Killed It Today!!!

I had an excellent workout this morning! It started with lats, then I squated and deadlifted with semi-heavy weight back to back. I stopped counting the reps after 50. I just kept doing sets of 5 back and forth for both. Then I got 3 miles in! I think I have a new focus in the gym. It's no longer trying to max out in weight, but to rep heavy weight. I think this change in focus will assist me in many ways. My hip flexors were sore from running but after squating below parralelle yesterday and today, my flexors are loose. I think I will repeat my workout tomorrow evening (but run 4 miles) and take Tuesday off. This weekend I am going to purchase some boxing wraps and start hitting the bag. I'm exciting!!! Stay tuned.

This Fitness Thing Is NOT Easy....,

Since I got my leg cast off nearly a month ago, I have been trying to get back in the swing of things. Some days I feel as though I am doing better than I was before the leg injury and then there are days like today. I have done a couple of 5k's in the last month and today I nearly died while running only 3 miles. What's up with that? I feel like I am never going to get past being able to run more than a 5k. I want to run a 10k and a half-marathon before April. I guess I need to start tracking all that I do to see if there are things that tend to hinder my progress. Then again, I think to myself, "it's only been a month." Well, either way it's deflating. I did make it through the 3 miles and felt much better after it was done. :-) I have not been recording anything in my Lifting Blog as I have not been able to get my old 1RM back. The first 3 times I lifted I got up to deadlifting 265lbs, but I have not been able to get past that. Shoot, yesterday I was not able to get past 245lbs. I think all the cardio is impacting my weight training, but I will just have to keep plugging away until it improves. Gees, I was hoping things would have gotten easier. Hahahahahahahaha!!!!

I'm A Runner!!!!

I know I have not posted in a few days, but I have been getting my run on!  I am so happy to be able to run and I am trying to do it every chance I get. I really want to be able to run a half-marathon in April and since I'm starting now, there is a great chance that I will be able to make that happen. I have also been lifting in the gym (I'll update my progress in my other blog!). Back to running. Since being told I could run outside or on a treadmill, I've been doing both. The treadmill is much easier for me and I can keep a steady pace. It is much more difficult to run outside. I have a hard time keeping my pace the same and there are hills, rocks in the way, and weirdoes on the road. However, the races that I want to participate in are road races, and therefore I have to suck it up and get better at it. I think I'm going to start researching apps or gadgets that help you to keep pace. Something like a metronome. I am currently running and walking 3+ miles most days of the week. I want to get to the point to where I can run a 5k without having to walk at all. I want to achieve this goal by the end of the year. Anyhoo....I just wanted to update everyone on my running progress. Smooches!

 

I'm Lifting Again!!!!

Today I decided that it was time to test out my deadlift. Initially, I promised myself that I would not lift over 135lbs. My pre-injury max was 290lbs and I got up to 245lbs this morning. Not bad for my first day after 10 weeks. I think with proper training I will exceed my old max in no time. Tomorrow I will just walk on the treadmill with an incline and maybe swim a bit. Wednesday, I will lift again and do spin class. I'm slowly but surely getting my workout groove back. Thank you God!!!

Getting My Running Game Back!

For the last 2 weeks I have been focusing on getting my leg used to jogging again and getting my endurance up from being out for 9 weeks. It's coming along but it is very hard to get back on track. I think I'm going to complete the Couch to 5k, then the 10k, then the Half-Marathon. I want to be able to do a half early next year so I better get to training now. I also think I am going to do most of my running outside and start getting my winter gear in order. Me and my daughter did complete the Blacklight run last night. It was fun! My time was okay, but I hated that most of the race was on gravel. It was hard and pained my leg a bit, but I finished. I will keep doing 5k's until I can run them straight through. Officially or in my training. 

The Pity Pot.....It stinks!

I'm really struggling with motivation right now. I am continuing to get my workouts done, however for the last couple of workouts I have not had that huge "feel good" rush I normally get. My guess is that it's because I started running again since my leg was hurt on May 31st and I've lost so much as far as endurance is concerned. Pre-injury I was up to running 5 miles in a about an hour, now I'm lucky to hit a 5k in less than 45 mins. I suppose I shouldn't be so bummed about it. It has only been 1 week and 1 day since my boot cast came off. I guess I should actually be grateful that I can do what I am doing. I have a 5k coming up next Friday and I am probably going to walk most of it, but I will finish. I will have to get off my pity pot and continue on with the current plan to get this leg stronger so that I can return to powerlifting (my love). So, now that I'm over it.... Motivation. Motivation is something that we have to search within ourselves and find. We can be motivated by others but that will only keep us going for so long. We ourselves have to find the desire to push through hard times to reach our goals as no one can reach those goals for us. I guess when motivation tends to run low, thinking about all the things you have accomplished thus far can help. Also, just thinking of all the things in life that you are grateful for can also pull you out of the pits. Realizing that you have it better than most and that your current state could alway be worse can really snap you into reality. There are always others doing worse and would give anything to trade places with you. So we all need to do a little reality check when we start to feel as though we are not progressing. Acknowledging all the good things we have in life even if it is only having the ability to run a 5k in 45mins, as there are individuals out there that wish they had legs to walk. They are my motivation. I'm grateful.

Amazing Day at Competitions!!!

Even though I was not competing, I went out to Richton Park, Illinois yesterday to support the women who were competing out of Monster Gym. I have to say they are truly amazing. In fact, everyone who competed did a fantastic job and it doesn't mean they walked away with a trophy. There were people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, sizes, and abilities. It was inspiring. All 3 women that represented Monster Garage Gym broke records. I won't be able to join them until next year because of my leg, but I'm excited. I will be training from this point forward to allow my leg to heal and to get strong for competitions in 2015. I'm not sure if I will ever come close to Crystal's nearly 470lb dead lift.
If you are interested in powerlifting and want to see a group of some of the most amazing people, supporting each other, even thought they are competing, in the same room; find a competition to observe. It will be a phenomenal experience.