I’ve seen my running group, the Suncoast Striders, more this week than probably over the past year. I ran with them last Saturday, again on Memorial Day and then joined the group for our Ladies Night Out on Wednesday evening, which was a fabulous meal at Zen Forrest, but more about that in another post.
Today, I joined the Striders once more for another Saturday run and it was a gorgeous morning on the Starkey Park bike trail. We had a drier, less muggy morning, although the heat came on fast. I was glad to only be running 6 miles.
6 miles
Time 1:00
Ave Pace 10:08
Max Pace 7:22
My friends have been giving me a hard time about not running with them on the trail, but I prefer running in my neighborhood. I have some strange satisfaction of just getting up and going. I just pop out my front door and I’m on my way. If I run with the Striders, I have to get in my car (or hop in a friend’s car), drive to the trail, run for an hour, and then hang around and talk to everyone. It becomes a three hour tour for a 6 mile run. If I run in my hood, I can be done in hour and back home.
So, am I being antisocial or practical if I choose to run in my neighborhood?
June 1 is a triple threat for me. It’s the start of the hurricane season, which actually started early since we’ve had two tropical storms roll through already. That’s not a good sign and I fear we may have a very wet and windy summer. I don’t run in the rain.
June 1 also means the start of Juneathon, which started off great. This morning, I began the Juneathon with a 3.1 mile run between thunderstorms. It was a great run, but I’m just glad that I didn’t flake on Day 1 because of the weather because I was really tempted to stay in bed when I heard that storm. And look, I even managed to blog about it.
3.1 miles
Time 31:20
Ave Pace 10:07
Max Pace 8:13
And finally, June 1 also starts the next Run DMT fitness challenge.
In a few more days, my kids will be home for summer break and we’ll spending many days at the pool and the beach, which also means I’ll be spending many days in a bathing suit. I’m not ready to strut my stuff across the sand like I’m working a catwalk.
Even with all the miles on my legs, they still need a lot of work. I really want to firm and tone up my legs and leave the waves in the water where they belong.
Therefore, selfishly the next Run DMT fitness challenge will be Sexy Legs for Summer and this can be accomplished with 6 simple sculpting and strengthening exercises. If you’re not familiar with these exercises, I’ve included some videos to assist you.
1. Squat
2. Alternating forward lunges
3. Burpees
4. Inner thigh leg lifts
5. Jumping jacks
6. 60-second wall sit
Although #sexylegs blog button has a set number of reps for each exercise, feel free to do more reps or add some weights to the sets if you so desire.
To make the squats more challenging go wider and lower, but remember to watch your form and not let your knees lean over your toes. To raise the bar even higher on this sexy those leg squats, add a leg lift to each squat to really work that outer thigh.
So besides me, who wants sexy legs this summer?
If you’re in, share 6 Steps forSexy Legs This Summer challenge with others by adding the #sexylegs button to your site. Then, follow #sexylegs on Twitter for motivation and support throughout the challenge. Good luck!
Only two days left in May which means the Joggermom Marathon and the Run DMT Superhero Challenge are coming to an end. Once I added up my miles for the Joggermom Marathon, I realized I actually went over by 2.6 miles. How funny! Here, I thought with my nasty chest cold I wouldn’t finish in time and I went over.
Now that I finished the Joggermom Marathon, I need to submit my miles and I also need to think about a funny photo to submit. In order to be eligible for a prize, the photo needs to be original. Last year, winner was a runner collapsed on a treadmill. Any suggestions for a photo idea for me?
Speaking of funny photos, I ran 4 muggy miles with the Suncoast Striders for the annual Celebrate America Run on Memorial Day. I don’t run with the Striders as often as I like but this run was definitely a fun run because I ran with my friends, Chrissy and Maribel. We found humor in the humidity thanks to the red, white and blue pinwheels headband I wore. Every time the wind caught the pinwheels, I sounded like I was going to take flight. Pppffffftttt!
4 miles
Time 43:24
Ave Pace 10:51
Max Pace 7:06
This week has been a Strider filled because I also ran 6.5 miles with the Striders on Saturday. It was my friend, Stacey’s first time joining the Striders at Starkey Park so I paced with her on the trail.
6.5 miles
Time 1:16
Ave Pace 11:44
Max Pace 8:19
Next month, I’ll be pacing along in the Juneathon again. For the Juneathon, each participant has to run or do some form of exercise every day and blog about it within 24 hours. Easy peasy, right? We’ll see. Every June I participate and I always fail. It’s not the exercising every day, but the blogging every day that’s difficult for me. In the past, I would get behind in the blogging and end up posting 3 days at once. Oh well. Maybe this time will be different. Wish me luck! There’s still plenty of time to join the Juneathon if you’re interested. Maybe we can fail together inspire each other to succeed.
The start of June also brings another Run DMT fitness challenge. This summer, I want to bring sexy legs and six pack abs to the beach. Therefore for June, we’ll be squatting through summer. For this challenge, we’re following the 200 squats program (by the founder of the 100 push ups). On the rest days we’ll do, abs. The sexy legs summer challenge kicks off this Friday, June 1, so stay tuned.
And now for the Track Tuesday stuff! Tropical Storm Beryl has been making things pretty unbearable around here. The humidity has been just awful, but this morning the humidity and wind did a number on me. By looking at my times, you can tell which sprints were running into the wind. Thankfully, I pushed through the humidity and the wind because as soon as I finished the storm arrived.
Lap 1 – 1 mile
Time 10:02
Lap 2 – 0.25 mile
Time 1:53
Pace 7:27
Lap 3 – 0.24 mile
Time 1:54
Pace 7:53
Lap 4 – 0.25
Time 1:55
Pace 7:44
Lap 5 – 0.25
Time 1:55
Pace 7:42
Lap 6 – 1.1 mile
Time 11:14
Ave Pace 10:11
How were your sprints this week? Do you let the weather ruin your running plans?
To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post. Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runs or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions. To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party. Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.
Although my 5 Miles for Moffitt race was over two weeks ago, I’ve been struggling with this recap as well as a chest cold.
Against my better judgment, I decided to run the race with a hacking, nagging cough. My chest was tight and I could barely breathe, but it was important for me to run this race in my Aunt June’s memory. Aunt June spent the last two years of her life barely breathing through rounds of chemotherapy, therefore, I could easily suck it up and run with a little cough.
Friends advised me to take the race easy and not push myself, which was my plan. “Listen to your body, don’t push it!” @forrestgump49ertweeted me. I was just there to do something good in the ‘hood and support a cause that is bigger than all of us.
Much like last year, the course led us through the campus of my Alma Mater. For the most part, it’s a flat course through the USF with lots of shady trees and the occasional hill.
We ran the past The American Cancer Society and Moffitt as subtle scenic symbols to remind us why what brought us here.
Past the hospitals, we began a gradual incline. I remembered this being quite challenging last year, but this year it didn’t seem so bad despite feeling poorly due to my cold. I guess all those fitness challenges paid off!
Around the bend, we ran towards the Sun Dome and then the course looped back with more “hills” on the horizon.
Once over the final incline, the 5 milers joined up with the 5K runners and surprisingly, it wasn’t congested where the two races met.
As we headed toward the finish, I caught a whiff of the jasmine hedge along the street. I couldn’t help but sing, “Summer breeze races make me fine. Blowing through the jasmine in my mind.” I’m not sure if anyone appreciated my humor or singing as we finished up our five miles.
At least I enjoyed it and my time too. Even with a cold, I finished almost a minute faster than last year.
Gun Time 51:08.4
Chip Time 50:45.3
Ave Pace 10:10
Division Place 34/68
Overall Place 515/886
After the race, I hacked a lung from coughing and then I visited the Moffitt Mole Patrol for a free skin screening. Since I constantly slather myself in sun block, I felt pretty confident in the results. Boy, was I in for shock! Apparently, I have some sun damage on my chest. What?! How is that possible?
I determined it’s from all the unintentional exposure like walking through a parking lot or spontaneous play dates at the park. Needless to say, this mama will make sun block part of her daily routine from now on! I ain’t getting old lady neck or chest just yet!
When I put my racing top back on after my screening, I noticed my “in memory” sign was missing. Somehow the sign had slipped out of the plastic sleeve during the race. “I’ve lost my aunt!” I exclaimed to the doctor, but he looked very confused. I’m sure he thought the sun was damaging my brain as well as my skin.
For the past two weeks, I had been suffering from a really nasty cold that I just couldn’t shake. One of the fantastic symptoms of my cold was a horrible, wet hacking cough, like a smoker’s cough. No exaggeration, I sounded as though I had been smoking unfiltered Lucky Strikes for 20 years. With the cough, I also had this horrible tightness in my chest, which made it very difficult to breathe.
Despite not being able to breathe, I decided to go ahead and run in the 5 Miles for Moffitt race. I already had skipped out on the Crazy Sombrero 5K the week before due to my cold and I didn’t want to miss another race. Besides, my aunt spent the better part of two years fighting lung cancer, the least I could do was suck it up and run with a little chest cold. Admittedly, that wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.
Just as the experts warn you, you shouldn’t run with a chest cold. A runny nose or sore throat is a different story. Limited breathing due to chest congestion is not a good thing and I truly believe running in the race extended the life of my cold. So, let this be a lesson to you. Learn from my mistake. Always listen to the Livestrong Gods.
So while I spent the time recovering from my cold, my blog suffered. Actually, everything suffered. I didn’t have the energy to do much. I missed out on the superhero challenge. I missed out on the Track Tuesday speed work. I missed out on logging miles for the Joggermom Marathon. It made me sad to miss out on it all. For almost two weeks, I was a super sloth with a cough.
Then when I woke up on Saturday morning, I could breathe, but I waited a couple more days just to be safe. I started running again on Monday and today it was back to business as usual with my speed work. I am happy to be back on “track” now.
Now that I’m all healthy again, I’m a #superhero once again doing my Spiderman and Superman sets as well as running and blogging again. The first half of the month may have been a loss, but next couple of weeks and the Joggermom Marathon will end on a high note.
Although my running may be back to business as usual, my blogging still had a slow start because yesterday, I totally flaked on a Music Monday post, which is a first in almost 3 years. I’ve been playing catch up now that I’m feeling better and blogging a music post didn’t make the must-do list. I felt horrible about it too since I’m an honorary co-host this month with Xmas Dolly and 4M crew. Plus, this week’s theme was a song from a movie and movie soundtracks are my thing, a lesson I learned from the late John Hughes. And I had such a good one in my head, but it just never made it to the blog. Aw hell, I’ll share it now.
Is anyone else sad that all the shows are ending? I am not happy about all these season finales and cliff hangers. I am completely addicted to Once Upon a Time and that cliff hanger was the worst best. Of course, if the show is not renewed for another season, I would be happy with the ending, without giving too much away.
Please tell me I’m not alone with my Once Upon a Time obsession! I can’t wait for the Season 1 DVD to be released (August 28) so I can watch it all over again. Seriously, it’s that good.
When I am really into a show, like I am with this one, I visit the show’s website and read all the actors’ bios and watch the interviews. I love reading where the actors studied and what other shows they’ve done. Since I’m a bit entranced by the actor who plays Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, Robert Carlyle was the first I investigated. Imagine my surprise, when I learned he was the actor who played Begbie in Trainspotting. Actually, I wasn’t truly surprised, because Rumplestiltskin in pretty creepy as is Begbie. But Begbie gave me nightmares.
In case you aren’t familiar with it, here’s a glimpse. Warning: Begbie is a psycho sociopath and these clips are violent and riddled with vulgarities.
Robert Carlyle may be better known for his role as Gaz in The Full Monty. (Be sure to click on that link and watch the movie clip. Gaz is one sexy thing. lol) Truthfully, I prefer to remember him as Gaz than Begbie. It also demonstrates the depth to his acting ability. Plus, with Donna Summer’s passing over the weekend, this scene and song seem very fitting pretty fitting.
So, there you have it. My Music Monday post may be a day late, but Track Tuesday is now literally Track Tuesday. And now for the sprints…
1.1 Mile
Time 11:05
Ave Pace 10:05
Lap 1 – 0.25 mile
Time 1:73
Ave Pace 7:37
Lap 2 – 0.25 mile
Time 1:73
Ave Pace 7:37
Lap 3 – 0.26 mile
Time 2:01
Ave Pace 7:53
Lap 4 0.24
Time 1:52
Ave Pace 7:39
1 mile
Time 10:14
Link up and share your speed work and some music for your Track Tuesday/Track Tuesday post.
I have so many runner friends that love the stuff and I’m sure their Nutella power balls are getting soggy from all the sobbing they’re doing since hearing the latest news. Personally, I never liked the stuff because it always tasted fake to me, but I think maybe I’ll make some cookies just to tease smooth things over with my runner friends.
My family and I can’t wait to see The Avengers this week and since we’re so pumped about the new movie, I planned this month’s fitness challenge around it. When I told my oldest daughter, Allana, about the challenge, she told me I should have created exercises specific to The Avengers and then demonstrated some examples.
“You could smash something like the Hulk”, she said and threw a clasped fist as she squatted.
“And then you could throw a shield like Captain America”, she said as she twisted her torso to throw an invisible shield off to the side.
“And then you could smash a mallet like Thor”, she said as she twisted her torso and pretended to smash a mallet to the opposite side. “But I’ll have to think about Iron Man.”
I think she’s onto to something there and I wish I had consulted her sooner. We could still do the Superman exercise but call it Iron Man instead because Iron Man flies too. I’m going to video record Allana and I performing the exercises and maybe we can throw them into the superhero mix. Wouldn’t that be funny?
Last week, I had some terrible bouts of anxiety. I’ve never shared my issues with anxiety before on my blog, because I’m a little embarrassed by it. I’ve always been a “shake it off” kind of person and so it’s hard for me to admit to any issues with anxiety, but last week, I had two attacks and I feel compelled to share.
One happened during a run with my Strider friends. About 3 miles into the run, I pulled back away from the pack to slow down a bit. At the particular point, the path became very dark. Since I had forgotten my flashlight, an overwhelming sense of fear began welling up in me. I tried to stay focused on my pace to avoid crying. It was awful. Next time, I need to stay with a buddy or bring my flashlight or pop a Zoloft. Though, I think fear worked in my favor because I had a pretty good run.
4 miles
Time 39:11
Ave Pace 9:48
Max Pace 7:29
The next panic attack happened the very next day at a media event at Sea World. I became overwhelmed by the crowd, but I powered through it once again. I haven’t had a bad spells with my anxiety in awhile so I was really taken back by these episodes.
Hubby is out of town for a few days, which has put a damper of my training especially my speed work. Therefore, I have no sprints to share this week. Hopefully, Ricole can be a hero and save the day with some faster than a speeding bullet sprints for Track Tuesday.
How about you? Did you do some sprints? Link up and share.
As a mom on the run, I understand the difficulties of training for races while raising a family. Mother runners struggle with balancing sleepless nights, sick children, crazy schedules, carpools, after school activities and homework with our training. It’s not easy.
Thankfully, Joggermom has made training and racing while raising a family easy with her Joggermom Marathon, but don’t let the word “marathon” scare you. With Joggermom’s virtual marathon, you simply run a total 26.2 miles during the month of May. In other words…
“You have from May 1st thru May 31st to complete 26.2 miles. That means you have 31 days to run 26.2 miles. That is a little more than 6 miles a week, a very attainable goal for even a couch potato. This marathon is not about who comes in first, it is about completing something you set out to do for yourself.” – Joggermom
Think you can do it? Like Joggermom said, it’s totally attainable. I participated last year and I’m joining Joggermom Marathon again this year. Now, I want to share this fun, totally attainable marathon with you.
One lucky Run DMT reader will win a free entry in the Joggermom marathon.
To enter this Joggermom Marathon entry fee giveaway, leave a comment below and tell us how you plan to reach 26.2 miles in 31 days. Giveaway ends midnight on 5/14. One winner will be selected at random with the help of random.org and announced on 5/15.
Even if you don’t win, please sign up as 10% of each entry will go to the American Heart Association. Registration will remain open until May 15 at midnight.
My family and I are HUGE superheroes fans. We’ve seen all the comic book movies a dozen or so times and we are super excited about The Avengers movie to be released this week.
Now, you’re probably wondering what that has to do with a fitness challenge. Stay with me.
With The Avengers making its way into theaters, it got me thinking about superheroes which led me to thinking about Superman and Spiderman which then led me to thinking about exercises of the same name. Did you follow my bizarre train of thought or did I totally lose you?
And then my creative juices really began to flow and I knew just what to plan for our next challenge. In May, we will channel out inner superhero with the help of Spiderman and Superman and by doing so, a transformation will take place. (*Insert dramatic music and wind effect.*)
A Spiderman exercise is like a side lunge while touching the floor in plank position. Spiderman exercises are great for the obliques and lord knows, I need some help in that area.
This Spiderman demonstration has three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.
The Superman helps strengthen your powerhouse.
Together, these exercises are a fantastic follow up to all the burpees from the previous month and will continue to strengthen our core, which is crucial for runners.
For this fitness challenge, do 20 reps of Spiderman exercises (10 on each side), drop into a plank hold for 30 seconds and then do a Superman for 30 seconds. Repeat this entire set three times.
You can do these superhero sets every day or three times a week. I will probably shoot for 3 times a week because I also want to add crunches back into my work-outs and continue with burpees and push-ups as well.
What about you? Are you ready to channel your inner superhero? Are you ready for a transformation and new results?
If you want to join the Run DMTChannel Your Inner Superhero May Challenge, add your blog url or Twitter ID to the linky, which will stay open until May 31.
Blog and tweet about the Run DMT Channel Your Inner Superhero May Challenge to get others to join in the fitness challenge. Be sure to add the Super Run DMT “Channel Your Inner Superhero”button/infographic to your post.
Once you join the linky party, please visit other participants blog’s to show support and offer encouragement. Also, follow #superhero on Twitter give to receive additional support from the challenge crew.
First off, I have to brag. Run DMT is listed as #24 on Frugal Dad’s Top Running Sites and sharing the spotlight with some truly amazing running blogs. which just blows my mind! I’m honored, flattered and so proud that people read Run DMT and find it valuable and inspiring. I could cry. Thank you for your continued support.
Tomorrow is the NYC Marathon lottery and I am beside myself with nervousness. Once again, the soundtrack from A Chorus Line is playing in my head to keep me distracted. It’s my mantra.
God, I hope it get it.
I hope I get it.
How many people does NYC need?
God, I hope I get it.
I hope I get it.
How many boys, how many girls?
How many boys, how many…?
Look at all the people!
At all the people.
How many people does NYC need?
How many boys, how many girls?
How many people does he…?
I really need this jog.
Please God, I need this jog.
I’ve got to get this JOG!
Several of my running friends and I have applied this year and we will all be sitting at our computer at noon tomorrow watching the lottery live at www.nyrr.org and on Twitter. I’ll be live tweeting so watch for #NYCmarathon by @denisermt. If I don’t make the marathon this year, I’ll apply again until I make it. After all, I’m guaranteed an entry in 2014.
I may need to do sets of burpees all day tomorrow to deal with my anxiousness, which is no joke. We’re up to Day 24 in the 30 Day Burpee Challenge and it’s out of control. I have to do small sets sporadically throughout the day to manage them all. It’s getting tougher but I’m doing it and so is the burpee posse. Everyone is doing great and like @running2bfit said, we’re getting stronger every day. Personally, I’m impressed with the muscle definition that’s beginning to show. Who knew I had transverse abs and triceps?
Last week, I mentioned that Ricole Runs and Run DMT were teaming up for a new, first time ever running blog hop called Track Tuesday.
To join our Track Tuesday linky party, do your speed work (at least 4 quarter mile sprints) on Tuesday or any day you that works best for you, blog about your times and remember to add our cool Track Tuesday button to your post. Then, link up your post at either Ricole Runs or Run DMT to share Track Tuesday Speed Work Sessions. To show support for our other virtual running partners on the Track Tuesday Team, be sure to visit the other blogs listed in the linky party. Give them a virtual high-five and leave some comment love too.
A cold front rolled in over the weekend but that front took a really long time to take effect and cool everything down. Last night, the overnight lows dropped ridiculously low for Florida this time of year (55°) but it was perfect for speed work. I loved having the cool air hit me instead of the humidity for a change.
In case you’re wondering, I do my sprints in the streets of my neighborhood. I have a mile loop around my house and I marked quarter mile distances along that mile loop. For sprints, I run them as hard as I can without killing myself. It’s faster than my normal run, but not too fast. It’s the pace I like to call my finish line pace. It’s that last distance I force my body to run a bit faster once I see the finish line.
This morning, I did my usual mile warm-up followed by 4 x 0.25 mile sprints and one mile cool down run. My times weren’t as great as last week. I’m blaming it on the cooler weather. Who knew my legs preferred humidity?
1 mile – 9:51
Lap 1 – 0.25 – 1:51 – Ave Pace 7:12
Lap 2 – 0.25 – 1:49 – Ave Pace 7:25
Lap 3 – 0.25 – 1:55 – Ave Pace 7:43
Lap 4 – 0.25 – 1:55 – Ave Pace 7:44
1.1 Miles - Time 11:06 – Ave Pace 10:07
Total 3.1 miles
Time 28:31
Ave Pace 9:12
Before I wrap up this randomness and Track Tuesday post, don’t forget this Sunday is Automattic Worldwide WP 5k. Join the #WWWP5k by walking, running, biking or skipping 3.1 miles anytime between now and Sunday, April 29. We so got this. It’s as easy as π.
With the exception of the cold front that rolled in over the weekend, temperatures are on the rise which means my miles will be tapering down. As for races, I have a few more 5Ks and then one last longer distance (5 Miles for Moffitt) until the cooler weather returns this fall.
Since summer weather brings shorter distance races and triathlons, over the next few months I’ll be focusing on lots of cross-training (swimming, biking and strength training exercises) and speed work.
Yeah, it’s time to pump it.
On the subject of speed work, Ricole Runs and Run DMT will be hosting a new linky party every Tuesday called Track Tuesday. We’re hoping a weekly blog hop and little peer pressure will keep us motivated to do weekly sprints. I definitely need to focus on speed and I could use some virtual running partners encouraging me to stay focused. If you’re a runner, I hope you join us tomorrow for Track Tuesday.
And there’s one more thing for me to be pumped about! The lottery for the NYC Marathon will happen this Wednesday at noon and I will be watching the tweets and the live streaming selection process with bated breath. You can watch it live too at http://www.nyrr.org/media-room/nyrr-tv.
God, I hope I make it.I’ve got my fingers, toes and laces crossed that I make it this year. Wish me luck and link up and share what music is moving you this week.
I’ve seen my running group, the Suncoast Striders, more this week than probably over the past year. I ran with them last Saturday, again on Memorial Day and then joined the group for our Ladies Night Out on Wednesday evening, which was a fabulous meal at Zen Forrest, but more about that in another post.
Only two days left in May which means the 
Although my 
![Once Upon a Time: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hKiATmyOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
When I am really into a show, like I am with this one, I visit the show’s website and read all the actors’ bios and watch the interviews. I love reading where the actors studied and what other shows they’ve done. 
could smash a mallet like Thor”, she said as she twisted her torso and pretended to smash a mallet to the opposite side. “But I’ll have to think about Iron Man.”
Superman exercise but call it Iron Man instead because Iron Man flies too. I’m going to video record Allana and I performing the exercises and maybe we can throw them into the superhero mix. Wouldn’t that be funny?
My family and I are HUGE superheroes fans. We’ve seen all the comic book movies a dozen or so times and we are super excited about 
With the exception of the cold front that rolled in over the weekend, temperatures are on the rise which means my miles will be tapering down. As for races, I have a few more 5Ks and then one last longer distance (
