Day 6: Results or Excuses?

Results or ExcusesWhat are your goals? What kind of results are you striving for? Do you want to lose weight? Get stronger? Get tighter and toner? Run faster? Run farther? Complete a goal race feeling good?

What excuses do you come up with to skip your workout? Seriously…be honest with yourself and with us…what excuse do you use to skip it?

If you only put half effort into your workout, if you workout then eat a bunch of crap, if you Β make excuses why you can only get it done every once in a while…whose fault is it that you don’t see the results you want?

My biggest goal is a tighter, toner tummy and stronger arms. My biggest excuse…eating crap. I know how to eat healthy…I know what foods to avoid…but sometimes my belly overrides my brain and I end up eating crap…yummy crap…but crap all the same. I have to make a new commitment every day to eat better…and I don’t always succeed. But I am trying and every day is a new chance to eat better. Taking it one day at a time.

What’s your excuse for not getting the results you want? Put it in writing and makes it more real. Be accountable. Put your excuses out there so we can help you over come them.

Day 6 exercises: 2 rounds of 10 ****Click here for how to videos****

  • Standing Oblique Crunch
  • Dumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press Rotation
  • Single Leg Deadlift
  • Towel Mountain Climbers – Use a towel, paper plates, or furniture movers if you have them. Using something to keep your feet on the ground will force you to use your core muscles to pull your legs in. Keep your feet on the floor!
  • Burpees
  • Plank – :30 (2X)

Bonus: #KillerCoreWorkoutΒ Killer Core Workout

Today’s core work is quick so if you’re like me and want those tight abs…ditch the excuses and make the extra time for this Killer Core Workout.

Hip Lifts – There’s lots of ways “hip lift” can be interpreted. For today I want you to think side plank hip dips. Β 30 times each side.

The rest of the exercises should be familiar…except maybe the toe touches. This is another one that can be done many different ways. Today we are going to do a move similar to a V-Up without moving our legs. Remember to keep your legs as straight as possible and avoid swinging by using your core to pull you up. Check out the video below to see how it’s done.


Speed Work: Wednesday is a great day for some speed work! This week we are doing short bursts of speed with a quick recovery. Here’s your workout:

  • 6 x 200M (90 recovery between sets)Β 
  1. Warm up – 1/2 mile to 1 mile SLOW (conversation pace)
  2. Drills – high knees, butt kicks, skipping, grapevines (3 sets of 15-20)
  3. Sprints with recovery (:90 between sets)
  4. Cool down – 1/2 mile to 1 mile SLOW (conversation pace)

This is a fast workout and you will only run 2-3 miles TOPS. Your lungs may be on fire…but the cool down will help and you will recover quickly.

Your speed work can be done any day of the week but make sure you give yourself 2-3 days before and after your long run to recover. This is a hard workout and your muscles need time to rebuild!

Part of rebuilding your muscles includes eating protein within 30 minutes after your workout. Plan ahead so you know what you will eat when you’re done. Make sure it’s high in protein and your muscles will thank you!

When you’re done…take time to stretch! We don’t have a day dedicated to stretching or yoga this month but you know it’s important to make the time.

Rise above

Lots to do and plenty of reasons not to do it. Do any of these sound familiar?

<<<<<<<<<<

You are not the person you may have been in the past.

Rise above your excuses and get one step closer to your goal.

Start right now.

Day 5: To Die For Triceps

To Die For Triceps

I couldn’t be prouder of everyone working so hard on Independence Day! My Crew killed it!

With so much running…followed up by awesome leg work…it’s a great day to sculpt some “to die for” triceps!

Instead of being jealous of those beautiful arms we see on others…let’s get to work because those tight, toned, sculpted arms don’t build themselves!

Day 5 exercises: 2 rounds of 10 ****Click here for how to videos****

  • Tricep Dips
  • Tricep Push Ups
  • Tricep Overhead Extensions
  • Dumbbell Kickbacks
  • Burpees
  • Plank – :30 (2X)

Full Body BlastBonus: After all the holiday food and festivities…we need a little extra cardio in our life today. If you over-indulged… don’t beat yourself up. Just throw in this bonus routine and burn off those calories baby!

#FullBodyBlast

With a little downtime from racing, it’s back to the road training. Remember that you need your rest to stay healthy and injury free….but don’t forget your speed work!


Speed Work: 6X 200M (90 recovery between sets)Β 

Key here…run fast…but not as fast as you can. Get through all 6 sets of 200 meters (or .12 miles) then rest for 90 seconds and do it again.

Before you start, remember to warm up with a 1/2 to a full mile slow jog, then do your running drills, high knees, butt kicks, skipping, grapevines, then run through your sprints, then finish with a cool down…another 1/2 to full mile slow jog.

  1. Warm up
  2. Drills: high knees, butt kicks, skipping, grapevines (3 sets of 15-20)
  3. Sprints with recovery
  4. Cool down

This is a fast workout and you will only run 2-3 miles TOPS. Your lungs may be on fire…but the cool down will help and you will recover quickly.

Your speed work can be done any day of the week but make sure you give yourself 2-3 days before and after your long run to recover. This is a hard workout and your muscles need time to rebuild!

Ready for an awesome Tuesday workout? All that counts is how you do today. Take it one day at a time and those days will add up! Get up, get moving, and let’s GETTT ITTT Crew! πŸ™‚

How you do today

Day 4: Celebrate Freedom!

Independence DayGood morning and Happy 4th Core Crew! Tons of racing going on today…good luck to everyone! Run with joy and thankfulness because you are FREE!

We all have lots of other fun family stuff to do today but that doesn’t mean skip your workout…2 rounds of 10…too easy? Throw in one or both of the bonus workouts! Would love to see some families getting involved today! πŸ™‚

Day 4 exercises: 2 rounds of 10 ****Click here for “how to” videos!****

  • Goblet Squat
  • Butt Lift Bridge
  • Front Kick + Round Kick
  • Wall Sit – :30
  • Burpees
  • Plank Β :30 (2X)

Bonus: #FireCrackerWorkout and/or #Family4thWorkout

There are people all over the world who don’t have the freedom to workout when they want…who don’t have the freedom to celebrate with family and friends. There are people who gave their time and their lives so we could be free!

Celebrate freedom…give it your all! Don’t skimp out today…remember to drinks LOTS of water (in-bewtween whatever else you’re consuming πŸ˜‰ )…work hard…make it awesome! πŸ™‚

Celebrate Freedom

Day 2 & 3: Mind Over Miles

Mind over milesIt’s the weekend and we all know what that means…time for our long run! How far are you going?

Whatever “long”Β means to you…make it count!

Go a little farther than you’re used too…a little farther than what you are comfortable. When you want to quit… keep thinking…mind over miles…mind over miles…and keep going.

Make yourself accountable and tell us what kind of miles you’re doing this weekend. Saturday or Sunday…either day works…just get out there and do your thing!

If you go long on Saturday…Sunday is Abs. If you go long on Sunday…bust out our ab work on Saturday then stretch and rest up for your long run on Sunday.

Ab pryamidDay 2: Long Run + 7 Key Stretches for Runners + Plank (:30 – 2X)

Day 3: Abs – Ab Pyramid (1 round) + 1 extra :30 Plank

No bonus this weekend. Just running, planks, 1 round of abs and stretch! If you have some extra time…throw in some Yoga for Runners and relax your mind and get ready for the week!

Monday is the 4th…and yes we are working out. Make a plan to get it done early before you start hanging with family and friends and enjoying the holiday.Β addicted to the long run

Wonder why you get up earlier on the weekend…and even look forward to it? It’s all about those feelings you get at the end. Chase that feeling of being empty, clean, worn out and sweat purged. Love that good ache of muscles that have done you proud!

Chase that Runner’s High and make it a great weekend Core Crew! πŸ™‚

Day 1: Let’s Get This Party Started Right!

Let's get this party startedReady to get this party started right? I could waste time spouting off a bunch of inspirational stuff…or I could just say…

GET UP AND LET”S GETTTT ITTT!!!! πŸ™‚

Day 1 exercises: Arms – 2 sets of 10

  • Reverse Curl
  • Hammer Curl
  • Kettle Ball Squat + Overhead Press
  • Air Punches – :30
  • Burpees
  • Plank – :30 (2X)

If you haven’t done it yet…check out our “how to arms” videos page to see how to do each of these exercises correctly! Make modifications when needed but don’t sell yourself short. You are strong and you can do this!

Yes..2 sets of 10 burpees….and yes we are doing them 5 days a week this month. Break them into sets of 5 if you need to and click here for a reminder on how to do the perfect burpee.

Bonus: #CountUpCountDownWorkoutΒ Count Up Count Down Workout

Looking to do a little extra work before the holiday debauchery begins? Try this Count Up Count Down Workout!

It’s quick, will fire up your metabolism, and get you headed the right direction for our long weekend!

All these exercises should be familiar but here’s a reminder of what the bird dog should look like.

Bird Dog exercise


Remember to think about your water intake, decide on a daily glass commitment, and make yourself accountable by including your goal in today’s post. Download the MyFitnessPal or Waterlogged app and team up with with other Core Crew members by adding them as friends so you can keep track and cheer each other on!

Before this weekend’s long runs…don’t forget to take time to stretch and get ready for the road. Our muscles need to be limber and relaxed to avoid injuries so don’t skip this important part of your training. Here are our 7 Key Stretches for Runners.

There is no day dedicated to rest or yoga this month, but I will continue to talk about it ALL the time…don’t get annoyed…just get to stretching and get to relaxing your mind and your body. Click here for Yoga for Runners. You can throw this is any day of the week and I would love to see Yogi Runners coming out this month!

No more time to waste…get to work Core Crew and make it a fabulous Friday! πŸ™‚

Have a fabulous Friday