Gotta Love Yoga and Gu
Posted: April 30, 2011 at 11:01 amI knew I had a reason to feel happy for Friday yesterday. I ended up having a great afternoon. During the kids’ naptime, I snuck in a yoga session. Using the for unlimited classes through Teach Street, I stretched myself out nicely. I completed one of the Athlete Recovery classes and it felt fabulous.
Then, the afternoon continued to go well with a visit to the park in the beautiful weather.
Spending time outdoors always makes me happy. We really need to find the time for a hike sometime soon! Hmmm…don’t think we have anything going on yet next Saturday. Although it shall be interesting to see how my body would handle a hike, albeit easy with the kids, after long runs.
I love starting my weekend off with a long run. Getting out and moving my body first thing sets the positive tone for the weekend. Nothing beats a runner’s high, after all! This morning I set out for my long run and finished 7.02 miles. I did the same path as my last long run, but did try one thing new. I fueled with an Espresso Love Gu packet.
I had a small squeeze of it about 15-20 minutes before my run – mainly to make sure the flavor and texture wouldn’t make me gag. I’m a huge texture eater and didn’t want to end up out on my run wanting to upchuck. That wouldn’t be attractive. I then had another squeeze at mile 4 into my run and again at mile 6. I loved how easily I could consume this and it didn’t bother my stomach at all. As for the energy aspect? Let’s just say Gu is my new best friend. Check out my splits!
- Mile 1 = 9:12
- Mile 2 = 9:23
- Mile 3 = 9:12
- Mile 4 = 9:21
- Mile 5 = 8:52
- Mile 6 = 8:37
- Mile 7 = 8:35
- Average = 9:02
My only complaint was that the Gu is mighty sticky. That could just be a personal problem though, as I somehow got it all over my hands with my specialness. 😉
Once I finished my run I came home to eat. I needed something to hold me over until a special lunch date with Lee, so I gobbled up a mango coconut muffin and a green smoothie.
I even carried the mango goodness over into the smoothie by using almond milk, banana, frozen mango chunks, and (of course) spinach. I always crave green smoothies after my long runs and this one satisfied my hankering quite nicely. The mango, I tell ya. I just can’t get enough! And drinking a green smoothie out of a tropical beach cup that originally held a margarita is tres normal. Because I said so.
Now, I will leave you all with the FFF Features of the week! Happy weekend!
Featured Moment: Date Night
Featured Post: My Blogging Realizations
Featured Meal: Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Featured Workout: Two Great Weights Workouts
You all know how much I love weights. I certainly challenged myself this week. The following two workouts (one push and one pull) balanced out for some great overall training this week. Please note – these are two separate workouts for two non-consecutive days.
| Pull Moves (Hams, Back, Biceps) | Push Moves (Quads, Chest, Triceps) |
| Step-Ups (holding dumbbell) | Hack Squat Machine |
| Cable Row Machine | Flat Barbell Bench Press |
| Stationary Barbell Lunge | Leg Extension Machine |
| Narrow Grip Lat Pulldown | Cable Crossovers |
| Rear Delt Flies | Overhead Shoulder Press |
| Concentration Biceps Curl | Triceps Kickbacks |
Featured Cuteness: Unpublished Easter Shot
B loving on his cousin, Enzo. Check out the cheeks on my boy. Love!
Featured Reading: Three New Blogs to Check Out
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing
Her recent post about breaking points was exceptionally inspiring! Just like everything she writes. She knows how to keep a good perspective.
Young, but a genius in the kitchen already. And gorgeous photography to boot! Can we say Nutella Banana Bread, Oreo Muffins, & Spinach Artichoke Hummus? That’s all in the past week!
This chick is inspirational! GREAT workouts, motivational topics, delicious food ideas, and a fun personality.
Tags: FFF features, running
I love the vanilla gu – I tried some crazy pomegranate blueberry on my last long run – GAG. Now I’m afraid to try any other flavors than vanilla. Stick with what you know 😉
Glad to hear your run went well! My run didn’t happy. It is seriously so windy out! Strength training it was!
Thanks for the new blogs to read!
Look at those in the picture, so much love. I really love the expression on baby B’s face, so cute.
You inspire me Tina, your fitness routine and running, just amazing!
Rockin’ run! I love that you only got FASTER as you went on. Impressive!
I crave green smoothies after runs too – especially in the warmer weather.
It was the Gu!! I felt like I was dragging at first.
I was a little weirded out by Gu when I first tried it, too. Texture is a big factor in whether I’ll like a certain food as well, but I use the vanilla bean and it seriously is amazingness…
I wish that flavor Gu was around when I was marathon training! Sounds good! The only one I could ever tolerate was the vanilla flavor.
The photo from Easter is so cute! And UM, GREAT splits!! Woooo!
What a beautiful Friday! Just being outside in the sun yesterday really gave me a clearer picture of some things that were stressing me out. It’s always a nice reminder of how God’s creation can work little joys into our life 🙂
The thought of Gu always turns my stomach. Are there any other ways you could recommend to fuel yourself before a longer run?
I always have a whole wheat english muffin with pb and half a lara bar about 2 hours before my run. I noticed when I run longer than 5 miles I can use something on my run to give me extra energy – that’s where the gu came in. I know other people do things like gatorade or “sports beans”.
Thank you so much for including me Tina 🙂 Your kind words mean so much <3
I love Gu – I didn’t think I’d like it because of the texture but it seems to be so good to my stomach! I’m glad it worked for you too. Great run!
I really think it would be the easiest to digest. I have some sports beans and chews to try out that I picked up as well…but I have a feeling the gu will still be my top choice for the ease factor.
I’ve never tried Gu. Good to know that it worked for you. I start 1/2 marathon training next week…I’ll keep this in mind!
And thanks for the blog recommendations…I’m always looking for new fun ones to read. 🙂
look at those times! you really shined in those last few miles!
What a cute picture:)
Have a great w/e! Sounds like you are doing so wonderfully…
(I”m in an airport, so this is short!)
love
Ela
You’ve gotta try the Jet Blackberry Gu too! It’s my ultimate favorite – even better then the Espresso one! It is super sticky though, no doubt about it – I usually eat the whole packet in one fell swoop so I don’t get it all over myself.
Can’t believe how big Baby B is getting! He looks so big in his carrier now!
I haven’t tried this product before but it looks really good…
Love the blog! I’ll follow on twitter and stay updated 🙂
Thanks for checking it out!!
great run lady! I think thats one of my favorite gu’s! That and the new key lime. Savannah, here comes TINA!
Ohhh…key lime?! Yum!
I still can’t take the Guy I try new flavors every once in awhile but haven’t had any luck yet!
Sounds like a great run. I love hiking! I think getting outside always makes me happier. Have a great lunch date!
I looove Gu! When I trained for my marathon last fall, I actually did almost ALL of my long runs with only water. On my very last long run, I tried Gu about half way through the run, and was amazed at how much it recharged me! I was hooked – I actually carried 4 with my during my marathon and it worked out great. Every 45 minutes, I got to look forward to having one! I’ve never tried the Espresso flavor, sounds good though.
I LOVE GU, but sometimes the actual GU texture makes me gag while running, so I usually eat that on mountain bike rides. I like the chomps for running though 🙂
not a thing wrong with specialness 🙂 i know i’d be getting it all over myself too!
that is a GREAT run!!!! such a great time too! I have yet to try Gu’s! I’m actually really excited to- ahha is that weird?!
I’m still not a Gu lover — but it’s growing on me. I tried the plain with my last half and I REALLY liked it. It’s similar to vanilla in flavor, but not as sweet and not as thick.
PS – LOVE the dress you wore on your date. You mom has awesome style!
Awesome run, mama! I have always been a little weirded out by Gu, but after reading your experience, I may have to give it a try.
The thought of it kind of weirded me out too. In fact, that’s why I tried it first out of the 3 things I got – to “get it out of the way”. I ended up loving it though. We will have to see how chews and sports beans do in the next two long runs. 🙂
I think the GU is way sticky too! I’ve never tried anything but cherry though 🙂
You are so sweet, Tina! Thanks for the link love! 😀
You’ll develop a Gu technique and you won’t get yourself as sticky. I have a way of eating it and basically swallowing it whole without tasting it (I have issues I know). I find Gu is so great for keeping my pace steady for longer runs!
Great job on that 7 miles!
Being outside always makes me happy too!
I love me some Baby B pictures. What a DOLL.
Congrats on your run! I’d love to try this espresso flavor for my next long run, but I’m kinda hesitant about caffeine gus mid-run and my stomach. You should try energy chews/shotblox sometime, those are my favorite!
I still have some chews and sports beans to try out on my next runs. I got one of each type of fuel to try em all. 🙂
Great job on the run!! Awesome negative splits!
I had so much fun at lunch. And I have a great farmer’s tan/burn to prove it!
BTW – that coupon code for Savannah isn’t valid anymore. Boo. This race is expensive!
I can’t believe I’ve never tried any GUs before. Great run! The perfect way to start the weekend.
Great run! And hey…That chicken lettuce wrap looks GOOD!!
Awesome awesome run!!! 🙂 Great splits!
When I was young, my brother and I used to beg my mom to buy us Gu (or the Power Bar version). We thought it was the coolest stuff ever. I think she “treated” us once or twice, but soon realized that consumption resulted in us bouncing off the walls. Haha. I haven’t tried it since, but it’s good to know that it helps power long runs. 🙂
Your smoothie and mango coconut muffin sound so good! If we can’t be in the tropics, we can at least pretend, right?
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Tina!
AMAZING RUN!!! I LOVE going to the park…wish we were having your weather:) You and the hubby are such a gorgeous couple!! Hope you are having an amazing Sunday!
Wow girl! I’m just getting caught up on your posts and….holy cow! You are a regular speed demon! You are awesome!
Speaking of awesome, that dress! I actually like that one better than the other two that were in question. And it fits you perfectly! Sounds like date night went fabulous too! I can’t wait to see Water for Elephants!
I did one of Lori’s workouts today and it was great! Definitely got my heart pumping! I love that girl!