Good morning! :)
Yesterday was a crazy day. I was up until 1am implementing the new Fedex shipping module into the shopping cart and getting ready for March madness. This was after baking all day! I was one tired girl. The good news is Fedex is now integrated in the shopping cart and will be used for all US shipments and will be offered for Canadian shipments as well! Yippee.
The reason we switched to Fedex is because we had some major problems with USPS (lost packages, delayed packages, etc). It was one huge headache. My neighbour has her own business and she told me that Fedex is amazing. I got a quote way back in October 2009 when some of you suggested Fedex to me, however the rate quote that I received was a bit high. Since my volumes have gone up, I was able to negotiate a much better rate this time.
The US shipments are about to get a lot better with Fedex. Firstly, the packages only take 2-7 business days, and secondly, if you ship your package to a non-residential address (e.g., your workplace) you will save up to $2.50 off your shipping charge! Awesomeness!
Whew…that was long…moving on! :)
I had a delicious green monster to start the day today:
- 1 cup hemp milk
- 2 kale leaves
- 1/2 serving Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro 70 protein powder
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 spoonful cashew butter
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1 T chia seeds
- Ice
I took yesterday off exercise because my bum was sore after the run on Sunday (I think it was the evil Spadina hill!).
This morning I did a combination of running and strength training. I always debate between whether I should run first or strength train first, and I usually end up running first because I find that my legs are too tired to run after doing so many squats, lunges, etc.
What do you guys do first: cardio or strength? Are there any benefits to my training to do strength first?
The tempo run:
- Mile 1: 6.2, 2% incline
- Mile 2: 6.4, 2% incline
- Mile 3: 6.6, 2% incline
- Mile 4: 6.8, 2% incline
- Mile 5: 7.5-8 mph, 1% incline
Two things I am going to work on more during my training for my 3rd half marathon (May 30th) are:
- Speed work
- Negative splits
Negative splits are when the second half of your run is faster than the first half. Today was a negative split. Last year I almost always ran slower during the second half of my runs than the first half. I want to fix this in 2010!
I also try to make the last 1/2 mile very strong as if I was approaching a finish line in a race. I find visualizing a race and the finish line also helps with treadmill boredom!
Do you have any current running goals for 2010 or aspects that you are working on or trying to improve?
I find trying to improve certain areas makes the training much more enjoyable!
Then I did about 10-15 minutes of strength training from the Booty Camp Fitness DVD. Lunges, dead lifts, burpies, squats, core work, plyometrics, etc.
Another song I am loving to run to: Bulletproof by La Roux. So amazing!
This is a snack I can’t get enough of lately. I made this a lot during the Olympics and Eric and I would gobble it up.
They are so easy to whip up and might I say…quite fun to pop in my mouth! They would also make a fun appetizer on a serving tray.
Veggie Burger Poppers
- 1 veggie burger (I was planning on making the In A Jiffy Spelt Veggie Burgers but was out of a few ingredients so I used an Amy’s Texas burger)
- Mary’s Crackers
- Hummus
- Black Pepper
- Tomato paste or salsa
Can’t get enough of these lately…
I also sampled some new Herbal Infusions tea that was sent to me to review. I tried the Peppermint Dream which is a combination of premium peppermint and lavender tea. I was really excited to try it out because I am a huge fan of both flavours.
It tasted fabulous just like I hoped it would be. Soothing with some PEP! The perfect après- dîner tea.
March Madness at Glo Bakery:
Today marks the release of the March Madness Glo Bar Variety Pack featuring 10 delicious flavours. This is the first time I have ever had a variety pack that included 10 different flavours at once!
Off to work I go. Have a great day!
If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it.
– Jonathan Winters
Your grapefruit shot is gorgeous! I love grapefruit sooo much. Sometimes I CRAVE it.
There is some science behind doing strength training first, some say that if you do it first, by the time you hit cardio you are really tapping into your fat stores. Personally, I have done lots of research as a trainer and found it is a gray area. I tend to strength train first because I feel stronger, and I like to have all-out cardio sessions. Sometimes after cardio I am too tired for lifting.
I have always told my clients what is important is what YOU can stick to. If you enjoy cardio before strength of vice versa, that is most likely the best option for you because you will stick to it!
I agree with the Jessica that its important to do what you can stick to, but I have heard that it is better to do strength first, because if you have just run 5/10k and then went to do strength exercise, your muscles aren’t running as efficiently, and it may be difficult to maintain a correct form and you could be more prone to injury..
OK, this is crazy, but I just read this post, and while I was reading that you love Bulletproof by LaRoux, it came on Vh1!!! Insane!
I love the poppers, and you totally have me craving a GM despite the chill.
I must make MamaJ some Canadian maple leaf oats (she’s Canadian, too). Too cute!
La Roux is pretty cool to run with, huh? I also love In For The Kill for runs–I time it so that it comes on right when I think I’ll need a walk break so that the song psychs me up and I run through it. (I think I overthink these things–I need all the help I can get:-)
I could NEVER run or swim after a strength workout, I’d shake too much.
I always do cardio before strength training! I like to really fatigue my muscles when I strength train so it’s be way too hard to run after that.
The poppers are so creative :D I’ve still been meaning to make your spelt burgers!
I’ve always heard that you should do whatever you’re wanting to improve the most/focus on the most first. So, if you’re trying to improve your speed, do cardio or running first, but if you’re trying to build strength, do your weights first. Interesting!
Those veggie burger poppers look great– I could NOT figure out from the picture what they were, lol. I thought the tomato paste was some sort of jam! :-)
Hee hee I couldn’t figure out what they were either! They look gorgeous though :)
Love the veggie burger poppers- so quick and simple but easy! I bet they’d make a great party appetizer!
I like to do my cardio first too unless I am doing weights in the morning and cardio after work. As far as goals I want to run a half marathon in the next year but haven’t decided when to do it yet. Also those vege burger poppers look amazing! Can’t wait to try them!
I need to jump on the spelt burger bandwagon – they look delish!
I’m pretty sure that when you do strength-training first, you’re using the sugars in your muscle fibers for energy (due to it being an anaerobic exercise), which leaves less available for your body to use when it comes time for cardio. Your body is forced to use your fat stores for energy during your aerobic exercise, which is harder to break down, which is why it often seems harder to do cardio after strength-training.
I agree with Jessica though, the important thing is that you find a routine that works for you, and you stick to it!
When I was hard core about lifting weights, I was following the New Rules Of Lifting For Women guidelines. I found that 5-10 minutes of a light cardio to warm-up, some warm-up strength moves, and then getting into my hardcore lifting routine, finished with short, intense cardio (HIIT) was the way to do it. On days that I didn’t lift, I would just do long, steady state cardio.
I’m trying to work on my running speed (while preventing injury). I agree with you- I like have something specific to work towards :)
The burgers look delicious!
In my formation as a fitness trainer we learnt that it could be dangerous to do cardio first. Your muscles might be tired and you are exhausted and not able to coordinate them properly – the risk of injuries increases. (Running 15 minutes as a warm up is okay – but you should not run for 75 minutes first and then try to do complexe weight exercises)
We have also learnt that you have more benefits if you split the trainining – do a proper cardio in the morning and a good weight training in the evening – or on different days.
Thank you very much — this is good to hear again.
I was always told it is based on yours fitness goals (cardio or strength) because you’ll have the most glycogen/energy/fuel at the beg of your workout. So if you want to build muscle then strength training if you want to lose weight then cardio.
For some reason I always do cardio first. I feel like it loosens up my muscles and preps me for strength training. I’m a creature of habit!
I’ve heard this as well. I was basically told to do whatever is most important to my fitness goals first. I always do cardio before strength training, but that’s probably because it’s my favorite!
Great workout!
My goal is my 5 K this coming weekend and a 10 K in two weeks…..keeps me running!
Hi Angela!
I am so excited that I managed to snag one of your variety packs. I can’t wait to try them and will definitely be posting about them on my new blog ❤
I almost always start with cardio because I’m not going for strength, moreso maintenance and lean tone. I usually do a half hour run followed by squats, lunges, abs, light arm work and back exercises. I don’t train with weights, so much, I really like the pilates/yoga approach. On the days that I don’t do strength training I double my run time and see if I can go a bit more than twice as far!
The debate of what to train first…I think you can read about points on either side and all are relevant in a way. Personally? I simply think you do what works for YOU! Right? While I understand why an athlete would train a particular way for his intensity, I don’t think there is enough evidence on either side for me to not do what is comfortable!
Like you, I do cardio first. If I do strength first I can barely raise my arms or kick my legs therefore my cardio intensity comes down. And that takes away part of my benefit in pushing harder when it is that type of day. :)
One key: you MUST Properly warm up your muscles in cardio. If you do not do properly warm up (solid 5 minutes) you are at a great risk for injury.
Cardio before strength training is what I was always told was best. Gets your heart pumping for the lifting. I think I’m going to sign up for my 2nd HM today. 3yrs after the first….think I should put them a little closer together from now on :-)
I like to do cardio first because it warms up my muscles. At least that’s what it feels like—I’m not sure if there’s any science behind that. When I strength train first, I feel like my muscles are weaker and less able to handle more reps. That said, sometimes I’ll have strictly “arms and abs days” and I won’t do cardio at all.
wow you are busy! but it sounds like fedex will be alot better for your business.
my running goal is to run a 50k.
Love the grapefruit shot – so fresh and bright. I want one right now!
I have also struggled with negative splits – I am only 2.5 weeks from my marathon – so I can’t do anything about it now – but I wish I had added speed work to my training. Next race – I am definitely add speed work and some strength training. I’m a running machine right now – but miss the way I feel from strength training.
I LOVE reading eveyone’s thoughts on the big Q! I think I am going to try mixing it up and see what I like best.