My Thorns Have Roses: Work Out...For Me

When I first started this blog over a year and a half ago
I really placed an emphasis on writing
about my
fitness/workout/health
goals
and
I must say...

it was a really motivational way to keep myself focused.

Both my readers and my blogging buddies
quickly became
the
inspiration and support

I needed in order to keep myself on track.

It wasn't long after I gained a larger readership

however

that I felt myself

scaling back on the

workout

chit-chat

because I found myself second-guessing

if those types of posts

-were even an interesting read

-undesirably provided a source for others to compare themselves to my abilities and inabilities

-seemed condescending

-seemed...lame?

I mean...

did people really want to read about my

push-ups/mileage/playlists/training for races/race re-caps/poop stories?

Did I want to write about running 9 minute miles or slower when I knew

some people would think me a turtle?

Did I want to write about running 9 minute miles or faster when I knew

some people would think me a braggart?

I had my doubts.

Until I realized that
ultimately
I wrote/write this blog...for me

and if it was working

FOR ME

why re-invent the wheel?

So today I want to take the time to put into words

my current

fitness/workout/health

goals

as well as map out my ideal

week of workouts.

Weekly Schedule

Some Notes on Jiu-Jitsu

One thing I have already mentioned is that our family

{Ryan,Myself, Izzy, Natalie, James and our nephew Johnny}

will be taking
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes
starting next week.

[Uncle Ryan and Johnny {rocking the gi we got him for his 10th birthday!} working on balance.]

All of the kids are really excited about this new adventure
and Ryan
(who has a background in martial arts)
is over the moon
to be doing this as a family.

As for me...

I am fully prepared by the end of a month
...or so...
to challenge and dominate each and every
woman in the sport.

Jokes.
Right now I'm truly hoping that I'll get by
without having to touch anyone else.
but we'll see how that one goes.

I'm working on a philosophical declaration of opposition
to sparring
in regards to my non-aggression policy lifestyle choices.

Which isn't entirely true
since I've been known to break things
when Nickelback
comes on the radio mostly
but I figure
the more I talk in class about things no one cares about
or thinks I'm crazy for saying
the more likely I will have burned the clock down
and increased my chances it's time to go home
before having to touch too many people.

sort of kidding about all of this.
sort of.

Running

It has really been an unfortunate realization
that although I was truly hoping to become
a
"mover and shaker"
in my little running community again this year...
the crushing - temperamental - and debilitating pain
I've been experiencing with my ongoing sciatic issues
combined with the over-bearing heat Iowa has faced this summer
has made it so that whenever I do get out for a good run-
the only thing I'm
"moving and shaking"
is my ass flab.

Soooooo... running goals are on the list.
Starting with a 5k Color Run with my boo Sarah in October.

I'm running 10 minute miles on average again
and want to get that back down to a 9 minute mile average
by the end of September.

One thing that has always helped me stay motivated to go on daily jogs
no matter how little or lot of pain there is to push through
or how far or fast the run is intended to be
is good music.
[subjectively speaking, but of course]

Here's a top 20 list of what I've been listening to lately while I
move and shake
whether it be on the pavement
or while
tripping the light fantastic
on a makeshift dance floor.

**

#20 "Work Out" byJ. Cole

Life is a test so before the night pass get right -get right

#19"Montezuma"byWolfgang Gartner Electronic house music provides a great backdrop beat to run to because often times I'm so lost in my own thoughts that I don't really need lyrics. Only pulsating continuous rhythm. This works for those times.

#18 "Hot Dog" by LMFAO

It's fun to laugh and run at the same time.

#17"Heartbeat" byChildish Gambino

I've been listening to this song for so long now

on my longer runs

that I've even created an alternate version

[just call me Weird Steph Yankovich]

that I've dedicated to just a few people

that were frustrating me.

I realize if I spent more time on the trails concentrating

on my running

than on re-working original lyrics

that perhaps I'd be a stronger runner.

#16"You Be Killin 'Em"byFabolous

A "fabolous" reminder that I'm doing so.

#15 "Wild Ones" byFlo Rida & Sia I loved this song when a spin instructor used it so it made the list.

#14 "Hello Good Morning"byDiddy

I also made up a lil dance routine to this one. Probably a good thing this is a blog and not a youtube channel.

#13 "With You" by LMFAO

The only that has changed is we changed the game

You and I and the crew that I roll with...

It's gonna be the the same crew I roll old with.

Memories fade like old leather.

But the music that we make gonna last forever.

Legacy.

#12 "The Motto" by Drake & Lil Wayne

I can't understand half of what they say and I prefer it that way.

#11"Blood" by The Middle East

This doesn't really have a necessarily great running tempo but the song just brings such a wave of calm over me that it's almost just refreshing to run to. Also good for yoga.

#10 "Flume" by Bon Iver

For more peace running.

#9 "Barbara Streisand" by Duck Sauce

My uncle told me two summers ago that I looked like a young Barbara Streisand so of course I think of him every time I hear this song. Thanks a lot Dan!