Game Day.

The carbs have been loaded. The training runs are completed. Let's see how this all shakes out shall we? It's 10 PM and I'm tucked into bed.

Tomorrow is marathon day.
Good luck to everyone running! I'll catch you on the flip side :)

Now Give Me YOUR Tunes

So, you know how I LOVE to share all of my favorite workout tunes? Now I want you to share yours with me! I'm building my marathon playlist for tomorrow, and I want to be sure that I'm not missing anything great.

What songs are you loving to run/work out to right now? 

Don't be stingy. Share the wealth.
Oh, and if you want to see all of my past favorites click HERE for all my workout playlists.

Happy National Running Day! I'll celebrate in T Minus 3 Days

Thursday. Friday. SATURDAY. How in the world is Wednesday already over? My mom, sister, and brother-in-law are flying in tomorrow, which means we are really doing this marathon thing aren't we? My brother-in-law is running the half marathon, and as I've mentioned before my sister is doing the full with me!

Today is national running day, and I think I'll prolong my celebration until Saturday. 26.2 miles is enough celebrating, right? I did a 3 miler of hills Monday, rested yesterday, and was planning on doing 4 today but I have been having some weird shin splint-ish pains in my leg. So, I decided to keep it easy with 45 minutes on the elliptical instead. I did make a lot of my clients sprint today if that counts :) 

I took one of my clients through an awesome circuit if you are looking for something to mix up your workout routines...

3 sets alternating through each of these exercises:
15 kettle bell swings
15 quick step ups on the right foot
15 quick step ups on the left foot
1 minute plank
15 pushups

2 minute sprint

3 sets alternating through each of these exercises
15 kettle bell sumo squats with an upright row
20 mountain climbers (slow)
10 burpees

2 minute sprint

3 sets alternating through each of these exercises
15 jump squats
12 rows w/db
12 bicep curls w/db
12 overhead presses w/db (these last three exercises should go right form one to the next)

2 minute sprint

Try it. It's a good one.
I leave you with a photo of my blackberry. I got these at target this week, and they are seriously the biggest blackberries I have EVER seen...and SO good.

I don't even know if this picture does them justice. Fresh, good produce is THE best. Don't you think?

Are any of you running any of the Utah Valley races this Saturday??! If so, good luck!

A weekend away & previewing the race route

This weekend was another fun trip away from home. Some friends and I headed up to Oakley, UT for a cabin get away. It was so much fun. We managed to get in some great gaming, 4-wheeling, walks, dancing, and a little bit of sleep. As we drove up Provo Canyon (and back down) I eyed the course of my marathon this coming Saturday. Ahhhh...I can't believe it's a week away. I don't know if it made me more or less nervous to see EXACTLY where I'll be running. It is definitely beautiful, but it is quite a jaunt.
Like it or not, this Saturday is coming quick!

Here are some pics from the weekend.

 

 It was so much fun! I hope your weekend was awesome as well!

Do you like to know the course of your races, or do you prefer to go in with some anticipation and surprise? What did you do this weekend??

May Giveaway Winner!

It is officially JUNE! WOW! How did that happen so fast!?!? I have no idea. Today was my LAST long run until the marathon which is a WEEK from tomorrow. EEK. Exciting though.

I am off for a cabin weekend, but before I peace...the winner of May's Music to Move to Mix Giveaway is....
LINDSAY A!!! Congrats girl!
Lindsay said:

I'd say that is great motivation. Email me at megolina21 at gmail.com and I'll hook you up with your new tunes! Congrats!

I hope everyone has an AWESOME weekend! xoxoxo Megs

Sunny Benefits

You know my thoughts on this beautiful season...I LOVE summer. It makes me feel happy, healthy, alive, warm...etc. etc. etc.

 This was part of my day today...hellooooo summer. 

A few weeks ago I had an anonymous commenter ask how I could consider myself "healthy" when I promote laying out. Before I answer this question...I have to say a few things.

1) I realize that blogging, and including any sort of detail about your life, is opening to door for scrutiny. While I do consider myself a trained expert and professional in the areas of health and fitness, I am not an expert in ALL things, nor do I claim to be. Some of what I write about is simply my opinion. I ALWAYS try to clarify when I am inserting my own feelings and beliefs. I realize that not everyone will agree with my opinions, or with what I state is fact, and that is fine with me. We all have the right to our own opinions, and I love that.
2) I LOVE to hear your opinions. If you don't agree with me, I like to hear it, and I like to hear why. There are many different ways to look at things in life, and our diversity is what makes us all so great and interesting.
3) I really REALLY do love your questions. I love your questions about why I believe the way I do, what you are struggling with, and how I can help. So, PLEASE keep them coming.

Now, with that being said...back to the question at hand. How can I consider myself "healthy" and promote laying out.
Well...I do consider myself healthy. I don't, however, consider myself perfect, and I never have claimed to be such.  I understand that there can be some health risks involved when there is excessive or dangerous sun exposure. I think how much sun you can handle, how much sun block you need, and how easily your skin does or doesn't soak up the sun is a completely personal issue. I haven't EVER said that in order to be healthy you should lay out. I may have said that I love being in the sun, and that is a true statement.

I will tell you that there are so many facets that go into being a "healthy" person. One of those facets is happiness, and being outdoors/soaking up some good vitamin D definitely makes me happy.

We hear quite frequently about the dangers of the sun...as far as overexposure and skin cancer, and I KNOW these are very real scenarios that can be life threatening if you aren't careful. I would advise you to be careful when you are in the sun, and use proper judgment, hats, sunscreen, wet suits, umbrellas, and whatever else you feel like you need.

I do think you should know some of the benefits that the sun provides as well...
The sun provides vitamin D which can...prevent high blood pressure, reduce the risk of diabetes, prevent bone disease (it is needed for the body to absorb calcium), prevent muscle pain, boost the immune system, increase energy levels, reduce the severity of cataracts, and reduce the chances of MS.
Some sun exposure can also lower cholesterol, decrease your chance of osteoporosis, improve kidney function, reduce stress, reduce anxiety, and help to fight seasonal affective disorder...just to name a few things.

There are definitely some benefits to sun exposure, but it is all about being safe in the sun! SO, enjoy the summer and do so in a way that is right for you!

Do you like being in the sun or are you one who avoids the sun altogether? Are you as happy as I am that SUMMER IS HERE?!?!?

Don't forget that today is the last day to enter in the May's Music to Move to Mix Giveaway!

Product Review: Element Bars

There is just something awesome about people who get good, whole foods. We have become a society that likes things quick and easy. I get that. However, when did quick and easy come to mean processed, full of sugar, and completely unhealthy as well? The sad thing is that there are plenty of options out there that can be quick, easy, AND healthy. Crazy, right? Well, it's true. The people at Element Bars have taken the concept of healthy eating on the go, and made it totally possible. Not only have they made it possible, but they have made it customizable. You better believe that I love everything about that.

Well, the peeps over at Element Bars sent me a whole slew of their favorite combination to try. 

 

The verdict: Awesome.

What I like about these bars versus a LOT of other bars out there. 

- The ingredients used are all natural and organic

- You can create your OWN bar with whatever you want in it. This is great for those who have food sensitivities and allergies. 

- You can choose from their tried and true, favorites that are already made for you. This is a bonus for the indecisive. 

- There are endurance bars for athletes. Hello awesome. I had one before I did a run, and it was a great form of nutrients. It didn't upset my stomach, and I ate it on the go, which was exactly what I needed. 

-You can take a quiz, and they will tell you which bars will fit your tastes best. How great is that?

- You can also watch the nutrition facts calculate for your bar as you add and take away different ingredients. Awesome.

I loved reviewing these bars, and I love that so many awesome companies are coming up with WHOLE foods that are healthy and that don't taste like dirt. ;)

Try em out. They're tasty!