Gym rat, fitness freak, athlete … call it what you want but I am happily all of the above. I can honestly say one of my biggest hesitations with joining the race was the fear of not being able to work out. If you are like me the thought of not having a gym is really scary, especially paired with one to many blogs about gaining tons of weight on the field. I have never been one to diet but I am extremely dedicated to seeking a healthy lifestyle. I strive to be strong over skinny and at home you could almost always find me in one of my gyms or out for a run. I grew up playing sports and still live a very healthy lifestyle, I really like to motivate those around me also. I think having a healthy body not only feels good but keeps the mind healthy too.
Now that I am on the field I have decided to dedicate at least one blog a month to fitness. I hope it encourages future racers, current racers, and maybe even some of my readers back home! I can already tell you it won’t be easy, but nothing good is. I do promise it will be worth it if you dedicate time to get your sweat on during the race or in your everyday life. So here is the first list to get you going from packing into month one… or from the couch to your dusty Nikes.
-Most importantly, get your mind right and be realistic. You are most likely not going to reach peak performance on the field (although I might try). Your weight is going to fluctuate, especially as a female. Think about this, accept it and then get to training. Getting in shape is not an overnight process and neither is falling out of it. Every workout and rep will count but you should start by loving your body.
-Back home I box, lift weights and run with a little bit of Bikram yoga tossed in. On the field… not so much. Just like your other comforts your gym membership is staying home. So get creative. I packed a jump rope and a couple resistance bands. They pack light, small and you can build full body workouts with them. I also put copies of Insanity on my hard drive and brought my laptop, haven’t regretted the extra weight in my pack yet.
-Be open to adjust and remember safety comes first. I am in Kosovo this month and although it is very safe, running would draw a lot of attention. So I have been doing Insanity for cardio and it has actually been really fun. This also adds some strength training, which is a plus. This is the only workout DVD I have tried but so far I highly recommend it.
-Make a plan or set a goal and COMMIT. With the exception of travel days I have worked out every day. You will be tired and can come up with a million excuses to skip… don’t! Yes you won’t have many clothes to spare and the ones you use will smell, do it anyways.
-Calisthenics cannot be beat. No matter where you are you always have your bodyweight and there are exercises for every target area. Mix it up and try new things to see what works for you. Squats and pushups will be your best friend. I have already started to loose some muscle but I have many sore days too which means my training is working.
I hope this helps motivate you guys! I would greatly appreciate feedback and questions. Stay posted for more blogs on my fitness journey… and if you haven’t already, go sweat!
