shoulder Presses
15 Pulse to Full Presses
***

Between each of these sets, I performed 15 squats
to keep my heart rate up and immediately jumped right
back into the shoulder work with little recovery.

3 sets of all that and I was toast.

I felt very alive after that burn, so
still wanted some cardio… any cardio!
Luckily, my neighbor text and asked if I wanted to stroll, yo.

***
Showered, stretched, and satisfied.
Now I’m home snacking on a banana
with a few ~~handfuls~~ nuts and berries.

***
I’m currently updating my blog page… hyper complicated.
So be patient if ‘ish looks weird on here. I’m a novice.

Wish me luck, I need a fresh outlook for the New Year!

Question: What is your favorite social media site?

Eating, Fitness, Running

Rooting for the Red Team

January 3, 2015January 3, 2015 runswithhips

This song Aloe Blacc has been in my brain since the holidays.

This song reminds me of ~~Robin Thicke~~ my Root Chakra.
Why you ask? Because ~~I’m a weirdo.~~
I carry my stress worry in my hips/lower back.
So, anytime I hear the word red as of late,
I’m subtly reminded to tend to that chakra.
Chakras are influenced by, of many things, color,
and the Root chakra likes red. So this year,
I am making a conscious effort to eat more red foods,
paint my toes red, drink ~~way more~~ red wine, and wear more red.

Absolutely.
***
Proof of my happy breakfast: I scrambled up some eggs with white cheddar,
and danced some turkey pastrami and crunchy red peppers.

I couldn’t sit for too long and daydream.
The kiddos go back to school Monday, and I had lots to do.

I got busy and washed & combed my girlies hair.
Folded clothes. Watered dying plants. Cleaned bathrooms.
~~Took a siesta~~. Just tried to get my ~~mind~~ house right.

Since I hadn’t lifted a ~~finger~~ weight since early December,
I opted for a quick session to get my muscles warmed up
and reminded this is how we do…

But I was feeling myself and just couldn’t stop running.

8 mile tempo run and arm workout for the win~~ter~~!
Kept it under 11 minute miles and felt ~~red~~ great!

***
For recovery, I made a quick salad.
Romaine hearts, cherubs, feta and lots o’ leftover chicken
with my ranch and black ~~gold, Texas~~ tea so I wouldn’t
crash and burn after that long run!

Took a nice Epsom salt bubble bath
for these hard working muscles.
And now finishing up blogging about my day
with you awesome people.

Powering down, Hip Huggers!

Question: What’s your favorite color?

Running, Yoga

Catching Up and Coming Clean

September 3, 2014 runswithhips

Hello and Happy Wednesday Hip Huggers!

I had planned on getting up early and running after dropping off the kiddos,

but I saw a huge Dalmatian that stared at me like a bouncer, and I didn’t have a VIP pass…

So, I opted for yoga first.

I just HAD to get back on the ~~wrecking~~ ball today. In a major way.

So, in addition to my regular home practice, I had planned on participating in a four asana

challenges this month…but then, after much thought, decided not to.

In August, I only participated in one month-long challenge, #AumSweetAum hosted by YogabyJo

along with another awesome yogi. There was something so peaceful and fun about that

challenge that I honestly, only wanted to participate in their September challenge, #TulaYogi.

But, I really want to work on yoga sequencing aka yoga flow, so I’m doing #back2bayZITs as well.

That’s not to say I won’t dabble every now and then with some of the other poses from those

other challenges, but as far as commitments go, those are the only 2 my heart was in.

So, morning yoga flow + posted 6 asanas to catch up to Day 3 of both challenges…

Anantasana Variation, Side Reclining Leg Lift w/ Half Lotus

In hindsight, I really could have sharpened up this asana, but no, That’s the beauty of yoga..

it’s your own practice! Some days my body gives 100 %… others, it’s just barely on the mat.

Take it however it comes… because all is coming!

***

Now to running…

I decided I was going to walk or run 30 minutes a day no matter what for the month of September.

Just a little challenge for myself now that the weather is calming down and being outdoors

doesn’t feel like 91~~000~~ degrees. But, I skipped yesterday so now I am in the negative and needed a 4.5 mile run…

~~Just~~ 3 miles done!

Too HOT! Needless to say, I’ll be catching up on a later date 🙂

***

In other non fitness news, I had an amazing conversation with my best friend yesterday.

We both shared in our struggle to stop settling for less in life. We are conquerors and it

can be easy to get discouraged and put major plans for your life on hold until said courage

is at full tank. I think more for me, I realized that is just no longer and acceptable excuse

to not achieve what I want for my life! I want to work in fitness and on a major scale.

I want to teach yoga, fitness, and have a walking club for geriatric, pregnant, and disabled human beings

of the world. My empathetic heart wants to help those that NEED help and can’t do it alone.

So, I just wanted to put that out there for you Hip Huggers. I’ve shared in a dream of mine.

Now, it’s time to make it come true!

Thanks for letting me come clean today!

Question: Speaking of dreams, I started taking 5 HTP and have nightmares!

Anyone else experience that side effect of taking this natural precursor? Let me know!

Uncategorized

3 Scoops, 2 Scores, 1 Hell of a Drug

July 25, 2014July 28, 2014 runswithhips

Hello Hip Huggers!

I haven’t checked in since our Tempo Run ~~fail~~ Tuesday so

here’s the Triple ~~Decker~~ Scoop.. so you don’t ask for mine..

Single:

Wednesday: I had a 6 mile run.

That is a long-ish run for the distance

I am focused on right now, so to conquer that run with

under 11 minute miles was fantastic!

I also spent a little time inverted to flush out my adrenals,

get some blood flow to the brain and eyes

~~and just to be cool.~~

Also, this amazing thing happened:

My Instagram was reinstated!

*sigh* it really is.

I had a lot to catch my followers up on

Anniversaries, medals, yoga, etc.

So, I snacked on some corned beef and provolone while I

was filling my faithfuls in on the last 9 weeks of life! Lchf, my pals:)

***

Double:

Thursday was a very errand heavy day.

I didn’t know if it would turn out to be a rest day or a really-short-run day.

After paying some bills, I headed out to thrift!

I found a rice cooker

(brand spankin’ new) for $4.

My kids have a new job and

I am officially retired from cooking ~~rice~~ 🙂

Also found a fancy, schmancy Scentsy for 2 bucks..

I’m ~~smellin~~ fresh and frugal!

Way later, after food and the world cooled down a bit,

I managed to get in a pretty Quick 3.1 Miles, for the likes of myself!

I was very motivated, thanks to a friend’s advice!

***

Bonus: Triple:

I started today’s’ ‘check in’ blog early this morning.

As I was typing, I could hear dog tags jingling – my dogs got out.

Which they’ve managed to do a lot of lately.

New behavior, and its driving me crazy!

They are both fixed, so I have no idea why they are

determined to dig holes and escape! Either way,

Break the rules, you get grounded!

So, that was a mini workout reeling them back in.

I was ready to ~~go back to bed~~ run after that…

Friday: 6.2 Miles Done + Sirsasana Love

Took some great advice from a runner friend and

really challenged myself.

My mantra was ‘stay under 11 min/miles’

When I got to about 4.5, it was ‘stay under 10.

I have running easy down to a science,

its time to kick things in higher gear..

Still must remain injury free! Much rather slow, than No!

***

Long run planned for Sunday at dawn… I’m keeping the mileage a secret!

We’ll see if its something to talk about…

So, there’s the triple scoop! Catch y’all later!

Question: What is your ‘mantra’ when pushing through a run?

Uncategorized

Trashy Tempo Talk

July 23, 2014July 23, 2014 runswithhips

Happy Wednesday Hip Huggers!

It’s ~~Hump~~ Trash Day!

Oops. My bad.

I have been doing lots of eating garbage this last week and a half

that my hubby has been on vacation.

But, he’s returned and things will get back to normal

starting with some quick pre ~~blog~~ run food…

Carb. Protein. Fat…oh ~~myy~~ yes!

***
***Quick recap of the weekend***

Saturday: 3 Miles

I ran an ‘Out and Back’ Saturday just to keep my legs moving since

I had run 8 miles the day before AND, had a 6 mile run planned the next day.

My calves were ~~trash~~ definitely sore and tight, but I did ok.

***

Sunday: 6 Miles

My running buddy overslept, so I ~~talked to myself~~ hit the pavement solo.

I really appreciated the nice and quiet morning. I amost missed the sunrise…

But I made it out on time. I decided to run the park, so it was

lots of loops which I hate. But, it was ~~money~~ mileage over everything, so

I got in ~~where~~ what I could fit in…

Hmm, a bit slower than I planned, but DONE!! I still treated myself

to a delish smoothie while recovering… I earned it!

***

Monday was a rest day, so I picked up running Tuesday

with a 3 mile Tempo run at the track. Hubby joined in, too!

We went around 8pm, which was already weird because

I don’t like running evenings.

And though dusk, it was still 90 degrees and humid.

Even so, I tried to stay near the 10:30 pace,

but I’m ~~trash~~ not that fast. That pace just did not happen.

I DID pick up the pace at the end, which made it a tempo run fail.

But I think my mental game is keeping my short runs

this summer under 11 minutes and my long runs under 12.

Winning at that! ~~Any~~ Either way, 3 miles done and done.

***And I’m at juuust over 74/85 miles for the month of July!***

I will have reached my goal before half marathon kicks off next week.

Nervously excited to begin that!

I just pray I stay healthy, uninjured, and don’t quit halfway thru…

Most things, Willy. Most things…

Going to try and blaze thru this 6 miler now.

See y’all in a bit, Hip Huggers!!

Question: How do you recover after your Long Run?

Uncategorized

Cool-ish Run, Cold-ish Chakra

July 18, 2014July 19, 2014 runswithhips

Hola Hip Hip Huggers!
***
Can I just say, the weather here this week has been fantastic!
So nice, we spontaneously took the kiddos to Hurricane Harbor.
For a day outdoors in North Texas, in July, to be pleasant??
Unbelievable! I don’t think it even broke 90°!
Great weather for a day of walking, swimming, climbing endless stairs,
and indulging in ~~ridiculously overpriced~~ food.
But I spent a lot of time here, so I was content-ish 🙂

***
I did take off 2 days to rest, accordingly. My legs had been tired from running, and it rained all day Thursday.
Sure fit signs to slow down and let my body recover, unrushed.
Today, I got back out there because the weather was peeerfect for some miles!

I was probably still a little dehydrated. I didn’t drink nearly as much at the park as I should’ve
and I’ve been eating a TON of sweets!
So, I tossed in a fruit punch Nuun to my wawa and got my fizzle on!

Running goal: I planned 6 miles. Felt god, but 1st mile was long.
I’d decided I would concede at 4-ish, and just focus on my long run Sunday.
But got a 2nd wind and just kept going!

8 Miles! Long-ish run for the week is ~~accidently~~ officially done!
And just under an 11 min/mile pace.
I have to thank my hubby for bringing me water ~~and Spark~~ at about mile 6.5.
I wouldn’t have made it otherwise, totally saved my run!
Here’s my splits to keep me accountable.

I am truly learning to run easy. Yes, its slowed me down, but it’s changed my running!
I am running distances I just would not a few months ago because I am not burning out.
***
Yoga-ish Time!
I stretched about 10 minutes opening up my hips before coming inside for yoga…

Utthan Pristhasana, or Lizard Pose.
~~Random-ish~~ SN:
That moment your yoga instructor virtually adjusts your ~~ass~~ Asana….

I just love her! Such an amazing teacher and the one responsible for
me falling in love with yoga! Namaste, Caitlin

***
I’ve also started working to unblock my Muladhara, or my root chakra.
It has been very ungrounded since I stopped eating LCHF. Truth.
Anxiety, isolation, fatigue… I can feel it all.
It’s mainly why I’ve been practicing/sharing less inversions and arm balances; to focus more on
standing poses during my practice, such as warrior, low lunges, etc.
Which brings me to a picture a dear friend on IG added some “love” to…

Anjaneyasana.

The light and strength of yoga I hope to share, spread to everyone.
I love my Omies!

What are your workout weekend plans?

Uncategorized

Goals and Holes

July 10, 2014July 10, 2014 runswithhips

Hello Hip Huggers!!

Ok, so the 2 weeks I REALLY needed to be keeping up

with blogging I didn’t. Now, I’m Fire in the Hole…

Good one, huh Trubies 🙂

***

Quick Fitness Recap!

I finished my month long running of miles!

Which might I add, didn’t start until approximately

2 weeks before the month ended, not too shabby.

I am at 34 of 85 goal miles I plan on running this month! Awesomeness!!!

***

I’ve been practicing yoga too, but not as much as before.

I really do throw myself completely ~~and unapologetically~~ into whatever

my heart desires… but, I am a balanced broad so, my goal is to find the middle ground..

which has been ~~post running~~ quick yoga outside on the ground as of late.

I will say the highlight of my running career gig so far has been

running the Flagpole 8k on Independence Day.

I have ran the Flagpole 8k once before and loooved the route!

It is at White Rock Lake and the run starts out on the

“boardwalk” and leads into a higher altitude trail … awesome right?

Buuut, this year it was at Flagpole Hill. Just down the street.

None of the beautiful amenities of running the lake, sadly.

Not the busling walkers and morning joggers.

Not the beautiful lake view and sounds.

But, it was flat, and it looped around just once.

That must be a huge advantage for someone like me because…

I placed 1^st in my age group!!!

In all ~~honesty~~ fairness, I will say, it was a small race.

Even with that, placing was never my goal, not even a thought.

Easily less than 100 people, but who cares? either way,

of the far and few that are embracing their early dirty 30’s such as I am trying to,

I was the one to beat!

And this, I will treasure.

***

In other running new, I decided to run a half marathon!

‘ That Dam Half’ in Lewisville October 19.

Training for that doesn’t begin until the end of the month,

so I am just keeping things injury free and nimble for now.

I will be doing all the necessary speedwork and tempo runs.

Really going to stick to this plan and try to have a great race!

And a great day, as it is Bring-your-girls-to-visit-dad-and-have-Chili’s-with-dad Day!

Taking a couple days off to rest up for my kinda long 8 mile run Sunday morning.

A new friend is coming to run with so, I plan on…

That’s the goal!!

Have an Awesome Friday and Enjoy the Weekend!!

Question: Have you ever ran a 1/2 Marathon? Awesome?

Uncategorized

Kinda Klassy

June 20, 2014 runswithhips

Good Evening Hip Huggers!

I just wanted to jump in and let you all know I have been featured on a blog! Again!! And it’s kinda a big deal for me!!!

Kinda a big deal because it involved ~~oversharing~~ talking about 2 things that I never even considered in my life 4 years ago

that ~~more than~~ kinda set me apart from the flock of fitness folk…

Fitness and Natural Hair!

Yes, this is a fitness blog ~~kinda~~, and I absolutely love it that way!

I feel when I was trying to get healthy, I had no one that looked, talked ~~ate~~ like “Me” and that made me go it alone.

My fitness goals were realized and achieved this way, and I have maintained this lifestyle well. But

I know someone needs to see it can happen…that’s why I am here! 🙂

***

I L.O.V.E. being NATURAL!!! Absolutely, 100% happy being Fit Bloggin’ Naturalista!

Becoming natural ~~crazy sounding ain’t it?~~ changed me in a lot of ways just like getting fit and healthy did!

I don’t see a lot of women of my color where I live embracing a fit lifestyle. I’m in no way saying they don’t or don’t exist,

but it’s not something I see often. Everyday. All the time.

I don’t see a lot of women of color where I live embracing being natural either, but that’s ok! To each, her own.

But, for me to make the decision, build up the courage, and shave it ALL off to become content

with what God gave me was…. is…freeing. Something I’ll never forget.

And if I can help in just one woman’s choice to get fit, go natural or run their hips,

this blog has a heartbeat. And I know it does. I can feel it!

So, ~~sniffle~~ Hip Huggers, please go check out the interview at Klassy Kinks!

Ijeoma is doing great things reaching out to Naturalistas everywhere!

I gave some sound advice on getting started fitness wise and how to keep that natural hair looking fabulous, too!

Share the knowledge, you never know whose looking 🙂

Enjoy the Read, Hipsters!

Uncategorized

Strep and Long Steps

June 19, 2014June 19, 2014 runswithhips

Hello Hip Huggers!

I spent a lot of time late last night fixing my ~~weird Wordpress issue~~ blog. Booooo.

I’m totally spent. I’ve already had to repost a picture on Instagram

because I don’t know the difference between Day 10 and Day 19.

Fa’ Sho.

My husband is off today, so that meant I got pretty late start considering my sleep was completely

uninterrupted until about 8 am. I had my typical morning of devotional and breakfast

and scrambled ~~eggs~~ to get out for a run before 9 am and it got UBER hot.

Still, apparently not early enough because after just a brief warm-up I was already dumping my rationed water on my head.

~~Which I paid for later~~. But anyway.

I had only planned to run 2 miles, yes exactly 2. Was going to take it real easy;

maybe a longer yoga session, or lift session if the hubby was up to it later.

I certainly did not plan on doing any heavy cardio, especially anything over an hour.

But, I got going and felt good! My hamstrings were a bit sore from yesterday’s yoga session so,

I just told myself we were going to run until they loosened up, just a bit.

Before I knew it, I had made up in my mind it was going to be a long run …

Workout: 8 Miles!

I had decided about mile 3 that I was going for 6… then 7.. you know how that goes.

I didn’t even care how slow it was, I just couldn’t shake the urge to run it!

Glad I did. I hadn’t run that long since the Hot Chocolate 15k back in February, and I got

a reality check on the speed I’ve lost.

I’ve got work to do, Hip Huggers.

I wanted to jump ~~off my roof~~ right into yoga after my run, my daughter had been complaining about a sore throat

all morning. I gave her some Tylenol, but still felt I should check her in to see her Dr.

Thank God I did! She has strep throat, poor baby! So, while we waited for her Rx to be filled, I figured

I’d reward us for ~~our~~ her inflamed sufferings this Thursday morning..

Doesn’t get much sweeter than this! Now back to fitness …

Yoga Pose of the Day:

Puvvottanasana, or Upward Facing Bow.

My hips were about as heavy as an actual bridge. But we got ‘em up into a plank! For that, I’m very happy.

And glad that was the extent of the challenges for today.

My shoulder is not pleased. One of the yogi’s I follow, @gypsetgoddess who recently over exerted herself,

gave a very encouraging word in her post today. She said:

“Always practice safety first”.

“Respect your body and limitations.”

“Don’t get so attached to advanced poses”.

“The basics feel just as good”.

.. and THE most wonderful thing I’ve heard on social media yet,

“Taking it easy isn’t the same as taking a step back. But rather a step forward in personal growth.”

Pretty amazing words from a pretty amazing Yogini. Namaste Caitlin 🙂

I’ll let that simmer on your minds. Meanwhile. I’m waiting for the electrician to come look at my kitchen.

The dishwasher won’t come on, the garbage disposal either, and my microwave is not heating anything.

This could get $$$! Then it’d be Kitchen Nightmares, for reals.

Say a prayer for me, Hip Huggers.

Question: Who ran ~~unexpectedly~~ long today? How was the weather?