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Week 1 wrap up – Although the runs for week one were shorter I found myself struggling for time to complete the runs. The weather has been rainy, I have been spending my free time with my daughter and son-in-law, and having my son return from college has changed up my regular routine for this week. In the end, I did well with cross training, completed two of my three 3 mile runs and completed my 6 mile run as well. All in all, not bad.

 

Week 2 – This week the runs were three 3 mile runs, a 7 mile run along with a cross training day. Once again weather and time has affected my training this week. Although I know better, I actually combined two runs so that I can be sure overall I have met the required total mileage for this week. Another struggle I am having is with all the pollen my asthma is reacting and my breathing is effected. I am using my inhaler more frequently than normal and am even taking it along with me on my runs.

Last weekend I went to NYC and while browsing in a running store found the hydration belt I have been searching for. When I first started running I would carry a bottle of water in my hand. I didn’t like the feeling of having to hold on to something or the added weight in my hands. I then found a water belt, adjustable style, 24oz single bottle but as I was drinking out of it and the bottle became lighter the belt would start to move up and down on my waist. Very distracting!!! Next I found an elastic, adjustable two 12oz bottle hydration belt. I have been running with this for a while and like the feel although have quickly found that the bottles do not hold enough water for the long runs. Last year when I was training for my marathon, on the real long runs I would have to keep extra water in my car, circle back, refill the bottles and then continue with my run. Again, very distracting! I am now the proud owner of an elastic, adjustable, 4 12oz bottle hydration belt!

Another recent purchase by my husband as a Mother's Day gift was a Garmin watch. I haven’t had the time to figure it out yet but will keep you all posted.

Week 3 schedule this week is two – 3mile runs, one 4 mile run, one 5 mile run and 1 day of cross training.  Trying to stick to the schedule as best I can, I need to be realistic to what my life is like. Not sure of what the week will hold I have been moving rest days and runs around so that it meets my schedule. My goal at the end of the week is to complete the required mileage and include a cross training day. I have not found the time to include spinning or swimming, YET but I am still trying to work it in to cross training.

 

Working out in the morning is a great way to start the day and ensure you’ve made time for exercise before daily obligations get in the way.

Making time for physical fitness in your daily routine can sometimes be difficult. This year the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports challenges Americans to get moving, and to be more active and fit in May. Did you know that 30 min of exercise daily can significantly impact your health?

 

Small changes in everyday activities can reap huge rewards.

·walk or bike instead of driving

·take stairs instead of elevators

·go for a walk on your lunch break

·park the car further away from the office

·sweep the floor instead of vacuuming

·push a lawnmower instead of riding one

 

People of all ages need to be active and move more. Children need time to run, skip, hop, climb, jump, and just get up to move around. Look for ways to get the whole family involved in physical fitness. Teaching children at an early age the importance of physical activity can have a lasting impression/effect.

Below is the link from last weeks interview with Huldah Thompson from Proctors IMPACT Roving Reporter show. It was an honor and pleasure to appear on this segment to talk about the Capital District YMCA Healthy Community Series.

Schedule your workout time as an appointment – if it is on the calendar it will be more of a priority.

Today is the day I have been waiting for, the day I officially kick off my 18 week marathon training program. Now that the day is here it brings excitement and anxiousness. I am excited to begin my training and to be committed to my workouts, I always train better when I have a goal I am working toward. The anxiety comes in because of the time commitment needed to make this goal possible.

 

This week starts out fairly slow with three 3 mile runs, one 6 mile run and a cross training day. In the past my cross training days have mostly consisted of walking. I am going to put more of an effort into spinning, strength training, yoga and hopefully some sort of aqua training. I am not a swimmer but have always had an interest in learning – this may be the time.

 

This past weekend my daughter was married and with all the planning and preparation I have let my workouts slip. In fact, today it has been one week since I've exercised at all. I rely on exercise as a way to release stress, keep me focused and boost my mood & self esteem. It seems the longer I go between workouts the easy it is to fall off the wagon and find “other” things to fill my time. I am looking forward to my 18 week training as an accountability to myself and as a way to keep me on track.

 

Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.
 -Lowell Thomas

To add variety to your stretching, try yoga. Yoga is a great way to create flexibility and keep you limber.

As summer approaches many people start to think about getting in shape for vacations, beaches, and warm weather in general. Putting on a bathing suit, wearing shorts or even sleeveless tops can be a concern for many. On a regular basis I will be asked for ways to tone a specific area which brings to mind the age old question - does spot reduction work? Can you target a specific area to get flat abs, toned arms, or sleek legs? The answer is no.

 

Spot reduction refers to the thought that if you work a specific muscle group you will decrease the amount of fat in that area. There is no such thing as spot reduction. It is not possible to attain a flat stomach just by performing abdominal exercises alone. The reason for this is that a muscle does not own the fat that surrounds it (truestarhealth.com). Sit-ups can and will strengthen your abdominal muscles, however sit-ups alone will not get rid of the layer of fat that is covering the muscles. In order to lose fat anywhere on your body you need to burn calories by following a program that involves both cardiovascular training and weight training. In doing so, you will decrease fat stores throughout your entire body, including those problem areas.

Contrary to widespread popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico—which is actually celebrated on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the will and courage of the Mexican people to fight the French occupation in 1862.  After the Mexican-American war, Mexico had an enormous debt to several nations and its treasury had no way of paying back. The French, aided by a few Mexican people who helped them, saw this as a good opportunity to gain territory in the Americas.  One of the initial battles, which took place on May 5th, was the battle of Puebla, a town 100 miles from Mexico city.  Here, the French Army was humiliated and defeated by the Mexican people who defended their city armed with a few weapons and household tools; Cinco de Mayo commemorates this battle.   

Although the French continued to advance to Mexico and succeeded in installing Maximilian of Hapsburg as the new Emperor of Mexico (1864-1867), the battle of Puebla unified and inspired the people of Mexico to continue to fight the French until they were defeated.  Benito Juarez, then president of Mexico at that time, fled Mexico City and from Northern Mexico and from the US directed the operations to fight the invaders and finally succeeded.   Source:  Gayle Brock YMCA of USA 2012