Life Update - Summer Edition
It's been a while!
Hi, friends!
It’s been a minute. Well, over a month to be exact. I’ve been busy surviving the “end of the school year” obligations for my kids, continuing to teach academic courses (looking at you, Summer school), and working on some new fitness certifications.
This read is a completely non-scientific newsletter, by the way, so if you’re interested in what I’ve been up to, keep going. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled for the next evidence-based newsletter.
I recently completed The Ready State’s Mobility Specialist Certification. Over the last year I’ve taken a very invested interest in all things mobility, flexibility and functional fitness. My goals have shifted from the performance driven metrics I set for myself in my 20s to being able to do all the things I want to do for as long as possible. I want to be running, cycling, lifting, and moving when I’m 70 and 80 (God-willing). This means training smart now, focusing on injury prevention, and focusing on quality over quantity.
I’m incredibly proud of the fact that I returned to a consistent training schedule (after having babies), while teaching all my regularly scheduled classes last year and managed to avoid injury. I’m currently teaching more classes and base building my running in preparation for a fall marathon (my first!). I’m committed to 2d/w of strength training + balance training along with 2d/w of mobility + flexibility work (see below for how I’m working on that) to keep the running volume high and the mechanics strong.
I also completed another group fitness certification: LesMills BodyBalance. You likely know LesMills classes from BodyPump, which is their endurance focused resistance training class. BodyBalance is what I can best describe as a Yoga/Pilates/Core fusion with plenty of isometric muscular work woven in throughout. I wanted to add something to my teaching schedule that was flexibility and mobility focused so I could ensure that I’d get it done during the week. I’m so excited to offer this class to enhance my own training and support my musculoskeletal and tissue health. P.S. As far as group fitness trainings go, the LesMills certifications are no joke. You complete initial training, then have to record yourself teaching a full class, submit it for review, and THEN if you pass, are granted full certification to continue teaching the class regularly. Whew!
I’m planning on my first marathon this Fall, which basically means I’ve already registered, paid the monies, and put it on the calendar. Otherwise, there’s not much happening right now other than progressively increasing my Zone 2 volume. I use my cycling classes each week for my intervals and higher intensity work and will adopt a more structured training program about four months out. I’ve said before but it’s my “one scary thing” for 2025, so suffice to say I’m somewhat excited, somewhat scared, but mostly looking forward to having something to train for in the cooler months.
With all the extra fitness trainings I’ve taken on, my academic load, and keeping my kids busy this Summer, I’m not sure how much I’ll be writing on Substack. My hope is to at least publish a high quality article once a month. If you have any interest in specific topics, or want me to keep the Workout Wednesday series going by just posting workouts I’m taking my classes through during the week, let me know. I have a small following here, but I’m also not posting like those putting out paywalled content. My content is free. I do this as a service to the field, and try to keep it exercise science and fitness specific. I don’t expect (nor do I really want to be) Substack famous. My readers are mainly just friends and family, which is why I’m giving a life update via this post too.
I’ve taken a social media hiatus for the Summer and I think I’m going to be off of it indefinitely. Since having kids, I’ve lived by the mantra, “If it’s not serving me, it’s holding me back” and social media definitely provides no service to me. It’s a time-waster, an anxiety-inducer, and keeps us all from just living life in the moment. I encourage you to take a digital detox over the Summer and see how you feel after a month or two (or more!). We live in a society of chronic over-consumption - via food, consumer goods, technology, and even information. I don’t want to feed that monster. I want to model solid habits for my kids and removing addicting behaviors (such as phone use) from my life is at the top of my list.
If you’re read this far, thanks! I may occasionally post some more content like this as I go through marathon training. I’ll also provide a recap once the race has been run. If there’s anything else you’d like to see in the meantime, comment here or email me at dramandadurall@gmail.com
Happy Summer, friends!
Simply Fit is a free, weekly newsletter written by Dr. Amanda Durall, a Kinesiology professor, fitness professional, and busy mom of three aiming to simplify exercise science and deliver practical recommendations to help you achieve your fitness goals. Want more free content like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe for weekly training tips, technique overviews, and more evidence-based fitness content!