I’m doing the Body for Life fitness challenge, which requires relatively short early morning workouts six days a week. I’m almost half-way there (six weeks) and I haven’t missed a day yet.
Because I’ve kept it simple, it’s made it easier to integrate as a daily morning routine. I wake up at around 6:30 or 6:45 am, throw on my gym clothes, and either work from my home gym or head outside for my 20-minute runs. I’ve also added a long run on the weekends which is quite nice. I’m not stressed about heading to work on a weekend, so I can go at my own pace and achieve higher goals than I can on weekday mornings.
I’m also setting future goals to make sure I continue pushing myself. I just signed up for a 10K race (my first ever!) in Marin on Memorial Day, May 31. That will give me something to strive for as I build my routine in the coming weeks and months.
Me, soaking wet, having just finished a run in the pouring rain. That’s how dedicated I am to my fitness routine, gosh darnit!
It helps to have the right gear. This iPhone armband allows me to easily enter weight training updates in my favorite workout app, iFitness, and keep track of my progress while I’m running in Runkeeper, which I love because it uses GPS to track my distance and pace. The watch helps me track my splits when I’m doing intervals.
Luckily, I have access to weight training equipment in my boyfriend’s apartment. This makes it super easy to work out on strength training days instead of fighting for my weight station at 24-hour Fitness, which is always incredibly crowded in the mornings.
Kara
March 3, 2010 at 11:00 pm (15 years ago)Great photos, Marie. I need to look into that 10K, what a great goal to work towards.
Marie
March 3, 2010 at 3:40 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Kara! I would love it if you joined me on the 10K, Terry is also doing it with me. Let me know if you decide to sign up and perhaps we can determine a training plan together.
suki
March 5, 2010 at 5:24 pm (15 years ago)Props to you guys and your fitness routine! 🙂
Marie
March 5, 2010 at 10:07 am (15 years ago)Thanks Suki! It’s a lot of work but I think it’s so worth it. 🙂
mager
March 16, 2010 at 8:46 pm (15 years ago)Even though I have setup to run a 7 mile and 10 mile run, I still have trouble keeping up the runs.
How do you do it? How to push yourself?
Marie
March 16, 2010 at 11:02 pm (15 years ago)I just tell myself that all I have to do is put on my running gear and my tennis shoes and get out the door. If I don’t feel like running once I’m at that point, I give myself the option to go back inside. Once I’m actually at that point though I always feel like running. It helps to take baby steps at every juncture.