Calorie Counting

Yep, that's right. I'm back on the bandwagon. Counting the calories and ready to drop a few pounds. I'm using an application on my new *iPhone* (YAAAYYY!) that will automatically calculate calories for the day depending on what I eat and how much I exercise. It also will take my BMI (weight and height) and calculate how many calories I can eat to lose the weight I want.

Simply enough, it's calories in/calories out for weight loss and fitness. Have you calorie counted before? Did you have much success?

Shin Splints

Amrick1409: Do you have any advice for shin splints or pain in the knees??

MollyAuf: Julia and I both had shin splints back in the day. Our coach would make us walk the first 5 minutes of our runs in order to warm up. We didn't like that but did it anyway. Hahaha. So definitely warm up, and stretch your calves A LOT. Tight calves can lead to shin splints. And for your knee pain, it can be a million different things, but I say keep your quads, IT band, and hamstrings well stretched (stretch after they are warm). That will do wonders. Yoga helps a lot, too.

Julia: ditto molly! those are all things i would recommend.i also completely got rid of shin splints when i switched to new shoes with proper support. and STREEEEEEETCH. ;)

*As always, please see a professional!

Elite Abs? Yes, Thank You.

I thought these exercises would be awesome to share. Strong abs = strong runner.
The rest of the set can be found here.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid416421194/bctid1379595160

Spin Class

Tuesday evening meant spin class this week and I went super early to make sure I got a seat. The gym has been C.R.A.Z.Y. these last few weeks with everyone and their New Year's Resolutions attending the gym. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that everyone is working hard and getting in shape, but man, I'd like a parking spot, k?

So I'm in line to get into the class, the door opens and in we all go. I'm a second row kinda girl so I grab my spot, set my seat and handle bars, throw my towel across the front of the spin bike, and start warming up with about 10 minutes to go before class started.

So in walks these two little girls, and by little I mean little. I shall call them Blondie (B) and Miss Brunette (MB). There's an age restriction of 12 years in order to be upstairs so I'll assume they turned 12 that day. B and MB were decked in their Pearl Izumi spandex and clipless cleats, ready to go. And when I say ready to go, I really mean ready to go. By the time class had started B (who sat next to me) was already dripping sweat onto the hardwoods. I was honestly impressed.

20 minutes into the class, the instructor announces that we're going to climb. Climb, climb, climb. This is after 10 minutes up out of our seats at a pretty intense level, which I assumed was a pretty awful climb. Apparently not. So this climb required that the weight got progressively heavier equalling four full turns from where we already were. I'm cursing the instructor silently as I watch B turn the weight dial all the way around ... twice. Her little frame struggled as she pushed all of her weight to get the pedal around one revolution. GEEZ.

The class continued and I finally got into a rhythm. B and MB sailed their way all the way through the class. I was just amazed at the athletic grit these two little girls had at such a young age.

As frosting on the cake, after the class finished I went downstairs to pick up my sweatshirt and car keys in the women's locker room, and who did I see waltzing her way down to the pool in her TYR swimsuit, swim cap and goggles? That's right. MB.

Jona and I talk all the time about how our kids are going to be ATHLETES. After Tuesday night, I think no differently. While some may think otherwise, I think those girls have been given such a gift. For the rest of their lives I can imagine that they'll be lean and healthy, strong and happy. I was certainly inspired.

Nutrition Tips

Ya, I don't know about that gummy candy (Maren, Molly ... back me up on this) but this is an awesome video from Runner's World. But really, I could probably cut back on the gummy bears. Seriously. :)

Now only if my tummy looked like this ... v

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid416421194/bctid5986191001

...resolution?

It's always hard for me to think about New Year's resolutions, because I hate the thought of breaking them. So in my own twisted way, I just "resolve" to do better, write down some goals, and not kick myself if I don't accomplish everything on that list. I then try to make smaller goals throughout the year and hopefully the outcome is that I'm better in 2009 then I was in 2008. Cop out? Maybe.

So for 2009, I'd like to be a better runner, naturally. I'd like to be more consistent. Stronger. Faster. My first step towards accomplishing that goal is to sign up for a few races. I've also resolved to work out six days a week. Doesn't necessarily mean running six days a week, but I'm making sure that I do something active six days a week. We'll see. Maybe putting it down here on the blog will give me more accountability.

How about you? What's 2009 going to hold for you?