Why Yoga Should Be Part of a Healthy, Fit Lifestyle
“Trust the vibes you get. Energy doesn’t lie.”
Trying new things. Kinda been my jam lately.
It started with waking up early one day to see what Spinsanity was all about, continued with a few ass-kickings at JoeFitness, and most recently included a sneak peek sweat sesh at Fargo’s new Orangetheory Fitness studio.
For a gal who doesn’t often try the latest and greatest workout, I’ve been an adventurous lady as of the late. One of the best parts of all these trials is I’ve experienced each with a trusted fit pal by my side.
Post-run yoga is always a must.
So naturally when my friend and fellow fit gal, Heather, invited me to a Yoga Sculpt class at the local Mojo Fit yoga studio, I eagerly said yes.
I enjoy yoga. I go through a quick yoga routine after long runs, always do a few moves after other workouts, and often search for new poses to address issues. But rarely do I take classes. In fact, the most recent one I remember was a good three years ago when Chris and I first started dating. I think he took the class with me to impress me with his athletic ability. Goal achieved.
Anyway, this fact alone made me interested to give yoga class another go. Plus, I know the benefits of yoga that go beyond the sheer fitness aspects.
Let’s just say I got more than I bargained for – in a good way.
The Heat is ON
One of my initial concerns with taking the class was if it was going to be a good enough workout. After all, if I was going to dedicate my Saturday morning workout to something, it better be hard and leave me sweaty. Heather assured me it was indeed both a hard and sweaty workout, and I trusted her word.
Let me tell you something. I can’t remember the last time I sweated so much from a workout. Yes, me, the aggressive sweater.
As we were in the car, driving to the yoga studio, Heather took the opportunity to inform me this class – a 75-minute one – takes place in the hot studio.
I tried to hide my reaction. Did she not know of my aggressive sweating? We talk about the gross sides of fitness all the time, surely I’ve mentioned this to her before. I laughed nervously but secretly I was breathing a huge sigh of relief that I went with the black pants versus anything that would show early signs of swass.
Upon arrival at the studio, it was nice and toasty – just as Heather described. It didn’t take long for me to work up a sweat, and things just went nuts from there. I’ll spare you all the details and just give a few highlights.
At one point I had to stop to grab a towel because a massive bead of sweat dripped into my eye and obstructed my vision.
While getting in position to do lunges, I slipped on my yoga mat. You know, because it was doused in sweat pools.
I was literally dripping in sweat. Like, I saw the drips in the mirror. And the beads on my legs were visible during our final cool-down stretch.
Yes, it was a hot and sweaty workout. Mission accomplished!
Keep On Movin
Within seconds of the class starting, I was glad I have experience with yoga poses. The instructor just began calling them out as she moved through the routine quickly, and thankfully I was able to keep up.
My basic yoga experience came in handy.
Fast-paced didn’t just come with the warm-up poses. The entire class was fast-paced; it felt like we were constantly moving from one move to the next, from squats to cardio to overhead presses.
Not only did this keep things interesting and made the class go by quickly, it gave us a ton of bang for the buck, so to speak, making the most of the 75 minutes and taking the concept of “total body workout” to a new level.
Exercising the Mind
Speaking of total body workout, this class had it covered – and more. What I mean is it worked my mind as well. Not only did it push my focus and concentration, offer mindfulness and relaxation, it also reminded me of certain exercises that are necessary for me as a runner. And taught me a few new ones.
Again, I won’t go into detail of every cardio, upper body and lower body move. Instead, I’ll just share a few highlights.
Squats. Oh, so many squats. We did tons of variations too, which was especially great for a girl who loves squats.
We did some great single-leg moves and variations of what I typically do for single-leg moves. Both Heather and I are runners and commented to each other how great these moves were for us.
All moves were high reps with light weights. When I lift, I have a mindset of low reps as long as it’s the heaviest weight I can lift. This, while great for some workouts and pushing for gains, has gotten me in trouble before. This type of workout and mindset makes it’s too easy to push too hard, too often. Also, the problems I’ve had with hamstrings and hips make light, higher-rep lifts important to rehabbing those problem areas while making them stronger.
This was a huge plus of the workout and probably one of the best reminders for me to incorporate this style of lifts into my routine more often.
My free trial week at Mojo Fit studio continues this week, and I already have plans to take at least one more class with Heather. Going forward, I may visit the studio again, as I can see it being a valuable addition to my marathon training plan. And I’ll take away some of the moves I learned to incorporate on a more regular basis.
Even Blitz likes her yoga fix.
For everyone else, yoga may seem like it’s not for everyone. However, it’s a great opportunity to focus, decompress, and remember that a healthy lifestyle goes beyond hours on the Stairmaster or weekly leg day. A reminder we all can use.
Fellow fit friends, do you practice yoga – basic, Bikram, or sculpt/cardio-focused classes like the one I took? How has yoga helped you in terms of fitness, mindfulness, and all-around balance? Comment below or tweet me, @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
What to Expect From Your New Year’s Resolution to Get Fit
“Expect the unexpected”
Every year, I try to do new features on the blog that coincide with holidays. Certainly, the New Year is a big one. Some people do a “Year in Review” type approach (I did this last year). Others make “Top 10” type lists (I did something similar to this two years ago). And some offer tips, tricks, and advice for keeping your New Year’s Resolutions.
Unless you’re brand new to the blog, you know how much I hate New Year’s Resolutions so I’m certainly not going to take the “How to Keep Your Resolution” approach with my first blog of 2017.
Ready to crush your goals in 2017?
But, I promise you this blog isn’t going to be anti-resolution either. In fact, I’m going to really put your mind in a pretzel and actually cater my first post of the New Year to the Resolutionists. And I’m going to do it without giving you false “This year, you can do it,” comfort or the generic, way overdone “New Year, New You!” vibe.
Instead, I’m going to share with you five unexpected things to expect on your new fitness journey.
Because I want you to succeed.
Because you have no excuse not to succeed.
Because we both know you really can succeed.
From navigating the gym to a revelation of what motivation actually is (and isn’t) that you’ve likely never heard before, here are five unexpected things to expect when fitness is your New Year’s Resolution.
Motivation Isn’t Real
I’m wasting no time; I’m going to jump right in and blow your mind – either for good or bad – when I tell you this: Motivation doesn’t exist. Yes, “that” motivation.
That motivation you need to do things (I just need to get motivated)
That motivation you wish you had (I wish I had your motivation)
That motivation you often can’t seem to find (I’m just not feeling motivated)
Sorry, folks but motivation is nothing more than a word; a made-up concept that either gives you false hope or gives you an excuse.
A new fitness goal is a lot like being a newlywed – new & exciting right away but you know hard work lies ahead.
Motivation is not something a few of us are born with, something we magically acquire over the years, or only the lucky ones can find the same way we find our car keys when rushing out the door.
Especially when it comes to fitness, I hear “motivation” thrown around all the time. But a fit lifestyle isn’t about having, finding, or stumbling into motivation. It’s about making choices, every day.
You’ve just made a resolution to get fit. Right now, I know you think you’re feeling really motivated. You’re not. You’ve just made a new choice and everything’s fun and exciting when it’s shiny and new.
Flip side, the excuse of not having motivation is bullshit. Instead, you’ve become bored or de-prioritized fitness, and are simply making the choice to no longer make the effort to do it.
I tell you this not to crush your newfound “motivation” and feelings of excitement. I tell you because you need to know that going to the gym, cooking a healthy meal, doing yoga – all of those actions are simple choices. Either you do them, or you don’t. It’s up to you, not motivation.
There Are Rules to the Gym
In the event you make it past the “motivation” hurdle and keep going to the gym in February and beyond, you’ll start to learn the little idiosyncrasies and rules of the gym. But because many Resolutionists are first-timers in the gym, it’s important to know these things the first day you set foot in this new little world.
If you want to get more in-depth on good gym etiquette and expectations, I wrote a blog dedicated to 10 Commandments of the Gym. Below are a few key highlights.
Dress appropriately – good workout clothes and shoes
Don’t be an equipment hog – especially on busy days
Clean up – put away weights, wipe down machines
Use machines for what they’re intended – if you don’t know, just ask
Respect fellow members – their space and their goals
Meal Prep Won’t Save Your Life – But It’ll Come Close
Everyone out there who strives to live a fit and healthy lifestyle knows about and wants to meal prep. You know it takes time, effort, and planning so I don’t need to tell you that. It’s totally worth it and will pay off big time, obviously, so I probably don’t need to tell you that either.
Temptation will still be everywhere – plan for it & give yourself room to #TreatYoSelf
What I’ll say here, like the motivation discussion, boils down to choice. Even with all the good foods and properly portioned options at your fingertips, you still have to make the choice to eat them.
In addition to your meal prepping plans, have plans for how you’re going to balance the food you eat so you’re nourished, satisfied, and your choices make you feel good.
To Buy and Not to Buy
Like anything worthwhile, living a fit lifestyle costs money. Don’t worry; it pays you back big time in health, happiness, and billions of other ways.
When I talk about investing in your healthy lifestyle, I mean more than the cost of the gym membership, home workout equipment, or exercise videos; there are some “hidden” costs to health and fitness – and some unnecessary costs, too.
On the workout side, good workout clothes are a must. The good news is you don’t have to go crazy. A few moisture wicking shirts or tanks, some comfy capris or shorts, plus one quality pair of workout shoes and you’re set.
Good kicks – One of the only things you need
Just as you don’t have to buy out your local sporting good store’s Under Armour section, you also don’t need a lot of expensive fitness-related goodies. Step trackers, heart rate monitors, Fitbits – you don’t need them. They might make you feel like you’re taking control and being conscious of your health but they just trick you into thinking you’re working out more and getting fitter with every step.
You also don’t need apps or fancy programs to track your healthy efforts. A simple spreadsheet on your computer or – brace yourself – a good ole fashioned notebook will suffice.
On the eating side, if you don’t have decent cookware, get some, and you’ll absolutely need quality Tupperwear. Buy good stuff that will last through weekly washings, microwavings, and being thrown in your backpack or computer bag to and fro the office.
As for the food itself, quality food doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I know fresh food seemingly costs more than junk food but the truth is you can make fresh foods go far with the right meal prep and portion strategy. The real cost comes from gimmicky foods – things like organic, gluten-free, all-natural. Unless you have specific dietary restrictions that require specialty versions of foods, skip them. They’re not necessary or worth the added cost.
Some Days Are Fat, Gross, And Just Plain Suck
Even the fittest, healthiest person out there has “one of those days.” You know, the one where you were just minding your own business at the staff meeting and somehow you’ve eaten three doughnuts. The one where you just can’t make the gym happen. The one where you’re overly stressed, crabby, and feel like you’ve lost the war on healthy and happy.
Those days are out there.
I’m here to tell you so you’re not caught off guard when one smacks you in the face.
I’m here to tell you so you know tomorrow will be better.
I’m here to tell you do you don’t get discouraged.
I’m here to tell you so you understand you’re not the only one.
And I’m here to tell you they happen more often than any of us wants to admit.
Not every day gets a thumbs up.
All we can do is do our best and work at it every day.
To all you making New Year’s Resolutions to get fit and healthy, I wish you the best. You’re picking, in my opinion, the absolute worst time of year to start your journey but you can do it. I hope these tips help and don’t hesitate to comment or tweet me with any questions.
Fellow fit friends, what advice or inside info would you give to fitness Resolutionists? Are there things you wish you would have known when you began your healthy lifestyle journey?
If you like this post, please share on Facebook or Twitter. And as always, be sure to let me know what you think. Leave a comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
Orangetheory Fitness Reviews – Lindsay’s Turn
“Orange is the happiest color.”
Orangetheory Fitness has arrived in Fargo!
Orangetheory Fitness Fargo
Last October, I shared with you all that Orangetheory Fitness was coming to Fargo and I would be among the lucky locals to try it out before it officially opened. At the time, it sounded like such a great idea and fun too. Fast-forward to December 29 and the actual day was here – and I was an anxious ball of nerves!
What if I couldn’t keep up?
What if my heart rate didn’t get into the ideal zone?
What if I looked a fool?
My worries were quickly put to rest, as the staff was friendly, energetic, and full of optimism for all us guinea pigs. Plus, having my fit partner in crime, Mallory aka KJsFitMomma, by my side made this first-time Orange experience a million times better.
Without further ado, my experience as a first-timer trying out Orangetheory Fitness.
The Positives
Overall, I really liked the workout, trainers, and atmosphere of OTF. I got a good workout, felt challenged, yet like I could do what was expected, and left nice and sweaty.
Plus 1 – Cardio and Strength
One of the things I liked right off the bat about OTF is the focused mix of both cardio and strength exercises.
For the first half of the one-hour class, it was focused treadmill intervals. As a runner, I loved this – for those who loathe running and even walking as cardio, you might hate this but know it’s good for you.
The second half of the class rotated us between short sprints on the rower – which I loved and wished there were more of – and various two-to-three exercise combos. For example, one combo was dumbbell shoulder presses and TRX jump squats. Then, we closed out with core work. I hate core work and avoid it like the plague but I know it’s crucial and I’m glad it was part of the workout.
Plus 2 – Heart Rate Monitoring
The foundation on which the entire OTF concept is built is monitoring your heart rate, and getting yourself into various zones. Starting at Gray, no effort, up to Red, maximum effort, and targeting Orange, the level just below Red and the one that’s ideal for calorie burn, and the much-desired “after-burn” effect.
While this concept is valid and encourages accountability, it didn’t work well for me. I quickly found out that, either I push myself incredibly hard during virtually every cardio workout (unlikely) or something was off with my monitor (likely). I spent nearly my entire run in the Red zone. While I would expect this during my top tier intervals where I pushed to all-out pace, I was surprised to see this during my lower interval, base pace, and mid-range interval, push pace, especially considering I have a super-low resting heart rate from being an avid runner.
The goal is to only spend a short amount of time in the Red zone, as it’s meant to be your all-out, maximum effort pace. During most of my Red zone, I was comfortable, occasionally chatting with Mallory, and feeling as I do on normal runs.
One of the trainers who had been watching us said she was surprised by my results, and more than one mentioned that sometimes it takes a few workouts and understanding of each individual’s body to get real accurate readings. Something to note for all you first-timers out there.
Plus 3 – Quality Through and Through
The workout is led by one primary trainer who watches the clock, calls out instruction, and checks in with each group regularly. He did a great job and, although I missed one of his interval calls, I never felt like I was lost or confused with what to do.
This place is legit.
In addition to the leader, at least two other trainers walked around to watch participants, correcting form, making suggestions, and answering questions.
The equipment is all high-quality and user-friendly. The treadmills even boasted built-in fans (throw your hands in the air if you’re an aggressive sweater!) and one-touch buttons to quickly switch pace. The dimmed, tinted orange lighting made for a great atmosphere and a pretty cool one, too.
That’s the gist of the workout and facility. I enjoyed it and would give it a really good rating. The running part was similar to a speed interval run I’d do on my own. The rowing was new and felt great. And the core portion was just right in that I could do three rounds of all three exercises in the allotted time, yet I was spent at the end (in comparison to the core portion of other workouts that are too intense to the point I’m not able to keep up so I truthfully give up on really trying).
Drawbacks
Everything in life comes with positives and negatives, and naturally I encountered a few less-than-ideal pieces to the OTF puzzle.
Minus 1 – More Muscle
What I felt was lacking a bit was the strength training. There were only 2 upper and 2 lower exercises each included. While I understand that the class is designed for a total-body workout, it didn’t meet my needs for what I’d consider a solid lift.
This is also the primary reason I wouldn’t be able to do OTF more than 2 days a week, as it would eliminate both the previous and following days as opportunities for long, heavy lifts.
Minus 2 – Heart Failure
Back to the heart rate issue; as mentioned above, I spent nearly the entire first half of my workout, the run portion, in the Red. I even considered titling this blog post, “I worked out at Orangetheory Fitness and all I got was Red.”
I’ve done some reading on target heart rates and what I gather is that if you’re constantly in the Red zone, either your workout is way too intense or you’re out of shape.
I’m honest with myself that I have a gut, my nose is way too big for my face, and my laugh is sometimes better described as just a loud noise. So when I say that I know I’m not out of shape, you can know that I’m being honest with myself.
And believe me, I know I push myself hard with workouts. I run for sometimes ridiculous lengths of time, I do speed intervals on the Stairmaster, and I often choose heavier weights over light. But I know I don’t work out at a super-high intensity level all, even most of the time.
Even though the trainers were surprised by my “Red” results, I left OTF feeling a little disappointed and confused as to why my numbers were so off. I felt great during the class, like I was challenging myself and doing an awesome job pushing through the workouts – not like I was about to pass out and feeling horribly out of shape.
It also made me question the formula for how those target heart zones are calculated. Every person, every body, every fitness level is so different from another, I have a hard time believing a formula can accurately figure every individual’s heart rate zones. This gets into deep exercise science at a level to which I’m not nearly educated enough to speak so we’ll just leave it as is.
Minus 3 – Burn Baby BURN
The foundation of OTF’s heart rate concept is to burn calories during the workout, and really, to get the much-desired “after-burn” created by the science of Exercise Post Oxygen Consumption (those unfamiliar, Google it). Basically, the body burns more calories several hours, even the day after, a good workout.
That’s great, right? Who doesn’t want to burn calories from a workout? Believe me, I struggled with putting this in the Minus column because it’s hard to knock a workout that does what it says, and does what so many people want and need from a workout.
The thing that bothers me by the huge focus on burning calories is it leaves little room for focus on athletic performance, stress management, or any other general health benefits. Most of the Facebook posts talk about calories, fat, and burning, and I had to dig into the website to finally see something that mentioned noticeable improvement in power, strength, and speed, if performance is your goal. It also feeds into the perception – and one that I hate – that the only reason to exercise is to burn calories and fat.
Before I go on, let me say that I get it that I’m not like most exercisers. I’m totally in the minority here in that I don’t work out because I want to lose weight (if I wanted to lose weight, I’d diet – horrifying). I work out to maintain my weight, but also to improve my athletic fitness, relieve stress, feel balanced, and because it genuinely make me feel happy.
That being said, I totally get why OTF has successfully built its company on the “Burn Baby BURN” concept. OTF is smart; its core people know the overwhelming majority of exercisers want to lose weight. That’s all. How do you lose weight? Burn calories! It makes sense, it’s appealing to most people, and it’s smart.
And I’m confident the structure of the workouts and classes does lead to increased strength and improved health of members so, at the end of the day, this Minus leans more towards a thumbs-up than down.
Final Verdict
Would I go back to OTF? Absolutely! It was a great workout and a reason for me to change things up and try something different. And even though the classes are scheduled and always one hour, I could make that work enough to get value.
Overall, a great experience.
However, would I pay for a member to OTF? No. And for the same reason I’ve never joined JoeFitness despite loving him, trusting him, and believing in his process: money.
I’m not willing to give up my membership at the good old-fashioned gym.
I love the freedom to run for an hour on the days I want to just run.
I love the access to cables, squat racks, and a full range of free weights.
I love that I can show up anytime that’s convenient for my schedule any given day.
I love that I can dedicated as much – or as little – time to my workout as appropriate for the day.
As much as I’d love to have another membership where I could do these different, challenging workouts, and I know I’d use it, I’m just not willing to shell out another $75 or $100+ per-month fee for it. I admit it, I’m cheap. I used to call myself frugal or even money-wise to make myself feel better about it, but the bottom line is I’m just really cheap. Thanks for that, dad.
Overall, the Orangetheory Fitness workout, facility, and staff are legit and I would definitely recommend it to most, at least to try. If you’re resolving to get fit this year or you’re one who struggles to consistently stick to a workout routine, or you find it hard to push yourself and try new things at the gym, OTF couldn’t be here at a better time. It’s an awesome workout, and is set up in a way that builds in accountability and encourages sticking to a schedule.
Side note, KJsFitMomma has signed up for a membership so if you’re curious to see a real-life experience, follow her on Instagram where she always shares her workouts and will no doubt show plenty of quality Orangetheory Fitness results.
Have you tried Orangetheory Fitness near you? Do you love it or is it not something that worked for you? Please share your experience in the comments. Or, tweet me about it or any questions about my experience @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
3 Things I Learned at JoeFitness
“I have no idea what’s going to happen. And I love it.”
As The Great Experiment continues (for those of you who are new to the blog, it’s my four week break from running), I’ve been using my newfound free workout time to mix up my routine, lift more, let my muscles rest, and, most importantly, try new workouts.
This week’s adventure: the full mix of workouts – Kickboxing, Bootcamp, and Strength Training – from JoeFitness.
Where the magic happens
I’ve known Joe since our days working together at a local gym. I always respected Joe for his knowledge and approach. Then I had the opportunity to work out with him and, holy shit. 10 years later, I still remember having sore abs for two weeks.
While I like Joe’s style and trust that he and his wife/co-trainer, Jill know their stuff, I’ve never been a member of or worked out at their gym. With my constant focus on running, always in race training mode, I could never quite figure out when it would make sense for me to fit his workouts into my regimen.
The upside to my running sabbatical that I was most looking forward to was the chance to finally work out at JoeFitness. This past week, I supplemented a few of my regular gym days with his classes. And I loved it.
Here are the three things I learned during a week at JoeFitness.
30 Minutes or Less
No, I’m not talking about pizza. Although I could really go for some pizza…
I’m referring to an ass-kicking, sweat-inducing, utterly-fatiguing workout can be accomplished in less than 30 minutes. For someone who considers one-hour-plus workouts to be my best of the week, purely based on the time factor, this was pretty refreshing.
p.s. 30 minutes in Joe’s class went by faster than 10 minutes of regular cardio on the bike, EFX, or Stairmaster. Oh I loathe the Stairmaster.
How can you not feel great about a workout that includes putting on these bad boys?
Kicking and Punching Not Frowned Upon
Joe’s Kickboxing class, the first one I tried, was tough – but also, really fun. Sometimes the best part of a good run is to relieve stress or even anger. That was one of the things I was concerned about with giving it up for four weeks. But I discovered, if you’re angry and then go to a class where you get to punch and kick things, you’ll feel better.
Plus, it kinda makes you feel like a badass. Speaking of, there were two sets of the workout where we got to spar with Joe. That was the coolest.
It’s Good to Feel Out of Shape
You know how it goes when you feel like you’re in good shape, then you try something new and you suddenly feel horribly out of shape? That sucks, right?
But this week made me realize that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes, we get too comfortable with what we know and what we do well, then forget what it’s like to have a workout absolutely kick our ass.
For the record, yes, I am stating that working out at JoeFitness made me feel horribly out of shape.
Those are three things I learned.
And now, three things I already knew that have been confirmed.
Aggressive Sweating
During an interview this summer with my favorite runner, Carrie Tollefson, another of my favorite runners, Shalane Flanagan, revealed that her coach has described her as an “aggressive sweater.” Not only did this NOT gross me out, it made me love Shalane even more. You see, I too sweat more than the average person.
Within the first three minutes of Joe’s Kickboxing and two minutes of Bootcamp, I was sweating. And with all workouts, I left Joe’s drenched in sweat. Especially 5:30 a.m. Bootcamp. My whole drive home was uncomfortable.
I Haven’t Lost It
Not to brag but I’m a pretty awesome dancer. I was a member of danceline throughout junior high and high school where my natural coordination was put to good use.
Although it would be quite an asset in Zumba and other classes requiring said coordination, I’ve never been a fan of organized classes and such workouts so my coordination skills aren’t really tested much anymore. However, I was pleased to see I hadn’t lost that when shuffling through Joe’s workout stations. I did struggle right away with some of the complex, powerlifting moves in Strength class but once I got the hang of it, I felt nice and smooth.
Following Directions Takes Effort
Just as quickly as I was proud of my coordination, I realized how much my “read-and-follow-directions” skills are lacking. And perhaps it’s why I tend to shy away from classes and do my own thing in the gym.
Joe’s workouts featured five to 15 stations, each with a different exercise game plan. In Kickboxing, for example, upon arriving at each station, one is required to look at the plan and do what’s on the sheet or whiteboard. A few times, I may or may not have failed to read and follow directions, and instead just start doing something that felt right. Joe and Jill, being the attentive leaders they are, were quick to point out and correct me each of these times.
To sum up, this past week of non-running has been my favorite. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I barely experienced any feelings of FOMOR. As I was leaving Joe’s today, I mentioned this to Jill, and thanked both her and Joe for the great experience – and in advance for my sore abs I’ll surely have tomorrow.
Now all I need to do is figure out how I can make this a more regular part of my workout routine!
Fargo friends, have you tried JoeFitness? I highly recommend you do – then let me know what you think. Especially this time of year when the weather sucks, it’s dark, and motivation can just be lacking, it’s a great chance to get in gear.
Non-Fargo peeps, do you regularly do or have you done HIIT, bootcamp-style, or kickboxing classes? What types are your favorites? Comment below or tweet me, @runlikeagirl311.
What a Runner Thinks About During a Run
“And now, deep thoughts.”
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to submit some thoughts for the Runner’s World podcast. The topic: Thoughts runners have while running.
I had to bring my phone with me during a run, then every mile or two, stop to record what I had just been thinking about. As I covered five miles, I recorded four thoughts – what I actually think about when I run.
Believe it – I think about more than just JJs
Yum, Food
Hands up if you’re surprised by this. Yes, my first thought was about food. However, it was a bit more than just, “Ice cream…yum. Peanut butter cups…mmmm. Oh look, a Jimmy Johns!” I’m sure I think those thoughts often, though.
My exact thought was more detailed and practical. Here it is, summed up:
“I really want mac and cheese with zucchini noodles for dinner tonight. But, I did have a sandwich for lunch so I should probably have something with a little more protein. Eggs. Oh, eggs and waffles. With a small sweet potato for some good carbs. Yeah.”
Scheduling
I plan my workouts each week. Although there’s usually not much deviation from my regular schedule, I do like to change up some of my “flex” days for different types of runs, leg/rehab work and lifting. Plus, I do have a life outside of working out that I need to fit in as well.
Especially considering this run-thought took place on a Monday evening, I spent some time on my run planning out the rest of my week. Here it is, summed up:
“I want to get in 2 more runs this week before Saturday’s half. So if I do Wednesday and Thursday, I could do a short one Wednesday morning and my rehab exercises after that. Then be able to do a longer run Thursday night, then have Tuesday for a lift and easy cardio day. And still have Wednesday night open for the movies and rest day Friday.”
Going the Distance
How many times have you been out a run, paying attention to your watch and calculating your total distance to make sure you’re going to reach that before you get home?
I do this all the time – and, not surprising, did it on this run. Here it is, summed up:
“Okay, I’m at 3.1 miles now and this last loop should give me two on the nose. If it’s a little short though, I can just run around the block once more…yeah that’ll be good.”
That’s a big yard out there. Hence, thoughts about a fence.
Home Sweet Home
On any given day, I run through a couple neighborhoods and see dozens of houses. I never really thought about it before, but I notice other houses and make mental notes about how I could apply that to my own.
My husband and I have been talking about putting in a fence so, with that fresh in my mind, I’m not surprised this last thought was close to that. Here it is, summed up:
“Oh, I really like that fence. It gives privacy but not full panels to completely block our view. I bet it would be cheaper too. I’ll have to mention that to Chris.”
Nothing I said really shocked me – I know I think about food, work, randomness and even running when I run. But as someone who’s a huge proponent of running without headphones so as to be completely in the zone with thoughts, this was a fun exercise.
Now I challenge you to do the same. Whether you bring your phone to record like I did or just consciously check in on your thoughts every mile or two, try to focus on recalling your thoughts for one run. Then the fun part – tell me what you think about when you run and I’ll include it in a future follow up blog.
When you discover what you think about during a run, post with a comment or tweet me @runlikegirl311. And please share this post on Facebook and Twitter with fellow runners who will have good thoughts too.
Coach, Author and OCR Enthusiast – Logan Harpool
“Mediocre efforts achieve mediocre feats. Extraordinary efforts achieve extraordinary feats.”
A bold quote from a bold guy. Yes, it’s time again for a feature of an awesome fit friend in my series of interviews on the blog.
OCR – where we voluntarily crawl thru mud & water for fun.
A couple years ago I worked for an obstacle race event company called HARD CHARGE. Hands down the best part of that job was all the cool people I met – not just co-workers and local partners, the people who participated in our events. For some it was the first time they’d ever done anything athletic, for others, they were semi-serious athletes looking to compete. No matter what, each had a story.
One story that stuck out to me and everyone on the HARD CHARGE team was a young guy; a formerly out-of-shape guy who found a new love for fitness in obstacle racing. That was cool but that wasn’t the best part of his story. I’ll share that later.
Blog pals, I’m pleased to introduce you to: Logan Harpool!
LP: Tell me about your fitness background – did you compete in a lot of sports growing up?
LH: I played nearly every sport but baseball was what I enjoyed the most. I played baseball all through high school and even traveled to the Dominican Republic to represent the United States in a series against local teams in the summer of 2010.
LP: That’s pretty unique! Sounds like you were really talented; did you go on then to play in college?
LH: I signed a letter of intent to play in college before my senior season in high school. After a change of priorities, I gave up my scholarship to come home and go to school full time.
LP: Was this around the time you got into obstacle course racing (OCR)?
LH: Yes, and when I found obstacle racing was also when I fell in love with the grind. Training for week and sometimes months for an hour of racing i something I really enjoy. Nothing can compare to the feeling and the rush I get when standing at the starting line of a race.
LP: Oh I totally get it! Tell me about that first time you stepped up to the start line at an OCR.
LH: I ran HARD CHARGE in Park City, KS. I was in terrible shape and had never run more than a mile at one time. I did terrible in the event, but I loved it.
LP: Yes, you were at our first HC event ever! So if you weren’t a runner, how did you find your way to us?
Shortly after his first OCR, Logan won Warrior Dash in Kansas City.
LH: After the death of my best friend, I ran the race to carry out a plan that we had made. I needed something to feed my inner competitor, and OCR seemed to fit the role perfectly.
That was in April of 2013, and then in June I ran a local OCR and took 12th out of 1200+ racers. That’s when it hit me that I could actually win. I started training for real and eventually picked up my first win in a small even in Northern Kansas!
LP: Awesome, congrats! There’s no better feeling than the first win. Except maybe the second, third…!
People know OCR takes some strength but they don’t realize it takes a lot of coordination and poise. I’ve been out there on the courses and seen top athletes take major falls. Did you ever have any biffs?
LH: I fell off of the top of an A frame cargo net once. I was in the lead and feeling tough when I slipped and rolled down the net uncontrollably on the other side!
Another time I was trying to be smooth and get over a wall quickly. My toe caught which launched me face first into the mud. All I heard was the ch-ch-ch sound of cameras going nuts. Thanks, guys.
LP: It is kinda funny when someone falls – once you know they’re okay!
LH: The worst was at Warrior Dash in Kansas City, when I won. I crossed the finished line and walked around a bit before kneeling down. Everyone around said, “Leave him alone, he’s praying.” Though I do pray often when competing, I wasn’t that time. I was recovering from the rack job of the century from the massive waterslide just moments before the finish line. Men: when you go down the slide, cross your legs.
LP: Guys, did you hear that? Ha, good advice!
Not to take the spotlight away from you, but we have to talk about your mom – she’s pretty tough and has gone through a lot right?
LH: My mom is a little beast. In 2011, she was diagnosed with melanoma. After multiple surgeries and a year of chemotherapy, she was deemed cancer free. With a new perspective on life, she started a fitness journey, running 5-7 miles per day and doing various body weight workouts, even some CrossFit stuff with me!
LP: Love it. Is she your biggest cheerleader or does she love to get out and compete too?
LH: She loves to watch me race, but would never pay money for herself to run a race. She’s selfless like that so I signed her up for HARD CHARGE in 2014, and she completed the course!
Logan’s mom, killin it at Tough Mudder.
In 2015, she mentioned Tough Mudder being on her bucket list. Though she was not dying, she’s happy to be alive and wants to live life to the fullest. I emailed Tough Mudder and they cut us a deal on registrations. My mom and I conquered the 12-mile course. My 5’2″ 125lbs momma was climbing 20-foot walls and crawling through mud like it was nothing. She had never felt more alive!
LP: How cool! Speaking of competing, your wrote a book with that same name – talk about the book!
LH: “Compete!” consists of 20 traits and tactics that are essential for maximizing potential for success. While the book is applicable to athletes, coaches, and fitness fanatics, I wrote it for anyone wanting to achieve a goal or make a dream come true. They must know how to compete. Do more, be more, achieve more!
LP: Why did you want to write a book?
LH: Most people would never guess I love to write because of how hyper and high-strung I am but I have always wanted to write a book, I just never got around to it. During my fall 2015 semester, I finally made it happen. Just like my book says, if you want it, go after it and make it happen!
LP: Now time for my most important question: What is your favorite food? Or foods!
LH: I really don’t eat a lot…
LP: Oh, oh no. No. Say it ain’t so! I don’t know if we can be friends anymore.
LH: I’m just a really picky eater! Okay, if I had to pick it would be something that my mom makes, some kind of chicken.
LP: Since your mom is the coolest, I’ll accept that.
Do you have a personal “slogan” or quote that you really believe in?
LH: 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
LP: Lastly, the part of the interview called, “Anything but the Obvious” – what’s something totally unrelated to fitness and all the obvious stuff, that you’d want people to know about you?
LH: I’m actually a germaphobe in public places. If I’m outside, I’ completely fine, but in a public bathroom or even a restaurant, I’m continually watching what I touch. If I have to choose between swimming in a public pool or in a pond, I’m going for the pond. I know that’s weird, but that’s me!
Love it. We’re all a little weird. And weirdness is one of the best things in the world.
In between OCR training, coaching baseball and finishing up his senior year at Wichita State, Logan is a motivational speaker and working on his next book. Those interested in his speaking engagements, or with questions or ideas for his next book can email him at Competeharpool@outlook.com. He’s also on Twitter @LoganHarpool and Instagram @loganharpool.
Basic Foods to Always Have in the House
“People who love to eat are my favorite people”
Last week, I had another opportunity to guest blog on Seek Health. I shared a post that included 25 essential foods you should always have in your house. Check out Kitchen Must-Haves here; you may recognize this post, as I shared it on the blog earlier this summer.
Especially as summer is ending, back-to-school is in full swing and we’re all starting to get back into a routine, I felt this was a good one to share again.
Below is a list of 25 kitchen basics, allowing for some wiggle room to adjust for your own personal choices, including vegetarians (like me!) and vegans.
Proteins
1. Chicken, fish/tuna, or hamburger (always have one staple)
-Lean, plain versions (not breaded, packed in oil, etc.)
Note: one serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards
2. Eggs or Egg Beaters
Note: if you like hardboiled eggs, they last awhile, are easy to make and can be used in sandwiches, salads or as a snack
3. Greek Yogurt
-Low-calorie/high-protein like Chobani 100 or Light & Fit
Note: if you like sour cream, plain Greek yogurt tastes exactly the same and is a much better choice
4. Cheese
-Shredded and/or thin sliced
Note: lighter-colored cheese is generally the better choice but full-fat cheeses are fine too, just use less
5. Beans
-Black, kidney, chickpeas, etc.
Note: use for Mexican dishes, sandwiches, wraps, or mixed with some veggies for a simple salad
Starches
6. Potatoes
-Sweet or regular (reds, whites, mixes)
7. Brown rice
-White is okay to use too
8. Oats/Oatmeal
9. Wraps, tortillas or light wheat bread (or all, depending on what you like)
10. Wheat pasta
A few veggies add some nutrition & spice up plain mac & cheese.
Note: mix a ½ cup of pasta with a whole zucchini, sliced into ribbons/noodles, for a lower calorie, lower carb pasta dish
Veggies
11. Frozen
-Bagged or single-serve; plain or mixes
Note: Variety is good; try to have a few different kinds
12. Bagged spinach and/or head of lettuce
13. Zucchini
-See above, for use with pasta
14. Tomatoes, Cucumber, Peppers, etc.
-Whatever you like; what you’d use on sandwiches, in salads, pastas, etc.
Fruit
15. Berries
-Black, Blue, Rasp and Straw – all are great
16. Apples
17. Bananas
-If you like them on toast or in oatmeal, a half banana is great for breakfast
18. Cherries, oranges and pineapple
-Rotate in, when in season
Fats
19. Peanut Butter
-Go with the natural varieties or a full-fat vs. reduced fat version
Hardboiled eggs – one yolk, mashed w/avocado & Greek yogurt. Yum!
20. Avocado
21. Olive Oil
22. Light butter/margarine
Extras and Snacks
23. Soup
-Cans of light and low-sodium versions of your favorite soups
-Mixes (you can make a batch in the crock pot and add extra veggies/protein to it)
24. Rice Cakes
-Flavored ones to snack on instead of chips
-Apple or chocolate flavored for sweet snack (add peanut butter)
25. Protein Bars
-Pure Protein or Quest, ideally
Note: be very cautious when choosing protein bars; many don’t have much protein and they’re closer to a candy bar
Finally, add and adjust so you get some of your own personal favorites. For example, Chris and I love cereal, both as a snack or sometimes for dinner, so we always have at least one box (simple options like Honey Nut Cheerios, Corn Flakes or Special K) and milk.
As always, please share on Facebook and Twitter if you like. And feel free to comment with questions or your own kitchen must-haves, or tweet them to me @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
Sports Commentator, Mom and Olympian – Carrie Tollefson
“Get after it”
I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited about a blog entry as I am right now about this one. Maybe one of my handful of Boston Marathon-related blogs…but still, this one is so exciting.
Meet Olympian Carrie Tollefson!
This month’s interview (I know, it’s technically a day early) of awesome fit people is about as awesome and fit as it gets. In honor of the kickoff to the Rio Olympics – and just because she’s one of the funnest, coolest, realest people I’ve ever met – I finally get to share this one with you all. Blog pals, I’m pleased to introduce you to: Carrie Tollefson!
L: Most of the best athletes start their sport really young so I assume you’ve always been into fitness and running?
C: My dad was a college football player and he liked to run so we went to races all the time as a family. I was the youngest of three girls so I wanted to try keep up with my very athletic older sisters. My mom was always there as well but she likes to call herself the bag lady. She was like the team manager and always encouraging and supporting us on the sidelines even though she was probably the most competitive one in the group;-)! We had fun as a family working out and being together.
L: When did you start racing?
C: I ran my first race at age five (the police escort helped me the last mile ;-)). I ran another at 10, then when I was 12 I made the varsity team and fell in love with my sport.
The greatest honor in sports & she was there.
L: We have to talk about the Olympics! What are your top three memories from that experience?
C: I would say walking in the opening ceremonies. I’ll never forget all of the American flags waving and Lebron James walking right behind me with tears coming down his face.
The cafeteria too. Seeing every size and shape of the world’s best athletes was so much fun!
And having my family there. We all devoted a lot to my career and I wouldn’t be the
athlete or person I am today without all of them.
L: What’s the best part about being an Olympian?
C: I think the best part is knowing that all of my hard work paid off. It was amazing representing my country, state, family, team, sponsors, etc. but knowing how tough we can be as individuals is amazing! I will never forget how hard I had to run at the trials and it will forever be a moment I reflect on to remind myself to keep getting after life!
L: Who do you have your eye on at this summer’s games?
C: In the men’s and women’s steeple, I think Evan Jäger and Emma Coborn will be the standouts. I also think Molly Huddle will be great in the 10k, and all of the women in the 1500.
As for medals for Team USA, I like our chances in both the men and women’s 800s.
L: There are so many great Olympic running events – but you’ve gotta have one non-running that you love to watch, right?
C: Yes, I like to watch swimming a lot!
New episodes of CTolleRun every Wednesday.
L: Now let’s talk about what you’re doing now. How much do you enjoy doing your weekly show, C Tolle Run?
C: Ever since it took off, my team and I have loved every minute of it. Bringing workouts, race highlights, nutrition, feel good stories, interviews – whatever it may be – we have loved encouraging others to Get After It!!!!
L: You’re always funny on-camera but there have to be plenty of funny moments that never make it in the show – any really good ones that come to mind?
C: Oh my, as you know I am an open book sort of a person so nothing is really off limits. I really don’t hold much back. I think the best moments are when I say things that I am not quite sure are actual words or phrases?
We have some laughs about that every now and then. I have been in a pregnancy or new mommy fog for way too long and I have that excuse once again. I have a three young children so most people can understand that being quick on-air can equal lots of bloopers! Ha! Not quite sure I have a favorite! We usually air them all!!
L: Speaking of on-camera, you’ve done commentary for some major events – do you have a favorite?
C: I really enjoy doing all running events and my favorite thing to do is chat with the athletes before and after the event. The New York City marathon is one of my favorites along with the Footlocker National Cross Country Championships. Being able to commentate on the world’s best pros is amazing but then watching our nation’s best high school athletes at Footlocker is equally as fun.
L: Supercool news, you ran your first marathon not too long ago – congrats! And what inspired you to do that?
C: I have always felt that I needed to run one to really know what people go through during 26.2 miles. My marathon had some factors but it was a great learning experience. My second child turned 4 months the week of the marathon so I had a really short buildup after childbirth and I was nursing so I had to try and deal that in top of being a newcomer to the distance and going out way too fast! Needless to say I didn’t meet my goal but had a blast doing it!!
L: What’s your all-time favorite distance to race and why?
C: Two-part answer here: The 3k is my favorite distance and cross country is my favorite discipline!!!
I love the 3k because you have to be really fast and strong to run it really well.
Cross-country is sort of the same but I could run so focused on the courses! I loved getting lost in my thoughts while running in trails or on grass!
L: Now for my most important question: As an elite runner, what’s the most important food for you? And, what’s your favorite food?
C: I think for me, as a distance runner, greens were always important to keep my iron levels up. I also needed my carbs and protein so lots of pasta and chicken in our house.
As for favorites, my nightly milkshake was a must. It was my reward and also have me a little of everything I needed. I just had one actually!
L: I love your personal slogan, “Get After It!” How/when did that start?
C: I used to say it all the time while racing and working out when I was competing professionally. It has just stuck with me throughout all aspects of life.
L: Lastly, the part of the interview I’m calling “Anything but the Obvious” – what’s something totally unrelated to fitness and running and all the obvious stuff, that you’d want people to know about you?
C: I minored in criminology so I always say I could go back to school to be a police officer or private investigator!
I eat PB&J straight out of the jar.
I am scared of failure and letting people down but also try really hard to not let people get in the way of getting after my dreams!
If there was ever any doubt, I think you can now understand why Carrie’s my favorite athlete! She’s such a great role model for young athletes, an example to adults still chasing goals, and just a supercool person you could hang with and bust a gut from laughing so much. I’m so lucky our paths crossed so we could become friends!
Keep up with Carrie on Twitter @CTolleRun. And watch her weekly show, C Tolle Run, full of great tips, workouts, recipes and fun.
Healthy Foods to Always Have in Your Kitchen
Eating is a necessity, cooking is an art
A few weeks ago, I was discussing food (one of my favorite topics) with my sister-in-law and discovered something shocking: she told me she eats out at least 75% of her meals.
I was floored. As someone who considers one Jimmy John’s lunch per week a splurge, this first hit the overly frugal side of me. Then I started thinking about how hard it was to stay on track when I used to travel because it’s tough to make the best choices when eating out.
I’m not much of a cook – I get spoiled by my husband who’s a really good cook.
She further explained, as much as she really wants to cut down on eating out, she’s never been much of a cook (I can totally relate). Furthermore, going to the grocery store overwhelms her; she’s just not sure where to start (oh, can’t relate on that one – I feel right at home at the supermarket!).
I tell this story, not to pick on her or shame her habits but to use her as an example that not everyone knows how to meal prep or come up with new dinner recipes; how to pack a lunch or make time for breakfast every morning. There’s nothing wrong with that and it’s not out of anyone’s reach to learn all those things.
In the spirit of helping her find a starting point, I offered to put together a simple list of must-have foods. The basics that should always be in the kitchen in order to have options for breakfast, a packed lunch, satisfying dinner and, of course, plenty of snacks.
Below is a list of 25 foods to always have in the kitchen. A great starting point for your first grocery shopping list, allowing for some wiggle room to adjust for your own personal choices, including vegetarians (like me!) and vegans.
Tons of meat for him, prepped pasta meals for me.
Proteins
1. Chicken, fish/tuna, or hamburger (always have one staple)
-Lean, plain versions (not breaded, packed in oil, etc.)
Note: one serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards
2. Eggs or Egg Beaters
Note: if you like hardboiled eggs, they last awhile, are easy to make and can be used in sandwiches, salads or as a snack
3. Greek Yogurt
-Low-calorie/high-protein like Chobani 100 or Light & Fit
Note: if you like sour cream, plain Greek yogurt tastes exactly the same and is a much better choice
4. Cheese
-Shredded and/or thin sliced
Note: lighter-colored cheese is generally the better choice but full-fat cheeses are fine too, just use less
5. Beans
-Black, kidney, chickpeas, etc.
Note: use for Mexican dishes, sandwiches, wraps, or mixed with some veggies for a simple salad
Starches
6. Potatoes
-Sweet or regular (reds, whites, mixes)
7. Brown rice
-White is okay to use too
8. Oats/Oatmeal
9. Wraps, tortillas or light wheat bread (or all, depending on what you like)
10. Wheat pasta
Note: mix a ½ cup of pasta with a whole zucchini, sliced into ribbons/noodles, for a lower calorie, lower carb pasta dish
Veggies
11. Frozen
-Bagged or single-serve; plain or mixes
Note: Variety is good; try to have a few different kinds
12. Bagged spinach and/or head of lettuce
13. Zucchini
-See above, for use with pasta
14. Tomatoes, Cucumber, Peppers, etc.
-Whatever you like; what you’d use on sandwiches, in salads, pastas, etc.
Fruit
15. Berries
-Black, Blue, Rasp and Straw – all are great
16. Apples
17. Bananas
-If you like them on toast or in oatmeal, a half banana is great for breakfast
18. Cherries, oranges and pineapple
-Rotate in, when in season
Fats
19. Peanut Butter
-Go with the natural varieties or a full-fat vs. reduced fat version
20. Avocado
21. Olive Oil
22. Light butter/margarine
Extras and Snacks
23. Soup
-Cans of light and low-sodium versions of your favorite soups
-Mixes (you can make a batch in the crock pot and add extra veggies/protein to it)
24. Rice Cakes
-Flavored ones to snack on instead of chips
-Apple or chocolate flavored for sweet snack (add peanut butter)
Always have plenty of these in my pantry – and at the office – and whenever I go anywhere.
25. Protein Bars
-Pure Protein or Quest, ideally
Note: be very cautious when choosing protein bars; many don’t have much protein and they’re closer to a candy bar
Finally, add and adjust so you get some of your own personal favorites. For example, Chris and I love cereal, both as a snack or sometimes for dinner, so we always have at least one box (simple options like Honey Nut Cheerios, Corn Flakes or Special K) and milk.
What foods are your must-haves? Any advice you’d give to my sister-in-law or others who aren’t pros in the kitchen? Comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.
IronDad? IronHusband? Ironman – Jake Greenstein
“You don’t have time. You make time.”
It’s that time – a new interview in my series of awesome fit folks on the blog.
Fair warning: If you ever try to use the excuse of “I don’t have time to work out,” stop it and read this. Blog pals, I’m pleased to introduce you to: Jake Greenstein!
L: Tell me about your fitness background – did you compete in a lot of sports growing up?
J: No. Not at all, actually. I mean, I took swimming lessons as a boy, but nothing intense. I started wrestling in elementary school and did that all the way through high school but that was the only sport I competed in.
L: So no running then? I’m surprised; you seem like such a strong runner. I assumed you had done it forever.
L: (says silently to herself, “I’ve seen you run – you’re wicked fast and make it look easy. That doesn’t just happen accidentally.”)
J: Now I love running! I’ve been doing it about five years, races from 5ks to marathons. But before I got into it, I was like a lot of people out there – I thought running was stupid.
L: (says silently to herself, “Yep. Been there.”)
About five years ago, my sister dared me to run a half marathon. I didn’t want to but I couldn’t let her beat me. So I did, then I was hooked. Half marathon is my favorite distance now too.
Loggin miles training for Ironman Boulder
L: I know you’re training for an Ironman triathlon, but it can’t be your first triathlon ever…right?!
J: I’ve done a handful of Sprint and Olympic triathlons, and four half Ironmans.
L: So, what made you decide to take the leap to the full Ironman?
J: The winter after I ran my first half marathon, a buddy and I were having a few beers while watching the Ironman World Championships on TV and we decided that it would be a great idea to someday do an Ironman.
L: Yeah, things tend to ‘sound’ like a good idea on the couch. In sweats. With a beer.
J: True! But the next day, it still seemed like a good idea so that was the start of a dream obsession…
L: You said you’d do an Ironman ‘someday’ – that ‘someday’ is coming up pretty soon now!
J: Yes, August 7. Ironman Boulder.
L: So we’ve gotta talk about the training – you have a unique training plan I hear?
J: The training plan that I’m following is based on time not miles, which is a first for me. I started officially on February 22 and so far I like it.
L: What’s an example of an easy week and a harder week?
J: The easiest week was 1.5 hours of swimming, 5 hours of biking, and 2.5 hours of running. The biggest volume week is 3 weeks before the race and will be 3.5 hours of swimming, 11 hours of biking, 5.5 hours of running.
Then I try to fit in strength training and I have one scheduled rest day per week, but I usually do yoga on that day.
L: People who don’t know you might think you don’t have a full-time job, a wife or kids – but it’s pretty much the opposite!
Fitting it all in
J: Yes, I’m a designer at a manufacturing facility that builds large tillage equipment. I have an awesome wife, Emily, and two boys. Kaden is five, Noah is two.
L: One of the things that bothers me is when people complain they don’t have time to work out. Clearly, you don’t ‘have time’ – you make time.
J: Absolutely. Emily is a gym rat too so it’s part of our lives, and we work together to fit it all in. We both get up around 5:00 every morning. If I have to swim, I go to the gym and she stays home and runs on the treadmill. Other days, I will stay home and bike or run so she can get her gym time. A couple of days a week, I have a.m. and p.m. workouts. Luckily, our gym has a daycare so we drop the boys off and can get some training in after work.
L: (Feeling lucky her husband is supportive of all her running and fitness goals. Loves hearing about other couples who are supportive of each other like that.)
L: I have to think Ironman will be the biggest accomplishment of your athletic life but what has been your biggest thus far?
J: I have placed in my age group in a few smaller races but I’m more focused on some bigger goals after Boulder. I want to qualify and race the Boston marathon; I’ve been thinking about that for a couple years now. And someday, I hope to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
L: Time for my most important question: What is your favorite food?
J: By far my favorite is Buffalo Wild Wings – traditional wings with honey bbq and blue cheese. Followed by a little birthday cake ice cream. Good to reward yourself every now and then!
L: (Is no stranger to #TreatYoSelf moments.)
L: Do you have a personal “slogan” or quote that you really believe in?
J: We have a chalkboard at the top of our stairs that we write inspirational quotes on. My favorite: Relentless Forward Progress. Some dude had it tattooed on his arm. I love it!!
L: Lastly, the part I’ve been calling “Anything but the Obvious” – what’s something totally unrelated to fitness and all the obvious stuff that you’d want people to know about you?
J: About seven years ago I started a repainting fishing lures to pass the time during the winter. It has grown from a hobby into a part-time job, and I now have my own bait that I designed being produced and sold in some stores.
So, a part-time job. A full-time job. A wife. Two kids. And training to be an Ironman. Feel like I need to go take a nap now…
Follow Jake and his journey to Ironman glory on Instagram @runjakerun70.3