WORKOUT PLANNING - WEEK IN PREVIEW: Feb. 1-7, 2015

Workouts taken from Skimble app

Sunday, 2/1/15

AM: Morning Stretch, Dynamic Flexibility

PM: Ab Foundation; Spartan Run 0.5 (44:00), Running (70:00); Cool-down

Monday & Wednesday, 2/2 & 4/15

AM: Morning Stretch; “Crawl, Walk, Run”

Noon: Office Workout, Beginner Running

PM: Slim & Trim Bootcamp; Lower Body Boost; Cool-down

Tuesday & Thursday, 2/3 & 5/15

AM: Dynamic Flexibility; Core

Noon: Office Workout; Bike

PM: Chest & Cardio: Strong & Toned Arms; Running Uphill – treadmill (30:00) (or 5K run – outside); Cool-down

Friday, 2/6/15

AM: Morning Stretch, Dynamic Flexibility; Fartlek Run; Cool-down

Saturday, 2/7/15

Rest

WORKOUT PLANNING - WEEK IN PREVIEW: Jan. 26 - 31, 2015

Workouts marked *taken from Skimble app

Sun, 1/26/15
AM - HOT CHOCOLATE 15K

Mon, 1/19/15
AM - Stretching, flexibility, and core* (30 min)

Tues, 1/20/15
AM -Slim & Trim Bootcamp * (20 min) 
Noon - Office stretches* (5 mins), walk (25 min)
PM - Legs and cardio workout* (60 min), stretches (10 min)

Wed, 1/21/15
AM - Stretching, flexibility, and core* (30 min)
Noon - Office stretches* (5 mins), walk (25 min)
PM - Tempo run* (45 min); circuit training (chest & cardio)* (40 min)

Thurs 1/21/15
AM -Slim & Trim Bootcamp * (20 min) 
Noon - Office stretches* (5 mins), walk (25 min)
PM - Legs and cardio workout* (60 min), stretches (10 min)

Fri - 1/22/15
AM - Core, yoga, and flexibility* (45 min)
Noon - Office stretches* (5 mins), walk (25 min)

Sat, 1/23/15
AM - Chocolate 5K + extra miles (5-7 mi) 

PM - Core, yoga, and flexibility* (45 min)

WORKOUT PLANNING - WEEK IN PREVIEW: Jan. 18 - 24, 2015

(Workouts marked with * taken from the Skimble app -https://www.skimble.com/)

Sun, 1/18/15
AM - Stretching, flexibility, and core* (30 min) -completed

Mon, 1/19/15
AM -Slim & Trim Bootcamp * (20 min); stationary bike (20 min) 
PM - Long Run (6-8 mi)


Tues, 1/20/15
    AM - Stretching, flexibility, and core* (30 min)
    Noon - Office stretches* (5 mins), walk (25 min)
    PM - Legs and cardio workout* (60 min), stretches (10 min)

    Wed, 1/21/15
    AM -Slim & Trim Bootcamp * (20 min) 
    Noon - Office stretches* (5 mins), walk (25 min)
    PM - Tempo run* (45 min); circuit training (chest & cardio)* (40 min)

    Thurs 1/21/15
    AM - Stretching, flexibility, and core* (30 min)
    Noon - Office stretches* (5 mins), walk (25 min)
    PM - Legs and cardio workout* (60 min), stretches (10 min)

    Fri - 1/22/15
    AM - Core, yoga, and flexibility* (45 min)

    Sat, 1/23/15
    AM - Core, yoga, and flexibility* (45 min)

Workout Week Preview: 9/7/14 - 9/13/14

Sun, 9/7/14
AM: Run (virtual 5K w/ BGR), walk (5 mi w/GirlTrek), pool (30 min)
PM: Core/upper body

Mon,  9/8/14
AM: Bike/leg strengthening

Tues, 9/9/14
AM: Arms/core
PM: Cardio

Wed, 9/10/14
AM: Leg strengthening
PM: BGR Hills Hump Day

Thurs, 9/11/15
AM: Arms/core
PM: BGR Eastside Run, pool

Fri, 9/12/14
AM: Bike
PM: Leg strengthening

Sat, 9/13/14
AM: 5K (Monkey C, Monkey Do)

WORKOUT PLANNING - WEEK IN PREVIEW: 6/22/14 -6/2/14

SUNDAY, 6/22/14 - PM: Rest/off

MONDAY, 6/23/14 - AM: Core, stretch/yoga; PM: circuit training, walk/run (4 miles)

TUESDAY, 6/24/14 - AM: Knee therapy; PM: circuit training, HIIT*

WEDNESDAY, 6/25/14 - AM: Core, stretch/yoga; PM: BGR! Hump Day/hills workout

THURSDAY, 6/26/14 - AM: Knee therapy; PM: line dance lesson, circuit training, HIIT*

FRIDAY, 6/27/14 - AM: Core, stretch/yoga; circuit training

SATURDAY, 6/28/14 AM: Knee therapy, power walk (5 miles)

*High-intensity intermittent exercise

Circuit/weight training + cardio

Hit the gym this evening after work for a circuit/weight training and cardio workout combo:

WORKOUT 1 - CIRCUIT/STRENGTH TRAINING
I found an article in an old edition of Fitness Magazine (Feb. 13) on a simple circuit routine using commonly found gym equipment (the article is also online on the Fitness Magazine website - Make the Most of the Weight Machines at Your Gym). The article states following the exercises in order and starting with 2 sets of 12 reps each. Since this was my 1st workout, I ended up not following the routine in order. Some machines were being used so I had skip them and come back to them later. I added a machine by mistake. And finally, I missed one machine altogether because I wasn't familiar with the layout in the gym and used a different machine only to find the machine I needed when I was leaving the workout area. I have the exercises listed in the order I did them (the order of the exercises as they are listed in the article is in parentheses):

Assisted Chin-up Machine - 180 # (2)

Pec Fly Machine - 20# (added in error)

Rotary Chess Press (in lieu of Incline Chest Press)  -40 # (1)

(Photo courtesy of American Council on Exercise website)

Cable Machine Overhead Tricep Extension - 30# (4)

Lateral Raise Machine (isometric) - 10# total/5# each side (3)

Cable Machine Bicep Curl - 30#  (5)

(Photo courtesy of Fitness Magazine website)

Leg Press Machine - 40# (6)

(Photo courtesy of American Council on Exercise website)

Prone Hamstring Curl Machine - 30# (7)

(Photo courtesy of American Council on Exercise website)

Cable Machine Standing Leg Lifts - 20#

(Photo courtesy of American Council on Exercise website)

Stability ball (with weight - FM calls for using a 5-lb plate weight; I used a 6-lb medicine ball)

WORKOUT 2 - HIGH-INTENSITY INTERMITTENT EXERCISE
Following the circuit training, I ended with cardio - high-intensity intermittent exercise on the exercise bike ('bike sprints') - 8 sec 'high' speed riding followed by 12 sec recovery for 30 min + 5-min cooldown (total 35:00, 6.52 cal, 172 cal)

WORKOUT PLANNING - WEEK IN PREVIEW: 6/15/14 -6/21/14

SUNDAY, 6/15/14 - PM: Walk/run (2 miles), exercise bike (30 min)
MONDAY, 6/16/14 - AM: Core, stretch/yoga; PM: circuit training, walk/run (3 miles)
TUESDAY, 6/17/14 - AM: Knee therapy; PM: circuit training, HIIT*
WEDNESDAY, 6/18/14 - AM: Core, stretch/yoga; PM: BGR! Hump Day/hills workout
THURSDAY, 6/19/14 - AM: Knee therapy; PM: line dance lesson, circuit training, HIIT*
FRIDAY, 6/20/14 - AM: Core, stretch/yoga; PM: circuit training, walk/run (4 miles)
SATURDAY, 6/21/14 AM: Knee therapy, exercise bike (30 min)


*High-intensity intermittent exercise

WORKOUT PLANNING - WEEK IN PREVIEW: 5/25/14 - 5/31/14

Although this post is a day late, it is never too late to plan your workout week.

Hopefully this week will be more productive than last week.

"People do not plan to fail; they fail to plan."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SUNDAY, 5/25/14 - REST
MONDAY, 5/2614 - MEMORIAL DAY HIKE (PM)
TUESDAY, 5/27/14 - Stretch/yoga & stationary bike (AM); HIIT* & strength training (PM)
WEDNESDAY, 5/28/14 - Core (AM); BGR! Hump Day/hills workout (PM)
THURSDAY, 5/29/14 - Stretch/yoga & stationary bike (AM); HIIT* & strength training (PM)
FRIDAY, 5/30/14 - REST
SATURDAY, 5/31/14 COLOR RUN!!!! (AM)


*High-intensity intermittent exercise

WORKOUT PLANNING - WEEK IN PREVIEW: 5/19/14 - 5/24/14

SUNDAY, 5/18/14 - Walk/jog (AM)
MONDAY, 5/19/14 - Stationary bike (AM); speed clinic (PM)
TUESDAY, 5/20/14 - Stationary bike (AM); strength training (PM)
WEDNESDAY, 5/21/14 - BGR! Hump Day/hills workout (PM)
THURSDAY, 5/22/14 - Stationary bike (AM); strength training (PM)
FRIDAY, 5/23/14 - REST
SATURDAY, 5/24/14 Trussville Trail Run (AM)

Cardio + a little strength training

I really didn't want to go to the gym this evening - it was cold, I was sleepy, YADA, YADA, YADA.  I'm certain I could have found many more excuses not to go, but I made up my mind and I'm glad I did.

I started with cardio  - high-intensity intermittent exercise on the exercise bike ('bike sprints') - 8 sec 'high' speed riding followed by 12 sec recovery for 20 min (4.34 mi, 70 cal, avg HR 118, avg speed 13 mph).  That really gave my lower half a good workout.

I followed up with some upper body strength training on the weight machines:

Exercise  - wt/reps/sets
* Pecs - 25/15/3
* Rear deltoids - 25/15/3
* Vertical press - 25/15/3
* Tricep extensions - 30/15/3
* Biceps curls - 20/10/3
* Deltoids (shoulders) - 10/5/3
* Biangular chest press - 25/10/3

Late Night (12/16/13) Report on Strength Training

This evening at the gym, I focused on my legs:

Warm up
15:05 on elliptical:
0.86 mi, 64.7 cal/machine (111 cal on heart rate watch)
Avg speed - 3.4 mph
Avg HR - 115

Routine (wt/reps/sets)
* Ball squats (NW/10/2)
* Seated leg curls (25/20/3)
* Seated leg extensions (12.5/15/3)
* Seated leg press (50/20/3)
* Glutes (20/10/1)
* Leg curls (12.5/10/3)
* Outer thighs (70/20/3)
* Inner thighs (70/20/2)

Workout Week in Review: 12/9/13 - 12/15/13

Pre-NYC Half Marathon Training Conditioning
Mon, 12/9/13: Stretch & strengthen
Tues, 12/10/13: 3.5 m "run"
Wed, 12/11/13; 30 min cross training
Thurs, 12/12/13: 3.5 m "run" + strength training
Fri, 12/13/13: Rest
Sat, 12/14/13: 5K (Jingle Bell Run)
Sun, 12/15/13: 30 min cross training

Advice for a Fellow Arthritis Sufferer

I've registered to participate on the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation NYC Half Marathon team in March 2014. So I decided to search the internet to find a beginner runner's training program that wasn't only focused on running, but also incorporated cross training and other forms of exercise. I found one that looks like what I am looking for: Hal Higdon's Novice Half Marathon Training Program.  The program included 2-3 days of cross or strength training.  

As a beginner runner, I neglected to include this in my training, and I do believe the lack of cross and strength training contributed to my knee troubles.  I was always subject to becoming a victim to arthritis (having several family members with it, myself having a major knee injury years ago, and being overweight).  All I wanted to do was run.  Occasionally I did some strength training, but it was a regular part of my workout routine.  As my knees have hampered my running, I have come to appreciate the benefits of cross and strength training. 

You may want to run, but more importantly, you should strive to keep moving! 

Training Schedule 11/10 - 16/2013

Sun, 11/10/13 - Pool aerobics
Mon, 11/11/13 - Strength training and core
Tues, 11/12/13 - Strength training
Wed, 11/13/13 - Cardio + core
Thurs,  11/14/13 -Dance class
Fri, 11/15/13 - Strength training + cardio
Sat, 11/16/13 - Strength training + core

Talladega 21000 (half marathon) training plan - week 3 (7/7 - 13/2013)

Training Plan
Sun, 7/7/13 - OFF
Mon, 7/8/13 - Speed work (5 mi)
Tues, 7/9/13 - Cross-training (belly dancing class)
Wed, 6/26/13 - Interval training (5 mi)
Thurs, 6/27/13 - Tempo run (4 mi)
Fri, 6/28/13 - OFF (or strength training and HIIE)
Sat, 6/29/13 - Easy run (3 mi)
Total miles - 17

Talladega 21000 (half marathon) training plan - week 1(6/23 - 29/13)

Training Plan
Sun, 6/23/13 - Long run (6 mi)
Mon, 6/24/13 - OFF (or strength training and HIIE)
Tues, 6/25/13 - Tempo run (2 mi) + strength training
Wed, 6/26/13 - Easy run (3 mi)
Thurs, 6/27/13 - Tempo run (3 mi) + strength training
Fri, 6/28/13 - OFF (or strength training and HIIE)
Sat, 6/29/13 - Easy run (2 mi)
Total miles - 16

Interval training + a little strength training

Started with running on treadmill 30:00 - 3.5 mph for 4:00 and 4.5 mph for 1:00
278 cal (on machine; 319 cal on watch)
Avg speed - 3.66 mph
Pace - 16:21/mil

Followed with workout #2 from Perfect 10 strength training program
Only complete one of four sets (Weight/reps)
* Straight-leg deadlift - 25/20
* Shoulder press - 20/20
* Incline chest press - 20/20
* Pull-up (machine assisted) - 215/10
* Lunges w/dumbbells - 10/10

Perfect 10 Plus

I finally started the Perfect 10 program (see post "Workout Week Preview: 6/9 - 15/2013" - June 9th)  strength training routine today.  The program is completed over 4 days - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - but I moved to Sun  to start the week with some strength training.  I think as along as I stick with the pattern (number of days, workouts per day), I believe I will have the same results. 

After a 10:00 warm-up on the elliptical (0.38 mi), I proceeded with the workout.  I made a couple of substitutes since I couldn't do the exercises (squats and V sit-ups).  The program included alternate set of exercises to be completed once you perfect the initial set of exercises - I don't think these were intended to be substituted on an individual basis.

Today's workout for the Perfect 10 program called for 5 sets of the following exercises (amount of weight not given - determined by individual) (weight/reps/sets):

• Seated angled leg press (sub for squats) - 25/20/5
• Dumbbell curl - 20/20/5
• 'Skull crusher' (overhead reverse curl on back) - 20/20/5
• Barbell row - 20/20/5
• Inclined sit-ups (sub for V sit-ups) - 15

Time - 1:00, 368 cal

On paper this seems like a relatively easy workout, but there was little resting between exercises or sets.  By the 3rd set, I was sweating. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's workout (LOL).

Also, I added some cardio to the mix by doing some high-intensity intermittent exercise ('bike sprints') - 8 sec 'high' speed riding followed by 12 sec recovery for 20 min (4.37 mi, 112 cal)

Workout Week in Preview: 3/17 - 3/23/2013

Sunday, 3/17/13: PM - PT knee; Long jog
Monday, 3/18/13: AM -  Core; PM - workout video (home)
Tuesday, 3/19/13: AM -PT knee; Noon - jog/walk; PM - Strength training
Wednesday, 3/20/13: AM - Core; PM - Jog/cardio 
Thursday, 3/21/13: AM - PT knee; Noon - jog/walk; PM - strength training
Friday, 3/22/13: AM - PT knee; PM - power walk
Saturday, 3/23/13: AM - REST

Sweat Report - Workout Week in Review (2/24 - 3/2/2013)

TOTAL TIME: 4:05
TOTAL DISTANCE: 19.41 mi
TOTAL CAL: 1373

02/24/13: Strength training -1:00:00.   Cardio/running (treadmill) - 1.71 mil, 25:00 (pace - 14:37/mi),  324 cal

02/27/13: All Cardio exercise.  Stair climber - 15:00, 0.68 mil  (pace - 22:03/mil),  82 cal.  Rowing (machine) – 15:00, 1.55 mil, (pace - 9:40/mil), 386 cal. Stationary bike – 25:00, 4.84 mi, (11.6mph), 284 cal

03/01/13: Warm-up + strength training - 1:15:00, 66 cal.  Cardio/stationary bike – 30:00, 10.63 mil, (21.3mph), 231 cal