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.runfastermommy.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)

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/runfastermommy

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/runfastermommy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/runfastermommy

 

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?

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?

Collagen love for all!

I'd heard about the benefits of Collagen through reviews from Krysten & Jill, and had to try the stuff out for myself! I did a review on Neocell Sport protein HERE and have since been a huge fan!

Honestly, I have to attribute how well hubs, myself, and Jaeden (his review below) have been doing with our joint health to Neocell! I haven't been feeling any joint pain with my training since starting on their Neocell Sport shakes and have been making hubs one every day too [post workout.] He just ran his first 5k in 2 years and has been on the comeback in a huge way! (add in icing and stretching and his kid'll be running past me in no time!)

Neocell was kind enough to send Beauty Bursts for me to try and even Arthropet for Jaeden to try! (Aside from making awesome products, they are the sweetest people!)

Disclaimer: I was sent free product from Neocell to try and review. All opinions of the product are my own. And Jaeden's.

Jaeden is coming up on 12 years old. Back when he was around 3 years old he was diagnosed with  Luxating Patellas - basically bad knees that popped in and out of place because he had a "lots of love" body on itty bitty legs - ouch. Around the time he was 7 he started to show signs that his condition was worsening and I decided to have surgery done on his worst knee, his left one. Boy, was that an adventure. Living on a 3rd floor condo, pushing him up and down the parking garage ramp (no elevators) in a doggy stroller. Oh, the joy that was.

Since then, he's been great! The right leg is still a little worse-off than his robo-left-leg, but with the aid of glucosamine & MSM supplements he's still a spunky little guy who loves playing and jumping around - even going up and down the stairs [mostly] on  his own. We typically give Jaeden the 'human' version of the supplement, which we have to hide in cheese or a treat which can be a pain in the rear on most mornings.

 

His sentiments? - "Howwwwwl....woooffff.....woooofff....((lick))"

 

Arthropet promotes healthy joints, healthy skin, and eye health in dogs using a Collagen Type 2 formula plus CMO & MSM. ArthroPet is an innovative formula that provides chicken cartilage (a natural source of collagen type II, glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid), Plus MSM, CMO and Manganese. ArthroPet is a safe and effective natural food supplement.

Jaeden loves his Arthropet! Since it has it's own chicken flavor, there's no need to disguise the tablets - he sees them as treats! Also, they contain no sucrose, starch, yeast, wheat, corn, cholesterol, fat or dairy products.

He gobbles up his chews every morning with breakfast as I partake in my Beauty Bursts!

Not being a huge fan of anything mint, I was a bit apprehensive at first to try the Chocolate Mint flavor of these chews, but was pleasantly surprised at their yumminess! Using a different type of Collagen, types 1 & 3, Beauty Bursts provide specific amino acids necessary to replenishing the body’s collagen supply Helps minimize fine lines & wrinkles, and improves elasticity in the skin Builds and supports bone matrix Corrects weak, broken, split and damaged nail beds Thickens fine hair, adds body and slows down hair loss Repairs connective tissues for improved elasticity; improves circulation; promotes wound healing Glycine builds lean muscle to help burn fat while you sleep.

Of course, you-know-who [a.k.a. hubs] likes to sneak one here and there just because he thinks they taste super good. And that he can benefit from anything with "beauty" in the name ;)

 

I'm off to YOGA class! Yes, keeping up with #GoalGetter2013 status for sure right? And THEN tomorrow Kris and I run the Tiger Trot 5k - this should be interesting, a 5k feels like a warm-up now! But there are dog-tag medals, so I'm pretty stoked ;)

Do you partake in joint supplements for you or your pet? Would you?