This week was a much lighter kind of week for me because I wanted to rest my legs as much as possible since today is the big day!!!
Sunday 5/4 – 44 plank on stability ball with knee to elbow.
readyright knee in
I did all 44 with my right knee and then switched and did 44 more!!
ready to go againleft knee in
Just holding plank on the stability ball was hard – pulling my knees in was brutal!!!
Monday 5/5 –44 supermans on stability ball with alternate leg lifts. A right leg lift with superman and a left leg lift = 1 rep.
ready – the easy partlift, squeeze, left leg upother side viewlift, squeeze, right leg
This was a walking day – 5 miles at 7.5% incline in 75 minutes. I wanted to do something but nothing too challenging!!
Tuesday 5/6 –44 medicine ball crunches on a stability ball.
readycrunch
Pilates was a good choice for a workout that wasn’t too difficult – Burn and Firm Pilates.
Wednesday 5/7 – 44 reverse crunches with the stability ball under my legs.
startcrunch up
Not gonna lie – just holding onto the ball was a challenge!!!
And, because I was super excited about the new shoes I received on Tuesday (I won some Mizuno Hitogamis from Jacqueline @ Skinny Chick Blog), I had to get a run in.
Just 3 miles nice and easy (25:25) with another 0.75 to cool down. I think I’m going to enjoy these shoes for lighter runs/speed work.
Nice, huh?!
Thursday 5/8 – 44 hip raises on stability ball.
startlift butt and squeeze
This is one of those moves that seems like it will be easy but you will definitely feel it after a few reps!!!
I took the day off from working out – trying to rest my legs some and I knew that I was going to spend about 4-5 hours on my feet cleaning and ironing at our venue so I decided to skip my normal workout.
Friday 5/9 – 44 stability ball squats – barely touch the ball with your butt and come up just a few inches so that you are in a squat the entire time – OUCH!!!
barely touchup just a little
Saturday 5/10 –44 crunch reaches. I needed something quick and easy and this was perfect!!
startup and reach
Today I will spend most of my day here –
The Flint Hills
The race starts at 6:00 am and hopefully I will be done before 4:00 pm but no matter how long it takes –
This week the daily 44s were all about my favorite piece of equipment –
BOSU
Sunday 4/13 – 44 curtsy lunge on upside down BOSU.
readydown
After 44 on my right leg, I had to switch feet and do another set!!
2nd sidedown
The pictures were actually after Hunter and I did his first 60 minute run!!! We ended up doing 61 minutes so we could do an even 6 miles!!! For the run we did a 5 minute run/1 minute walk cycle and he did great!!!
Monday 4/14 – 44 tricep dips on upside down BOSU.
readydown
By the 25th rep my arms were shaking – 44 of this move was no joke!!!
And, I decided to run a marathon!! Actually, I wanted to get in a long run of 2-3 hours. When I got close to 3 hours I thought I would keep going to 25 miles and then I decided to just go to 26.2!!!
26.2 miles – 3:40.57 + 0.8 easy miles
Tuesday 4/15 – 44 push-ups with one arm on the BOSU.
left armdown
And, of course, I had to do 44 more with my right arm on the BOSU.
readydown
(I know I have on the same clothes from Monday’s pictures – Chris took the pictures on Monday morning before he left to go out of town for a few days!!)
I only did 22-24 on each side on my toes and the rest were on my knees.
I wanted to do an easier workout since my legs were tired from Monday so I did Poise-Core Training. It was a lot like pilates and a nice 45 minute workout!!
After school, I ran with the boys – 30 minutes (we did 3.25 miles) and then walked 0.25 miles. The first couple minutes were rough and I almost stopped but by the end I was happy I had gone with them.
Wednesday 4/16 – 44 side leg abduction on BOSU.
readylift
This was another one of those moves that I had to do one set of 44 and then switch sides to do another set!
side #2lift and hold
I tried to hold each lift for a couple seconds and then control my leg on the way down – my base leg was shaky!!!
And, since the week was already about the BOSU, I did a couple of BOSU DVDs – BOSU Balance Trainer and BOSU Reactive Strength & Power. Both of these workouts had a mix of cardio, strength moves and some core work!!
Thursday 4/17 – 44 crunches on BOSU.
in position
The start position was nice because it was a good back stretch!!
crunch
It wasn’t a big crunch (otherwise I would have rolled off!) but it was very effective!
And, I ran again!! 8 miles (63:03) + 0.5 easy miles.
Friday 4/18 – 44 BOSU butt bridges.
down (butt slightly off ground even in this position)squeeze and lift
I liked this move – I don’t think I work my hamstrings as much as I should but this move definitely did the trick!
I did a fun DVD – Cross Training for Fitness. It is a lot of kickboxing with some great core work thrown in.
Hunter and I also ran. It was a 35 minute run but we ended up coin 36:51 so we could finish our 4th mile. Hunter is doing a great job with his training – so far he is still enjoying it and I love the time we spend running together!!!
Saturday 4/19 – 44 squats with a twist (holding a medicine ball) on upside down BOSU.
readydownside view
I did all 44 to the right side and then switched and did 44 more.
twist to the left
You can look back at the week and see that I did several moves with the BOSU upside down. If you have never tried using the BOSU this way, you should!! The balance challenge is incredible!!!
There are so many ways to use a BOSU – I think I will have to pick another week soon to focus on it again!!!
Weekly mileage 47.45 + 1.55 easy miles for a total of 49 miles.
This week the daily 44 was all about trying new plank variations – fun times for sure!!!
Sunday 4/6 – 44 plank with opposite arm/leg reach and crunch. This one took a LOT of balance but it was fun!!!
right arm/left leg
Of course, after I did one set of 44 I had to switch sides and do another set.
left arm/right leg
Not gonna lie, this move was a challenge!!!
And, Sunday was Hunter’s first long run for his half marathon training. It was 50 minutes. We did a 4 minute run and 1 minute walk (we will probably do this for at least a month on the long runs since he had never run over 3 miles before starting this!).
4.78 miles total
Monday 4/7 – 44 plank with feet on wobble balls, alternate step offs. (right foot off – right foot on, left foot off – left foot on = 1 rep)
readyright foot off
Back to plank with both feet on.
left foot off
I liked this plank move but it was a long time to hold plank!!!
Run – 8 miles (63:50) + 1.25 easy miles
Tuesday 4/8 – 44 side plank with rotation (elbow to ground)
readydown
And, you know that I can’t be lopsided so I had another set of 44.
readytwist
This move was hard – sometimes I think that holding plank on the elbow is just as hard as holding it on your hand!!!
Another day, another run! 7 miles (54:04) + 0.5 miles easy
Wednesday 4/9 – 44 rocking planks with hands on foam roller (my favorite move of the week!).
foam roller of the dayreadyforward
This one must have been easier than some of the other options of the week because I really enjoyed it!!!
The morning workout was all about Turbo Fire. I did Upper 20, Lower 20 and Core 20 for a nice hour that worked my entire body using bands!!!
Red band – upper and core Green band – lower
Wednesday afternoon we went on a family run. Hunter and I had 35 minutes on tap and Chris and Jordan tagged along for some of the run.
35 minutes – 3.5 miles
Thursday 4/10 – 44corkscrew planks. This move I got from Nellie (Brooklyn Active Mama) and it was HARD!!! Basically from the plank position, you twist your body so that your right arm goes underneath you and you drop your hips. When you return to plank, lift your right leg.
right side
After suffering through completing all the reps on one side, switch sides and let the fun begin again!
to the left
I struggled a lot to finish but I made it through all of the reps – thankfully!
Basically, you start in plank with a dumbbell outside of your right hand (I used 12 pounds). With your right hand, move the DB between your hands (return to plank). Take your left hand and move the DB outside of your left hand (return to plank). Reverse the move to complete 1 rep.
Trying to keep the rest of my body still was HARD!!!
The workout was fun – Turbo Jam – Turbo Sculpt. This workout is a fun way to get in some toning with Chalean. She suggested 3-5 pound dumbbells for females but I went with 8s – it was a challenge!!!
And, after school, Hunter and I (Jordan joined us for about half) had another run! This was supposed to be a 30 minute run. We ended up running faster than we have been.
3.37 miles in 28:26 (8:26 pace). We picked up the pace every mile – hooray for Hunter!!!
Saturday 4/12 – 44 pike planks on the stability ball. So, maybe these were the hardest move of the week -not sure but they were definitely challenging!!!
readyup
Lots of wobbling to complete 44 reps of this move!
And, another day of running (I’m on a major streak right now!!) – 7 miles in 47:51 + 0.65 easy miles.
I’m loving the extra running with Hunter right now – good for preparing for my big race that is 4 weeks from today!!!
Total miles for the week – 43.87 + 3.68 easy one = 47.55
Do you like planks? Do you have some new variations I need to try?
So the title is my poor attempt at a catchy song – but I think I’ve always said it wrong!! I thought it was supposed to be, “It’s all about the money, money, money.” Ummm….maybe it’s supposed to be “It’s NOT about the money, money, money.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlKA3a11CRw
Oh, well – this week has been all about weights and running!!!
Sunday 3/30 – 44 stacked leg oblique crunches with dumbbell (15 pound)
start – right leg on topcrunch to the left
After doing 44 to the left, I switched my top leg and crunched the other direction.
left leg on topcrunch right
Reaching with the dumbbell made this move a challenge!!!
I ran 9 miles (72:51) + 1 easy mile. Trying to continue to increase my miles for about another month (big race coming up!!).
Monday 3/31 – 44 alternating shoulder press while standing on wobble balls. I used 10 pound dumbbells and that was hard by the end!
readyrightleft
I love using the wobble balls for moves like this because you have to keep a slight bend in your knew to hold the balance and that helps take pressure off of your low back!!!
see how little they are?
This was also a running day!!! 8 miles (59:57) plus 2 nice and easy miles.
Tuesday 4/1 – 44 combo shoulder/arm move (5 pound dumbbells – this was hard plenty!) Start with palms facing body –
ready (don’t forget to look bored!)
Raise arms straight up in front –
up
Rotate weights so that your palms are facing down –
palms down
Pull arms back (squeeze your shoulder blades together) –
pull back and squeeze
Lower arms down to side –
down
Curl arms down so that you are back to the start position.
I liked this move – it was a great way to work my entire upper body!!!
I needed a little break from running so I did a 10 Minute Solution DVD – Sculpt, Tone and Reshape with the Figure 8.
figure 8 band
There are so many fun moves with this band – I love what a great workout you can get with it. This DVD was just over 50 minutes and I worked my entire body!!!
This was a challenge with the amount of weight I used but I don’t want to have saggy arms!!!
I did Shelly McDonald (a Caribbean workout) Core Pilates. I had a horrible headache (woke up around 1:00 am with it and it never went away) so I thought some pilates would be a good choice. I made it through almost the whole hour before I quit!
Thursday 4/3 – 44 side bend with shoulder press (8 pound dumbbells).
readydown with right hand, really reach up with left hand
After doing 44 to one side, I had to switch and do another set!
ready to go againgo
By the time I finished, I had worked not only my core but also my shoulders – just holding an 8 pound weight up for the entire time was a workout!!!
I did a double run on Thursday to break in my new shoes!!! Well, really just to get used to running on tired legs but….
new shoes – Mizuno Wave Prophecy 3
First run – 10 miles (79:24) plus 1.15 easy.
Second run about an hour and a half later – 5 miles (36:53) plus 2.35 miles at a nice pace.
Total – 15 miles of hard running and 3.5 easier miles!
Friday 4/4 – 44 bicep curls in Warrior I (5 pound dumbbells).
readycurl
I had to do another set after I finished 44 that way!!
switch sidesculs
5 pounds doesn’t seem like much until you do a total of 88 bicep curls and keep your arms extended out the entire time – then it feels like at least 20 pounds!!!
The workout was a fun one – Turbo Jam – Cardio Party 3. 50 minutes of pure fun with Chalean and her crew!!!
Saturday 4/5 – 44 lateral raise on wobble balls (first 22 with 8 pounds, second 22 with 5 pounds).
trying to stay balancedreadygo
This move is always hard for me!!! After the first 22 I knew that I couldn’t continue to use good form unless I dropped down in weight!!!
And, today was another day of running!! 9 miles – 63:17 plus 1.1 to cool down.
Overall, this was a great week of strength work and running!!!!
41 miles of hard running plus 7.6 easier miles for a total of 48.6 miles!!!
It might take me awhile to figure out how I want to do my Daily 44s since I’m not posting every day!!
Sunday 3/16 – 44 Squat thrust with 4 plank jacks
No other workout – Sunday is usually my day off if I take one for the week.
Monday 3/17 – 44 seated row with band
ReadyRow
I ran 11 miles in 88:07 followed by an easy cool down mile.
Tuesday 3/18 – 44 windshield wipers with bender ball. This move is awesome for your entire core!!!
readydown to rightdown to left
I counted a right – left as 1 rep. Not gonna lie – this move was hard for me!! I guess my core/obliques need more work!!!
Another long run (trying to get used to running on tired legs!) – 12 miles in 95:36 followed by 2 easy miles.
Wednesday 3/19 – 44 hammer curls while standing on wobble balls.
readycurl
I used 10 pound dumbbells which was about as heavy as I could handle for that many reps.
I pulled out another DVD that I haven’t done in a long time – Shape Sculpt Your Abs. I did the entire 60 minutes plus the 12 minute bonus. I like that even though the title implies that it is just an Ab workout, it is really a full body workout!!!
Thursday 3/20 – 44 side lying hip abductions. This move was thanks to Nellie (Brooklyn Active Mama) and her Weekly Wednesday Workout. I have done a move similar before but this one had a slight variation – when you lift your leg, you pull it slightly back.
ready to work the right legup and slightly back
It didn’t take very many of these to feel it in my hip and outer thighs!!! And, you know I don’t want to be unbalanced so I flipped over and did 44 more!
gott balance the left side!lift and pull back just a bit
I also got in my 3rd run of the week. 8 miles in 62:13 followed by 1.6 miles nice and easy!!!
Friday 3/21 – 44 Jefferson Dead Lifts. This move was brand new to me and I liked it OK since I like to find new things to try for my daily moves but I’m not sure I would do it regularly. I saw it on Tamara’s (Fitknitchick) Facebook page the other night and thought it would be fun!
You can see in the picture that the grip is different from a standard grip with one hand facing out and the other in.
ready (awkward!!)
down
I decided that since it seemed like one side was working a little differently I should flip around and do another set of 44 the other way.
2nd sidedown
I think that I prefer the straight leg dead lift to really target my hamstrings and butt!!
I did a new workout that I just won from Kim (BusyBod) “Thanks, Kim!!!” – The MashUP Conditioning DVD. This workout was intense!!! The idea is to work the entire body in a short time (longer if you combine segments). Each 15 minute segment consists of 3 parts – 5 minutes of strength based moves (also some agility involved). This is 5 moves for 1 minute each!
The next section was HIIT – 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off for 5 minutes. I’ve never done HIIT with that long of a rest but it was kind of nice.
The final 5 minutes was the mind/body connection – 5 primarily core moves for 1 minute each and you were encouraged to stretch as needed.
I did 2 (there are 7 total) of the Tempo segments for a 30 minute intense workout!!
Saturday 3/22 – 44 jump squats onto wobble balls. You know I’m loving my wobble balls and this was a fun way to do some jump squats!!!
I tried flipping them over and really working my balance but after nearly twisting my ankle twice I decided that it was challenging enough the way I did it!!!
And, I ran again this morning!!! 8 miles in 56:52 plus 2.2 easy miles. Today for the HappyFitMarch challenge we were supposed to run a mile and compare it to the past 3 Saturdays. I used my 8th mile today (I’ve been using my first mile which is never my fastest!) – 6:00 for the final mile.
Overall, it was a great week of 44s and working out!! I ran 4 out of 7 days for a total of 31 miles plus 6.8 easy miles.
