Going into week 2

Sunday was a rest day.  I needed it.  I couldn't even bring myself to do a little yin yoga.  I think I was tapped.

Monday--I got up and did 200 swings, then went for a 3 mile run, then 200 more swings
Tuesday--Today was the first day on my treadmill because of the weather. I couldn't decide what to wear for the temps so I stayed inside.  I did 100 swings, run a mile  3X's, then ended with another 100 swings.

Total, so far for this week = 800
Month total = 2,800

Day 4 and 5

Yesterday morning I got up and right into the swings.  I did 400 swings, then I practiced 30 minutes of yoga.  It felt good.

This morning was a running day, so it was back to 100 swing warm up, run 3 miles, then another 100 swings.  I then had breakfast, which was so good.  It's pancake day, and since my husband got back from his run before I started, he made pancakes.  He also cooked some apples (from our tree) and I had the apples along with yogurt.  I then cleaned up, cleaned the bathroom and did 200 more swings.

5 day total: 2,000 swings.  Only 8,000 more to go. :)

Day 3

Much better routine.  So this morning I warmed up for my run by doing 10x10 2 handed swings.  I ran 3 miles, then did 5x20 swings, doing 10 2 handed and 10 transfer.  This afternoon I did another 200 following the same pattern; 10x10, then 5x20.  I like doing the transfer swings; I can feel the work in my core.

My hamstrings are sore.  I spent a lot of extra time stretching this morning, and I plan on some yin yoga tonight, focusing on my hamstrings and back.  My goal in all of this is to strengthen my core so I can get back to my regular kettlebell routine.  Right now, even body weight squats cause my back to be sore.  My back was sore yesterday from all of the swings, but splitting it up seems to have helped.  I plan on lots of TLC for my back while doing this.  My runs will stay easy and my yoga will stick to gentle flows or yin style.

Count so far 3x400 = 1200 swings total.

Day 2 of Swing Challenge

This morning was a running day.  I did 100 swings as part of my pre-run warm up.  I ran just 3 miles at a slow pace (about 12:00 pace).  I got home then did 300 more swings.  That is not going to work for me.  It took too much time and made me late in starting our school day.  I think, that on running days, I will do the 100 swings for warm up, come back and do another 100, then do 200 more swings later in the day.  It won't be hard to fit in 10 minutes in the afternoon, or even 2 five minutes.  I could do 100 swing before lunch and another 100 before dinner.

I'm also trying to do push-ups on my running days. I did 5 sets of 10, all on my knees.  And also on running days is my attempt at chin-ups.  The bar in just hanging in my kitchen and I try and do 10 negative chin-ups throughout the day.

So, day 2 is done.  800 swings so far.

Day 1 of 10,000 Swing Challenge

Tuesday WO: 45 minutes vinyasa yoga in the AM
                     400 swings right before lunch!

I did 10x10 2h swings as a warm up, then I did 2 sets doing 2h 10, rest;  2h 10+10 T, rest; 10 2h+10 T+ 5L+5R, rest; 10 2h rest, 10 2h+ 10 T +10R +10L.  I then followed it with 5x20 2h swings. All was done with my 12 kg bell.

I really focused on keeping my core strong.  I think I tended to bounce into my lower back with my swings.  I'm trying to feel that mini ab "crunch" as I swing up to chest level.

The whole thing took me 18 minutes.  It was harder than I thought.  This challenge is going to be a real challenge.  But that's good.  I'm excited.  I've needed some direction and since I don't feel like I can go back to BeSlam yet, I think this is good prep.

The yoga I did this morning was too rough if I'm going to be doing running and kettlebell. I need to stick to gentle flows.  This morning was the first time I tried Tiffany Cruikshank on YogaGlo.  She does a good workout, all moving with the breath.  It was good strength and breath work.  But I don't need that strength right now.  I need more opening of my hamstrings, hips, and shoulders.  But I was impressed with Tiffany and I recommend her if you want to practice yoga and get strong.

I want to try and at least log all of my swings on here, but I don't know if I'll be able to post everyday.  I may try.

A New Fitness Goal

I couldn't sleep.  It is almost 1:00 in the morning and I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep.  Last night, at 11:30, I did a 30 minute yoga for insomnia routine (from YogaGlo.com).  I probably should do something like that again, but I thought I'd get online instead. :)

I was thinking about kettlebell today.  I am still nervous to get back into it, but I would like to do a little.  I thought maybe doing a few routines from either BeSlam or from Kettlebells for Women, but I don't know how that would work with running.  So I'm going to go a different route.  I'm going to try and do the 10,000 swing challenge. I think I first read about that challenge on Tracy Reifkind's site Lisa Shaffer's site, but it's been awhile.  When I read it I thought it sounded fun, but at the time, it didn't seem like it would help me meet my goals.  But now I think it would be a great way to ease back into kettlebell.  I will use a 12kg (26lb) bell, not too heavy, and I will try and do 400 swings a day, which I can do in about 15 minutes.  I would need 400 swings a day for 25 days.  That gives me Sunday's off, as well as 2 other days.  I want to do this.  This should help with core strength, as well as help me feel like I haven't given up on kettlebell.

So, goals for October: run 12 to 15 miles a week, at least 2 yoga sessions a week, and kettlebell swings everyday.

Running Shorts

I have been on the search for a decent running short for as long as I've been running (5 years).  I had a perfect, favorite pair.  They were by NB, but they were discontinued. :(  Now why NB would discontinue perfect shorts, I have no idea.  But I haven't been able to find anything like them.  I've tried a number of different shorts.  I do like Nike's Tempo, but they fit baggy on me.  They are comfortable and don't cause chafing (the most important issue).  I had a pair of K-Swiss that I liked, but they suddenly started causing chafing issues, so I went searching for a new pair of shorts.

I decided to give these shorts from Oiselle a try.



They are Oiselle's Long Roga shorts.  I bought them from RunningWarehouse

So far, I'm impressed.  They are comfortable, don't chafe, and they are not baggy on my legs.  I can use them for running or yoga, which is nice.  And they have pockets.  I love shorts with pockets.

I'll see how long they hold up without having any issues.  They will get plenty of use this winter.  Once the weather turns bad I tend to run on my treadmill.  If they are good all winter I'll buy another pair in the spring. They were quite pricey, but if they work well, they will be worth it.

So far my (workout) week is going well.  I ran this morning, followed by a 20 minute yoga routine for my core.  I did 90 minutes of yoga yesterday, and an hour of yoga on Monday.

My goals are more clearly coming into focus.  I want to increase my strength (which is why I had started kettlebell in the first place).  For now, to do that I'm going to focus on yoga, plus some old fashion push-ups, some chin-ups (I can only do negative chin-ups on my bar, but it's a start), and handstands.  I can only do handstands by climbing my feet up the wall, but it's a start.  I've also been doing short routine before my runs, which involves squats and lunges.  Right now, just doing those tires my back.  I'll keep it up, hoping to add weights back.

So for now, more yoga and more running.  I miss kettlebell, but they are there waiting for me when I feel a little stronger.  I'll probably start back by doing Turkish Get-ups before my runs.  That's my goal, which I'm hoping to hit in the next few weeks.  We'll see.