freedom 5k

If you are in the Wakefield, MA area on Saturday, Sept 15th I highly encourage you to join me in attending, running, walking, strolling, or somehow participating in the Freedom 5K. It is an easy loop around the scenic Lake Quannapowitt - I know you've read of my love for this lake and route. The cost is $25 and all profits will go to Route One Ministry - helping women in the sex industry for 4years.

Not only will we be racing a loop around the lake, we'll also have a cash raffle for things like gift cards to local restaurants, a signed Red Sox baseball, gift package from Starbucks, a massage, and much more! The kids can participate, too! Our kids race begins at 9:15am.

Find out much more information HERE, but feel free to ask me about any more details in the comments! I'm on the planning team so I've got the inside scoop!

bananas, b.a.n.a.n.a.s.

Pure Cardio is one of the DVD workouts in the Insanity program.  Shaun T, the instructor, says repeatedly throughout the warm up that he is nervous about the upcoming intensity of the workout.  When the creator/instructor of the program says he's nervous, you know that what's coming is no joke.

Let me tell you honestly, it is indeed not a joke.  Pure Cardio is 20min of non-stop plyometric exercises that work every muscle in your body.  It is not for the faint of heart.  It leaves me a sweaty, exhausted puddle on the floor. Shaun T says at the very end, "That $#!@ is bananas!" Which is the only reason I get up off the floor - to get my banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein recovery shake.  I love hard workouts, but I also love bananas. Just as much as this little guy:

Now, being a runner and participating in endurance events, I know a thing or two about bananas. They're full of fiber and potassium. They help with recovery from muscle cramps and also help prevent them. Studies show they also help reduce risk of heart disease and stroke. They help protect against ulcers and ulcer damage - I didn't know that! It's like nature's version of TUMS. We all know that eating carrots can help protect your eyes, but did you know that eating bananas will do the same thing? They also help with building stronger bones. Source.

All this to say that not only are bananas sweetly delicious, but they are also a superfood! I have no idea where or when the word bananas came to mean crazy, various websites are divided, but I'd like to believe it's because they are crazy awesome. In short, bananas are bananas, in the very best way!

good mornings

Whelp, week one of Insanity is in the books.  And week two began this very morning! While it's pretty intense, I am loving it so far. I've realized there is no better time than first thing in the morning to get this over with, I mean enjoy the work out. With running, I found that the best time for me was in the afternoon, it's a great de-stresser. But with Insanity, it seems that 6am is a sweet time for me. Not sure why, but it might be because I look forward to that yummy protein smoothie afterwards!

Another great reason to get this done in the mornings is I have evenings free to do fun stuff, or to work at REI. One fun thing I was able to do recently, because I got my workout done in the morning, was go to the last pre-season Patriots game!! I got to see Tebow in a Pat's jersey for the last time. He threw the winning touchdown pass with just 6sec left in the game. It was a pretty sweet experience!

I know I've written about getting up early to run but it never lasts long. Pretty sure this morning thing will have to be the norm for Insanity...and I like it!