What IS National Ab Month.

I started doing some research (Google!) about National Ab Month.  This is what I can gather and isn't necessarily fact.  

Proof that I had pretty OK abs (I'm on the right).  Of course I'm pretty sure I was about 12-15 lbs lighter.  This was 2002 - wow - time flies, dressed for an 80's party.

Shari, Lisa, Me

We sang Karaoke that night, "We are Family", damn I miss my 30's!!

Back to Ab Month:

I found this on Google:

It's February! That can mean many things, but for now, it means that it's "National Ab Month!" Just what is this fictional celebration of the abdominal muscles??

In 2004, a group of runner friends decided to make February "National Ab Month." Of course, just how "national" it is could be called into question. The idea was to take the shortest month of the year and vow to do some kind of ab work every day until March. There were all kinds of motives: strengthening the core for that spring marathon, looking good for vacation, seeing just how many crunches could be done in 28 days, etc. Whatever the reason, it has always proved to be worthwhile in terms of fitness and challenge.

So how does it work? Simple: just do some ab work each day throughout the month of February and set your sights on the rock-hard stomach you'll be sporting in March!

If you're sold on the idea and want to participate in the 9th Annual National Ab Month, here are a few ideas to get you started. 

* Complete 100 ab-strengthening repetitions per day like crunches or side bends.

* Explore isolation exercises such as the bridge position (like the plank), the boat pose, and the side bridge. Hold each for 10-60 seconds.

* Incorporate ab moves on a stability ball.

* Use ab machines at the gym.

* Try a medicine ball.

 The possibilities are endless. Simply mix and match to customize your perfect ab routine.  

Best of luck!

I love a good and easy challenge.  I think as runners we are our biggest competitors.  With my foot being cranky, this will keep me doing something every day and keeping my core strong.  

I have a few challenges doing ab work every day.  First, my vacations/races.  I'm not too worried about my snowmobiling trip but when I drive down to Arizona for the Del Sol Ragnar it's going to be interesting to get ab work done while being in a van for basically 4 days.  

It's on!  

Blog on..............

Snow snow drive!

Monday morning at around 1am my daughter called me from the driveway. She was stuck in the insane amount of snow. Of course, my back is doing better but not push a car out of the snow better. So we shoveled and salted and shoveled. Luckily Daniel, my youngest got home and we were able to eat it unstuck.

Wish I had a picture.

That morning I had to get up super early to get to Rock Springs on time for my shift. The roads weren't super bad and I love my Subaru - it's a snow machine! Great thing about driving up out of Salt Lake was the sunny skies and clear air!

I left early and by the time I got to work I was exhausted.  Ended up having a few mini naps throughout the day.    Unfortunately we didn't fly and the weather didn't let up much either.  On my way home on Wednesday, I had this to contend with:

About 100 miles away from home.  I sat there for an hour.  I may or may not have stewed about how frustrating all the travel my job entails.

Then I came home to this:

View from my front window.  That is Daniels car.  He has to pay to get it fixed.  We are on month two.  Teaching children about responsibility is aggravating!  My kids hadn't shoveled the driveway yet either.  That was the first thing they did when I got home.  SLAM the hammer down!! 

Lots of snow, lots of driving and lots of work.  Now, vacation!  (again!!) 

Picture updates while I sled in the great Island Park, Idaho!  

Prior Year Shenigans!

The SuperBowl

 Trying to steal a keg from a snow bear.

 Mmmmm...hot Sake.  Coffee Stirrer= No helmet removal=warm noggin.

My favorite sled.  

BE SAFE!

Blog on..........

National Ab Month

Apparently February is National Ab Month.  I've seen a couple of monthly challenges, one of them being over at Running Chronicles.  I decided to do it!  

But first, update on my back.

It is doing wonderfully!  This morning it was hardly even sore.  I've continued the ibuprofen and rest, which seemed to work.  The biggest contributor to my healing, in my opinion, was a wonderful 90 minute massage I had on Sunday.  

I have a membership with Massage Envy and I've been pretty vocal about how important I think massage is to health and wellness.  If you find a good therapist they are priced pretty affordable.  Much better then weeks of Physical Therapy.

I added on this little gem.

Deep Muscle Therapy also includes:

Warming Towel Compression: To help relax muscles

Therapeutic warming ointment: To give you a warming sensation and your therapist the friction and glide necessary to work deeper into muscles.

Cooling Gel: This cooling gel releases tension, decreases pain, and invigorates your muscles.

I was lucky to get into a 90 minute and my therapist was insane he was so good!  Loosening up each muscle and keeping me informed as he went.  I get really freaked out when I get the front of my neck massaged and he was so good with me, even though he laughed a little at my "fear".  Haha  Best money I spent!

That brings me back to my abs.  

These are not my abs.  

Neither are these:

Picture credit

I know that abs are made in the kitchen with the foods you eat, but after having my fall I appreciate core work even more.  I'm sure that if I didn't work out I would have hurt something.  I have a great big bruise on my lower right back over the bony part of my pelvis.  I'd post a picture but first I'd have to have someone take it and you would see my butt crack.  I'm not ready to take our relationship to the next level, for now.  hehe

So basically the National Ab Month Challenge is to work the abs every day.  I can do it anywhere!  I plan to do lots of crunches, 100's and planks.  I'll be in Idaho on February 1st on my 13th annual Snowmobile Trip and I plan on getting my core on before we head out for the day.  Thank god I didn't hurt my back and have to cancel this trip too.  Of course, I'll continue to take ibuprofen and if I have to cut a day short then I will. 

I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Join along if you'd like.  We can slide into spring and swimsuits with a nice core and hopefully a tight tummy!!

What is your favorite ab workout?

Blog on..............

The Jelly Bean Race!

I have been watching all these "Virtual" races that bloggers have hosted and I signed up for one.  I only committed to a 10K, but figured it would give me some motivation for March!



Check out her blog and sign up!   
I'm excited!

I'm also running the Ragnar Del Sol Relay at the end of February.  I only have 12 miles total and feel that my heel can handle it.  The Jelly Bean race gives me a little something to look forward to in March and keep me motivated to remember how much I love running!

Have you ever done a Virtual Run before?? 

Blog on............