Strength Training

Tweet

First off, I'm sorry for the silence over the last few days, I've just been busy with life.

In other news, I started a new strength training program last week as per my February goals, and so far, it is going great. Essentially, I'm doing P90x, I'm just not doing the FULL program. I need it to compliment running and not take away from it. When I did CrossFit last year, my biggest complaint was that I was so wrecked, tired, and sore all of the time, there was no time or energy left for running.

So here's what I've managed since last Thursday:

Chest & Back
Ab Ripper
Plyometrics
Yoga X
Arms & Shoulders
Legs & Back

I like all of the workouts, though they are a bit long when you add a run in too. Unfortunately, I went a little too far with Ab Ripper and was way too sore by Sunday for my long run. I think I may have pulled my hip flexor.

I looked up all sorts of interesting stretches for your hips on Saturday night, hoping that I would feel better Sunday morning.

Since then, I've been a bit more careful to only push myself just enough, but not to the point where my form falls apart. Another complaint I had with CrossFit was that though there was support and a lot of instruction on form sometimes the spirit of competition takes over and that's when my form fell apart. Though, I still think CrossFit is a great workout and honestly if I could afford it, I'd probably still be doing it, it's not very convenient, and it's probably better that I focus on my running.

Anyways, I'm already feeling stronger and the scale is moving very slowly as well. Though, weight loss isn't the goal, I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds. I'm roughly 10 pounds away from my goal weight which I got down to last June and then gained most of it back after the marathon...


Have you done p90x? What did you think? How do you balance strength training with running?

And so it begins or ends...

Tweet

I'd like to start by apologizing for my silence over the last week, sometimes life gets in the way but today is a new day and an exciting one at that. Tonight began the enormous time commitment that is full marathon training! As exciting as it is to start a new training plan, it is also overwhelming to think about all the miles ahead of me. Tonight was just a measly 10k but I was TIRED. CrossFit totally took it out of me yesterday and I felt it in every step tonight. I'm so glad for having Run Club Wednesday nights, if it wasn't for that I'm not sure I would have even gotten out there tonight. So for a multitude of reasons as much as I love CrossFit, June will be my last month. It's time to give marathon training my everything and see where it leads me, hopefully across that 42.2km finish line! Don't get me wrong I'd recommend to anyone to give CrossFit a try, I love it, it's just not going to fit with my schedule and budget this summer so back to the roads I go for a lot of running... Here's what the rest of my week looks like for training:

WED: 10k
THUR: CrossFit in the AM and 8k in the PM
FRI: CrossFit
SAT: 6k
SUN: 10k

If you're thinking of joining me in training for the Surrey International World Music Marathon (Full, Half, 5k, or Fun Run) then you should definitely be joining me for the Marathon Kick-Off Event taking place on Friday June 21st at Central City Plaza in Surrey beginning at 5:00AM! Yea that's right I put an exclamation point after 5:00am, who does that? Me, because the earlier you show up the larger the discount you get on registration! If you can't drag yourself out of bed quite that early, the event runs until 9:00AM and includes a free fitness class, live entertainment, and a healthy breakfast. I hope to see you there, feel free to say hi!

I have another wheat-free recipe coming up this week and some more info on Marathon Training!

Work It Out Wednesday: CrossFit Update

Tweet

So you may be wondering where am I at with CrossFit?

I'm officially finished On Ramp and this Friday I will be doing my first "REAL" class!

There's still a small amount of terror when I enter the gym unsure of what lies ahead but I'm slowly beginning to feel more confident. I still don't know all the terms and I'm not sure I'll ever remember them all.
I know that I've successfully done: cleans, wall balls, snatches, push presses, squats, assisted pull ups and many many more... and I'm not going to lie I'm pretty sore the next day but I'm already seeing results 4 sessions in...

...even if I can't get my clothes on/off the next day LOL haha.

So why do I keep going back? Because it's probably the most challenging thing I've done besides running a half marathon (soon to be a marathon...), and I think because you can always go one step further it will always be that challenging. I can see why people get addicted to it. It's also helping me deal with the guilt of not running EVERY day, I shouldn't feel guilty about it but I do sometimes. CrossFit is a nice alternative for me, and when a rest day comes I feel very ready.

Tomorrow I will be posting my review of DietBet v2.0!

Are you a CrossFitter? Got any advice for my first "real" class?

What is CrossFit?

Tweet

"CrossFit describes it's strength and conditioning program as "constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement" with the stated goal of improving fitness..." (Definition from Wikipedia)

That's right, today's the day I begin CrossFit... So what is it? 
Each day the workout is extremely varied and challenging and it doesn't take place in your average commercial gym with weight machines, treadmills, etc. It even has a not-so-fancy name: CrossFit gyms are regularly referred to as the "box".

How do I start?
Well most CrossFit gyms (including the one that I am going to) require all newbies to start by completing the "On Ramp" program which requires you to learn all the different exercises and the correct form with a trainer directly as opposed to a class situation. I have to complete 4 On Ramp sessions before I can begin taking regular classes.

What's with all the CrossFit lingo?
1. The most common acronym is "WOD" which stands for: Workout of the Day
2. Next up would probably be "AMRAP": As Many Rounds As Possible
There are so many and so far that's all I know, I could be in trouble...
It's quite possible that while you're reading this I will be learning about (or more terrifyingly) doing numerous squats, box jumps, cleans, thrusters, pull ups, burpees etc.

The Controversy...
There's a lot of controversy surrounding CrossFit as it is purposely meant to push people to their limits and beyond. There's even an unofficial term known as "Uncle Rhabdo" which represents a Cross-Fitter's worst nightmare; Rhabdomyolysis a rabid break down of muscle fibers than can occur when the body is pushed too hard, if left untreated it can lead to long-term kidney and muscle damage... Whoa, things just got serious folks.

Here's a sample of today's WOD from the gym I will be attending:

Sample WOD from Hybrid Athletics

Yea you read that right - 50 burpees, 40 pullups, etc...I'm going to hurt... a lot...

The only thing that I'm holding onto right now is it's only our 1st session, maybe they'll go easy on us, right? Here's to hoping!