Wednesday Perk - Work It Out!

While we both love running and working out in general, even we have our struggles with motivation.  The beginning of a new month is a great time to face this problem head on and work towards getting back into a good routine by the end of the month.  So on this Wednesday here are some things to help reinvigorate your motivation, and some easy workout suggestions to get you started.

If you're like us you enjoy a great playlist to pump you up for your runs, but frequently we find ourselves just reusing the same playlists over and over again because building a new one is time consuming.  This can cause even the best playlist to get stale.  Have no fear though, Runners World has mulitple playlists used by top runners you can scroll through, and there are Spotify and Lululemon playlists you can access too.  Now your music, or lack thereof, can no longer be an excuse, get out there and run!

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Sometimes our waning motivation comes from nagging sore muscles and various aches and pains that don't seem to go away.  This is when we have to remind ourselves that running alone is not enough, our bodies need a variety of activities.  To be a stronger, better runner it is necessary to add in additional strength workouts to help balance out your muscles.  A strong core is essential to healthy running, so here is a good basic core workout that can be quickly and easily added to your routine.  And don't forget to stretch out your IT Band, which can also be a common cause of runner ailments.

Beginner Core Routine

Sometimes the best pick-me-up for a running rut is to treat yourself to a new piece of clothing.  Bright colors and fun details are our favorite things to look for.  Here are a couple of suggestions to get you excited for the colder runs to come.  

Nike Pro Hyperwarm Crew II, Asics ARD Capri 



And, when all else fails, nothing gets us more pumped to get back out on the road than registering for a new race.  Spring marathons and half marathons are usually accepting registrations this time of year.  If you are in the DC area you can try the DC Rock 'n Roll marathon or half marathon on March 16, 2013.  We have done this race in both the half and the full form (back when it was the National Marathon) and have loved it.  The course will be different this year, but we're sure it will still be a great race.  We recommend you hurry up and register though, the half marathon sold out last year.  So what are you waiting for now?  Get out there and WORK IT OUT!

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