Monday, May 11, 2015

My Current Workout Plan: Half Marathon Training & Bikini Body Guide Workouts

Aunie Sauce Fitness, Healthy Living Blogger, Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training Programs, Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide BBG

As someone who's almost always training for something (a race, following a workout plan, for a goal, etc), I often get asked the question, "What's your typical workout routine?" And that's the hardest question for me to answer, because my workouts are never the same. I've found my greatest successes from mixing it up and constantly trying new things. Whether it's a new half marathon training program (this is my go-to running training site), a free 30-day ab squat & push-up challenge (which I saw great results from, by the way!), or just getting my daily workout fix—I'm always doing something. My goal typically doesn't revolve around, "Do legs on X day and run on X day"—my goal is simply to move for 30-minutes each day.

That being said, I am currently following a training regime to help me stay balanced and improve my run times for all the races I have scheduled this year. My training program includes 3 run days, 3 strength days and one cross training or stretching day per week. I've put together a combination of several different programs to make one that suits me at the moment.

For my running programs, I'm using a combo of Hal Higdon's Intermediate and Advanced half marathon training programs. On my strength days, I'm working my way through the Kayla Itsines 12-week Bikini Body Guide. After I finish her first guide, I'll work through her second Bikini Body Guide 2.0 which includes weeks 13-24. A normal training week for me typically looks like this:


This program works very well for my schedule and I'm able to stick to it. Monday thru Friday, I get up early and begin my workouts at 5:00 am. Most days I'm in our garage home gym, others are spent at the actual gym and the rest are out on the open road. Saturdays are typically spent at the gym with my husband, and Sunday mornings I rise early and get my long run in before church, usually finishing before the sun comes up. Yes, I get up early—and I love it. I know that timeline doesn't work for everyone, but for me, if I don't do it early—I won't do it!

In regards to the training programs, I can't advocate for them enough. I LOVE Hal Higdon's free running programs and have been using them for race-prep since 2010. I enjoy a balanced approach to fitness, so in an effort to increase strength days without hitting weights too hard (and being able to have the flexibility of an at-home workout), I began the Bikini Body Guide program. It is worth every single penny. The workouts are high-intensity and get the sweat dripping! I've seen a huge strength increase since beginning them, and have also significantly leaned down and toned up!

Whether you're following a program or just training to be your best you, setting small goals is always something to strive for. While I may miss a BBG workout or run day here and there, as long as I stick to my goal of moving 30-minutes per day, I know I've done something good for my body. And right now, working toward racing faster, becoming stronger and staying lean is my main goal. And that's the beauty of goals—each day you can set a new one.

I hope this breakdown of my fitness plan helps. If you're curious, I'm using a Garmin vivofit 2 to track my activity. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Follow my fitness journey here: Instagram @auniesauce │ Fitness Instagram @auniefit │ Garmin Connect

Thursday, May 7, 2015

31.


My Dearest Daniel,

          HAPPY BIRTHDAY! My sweet husband, I can't even believe you're 31 today. I'm so excited to enjoy this next year with you.

          I feel like this year comes with a lot of significance. Maybe because we have so many places we know we want to travel to, new places we'd like to see, and family members we'd like to visit. Maybe it's because we have so many ideas, dreams and wishes that we just can't nail a few down—they're all so good! Maybe it's because we know we have some upcoming possibilities professionally and for our future, but they just haven't happened yet. Or maybe it's because your dad became YOUR dad when he was 31 and there's always been that impending, "Maybe, just maybe, when I'm 31 I'll be a dad," thought going on. Or maybe that's just me! ;)

          No matter what this year holds, I'm just glad to be holding your hand through it all. 31 years. Think of all you've accomplished... so much! But what's even better? Think of all you have left to do.

          This is the fourth year I've had the privilege of writing you a birthday letter. It's so nice to be home and be able to give you a kiss when you walk in the door this evening instead of writing letters from 1,600 miles away this year. I'm so blessed to be able to spend each day with you and to finish each day wrapped in your arms. Here's to many, many more days of that and celebration of YOU. After all, this is your day. I love you, honey.

Praying that God's got good things in store for you (and us!) in this 31st year of yours,
Your Auniekins ♥

Past birthday letters to Daniel: 2829 │ 30

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