Some Days Workouts Are Just HARD

I had one of those days. Busy, running late for everything and then I knew I needed to get my workout it and TRY to get to bed at a decent hour. Life doesn’t always work the way you want it to, nor do some of your workouts.

I woke up Thursday morning with tired legs (thighs to be exact). It was from a great run the night before (7k) and I was okay with the feeling. I was going to run in the evening but then thought about it and decided a DVD workout would be good enough.

I was late picking up the girls, late getting dinner on the table and late getting the girls to bed. Then I remembered I needed to get the garbage and recycling ready…..six bags later and a bunch of broken down boxes, I got it done. I said “screw it” to the laundry pile and put on my workout clothing.

Down I went to the basement and popped on Ripped in 30, Jillian Michaels. A workout I normally love. I went straight to week 4 – bah ha ha…..normally, I would love this workout but I just didn’t. I did enjoy the “abs” part 🙂

jan 28th workout

It took me a while but the reason I didn’t like it was because it was HARD! Good lord Piper, get a grip…it’s not supposed to be easy especially when you jump right to week 4. I recollected my thoughts and felt thankful for the workout, did love it but I got it done in the end.

Thanks goodness it’s now FRIDAY!!!!!! We are in for a snow storm 15-20cm – whoop, whoop. Guess my Saturday morning run might be a snowshoe trek just to get out of our subdivision 😉

Ever have one of those workouts? 

What do you do when you have tired legs? (I’m going to foam roll tonight). 

What are your weekend plans?

Crow Pose & 21 Day Fix Workouts

For the last three-four weeks I’ve been taking it easy on the running front. One week was to recover from my half marathon and leg my hamstring heal again! The other 2-3 weeks were just balancing different workouts. It’s not that I don’t want to run {I do} it’s just that I’ve been enjoying doing other things. With intentions of getting my hamstring stronger again {since my half marathon} I’ve been doing more yoga and some strength training workouts.

One of my goals this year was to doe more yoga and then be able to hold the “crow” pose and I finally feel like I’ve achieved that goal! A few months ago, I went to a yoga class and the instructor gave me 1 tip that changed it all and allowed me to hold the pose more than a few seconds!

This past week in my yoga class, I got into crow pose and held it the longest to date without falling on my face {yeah, that still happens occasionally} or putting my toe down for balance. This class was different. There were 8 of us in a small space and of my two co-workers went as well. We’ve kinda made a workout pack but I’ll get more to that in a minute.

While in crow pose the instructor said for me to try and jump back into chaturanga. My first thought was…what is “chaturanga” but then I quickly clued into what that was as we do it all the time. My brain was so focused on not face planting that it took a few seconds to realise what she was telling me to do.

And then I just did it! I’m pretty sure I said “Oh” out loud as if I had a light bulb moment when I managed to go from crow pose to chaturanga. That was awesome! The instructor then spoke about “fear” and how sometimes that can hold us back. I 100% had the fear of face planting and once I was able to overcome that fear, I was able to jump back into chaturanga!

Workout Pack

Ever workout in a group of people? I’ve got my running buddy and from time-to-time when my schedule permits I run with running clubs. Runners – you all know how awesome the running community is. Well, it’s just great to run or workout with others. It can be motivating, encouraging, inspiring and can just get you off your butt when you don’t want to.

My co-worker a week ago decided we (three of us) needed to do the 21 day fix workouts with her! I’m all about getting stronger so I can run better and not become so injured again…so I was in. Plus, I do enjoy working out with others….a workout pack if you must.

Last Friday we started with “total body cardio fix” which really meant nothing to me until I was in the workout. It was hard but I didn’t know how hard it was until the next day when I couldn’t walk, sit down or go up/down stairs. For REAL! I was struggling! THAT struggle was nasty!

I go through Saturday {just} and then managed a quick 6k outside to shake out my legs. This WAS NOT pretty but just necessary for normal function of my body. Mainly to not hurt so much. I even hurt a bit on Monday when we did the “dirty 30” workout. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

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Tuesday we hit up yoga {crow pose success} and then Wednesday was supposed to be “lower body” but that dvd didn’t work. So we resorted to “cardio fix” which is different from “total body cardio fix”. Basically, the only difference is you have no weights. It was by far, not easier than the other one.

Now, there is a LOT of laughter happening during these workouts with my two co-workers. And to be honest, there is a little swearing and bad-mouthing the video because we are struggling along and just waiting for those 20 seconds, really 15 seconds to recover in between sets.

After each workout we make a plan for the next day and today is actually a rest day for me because I have four meetings back to back. I’m hoping to run in the evening but I might just sleep 😉

Don’t worry, I haven’t given up on running. In fact my running buddy and I have decided to do a half together next spring/summer. AND……..it might just be a Mommy’s weekend away (Saï and Casey take warning). I’m also toying with a few winter races and will start training for them soon but I’m not committing to them until I know what the weather will be. I’ll write more about that another time.

Oh, and I’m not doing the whole shakeology stuff – just the workouts and enjoying eating all my girls Halloween candy. The combination is completely wrong…….and I’m good with that!

What workouts are you up to these days?

How much Halloween candy have you eaten? (I’m officially sick of it now)

Do you workout with a group of people or solo only?

October’s Over and Workout Recap

I feel like this year is just going way to fast. October is now behind us and I vaguely remember my half marathon because Halloween and day light’s saving time have messed with us. “One extra hour of sleep” – ha ha, yeah right! I’m also ready to throw out all the candy/chips because I keep sneaking some for myself when the girls aren’t looking.

October brought me 101 kilometres of running!!!!!!

october km 2015

Last weeks workouts were a killer……

Since I’m not following a training plan anymore, I feel free to run/workout when ever and that’s kinda nice. Honestly, I can’t remember what I did when so I have to rely on my handy-dandy (oh yes) running log book. It’s not fancy, far from that. It’s a simple book that I write the month in and then list the date/distance/time/total km or workouts and then any other comments. I’ve thought about getting a fancy book but I’m almost 2 years into filling this one up so I’m sticking with it.

  • Sunday – A quick 5k on the trail, stop at the store for an onion and then ran the last km home!
  • Monday – 5k treadmill run.
  • Tuesday – Vinyasa Yoga – felt so good!
  • Wednesday – Rest Day
  • Thursday – 5k treadmill run
  • Friday – 21 Day Fix – Total Cardio Fix (good lord this killed me)
  • Saturday – Nothing as I couldn’t handle the massive amounts of pain I was suffering from the Total Cardio Fix
  • Sunday – 6 trail run in the rain – a little rough shaking out some pain from Friday’s workout.

Trail Run Nov 1st

Halloween Fun

Else, Olaf and Anna!

halloween 2015

November Adventures:

I’m doing the 30 Day Plank Challenge, it’s one of my favourites and to be honest…THE only 30 day challenge I’ve completed to date!

I’ve signed up for the #HolidaySweat Challenge {Nov 8th – Jan 2nd}. You can check it out here. 

I’m attempting to remember to add #chasethebird from Nov 1st – 26th to photos on IG/Twitter and FB. It’s about getting people to do at least 15 minutes of activity EVERY – DAY! You can check it out here.

We’re full swing into swimming lessons for Lilly and indoor soccer for both girls. Sadly, I’m not playing indoor soccer – that’s a tough one to swallow BUT I have to be realistic about my hamstring and sprinting/speed work is out of the question.

I’m actually {I can’t believe I’m going to write this down}… I’m actually looking forward to *some* snow falling later this month!!!! I can’t believe I just said that…shit’s going to hit the fan this winter now! Oh now wait, that hit us Maritimers last winter…we should be getting it easy this year. Yeah, right!

Welcome November!!!!!!!!

How was your October / weekend?

Have you tried any of the 21 day fix workouts? 

Any plans this November?

Halloween Workouts – Tricks on You

Oh Halloween, you are here again. I have a love-hate relationship with Halloween. I love seeing the kids all dressed up and loved it as a kid but sometimes I just don’t like it. I can’t pin-point what it is but I’m just being honest.

Having said that, we’re taking on the “Frozen” theme for Halloween this year….well, it’s actually just taking over our lives in general – for real. I have more Frozen glitter all over my house….really, everywhere.

Let it go, Piper….Let It Go! 

The girls are so excited to be Elsa and Anna, we’ve been practicing dancing and singing in costumes all week. I’m going to be Olaf since I have a costume from last year’s run…

1000 Kilometers PR

Since I’m sure you’ll have lots of trick-or-treaters, here is a workout from Suzi at Confessions of a Fitness Instructor. She has a printable workout and more “exercises vs costumes” for you to do. Let’s just say that hanging out with Elsa and Anna (Princesses) is going to have me doing a lot of “curtsy lunges” 🙂

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Now, if you choose to eat some of your children’s candy {when they are not looking} you’re going to need to do some of these workouts:

I’m not saying if you eat a candy you have to workout to get rid of those calories but this is more of a fun way to enjoy eating those candies and working out! And yes…I’ll be eating some candy but I’m also hoping to get out for a run Saturday.

If you have a toddler and a baby this Halloween, you may want to check out an old post “How to Survive Halloween with a Toddler and Baby”.

How to Survive Halloween with a Toddler and a Baby

What’s your favourite part of Halloween?

Favourite candy to eat?

Do you have any Halloween traditions?

Happy Halloween tomorrow!