Keep it Spicy.

Today is a normal 9 to 5 work day at the office. Tomorrow and Thursday are my last two days of working the live telethon show at night and then I’m back to the usual schedule! It is hard sometimes with the adjustment but definitely something I am used to working in television. Last night I was home and in bed by 11 pm which was okay. The only thing that trips me up about working that shift is having to alter my workouts. It is nice though because I can sleep in and work out a little bit later as opposed to getting up at 5 AM.

Here’s what my workouts are looking like this week:

Sunday: Cowtown Half Marathon

Monday: Rest/recovery day

Tuesday: Bodypump + Turbokick

Wednesday: 7 mile tempo run

Thursday: 4 miles easy + dance class

Friday: OFF

Saturday: Coach running group (5K run + 9 miles)

Sunday: A-OK 25K Trail Run

I took Monday off since my work schedule is so crazy this week. When it comes to rest vs. getting a hard workout in I always choose sleep - I think it is something athletes often tend to overlook. I think this is one of the main reasons I have avoided overtraining. Sleep is one of the key factors to performance so I take it very seriously. Monday I slept in and went into work later. I probably could have snuck in a shakeout run or a spin class but I opted against it. I can definitely tell the difference when I get plenty of rest and go out for a run or workout from days when I short change my sleep. To me it is just not worth it to sacrifice a good night’s rest.

Now that I am done with marathon training (until the summer), I am able to focus more on getting quality sleep, eating better, and incorporating more strength training into my workouts. Tonight I will be hitting up a Bodypump class then staying to get my kickboxing groove on. I love switching up my workouts from week to week and trying new things. I think keeping your workouts spicy is key to seeing real results so I try to make sure variety is included in my routine.

I received this “Daily Kick in the Butt” email from Runner’s World this morning and it really resonated with me:

If you are in a plateau or workout funk, I suggest you try something different. Ever wanted to check out that group fitness class that intimidates you just a bit? Do it. Want to run faster? Incorporate some speed work into your 5 mile morning run. Do some yoga. Try a barre class. Maybe a pole dancing class! Work out with friends! These things are key to keeping your workouts fun and exciting. Working out doesn’t have to be boring and redundant. Push your limits and test yourself – the results are always rewarding.

What workout pushes you out of your comfort zone? When is the last time you tried something new? 

The next big leap.

“A true master once told me only those who can internally see who they want to become, and painfully long for it, can achieve their potential. Being human is art, and expanding potential afflicts us. Be grateful for your discomfort with your current condition; that discontent lies at the heart of motivation, passion and growth. Without glimpsing what you want to become next you could not continue to evolve. Only when we don’t pine for growth should we worry, for then no matter how hard we try, we go nowhere quickly. You are feeling exactly what you need to be feeling to take the next big leap. Just remember, when you feel this again, after you’ve succeeded at overcoming the impending transformation, you feel this way because it is your power, your ability to change. Too few have it because current life can squelch our internal light. Treasure it. Share it.”

Scott Sonnon, CEO RMAX International, Coach and Creator of CST, TACFIT via Allison English

Do what you love.

Happy first Friday of 2012 to you! I hope your day is buzzing along quite nicely like mine is. My coffee is delicious and strong this morning. Watch out, world!

My morning started out with a strength training session in my apartment gym, followed by a 4 mile run around the park in my neighborhood watching the sun rise.

After my invigorating workout and a yummy shower I headed off to work and made my usual pitstop at Cheers Starbucks for my bold coffee. I decided to get me a cup of their perfect oatmeal as well. I added their dried fruit to it as well as my own peanut butter and honey. Delicioso!

So, last night, I went on a little work assignment and got to go to a free movie screening to see the upcoming movie Joyful Noise. Since I am writing a feature piece on the film I always like to be well versed on the movie that I am working on. I love doing these movie reviews, they are so much fun. Here is one I did not long ago for the movie Jumping the Broom, fantastic if you haven’t seen that movie by the way!

Since the movie premiere was at Northpark mall I decided to head over there a little bit early and do some shopping. Since I hadn’t gone shopping in quite some time I was like a freaking kid in a candy store. I went to Lululemon and bought the pace setter running skirt, a workout top and these awesome “run fast” socks. It always helps to have some words of encouragement.

 

Joyful Noise was a cute, feel-good movie. I hadn’t seen Dolly Parton in a movie since Steel Magnolias but she’s still got it, plastic surgery and all. It was pretty much your typical Sister-Actish type of movie. Lots of diversity though which I can appreciate.

This weekend I am looking forward to the Beat Goes On kickoff for Luke’s Locker! The runners will be doing a 3 mile time trial run to determine which pace groups they belong in. Since I’m a coach I will be there monitoring everyone. Hopefully I can squeeze in a run of my own before hand. Either way, it will be a good time.

I also signed up for the A-OK 25K trail run on March 4th in Atoka, Oklahoma! Some of my trail running buddies did this race last year and it looked like so much fun.

It was super cheap to sign up (only 25 bucks, hello!!) and a few of us will be carpooling up there to do it. Super stoked.

I will leave you with this. Are you doing what you love? I sure am!

Have a happy weekend!

Runspiration.

Happy Hump Day! I hope you being all kinds of productive today. It’s my Thursday so I’m looking forward to the long 4 day weekend for sure! I will probably not be doing too much blogging as I’ll likely be eating, drinking, RUNNING, and being merry. Because really, isn’t that what Christmas is all about? I am looking forward to spending the Christmas holiday with some good friends, my sweet family, and my hottie of a boyfriend.

Hey Santa, I promise I've been good this year...for the most part.

I am also looking fwd to lots of fun runs this weekend with my running buddies. Starting with tonight…it’s Jingle Bell Run 5K night! I’ll be running and getting my jingle jangle on with the Luke’s Locker crew.

I'll more than likely be busting out the legwarmers again. It's a must.

Then, this weekend I’ll be doing a long marathon training run on Christmas Eve morning with my friend Lori & a few other buddies. (Oh yeah, who has another marathon coming up in less than 2 months? Yeah, that would be me.) Lori is an awesome marathon buddy of mine who is also a Luke’s Locker coach. She will be running the Houston marathon in January, and I’m doing the Galveston marathon in February. We’ll be running say 18 to 20 miles this weekend. It should be a good time! I’m looking fwd to the miles flying by while I catch up with her & some of our friends.

Me & Lori at the Rock N Roll New Orleans Marathon 2011

So since I haven’t done anything particularly Pinteresting lately, I figured I had better catch you up on what I’ve been pinning. I love Pinterest because not only does it give you amazing ideas about what to cook, how to decorate your home, or what fun silly crafts to start on, it also has really inspiring, motivating words to get you up and moving. And frankly, since it’s the holidays and all and since I don’t plan on eating clean and healthy all weekend (just keepin’ it real) I wanted to give you some words of RUNSPIRATION. Because I love me some sweets…but guess what…I also LOVE to MOVE and SWEAT, thus combating the naughty holiday eating! Can I get an amen?!

 

And on that note, I’ll leave you with a random photo of my Daystar work family from our Christmas potluck yesterday! Can you find me?

What are some words of RUNspiration that inspire you? 

Hump Day Motivation.

Happy Wednesday morning to you! It is rainy and chilly here in Dallas but I am up and the gear is in drive! Last night I went for a 5 mile run in my new Nike Free winter trainers and I absolutely loved them.

Pink shoelaces light up the night!

I have tried them in the gym and felt like they didn’t give me as much side to side movement but provide me plenty of bounce outside. So outside is where they belong. I think I’ll take these babies for a spin this weekend for my Jog’r Egg Nog’r 15K race. Can I just say how excited I am about this one? Spiked egg nog anyone? No? Too early for such talk?

At the race last year...happily jogging along...

Me & my sweet mama striking a pose

Speaking of races…my proofs came in for the Deck the Trails race…I look angry intense in half of the photos so I’ll spare you the details and just show you one.

finish straight ahead!

I squeezed in an early morning spin class since I have another gift exchange party to attend tonight. This time it’s a purse party w/ coworkers. My gift is all wrapped and ready to go…I bet you can’t guess what kind of purse it is…evening bag, maybe? Louis Vuitton?  Hmm…

So anyway…back to spin class…I tried a new girl’s spin class this morning at 24 Hour Fitness. I liked this class because it starts a little bit later (5:45 as opposed to my usual 5:30 one) so it gave me a little more time to hit the weight machines first. The teacher was really energetic and motivating. She played pretty good music, just typical top 40 hits type of songs. It was warm in the aerobics room though so by the end I was sweating tons! Overall it was a good class…I give It 4 out of 5 gingerbread cookies this morning.

After class I went and grabbed some Tazo Joy tea from Starbucks…just perfect for a rainy day like today! Since I got up so early I made sure to get myself a Venti and I think they made it extra strong because it has 2 teabags in it instead of one. So I’ll be sipping on this all morning while I listen to Christmas music and write promos. Yummy!

So, it has been a little while but I am still loving me some Pinterest. Since I’m feeling extra motivational here are some fitness-related things that have caught my eye (since it’s the holidays, I know we could all use some extra motivation)

What are some motivating words that get you up and moving?