Tuesday, June 28, 2011

New PR in the "Body Weight 500"

I'm amazed at myself.  I did the Body Weight 500 workout today and shaved 4 min. 30 seconds off my previous time.  I'm pretty pleased with that performance.  I think the difference was I didn't rest between rounds.  I was able to just keep going continuously.

1. Split Lunge w/ Kick - 140 reps total
2. Plank Jump Backs - 95 reps total
3. Sumo Squat Pulses to Jump Up - 45 reps total
4. Hindu Pushups - 50 reps total
5. Reverse Lunge to Side Lunge - 80 reps total
6. Sumo Squat w/ Twist - 90 reps total


Total Time to 500 reps - 19 minutes 

For a comparison, see my June 8th post below.   

To top off my day, I had a great round of golf - my best all season.  The weather was perfect today for golf.  Finally!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Adaptation and Training Log

I've been doing some training the past week.  I just haven't had a chance to post.  No biggie.  My training has been a bit boring - lots of running, walking, and body weight drills; no exciting 200 lb. swings or 300 lb. deadlifts. 

I'm really enjoying the change of pace in my training.  For so long I've incorporated weights of all types in my training.  Taking a break is good for me.  That means it's good for my head, body, and my soul.

With my summer schedule, I'm just not able to get to the gym where all my kettlebells and other equipment are stored.  I need to be able to workout at a moment's notice.  The running, walking, and body weight drills have given me that flexibility. 

Probably the best part of this change in training is my ability to elegantly adapt.  Adaptation happens, whether we want it or not.  I used to stress out when adaptation happened.  Now I embrace it and learn from it.  There was a time I would have panicked if I couldn't get to my kettlebells three times a week.  I was afraid I would lose strength and gain weight if I didn't do a certain type of workout.

I now know those thoughts are not reality.  I get to choose how I respond.  I choose to respond elegantly and accept the adaptation for what it is.  Then I choose a way to make the most out of the opportunity.

That behavior is good for me.  It makes me better in all aspects of my life.

Training Log
In case you're wondering, I ran in Vibram Five Fingers for 20 minutes followed by 15 minutes of walking on 6-15. (See my post below.)  I walked in VFF for 45 minutes on 6-17.  And I ran in VFF for 20 minutes on 6-19.

Today I did the following body weight circuit:

1. Jumping Jack to Jump Up - 105 reps total
2. Sumo Squat w/ Torso Twist - 140 reps total
3. Split Jump w/ High Kick - 140 reps total
4. Mountain Climber Jumps - 70 reps total

Time - 19 minutes, 15 secs
455 Total Reps - 7 rounds

The mountain climber jumps were new for me.  Basically, you get in the mountain climber position and then jump up during each rep instead of "running" your knees.  I guess it's like doing a split jump with your hands on the floor.  They are really tough to do.

There you have it.  My training.  Not exciting, but it's effective.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

It's All in the Wrist

That isn't a good thing for me.  Remember several weeks ago I wrote about injuring my wrist while opening a bottle of Cheer detergent?  Well, I re-injured my wrist this week.  Guess how. 

Wait for it. 

Playing golf. 

Jiminy Christmas, woman.  How can I get hurt golfing?  I think it's an overuse injury.  I golfed 18 holes Friday, 9 on Saturday, and 18 on Monday.  I don't golf that frequently.  Ever.  Monday's experience took me to a brand new course with thick, thick roughs.  Sometimes I couldn't even hang on to my club when hitting through it. 

By the 14th hole, my elbow and wrist were aching.  Maybe if I hit the ball onto the fareway more often instead of into the rough, I wouldn't be in pain.  Lesson learned.  Just knock the freaking ball into the fareway.  Don't try to hit out of that stuff on that course. 

In spite of my aching wrist, I did work out.  I did a 20 minute run in my Vibrams followed by 15 minutes of brisk walking this morning.  It was so beautiful outside.  That started my day out on a great vibe.  In fact, I may do it again tomorrow if the weather permits.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Body Weight 500

Like the Indianapolis 500 without race cars, or the pace car, the trophy or the prize money.  Ok, so it's not anything like the Indianapolis 500.  Who am I kidding.

The Body Weight 500 is my name for today's workout.  I did 500 reps of body weight drills.  I timed myself so I can compare the next time I do this workout.  Remember, when it comes to training (or anything), the goal is to get better. 

1. Split Lunge w/ Kick - 115 reps total
2. Plank Jump Backs - 80 reps total
3. Sumo Squat Pulses to Jump Up - 50 reps total
4. Hindu Pushups - 50 reps total
5. Reverse Lunge to Side Lunge - 100 reps total
6. Sumo Squat w/ Twist - 105 reps total

Total Time to 500 reps - 23 min. 30 secs

This was fun and gave my brain something to focus on.  I had to keep a running count so I knew when I was at 500 reps.  Luckily I got it.  I had it figured out so that I could do fewer reps of each drill on the fifth round.  That was great!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Body Work Log

I'm really digging the body weight workouts.  They're perfect for me when I can't get to the gym to use my equipment.  I put together some new moves today.  They were fun and challenging. 

Circuit - 20 minutes - 4 Rounds  
1. Split Lunge w/ Front Kick - 65 reps total 
2. Crab Stance to Pike Press - 36 reps total
3. 1 Leg Squat w/ Back Leg Press - 32 Left, 32 Right total  
4. Sumo Squat w/ Torso Twist - 80 reps total  
5. Pike Jumping Jack w/ Jump Up - 40 reps total  

Then I did a bunch of Ab work - planks, situps, etc.

On Friday, I did a 4.2 mile walk in 50 minutes with my friend Deb.  I wore my new vibrams - bilikas.  They have a thicker sole then my sprints.  The bottom of my heels was a bit irritated, but other than that, it was a great walk.