Little Workout Buddy

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I have been lucky enough to have several awesome workout buddies over the last six years or so:

 

Meghann and Megan (my Orlando running buddies)

BFF Lauren (we trained together ‘virtually’ through emails for the Disney Marathon)

Nicole (we used to be neighbors here in Charlotte, and it made it super easy to run together)

James (well, he’s more of a walking only kind of pup, but that’s okay)

 

I don’t have a grown-up human workout buddy right now, but I do have James and Henry.  We go on long walks a few times a week together, and Henry comes with me for all my training workouts.  I think Henry is going to spend a few toddler years thinking that he’s getting a workout by sitting in the jogging stroller, because I always high five him after runs and say, “Did you have a good run? That was hard! You did great!”  Hah.

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Exercising in pajamas, no big deal.

 

Last night’s workout was a swim. And not just any swim. A really loooong swim. 2500 yards! The furthest I’ve ever done.  We ended up going in the late afternoon, so I was a little concerned that Henry would have a meltdown in childcare, but he was a champ.  He loves the ladies at childcare – and there are so many fun toys.

 

Before leaving, I prepped my post-workout smoothie (almond milk, banana, strawberries, greens, and a huge scoop of peanut butter).  I’ve been making an effort to be good about fueling immediately after my workouts I know – and Coach Marni reminds me a lot! – that fuel is very important to my training. I simultaneously call childcare at the gym and make a reservation for Henry.  And then I grab all of our stuff – diaper bag, swim bag, and snacks and drinks for all.  Oh, and I transcribe my workout from my training sheet onto a sheet of paper so I can stick it to the side of the pool.

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The 2500 yards went great. The actual race distance is about 2100 yards, and I am so glad that I’ll be regularly swimming further than that.  I definitely need to feel very, very confident about swimming 1.2 miles – I would love to get through this triathlon without a panic attack!  KWIM?!

 

And Workout #2 took place this morning – it was a one hour long run.  I love run days because they are the simplest for me. I just grab Henry and his necessary gear, open the jogging stroller, and go.  We did 6.0 miles this morning and occasionally listened to music / Elmo music videos on my iPhone speakers.

 

I ran in new shoes (Brooks Ghost 5s), which I finally got around to purchasing last week. I really needed new shoes!  Pretty colors, right?

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And here’s breakfast.  I’ve been mixing a dollop of pesto into scrambled eggs – so good!

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Summer nectarines are so good right now.

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In conclusion – my current workout buddy is a blast.  Smile  I miss my grown-up buddies, but Henry and I have a lot of fun.

 

Healthy Living Summit Update

 

This year’s Healthy Living Summit will take place in the Twin Cities.  HLS will be held over September 13 – 15, 2013 at the Hilton Minneapolis.  I was one of the founders of HLS back in 2009, and although I’m no longer involved in the planning (and unable to make it this year!), I urge you guys to check it out!  It’s a blast, and you don’t have to know people in real life or be a blogger to attend. Registration is now open.

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Do you have a workout buddy?  Old, young, faraway, right down the road? Four-legged and furry?

{ 34 comments }

 

  • Joy August 1, 2013, 11:16 am

    Congratulations on your longest swim ever! That’s awesome.

    That photo of Henry in his pj’s is adorable. I wish I could work out in my jammies.

    I don’t have a workout buddy 95% of the time. Sometimes my husband will go biking with me and that’s a nice treat. But my running is always by myself.

  • Lauren @ The Highlands Life August 1, 2013, 11:22 am

    I need to get out with the jogger more often then I do. I love having a baby to jog with. It makes me feel like such a proud momma.

  • Jessica @ FromtheKitchentotheRoad August 1, 2013, 11:26 am

    I don’t have a workout buddy. Sometimes I will the the jogging stroller with the girl I nanny. Other times I’ll go to a group fun run. Most of the time in on my own which I normally don’t mind. Then I can run my own pace, route, distance etc.

  • Jana @ Bananas for Balance August 1, 2013, 11:31 am

    Hi Caitlin! I’ve been reading your blog for years and have never commented but just wanted to say how much I enjoy following! Congrats on training for your first half Ironman, what an amazing goal. I just bought those Brooks last week too and so far I love them! Great balance of support but not being too heavy.

    My workout buddy these days is this awesome free fitness group in Boston called The November Project – you should absolutely check them out next time you’re in town! There are hundreds of us that meet 3x a week for circuit workouts, stadiums, and hill repeats. Workouts are intense but you keep coming back for the people. I can’t workout alone anymore! Have a great weekend and good luck with the rest of your training.

  • Sara @ LovingOnTheRun August 1, 2013, 12:06 pm

    My biggest workout buddy is my husband. He can’t workout with me too much because he is so much faster than me. I wish I had more people to run with but up here just isn’t as many running clubs or anything like that to meet running buddies.

  • Sara @ Zero to Sixty August 1, 2013, 12:42 pm

    My workout buddy is normally my boyfriend, but there are two things I have been wanting to try. One is the November Project, they actually have a run this weekend ( cant do their weekday ones), but I am not sure I will be able to attend which I am wicked bummed about (yes I am from Boston, wicked ;)). When I watch their videos I just want to go out and run like a 823719384793 miles. Also there is a website called “Meet Up” which you can meet up with people in your community to do various of things, but there are a ton of running/workout groups in my area! 🙂

    http://november-project.com/how-to-join/
    http://www.meetup.com/find/

    Sara 🙂

  • Jennifer August 1, 2013, 12:48 pm

    One of my very adorable cats waits by the back door when I am out running and excitedly follow me down the basement stairs to stretch when I return home! It is crazy to say this, but seeing how happy Abbey is to join me really does help me stay committed to stretching after every run (though sharing a yoga mat with a cat can be a challenge…) So I guess my favorite workout buddy is a cat!

  • Corrie Anne August 1, 2013, 12:53 pm

    Awwwa!! I have beautiful dog named Pippa!!!!! 😉 And a friend I annoyingly nag to meet me at CrossFit.

  • Miranda @ Miranda Runs August 1, 2013, 12:55 pm

    Haha! “I just grab Henry and his necessary gear” –> easier said than done! 😉 I don’t have a workout buddy… Christian isn’t into the whole “cardio & weights at the gym” thing so I always end up doing something by myself! My mom, sister and I go on walks together though

  • Sonia the Mexigarian August 1, 2013, 12:58 pm

    I used to have a morning workout buddy with my sister, and then we moved out of our parents hose in different directions. Now I pretty much do things on my own. I run with Lando every now and then and he’s a fun workout buddy.

  • Melissa August 1, 2013, 1:27 pm

    Your breakfast looks great and I agree with you, summer nectarines are a sweet treat!

  • Ashley August 1, 2013, 1:28 pm

    I have a workout buddy to do my Jillian Michael’s DVDs with and it is THE BEST! We definitely motivate each other on days when we aren’t really feeling it and the time goes by so quickly.

  • Grace @ Grace Dishes August 1, 2013, 1:53 pm

    Your post reminded me I need to pick up some PB! I’m running low (not good!)

    Your smoothie blend sounds delicious. I don’t have a workout buddy but I get inspired by other people working out especially on blogs or other social media platforms!

  • Laura August 1, 2013, 2:06 pm

    My workout buddy is our dog, Margaret (boxer mix). She loves running and you can’t even say the word “run” around her or she gets so excited you have to leave right away to run. She trained for my half marathon with me and completed every single training run I did, even the 12 miler!

  • Emily @ The Good Era August 1, 2013, 2:24 pm

    This is so sweet! Henry seems like a great workout buddy 😉 I wish I could workout in my PJ’s.

    My hubby is my favorite workout buddy, especially for long bike rides. If I’m going for a run though and need motivation, I take my springer spaniel. He has so much energy to kill he usually drags me along with him. I’ve actually had someone stop in their car once and yell out “Who’s walking who?” haha

  • Katie August 1, 2013, 2:25 pm

    My friend and I are training “together” for our first marathon! We live in neighboring towns but schedules make it hard to run together – however we chat almost daily about how our runs are going and do squeeze in an occasional run. Having a buddy makes all the difference!

  • Kim August 1, 2013, 2:49 pm

    When I first read the high-five part, I thought Henry was saying all that… “Did you have a great run…” I thought to myself, WOW, I’m impressed that little kiddo can say all that… and then I reread the paragraph and it made much more sense!

    Trying-to-read-posts-fast-while-at-work problems! 😉

  • Susan August 1, 2013, 3:07 pm

    Just wondering what happened to your neighbor who you jogged with and (I think?) her twins? Did she move?

  • Lyn August 1, 2013, 3:19 pm

    I have been reading your blog for a long time. First of all, when people talk about pregnancy (i have never been), I feel like a mini expert because i know everything they are talking about (thanks to you, Emily, Kath, Jen, and Brittney).

    Beyond that, I am so elated that you have been writing more and more about fitness and your weekly workouts. It really motivates me. I am getting married in two months (holy sh*t) so i’ve been trying to step my game up.

    Anywho, thanks!

    • Caitlin August 1, 2013, 11:13 pm

      Congrats!!!

  • Melissa August 1, 2013, 4:04 pm

    Anyone looking for running buds in the Philly area, check out Philly Runners:

    http://phillyrunners.org/schedule.html

    My boyf is a great motivator…I can barely keep up with him, though! However, my time splits are improving, and he’s getting nervous I’m going to give him a run for his money at the Philly Marathon weekend 8K 😉

  • Marisa August 1, 2013, 4:14 pm

    My husband and I work out every morning by going to crossfit first thing! It is tough to get up and going, but once we are there it is always well worth it.

    If you are having a hard time squeezing in workouts you can always try this 1o minute sample video for at home workouts! http://igg.me/at/CINCHfitness/x/4078347

  • Jean August 1, 2013, 4:26 pm

    I’m totally not into workout buddies. I don’t know what it is, but I’s rather enjoy my solo alone time during my workouts. I’m a really social person regularly, I swear!

  • Amber K August 1, 2013, 9:38 pm

    I do so much better when I work out by myself. I push myself harder and get into the zone.

  • Luv What You Do August 1, 2013, 11:10 pm

    I love Brooks shoes!
    Your new kicks look great!

  • Heathers Looking Glass August 2, 2013, 8:38 am

    Had a blast speaking at HLS last year, and going as an atendee the year before. bummed I can’t go this time around!

  • Karen @ Runner Girl Eats August 2, 2013, 9:01 am

    My fiance is my workout buddy for running and strength but I need a class workout buddy! I have a hard time finding hte motivation to go to spin, pilates, etc without meeting someone there.

  • Cristina @ Pink Smiles & Miles August 2, 2013, 11:40 am

    I don’t have a running partner, but even if someone wanted to run with me – I’d decline. I think there’s something to be said about getting yourself out the door, but that isn’t to say I wouldn’t mind a companion here and there. Do you know of any websites to find local workout buddies?

  • MegaNerd August 2, 2013, 2:28 pm

    Thanks for the shout out! Miss you, running buddy.

  • Breanne August 2, 2013, 6:30 pm

    I almost bought those exact shoes this week! It was down to those, Defyance, and Saucony Ride 6 – all were great, but I went with the Sauconys. They make their first run tonight #fingerscrossed

  • Cassie August 3, 2013, 11:16 am

    Me and my husband workout together three times a week but it’s not to go jogging with friends now and them. Btw, that breakfast looks yummy! 🙂

  • Liz August 3, 2013, 11:36 am

    He certainly is the cutest workout buddy!

  • Emily K. @ Leaf Parade August 3, 2013, 6:02 pm

    I just started lap swimming for the first time this week — with the hopes of competing in a tri next summer. I bow down to your 2500 yards!
    -Emily K.

  • Jasmine, bama + ry August 5, 2013, 12:11 am

    Wah. 🙁 I was so hoping you might go to HLS.

    I’m going to be there selling my jewelry!! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

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