Hills...How I've Missed You

In keeping with my schedule for the week I went to the park to do some hill repeats. I went out even though it was kind of cool and misty. Luckily there was a lull in the storm so it wasn't raining during my workout. I did six hill repeats and I felt pretty good although when I was doing my cool down my calves were burning and felt like they had rocks in them. The workout itself wasn't too exciting but I did see some strange things while I was at the park.

This lady was jogging around the park and she had on a raincoat and she had an umbrella in her hand. I don't really understand this. You're exercising, you have a jacket with a hood, why would you waste the energy to carry along an umbrella? If it starts raining are you going to stop, put up the umbrella and walk the rest of the way? Seemed a little ridiculous to me.

The other thing was that when I first pulled into the park there was a couple sitting in a parked truck. They were arguing when I left for my run. When I got back from my run the truck was steamed up and they were getting it on hot and heavy. REALLY? It is not nighttime and this is not lover's lane.

Our yoga class was cancelled due to the rain so instead of skipping out on that workout I found a 30 minute yoga workout on Exercise on Demand (this channel is starting to be pretty useful) and did that. These videos can be hit or miss but this one was pretty good. I think I will incorporate it into my weekly schedule at least until I can complete the entire workout at the moderate level.

So far I'm on track for the week but I usually fall off on Wednesday so we'll see what happens.

Pilates/WTF AMY!!!???

I'm supposed to be blogging about American Idol on my other blog (yeah I have another blog but that's a discussion for another post) BUT I just had to write this post about my Pilates experience tonight.

A few days ago I was having a conversation with Amy R. and she tells me that there is this really great pilates class at the gym we attend. She tells me that we should go to the class on Wednesday (today). I'm thinking, of course! I really enjoy hanging out with Amy and I have wanted to start incorporating some flexibility training into my training plan.

When Amy said pilates the following thought came to mind: pilate mats, some streching, a few poses but nothing too strenuous. I've never taking an OFFICIAL pilates class but I've taken lots of yoga classes and I've done numerous pilates videos. In my mind...I'm good!

The first hint was when the woman at the front desk asked me had I done pilates before while I was picking up my pass. I say...."yes, I've taken lots of pilates classes (LIE) just not here". The second hint was when I looked in the pilates room and saw some sort of contraption on the floor. The THIRD hint was when the instructor asked me had I used a reformer before. My response..."yes, I wouldn't say I'm an expert but I've used one before (LIE)." Shoot...I had waited all this time so I wasn't about to get put out of the class before it even started. I'm freaking out inside, wondering what I've gotten myself in to and hoping that I don't make a fool of myself and get embarrassed.

We start out on the mat...cool...I know how to do this mat stuff! INTENSE! She worked our abs OUT but I held my own. It was pure torture but I made it through...whew. Now comes the part where we have to use the reformer. I see people making adjustments to their machine..so I start messing around with mine to make it seem like I know what I'm doing (I DON'T). I clearly lucked up and had it spaced out right. The instructor did have to come help me adjust the straps but she didn't seem like that was odd so I didn't feel too bad. Once we got on the machine I'm trying to peep over and look at the person beside me so that I can mimic her movements. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately because it made me not feel as bad) she didn't know what she was doing so the instructor had to correct her...I quickly switched to the correct position before she could see that I had been doing it wrong.

The rest of the class went pretty well....very difficult...really deep, intense stretching and ab workout. I joked with Amy that I was going to get her but I really appreciate her telling me about this class. It was an intimidating class but once I got past the nervousness of messing up I really enjoyed myself. I got an amazing workout and I will definitely feel this tomorrow. I might not be able to breath and I'd appreciate if no one makes me laugh because it is definitely going to hurt to do so. I plan on making this a regular part of my routine! If I keep this up I'll have Abs of Steel in no time...

20 Minute Work-Out My @$$

I said I was going to start doing strength training at least two times a week. Today I went to Women's Health online and found a "20 minute" total body workout that seemed easy to do.

Well that mess was NOT easy and it took alot longer than 20 minutes and I didn't even make it through all of the sets of all of the exercises! By the end of the workout my legs and arms were shaking. I am going to try to stick with it though and continue to do this workout plan at least twice a week for the next month. I'm considering switching up my workout every four weeks so that my muscles don't get used to doing the same thing. If I keep this up I'm going to be ripped by the summer, whoo hooo.

Tomorrow I plan on swimming and running.....I just hope I can lift my arms up and walk tomorrow after that workout.