Cheers to a new week!
Weekly Workout Recap – 05/13 – 05/19
Another week in the books. Recap:
Monday
Best Body Bootcamp Phase 4 Strength A, Cardio A (25 minutes stationary bike).
This is the last two weeks of Best Body Bootcamp and TIna definitely saved the hardest workouts for last. The strength workouts for this phase use as tabata format (20 seconds on, 10 sec on recovery) and these workouts definitely kicked my butt. I didn’t bother counting the number of reps for each exercise, just focused on completing as many reps I could with the right form. Tough, tough, touch.
Tuesday
4 mile run.
First run in over a week. For the most part, I felt pretty good, but I noticed some tightness in my left IT band towards the end. Not anything significant, just enough to be annoying. Also, even though it’s May, it was 30 degrees when I went out for my run and I ended up dragging the tights and jacket out of retirement.
Wednesday
Best Body Bootcamp Phase 4 Strength B, Cardio A (on stationary bike)
Another set of tabata workouts. While I felt okay during the workout, I noticed some tightness in my calves later in the day (the result of all the jump squats and jump lunges perhaps?). It didn’t feel like I was seriously hurt, but it was definitely uncomfortable.
Thursday
4 mile run.
In a total turn around from Tuesday, Thursday morning was warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt. Craziness. I probably should have skipped this run because of my calf issues (they were still very tight and tender Thursday morning). I felt all right when I was running, but as soon as I slowed down to walk as a cool down, my calves were not happy with me. I spent most of the day hobbling around, which wouldn’t have been a problem if I didn’t have a client meeting that required more formal business attire (i.e. pumps not flats). Fun times.
Friday
Rest day. Calves still tight/sore, but better than Thursday.
Saturday
Nike Training Club Arm Definer and Gaby Douglas Perfect Alignment workouts (15 minutes each).
I had planned on running on Saturday, but with some lingering calf issues and knowing that I was spending the evening in some very high heels, I skipped the run and did some upper body and core work. I would have done Strength Workout C from Best Body Bootcamp, but that involved 100 burpees and I just didn’t see that happening on Saturday.
All dressed up for the social event of the season. Not a stitch of luon or compression gear in sight.
Sunday
Rest day.
The Good: Yay running again!
The Bad Not As Good: Another week with no yoga – need to get back on the yoga train this coming week. Also the calf issues were not fun to deal with..
What’s Next?: 3 easy runs, Phase 4 of Best Body Bootcamp, yoga class.
Now it’s your turn! How was your week in workouts? Any big accomplishments or setbacks?
Five Things Friday – Dance Party
Happy Friday everyone! Hope you had a good week! Tomorrow I’m going to the wedding of one of my high school friends and I am looking forward to an evening of dancing. Here are some selections I hope the band plays.
1. “Like A Prayer” Madonna
Yes, I am starting things off with some Madonna. My all-time favorite Madonna song and a staple at every formal (and informal) function in high school.
2. “Livin’ On A Prayer” Bon Jovi
I may not be a Jersey girl, but I do love Bon Jovi.
3. “I Want You Back” The Jackson Five
I would also accept *N Sync’s I Want You Back, but this is vastly better.
4. “Thriller” Michael Jackson
MJ makes a second appearance on the list. He is the King of Pop after all.
5. “Call Me Maybe” Carly Rae Jepsen
I didn’t want to like this song, but I do.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Now it’s your turn! What are your favorite dance songs? Tell me about it!
2013 Goals Check-In
Happy Wednesday everyone! Can you believe it’s the middle of May already? Since we’re already five months into the year, I felt like this was as good a time as any to check-in on my goals for this year to see how things are going.
Running/Fitness
1. Run a sub-2:10 half marathon
Sub 2:10, you will be mine.
Obviously, this hasn’t happened yet. I’ll have two chances this fall (Rock and Roll Philly and the Trenton Half Marathon) to take care of this one.
2. Try something new each month.
Umm, not exactly. While I have done much more in the way of cross training so far this year (thank you YogaLove PowerSessions and Best Body Bootcamp), I haven’t exactly branched out too much. Something to work on the rest of this year.
3. Set a new 10K PR.
Also hasn’t happened yet. I plan on taking this one done at the Revolutionary Run on Fourth of July.
4. Run new to me races.
Success! The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and Bucks County 10 Miler were both new to me in 2013.
Other Goals (a/k/a non-running/fitness related).
1. Tackle Mount To Be Read.
To tell the truth, Mount To Be Read has actually grown in 2013. I’ve read a few of my previous purchases, but I’ve also picked up a few (several) new ones to add to the pile. Work in progress.
Of the books pictured, I’ve read two.
2. Only Handle It Once (OHIO).
Again, another work in progress. I started off the year doing very well with this, but then fell off pace sometime around March. I’m trying to get back on track, if for no other reason than I hate doing all my expense reports at the end of the month.
3. Be open to spontaneity.
Well, I’m trying to anyway. Sometimes it’s not always convenient to make last-minute plans, but I’m working on it.
4. Let go of the past.
This one I’ve been doing pretty well with! I’ve been working hard to shed the physical (and emotional) baggage. Like my other goals, there’s still more to work on, but I actually feel pretty good about this goal.
So there it is, my 2013 goals at this point. Some progress, some work still to do. Seems about right for this time of year.
When I first set my goals for 2013, I was undecided about running a marathon this year. After five months and a lot of thought, I can confidently say that I won’t be making another attempt at 26.2 in 2013. The marathon will still be there next year (and after that…), but I’m not ready to make the substantial mental and physical (and let’s face it, financial), commitment to running a marathon this year. Two halfs will be plenty for me.
Now it’s your turn! How are you doing with your goals for this year?
Motivation Monday
Have a great week everyone!
Weekly Workout Recap – 04/29 – 05/05
Happy Mothers day to all the mothers (and soon to be mothers) out there! After the race last Sunday, I decided to keep things pretty low-key for this week’s workouts and took the whole week off from running. Quick Recap:
Monday
Best Body Bootcamp Phase 3 Strength A, 25 minutes on stationary bike.
Unlike last week when I attempted Strength A, I did all of the prescribed sets this week (yay following directions). Also, I noticed that in the earlier workouts I wasn’t really resting enough between sets, rather rushing from one exercise to the next. This week I really focused on giving myself 30-60 seconds of rest between each set for all the strength/core workouts. While it took me a little longer to complete the workouts, I think it was better for me in the long run.
For the cardio portion, my legs weren’t quite feeling up to the speed intervals in Cardio workout A, so I just did my own thing, throwing in some spring intervals and taking a long a recovery period as I needed.
Tuesday
Best Body Bootcamp Phase 3 Core Workout (2 rounds), Cardio B (on elliptical)
I was still feeling a little sore/tired, so I took the 35 minute option rather than the 45 minute option. Also, I did the core workout before my cardio, which made it a little easier to get through the core workout, but I still only managed two rounds.
Wednesday
Best Body Bootcamp Phase 3 Strength B, Cardio A (on stationary bike)
Legs felt much better on Wednesday, so I did the speed intervals in this workout as prescribed. I tried to keep the resistance at Level 3, but for some of the sprint intervals that was too much, so I shifted down to Level 2.
Thursday
Best Body Bootcamp Phase 3 Core Workout (2 rounds), Cardio B (on elliptical).
Again, took the 35 minute option since I was a little later than I wanted getting to the gym (courtesy of the snooze button).
Friday
Rest day
Saturday
Rest day. Spent the day shopping and having lunch with my mom.
Sunday
Rest day.
The Good: Nothing stands out this week. Needed a very easy week after being in serious training since January.
The Bad Not As Good: Would have like to get some yoga or stretching in this week, but it didn’t happen.
What’s Next?: 3 easy runs, Phase 4 of Best Body Bootcamp – attempting tabata style workouts for the first time – should be interesting! Wedding in Philly on Saturday!
Now it’s your turn! How was your week in workouts? Any big accomplishments or setbacks?
The Liebster Award Part 2
Last week, Kim from Too Slow for Oranges nominated me for The Liebster Award! Thanks Kim!
This is my second nomination for The Liebster Award. In case you need a refresher, here’s what the award is all about.
- Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
- Answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
- Choose 11 new bloggers to pass the award to and link them in your post.
So now, without further ado . . .
Eleven Random Facts About Me
1. I had very short hair as a kid, so I always played boy parts in plays.
2. I had season tickets to the Phillies in 2008 when the won the World Series. My friend Steve blames me for the team’s failure to win a championship since then since I gave up my tickets.
At the World Series Parade in 2008. One of the best days ever.
3. I could eat spinach three meals a day. And sometimes I do.
4. My favorite meal is chicken fingers and french fries.
5. After working as a tour guide in Hershey one summer in college, I couldn’t eat chocolate for six months.
6. My favorite thing in college were the weekly e-mails from the VP for Student Life alerting the students that the school had been made aware of various off-campus parties. The e-mails included the address of the parties.
7. I burned my finger on the steam from an espresso machine one year on Christmas Eve and ended up eating dinner with a bag of ice duct taped to my hand.
8. For my friend’s wedding in 2011, I got ordained over the Internet so I could be the backup officiant (there was a possibility that the priest wasn’t going to be able to make it).
9. My favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake.
Get in my belly.
10. I ran one cross-country race in elementary school. I did no training, and came in dead last.
11. I hate going to the doctor and getting shots. When I was little, I was so scared of them that I would start crying and soon as my mom turned onto the street where my doctor’s office was located.
Kim’s Questions:
1. What color car do you drive?
A little red car I call Lucy.
2. If blogging is your hobby, what is your job?
I’m an analyst at a small firm.
3. What’s the furthest you’ve been from your home?
Spain (in 1995 and 2000).
4. What is your favorite childhood cartoon?
Alvin and the Chipmunks.
5. What is one item you can’t live without?
Probably my cell phone, although I’m trying to be better about disconnecting from technology.
6. What is your favorite racing distance?
Half marathon. The training is a challenge, but so not so much that it is all-consuming.
7. What are you afraid of?
Driving over large suspension bridges.
8. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
I got my belly button pierced in college. That’s as wild and crazy I get.
9. Do you like to cook?
Yes, definitely! I wished I cooked more though.
10. What are you reading right now?
Michael Pollan’s Cooked. And I’ve had Lean In on my desk since March, but I still haven’t finished it.
11. Disney World or Universal Studios?
Disney for sure. But I do want to visit Harry Potter World at Universal Studios.
2008 trip to Disney. Yes, I did get Mickey ears when I was 25.
Bloggers I’m tagging:
Colleen @ Heart and Sole
Kim @ Philly Tales and Trails
Jules @ Sweaty Escapades
Robinson @ Once and Future Runner
Katie @ From Ice Cream to Marathon
Casey @ Salted Plates
Megan @ Run Like a Grl
Julie @ Grass, Roots & Grains
Shane @ Lean, Fit and Healthy
Sarah @ Strong-Fit-Beautiful
Logan @ Mountains and Miles
My questions:
1.) Why did you start your blog?
2.) What is your favorite type of junk food?
3.) Do you read the newspaper in print or on-line?
4.) What was the last movie you saw in the theater?
5.) What was your favorite class in school?
6.) If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
7.) What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten?
8.) How long have you lived in your current city/town?
9.) What was your first job?
10.) What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
11.) What are you looking forward to this summer?
Happy reading!
