Fitness

I workout 6 days a week 3 or 4 of which are runs.  I do yoga or various HIIT (high intensity interval training), Beachbody, or other DVDs on the other days.  

I have always "worked out" but wasn't really a "Runner" until about 3 years ago (although I did run a 5k in my 20s with very little training).  I did my first 5K about 4 years ago and then was hooked.  I came home and immediately signed up for another one the next weekend.  Then a 10K, then a 10 miler...my first half in 2015,  until I was training regularly for half marathons.  What really kicked me into gear was joining up with a running group that my friend started.  BLUR (Burke Ladies United in Running) has been such a wonderful thing for me.  I have made some of the best friends I've ever had through this group.  As an adult it is hard to make really close friends and this has been such a God-send to me.  Training for my first marathon with some of these wonderful ladies is an experience I will treasure always!

As of today, I have completed 6 half marathons and then, in March, completed my first MARATHON!  NEVER thought I would ever do this!  It was quite a challenge and don't think I will ever do one again. (Which is a whole blog post in itself!) Now, I plan to focus on the half marathon and getting my time down on that (Current PR is 2:15:56).  

As far as other forms of exercise - I practice yoga regularly and have for many years. It is something I started doing pretty regularly after I had my children.  I have several Namaste Yoga DVDs in addition to yoga that is on the various Beach Body workout DVDs that I own. I try and do this 2 to 3 times a week.  I like the Namaste Yoga DVD series because they are only 20 minutes and if I do nothing else in a day this is a great way to fit movement into my day.   I also practice yoga any time I get home to Florida, at my Aunt's studio.

I also try to incorporate some weights or bodyweight HIIT workouts in each week. 2 to 3 days as well - depending upon how long my runs have been and my level of energy.  Some of my favorite DVDs that I rotate through on a regular basis are P90X3 - only 30 minutes and there are some really good recovery workouts like Dynamix on this series21 Day Fix Extreme - the instructor is not my fave (sorry) but I really like the workouts and they are each only 30 minutes so I can fit them in before I go to work!  I especially love the "Dirty 30 Extreme" in this series....makes me feel so strong!Core Fusion 30 Day Sculpt - This is a series done by the cutest married couple  Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito.  They have a studio in NYC that I wish I could go to!  Anyway, these are yoga type flow workouts that incorporate light weights and are only 20 minutes long. LOVE them all and have been doing this DVD series for many years.