Cardio Ab Burn Workout: BeFiT Trainer Open House- Erika Hammond

All the Running

A screenshot from an app called RaceAddict. (And yes, that race start time is the default and likely is not correct.)

I joke that I hate running.  I don’t actually hate running.  It’s just that upon taking up triathlon, I discovered that I like doing things in addition to running, and having to run four+ days a week is kind of terrible.  I love the killer workouts that triathlon season brings.  And yet I spent my winter season running.

Why?  Well, I’m one of those people where if I don’t race, I’m much more likely to skip workouts.  If I have something I’m training for, I’ll get out there.  (I’d like to think that with Chattanooga 70.3 on the schedule, that would be enough, but really, who knows?)  Plus I have a lot of friends who I met through running and I want to keep racing with them.  For me, running races are also a lot less stressful.  I think it’s because the logistics are much simpler.  So much less to pack.  Weather plays much less of a role (except in what I wear).  The races are also shorter, time-wise, so that makes things easier.

That doesn’t mean that I’m not aiming for big things this season, but I’m taking each race as it comes.  For example, with this weekend’s Army Ten Miler, I’d love to improve my time from the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler earlier this year, but I’ve been a bit tight for the past couple of weeks, and I’m just not sure my body’s up for it.  But we’ll see what happens race morning.  Goal is to finish and have fun.

Then it’s on to half marathon season.  I’m not sure what I’m most excited for.  Space Coast has become a tradition, and I’m excited to hang out with friends and get my that 5th coveted space shuttle medal.  Donna is also slowly becoming tradition and a trip to Florida in February is so amazing.  BDR New Orleans is new, but I’m pumped to finally get to run with Kim again.  So each race has something awesome about it in addition to the actual running part.

Plus if nothing else, all that treadmill time helps me keep up on my tv watching.  Thank goodness for the fall tv season!

The post All the Running appeared first on Elbowglitter.

Lower Back Stretching Routine: Cool Down- Steve Jordan

September Mileage Update

Okay, how is it already October?  September absolutely flew by!

And not because I was working out.  Maybe it’s true – running doesn’t necessarily make your life longer, but it certainly makes it feel longer.

So in September, I raced my last triathlon for the year (and nailed it!) and then was on “active rest” for the rest of the month.  I was still gearing up for the Army Ten Miler, which is this coming weekend, but everything else was on a bit of a step back.  Plus I went on vacation, where I walked a whole lot, but didn’t exercise outside of that.  It was pretty darn glorious.  Also I’m fairly sure I gained 4 pounds this month.  Apparently, this is not the best way to live.

September Totals
Swim: 4.1 miles
Bike: 100 miles
Run: 30 miles

I’m really amused by how round my bike and run numbers are.  Certainly not planned at all.  But this really shows just how much my bike mileage stepped back this month.  My bike mileage was 200+ miles a month for the past three months.  I honestly really miss the biking, and I’m picking it up again after Army Ten.  My coach just wanted to give my body a bit of a break, and I will admit, I enjoyed not killing myself on the bike every week.   My run numbers will be picking up as well, as I head into half marathon season.  I have a love-hate relationship with the half marathon right now.  It’s a great distance, but after a summer of maxing out at 10ks, going back into long runs of more than 8 miles is mentally hard!

2017 Totals
Swim: 42.6 miles
Bike: 1647 miles
Run: 386 miles

The post September Mileage Update appeared first on Elbowglitter.

How to Warm Up Like an Athlete: BeFiT Trainer Open House- Adam Friedman

Disney Trip Report

I’m back from vacation.  And it was exhausting.  And I didn’t even run a race while I was away.  (I know, it’s a rarity for me.)  I didn’t even bring workout gear with me, since I knew I wouldn’t bother to get in a run.

The Magic Kingdom was beautifully spooky at night.

Of course, that meant that I had to do a Tuesday night ten mile run on my treadmill when I got home, but these things happen

At some point, I will learn to take relaxing vacations.  That day is not today.

If you couldn’t tell from the picture, I just got back from a trip to Disney World.  It was my one-year-old niece’s first trip, which made it extra special.  That kid had six adults around to entertain her. She is definitely living it up.

While I’m not a Halloween person, I love going to Disney at Halloween because I love the creativity of all of the decorations.  I love that the carved pumpkins placed all over on Main Street are themed to their respective locations (film strips over the theater, jewels over the jewelry store, etc).  I love that the characters wear Halloween costumes.  Because come on, characters in costumes are awesome!

Halloween season also means it’s Food and Wine season and if there’s something I love, it’s eating and drinking delicious things.

This was also my first trip to go see Pandora, the new land based on the Avatar movie. When it was first announced a few years ago, I wasn’t sure what I thought.  The movie was already old (and while I did watch it, I don’t remember being all that enthralled).

Guys, this place is incredible.

The theming is amazing and the space is just gorgeous.  Even just walking around was so impressive.  We got to ride Flight of Passage, where you ride on the back of a banshee, and it was incredible.  The technology is so cool and the experience was phenomenal.  If you’re going to the parks, make sure you get a Fast Pass for this ride.  We had Fast Passes, but because the ride was having some issues, we still had to wait almost an hour.  (The regular line was a 4.5 hour wait!)  No complaints here, it was totally worth it, but thanks to that, we were also given a Fast Pass to ride Na’vi River Journey, a ride that my niece could also join us for.  That was also absolutely gorgeous.  I want to go back and experience the space after dark, because I’m sure that it will be beautiful all lit up.

And yes, I do believe my niece had a blast.

While it’s not my place to put someone else’s child on social media, I think the back of her head is probably okay. Also I’m pretty sure Dad had a good time too.

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Standing Stretch Routine: Cool Down- Steve Jordan