Birthday Running Week and Strength Training #halfmarathon

Day 2 of Week 2 training came and went. I ran 3.15 miles and loved it.

I did say love. Did I?

I have been taking care of kiddos, house, hubby etc for the past few days that I haven’t had any time to myself. This run was what I needed. It helps release stress and tension on so many levels.

Now I have exciting news to share…well, maybe it’s not that exciting to you but it is to me…it’s my

BIRTHDAY WEEK!

Yeah, I totally said week. Why celebrate my special birthday in one day? Why not a week 🙂 It just means I’m going to make sure I spend extra time for me.

On my actual birthday, I will be at another fabulous 5k, followed by lots of goodies from my family. I’m really looking forward to it!

Pikesville 5K

To start off my birthday week, I bought myself a present…(and it begins). A skirt to run in. I have to admit. I NEVER thought I would run in a skirt or even run to be perfectly honest, but I bought one and I’m doing it. A very cute, pale pink running skirt. I had to test it out if I was going to get the nerve to run in it for this weekends 5k. Yeah, I said nerve.

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(Please excuse the fact that I am not good at taking self photos and I have very pale legs…lol. Need beach asap!)

I’m not a skirt kind of gal but after running in this baby, I think I could be! It did make my back itch though…but I can get through that.

Anyways, ran 3 miles check! Then I look at the schedule and it says ST. What the heck is that?

Strength training! AHHHH!

I quickly did a little research to see what that involves…I choose (gulp) plank, side-plans, superman, crunches and abdominal crunches.

All I heard was, ouch, ouch, ouch – but I quickly pulled myself together to see what I could do.

I’m a disgrace 🙂

After watching this hunky guy do a plank, I thought I got it…

So I did one for thirty seconds. Totally said one! I was shaking so badly, I don’t know how I made it through thirty seconds!

Then I found ExpertVillage’s video and knew I had this one….

Guess what? I LOVE THESE babies! Not sure why my body can handle this a lot easier than the regular plank, but these are my friend.

Okay, I’ll be honest. Superman, crunches and abdominal crunches I quickly gave up. I think a video will help me stay on track so I’m on the search. Tight little body, here I come! (well, after I find a video. wink. wink.)

Know any good pointers for strength training? I want to know them too! Please share!