Warm up.

After some interest about my warm up that I do before I go run, I'm finally getting around to writing about it!

Before I started running, I did the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred video. It was a lot of work, but once I was done with the intense 20 minute workout, I was all pumped up and felt like I could keep going! So I started running after doing the video. Then the little light in my head went off and I though, 'Ahhh, it's because I'm warmed up!' So...I started warming up before runs when I didn't have time for the video.

Here is the breakdown of what I usually do:

simple stretches, such as reaching for the sky and touching my toes
10 small arm circles both directions (front and back)
10 knee circles both directions (clockwise and counterclockwise)
30 jumping jacks
30 large arm circles/windmills with my arms
30 steps running in place bringing my knees up as high as I can
30 jumping jacks
30 jumps jump roping (without an actual jump rope, just the motions)
30 jumping jacks

As you can tell, I do a lot of jumping jacks! I have always thought they were so stupid and that they didn't do anything, but when you actually pay attention to what you're doing and do them correctly, they are a great warmup. The main goal is to just get your heart rate up and your blood flowing.

After this warmup I'm usually pretty stoked to go on a run and my legs just want to go. I'm only up to about 2 miles without stopping and can run 3 if I take a little walking break in between, but I'm steadily increasing how far I can go. It's pretty exciting!