Yes, I really did miss two weeks in a row of posting my weekly wrap-ups. These are not pretty. I have not been very consistent. There have been some days of choosing cross-training over running (which isn't all bad), but there have been a lot of days of being down right tired. Hence the lack of posts right along with the minimal work outs. I've learned these ruts are going to be part of the game. Thankfully, unlike a few years ago, the last two years have built me up enough to know that I believe exercise and running is not going anywhere. It has become a part of who I am, and I will work through this!
Here's how the last two weeks have shaken out:
Monday 9/29: planned - TRX and 6 miles or boot camp depending on the weather. Actual - nothing. Looking back, this was the Monday following my parent's visit, and I think I was just worn out. I took the evening to run a couple off errands and then laid low. Did I feel good about it? Not necessarily. That's the thing - I will take these nights off to recoup and rest up, but by the end of the week I am still worn out and going to bed early.
Tuesday 9/30: planned and actual - Kickboxing and Interval Conditioning/kettle bells. Kickboxing is kickboxing and I don't typically have more to say about it. I try to make a mental note, or a written note, if there was anything I really liked about IC/kettle bells. I don't have anything written down for this night, but I do think this was the night we did lots of jump rope. We did rounds of 150 jumps, 50 crunches, 20 swings (I think.) and then 130, 120, etc. It wasn't a bad workout, but I am a slow jump roper, so there was no way I was going to do 150 jumps. Most of the rounds I was happy I got to 100 without spending most of my time untangling the rope!
Wednesday 10/1: planned - TRX and 8x400. I made it to TRX, but never fit in my run. It was another scheduling issues. With TRX being at 5:00, most of those nights I am running out of work at the last minute, going to get Ava, rushing her home, and running back out the door. Then I am starving since my lunch is at 11:00. So I will get through TRX, go home to eat supper, and then it is really difficult to get back out of the house!
Thursday 10/2: planned and actual - Kickboxing. I kicked and hit that bag with what I had, and then rushed home for the Packer - Viking game! What a great night for a Packer-backer in MN!
Friday 10/3: planned - Rest. After an inconsistent start to the week, I decided I would go to cycle box after work. I went. But I didn't find myself enjoying it. I don't know if it was the group (different classes bring in different groups), the fact that it was Friday, or it is felt like I was forcing myself. Either way, I pushed through and it was fine. The last 10 minutes were extremely hard though - I thought it was a 50 minute class, but we went for 60. Mentally a challenge after already being mentally not checked in for much of the class!
Saturday 10/4: planned - 12 miles. Actual - a 45 minute cycling class. The forecast had taken a quick turn towards fall, and I had no desire to run in 30* temperatures with morning frost. I need to mentally build up to winter running! So, I signed up for cycling.
Sunday 10/5: planned - cycling/kettle bells/yoga (20/20/20 class). Though I intended to do the run I didn't do on Saturday, it ended up being a chore day. I am learning I need to go back to one planned workout for the weekend, and if I fit in two - GREAT! There is so much I don't get done during the week while working full time, spending time with Ava, usually being good about fitting in workouts, and trying to go to bed at a decent hour, that I need the time on the weekend. My workout then just becomes another bullet on the to-do list and I don't usually put it above the chores and things. Hence no run this day.
Monday 10/6: planned - 8 miles. I planned 8 with the hopes of making up some missed miles, but by the time I got home, we had supper, and I got out the door I had time for 4.79 miles in 54:33 (11:23 average). Ah yes. I can't deny it is that time of year, I need to find some routes on the sidewalks instead of the paths so I can have some street lights for after the ever-sooner darkness
Tuesday 10/7: planned - Kickboxing and Interval Conditioning/kettle bells. Actual - I worked until after 5:30, and instead of running out for kickboxing, just went to Interval Conditioning. It was a great workout. We did 500 swings!! They were done in 5 rounds of 10 swings, 10 push-ups, 15 swings, 15 tricep dips, 25 swings, 20 squats, 50 swings, hold plank. When we were all done, we'd start the next round. What hurt the most as we finished was my forearms! Shockingly, I wasn't super sore the next day!
Wednesday 10/8: planned - Speed Work - probably 6 miles total. Actual - rest. Just the mid-week blues, tiredness setting in. I was focusing this week on trying to not worry about getting such long workouts in, but trying to get a solid 30-60 minutes every day. Didn't work on this particular day, but going forward, after three or four tough weeks in a row, I'm going to plan it out that way and hope it makes a difference.
Thursday 10/9: planned and actual - Interval Conditioning/kettle bells. After the 500 swings, I didn't write anything down from this class. I am barely remembering that we focused on smaller muscle groups with more typical, short bursts of cardio.
Friday 10/10: planned and actual - Rest, as we made the 4+ hour drive up north after I got off work.
Saturday 10/11: planned - Long Run. Actual - nothing. :( I was super disappointed in myself for not running this morning. I needed the long run before Mankato. I let silly things be my excuse - the weather, the route (being at my in-laws), getting up late, eating a late breakfast, making our food for the potluck, only have time for x miles instead of a good long run .... one of those days I wish I could have back and just make myself get out the door.
Sunday 10/12: planned - Rest, knowing we'd be coming back from up north. I secretly hoped I'd be back in time for cycling/bells/yoga. Well, I ended up driving back Saturday night with Chad's cousin with the hope of having some time to myself that morning and getting in a workout before Chad and Ava got home. Sigh. Having the house to myself (which never happens), I slept until 10! Then I did some paper work for work (though not as much as I'd have liked to get done), and before I knew it, they were home. Sunday crazies kicked in, and the weekend was over.
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As you can see still not finding a good balance between work, family, and self. But trying to figure out what I can do. Part of it is, I really increased what I was doing this summer for workouts (when I wasn't working), and I foolishly thought I'd be able to maintain that. Not realistic for me right now, but if you have tips on how you do it - I will take them!!
Totals for the two weeks:
8 group fitness classes
just 1 run for 4.79 miles (makes me cringe!!)
6:39:33 - the time spend "training"
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Can't believe it is Thursday already. Looking for a strong finish to this week, and hoping a little break from school will help me get back into routine. I also plan to spend a lot of time catching up on some paperwork from home!
