1/2 Marathon Recap: Lessons Learned

Starting line photo!  Let the games  race begin...

I totally exceeded any expectations I had for my first half, I finished in a respectable 2 hours and 1 minute FLAT!  That's my celebratory dance

So for those of you who might not know my mother passed away last year from complications of breast cancer, so naturally this run was for her!

I also ran in support of #weareboston, #bostonstrong, because they messed with the wrong city!

 

We inacted a little finish line rewind with Kate, I came across the finish line and everyone missed it!  So naturally what did I do, ran back out and finished the race again with Kate :)

Cinco de Mayo celebration at Jalepeno's in Gloucester, MA.  DElicous mexican delites for this fun, festive and celebratory day!

I wanted to end with a brief recap of the things that I learned from doing my first half marathon that will better prepare me for the future

1. Instate a better pre-race warm up.  Simply bending over and touching my toes and a couple quad stretches was relatively insufficient
2. Incorporate more foam rolling and yoga into my everyday routine
3. Fuel, Fuel, FUEL! (and not with Margaritas and quesadillas) hehe

Countdown: T-Minus 2 days

I'm getting super excited for my first Half Marathon!  I will admit that I am a bit nervous, not so much about the actual distance as the nutrition and preparation before to ensure I make it to that finish line!

Luckily for me it's Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, so I'm expecting a Margarita to be waiting for me at the finish line!

My goal is for to make it in under 2:17:00 (Esther dared me to beat her 1/2 time)  So darn it i'm gonna do it!

So I've spent the last week or so doing some research on how to properly prepare for this run and I wanted to share with you a few tips on how best to "carbo-load"

1. Fuel up on Carbs, not fat!  Leave off the butter to that bun or the Ranch dressing on that salad,  you want fuel for your muscles.  Fat will slow you down.  Some examples of good foods to eat would be whole grain breads or cereals, granola bars, bananas, yogurt, graham crackers, and rice or pasta.  Your aiming to take in at least 3-5g of carbs per pound of body weight.  Then divide that up over about 6 meals a day, Thanks Active.com
2. Start loading up on carbs at least a few days before race day.  You should gain a couple of pounds before a race this is your body storing up the fuel it's going to need for race day!
3. Taper off your exercise and allow your muscles 2-3 days of recovery.  NO LONG RUNS!!!  This will expend the energy you've been trying to store up for the big day 
4. Enjoy your race, bring along some Gu packets or Gatorade chews and take them every 45 minutes during your race to refuel your muscles and help to keep up your energy! (Make sure you've trained using these types of fuel though because this can sometimes upset your stomach if your not accustomed to them)

The team pic didn't come out so great, but oh well, we're the champs!  But the pic of me and my girl Rach came out good! Love this girl!



What do you do to improve your strength?
What exercises excite you?
What are you counting down to?

What are you training for?

Last night I arrived home with a mission:  Make sure I get out for a run! 

I did 3 miles in 26 minutes which I believe is a PR for me!

The Twin Lights Half in Gloucester is less than 2 weeks away...eek

I'm actually feeling very prepared, but I'm making sure I get all my runs in over the next 2 weeks

Then I arrived back home and did a quick core workout.  I absolutely love Turbofire's 20 minute core workout!!  Hurts so good :)

Keeping with my training I woke up early and decided to take the dogs for a run with me (immediate extra 2 minutes/mile) but at least I went out and we did it!

I wore my new waterbelt so the doggies and I could have a quick drink on our long run (for them mostly) 

I was also listening to the #hillmanmorningshow while I was running because who doesn't like a good laugh while they're out for 5 miles

I did a 30 minute Turbofire Strength training workout with resistance bands and I'm refueling with result and recovery formula and my daily vitamins

What are you training for? 

Do you incorporate strength and core work with your cardio?

The Importance of Preparation

Quick Weekend Rewind

The dogs and I went for a walk on Sunday afternoon because it was absolutely beautiful! Despite the fact that I had a slight hangover from an amazing pub crawl/party bus fiesta with the ladies the night before!

Then I went home and got to business on planning my food for the week

 I made this delicious fruit salad..yum ( I put the pineapple in a separate container to keep it fresh)  For all the dog lovers out there my dogs love canteloupe so I always keep plenty in the house.  Do your dogs like fruit?!  I hope my kids are this easy some day :)

This is my lunch for the week, it's a Quinoa Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, scallions, and parsley with a spicy lime dressing :)  It needs a change, which i'm thinking cilantro instead of parsley personally

This takes me to the point of today's post.  I spend a couple of hours every Sunday afternoon getting myself prepared for the week ahead.  I organize my food and my workout schedule so that I can make it seamlessly  through my week!

Do you prepare for your week?  

What kinds of things do you do to make your week go a little more smoothly?

Get your Sweat on!!

My fat had a really good cry this morning.  I got a fantastic 55 minute Turbofire workout in!

This is an intense cardio kickboxing class, my abs are feeling so strong!  Chalene works my entire body in less than an hour!

If you want more details about Turbo, feel free to leave a comment or check out

 My BeachBody Webite

I'm waiting for the ok to leave my house again, but I'm hoping to get a 3-4 mile run in today with my pups

I'm trying to remember this fact, so I don't become a couch potato today!

I have plans to do an 11 mile run tomorrow with my friend Kate

I'm hoping that will counteract all the calories I'm going to imbibe tomorrow night when I'm partying down with my ladies on a party bus through Boston!

What are your plans for the weekend?

Workout Wednesday: Resistance Bands

Good Morning Everyone :)

Today was a beautiful morning, so the dogs and I took a jog down by the pond.

Sunrise was gorgeous and we did about 2.5 miles.  Then it was home for breakfast and some resistance training

Shiloh would've preferred if I played some ball with her, but I want to share with you a couple of resistance band exercises that will work your whole body

Bicep Curl with a Squat

The band is under your feet, the wider your feet the tougher it will be.  So if you're just starting out bring your feet in closer together, veterans spread them out.  As you squat, do a bicep curl.  Keep your elbows out in front of you to make it tougher = BEACH MUSCLES

2 sets of 12-15 reps

Deltoid Lift with a Glute Lift

To ensure you have good form make sure your elbow lines up with your wrist and there is a slight bend in your elbow.  Draw in your abs and lift your arm and your opposite leg at the same time.  

This will work on your balance, tighten your booty = BEAUTIFUL SHOULDERS AND BUTT

Do 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps

Tricep Extension with a Squat

Keep your elbow out in front of your face, but keep it tight to your head.

While doing the tricep extension take your opposite leg back into a squat.  Focus all of your weight on your front heel. 

 This will help to target the glutes and hamstrings = BEAUTIFUL BUTT and ARMS

Do 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps

Bowler's Lunge with a Shoulder Press

Take your leg back like your going to roll a bowling ball.

Keep all of your weight in the front heel (again glutes and hamstrings)

As you squat down raise up your arm and do a shoulder press.

WHOLE BODY

Every muscle group you can name

Do 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps

Just doing these four resistance band exercises will help to improve your all over muscle tone, AND the more muscle you put in your body the MORE calories you will burn doing your cardio!

Happy Wednesday Everyone:

What is your favorite resistance band exercise?

"Always have a vivid imagination, for you never know when you might need it." - J.K Rowling

Runner's Unite

In light of the tragic events of yesterday today I'm wearing a race T-shirt.  Show your support for the Boston Marathon Runners today and wear yours!

Weekend Recap

Saturday I did some strength and core training because I want my abs to look like this:

We're a little ways off, but you have to set a goal right!

Sunday, I did the longest run I've ever done 10 Miles.  Kate and I had a great run (except my cramp) I worked it off though.  When we got back this was what her wonderful boyfriend left for us

SO sweet of him and exactly what we needed after our long run, because we were absolutely starving.  He also made smoothies :)

Monday was a crazy day.  And even though a tragedy happened I did enjoy so much of the day.

 I went to get a mani/pedi

Trying to get in the summer spirit early.  And it was my moms favorite color on me :)

<3 you mom

I also bought a few new bath products, which smell fantastic

Have a great Tuesday everyone despite recent events, let's keep our heads up and work through this