Challenge Completed

Yesterday I completed my 26.2 mile challenge with a nice short 2 mile run.  It was lucky that I only had 2 miles left because it was the hottest day of the year so far, and I was sweating bullets by the time I returned to my car.

During my challenge, I had a day when I was supposed to run 4 miles.  I was becoming frustrated that neither my endurance nor my speed was improving, so I decided to try something new.  I ran as fast as I could sustain for one mile, then walked .5 mile, ran as fast as I could sustain for another mile, walked another .5 mile, then ran one more mile.  When I calculated my speed, I averaged an 8:30 pace during the times I was running.  Considering that I started my training at upwards of a 10:40 pace for only 1.5-2 miles, I was pleased.

My next step was to close the gaps where I had walked.  I ran 3 miles one day, then 4 miles another day, a big 5 miler, and finally my 2 miles yesterday.  I now average:

• 9:30s in the 3-4 mile range (and I don't have to stop to walk!)
• 10:50 ish for my 5 miler (I'd like to blame the high pollen counts for that one) 
• and 8:30 for my 2 mile run yesterday (in the hot, hot sun)  

My weight has not changed, my legs and bum are perhaps only slightly trimmer, but I feel better.  And, get this, I actually caught myself saying phrases like, "I'm a runner," "I just want to go for a run," and, "I love running."

yahoo images

Workout Wednesday: "the Morning Workout"

Phew, I am beat. How sad! I looked at this picture and thought, easy peasy, I'll just go through this quickly before my shower. Yeah, no -- halfway through the second set of these and I was dead. Not to mention the fact that I was only doing about 15 girly push ups and half the amount of lunges.

If you're looking for an easy to follow skipping-the-gym workouts, definitely give this Bad Larry a try.

{photo: À la Corinne}

Workout Wednesday

Do this before you let yourself have a snack.  Want to have 2 snacks today?  Maybe 3?  BAM...  45 minute workout.  

Pinterest

Workout Wednesday: Rewards

This is a picture of the little chalkboard I made last summer, which has hooks for keys and dog leashes underneath (it's also magnetic...that little sunflower is a magnet).  I decided to write down my workout plan (I swear my handwriting is usually much neater than that) and check off each workout as I completed it.  It felt kind of rewarding to check off each workout... like proof that I had actually accomplished something.  It was also a moment to breathe in between exercises as I went to the board to write my check.  

I worked my way down the list, then went back to the top and repeated as many time as I could (or, to be more accurate, until my puppy decided she wanted to play and wouldn't stop biting the hem of my yoga pants until I gave in). 

Here's the workout:
50 jumping jacks
50 crunches (holding for 3 seconds when up)
10 each leg lifts to the back (don't hold on to anything!)
10 each leg lifts to the side (again, practice your balance, squeeze the glutes)
10 squats (I did plie squats, holding an imaginary medicine ball which I bring over my head when I come up and stand on my toes)
5 "sumos"  (this requires some explanation: I squat like a sumo wrestler and step forward 3 times like that, pivoting as much as I can with my hips while maintaining that sumo squat, then step back 3 times, then repeat leading with the other foot.  That's one rep. I both look and feel like a moron, but these yield results.)
10 push-ups
5 fan-squat-side kick-squat (see my living room workout for details)

Repeat the whole routine as many times as you can.

I did this yesterday and HOLY COW are my legs sore today.  It's wonderful.  I did one cycle today with a few extra stretches and and a glute routine to loosen up my muscles, but I didn't push it too much.  Tomorrow I will try to get in a run (ugh stupid snow! I hate the treadmill.) 

Workout Wednesday: Lower Body

I'm always looking to try new things at the gym and today, with respect to our new Workout Wednesdays, I'm adding some new moves into my routine.

In addition to weighted squats and my usual machine routines, I'm adding this workout from Blogilates (a newfound addiction, I might add!)

I'm also thinking about adding a bum workout, as well, because why not? I've noticed mine has become a bit more rounder and perkier, so I definitely want to keep at it!

Workout Wednesday: Abs

So we've decided that every Wednesday, from here on out, we're going to post a new workout to share with you all. Today is all about the abs, which I usually try to work on at the end of every workout (I'm in a contest with my boyfriend to see who can get a six-pack first and I fully intend on destroying him).

Try every exercise below, for what I imagine will be a good burn, 25 times each. If you can't reach 25, that's fine. Don't hurt yourself trying to hit that number. Start with a shorter amount of reps and work your way up.

Another tip: don't strain your neck! It's so easy to misuse your neck to lift your body during ab exercises. If you find yourself doing it, stop! You'll wake up with a horribly sore neck, believe me. Try to focus all of your work into your abdominal muscles.

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Now, I didn't post every single move because some looked kind of funky and I probably wouldn't have done them, anyway. You can find the rest here at Random Antics, along with explanations if you don't fully understand just the pictures.

I'll post back next time I hit the gym for my core session and let you know how I did with these exercises!