Bloggers Give it 100 || Life Happens

Y'all... life happened this past week. I was on a roll. I ran Wednesday last week and I got  my 3 mile time under 40 minutes. My best time EVER. I was stoked to see what I could get my time to be last Friday. And then.... accidents happened. Life happened.

I did some at home workouts on Friday. I make it a point to do abs, core, and some sort of hand weights at home if I'm not doing a workout video. Everything seemed pretty normal to me, and I didn't feel like I had pushed myself too far.

Until...

Life is #imperfect... There's messy living rooms & unexplained injuries after working out. You just have to roll with the punches. #morethanaframe

A photo posted by Melissa Louise (@ramblingllama) on Jul 24, 2015 at 7:58am PDT

I'm still not entirely sure what happened. I do know the knee twisted, then popped, then I collapsed.

Zander helped me get the brace on and helped me get dressed. I had to go the rest of the day with 4 kids in the house though. I should've probably gone to the doctor sooner, but because I had all the kids I just couldn't. By the time the other 2 kids went home, I was in tears from the pain. I could barely hobble around by then. Thank goodness for mother in laws. She came over around 7 PM that night so I could go to the E.R. to get things looked at. Not the best way to spend my Friday night.

Long story short, I have a partially torn patellar tendon.
Which means, no surgery needed. Plenty of rest, elevate as much as possible, and keep my brace on.

This also means NO RUNNING for another 4 weeks or so.

UGH.

That news killed me. I mean, I knew it wasn't a great idea. But I think I've been in a depression since then. I know there's other workouts I can do that don't require standing. (Core, upper body, back, etc). I just haven't done anything since then.

So, like Lora I'll be added a few weeks to the end of my Bloggers Give it 100. I want the full experience, and with me not doing anything since Friday I felt like I was cheating myself. So, today we're just hitting the reset button and starting over.

How did you do this week? Link up with Kendra, Lora and I and share!

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And We Were Running || Bloggers Give it 100

Did anyone else read the title in their best Forest Gump voice? No? Just me. Ok... moving on...
Y'all...
This past week I learned something very important about myself. I'm officially a runner. I found this quote and it spoke volumes to me.

I never thought of myself as a runner. In fact, I avoided those teams in high school (track and cross country). Even running for P.E. or swim practice really turned me off. I seriously hated everything about running. I was the "what is the point" person. I was the person that when I saw a running update on social media for anyone, I'd scroll past faster.

And then something changed.

A little over a year ago I was able to afford a gym membership. I was able to meet with a personal trainer for about 3 months (twice a week for three months) It was a LOT, y'all. I really have her to thank to change my mind about running. She made me see the fun in it.

It's still not something I can totally explain. It's absolutely one of those things where, when you're a runner you know it. I know I have several blogging and IRL friends that get this. I really don't want to explain it. Instead, I want to share my amazing #bloggersgiveit100 moment from this past week.

I was able to run a full three miles without stopping in 47 minutes. Y'all. This is a big deal for me. I have never before now been able to run even a full mile without stopping. The day I did this, you better believe I posted it all over social media. I'm proud of myself.

Yes, the time isn't the best in the world. But that doesn't matter to me. What matters is what I pushed myself to do. I didn't feel any pain after awhile. I felt a high. Endorphins are a real thing. ("Happy people don't kill their husbands", right Hope?) I also apologize to anyone on my snapchat friends that are sick of workout snap feed stories, cause they won't be stopping anytime soon.

So now I'm excited to see how I can push myself further. What else can I do? Where else can I run in my town to explore? I also am dying to get something to hold my phone on my arm while I run so I don't have to just carry it. Any suggestions on that are welcome.

I'm truly grateful for my entire blogging community. Y'alls encouragement on my fitness journey have been nothing but incredible. I love each and everyone of y'all, and I truly appreciate the comments.

What have you done to keep moving this week? Are you participating in #BloggersGiveIt100? Grab a button and link up with Kendra, Lora, and I. And don't forget. It doesn't matter how fast you are going. You're still going faster than everyone on the couch!

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An InLinkz Link-up

And now for something completely fun!! Hope and I are hosting a giveaway! Day Designer Blue Sky Planner Giveaway

Working Out as a SAHM

So, I realize this is not the case for all SAHM's. I'll start with that. Because this is my unique case.
My husband and I cannot afford for me to have a gym membership. As much as I'd love one (because, hello! indoor pool for laps!!) I don't want to put us in a poor financial situation just cause I want to stay healthy. So! I have to improvise. Y'all are pretty familiar that I do workout videos and things like that. But sometimes that doesn't cut it. You gotta switch things up!

Granted, some weeks (some DAYS) are better than others. I will say, I can always count on my kids to be my workout buddies.

My at home gym is not as big as other people's but it works for me. On days I don't do a workout video I count on my hand weights and remembering things an old personal trainer taught me. Christine had blogged about using playground equipment to workout. Which is great, when we actually go to the park (but in this heat... yikes!)

I use my coffee table. At least twice a week, if not three times a week I focus on upper body and back. (My back and core is my huge problem areas!) The coffee table is sturdy enough to do inverted push ups. This works my triceps and upper back.
If I push the coffee table against the wall I can also use it for step ups and jumps. Don't worry, I clean it after my feet have been all over it!

I have 5 lb hand weights. I'd love to get bigger ones, since I've gotten to the point where I really need to do a LOT of reps to really feel anything. I'm not complaining too much though, because at least I have them!

Finally, a workout isn't complete with some sort of cardio. I have found a really amazing running partner in Zander.
Earlier this week, we tried to go on a run while he rode his bike. A mile into the run, the chain broke on his bike. We were forced to cut the run short and head back home. Sadly, I had to carry the bike the whole way back because the back tire wouldn't spin. He stayed positive the whole way back. Yesterday he was begging to go on a run again. It didn't workout because Daddy didn't get home until almost 9 last night. That was just too late for a little boy to be running with me! On days we don't run we always do jumping jacks, jump ropes (without the ropes), and other forms of cardio in the house to get our heart rates up.

Of course pictures or it didn't happen

I love that my kids will do all the workout moves with me. Their version of hand weights are some form of dog toys. It works though, right?! At least they're getting the moves down and proper form!

So this week for #BloggersGiveIt100 was a good one. I'm thrilled that I'm constantly teaching my kids better habits. Lets keep this good vibe going into next week!
Are you participating in the Bloggers Give it 100 challenge? Tell us how you did this week! Link up with Lora, Kendra, and I so we can encourage you!

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Dear Running Shoes...

Dear Running Shoes, I've missed you more than I thought I would.

Strange statement, I know... strange but true.

Allow me to explain. On Monday of this week, I put on my running shoes for the first time in about 5 months. I say 5 months because YES, there was ONE DAY when I went running before Thanksgiving, but it doesn't count. I've managed to run every day (so far) since Monday this week, and oh my goodness how I've missed it.

On Monday, Amanda at Keeping up With the Haneys posted a very similar post to this one I'm writing today. I want to point that out because I have no intention to copy her post... I'm simply putting my thoughts to "paper" internet.

Monday I got home from work and it was just me and the dog. It was the first day that we'd had him that he was home all day long by himself. He did a really amazing job, btw. Nothing was torn up and there were no accidents. Proud fur mommy! So we went outside and played soccer in the backyard. Translation: I threw a torn up soccer ball for him and he played keep away while I talked to Kendra.

After soccer, he seemed like he was good and worn out. But I wasn't I had energy still. I wanted to do something. Texts with Christine led to me getting my running walking shoes on.

texts with Christine. We have priorities. ;)

I put them on with every intention to just walk with the dog. I had no idea how he'd do on the leash for a long walk. Sure we've taken small walks around the neighborhood with the kids, but nothing like what I was planning. I wanted to walk and get my heart rate up, I was craving the adrenaline rush that comes from the cardio.

My pace quickened and before I knew it, Gambit and I were running around the block. I had every intention to just go a few feet. A few feet turned into a whole mile. (Thanks, map my run for tracking that for me). I'm still recovering from a cold, so after the mile I declared we were done. I knew we still had to get back to the house. Walking back I called Amanda, thrilled that I had actually ran a whole mile!

I learned something that Monday. Well, I learned a lot of somethings.
1. I really... I mean really missed running! I never really considered myself a runner. I always dreaded that part of gym class. For some reason now, I just really enjoy running. I enjoy the freedom it gives me.
2. Gambit is an excellent running partner! I really swear this dog has had training previously because he does SO well on the leash. When I broke into a slow jog he kept pace perfectly. When I broke into the run he got EXCITED! You could tell this dog was smiling. He really enjoys running! Plus, he looks super scary so- automatic body guard!
3. With Gambit being cooped up in the house all day while we're at work, this is an excellent way for him to get all of that pent up energy out in a healthy way. After the run, he was BEAT. Even walking back to the house I could tell he was done. He played a little more after the kids came home, but he was beat. This is good because he's still very much puppy and this way he doesn't chew anything he's not supposed to at night. This was him after the run, before my shower. "I'm done, mom".

4. I really need to start using My Fitness Pal again. I added the app back onto my phone. I added Amanda on Monday. It's time to get back into the swing of things. If you use it, add me. MCam87

So... this is a lot of rambling, but that's why we're here, right? (Get it? The Rambling Llama?) haha. Anyhoo... I get this kind of sounds like a new years resolution, but it's not really. Not in my mind. This is me remembering how much I love being active and getting back into it. This is me being overly annoying about talking about working out again. Hey, it's on my sidebar. I gotta blog about it at least a little bit, right?

Have you gotten back into an old routine and fell back in love lately?

I'm Trying to be a Runner

I did something a few weeks ago I never thought I would do. *Drumroll, please* I signed up for a 5K race!
I have several months until the race actually takes place, but I'm still very nervous and very excited all at the same time.

The date: Saturday Sept 27, 2014
The Race: Run or Dye
The location: Atlanta, GA

I'm trying to get as much training in as possible given my broken toe, so in a way I'm glad I have a few months before the race. The last time I got a run (read: run/ fast pace walk combo) in I finished 3.1 miles in 37 minutes. In my opinion not a bad time... and actually a personal best.
I'll be doing the race with my Aunt. She's been getting fit since last year and she's been doing GREAT! She started at a size 24 and  now she's at a size 16! She looks amazing!
Neither of us are what you would call "professional runners". In high school I was on the swim team. I still love swimming and if I could find some sort of adult league somewhere (that I didn't have to pay an arm and leg to join) I would totally join a swim team. Running has never (ever) been my favorite sport. The fact that there are people running cross country for fun makes my head spin. I can barely get the motivation to push myself for a full three or more miles. Having said that, I'm glad it's my Aunt doing the race with me, because her feelings toward running are the exact same as mine. Eventually my Aunt and I want to enjoy running. If that's even possible. We're working up to obstacle course races... you know, the kind where you end up covered in mud. We have to start somewhere right?

The Run or Dye race is a good place to start because they don't record times. It's just a fun race to work up to bigger races. From the website: these are the "rules"

RULES TO DYE BY:

FIRST RULE: Don't worry - be Happy! Run or Dye is for everyone. No need to worry about if you are too fast, too slow, too old, too young, or too sexy! Just come experience the magic of the most colorful 5K this world has to offer!

SECOND RULE: You are your own canvas - Wearing all white may show off the color-or get costume-CRAZY wearing that old wedding dress, 80's leg warmers, or those snakeskin pajamas. See you at the starting line!

LAST RULE: Get ready to DYE and go to heaven! The Dye Zone is where the magic happens! Our Color Crew is specially trained to administer Random Acts of Color with total efficiency. (HINT: We also love subliminal messages, such as: begging and pleading, striking that pose that makes us all uncomfortable, or dancing like a maniac. These are all code for "HIT ME WITH COLOR!")

Have you ever done a 5K? Do you love or hate running? I'd love to hear all about it!