#31DaysofSkirtSports Week 1

Why YES, I AM a Skirt Sports Ambassador Captain! Earlier, this year, I was selected to represent this company because I believe in their mission and their products! While Skirt Sports offers shorts and capris for the real women, it's the skirt that drew me in to "Convert to Skirt." I love the compression gear underneath the skirt, which keeps the jiggly from being all wiggly! And, at age 52, I require coverage -- 
cover-age! (I'll leave that one, right there)

Skirt Sports converts, everywhere, are getting in on July's #31DaysofSkirtSports. Let me take you through my first 7 days via my social media accounts...

Day 1. TGIF - Freshly laundered Skirt Sports because #realwomenmove in the Tennessee sunshine!

(Some of my Skirt Sports swag. The grey visor is a BOCO visor for Skirt Sports with a headband at the front to soak up sweat.)

I suggest drip drying your tech gear, but you can always toss it in the dryer on low.

Day 2. Nourish with GOOD FOOD, errday!

(Wearing Happy Girl skirt, colorful Tantrum print)

If you find something you're interested in on the SkirtSports.com website, be sure to enter COP20 at checkout for a 20% discount!

Day 3. A long weekend to run and watch Shark Week shows is like a mini VACATION!

(Skirts Sports Ambassador Trucker Cap - totally free when you become an ambassador! How cool is that?)

Day 4. Feelin' PATRIOTIC, but not skilled at cornhole on Fort Loudon Lake!

Fitness apparel is for any day, not just for fitness activities.

(Wearing Happy Girl, the monochromatic gray Gotham print)

Enter COP20 at checkout for a 20% discount! And, if it's not your thang, the friendly folks in customer service can help you return your purchase.

Day 5. A little TRAILHEAD at Cove Lake State Park of LaFollette, in the Cumberland Mountains of East Tennessee with our little Zuzu the Shihtzu!

Pictured is my wonderful and supportive hubby who says, "I've been chasing your skirt for years!" 

I'm ok with that!

Day 6. After a day of leading REFIT® fitness classes, foam rolling is tonight's hurt-so-good RECOVERY tool on tight calves and sore glutes. 

#stay dry #alldaylong because #realwomenmove 

(Wearing Happy Girl skirt, Tantrum print)

Day 7. Isolate other muscle groups for whole body fitness  = CrossTrain‬‪

Runners tend to focus on strengthening the legs when all over conditioning makes for a stronger runner. I targeted my core, this evening, doing mountain climbers, planks, sit ups, roll ups, crunches, and this modified version of mountain climber.
TIP: My wrists don't have a full range of motion, so I elevate using weights when holding a plank or doing mountain climbers.

(Wearing my Skirt Sports Ambassador swag a.k.a online as the "Don't Sweat It Long Sleeve" which is soft as buttaaaahh!)

Totally authorized to extend to you a 20% discount by entering COP20 at checkout, at least through December 2016!

For the Newbie Runner: Part 2

In the post "For the Newbie Runner: Part 1," I offered three tips learned since I started running...

1. Shoes: All Feet are Not Created Equal
2. Intervals: A Mile is a Mile
3. Running Groups: Never Say Never

My disclaimer is that I'm still a Newbie Runner, too, and eager to steer you towards success in your new quest. As of this post, I've only run a couple of 5Ks (3.1 miles) and one 10K (6.2 miles). My intimate knowledge of the running race world is extremely limited. But there are many miles logged prior to each of these races which is where I will draw from for tips.

4. Stretching: Impatience Can Cause Injury

With just a 5-minute stretch before bolting down the road, you can reduce your chance for injury. Cold muscles do not want to work. Tight muscles are like a ball of taught rubberbands. Try to immediately engage those cold, tight muscles for high performance and you may end up with severe pains, strains or even bone fractures. After the run, reward those muscles with unrushed stretching. As you hold a pose, relax into that held pose intentionally focusing on specific muscles. It'll hurt so good!

I was involved with a new yoga studio a friend launched, over a year ago. In that 30-day period, I had unlimited access to all classes from gentle (newbie) flow to the crazy Hot 26 where the room is heated to 95 degrees and my elbows sweat puddles! Turns out, being rung out like a sponge and getting all bendy-pretzelly for an hour alleviated some muscle and tendon issues I was experiencing. Now, I do those flexibility and stretching exercises at home in air conditioning!

5. Cross-Training: Getting Stronger All Over

More studies are proving stronger runners are created in the gym. Cross-training such as weights, plyometrics, swimming, etc., help strengthen different muscle groups while the other set recovers. Why does a runner want to cross train?

*Balance those non-running muscles for overall strengthening.
*Reducing the risk for injuries.

I hated running. I felt weak and winded. Ultimately I just quit trying. After participating in Zumba classes 2-4 times a week for about 7 months, I decided to give running one more chance. Oh, and to make it more of a challenge, I opted for a hilly route. Incredibly, I felt strong, as if I had been running for months! Benefiting from the results of cross-training, I'm intentionally active in dance (cardio) fitness and running. Some weeks, I add a resistance band with flexibility stretches. 

Balance your weekly workout and get stronger!

How do you cross-train? What types of stretching and flexibility exercises are you doing to improve your muscle balance?