Tuesday, February 28, 2012
I'm Getting Fired Up!
Push ups! Bicep curls! Where's my upper body strength going to come from? I'm losing motivation lately but this video kinda got me fired up again and I did a pretty intense resistance tube/strength training video. I'm getting there!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
When Training Means Taking it Easy
Part of me thinks my body isn't meant to run. It loves to walk. It tolerates hiking up steep hills. It has even survived a few backpacking trips. I can get myself through Zumba, spinning class (barely) and a long elliptical workout.
But running?
I'm up to day 5 on my Couch to 5K running plan. After running intervals and walking on Sunday, my knees are still screaming. My so-called high-arched feet are protesting. Those cheapy New Balance crosstrainers I bought on clearance at Kohl's a few months ago are doing me no favors.
Yesterday I worked a little on strength training, using my XBox Kinect Your Shape game. Push ups. Yoga stretches. Looking ahead, I know my arms are not ready to pull me over any type of obstacle wall in this mud run race. I'm tempted to sign up for my local rock climbing gym's Cardio Climb for women. But part of me is terrified of that as well. Maybe once I can do 15 real push ups in a row I'll feel confident enough to sign up.
Is training in the cards for me today? I'm thinking a nice power walk in the California sunshine might be my ticket to paradise today.
But running?
I'm up to day 5 on my Couch to 5K running plan. After running intervals and walking on Sunday, my knees are still screaming. My so-called high-arched feet are protesting. Those cheapy New Balance crosstrainers I bought on clearance at Kohl's a few months ago are doing me no favors.
Yesterday I worked a little on strength training, using my XBox Kinect Your Shape game. Push ups. Yoga stretches. Looking ahead, I know my arms are not ready to pull me over any type of obstacle wall in this mud run race. I'm tempted to sign up for my local rock climbing gym's Cardio Climb for women. But part of me is terrified of that as well. Maybe once I can do 15 real push ups in a row I'll feel confident enough to sign up.
Is training in the cards for me today? I'm thinking a nice power walk in the California sunshine might be my ticket to paradise today.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
New Experiences, Sore Muscles
My body is feeling stronger. But sore. Really sore.
On Friday, I took my first spin class in over a decade. Rock music blared on the speakers, I was drenched in sweat, the instructor was awesome, I had a buddy next to me to show me how to use the bike and I was sore for days after. So that must mean I'm doing something right.
I'm still working through my Couch to 5K on the track. Well ok, I completed Day 2 of the program yesterday. I was so sore from spinning I couldn't think of running any sooner.
But I'm already seeing improvements, however minor. It took me a bit to figure out the phone app. Now I get it. The program only tracks the distance you are actually running. Walking doesn't count. So on Day 2, I jumped from running 0.3 miles to 0.77 miles.
Baby steps, but I'm proud all the same!
And to my sister Kim, thanks for mentioning Couch to 5K. I'll be a 'real' runner someday!
On Friday, I took my first spin class in over a decade. Rock music blared on the speakers, I was drenched in sweat, the instructor was awesome, I had a buddy next to me to show me how to use the bike and I was sore for days after. So that must mean I'm doing something right.
I'm still working through my Couch to 5K on the track. Well ok, I completed Day 2 of the program yesterday. I was so sore from spinning I couldn't think of running any sooner.
But I'm already seeing improvements, however minor. It took me a bit to figure out the phone app. Now I get it. The program only tracks the distance you are actually running. Walking doesn't count. So on Day 2, I jumped from running 0.3 miles to 0.77 miles.
Baby steps, but I'm proud all the same!
And to my sister Kim, thanks for mentioning Couch to 5K. I'll be a 'real' runner someday!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Couch to 5K
Random mud run fact of the day: To be in top shape for a mud run, it's helpful to be able to run four times a week. This website suggests working up to seven miles per session. As far as strength, it's important to be able to do 20 pushups back to back. ~ http://www.mudrunhq.com/train-mud-run
Looks like I have some work to do. My first issue, and perhaps the most alarming one, is that I am not a runner. Thoughts of running bring me right back to the torture of high school PE and being forced to run around the endless track. Asthma attacks. Panic attacks. And of course, walking most of the mile and pissing off my PE teacher.
And here I am training for a 5K. Of course, it isn't your typical 5K. There's a difference between running on cement and mud. Maybe since I can't run at all I have an advantage. Maybe not.
I had my first training experiment yesterday morning at my gym, the fantastic Livermore Valley Tennis Club. I'd heard about a running program called Couch to 5K that sounded perfect. I uploaded it to my Droid and started Day one. Couch to 5K basically builds your ability to run by timing you in intervals. Walking for a few minutes, then running, then back again. Each session the app increases the running time.
Day one had me moving for 25 minutes. It started with a five minute warm up of walking. Then I had to run nine intervals at 60 seconds each, with a two minute walking break between.
Yowza!
I did it. I circled the small indoor track at the gym with 'real' runners sprinting past and with other fitness buffs walking to cool down. I felt powerful and proud.
My body hates me today. Did you know running makes my neck sore? Not quite sure how that happened, but perhaps it's because more of my body is sore than not. Thighs, biceps, and calves have the most of it.
More on Couch to 5K: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
As far as the push ups go: I can do about eight push ups back to back. I have some work to do there!
Today, my training will involve a more leisurely walk for an hour while my third grader is at track practice afterschool.
Looks like I have some work to do. My first issue, and perhaps the most alarming one, is that I am not a runner. Thoughts of running bring me right back to the torture of high school PE and being forced to run around the endless track. Asthma attacks. Panic attacks. And of course, walking most of the mile and pissing off my PE teacher.
And here I am training for a 5K. Of course, it isn't your typical 5K. There's a difference between running on cement and mud. Maybe since I can't run at all I have an advantage. Maybe not.
I had my first training experiment yesterday morning at my gym, the fantastic Livermore Valley Tennis Club. I'd heard about a running program called Couch to 5K that sounded perfect. I uploaded it to my Droid and started Day one. Couch to 5K basically builds your ability to run by timing you in intervals. Walking for a few minutes, then running, then back again. Each session the app increases the running time.
Day one had me moving for 25 minutes. It started with a five minute warm up of walking. Then I had to run nine intervals at 60 seconds each, with a two minute walking break between.
Yowza!
I did it. I circled the small indoor track at the gym with 'real' runners sprinting past and with other fitness buffs walking to cool down. I felt powerful and proud.
My body hates me today. Did you know running makes my neck sore? Not quite sure how that happened, but perhaps it's because more of my body is sore than not. Thighs, biceps, and calves have the most of it.
More on Couch to 5K: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
As far as the push ups go: I can do about eight push ups back to back. I have some work to do there!
Today, my training will involve a more leisurely walk for an hour while my third grader is at track practice afterschool.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Survivor Mud Run 2012
What did I get myself into?
After a girl's night out and a few drinks, I woke up convinced the next day that I could conquer the Survivor Mud Run coming to Lathrop, CA in April. I figured, if my friends could do it, why couldn't I? I registered for the agreed on time slot and sat back feeling pretty good about myself.
Then I took a closer look at the race details.
There will be mud. Lots of mud. There are walls to scale, tires to climb, hills to run over. Monkey bars to cross. There is a 'mystery obstacle'. Wait a minute, I'm supposed to run??
Panic has officially set in.
This isn't just a leisurely workout on the elliptical machine that I've been accustomed too. I can't even run. But here I am with about three months to kick my butt into gear. Since a mud run is completely outside my comfort level, I've decided to push my body further than I ever have and try something new at least once a week. Whether it's a new class at my gym, a new trail to hike, I'm game.
And I'll bring you my adventures right here, so be sure and subscribe to my newsfeed!
After a girl's night out and a few drinks, I woke up convinced the next day that I could conquer the Survivor Mud Run coming to Lathrop, CA in April. I figured, if my friends could do it, why couldn't I? I registered for the agreed on time slot and sat back feeling pretty good about myself.
Then I took a closer look at the race details.
There will be mud. Lots of mud. There are walls to scale, tires to climb, hills to run over. Monkey bars to cross. There is a 'mystery obstacle'. Wait a minute, I'm supposed to run??
Panic has officially set in.
This isn't just a leisurely workout on the elliptical machine that I've been accustomed too. I can't even run. But here I am with about three months to kick my butt into gear. Since a mud run is completely outside my comfort level, I've decided to push my body further than I ever have and try something new at least once a week. Whether it's a new class at my gym, a new trail to hike, I'm game.
And I'll bring you my adventures right here, so be sure and subscribe to my newsfeed!
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