We’ve spent thirty days doing squats. We’ve spent thirty days doing planks. Now we’re going to spend thirty days doing crunches!

For this month I challenge you to do all your crunches at the same time, don’t break them up like we did for the squats in January. Break them into sets of ten and take a very short break between each set.

To help you keep track, I’ve taken the liberty of creating this printable calendar for you. Just click on the image to print your own copy.

There are many different types of crunches to choose from so pick your favorite each day. The most important thing is to make sure you’re using proper form to avoid injury.

I will post the day’s workout to the Mommyland Facebook page at 6AM eastern time so we can do the workouts together. Let’s help keep each other accountable for the month.

We’re going to  spend the next thirty days strengthening our core! Don’t forget to start today with 20 crunches and I’ll see you tomorrow for 25 more.

So what do you say, are you in?

Getting back into the swing of things.

I have a confession to make…After The Broad Street Run (May 5th) I stopped running. First I got sick. Then it was school obligations for the boys. After that I was away on vacation.

In the three weeks I didn’t run something happened. I gained five pounds. I also lost my stamina. But the biggest hurdle I’ve faced in getting back to it is the heat.

It got damn HOT in those three weeks…And HUMID as hell.

5K shouldn’t be this hard!

I quickly discovered that I prefer to run in temperatures in the 30-50 degree range. 90 and humid? No bueno!

Running ten miles was “easy” for me. I enjoyed it and wanted to run more. I could run those ten miles then go about the rest of my day. Now four miles kicks my ass.

It’s frustrating really.

I’m making adjustments though. I’ve gone out and purchased a water belt to wear when I run. I have to say that I’m still trying to get used to having something strapped to my waist while I run but it has helped me squeak out slightly longer distances.

I’m also trying to get out a little earlier for my runs to beat the heat. That isn’t always possible though since my life pretty much revolves around the lives of the three men I live with.

If there was one thing I wasn’t really prepared for it’s just how difficult it has been for me to get back to where I was this time last month. Deep down in my heart of hearts I know I’m being too hard on myself but somehow I can’t seem to help it.

My longest run since BSR

As I work my way back up to the ten miles (and beyond) I’m going to try and go easy on myself and take my time, the last thing I need is an injury that makes me have to sit out another month. I’m hopeful that as I spend more time out in the heat that my body acclimates to the temperature and humidity and makes those runs a little easier for me to get through.

Have you ever had to take a break? How did you handle the long road back to where you were before you stopped?