Kettlebell is going well

I've been back at doing more kettlebell workouts, as well as running.  The kettlebell has been going well.  The 2 workouts a week from Breaking Muscle are well planned.  I don't feel like they are overwhelming or push me too hard.  I feel like I get a solid workout, but don't come away empty.  Yesterday's workout included a ladder up to 5 of TGUs.  I was able to do 1-4 using the 26 lb bell, but when I got to the 5 each side I had to drop down to my 15 lb bell.  The workout also included sumo deadlifts, which I've never done before.  My legs have been sore from all of the squats plus running, so I kept the weight down to 50 lbs for the deadlifts.  This morning I had wanted to run, but my legs were so sore that I decided on yoga.  I did a nice side bending routine that was gentle and worked on opening my hips.  It felt great.  I may try and run a bit tomorrow, but the rest of the week is vacation and I don't know if I'll get any workouts done.  I may try doing some body weight exercises, plus some yoga, but otherwise it's vacation time!

Back to Kettlebell

Last week was a great week of running and yoga.  I ran 14 miles, and had 4 yoga practices.  I spent the weekend trying to decide how to work kettlebell back into my weekly routine.  I couldn't decide if I should go back to BeSlam, use Kettlebells for Women, use the DVDs that I have, or just do my own thing.  Finally I decided to use kettlebell cycle 1 from BreakingMuscle. The plan is perfect.  It has 2 workouts a week, which is exactly what I wanted.  It's not too long or overwhelming, and it's focus is on strength.  I did cycle 1, week 1, day 1 today.  It felt good to do squats and presses again.

10,000 Swings!

I did it.  Today I completed the 10,000 swing challenge.  I finished up with an 800 swing workout, which took me 40 minutes.  I sort-of followed a workout from Tracy Reifkind's book, The Swing.  I needed more rest than she gave, plus I had to add 10 to make it 800.

I'm glad I did the month.  I needed a goal this month.  I haven't wanted to do any races, and with my back issue I couldn't just restart BeSlam, so this got me through.  I feel like I completed something, and now I'm ready to move on.

I'm still unsure what I'm going to do.  I did just get bands to help with pull-ups.  I want to improve my upper body and core strength, so push-ups, pull-ups, as well as other core work is in the plan.  I don't want to give up on running, or yoga, so I'll have to work it out.  I think I'll need to not be so type A about it all, so that I can just do what I enjoy.  My goal has been my health, both physical and mental, so I need to keep doing the things that I like and make me feel good.

8,800

So close.  I'm almost there.

Today my swings were scattered throughout the morning.  I also went for a lovely 3 mile run.  It was very cold, but sunny, and it was nice to get outside.

I plan on getting swings in tomorrow, which will tip me past 9,000

Getting to the End!

8,000 swings.  I'll admit that I'm getting tired of it.  I want to do squats, presses, and snatches.  I love snatches.  I've been sticking to just the swings (well, I've also been doing some push-ups or negative chin-ups in-between sets).  The swing challenge was a way to get past my injury issue (which was my back).  I'm feeling good, but I'll be glad to be done the challenge.

I'm trying to do more and more single handed swings.  I could easily be using 16kg for the 2H swings, but 1H would be hard.  My grip is weak.  So to help out with that I've been doing more single handed swings.

I also have to start thinking about what I want to do when I'm done this.  I don't want to give up running, or my yoga day, but I want to add strength back.  I'm also thinking about getting a 20lb bell.  I hurt myself doing presses with my 12kg bell.  My next lightest is 15lb.  I don't have the 8kg (18 lb) bell.  The 15lb bell is way too easy for presses.  I tried out a 20lb bell at a store, and it still felt easy, but maybe I should try it.  I can do 3 presses with the 12 kg before I start to lose form.  Really, it's too heavy.

I'll be pondering that issue over the next 2 weeks.  I'll finish this up, then take a week off before starting back up with something else.

7, 600

Today,  after my 400 swings, I made it to 7, 600 swings. I'm definitely feeling it.

Today I did swings mixed with running. I ran a total of 3 miles on my treadmill with breaks to swing.

6,000 Swings

I reached 6,000 today.  My swings are getting more efficient, which is nice.  I did a lot on 1 handed swings today, and they are also starting to feel a bit easier.

An hour after the swing practice I went for a 3 mile run at the park, in the rain.  It felt good, but this rain is bringing colder weather.  I've been running later in order to enjoy the view (instead of running in the dark in the morning), and so that my daughter comes with me.  She isn't one to wake up at 6:00 AM and head for a run in the dark, so this is better for both of us.