It wasn’t the last 15 minutes of a marathon or 15 minutes of those crazy contractions when I had Brooke….
the hardest 15 minutes of my life was Bob Harper’s 15 Minute Abs video that I did this morning. My goal for the next time I do this video is to only take 12 breaks instead of the 30 that I took today. Core work is really difficult for me to do. It doesn’t take me any thinking to jump on the treadmill or go for a run but I have to convince myself all morning to finally do 15 minutes of abs.
My birthday present came in the mail yesterday. I had NO idea what Billy was going to get me. I have never been more excited. I have been borrowing my sister’s stroller and it is time I give it back to her so now I have by own brand new beautiful Mercedes Benz of running strollers. It is the BOB Ironman Stroller.
Brooke approved… which is a great thing because the three of us (Bob being the third person) will be spending countless hours together. I wish I could tell you that my hair was my morning hair but sadly this picture was taken at 1 pm.
PS I get triple smart runner points for not running with a tight IT band even when I got a new fabulous running toy to try out.
I already know that this will be my best birthday of my whole life.
For lunch I had leftovers from the Super Bowl party (I may be eating bean dip for the rest of the month) and those looked boring but I will show you this Clif Bar that I had. I have never had one of these (that I can remember) and I took one from Billy’s stash… WOW! Best snack ever.
Time to get back to work on Billy’s valentines present… he better like it.
——————————————————————————–
Running stroller owners… what kind do you have? What do you think about it?
Clif Bar fan? Favorite kind?
What was your workout today?
What did you have for a snack today?
99 comments
Elizabeth @ My Neon Running Shoes
I just got a double bob! For if I ever have another baby but for now I can use it for Noah and my niece and nephew! Love it I am way proud of you for not running with your new stroller. Girl that takes major discipline but it shows your true dedication and maturity as a runner!
Ashley
OMG I have the same stroller and it is my best friend! My husband laughs at how awesome I think my stroller is, I’ve put so many miles on that thing even up there on the LG Creek Trail! I’m having baby no.2 on Tuesday and I just ordered the double ironman! I’m so bummed it only comes in bright yellow though, oh well, enjoy your runs!
The Hungry Runner Girl
We should run together!!! Good luck on Tuesday!!! That is beyond exciting, so happy for you!
Brooke @ Running In Heels
That stroller is awesome!! So exciting for you!!
My workout was intervals on the treadmill for 3 miles and the Fitmixer workout of the day.. and I can’t stop eating kiwis!
Morgan
I hate ab work so much too! I seriously never do it- why is it so difficult? Glad you go an awesome stroller- it will make your runs all the better. Brooke looks so cute with the clif bar on her tummy :) It’s hard to remember your blog before you had her- she’s such a little piece of sunshine to look at.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thanks so much Morgan!
Breanna
I love Clif Bars! I forget the exact name of the flavor I like but it’s coconut and chocolate. It reminds me of the Samoas girl scout cookies! Clif Bars are my preferred pre-race breakfast.
I did a 5 mile treadmill run this morning before class! I am so proud of myself because I am NOT the type of person to wake up and exercise right away. I have to usually have 30minutes-1 hour to just wake up and hang out. But today I woke up ready to run, I had my clothes on and was out the door in about 5 minutes! I feel so accomplished.
My snack for today is a Fig Newton cookie.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Breanna!!! That is so awesome!!! Way to go girl!!
Natalie Martin
My 18 month old daughter & I run with out jogger by Baby Trend. And I LOVE Cliff bars! Favorite is white chocolate macadamian nut! Mmmmm! It’s wonderful, and one of my favorite snacks!
Ashley C
White Chocolate Macadamia bar is my fav and my almost three year olds too! She shares a few pieces with me on our ride home from the gym:)
Andrea @mainerunnergirl
Snacks-banana chips and craisins
Workout- 5 miles as fast as I could go!
I have a hard time doing abs, too.
Asia
Oh my gosh!! BOB is going to change your life! Best baby purchase, hands down. My snack was 5 KitKat minis… oops. Going to have an apple right now out of guilt!
Macalla
Chocolate Brownie, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut butter crunch, and Coconut Chocolate Chips are my favorite Clif bar choices. : P
Ran 4 “easy” miles today but it was really hard because of all the wind. Oh, and I just signed up for my first half (See Jane Run)! I’m terrified…and excited. : )
RainStorm
Much more important question: What is Brooke wearing in the last picture?! It appears to have pandas AND cupcakes on it!!!
Amanda Davis
Love clif bars, the chocolate and peanut butter and the oatmeal raisin are my favorite. I ran 3 miles this morning combined with ab work so nice easy day!
Emma @ Culturecopia
What an awesome gift! Billy is always so thoughtful, and I’m sure your valentine’s gift to him will be just as sweet! Today was a tempo run… it was painful, but good haha.
Allie
Happy Birthday! So glad you got the BOB ironman…it is an amazing stroller! I got mine for my shower from my teammates and I literally cried when my husband sold it (our son is 7). I may never forgive him. One suggestion for when Brooke gets older – I can’t say enough great things about the weather cover. It serves a multitude of purposes, like (obviously) protecting B from rain and cold but also helping the stroller not act as an inverted sail on windy days and keeping all of Brooke’s toys and snacks contained when she gets to the inevitable “I think I will throw something out of the stroller every 30 seconds” phase. It is magnificent!
Amy
The BOB is definitely the way to go! Love mine! I ran with my daughter in a single BOB until she was 13 months old…then I had my son (yes they are 13 months apart & I ran throughout my entire pregnancy while pushing a heavy infant!) so I started using the double basically right after my son was born…that lasted 4 months until it was miserable to push 80+ pounds of screaming babies! Now I use the stroller for walks to the park and go running at 6am!
Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons
I love the Clif Bar holiday flavors, like pumpkin pie and gingerbread!
What an awesome birthday gift. I love that Brooke has only one sock on in that picture, her teeny foot is so adorable!
Abby @ Change of Pace
That is an awesome gift! I always think runners are easy to buy gifts for since there is so much we always need or want!
I bet Brooke will love the quality time you guys spend with bob:)
We have an awesome Chariot stroller for our dog. It handles really well!
Oddly enough, I absolutely love working my core. The harder the workout, the better!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
Brooke looks like she loves your gift! And my workout today has been lugging my giant backpack and duffel bag around airports and now Chicago/school until I finally get home tonight… It’s been a long day.
Sonia the Mexigarian
Congrats on Bob! I foresee you on the LG Trail pushing Brooke along.
I enjoy the Cliff bars. We take them on the road with us when we go hiking :) I love the Chocolate Chip. Though I must hunt down that coconut chocolate one now!
Snack for the day . . . . my think thin protein bar?
Laura
That is a pretty sweet stroller, and Brooke looks so happy in it! haha she’s adorable.
My workout today was an at-home workout that I found on Pinterest. Burpees, mountain climbers, squats, jumping squats, lunges, pushups, crunches…oyy. The leg moves are fine for me because of running but my core needs some major strengthening.. I know exactly where you’re coming from about having to psych yourself up for it. Upcoming bikini season is my motivator these days…lol.
jan
We have a B.o.B. stroller too and love it! Ours is the Revolution but they look pretty similar. I have never regretted that purchase for a second. We have the weather shield for ours, which is a lifesaver here. I take my daughter out in single-digit temps even–that thing is WARM. And of course it’s nice for rain too. You probably don’t have the weather woes that we have though! Brooke seems to like it too!!
Heather @ Run Eat Play
We have a jogging stroller – I think it’s Columbia, maybe.
I love Clif Builder Bars! Target just got the snack size – 140 calories and 10 grams of protein! I always eat one after BodyPump.
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise
What a great birthday present! Billy is such a good husband. I am definitely a Clif bar fan. I think my favorite flavor is Peanut Toffee Buzz, which for some reason I can only seem to find at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. My workout was 5 miles of intervals and 30 minutes of yoga. Have a great evening!
Adrienne
Did you just announce that Curly is going to be a big sister?
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hahahah noooooooo!!!! I wish!!!
Lara
That’s what I thought too!!! Why else would she need it back?? :)
Sharsti@theblondehairblueeyedrunner
My neighbor who is a runner gave me her old running stroller. I don’t even know what kind it is, but it worked great for the handful of times I used it. Unfortunately, I hate running with a stroller so I pretty much decided not to haha Maybe I’ll try it again this summer, maybe.
Bri
I’m a huge CLIF bar fan – white chocolate macadamia nut is my favorite. I get them by the box (big box) and eat them as breakfast on the go. I’m very jealous of your new stroller! Maybe I can leave this post up on my computer every day until June & my hubs will take the hint!
Kari
Mmm pb clif bars are awesome. I like white chocolate macadamia too (it’s more like a candy bar to me… :)
I did a quick 7 miles this morning. Somehow made it up at 6 before my early morning class. I worked last semester and don’t know how I used to wake up at 6 every day. Ashamed to say nowadays I don’t usually get up before 8 am…
Billy is so thoughtful in your gifts! So exciting you got a new running stroller! Brooke is going to love running with you even more!
Deirdre | Oh Well Whatever
I am sure you and Bob will be very happy together – he is the best!
Sarah @pickyrunner
Today was a speed day for me. Track day is the hardest day of the week for me so ill be feeling it tomorrow. My favorite kind of fueling: kashi protein bars. The chocolate caramel ones are like healthy rice Krispy treats!
solarpoweredlife
The BOB strollers are the mac daddy! Nice work!
I’m not paying attention to the food talk today. lalalalalalala. I’m on a juice fast today, and I’m r.e.a.l.l.y. trying to not think about the fact that it’s been 24 hours since I chewed food. :)
(But those Clif bars are great!)
Alina Enoiu
I love ab workouts! What kind of stuff does he do in his dvd?
Amanda
I can’t believe you’ve never had a Clif bar!! White chocolate macadamia Clif bars are the bomb.com!! I always have a stash.
Allee @ Griselda Mood
Ooh lucky girl! I’ve heard nothing but great things about BOB! I have a Baby Trend jogging stroller that’s still in our basement– can’t wait until spring to bust it out with the babe in the warmer weather!
Elizabeth R
White chocolate macadamia nut. I have one every morning for breakfast.
Annette@FitnessPerks
Looks like an awesome stroller! She looks adorable in that. ADORABLE.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Oh gosh – that picture of those crunches makes me shake just looking at it. Core work is not my friend either. Not at all.
You get triple smart runner points AND a cookie for not running with a tight IT band :D Why a cookie? Because that’s what I currently have on the brain after enjoying one (or two) as an afternoon pick-me-up. Chocolate chip oatmeal. I die <3
Kelly
Love your new stroller! I knew I always wanted a BOB stroller (all those years of being a nanny) and so as soon as I found out I was pregnant my husband and I went out and bought the black BOB Revolution. My baby isn’t due for 3 months but I cannot wait to go on runs with her in it!!
Kim
Hungry Running Girl:
Do you have any suggestions for running with the jogger? I just got one gifted to me and I pulled that baby out when we had a random 60 degree day in the midst of negative windchill numbers. My 2 miles felt like 5 on a good day. Thoughts, suggestions, HELP!
whitney
I have a Bob and I love it! I just wish it wasn’t in storage, we’re having our second in may though and might be upgrading to a double.
Katie B
Hi Janae! I struggled for over 4 months with IT band issues. It is such a frustrating injury because there is a underlying cause and you just have to find it. After trying almost everything, foam rolling and this rehab routine I found through Reddit turned it all around for me: http://strengthrunning.com/2011/02/the-itb-rehab-routine-video-demonstration/
I’m finally ‘back’ and ran 20 miles this weekend. Good luck with your battle! IT band injuries are such a beast.
Ashley
Wow! Your husband is awesome. What a great present! We have an older model of the InStep, it is nice.
Those clif bars are awesome–the white chocolate macadamia ones are my favorite! :-)
Carrie
I love my BOB!
Holly KN
Best. Gift. Ever. =) I know you three will put in plenty of miles together. Enjoy! (Once your IT band is feeling better.)
I gorged myself on Clif bars for a year back in…2009 or so, and now, can’t even stomach the thought of one. Ooops.
I literally just got up, so…no workout or snack yet today. Workout plan is spin + yoga tonight. Snack plan is…to eat a lot of them today? :)
Anne
Oh my goodness gracious! Kudos to you for resisting the temptation to run, waht a great gift!!
I’m glad to hear Bob’s video is so challenging (not that I would exprect to hear otherwise) I can’t wait to read more reviews of it!
Teresa @ www.fitinwoodbine.com
Love me a Clif bar!! I eat one at least 5 times a week with my favorite being the Oatmeal Raisin Walnut!!!
GreenGirlRunning
That’s a GREAT bday present! I loved my BOB and it wasn’t even as cool as yours ! I think I might have to try that Bob Harper ab workout… my core needs a little torture :) Love Brooke’s one sock look ;)
Kari Burghardt
Phil & Ted’s! I love it to pieces. Super smooth to run with and the apple green color gets lots of compliments too! Enjoy Bob! ;)
TorontoRunner
Omgsh, I had one of the biggest loser dvds bob did and it was BRUTAL!!! Couldn’t finish it!!
what a FANTASTIC early birthday present!! Enjoy your birthday month!! (I’m 25 tooooday! yay February!!)
Amanda
Bob is a killer! Is it bad that us non awesome runners might see perspective that abs are hard for you, an elite runner? ;) i could do abs with Bob all day but 3 10 minute miles might kill me!
Laura @ RunningJunkie123
You are so funny!! I will have to see if I can get that Bob Harper ab workout. I’ve been doing P90X Ab Ripper and it’s really though on my hip flexors.
That is a great present!! Good job to Billy!
My workout today was ankle weight routine, a plank and wall sit (yes, just one haha), 48 pushups and 45 minutes of yoga.
Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom
Is it weird that I won’t have kids for a few years (as I’m not even in a relationship) but I take note of all the mom’s I see jogging with their running strollers? That is DEFINITELY on my list of things I want/need as a mom…
For my workout today, I ran my 3 mile training run. For snacks I had a lot.. per usual. I had cucumber and hummus, half of a slice of pumpkin spice cake, chex mix, and a sweet and salty peanut butter bar. Don’t judge me…. The spice cake was delicious. Tomorrow I plan on having froyo for dinner…
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
Brandon loves Cliff bars, but I’ve never tried one. Maybe I need to steal one of his! Thanks for the tip!
STUFT Mama
Totally made the hubby do that video. He was not happy. Ha. BOB Ironman double all the way!!!! :) Hugs friend!
Rhonda and Sandrine
We enjoy a Cliff bar once in awhile…favorite kind…we like the one you had: chocolate chip peanut crunch…Sandrine likes Green Superfood Energy Bars–chocolate, of course!
michelle kim
I had some kind of Pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice Clif bar that I really liked.
Hope your IT band gets better!
Kristen @ Happy Running Mama
Love my BOB! I first bought a single BOB and then had to buy the “double” BOB when another little one arrived just 16 short months later. My little ones are now almost 3 and 4 but I still use the BOB a lot for walks to the store.
Why is it SO hard to get motivated to do ab work? I have no trouble heading out for a 15 mile run but somehow can never find 10 minutes for my poor, neglected core?!
Jacqueline
I am so excited for you!! Bill did a great job finding the perfect gift for sure. With Brooke’s love for being outside, I am guessing you will be outside 96.999% of the time now.
Amy @Honey Badger Runs
Awesome new stroller, looks like Brooke loves it too! I love Cliff bars, the chocolate chip ones! They seem huge though, so I only eat half at a time.
I ran 7 miles on the treadmill today, I can’t wait for Spring when I can get outside more!
I just ate some Pepperidge Farm orange Milano cookies for a snack. Yum!
Kay
What an awesome present!M
Jen H
I love Bob Harper’s yoga abs video! Love the whole video actually. Today’s workout was yoga. I’d rather be running. I’m trying to build up the courage to try swimming since I can’t shake this injury.
I never had a jogging stroller. I borrowed one for a bit but it was awful. The front wheel didn’t swivel so I had to tip & turn it all the time. It was so heavy. I’ve heard great things about the BOB strollers.
Never had a clif bar but my hubs loves the walnut oatmeal flavor. My kids love the clif bar z. The latest favorite is cookies & cream.
Snack today-trying not to snack but I did grab a few pretzels while I was making dinner-boring. Should have waited for the dinner.
Elizabeth
I’m the same!!! I hate core work period!! E
Kayla @ kp LOVING it
Super fly!!!
P.S. If it makes you feel any better, I took about 30 breaks doing the Insanity Core Cardio this week. He kept saying to be happy we weren’t doing any crunches….but I was thinking crunches would have been WAY easier than what we were doing!!!
Whitney
YES I am a cliff bar fan! I love them! I usually eat one before my runs to have some fuel before hand. My favorite is the Oatmeal Raisin one. YUMMY!
Lindsey
Ahhhhh I’m so jealous! Please do a review soon! Happy early birthday!
Michele @ Nycrunningmama
YAY!!!!! I have a BOB and LOOOOVE it!! Probably going to get the Dualie Ironman one for this summer – the duallies are SOOO pricey though :/ UGH!
So glad you got such a great gift!!!! xoxo
Ruth@FacetiousFarang
I went vegan for awhile, and Clif Bars were a staple part of my diet, so I’m a little sick of them now. I still think the peanut butter flavour is perfect, though.
Lauren
Nicest wheels on the trail! My abs were dying today because I did an ab circuit after an upper body workout. I haven’t really “worked” them in so long so I definitely realized how much this morning! Maybe I’ll work on them while I’m recovering from surgery tomorrow. EEK. My favorite Cliff Bar is definitely The Chocolate Fudge Brownie!
Allyssa
You are gonna love your Bob Ironman! I have the yellow one and it’s the best thing ever!!!!! Although I bought mine in 2010 and yours looks a lot comfier for baby than mine. Yours has cool padding to it!
Karen @ Runner Girl Eats
What a great gift! I had to skip my workout today and am going nutso. I need a sweat therapy session asap. I am so happy we emptied our superbowl leftovers, I wouldn’t be able to control myself!
Nerri
That really IS the best gift ever!!!! Happy early birthday – I hope there’s lots of froyo involved!
She Ran.She Worked.She Conquered.
So I started training for my first marathon today…I’m going to go back and read all your posts about marathon training! Any chance you trained for one in just 10 weeks :-P
-Molly
Carrie
You will LOVE your BOB. I got mine for Mother’s Day last year and it is the very best!
[email protected].
I have a Chariot Cougar stroller – love it! I could not afford to buy a new one so I stocked online ads for months trying to find the perfect one at an affordable price. Finally scored a barely used for for less than half the retail price.
and clif bars are awesome – I have a Costco box full of them :-)
Jaeme + Randy
I have that same stroller in yellow. You are going to LOVE it, it is so amazing I swear I run better when I have it because it rolls so dang easy it just takes me right along with it. I can’t wait until it warms up so I can use it all the time, dang winter I need California weather!
Khushboo
I prefer Cliff-Z bars…especially the S’more flavor- yuM!
Nicole@TheKidlessKronicles
Not a cliff bar fan. Kind bars instead. Or just plain old trail mix bars.
Elliptical. YUCK!
The Kidless Kronicles
Lindsay
I feel you on the core work. I loathe it. I injured my leg at the beginning of January and I told myself this is the perfect time to focus on strengthening my core, yeah, that didn’t happen. Brooke is so cute!!! :)
[email protected]
Cliff Bars are pretty good and the coconut one that Brooke was modeling is my favorite.
My 6-mile run today was my fastest ever and I felt so good!
Enjoy that stroller (when you are healthy enough)!!!
Ashlee
Core work is soooo hard to get motivated for! I think because you see progress SO, SO slowly!
Brooke’s eyelashes look super long today!!
Mia
Seriously sometimes reading your blog is like reading about my day/what i’m thinking. Except with the addition of a super cute baby. I did (uh, tried to do) Jillian Michaels Six Week Six Pack for the first time today. And afterward i said “well that was one of the craziest things I’ve ever done.” My goal for tomorrow is to do it again, but actually finish the 30 min workout. Not sure it this is an obtainable goal.
Stacy
Bob Harper isn’t just tough for AB workouts. He has ultimate tough workouts no matter what they are! Way to push through!
Charlie (The Runner Beans)
Love peanut butter cliff bars, I usually eat half on my way to the gym and the other half afterwards. They’re great!
Deana
I have a double jogger/bike trailer style that I can use. It certainly makes me work my core more when I have to use it!
Haven’t tried a Clif bar yet – I enjoy a Luna Caramel Nut Brownie bar once in a while. Protein that tastes somewhat like a real chocolate brownie – Sign me up!
Kari @ Running Ricig
That is a freaking awesome gift!! Way to go Billy and happy birthday to you!
Kim
I have the Baby Jogger Summit XC jogging stroller… BOB competition. While I love it, I wish I got the BOB!! I live in Boston so I don’t do much outdoor running from Dec-March, but when its warm my little one and I run with the jogger everyday!!! I am expecting in Sept so I am going to look into BOB Dualies!
Karla @ myhighonlife
While I don’t have children and won’t for manyy years if I can help it-this stroller makes me excited for when I do! Kudos for now pushing the IT band by taking BOB out for a new spin. He will still be here this weekend :)
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
Awesome gift! Happy Birthday!
I love Clif Bars! I am currently working my way through a prize pack from them. So good!
Yesterday’s workout was a trail run with my daughters. My favorite! Pretty sure it will be the same today.
Jenn@ Run It My Way
How is it that Brooke looks so happy and content all the time? Please tell me that she wakes up during the night and wails and screams- you’re making me want a baby, it just looks like so much fun to have this adorable, happy little person around all the time :)
I really like Clif bars! I have tummy issues when I’m running a lot- I tend to get seriously nauseated and urge a lot if I eat anything less than 2 hours before running. Clif bars (and bananas!) are one of the few foods I can tolerate eating about 40 minutes before a run. We buy the boxes of them at Costco!!
Lizzie
That is such an amazing bday present!! I’m hoping the fact that you have to give the stroller back to your sis means that she is going to have more adorable kids!
Melissa
You are going to love the Bob so much! It’s the best baby gift I received when I was pregnant. Mia is 3 and she is still happy sitting in it on a run. Enjoy!!!
Blaire @ Just Been Running
Oh my gosh I love Clif Bars!! They are my absolute favorite and I always eat a half of one before a race or a tough work out and then eat the rest afterwards :)
Your new stroller is awesome!!!
Holly
Aww, I LOVE your gift!!! Billy is quite an awesome gift giver- treadmills, BOBs,…can he send some tips to Craig?! ;)
Can’t wait to see what you think of it while running- hope that IT band continues to feel better- thinking of you!
Katerina
Oh my gosh — or 15 minutes of cross for — that’s my newest addiction in addition to running. Bye bye gym membership.
Sara
I had a single BOB and LOVED it! I got a double BOB for Mother’s Day (6 months before my daughter was due) and love it too!
Cliff also makes bars and fruit ropes called Z fruits for kids….and they are sold at Costco! You will have to try them once Brooke can eat snacks that aren’t mushy!