Tag Archives: running

Final Thoughts on Insanity: The Asylum

June 22, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

Today’s 43 was as much about stretching as anything!!! I did a side lunge with a toe touch and counted a right lunge and left lunge as 1 rep so it was 43 each side.

Here is a side view – all my weight is back in my butt (pretty much true all the time but especially when I lunge and squat!!).

Nice to do a move that doesn’t require a lot of jumping!!

Today I did my last Insanity Asylum workout – the Fit Test. I did this same test the day before I started the program and now after completing the program – I improved in all 9 drills!!!

Each move/exercise is done for 1 minute. 6 of the 9 drills use the agility ladder –

#1 – Agility Heisman – (using ladder) I went from 7 to 9.5

#2 – In & Out Abs – these are all done to the 2nd rung – I went from 20 to 35

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wwAhBLoDw0′]

#3 – Lateral Push-Ups (alt. sides) – 16 to 25

#4 – Standing Mountain Climber Switch Kicks – (heel has to come up above waist to count) – 54 to 70

#5 – Agility Push-ups (using ladder – down & back = 1 rep – touch hand to opp. shoulder for each move) – 4 to 6.5

#6 – X Jumps (squat down and touch toes – jump into X) – 42 to 49

#7 – Moving Push-Ups (using ladder – down & back = 1 rep) – I went from 3 to 5

#8 – Agility Heisman (different version than #1) – 11 to 15.5

#9 – Bear Crawls (with ladder – hop feet in at top and hands in at bottom) – I went from 7 to 10

Calvin & Hobbs sum up perfectly how I feel to be completely done with Insanity!!! I think the program is great but it was HARD!!! At some point ~~in about 20 years~~ in the next year or so, I will probably go through the program again but for now I need a break from it!!!

My favorite thing about both Insanity and Insanity: The Asylum is ~~Shaun T~~ when Shaun T says “Dig Deeper!!!”I will keep telling myself that while I move on to other workouts and finally get back to running!!! (I’ve been on a running break to try to reclaim my love of running – part of why I’ve been so focused on this crazy program!!)

And, on the running front – I’m ready to get back at it!!! Yesterday I even got these cool shoes because I ~~needed~~ figured that it was as good a time as any to add another pair to my collection.

I haven’t run in Asics since college (that’s been a LONG time!!!) but the guys (at the store) convinced me to give these a try and see how they compare to Mizunos so I agreed because I love the colors!!! (oh, and they feel good, too)

Gotta get moving on Saturday – lots to do today!! Chris just left for a trip – I can’t say where all he is going but I will say that this

is involved in part of the trip. I’m trying really hard not to be jealous!!! The boys and I will spend some of our day here

but it’s not quite the same!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Quad, Running, Squats, Treadmill

Vein Stripping: Five Weeks Later

May 30, 2013 Kim 28 Comments

For my 43 today, I did more leg work (and a bit of core since there was a high level of balance involved!). I used my stability ball: (not the BOSU – it was just in the picture!!)I started with one foot on the ball – knee bent:

Then I did a single leg squat and slid the ball out in front of me:

And, like so many of the 43s in the past, this was a double because I want both of my legs to get equal treatment!!!

Another day of Insanity Asylum – Back to Core. Since this is my first time through the program I didn’t know what to expect from this workout – now I know that it is a LOT of controlled moves and holds!!! My upper back will be sore tomorrow for sure!!! The only equipment needed for this workout is a little band – Good times!!!

I decided to get in a little run today since this workout didn’t have much cardio (and I’ve been in a bit of a running slump) – I ran on the treadmill since it is STILL raining here! 1.5% incline – 4 miles in 30:54 + 0.25 mile cooldown

Not sure what the deal is with running lately – not super motivated. I’m trying to cut myself a little slack and push harder with other things because I don’t want running to ever become something that I dread!!Thankfully, I don’t hate running but I’m not loving it at the moment either – I have a small idea of what the problem might be. (coming up…..)

So, it has been 5 weeks since this lovely picture (the day after I had my veins stripped):

I thought I would just do a short follow up (no gross pictures today!!!) with my thoughts on the surgery. I’ve already talked about the fact that my DR completely misinformed me by not telling me all the possible results and how long the recovery could take.

Now, it has been 5 weeks and I can do all of my normal activities so that is definitely a good thing. The downside – my legs have hurt every second of the past 5 weeks!!! They don’t hurt as bad now as they did the first couple of weeks but I have a few areas on both legs that HURT all the time.

My left ankle has a huge knot right under the bone on the inside that causes my ankle to stay swollen and ache all the time.

My right calf, while better than it was the first couple of weeks, still has a knot in it.

right calk — right calf – hard to tell much

And, my right upper thigh is just a mess – little knots all over.

I have regretted having this surgery almost since the minute I got home from the hospital and I’m still not at the point where I’m glad I had it done!!! I’m hoping that maybe in a few more weeks I will at least be happy with the results but for now all it’s done is cause me a lot of pain.

And, that pain (while definitely manageable) is what I think has caused my little running slump!!! Every time I run now my legs feel like this:I keep telling myself that the DR said I can’t hurt anything so I try to ignore it but it is a joy sapper for sure!!!

Well, what I meant to be an update, came out sounding like a lot of whining! I’m done with that now because I know that I’m lucky to be able to work out and do all the things I want to do!!!

Oh, and I’m very happy that I know longer need any wraps or nasty compression stockings!! The DR said to wear them at least for a month – DONE!!!

But I’m still going on record as saying – I, personally, don’t recommend this particular surgery and if I had it to do again, I would not do it!!

Happy Thursday!!!

Kim

Back, Cardio, Chest, Core, Fitness, Running, Shoulders, Squats

Happy Anniversary to the Love of my Life!!!!

May 25, 2013 Kim 22 Comments

Today’s 43 was brutal in every way!! I did Man-Makers!! Heard of them? Get a set of dumbbells (I used 15 pounds) and get ready!!

Put the dumbbells on the ground about a foot apart. Jump down to plank placing hands on DBs and do a push-up (you know, like a burpee). Then do alternate arm rows (while still in plank!!). Jump up into a low squat and bring weight to your shoulder. Stand, using your legs for power and push arms straight overhead. That was 1 rep!!! Repeat (43x if you are doing my version!).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmcosP5QWo0′]

After I finished that ~~torture~~ 43, I decided to go out for a run to shake out the last bit of soreness in my legs from Thursday’s long run. I finally used my new Garmin on a run!!! I just ran 3 miles in 26:00 + 0.5 miles walking to cool down!! It is already muggy and humid today!!!

Chris and I are celebrating 17 years of wedded bliss today!!! So, I think it’s a good time to share some of our story.

We met in August of 1995 at Whalers Bay in Lubbock, TX. (yep – we met at a bar!!!) Chris was with 3 other guys and I was with a group of people. My roommate that summer was a hostess there and had seen Chris in before. She purposely seated me next to him and his friends. Chris and his buddies all had large notebooks with them (the Dash 1) and were “studying”.

I started talking to Chris and asked him, “Are you a pilot?” His response, “No, but I want to be.” (he was in pilot training at the time)

I drank Rum & Coke that night (more than a few) all paid for by Chris and his pals, and because of that Chris’ buddies called me “rum & coke” for months after we met!!

At some point that night, Chris and I made plans to go out over the weekend. He called me the next day and asked if I had a chance to go out of town would I do it. I figured he was standing me up. Actually, he invited me to go to Austin to hook up with some friends of his and go to a Live concert.

We went to the concert, did 6th Street up rightgot a little sleep and drove back to Lubbock (Oh – it is 7 hours each way). Yep, we met in a bar, our first date was over 7 hours from were we lived – pretty sure we broke a lot of “dating rules” but it all worked out and look at us now!!! And we didn’t go as crazy as some people – the SLS Dating Site scene isn’t for us – but we did break a few conventions here and there!

Chris told me later that he knew on the way to Austin that I was the person he wanted to marry!!! The Monday after our first date he sent these to me at work!!

We dated the rest of the year (my first year as a teacher – 6th grade Science) while Chris was in pilot training. Most of our dates were like this:

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8wFBUF1ZWY’]

Well, maybe not exactly, but we did spend lots of time with the other guys (and their wives or girlfriends) in pilot training at a great piano bar called Off Broadway and karaoke happened often – good thing Chris can sing!!!

We were engaged all of 8 weeks!!! Not because we “had” to get married! Chris graduated from pilot training on May 24 and we got married the day after – we figured it would save his family a trip to TX (from Kansas).

at 2 and on the day of Pilot Training Graduation

The frame says – From long ago and far away…Love brought us to our wedding day.

It was a busy but incredible weekend!!! Chris sang to me at our wedding (a complete surprise to everyone, especially me!!)

Beautiful in my Eyes by Joshua Kadison (now know as “our song”)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRKqxSZeq4s’]

Obviously that isn’t him singing but it could be!!! (If you’ve never heard the song, it is definitely worth listening to!!)

Our wedding was Saturday and on Monday, Chris had to go to Altus, OK for his next training phase. I still had a week to finish school. So, we started our married life the way it would frequently be – the life of a military pilot and spouse!!!

The night I got to Altus, we ate at the O Club (Officer’s Club) – right when we walked in we heard our song so of course we danced cause that’s what you do!!!

I can’t even count how many times we have gotten up in the middle of dinner or while cleaning the kitchen to dance to our song (because I had my ipod playing on random)!!! The boys ~~love it~~ just roll their eyes and ignore us!!!

Happy Anniversary, Chris – you will always be the love of my life!!!

Do you and your spouse/significant other have a song? Do you drop everything and dance when you hear it?

Happy Saturday!!! I’m off to spend the day with my true love!!!

Kim

Biceps, Fitness, Running, Treadmill, Triceps

Day 250 = 250 Minute Run turned into a 200 Minute Run

May 23, 2013 Kim 26 Comments

The 43 of the day – Monkey Extensions which is a move I found when I was looking through my many pins on Pinterest! This is actually part of a workout by Michelle & Lori at Purely Twins. (check out their site – they always have lots of cool workouts, tips, recipes….)

So, to do a monkey extension, start with fairly light dumbbells (I just used 5 pound DBs today) and pull your hands up close to your arm pits:

From the start position, extend your arms straight out and slightly twist your hands so that your palms face the back:

Bring your arms back in to finish 1 rep.

This move is nice – it works your entire arm and your shoulders. While I was doing my 43 I watched myself in the mirror because I could feel myself pulling my shoulders up so I tried to make sure that I was keeping them relaxed.

Today is my 250th day of daily 43s so I decided to run 250 minutes!! I’m not sure why I thought this would be a good idea since I am only about a week back into doing any kind of leg work (and cardio) after 3 weeks of very little – but that has been part of my plan for awhile now so I went with it!!

The first 2 hours (120 minutes) went great – hit right at 15 miles which was my plan and goal from the start. Things went downhill from there. I spent the next hour (60 minutes) doing a walk/run thing which eventually turned into just a walk. When I got to 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes) I stopped.

I could give several reasons why I stopped but I think they are all just excuses. In the end, I just wasn’t able to do it!!!I’m not sure if I believe the quote above but I’m going with it!!!This one I totally agree with – I’m very disappointed with myself right now!!

This one sums it up – considering my semi-lack of training lately, I should have given up my goal to run 30 miles in the 250 minutes (4 hours 10 minutes) and just focused on running the entire time.

So, I will foam roll and soak and try again another time!!!

Happy Thursday!

Kim

Butt, Cardio, Core, Fitness, Power Moves, Push-Ups, Running, Shoulders, Treadmill

Tornado Tragedy

May 21, 2013 Kim 29 Comments

Today’s 43 was a killer!!! Taylor at Lifting Revolution did a post a couple weeks ago featuring 30 variations of burpees!!! I decided to turn some of those burpee variations into my daily 43s since I like ~~pain~~ to challenge myself.

Today I did a burpee with a box jump (43 times – what was I thinking???).

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA3x26yZPf8′]

Disregard the fact that I look like a total dork – and about killed myself jumping on the step!! Check out Taylor’s site – she makes the move look easy and she actually jumps into a squat on the box!! (I was lucky to jump up and not fall off!!)

Since yesterday I talked about my lack of motivation these past few days and the overwhelming consensus was to just “suck it up” and do it – that’s what I did today!!! After the intense 43 I ran!

I ran on the treadmill (still hesitant to hit the streets!!) – 1.5% incline, 6 miles in 40:43. I felt better after that run about working out than I have in awhile!!! I went for an easy 2 mile walk with a neighbor for my cool-down!!

Tragedies affect all of us differently. The devastating tornado in Moore, OK yesterday really hits home with me. I’ve never lived there but I think the fact that I’ve driven through Moore (on I-35) literally hundreds of times (one of those being less than 2 weeks after the huge tornado in 1999) and the fact that so many children were killed makes this one of those things that strikes a major chord with me!!!

The tornado was about 2 miles wide! I know last night they had 51 confirmed dead and 20 of those were children!! Plus all the people they are still searching for!! And the loss of virtually everything for those who survived is mind boggling.