Tag Archives: training

Juneathon 2012 – Day 2

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Juneathon dude logoI’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?

Juneathon 2012 – Day 1 and June Fitness Challenge

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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.

Juneathon dude logoJune 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 for Sexy 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!

Random Tuesday Thoughts about Many Muggy Miles

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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?

*Image borrowed from Joggermom*

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 Juneathon dude logoof 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.


*Also linking up at*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Tuesday Thoughts about a Super Sloth with a Cough, a Sociopath, Some Hot Stuff and Track Tuesday

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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.

Once Upon a Time: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]

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.


*Also linking up at*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Joggermom Marathon 2012

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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.

There a few “rules”, like keeping track of your mileage in a spreadsheet and submitting photos as proof of your efforts, but it’s so worth it when you see the fabulous prizes you can win.  Not to mention, there’s that sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you finish.  Then, you can wear that pride along with the Joggermom Marathon finishers bib to make it official!

How fun is that?! 

Rest assured your favorite stunner will be sporting a bib for sure.

So, you will join Joggermom Marathon and wear a finishers bib too?

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Being in a New York State of Mind and Track Tuesday

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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.

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pump It

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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.




 

Visit Xmas Dolly , Hairbows & Guitar Picks and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday fun.

Random Thoughts about Sweets, Sweats, Burpees and Track Tuesday

Posted on by Run DMT
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For my New Year’s resolution, I swore off sugar and was doing really good with it.  I survived Valentine’s Day without going overboard.  I even made some delicious brownies for St. Patrick’s Day without falling too badly off the wagon.

Then, Easter came and all the stores were stockpiled with scrumptious Easter candy like Peeps and chocolate covered Peeps and Robin Eggs and Cadbury eggs and not-so-great- generic store-brand jellybeans and oh-so-delicious Starbust jellybeans.

I’d like to say I ate all of the above in moderation, but I didn’t.  In fact, I fell so hard off the no-sugar wagon that I got a headache from the volumes of sugar I ate.  Man, I was jonesing BAD, like a crack addict.

I seriously had no idea that sugar and sweets could affect me like that.  I was a mess.  I had successfully eliminated sweets from my diet and in a matter of days, I couldn’t get enough of it.  I would eat one Peep after another followed a fistful of jellybeans, followed by countless numbers of Cadbury’s mini-eggs.  It was CRAZY how fast I was ingesting it all!

So, guess what I did with all that candy?

No, I didn’t throw it out.  There are children starving in this country, for heaven’s sake!  I hid it, so the temptation is no longer in my line of sight when I open the pantry.  It’s a mind-over-matter thing for me, you see or don’t see.  Whatever.  The point is this works for me.

I’ve also been making Easter trail mix with pretzels and the leftover jelly beans for my kids’ lunches.  Don’t judge.  I know it’s not the healthiest lunchtime snack, but I’d like to believe their sharing it with their friends at school like good little sugar pushers.

But then guess what I did?  I found Cadbury mini-eggs 50% off at Target the other day, so I simply had to buy two bags.  Don’t you worry!  I hid them in pantry, too.  As long as the bag stays sealed, I’ll be all right.  Truth be told, I think I’m going to bake some Candy Bar Shortbread Bars with the mini-milk chocolate candy coated eggs for a brunch I’m going to this Saturday.  I pinkie-promise to only test them one.

The burpee challenge is going well.  What I mean is it’s getting tougher but I can definitely feel myself getting stronger.  At the end of the challenge, I’d like to perform another push-up exhaustion test, but with real push-ups not alternate push-ups to see how many real ones I can do.  At this point, I can do 17 push-ups as part of a burpee, then I should be able to do at least than many or more.

And let’s not forget the running!  Last Wednesday, I wanted to run 6 miles but my legs hurt so bad from Amy Dixon’s ass Kickin’ Strength work-out that I could only manage 5 miles.

5 miles

Time 52:56

Ave Pace 10:36

Max Pace 8:33

My legs were still sore on Friday when I tried to run 3 miles, but I ran with my stroller for what I like to call resistance training.  Running with a stroller is like running up a hill…both ways.

3 .1 miles

Time 33:30

Ave Pace 10:49

Max Pace 8:25

All that soreness and a stroller may have slowed me down a bit, but I made up the time on Sunday when I finally did run 6 miles.  I inserted a lap at mile five just because I was curious if my time had improved from Wednesday.

6.2 miles

Time 1:02:13

Lap 1 – mile 5 – 50:05

Ave Pace 10:03

Max Pace 7:42

Today, I decided to do some speed work instead of subjecting myself to another Amy ass kicking and then I ran a couple of easy miles with my kids’ running club.

1 mile

Time 9:46

Ave Pace 9:47

Max Pace 5:53

Lap 1 – 0.25 miles – 1:49, Ave Pace 7:12

Lap 2 – 0.25 miles – 1:52, Ave Pace 7:30

Lap 3 – 0.25 miles – 1:47, Ave Pace 7:11

Lap 4 – 0.25 mile – 1:54, Ave Pace 7:37

1.1 miles

Time 10:55

Ave Pace 9:56

Max Pace 7:47

Speaking of speed work…Starting next week, Ricole Runs and I will be hosting a running linky party called Track Tuesday and we are so super stoked about it.  Well, not about the sprints, but we’re definitely excited about what we believe to be the first speed work blog hop ever!


Calling all runners!

Every Tuesday, Ricole and I will perform some sprints and we’d like you to join our torturous Track Tuesday efforts.  To join our Track Tuesday Team, 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.

So, I hope to see you back here next Tuesday to join our new runner’s linky party, Track Tuesday!

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Skipping a Beat, 10 Burpees, Some Shoes and a Few 5Ks

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I’ve spent the past two days recovering from Spring Break which has been mostly spent sweeping and tidying away the fallout from Easter and Spring Break.  It’s amazing how dirty and unkempt my house looks even though we spent so little time in it over the past week.

I’ve been so busy trying to play catch-up to my housework that I didn’t even blog yesterday for Music Monday.  Gasp!  I had a post in my head complete with photographs showing all our fun in the sun which I was going to link up at Kristi’s Leap into Spring! Photo Challenge at Live and Love Out Loud.  However, time just escaped me while one Little Lion Man wouldn’t leave me side, so I couldn’t swing it.  Maybe I’ll work on it for Wordless Wednesday, minus sunny day song.

We’re on day 10 for the 30 Day Burpee Challenge, which means we’ve moved hit double digits.  Truth be told, ten burpees about did me in today.  I am so out of shape, which why I need to do burpees.  It’s a vicious cycle.

Have I ever mentioned that I assist with my kids’ running club after school?  Every Tuesday, I run about 3 miles with my stroller and close to 50 kids.  Besides spending quality running time with my girls, it’s all part of my evening training plan to help me train for upcoming evening races in warmer weather.  And you thought I was trying to be a good mom!  Nope.  I’m just trying to be a better mother summer runner.

I officially registered for my first summer race: Oldsmar 5K (formerly the Oldsmar Taphouse Run) in June.  Even though it’s hotter than hell, this is one of my favorite races.  I love the flat course and its beautiful view of the bay.  It’s not chipped, but the first 50 finishers get “Das Boot” and since that will never be me holding Das Boot, I’m just going to have fun with it and get my drink on after the race.  I get to do my thing, taking photos running happy and snappy as usual and I’ll have a beer or two or three when it’s all finished.  Did I mention that there is free beer for all runners at the finish?

My new Brooks Trance 10 running shoes arrived last Thursday afternoon and I unfortunately didn’t have the chance to break them in before the race.  In other words, I wore brand-spanking new shoes for a race, which incidentally was 5K trail run.  I had no idea it was a trail run!  So not only was a panicking about not running for over a week due to plantar fasciitis, I began panicking because I hadn’t trained for a trail.  And on top of it all, I worried that I would dirty my pretty new white shoes.  Such a girl!  I’ll tell you more about the race in another post.

Speaking of shoes, our new pup chewed through my pink Spenco flip-flops.  Son of…!  They were about a year old anyway and I was long overdue for a new pair as they had lost some of the support in them, but still.  UGH!  Thank goodness it wasn’t my new Abeo shoes but I’ve been hiding those out of the dog’s reach.  Oh well.  Now, I have an excuse to buy a new pair.  Maybe I’ll go for the pink (honeysuckle) cork shoes?

Before I forget, WordPress is hosting a Automattic Worldwide WP 5k.  The WWWP5k is set for Sunday, April 29, but you can do your run/walk anytime from April 23rd-29th, which means you’ve got a week to fit it in.  If you’ve never done a 5K, the WWWP5K is the perfect no-pressure 5K, because like the Automattic gang put it so eloquently, “you can run, walk, or skip the 3.1 miles. It’s up to you. There’s no time limit and there’s just one requirement: that you participate! You can do it inside or outside, on a treadmill or on a track, or even do a swim or a bike ride instead of running/walking – just get moving!”

So, will you join the WWWP5K on April 29?  Of course, I’m down with WWWP5K. Yeah you know me. It should be a lot easier than 10 burpees.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pushing Our Luck Challenge: Final Exhaustion Test

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On Wednesday, I finished the March Pushing Our Luck Challenge (also known as the Hundred Push-up Program) by performing my final exhaustion test.  I completed 70 push-ups.  Not, quite one hundred but pretty good, I suppose.

I vlogged my final exhaustion test for your amusement and yes, I did 70 alternate girlie push-ups.  Don’t judge.

 

Although I only completed 70, there has been some definite improvement.  At the initial test, I could only do 30 alternate push-ups, so I’ve more than doubled my maximum set, which means I’ve increased my endurance and strength. In the end, that’s what it is all about, isn’t it?

How did you finish the March Pushing Our Luck Challenge?  Did you show some improvement too?

For our next challenge, we’re springing into April with Run DMT’s 30 Day Burpee Challenge.  We’re only on Day 5, so there’s still plenty time to join the fun.  Found out more about the burpee challenge and join the linky party here.  Also, follow #30burpees on Twitter track everyone’s progress.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+