Training

I am happier when I workout, but I often seem to forget this fact and need a little outside motivation to get my sweat on. This is why I sign up for races. They provide set goals and a training plan — I love a schedule. If you're the same way, whether you're competing in a triathlon or a half or whole marathon, I have a little tip: use your long workouts as dress rehearsals. Wear the clothes, down to the socks, that you plan to wear on race day. This way you'll know what works and what rubs. Make sure to test your nutritional regimen, too, from the premeal dinner, prerace breakfast, to sports chews for during the race. Race days tend to be a little bit crazy and your adrenaline will likely be pumping. Having put your gear through trial runs, you can focus on making it to the finish line rather than futzing with your new shorts.

Share your training tips in the comments section below!

The 114th Boston Marathon took place today, with throes of fans toting inspirational signs, shouting words of encouragement, and doing anything else they could to help motivate runners during their tough 26.2 miles.

When training alone, those long runs can get a little boring . . . even if your mind does start to wander. While training for a race last year, I'd meet my friend/training partner for a "quick" eight or 10 miles after work. I loved the company because it gave me a little distraction and pushed me to work harder, but as we finished our first loop around the park, one of us would inevitably get a little lazy and start to think about bowing out early — especially after we started going out for a postrun beer and cheeseburger. It was on one such Summer night that I looked at him after mile six, my eyes saying "can we stop early?" when he suddenly yelled out "Beer! Cheeseburger!" and picked up the pace. And it turns out, we're not the only ones who think a cold brew is a good idea after a tough workout.

While it sounds a little silly (and other runners were definitely laughing at us), we kept the routine up every time we headed out for a long run. And when race day came, our friends even made us a huge sign that read, "Beer! Cheeseburgers!" You can bet we were both thinking about our postrace reward the entire time. So 'fess up: what keeps you motivated during a long run? I'd love to hear your suggestions — the wackier the better!

If your pets have not had formal schooling, kick their Spring training in high gear at home with these quick tips. Let's use this season as an excuse to brush up dogs' lessons and welcome back their best behavior to bring about big results!

Try Tiny Training Treats	Choose Your Words Carefully	Switch Up the Lesson Settings
Bring It in Public	Teach the Hand Touch	Just (Don't) Say No

Check out the latest progress report from Figure Princess, who is training for several National Physique Committee figure competitions. You can read about her entire journey on the OnSugar blog Live. Laugh. Love. Lift.

OK, this last Saturday was the 12 week mark. I was really happy with my progress pictures this week and can see my glutes and hamstrings starting to catch up. Like many women, this area is typically the last place I lose fat from and the first place it comes back. Thankfully some modifications in my cardio routine have jump started the slimming process!

The big changes for this week are that my two steak meals are gone and have been replaced with three meals of tilapia. This of course happens the day after I buy up all the flank steak at the grocery store, but hopefully it will be back in the plan at some point. Until then, I'll just bury it in the back of the freezer so I don't miss it so much. Aside from that, things are staying consistent. I'm still getting ample amounts of protein along with oats, sweet potatoes, and fibrous green veggies every day. Training sessions are still solid and I'm continuing to see some strength gains week to week. Also, it's FINALLY starting to warm up outside so I'll be able to do my morning cardio with my dog outdoors. It's hard to drag myself to the gym alone at 4:45 each morning when I have to see this:

This little guy is in for a big surprise!

Every day is what you choose to make it, so make it a great week everyone!

To find out what comes next for Figure Princess, start following Live. Laugh. Love. Lift. Or if you've got something to say, start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe we'll post your story here on FitSugar!

It's up for debate what the most important command is for a pooch. I know the words sit, stay, and drop it come out of my mouth all the time but lately North's learning some more fun tricks. He's long since mastered "down," which I use for lay down, but starting from that position has led to three more cool things.

If you've never commanded down, it's not hard to teach, especially for snack lovers. Grab a tiny training treat. Make sure your dog sees it and have him sit. Say "down" (or "lay," if you'd prefer) and simply move the hand with the bit towards the floor so he naturally has to move his head down and paws out, too. After he consistently performs with word only, use the position to begin teaching roll over, play dead, crawl, and other ones that start out this way!

Stop, sit, down, off, no, heel, or something else altogether?