Tag Archives: Infographic

March 24, 2014 · 6:45 am

Money CAN Buy Happiness: On The Quest Of Finding A Perfect Pair Of Running Shoes For The Spartan Race

As they say, money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy fabulous shoes, and that’s kind of the same thing, right?

Who knew that so many people were wrong all along because all this noise is not about high heals, it’s about RUNNING SHOES!!! Runners will support me, because let’s be fair for a moment, majority of high heels are NOT comfortable and pain does not equal happiness; whereas, comfy running shoes will make you fly. LITERALLY! And isn’t flying happiness?

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EXACTLY! I consider my reasoning successful and complete! Haha!

The thing is, however, I am still pretty new to running, and buying new running shoes can be… well… intimidating!

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At the moment, I wear Asics Gel-Nimbus 14 and I LOVE them!

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The reason why I am looking for a new pair is because I need to find appropriate shoes for the Spartan Race. They have to be light-weight, have built-in drainage ability system and a good grip *if that makes any sense*.

I found some great tips on how to find perfect running shoes at Run Addicts, here are some of them:

Go to the store in the evening: ‘studies have shown feet tend to expand few millimeters up to 2 centimeters by the end of the day’.
Make sure to wear socks you normally run in.
There must be a finger-width space between your great toe and the shoe box and a thumb width at the end of the shoe. ‘You will end up buying shoes that are bigger in size than what you normally wear but that’s perfectly OK.’ However, don’t exceed a finger-width span!
‘NEVER wear a brand new running shoe for a race; make sure you already used them for 100 miles runs at minimum’.

Here is some more.

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I also came across this amazing report on the 10 best sneakers for mud runs. It seems like there is a common agreement on Inov-8 Mudclaw 300.

‘The Inov-8 Mudclaw is designed for one thing, and one thing only: to get you out of the mud. With a waterproof membrane, and rows of spiked lugs on the outsole, needless to say, the Mudclaw 300 is the shoe you want for your next mud run.

Best For: Steep Hills and Mud Pits

Technical Advantage: The aggressive Mudclaw sole ensures proper grip in the steepest, muddiest and most extreme conditions.’

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Any thoughts or feedback?

My workout today is:

– Super Spartan Run: 4-Mile Trail Tempo Run
– AB 500

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How was your weekend? Do you have any tricks when looking for a perfect running shoe? Any experience running a mud race?

xoxo
Olena

22 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as fitness, health, Infographic, Mud Race, running, Running shoes, Spartan Race, weight loss

March 4, 2014 · 6:45 am

How To Make A Healthier Salad & A 37-Minute Fat Burning Cardio Workout

Hello lovelies!

I apologize but this post will be short and sweet again. Frankly, being born in Ukraine and having lived there a huge chunk of my life, I am super upset and concerned about what has been happening there over the past few months. I am supposed to go there in April and now I am not sure as to what is going to happen given the circumstances. I am really sorry to get it out in here, but I just can’t grasp how this can be happening… My brain can’t stop spinning… I am overwhelmed…

So to take my mind off this entire situation, I will share this amazing infographic on how to make a healthier salad. Yes, salad! Why not?! Haha!

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I love this infographic particularly because I find that I normally stick to making the same salad over and over again and using this image I can already see multiple possibilities!

To burn some of my anger off *yes, anger and frustration over inability to do anything to help my friends and family back in Ukraine*, I chose the following cardio workout at home.

What are your favorite healthy salad dressings? How do you change it up once in a while?

xoxo
Olena

15 Comments

Filed under Fitness, Health, Kitchen Adventures

Tagged as cardio, cooking, fitness, FitnessBlender, health, HITT, Infographic, nutrition, Salad Dressing, weight loss

January 27, 2014 · 6:45 am

Three, Two, One, Go! The Spartan Race Training Begins! Also, How Crazy Can Valentine’s Day Get?

So my first ever Super Spartan race is officially 17 weeks away… I can’t tell you enough how excited and nervous I am! As some of you may already know, I started running only in summer 2013. No wonder, I am worried about successfully completing *meaning, finishing with the mid of the pack* an 8+ mile mud race with up to 20 obstacles! I mean, who wouldn’t? Haha!

And I can’t believe it’s already the end of January! Wasn’t New Years just yesterday?! THE TIME IS FLYING! And this means that I have to really refocus and start training seriously and smart. Seriously because I want to enjoy the race and perform well, and smart because I want to avoid injuries and concentrate on the game plan that will prepare me for the race in the best way possible!

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According to You’ll Know at the Finish Line: A Spartan Guide to the Sport of Obstacle Training by Joe Besena and Andy Weinberg, ‘Anyone training to finish a Super should be able to run up to ten miles comfortably and should mix in strength training a few days per week.’

There are a few things that I should be focusing on:

Endurance: LSD (Long Slow Distance) training;
Running Downhill: Since running downhill requires ‘braking’, it causes the muscles to contract which in turn leads to muscle damage. Running downhill on a regular basis makes muscles ‘accustomed’ to eccentric contractions and, therefore, more resistant to injury;
Building Strength: Body-weight circuits & lifting;
Learning to Stay Hydrated: It may seem like a natural thing; however, BELIEVE YOU ME, I am really not good at it and will need to experiment with different hydrating and fueling strategies.

I decided to use a 12-week Super Spartan training guide to get ready. I will try to follow it as closely as possible; however, because I have extra 5 weeks, I will be adjusting it to my fitness level as I see fit.

Today the program asks for the following:

45-minute trail run; every 10 minutes find a rock or a log and lift it for 10 reps, performing arm curls, shoulder presses, and squats. Add 5 reps each time so that you finish your last set with 25 reps for each exercise.

In my case, I will have to use a treadmill *I am not quite ready to run in freezing temperatures yet, DUH!* and will most likely use some sort of weights *You weren’t seriously thinking I would bring a log or a big rock to the gym, right?! Oh, c’mon guys! Gimme a break! Haha!*

Anywhoooo! This is the plan!

On a lighter note though, I’ve got a cool Infographic for you. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and I wanted to get the conversation going!

Source (unknown): Pinterest

I mean, REALLY?!?! Sending yourself flowers?! I don’t know, maybe a friends’ mutual ‘flower sending exchange’ would work & feel better?!

Now it’s your turn! Have you ever trained for an obstacle race? Do you have any tips that you think would help me in my journey? Also what are your biggest and best ‘WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!’ Valentine’s day moments? Let’s start this week off with a nice giggle!

xoxo
Olena

19 Comments

Filed under Fitness, Holidays

Tagged as endurance, fitness, health, Infographic, love, Obstacle race training, running, Spartan Race, Valentine's Day, weight loss