Showing posts with label monthly miles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monthly miles. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

June: The Month I Didn't Run

After having more than a few good runs while in the US in April and May, I came up with a brand new running plan and then totally didn't follow it. I couldn't resist flat routes and beautiful Colorado, so I ran more than I said I would.


My knee wasn't happy about that.

For a couple of weeks while littleC was visiting, I gave my knee a break from running and focused on low impact workouts like swimming, easy hiking and walking.


My knee was super happy with that.

So, June became the month I didn't run. It's not the first time I stopped running, but it is the first time that I have admitted that I like it more that my knee is happy than that I went for a run ---> major change in mindset happening here.

Instead I continued to log time in the swimming pool ---> 2950 meters to date. Swimming is going to become my "new" running. It's not the same but swimming does not aggravate my knee and I get a great cardio workout. Bonus, it's perfect for this hot and humid climate I live in!

I found my motivation to get back in the gym after completing a video workout challenge. The goal is to keep strength training in my weekly routine again. My body definitely responds when I pick up the weights.

Lastly, I added more walking into my daily routine and logged 14.26 miles so far. I would like to get into the habit of walking every morning, but it takes awhile for this creature-of-habit girl to get a new habit going.


It kind of feels like my fitness has been a little all over the place. My motivation over the last couple of months has been up and down and up and down. I think it's because I was putting off the inevitable decision to stop running and take care of what is left of my knee. It's scary to give up something that you spent years doing and focusing on it so much that you actually started a blog about it. I mean, what would I do without it? It kind of feels like a fitness identity crisis, ha!

June might have been the month I didn't run, but it is also the month that I realized I'm still a fitness junkie and I'm going to keep running through life one fitness adventure at a time!


Today I'm doing the link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run! 

How well do you follow your own fitness plans?
Are you a creature of habit or are you more impulsive?



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Tuesday, May 1, 2018

3 Part Workout and My Monthly Review for April

Yesterday's workout was a favorite from the carb cycling program I did (and still do on my own) a couple of years ago. I had such good results from the program that I still follow the cycle and do the workouts. Doing this helps me maintain and stay at a healthy weight.


Low carb days were always my favorite because I really do love cardio. The great thing about these workouts is that they are short. Intense, but short. There are also options: I can swim, run, elliptical or HIIT and get the same effect from the cardio bursts.

So yesterday, I choose an elliptical sprint workout followed by some light strength training.


1. Elliptical workout: 10 minutes warm up, 12 minutes sprints @20 seconds work, 40 seconds rest, and 10 minutes cool down.
2. Arm workout: dirty dozen x2 rounds
3. Plank workout: forearm plus cha cha knees and side with twists

On Sunday, I complained on Instagram about how warm the fitness room was. Yesterday, it was cooler (because no one changed the setting I left it on, yay!), but I had to attach the cords to the elliptical for the tv to work and someone apparently thinks it is ok to "borrow" weights and left only one 10, 15, and 20 pounds behind. I had to get creative, but it didn't stop my workout.


I would love to run the sprints part of this workout every time I do it, but I just know that it's not the best thing for my knee. After taking quite a big break from running, my knee has been feeling almost normal ---> meaning not swollen or puffy, and not achey...at all.

On that note, let's look back at April.


RUN - 8.99 miles
HIKE - 5.20 km ---> Diamond Head
SWIM - 3500 m (approx)
WALK - 11.37 miles

My break from running and hard hiking that started in March just sort of carried over into April. I logged three runs while traveling in the US and these were all my runs for month.

The month was filled with lots of low impact exercise like swimming and walking and yoga. I think it was a good fit for what my body needed, but I dropped the ball on strength training. I need to make weights a priority again - at least a couple times a week.

We traveled A LOT. Hawaii for a week to start the month (a blast) and we've been in the US for the last two weeks of the month (for mrC's work and some family time) ---> count the states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware.

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Today I'm doing the link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run and this week we're sharing our best and worst race photos.

My worst: this was my first race ever. I didn't know much about running yet, including how to dress. I'm pretty sure I'm wearing a cotton tee!


My best: by 2014 I mastered the finish line photo - themed races help with that.


My favorite (bonus): any race photo with mrC is my fave, but we loved this one so much we had it framed.



Do you break your workouts into parts?
Ever have to deal with missing weights/equipment?
How was your April?




Sunday, April 1, 2018

4,475 Meters | Weekly Wrap

About three weeks ago I ran. 

Here's what has been going on ---> I did a couple of really big hard hikes with big descents and my knees said time for a break. Even though I have really wanted to run, I knew that I had to listen to my body.

So instead of running miles, I have been throwing on my Athleta tankini and swimming meters. It was was hard for me the first day and it was humbling, but the more I did it, the easier it became. After three weeks, I'm getting the hang of my breathing and even started doing an interval workout: 200 meters freestyle + 25 meters breast (froggy) x 5 = 625 meters.


Three weeks of swimming and my knees have recovered from the post-hiking aches. My usually cranky and kind of puffy bad left knee is actually feeling kind of normal these days. Sadly, that means it prefers no running, but deep down I've always known this. I haven't been on a scale or taken measurements, but it feels like my body is leaning out and toning up a little from the swimming too.

So even though I only ran 3 miles in March...I swam 4,475 meters!

Today I'm linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap! 



Weekly Workouts:

Monday - Swam 625 meters and a couple of walks

Tuesday - Swam another 625 meters and a couple of walks 

Wednesday - Pier Volunteer day for the visiting USS Sterett followed by an afternoon of walking around Central - over 6 miles total (in my Oofos flip flops ---> that's how awesome they are!)


Thursday - Swam 625 meters and SUP for 45 minutes

Friday - Stations of the Cross walk 3.60km

Saturday - Sports massage - ouch, I have A LOT of tight spots and a walk

Sunday - Yoga, a walk and Opening Day at the Pool 


Heading into April, I'm ready for more swimming, maybe some running, and lots and lots of watermelon.


How was your week? March?
What are you looking forward to in April?
Anyone else obsessed with watermelon?



Tuesday, February 27, 2018

February Miles | Tuesdays on the Run

My February miles got off to a slow start after being down with the flu for about 10 days, but I think I rallied back pretty well.

I'm still logging all of my miles on my trusty Wave Sky (affiliate): 7 runs (I even ran three times in one week like the good old days!) and 17.32 miles total. This is just a little less than I ran last month and I lost a bit on my average distance during my big post-flu comeback ---> it was slow and painful.


When I wasn't running, I was (recovering from the flu, ha!) working on strength training, hiking, doing yoga...all my other favorite things to do. I even played some tennis with mrC!

I took on a couple of challenges this month: FAB AB FEBRUARY has been going all month and focuses on core with sit-ups, push-ups and planks. MIND BODY PILATES is a ten day challenge that focuses on strength and mental wellness. Sometimes I need a good challenge to keep me motivated and both of these are helping me do the core work that I tend to slack on.

I also started using a BCAA prior to and during my workouts. I am definitely leaning towards the positive. I have more energy during my workouts and my recovery time seems shorter. I'll do a proper review a little later.

Overall, despite missing the first 10 days or so, February turned out to be a pretty good month.

PS - here's a challenge for March from Aly in case your looking for one. I'm undecided because of all those burpees. Then again, maybe that's a reason I should do it...


How was your month? What are looking forward to in March?

Today I'm doing the link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run! 



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