The "In-Between"

Today (Sunday) was the first day in over a week that I had the opportunity to run today. During the week, my son sleeps in, and he's too little to leave at home while I go out. And even if he did tag along, his 6 year old legs wouldn't be able to keep up with mommy's.

I am going to run on Saturdays and Sundays when my son is visiting his dad. I know this brings me down to only 2 runs per week, but it actually makes them all the more enjoyable and rewarding. Now I just need to focus on what I will do in between runs...

First, let me say this: By no means am I an avid exerciser. In fact, I cringe at the thought of having to workout sometimes, but I realize it's a necessary evil. When I do though, cardio seems to be my go to, but I want to also focus on abs/strengthening my core and toning. Here are a few of the programs I engage in at home:

1. Walk at Home by Leslie Sansone
An easy walk at home program to help get your heart rate up and burn calories.



2. Dance to Fit with Jessica Bass
Jessica is based out of Tennessee. I've followed her on YouTube over the years, and recently started subscribing to her live stream. she also hosts HIIT and strength training classes. I absolutely love her routines, and will be taking a trip to her studio as soon as COVID-19 becomes a thing of the past! ;-)



The fitness center in my community also reopened again recently. I've considered going over, but I'm not so sure how I feel about exercising in confined spaces with or without a mask (for different reasons. I may try it out just to see...we'll see. lol

How do you maintain a routine between runs? I'd love some suggestions...feel free to let me know!

"Gear"ing up!

Now that I've officially finished my first week of the Couch to 5K app (C25k), I'm feeling like I'm getting the hang of how to do this effectively.

I have to admit that as a much as I feel accomplished when I'm done, I loathe getting prepared to run! I feel like it takes me so long to actually get out of the door to do it. It's a process:

I wake between 6:30 & 7 am. If I'm up by 6:30, I usually make a phone call to my hype man (let's just call him, "Bae" lol) on his way to work. He usually encourages me to get out the door while I get ready and encourage him to get through the day of work. He assures me that running isn't really a necessity for someone with my - let's call them - "COVID curves" - Ha! - but supports my healthy goals nonetheless. 

With it being summer time, I throw on either running shorts (which right now I have only 2 biker- style pairs that I purchased at at Gabe's, and am struggling to find more that I actually like) or a pair of exercise capris, my new sports bra, a t-shirt of some sort and my Nike sneakers. 

Next, I guzzle a bottle of water, put my licence in my phone case,  put the phone case in my wrist band, plug in my headphones, and head out the door. Outside I open the C25k app, the Runkeeper app, Youtube for music...and then I take off!

Virtual Race Websites

One of the best ways to get me motivated is to set a goal - especially one that requires pre-payment. LOL! So I started looking into some virtual 5K options that I could complete this fall. Back in 2016, pre-COVID, I ran physical races. But with the health climate as is, I feel that solo running is a better idea. While I could surely run 3.1 miles without signing up and paying to do so, I both love the gear and supporting a good cause. I figure that by starting to train now, I will be ready to run a few come September/October/November.

Here are a few websites that I've encountered that offer virtual races: ( Disclaimer: I have not signed up via any of these sites before, thus I can neither confirm nor deny their validity...)

• https://www.goneforarun.com/current-virtual-races/
• https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Anyplace/IRun4Movement
• https://dcwonderwomanrun.com/
• https://badassrunners.com/collections/virtual-races

Know of others? Please feel free to share!

Getting Started...

Today I decided that I was finally going to get out of bed and start running again. About 4 years ago I was dating a fitness buff. While I found him to be a little bit extra with his routine, his habits rubbed off on me, and I managed to get almost back to my pre-baby weight. Well, that relationship has ended, my son is now six and a hysterectomy has changed my body. And let's not even get started on COVID-19 and its "Quarantine 15." Bruh!

Thus, now is the time. I downloaded the Run Keeper app along with Couch to 5K. I purchased a fitness tracker, comfy headphones and a wristband to hold my phone. I got some new running clothes. I joined a beginner running group on Facebook. The only thing left to do was get up and run.

So this morning I did. I was up and out of the house by 7:45 am. I followed the C25K app's instructions around my local area. After finishing, on my walk back I thought, "Why did I wait so long to get back out here?" I couldn't believe that I had let excuses get in my way: I don't have time with 6 year old; I am going to look stupid running; It is too hot; It's not going to help you reach your goals because you have to far to go...All of these crazy thoughts were holding me back. But here I am, ready to go, and now looking for virtual races to help me meet all of my goals: Lose 20 pounds, get back in shape, be healthy and active, keep working out during COVID-19, feel accomplished. Coupling this with goals of eating healthier/better/cleaner, step tracking and calorie counting with other apps and signing up to run a fall 5K, I'm ready go and slay - the runner way!