Spiedies

I've been upping my distance lately in preparation for Mudfactor that takes place in less than two weeks! My last couple of workouts are as follows:

Monday - Yoga

Tuesday - 5 mile run, run pace of 8.03 min/mi (5 straight miles)

Wednesday - 5 mile run, run pace of 7.59 min/mi (4 miles, short walk and then 1 mile)

I'm starting to think there is something to this Yoga thing. Tuesday's workout was my quickest pace at that distance! 

Or maybe it was the Channing Tatum look-a-like at the gym. Maybe.

Last night we made Spiedies for dinner. If you've never had them, you should check out this recipe.  A friend of ours introduced us to them and they are the perfect summertime dinner! 

Logging Workouts

My workouts from this past week:

Monday - 3.55 mile run outside

Tuesday - 2.55 mile run outside

Wednesday - 3 mile walk with the girls in the stroller

Thursday - 45 minute Insanity video

Friday - 5 mile run 

Saturday - 5 mile run

21 Days Down - Almost Half Way There

It was rainy and grey yesterday. It was a pajama-wearing kind of day. I wanted to lounge around all day. But as I was getting ready to put my youngest down for her late morning nap, I knew that if I didn't get my workout in then, I might not get one in at all. Once I finally got a spinning app to work (I was having some major issues with it), and was finishing up the first 5 minutes of warm-up, my youngest woke up. Seriously. I was having that kind of morning. I did, however, manage to get a full spinning workout in after putting my baby in the pack-n-play with some toys. And that, my friends, is why I like to go to the gym for my workouts. 

For dinner, I pulled out some ground turkey and was going to make spaghetti. Then I realized that I didn't have spaghetti sauce or even items needed to make my own sauce. Plan B. Shoot. I didn't have a plan B and I didn't feel like dragging the girls out to the store (because I was showered and back in my pajamas) so I found this recipe for Loaded Turkey Stuffed - Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes. Score! They were awesome! I was a little skeptical since they involved some spice, but oh my goodness, were they tasty. My husband asked if I could put them in the rotation. Heck yes! 

I follow a number of fitness blogs and most of the women are cross-fit athletes. I would love to try cross fit. Have you seen those bodies? Sign me up. If it wasn't for the dang price tag. Why are they so expensive? Anyways, a few of the blogs have been introducing the new Women's Cross Fit Nano 3.0. So far everyone seems to be raving about them. Aren't they cute?

Source: Reebok.com

It almost makes me want to do cross fit just for the shoes. While I was at the Reebok website I noticed all the great colors. I love me some colorful workout gear! Why do I never think to look there for workout clothes/shoes? Did you know can design your own shoe? Yeah, I just spent at least 30 minutes designing shoes. 

Coincidence?

Well I did it! I hit my goal! I ran four miles at an 8.00 min/mi pace on the treadmill! Maybe the yoga and stretching out those hip flexors really worked. Or maybe it was all the caffeine in my system from my morning coffee. Whatever it was, it worked! Now if I could just get close to this pace outside, I'd be one happy lady! Maybe that will be my next goal!

I tried out a new recipe this morning for Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins. I had a few extra ripe bananas and have been craving a little chocolate. I saw this recipe and knew that I had to try it. There is no flour or dairy (if you use Almond Milk instead of cow's milk). I had one two as soon as they came out of the oven! Yum! So far they've been a hit all around! Sorry for the picture quality but I had to snap them with my iphone before they were all gone!

Happy Sunday!

Yoga

First things first, my workouts for the last three days were:

Tuesday- Yoga

Wednesday- Walking

Thursday- Outside run, 3.7 miles

My workouts have been a bit more tame lately because my father-in-law was visiting and I had to fit them in where I could. If that meant doing a late night workout after the girls were in bed then that is what I did. I'm not a fan of working out at night. I much prefer an early morning or early afternoon workout. I not only like to workout because of the fitness aspect but I also use it for a mood-enhancer. It seriously helps with my day-to-day stress and helps me to remain patient and happy with my girls. If I can get my workouts done early then I'm set for the rest of the day.

Two nights ago, I was searching for tips on running faster and I came across 10 Trips for Running Faster. Number 9 grabbed my attention. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy yoga. I've completed videos at home and even taken a couple classes at the gym but it isn't my favorite workout because I really like to sweat. It's true. The best kind of workout, in my opinion, is one that leaves me sweating profusely and red in the face. But I would use Yoga after one of my hard workouts as a way to stretch out those worked muscles.

Friday, for the first time ever, I went to an actual Yoga studio and participated in a 90 minute Yoga flow class. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. It was more intense than anything I had previously tried at home or the gym. I think what surprised me most is that I was actually a little sore afterward. I could feel my muscles shaking in class from holding the poses and I knew that this could be a great way of not only working on flexibility but also strengthening muscles that I'm not used to using. And oh man, did I love stretching out those hip flexors. Ahhh...it felt so good!

Below is a list of reasons to do yoga.

Source: Yogasync.tv

So will I go back? Definitely.

I'd also like to try Pilates and Hot Yoga. Maybe one of these times I'll run to the studio first. Now that would be a great workout! Stay tuned!

Running Outside

Yesterday morning was a little cooler, it was only 80 degrees, so I decided to go for a run outside. I'm a little sensitive to heat (after passing out one time from getting over-heated) so I wasn't sure how far I was going to run. It was 80 degrees, sunny and humid so I wasn't planning on doing a long run.

I did three miles with an average pace of 8.57 min/mi. My first miles was 9.02 min/mi and my last was an 8.49 min/mi. I was actually pretty pleased with my time. The last time I ran outside (over 2 months ago) my pace was a 9.59 min/mi. Which means I've shaved a minute off my mile in warmer weather! Not too bad! 

Just Stopping By

We have company in town so I'm going to be quick and log my last four workouts.

Thursday- Walking
Friday- Yoga
Saturday- 4 Mile Run, 8 minute 7 second average mile
Sunday - 60 minute Insanity video