Tag Archives: running

Cardio, Chest, Core, Fitness, Resistance Bands, Running, Squats, Thighs

Wimpy Week (1/4 – 1/10)

January 10, 2015 Kim 41 Comments

This week the workouts were wimpy and practically non-existent!!! I can’t remember the last time I’ve started January with so few days of working out.

Oh well, a little is better than zero!!!

Sunday 1/4 – 45 squat with one leg propped up to the side.

And, of course, I had to turn around and get the other side.

This move was also a nice hip opener.

I did an easy 5 mile run (40:30) followed by 1.25 super easy miles.

Monday 1/5 – 45 hops – front, back, out, in.

Quick and easy but better than nothing!!!

Tuesday 1/6 – 45 side running motion with one leg on a higher step.

I really did bring my knee up in more of a running motion – this was after the basketball game and I was ready for the day to be over!!!

I did the move with both legs on top (switched directions) but didn’t take a picture of my backside:).

Wednesday 1/7 – 45 side lying leg front and back (toe down in front and heel down in back).

move leg to the front and turn the toe down

And, don’t think I only worked one side –

Side 2 - move leg to front — Side 2 – move leg to front

By flipping the toes up and down, this move was a great one to work all parts of your hips!!!

Thursday 1/8 – 45 side knee lift with a side bend (band around ankles).

I counted a right – left as 1 rep for this move.

And, I’m thinking that 6 hours of putting up Christmas decorations including about 100 trips up and down the stairs should count as at least some sort of workout!!

Friday 1/9 – 45 alternating heel taps with hands reaching up and down. (I got this idea from Nellie on her Weekly Wednesday Workout and did my own variation).

right heel tap - reach arms overhead — right heel tap – reach arms overhead

left heel tap - reach arms down to sides — left heel tap – reach arms down to sides

I tried to keep this move a nice fluid move with my legs while my arms did a semi-circle as the went up and then down.

I actually ran – it was rough but better than nothing.
6 miles in 48:58 followed by 1.3 easy miles.

Saturday 1/10 – 45 chest press with leg abduction (band around ankles).

I liked this move since it worked so many large muscle groups!!!

I decided to try another workout – Cross Training for Fitness. I made it through 3 of the 15 minute sections before deciding I was done.

I have had a sore throat and sinus drainage all week which has hampered my workouts but I’m thinking that I’m at the point where I just need to suck it up and start pushing through!!! It’s amazing how quickly you can lose your current level of conditioning when you take some time off!

BTW – I do have on sweats/yoga pants/fleece and fuzzy socks in pretty much all the pictures – when it’s cold I live in this stuff. The minute I get home from any activity I put on my warm comfy clothes!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Back, Butt, Core, Fitness, Hamstrings, Plank, Push-Ups, Resistance Bands, Running

Accepting Limitations (12/14 – 12/20)

December 20, 2014 Kim 61 Comments

Yesterday at physical therapy we talked some about limitations and accepting the fact that sometimes we never “get back” to the point we used to be. I told the therapist that I was not ready to give up on long runs or fast runs so I need to pursue this whole leg issue further. I will continue to do the strengthening moves and work on good alignment but I think it is time for the next step – visiting my orthopedic surgeon.

Sunday 12/14 – 45 torso and leg lifts while laying face down.

By holding my hands back instead of in front this changed the move and degree that I could raise. When I do a basic superman I never get quite as much lift!

Monday 12/15 – 45 side plank crunch (bring top knee in).

I liked this move!! And, of course, I had to flip over and do another set of 45.

I ran 9 miles – furthest run in awhile in 71:10 followed by 1.5 easy miles. I spent over an hour and a half on the treadmill which is a record these days.

Tuesday 12/16 – 45 burpees with plank jack push-up.

Yikes – I haven’t done many burpees or push-ups in awhile and this was tough!!!

After that I went with an easier workout – Burn & Firm Pilates.

Wednesday 12/17 – 45 overhead circles with medicine ball (8 pound).

I circled clockwise for 45 reps and then switched direction for another set –

This move is good for your core but I also felt it in my forearms later in the day!!!

I ran a slowish 5 miles – 43:27 followed by 3.5 easy miles. My leg was very achey after this run!!!

Thursday 12/18 – 45 double crosses (for core).

This was hard for me!!! I counted a right over left + a left over right as 1 rep.

I did one of my DVDs that has lots of 10 minute workouts – Quick Fix Toning. I did 6 sections for a nice full body hour workout.

Friday 12/19 – 45 leg lifts to back on a diagonal (a therapy move).

I’m really working on staying straight and not tilting my body on these moves while strengthening my hips.

I did an 8 mile run – 64:31 followed by an easy 1.5 miles.

Saturday 12/20 – 45 clams with a band. My therapist wants me to do clams more often but I told her I never really feel them – she said to use a small band – I definitely felt them today!!!

My hip was burning by the time I finished all 45!!! Then I flipped over to do more!

So, I’m struggling with the fact that even though I can run it might be making my leg worse – this week it has hurt a lot more than last week. I don’t want to do any permanent damage but I need to run!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Kim

Uncategorized

My Year of Running 2014

December 17, 2014 Kim 83 Comments

I rarely do link-ups for several reasons but mostly because I’m lazy. However, this year I decided to participate in Amanda’s (Miss Zippy) fun year of running recaps.

1. Best race experience?
I don’t race a lot but actually did a few races this year.
In May I attempted a 50 mile race – did not complete it.
In September I did a timed run – ended up just doing a marathon and calling it a day.
My best race experience though was the half marathon trail race that I did with Hunter.

It was not at all like a race I thought I would enjoy – it was wet and muddy, slow and treacherous but I LOVED every second of it!!!

2. Best Run?
Overall, 2014 was a great year of running. Up until sometime in late October, I was running strong and injury free. I have over 1500 miles for the year which is the highest I’ve been in a long time.

I think the best run I had was way back in January – I ran 37 miles on Kristin’s (STUFT Mama) birthday to celebrate her birthday from a distance with her and to raise money for Run Sixty Feet.

This was one of those runs that actually felt good the entire time.
37 miles in 5 hours 23:14 – great running day!!!

3. Best new piece of gear?
I really like my Garmin 220 – sort of an early Mother’s Day gift to myself.
I also love all of my running shoes especially the 2 pairs of Wave Creations that I added to my collection this year –

4. Best piece of running advice you received:
I think mostly it was a matter of coming to a realization after a couple of failed attempts at running 50 miles – running should be fun. It isn’t about trying to prove anything – it is just something I love!!!

5. Most inspirational runner?
I don’t know if I can pick one person – the runners that I see day after day no matter what the weather inspire me.
So many of the awesome bloggers I read that run races, set PRs, get up early and push themselves every day inspire me.

But, the most inspirational runners in my world are my 2 boys.

before the 4th of July race around the lake

Seeing them develop a love of running this year has inspired me to just keep running because I love it. They have helped me realize that running isn’t about how far or how fast you go, it is just about running and loving the fact that you can!!!

6. If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would they be?
Great
Fun
Happy
Ready for more!!!

Thanks for setting up the link-up, Miss Zippy!!!

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

Butt, Core, Fitness, Hamstrings, Plank, Resistance Bands, Running, Thighs

Therapy Moves (12/7 – 12/13)

December 13, 2014 Kim 71 Comments

This week a lot of the daily moves were from PT – not sure that any of it is helping but I am running again so I will keep trying these things!

Sunday 12/7 – 45 single leg inner thigh raise with foot tap.

I’m supposed to be working on single leg moves while working on keeping my alignment straight. (Notice Hunter working in the background?? Nice, huh?!)

Monday 12/8 –45 plank (elbow) with knee in to leg lift. (right – left = 1 rep)

I haven’t done any planking in over 3 weeks so this was tough!!!

It was a running day!!! 7 miles in 55:50 followed by 1.5 easy miles.

Tuesday 12/9 – 45 back kicks.

After the first set of 45 I had to switch sides and do 45 more.

I did a DVD that I hadn’t done in a long time – Reebok Cardio Tone. This was just over an hour of cardio based toning – fun times!!!

Wednesday 12/10 – 45 medicine ball crunches with legs straight up and hands holding ball reaching to feet.

And, another day of running!!! 8 miles in 63:57 followed by 1.5 easy miles.

Thursday 12/11 – 45 single leg squat while on a step – push leg off ground down in front of step.

The left side wasn’t too bad! But, then I had to switch and do the move on my right leg (the one with all of the problems!!).

You can tell that I couldn’t go nearly as low on this side:(

I did a weight lifting DVD – Get Ripped & Chiseled. WOW!!! I haven’t lifted in over 3 weeks and I have been sore for the last 2 days! Love it!!!

Friday 12/12 – 45 front straight leg lifts with small band around ankle.

Part of the challenge on this is to stay straight (trying to work on my alignment). BTW – I noticed after the fact that I had my T-shirt on backwards – classy!!!

This was my 3rd running day of the week!! 6 miles in 48:00 minutes followed by 1.4 easy miles.

Saturday 12/13 – 45 back leg lift with band (my special therapy band:).

Still trying to work on balance with good alignment!

The rest of the day consisted of about 6 hours of shopping, a cello concert at the library, and a couple of hours of cleaning and ironing at the venue – not a true workout but lots of moving!!!

I’m not running the speeds or distances that I really want to run but I”m happy that I’ve been running again!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Core, Fitness, Quad, Resistance Bands, Running, Treadmill

Dropped the Ball on December Challenges but Still Sweating! (11/30 – 12/6)

December 6, 2014 Kim 38 Comments

I had hoped to take part in some of the fun challenges going around:
Josie (YumYucky) has the Fit Holiday challenge going on right now.
Moniques (Burpees to Bubbly) has the Happy, Healthy Fit Challenge for the month.
Amanda (Run to the Finish) has her incredible Holiday Sweat Challenge running!!

I wanted to be part of all 3 of these challenges!! However, I’m at a point where I’m happy to be working out but realize I have some limitations right now. So I will do the parts of the challenges I can do and that will have to be enough!!!

Sunday 11/30 – 45 1 minute wall sits!

Even though this was hard – 45 minutes of wall sits in one day is my new record – it was fun because the boys did a lot of the minutes with me!!!

Monday 12/1 – 45 dancing balls. Hold a stability ball with your feet and hands while lying on your back –

Lower right leg and left arm –

right arm down left arm down — right arm down
left arm down

Switch arms and legs –

left leg down right arm down — left leg down
right arm down

This move will really work your core!!

I tried running but quickly realized it wasn’t going to happen so I walked 6 miles with a 10% incline.

Tuesday 12/2 – 45 1 minute boat poses.

This took place mostly between the 2 parts of the treatment I had on my hands/arms – perfect!!

I did TaeBo – Fat Blasting Cardio. I love TaeBo!!!

Wednesday 12/3 – 45 running knees while on upside down wobble ball –

After doing 45 with my right knee I had to switch and do another set of 45.

This move was fun and went very quickly!!

I did a slow 3 mile run (27:00 minutes) followed by 4.1 miles at a 10% incline.

Thursday 12/4 – 45 leg abductions with a small resistant band.

After doing 45 with the right leg I switched and did another set on the left side.

I did one of my favorite workouts ever – Les Mills Body Pump – Combat!!!

Friday 12/5 – 45 single leg balance with arm move (open and close).

I’ve been going to a PT for my leg and she mentioned that when I stand on one leg I lean (very obvious in the pictures from Thursday), so I decided to work on some moves that require me to balance on one leg.

This move was easy – balance on one leg and open arms to side –

balance on right - open arms to side — balance on right – open arms to side

Stay still and bring arms together in front of body –

I stood in front of a mirror to try and make sure that I didn’t lean.

I actually got in a decent run finally!!! 8 miles in 65:20 followed by 1.5 cool down miles.

Saturday 12/6 – 45 rope climbs. Lay on your back with your legs extended and act like you are climbing a rope as you slowly sit up. Hold your abs tight and slowly go back down.