Some Fitness Links for this Friday

Well, I definitely read a lot of articles this week.
So, it's time to share:

1.  "One of our greatest gifts as humans in our ability to move."
I'm thinking that The Athlete's Book of Home Remedies by Jordan Metzl, MD is book I need to add to my ever growing collection of fitness books. I stumbled upon this article on the Today Show's website and even though the book is from the Men's Health collection, I'm thinking it might do me some good. The author is not only a doctor, but an athlete. He's a veteran of 29 marathons and 9 Ironmans. I'm thinking he knows just about every ache and pain out there.

Compression, anyone? Yes, please.

In the world of runners, compression gear is a God-send. Or so they say.

You're supposed to wear it after long runs or hard workouts to help blood flow to the muscles (so, pretty much doing work for the muscles so they have less to do to repair themselves, and in turn, it speeds up your post workout recovery and can also help prevent strain and fatigue.
In a nutshell, compression gear helps decrease soreness the next day.
And I am ALL about less pain. 

Motivating Monday!

My long run this week was a 5 to 6 miler. I wanted to put in 6 miles, but I figured I would listen to my body while I was running to determine what distance I would end up with. Next week I’m supposed to cut back to 3 miles, so really if I ran 5 I’d have some leeway in the training for a 6 miler next weekend.

I thought there was a chance of rain on Sunday, so to get rid of any silly weather excuse to run outside, I switched it up and headed out Saturday for my run. It was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and I was tired from being up early that morning and putting hours in at work. Even though it was a beautiful day outside, I just did not feel like running.

Secret Life

I leave for two minutes and this happens.

Ninja.

Fitness Links Friday

Check it.

When I'm bored at work, I often peruse Publisher's Weekly, the news, and health websites.

I can't help it. I get really bored, really easily. And I like to read. Don't tell my boss.

So I thought, why not share some of this good 'ole stuff with you guys? That way you know some of the things I talk about are actually legit.

(I have no idea where this cool/gangsta voice is coming from, but, just roll with it with me.)

So here's to what I'm calling Fitness Links Fridays.

1. First up are these AWESOME ladies over in Portland and California who are going to be riding the entire Tour de France route before the actual race. In fact, they'll be riding each stage one day before the men because we all know the race is a male-only kind of gig. Oh, you didn't know? Well, now that I've told you, go out there and cheer on these women cause they aren't doing it race style. They'll be riding without closed off roads, cheering crowds, or other racers to draft off of.
Hard. Core.

Formula for a good Friday

Fridays are typically my restorative rest days during the week. By that I mean I don't run, bike, swim, take any fitness classes, or lift. I take a breather, let my muscles take in the work from the week, and restore myself with a little yoga. 

I've been waking up naturally much earlier this week (I'm thinking it's the time change coming up), and so I actually set my alarm for a half hour earlier today just so I could get up and get a good yoga session in. Well, turns out JJ was ready for me to get up too.
The past couple of weeks he's been nagging me out of bed early... doing the whole whine whine...take care of me I'm helpless thing. I'm trying to turn it to my advantage and so I tell myself he's my morning motivator. He makes me get up early, so really I should just stay up and get a good run/yoga session in depending on the day.
So far, it hasn't worked. My comfy bed just calls to me on these cold mornings. Plus, I've been in a funk this week. (Read here for a definition and suggestions to battle the funk.)

A little motivation for a Monday

So here's what I'm thinking. Remember last fall when I was posting my Monday Morning Meditations? Well, I really like the idea but I've gotten away from my posts. I'm thinking it's because when Monday rolls around, I'm not always that meditative.
It is Monday morning after all.

What would you say to a little motivation instead? I'm thinking, depending on the morning, I'm either meditative or in need of some serious pick me up kind of words. It usually just depends on the weekend and what I've been doing, how my long run went, etc. So instead of being meditative all. the. time. I'm going to vary it up.

I'm human. I can't be that contemplative and serious all the time. I mean, honestly I am just a goofball.
And face it. If I'm spurring you on, then I need something to kick me into gear too. Plus, I'm starting "Motivating Monday" as a weekly post on my local community running blog, and if you aren't a reader there, I wanted to give you a little motivation, too.

This week, I'm focusing on this: