Being Adventurous

Last Friday I did something I have always wanted to do. I willingly jumped 13,000 feet out of the air.

Kyle and I

Kyle jumped right before me - this was the scariest part watching someone
you know fall out of a plane!

ME!

It was hands down the best experience of my life and I am so happy I could do it. Kyle and I loved it so much we signed up to do it again. I know, I know, we are CRAZY! I am trying to encourage so many friends and my dad to go along next time with us.

Then I pulled my chute and knew I was going to be safe :)

 We both got a super cool video (that I had had to pay for by giving away my left leg ;)) and about 100 pictures – I am so glad we paid to do this! Do not giggle too much at all these pictures ;)

Running Faster

In October after my first marathon I started really focusing on sprinting and interval training. I switch it up all the time, sometimes .30 seconds on .30 seconds off, sometimes 3 minutes on 1 minute off, sometimes hills or sometimes flat, sometimes 10 speed and sometimes 8 speed. I really started to get into a routine and enjoying the treadmill because it was something new.

I continued training on the treadmill throughout the winter and felt really strong this spring when I began to start running outside. Lately I have been pushing myself harder than ever and it feels really good.

Last summer I was running 11-12 minute miles, sometimes even 13 minute miles when it was long distances. This summer I am running 9-10:30 miles! It is amazing what some hard work can do.

Yesterday Katie and I ran the fastest mile of our lives (well of my life at least, she has always been a speedy runner ha ha!). We ran 1 mile in 8:14! I felt like I was going to vomit, but also felt amazing. We have a goal this summer to run 2-3 miles in under an 8:30 pace.

I love pushing myself to see what I am capable of. Whether it is it in the gym, on the pavement or in the classroom. 

After we ran we made this super yummy Pad Thai dish with Ashley! I would for sure make it again :)

Inspiration From Kids

Happy Monday friends! I wanted to start my post by first saying I am thankful for all of the men and women who have fought for our country and have given up their lives.

I hope you found yourself enjoying this long weekend with your family and friends near. I had an excellent weekend filled with the people I LOVE. 

Friday I went skydiving – holy crap! I will post some pictures and my video later this week. All I have to say is it was AMAZING.

Saturday my kiddos ran a 5K. When I say ‘my kiddos’ what I mean is the kids I trained for the last 8 weeks. They all did so awesome and they inspire me to live a healthy, whole, positive, and active life. Running with these kids is truly something special and I cannot wait for our next session starting in June.

Later in the day Saturday Kyle and I went to Anytime Fitness to celebrate 7 months of being together. I mean what is better than having a gym to yourself?! We were able to try some new moves and not feel like total dorks. I also PR’d on my squat so that was exciting.

Sunday I ran with Katie and Dana. Wow, it was a hilly 6 miles but we did so well. I believe it was my fastest 6-miler and I was PROUD!

The rest of Sunday I hung with Kyle and his family celebrating his 21^st birthday. But before we hung out with his family I got us donuts. Post 6-miles and it was his birthday, we deserved donuts!!!

When he went to the bars I went to hangout with my grandma. 

 

What a weekend! Once again, it flew by! May is also almost over and that makes me so sad! Ahh life flies by way too fast.

On this beautiful Memorial Day I will be seeing Ashley and Katie for summer running and dinner! I am planning some other posts for the upcoming weeks that include: my skydiving photos and video, prepping food the lazy way, eating on the go, eating out and MORE. I cannot wait to share :)

Unexpected Fun

Cheesy title I know. But this weekend turned out to be pretty fun.

Friday Katie and  I went to a workout called November Project. It's free and meets MWF in Minneapolis! Catherine has been going too when she doesn't work, and it is so fun. I love me some free group fitness.

Friday afternoon Kyle and I were supposed to skydive, and then see his grandma and have a nice dinner in Stillwater. Due to weather we were not able to skydive, and we had to reschedule for next weekend. We still had some fun and got Nelsons ice cream, and I showed him the Stillwater Stairs.

Friday night we met up with our friends from the U of M and had some fun! Then everyone went to the bars, and we went home. One week until Kyle is 21 and one month until I am 21. Man, we are the babies, and it's getting old.

Saturday we went to breakfast and just relaxed. I wanted to take a rest day to prepare for the duathlon.

Later in the day Bria and I went shopping. I needed a few 'go out' shirts, I love all my clothes, but I have been told I have "mom style" or "meet your boyfriends family clothes". If I could just wear workout clothes 24/7 everything would be solved.

Saturday night we decided to attend a wedding last minute. And by last minute I mean I was in bed at 7:30 PM with my hair in a bun and my makeup from Friday night still on my face. I shaved my legs, put a few curls in my hair, put some mascara on and we were to the wedding in less than 30 minutes.

Sunday was race day! It was my first race of the season, and I PR'd and beat my goal time by 15 minutes! I was hoping for under 1:45 but I ended up getting 1:29:29. I was happy because with the weather conditions and hills I was expecting the worst. I don't always feel proud or happy with results but when I do it  feels good to push myself and feel proud.

I am finishing the weekend by catching up with Ashley (Katie's twin) and Katie. I have not seen Ashley in a while so I am excited!! 

I have one more final presentation this week, and then I will be able to breathe again... Slow down and re-think of some goals! Have a fabulous week, friends.

Stairs Anyone?

Last Friday something pretty neat happened... I crushed a summer goal before summer officially started for me. I hate to toot my own horn but I was really proud of myself.

I did 20 sets of stairs in 57:29! My goal for the end of the summer was 20 sets under 1:00. I had to do some planning:

Every three sets take a water break

No stopping at the top or bottom unless it is water break time

No sprinting, instead go one steady pace

Music - blast it

Aim for 2 minutes up, 1 minute down

On the way down go fast

Then I did two 'cool down' sets and during my cool down I tried some new moves. Sometimes I have the kids I train do these same moves {see video below from two of my Trumates}! It is funny because those kiddos love the stairs!

Do each move for two minutes 2 minutes - rest in between moves & in between sets. Do 5 sets total!

Jump squats

Sideways lunge jumps

Lunges (every other step)

Calf raises (this is a 'break' but still burns)

Sprint

Take a selfie and feel good about yourself! Doing stairs for a workout is no easy task and you just rocked it!