Fitness Update | Major Lack Of Motivation

Count down to worlds.....62 days and counting!

Stress and anxiety are really starting to set in as race season is ramping up and World Champions is now only 62 days away. My training this last month has gone down hill FAST. There has been a serious lack of motivation to do anything in our house recently - mainly due to our 11 month old pup, Bear, getting hurt mid May.

Our poor little guy hurt his leg and has been in a lot of pain since then. He's not sleeping through the night, which means my husband & I are also not sleeping through the night. He's needed a lot of help getting around and it's been a real struggle keeping him on "bed rest" for a month. If you want to hear more about our story check back on Wednesday, I'll be post Bear's 11 month update and I'll share what happen. 

I feel that because of my lack of sleep my whole schedule has been thrown off. I'm tiered all day everyday and the last thing I want to do is train. The few days that I did train I felt very sluggish. Running was near impossible. Every time I put my runners on my legs felt like led. May was probably the toughest month of training to get through. 

Luckily our pup is now on the mend which means we are getting back to our normal day to day schedule. Training is finally starting to pick up but I'm feeling a little out of shape since I missed so much training. This past week I've been working on my tempo runs to bring my legs back. I know it seems like something so small but I find when I've taken a big chuck of time off my endure just fades away - speed I never have any trouble with, I guess that's because I have a background as a sprinter, plus speed training is fun. Endurance I find to be a bit boring and difficult to get through the workouts...especially feeling out of shape. To help me get back on track I've been using a MetroTimer, it's annoying but it helps with how many strides you take per minuet. I find if I focus on something other than my endurance run it helps. I try not think about my pace or how much longer is left, or how far have I gone.....I just run and think about my stride, my running form, the strike of my foot on the pavement, ect. It seems to help take my mind off my endurance run. 

Besides running I have also been using my Beachbody programs as cross training. Right now I've been using 21 Day Fix and focusing on leg fix, upper body fix, cardio fix and Pilates fix. In addition to all that I've finally been able to get my bike back onto the road. I honestly think my biking is going better than my running right now - except my bike computer has decided to stop working. For some reason my cadence on my bike computer decided to crap out so I've been just using my Garmin in the meantime while I shop for a replacement. 

All and all things are going well, you are always going to have set backs in your training because LIFE HAPPENS. There are a lot of things that are outside your control and you just have to juggle those with your training schedule. 

Motivation while training will come and go...it's tough to come back from being unmotivated but sometimes you just have to push through it to get to the other side. 

How motivated have you been this past month?

Fitness & 21 Day Fix EXTREME Update | Blam Bombshell Fitness

Happy Fitness Friday!!

It's been a hot minuet since I've jumped on my blog and shared my fitness update. If you read my last marathon & 21 Day Fix Update you will know that since I got very ill in February I've had to change up my plans....still trying to let that disappointment go.

I am still working on my goal and I'm training for the ITU World Duathlon qualifying race.

Lately my bike has been my best friend. I am still working on getting my lungs back to being healthy and strong like they were before I got sick. I've been able to just get on my bike and spin in a low gear for hours - this seems to be easier on my lungs than running so that's what I've been sticking with.

Just within these past two weeks have I been putting on my runners and heading out on LSD (long slow distances). Trying to work my way back up to my fitness level I was at before. I will say that even though it hasn't been easy I'm glad I've been taking it slow rather than jumping back into a rigorous marathon training program.

With my new training program of course I am still using Beachbody programs to help with strength and increase my fitness. Lately I've been using 21 Day Fix EXTREME, which I love...but this program defiantly kicks my butt. I love that each day it mixes up the workouts - one day will be upper body, then lower body, then cardio, piyo, yoga, ect. I always feel that I'm a stronger and fast runner when I'm using these programs so I've added it into my daily training.

Along with the Beachbody programs, running, spinning and Shakoelogy that I've had in my program I've added something new - the Beachbody Performance Line. Lately I've been using a product called Energizer & Recovery. I've noticed that especially if I'm training later in the day I need a little pick me up before my training sessions and I don't like to sit down and eat a meal before training - because typically it makes me want to vomit! I've been using the energizer pre workout, it allows me to get through my workout with feeling starving and then I can eat after.

Post workout along with my meal I've also incorporated the Recovery drink....at first I thought this was a little gimmicky but I've noticed that especially when I do a leg workout, if I don't take my recovery drink my legs feel tiered for longer. The recovery drink helps me shorten the period that I have my tiered/sore feeling in my legs...which is awesome because then I can keep my training intensity up!

All and all I've been very happy with how training has been going and like I said in my last update I'm going to be doing mini races throughout the summer to before the world qualifying race, I've found a 5km race May 15th I'm going to be signing up for! This will be my first mini race and it'll give me a good idea of where my fitness level is currently at.

Make sure you subscribe to receive notifications for my next fitness update!

Thanks for stopping by.

Marathon Training & 21 Day Fix Progress Update Week 7 | 2016 Goal Races

Set yourself up for success!

When 2016 rolled around I set 9 goals...some life, fitness, work and personal related goals all mixed together. One of those goals was to run a marathon.

If you've been subscribed to my blog you have seen my week 1, week 2, week 3&4, week 5 and week 6 updates. I was committed to train and run the Calgary marathon at the end of May. I was on an 18 week training program and things were going really well until the beginning of February when I got really sick.

I was off training for a very long time, at first I was so exhausted and sick I couldn't get out of bed. Then when I thought I was better enough to start training again my doctor said no running. Even when  my chest infection cleared up I had a really nasty cough that lingered around for a month.

Finally last weekend I was convinced that I was ready to make a comeback! I felt pretty weak but at least I was getting my training done. Then I got a reality check on Saturday when it was time for my long run. In my week 6 update I mentioned that I was supposed to run 16km but because I had missed so many long run I only made it 5km and my chest was really feeling it.

Taking a look at where I am, where I should be, and how much time I have left to train for my marathon I've had to make a very difficult decision.....I won't be racing in the Calgary marathon as planned.

This was a very tough decision for me to make but it's not worth continuing down a road when I know I'm not going to be ready. I've ran marathons in the past so this isn't new for me. I know it takes hard work and dedication...you really can't miss any of your long runs or it's very tough to get back on track. I've taken a look back at my old training log....yes I keep training logs...I was MUCH further ahead by week 7 than were I am now.

Even though I'm disappointed I've decided the best thing to do is try NOT to dwell on it and move on. I've put together a new training plan (fingers crossed this time I don't sick anymore this year). Another goal of mine is to qualify for Canada's ITU World Duathlon team. I made this team back in 2012 and competed in the 2013 World Duathlon Championships....it was an amazing experience.

The qualifying race will be held here in Edmonton Sept 3/4 weekend.

I've made a new training program that combines interval training, Beachbody programs, road biking and mini races through the summer to get prepared for the qualifying race! I have 25 weeks to train which is more than enough time to get ready.

Even though I'm feel a little discouraged for abandoning my marathon goal this year I'm trying to move forward to get myself pumped up for my new training plan!

I'll continue to post weekly updates here on my blog throughout my training so make and you can also head over to my "Follow Me" tab to find all my social media accounts.

Happy fitness Friday!

Marathon Training & 21 Day Fix Progress Update Week 6 | Making A Comeback?

Is it a comeback? If you haven't caught up on my weekly training updates please go check out week 5 blog post....life has been a little crazy these past 6 weeks and training has NOT gone as planned. 

I posted last Saturday on my social media that I was making a comeback. I woke up early just to head out on my long run which I was DETERMINED to complete. My training program called for a 16km run, but if you've been following me you'll know I've been very sick with a chest infection and I've missed my last 3 long runs.

Unfortunately I only made it to 5km...my lungs were really feeling it! This is just my personal opinion but I feel that yes it is good to push your body, but only to a certain point. I know that 16km was a very unrealistic for my Saturday run but I have to say I was disappointed with only getting in 5km.

The rest of the week went pretty well. I completed all my Beachbody workouts at home so I can mark that down as a WIN. I'm really feeling so much stronger since I've started combining Beachbody with my marathon training. Plus it gives my legs a rest from just running, running, running every single day.

The rest of my runs during the week were pretty slow. My goal recently has been just to finish my workouts - without killing myself. I didn't do anything spectacular this week but I got it done.

That's pretty much it for this week! Sorry it wasn't anything too crazy exciting but slowly I am making a comeback.

Please check back next week for my week 7 update! Thanks for stopping by

Marathon Training & 21 Day Fix Progress Update | Week 5

I would love to tell you that I killed in week 5 and just got completely back on track with my training - BUT - the reality is it's been a slow recovery week. I can't believe I've been almost sick for the entire month of February! If you check out my week 3&4 update you'll know that I had a really bad chest inflection and I am still feeling so tiered and run down it's just ridiculous.

Since my last update I've only been able to get in a few workouts. Saturday was supposed to be a long run of 13km...which didn't happen. I spent the entire day cleaning and disinfecting my house. I want this infection GONE. I scrubbed everything that I've touched and washed all the bedding. My energy level was so low, I had to take numerous breaks while cleaning because I got so tiered. I thought to myself - there is no way for me to go out now and run 13km. I would just be setting myself up for failure. Also as per my doctors instructions I am not to be out running while I still have my cough. Unfortunately over the weekend my cough continued. I stayed home and rested the entry weekend and continued to disinfect the house.

Finally when Monday rolled around I was able to do a workout from 21 Day Fix. My energy level was still pretty low. The workout was Piyo Fix which was perfect because I feel Piyo is pretty low intensity (compared to some of the other 21 Day Fix workouts). I got through most of the 30min workout...but I'm not gunna lie it was tough.

Tuesday should have been interval training but honestly I had to sit that one out. I just felt exhausted!

Then on Wednesday I got back on track with other 21 Day Fix workout, Upper Fix.  By the time Wednesday rolled around I noticed that there was FINALLY an improvement with my cough. I definitely wasn't cough as much or as bad as I was before. I managed to get through my workout and most of day with a very minimal cough. I could tell that there was finally some recovery progress being made - which of course made me thrilled.

When Thursday hit I felt confident enough that I could go for a run!! I didn't want to kill myself - keep in mind the last day I was out for a run was February 4th which was 21 days ago. The plan was to run 8km tempo....I honestly looked at that and I thought if I can just run around the block I would be happy. I ended up running 4km...and it was nothing crazy or fast, just a steady tempo run.

Friday I was exhausted and had to take a day off so I could ramp up for Saturday which was my long run! Next week I'll update you on how that went  in my week 6 update. Make sure you check back next week on Fitness Friday.

Thanks so much for stopping by! If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Marathon Training & 21 Day Fix Progress Update | Week 3&4

Hello!!

It's been a while since my last update.

I have to admit not a lot of happened since I've posted my week 2 update on February 5th.

It's been incredible frustrating and disappointing these past 2 weeks...based on my health I'm really questioning if it's a good idea to continue on my training plan as I currently have it laid out. I might have to make some significant changes in order to continue on.

Basically what happened is I came home from work on Friday and my husband said he wasn't feel well. He rarely ever gets sick so when he admits to not feeling well you know he's REALLY sick.

Because he broke his wrist over Christmas break he's been going for a ton of follow up appointments at the hospital. They've been monitoring his recovery and sending him for follow up tests. Earlier that week he was at the hospital getting some paperwork filled out and we are assuming that's where he caught this awful viruses.

All Friday night be was coughing and coughing. It was really bad and I barley got any sleep. He didn't want to get me sick so he moved to the spare room but I was up about every 2 hours checking in on him. It was a really bad night for both of us.

Saturday morning I was supposed to go out for a 10km run but we were having a maintenance guy come look at our dishwasher....my husband was just too sick and I told him to rest and I would wait. Well it took this guy until about 2pm to show up! Technically I could have gone for my run while waiting for him but I didn't know when he was coming and I didn't want to miss him.

By 2pm my husband was VERY sick and I took him to the doctor that afternoon. Sure enough we had a chest and sinuses infection. Needless to say by the time I was done running around getting his prescription and grocery shopping I was exhausted! My run didn't happen....but I wasn't worried. I convinced myself that I would do my 10km run Sunday instead of taking a rest day.

Well that didn't happen either. By the time Sunday rolled around I had caught my husbands chest and sinuses infection. I have honestly never been so sick!

I went to the doctors so I could also get a prescription, in the waiting room I caught someones stomach bug. My husband & I spent the rest of Sunday in the bathroom sick to our stomachs.

Basically my entire week was a write off! I went from being able to run 10km to not being able to walk down the block. I spent a week home from work and didn't even check into any of my social media accounts.

Finally within the past few days I've been venturing out of bed and going back to work but I have literally no energy.

My doctor has advised me NOT to run until my cough has gets better. So basically this past week all I've been able to do is walk.

With that being said there is a bit of uncertainty on how effectively I will be able to continue my training plan. I may have to sit down and make some alterations in order for my goal to be achievable by the end of 18 weeks.

Things don't always go as planned....but our success lies in how we deal and overcome obstacles that get in our way. At this point I could give up....or I could adjust my plan and continue on!

That's pretty much it for this week. Sorry this update wasn't too exciting as there wasn't much to update you on.

Please check back next week for my week 5 update and I'll let you know how I'm doing at getting back on track!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Marathon Training & 21 Day Fix Progress Update | Week 2

I am very happy to report that I had a very successful week 2 of training!!! I am dead tiered but at the same time I feel incredibly strong.

If you didn't read my week 1 update please go check it out!! Make sure you are subscribed to my blog so you can follow my full 18 week journey.

Last week when I posted my update I hadn't completely finished my full first week. Friday I still had a 21 Day Fix workout (which went great) and Saturday I had to run about 10km - which I finished but it was difficult.

I started my 10km pretty late in the day - around 11am. It was a nice day for a run and I got to explore my new neighborhood...which I got lost a few times and had no idea where I was lol. But that's ok because I had a blast! If you follow me on Snapchat (mspamblam) I even stopped to Snap a few pictures of my community.

The point of a long run is to just go slow and complete the distance. I wasn't doing intervals, or any speed drills. While running I like to listen to some Beachbody coaching personal development...listening to audio books helps me keep my mind off of "how much further", "I'm getting tired", "my legs are hurting" and it helps me stay in the present and focused on what I'm doing.

Not going to lie thought - it was no walk in the park. After about 8km I went home to drop off my jacket and grab some water..I almost didn't finish my last 2km. Luckily I had a very encouraging husband who motivated me to head out and finish! Which I did and I was VERY happy when I was done.

Sunday was REST DAY! The best day of the week. I think that it's very important to give yourself one day to rest and let your body recoup.

Then on Monday I head back to work with 21 Day Fix. Monday was Pilates....perfect for coming off a rest day and still recovering from my 10 km run. It was great to be able to stretch out my body and slow my training down.

Tuesday was running intervals...these are probably my favorite to do! I love speed drills, which makes sense because I have a sprinting background. Most of them around 5min pace, which was the same as last week. So I didn't get any faster, but I didn't get any slower AND this week I had less rest in between intervals. Overall when I compare week 1 to week 2's times I've very happy with the results.

Wednesday was about 21 Day Fix workout. CARDIO FIX!! This was really tough after intervals but I got it done!! If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen a short video demonstrating 1 of the moves.

Then back to running on Thursday which a tempo run. I was really dreading this workout...I was very fortunate to have my husband come with me! It's so much more motivating going out for tempo and interval runs when you have someone beside you. We really pushed each other during the run, we really traded off who lead...sometimes he was in front and I was falling off the pace....sometimes I was in front and he was falling off the pace. But we managed to finish together and in an ok time - it could have been better. I definitely have room to improve with my tempo.

That's it for my week 2 update!!

If you have any questions about my training/progress please feel free to leave them in the comments below and I will answer them next week.

Happy Fitness Friday

Marathon Training & 21 Day Fix Progress Update | Week 1

If you've been following me on any of my social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, or Snap Chat (mspamblam) you would have heard me talk about my marathon training which started on January 25th!! If you're not follow me go check it out if you want to keep up with my training daily and make sure you subscribe to my blog for weekly updates.

So here's how week 1 went....fail, Fail, FAIL! hahaha okay let me explain what happen. 

The training program I'm follow as created by ME! I like to make my own training plan that works with my schedule and my fitness level. This time around I've taken a free online marathon training program and combined it with one of my old training program and added some Beachbody training programs. Sounds complicated but it really isn't.

Basically twice a week I'm running intervals which will help me with my speed and temp. Three times a week I'm doing a Beachbody workout to help me with arm, core and leg strength. Once a week I'm doing a long slow run which will help with my endurance. Then finally I get one rest day...hooray!! I will be following this training program for the next 18 weeks. 

When I started my marathon journey on January 25th I was EXTREMELY determined! I was so excited to be running again. When I took a look back I haven't done any running training since 2013 and my last marathon was in 2012. I was really looking forward to diving in!!

BUT I forgot about how much of a commitment training is...I got so busy on January 25th that by the time I was ready to train it was 10pm and I was exhausted. I ended up doing NOTHING and going to bed very disappointed.

The next day I got up and all I could think about was my training plan. I check my program and I was supposed to run. My husband even agreed to do my training with me after work. It was all I could think about for the entire day! When I got home we got ready to leave the house and both of us were looking forward to head out and do some training. We opened the front door....and it was POURING rain (freezing rain). We looked at each other and agreed that we would still go. Well - we only made it half way down the block before changing our minds and heading home. It was EXTREMELY dangerous conditions...we weren't even running, it was more like a old man shuffle. There was no way for us to run intervals..there was no way for us to run period! The sidewalks were just too slippery. 

So lets recap...day 1 -fail, day 2 -fail...finally on day 3 I got back on track!

Day 3 - I was supposed to do a Beachbody workout (which I did) but because I hasn't had much success over the past 2 days I ended up doing 2 Beachbody workouts!! (man was I tiered the next day) I ended up doing a total cardio & upper body workout for the 21 Day Fix program. If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen a short video of me working out.

Day 4 - FINALLY the ice was melted enough that I was able to go out for a run! I ended up doing 6 intervals...I was so energetic and excited to be out running I was doing most of the intervals sub 5min/km!! Although I was so tiered the next day I'm not even sure where I found the energy to get out of bed and go to work (I could barley walk down my stairs).

Now this blog post is going live January 29th which means I haven't completed a full week...but I wanted to get this up for my "Fitness Friday" post. 

I still have to complete a Beachbody workout today and tomorrow I have a long slow run (of 10km). I'll let you know how things go next week in my update!!

If you want more daily updates please check out my Instagram, Facebook, or Snap Chat (mspamblam) accounts.

Please subscribe to my blog so you can keep up with my 18 week progress. Next week I will have my week 2 update!

If you have any questions about my training/progress please leave them in the comments below and I will answer them in my week 2 update.

Thanks for stopping by!!