It seems that in the fitness world people are thrown into different categories or cliques: you have the runners, the triathletes, the cross fitters, the bodybuilders, and the group exercise junkies. I used to fall under the “runner” category- all I did was run. I still run and I love to run. That is not all that I do though. I don’t fall into any of these categories. In any given week I run, jump on boxes and do some AMRAP workouts like cross fitters, lift weights and take group exercise classes. I guess I don’t fit in any clique.
Although my fitness journey was reinvigorated through running and I really love to run, I know that only running is not what is best for my body for the physique I desire. In the last two years I have really taken my weight lifting to the next level. Prior to, I would lift 10-15 pound dumbbells in Strength classes, but now I have learned a few power lifts and pick up more weight than I ever have imagined. At almost 31 (just 4 days), and 6 months Post Baby, I am stronger than I have ever been in my life.
When my mom mentioned the Pump & Run event to me I was instantly intrigued: running and lifting weights combined in a competition. I love running. I love lifting. And I love being competitive. I committed immediately and started training.
The event consisted of “pumping” or bench pressing a certain percentage of your weight depending on your gender and your age. For me, I had to pump 70% of my weight. The run part consisted on running a 5k. The tricky part to all of this was you got to take 30 seconds off of your 5k time for every rep you completed! I completed 13 reps of 95 pounds and was able to take off 6.5 minutes!
My mom and I are extremely competitive and we both wanted to win first prize. I read the website wrong and thought the whole time that it was 1 second off for each rep and not 30! When I pumped 13 less reps than her (she pumped at 50% of her weight) I knew I only had to beat her in the 5k by 14 seconds in order to beat her overall.
Once I was the first woman to cross the finish line I knew I was in a pretty good spot. I then counted to 30 by using the grade school, “One one thousand,” until I got to 30 to make sure I was safe. At that point I knew with my 13 reps I was good and probably had just won…. until. Until I heard the race director say, “30 seconds off per rep of your time.” I then knew that with 26 reps, even though I beat my mom by about a minute and a half I was not going to win.
Although I did not win 1st place (I won 2nd), I was extremely proud of my accomplishment. I bench pressed 95 pounds 13 times. And in training for this race, I hit my bench press goal of 110 pounds by summertime a few months early- I was able to get 3 reps at 110 pounds. I was disappointed in the organization of the race because it was supposed to be a 5k and it was just shy of 2.5 miles. My overall pace of the 2.5 miles was 7:12- I will take that.
I love that this unique race was able to combine two of my favorite things: running & lifting. It gave something to really work towards and allowed me to change up my training for a couple of weeks. I also love when I can be with my family and and complete a fitness event together: setting this example for my children is very important to me.
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