Wednesday, April 23, 2014

WOW Link-up-Happy Heart 5k

I seem to have gone a bit link-up crazy lately, but as a new blogger I think it's a great way to interact with other bloggers and to share tips, ideas, stories and inspiration so here I go again!

The awesome ladies at Femme Fitale Fit Club, The Frugal Exerciser, Eat Hard Work Hard and Mean, Green, Clean Eating Teen are hosting a Workout Wednesday (WOW) link-up to connect like minded bloggers to link their posts on fitness, healthy eating and general wellness. I like the idea that this link-up is open to a variety of ideas and topics!



Happy Heart 5k-

This morning I participated in the Happy Heart Virtual 5k to support Krysten at Darwinian Fail. Krysten is a great blogger who has overcome a variety of health issues, including a rare heart arrhythmia, to live a fit and healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately Krysten lost her dad at the age of 61 to a heart attack and is raising money for the Happy Heart Project to benefit the Heart and Stroke Foundation. If you would like to participate or learn more, please click the link to her blog above!

Every day that we, as runners, get to lace up our shoes and hit the streets or the treadmill is a gift. We often take for granted the health that we have that allows us to pursue our chosen athletic and fitness endeavors. Some people will never have the opportunity to walk, run, or anything else that some of us do without even thinking about, we are lucky.

When you do your run, bike, swim, spin, weights, walk, yoga or whatever it is you love to do today, please take a minute to remember those who cannot do the same and add a little extra gratitude and purpose to what you are doing!!



Have you had to overcome health issues to reach your fitness goals?
What can we do to be more grateful for the gift of health?

Plank-A-Day

I've been participating in the #FFaprilabs Plank-a-Day challenge from Fit Fluential. I've been posting my times on Twitter and Instagram and I'm pretty pleased with my progress. Over the course of April, I've gone from holding it for a minute to a minute and a half, and got to two minutes earlier this week. While it doesn't seem like a lot, I'm happy with a 50% improvement on average and a 100% improvement every now and then! I did have some wrist issues yesterday that made me stop at 1:30, so I really need to focus on form over just trying to hit a certain time at any cost. The last thing I want is a plank injury!!



What do you do to improve your planking form?
Do you have a planking goal?

Thanks for reading and please remember to check out the blogs of the link-up hosts!!


10 comments:

  1. I have just signed up with Fit Fluential. Will have a look for the plank a day challenge

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    1. It really has been great and I totally have noticed the difference in my core strength since starting on April 1st!

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  2. Such a reminder to be grateful for our bodies and ability to live a fit life. Love that you ran a virtual 5K to support the Happy Heart Project! Thanks for joining the #wowlinkup :)

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    1. Thanks Amanda! Sometimes we forget that when we have these little, fleeting pains and that annoy us that there are others out there who will never be able to do what we do. Every mile is a gift!

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  3. I've had to overcome a lot of minor ailments in the past 2 years...knees, shoulder, wrist...all the ligaments are reminding me that I'm getting older! It definitely makes you grateful for your health and more mindful of your body. Great post! #wowlinkup

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    1. Thank you Markita! It does seem with every passing year there's a new little "pain" that wasn't quite there before, but at least we're still able to get out there and do it! You're so right about being mindful of our bodies, we're only given one so we have to take care of it!

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  4. Great job on the plank challenge. It is a great thing to do in between cardio intervals. I have a minor knee issue going on now but nothing that biofreeze can't fix. :-) Thanks for joining #wowlinkup. We are happy to heave you and don't be a stranger.

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    1. Thank you for coming over! The plank challenge has been a great physical and mental challenge and I have now been able to hold consistently for 2 minutes for a few days in a row. Biofreeze can really be a lifesaver! I love link-ups and definitely won't be stranger!

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  5. Are you planking on your elbows or hands? If your hands bother you move to the elbows. I broke my wrist 3 years ago so I can't plank for long on my hands without my left wrist bothering me later. Visiting from the #wowlinkup.

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    1. The last two days I've gone down to my elbows to give my wrist a chance to heal up. I did some reading and realized that I need to stop doing them on carpet (I've been doing them in our family room) and move back to my yoga mat on hardwood. That helped greatly last night! Thanks for coming over!

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