Killer Ab Workout

I did this ab workout yesterday:

It's from Tone it Up, a new blog that I stumbled upon recently. Lot's of video demonstrations and printable workouts. I printed a few for me to do at home when I am not able to go to the gym.

My abs are sore today! I only did the circuit 3 times for 2 reasons: 1) It wore me out! and 2) I was doing this as my daughter was watching Dora and she thought it would be tons of fun to jump on me and then sit on my stomach and bounce up and down :)

I slept like the dead last night and did not make it to the gym this morning. Bummer but at the same time it felt so good to sleep. I was starting to come down with a runny nose and sore throat but it seems that it went away so maybe the extra sleep did me some good.

Tomorrow is a new day.

A Quickie

Just returned from the gym and I'm starving!!!!!!!!! Left over post roast it is.

Did just a quick circuit consisting of legs, shoulders (my shoulders don't get much attention when I do arms), and abs. Also threw in two sets of dips and pull ups.

I was a member at this particular gym a few years ago when I worked for a different company. It was kind of the same membership deal, except they paid for half (bigger company). The gym still looks the same but I noticed there was some new cardio equipment.

I tried out the elliptical, it was....different. Much different than the Life Fitness I'm used to. Verdict is still out because I only got 10 minutes on it.

Matrix E7X Elliptical - www.matrixfitness,com

My all time favorite is Precor.

Because I sweat like a man I got a little stinky but not too terribly bad. It's bearable. My hair is wet but I brought some deodorant and perfume. It'll do for a couple of hours :)

I was rereading my previous post and I felt like a Negative Nancy. I love being a mommy and I love my daughter more than anything but I don't sugarcoat very well and motherhood is tough. There are moments when you question your sanity, yourself as a mom and a person.

It's the hardest thing I've ever done but I wouldn't change any of it for a minute, especially at this age when she can talk and tells me she loves me and gives me hugs and kisses. She really is a sweet girl, and smart too! But sometimes she can act like a brat. This morning was one of those times.

This evening she'll probably pitch another fit when it's time for bath (we like to torture her by washing her hair - we're terrible parents). And then she'll be sweet and cuddly for bed. She's two, this is what they do.

I can say though, I always thought I was going to be this "tough" mom who's kids towed the line. One look from those big brown eyes and I'm mush.

Week 5 Begins

At least I think I'm in Week 5. Days and weeks are starting to run together. I've been so busy at work and at home, then we were out of town and I can't remember what day it is, what my name is....

Anyway, Sunday started off as a rest day. We got home from the beach around 11:00 and had to unpack, start laundry, eat lunch. Plus my brother and sister in law where at our house watching the dogs so we hung out for a little bit so they could get some Sophie time.

By the time it was all said and done I had no motivation to go to the gym. I had good intentions to get up and go for a bike ride as well but that didn't happen either.

Then Monday morning I was going to do my cross training but I slept awful and then had a little bit of a sore throat when I got up. So I decided to go back to sleep in case I was catching something.

So this morning I made it to the gym and felt tired but good. No sore throat so I'm happy that my immune system is still going strong (knock on wood).

I did 3.24 miles on the treadmill and some circuit training.

3.24 miles, 26:02, avg pace 8:01
Splits

MILE	TIME	AVG.PACE
1	8:07	8'07"/mi
2	16:20	8'13"/mi
3	24:09	7'49"/mi

Hon

Feels Good to Run Fast

As I've mentioned before I don't consider myself a fast runner but this mornings run was fast for me. As my long runs increase I'll be going slower so I'm taking advantage of my short runs and trying to go fast.

I was super sleepy this morning so I'm glad I was able to knock out my 3.1 miles (on the treadmill) 24:26, avg pace 7:52.
Splits:

MILE	TIME	AVG.PACE
1	8:02	8'02"/mi
2	16:02	8'00"/mi
3	23:39	7'37"/mi

After the run I did abs, lunges, leg extensions and hamstring curls. Then it was time to go home and get ready for what's going to be a loooooooooooooong day today at work.

After today I hope to have enough energy to make it tomorrow morning!

Return of the Pink Eye

Interesting title right? This weekend I contracted pink eye, only in my left eye. This is my 3rd time in less than a year getting pink eye. So to say I'm frustrated in an under statement because I had to throw out contacts and try to run with my glasses on (or run without and have everything be blurry sending me into a state of confusion).

Saturday morning was so nice and cool, I thoroughly enjoyed my run. It was only 6 miles but I wanted to run fast. Fast for me is not what some people would consider fast but that's OK.

I ended up doing 6.76 miles in 1:00:01. Since I run on the treadmill a lot I'm way faster on it because it keeps me going at a constant speed. On the road I speed up, slow down, have to stop for cars. I need to run more on the road but my weekdays just don't really allow that to happen. It is what it is sometimes.

The most important thing is I felt good!

After the run I got to try out my new (used) bike. I love it!! I haven't a bike in years! Well one that moves anyway. We road 6 miles on top of what I had just run. I feel so bad for Sophie. She wants to be a grown up so bad and ride a bike like a big girl. So she had to ride in the bike trailer but I promised her one day she'll have a big girl bike.

I finished out Week 3 with a total of 16 miles. It was nice to have a sort of leisure week.

This week starts long runs in the double digits. This morning was a rest day. I actually was going to get up and run but after yesterday's workout I decided I needed the rest day after all.

Yesterday's workout consisted of a 7 mile bike ride and then weights at the gym. I did about a 45 minute circuit train and was sweating big time after!! I felt great. Only bad thing was I still had to wear my glasses because my pink eye was a little worse (don't worry I didn't touch my eye at all so I don't feel I contaminated anything) and my glasses kept slipping off my nose.

I'm into week 4 of training and still feeling great!

Picture with my Sophie girl using the self timer. She kept wanting to take more pictures but this is one of the only one's that turned out well.

Week 3 Begins

Well, it actually already began like 2 days ago but with this three day weekend I'm all behind on my days.

This morning's run: 3.05 miles, 24:52, avg pace 8:09

I opted out of doing any weights since I did some yesterday so after my run I hopped on the elliptical for about 15 minutes and then did abs.

My legs felt so heavy getting started this morning, I'm still sore from cycle. I tried to run fast, wanted to get under an 8 minute mile avg pace but that didn't happen like I planned.

Then it was back to work and back to school this morning. Poor Sophie did not want to wake up and was kind of grumpy but I think she'll have fun being back at daycare and playing with her friends. Mommy and Daddy can only be so entertaining.

Walking around work today is quite a challenge. I wouldn't even call it walking, more like hobbling. It's a good sore though.

This week is going to be a busy one at work and I'm very much looking forward for a three day weekend at the beach next week.

Today's Workout: 3.51 Miles with Hills

This morning's run consisted of a 3.5 mile hill run (on the treadmill) with a short arm and leg workout.

Time 28:12, avg pace 8:01

Splits:

SPLITS

MILE	TIME	AVG.PACE
1	7:55	7'55"/mi
2	16:00	8'05"/mi
3	24:02	8'02"/mi

I wonder what the .5 was, Nike+ does not tell me that.

It's all good, tomorrow I will be purchasing my Garmin! I'm torn between the Forerunner 205 and 305. Really the only difference is the 305 has a hear rate monitor, which I don't really care one way or the other. I will probably only use the Nike+ for the treadmill runs and Garmin for when I run outside and obviously on my long runs.

Ricky has purchased a bike so we are all set to start next week. I will be registering for the race next Wednesday after I get paid. And then it's for real!!

I had about 30 minutes after my run so I decided to do a short arm and leg circuit which consisted of:

Walking lunges (3 sets)
Bicep curls with dumbbells (2 sets of 15)
Triceps extensions (1 set)
Squats (1 set)
More bicep curls with Troy Bar (18 lbs)
Triceps dips (1 set)
Elevated lunges (1 set)
Shoulder sequence (8 exercises, 8-10 reps with no rest - killer burn!)

I was going to do abs but honestly I drank so much water that it started to slosh around, so I did the elliptical for my remaining 10 minutes.

Then it was home to hurry and get ready for work.

On the home front, Sophie sat on the potty last night, the big potty! She didn't do anything but the fact that she asked to and was interested in it is a big step!

Today's Workout: 4.35 miles with weights

Dragged myself out of bed at 4:06 a.m. to go to the gym. All I have to say is thank goodness for 5 hour energy. It gets me through some tough mornings of not wanting to be awake. Now that school is back in session I have to make sure I get to the gym by 4:30 and home between 5:45 and 6:00 so I have enough time to get ready, leave for work, and sit in traffic.

Treadmill run: 4.35 miles avg. pace 7:55 according to my Nike +. After my run I did a few weights, just some chest, back and legs (moderate weight and lots of reps). Feeling pretty good overall despite being up at the butt crack of dawn.

Splits:

MILE	TIME	AVG.PACE
1	7:53	7'53"/mi
2	15:55	8'02"/mi
3	23:48	7'53"/mi
4	31:43	7'55"/mi