Strength/Core--Week 2
Let's keep this thread rolling as long as we need to breathe life into it. 
Today, as part of an overall eye toward strength I am adding a hill repeat/drill run each week. When I was a "runner," I did hill repeats every single living week of my life--learned to love them and really think they help build strength. This morning I ran 3x long hills--there are 4'-6' hills a few mintues from my house, so I alternate. I will build the number to 4, and keep it there. Ended with a few sets of run drills--high knees, butt kicks, "Statue of Liberty" (forget what they're called), and grapevines. Started the drills easy with few reps since it's my first day in many moons.
This afternoon I'll do lower body strength and core routine. That's enough for me today!
Comments
So I started my core routine last night in front of the TV, figuring that can at least do something beneficial while my brain is turning to mush watching junk TV shows. I followed it with some foam rollering of my hips and calves. Okay, it wasn't a junk TV show but the episode of "Equator" about the Galapagos that I've seen about 10 times already.
I'm kinda sore this morning---especially on the right lower side where I took a handlebar end to the gut in an mtb spill this weekend. Can't use just the left abs, right?
Going to try and get up early and do plyo's a couple of times a week since I'm not getting up to swim. Let's see how that goes as my track record for getting up early is horrible. Pretty sure I was some nocturnal creature in my former life...
I have had to miss Core Exercise studio because I'm traveling. I miss it!
Good points on the drills, Linda.
Michele - I'm sooo looking forward to XC skiing!
Been raining here all week, and I've run in the rain the past two days. It's a real chilly rain today, coming down steady. Soooo, perfect time to go see my master's friends. Will jump out of the pool in time to go upstairs at the gym to that great Pilates class. I want to lift too--maybe later in the day, or likely tomorrow. I mean how much time can I spend at all of this?!
Oh- and I always have a hard time stretching- which is another goal of mine this year (and every year, sigh). It occured to me yesterday that part of the problem is it just feels too cold in the winter to sit on the floor at night and stretch (couch with a fleece blanket and a warm cat is just sooo much nicer). Anyway- I think if I save the lower core/ab routine for nightime, that would get me on the floor and warmed up so I can then do the stretching. Gonna give that a try anyway and see how it goes.
Oh- and Hill Repeats? I'd have to drive to the Wright Bro Memorial to do those while the rangers aren't looking! Not sure that will happen.
Sheryl- I have the 20 year old WOODEN, original Nordic Trac X-C ski machine. I think step work is just fine for cardio since you aren't IM training. Keep your heels down. There was research done years ago at University of Maryland. It had sedntary folks run a mile, the the only exercise program that they did for 6 weeks was use a stair machine. At the end of the 6 weeks, when they were tested at the mile again, they ran faster. So it is good enough, IMHO.
I need to write down a plan, this doing whatever is not working.
I am a bit late to the party but I actually did some sit ups today!!! lol. okay so what prompted me?? 1.5 lb weight gain since IMWI & trying on Heather's bridesmaid dress!!! yesterday strapless navy satin with fitted bodice and matching fabric belt, tea length. wedding is 26 December.. so yikes. gotta get these arms toned and can't gain any weight or inches once the dress comes in and I have it altered!!! GF to GF, I went I better get on the bandwagon. so another GF is lending me her P90X and I hope to get it tomorrow and today I ran and then laying out by the river on my mat with towel laid over it I did some abs! only 50 bicycle and 50 double leg lower them thingie and I also did some side kicks (50) and another weird side kick thing (50) and (50) squats, finished up with some stretching and I felt back to normal. Thanks for the push cuz I also shopped for GF, sugar free products yesterday and got my calendar tightened up. so countdown to wedding = 2 mos 20 days. KrisF remembers what this is like with her daughter getting married. now this means back to the pool too for a pretty back cuz I bet my hair will be up too!!! so I also drove and checked out a pool to decide if I want to move locations.. another college pool but very tricky parking. but I think less of a drive but no coaching.. hmm.. swimming is great for the core even when you are BOP!!! YES! will let you know how P90X does for me. m
How can I go from swimming 10,000 yards a week, to nearly croaking at 1800???? That happened today. Still, I enjoy being in the water.
Went to that great Pilates class. Love. It. That is a great 60' of working everything, and it's hard! But, what's important to me, is that it's hard but sensible--good warm up and stretching after. Weights will wait until to tomorrow.
You're being v. hard on yourself. "So what" to anything right now. A plan in your head is good enough, if you were to ask me--but you didn't, but I'm sayin' anyway.
Maybe now in these early weeks, but later on it's one or the other. That OS is no fooling around when the rubber hits the road.
Totally agree. Didn't realize you started OS. Really can't add on to that hard work.
And Linda- I don't know why this autumn I am having so much trouble with unstructured exercise. Last year I was all for it. I think I just soooo miss what the Cowgirls had going. Just keep kicking me and reminding me. Thanks.
Today upper and lower body weights, with a quick bike and short brick (the run was with Cali and she just was a pain the whole time today, so it wasn't much of a run at all
).
Yay!!! Got to go to core at lunch. Did stability ball. There was a different leader today and clearly I got the weights too big. Very fun!! I'm so stoopid uncoordinated that it was nearly as funny as me trying to play racquetball.
Shoulders, biceps, triceps today!! GRRRRRRR!!
HA! Don't you love that feeling?
Cult.
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