obstacle training

My sessions with my trainer, Jennifer, is always a fun one. Well, as fun as one can have being pushed by a trainer to do crazy things! I wouldn't have it any other way. What I like about Jennifer is she always keeps our workouts interesting. It's never routine, and I think we have yet to recycle any of the exercises we've already done! I love it. Yesterday my session was an obstacle course, actually three of them. We usually do them 3 times and time them. The goal is to beat my previous time, which most times I feel like I can't but do. This time around I did fail one of the obstacles, but hey, we can't win them all! Here's what I did:

Warm up on TM for 15 min.

First obstacle course: 1:49/1:29/1:13

TRX Squats 10x

Speed Ladder: single leg down hops (each leg)

                       double leg hops

Lateral Stepovers 10x

Overhead Press (30lbs) 8-10x

Soldier Walk 20ft

Second obstacle course: 2:03/1:58/2:12

TRX Rotational Row 18x

Speed Ladder: Karaoke down/back

Step Jumps 10x

Bicep Curls (30lbs) 8x

Run Backwards 20ft

Third obstacle course: 2:42/2:12

Jump Rope 30 sec

Wide Stance Weighted Row (30lbs) 10x

TRX Donkey Kicks 5x 

Crunches 30x

Cool down:

Cat & Dog 15 sec

Kneeling Rollercoasters 5x

Downward Dog 15 sec

Wall Bench 30 sec

Shamrock Run 2011

In 52 days the 33rd Edition of the Shamrock Run in Portland will commence. I have every intention of doing the 5k with my friends Krystle, Ashley, and maybe Robin. This year I won't be trying for a PR, as I know I'm not ready to push myself to that level. But I think entering into this race will be enough to get me pumped up and ready for June's Drop Top 10k! I'm putting in treadmill time everyday to prepare myself for this race. This year it will be about fun and enjoying the energy around me! If you are looking for a race to do, whether it's your first or for a challenge, consider this race. They have a 5k, 8k, and a 15k...

Photo shared from the Portland Shamrock Run website.

music makes all the difference

Wherever I may be working out, whether at a gym or outdoors, I must have music. I'm always amazed when I see someone running down a road with no iPod, it seems so foreign and wrong to me. But we all have our music, for me the techno and bass beat of a good song keeps me going but for the next person the sound of the rain hitting the pavement or the chirps of the birds is song enough for them. How do you like to workout? With or without music?

For Christmas I got a new iPod, so I updated my workout tunes with some new tunes. Some fast heart pumping beats, and some mellow deep breathing tunes. Yesterday I made a discovery of my new powersong as I was on the treadmill. Just as I was running one of my intervals I began to loose steam and was ready to give up when a song came on. You know what I am talking about! That song that just sings to you the way no other song sings. I find that whenever I feel weak, or like giving up I tune into that song and it gives me the necessary drive to keep going!! I love music.

My powersong: Diddy Dirty Money's "Coming Home"...

a whirlwind of change

Ever have a moment of clarity? A moment when everything before you suddenly just made a lot of sense? I had one of those moments, a much more powerful experience than I have ever experienced. I know this blog is usually more focused on my health & fitness, but I believe every aspect of your being is always intertwined with everything the makes you who you are, and all the outer aspects of your life. I'm not perfect, nor do I aspire to be. I'm flawed in many ways, but everyday I work at being the best person that I can be. Be proud of who I am. Where I came from. And where I am going. Here I stand, 32 years old, and though I'm on a path to improved health and an overall lifestyle change, I already feel strong. I'm strong because I tell myself that I am. I'm strong because I have a support system that believes in me. I'm strong because I am loved for who I am in every way that I am.

I. Am. Strong.

I've struggled for many years with my weight. Tried many different things. Had much help from many different people, but never succeeded. Not because they failed, but because I wasn't ready. I can't tell you that this time will be different, my words will just be that- words. So instead I will show you. This time it feels right. I feel ready. I've got plenty of support, still, and many avenues of inspiration and motivation. So my plan?

It's said that it takes 28 days to form a habit. So I'm making ME a habit. A habit to love myself, respect myself, take care of myself... to keep getting stronger. My trainer, Jennifer, has me keeping a food journal on-line. I started this when I started my personal training with her. Two months later, I'm just NOW getting the hang of it. I never realized how much I love my carbs. And what a challenge it is to teach yourself to cut back on the very things that you love. I grew up where rice was an almost every dinner ritual, now for the last 2 or 3 weeks I've substituted my rice for salads or more veggies. I don't really crave the rice anymore. So, to keep on the right path, to succeed, I'm going to form a new habit. A eating healthier habit. An exercising regular habit. For the next 28 days, I'm making ME a priority. No longer will I put myself aside for convenience, for laziness, for excuses. I'm now on Day 3 on my new path and I feel great! 

I'm only 25 days away from feeling stronger...