I got a bit INSANE

With the turn of the New Year, my gym rolled out a new class called INSANITY. I knew it would be challenging when I heard my fellow instructors were sore after their certification training.  Every Monday night as I stroll into the Spinning room, the gym is packed for INSANITY class - and those people are clearly working hard. Seriously, it's a bit intimidating to watch.

Over the past month, I've noticed there are quite clearly two sets of people... Those that get a glimpse of INSANITY class and say "No way am I doing that!" or those that scream "Bring it on!"  I don't like to think of myself as part of the first group, but I am. Sometimes. (Can you imagine me being deathly afraid of Spinning class? I was just 5 years ago!)  Trying new things is a hurdle that I still have to push myself over. I find that I've fallen into the daily routine of running and Spinning, which is all fine and good. But my body has definitely adapted and doesn't change much anymore. I still desire the change... the change on the scale, the change in how my clothes fit, the change in exertion levels, the change in performance.

Today I decided to change it up. I gave this INSANITY class a try. Worse case scenerio, I can't keep up and have to take a break. The kids (who were off school today yet again) and I arrived a bit early, so I decided to warm up on the treadmill. Warming up for INSANITY?! Such a foolish girl. But I needed some miles for the #WinterMiles Challenge.  I was a moron and thought the class started at 11:15am. Nope, it was 11:00. So I was late, but jumped in anyway. It was the perfect teaser on what Insanity was all about. I got in 2 "blocks" before the cooldown. Not easy and I was definitely gasping for air after the basketball jump/twirl thingys.

With INSANITY, you work all-out for 3-5 minute blocks, and then take a break only long enough to catch your breath before starting it over again. They call it Max Interval Training because your body is working at maximum capacity throughout the entire workout. It's all about pushing your limits.

After surviving Insanity, I decided to really push my limits and try the TRX Bootcamp. The small training group is limited to 9 people, but a couple didn't show so I was able to sneak my way in. As you know, I'm not a big fan of strength training. I find it boring and tedious, and really have to force myself to do it on a weekly basis. I'd rather run for an hour than do 20 minutes of strength. No joke. Well, let me tell you what... I think I just fell in love with TRX Bootcamp!! This class was so fun and completely challenging. I have always liked the circuit style of strength training... rotating stations. On. Off. Switch. Go!  I used to belong to a gym that actually had a circuit room with blinking lights and alarms. I loved it!  So I'm kind of excited today to find a new class that works for me. It's something I really need to add into my training regime.

So that was me, stepping out of my comfort zone today... and making a little magic.

What have you done lately to challenge yourself? 
What activities are 'outside' your comfort zone?
Have you ever tried INSANITY or TRX?


Don't forget to cast a VOTE today in the Race-to-Napa contest. I am deeply thankful for all your support. I'm hanging onto the lead (barely)... all because of YOU! Thanks so much!

Run with a PUNCH!

The heat and sticky humidity of summer have finally hit the Midwest.  It is mid-July. So while it is expected, it's not necessarily welcome. I am not going to complain because that gets me nowhere. It's quite clear that I'm not a fan of warm weather running. Instead, I alter my workouts...

I run early. 

I bring it inside. 

I play with variety.

"Mom, need a water stop!"

Yesterday, my daughters and I managed a mid-morning bike ride. We came just short of 5 miles and even that was a stretch. They were tired early with hot red faces, so we turned it around earlier than normal. I had to coach them along just to get back home. My oldest daughter was practically in tears, and stomped in the house when we returned. Not our usual happy bike rides. No smiling post-ride picture. I knew then that my evening run with the Sole Sisters would be out of the question. (Hubby is working extra shifts to make up for the furlough, so I would have to take the kids with me to the group run. Wasn't happening...)

The cool basement was calling my name. I have a pretty nice setup surrounding my treadmill... boxing bag, weight rack, kettlebells, two benches, medicine ball and stability ball. Seriously, I should use it more. I sat down and scratched out a workout plan, procrastinated online and then finally made my way down the steps to get my sweat on.

I'm still grinning from ear to ear over yesterday's workout. It was tough. It was fun. It was in the cool basement with two fans blowing on me... and yet, I had sweat dripping off my chin. Boo-Ya!  I can't wait for a repeat!

Workout done!  I'm feeling badass!

I'm sharing the details of this workout below because it's a keeper! I hope you'll give it a try, and come back to tell me your thoughts. Better yet, take a picture of your sweaty self and post it to my Facebook page. While I may be hitting a real boxing bag, you can just air punch too (like you would in a kickboxing class).  Depending on your run pace, this workout takes about an hour. You'll need a timer of some sort to clock the two-minute rounds.

Need help with boxing terminology?
JAB - quickly punch forward with leading hand, rolling your fist down as you strike target.
CROSS - power punch with back hand straight forward, rotating back hip forward.
HOOK - punch comes the side with leading hand (picture striking the cheek of opponent's face) while pivoting your lead foot.
UPPERCUT - bring leading arm's elbow into rib cage and drive fist upward (imagine striking opponent's under the chin), while rotating lead hip and heel.
BOB & WEAVE - lower into a squat as you circle your body from side to side, making a "U" with your upper body.
COVER - quickly bring forearms and fist together in front of your face/torso to protect from an (imaginary) incoming punch. As you do so, you'll feel a standing ab crunch.
KNEE THRUST - Imagine grabbing someone's shoulders and giving them a firm knee in the you-know-what. Yeah, that move...

Have you ever done a BOXING workout?
Did you like it?

Buck Up for Week 2

Week One of marathon training was full of ups and downs. I can't say I'm 100% pleased. My self-appointed grade for the week is a C+.  I completed the "three key runs" as outlined in the Run Less Run Faster plan; however, I missed the goal paces.

WEEK ONE PLAN & RESULTS
Weight Loss - Goal -2.0 lbs. • Lost -0.8. I was doing well until our Packer party on Sat...

Week Miles - Goal 31 miles. • Actual 30 done.

Nutrition - Plan healthy meals and track calories. • Fail. I never found time to plan meals and grocery shop accordingly. Tracking calories was hit and miss. I start the day well and then got sloppy in the afternoon.

Challenges - #plankaday #wallsit #pushups #squatathon. • Completed all challenges daily except for the wallsit. I had some sore quad muscles and chose to skip that several days to give my quads time to repair.

Mon - Interval Run, Spinning  • Unable to hit dictated paces of Intervals, but workouts complete.
Tues - Yoga, BoxMania, Spinning, Core  • Everything complete except Yoga.
Wed - Tempo Run, Easy Run with Sole Sisters  • I woke exhausted and with sore muscles from the triple cross-train on Tues. I decided to delay my Tempo Run a day, but completed the easy evening run. 
Thurs - Swim  • Fail. Still sore muscles, I took a complete rest day.
Fri - Yoga, Spinning  • Instead of Yoga in the am, I knocked out that Tempo Run. It was difficult but I was pleased with the result. Skipped Spinning in the evening to rest up for the Long Run.
Sat - Long Run  • Best workout of the week. Great weather and great friends to run 13.1 miles. Only 5 seconds off the goal pace.
Sun - Easy Run, Spinning  • Started off the morning instructing Spin class and hoped on the treadmill afterward for an easy 2 miles.

I knew this plan would be challenging for me. Trying to do weight loss along with it, even tougher. But I am determined to make it work. Sunday afternoon, I sat down to plan out Week Two. Taking into consideration the things I learned last week, I adjusted and tweeked the weekly goals.

Biggest lesson after last week was to change the cross training. While I enjoyed the BoxMania class last week, it was an impact workout on my legs. The roundhouse kicks made my hips hurt for days and my quads were jarred and sore from hitting the targets. I was expecting the class to be more of an arm workout rather than legs. Nope! So I've decided to replace that class with an less impact activity like swimming. I signed up for two swim sessions this week, and will take my boxing back to my home bag to focus on arms. I need my legs to be rested and ready for the "three key runs". Those remain the most important workouts of the week.

I also went grocery shopping and have made out a plan for healthy dinners this week based off the food I have in the house. No excuses. Round One of the Run Your Ass Off Challenge ends in two weeks and I have almost 4 pounds to eliminate yet to get a share of the $7460 pot. THAT is incentive to get serious.

How was your training and diet last week? Got a plan ready for this week?

New 2U CrossTrain - April

I've been slacking on one of my favorite challenges of the year... New 2U CrossTrain.  Hosted by (Just) Trying is for Little Girls, the challenge is to step outside your comfort zone and try one new cross training activity each month of the year.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, it's month four, and this is my second completion.  Crap.  Maybe I'll do two this month?

I believe in cross training full-heartedly.  It keeps your body burning calories, building muscle, and makes you a stronger runner.  I believe it also gives you the right to call yourself an athlete versus just a runner.  Running is my first love, always will be, but I've learned firsthand that pushing mileage can causes injuries.  And this girl does not handle injuries very well... might as well commit me to the crazy ward.  

Two years ago, I suffered a stress fracture in my heel that took me out of my running shoes for nearly 8 weeks.  During that time, I took up Spinning to keep my legs moving. It is now my favorite cross train.  In fact, next month I attend a certification class to become an official Spinning Instructor.  It's also a great activity to have a "fitness date" with a pal who may not be "up to speed" on the run.

My New Cross Train - April

My gym buddy Kelli has been trying to get me to her favorite class called Full Body Blitz. Last night I finally went... only because the timing was at the same time as the Kids Zumba class, which my girls have been missing.  It's a win-win.  Kids get to Zumba while momma squeezes in a little sweat. 

My friend Stephanie set up a spot for me - right in front.  Oh-geesh, I hope I don't make a fool of myself!  Thankfully, Full Body Blitz is not like TurboKick or Zumba, where there are quick routine moves... often making newcomers feel uncoordinated and awkward when they can't follow along.  The moves instead are concentrated efforts, where form is more important than speed.

The class is taught by one of my favorite instructors ever.  Amy is tough, fun and thorough with instruction.  She gives off this "bad-ass" feeling in every class she teaches (which I love!).  Not to mention, she's like inspiration staring you in the face... her body is exactly the athletic shape that I strive for!  Of course, she's also a runner.

Full Body Blitz was quick circuits, 30 seconds on each activity, for 50 minutes total.  True to its name, we worked every part of the body... arms, legs, glutes, shoulders, abs, you name it.  My whole body is slightly achey the morning after.  Each participant had an assortment of fitness toys at their feet...

I was quickly reminded how much the instructor Amy loves to do squats in her classes... and lots of them!  Squats with weights, squat dips, squats with hovers... you name it, she does it, over and over again.  My thighs were completely burning - especially since I ran 8 miles of hard intervals earlier in the day.

I'm usually a fan of pushups.  I love strong shoulders, but this was my first time doing pushups on the bosu ball.  Wow, that was so much harder!  Intervals of mountain climbers and butt kicks were also weaved into the circuit to add some cardio.  I had sweat dripping from my temples.

At the end of Full Body Blitz, we hit the floor and focused on the abs.  I've never used a pilates ring before and really liked that incorporated into an ab workout.

MY FINAL TAKE:  Full Body Blitz was a great workout with some much need strength training (my weakness!), but it was hard work.  I may go back again simply because it coincides with the kids' class.  However, it's not something I would carve time out of my schedule for.  Honestly, I'd rather break a sweat on a Spin bike, running or cruising down the trail on my mountain bike.  I call those fun exercise and I steer more towards that in my fitness these days.  I tend to lose myself in those activities and only stop because I have to.  In classes like Full Body Blitz, I get a little bored and find myself watching the clock to see how much torture is left...