If you tried to pop over here and the blog wasn’t loading this morning, I was dealing with some bandwidth issues and ended up upgrading to a larger server. The blog is happy but my wallet is not! Gotta keep her runnin’!
If you’re looking for a quality website host with great customer service and prompt response time, I highly recommend Site5. I switched to Site5 when I needed a larger server and they’ve been a great host!
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Workout
This morning, thanks to Tina’s Best Body Boot Camp program, I had a decent workout! After 20 minutes of steady state cardio on the elliptical, I did the total body workout that was on the agenda for yesterday. Since I skipped yesterday’s workout in favor of taking a power yoga class, I focused on the supersets today.
Tomorrow’s Boot Camp workout is a “cardio workout of your choice” and I’m pretty sure I’ll do some kind of cardio-based circuit workout. If you have one you’ve been loving lately, please feel free to let me know or link to it in the comments section of this post. I always love new workout inspiration!
Here are two of my favorites that can be done anywhere and do not require any equipment:
Breakfast
Check out what happened when I threw a few extra strawberries into my smoothie this morning as it was whirring away in the blender.
The hazards of smoothie-making!
Clearly I was peering over the blender as I added the strawberries, because the smoothie flew out of the blender and hit me in the middle of the nose. Smoothie also ended up on my arm and all over my shirt. At least I was still gross from the gym!
Must turn the blender off before adding extra ingredients. Lesson learned.
Even though my morning smoothie was apparently rather feisty, it was also tasty, though it looks like garbage.
Into the blender went…
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 handfuls frozen strawberries
- 1 scoop FitMixer chocolate protein
- 1 spoonful cocoa powder
- 1 heaping spoonful peanut butter
- 2 large handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 cup milk
- Ice
Brrr!
ZOOMA in Florida
Earlier this week, I mentioned that I am teaming up with ZOOMA and will be participating in one of their races. (If you’re interested in becoming a ZOOMA ambassador, you can apply here.) They just announced their newest race location yesterday and, in January 2013, I’ll be heading to Amelia Island!
- ZOOMA Florida Half Marathon & 5K
- Saturday, January 19, 2013
- Location: Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Amelia Island, FL
- Start time: 8 a.m. half marathon, 8:30 a.m. 5K
I spent time in Amelia Island last January for our friends’ wedding and am looking forward to returning next year. It’s such a nice part of Florida (I highly recommend exploring the beach on a beach bike!) and I think it will be a fun location for a race. Plus, Caitlin will be there, too! (Just FYI, I am not being paid by ZOOMA, though my race entry and hotel expense is being covered by the company.)
When I spoke with the founder of ZOOMA on the phone last week, I explained that I’m not a hard core runner. I’ve completed a handful of half marathons but running is just plain hard for me. I sign up and participate in races because I love challenging myself and find races motivating, energizing and exiting. She explained that ZOOMA races are great for beginner runners and competitive runners which is awesome.
When I found out about the new location of their Florida race, I called my sister and spoke with her about it.
She’s been interested in running a half marathon for quite a while now and I may have her convinced to run this one!
I think that running with her as she completes her first half marathon would be such a cool experience. I even tossed out the idea of Leslie sharing some of her training and race day thoughts on the blog since so many of you have reached out to me with interest in training for your first half marathon. (Leslie’s previous running distance record occurred in October last year when she completed her first 10K in 66 minutes!)
I’ll be sure to keep you posted with our race day plans.
P.S. The Who’s Who page of the blog was updated this morning. If you’re new around here, the Who’s Who page is a simple guide to the people (and dog!) that pop up on the blog all the time.
Question of the Morning
- Have you ever participated in a race with a member of your family? Would you want to?
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Gah tech issues are no fun! But races are! That would be so cool to run your sister’s first marathon with her. I’m sure she’d love the support. My family members are not runners at all, but if my sister was, I’d totally do a race with her!
Haha that’s happened to me plenty of times with my smoothies. You’d think I would’ve learned by now!
Ha! I’ve also had more than one smoothie disaster 🙂
I encouraged my sister to sign up for her first 5k this year. It is one that I run every year for fun. It was great to see her face when she finished! I am running the Zooma Cape half marathon and am really excited! It sounds like such a fun event!
Ahhh so excited for this race!! Now all I need to do is sign up! (Or maybe apply to be an ambassador?!)
yessss!
Yay Leslie, definitely do it! I’ve been trying to convince my sister t orun with me too, I think it would be such a fun experience!
I SO admire how you can run, whether or not it’s hard for you, you definitely have the ability and I’m very envious 😉
I’m doing my first ever 5K tomorrow in Indianapolis. I know I won’t be able to run the whole thing and my time will probably be kind of sorry, but I’m looking forward to the experience.
I regret not training as much as I wanted to do, so I’m signing up for the same race in a new location to do in October with every intention of greatly improving my time. A 5K sure isn’t a half marathon, but I gotta start somewhere! 😉
good luck at the 5K!! and i started with a 5K, too! i had to really work my way up to doing a half, so if it’s an interest of yours, please know you CAN do it!!
Agree to agree!! My first 5k took me over 40 minutes to complete and now I am starting to train for my second half. Running is super hard for me too and I’m slow but hey- it doesn’t matter how slow you are as long as you still get out there and do it!
Thanks for the encouragement!! I suddenly feel WAY more relaxed and excited for it!! 🙂
I have done a couple races with my Mom and love it. My husband has run a few with me too. I would love to get my brothers and everyone to run one day!
I would love to run a race with a family member! I told my husband we should train to do the Disney half in January, but he didn’t seem too into it! Maybe I’ll have to work on my sister!
Oh man, when I first saw that picture I thought it was Sadie poop….then realized the glowing smile didn’t exactly match up with that scenario…
ive been slacking on the smoothie train recently and am so glad you posted this. woo hoo – getting back on 🙂
I made this chocolate smoothies sans PB of yours the other day and it was so good! I ran a 5k with my husband and sister in law once..that was my only race ever. I trained with the couch to 5k program and it was great. I will definitely have to try doing another 5k or 10k one day.
I’ve run a 5k and walked a half-marathon with my sister-in-law and we had such a great time 🙂
Haha good thing u weren’t in white 😉
Hahaha the classic smoothie splash. I am not a genius in the kitchen so I always make a mess when making smoothies…but lets face it they are sooo worth it.
I am actually training for my first half as well. I have completed a 10k in the past but am excited for the half. My sister is a runner–like its easy for her and she has run 11 miles before but never raced a half. So we are tackling this feat together on Thanksgiving Day. Which I will follow with lots of pie lol
ZOOMA races are really fun…although I will say that they like hilly courses. Just a pre-warning. 😉
I wish ZOOMA was coming to southern california! I would SO be there!
Those kitchen mishaps always happen to me when I’m dressed for work!
This circuit workout kicked my butt a couple times in the last few weeks:
http://healthyhit.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/tacos-and-treats/
I’m so jealous, these Zooma races look great! I love the idea of it. And the best smoothies are brown! Haha
My boyfriend says I am the most miserable person to run with because I always have to be a half step in front of him. I ran competitively in college so I think it’s just my nature….opps! That said I haven’t ran many races with others, I am just not good at it!
me and my sister have been meaning to run a race together, that’s actually how I got into running.. me and her would go out every morning before I had work and she had class lol def on the to-do list 🙂
I’m planning on running the Amelia Half. Should be a blast! Just trying to get someone from SC/GA to road trip with me, because the husband said he wants to skip this one. haha
I have only done races with family!! HAHA that smoothie mishap has happened to me many times… :/
I’m typically a solo runner, although I’ve run a few races with friends (5K,15K, sprint tri, and 1/2 marathon) but as far as family members go, my dad and I used to run the Turkey Trot 8 miler together and I remember that being so much fun and have good memories from that!
I started running 5Ks with my mom last year – she’s 51 and I’m 21. It’s been great to support her through them and help her improve every time! She always impresses me and inspires me 🙂 We are running our 1st half-marathons together in October!!
My boyfriend put me through a crossfit workout (that he usually does when he travels) last Sunday. I was exhausted by the end and very sore the next day!
100 air squats
-rest 1 min-
100 full sit ups (elbow touches knee)
-rest 1 min-
50 air squats
-rest 2 min-
50 push ups
-rest 1 min-
50 burpees AND DONE!
The goal is to do everything as fast as possible. Push yourself to do it within 20-24 min.
Umm I seriously just looked at my ceiling last night, and I have green monster ALL OVER IT from smoothie explosions. Is there a way to get that out?
Haha that picture cracked me up. I definitely peer down into the blender too, mainly because I am super impatient. That sounds so fun to do the race with your sister!!! I am really excited because I got my sister to sign up for her first 5k in November of this year. I cannot wait to accomplish it with her. The feeling of working with your sister toward one of her goals is unbelievable. I’m so proud of her and of Leslie too! Team Bream! (/Fagan! hehe)
I heard about the ZOOMA race in Cape Cod, MA in September and really wanted to do it – sounds so fun! haha love the smoothie mishaps. Happens to me all the time.
I learned the don’t-put-things-in-the-blender-during-blending lesson the hard way too — chocolate smoothie everywhere! And actually I think it can be super dangerous…not worth the extra strawberry 😉
I’m also a huuuge fan of circuit style workouts! Lately, I’ve been doing tabata timer workouts. I just set up the tabata timer through the app on my phone and switch between 4 workouts for the 8 minutes and then rest and repeat. I’ll usually do a mix of cardio and strength training.
For example: Burpees for 20 seconds, rest for 10, mountain climbers for 20, rest 10, v-sits for 20, rest 10, and plank 20, rest 10. Repeat again to finish the workout and then repeat the entire workout. Then, sub in different exercises and do it again.
I’ve definitely walked into work with smoothie on my nose before… hahaha
I have ran several 5Ks and one 10K with my mother!! We are planning on running our first half together in November! I absolutely love running with her! Im 24, she’s 50 and she gives me a run for my money! Lol We push each other and have a great time doing it! I now live about 8 hours from her so we won’t get to train together(boo), but we both are looking forward to race day!! 🙂
I have been running for about 3 years now, after graduating college. My family was always more artistic than athletic but they’ve been very supportive for each race I’ve participated in! This October we’re taking a trip to Nashville to participate in The Color Run! I’m so excited for my family to try such a fun event! Maybe it will even inspire them to try more races!
Hi
I just started reading your blog recently and love it! I am curious about the types of protein powder you use as I am looking to purchase some for the first time. Do you recommend buying chocolate or vanilla? Is there a special brand you like? Have you ever bought any from Trader Joes?
Thanks 🙂
Nora
When my husband and I started running, he started a few races with me. He’s a lot faster than me, so we agreed that after the half-way point he would take off on his own to try to make up time. While we’ve never completed a race together, I’m thinking of asking him to pace me for a half marathon PR next spring, or possibly even a full marathon! I can’t think of anyone else I would rather have with me every step of the way!
When my sister first started running it was soon after her marriage. She initially began running to try to lose weight. She borrowed my yellow lab as her running buddy and with his assistance she lost about 50 pounds! As most new runners do she trained for and ran several short races. She and I began a tradition of running a half-marathon on Thanksgiving morning (usually in Jacksonville, FL). I also helped her train for her first (and only) full marathon.
Running with your sister is a great bonding experience. You ladies should try a tri next. Did one of those with my sis as well!
I’d love to participate in a run someday! It would be fun to do it with my family but none of them are actually active, so…yeah, hehe. But we could do a walk together! And I have 2 workouts that I can share with you and I really enjoy them! Uhhh I’m kinda timid to just tell you about them since I came up with them, hah! But they’re good ones IMO: http://www.fitforthesoul.com/2012/07/05/back-on-track-workout-routine/, and http://www.fitforthesoul.com/2012/07/17/plie-like-a-ballerina-and-run-like-the-wind/ (running) 😀
Yay! That’s so exciting that your sis will be doing the race with you :). And I LOVE site5. You recommended them for me and they have been great!
so glad to hear it! i’ve never seen a company come close to being as prompt as they are with any issues that pop up. always impressed!
Keith and I did a triathalon together. I say “together” loosely because we obviously started at different times because of our ages and gender…but it was fun knowing we were both out there doing the same thing. I would find myself wondering where he was on the course and how he was doing. Just knowing we were both doing it gave me a happy feeling.
I was a little worried when I saw that picture…. Glad to know that it was only a smoothie! LOL
Recently my blender crapped out on me so I had to get a new one. I bought a ninja blender and as I was trying to drink the last bit of smoothie left in the blender the blade came out and cut my upper lip! I had to go to the hospital. It was a bit ridiculous. After that I returned the blender and my parents finally decided on getting a VitaMix.
Hey Julie! Long time reader here! I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it, but I’ve recently been obsessed with the Women’s Health “Spartacus” circuit workout. It’s an extremely challenging circuit, but time flies because you are constantly trying to catch you breath. It consists of 3 rounds of 10 exercises that you perform for one minute each, with 15 seconds of rest in between. Needless to say, it’s a doozy… in a good way 🙂 I posted the link to the workout below, except it’s the “Men’s Health” version. I couldn’t find the Women’s Health version online; however, they are the exact same workout… just with buff men demonstrating the moves. I figured you wouldn’t mind 😉 Hope you enjoy it!
http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/high-intensity-circuit-routine/index.php
Smoothie disasters happen to everyone at least once! A few weeks ago I didn’t realize I didn’t have the lid of my magic bullet on tightly before I turned it over and set it on the base. When I lifted in back up, I had smoothie absolutely pooling everywhere. Still tasted awesome though 🙂
I have been enjoying the no-equipment tabata cardio workouts from “In Sweetness and in Health”. Here’s one I did recently: http://insweetnessandinhealth.com/2012/06/05/do-anywhere-tabata-workout/
thank you so much for this recommendation, colleen! i did it this morning and loved it!!
So the ZOOMA series is coming to you in FL, awesome! I love the pic of you, your sis and mom–such a framer.
I signed up for the Zooma run with my mom! I love Amelia Island and that’s a perfect time of year there!
You said you get up at 5am to work out.. what do you eat right before you work out? And do you have the protein mix everyday?
p.s. I love your blog 🙂
I’m glad it’s sorted- I tried to log on furiously last night hah1 I needed my daily dose of PBF- oh well atleast I got a double dose of emails and blogs to read through this morning 🙂 I bet (if you licked it off) it’d taste like a sweat and smoothie mixture? Hhaa. Awesome! I am a terrible runner but run for the same reasons as you. 10kms is the longest I’ve done but I’d love to do a half marathon one day!
I got my younger brother into running & racing! He ran his first 1/2 marathon in March and now he’s signed up to run 2 more with me & I think I’ve talked him into running a full! So excited!!
Thanks for the encouragement!!!
I signed up to be an ambassador!! 🙂 I hope i get it!!!