Thursday, March 1, 2012

New Toys and The Eugene Half

I've completely geeked out these last few days with some new toys for my own personal workouts and for my boot campers. It started two weeks ago when this baby was delivered:

My very own pink sandbag. I have two individual sandbags in it so I can use 30 pounds or remove one bag and take it down to 15 pounds. I tried to make my own by using a duffel bag and putting an 18 pound bag of dog food in it, but without all the strategic placing of handles, it just wasn't the same. I LOVE this piece of equipment - it is so versatile!!

Then, while visiting Sports Authority the other night, I found some SAQ pieces that I've been eyeing on line and managed to make my way home with these gems:
...and if that wasn't enough...
This...

...came from Fed Ex yesterday (minus the hot girl).

My boot camp continues to grow (too slowly for my liking) but it is by far the favorite part of my work day, so I will continue on!!

I have to say that I feel that my boot camp workouts have gotten me a lot closer to the running speed that I'm striving for. In addition, my legs feel pretty darn AWESOME. 14 months ago, I started running again after being on the sideline for well over a year dealing with achilles and anterior tibial tendinitis/shin splints. Then after recovering from all that, I injured my glute/hammy area and spent all last season being somewhat slowed down by that, but at least able to run. I dreamed of having runs where my legs didn't hurt, and AMAZINGLY to me, my first two track workouts this year have been magnificent. Although I can still feel a bit of tension in my left glute, it feels much better than last year and my speed is significantly better. I'm experiencing a bit of a runners high right now and hoping that it continues all the way through this season!! I am definitely running the Eugene Half again and so now I need to find out >>>WHO is organizing the blogger meet up this year? Who do I need to know is going to be there? I have looked at Raina's Blog and found links to Lauren, Ronda, and Tricia's blogs, but there have got to be more!! Laura?? Are you still planning on running Eugene? What are everyone's goal times? I'm going out on a limb and just blurting it out now. I want that sub 2:00.

Ok, then...

*What is the one piece of workout equipment you could not live without?

*What is the one new piece of workout equipment you really really really really "need"?

15 comments:

Jill said...

I need to drag out my agility ladder...thanks for the reminder! I have never seen those pieces of equipment at SA, that is cool that yours had them! I swear to God though that those short hurdles really screwed up my knee when I was going to that Athletic Training class two years ago. grrr.

I recently started using a kettelbell...who knew my abs would be killing me 4 days after useage?!? :) I think that's my new favorite piece of stuff cluttering my closet. Hehe.

Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said...

Does my trainer count as a piece of fitness equipment? Because I'm pretty sure I'd be WAY weaker without him.

I kind of NEED a giant tire and a sledgehammer in my back yard. hahahah.

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

I need that pink sandbag, but till I can afford to swing it i will have to make do with my ugly homemade one :) I want a real dipstaion too!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

Oh wow! I have wanted one of those! Might be my next investment!! And the pullup/dip bars are also on the list. Stay with your boot camp--I know it will grow!

CautiouslyAudacious said...

I love my bosu ball!!! Agility ladder looks like fun!

Anonymous said...

These toys look so cool! I want them all! Excluding my running shoes, I don't own any favorite workout equipment, for the main and only reason that I don't seem to be able to motivate myself to work out at home. So, it's either the gym or nothing at all. I even tried to get some workout DVDs with minimal (zero) success...

Unknown said...

Okay, at the risk of sounding COMPLETELY stupid, what do you use a sandbag for? (Although I'd buy it *just* because it's pink!) I'm still newish to running, so I'd love to see a blog post on your *must have* cross-training products for runners! :)

A Prelude To... said...

I use the sandbag for everything from squats to shoulder presses to ab work. I use a lot of the exercises from http://www.bodyrock.tv/

ajh said...

I need a wet suit but does that count. I really couldn't live without my stick, foam roller or tennis ball.

Raina said...

I am working on a meet up! It's going to be a bit different than last year's though, since i plan to have my kids there :)

Your sandbag is AWESOME!!

Ransick said...

New toys are always fun :-). I don't really have any workout toys I couldn't live without. I am getting the Garmin itch for a new toy though.

Coy Martinez said...

You know, I found that cycling actually helped me build muscles that were weak and while running. Some of the problems I had before cycling have never come back. My body is a wreck anyway :)

My fav running thing...FOAM ROLLER :)

Terzah said...

I don't have much equipment--my favorite low-tech thing is my tennis ball, for releasing my pesky butt muscles while I'm sitting at my day job. Sigh.

So nice to hear how strong you are feeling. It makes me want to take a boot camp class, but I can't quite do it yet.....

Laura is Undeterrable said...

I know that is a different Laura, but I'm going too! Haven't decided on a goal yet - it will be the first of 4 halfs this spring. I'm definitely up for a blogger meet-up though!

Average Woman Runner said...

Those look like some great tools!