#FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog and That’s What I’m Talking About.
#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in Jan 11 2015.
It’s been working for me to post my #FitReader updates on Sunday’s to close out the week. One thing I’m going to try to do is pair my fitness update with a book review that ties into exercise, or a healthy recipe or energizing playlist. This week I’m highlighting Breathe, Annie, Breathe – a book that shows a girls journey to running a 26-mile marathon.
First, here are this week’s fitness stats:
1/5 50 minutes Cardio, 50 minutes Blogilates
1/6 Day off (pushed too hard the day before)
1/7 35 minutes Cardio, 30 minutes Blogilates
1/8 55 minutes Cardio, 30 minutes Blogilates
1/9 35 minutes Cardio, 45 minutes Blogilates
1/10 60 minutes Blogilates
1/11 I’m at Disneyland today and will probably blow away my step goal!
Fitness success of the week: Pilates is helping my flexibility. I’ve never been much into yoga or stretching- cardio is my thing. But I see the benefit of combining cardio and pilates, and the exercises are getting easier.
If you’re just starting a new exercise program or getting into running you may enjoy reading Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally. (Or you can listen to it like I did and exercise at the same time!)
Breathe, Annie, Breathe is about a girl named Annie who has decided to run a 26-mile marathon in honor of her late boyfriend. He was training for this Music City Marathon but didn’t get the chance to compete. Annie can barely run a couple laps when she first starts out, but her trainer Matt puts together a training schedule that will get her in shape in time for the big race. She joins a group of other runners and soon she’s on her way.
Annie struggles with her rigorous running regimen, dealing with stomach issues, fatigue, pain and chafing. It’s motivating to read about Annie getting faster and beating her goals.
Running helps Annie to get stronger, but also to deal with her feelings and grief over losing her boyfriend Kyle. You know when you exercise you have to remind yourself to breathe? Annie is learning to breathe again both on the track and in her daily life.
While Annie’s training she runs into her trainer’s brother Jeremiah- an extreme sports enthusiast. As Annie gets stronger physically, she also gets stronger emotionally, and finds herself falling for Jere.
I listened to the audiobook, read by Nancy Wu. The book is set in Nashville, and Wu succeeds with a light Southern accent. Wu reads with personality and energy and is a good fit for Annie.
This book is technically part of the Hundred Oaks series, but I think it works well as a standalone. (I haven’t read any of the other books and followed it just fine- if you are familiar with the series maybe some of the characters carry over though) It’s a good book for older YA’s- Annie is getting ready to enter college- and fans of contemporary, sporty-romance. I’ll be reading more from this author.
Great job. I agree that you more than blow away your step goal at Disney. Have fun. 🙂
Thanks, Melanie! I did walk about 23000 steps at DL (ten miles or so?) My feet are tired!
Keep up the good work!
im 2 books behind in this series. I need to get caught up. Glad you are combining reading & exercising. It’s the way to go.
It’s going to be a wet day at Disneyland today! Hopefully that means no crowds:-D Have fun!
The crowds were perfect, Tammy! The wait times didn’t go above 20 minutes all day (even when the rain stopped). It was a little slippery though and some of the rides had downtime during the rain. I recommend a making a rainy visit!
I wonder how you do Blogilates. Looks like you had a great week.
Check out the beginner’s calendar on Blogilates.com for a schedule of youtube videos to follow each day of the month. It’s fun and motivating 🙂
Thanks!
I read Things I Can’t Forget (the…#3 book in this series? I think?) and it also worked well as a standalone. I wasn’t really interested in reading more, but I’ve heard so many good things about this particular book and your review makes me think it might be a great easy read!