Work Starts....Workouts Go On...

So I made a goal for myself to continue working out 6 days a week. School has started back up and I feel like a hamster spinning on a wheel. There's so much more responsibility with the start of the school year and this year has brought even more adjustments. So although it's been difficult, it has still been possible. I'm thrilled to say that I have kept it up even though I haven't been able to do 2 workouts a day like I was doing in summer. However, my eating has gotten tons better with having a regular schedule. So there are some positives too and it's all about balancing good food/bad food and working out.

Last night was my group run with my training group. Almost all of my pace group from spring has moved up a group so I finally felt like it was time to make the move. The pace group I moved into actually has 2 coaches and 2 different pace times. I ran the first half with the slower group, but moved up to the faster group for the second half of my run. I wasn't sure if I could keep up, especially on a progression run with multiple hills, but I managed. My last mile progression started out at 10'10 and I ended up at 9'50. It was definitely not easy and I had to mentally push myself to keep going, but I did it and I felt very proud at the end for accomplishing this. It was one of my hardest 5 mile runs but I liked the challenge and I think I needed to realize that feeling comfortable also means that I wasn't pushing myself as hard as I needed to. We will see where the season goes.

Monstars who moved up

My old coaches Tom and Jerry

Two days a week my workouts are at 5:30 a.m. with a personal trainer and we do weight training. I would be the first person to say "I could never work out that early," but my trainer talked me into it and coerced me by reminding me of the free time I could have in the evenings (even though I chose a recovery run today...yay free time!) The answer to me being tired is NO! I'm really not tired because exercise gives me energy. The only day I've been tired is because I didn't eat enough so as long as I eat properly I feel great all day. I haven't missed the sleep time yet, and I'm going on week 3. I actually have a bigger sense of accomplishment for getting up and doing it before the sun even comes up. I thought maybe you would find some pointers beneficial for how to workout before work.

1. PLAN-I plan all my clothes/meals the night before and that's the most helpful thing I do. I lay my workout clothes out and pack all of my work clothes for the day. I have mini bottles of shampoo and body wash that I refill and take with me. I pack everything! I also plan all of my meals. Last night I boiled 2 eggs. I ate a Quest Bar before I went to work out. Afterwards, I had my 2 hardboiled eggs with half an avacado on toast. This was packed in my lunchbox with buffalo chicken quinoa for lunch, which were leftover from last night. You can make it work.

2. DON'T WASTE TIME-When I am at home I take long 20 minute showers. My whole getting ready time is about an hour. At the gym, my get ready time is 30 minutes. I take quick showers. Sometimes I leave with my hair wet and I skip makeup, which I often do anyways. It's okay for some hairs to be out of place 2 days a week.

3. EAT-Don't forget to eat because that is what is going to make you get fatigued. I eat a banana or something similar around 10:00 then after school I have another snack and finish off the day with a healthy dinner. You will probably be hungrier than you're used to at work so make sure you pack appropriately or you'll have to beg coworkers for snacks (guilty!) 

Overall I think that whatever you want to do in life, there's a way to do it. If you are passionate about it you will make the time, even if you may think that time will be inconvenient at first. Good luck!