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

Two-fer Workout 7/18

My body feels like it was put through a wood-chipper. My hamstrings are tight, my back aches, and I swear I almost hallucinated. But something about me must be insane because I like this feeling...it's a productive ache. So how did I get to this point? Well, try this for a change in your workout life.

Morning Workout: CrossFit - "The Chipper"
20 Walking Lunge Steps
15 Pull-ups
35 Box Jumps (20' box or step)
15 Tuck Jumps
15 Bar Dips
20 Knees to Elbows
15 Kettlebell Swings (1.5 pood=about 50#)
30 Sit-ups
15 Hanging Squat Cleans (20# Dumbbells)
12 Back Extensions
15 Thrusters (45# bar)
15 Towel Pull-ups
(Time yourself, I did it in 26.03)

Afternoon Workout: Run 9 miles
(1:30.03, 10:00/mile)
*That was a sorry pace. I can make my excuses (90 degrees, super-sunny, tight hamstrings), but that was a pretty slow pace. One of the points of marathon training is to get the miles under your belt. Today's run was a mileage builder more than a pace run. So I am not discouraged. For any newbies to training, you don't need to push yourself to your marathon pace during every run. Otherwise, you will burn out and risk injury.


Photo courtesy of CrossFit.com

Workout 5/7

I didn't get my full workout in this morning. Running 6 miles really eats up your time when you only have about an hour to stay at the gym in the morning. My arms are still shaking a bit from the CrossFit section today, and that's what I had to cut short. Boo! I'm weak

Run: 6 miles (didn't time it)

CrossFit:
30 Pull-ups
30 Dips
(Was supposed to time it, but I didn't)

I really wanted to attempt 60 pull-ups and 60 dips, but time ran out and someone was on the machine (yes, I need assistance still). Hate to say it, but I felt like puking after this morning's workout. Eww!

Workout 5/3

Well, today was supposed to be a rest day, but since I slept in yesterday for that long run, I figured I could just do a CrossFit at the gym this morning. Ugh! What an embarassment...I thought I could lift more weight than this...it was a humbling experience.

CF: "Lynne Modified"
3 Rounds for Max. Reps
Bench Press @ 115#
Pull-ups

Rd. 1: 12 presses, 8 pull-ups
Rd. 2: 7, 7
Rd. 3: 6, 6
TOTAL: 46!

I tried so hard to get the 7th press at the end that I nearly lost the weight. Ugh again! I had to have someone run up to spot me on that one. That was foolish on my part. Now I've learned a lesson, and my limits.