I'm Back Baby!

After 5 weeks of icing and elevating I strapped on my running shoes this morning and took the street. I missed running so much! It's weird to me that when I have the time and the capability to run, I choose not to run. However when I am physically unable to run than I really want to run. 

I woke up with determination to get a mile done in my pre-surgery mile time. 

Which really is nothing to brag about what-so-ever. Pounding the pavement again felt amazing! 

It's going to take a while to build up the strength in my legs again 

but change doesn't happen over night. 

(is it just me or does my left leg (surgery leg) look a little on the wimpy side?) 

#50MilesInMay: Last Week!

One more week left in May! I have 18 miles left to get in before June 1. I think that is doable. I have increased my milage (up to 4.6 miles) to make up for the days that I am super busy and can't get a moment to run. I have been reminded this week how running can be more mental than physical. I went for a run last night and it was a bit colder. My lungs did not like it. I finally just said, "relax and breathe." Once I took my mind off the thing that was bugging me, in this case my breathing, I was able to run longer. It's all about putting one foot in front of the other. 

Current Favorite Running Jams: 

Mike Tompkins: "Skrillex Cinema &Santigold Disparate Youth"

David Guetta: "Titanium"
We The Kings: "Just Keep Breathing" 

#50MilesInMay: week one

One week of May is gone already. Can you believe it?!? How is the #50MilesInMay challenge going for you? I have successfully knocked off 10 miles! I did two 3 miles runs and a 4 mile run. The 4 mile run happened on accident. I kept trying to avoid running against the wind and ended up adding a mile to my distance. Whoops. 

I plan to knock out 15 miles during this second week!

(Shadows are never flattering.) 

Three songs that I have been loving while I run are: 

1. Today by Kirk Franklin

2. Still Into You by Paramore

3. Free From it All by Lecrae

#50MilesInMay

So You're At the Gym... Now What?? |part 2|

Once again I have been bored with the machines at the gym and have gotten into a bit of a rut. Treadmill...elliptical...treadmill. BORING! Plus my body was getting used to it and I was flatlining in my fitness & healthy living. So time to change it up.
Here is what I do.
I choose 3 different activities. My favorites have been the battle ropes, weighted wall ball squats, and kettle-bell swings.

I like to call it, 5-4-3-2-1
 5 rounds, 4 rounds, 3 rounds (you get it) of each activity with 1 minute rest in between

45 seconds on the battle ropes
12 wall ball squats at 9 feet
12 kettle-bell swings
Strength training circuits will boost up your metabolism. A full body workout including your cardio in a shorter amount of time? Sign me up for that!