Tag: runner

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Cool-ish Run, Cold-ish Chakra

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 🙂

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***
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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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…

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

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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…

om

Anjaneyasana.

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

What are your workout weekend plans?

 

 

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Week Long Runs & Run Downs

runswithhips

Happy Friday, Hip Huggers!

A few pretty cool things happened this week!

Let’s start with Monday

a 5 miler and some yoga pose challenges right…

Well, as I was coming to blog about this massive dead turtle seen on my run,

my hubby came home with a gift bearing a familiar sentiment…

I got an iPad! A blog reader’s dream! I didn’t even beg ask!

Just Love Him 🙂

So, I’m distracted scrolling through Instagram when I noticed I had a message in my inbox.

It was a fellow fit IG’er, Heartbeat4Many, asking if I’d help host

a yoga challenge but not really a challenge #ShadesofHealth on Instagram.

Then she made a collage of all the yogis participating. I was blown away..

…blown away because I cannot believe someone felt I belonged in this crowd of exceptional yoginis.

I’m so humbled and filled with gratitude. I don’t. deserve. this. attention.

***

Tuesday…

has rolled around. I wanted to get a quick yoga session in before my run.

Another IG’er I follow posted a video of her first successful handstand.

Our fears were very similar, so that gave me a sense of strength in that I could do it, too…

Very proud of that!

But with all the energy given to the excitement of it all,

 I needed a jolt of energy to handle this short run…

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The beautiful sky honestly was almost enough.

***

Wednesday…

was a pleasant surprise! My neighbor wanted to run along!

I had 3 miles already planned! Perfect distance  for our friendship so it was just all meant to be…

***

Thursday…

was a much needed rest day from running.

I had been nonstop since the Week before! I needed to break before I broke myself.

But I did get in some yoga…

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**Friday**

Today, my long run was planned. 8 miles was on the menu…

Guess I wanted dessert! Pink Toes!

Today is also my twin son’s birthday and we’re taking them to see Transformers tonight.

So, I’m stealing a few moments with Runner’s World and

a green smoothie bliss and chatting it up with y’all!

Lastly, I got a few questions last week,  so I dabbled in vlogging it all!

Check it out!

Question? What are your questions??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday Speeds & Starts

runswithhips

Happy Sunday, Hip Huggers!

I got my Jesus on to start this morning!

dancing

I came home, had a burger induced nap instead of starting my run.

Had to wait until the rain let up a bit before that happened… but it happened!

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I started on much avoided speed work. I’m glad to have started a little running streak.

 But I know I haven’t been pushing myself to run faster.

 That is still a big goal of mine: to run 10 minute miles easy.

 Another goal was to start some decent mileage this week.

Tuesday morning when I was gearing up for 3 miles I told myself,

 I should really knock the ball out of the park and try and run 30 miles this week.

Then, I laughed. That would leave me 6 days to run 30, no rest days.

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But I did it! With .3 mile to spare.

I think a good formula for me is running one long day, 8+ miles

 and getting out there at least 6 days a week.

 I may not get 30 miles total, but I’ll sure be close. And satisfied.

I should start there.

***

With some serious stretching started, I got on with the

Asana of the day for Summer Splits, Super Soldier is what they call it.

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My yoga teacher saw it on Facebook and even SHE was impressed.

Made my day! Love her to true death!

Speaking of, Season 7 of Trueblood starts Right Now…

lose me

I’m Outta Here, Hip Huggers!!

Question: Did anyone catch the Final Season Premiere? Let’s Chat!

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Boom! and Bloom

runswithhips

Happy Solstice, Hip Huggers! Today started out absolutely gorgeous!

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Summer is in full bloom!

I jumped in yesterday with a quick share about my natural hair feature, because

a) I can’t hold water, and

b) It was a special post that earned its own special spot.

**Quick Friday Recap: **

Yesterday was my hubby’s birthday so that is my excuse explains by leave of absence.

Not from running though! I got a good run in about 9am.

Funny, my brain said 6 miles and my body adamantly said 5. My plan was to break even, or at least

convince my body that was the plan…

Friday Workout: 6 Mile Run

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Clearly, the gams lost… I just have a weird peeve of half miles –

so I knew that wasn’t happening.

Today’s run was a little smoother. I knew I was running 6 miles, so I could totally zone

and win races in my head, as we should.

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Saturday Workout: 6.2 Mile (10k) Run + Yoga

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Some Sirsasana (Handstand) Love.

And I love this filter! It’s called Bloom.

My shoulder felt good, too! Just needed a few days

To rest I guess, glad I obliged and backed off of the challenges.

I’m good at listening to my body, totally over overdoing it.

***

I’m also totally over 27 miles for the week! Boom.

 So a 3 Mile run is the ONLY running I am

Planning to do tomorrow. Boom.

Long time since I’ve been able to

Tout those stats .. boom

I’m encouraged!

And rehydrated.

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I found this absolutely perfect quote on a Yoga page and

It just absolutely speaks my heart about being the best you…

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Bloom Big, Hup Huggers 🙂

Question: Do you find yourself competing? Does it help or hurt you?

 

 

 

 

 

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Passing on Presses

runswithhips

Hello Hipsters, It’s a NEW Day!!

I can’t begin to tell you how much BETTER today is going.

Yesterday was just the pits, and I’m just glad its gone.

poof

I had a good word and a good breakfast this morning.

Did I mention I ran 4 miles yesterday after cleaning, tending to sick kids,

all on the fuel of a small apple and a Spark? No Bueno. I made sure I had carbs today!

I didn’t go into lame details about all that happened, yesterday.

But, one of the tragedies that did was my dishwasher expired…just decided to die. Right after I loaded it.

So, that meant, I had to wash everything by hand yesterday today.

Lots of work, but I’m glad I waited until today, or else I’m sure I would’ve broken something.

No casualties. Good day so far.

Also, some good exercise was in the works early today…I got busy!

Here’s a little Tree Pose to spread the love..

Workout:  3 Mile Run

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It was HOT! From now on, if I don’t run before 9am, ain’t gonna happen! Now it’s..

Time for Yoga!

Confession: I skipped out on the 2nd Summer of Balance challenge. Here’s the excuse deal:

My right shoulder was overworked this weekend, I’m thinking Sunday it had too much.

My arm is totally functional, but certainly sore.

If there is anything I’ve learned from Yoga that I can apply here, it’s that

 “one must be patient with the body.”

So, until my shoulder feels 80% 100% again, I’m laying off of the headstands forearm presses.

So, that is that. being said,

Yoga Challenge: Kapotasana (King Pigeon) &

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Utthita Hasta Padangushtasana (Standing Leg Raise)

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I convinced my head to touch my knee, and we’d reward the tummy with cookie butter…

Cookie Butter Yumminess. FTW! 🙂

~~~

Almost forgot – You know that moment when you tag your FAVORITE artist in a Tweet

(because her music is amazing) and she starts following you on Twitter?

Made my entire life YEAR! She is phenomenal. Her music is incredible.

I was also asked to contribute to something next month Fitness related, so

I’ll keep you all in the loop about that too!

Wow. Today was fantastic! Finally, can laugh at yesterday’s nonsense…

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In. Your. Face.

 Off to finish cooking dinner and and get ready for Yoga class. I’ll holla, Hip Huggers 🙂

Question: Have you ever 86’d a ‘challenge’ because your body said “No”? Or did you press on? 🙂

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Cold Legs and Hot Buys!

runswithhips

My legit reason for not working out, running, or blogging these past few weeks.

Its been sooo cold! And ugly! I self diagnosed myself with SAD so that has sucked up normal spice for life. I’m back now! So, lets recap…

Came, saw, and conquered the Hot Chocolate 15k! It was brutally cold! Freezing fog, and I wore running shorts because I’m a freak geek. I had a goal of sub 1:45.. My official time was 1:48 and 11 seconds. Considering the unexpected hills, trust me…I was pleased.

My playlist was awesome, the race was awesome, the whiskey shot was awesome, and I had a blast! I can’t wait until next year!

My reward for my conquest was a new pair of kicks! I now own a pair of Brooks. My dreams are coming true…

I was so excited about these guys, I ran 17 inaugural miles in them in 3 days! New shoes and still living off of the high of finishing that race! All the excitement of logging miles actually seeped into my laptop because I am registered for another race next weekend.

So! That’s enough a lot but in new food news, I also added a wonderful staple to my self-healing repertoire of eating… Bone broth!

This stuff is amazing!! I was immediately addicted! I’ve read SO much about healing benefits and just HAD to make it. I asked fellow IGer Paleo On a Dime for a great recipe because her food is awesome!! She directed me to a recipe on her blog and I went for it.

I’ll post the recipe below. I am so excited about it! Finally, something awesome I can make and bring to my sick minded ailing friends suffering from colds this season. I didn’t have am entire chicken carcass, but I had just made a batch of greens the night before so I had some big bones hanging around, so I used those.

Bone Broth
2 smoked or roasted turkey legs (my hubby smoked ours)
4 cups water
1 chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup baby carrots
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
4 sprigs of Thyme

Combine all ingredients in a large crock pot. Cover and cook for 24 hours. Strain, store, sip and enjoy!

If that recipe wasn’t enough good vibrations, my wonderful husband found a steal on me some jeans. Yes my husband buys my clothes and underwear. I have little style sense. I’m über hippie and hobochic 🙂

Well, I’m off to hit 5 miles on the road and get some arm work in… Happy Hump Day, Hip Huggers! Any natural healing remedies you’d like to share? I’d love to hear some!

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End of the Beginnings…

runswithhips

So it’s official, I’m running the Hot Chocolate 15k Feb 8…

Super excited but also a little ansy, here’s why: I only have 4 weeks to train!! I mean, I literally just finished week 1 of the 10k training program on Nike, and now I have to either drop out or start my weekly long runs at 9 miles.. Ahh!

But, for all intents and purposes, I am excited! I get to run with the girl that really sparked the desire in my heart to run in the first place! My sister is definitely the reason I actually started running… But Lisa is the one who introduced its existence to me 🙂 I can’t wait! Speaking of run, that was the second part of my workout today… 3 miler!

This sweat fest was the first…

Work out done. Then trained my 2 new favorite people!

Came in and refueled. I have been eating excellent through the holiday season..of course. Not doing the mindless avocado, egg, and protein dance either  that I am totally not complaining about but, getting back to eating whole pots bowls of beans such as my favorite, lentils 🙂

And of course avocado — they always steal the show. However, they are 1st runner up to this delicious coquito my neighbor made for me us. Sorry lentils, pretty hurts.

What a day! I need that drink!

On top of training my new peeps, and kicking my workouts/running up, preparing for this race, and possibly going back to work, I’m gearing up for a serious week ahead! If 2014 is anything like this week, it’s going to be a year to remember.. for good reason! 🙂

January, I await you! Happy New Year, Hip Huggers!!

Late Happy Monday! Enjoy your week! Have you ever “undertrained” for a race? How’d you finish?