This is less of an exercise post than most posts, but it has applications to sports.
I go to church most weeks. Every week, at LEAST one person tells me that I have an amazing voice, that I "sing like an angel" and that I should be leading the worship. Most weeks people STOP ME in THE MIDDLE OF WORSHIP to tell me that I sing like an angel. Last week I was stopped by one person FOUR TIMES in worship because I sing so beautifully.
They then usually tell me that this is an amazing gift from God (which is why I should be at the front singing).
This always makes me really angry. For a lot of reasons. Aside from the rudeness of being interrupted in the middle of worship, and the fact that they probably don't know what an angel sounds like (I'm always tempted to tell them that the angel suffered a little when I took the voice off of them). Also, I know that while I'm good, I'm not THAT good.
But really what annoys me is that they assume that it's all natural. That I didn't do any work to have the voice I have. Which is completely not the case. I took private singing lessons for 5 years then was a member of a national level children's choir for another 7 years, including touring nationally and internationally. I've put a LOT of hours into improving my voice. It is NOT something I was just born with.
I get it occasionally with exercise. As soon as people find out that I run they assume that I'm good at it and that I've always been good at it. Again, that's a long way from the truth. I work darn hard to be as good as I am at running, weights, and other exercise.
It's not natural. It's hard work.
Wednesday 6 May 2015
Saturday 2 May 2015
May Goals
For May I'm doing something different. Instead of having general month long goals, I've worked out a schedule and will be aiming to follow that.
I've included speedwork (which I hate), have made my long runs longer, and have schedule a day for only active recovery (Monday) and one day as a complete rest day (Thursday, where I'll just do foam rolling in front of the TV).
I'll be doing one legs session, one upper body session and one abs session a week, and 2 PT sessions, and a few sessions of Bikram (3 scheduled most weeks).
My aim is to improve my running speed and endurance, especially in regards to racing. I also want to minimise the aches and pains that I have so that I can continue to train hard for long into the future.
I've included speedwork (which I hate), have made my long runs longer, and have schedule a day for only active recovery (Monday) and one day as a complete rest day (Thursday, where I'll just do foam rolling in front of the TV).
I'll be doing one legs session, one upper body session and one abs session a week, and 2 PT sessions, and a few sessions of Bikram (3 scheduled most weeks).
My aim is to improve my running speed and endurance, especially in regards to racing. I also want to minimise the aches and pains that I have so that I can continue to train hard for long into the future.
April Goals
So how did I do with my April goals? Mostly pretty well!
They were:
1. Run 135km
2. Successfully complete the Bikram challenge
3. Add in once weekly stair climbs
4. Row 30km
5. Save to $2000
6. Complete the Sealfit basic training in one month
1. I did it! Finished with 4.5km on the second last day!
2. I did it! I had to do a lot of doubles, sprint from work to class nearly every day, but I did it! And I've already spent my voucher (I got a long sleeve run tech shirt!)
3. I didn't do this AT ALL. It's on my list for May
4. I did it!
5. I did it!
6. I did the first 3 weeks pretty much exactly on schedule. And then I cracked mentally. I couldn't face the workouts that I've done before and know are hard when I knew that I still don't have the strength to move on to the next level and would have to do it AGAIN and possibly AGAIN because I have no upper body strength. In May I'm taking a break from Sealfit and doing some more traditional weights work.
They were:
1. Run 135km
2. Successfully complete the Bikram challenge
3. Add in once weekly stair climbs
4. Row 30km
5. Save to $2000
6. Complete the Sealfit basic training in one month
1. I did it! Finished with 4.5km on the second last day!
2. I did it! I had to do a lot of doubles, sprint from work to class nearly every day, but I did it! And I've already spent my voucher (I got a long sleeve run tech shirt!)
3. I didn't do this AT ALL. It's on my list for May
4. I did it!
5. I did it!
6. I did the first 3 weeks pretty much exactly on schedule. And then I cracked mentally. I couldn't face the workouts that I've done before and know are hard when I knew that I still don't have the strength to move on to the next level and would have to do it AGAIN and possibly AGAIN because I have no upper body strength. In May I'm taking a break from Sealfit and doing some more traditional weights work.
Sunday 12 April 2015
SMASHED IT!
Today I had my first half marathon for the year. I've done 4 half marathons before, and my previous PB was 2.17.38 at my first half marathon. From there my half marathon times got worse, with me developing syncope along with the associated pre and post-syncope symptoms. To be honest it was disappointing when I trained hard for an event and didn't do as well as I had previously.
Today was a different story! I did the Geelong Half Marathon, which I've done previously (my time was a 2.25.20 last year), and OH MY GOODNESS I SMASHED IT!
You may remember that one of my goals for this year was to run a half marathon at 2.15 or less. And again, I SMASHED IT!
So what was my time?
The time on my watch was 2.08.48! Obviously official times may vary by a few seconds, but certainly not by much, as the start time clock was at 2.09. So that was a SMASHING of both my PB and my goal race time for the year!
I'm super stoked by this!
On other goals for the year being smashed, I've already reached my goal for the year on the leg press (250kg, or 5 times my body weight). Hooray!
Today was a different story! I did the Geelong Half Marathon, which I've done previously (my time was a 2.25.20 last year), and OH MY GOODNESS I SMASHED IT!
You may remember that one of my goals for this year was to run a half marathon at 2.15 or less. And again, I SMASHED IT!
So what was my time?
The time on my watch was 2.08.48! Obviously official times may vary by a few seconds, but certainly not by much, as the start time clock was at 2.09. So that was a SMASHING of both my PB and my goal race time for the year!
I'm super stoked by this!
On other goals for the year being smashed, I've already reached my goal for the year on the leg press (250kg, or 5 times my body weight). Hooray!
Monday 6 April 2015
April Goals
Here are my April goals:
1. Run 135km
2. Successfully complete my bikram yoga challenge
3. Add in once a week daily stair climbs for 10 mins
4. Row 30km
5. Save to $2000
6. Complete the SEALfit Basic program in one month!
That's it!
1. Run 135km
2. Successfully complete my bikram yoga challenge
3. Add in once a week daily stair climbs for 10 mins
4. Row 30km
5. Save to $2000
6. Complete the SEALfit Basic program in one month!
That's it!
Friday 3 April 2015
My March Goals
Finally publishing my March goals and how I did with them. They were:
1. To run 120km
2. To row 30km
3. To complete my SEALfit program
4. To work on my (8 week) Bikram yoga challenge.
I did pretty well with all of these goals.
I SMASHED the running goal, running just over 124km with a few days to go.
I also SMASHED the rowing goal, even though pretty much none of the times that I set aside to row actually eventuated. I had to be very concious to row when I had some spare time, but I did it!
I completed my SEALfit program. (I will be repeating this program, and at the moment I've both completed and am going back through the basic program).
I didn't do so well with my bikram challenge. The first week I had gastro, and then in the 4th week I had the week of everything happening (I saw the ballet, got my shift changed, had an appointment, had plans at church, and something else that I can't remember... all in one week). So these two weeks I only did one class, and I needed to do four classes a week. I did a few extra classes in weeks two and 3, but I wasn't able to get back on track with the classes in March. (It's on my goal list for April)
1. To run 120km
2. To row 30km
3. To complete my SEALfit program
4. To work on my (8 week) Bikram yoga challenge.
I did pretty well with all of these goals.
I SMASHED the running goal, running just over 124km with a few days to go.
I also SMASHED the rowing goal, even though pretty much none of the times that I set aside to row actually eventuated. I had to be very concious to row when I had some spare time, but I did it!
I completed my SEALfit program. (I will be repeating this program, and at the moment I've both completed and am going back through the basic program).
I didn't do so well with my bikram challenge. The first week I had gastro, and then in the 4th week I had the week of everything happening (I saw the ballet, got my shift changed, had an appointment, had plans at church, and something else that I can't remember... all in one week). So these two weeks I only did one class, and I needed to do four classes a week. I did a few extra classes in weeks two and 3, but I wasn't able to get back on track with the classes in March. (It's on my goal list for April)
Sunday 15 March 2015
Bellarine Rail Trail Run
Today I took part in the Bellarine Rail Trail run, a 17km run "against" a steam train, with a free train ride or shuttle bus (depending on the time) back to the starting point.
It's my first 17km, so it'd be an automatic PB. Given that I ran the Spartan last week, and I managed to completely smash myself with my workouts this week, I figured I'd go easy and not push. Just go the distance, you know?
At a little past 12km a man just ahead of me had a heart attack. I have CPR training, so I joined the CPR line. There was a ambulance officer, anestist, and a nurse (all off duty) who were doing the run who were able to offer more detailed first aid and help everyone who didn't know CPR perform it in an effective manner.
The ambulance came and they were able to restore a heart beat. Everyone who helped was then offered to leave to race or continue, as they chose. I continued.
So that was an eventful day! Very thankful that the guy is okay, and that I was able to help!
It's my first 17km, so it'd be an automatic PB. Given that I ran the Spartan last week, and I managed to completely smash myself with my workouts this week, I figured I'd go easy and not push. Just go the distance, you know?
At a little past 12km a man just ahead of me had a heart attack. I have CPR training, so I joined the CPR line. There was a ambulance officer, anestist, and a nurse (all off duty) who were doing the run who were able to offer more detailed first aid and help everyone who didn't know CPR perform it in an effective manner.
The ambulance came and they were able to restore a heart beat. Everyone who helped was then offered to leave to race or continue, as they chose. I continued.
So that was an eventful day! Very thankful that the guy is okay, and that I was able to help!
Wednesday 11 March 2015
February Focuses Review
Sorry that it's been a while since I reviewed how I did with meeting my February goals and focuses. Here they are:
1. To do SEALfit workouts consistently
2. To run 100km in February
3. Save to $1000
4. To do a cumulative half marathon on the rower
5. Bake once a week
I did the Sealfit workouts fairly well for the first three weeks, and then we had assessment at work, and then I just didn't. Which isn't really okay, and I'm going to be getting back into it ASAP.
Running - I ran a little over 97km in February. Which was a tiny bit short of my goal, but all in all pretty good.
I met the savings and the cumulative half marathon on the rower. The rowing target was really easy to meet, and I'm aiming to do more in my March goals.
The baking mostly didn't happen. February was just too hot. I baked once in February, and on the 1st of March. Both were delicious. I mean to continue to bake more often.
1. To do SEALfit workouts consistently
2. To run 100km in February
3. Save to $1000
4. To do a cumulative half marathon on the rower
5. Bake once a week
I did the Sealfit workouts fairly well for the first three weeks, and then we had assessment at work, and then I just didn't. Which isn't really okay, and I'm going to be getting back into it ASAP.
Running - I ran a little over 97km in February. Which was a tiny bit short of my goal, but all in all pretty good.
I met the savings and the cumulative half marathon on the rower. The rowing target was really easy to meet, and I'm aiming to do more in my March goals.
The baking mostly didn't happen. February was just too hot. I baked once in February, and on the 1st of March. Both were delicious. I mean to continue to bake more often.
Saturday 7 March 2015
Spartan Super
So today I did my first ever Spartan, a Spartan Super! I did pretty well, and am fairly happy with my results. I finished in a little under 3 hours (I'm waiting on the official race times). I failed 3 obstacles, so had to do 90 burpees. I failed the spear throw, the traverse wall, and the wall ball.
All in all, I did pretty well. I know the things that I want to work on in order to improve:
- Running times and consistency. And being ready to run after doing an obstacle
- Burpee times
- Rucking in order to improve my times on the different carries
- The spear throw
- Continue to develop my upper body strength
- Including some rock climbing skills
I did well on a lot of the upper body style obstacles, which is a good sign. I've worked a lot on developing this, and it's great to see that this has paid off. I did well on the monkey bars, the rope climb (and I've never climbed a rope before, none of the gyms I've been a member of have had them), and even on the rope traverse.
You might remember that running all three Spartan races this year. So now I've done my first one!
And here's my favourite photo of the ones that Dad took of me! (Official photos yet to come)
All in all, I did pretty well. I know the things that I want to work on in order to improve:
- Running times and consistency. And being ready to run after doing an obstacle
- Burpee times
- Rucking in order to improve my times on the different carries
- The spear throw
- Continue to develop my upper body strength
- Including some rock climbing skills
I did well on a lot of the upper body style obstacles, which is a good sign. I've worked a lot on developing this, and it's great to see that this has paid off. I did well on the monkey bars, the rope climb (and I've never climbed a rope before, none of the gyms I've been a member of have had them), and even on the rope traverse.
You might remember that running all three Spartan races this year. So now I've done my first one!
And here's my favourite photo of the ones that Dad took of me! (Official photos yet to come)
Monday 2 March 2015
River Run
On Sunday the 22nd I competed in the River Run which raises money for SIDS research. I competed in the 10km run.
I ran the race in 1:00:00 (I know, right!) which is 3 seconds more than my PB for a 10km. It was also very hot and humid on this day, so that made things a bit more interesting. I didn't do as well as I had hoped (I'm hoping to get to 57mins by the end of this year) but given the weather and the general state of my health I did pretty well.
Here are some of the photos!
I ran the race in 1:00:00 (I know, right!) which is 3 seconds more than my PB for a 10km. It was also very hot and humid on this day, so that made things a bit more interesting. I didn't do as well as I had hoped (I'm hoping to get to 57mins by the end of this year) but given the weather and the general state of my health I did pretty well.
Here are some of the photos!
Tuesday 10 February 2015
February Focuses
Here are my February focuses!
1. To do SEALfit workouts consistently
2. To run 100km in February
3. Save to $1000
4. To do a cumulative half marathon on the rower
5. Bake once a week
So how am I doing so far?
I'm doing well with the SEALfit workouts. I missed the Saturday one, but did it on Monday as well as Monday's workout. So now I'm up to date.
I'm more or less on track with running. I often do more on the weekends, so it's hard to say right now, but I was right on target at the end of last weekend.
My saving is going pretty well. OF course, I was already partly there as I was saving a bit as I was paying off my debt. I want to save plenty this year so that next year I can do the World's Toughest Mudder.
I'm on track (actually, I'm ahead) on the rower. I'm not including any rowing done as part of the SEALfit workout in this total (and running in SEALfit doesn't count towards my running total), but even so I'm already over 8km, which is awesome!
Baking, not so much. I set aside Saturday as a good day to bake, but unfortunately Saturday was boiling, and so there was no way that I was going to be turning on the oven. I have however planned a few cakes to bake, and now this includes a raw food cake that will be frozen rather than baked so if the same thing happens this weekend I can still "bake" - and even more importantly, EAT the delicious cake!
1. To do SEALfit workouts consistently
2. To run 100km in February
3. Save to $1000
4. To do a cumulative half marathon on the rower
5. Bake once a week
So how am I doing so far?
I'm doing well with the SEALfit workouts. I missed the Saturday one, but did it on Monday as well as Monday's workout. So now I'm up to date.
I'm more or less on track with running. I often do more on the weekends, so it's hard to say right now, but I was right on target at the end of last weekend.
My saving is going pretty well. OF course, I was already partly there as I was saving a bit as I was paying off my debt. I want to save plenty this year so that next year I can do the World's Toughest Mudder.
I'm on track (actually, I'm ahead) on the rower. I'm not including any rowing done as part of the SEALfit workout in this total (and running in SEALfit doesn't count towards my running total), but even so I'm already over 8km, which is awesome!
Baking, not so much. I set aside Saturday as a good day to bake, but unfortunately Saturday was boiling, and so there was no way that I was going to be turning on the oven. I have however planned a few cakes to bake, and now this includes a raw food cake that will be frozen rather than baked so if the same thing happens this weekend I can still "bake" - and even more importantly, EAT the delicious cake!
Saturday 31 January 2015
January Focuses - How I Went
So it's the last day of January. How did I do with my goals, particularly the ones to be completed in January?
My goal to run 100km - I have run 98.1km, with a 3.38 run scheduled for this afternoon. In other words - SUCCESS!
My non-exercise focuses were to pay off a loan from my Mum and to declutter a good deal. I have completed both of these, though obviously decluttering is always an ongoing goal. I have gotten rid of 48 items so far in January, with another 27 ready to go to the op shop. This has essentially cleared off one shelf on one of my bookshelves! So I'm very happy about both of these!
My Bikram challenge - fail. I did 26 classes rather than the 30. :( In the last week I had to stay late after work 3 times (therefore meaning I missed the class I normally do), and when that was coupled with the timetable change due to the Australia Day holiday, I ended up missing 4 classes, with only enough padding to make up a potential two. In the end, I decided that it would be better for me to rest rather than attempt to make up the two classes I could, especially as I wouldn't be able to complete the challenge even if I did them. It was really frustrating to fail due to factors beyond my control, especially as I was right on target until this week, even with getting a bug, going to the mussel festival and a local fete. Still, I did pretty well.
Now to nap, then run, then work out what I want to be my focuses for February!
My goal to run 100km - I have run 98.1km, with a 3.38 run scheduled for this afternoon. In other words - SUCCESS!
My non-exercise focuses were to pay off a loan from my Mum and to declutter a good deal. I have completed both of these, though obviously decluttering is always an ongoing goal. I have gotten rid of 48 items so far in January, with another 27 ready to go to the op shop. This has essentially cleared off one shelf on one of my bookshelves! So I'm very happy about both of these!
My Bikram challenge - fail. I did 26 classes rather than the 30. :( In the last week I had to stay late after work 3 times (therefore meaning I missed the class I normally do), and when that was coupled with the timetable change due to the Australia Day holiday, I ended up missing 4 classes, with only enough padding to make up a potential two. In the end, I decided that it would be better for me to rest rather than attempt to make up the two classes I could, especially as I wouldn't be able to complete the challenge even if I did them. It was really frustrating to fail due to factors beyond my control, especially as I was right on target until this week, even with getting a bug, going to the mussel festival and a local fete. Still, I did pretty well.
Now to nap, then run, then work out what I want to be my focuses for February!
Sunday 11 January 2015
Sunday: Leg Day
Today I went to Bikram. I don't drive, so on a Sunday that means a long wait for the bus. As in over 2 hours wait.
Obviously, I can't just do nothing. Besides, most of the shops are shut on Sunday. Solution: gym time! For a MASSIVE leg session!
Here's my workout!
- Stair runs *6
- Smith Machine shoulder squats *10 @ 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg, 50kg, 55kg
- Smith Machine wide squats *10 @ 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg, 50kg, 55kg
- Smith Machine plies *10 @ 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg, 50kg, 55kg
- Smith Machine single leg squats *10 @ 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg
- Barbell Deadlifts *10 @ 20kg, 25kg, 30kg, 35kg, 40kg
- 45 degree leg press, 20*60kg, 18*70kg, 15*80kg, 12*90kg, 10*100kg, 10*110kg, 8*120kg, 8*130, 8*140kg
- Horizontal Leg Press (unit leg) 20*36kg, 18*46kg, 15*64kg, 12*73kg, 10*82kg, 10*91kg, 10*100kg
- Leg Extension (unit leg) 20*9kg, 18*13.5kg, 15*16kg, 12*18.5kg, 10*23, 8*27.5kg
- Prone Leg Curl (unit leg) 20*9kg, 18*11.5kg, 15*11.5kg, 8*13.5kg
- Single Leg Glute Bridge 20*5kg, 15*10kg, 10*15kg
- 1 tabata round of combination of jumping lunges and non-jumping lunges
And that took the entire time until my bus came! Gonna be sore tomorrow!
Obviously, I can't just do nothing. Besides, most of the shops are shut on Sunday. Solution: gym time! For a MASSIVE leg session!
Here's my workout!
- Stair runs *6
- Smith Machine shoulder squats *10 @ 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg, 50kg, 55kg
- Smith Machine wide squats *10 @ 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg, 50kg, 55kg
- Smith Machine plies *10 @ 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg, 50kg, 55kg
- Smith Machine single leg squats *10 @ 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg
- Barbell Deadlifts *10 @ 20kg, 25kg, 30kg, 35kg, 40kg
- 45 degree leg press, 20*60kg, 18*70kg, 15*80kg, 12*90kg, 10*100kg, 10*110kg, 8*120kg, 8*130, 8*140kg
- Horizontal Leg Press (unit leg) 20*36kg, 18*46kg, 15*64kg, 12*73kg, 10*82kg, 10*91kg, 10*100kg
- Leg Extension (unit leg) 20*9kg, 18*13.5kg, 15*16kg, 12*18.5kg, 10*23, 8*27.5kg
- Prone Leg Curl (unit leg) 20*9kg, 18*11.5kg, 15*11.5kg, 8*13.5kg
- Single Leg Glute Bridge 20*5kg, 15*10kg, 10*15kg
- 1 tabata round of combination of jumping lunges and non-jumping lunges
And that took the entire time until my bus came! Gonna be sore tomorrow!
Saturday 10 January 2015
Triple Threat
So yesterday I did three Bikram classes (10am, 4pm, 6pm). This is called a triple. I've done doubles before, but never a triple...
And neither has anyone else! The teacher who took the second and third classes said that it's a record!
I'm going to be doing another triple next Friday (it's my day off), so I'm going to be the record holder extraodinaire!
In other good news, my arm is much improved. It's not even tender today, and I did upper body work this week.
And today I did a 'long' run of 10.7km. Not anywhere near as long as I've done before, but it's a good start. Further next week!
And neither has anyone else! The teacher who took the second and third classes said that it's a record!
I'm going to be doing another triple next Friday (it's my day off), so I'm going to be the record holder extraodinaire!
In other good news, my arm is much improved. It's not even tender today, and I did upper body work this week.
And today I did a 'long' run of 10.7km. Not anywhere near as long as I've done before, but it's a good start. Further next week!
Sunday 4 January 2015
Fitness Diary
I've had a fitness diary more or less since I started exercising. I initially started with just a scrap of paper on which I wrote down the date and my running time. I started running at the end of September 2012, and so that was fine for the few months until the new year. I wouldn't have even thought of doing anything different. But for Christmas that year I got 4 different diaries. Yeah, four. Two from the same person no less. I re-gifted two, and decided to use one as a normal diary and the other to record my exercise progress, especially as I was planning to join a gym as well as continue with my running.
It was a great decision. It allowed me to better see where I was being consistent and where I wasn't. And especially when you're beginning any type of exercise, consistency matters a great deal.
In 2014 I didn't get any diaries for Christmas. I ended up buying a very cheap one that was similar to my one from 2013. It worked still, but as I was beginning to ramp up my training, and trying to record how I was feeling (this was as I was falling into the severe syncope) I found that I often didn't have enough space. This problem was compounded with the weekends, when I had extra time for exercise, but the two days shared a space in the diary.
Towards the end of last year I stared thinking about exactly what I wanted in my fitness diary. More space was a given, but that wouldn't be all. I wanted to be able to record the details of my weights sessions in it, rather than having them on a separate piece of paper. This would be really useful to make sure that I'm always varying my weights workouts, and progressing in terms of my strength.
I also still wanted space for my running information - the distance and the time. I didn't want it overwhelmed by the weights info.
And I wanted to record my bikram and other recovery techniques, so that I can notice which ones help me most (especially as I'm planning to try the dreaded ice-baths this year!)
Obviously, no diary is readily available that does that. I mean, I'm sure there are some somewhere, but I haven't seen them, and if I haven't seen them then I can't buy one. Conclusion, make / adapt my own!
So I bought a day to a page diary. I ruled off two lines at the top and labelled them cardio, and three lines at the bottom and labelled them bikram and recovery. The middle section is by far the biggest (18 lines) and is labelled weights. I've done this for about the first week, and then I'll rule up another week. I might end up needing more lines in one category than I've previously allocated, so not ruling up everything in advance means that I can change this at a later date if I find one space is getting a bit cramped.
Hoping this will be a great tool for me to better track and assess my workouts! Very excited to be using this!
It was a great decision. It allowed me to better see where I was being consistent and where I wasn't. And especially when you're beginning any type of exercise, consistency matters a great deal.
In 2014 I didn't get any diaries for Christmas. I ended up buying a very cheap one that was similar to my one from 2013. It worked still, but as I was beginning to ramp up my training, and trying to record how I was feeling (this was as I was falling into the severe syncope) I found that I often didn't have enough space. This problem was compounded with the weekends, when I had extra time for exercise, but the two days shared a space in the diary.
Towards the end of last year I stared thinking about exactly what I wanted in my fitness diary. More space was a given, but that wouldn't be all. I wanted to be able to record the details of my weights sessions in it, rather than having them on a separate piece of paper. This would be really useful to make sure that I'm always varying my weights workouts, and progressing in terms of my strength.
I also still wanted space for my running information - the distance and the time. I didn't want it overwhelmed by the weights info.
And I wanted to record my bikram and other recovery techniques, so that I can notice which ones help me most (especially as I'm planning to try the dreaded ice-baths this year!)
Obviously, no diary is readily available that does that. I mean, I'm sure there are some somewhere, but I haven't seen them, and if I haven't seen them then I can't buy one. Conclusion, make / adapt my own!
So I bought a day to a page diary. I ruled off two lines at the top and labelled them cardio, and three lines at the bottom and labelled them bikram and recovery. The middle section is by far the biggest (18 lines) and is labelled weights. I've done this for about the first week, and then I'll rule up another week. I might end up needing more lines in one category than I've previously allocated, so not ruling up everything in advance means that I can change this at a later date if I find one space is getting a bit cramped.
Hoping this will be a great tool for me to better track and assess my workouts! Very excited to be using this!
Thursday 1 January 2015
January Focuses
On a "Sam is tough" note, I worked out why my elbow was sore. It was dislocated. Yes, I was walking around for 6 weeks with a dislocated elbow. And went to work with a dislocated elbow (I work in childcare, so that's not exactly the funnest thing to be doing with a dislocated elbow). And I spent 2 weeks being stubborn and kept on doing upper body work with a dislocated elbow.
I ended up just pulling it out and putting it back into place. It's still a little sore, but nothing like it was.
So I've previously posted my goals for 2015, but I thought I'd post about my January focuses.
I plan to run 100km over January. I ran a little over 11 today, so I'm well and truly on my way!
My other main goal is to complete a 30 day challenge at Bikram yoga. I was debating whether or not to do this, because Bikram takes a lot of time and limits the other working out that I can do. In the end I decided to go for it as I know my work schedule will allow for it, and it will force me not to do too much upper body work before my elbow strengthens itself (it's popped out another time at work, so I want to minimise that risk).
My other focuses are non-exercise. They are to declutter my room a little so that I can better focus on what I want now. I have a lot of materials that I bought a number of years ago in order to homeschool my kids. I haven't had the kids, and have since found out that I am infertile, so the materials are all unlikely to be used, especially the more specialised items, such as the Latin learning materials. It's been hard for me to get rid of them because it's letting go of the dream of having kids and raising them the way I want, but I know that these materials will be of more use if I get rid of them. It will also allow me to better focus on what is important to me now (predominantly exercise, art, writing, and my work).
My other goal is to finish paying my mum back for my uni degree (done in 2012). I just have $1000 left, so this is just about doable.
That's it! My January focuses!
I ended up just pulling it out and putting it back into place. It's still a little sore, but nothing like it was.
So I've previously posted my goals for 2015, but I thought I'd post about my January focuses.
I plan to run 100km over January. I ran a little over 11 today, so I'm well and truly on my way!
My other main goal is to complete a 30 day challenge at Bikram yoga. I was debating whether or not to do this, because Bikram takes a lot of time and limits the other working out that I can do. In the end I decided to go for it as I know my work schedule will allow for it, and it will force me not to do too much upper body work before my elbow strengthens itself (it's popped out another time at work, so I want to minimise that risk).
My other focuses are non-exercise. They are to declutter my room a little so that I can better focus on what I want now. I have a lot of materials that I bought a number of years ago in order to homeschool my kids. I haven't had the kids, and have since found out that I am infertile, so the materials are all unlikely to be used, especially the more specialised items, such as the Latin learning materials. It's been hard for me to get rid of them because it's letting go of the dream of having kids and raising them the way I want, but I know that these materials will be of more use if I get rid of them. It will also allow me to better focus on what is important to me now (predominantly exercise, art, writing, and my work).
My other goal is to finish paying my mum back for my uni degree (done in 2012). I just have $1000 left, so this is just about doable.
That's it! My January focuses!
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