Author: Orange DECA

Sunday Shoutout & GIVEAWAY! [Spartan Races]

Are you SPARTAN strong?

As explained on their site, Spartan Race is on a mission to get you active, healthy, excited about change, and return to our ancient roots where running through woods, getting dirty, and facing adversity was part of everyday life. Our events are all about challenging today’s perception of normal.

This obstacle race series has three exciting announcements…

1. Spartan has recently partnered with Runner’s World. The collaboration and partnership of these two premier fitness brands is sure to guarantee a fabulous FIT event series.

2. They are bringing the race [three distance options] to OH-IO on October 4th for the first time ever!

The Spartan Sprint is comprised of 15+ obstacles over 3+ miles and is a great way to get off the couch and onto the course!

The Spartan Super will test your physical strength and mental resolve. Tackle 20+ obstacles over 8+ miles, and show that you’re Spartan tough!

The Spartan Beast is a true test of will. Tackle 25+ obstacles over 12+ miles, and prove you’re the ultimate Spartan!

3. They have donated a FREE registration to Living Fit Columbus readers/runners as a giveaway!

The free entry is good for any open heat in any 2014 Spartan Race in the continental US. There are THREE different ways to enter [meaning you can enter three times!]

Comment on this blog post stating why you want to try a Spartan race

LIKE our Facebook page, LIKE this post on the page and COMMENT on the post, stating why you want to try a Spartan race

Post any fitness related photo on Instagram and tag it @tgellenbeck1 #livingfitcolumbus @spartanrace

Deadline to enter is next Sunday, July 27th at midnight.

Winner will be announced the week of July 28th. Check back to see the winner and also a 10% discount on registration for all Living Fit readers. Disclaimer: contest is only open to readers within the United States. Living Fit [Columbus] has not earned commission or kickbacks on this giveaway item.

Want more info? Check out these video clips…

What are you waiting for? Enter the giveaway today!

Lastly, a quick SHOUT OUT to Francesca & Julia of energywebring.com for the Sunday Shout out idea! Thank you!

Ninja Warriors, Spartans & Yoga day 19 [yoga for runners]

Ninja WHAT?

If you have seven minutes to spare and are into fitness, competitions and overall awesomeness, check out this video on Kacy Catanza, the first female Ninja Warrior to advance past the finals on the American Ninja Warriors television series.

Kacy is a former gymnast turned, well, NINJA! If you are interested in her training routine which consists of clean eating end exercise (duh!) you can read more HERE.

She is definitely on our list of amazing female athletes that we will be following. Go Kacy!

Speaking of Ninjas, what about Spartans?

Are you SPARTAN strong? This obstacle race series has three exciting announcements…

They have recently partnered with Runner’s World
They are bringing the race [three distance options] to OH-IO on October 4th
They have donated a FREE registration to Living Fit Columbus readers/runners as a giveaway!

Check this one minute video to get an idea of what the race is like…

Check back soon for more details on the Spartan race series and our FREE ENTRY giveaway! If you can’t wait for more info, visit Spartan.com for details and training information.

Day #19 Yoga Challenge

We had a four mile group run this morning (nice job ladies!) so we will do a yoga for runners sequence to stretch out. Thanks to Yoga at Gazelle Sports for the sequence.

The #independencearmy challenge is Mukta Hasta Sirsasana C, which according to Kino is the hardest of the unsupported headstands. Since we haven’t quite mastered headstand, we won’t attempt this one today. But good luck if you can do it!

Lastly, your quote of the day…

Follow our yoga challenge from the beginning by visiting our first post HERE.

Baby/Toddler Yoga! [yoga day 18]

Today we will be attending Kid’s Yoga for our yoga challenge…

Kid’s Yoga hosted by GoYoga @ Polaris Fashion Place from 10:30AM-noon [outdoors by the fountain area near Cheesecake Factory] Sunny95 & Ivivva.com will be present too! Find more information on lululemon athletica polaris‘ FaceBook page.

If you can’t make it or would prefer to try it at home, grab the nearest baby or toddler and try our sequence below…

Yoga Challenge – Day #18

[t gellenbeck]

If I don’t want to share my mat, yoga must be done either during nap time, after bed time or at a studio. Otherwise, my little guy [and often my Golden Retriever, Murphy] tends to cramp my style. I can’t help but laugh at his desire to climb on me, jump, tumble and giggle on the mat! So we made up a quick yoga sequence that we run through on days we want a little momma/baby time.

Here are some photos for you visual learners, in no particular order…

Have the little one help roll out your mat…

And get started on the fun!

Core work – legs bent, legs straight… similar to Superman [or Super Baby as we call it]

Baby bench press – bring baby down to chest, then push up towards ceiling, as many as you can

Forward fold and/or downward facing dog –

baby can participate or if its a little one, do some down dog kisses!

Baby’s turn!

Help them do downward dog, summersaults, backbends and anything else they enjoy doing!

#independencearmy challenge

Today’s posture, like so many others, is another challenging one… Eka Pada Koundinyasana II. If you’re a beginner, just practice any of the other poses that you’ve been wanting to work on.

@LauraSykora rocking it!

Today’s quote… help inspire a child to find the FUN in FITNESS!

Follow our yoga challenge from the beginning HERE.

Have a fabulous start to the weekend!

Yoga Events [& yoga days 16 & 17]

Yoga Challenge – Day #16

Nothing too creative here today. We simply repeated Monday/day 14 workout…

1/2 mile warmup jog
JasYoga’s pre-run yoga poses/stretches for runners
3 mile jog
JasYoga’s post-run recovery poses/stretches for runners

You can find the yoga stretches on lululemon’s blog by clicking the links above, or on our earlier post.

#independencearmy challenge

Today’s posture, like so many others, is a challenging one… Astavakrasana or Eight Angle. Good luck if you can master this one 🙂 As for us… maybe someday!

Laura Sykora making look easy-peasy…. love when she does yoga with her mini!

Yoga challenge day #17 – Run @ Scioto Mile & POGA

A few of our runners met @ Bicentennial Park to get in a pre-yoga run. We had hoped to get in 2.5 – 3 miles, but by the time we all found parking and laid our mats down for poga, we only had time to squeeze in 2. The area around the park, including the Scioto Mile, is a beautiful place to run! We first went along the skyline and of course, stopped to get a few pictures.

We then ran through downtown and felt very urban!! It was a good warm-up to our yoga class and we tracked it on the RUN FOR GOOD ap via Saucony. More on this to come!

POGA was fun as usual. It was through GoYoga, who is also running the Kid’s Yoga tomorrow @ Polaris. It was a hip-hop theme so there may have been some dancing and booty-pops going on during the sequences 🙂 A good time was had by all!

POGA @ Bicentennial Park

POGA @ Bicentennial Park

#independencearmy challenge

Today’s pose was kukkutasana. Laura Sykora demonstrates below…

Follow our yoga challenge from the beginning HERE.

Speaking of beginning, check out these inspirational quotes, borrowed from @baileyactive and @yogainspiration…

If you are new to yoga, why not take a 30 day challenge? Get yourself into the habit of practicing daily, even if it is just for 10 minutes? Kino of @kinoyoga stated, “Yoga is a daily personal practice that leads to the discovery of the inner self.”

Hope to see you in the next few days, either virtually… or even better, in person at one of the yoga events!

Morning yoga – Challenge Day 15

Day #15

We are halfway through our challenge!

Today we are doing morning yoga. We found a good article from our favorite site, Pinterest, which is highlighted below;

Five reasons you need yoga in the morning – and the poses to get you there

The sun is up and waiting for you to greet it
Stretch out now [especially helpful if you sit the rest of the day]
This might be the only alone time you have all day
Gives you more energy for the day
Focusing on your breath in the AM, helps you focus on it all day long

Suggested poses include backbend, side bend, forward fold, tree, cat-cow, downward dog

So we made our own quick little version. Repeat this sequence as many times as you have time for, or add in your own favorite poses. Nothing too strenuous, just an easy flow to get your mind & body ready for the day. Hold each pose as long as you like and really focus on your breath.

If you have time, go on a walk or get in some other cross training today. We are heading to find a nearby park and do some walking and hiking. And maybe some yoga in the park!

The #independencearmy challenge is yet another pose that will test your yoga limits. Grasshopper….

Kino demonstrates with a smile 🙂

We will leave you with this thought…

Hope you feel refreshed and ready to conquer the day!

Follow our yoga challenge from the beginning by visiting our first post HERE.

10 reasons we love lululemon athletica [& yoga day 14]

[T Gellenbeck]

For my birthday in August of 2012, my sister & mother in law got me gifts and gift cards to lululemon athletica. I’ll be honest, I had never shopped there before. At the time, I thought it was just for yogis, which I wasn’t. And I was happy with my mix of workout clothes from Nike, Northface, C9 [Target, if you didn’t know], and whatever else looked cute, fit well or was on sale.

A couple months later I finally went to spend my gift card. And so began my obsession with the clothes, the store, the brand. I shop there, I help lead a run club in partnership with our polaris store, I have my students do a case study on their corporate culture, they [along with my sis-in-law] inspired me to give yoga another chance… you could say I have a crush on lululemon.

Here are TEN reasons why we [our Thursday night running group] LOVE lulu…

1. They share Living Fit’s favorite passions; running, yoga & other sweaty pursuits. And of course, blogging.

A tagline on their blog reads ——>
A tagline on one of their ads reads ——->

2. The lululemon manifesto. These inspirational rules to live life by speak volumes about the company’s mission and core values. “We are passionate about sweating every day and we want the world to know it. Breathing deeply, drinking water and getting outside also top the list of things we can’t live without.” Find your favorite quote and write it on a post-it to see every morning. Better yet, frame it. Filling your mind with positive thoughts and energy helps you live a happier, healthier life!

3. Their Educators are awesome. They have kind, knowledgeable associates aka ‘Educators’ – we have worked specifically with Jackie, Lisa, Jess & Betina at the Polaris store and they are amazing. The Polaris staff is so friendly, I’ve literally even stopped in to get opinions on dressing my husband for a wedding with an outfit from Macys. No joke! I’ve also been to the Easton location and Chicago, Michigan Ave location and both were equally friendly.

4. Goal setting is a company priority. Staff have their goals posted around the store, they ask what your fitness/sweat goals are and they even have resources on their website. We have used these with our runners and I’ve used them in my classroom with my high school students. Use them to set your next set of personal, health and career goals!

5. High quality, high fashion, anti-stink apparel. You will be the best dressed person on the mat or trail, I assure you. And the silverescent technology helps prevent stinky-ness so you don’t have to rush home to shower. They also offer accessories (headbands, water bottles, yoga mats, bags), men’s clothing and a cute little tote with every purchase.

6. Artistic photography. Many of the ads feature a unique style of photography that we happen to love. Organic. Minimalist. Some of the summer ones are vintage & sun kissed. Love!

7. They are all about COMMUNITY. Lulu hosts and organizes so many local complimentary events, just to encourage people to sweat and have fun doing it. POGA, SUP, Sunday Fundays, Run clubs, CrossFit sessions… we’ve tried a lot of them and you will surely leave blissed-out. And often you’ll have met new fitness lovers like yourself. They also promote local fitness facilities and yoga studios through out their store. This is our community, lets make it awesome and FIT!

Keith from Polaris CrossFit

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lululemon + Harbor Yoga

POGA @ Scioto Audubon Park

POGA @ McFerson Commons/Arch Park

town run club Thursdays @6:30PM

8. Yoga, run, party ~ take me to the Sea Wheeze Half Marathon please! We WILL get here someday. It is on our bucket list!

9. They have outlets. Bet you didn’t know that? Add it to your bucket list to visit every single one.

10. Humor. The ads and corporate culture make us laugh! And who doesn’t love laughing? As seen below, they are often found supporting local runners at races, holding signs that will make you smile for miles.

So there is a quick rundown of our reasons for crushing. If you haven’t checked it out, stop in sometime. But beware, it can be addicting. And the following pic was found while creating this post… I can’t guarantee it will happen, but it could.

Yoga Challenge – Day #14

While we are on the subject of lululemon, may as well use their blog and yoga resources for today’s practice! Visit Yoga Info 101 for information, videos and more.

We [me and my little guy] are heading out for a 3 mile run with the jogging stroller, so I’ll do lulu’s pre and post run yoga stretches and poses for my practice today. You can find these on lulu’s blog or on our earlier post.

Don’t forget about #independencearmy challenge if you are doing that too. Today’s pose is a tough one – tittibhasana or firefly. This move is another advanced one that we aren’t quite ready for, but it is impressive to watch.

Kino is crazy flexible, she even does walking firefly!

Check out Kino’s how-to video HERE if you want to witness her awesome-ness and [gulp] try it for yourself.

Follow our yoga challenge from the beginning HERE.

If you made it this far, you deserve an award! Watch for two giveaways coming soon, maybe you’ll win!

See you soon 🙂

Yoga Challenge – Day 13

Day #13

Although we debated taking a class today at our favorite yoga studio, Harbor Yoga [they have a slow flow, non-heated class today we’ve been wanting to try] or joining the complimentary Sunday Funday class at lululemon athletica polaris, the day got away from us. Sometimes you just want to relax at home on a Sunday, you know?

So the mat was busted out and a 20 minute session was created on the fly.

Twenty minute at-home session

Warmup of five flows [Mountain, forward fold, chaturanga, up dog, down dog, forward fold, holding each for 10 seconds]
Three-five minutes of core work [full and half planks, side planks, boat]
Five minutes of practicing some in-progress poses [crow, headstand]
Five-ten minutes of practicing the yoga pose of the day [see below]

The #IndependenceArmy pose of the day is Pinchamayurasana, or Feathered Peacock Posture or Forearm Balance.

Love that Laura does yoga with her mini… our little guy is often photo-bombing during yoga sessions!

Here are some videos we used to practice;

Forearm balance with Kino – Kino suggest working on open scissors before bringing legs all the way up

Forearm balance by Briohny of Yoga Earth – a nice little warm up and another look at the pose

How to do yoga forearm stand by Bend Yoga – they show beginners how to use a wall

There are several methods of bringing your legs up, find what works for you

A fitness saying/quote for the day… very appropriately matches today’s yoga pose!

Follow our yoga challenge from the beginning HERE.

Hope your Sunday is what you want it to be. Namaste.

Sweat Pink [& yoga day 12]

[t gellenbeck]

I recently became a Sweat Pink ambassador through Fit Approach.

A running friend asked me the other day, ‘What does that even mean?’ I laughed and explained it was just a way of inspiring and helping others to live healthy lives. Their motto is…

“Sweat Pink Ambassadors live the Fit Approach mission every day: they sweat hard, play hard, and inspire those around them to achieve their best selves.”

Here are my beliefs that align with SWEAT PINK’s philosophy…

I believe in helping others begin or continue their journey to a healthy lifestyle through exercise, clean food [with the occasional glass of wine, coffee or bite of chocolate :] and a positive FIT attitude
I believe that strong is the new skinny
I believe in overall fitness and although I’m a runner at heart, I know that cross training [biking, hiking, yoga, strength training] is important too. I am eager to learn about new fitness and foodie ideas, connect with other FIT minded people and share what I learn with others… YOU!
I believe in the color pink! Whether you’re trying to look good or support breast cancer… pink is a great color 🙂

Fit Approach is a community for fitness minded _____________ [ <—- insert your choice term there ~ professionals, enthusiasts, bloggers]. So check it out sometime!

Sweat Pink

My first few days as an ambassador began the FIT Approach 10 day Instagram challenge.

You can follow me @tgellenbeck1 or just view a quick rundown below…

Favorite healthy summer meal/snack

Favorite workout gear

Summer vacation activities

Celebrate red, white & blue

Favorite yoga pose

Nature ~ #sweatpink outside

Favorite way to #sweatpink = running

summer reading

#sweatpink with a friend

Summer activities = practicing more yoga and playing with my little guy!

Follow along as we achieve health and fitness goals together!

Yoga Challenge – Day 12

We had our group run this AM so yoga for today is just some light stretching and poses [mountain, runner’s lunge, forward fold]. This counts, right?

For some good resources including videos on yoga for runners, visit Runner’s World Yoga Center. And don’t forget your day #12 yoga pose from #independencearmy; Buja Pidasana or shoulder pressing posture. We will keep working on this one…

Laura Sykora does it with ease

And lastly, your motivational quote of the day…

Follow our yoga challenge from the beginning HERE.

Have a great weekend!

Yoga Challenge – Day 11

Day #11

[T gellenbeck]

After two consecutive run days Wed/Thurs and a long[er] run tomorrow, today was a short yoga day. Just 10 minutes of practice on the mat to unplug and relax. Some days you just need to let that body rest!

The #IndependenceArmy pose of the day is Vashishtasana or side plank. This is one of my bucket list poses. I watched a lulu educator/friend [Bettina] rock this pose at Poga a few weeks ago and I’ve been dreaming about it ever since. Side plank is challenging enough, but bringing that leg up is crazy tough!

Doesn’t Kino just make everything look so easy? And amazing?!

Complete both of these videos for a good 10 minutes of side plank practice;

Yoga with Adrienne – Side Plank

Yoga arm balances with Kino

Don’t forget to take a break every now and then and…

Follow our yoga challenge from the beginning by visiting our first post HERE.

Have a good evening and a great start to the weekend!

LeBron is coming home

[t gellenbeck]

I’ll make this short and sweet because I know most of our followers are into running, yoga and fitness… not necessarily basketball and sports. But LeBron’s breaking news is at least worth mentioning!

Joey and I root for all Ohio teams… The Buckeyes [duh], the Bengals, and we always liked watching the Cavs games, especially when James was playing. The pics below are from a game we went to a few years back and it was a lot of fun!

LeBron wrote an essay stating; “I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when… I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown… This is what makes me happy.”

How will Cleveland react? Will he be the famous #23 again? Will his monstrous mural be reapplied to the big wall it once graced?

It will be interesting!