Workout 11/15/11: 5 x 400m

What a beautiful afternoon for running outside on the southwest side of Chicago. Nearly 60 degrees, light breeze, sun in the evening sky, airplanes flying overhead around Midway Airport, and fall colors in the trees and on the ground. Next time I complain about Chicago's weather or exaggerate the amount of winter months around here, I will remember a day like today. It's mid-November, and I am still outside and comfortable. Yes, tomorrow will be far different, but for today I've soaked in a good memory.

Workout: 5x400m Runs
Warm-up: 1 Mile
5x400m Runs (400m faster, 400m slower x 5)
Cool-down: 1 Mile

FYI: I am in Week 10 of a 12-week CrossFit pre-training. I am just trying to get my weight down and build some running and lifting endurance. What comes after this pre-training will remain to be seen. I am playing around with a few ideas (CrossFit Kids workouts because they look more fun than the Main Site WODs, P90X again to see if I can get through all 90 days, or modified CrossFit WODs from Brand X Martial Arts). Any recommendations?

Workout 12/8: Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X

Today was try #1 at Ab Ripper X. Let's just say it didn't go very well. I am noticing very clear strengths and weaknesses. Not so surprisingly, my core is weak. One just has to look at my posture to see a weak core. But the nice thing is, over three weeks, I can tell my core is getting stronger. Does it have a long way to go? Yes, of course! But it'll get there. I am also noticing that my left side is stronger than my right in nearly everything. This surprises me because I am right-handed. I figured that would be my strongest side. Not so!

One more week and I will have gone through the first phase of P90X. Then I get to take a picture of myself and compare it to what I looked like when I started P90X. I'm excited because I can already tell some differences. It's amazing how motivating pictures can be. It is also amazing how motivating a trip to Florida can be seeing as I'd like to bring my swimsuit. I'm sure my wife would like to see her man in a swimsuit confidently strutting about the poolside without a t-shirt on to cover up.

For all those doing P90X, Bring it! For all those doing something else, keep it up and strive for every step! And don't forget, it's what you put into your body that matters.
*Cartoon courtesy of http://www.freechristianillustrations.com/body.html

Workout 12/7: Cardio X

Rivers of Sweat! That's what I felt running down my bald scalp today after doing some P90X cardio. Now, I've heard this workout is nothing compared to the cardio in "Insanity," but I am okay with that because this got me sweatin' rivers. Perhaps one day I will give Insanity a whirl, but I'm okay with using P90X to get me back into shape. For anyone interested enough, I have mapped out a year's worth of fitness goals. P90X, Crossfit, Triathlon Training, and 1/2 Marathon Training. Old hat for me = Crossfit and 1/2 Marathong Training. New experiments = P90X and Triathlon Training.

Come along for the ride!

Workout 12/6: P90X Core Synergistics

Time flies when you are having "fun!" Yes, working out to the point of exhaustion is fun...for some. Today, I worked out with 4 students as we condition through December and January in preparation for track season. We did the Core Synergistics workout from P90X and worked our abs, butts, and quads to the max. I must say, for those of you who work out alone, you should find some others to workout with. You learn to motivate each other and moan in pain together. There's something about knowing someone else is in as much pain as you are that reminds you to keep going. You're not the only one.

The same can be said for any difficult task in life. If you know you are going through it with others, you can bear each other's pain. You can bear the weight together. I recognize that in my own life when I get together with other men and we share our struggles and walks with Christ together. When you know that another brother is struggling through the same things you are, when you know that you are holding each other accountable, when you know you are not alone...that's when you keep striving with a purpose in every step.

Yes, I know that was a cheesy connection to the title of my blog, but I'm okay with that. As for P90X. I am already seeing the benefits. Four pounds lost in a week and a half...mostly due to change in diet! Ability to do most of the P90X workouts! Feeling strong again. Let's git 'er done!