MOTIVATION: team Ragnar training in full swing!! We’re about one month out from Ragnar New York and the team is in full training mode. We’ve got people crushing huge races, training 2x a day, running the hills of Central Park, taking on the west side highway, crushing it with sports teams, and all around rocking. All this collective awesomeness will amount to 200 miles that this kickass team of 12 will take down come 9/28. Keep it up, team!!! We’re gonna crush it!! And have a blast along the way… #trainlikeyourmeanit **Photo via team resident doctor, Dr Kelly who’s got lucky spot #12! That means he’ll bring it across the finish line. Nice training, Doc!! High-res

MOTIVATION: team Ragnar training in full swing!!

We’re about one month out from Ragnar New York and the team is in full training mode. We’ve got people crushing huge races, training 2x a day, running the hills of Central Park, taking on the west side highway, crushing it with sports teams, and all around rocking. All this collective awesomeness will amount to 200 miles that this kickass team of 12 will take down come 9/28. Keep it up, team!!! We’re gonna crush it!! And have a blast along the way… #trainlikeyourmeanit

**Photo via team resident doctor, Dr Kelly who’s got lucky spot #12! That means he’ll bring it across the finish line. Nice training, Doc!!
9 months ago
MOTIVATION: the dreaded SIDE STITCH! Last night was a gorgeous night for a run. It was dusk, I was in Central Park and ready to take on the 5 mile loop. But in just the first mile I found myself sidelined by a SERIOUS STITCH. Sounds wimpy of me, but it was killer and I was in serious pain. Pushing on my stomach didn’t work, breathing wasn’t working (breathe?! when am I not breathing?!), I was pissed.  But then I remembered something my high school cross country coach taught me — push your stomach out and use your breath to extend your abdomen to push out a stitch. And it worked! Boom. I rocked those 5 miles and the stitch never came back. Below, some additional tips on avoiding stitches. Because when you’re hungry for a run NOTHING can get in your way… via FITsugar: How to Prevent a Side Stitch When Running Whether you’re a newbie or an accomplished marathoner, side stitches happen. With all of the research we have available, it sounds strange, but we’re still not exactly sure why this pain in the rib cage occurs. Some physiologists have theorized that the common side stitch comes from your stomach and other organs bumping into each other as your feet hit the ground. And others speculate it’s caused when the ligament that attaches your liver to your diaphragm becomes overstretched. We can’t shift the science that occurs in our bodies, but there are some steps to prevent those pesky cramps. Don’t fill up: Running on a full stomach is never a good idea. And this doesn’t just refer to a big meal, it goes for water as well. Staying hydrated is absolutely necessary, but overloading on H2O or a sports drink right before you head off can lead to bad cramps. Stretch appropriately: Improper or lack of stretching may be linked to annoying side pains that cramp your style. While the verdict is still out on whether stretching before a run prevents injury, get in an active running warmup to cover all your bases. Breathe deeper: Learning to breathe with your diaphragm can be some of your best defense against cramps. If you’re not sure where to start, take our tips and learn to breathe correctly when you run. If you’re suffering from a side stitch in the middle of a run, slow down your pace and your breath. If that doesn’t help, stop completely and press your hand into the right side of your body and push up. Once the pain goes away, feel free to jump back on the running wagon.  High-res

MOTIVATION: the dreaded SIDE STITCH!

Last night was a gorgeous night for a run. It was dusk, I was in Central Park and ready to take on the 5 mile loop. But in just the first mile I found myself sidelined by a SERIOUS STITCH. Sounds wimpy of me, but it was killer and I was in serious pain. Pushing on my stomach didn’t work, breathing wasn’t working (breathe?! when am I not breathing?!), I was pissed. 

But then I remembered something my high school cross country coach taught me — push your stomach out and use your breath to extend your abdomen to push out a stitch. And it worked! Boom. I rocked those 5 miles and the stitch never came back.

Below, some additional tips on avoiding stitches. Because when you’re hungry for a run NOTHING can get in your way…

via FITsugar: How to Prevent a Side Stitch When Running

Whether you’re a newbie or an accomplished marathoner, side stitches happen. With all of the research we have available, it sounds strange, but we’re still not exactly sure why this pain in the rib cage occurs. Some physiologists have theorized that the common side stitch comes from your stomach and other organs bumping into each other as your feet hit the ground. And others speculate it’s caused when the ligament that attaches your liver to your diaphragm becomes overstretched. We can’t shift the science that occurs in our bodies, but there are some steps to prevent those pesky cramps.

Don’t fill up: Running on a full stomach is never a good idea. And this doesn’t just refer to a big meal, it goes for water as well. Staying hydrated is absolutely necessary, but overloading on H2O or a sports drink right before you head off can lead to bad cramps.

Stretch appropriately: Improper or lack of stretching may be linked to annoying side pains that cramp your style. While the verdict is still out on whether stretching before a run prevents injury, get in an active running warmup to cover all your bases.

Breathe deeper: Learning to breathe with your diaphragm can be some of your best defense against cramps. If you’re not sure where to start, take our tips and learn to breathe correctly when you run.

If you’re suffering from a side stitch in the middle of a run, slow down your pace and your breath. If that doesn’t help, stop completely and press your hand into the right side of your body and push up. Once the pain goes away, feel free to jump back on the running wagon. 

9 months ago
MOTIVATION: SWEAT CLUB! Awesome MYBmonday tonight in Central Park! Pumped out a hot and sweaty 5 miler around the rolling hills of Central Park with MYBchampions Erica and Chloe! Thanks for coming out ladies!  Join us next Monday night @ 730pm in Central Park @ 59th Columbus Circle. Or get your MYB on wherever you are!! #moveyourbootymonday Join us next week!! http://moveyourbooty.tumblr.com/sweatclub High-res

MOTIVATION: SWEAT CLUB!

Awesome MYBmonday tonight in Central Park! Pumped out a hot and sweaty 5 miler around the rolling hills of Central Park with MYBchampions Erica and Chloe! Thanks for coming out ladies! 

Join us next Monday night @ 730pm in Central Park @ 59th Columbus Circle. Or get your MYB on wherever you are!! #moveyourbootymonday

Join us next week!! http://moveyourbooty.tumblr.com/sweatclub

9 months ago
“The great thing I’ve discovered about running is that it really isn’t about comparing yourself against other people.” ~ Great article for new and veteran runners alike by Jess McGuire (Read the full article via Baby, we were born to run) **Feel like running?? Join us in Central Park tonight @ 730pm for a MYBmonday run! OR wherever you are, grab some friends and head out for a summer run! moveyourbootyblog@gmail.com for details…. 

“The great thing I’ve discovered about running is that it really isn’t about comparing yourself against other people.”

~ Great article for new and veteran runners alike by Jess McGuire

(Read the full article via Baby, we were born to run)

**Feel like running?? Join us in Central Park tonight @ 730pm for a MYBmonday run! OR wherever you are, grab some friends and head out for a summer run! moveyourbootyblog@gmail.com for details…. 

9 months ago
MYB MONDAY SWEAT CLUB!! Whatcha doing tomorrow night? Monday @ 730pm? I’ll tell you — you’re working out with us! If you’re in NYC come to Central Park at 730pm 59th street Columbus Circle for a group run! If you’re not in New York, grab some friends and get your workout on together! I’ll be the one in the neon pink backpack. All fitness levels welcome!! Email moveyourbootybllog@gmail.com with any questions!

MYB MONDAY SWEAT CLUB!!

Whatcha doing tomorrow night? Monday @ 730pm? I’ll tell you — you’re working out with us!

If you’re in NYC come to Central Park at 730pm 59th street Columbus Circle for a group run! If you’re not in New York, grab some friends and get your workout on together!

I’ll be the one in the neon pink backpack. All fitness levels welcome!! Email moveyourbootybllog@gmail.com with any questions!

9 months ago
MOTIVATION: everyday is raceday. Where are you running this weekend? What’s your course? Will you go someplace you’ve never gone before? Take a new route? Conquer a park path, steep bridge or long running route you’re trying for the first time? Get out there and do it! Weekends are great for amping it up, going for that extra mile, speeding up the pace. Push yourself. It’s the weekend. Work for your play time. Earn your rest days. #runyourcity #earnyourrestdays (via NIKE Facebook) High-res

MOTIVATION: everyday is raceday.

Where are you running this weekend? What’s your course? Will you go someplace you’ve never gone before? Take a new route? Conquer a park path, steep bridge or long running route you’re trying for the first time? Get out there and do it! Weekends are great for amping it up, going for that extra mile, speeding up the pace. Push yourself. It’s the weekend. Work for your play time. Earn your rest days.

#runyourcity #earnyourrestdays

(via NIKE Facebook)

10 months ago
MOTIVATION: it runs in the family. Megan is a dear friend from college and a superstar runner who I write about often on MoveYourBooty. A lifelong runner, this girl is FAST. And so is her rockstar running husband. So when they had twins last year, I knew life would both slow down and speed up in wild new ways for these two. But Megan is not one to be stopped at anything, ever. Watching her get back to her running shape while somehow juggling twins over the past many months, I asked her to write how she did it.  I love how she writes about what her daily runs, that she amazing found how to fit into her daily schedule, mean to both her and her kids. It’s not just about her body, her fitness and her racing times (though it is very much about all that). It’s ALSO about getting her kids into the fresh air, spending time with them doing something she loves and sharing a passion that brought her and husband together in many ways. Without running, these two amazing (and most likely VERY fast) children wouldn’t exist in the first place. I remember what running my dad’s daily 2 miles with him meant to me as a child. It was one-on-one time with my dad when we could be our best selves. It was a time when I could show him how fast I could sprint. We could talk and laugh and explore the neighborhood together. And now knowing what running and fitness means to me, my dad was a better dad for it. It allowed him to keep a part of himself and share it with his family. And I know Megan’s twins will appreciate and savor those moments with their parents like I did—and still do! But enough from me. Let’s hear Megan tell us in her own words. *Warning: Get out the tissues!! [via Megan]: On November 28, 2011, my amazing, sweet, fun and huge (7lbs 7oz and 6lbs 7 oz) twins were born. During my difficult pregnancy I would dream about my running days and I couldn’t wait to get back to them. However, I had a few postpartum hurdles: the crushing exhaustion, the constant feedings, and my c-section recovery. It took me a full 8 weeks to feel up to running. During that time I walked as much as I could, getting strong enough to take one baby out in the carrier and one out in the stroller for walks. I did this as often as I could just trying to build my body back, bond with my babies, and simply to get out of the apartment. On my first run I did 2 miles and it I felt like I had weights on my shoulders! I kept at it and tried to grab a run whenever I could. Eventually around 3 months old my twins started sleeping on more of a schedule and I started to run 2.5-3 miles at night right after they went to sleep. When they were 4 months old I decided to take on my first race. I ran the 5K as a part of the Knoxville Marathon on April 1 in about 30 minutes (10 minutes slower than my pre-baby PR). I shed tears at the start line thinking about what led to that moment. It felt amazing to run a race, and even more amazing when I saw my husband with my babies near the finish! I continued running in the evenings, finishing 3 more 5Ks in the next two months with a best of 27 minutes. Starting mid-May the babies were ready for the jog stroller (BOB Ironman Duallie, highly recommended!) which completely changed my running life. Now almost every morning I take them out for a 2-2.5 mile run. It’s a full body workout pushing 30lbs of baby and the stroller! It’s a great part of the day where I get my run in and my babies get out in the morning for some fresh air. The jog stroller workouts are paying off: on June 9 I ran a local 4K in 21:11 and came in 2nd in my age group! I pushed it the whole way and was cheered on by my husband and my twins in the jog stroller at the top of the hill right before the finish. It is my dream that the love of running that my husband and I share will rub off on our babies and that there are many kids runs, track meets, and cross country races in our future.  High-res

MOTIVATION: it runs in the family.

Megan is a dear friend from college and a superstar runner who I write about often on MoveYourBooty. A lifelong runner, this girl is FAST. And so is her rockstar running husband. So when they had twins last year, I knew life would both slow down and speed up in wild new ways for these two. But Megan is not one to be stopped at anything, ever. Watching her get back to her running shape while somehow juggling twins over the past many months, I asked her to write how she did it. 

I love how she writes about what her daily runs, that she amazing found how to fit into her daily schedule, mean to both her and her kids. It’s not just about her body, her fitness and her racing times (though it is very much about all that). It’s ALSO about getting her kids into the fresh air, spending time with them doing something she loves and sharing a passion that brought her and husband together in many ways. Without running, these two amazing (and most likely VERY fast) children wouldn’t exist in the first place. I remember what running my dad’s daily 2 miles with him meant to me as a child. It was one-on-one time with my dad when we could be our best selves. It was a time when I could show him how fast I could sprint. We could talk and laugh and explore the neighborhood together. And now knowing what running and fitness means to me, my dad was a better dad for it. It allowed him to keep a part of himself and share it with his family. And I know Megan’s twins will appreciate and savor those moments with their parents like I did—and still do!

But enough from me. Let’s hear Megan tell us in her own words.

*Warning: Get out the tissues!!

[via Megan]: On November 28, 2011, my amazing, sweet, fun and huge (7lbs 7oz and 6lbs 7 oz) twins were born. During my difficult pregnancy I would dream about my running days and I couldn’t wait to get back to them. However, I had a few postpartum hurdles: the crushing exhaustion, the constant feedings, and my c-section recovery. It took me a full 8 weeks to feel up to running. During that time I walked as much as I could, getting strong enough to take one baby out in the carrier and one out in the stroller for walks. I did this as often as I could just trying to build my body back, bond with my babies, and simply to get out of the apartment. On my first run I did 2 miles and it I felt like I had weights on my shoulders! I kept at it and tried to grab a run whenever I could. Eventually around 3 months old my twins started sleeping on more of a schedule and I started to run 2.5-3 miles at night right after they went to sleep.

When they were 4 months old I decided to take on my first race. I ran the 5K as a part of the Knoxville Marathon on April 1 in about 30 minutes (10 minutes slower than my pre-baby PR). I shed tears at the start line thinking about what led to that moment. It felt amazing to run a race, and even more amazing when I saw my husband with my babies near the finish! I continued running in the evenings, finishing 3 more 5Ks in the next two months with a best of 27 minutes. Starting mid-May the babies were ready for the jog stroller (BOB Ironman Duallie, highly recommended!) which completely changed my running life. Now almost every morning I take them out for a 2-2.5 mile run. It’s a full body workout pushing 30lbs of baby and the stroller! It’s a great part of the day where I get my run in and my babies get out in the morning for some fresh air. The jog stroller workouts are paying off: on June 9 I ran a local 4K in 21:11 and came in 2nd in my age group! I pushed it the whole way and was cheered on by my husband and my twins in the jog stroller at the top of the hill right before the finish. It is my dream that the love of running that my husband and I share will rub off on our babies and that there are many kids runs, track meets, and cross country races in our future. 

11 months ago