In 2009 I trained and ran my very first 5k. I simply used MapMyRun.com. I ran around my neighbourhood and did it.

In 2001 I decided to run my first 10k. I joined a lululemon run club at my local store and ran a 5k with them every Wednesday. I’d try for longer runs on the weekend but only ever built up to about a 7 or 8k. So I ran the 10k on the day of the race really for the first time truly.

This year I’ve gone a step further and decided to run my very first Adventure Race the Warrior Dash. It does involve a full 5k so I’ve gotta keep my running legs tuned up. My first run of the season was this past Tuesday with my friend Krysten. Please note that I have no idea how to dress for cold weather running. I grabbed my cold Under Armour top that I’d bought previously for my foray into Ultimate Frisbee, my new New Balance running t shirt that I got at my last shoot for Best Health and a random pair of leggings that truth be told were really too thin for the cold weather we’re having. So priority number one is to head off and buy proper running tights! I also had nothing on my ears so thankfully my girl Krysten lent me a toque. It sadly had an Arsenal crest on the front and when I sent my fiancee this picture…

he said he would no longer marry me. His team is Man U so I clearly messed up lol

Our run outside went amazing. I was tremendously sore from a hamstring workout on Monday but got an amazing runners high and wasn’t cold!

What I need to do to succeed this year.

1. Get better running shoes

2. Get run tights

3. Invest in a heart rate monitor

4. Get a Man U toque

5. Get excited for my Warrior Dash goal!

Here’s to happy training for our Warrior Dash!

Here is my profile on their website (link below). Please click over and watch my intro video and follow along my journey over these next few weeks.

http://whatsbeautiful.ua.com/profile/409

Sign up yourself and let’s do this journery together!! It’s amazing to see everyone’s challenge posts. It’s inspiring and definitely going to push me harder!

I can even follow along on my new app!

Here is a video about the competition from Under Armour

Their launch video gives me goosebumps and makes me want to sweat!

Follow me on Twitter: @RobynBaldwin

I’ll be tweeting with the hashtag #whatsbeautiful.

My quick review of the bra: Great support for running or plyo workouts, full coverage, doesn’t give you bra fat under the arms but is cut really high so it digs into my shoulders. Love the fact that it has a classic bra clasp at the back that you can unhook for easy removal after a sweaty workout!

If you’re interested in checking out the Armour Bra head on over to this link!

I read the ebook version which is a 166 page PDF document. I honestly flipped through it in less than an hour but then again alot of the knowledge I’m already familiar with and didn’t need to spend time with it. However, I did read it from the perspective of someone new to fitness and really loved it for that fact. Everything is neatly summarized, subtitled and the flow makes sense. There is great tools from using a QR code embedded within the document to lead me to how to calculate my target heart rate to how to calculate your recommended dietary allowances for protein, carbs & fats and finally to how to set smart goals.

I recommend this for any busy proffessional who is looking to change their health & fitness around to make them more productive, happier & healthier. You can read it on a tablet, your smartphone or computer while traveling. Or you can be old school and buy the physical book.

Invest in yourself and spend a couple of hours educating yourself and then make a plan to become your own Fit Executive.

Franklin is generously donating one book to one of my lucky readers.

Here’s what you gotta do to enter the giveaway!

1. Leave a comment below why you struggle to become a Fit Executive and would like to become one! Or why you are a Fit Executive but need new tips!

2. Tweet: I’d like to win a a copy of The Fit Executive written by @ibodyfit from @RobynBaldwin. Head over here to enter!

UPDATE: GEORGIA HAS WON THE GIVEAWAY!

1. Reese is always adorbs in romantic comedies.

2. The leading men are drool worthy. Sorry future hubby but they are for white men. lol I can say that because my love is Jamaican.

3. Reese danced around her kitchen in just a sweatshirt to “This Is How You Do It”. I think every woman should do this at least once a week as part of her fitness / feel fabulous regime.

On another note, peeps on the Twitter and Instagram have been asking for the recipe of the Zucchini Green Onion Cakes I posted this week.

Here is the recipe for Zucchini Scallion Cakes that I found on Foodily. I was using green onions in another recipe so I switched the ingredient.

My recipe included:

2 medium zuks

4 green onions

1/2 cup of oats

1 egg

1/2 cup egg whites

1Tbsp lemon juice

Dash of chili

Mix in a big bowl. Then cook in coconut oil in my big frying pan and voila!

On that note I need to make sure I’m supplementing properly and so I’m starting from the ground up. I need to make sure I’m taking my multivitamin and targeting some unwanted fat deposits from emotional eating over the past few months.

*Disclaimer* I am a Magnum Neutraceuticals athlete and as a member of FitFluential GNC Canada sent me their Women’s Ultra Mega Active Vitapak to review.

I’ve been taking Magnum Loaded as my multi vitamin and Magnum Heat as my thermogenic ignition matrix or as some may call it a “fat burner”. I love using Magnum products because I can trust that they are pharmaceutical grade and have been working for me over the past 9 months. But on another note I won’t discount other products if they have great merit. The GNC vitapak is actually a pretty cool product. They have a multivitamin support, CLA 1000, energy enhancer and bone health support. As I won’t be switching up what works for me I’ll be just taking the CLA and calcium pill to supplement my current plan of Loaded & Heat. But for someone who’s looking for a one stop shop the GNC product is an amazing combination. You throw the vitapak in your gym bag or lunch bag and go. I usually take my calcium at night  but for someone who’s busy busy then it’s easy to take with you for consumption when you have the time.

And finally… I discovered the iPhone app Foodily. It pulls in blog recipes. I found a recipe for Coconut Yogurt. The ingredients are super simple!

Coconut Meat & Water

Lemon Juice

Blueberries

Raw Honey

The fiancee is from Jamaica so he got the job of cracking open the coconut. The water went into a water bottle, the meat got scooped out and into the magic bullet. I added lemon juice and coconut water until I got a nice consistency and then into containers with fresh blueberries. I’ll drizzle raw honey on top before taking one for the day.

Have a great week!

It really wasn’t that hard. A 3 day juice cleanse was exactly what I needed for a little pick me up. I never really felt horrible hunger pains, had great energy even by the end of the day and felt less lethargic for sure.

I left my 3 cooler bags with my concierge last night for pick up so overall it was an easy experience to go through. Slightly easier than packing my own food! A Juice Cleanse at work is quite easy as well because you can “juice” in meetings instead of eating a full meal!

The one thing I didn’t do was workout during my cleanse so I’m not sure if that would have increased the hunger pains. The calories were a bit low for me because I’m used to consuming such a higher amount but it was definitely do able! I don’t think I got grumpy once the whole time. Even with subway rage being a total possibility in my life.

Can’t wait to get back from the Arnolds and start a new workout phase and try some new clean eats. This cleanse definitely gave me a great refresh. I feel like the girl on the cover of their website. So Cheesy.

Only 1 flush movement happened today in the morning after my warm water & lemon juice. But that’s pretty normal for me. I’m feeling really great with energy. My stomach is definitely a little bit flatter which means the bloat is definitely being reduced. However the hunger pains around 6pm were out of control. Its almost 8 pm and I’m enjoying the Cashew Milk which is the 6th juice of the day. This and the Berry are now my favourite and I wish I could drink the Cashew Milk all day every day.

Already had less of a caffeine headache this morning although I miss my coffee. Only 1 green tea today too!

Got my hair cut and highlighted for the Arnolds and now getting my spray tan on! So excited!