Sprints are not only my preferred method of completely gassing myself, but they’re also one of THE best ab exercises out there. Yep, you heard right – sprinting builds abs. But in case sprints aren’t enough, I’ve created both a sprints and ab workout featuring a few of my very favorite exercises that will be sure to light a fire in your mid-section.

I have to say, I was pretty jazzed while working on this post. If you follow along with my happenings on Instagram, you know that I’ve jumped back into running with both feet. Actually, cannon balled back into running is probably a more accurate description.

Ka-pow.

I just can’t get enough. It’s partly because of all the new trails right outside my door, and partly because it’s a good excuse to listen to a good podcast and just enjoy the Colorado weather and scenery. And today’s post is all about running and an ab workout with Finish Line.

I’ve actually been researching a new a running shoe to support the uptick in mileage in this little hobby of mine, so I’m pretty sure I did a little heel click (or maybe it was a tuck jump, as evidenced above?) when I first tried out Finish Line’s Brooks Glycerin 13’s.

Even though I love it, running doesn’t come naturally and easily to me. I’m tall with an athletic build, and have some thighs and a badonk. I get nagging pains here and there when my mileage increases, but over the years, I’ve found that a good pair of shoes can help out to offset that. So far, I haven’t had any nagging pains after running in my Glycerins (along with my stretching and mobility,) but not only that – they are SO dang comfortable!

Guys, I’m super picky about any shoes that aren’t flip flops, and in these I feel like I’m gliding.

But more on the shoes in a minute. First I want to share one of my favorite sprint interval workouts that I did this past weekend in them, followed by a kickass ab workout to tie up your workout in a nice, neat, sweaty mess of a bow.

First up, the sprint workout. This is a ladder sprint workout, with your SPRINT times decreasing and your REST times increasing. This signals that your intensity/speed will increase as you go through the workout.

As always, please check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine.

[Tweet “Strong Core Ladder SPRINTS Workout – via @TrainerPaige w/ @finishlinewomen”]

Now – the abs. And you don’t necessarily have to do the abs after a sprint workout, but they do compliment each other quite nicely.

Post-Run Ab Routine:

[Tweet “Post-Run Ab Routine via @TrainerPaige w/ @finishlinewomen! “]

Hanging leg raise: from a hanging position, contract the abs to draw the knees toward the elbows, and the tailbone toward the ceiling. Make sure to keep the shoulders down away from the ears.

Anti-rotation press: Attach a band or cable to an anchor point and step out to pull tension on the band. Squeeze the glutes and brace the core as you press your arms into extension. Hold for :02-:03, then return to your chest and repeat.

Reverse crunch: On a decline bench or floor, grab the handle as you use your lower abs to slowly bring your hips off of the floor/bench with bent legs. Hold for a beat, then return to starting.

Plate stack plank: With a stack of low-weight planks to your right arm, in a forearm plank position, grab a plate with your leg hand, and place outside your left arm. Repeat until all plates are re-stacked, and then repeat with right arm. Make sure to keep your chest and hips square to the ground.

Medicine ball twist: in  a seated position with your knees bent and heels on the ground, lean back with your arms extended straight out in front of you. Twisting at the waist, bring the medicine ball from side to side. Progress by making the movement bigger and faster before lifting your heels off the ground.

Phew! What a workout! Now…on to the shoes that carried me through it – the Brooks Glycerins from Finish Line.

The Brooks Glycerin 13 is a road runner shoe ideal for pronators with medium to high arches.

More importantly is the comfort and functionality of the shoe. I found that it hugged my foot in a secure way (rather than a too-tight way.) There’s also the Super DNA component of the shoe, which is in the midsole, that provides 25% more cushion than they’re regular DNA shoe. Brooks also took into consideration the typical pressure zones of runners when it optimize pressure distribution from the heel to the forefront.

There’s also a rounded heel, and the goal there is to provide proper alignment, which minimizes stress on the joints. Ding ding! We have a winner!

All in all, I’m a big fan of the Glycerin 13’s, and I plan to run in them 1-2 x’s per week, when I’m running around the neighborhood on both pavement and trail terrains.

[Tweet “Sprints and Ab Workout w/ @Finishlinewomen’s Brooks Glycerin – via @TrainerPaige”]

This post is sponsored by Finishline. I was compensated and all opinions are my own.

What’s your go-to running shoe?