Workout Wednesday: Pilates

I know it seems like I talk about running a lot. And I do, but I also have another workout routine that I've been doing for years and years (like 15ish years). I adore Pilates. I think it is amazing for your body and your mind and your spirit. It makes you feel like a million bucks without dying and it really tones your muscles. As a dancer, I never wanted huge and bulging muscles, so I never lifted weights. Pilates uses your body weight to tone your muscles. Wikipedia (I know, such a legit source) defines it as:

Pilates is a body conditioning routine that may help build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or center, and improving coordination and balance. Pilates' system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginning to advanced. Intensity can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts to the exercises.

This is me (far left) in a Pilates video done by Dr. Julie Lord (Therapeutic Pilates). I still do this video when I miss class. 

I totally swear by it and my body really craves doing it (I only get to take one Pilates class a week because of scheduling, but I can really tell the difference).

If you're looking for more information on Pilates, check your local gym and sign up for a beginner class. It's not easy by any means and you will feel it in muscles that you aren't used to working.

As you can see from the above diagram, Pilates isn't sit-ups and push-ups...it's really contracting your muscles so that they will be long and lean. Trust me, I'm pretty sure I could out plank a lot of people.

The newest addition to my current Pilates class is using the ball for balance, stability and core strength...it is tough!

For more basic information, check out: http://pilates.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/Pil4Beg.htm.

Runners will tell you that the more core strength you have, the fast and stronger you become. I find that Pilates is the perfect cross training for me.

Here's to good health and awesome abs!

Xo,

Workout Wednesday: Running clothes

I know that it's getting colder out and most of my running clothes are summery, but I haven't quite found my favorite winter clothes and you can find the summer ones that I'm posting on sale now that it's colder out. There will definitely be a follow-up to this post when I figure out what I'm wearing in the winter.

Pro Compression Marathon (www.procompression.com) socks are amazing. I swear by these suckers when I'm running farther than a few miles. The website describes these socks as: "Experience maximum benefit with the Marathon full-length, graduated compression sock. Compression technology helps improve blood flow, resulting in better, more consistent performance with less fatigue and faster, more efficient recovery. In addition to improving vascular performance, Marathon compression socks provide support to critical muscles and tendons, helping reduce inflammation and soreness." 

They're pretty much amazing and look pretty darn cool too :)

I'm kind of obsessed with this Under Armour Tech Short Sleeve V-Neck shirt. I have it in several colors and I swear they are the most comfortable running shirts ever. They definitely wick away sweat and keep you nice and cool on a run. I actually bought a ton of Target running shirts when I first started running and will never go back to them after buying this one. You can find it here: http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-ua-tech-short-sleeve-v-neck/pid1228321-001.

Under Armour Sonic Capris (http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-ua-sonic-printed-17-capri/pcid1235157-649) are great. I don't love running in capris (I'd much rather run in a pair of shorts, see below) but these are great. I always size down with these because I find that they tend to loosen up as you run. These have a small pocket on the back (perfect size for a Gu) but no pocket in the front if you're looking for something for your phone.

I cannot describe to you how much I love these shorts. They are my absolute favorite and I feel like I own them in every.single.color. Seriously! I bought these Under Armour Get Set Go Shorts (http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-ua-get-set-go-shorts/pcid1236477-440) on whim because I didn't want to wear super short and tight shorts. These shorts are short, but aren't so tight that you feel like you need to pull them down during a run. I seriously try to justify wearing these as often as I can (if it's 40 degrees or more, I'm in shorts). I really don't love running in capris/pants because I love these shorts that much. In fact, I ran the half (that started out at 40 degrees) in these shorts.

Finally, my all time favorite shoes are these Mizuno Wave Elixir (http://www.zappos.com/mizuno-wave-elixir-8-electric-lime-punch-anthracite?ef_id=UPWUiwAAR-mtVAwH:20131212141757:s) shoes. They are lightweight and insanely comfortable. They're good for me because I have narrow heels and they don't slip and slide. The website describes them as: "Dominate the asphalt with the Mizuno® Wave Elixir 8 running shoe. Underfoot comfort and control are delivered by a combination of Dynamotion Fit and a light-weight midsole that will not disappoint. With these key features, your feet experience less stress, great stability and optimal energy return, keeping you one step ahead of the competition. The X-10™ carbon rubber outsole maintains steady contact with the road throughout your run."

We have a great running store in town that watches how you run and then helps you choose the best shoe depending on many different factors. Remember that when you're buying running shoes that everyone runs differently.

Here's to lots of fun runs!

Xo,

Wednesday Workouts: I like to move it move it...

Running? What is this ridiculousness?  Oh, gosh, I can't even imagine myself running a year ago. I'm pretty sure the only running I would have done was out of complete necessity. Now running is a complete necessity. I can't imagine my life without running. This is how I felt about dance and I felt this emptiness when I stopped dancing. I wouldn't say that hole from dancing is filled because I don't think it ever will be. You see, when you dance for so long and become so passionate about something, you will always feel empty when you think about that thing. Gosh I miss dancing...but that's besides the point.

Y'all this quote from www.runnersworld.com is so me. I still don't know if I would consider myself a runner. My best friend told me after I ran the half marathon, that if I kept running after that, then I was a runner. So...I guess I'm a runner :) I can't begin to explain to you how much I hated running before I started running...hated, loathed...wanted to vomit every time I thought about running. Running was one of those things that I was never good at. It uses totally different muscles than dance and just seemed so boring. And then I started. I realized that it wasn't about being good at it, but it was about disciplining yourself, competing with yourself and telling yourself that you can do it.

My husband thinks I'm crazy, but when you run 'long' distances, you have these crazy conversations in your head. Like when I was running the half marathon, I got really emotional around mile 10 (I had never run farther than 10 miles). I had to literally tell myself over and over that I couldn't get emotional, that I still had 3 more miles to go (I probably used way more profanities than that). I also have these "I think I can, I think I can" moments in my head. I think I can run farther, I think I can run faster...and then it becomes "I know I can."

Running has become therapeutic to me. I find that I have become happier with myself since I started running (I'm not saying that I was this awfully depressed person before). I have found that I am capable of a lot for than I ever thought possible (I know that's cheesy, but it's so true). I'll be the first to tell you that I don't think running is hard (per se). As a dancer, I think dance is way harder (go ahead and throw tomatoes at me). Dance requires way more skills than running. I am 100% positive that marathon runners and elite runners have skills...but it's a little different than dance ;). I guess what I'm saying is that I never thought I would be able to run farther than 2 miles (I never had run farther than 2 miles) and my body proved to me that I could do it. After so many horrible injuries in my life, I never thought I would be able to cross the finish line after running 13.1 miles, but I did.

Cheers to many more runs (and lots more blog posts on running).

Xo,