Tag Archives: exercise

That Happened

7 Feb

There’s a weekend in February I cherish. It’s filled with family, friends and frolic in a city that has my heart. It all started last year when we traveled to Savannah to participate in the Tybee Run Fest.

The complete fest is five races. A 5K on Friday and then a 10K, Half Marathon, 2.8 Beach Run and Mile Run on Saturday. If you run all five events, you run a marathon. Andrew did that last year – and although he declared he would not do that again – he did. He was really ready for it this year though. He’s been on his run streak for almost a year and trained for two marathons during that time. Last year, he finished the Tybee Run Fest races and crashed. This year, he finished the races and danced.

Ready for More Running

Ready for More Running

This 5K was special to me. When I ran it in 2012, it was the first 5K I ever trained for and I wanted my past year of running to show improvement. I’m happy to share that it not only meant a better time for me (from 34:45 to 28:36) and the first time I ever ran 3 miles in under 30 minutes, but it also meant personal records for Ginger, Lee and Andrew. Team Brew/Drink/Run doesn’t mess. (And of course we enjoyed some beer after the race.) It was awesome.

Tybee Run Fest 5K

Tybee Run 5K, Part II

I still can’t believe my average was a 9:14 per mile. That’s crazy right there. I even felt so strong when I finished. My finish line photo shows me smiling and pumped. It cracks me up. I’m such a poser.

Tybee Run Fest

Finish Line Smile

The kids also enjoyed some racing fun during the Fest. Team BDR Jr. (Camille, Ellanor, Nia and Nate) took on the mile run independently. They each earned a medal and were so proud of how they ran. Andrew and Nate got to finish together in that one because they were on pace with each other. I love that.

Team BDR, Jr.

Team BDR, Jr. Ready to Start

Tybee Run Fest 5K

Andrew & Nate Finish Fast Together

Daddy & Daughter Runners

Daddy & Daughter Runners

This visit also meant another unbelievable first for me as Andrew, Ginger and I ran high above the Savannah River and across one of the most intimidating bridges I’ve ever experienced. The Talmadge Bridge is a sight to behold. Andrew and I used to sit on River Street and marvel at it as giant barges stacked with 18-wheeler trailers passed underneath it. The bridge has been the backdrop of many of our family photos. One photo of it even hangs in a matte showcase in our house from a July 4th night of fireworks on the river. I never would’ve thought that I would RUN across the thing. It was incredible and I’m so glad Ginger suggested we use it for our Sunday run route.

I still can’t believe that all happened.

Talmadge Bridge

My View from the Top

Talmadge Bridge, Savannah

On Top of the Talmadge Bridge

Running Bridge Luvahs

Running Bridge Luvahs

Bridge Running Buddies

Bridge Running Buddies

 

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Excuses, Excuses

19 Jul
  • I’m too tired after I get home from work and do all that I need to do in the evenings.
  • I can’t seem to wake up in the mornings.
  • Besides, gym showers give me the heebeegeebees.
  • I don’t want to get all sweaty yuck during my lunch break.
  • It’s too hot.
  • I have a headache.

Have a suggestion about when I can squeeze in some exercise? I have a reason why I cannot. It. Is. Ridiculous.

I’m through with it. I need to exercise. I am a mush. I feel terrible and grumpy and will not let myself dodge working out anymore. I love to do it. That’s not the issue. I lack motivation and self-discipline. I give a bag of chips I’m eating to Andrew so that he can get them away from me because I don’t have the will power to close the heaven-filled bag.

Tonight, I actually said, “I’m going to go running,” and I did it. Well, I walked some too but it’s a start! No more excuses. Nia and Nate need a healthy mommy. That is motivation enough.

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Yo-GAH

19 Jun

Reasons I love Yoga:

  • I can do it barefoot.
  • The relaxation time at the end. (When I sometimes doze off.)
  • The giggles I get when trying to stretch and contort my body into positions my body rebels against.
  • It can really tone you.

Reasons I do not love Yoga:

  • The complicated narration. “Look with the backs of your eyes to your inner self.” That sounds like it will hurt worse than that look over my shoulder and lift my leg thing you just had me attempt.
  • What just popped/cracked in my body?
  • I’m always off on the breathing. Inhaling when I should be exhaling and laughing at myself when I should be inhaling.
  • Um, it gets kind of boring after the 15th downward dog in a row.
  • I thought this was supposed to be relaxing and peaceful? I shouldn’t want to cuss out the nice, bendy lady on the screen.

Deep breaths. In and out. Or was it out and in?

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Total ‘Tude Change

26 Oct

I was feeling pretty blah over these past few weeks but after some yoga, a long, uninterrupted shower and two powdered donuts I have a whole new outlook!

I really don’t know what was making me feel so yuck.  I think it may have been because I wasn’t going to the Y to workout because I was having a pain in my chest and thought I had pulled a muscle or something.  That lead to me feeling sleepy during the day (even sometimes falling asleep for seconds at a time while I tried to play blocks or puzzles with the kids) and I also felt really cranky.  I had zero patience when it came to dealing with tantrums or non-listening little girls.  It’s amazing how much I’ve come to depend on exercising and how great I feel after getting my workout fix.

It’s not even like I go to the Y every day.  I only go like 3 to 4 times a week but those times hold me over and keep my moods/feelings in check.  I was thinking about how much it will stink when I have to choose between my workouts and work!  I feel so spoiled and blessed to be able to do this and I hope I wouldn’t quit going once I started working again – it’s just you know how that can be – it can be hard to fit it all in and if I’m working away from the kids then the last thing I’m going to want to do is be away from them even longer so I can listen to my MP3, read People magazine, watch pointless talk shows and burn a few calories on the treadmill!  I shouldn’t worry about that now though – I’ll worry about that when the time comes – right now I just know how much I need my visits to the gym.  I will never let a pulled muscle or pain come between us again!

 

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I Need to Work it Out

4 Apr

I have finally gotten up the nerve and determination to try working out at our local YMCA and while that’s a great thing for my body, I can’t say the same for my mind.

I can’t stop feeling inferior to (and sickened by) the girls with the fab bods and perfect skin, wearing their cute little workout numbers, not a hair on their head is out of place, they know how to work all the machines and know every move in the aerobics classes.  Even worst of all though is they even have the nicest, whitest socks!  Why do socks matter?  Well, today’s workout involved taking off our shoes – I was surrounded by little ankle socks and socks with polka dots and some with those adorable little pompoms on them…

To give you an idea of how I stacked up against the other hip exercise ladies – my workout ensemble went a little something like this – sneakers I’ve had since college, socks that were once white but are now a shade of dirty white  and are thinning at the heels, a pair of old navy sweatpants that I had to cut the bottoms of so they weren’t so tight around my ankles, a bright pink maternity tank top that is super comfy and a gray sports bra that I’ve had since I played volleyball in high school.  Sexy huh?

I just never thought I would go to workout and leave feeling like I need to buy a whole new wardrobe just to get sweaty in – oh yeah and don’t forget the socks!  (Don’t worry Andrew I’m not going to go on a shopping spree – but I could use a few more workout pants – a few girls had on these really cute ones that cut off at the calf…)
 

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