Who ever invented squats?
Why is it that the moving up and down into the sitting position is so effing tough on the legs?
And maybe, just maybe, if we didn't have chairs everyone would be in much better shape because everyone would constantly have to squat instead of actually sitting. Ok ok, I know that's going too far. But seriosuly, squatting hurts like a mo-fo.
After about 100 squats, 300 ab exercises, about a million different tricep/bicep/forearm free weight exercises, my body felt like jello. And not the jello that just came out of the fridge, but the jello that has been left out on the counter and has started to soften.
Clearly, I didn't have it in me to do any sort of running yesterday, but I will make itup today by pushing myself harder than ever when I do my 4 mile run.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Who knew that pain would make me faster!?
So, why is it that the faster I run, the less my legs hurt?
Yesterday, I tried running a really fast 4 miles. One problem: my quads were killing me from all that resistance work on the eliptical two days ago. So, as I'm running through my pain, I'm realizing that the faster I go, the less I hurt. Interesting concept, huh?
After some pondering, I decided this is due to one of two things:
1) The faster I run, the harder it is to breathe. So I am more concentrated on breathing right than on my quads hurting.
2) The faster I run, the closer I am to the finish, which makes me happy and I know I will finish sooner, which means my legs will stop hurting sooner.
Either way, this is all one big mental vs. physical game. The point is that if I can make my brain focus on things like breathing or finishing rather than on pain and exhaustion...I am unstoppable!!! :)
"Work My Ass Off" Day 2 is now complete.
Yesterday, I tried running a really fast 4 miles. One problem: my quads were killing me from all that resistance work on the eliptical two days ago. So, as I'm running through my pain, I'm realizing that the faster I go, the less I hurt. Interesting concept, huh?
After some pondering, I decided this is due to one of two things:
1) The faster I run, the harder it is to breathe. So I am more concentrated on breathing right than on my quads hurting.
2) The faster I run, the closer I am to the finish, which makes me happy and I know I will finish sooner, which means my legs will stop hurting sooner.
Either way, this is all one big mental vs. physical game. The point is that if I can make my brain focus on things like breathing or finishing rather than on pain and exhaustion...I am unstoppable!!! :)
"Work My Ass Off" Day 2 is now complete.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Level 15...are you kidding me!?
So, I came to the realization yesterday that I need to be working my ass off every single day I train so that when I do my long runs, I don't feel on the verge of passing out. I KNOW I can work harder and run faster, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
I put this "Work My Ass Off" plan into action last night. My dad suggested that when I do my cross-training on the eliptical, I use a higher resistance level, Level 15, instead of Level 8, which I typically use. I figured this would be the perfect way to start my plan.
As I tapped my finger on the up arrow, my legs began to rebel against me. After clicking the arrow 4 times, up to a Level 12, my legs won the fight against my finger and I stopped clicking. Level 12 felt like a giant football player was pushing up as hard as he could on the bottoms of my feet. Not so fun. So, I went up and down between levels 8 and 12 for 40 minutes. Felt great afterwards, but certainly not during my workout.
So, maybe I'll get you next time, Level 15. But for now, I'll stick to my agonizingly hard Level 12.
I put this "Work My Ass Off" plan into action last night. My dad suggested that when I do my cross-training on the eliptical, I use a higher resistance level, Level 15, instead of Level 8, which I typically use. I figured this would be the perfect way to start my plan.
As I tapped my finger on the up arrow, my legs began to rebel against me. After clicking the arrow 4 times, up to a Level 12, my legs won the fight against my finger and I stopped clicking. Level 12 felt like a giant football player was pushing up as hard as he could on the bottoms of my feet. Not so fun. So, I went up and down between levels 8 and 12 for 40 minutes. Felt great afterwards, but certainly not during my workout.
So, maybe I'll get you next time, Level 15. But for now, I'll stick to my agonizingly hard Level 12.
Monday, September 21, 2009
3% isn't too bad, right?
"Ehh, it was nothing." - These are the words my dad uttered as he chatted about our 8-mile run with some family friends that stopped by for a visit last night.
While it was "nothing" to Dad, this 8 mile run had me gasping for breath at mile 6. While this is the first long run that I've had to stop and walk during, I managed to walk for only 3% of it (we calculated this percentage in an attempt to distract me from the, seemingly impossible at the time, task at hand).
But on a positive note, I did see lots of ducks and ducklings, doggies, and gorgeous homes. I think the key to runnng such far distances is to keep yourself distracted with scenery and chit chat, which is why it's so great to run in a nice area and with a partner. And, I also learned yesterday that hiding a water bottle somewhere along the route helps a great deal. I was striving to finish mile 5 so that we could get to our much needed water and Gatorade hidden behind a bush.
All in all, I felt like crap all evening. But hey, I feel great this morning! And that's what this is all about for me...finishing something difficult that does not have the best immediate effect on my body, but gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment as well as a new idea of what my body can handle.
While it was "nothing" to Dad, this 8 mile run had me gasping for breath at mile 6. While this is the first long run that I've had to stop and walk during, I managed to walk for only 3% of it (we calculated this percentage in an attempt to distract me from the, seemingly impossible at the time, task at hand).
But on a positive note, I did see lots of ducks and ducklings, doggies, and gorgeous homes. I think the key to runnng such far distances is to keep yourself distracted with scenery and chit chat, which is why it's so great to run in a nice area and with a partner. And, I also learned yesterday that hiding a water bottle somewhere along the route helps a great deal. I was striving to finish mile 5 so that we could get to our much needed water and Gatorade hidden behind a bush.
All in all, I felt like crap all evening. But hey, I feel great this morning! And that's what this is all about for me...finishing something difficult that does not have the best immediate effect on my body, but gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment as well as a new idea of what my body can handle.
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