Adventures in Trail Running

Mountain Junkies, LLC Frozen Toe 10k

Trail running is painful. And beautiful. It's beautifully painful.

5:00 am. Alarm. The first thoughts that roll through your head at that time? "No. Just, no."

5:10 am. Alarm. Again. "I said no."

5:20 am. Alarm. This time there are cats staring at me. Insisting on breakfast. One is nose to nose with me. Licking his lips loudly. Breathing on me. Purring. Loudly. "FINE!"

Morning Shakeology (Chocolate with Soy Milk, Almond Extract, and Mint - sooooo yummy) and I'm feeling better about trudging out in the 15 degree morning to my car. Heat. Must have heat.

Arrive on site and pick up my race packet, including my cool new Mountain Junkies Hoo-Rag. Check the weather again and it's now 13 degrees. The sun is finally up and it's getting colder. Whatever.

Line up at the starting line with the sun shining down on us and think, "This may not be so bad." Then run .05 miles into the shade and think, "I'm not dead sure my legs are actually moving. Are my legs moving? I'm moving, so my legs must be moving."

1 mile in and I still can't feel my feet.  It's called the Frozen Toe 10k, but it is not just my toes that are frozen. My feet are frozen. Pretty sure frostbite is setting in. That's it. I'm gonna lose a whole foot in this one. Maybe two. Sucks cause I really like running.

Mile 2. Tree root. I think. Not sure because I wasn't paying attention and I didn't actually feel my foot hit anything. But I know I'm going down. I try to catch myself, flailing at air. That doesn't help. Air is useless. I'm down. Eating dirt. My first fall ever on a trail run. I'm assured by the man behind me who helps me up that now I won't fall again since I already got it out of the way. I guess it's a Law of the Trails or something. The chick in front of me says she likes to do a little celebration when she falls because it's so exciting. Ummmm, ok.

Mile 3. Up. Just....up. Sucks. Up sucks.  I hate up. Never doing this run again.

Mile 4. Chick in front of me goes down. True to her word, she jumps back up and does a little cheer. Interesting.

Mile 5. Pretty sure my legs have actually left my body. I can't feel them. Not because they are cold, but because they are revolting against more up. They thought mile 3 was enough up. Random words start to float through my head. Words like "proprioception." Do you know what proprioception means? Do a trail run after the age of 30. You'll figure it out.

Mile 6. That's so pretty. What a pretty little pink mile marker. Actually, it's not pretty. It's magnificent. That's the most magnificent number 6 I've ever seen.

Finish line. Happy. Warm room. Chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Fuzzy boots.

Home. Hot shower. Hot coffee. Cozy jammies. Cuddly blanket. And, of course, cats. Lots of cats. When does 2015 registration open?

My first trail run injury. See it? You have to look close. I think the bruising must be on the bone...

Who's Afraid of Yoga?

Anyone else? No? Just me?

I've tried yoga a few times before from the privacy of my own home. I hated it. I couldn't balance. It was uncomfortable. Sometimes it was painful. Actually, mostly it was just painful.

So when my friend texted me, "Yoga tonight?" well, of course I said yes. What? You think I'm just going to walk away from that challenge?

Have you tried it yet? Yoga at an actual yoga studio led by an actual yoga instructor? It's a completely different experience. An enjoyable one.

There were a few questionable moments. At one point, the music got a little funky and I felt compelled to let loose my dance moves. But I successfully stifled the urge. I also made the poor choice of positioning my yoga mat directly across from my friend, also a first-time yoga student. Unwise because at some point you are bound to make eye contact and the simple fact that you are both trying so hard to take things seriously will inevitably lead to the giggles. The more distinguished ladies in the room do not appreciate the giggles.

But mostly it was surprisingly enjoyable. I was stronger than I realized, allowing me to complete most of the moves with ease. Something about proper technique makes it easier to actually do yoga. I didn't fall over once. I didn't make any embarrassing noises (except for the occasional giggle). And I didn't have any unfortunate views of other yoga students.

A great experience and highly recommended. Tonight we go back for Yoga Heat. So, yoga, just with heat.

Are You An Extreme Warrior?

Do you wanna be?

On February 3rd, we have an Extreme Warrior Challenge starting. Perfect for those looking to get ready for an obstacle race, like me. 

A few of us will be doing one of the Spartan Races this year and we're getting started on our training so we can smash it. 

The Extreme Warrior Challenge combines my two favorite programs, ChaLEAN Extreme and Les Mills Combat. ChaLEAN Extreme gets you lean and toned through strength training. Les Mills Combat increases your fat-burning and cardio fitness through mixed martial arts workouts. Ready to take your fitness to a new level and get in the best shape of your life? Now is your chance! We'll provide support and motivation along the way. (You can choose to do one or both programs. Either way, you'll see amazing results!)

Are you ready? Email me for more info!

Who Needs Portion Control?

Well, I do. I need portion control.

The newest Beachbody product launched February 3rd!

This program has great workouts and a PORTION CONTROL food plan! YES!!

I'm forming a group for folks who want to use this program to kick start their fitness and get their eating habits under control. If you're not already working with a Beachbody coach, I would love to have you in my group! Check out this video and email me!

Are You Ready For The Fix?

Portion Control

Look, I've got this exercise thing down. I'm a runner (a fair-weather runner, but a runner nonetheless) and I am always up for a good strength training workout. But food. *sigh* Food is my weakness. 

Am I the only one that doesn't know when to stop? I mean, I make some pasta without really paying attention to serving size, just cooking it up and then going to town when it's done. I'll eat an entire pan of pasta without really thinking much about it. Who knows what a serving size of pasta really is, anyway?

I'm pretty sure this is the very reason I'm going to fall in love with Autumn Calabrese. Her new program, 21 Day Fix, combines 30 minute workouts with containers to guide portion control. Just 21 days. That's the perfect amount of time to get me back to my running weight in time for the spring run season.

Another coach on my team was in on the test group (I'm still a little resentful, but whatever) and he lost 16 lbs, 13 inches, went from 12%-8% body fat and got a 6 pack...in 3 WEEKS. 

Bonus? It's a 21-day program so you can literally do the entire program and if you don't like it, you'll still be within the 30-day return guarantee to get your money back. (That means you have nothing to lose.)

I'm looking for 10 people to join me in working this program. We'll get started next month, so contact me now so I can get you set up with everything you need to be successful.

How This Runner Survives the Cold

Sooo, it's, um, COLD outside. I mean, it's unreasonably COLD outside. It is so unreasonably COLD outside, that it is also COLD inside. My heat pump (the one that is still operational) has not stopped running once in the last 48 hours. I am already looking for a 5th job to help me pay next month's electric bill. There is an actual breeze blowing through certain portions of my home. I am wearing two pairs of everything, sitting under a fleece blanket, drinking a piping hot cup of coffee as I write this and still my fingers can barely maneuver the keyboard. Clearly I didn't move far enough South.

My point?

I will not run outside in the COLD. I refuse. You can't make me. No amount of athlete-envy or peer pressure in the world can make me go out there. In fact, I refuse to even go out to get the mail. Whatever it is, it will wait until April.

This is why my home workout programs are so near and dear to my heart. I won't run in the COLD. I won't drive to the gym in the COLD. But, I WILL push play on my DVD player and raise my body temperature to an acceptable level to get me through the day. I will also supplement that workout with hourly squats, push ups, and burpees to be sure that I can maintain a core body temperature conducive to human life.

How are you surviving in this arctic tundra?

If trying to stay warm in the COLD isn't enough to get you moving on your own, sign up for one of our free online accountability groups. We'll keep you moving and laughing and looking forward to rest day. We might even offer personalized motivation like this

Feel free to use that if your name is Michelle. You're welcome.

Start by signing up here!

And seriously, WHY is my dog just chillin out there in the yard like it's a beautiful spring morning? Whatever. I need another scarf.

Get Better By Getting Stronger

Ladies, does strength training intimidate you?

Too many women believe that strength training will bulk them up. Apparently some men believe this about women, too.

When I first started strength training, my son said, "Ok, mom. Just don't start looking like a dude."

The truth is, our physiology doesn't naturally allow us to bulk up in the same way men do. At least, not without playing around with some serious supplements. 

Want to be a stronger runner? Get stronger. Want to shed extra weight? Get stronger. Want to look fabulous in that new bathing suit? Get stronger. Want to be more confident? Get stronger. 

Strong is the key to so many wonderful things. 

That's why I get so excited about my strength workouts. 

You can, too. Join me for our upcoming Beauty & The Beast Challenge Group. I will help you get stronger.