Workout Wednesday: Jump Rope Workout

In addition to running, I love workouts that blend cardio and strength to blast fat calories. It's one of the reasons I love going to SurfSet classes so much.

This weekend I found a workout from PopSugar on Pinterest that I can do at home. The HIIT workout gets your heart rate up and mixes up some full body strength moves.

I wasn't sure how I would feel doing each exercise, so I modified the workout to 30 seconds, but still followed a 1:1 ratio. I also modified the "jump rope" to "jump in place", since I do not own a jump rope (crazy, I know). After the first round I was feeling ok, so I did another and was happy with the results.

The next time I do this workout, I think I will bump it up to 45 seconds. If that feels ok, then I will attempt the full one minute intervals.

Checkout more Workout Wednesday posts here.

Thoughts During a Workout

Today I'm linking up with Jill Conyers and Jessica for Tuesdays #DishtheFit. Today's topic is:

Does your mind wander? What do you think about when you run/workout?

Since I was not given the go-ahead to go for a test run today, I threw on my workout clothes and did the new Tabata mash-up I found on Pinterest. More on that tomorrow!

I wish these were my work clothes!

I started my workout in the cold basement thinking about how much I wish I could hop on the treadmill.

After a couple of beeps on the Gymboss and my heart rate rising, I thought about how much I miss going to SurfSet on Saturdays. Can't wait to get back there. Hopefully this weekend.

Is that a cramp in my trapezius? Deep breaths…in…out…in…out. Hmm, better.

The first round of the Tabata workout is over. I'm warmed up and thinking my legs are getting tired…really? Good thing I'm not running after all. Wait. Did I just say that? No, I'd rather be running. Definitely.

Pocket full of Sunshine…take me away…sweet escape…a better place…

Dang it's hot…jump over toward the fan…wipe off my face.

Oh crap, I missed a beep. I lost my place on the workout. Should I be jump roping or ??? This is why running is better for me. My mind can wander and I don't get lost.

It's over. That was good. How many calories did I burn today? Awesome.

So, what do you think about during your runs/workouts?

Training Truths: Staying Strong

Has it really been 4 weeks since I started dealing with my hip?

Last week I spent more time with Dr. Bri and worked on my strength (in ways that I could). At first that was just standard sit-ups, but as my hip pain lessened I was given the OK to do more.

So, after a couple of sessions of Graston, I was able to get back to my Tabata workouts that focus on core and lower leg strength. The only thing I couldn't do was side planks or anything else that caused pain in my hip.

By Sunday, I was itching for more and came across the Under Armour #SweatADay November challenge on Instagram. I've done the #SweatADay challenge numerous times in the past.  It helps me keep my fitness focus whether I am running or not and I find great new exercises. 

The weather was perfectly crisp for an outdoor morning workout following the challenge for day 9. Since I was getting a late start on the challenge, I also did a few of the previous workouts.

It felt really good to be outside working out. None of the exercises caused pain in my hip, but admittedly it felt…funny. Kind of tight, kind of tired? Not sure if the feeling in my hip is negative (pain-like) or positive (I've been used!).

Today I see Dr. Bri again and will hopefully get some more answers!

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Fabulous Friday

I admit that when I'm not running, I'm moody, cranky, irritable. Running is my way of shaking off the crazy, after all.

It hasn't been easy, enduring another week of no running, but here's some fabulous-ness that has helped keep my mind off of the negative.

ZOOMA Ambassadors starring in a Feetures! video

ZOOMA Cape Cod registration discount codes

Oiselle #FlyStyle gear distractions

TFL is finally chill-laxing! I might be able to run next week!!

Tell me something fabulous about your Friday!!

Training Truths: What the #TFL?

Another week has gone by and I'm still dealing with my hip mess. At the start of last week I thought I was making progress, but another painful two mile run told me it was time to see the professional.

Monday - I did my Tabata ab workouts and felt ok.

Tuesday - I went for a 2 mile run with the high school run club. It was bad. It was worse after. I actually went from the run to another massage appointment. She really worked on my legs, hips, and glutes, but my hip still hurt. A lot.

Wednesday - I woke up knowing that there was no way I could run with my Manchester City Marathon Relay Team on Sunday. Even if I were to try the shortest leg (instead of my 9 miler) it was going to be bad. So I made the call for a replacement. I wore my compression shorts under my work clothes. The snug fit helped ease the pain.

Friday - I was able to see Dr. Bri. He said the problem was my TFL.

What the TFL?

TFL stands for Tensor Fascia Latae.

Mine is not happy.

Turns out my (notorious) sartorius is not so scandalous after all. Dr. Bri was able to determine this because my pain is located on the side of my hip bone and not the front. (um ok, yea, whatever…how do we fix it???)

Although the TFL doesn't have a primary function, it does assist with hip flexion, abduction, and stabilization. When running it is active during the pick-up of the foot as well as the strike of the foot.

Dr. Bri suspects I'm suffering from the perfect storm of under active glutes, a weak left quad (thanks torn meniscus), and some over-pronating that is causing a strain on the right TFL at the insertion point on my hip bone. He performed some Graston (it was too painful to do Active Release) and then applied an electric cortisone patch.

The cortisone patch uses iontophoresis to deliver the medicine through the skin directly to the target area. Dr. Bri put the patch on my hip and then charged the little battery on top of it. This was a little uncomfortable because it felt like pins and needles, but it only lasted for a few minutes. I wore the patch for a couple hours and my hip felt better than it had in days.

So even though it feels like my injuries are taking me on an anatomy class journey, I am determined to overcome yet another injury and get strong again.

Since I didn't run this weekend, tell me what you did!