I was recently asked by an outdoor fitness equipment company to document my personal fitness story. Well, as is often the case, “I got it from my mamma.”
I’ve worn so many hats in fitness that I call myself the Blossom of the industry.
It all started as an aerobics instructor in 1999. I went on to become a trainer, program manager, choreographer, workout DVD star, educator at a few TX universities, executive director, and now— a mom, helping other mothers lift the motherload. Let’s talk about that.
I believe that a mother’s influence can greatly determine her children’s lifelong pursuits of physical activity. I am living proof of it.
In junior high, I started running with my mom. We would jog 6 laps around the track every weekday for five years. It was more than a workout, it was time to talk about real deal issues. My mom and I ended every run with a high five. When I went to college, I clapped my hands together at the finish to channel my mom.
Now, I clap my own children’s hands.
My children are 9 and 4-years-old. They ride in a Double BOB jogging stroller, “Bertha.” The way I see it, we need each other. Everybody has an important role: Julie Anna, 4, is the snack lady. Hayes, 9, is the DJ. And I’m the runner. Together, we are a popcorn-eatin’, music-jammin’, Big Bertha-runnin’ team.
Although they’re just along for the ride right now, they are benefiting from recreational companionship. It’s making an impact. The positive vibes are reciprocal. (I’d take a Bertha jog with my 100lb posse over a run by myself any day!) In time, we’ll run together, as my mother and I did in the ’90s.
Guiding my children toward a physically active lifestyle will be my greatest career achievement.
According to ACSM, wearable technology is the #1 fitness trend of 2022 and outdoor activity is #2. I am totally on board with number two, as most of our Sandlot community is, as well. As for number one, I believe we could all benefit from disconnecting. For that reason, I’ve framed this running workout by rate of perceived exertion (what it feels like) so that you may ditch the devices and run free of electronics.
Too many people run only at a steady-state pace. Here’s a running workout that I’ve coined “The Lung Buster.” It is a high volume interval training workout to make your heart, legs, lungs, and buns fire cylinders.
The Lung Buster
Running Workout
(jogging stroller optional)
6:00 Warm-up at a comfortable jogging pace (Zone 2= light and easy pace, just enough to warm-up the tissue and prepare you for the “real deal”)
Block One
2:00 Challenged but comfortable run (Zone 3= trying but not dying pace; it’s not a jog, it’s a run just not your fastest run)
2:00 Challenged and uncomfortable run (Zone 4= fast run pace; you should be breathing very heavy, just shy of breathless)
2:00 Sprint (Zone 5= all-out pace that you can sustain for two minutes- aka sub-max sprint; breathless)
2:00 walking recovery
Block Two
2:00 Challenged and uncomfortable run (Zone 4= fast run pace; you should be breathing very heavy, just shy of breathless)
2:00 Sprint (Zone 5= all-out pace that you can sustain for two minutes- aka sub-max sprint; breathless)
2:00 walking recovery
Block Three
2:00 Sprint (Zone 5= all-out pace that you can sustain for two minutes- aka sub-max sprint; breathless)
2:00 walking recovery
Block Four
2:00 Sprint (Zone 5= all-out pace that you can sustain for two minutes- aka sub-max sprint; breathless)
2:00 walking recovery
Repeat
50-min total
Enjoy the Lung Buster! And if your kids are joining along in the stroller, enjoy the company.
