workout

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Fit for Me 39/52

I made my way back this week!

What I did last week:

Thursday-30 minute walk/run around downtown Columbia.

Saturday-1 hour of BodyPump. It has been a couple months since I have made it to a class, and my thighs are still yelling at me 4 days later. It was a great workout though!

Sunday-We had a pretty busy day, so I had to get creative. Our driveway is about a tenth of a mile long with a big gradual hill. I decided to walk the uphill and run the downhill for 20 minutes before I needed to get ready for church that day.

Tuesday-30 minutes on a bike.

Impressed by:

I was still able to keep up with BodyPump. I didn’t have to take any breaks! I downgraded my weight at the start because I haven’t done it in a while, but I still kept up with each track.

Struggled with:

Honestly, I didn’t really have any struggles with my fitness this week. Pats on the back.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

I made it to Body Pump!

What is my goal for next week?

I want to go for a good run. I haven’t really done a good one since my 10k, and I want to get some quality miles under me.

Fitness Thoughts:

The weather is getting cooler around here so it is going to be harder to feel inspired to go workout some days. I need to find other ways to feel motivated to stay away from “winter bod.” Have you ever heard of winter bod? I hadn’t until this week. Honestly though, I need to continue working out to keep up with all the winter foods. Bring me all the casseroles and holiday breads.

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Fit for Me 35/52

What I did last week:

Saturday-We went to the Farmer’s Market in Des Moines, and there we walked for a couple hours. I think my friend’s FitBit said we walked around 2 miles once we were done. AND I was pushing a stroller the whole time, so I will take it as a workout.

Sunday-George and I took a brisk 15 minute walk through Iowa State’s campus before we headed out on the road. I went to two of my favorite spots on campus that I use to run through. Goodness I miss that place.

Tuesday-50 minute training run. This actually went a lot better than I was expecting after an almost 2 week hiatus from real running. I met all my split times. Most of them felt good. I really only started hurting (my knee specifically) the last 5 minutes of my last leg.

Impressed by:

Well I would say this is another week where there was nothing extraordinary…obviously. However, I was pretty proud of myself for meeting the split times yesterday. Those were the longest intervals I have run to date.

Struggled with:

Doing workouts. I had plans for more walks/runs while we were in Iowa. We were a lot busier than I had thought we would be, and the weather was not exactly on our side once we got done socializing.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

I did revisit one of my old run paths, albeit it was quick and while carrying George. But I still hit the pavement a little bit.

What is my goal for next week?

To do all three of my training runs. I clearly need to get back on that since my race is in two weeks. Whoops.

Fitness Thoughts:

I am really happy that I married someone who will help me out when I need to make more time for my runs. My runs are getting longer so doing them before I need to pick up George after work just isn’t feasible if I want to do the full run. And our daylight time is slowly creeping up, so I can’t safely run after dark around our house. Usually we split dinner/bedtime responsibilities, and Tom volunteered to do it ALL last night so I could run once we got home. I got back from my run just in time to tuck George into bed. I am glad we can support each other with our fitness endeavors. It really makes getting out there a little easier when you feel supported.

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What workouts did you do this week?

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Fit for Me 33/52

What I did last week:

Thursday-50 minute run. I honestly wasn’t feeling this run when I set out, and I was already thinking of cutting down my interval times. I told myself though to do at least the first interval complete and see how I do. That one felt good, so I just kept going with it. I met each of the interval times! This run ended up being one of the best runs I have had in a long time. I felt strong and confident with the run, and the heaviness that I felt at the beginning just went away.

Saturday-We went down to the lake with my family for the weekend, and I finally after like 10 years was able to get on a boat. So there was a lot of swimming and water skiing involved. I only skied a half a dozen times, but I am still feeling it days later. Such a different workout for my body!

Sunday-Since we were traveling back, I didn’t get my run in like I wanted. I did use my SWORKIT app to do a 30 minute cardio workout. This is always interesting because you have no idea what your workout is going to be. And I could do it while I was catching up on some Bachelor in Paradise.

Tuesday-52 minute run. This wasn’t exactly the run it should have been. I was pushing George in a stroller on gravel, so I adjusted my intervals a little. I still managed to get a good run in despite pushing 25 lbs.

Impressed by:

Despite being much older than the last time I skied, I was really proud of myself for being able to get up on the skis as much and for as long as I did. It was so much fun to be drug around the lake!

Struggled with:

I didn’t do so hot meeting all my run times (and workouts).

Did I meet my goal from last week?

I did! The swimming and skiing were great. Unfortunately, I am still feeling the skiing aftermath in my shoulders a little. But it was totally worth it!

What is my goal for next week?

My goal is to do all three runs. School starts next week, so there is a lot going on, but I want to make sure I still make that time to hit the pavement.

Fitness Thoughts:

It’s amazing to me what muscle memory will do. We went to the lake every summer for at least 15 years, where I perfected my skiing form. Then after a 10 year hiatus, it just took me a couple tries to get back into the swing of things. Pretty cool what our bodies will do!

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Do you water ski? Do you ever feel surprised at yourself after a workout?

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Fit for Me 29/52

What I did last week:

Friday-40 minute training run. I actually ran over my lunch break to try to give myself some time back after work, but I was a HOT SWEATY mess when I came back that afternoon. I don’t know if I will be doing that again if I have student appointments…

Saturday-1 hour of BodyPump. I made it through every song without taking a break! Also I painted some rooms in our new house, which totally counts as a workout. Even more so since half of a room I did while baby wearing George because he is teething FOUR teeth and hates naps again.

Monday-40 minute training run.

Tuesday-30 minute training run.

Impressed by:

I am pretty proud of myself for managing to get in all of my training runs while packing up a house and moving. I kind of lucked out that in my training plan this week was a recovery week with smaller runs. But I still hit that pavement even though I didn’t want to.

Struggled with:

Not any big struggles this week. I am feeling pretty good about my runs, and I got a lot of cross training in with the move.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

My goal was to make it to two group classes this week. With some of our moving plans, the second class just wasn’t feasible. However, I did get in at least one!

What is my goal for next week?

Since we have moved to the country, our road is not the most runner friendly. There are no sidewalks and lots of curves which is not ideal if you are running on the road. (And never mind ever taking the dogs or stroller with me.) I want to find some new terrain close to our house that I can run on, perhaps exploring more of the Katy Trail.

Fitness Thoughts:

I am still debating cancelling our gym membership. It will be a 30 minute drive for me to go to my Saturday class, and I just don’t know if I have the motivation to do that. I would still use it a few times a week after work, but that is to run and not a class. And I can run anywhere. Does anyone know of a good online program or DVD set that does guided weightlifting? I want something that is 30-60 minutes and just weight lifting. I don’t want to print out a plan from Pinterest; I want a video. I know that I don’t do as well without watching someone do the moves. Does this exist, and without having me spend a bunch of money? Or maybe I should spend the money so that would be motivation to actually use it…

This is why working out during the work day is not exactly the best…

988839f1ce1b39951508c839a8c328b6How do you find new roads to run? Do you run from your front door, or do you drive to a running location? Do you work out during the work day?

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Fit for Me 26/52

What I did last week:

Sunday-I started my 10K training. It was a slow 30 minute run/walk, and I took the dogs with me. But I feel good about it! It was a perfect start.

Monday-I walked downtown for lunch which is a 30 minute round-trip. And I did it in heels, which I am regretting now because of the blister it caused.

Tuesday-Another 30 minute training run.

Impressed by:

I am always impressed with myself when I start training for a race.

Struggled with:

I have been a little inconsistent with working out lately. I can blame it on rain, or Tom being home in the evenings, but a lot of it boils down to I forget to make the time at the end of the day. I am hoping now that I have this training schedule that will put me back on pace.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

I did start my training for my 10k.

What is my goal for next week?

We have a lot going on this weekend with the holiday, so I want to just stick with my 3 training runs.

Fitness Thoughts:

You would think after 6 months, a workout schedule would come more naturally. What this weekly journal has reminded me that it is an every day commitment. This will be something that I have to work at every day as our schedule ebbs and flows. I am always wishing for consistency, but that honestly will never be there. George is growing so fast, and Tom’s schedule changes monthly. I need to just find ways to keep myself honest to my body every day.

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How do you keep yourself in check with your workout goals?