Resting

Hey everyone! It has been such a long time since I wrote, but that doesn't mean i haven't been working out! I actually just ran a half marathon through the vineyards of central California! It was beautiful and i will be doing many more.

The run was awesome--somewhat hilly, but too gorgeous to recognize my uncomfortability. I really enjoyed my time with the Lord while running. It was so refreshing just being in nature with him. The race was small-probably 400 people so i always felt i was running by myself after we all had our paces. I finished in 2 hrs and 24 minutes. I guess that's pretty decent for a first-timer. I only walked once and it was on mile 12 uphill. I have been resting ever since my race (i've only ran once) but i was very pleased with the quick recovery of a half-marathon. I will be doing more for sure...and hopefully, a full within the next year and a half. Here is a picture or two!

Hope everyone is doing well. Keep it up during the holidays!

new quick work out

Rachel Barry introduced me to the 30 day shred my Jillian Michaels. I have only done it for four days but it is wonderful and here is why. There are three levels so it is a great work out for any level. Each work out is 20 minutes and little more with the cool down. and best of all the video is at Walmart for only 10 dollars. I love quick work outs. When it is over I am drenched in sweat and feel like I just ran five miles. It is awesome!!

How are you girls doing?? The holidays are here and so is all the good food. Now I do not suggest going on a diet during the holidays but I do suggest working out. don't skip them because you are busy.

getting back into shape...

Hey ladies... I have not fallen from the face of the earth.... but my work outs have:( I am just getting into a new routine or trying to figurre one out. Volleyball on mondays... and still trying to figure the rest out. It is cold snowy and rainy and I have no treadmill or gym to workout at...

i will figure it out and I can't wait... caught up on some of you and I praise the Lord for the encouragement!

love and hugs!

abby m

Speed Walking

So this week I did a little speed walking because my knee was bugging me a bit in my runs. IT had been a long time since I had walked for exercise. So I went two miles on the treadmill with a little incline, my butt was so sore in the morning. I have not been that sore in a long time. Walking totally uses muscles that running does not. I was pleasantly surprised and was reminded that I need to put walking into my work outs. I am still sore today, so awesome!!

I Love Fall!!!

Fall Greetings to all the" SWEAT & GET FIT "LADIES! I am in love with the Lincoln bike paths right now as all the trees are beginning to change colors, and working out in the cool air instead of the humidity. Hope everyone is enjoying their fall workouts. I have committed to working out 5 days a week this fall. I joined a running club at the YMCA that meets Tuesday nights at 6 and Sat. mornings at 8:30am. You have the option of running a 2, 3, 4,or 5 mile run each time and there are people that run all of them so I never feel like I'm the only person running 2 miles. It's been a great motivator with running. Then on Wed. & Fri. I do BOOTCAMP....or as I would like to call it 2 a days at Adams Central for volleyball. It is intense and half way through when we are on our 10th suicide in the gym or on our 4th time up 4 flights of stairs I am usually almost to tears and cussing!!! But afterwards I feel so proud of myself for finishing. This class has made me sore in places I didn't know existed! Then on Mon or Thurs (changes days each week) I walk with Grayson and do sit ups, push ups, etc. at home. I, like Liz said in the previous blog do better when I try and stick to the same schedule. I am traveling to Europe in October with a dear friend and we will be doing alot of walking and I want my body to be prepared for that so I'm not sore. With that being said does anyone have or know of a good walking shoe? I don't really want to wear tennis shoes the entire time so I would love suggestions!!! Hope you all are having a blessed September, and keep on keeping on!!!! God Bless!!!

The Groove

I am getting into a nice groove with workouts for the last couple months. I love having things the same, a constant schedule. This never happens with the changes in motherhood, but at least for now I am really enjoying running with my dog on Saturday and Monday mornings before anyone else is awake. Then I walk twice a week usually pushing two kids. I think back to 9 months ago when running 1 mile felt like someone lit my heart and lungs on fire. My legs felt like they had heavy weights attached. But, now I see the definition coming in my muscles, and I think back to last winter when nothing was changing in my body and I was working hard. That was when I wrote the "Stuck" post and you guys encouraged me on, thank you!
I love fall, and I am thankful to be able to keep on running outside until winter. The weights and toning needs to be added into my workouts, any favorite ways you guys have of getting this done? I do like pilates, but I always do the same workout so I am bored. Any ideas?

Why Run?

I was sweating, my lungs were burning, my legs were heavy and I thought, why do I run? When did I first run just to run. I used to run because a coach told me to. As I thought back on this I remembered, it all happened after God saved me. There was so much joy in this time and so much pain. Pain of my sin, pain of relationships ending, pain of earthly loneliness. First it was pain that drove me to run and after some time it was joy. Joy of my salvation, joy of new relationships, joy of His presence (I am never lonely). That was when I was 17 years old. Now I am 28 and why do I run today. I run today because of Pain of my sin, pain of earthly loneliness, frustration with life, AND, joy of my salvation, joy of His presence, and to glorify and worship Him. As a stay at home mom, it is the place that I clear my mind, it is a very special time. As long as I am able I want to run. I will never be a great runner but i am so thankful for it. To all my fellow runners, keep it up. I know it is hard to find time, but it is worth the time!! Pain in this world drives me to run, but joy unseen keeps me going!