They’re BAAAAACK! Yes the RWT Healthy Challenges are back! After two months off I have to say I have missed them and they needed to make a come back a month earlier than planned. I can’t be the only one who felt like these really helped with keeping up the motivation to workout regularly, right?
Cheers to an awesome month of running! Now let’s do this!
Well anyways here we are at the end of July and after the Fourth of July BBQ’s and too many s’mores camping it’s really time to get back at it. For me it’s time to get back to running, seriously. I know I have been super quiet on the running front lately and that’s because I just haven’t been. There I said it. I haven’t been running. Not one mile this entire month. So that’s where this challenge got it’s inspiration, I need to run so I am challenging myself and you to get out and run too.
So remember when I wrote about creating mini running goals last month? Well we are going to focus on the most basic of them all, the GET OUT AND RUN! This August I want you to join me in running one mile every day. Now you might be saying um but I can’t even run one mile right now and that’s okay! You can start off with run/walk intervals try 30sec/30sec and gradually increase your run and decrease your walk time. So really anyone can do this challenge!
How it will work:
August 1st–> this is the start date of this challenge. I also want you to go ahead and just for fun see how fast you can run one mile. Make sure to record this in a spreadsheet that you will be sending me at the end of this challenge as proof of completion.
August 2nd-30th–> get out there and run AT LEAST one mile every day in August. You can run more miles if you’d like but your minimum goal is to run or run/walk one mile everyday. Make sure to record it in your spreadsheet! You don’t have to record a time but if you’d like to feel free!
August 31st–> This is the last day of the challenge so get out there and just like on August 1st see how fast you can run one mile. How did you do? Were you faster? Do you feel stronger? Record it!
September 1-4th–> Send me your spreadsheet! All of you who complete the challenge will be entered to win an awesome prize pack from Bob’s Red Mill. Why Bob’s Red Mill? I know it has nothing to do with fitness or running but I went to the factory last week and picked up some awesome items for a giveaway and so I decided to use them for this giveaway!
Social Media:
Not required but if you’d like to Instagram or Tweet while you do this challenge you can use the hash tag #RWTRUNAMILE and my IG and Twitter are both @runwithtongs
Being a busy mom it is often hard to commit to a rigid training/fitness plan. Lately, I have been doing the Best Body Bootcamp workout plan and it is great because basically it’s five workouts per week and right now that’s what works for me. I decided to start with a modified version of beginner plan, I added a third round for my strength training, and the cardio part follows what I was planning for my race training. Although I am (attempting) to follow a plan right now I have made sure there is some flexibility and I have also created some mini running goals for myself.
Goal One: Get out and run. Basic right? Often it’s easier said than done. I can come up with a million excuses not to run so my first mini goal is to stop making excuses and get out even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Tip: Set yourself up for success by setting out your running gear the night before and make sure to carve out time to run in your day even if it is only 15 minutes.
Goal Two: Run three days per week. I’d like to run four but there have been weeks lately that I have only been out twice or even once, so this month my goal is three times per week. On my runs I have been focusing on two 20-40 minute runs per week and one mileage run, anywhere from 3-6 miles. Did you know? Three workouts per week is the minimum you need to maintain your fitness.
Goal Three: This is my goal for the entire month. My goal for this month it is to run before 9am at least 50% of the time. Other monthly goal ideas: Run specific number of miles or distance, try a new running route, sign up for a race, find a running buddy (and run with them) or go to a group run.
What are your running or fitness mini goals? Think of a basic goal, weekly goal and monthly goal.
This is like the best holiday right? Doesn’t it make you want to get out and run or at least get out and buy yourself a new running outfit to celebrate?
Since it’s National Running Day I thought I’d share these fun facts from Brooks Running to hopefully motivate you (and me) to get out of the house and onto the streets to celebrate with a run!
Also did you know that according to a new survey from Brooks, 66 percent of runners believe they have more sex when they run with their significant other? So grab your partner and get out for a run!!
Disclaimer: I was not compensated in anyway for sharing these facts. I chose to do so out of my love for running and Brooks.
As I mentioned before as a Fitfluential Ambassador I am participating in the Under Armour What’s Beautiful Campaign. My goal is to complete my first half marathon no matter what, even if it means crawling to the finish line. That being said I need to get my butt in gear and start training! The problem is there are so many training plans out there it can be challenging to decide which one to follow.
When I did my quarter marathon I followed the RunKeeper 10k training plan app on my phone. I really liked it and thought about using it for my half as well but couldn’t find a plan that really fit my needs. I then thought about doing the Hal Higdon novice plan or the Mother Runner finish plan but then Neil started a new job and that threw a wrench in my plans so back to the drawing board.
So I really made a list of my needs and how much I would be able to commit to training:
Two or Three runs Monday-Friday that are 30-45 minutes
One long run on the weekends
16-18 weeks long
In the end I found that the Jeff Galloway plan was the best fit for me. After sitting down and laying things out I realize that I won’t have as much free time to run during the week so I need to have a plan that sets me up for success. I also have come to terms with the fact that I am not ready to exclusively run my first half and that I will be following a run/walk method which is the Galloway plan in a nutshell.
That being said training week starts this week, which is exciting because that means this race is real. On my non-running days I am planning to do strength training, yoga and cross-training workouts. I am planning to workout 5-6 days per week.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Under Armour through FitFluential. My compensation was clothes to wear for the campaign. I received no monetary compensation. As always all opinions are my own.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Under Armour through FitFluential. My compensation was clothes to wear for the campaign. I received no monetary compensation. As always all opinions are my own.
As a Fitfluential ambassador I have been lucky enough to participate in a number of campaigns and I am so excited to tell you about the current one that I am participating in. Myself and a number of other ambassadors are taking part in the Under Armour What’s Beautiful campaign. This campaign is a competition to redefine the female athlete but beyond that it is an opportunity for you to push past where you have been before. To put a goal out to the world and go after it in a big way.
The Under Armour What’s Beautiful site is a venue for you to let the world know your goal while getting inspired by other women and getting the support you may want or need to accomplish your goal. On top of that you also have the ability to create teams or join a team of women who want to complete goals together.
My goal is to run a half-marathon and to not only run it but improve my performance and form while training for my half. I have already registered for a half in October and I have a 7K, 5K and 10K between now and then. I have only been participating in this campaign for just over a week now and I am already feeling more motivated and inspired by the other women who are participating. One thing that has been really helpful in keeping me motivated are the challenges that are hosted on the Under Armour What’s Beautiful site. These challenges are meant to pull you out of your comfort zone or at least pull me out of my comfort zone and really get down to work. Plus, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I upload a new challenge that I have completed.
If you have a health or fitness goal, big or small, I encourage you to come on over and join the fun. Let the world know your goal and work towards accomplishing it in a supportive and inspiring place. If you like the group setting you can find a team that is right for you or create your own team.
What is a health or fitness goal you want to accomplish?
I am hooked on women only races lately. I just completed my first quarter marathon which was all women, I am signed up for a 7k and a 5k in August both of which are women only and I have a 10k in September that is, you guessed it WOMEN ONLY! I just love women only races right now.
One women only race that I really wish that I could participate in this year is the Dirty Girl Mud Run on June 1st here in the Portland area. I had actually planned to run this race and just before I signed up Neil was offered a new job (out of the blue) and he has chosen to take it so we are preparing to move a little closer into Portland so he doesn’t have to have over an hour commute both ways by bus and train. So since we are going away to Seattle Memorial Day weekend and we are hoping to move by mid June we are spending all of our other weekends packing our things up. Anyways I am on to a tangent so lets get back to the point of this post.
What is the Dirty Girl Mud Run: “Dirty Girl is a 5k womens only run for women of all ages and athletic abilities. Don’t worry, it’s not a “race” in the traditional sense. It is an untimed obstacle course designed to push you slightly out of your comfort zone, but only as far as you are comfortable going. Forming teams is encouraged, and so is helping your fellow Dirty Girls get through to the finish. At a Dirty Girl Mud Run you’ll find excitement, laughter, and camaraderie—as well as lots of music and even some adult beverages. It’s a day you’ll never forget” (source)
The good people at Dirty Girl have something special for you…..20 percent of the Portland Area race!!! Just use this 20% discount code, DGPORTBLOGGUEST, at check out.
If you do run this race please come back and tell me all about it. I would love to hear about your experience!
Disclaimer: I was NOT compensated in anyway to post this. I just wanted to share this opportunity with all of you!
The night before my race I set four alarms. Yes four, I didn’t want to wake up late! I woke up at alarm #1 (5:27am) and lingered in bed until after alarm #2 (5:34). I rolled out of bed and headed to the kitchen where I made coffee and bagels <—from my mom in Vermont because you can’t get real bagels in Oregon with Toffutti for Neil and I. I was so anxious all morning that I think I was giving myself and upset stomach but I managed to get through it and we packed up and headed out the door to the race.
After getting a little lost trying to find the parking we finally did and I stretched and we walked over to the starting line. My first impression was that things seemed super unorganized. There were people everywhere and no real orderly set up for the race. On top of that I couldn’t hear what the race coordinator was saying over the speakers so I just made my way to the back knowing that I was going to be on the slower end of things.
All of a sudden I hear the starting gun go off announcing the start of the quarter and half marathons (they started at the same time). Startled I started slowly walking forward with the group and finally started running once I crossed the starting line. My plan was to do 4:1 run/walk intervals throughout the entire race with a goal of finishing in 95 minutes. I ended up running the first 10 minutes because it was so congested and I wanted to get by the slower walkers. It took about a mile for things to loosen up but still had a lot of trouble getting around the walkers, no hate to the walkers just a challenge to get by groups of walkers going slower than I was running.
Around mile one there was a water station that also had a team handing out Luna Bars and a group of teens cheering. I didn’t end up stopping for water although now looking back at things I probably was a little under-hydrated and could have used a few sips.
By mile two the sun overhead was getting hotter and that is when I started to overheat which resulted in chills for the remainder of the race. Just before mile three three there was another water station and I grabbed a cup and had a few sips before heading on. At this point I found myself saying I might not make it back without walking the majority of the way. My legs were feeling a little heavy, the slanted and torn up road was bothering my right IT band, I still had the chills and I was just losing steam. However, I pushed through made it to the turn around and head back stopping at the same water station for another cup of water which I had a few more sips of before heading back towards the finish line.
Shortly after that (around mile four) I had my chews which seemed to help rejuvenate me and reduce the chills. Just before mile 5 the stadium came into site and I knew that I was really almost done and talked to myself pushing myself forward. I kept at my 4:1 pace until around mile 6 when I really just started to hit a wall. I ended up doing a 3:2 for one interval then a 2:1 and then it was time to finish the race and I ran and ran until finally I crossed the finish line where Edith and Neil were waiting for me.
After the race we headed up to the finisher area where I grabbed a plate of orange wedges for Edith and I to share as well as some more water. We found a shaded spot for Edith and I to nurse at and we relaxed for a bit and took a few silly photos before heading over to the awards ceremony. We watched some of the awards before going to check the board for my official time –> 1:32:55 <– that is 2:05 less than my goal!! Also a PR for me because well it was my first quarter!
Overall it was a great race but I really could have prepared a little more and been a little more hydrated but overall I am happy with how things went. I was surprised when I came in under my time goal because I actually thought I was closer to 1:40, so not bad.
Summary of the race:
Pros:
Awesome SWAG bag! Shirt, Chinook book, free coffee at Peet’s and a few treats.
Finishing the race in the stadium. So fun to run into the stadium onto the new turf.
Water stations were well placed as well as porta potties and the staffing was awesome.
Loved the cheering squad at the start and end by the first water/snack station.
Great end experience with fun vendors, lots of food and beverages and massage tables (which I didn’t take advantage of).
Had a person staffed at the Half/Quarter split and they were great. Loud and very clear on what direction to go.
Very walker friendly!! For those of you who are not really runners but want to get out this race is super walker friendly. There were tons of groups of women who got out and walked together and seemed to be having a great time.
Cons:
The finisher necklace looked like something I could have gotten out of a quarter machine, okay maybe a dollar one, but either way it was terrible. On the website they had a photo of last years race necklace, which was kind of cheesy, but it said Hippie Chick Half and Quarter Marathon 2012 and was on a metal chain. This years race necklace came in a little blue velour bag and the necklace had a peace sign charm that said Hippie Chick 2013 that was on a black plastic necklace. I was going to take a photo of it for you but I have no idea what I did with it after the race. Either way it was super lame and disappointing. I really would rather of had a race medal or at least the race necklace that was advertised on the race website.
The organization of the race was really lacking. The line-up organization was pretty much non existent and you couldn’t hear a word they were saying over the speakers before the race.
No free beer or mimosas. You could buy them but no free ones for those of age.
The race was on a really uneven road both in that it was angled and it was all torn up. If it had been repaved it would have been better. This is more of a minor thing that bothered me and my legs
Overall I really enjoyed the race but it wasn’t a race that at the end of it I was like I can’t wait to sign up next year. There are so many other races around the area that I think I would try a new race.
Disclaimer: I was comped the admission of this race in exchange for a post. As always all opinions are my own.
