Tag Archives: calves

Calves, Fitness

Training: A Never Ending Process

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A couple weeks ago I did calf raises for my 43 and because I had neglected training my calves for a long time (other than running and jumping), I was sore for a couple of days.  So I decided that I need to start making a more purposeful effort to strengthen my calves (which will hopefully help my sore Achilles!).

Today’s 43 was another move to target my calves.  It was just a rocking move – rock up onto your toes and hold then rock back onto your heels and hold (or try to hold – my balance was a little off today!).

You can hold dumbbells or not – I held 15 pound DB for this.

start
start

The hold up on my toes wasn’t too hard.

up on toes & hold
up on toes & hold

The hold back on my heels – a bit of a struggle.  (Jordan seemed to enjoy watching me attempt this.)

back & hold
back & hold

This was a simple (other than the not toppling over part) 43 that is great for both strengthening and stretching your calves.  (Plus it can also  help  strengthen your shins.)

And, because I’m trying to listen to my body, today was a day off!!  (Sundays seem to be my day off more often than not!)

Training is the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies.  (from Wikipedia)

Training is a word that we hear and use all the time.  Runners talk about training for their next race.  Chris (and all the people in the Guard) do regular training as part of their monthly drill.  Kids at school are being trained in lots of ways.

I think that training should be an ongoing process for all of us.  According to the definition it is not just perfecting old skills but gaining new skills and knowledge.  At times I feel like I’m a little stagnant in different areas of my life and those are the times that I should pick something new to learn.

Screen shot 2013-03-03 at 8.23.29 AMI don’t consider myself a gourmet cook, but I do enjoy cooking.  This past week, each of my boys took a night to pick   a recipe and prepare it for us (with a bit help).  I love that they are willing to learn a new skill and that I get to be the one to help them with it.

I already shared Jordan’s meal but here are a few pictures from Hunter’s.

peeling carrots
peeling carrots
watch out for your fingers!
watch out for your fingers!

Final stir before serving.  (Asian Shrimp Soup)

looks good!
looks good!

Currently I’m training for:

  • a 50-mile race in October
  • my ACE Personal Trainer Certification (test on Thursday) – renewing my certification but because I let it completely lapse several years ago, I have to retest
  • ????  This is my dilemma! I need something new to focus on!

So, what are you training for?  Do you like to learn new skills or just work on perfecting the ones you already have?

Happy Sunday!

Kim

 

Calves, Fitness, Running, Stairs, Treadmill

Pure Joy

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Today’s 43 worked a muscle group that I rarely spend much time on – my calves.  I guess I just assume that running and plyo work is enough for them.  (Weird, cause I use to always add in calf work.)

Anyway – I did calf raises on my bottom step (on a separate note – I really need to vacuum the stairs!).  I held 15 pound dumbbells for added weight and tried to work all angles of my calves.  I did a set of 43 just straight up and down:

drop
drop

I really tried to focus on holding not just the drop portion but the raised portion of each rep.

up - this is the real work!
up – this is the real work!

Then I turned my toes out for a set of 43.

toes out
toes out

A third set of 43 with my toes in.

pigeon toes
pigeon toes

Then I thought I might as well go ahead and really work my calves to fatigue by doing each leg by separately.  (For these, I held one 15 pound dumbbell in the hand on the same side as the leg I was working.)

43 on the left leg.

left leg only
left leg only

Final 43 on the right leg.

right leg
right leg

Yikes!!  I really should start doing these more often.  I think it would help my problem Achilles a lot!!  The hold at the top of each rep is where the true burn comes in!!

Today was a Les Mills Combat day – HIIT Power.  30 minutes of high intensity strength and plyo moves.  There was a brief moment during the last segment where I questioned why I was putting myself through such torture pain an intense work-out.  Then I remembered – I LOVE IT!!!!

Since the work-out was short, I decided to get in some extra cardio – Hello, treadmill!!!

Screen shot 2013-02-19 at 10.51.47 AM

Today was maybe the best run I’ve had since sometime last summer.  Not because of the speed or distance – it just felt so great!!  I felt like I was running simply because I LOVE it.  Screen shot 2013-02-19 at 10.51.33 AM

Such a great feeling!!  I ran 6 miles (41:38) and then did and easy 1.5 to finish an hour of running.  I don’t know what was different today but I will take it – Pure, 100% joy from the run!!!Screen shot 2013-02-19 at 10.53.39 AMThis babies expression sums it up beautifully!!!

Happy Tuesday – I hope your day has a great deal of true joy!!!

Kim

 

 

Calves, Fitness, Thighs

It’s Monday – Let’s Do This!!!

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Today the daily 43 was bright and early!!!  This one was actually fairly easy – yea!!!  (gotta have that every once in awhile in order to really appreciate the big challenges!!!)

The move today was a plie squat – on your toes the entire time!!!  My calves and inner thighs will thank me later!

I feel like a dork!
I feel like a dork!
What do I do with my hands??
What do I do with my hands??

Thanks, Jordan! (you don’t look like a dork at all!!!)  I tried to make sure that I kept all of my weight in my butt and centered (not leaning forward).  Fun 43!

Back before Christmas, I got my newest work-out program in the mail – Les Mills Combat.  I didn’t start right away because I really have been trying to let my stress fracture heal even if I occasionally most of the time, bend the rules!  However, yesterday, I read a review over at Melinda’s Fitness Blog and decided that I couldn’t wait any longer!!!

This morning I went through the Basic DVD – mostly just an intro and learning proper technique for all of the punches, kicks, etc.  Then I did Combat 30: Kick Start.  I did enjoy it but I think I will like it even more after I do it a couple of times so that I don’t miss anything!  Should be a really great program – looking forward to getting some of my cardio groove back!!!

Biggest Loser

 

I’m so excited about the new season of Biggest Loser!!!  One of my favorite shows ever!  Especially with my favorite trainer!

 

soooo happy she is back!!!
soooo happy she is back!!!

Well – I’m off to start a busy week!!!  Hopefully it is a great week for y’all!

Happy Monday!!

Kim

PS – in case any one wondered (or cared – or even thought about it!!) – through all of the plastic bin schlepping, tree untrimming, shelves crashing and shelf building – I didn’t break a single nail!!!!  Success and happiness!!!