Moments

As I hit the pavement bright and early this morning (or dark and early I should say), I found myself thinking about moments. Not big moments that are often accompanied by accolades and rewards, but small moments that are usually only known to you and whose accolades are entirely intrinsic.

That moment when you realize you just ran one block farther than you thought you could.

That moment when you stand on a scale and are able to smile.

That moment when you notice a contour on your arm that you did not know you had created.

I’ve had a lot of these moments over the last year and a half, and maybe the Olympic games have me thinking about them more. As I watch these athletes accomplish huge, unimaginable feats, I contemplate the feats big and small that I have accomplished and that still lie ahead.

I am proud of my moments, and I would like to allow for more in my future. So this week, I made a conscious decision to focus more on goal setting (in multiple areas of my life). My first goal is mileage: cover 25 miles per week and 100 per month. I only made it to 23 last week, but this week I’m determined to meet it. This morning was a good start.

My second goal will have to be to improve my pace, but I think I need to raise my miles covered numbers first.

This morning’s workout:

·         3 mile jog with Hell on Heels

·         10 bleachers

·         ½ mile backwards intervals

Tonight’s Insanity: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

Interval Training

Don't panic, ladies. This one isn't homework. I am going to post my personal fitness journey here as well (cuz it's my blog, and I can do what I want). As I research fitness and nutrition (as I've become obsessed with doing), I need a place to keep all the information together so I can reference it (and I guess share it if you're interested).

I've come a long way since I started working out, and specifically running, but I'm still super SLOW. I've reached my goal of being able to run a 5k (3.1 miles) without walking, but really what I'm doing is jogging at a walking pace. My next goal is to increase my pace and be able to sustain it.

 I like to pull workouts from Jackie Warner's and Selene Yaeger's books. Both of them are hard core enough to motivate me but down to earth enough not to scare me off. Both focus on strength training, which I need. But to increase my pace, I need interval training (or at least that's what everything I've read says). Today was my first stab at it (a modification of a routine from Runner's World magazine).

2 mile jog
1/2 mile sprint intervals (sprint 100, walk/jog 100)
10 bleachers
1/2 mile backwards inervals (jog backwards 100, jog/walk forward 100)

I did the intervals (and obviously the bleachers) at the track so that I could divide the 100's up by straights and curves.

My heart rate definitely went up and down, which is what the articles I've read said you're looking for in interval training. All in all, I'm going to call it a successful day one.

Push-Up Friday

Time to PUSH in the weekend, ladies! Yay for push ups!

Your challenge today is to complete at least 50 push-ups by the end of the day. First, notice I said AT LEAST. Second, make sure you are using good form. Otherwise, you're not going to get the guns and shoulders you're shooting for (hehe...I crack myself up).

It doesn't matter if you can only do one at a time, do them right. Hineys down! You can do them from your toes or knees or a combination of the two. Whatever works for you. Just get them done!

Now for the quest for the prize, and you know you want to win it! Post a picture of yourself DOING one of your push-ups. Get creative! We'll vote on our favorite. If you don't want to post your picture for all to see, you can attach it to a Facebook message. Once they are all posted, cast your vote. You can message it to me or post it with the picture. Doesn't matter to me if you vote privately or publicly.

Remember, at least 50! Push! Push! Push!

Looking Back

Here’s our history (just so it’s documented):

Monday 7/9 - We took the fit test. I’m pretty sure I made a D at best. Here’s to grading on a curve!

Tuesday 7/10 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit

Wednesday 7/11 - Cardio Power and Resistance

Monday 7/16 - Cardio Recovery  

This deceptively slow workout made us ache! Lots of new crew members this week.

Tuesday 7/ 17 - Pure Cardio

Wednesday 7/18 - First Homework Assignment: 10 x 20 Challenge

Butt Kicks - 1 min.
High Knees - 1 min.
20 Jumping Jacks
20 Squats
20 Push Ups
20 Lunges
20 Switch Kicks
Repeat the 20's

Thursday 7/19 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit

First Friday Challenge 7/20 - Froggy Friday!

Yup! You guessed it, Ladies. Your assignment today is to tap into your inner-frog. Squat down and touch the floor with both hands. Then jump as high as you can. Do this as many times as you can throughout the day. Keep count because I have a prize for whoever does the most. Be honest!!!

Have fun and let your Froggy out in public. People are sure to wonder what the heck you're doing when you randomly squat and jump in public. Crazy Lady, Aisle 7!!!

Post how many you did tonight. Good luck and have a Freakin' Fabulous Froggy Friday!

Lys won the prize. She did 55! Wow! That was totally worth the vitamins.

Monday 7/23 - Cardio Power and Resistance

Tuesday 7/24 - Pure Cardio

Wednesday Homework 7/25 - It’s a Countdown!

100 jumping jacks
90 crunches
80 power ups (this is the one where you bring one knee up at an angle to your hands and go up and back down really quickly *40 each knee)
70 high knees
60 butt kicks
50 scissors
40 squats
30 switch kicks (Caprice's favorite)
20 push ups
10 burpees
And relax!

Thursday 7/26 - Supposed to be Cardio Circuit, but I’m missing a DVD so we did Cardio Recovery. Going to get a copy of the correct workout today and get us back on track.

There...all caught up.