Squats

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Day 5: Pressure Makes Diamonds

no pressure no diamondYour FAITH must be bigger than your fear.

Your DETERMINATION must be stronger than your excuses.

You must apply consistent pressure to form a diamond.

No pressure…No Diamond.

It takes hard work to get results and those toned, tight abs you want…won’t happen without the same consistent pressure that forms diamonds.

Is your faith in yourself bigger than your fear of pain and soreness? Is your determination stronger than your excuses? Are you willing to apply enough pressure to form diamonds?

Day 5 exercises: 2 rounds of each workout

  • Daily Abs – 2 rounds
  • Standing Abs – 2 rounds

Bonus: Ab & Squat Challenge Day 5

  • 5 Sit Ups
  • 10 Crunches
  • 20 Squats

Extra Credit: Atomic Crunch & Runner’s Crunch

Thank you Traci Hart Caldwell for suggesting these great ab moves! Who’s for a little competition today? We’re going to do 1 as many reps of each of these exercises as possible for 1 minute each. Atomic Crunch for 1 minute then the Runner’s Crunch for 1 minute. Let us know how many you were able to do and let’s see who added the most pressure to their diamond today!

Atomic Crunch: Watch this video to see how to do the Atomic Crunch

Runner’s Crunch: Here we go with one more exercise for 1 minute. Watch this video and see how it’s done then get to work! How many can you do….while keeping that tight controlled form?

If you’re feeling the pressure…you’re doing it right!  Let’s make some diamonds Crew! 🙂

Diamonds shine brighter with pressure

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Day 4: Be in the Running

Be in the RunningSuccessful runners don’t just have impressive quads and glutes. They have muscular arms and shoulders that help them maintain speed throughout their races.

A strong arm swing helps to counterbalance the lower body and to propel the body forward while contributing to overall good form.

Being “in the running” doesn’t mean you’re looking to win a race, or set a new PR, or even racing at all. Maybe you’re just looking to lose weight, reach a milage goal, or just to get toner, leaner, and stronger. Being “in the running” just means your are working towards whatever goal you’ve set for yourself.

So how can you ensure you’re in the running…and covering that middle ground that is the first step towards reaching your goals? Strong arms. Today’s exercises are fun, challenging, and doable. Take each new exercise one step at a time. Build the arm strength that will carry you through the tough times and get you closer to your goals.

Day 4 exercises: 2 rounds of 10

****Click here for how to videos****

  • Front and Side Arm Raises
  • Incline Push Ups
  • Rolling Forearm Side Plank (10X per side = 1 round)
  • Tricep Dip with Leg Lifted
  • Plank Challenge Day 4 – Plank Jacks (:45 3X)

Plank Challenge: Plank Jacks are fun! Don’t overthink it. Get in your plank position and hold your core tight then jump your feet in and out for :45. Repeat 3X. Watch how to do it below.

Bonus: Ab & Squat Challenge Day 4

  • 10 Sit Ups
  • 25 Crunches
  • 40 Squats

Extra Credit: Weight Free Arms Weight free arms

Want a little more arm action? Work through this weight free arm set. I like that it includes some arm stretches and circles. Good way to stretch them out after a tough workout.

Fun day ahead Crew. We are runners. Don’t mess with us!

Get up, get moving, work those arms, and make it a great day! 🙂

Dont mess with me I'm a runner

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Day 3: Today’s Reality vs. Tomorrow’s Potential

Screen Shot 2016-08-02 at 3.05.57 PM“You have to put in the time. You have to put in the miles. It doesn’t matter how fast or how slow you run now. You might not be as fast as So and So…but you have to learn to separate today’s reality from tomorrow’s potential.”

This quote is from a book I borrowed from Amiee Glatfelter-Cords called The Lola Papers, about a girl in training to race a marathon. She’s ran one before, but now she wants to do better.

This part stood out to me because even though our goals may seem far off, they are attainable. Our dreams scare us because they hold in their hands two options: failure and success. Are you willing to take a chance? It’s not a question….it’s a dare.

Dream big then go out and put in the work to make it happen because those goals that–if we pursue them with all we’re worth–are attainable.

Lola’s coach’s advice, learning to separate today’s reality from tomorrow’s potential, holds true with each and every one of us. You have the potential to reach your goals, but to do good work tomorrow…you have to do good work today.

Maybe you’re not as fast as So and So right now. Maybe one day you will be…maybe not. Only time will tell, but in the meantime…you have some middle ground to conquer!

Day 3 exercises: Full Body – 2 rounds of 10

****Click here for how to videos****

  • Superman
  • Single Arm Reverse Lunge & Press
  • Single Arm Deadlift to Hop (no weight)
  • Mountain Climbers with Towel
  • High Plank – :45 (3X)

Plank Challenge Day 3: High Plank – The High Plank is just what it sounds. A plank in a high position with arms and body straight. This will test your arms, core, glutes, and leg strength. Hold on for :45 or as long as you can, take a break, the do it again. Three times total.

https://youtu.be/_XknsBv1ZY8

Bonus: Ab & Squat Challenge Day 3 

  • 5 Sit Ups
  • 20 Crunches
  • 35 Squats

Feel the Burn WorkoutExtra Credit: #FeelTheBurn

Wednesday is a great day to do a little more and cover some of that middle ground! Take a few extra minutes and tackle this #FeelTheBurn workout and tag your post to let us know you’re doing good work today to prepare for good work tomorrow!

Ready to tackle that middle ground? Let’s get to work and make this hump day count!

 

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Day 2: Officially Crazy!

Screen Shot 2016-08-01 at 9.58.48 PMAre you one of those people who used to think people who loved running were crazy? I know I am!

My mom has been running for as long as I can remember. She ran the New York Marathon in ’88 or ’89…or maybe both…and I used to think she was seriously nuts!

Long hours on the road training all by herself. No headphones to listen to music. No nutrition advice or food of any kind on the course and certainly no fancy running gear. No GPS to tell her how far she’d gone. No running group to hold her accountable…and this was a long time before social media, where we can meet like minded people who share our passions, and where we can be our crazy running obsessed selves!

What does this mean? We have it easy! We have comfortable shoes, tons of nutrition options, fancy watches that tell us how far we’ve gone, how fast our heart is beating and how many tenths we need to get that daily goal, and headphones that don’t even have cords! We have friends that keep us accountable for those long early morning runs and we can share our craziness with others who get it!

I know I am have turned into one of those crazy people. I love to run!

I love to run solo. I love to run with friends. I love to race. I love to train. I love to talk about running. And since you’re here…you must love it too! 🙂

So what do us crazy people who love to run need more than anything? Strong legs!

Running gives us strong legs…but running by itself isn’t enough. Getting stronger and faster takes strength work and running drills! Yep…to have those sexy runner legs we all want…we have to do more. So let’s get to work!

We’ve done a lot of leg work lately so this month we are dialing it back a bit and focusing on our inner thighs and good form. For those who want to do a little more…the bonus ab & squat challenge is the perfect compliment. It’s enough to make us sore…but not so much where we lose count of how many sit ups, crunches, and squats we’ve done.

Day 2 exercises: Please watch the how to videos for the new exercises!

****Click here for how to videos****

  • Frogger – 2 rounds of 20 For strong inner thighs!
  • Butt Kicks – 2 rounds of 50
  • High Knees – 2 rounds of 50
  • Side-Lying Leg Lifts – 2 rounds of 15
  • Single Leg Directional Hops – 2 rounds of 15 (per leg)
  • 30 Plank Challenge – Forearm Side Plank (see below) – :45 (3X each side)

Day 2 Plank Challenge: Today’s plank is the forearm side plank and this is an old but a goody! If you are new to planks, please watch this how to video and make modifications where you need to. As you see lots of us holding these planks for a while…remember that we’ve been doing them for months…and months…and you will get there. Take your time, learn the proper form, and work your way up to those longer times.

Bonus: Ab & Squat Challenge – Day 2

  • 20 Sit Ups
  • 15 Crunches
  • 30 Squats

 

Hmmmm…I feel like I’m missing something, but yesterday was a long day of traveling so my mind is a little fried. We are down in Orlando this week for a last summer vacation before school starts, and as usual…Mom and I are up early to run!

Are you running today?

What’s on your schedule? What are you doing to get you closer to your goals? To get you ready for your fall races? Thinking about skipping it today?

Think again Crew…it’s time to run! 🙂

Time to run

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Day 1: Start Strong Finish Stronger!

Start Strong Finish StrongerHere we go Crew! A brand new start to a fabulous new month!

Time to shake off last’s months regrets and start the month with a bang!

We’ve got a bunch of new exercises and plenty of running to do to get ready for the upcoming fall and winter races. Start by telling us what your goals are and how we can help you reach them. What races are on your schedule? Do you want me to watch for you? Do you want us to come give you a swift kick in the behind?

Do you want us to leave you alone and let you flounder? HA! Don’t go there cause you know that won’t happen. 😉

The first of the month is a great time for some new “before” pics. Save them for your eyes only or share them with the group. Either way they will help you see how far you come…or how little you improve from being lazy…

Remember whether you think you can succeed, or think you can’t, is up to you…either way you will be right! It’s time to step it up so let’s think positivity and give it all we’ve got!

We’re starting off with 2 rounds of 10 this week except for the jumping jacks which is 2 rounds of 50. Watch the how to videos and get familiar with these exercises because as we progress through the month it will get harder.

Day 1 exercises: Arms – 2 rounds of 10 

****Click here for how to videos****

  • Jumping Jacks (50 2X)
  • Walking Push Ups
  • Forearm Plank Jacks
  • Inchworm with Shoulder Taps
  • Regular Forearm Plank – :45 (3X)

Lots of planks today which of course are also great for our core. Each day we will be doing a different plank. If you’re new to the group and new to planks please do a regular forearm plank until you are ready to move on to more advanced moves. The forearm plank is an awesome full body exercise that will strengthen your arms, back, legs, and core….and we do them every single day so learn to love them! 😉

Watch as Scott Herman (one of my favorites) shows us how to do a regular forearm plank.

Bonus: Ab & Squat Challenge – Day 1 30 Day Ab & Squat Challenge

This will be 1 of our bonus workouts this month…don’t worry I will add more…but this is VERY doable. It won’t take long so I hope to see everyone jumping in on this!

  • 10 Sit Ups
  • 10 Crunches
  • 10 Squats

Easy peasy right? You got this!

Since it’s day 1 and we have plenty of time…I’m going to wait to add this week’s speed work. Don’t worry…we’ll get to it. Plan ahead for when you will make it happen though because they only way to get faster….is to run fast!

The only other thing I’d love to see lots of today is miles! The first day of the month is a great day to log some miles and start the month off strong. If you didn’t sign up for the Racery, Castle to Wales Race, there is still time. Here is the link and there is a free option if you don’t care about the medal. This course is 113.2 miles through you through lush national parks, quaint villages, bustling port towns, and of course–castles!

If 113.2 miles is a little much for you, there are lots of other Racery options for you to jump in on. Or….I could start one for our team? If there’s enough interest I will get one going today!

Who’s ready for the best month yet?!?

Are you prepared to give it your very best? Are you ready to get closer to your dreams?

Keep going! Don’t quit till you have nothing left! I know it hurts…I know your tired…give me more! Give it your best!

One day at a time. You CAN do this! Do Not Quit! Go out and kill it Crew! 🙂

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Day 28: Finish Line Ahead

Finish line aheadWe are quickly closing in on the end of June and I will be the first to admit that I have taken some days off this month. Even though I needed the downtime, I am regretting my slacker laziness and feeling very sluggish.

Being sidelined from running is hard…I know many of you can relate….but we can be active in the meantime, so help me get back into the swing of things by showing me how it’s done!

Let’s kick it into gear for the last few days of June and finish strong! Who’s with me?

Day 28 exercises:

  • Balance and Reach – 20X each leg
  • Squats 50X
  • Mountain Climbers – 50X
  • Plank Up and Downs – :60

Bonus: #GarageCardioCircuit Garage Cardio Circuit

I am in desperate need of some cardio and this one looks good with no lunges and no knee pain causing moves. I am committing to at least 3 rounds. How many can you fit in today?

Thigh Challenge: Day 28

  • Fire Hydrants – 45X per side
  • Scissor Kicks – 115X
  • Inner Thigh Leg Lifts – 70X per side

I’ve skipped this the last few days but I’m jumping back in today. The numbers are high but we can do this! If you started this part of the challenge with us but fell off like me, jump back in today and let’s feel the thigh burn together!

July Challenge: With July only a few days away, I’ve got on my thinking cap and am working on a fun new month for us. Ideas are welcome so let me know what areas you want to work on, exercises you like, or anything else you think would be fun to throw in.

It’s also time to throw in for the new month so if you’re on a month to month system, please take the time to get your payment in by Thursday. Here is the link! I will tag you in today’s post if you are due for July. 🙂

Who is on course to finish all 30 days this month? If you’ve been going strong and know you are in the running for our 30 Day Challenger medal, give us a shout out so we can cheer you on and help carry you across that finish line!

Whether you’ve gone beast mode this month…or if you’re like me and haven’t given it all you’ve got for June, let’s make the commitment to finish strong together!

finishing strong together

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Day 21: Reality Check

Guess What it's leg dayGuess what….it’s Leg Day!

Even though running gives us strong legs, we still need to work our hips, glutes, calves and hamstrings a little more to go the extra mile!

Day 21 exercises:

  • Balance and Reach – 20X each leg
  • Squats – 50X
  • Mountain Climbers – 50X
  • Plank UP and Downs – :60

Balance and Reach image

Balance and Reach: Check out the FB video to make sure you’re doing this exercise correctly. It is great for hip strength and will help you shift your strength into the bigger muscles giving you more speed when running. Make sure to use the opposite hand from the leg that is going backwards.

 

Bonus: #GoTheExtraMile – Time to step it up and go the extra mile…Bonus = extra round of Day 21 exercises. You got this!

Thigh Challenge: Day 21

  • Fire Hydrants – 32x each side
  • Scissor Kicks – 85x
  • Inner Thigh Leg Lifts – 55X each side

Running Drills: Grapevines

Speed Work: Pick your poison – Click here for options

We’ve got some slackers this month…and maybe you’ve been running and just skipping your strength work but time for a reality check…

Reality Check

Running is great and will help you lose weight…but strength training will help your body burn more calories and will translate into faster times, and a stronger, leaner physique. Grab the weights and get moving Core Crew! 🙂

 

 

 

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Day 14: Can You Handle the Speed Work?

cant handle the speedworkIt’s leg day!!! And what’s leg day without speed work?

Have you been getting it done? Or pretending it’s not important? Time to suck it up…get out there and prove to yourself that you CAN handle the speed work!

Day 14 exercises: 

  • Balance and Reach – 20X each leg
  • Squats – (50X)
  • Mountain Climbers – 50X
  • Plank Up and Downs – :45

Bonus: #SpeedWork

That’s right y’all…no getting around it today. Bonus = Speed. Suck it up and throw in some speed! There’s lots of options for speed work and I will let you pick your distance and pace. You can run intervals like 200M, 400M, 800M or even mile repeats….or you can do fartleks or a tempo run. Whatever you decide, remember to take breaks in between sets and always do a warm up and cool down!

Tempo Run ImageI’m not sure if we’ve covered Tempo Runs before so here’s some guidelines…

Tempo Run: A tempo run is a faster-paced workout also known as a lactate-threshold (LT), Aerobic-threshold (AT), or threshold run. Tempo pace is often described as “comfortably hard.” Tempo running improves a crucial physiological variable for running success: our metabolic fitness.

Why Tempo Runs Work: By increasing your LT (lactic- threshold), or the point at which the body fatigues at a certain pace. During tempo runs, lactate and hydrogen ions—by-products of metabolism—are released into the muscles. The ions make the muscles acidic, eventually leading to fatigue. The better trained you become, the higher you push your “threshold,” meaning your muscles become better at using these by-products. The result is less-acidic muscles (that is, muscles that haven’t reached their new “threshold”), so they keep on contracting, letting you run farther and faster.

Find the Right Tempo: To ensure you’re doing tempo workouts at the right pace, use one of these four methods to gauge your intensity.

  • Recent Race: Add 30 to 40 seconds to your current 5K pace or 15 to 20 seconds to your 10K pace.
  • Heart Rate: 85 to 90 percent of your maximum heart rate.
  • Perceived Exertion: An 8 on a 1-to-10 scale (a comfortable effort would be a 5; racing would be close to a 10).
  • Talk Test: A question like “Pace okay?” should be possible, but conversation won’t be.

The one real requirement of tempo running is that you stick to a steady, specific, planned pace. Beyond that you have many options. If you’re still unsure…think of your tempo run this way, “Tempo run: Running to the beat of your favorite song .”

Still confused or just want to know more? Check out these articles from Runner’s World and Competitor.com:

  1. Workout of the Week: Know Your Tempo
  2. Your Perfect Tempo
  3. What Exactly is a Tempo Run?

Thigh Challenge: Day 14

  • 25 Fire Hydrants
  • 60 Scissor Kicks
  • 40 Inner Thigh Leg Lifts

Screen Shot 2016-06-14 at 5.40.24 AMFood Challenge: I will be the first to admit that these past few days killed my “healthy eating commitment.” I threw caution out the window and just ate what I wanted…and I am feeling it. Time to get back on the wagon and start making good choices again….starting now.

Have you kept up with your commitment to eating healthy? If so…YAY! If not…let’s recommit together today.

Absorb it all then get to work and let’s have a terrific Tuesday Core Crew! 🙂

Terrific Tuesday

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Day 7: Balance and Reach

Bla Bla BlaNo excuses today Crew…. Go workout!

Today we are tackling the Balance and Reach exercise and I want you to take your time with this and really focus on building your hip strength by mimicking running form.

Balancing on one foot is tough…but this will improve our form and strength!

Day 7 exercises:

  • Balance and Reach – 20X each side (See FB video)
  • Squats – 50X
  • Mountain Climbers – 50X
  • Plank Up and Downs – :30

Bonus: 100 Crunches

Since it’s core month and I am a little sore again from yesterday, let’s push the limits a little and do some extra crunches! Tag your post with #LoveSoreAbs

Thigh Challenge:

  • 15 Fire Hydrants
  • 30 Scissor Kicks
  • 25 Inner Thigh Leg Lifts

Running Drills and Speed Work: This week’s running drill and speed work is below. If you need more info on these check out Monday’s post here with all the info. Remember you are welcome to reach out to me by PM if you need some help finding the right pace for you speed work.

  • Running Drill – Slow Skipping
  • 8X 400M

This Crew shows commitment every single day and that’s what it takes to get results. If you are sitting on the sidelines watching…what are you waiting for? Turn your interest into commitment and get up and get to work! 🙂

interest vs commitment

 

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Day 24: Do It For The Legs

Oh My Gosh….those legs….

Walk Strong…Kick Hard…Let me see you LUNGE!

Look at them legs…they’re amazing!

Runner Legs…they’re amazing! But we all know that to get those tone, strong runner legs…we have to do more than just run! So when you want to skip it…when you get busy…have too much going on…and think about putting it off till another day…

Do it for the legs!

Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 9.48.58 PM

Day 24 exercises:

  • Pistol Squats – 2 sets of 6X each leg
  • Fire Hydrant + Donkey Kick – 4 sets of 10
  • Squats – Your Choice – 4 sets of 10
  • Plank – 1 Minute (2X)
  • Side Plank – :30 each side (2X)
  • 45 Push Ups

Bonus: #CircuitTraining  burning belly fat

Got a little more in you today? Do it for the Legs! 😉

Running Drills: Grapevines

Speed Work: Warm Up + 4X 400M + 4X 200M + Cool Down

Need a little more info about this week’s running drills and speed work? Click here to find out why…and how we do them.

Before you drop from exhaustion…take a few minutes to stretch out those hips, quads, hamstrings, and calves! Our 7 Key Stretches for Runners will have you feeling nice and limber.

Day 24 is gonna be a killer! What are you waiting for? Get to work Core Crew!