Post No-Race Blues

Yesterday was a major race day, not only here in DFW with the Cowtown, but the Disney Princess Half was yesterday as well as many other races like the New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll. My Facebook newsfeed has been full of expo pics, meet ups, pre-during, and after race pics since Friday, and my heart breaks. I should be racing again. I know the face that I am currently not racing is my decision, but that pang is still there as I see a majority of the people I know racing and loving it.

I haven't talked much about it, but as you can tell from my almost regular weekly posts, I'm only running an average of 10 miles per week. I decided I would use the winter to focus on strengthening in order to run better. My knee is doing better all the time, but I still have the fear of pushing it too far.

I've been using the new Combat program from Beachbody since January 2 to get overall body strength. My arms, back, and core are getting a major difference, but my hips are getting stronger too, which makes a huge difference in my running and the pressure on my knee. I'm glad it's working. The 60 day program ends next week, so we'll see how amping up my runs go in a a couple of weeks.

Have you ever taken some time off running to build strength or specific conditioning? What did you decided to do, and how did you handle the "racer's jealousy"?

Mamavation Monday: December 31

Christmas and everyone home on break really has thrown me off on everything.

Here's my workouts for last week:

Monday: No workout. Not having class really threw off my schedule.

Tuesday: Christmas. Yea … nada.

Wednesday: Les Mills Combat 45 Power Kata

Thursday: Observed (which means taking) a Silver Sneakers MSROM class. I'm a sub for this class and will be teaching it at another rec center soon.

Friday: Combat 60 Extreme Warrior Fighter

Saturday: Nada … I have no idea why.

Sunday: I was supposed to run with my buddy but then got distracted by baking and purging the kitchen after she needed to reschedule.

Here's the plan for this week (I've got it scheduled on my calendar so I refuse to skip workouts):

Monday: Les Mills Combat Kick Start 30 and teach Silver Sneakers Yoga Stretch class (DONE!)

Tuesday: 3-5 mile run

Wednesday: Start date of my Warrior Combat Challenge Group. Les Mills Combat Kick Start 30

Thursday: Combat HIIT: Power and Inner Warrior (Stretch)

Friday: Combat 30 and Core Attack. Then, teach YogaStretch.

Saturday: Combat HIIT: Plyo and Inner Warrior

Sunday: Run day and Combat 45 Power Kata

I'm sure there will be more running involved. I'm at a crux with my running and really trying to focus on strength and endurance right now. I'm purposely not scheduling runs so I avoid overuse injuries and boredom. I really think my Combat Challenge group will accomplish everything I'm looking to do right now and running will come back to me soon.

Pack, Pack, and Let's Move Already!

This past month has been a trying one on my fitness regime. For the past month, it's been all about packing to  move across town to a place closer to the boys' schools. While it's all great, and we are all really excited, my fitness has suffered. Since we all know I'm short on time already, I've often had to decide to pack or run, pack or get my weights in. My 10 minute rule usually doesn't pan out. I have been running with my Sunday running buddy, but that's about it. Once a week really doesn't cut it for me.

Good thing is, I FEEL the urge to run, pop an X2 DVD in, do some AB Ripper 2, anything! Since the beginning of May, my fitness regime was my habit, but I wasn't "feeling it". This weekend begins the actual move, and I'm happy to say, on July 5th, I get to get back to normal. And if I see another box again, I just might chunk it across the room!

How do you handle your fitness while moving?

Have a safe and wonderful weekend!

2010 Begins

New month, new year...begins with me hitting the ground running, literally.

A training schedule begins tomorrow with strength training and a re-acquaintance run. Sunday follows with a long run. I must remain diligent to meet my goals for 2010.

My 2010 goals.

1. Train everyday.
2. Run 10 races.
3. Run a minimum of 2010 K (thanks to an online challenge I joined)
4. Run my first half-marathon in the Big D races in April.
5. Participate in my first Warrior Dash on May 1.
6. Incorporate more cross training (biking and swimming) to improve my runs.
   
7. Learn more about my nutrition to become a better athlete.

Working on my goals will help me realize that my fitness is no longer about losing and maintaining weight, but more about athleticism and lifestyle.