This has been a great running week and I am going to continue to soak it up. I woke up feeling energetic (this whole daily napping for an hour + is working miracles) and I had a new episode of Biggest Loser to watch. The makeover episode always gives me goosebumps even though it felt like it was 80 degrees in our home gym (aka the closet in the back of our house).
I am not weighing myself while pregnant but I am making sure that I am eating more than enough to fuel my pregnancy and my running. I have been following this: (Source: Runner’s World Guide to Running and Pregnancy)
So technically eating ice cream twice a day and 4 lbs of cheese a week is actually necessary for me right now:)
Speaking of cheese……
I have something to tell you about Billy but I don’t want you to judge him or think he is weird okay? (I have gotten really good at sneak picture taking)
Billy does not know how to eat string cheese properly. Since I have become an expert in the science of string cheese eating, I know best. Billy just bites directly into the cheese which is incorrect. It takes out all the fun! Good thing my love for him is unconditional.
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Since my body is changing big time I have noticed that my running form is going down the drain. Certain areas of my body have become a lot heavier causing me to hunch over a bit and so the last few days I have been really trying to focus on going back to the basics and focusing on my form. Reenactment of my recent running form- PS I need a brush.
Pretty good timing Runner’s World (May 2012) to include an article all about what should be going on head to toe while running.
I am kind of mad at them for including a picture of a donut to make me crave it all day long.
From the article:
-Eyes: Get your torso to relax by focusing your gaze on the horizon. Raising your eyes will naturally straighten your posture, making you run taller and engaging stability muscles from your core to your hips.
-Arms: Relax shoulders and arms by keeping hands at waist level, not pumping around your chest. Bend arms at a 90-degree angle, swing them straight forward and backward and relax hands.
-Torso: Stay centered. Newbies tend to lean too far forward and take long strides that cause each footfall to act like a brake against the body’s momentum. Run tall, look up, shorten your stride and your feet will land beneath your center of gravity. This saves energy and reduces impact forces on knees and ankles.
-Step Fast: When you take long, slow steps, all of your body weight comes down on each foot strike. Speeding up your running cadence (taking more steps per minutes) applies less weight for each step.
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What would be in your dream home gym? Do you have a home gym? Is that something that you really want in the future?
What are you currently working on in terms of running or your workouts? Do you need to work on your running form at all?
If you could have ONE food sitting in front of you (for you to eat) right this second what would it be?
-An entire pineapple all to myself or a donut. Both would be best.
Ha! Seems like every time I “focus my gaze on the horizon” I end up face planting on the trail! Other than that part I’d say I have pretty good form.
My parents have a nice home gym: treadmill, bike, rowing machine, and bench. I’m pretty sure they just did that so I’d visit them a couple times a week :) It works!
I would love a home gym. Right now we only have lots of weights (that I never use) a treadmill and a stationary bike. Hopefully, somewhere down the line we will add an elliptical, and I know my bf would die if we got a rowing machine. A few months ago my running form was slipping pretty badly so I had to make an effort to correct it; I am pretty happy with where it is at right now.
I need to work on speedwork/track workouts. I won’t go by myself, so I always try to schedule it with my brother.
I have a lot of gym equipment but I would LOVE to have a stairclimber (moving stair case). It is one of my favorite cardio equipment when I go to the gym.
My dream home gym would have the top of the line equipment, updated yearly of course so no maintenance or repairs are required. It would have a remote control fan that magically appears from the ceiling to cool me exactly when I need it. It would come with a robot trainer, not a real person so I wouldn’t feel guilty about them being there on a whim whenever I decide to workout. And of course, a giant TV with a never ending supply of Real Housewives to watch!
I don’t even like donuts that much but now I REALLY want one! I might go walk around Costco so I can eat samples. :-)
Oh man, that is THE ONLY way my husband eats string cheese! I tell him he is crazy every time, I mean what’s the fun in eating it that way?! He likes to offer it to me after he’s taken a few bites because he knows I’ll refuse haha.
Right now I’m working on running for more than like two miles without feeling like death! I’m also pregnant, in my first trimester, and I can hardly last more than a few miles without feeling totally sick. I’m hoping it fades soon so I can run my half next month! And if I could eat anything right now it would definitely be an entire cantaloupe. Or a watermelon. Maybe just a fruit salad? :)
Haha you’re sharing my secret…
I feel like I am always working on form. I slightly overpronate my left foot, I think. Not positive, but that’s my self diagnosis. So I’m always trying to fix that. and just running form in general, stride and all that jazz.
I would love a nice treadmill. I think that’s really all I would need to satisfy a home gym.
I can’t think about food at the end of the day. It’s weird. Like I’m just done with it. I know, crazy. Probably because I’m making food all day long for myself and the kids that I don’t want anything to do with it by dinnertime! Chocolate is always a safe bet though.
I liked that article from Runner’s World – good stuff!
Have a great night!!
I have been craving cheese like CRAZY this pregnancy too! And Steve does the SAME thing with string cheese – It’s SO weird! And I’ve been craving fresh, juicy fruit like crazy too. Last week, I did eat practically a whole pineapple myself in 3 days.
Working on my form has helped me TREMENDOUSLY with my running. Awhile ago, my knees would kill all the time and then I re-trained myself to land on the balls of my feet, and it’s been a miracle. Focusing on the rest of my form has made tons of improvement over the last little while too, it’s awesome.
Brandon does the same thing with string cheese!! I’ve told him he’s wrong, but he just won’t listen to me! Silly husbands. ;)
I could really go for a molten chocolate cake from Chili’s right now … all nice and warm with vanilla ice cream on top, caramel, and chocolate syrup. Oh wow.
I looooong for a deluxe home gym. A super awesome treadmill, spin bike, elliptical, and a total body weights machine – and most importantly huge fans and a flat screen tv ;) Speaking of tv, did you get my tweet about Chris’ dress on last nights BL?? The one she tried on was totally the same as yours. Too bad she didn’t wear it to meet Mrs. President. but whatevs.
I would have a bag of mini cadbury eggs or a Reese’s PB egg in front of me right now. Oh how I love Easter candy. It really is the best.
I am trying to get my miles up again and stay injury free. After last year, that should be what is most important. Not how fast I can run, but just the fact that I CAN run. So that I can eat those aforementioned treats guilt free ;)
A treadmill, elliptical, huge free weights set, body bar, mats, a flat and incline bench and mirrors for equipment, then of course a TV and iPod!
We have a mini home gym with a bench, ball, mirror, mats and some weights and I hope this year to add a treadmill in there!
I am working on running less! Weird, right?! But my body needs a break, so only slow and easy runs right now.
A donut sounds great but I saw this “recipe” where you make a banana bread ice cream sandwich and have been dreaming of it ever since. I even have a fresh loaf at home and maple walnut ice cream… it will happen this week!
I NEED a home gym. I have lots of things to make circuit workouts but could use something for cardio!!
I have been trying to make myself incorporate more speed work and sprints. UGH I’m not a sprinter, so that’s been hard and I’ve been very sore.
I would looooooove a nice big bowl of frozen yogurt with tons of toppings :)
Yeah, it’s hard to keep a good running form with your growing belly!
This is not when I was pregnant, but it really helped me to think about my form when I ran the LA marathon for the first time. I kept thinking “I’m going to be in this running form for hours, it better be a good one so I don’t hurt any parts of my body while getting the best time I can! :)
I don’t have a very good home gym built up yet, but I’m working on it! Right now it consists of a bike & trainer, stability ball and yoga mat laid out in the downstairs living room… At some point I will but a treadmill and some weights. For now I work out at my bf’s parents’ home gym. It’s the sweeetest home gym I’ve ever seen- every piece of cardio equipment you could want, a weight WALL, treadmill, weight machine, wall of mirrors and instructions for lots of strengthening exercises, and a big tv with a sweet cartoon channel. I want to move in there permanently!
Currently working on improving my speed first, and increasing my distance secondly! I’m running my first marathon in Sept, but I want to run a better half first!!
My home gym would have a personal trainer who lives there, she never leaves, she lives in my home gym :)
Home gym: yes, when I have kids.
Running form: seriously need help with this. I hunch. Next training cycle, the goal is to get major abs (maybe). And to quite doing whatever it is I do that makes my hip flexors get strained periodically.
One food: the pineapple sounds rad. But chips & salsa win. I would give…a lot.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004B762AK/ref=ox_ya_os_product
I saw this and thought of you :)
my bf eats cheesestrings the same way! it drives me bonkers haha
I’m training for a half marathon in November. do you have any tips?
I have been craving those crumb donettes since you posted about them, and guess what? I stopped on the way home and bought a pack for my dessert tonight. I’m thinking it might be a dessert before dinner night!
That is a COOL article about running. SO helpful!
And yes, he is eating it WRONG.
It must be a guy thing to eat string cheese that way. Ummm, hello! It’s STRING cheese to Bite cheese. My hubby eats it the same way. Grrr!
I have a treadmill and weights but I’d love to have a room dedicated to just a home gym. I did till my kiddos came along and it became their play room. One day I’ll have it back!
Confession: I eat cheese like Billy does. I KNOW!!!! Awful, right. I don’t know why I do it, it just feel so satisfying to bite off a chunk of cheese ;-)
I hear ya on working on the running form. It’s something I’m constantly doing. I actually do a few drills once or twice a week to work on my cadence and fore-foot gait. It’s really changed my muscle memory and made a big difference. I’ve been doing them for almost a year now and find that I don’t really need to think about form as much.
And I’m just amazed at how much you’re running!!!! I get tired from sitting at my computer all day and talk myself out of a run ;-)
Do you have a Corner Bakery by you? It is a chain here, not on the east coast to my knowledge..I am eating a chocolate cake from there. V doesn’t want any…*insert eviel laugh and me eating it*
My boyfriend eats string cheese the same way and it drives me nuts! I tried to teach him too but he wasn’t hearing it. He likes to take big bites. Ugh! Men!
If I could have one food in front of me right now, it would be a nice mango. I got one today but it was overripe and I had to throw it out, which made me super sad.
I just ate peaches and I would really like more of that and cottage cheese!!!
I am really trying to work on my running form as I train for the oc half in may.
I haven’t started reading my Runner’s World yet. So yay! Look forward to reading the article.
I am working on being patient while recovering from surgery. I wouldn’t want a home gym. I have to leave the house to run or workout. I never run from home either, mostly because it’s no fun to run here solo.
I just had this discussion with my nursing school buddies. It should be against the law to bite directly into the string cheese.
My running motivation is seriuosly lacking right now. The cure – sign up for a race.
I currently working on relaxing my shoulders when I run speed workouts. I feel like I sometimes exaggerate my arm movements in order to get my legs to move. I am also working on not over-striding when I am tired.
I just finished dinner so I can’t think of any food I want right now. I am surprised because this is usually an easy one for me.
So this doesn’t have anything to do with your questions but I love seeing that Runner’s world recommends NORMAL protein levels! So many people think they need to eat 90% protein each day (ok, exaggeration, but you know what I mean!) when really, only 15% is more than enough for human needs!
If I could eat one thing right now it would be a 1.5 foot long veggie sub. Actually, make that 2 feet long. Much better.
ew ee.. my middle guy eats his string cheese like that too.. totally irks me.. I just can’t see it tasting the same..
It’s interesting that you mention running technique/posture…I’ve just been trying to do exactly what you mentioned!!
I finished my first half-marathon last weekend!!
Now I’m thinking of trying to retrain with minimalist shoes……
That’s so cute that you let Billy eat his string cheese wrong.
Ahhh what? It totally tastes better when you string it, hence the name string cheese. That is madness ;).
I’m with the Billster in terms of biting directly into the cheese…otherwise it’s like chewing air! And hey, as well as eating enough calories for the baby, you’re getting your calcium intake with all that cheesecake & ice cream—> WIN!
My husband eats the string cheese the wrong way too and it never ceases to annoy me…
We have a home gym and it’s pretty amazing. The only thing I’m not crazy about if the elliptical. We have a weird one because my favorite one was not available overseas. Our treadmill is more than amazing and I am beyond obsessed with it.
I would love to have a home gym that had dumbbells, some gym machines, a bike, an elliptical and a treadmill. And a nice big tv to distract myself Oh and all walls covered in mirrors so I can make sure my form is always correct.
If I could have any food right now it would have to be vanilla froyo with rainbow jimmies, pb cups, the real whipped cream and mini m&ms. Delish!
what’s wrong with men!?! my hubby eats string cheese the same way and i tell him the same thing. NO FUN! ;)
Billy eats string cheese the same way my husband eats string cheese. What is wrong with our husbands?! ;)
I used to take my time and strip the string cheese because it took longer but now…I eat it like your husbands and just take bites…because it doesn’t take as long :)
I do not have a home gym but my community has a really nice one with practically everything you need in it…except a rowing machine. I would love to have that too. I mostly just go outside though for my workouts for running, biking and walking or swimming. I am really bad about weight training meaning I don’t do it. I know its really bad but I hate sweating if I don’t really have to. I also don’t feel like I get a good workout in if I weight train.
I have been eating pineapple everyday for 2 weeks. Its so yummy and the grocery store I go to cores it for you. I just walk right in the produce section and pick out the plastic container with it already cored and eat. Don’t lose any fingers that way.
Thanks for the Runner’s World pic. I do not subscribe so I will have to pick up a copy. Have a great weekend! (Spring Break)
My husband eats string cheese the same way and it totally stresses me out more than it should :)
I’d love a home gym with a treadmill, elliptical, bosu and free weights.
I want a Hawaiian omelette. Ham, pineapple, and Swiss cheese wrapped up in the goodness of an egg!
I haven’t gotten a chance to sit down with my new Runner’s World! Maybe this weekend since its a 4-day weekend, yes!
As a newer ish runner (1 year or so), I am still learning how to be the most efficient for my body on that day. Some days I feel fresh and light and other days my legs feel like concrete. I am hanging in there and hoping one day to be a speedy runner like you! I am also working on mental form, losing the negative talk during runs and to stop doubting myself!
I am pretty full from breakfast but I could always eat a chocolate chip cookie ;).
At first I thought that I wouldn’t want a home gym because our apartment gym is like 10 steps away and I run outside mostly. But we are moving to Arizona and to a smaller town so now I think that a home gym would be wonderful! I would want a treatmill, tv, weight machines and maybe a bike or something for cross training. I used to have problems with my form and I didn’t realize it until my husband took a picture of me at the end of a 15K and I definitely was hunched over. My brother told me to make sure that I am always looking ahead and not down and that has really seemed to help a lot. One food would probably be something with peanut butter. I just tried a new yogurt for breakfast and it was horrible so PB would be good to get the taste out of my mouth.
NO ONE has whole donuts in their stomach…that would just be crazy..and a choking hazard! haha
A blizzard!!! I keep seeing them on blogs and haven’t had one since… well I think it’s been 5 years. yep. Now it’s all I can think about! haha. And I hate when people bite into string cheese! You are not fully enjoying the cheese! half the fun is pulling it apart!
i like that idea of ice cream twice a day!! Janae, i thought of you the other day, my boyfriend and i were out getting frozen yogurt and i piled it HIGH with cheesecake flavored and peanut butter flavored fro-yo topped with m&ms, heath bars, sprinkles, and reese’s pieces. HEAVEN.
That’s how my guy eats string cheese….I tried to explain that it tastes way better if you eat it right, but now when I’m worried my hands aren’t clean (public transportation) I eat it like billy too.
My husband eats string cheese the same way! I just found this out a week ago. It’s so strange. I’m 25 weeks pregnant with our first child, and I told him that he’s not allowed to teach her how to eat string cheese!
I REALLY want a treadmill at home!! I am literally dying because I don’t have one. Ok not literally but that just shows you how much I want one.
I think I actually need to lengthen my stride, it is really short especially considering my legs are the longest things in the world. I am thinking I should probably go get a gait analysis to tell me how much longer my stride should be. Also I kind of hunch when I run, trying not to!
Kettlebells and medicine balls. I have learned to appreciate both.
I am working on being uncomfortable. Spending more time in the “pain cave”.
Food:…..I don’t know. Anything anyone wants to cook me for lunch would be just fine.
The Kidless Kronicles
So I work at a Physical Therapy office and every morning between 7am-8am I blog, whether its writing my own or reading others. I love yours, and we share the same fascination for string cheese and pretzels. You must (if you have not already) try pretzels with peanut butter and/or cream cheese… equally as delicious. I can never have just one string cheese at a time, I must have at least two to feel satisfied. I love that you brought up the Runners World article (I have yet to get mine in the mail grr… ) The running posture they speak of is what I have always been told, from my Cross country coach in highschool, in college and even some Therapists now. However there is one therapist here who is a triathlon guru and running form expert and he says that I should higher my waist just above my wasit, and slightly turn them in so they slightly cross in front of my chest. It helps your feet keep cadence. Since I have been trying to work on speed I have been doing this and it seems to help!
I am totally like that too with my string cheese. I bite straight into that mug. I can’t help it, so greedy!
My dream home gym would have a spin bike in it! I really should look into getting one, I think it would be fun to watch tv and spin mindlessly!
One thing I’m working on with my running would be my speed. Really need to do more speedwork but I also love running long miles so I’m trying to find a happy medium. Love your nails in that pic btw!
I’d love a huge cobb salad! That sounds so good right now!
I would love a home gym! I would have a treadmill, elliptical, weights, a tv and a great sound system to blast music!
We turned our “formal living room” into a workout room. It has some stability balls, two bosu trainers, free weights, steps, an elliptical, punching bag, a sandbell, resistance bands, pullup bar and a tv/dvd player with a lot of workout dvds. I love it, but i want to get rid of some of the things I don’t use, and I want to add some things. Next week I’m building my own TRX suspension trainers and Daniel is going to build me a set of stabilizers and a box for box jumps. I could easily design a dream home gym if I had unlimited funds.
I want CHOCOLATE and PB and sweets!!!!!!!!! Hormones gone wild!
Of any food that could POSSIBLY be in front of me, I would want an Oriental Chicken Salad (does that count as mulitple foods???) and I would devour it, leaving the breadstick until last to torture my husband =)
My home gym is in my basement and is half storage/half gym. Right now it has a treadmill and ab lounge. My bosu, stability ball, resistance bands, and weights are in my living room. I’m anxiously awaiting my newest piece of equipment…I ordered my spin bike this morning!!!
After reading your post, I think I’m going to pay more attention to my form on my run tomorrow. In the past I know my shoulders have been too tense and I tend to pull them up by my ears, so I’ve been working on that!
I just ate a chocolate covered peanut butter egg, so that craving is gone…I think next I’d really like a big hamburger and fries. So much for eating healthy… :)
Billy eats string cheese like Mike! What is it with boys!?
I would love a home gym that didn’t involve me running in my scary basement!
You need to teach Billy how to eat the string cheese It tastes so much better when you pull it string by string : )
Chocolate Chocolate Chip ice cream….a bottomless bowl. (Why hello PMS, seems like you’re settling in for the weekend!)