Thursday, May 30, 2013

My Training Week

Summer has started.  2 of my kids are done with their school work, the other 2 have a bit left.  I've never been good at counting days, we go until the work is done.  But despite lingering work, our summer is in full swing.

The kids are back to swimming, 2 to 3 times a week.  It's now in the morning instead of evening.  The 2 younger boys also have baseball.  That is in the evening, when it's hot.  We opened our pool this past weekend, so in our free time we get out there.

My workout schedule is a bit nuts since I'm in the car more now, as well as at the kids pool.  The pool is at a gym which has weights, but no kettlebells (a few plastic ones up to 20lbs, but that's it).  So I could either bring my bells or use that time to run, and maybe do some yoga.

So far this week:

Sunday--This was day one of the last phase of the Be SLAM program.  It was a combined strength and conditioning workout.  Loved it.

Monday--Practiced 90 minutes of yoga.  I joined YogaGlo this month in order to get more yoga in.  So far I'm loving it.  I'm planning to practice some yoga everyday.  Monday we also went to the zoo and walked probably 3 or 4 miles.  It was a perfect zoo day.

Tuesday--Kettlebells.  Did another combined strength and conditioning workout.  This one included lots of squats as well as snatches.  Went for a 50 minute walk that evening, and practiced some yoga

Wednesday--90 minutes of yoga, this time a Hatha practice focusing on the hips.  Wonderful.  I also tried some Kundalini yoga in the afternoon.  Just a short practice.  I think I will try it again.

Thursday--Today.  I ran 3 miles and then practiced 30 minutes of yoga (in the weight room of the gym!).  In just a bit I'm going to do kettlebell.  I'll see how I feel doing both of these activities in a day.

Friday--if I take the kids swimming I will probably run, then yoga.  I may see if I can use an empty room for my practice.

Saturday--the plan is more kettlebell!

That's my week.  The boys have a game tonight, so that will keep me up late.  This summer will be flying by.



Thursday, May 16, 2013

Busy May

It's been a busy couple of weeks.  The kids have had recitals, concerts, and competitions.  The school year is winding down and we are all ready to be done.  We've started swimming back up, which takes lots of time, both driving and just being there.

I've been consistent with my workouts.  Kettlebell is going VERY well.  My shoulder pain is completely gone!  That is amazing.  Before starting Lauren's program I was overdoing it.  I need to follow a plan, because, honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing, and it's too easy to get hurt!  I've made steady progress with BE SLAM and I've even been able to get in some running.

Right now, running is my dilemma .  I enjoy running, and I do think aerobic activity is important.  I want to be able to run, but I want to keep strength training, and making gains with that.  All of this and being a full time mom too! :)  I have 5 weeks left to the BE SLAM program.  She suggests taking a week off before beginning again.  I'm thinking of doing the program backwards next time so that during the last 8 weeks I can ramp up the running and do a 10k.

Everything I've been reading seems to indicate that you can't really run a lot (like the amount needed for a HM) and strength train.  But I'm thinking the strength training that is being talked about is for serious body builders.  I have nothing against doing serious body building, but that isn't really my goal.  I want to get stronger, like press 35#, squat 62#, conquer pull-ups and push-ups, kind of strong.  I also want to keep running.  I enjoy the runs, and a little part of me likes doing the races.

Right now I'm just thinking it all through.

So far this week I've run 6 miles and had 2 strength days, as well as doing some kettlebell conditioning after my runs.  I also decided to add a 1 mile warm-up run to my strength days.  Mostly because I do feel stronger after a short run, and also to get my heart rate up for my workouts.  Tomorrow is another strength workout, and Saturday will be a "long" run of maybe 5 miles, plus more kettlebell conditioning.

Now to go and clean my house.  It needs it.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Making Progress


My workouts have been going well.  I've been consistent and pushing myself just a little bit.  I backed up trying to do all of the push-ups and pull-ups, and I've been careful with my form for everything else.  The result is that my shoulder does not hurt any more and I've gotten stronger.  I can now press my 12kg bell.  I can clean a 16kg, deadlift with my 16kg+20kg (a total of 79 lbs), swing 24kg, and squat with the 16kg.

My arms are looking more toned, and even my mid-section is tightening up a bit.  My running, while much less in volume, is picking up in speed.

love kettlebells!
This morning's kettlebell strength workout was on the easier side.  It was deadlifts, push-ups, cleans, then swings.  I pushed with the weights, going as high as I could.  I definitely worked hard, but I still felt like I could do a lot at the end, so since it was a gorgeous spring morning, I went for a 3 mile run.  It felt great.  I ran at a comfortable pace, which was faster than my normal slow pace.  I could tell how much better my form was.  I was keeping my core solid and my glutes were doing the work.  I felt strong.  I love it.

I'm so happy with my progress.  There is one thing I need to decide if I want to push for.  I am not really trying to lose weight.  My weight for my height is good.  I need muscle.  But I do a some flab (I have had 5 children) and it would be great if I could get rid of that.  But the rub is that, while I eat fairly well, I still enjoy a little bread, wine with dinner, and even some sweets now and then.  The question becomes do I want to achieve a certain "look" or am I just going for strong and healthy.  Most days I'm happy with strong and healthy.  I'm glad I don't have a career that requires I not have an ounce of fat on me (I don't know how those women do it).  But there are days I would like to go for that "look".


Kettlebell  :D
I could never look like that.  I've never been blond, and I'm no where near 20!



Tomorrow is another strength workout.  This one will include squats, so a run would not be a good idea.  I may add an extra 100 swings to the end of the workout.