🚨 Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 = my new favorite running shoes (i know… i can’t believe it’s not Nike!) 👀 i always wrote off “stability shoes” as something for people w/ motor/balance issues, but i’ve now realized the area they target is exactly the problem i’ve been facing the past year. stability shoes reduce excess movement (especially side-to-side), to ensure your knee, calf + ankle stay aligned. Brooks has their own unique technology to address this called GuideRails, which “allow your hips, knees, and joints to move within their unique motion path while you run – all without traditional posts. This innovative new form of stability doesn’t ‘correct’ your stride. Instead, it assists your body in finding its natural path, or Stride Signature.”
Nike Zoned Support Calf Sleeves feature a sweat-wicking, compressive design for dry comfort + optimal support.
Compression calf sleevesare something else I have also found to be very useful for me – they boost circulation, which helps deliver more red blood cells to muscles, allowing for faster recovery! European Journal of Applied Physiology conducted a recent study + found that athletes who wore calf sleeves during their workout needed less downtime between sessions than those who didn’t.
Cold weather gear: Gymshark leggings, buff, gloves, nike long-sleeve half-zip top, nike trail shoes for traction in snow/slush/ice.
Half marathon – was going to do this in 2020, then didn’t want to have to do it virtually, but now it’s looking like it’ll just need to be that way b/c i will not wait another year! 13.1. goin’ down in 2021. Will definitely post more training updates along the way! ✨
Brooks Ghost 13s just arrived – will be testing tmrw!
Another new pair – Brooks Bedlam 2! (yes, i have a problem… 😂)
just wanted to post a lil’ update since i currently have a ton of projects in the works + have not been the best at reaching out/catching up w/ anyone lately ✨
in addition to working as a full-time Creative PM (+ currently navigating some team restructuring), i’ve been running a DePop shop + sales have picked up a good amount throughout quarantine. i also have an Etsy store, which i recently am trying to give a new look + feel and fresh product designs. 💻📈
+ been working on rebranding my fitness/wellness instagram account + posting updates more regularly (@courtneynicole_fit) 👁
i also run 4-6 miles – 5-6x/wk + 6-7x/wk am also completing 100 pushups/day, 200 crunches/day + some weight-lifting/strength-training 🤸🏼♀️
trying to eat healthy, recently cooked more dishes (insert images here) although admittedly i am currently super obsessed w/ hawaiian bagels.😍🥯
keeping up w/ reading – might hit 100 books/year mark for the 3rd time 🤓 📚🤞🏻
plus, replying to text messages every so often, manifesting my goals, etc. –– also reconnected w/ an old friend, which was a little spontaneous (or possibly divine timing?? 🔮), unexpected + absolutely a complete and total blessing. 🤍✨
🧿 wishing everyone lots of love, success + fulfillment! 🧿
Take this short quiz to discover what level of self-compassion you have – prompted some reflection on thought patterns + caring for your emotional self during tough times.
I also highly recommend checking out Liz + Mollie’s (co-authors of an insightful read, No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work) assessment to help you learn about your emotional tendencies. There are also additional assessments that focus on evaluating your team’s emotional culture + your organization’s emotion norms.
Journal Prompts:
i am noticing _____. i am thinking _____. i am feeling ______.
(observe any tension in neck + shoulders)
what are your ‘mini breaks’ throughout the day?
what activities have you done recently that you didn’t like?
what activities have you done lately that you did like?
write down 3-5 things you’re grateful for (daily or weekly)
breakfast – cup of coffee, oatmeal + vitamins (multi, probiotic)
pre-workout – Celcius energy drink (~1/2 can)
always stretch (hamstrings, calf muscles, ankles, hips), jog slowly at the start to warm up + sometimes foam rolling before (if needed)
lace-up – current shoes are Nike Free Rn 5s (longtime Free Rns fan)
during:
music/motivation – Apple AirPods + Apple Music playlists
tracking – Nike Run Club App (distance > duration), Apple Watch Series 5
tips – if something doesn’t feel good, stop + stretch a little more. if out of breath, take a quick pause to catch it – don’t force anything! i also find i do some of my best thinking out on my runs, so i’m often writing things down on my phone in the Notes app.
after:
muscle recovery – stretching immediately, ice specific muscles (if needed)
hydration – water, BCAA drink mix + protein shake upon return from run, later on will have water, coconut water or sugar-free Gatorade or Nuun drink tablets (electrolytes)
hygiene – try to always shower asap, but if i need to finish up the strength training portion of workout first, i make sure to still wash my face immediately to prevent pores from becoming clogged (+acne forming)
