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?

One Lovely Blog

 
May 29 - I have been enjoying some stress free weeks of running following my last half marathon earlier this month. My calf tightness is on the mend thanks to the ART and Graston techniques applied by my PT. I ran a 12K a couple of weeks ago because it was one of my favorite running routes and had my best race photo ever taken. See for yourself...

I wish they all turned out so nice, but unfortunately they usually look like a monster invaded my body.

Thanks KrissyK for making me look totally amazing in at least one race photo in my lifetime.

More good news - today I found out that I was nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award by Angela from Happy Fit Mama.

Isn't Angela super sweet? 

The One Lovely Blog Award is a "pay it forward" kind of way to recognize your favorite blogs. 

Here are the rules:

1. Post the award logo and and picture on your blog and link back to the person who nominated you.

2. Tell seven things about yourself.

3. Nominate up to 15 additional bloggers who you think deserve the award.

4. Post a comment on the blog of each nominee to tell them him/her they have been nominated.

So, seven things about me that you might find the least bit interesting, hmmm...

1. I named my dog after a baseball player.

2. I'm an organizational freak - think Monica of Friends!

3. I recently jumped on a trampoline for the first time ever.

4. I really love watermelon.

5. My favorite pizza is from LaRosa's in Cincinnati.

6. I've never been on a cruise.

7. I'm running my first "mud run" in July.

And the nominees are...

1. The Wannabe Athlete

2. Living the Dream

3. Running With The Girls

4. Westford Mommy

5. msfitrunner

6. Eating The Week

Have you ever had ART or Graston? What do you think?

It can get painful, but it seems to be working for me.

How do you feel about race photos? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

I love them, but hate that they usually look terrible.