Running Archives | Pumps & Iron

How I Made Running Enjoyable Again

November 7, 2018 by Nicole 4 Comments

This post is sponsored by Under Armour and contains affiliate links. All opinions—as always!—are my own.

I used to love running. Starting in high school, up until a few years ago, it was something I looked forward to doing several times a week. It was a chance to get outside, listen to some good music, and zone out—it was like a moving meditation for me. I never thought much about pace or mileage, and would just go until I felt like it. If I was feeling good, maybe I’d do five miles. If my legs felt sluggish, I’d stop after a couple.

Training for the Boston Marathon a few years ago completely changed that. And in the time since, I’ve barely run at all. I kept trying to get back into it, thinking that signing up for another race would be the motivation I needed to run again. But it never worked because I wasn’t realizing that committing to a race was the exact thing that sucked the joy out of the activity for me in the first place.

This month I’m partnering with Under Armour to turn my wish of rekindling my relationship with running into a will. I WILL find that joyful feeling again. In fact, I already am! I changed my mindset once I realized it was the therapeutic peacefulness of a run that I missed—not the races or even the physical workout.

Lately I’ve been going on a run for the sole purpose of getting some me time. It’s been wonderful!

Cold Weather Running Gift Guide

Check out my outfit details from this post, as well as some other Under Armour gear that’ll make outdoor running more enjoyable as the weather gets colder.

1. UA Sport Wireless React Headphones – A quality pair of wireless bluetooth headphones are high on my wish list. And if you’re looking for a new playlist for your next run, I’ve put together one on Spotify. It’s a mix of current songs, throwbacks, and a few Joe made me add. 😉

2. UA HOVR Phantom Connected Running Sneakers – These super comfortable sneakers have a neutral, cushioned sole. The soft knit upper portion of the sneaker almost feels like you’re wearing a compression sock. A note on sizing: Go up a half size! I’m usually a 9 in shoes but the 9 ½ fits me best.

The coolest feature about the shoe is that it syncs to the Map My Run app using UA’s Record Sensor technology. So not only will it track and store distance and pace, but it will even analyze running metrics like your stride length.

3. UA Storm Run Liner Gloves – Right around December is when gloves become non-negotiable for me if I’m running outside (anyone else have Raynaud’s?). When I shared these on Instagram I got a lot of questions about how warm they are so I thought I’d elaborate here.

They’re liner gloves, so about as warm as a thin glove can be. Perfect for this mild-cold November/December weather. Come January/February in Boston, I typically use hand warmers along with a thin liner glove. About 10 minutes in to the run when my body is warm, I’ll remove the hand warmers and just use the gloves. I much prefer that system to running with big heavy ski gloves because while they are great at first, my hands tend to uncomfortably overheat halfway through the run.

4. ColdGear Reactor Balaclava Outer Layer – This insulation running hoodie traps heat but will circulate it away from your body so that you stay warm without overheating. I love that the neck comes up to cover the lower part of your face—will come in handy in January and February!

5. Women’s Base 4.0 Crew Long Sleeve – This thermal fleece long-sleeve traps heat for lasting protection against the cold. The material wicks moisture and dries quickly.

6. Armour Mid Crossback Sports Bra – This is a medium-impact bra so would be best for A-C cups. If you want something with more support that works for a wider range of bust sizes, see #8.

7. UA Beyond 18oz Water Bottle – I have this water bottle in silver and it’d make for a great stocking stuffer!

8. UA Vanish High Sports Bra – This sports bra is good for high-impact workouts and has foam padded cups (not removable). Normally I don’t like any padding, but I gotta say it provides quality support when running/jumping around! This bra is also fast-drying so it’s good for cold weather.

9. Athlete Recovery Sleepwear Pants – Fellow New Englanders, you might be familiar with these sleepwear pants because Under Armour partnered with our boy Tom Brady on them. The pattern inside the fabric is designed for better rest and recovery. It returns infrared energy to your body to boost blood flow and increase the amount of oxygen that reaches your muscles. And science aside, they just look really comfy. 😉

10. ColdGear Run Storm Tights – These leggings are warm without being too thick. They dry quickly and wick sweat.

Do you have any goals for the end of the year? What’s your WILL?

xo Nicole

Photos by Nick Cosky.

Filed Under: Playlists, Running

Summertime Playlist for the Beach

August 10, 2018 by Nicole 1 Comment

Popping in for just a quick post today! A few years ago I made a summertime playlist (called Summer Vibes because I’m basic) and it’s my and Joe’s favorite thing to listen to at the beach—even three years later. I add in new songs here and there so it’s not outdated, but think feel-good jams with some throwback favorites and current popular tunes mixed in. Put it on shuffle and enjoy.

For more music, you can follow me on Spotify. Instead of making tons of mini playlists, I like to have a handful of expansive ones that I just add music to gradually as I find it. That way I can either hit shuffle or if I want to listen to the newest stuff, I’ll just sort chronologically. The two I’d recommend following are Soundtrack to My Day (just solid, good music I can listen to all day; not workout music) and Workout Music (workout music that’s not *too* nightclub-y or explicit since I play it in class). Cool Down Songs has some great mellow music, too.

Hope you all have a great weekend! The forecast is looking rainy here so I may be blasting this playlist indoors …

xo Nicole

Filed Under: Playlists

Running + Strength Training Lower Body Workout

April 23, 2018 by Nicole Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by HOKA ONE ONE. All opinions—as always!—are my own.

Today I have a workout that mixes running with bodyweight tabatas and weighted exercises. It’s a great one if you’re looking to target lower body. For the running intervals, you can use a treadmill or take it outside since it’s (FINALLY) feeling like Spring—hallelujah!!

For this workout, I’m wearing the Cavu from HOKA ONE ONE’s Fly Collection. It was made with versatility in mind, and the three styles in the collection are cushioned enough for long runs while remaining sleek for every day wear. I went with the Cavu because it’s a little lower and lighter than the Mach and Elevon. I also love its simple look—when it comes to sneakers that I’ll wear every day, I’m all about a sleek black shoe.

These sneakers are super comfortable. There’s significant padding (they’ll add an inch to your height!) and their PROFLY™ responsive cushioning is softer in the heel for shock absorption and firmer in the forefoot for propulsion. So for running, I find them really comfy and love that they’re lightweight even with the thicker sole.

I don’t necessarily identify myself as “a runner”. It’s been a long time since I’ve run long distances, and I typically incorporate short(er) runs in with other strength exercises. That’s why the Fly Collection was a good fit for me. Yes, they’re running sneakers, but I can wear them in other types of workouts as well and definitely while teaching!

I put them through today’s lower body workout that mixes mile-long runs with bodyweight tabatas and weighted exercises. You can learn more about the Cavu and other styles in the Fly Collection over at the HOKA site.

Running + Strength Training Lower Body Workout

Here’s the breakdown of this workout:

Run 1 mile – steady, easy run
Complete the 10-minute strength sequence: tabata + weighted exercises
Run 1 mile – intervals: do 30 seconds of a push pace (a hard run, just shy of a sprint) and 30 seconds of jogging
Complete the 10-minute strength sequence: tabata + weighted exercises
Run 1 mile – steady run, try to beat your time from the first mile

For the tabata, you’ll alternate between two bodyweight exercises. The interval structure is 8 rounds of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. For the weight work, do each exercise for 30 seconds, moving one to the next and repeating the circuit twice.

You’ll just need a set of dumbbells (and a treadmill if doing it inside). Go with a medium-heavy set of weights.