I'm an opportunist when I brush my teeth.

I don't know if I'll be up for a run today. Why? That rain I was whining about yesterday? Yeah, well, it's here today instead.

It actually held off any precipitation until after my run would have been concluded yesterday -- but no matter, I had something else really important to do during my lunch break (get my stuff ready for Dani's Duds - a giant consignment sale at the Dulles Expo Center this weekend).

I'll just run today. Right? It's rainy and cold. So we'll see.

Today, I'll share something else, in case I don't get to run. I'm trying to find ways to incorporate strength training exercises into my every day life -- finding time is nearly impossible with a full time job, 2 kids, and a hubby who works late a lot.

So I have started small. Every night, when I brush my teeth with my awesome toothbrush, I take the opportunity to use that time to multitask. And I do a wall squat. I'm very nearly able to do the full 2 minutes (my toothbrush has a timer built in!!!) after only about a week of doing this!

Tonight, while playing with the kids, I will try to do some push ups and maybe some other core exercises (esp. for my back!)

I wonder where else I can add in strength exercises. Maybe while doing dishes, I can bounce up and down on my tippy toes, or work on the shin-splints muscles by tapping my toes like I learned in Mommy Bootcamp from my favorite butt-kicking fierce bootcamp instructor, Jen. (also my prenatal pilates instructor).

I think incorporating this kind of stuff into every day moments will really help me in the long run, since I can't dedicate an hour or two every other day to just strength training exercises.

Any other ideas out there or tricks you use to add more exercises when you're doing your every day stuff? I'd love to hear them!

My Run on 3/28/2011

Yesterday's run was 3.38 miles. It lasted 37:05 minutes. The pace was 10:57 min/mile.
MapMyRun

It felt good. The first half mile ALWAYS sucks. I usually think I'm just going to turn the corner and head home. But I normally just turn and run farther away from home and tell myself "just a few more minutes, it's not so bad." It was cold yesterday. The wind was biting.

During the run, I thought I was going faster than the past few runs, but still kept my heart rate in my "zone." I use a polar heart rate monitor (in pink! of course!) and it's really helped me train. Instead of running until I can't run anymore, then walking, I've been running, then when my heart rate gets too high, the monitor beeps non stop at me until I slow my heart rate down. I slow it down by slowing down my pace and concentrating on my breathing. Since I started training this way, the first day was the only day I had to start walking to slow my heart rate all the way down. I've learned to pace myself and when I am trying to go too hard or fast, I have really learned how to slow down and get myself in check. Consequently, I'm running slightly faster and slightly further with each run.

Funny to think that just a few weeks ago, the thought of running 3 miles in a row seemed impossible. Yesterday was my "easy run" and it was 3.38 miles, which didn't seem bad at all. I was trying to make the run similar to my run from last Thursday, only faster (See here) but when I got to a certain point, I suddenly decided to try a new path. Only this path was about to go through the woods and I saw that it was swampy. So I said "No thanks" and had to back track a little. That's where I got the extra .7 miles in, by mistake.

So at the end of the run, if I didn't have time constraints (during the week I run during my lunch break, which means I have an hour to get ready, then run, then stretch out after. Forget the shower - I have to sit in my sweat the rest of my work day. ew), so if i didn't have time constraints, I probably was good for at least another half mile or more!

Let's see what Wednesday brings us! I'm hoping that it's less swampy where I want to run (but doubt it) because that's the end of my run and the last mile has now become incredibly boring to me.