The Seven-Minute Workout: Too Good to Be True?

First things first, so sorry to neglect you, dear blog. The end-of-the-year madness has finally started to calm down at work, so my brain no longer feels the need to shut itself down and run screaming from a computer at 7:30 each evening. I hope to never leave the blog so high-and-dry again. Please forgive me, WordPress. I promise our honeymoon phase is not over yet.

With my Mondays & Wednesdays spent at the yoga studio, I usually go to the gym on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Atlanta had some seriously gorgeous weather yesterday, and I just couldn’t bring myself to stay inside, running on a treadmill like a hamster. When I got home from work, I laced up my shoes and took the dogs for a quick 2-mile walk, wondering what else I could do to make myself feel less guilty about missing a workout. While walking back home, I remembered a New York Times tweet I had seen about a new, super effective seven-minute endurance workout that had appeared in a recent issue of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal. My interest was piqued.

Hey, thanks, New York Times!

With 12 basic exercises that use only  body weight, a chair and a wall, scientists claim the routine routine fulfills the latest mandates for high-intensity effort – a combination of a long run and strength training – in about seven minutes of steady discomfort. The payoff? The benefits of prolonged endurance training in much less time.

What I’m Into and What I’m Not Into: April Edition

As you have probably noticed, I am in a bit of a blogging rut. It’s not necessarily for lack of content; I’m running the most – and best – I have since last month’s knee diagnosis. If we are being totally honest, I just can’t bring myself to update this every day with the same ole “I ran ___ miles on the treadmill then I strength trained/did yoga/parkoured.” To borrow from two of my favorite memes, ain’t nobody got time for that and no1curr.

I have, however, been excited (and less than thrilled) about a variety of different things lately….so much so that one might even ask, “Hey Meghan…what are you into these days?”

Race Recap: 2013 Georgia Warrior Dash

With the terrible events that occurred at Monday’s Boston Marathon, it has been hard to think about races, both past and future. Running communities across the country are doing so much to show support for the victims, their families, and the city, and it is truly inspiring.  I ran 4 miles for Boston on Tuesday and 3 miles today, and each time I feel my feet moving beneath me, I am so grateful for the ability to do so. Check out CNN iReport’s #runforboston page and make your pledge today!

There is so very much to say about last weekend’s 2013 Georgia Warrior Dash. This was my first mud/obstacle run and while I had a blast running the race, overall it was a bit of a let down. Sure, we got nice & muddy but the overall experience was a bit tainted, thanks to some massive fails in race logistics. Consider yourself warned.

Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?

Boston.

There is so much eloquently said on days like today that anything I could possibly muster seems trivial. To have the finish line in sight after putting your body through such a grueling test of strength, only to feel your hopes dashed and memories destroyed by senseless violence, is unthinkable as a fellow runner, a fellow American, a fellow human. My heart goes out to those affected by today’s tragedy in Boston.

While obviously this information is ever-changing, NPR currently has a great list of online tools to use to connect with your loved ones, while HuffPo Impact offers ways you can help from both near and far.

One of my favorite print shops, The Old Try, also created this Patriot’s Day print. All proceeds from this New England print will go to families impacted by today’s horrific events.

Readers, please share any other ways that we can help Boston and the running community recover from today.

Spring Has (Finally) Sprung!

After what seemed like the longest Georgia winter in recent memory, I’ve been spending most of my free time outside in this gorgeous weather (insanely high pollen count not included in that description) and thus neglecting the ole blog. My apologies! Here’s a quick look at what I’ve been up to these past few days.