Laid back approach to training

The day started with a little cross-training, not as fun as running but it still did its job to make me sweat, load up on endorphins and catch up on reading and tv (Saved by the Bell). 20 minutes stairclimber, 20 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes bike, 10 minutes (what felt like 58) weights.


I even showered and got ready at the gym…only problem was that I forgot a silly brush. My hair does not dry well without a brush. A woman that I always see at the gym walked in as I was taking this picture and making a weird face, from this time forward it will always be awkward to see her.


Here is an awesome article about Abdi Abdirahman and his approach to training.


It is so interesting to me to read about him because according to his times you would think he was very strict about his workouts and diet. He trains and competes because he absolutely loves it. He listens to his body (and mind) and doesn’t let running take over his life and forget about all of the other amazing things this world has to offer.


I think reading this article is going to help me get out of that running funk that I have been having because if even an elite Olympic distance runner can take a laid back approach to running so can I. Time to add more fun and less thinking into running.
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Just got to the airport! Billy had to go back to school so my mom and niece came to pick me up and brought donuts to help Billy get through this time of missing me so much for the next 48 hours. I don’t know how he is going to live without me for so long.


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What was your last cross-training workout?

Are you laid back about your race training or are you type A about your training? What race were you most strict with concerning your training?

Who is racing this weekend? Who is running the Ogden marathon tomorrow? Long runs?

Anyone going out to dinner tonight? Where?

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35 comments

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That is such a cute pic of your niece with Billy! Her smile is precious!!

Tonight I teach a Zumba class for a Ladies’ Night Out Party at a gym I teach at, and then a laid-back weekend begins! Much needed after craziness from this week & last weekend!

Have FUN on your TRIP!!

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Have fun on your trip! That’s pretty awesome for an elite to be so laid back. I’m pretty laid back, until I can’t run or get injured. Then all I want is to hit x miles and x minutes.

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Ogden marathon tomorrow! I am making dinner tonight at my parentals for my fellow relay buddies and my friend that I am pacing. It is no flight to Santa Monica to hang out with friends, but I am super excited anyway! I was actually most strict with my training when I was training for this very marathon last year…and that is when I got injured the worst. Lame sauce. I have pretty much been running just for ‘fun’ since and so far, so good.

So did you and your mom stop for fro yo? The more Yogurtland tweets about their oatmeal cookie flavor, the more and more I want it. I think I will have to get one tomorrow after the race…whoever said you shouldn’t reward yourself with food is a fool ;)

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I’ve gotten hooked on Turbo Fire by Beach Body! I LOVE it, kickboxing and cardio and all kinds of goodness. We have a 19 month old so nap time = mommy time = workout time. You’d love it : ) Great to incorporate cross training into our running routine, switched it up a bit. PS you look wonderful

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Oh man, I’m almost too laid back with my training! I settle for “just good enough.” It’s good because I never have serious injuries, but I always feel I could’ve trained better to go faster. One of these days, I’d love to buckle down and get serious about it :)

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I did the stairmaster on Tuesday! I love that it’s right in my basement, easy crosstraining;-) I am right in between being Type A and not, and probably the only thing that keeps me more flexible is that I have kids and my husband is always training for something too, so I can’t take up all the time and energy that it would take to train the way I really want.
Our friends just opened a new fro yo in my town, Sweet Frog, so we went and got some goodies! It was delish.
Have a GREAT girls weekend!!!

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I have my first long run EVER tomorrow- 11 miles, not long in the grand sceme of running, but long for me! Also taking it from the treadmill to outdoors- I’m a little scared about that though. We’ll see how it goes! :)

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Your niece is just so darn cute!! :)

Hope you have a great weekend, Janae!!

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I used to be type A about exercise and food……..but was never truly content. I went through a transition period of creating a zen/peaceful life…….went back to running…….listen to my body and mind……and literally my running pace and miles have never been better.

Dinner: made a fantastic salad, and pairing it with…drumroll… frozen pizza.

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I’m not racing, but I am working a booth at a race. So that’s exciting.

Your niece is so freaking cute. I need those donuts.

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I found your blog a few months ago, and have loved catching up! I hope you have fun on your trip, and I can’t wait to read a recap–I always live vicariously through other bloggers who travel!

I’m **hoping** I can talk my husband in to going out to dinner tonight! I always hate cooking on Friday nights. :-/

I’m pretty laid back when it comes to training, but I stuck to a pretty strict schedule leading up to my upcoming half. I’ve been going to the pool with my husband on Tuesdays/Thursdays to give the legs a break from all the pounding.

I’m running a half marathon this weekend with myTEAM TRIUMPH Wisconsin (an athletic ride-along program for people with disabilities)!

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I’ve been working much more cross training into my workouts lately. I got a little burnt out on running after my last race, although I can already feel the itch to run more coming back!

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I’ve been really bad with cross training recently ! I’ll do yoga but that’s about it!

& I’m running the Brooklyn Half tomorrow :)

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You have the cutest nieces and nephews!

Just got a new awesome job offer so in the words of Kool and The Gang, it is time to Celebrate, Come On!

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I went to a Jazzercise class this morning! And tonight I’m having dinner with my parents, they’re grilling a big flank steak!

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EEEEEE!!!! Im reading/typing this on the plane! See you in a couple hours! I wonder where WE are going to dinner tonight….

Also, I told Brian that I had to bring going out clothes, day clothes, swimsuits, gym clothes… You know. He voted to omit the gym clothes. He obviously doesnt know you. You always made me go in Hawaii, thankfully.

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Depends on the race, in the past I have tracked everything. Resting HR, calorie intake, charted and logged to make sure I had a balanced approach. Funny thing is this both worked, when I finally reach my goal, but also worked in making me crazy and frustrated. Just posted on this myself, how to tell if its running addiction so to speak.

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I’m really laid back about training – probably way too laid back! Once in a while I will print a training plan, then I neglect it – lose it – skip workouts – shorten long runs – well, you get the picture. For my second marathon I trained religiously, because I’d been undertrained for my first race and it hurt. But I didn’t enjoy that much work, so I backed off for future competitions.

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I love doing the Stairclimber (revolving staircase at the gym) or my elliptical at home (while watching shows on Hulu). I just finished up a slow run in Hawaii! My stupid knee started acting up, which I blame on walking around in old flipflops all day yesterday. Still a beautiful place to run!

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Last XT workout was last night…80 min on the elliptical…middle 45 w/ HR @ ~160 (which is pretty a lot for an old lady like me!). Lately, I am all about the XT…working on that injury-prevention/-healing thing :)

I used to be very strict about my training when I was rowing. I’ve always been pretty flexible with running training, though. I’m not out to set the world on fire, just doing it to see what I can do. If that means I only was able to run a couple of times a week…well, then that’s what it means! lol

I actually AM racing this weekend! Woo hoo!!!! SF Bay to Breakers :)

Dining in. Roasted chicken :)

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What an adorable last picture! Have a great weekend! I’m sure it will be awesome.

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I try to be type A hardcore but dinner and drinks sometimes get in the way. So does work. I just add it on to the next day.

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I am Type A but I definitely want to start being more laid-back about my workouts! I have one week left of Body for Life so once that’s over, I’m going to chill out a bit with the intensity! Hope your weekend is a blast so far!

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I’m definitely more laid back when it comes to training.
During each training session though, I tend to give all I have if I’m serious about the event coming up!

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My last cross training workout was yesterday, I really enjoy mixing things up! I used to be massively typeA about getting a workout everyday and doing the right thing, much too obsessive but I’ve learnt when I need rest & now train so much better after having that rest :) I am training for a tough mudder event at the moment but training not to worry too much about it! I am going out for pizza and pasta with some of my best girlfriends :) yay!
I hope you have a wonderful time away!

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Thanks for the article clips about Abdi Abdirahman. I love hearing about runners that have a passion for running but also have as much of a passion for life and fun. Sometimes it’s easy to focus on running being fun that you can lose sight that there are so many fun things to do.

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have a great weekend, janae!!
last xtraining was my stairmaster yesterday a.m.
for one marathon training cycle, i tracked everything in minute detail to make sure i was getting enough PRO and FAT per day. had a great race, but that approach was a little intense and time consuming!

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Thanks for sharing that!! I just took an entire month off of running just for this reason. I am finishing this haitus this coming Tuesday and I have never been more excited to run.

It got to the point where I thought a 3 mike run was a waste of time and that scared me! Now I can wait to just lace up my sneakers and run however far it is. Even if its only 2-3 miles.

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Ooh I last cross trained… Thats embarassing… Do abs workouts count?

Im laid back but I get worried if I havent put in the mileage. i plan to get stricter on myself in a bit to lower my 5k/10k times :)

This weekend Im doing a charity UNDERWEAR RACE not even kidding. as in in my undies.

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What a great article! I’m also a Type A and sometimes I let this interfere with actual enjoyment of running. Although I often times need to sign up for races to keep myself motivated to run, I find that my goal-oriented self gets a bit too controlling at times.

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Thanks for sharing that article…good to know you can still take it easy occassionally and meet goals. It’s so important to keep the fun in running and I think we all forget that occassionally.

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gotta love those awkward ‘why yes, I am taking a picture of myself in the mirror’ photos!

I’ve had a few of those moments myself!

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Thanks for the article about Abdi — I think I’m getting on that train — absolutely awesome story. I’ve loved Meb and Ryan for years, but for some reason didn’t know much about Abdi, yet he seems the most relatable. Such a neat story! I love this country sometimes!!!!!!

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Haha love the gym pic!

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I’ve been looknig for a post like this for an age

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