Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Meathead 101

Hubs and I decided to join a second gym...second for now until we see if we want to let go of our work gym...so that we had access to a heated pool (for his ankle rehab), sauna, all of the amenities and more class and machine variety.

There's only one true downside to that for me: toolbaggery at the Globo-Gym.



Ah, the ever-so-toolbagtastic-Globo-Gym. With variety comes more gym patrons. No bigs. With more gym patrons, comes more gym etiquette. Okay, if followed. With Gym etiquette, comes rule-breakers. Dang!
Let me backup by commenting on what toolbaggery is. To me, it's similar to being a meathead, or someone who goes about the gym in such a manner that it can appear to resemble the traits of a toolbag. Yes, I like to define definitions with another definition. There are specific behaviors that contribute to being a meathead but namely someone who wants lots of attention and is not suited to be working out as hard as they are. Bad form doesn't even begin to touch this guy.
(Now, nothing I ever write is meant to offend anyone, but I've just seen so much of this #1 gym offense of mine that I had to write about it. I'm all about being an individual, but I'm also all about just going to the gym to get my workout on, using proper etiquette - kind of like we did as kids with sharing - not looking to gain attention or silliness in anyway.)

 
1) Carrying a GALLON JUG of water and drinking out of it whilst working out - We all know the importance of water. I drink it like a mad woman and always encourage proper hydration throughout the day. However, I use a 'regularly-sized-human-hand-held' bottle and pour from a gallon. A gallon jug was not meant for convenience nor to be devoured in the hour you're at the gym. Besides, I tend to almost trip over those that are left in the aisleway. I think I've seen 5 gallons in one gym visit - that's a lot of liquid for leg day.
 
 
2) Wearing long black dress socks - unless you are box jumping or doing crossfit-eqsue exercises, Business dress socks are a no-no. Those are for important meetings about TPS reports. If you forgot your socks at home, roll these babies dowwwwwn.
 
 
3) Grunting OBNOXIOUSLY loud when lifting weights making those around you uncomfortable - I mean, I've breathed heavy and made noises here and there - sometimes you have to when doing hard work yo! BUT if your grunting is to get the attention of every gym patron in sight - Scale it back. I can hear you over my iPod and no one messes with me when I'm jammin' to some Macklemore!
 
 
4) Dropping heavy weights while doing said grunting - as with the above-mentioned scenario, why drop it? Place it down unless you're using rubber weights in a crossfit gym. At least there, everyone's doing it. In a Globo-gym, it's no bueno to scare the pants off of everyone around you.
 
 
5) Being in a Wolf Pack - this makes me giggle which is the only reason it's in the list. I'm all for going to the gym with friends or partners. However, I think that when pacts of guys stand around talking more than working out, usually following one main 'trainer' of the bunch, it's obnoxious. You might have gone from a one man wolfpack to 4, but you should separate for good measure.


6) Walking around the gym - and not working out. It's annoying. Go workout, stop interrupting other people's workouts. Or go sit in the sauna. Or at a bus stop.
 
 
7) Wearing a bandana instead of a headband - the Hulk could get away with it. This is only okay if you're a Hulkomaniac. brotherrrrrrrrrr.

I'm all about everyone being their own person in the gym, but we should all also be there for a common reason - health AND fitness - keep it safe and keep it appropriate ya'll ;)

Have you noticed this or any other Meathead behaviors at your gym?


Monday, May 20, 2013

Motivational Monday - Featured Sneakers #27


Happy Monday!

Boy, I'm still recovering from a fun beach day with friends yesterday - it was a scorcher! Brown just got browner! I made it up early to do a 3 mile recovery run beforehand so I wouldn't feel horribly guilty about the libations to be had ;)

Mine! Mine! Mine!

Hubs enjoyed pranking with my phone while he was supposed to be playing photographer for the girls, but it just made for a lovely collage:

said collage

I can't believe I actually had the energy to still food prep before plopping on the couch the evening too, but it MUST be done!



To get your Motivational Monday kicked off right, this week's Featured Sneakers belong to Heather! She's a fitness professional/ mud run addict/ and part time ninja - she takes parkour lessons so that's an equivalent ;) She motivates others with her drive and determination to set a positive and active example for her kids!

Name: Heather G.
Blog:  Run Faster, Mommy!  http://www.relentlessforwardmotion.com

What is your favorite way to workout/exercise:  My favorite training is what a group of us have dubbed "Ranger Runs".  Basically we hit a trail and run hard intervals. In between the running intervals, we take turns assigning exercises:  burpees, push ups, pistol squats, etc.  It's a killer workout and a great way to socialize with friends.






What is your #1 cheat food:  Energy drinks. I know they are horrible for me in almost every way, but sometimes I just crave the sugar, carbonation, and caffeine!  I try to keep the consumption at a bare minimum, and opt for more healthier, natural versions when available

What advise do you have for those starting on a fitness journey:  Remember that this journey has no endpoint: you are creating a healthy lifestyle to be carried out, in theory, for the rest of your life.  Thus, you want to take small steps and make realistic goals in the beginning.  Living a healthy lifestyle should be enjoyable, not a chore or something to dread.  So believe in yourself, and enjoy the process.

Dream destination race/location:  I would love to run the Mount Everest Marathon.  The logistics of travel and acclimation alone make it a far fetched goal, but I hope to one day make it a reality.
These guys motivate their mom

Favorite inspirational fitness personality/trainer:  Richard Simmons. Seriously, I completely admire his story, and most of all, his constant upbeat, positive attitude. I remember doing the "Sweating to the Oldies" videos with my mom when I was very young, and having a blast.  He is still not only inspiring beginners today, but is also a huge advocate campaigning for physical education programs in elementary schools.  It would be an honor to meet him one day. 

Workout apparel must have (+brand):  Merrell shoes!  Mix Master Move Glides for long runs, Trail Gloves for short runs, and my barefoot Vapor gloves for recovery.

Motivational motto/quote:  "Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you" (I love it so much, I have it tattooed on my ribcage)

Be sure to connect with Heather on one of these social channels while her blog domain works through some kinks ;)

Do you have any questions for Heather or myself?
Are you diggin' mud runs like she is?
Is it beach season in  your neck of the woods?

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Weekly Workouts Roundup - Tiger Trot 5k Race Recap

Yesterday Kris and I decided to head out to Lakeland to take part in the Tiger Trot 5k race! I am loving this 'off season' of shorter races and figured since there was some bling involved, why not??


We drove out early Saturday morning to meet up with Kris' parents who lived close to the start line, and headed to Joker Merchant Stadium - Spring Training home of the Detroit Tigers.
 
 
 
The sun was coming up...and quick...and that worried me with a race start of 8am. Still, I knew this was the last official race for the two of us and we said we'd give it all we had - till we tuckered out at least.
 
The course went out from the parking lot of the stadium, then back over through Lake Parker Park and back. Seemed easy enough. We were happy to have some actual restrooms to use and made it to the starting line around 750. I told Kris that my goal was to do sub-9 miles (I intended to do a 1 mile warmup before - ended up being around a half mile - and then 4 more miles that afternoon or evening for the day.)
(Mile 1: 8:03) We ended up going out the gate pretty fast - thinking we wanted to keep up with everyone there - and were headed into Lake Parker Park pretty quickly. I kept looking down to keep an even pace and also check on Kris. She was still working on being aware of the possible PF in her foot and we ended up sticking together.
(Mile 2: 8:24) Yep. Went out too fast. The sun was blazing as we went around Lake Parker and up through the bike path in the park. I went from using my 3:2 breath rhythm (note to self: I really need to finish reading "Running on Air") to the 2:1 due to increased effort. Oh, and I forgot I had my inhaler in my gym bag so knew I had to take it pretty easy in the event anything happened. Kris and I started finding targets to pass. That's always fun ;)
(Mile 3: 8:30) My right soleus was starting to feel tight and we were both breathing like heathens. I stubbed my toe and it's been hurting for a while so I know my calf has been trying to make up with it since. We knew we were close to the finish as we closed into the parking lot again and made our way into the stadium. We got to run the bases! I'm glad I knew that since Kris has done the race before, as others seemed really disappointed they weren't done once they entered. The turf was a bit tough to get going but we came in for the finish. Kris picked out someone to chase down and I let her cruise ahead - her specialty at the end of races. A woman at 3rd base yelled "Sprint! And you'll make it in under 26 minutes!" I saw Kris' mom yelling for us to come in strong and gave it all I had.
 
Finish:
 25:56 / 3rd in Age Group / 73rd overall
 
What???
 
Well, at first when we looked at results we saw Kris was in 3rd and me in 4th and while we could laugh at the irony, I was just happy to be in that high up in my AG. Now, to see the final results and know I get a trophy makes me blush through my brown cheeks. I'm pretty proud of me. It was hot.  I was bookin' it pretty fast compared to how I've felt over the past 6-8 months. Training for halves versus training for a 5k - 2 totally different worlds. Maybe it was the fact I put no pressure on myself for this one? Set no clear 'goal'?


 
dog-tag bling, pretty cute!
 
Ah, now we rest...on the beach to be exact ;)

While I sip on a beverage or 3 whilst relaxing with my homies, it's time to roundup workouts from this week! Join Meghan and I each week as we tally up our weekly workouts - it can be any day and not necessarily Sunday also!
 

Week of 5/12/2013
5/12 - 3 mile recovery run + legs
5/13 - spin class 45 min + 1 mi warmup & chest/tris/power circuit
5/14 - 5 tempo miles + Metabolic Conditioning class (45 min)
5/15 - Circuit training shoulders/bis
5/16 - 3 miles in am + Spin class/Zumba (1 hr)
5/17- active-rest day before the race, Yoga class
5/18 - Warmup of .50 + Tiger Trot 5k race + 3.5 TM miles (7 total)

Have you ever surprised yourself at a race you didn't necessarily train-train for?