12 Days of Fitmas–Day 2

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend! Starting yesterday, I began the 12 days of Fitmas where each leading up to the big day, Christmas, I’ll have a “task” for you to work on. So…

On the 2nd day of Fitmas…

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR WORKOUTS

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One of the biggest complaints I’ve been hearing lately is that people don’t have time to work out because of the holidays. I say, get creative!

Cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Throw in a few sets of calf raises while you’re waiting for those cookies to brown. The recipe calls for milk? Work out those biceps and triceps with the gallon before you put it back in the fridge. Forgot something in the living room? Lunge your way over there.

I’m serious.

I know it sounds silly but it’s all about using whatever time you have to be as productive as you can.

My daughter loves watching Sesame Street every morning so I’ll throw a blanket on the floor and we’ll lay and watch Elmo, Big Bird, and the gang. While it’s playing, I do leg raises and work out my thighs. Lauren thinks it’s hilarious when she sees my leg go up and down, up and down. I get to spend some time hanging out with my little girl and sneak in a mini leg work out. Win!

Too embarrassed of getting caught? Include your family and make it a fun day of finding ways to turn normal tasks into an exercise! While something is heating up in the microwave, tell your children to do jumping jacks until the timer beeps. Send your kids to pick up the mail and tell them to jog there (if you live in an area safe enough to do so). Have a family plank-a-thon. Set the timer on your phone and see who can last the longest.

What are some other ways you can get creative with a work out? I’d love to hear it!

Week Three Marathon Training Recap

One of the things I hear the most from people is, “You always have something going on!” It’s true. It’s like I thrive on having a lot to do jaja! That’s actually part of why my blog is named hellyontherun—I’m always running around everywhere, literally and figuratively

This past week was busy busy as I’m sure it was for most Americans preparing for the holidays. Last Sunday we began Christmas decorating (I know, I know, Thanksgiving hadn’t even happened) and I had the cutest little helper.

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I had to rearrange my training schedule for the holiday and because we were going out of town so I did my tempo run on Monday—a chill 4 miles. On Tuesday I had my doctor’s appointment to check out my shins which I wrote about here. Tuesday this guy also had an appointment–

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–his 4 month check-up. Yep, 4 months already!

That same day (told you I was busy) we hit the road down south.

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Wednesday, my husband and I ran an easy 2 miles to get acclimated to the cold weather. I love running in Douglas but I forget how cold it can get there.

Thursday was Turkey Trot 5k day and boy was it an awesome day : )

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Friday morning my husband and I did another easy 2 miles (I started the Runner’s World Streak Challenge on Thanksgiving) before we hit the road back to Phoenix.

Saturday morning at 5:30 I was up and ready for my long run, 8 miles. I decided that after a whirlwind week I’d make it an easy 8 so I started the first half of it at a very comfortable pace. The second half I picked up the pace. Here are my all over the place splits:

1- 10:48
2- 10:51
3- 10:56
4- 10:52
5- 10:43
6- 10:17
7- 10:08
8- 9:43

19 total miles for the week and finished November with a grand total of 50.43 miles.

Oh, and this happened today : )

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–Do you like having a lot of things going on?

–Are you excited for the holidays?

Pat’s Run

 

Happy Veteran’s Day!

A few years ago, pre-kids and post-wedding, I ran in a new race (for me) called Pat’s Run in honor of Pat Tillman, war-veteran and former NFL player. It’s a 4.2 mile race, a distance to commemorate his 42 jersey that he wore when he played for Arizona State University, and the finish line leads you to the 42 yard line in Sun Devil Stadium. The race always takes place in April and a day in the twenties–this year, 4/26.

 

When I first heard of this race, I jumped at the chance to participate. As an ASU alumnus, and with friends and family who have fought in a war, this was a perfect opportunity for me to run for them. The spirit of this race is indescribable. It’s almost always a sell-out and you’re always running with someone next to you. You can see people in camouflage, in uniform, with t-shirts bearing names of a veterans, with a Pat Tillman jersey. It’s truly inspirational.

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This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the race. I wasn’t able to run in 2011 or 2012 because of pregnancies, but I’m excited that I’m available for this very important year.

Today was the first day of registration, fittingly on Veteran’s Day. You bet I woke up this morning and sprinted to my computer. I signed both my husband and I up and then saw they had a .42 race for children.

I couldn’t not sign my daughter up!

This will be her first race and it’s the best first one for her. I’d love to borrow a jogging stroller so I can take my son along for the ride and make it a family event. Wouldn’t that be awesome? : )

How are you spending Veteran’s Day?

Do you have a favorite race?