Nothing Less than a 5K

Thanks so much for the kind comments and emails about my post yesterday!  The blogging community is great!

I've written before about running, but I don't know if I've ever really said how much I love to run.  There's just something about getting in a good workout that makes me feel great!  It's sometimes hard to fit in a workout each day as I'm sure you all know, but I think it's so important to try to break a sweat every day or at least five days per week.

Last week, I decided I'm going to start doing "Nothing Less than a 5K" five days per week.  I started this "campaign" last Wednesday, and so far, I've run nothing less than 3.1 miles on four days.  I've gotten back to running more regularly this month (in fact, I've run more days in May than I've taken off!), but not a consistent amount.  I'll run 4.5-5 miles one day and 1.5 the next, so I decided it's time to start a new "program."  Plus, I'd like to do the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Savannah in November and there's no time like the present to start training.

Each week, I try to look at my schedule to see when I know I can't run and work around it.  Take last week and this week for example.  I knew that last weekend I would be going to Charleston to visit PC (an update on him is coming tomorrow - please continue praying!), so I wouldn't be running Friday and Saturday.  This week, I know I have two nights with events for work plus a meeting with my childhood best friend who's getting married in a few weeks tomorrow night to go over music for her wedding (I'm singing) and then a graduation to go to Friday night.

Last week's running schedule worked out nicely and I took Friday and Saturday off.

My running/workout plan for this week is (I'm lumping Sunday into this week):
Sunday - 3.1
Monday - 3.1
Tuesday - workout at the gym during lunch; off day
Wednesday - run
Thursday - gym workout, run
Friday - try to fit in a run before graduation
Saturday - run

One thing I really need to work on is going to the gym.  Even though I'm active and running most days, I haven't been to the gym in about a month for strength training.  I try to go twice a week on average to do an upper body workout and abs, but the past month with everything that's gone on plus being absolutely tired and drained, I've opted to go home after work for an outdoors run and skip the gym.  I'm trying to change that this week.  With two out of town evening events for work, I'm going to try to get to the gym at some point during the day on those days.  I can do a quick 30 minute workout which is really all I normally do when strength training, take a shower, and head back to work pretty easily.

So, tell me, how do you fit workouts in during the week especially when you're busy?

At Home Work Out Videos

How do you feel about at home work out videos?  

I didn't ever think they worked, but y'all, I am convinced some of them do!

A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon the workout video aisle in Target and left with a kettle ball and medicine ball.

 

All I have to say is wow!  These things work!  

I consider myself to be in shape.  I run and workout regularly and am fit, but my goodness, was I sore after the first day of doing the Go Fit Kettle Bell DVD!  I only bought the 10 lb weight to start with since I didn't know what to expect.  My arms have not been sore at all, but my thighs and glutes are sore after every one of these workouts.  

The 25 minute DVD includes a few breaks, but you are working out for most of the length of the DVD.  When I go to the gym, I run, use the weight machines, and work on my abs  In the DVD, about 3/4 of the time you're doing squats and lunges, thus the aching legs.

I've only used this DVD three times.  Once when I bought it, about a week later, and last night.  I feel like I get such a great workout and breathe heavier doing this than I do running 4 or 5 miles.  I am definitely going to be incorporating this into my workout routine. 

I didn't think I'd ever say it, but at home work out videos can work! 

I also love the fact that I feel like I've gotten a work out at home especially after long days when I don't feel like driving to the gym but I want to get in some quick exercise. 

Do you have any at home work out videos that feel comparable to the gym?

It's Monday: A Hodgepodge

I hope you all had a great weekend!  Mine was nice and relaxing!

Friday night, we had dinner from the Greek Festival and then just hung out.  I didn't make a wreath on Saturday, but I did start cleaning out my closet and switching over to fall.  That's going to be a job!  Sadly, the Gamecocks didn't win, but it was a good game to watch.  Yesterday, I went to church and literally did nothing else the whole day!  I usually get really bored when I have nothing planned, but sometimes, days like yesterday afternoon are the best!  Plus, it'll be a while before I have another day that lazy as the next two weeks are extremely busy with a Board meeting and two day event for work plus our Junior League's holiday showcase next weekend (and I'm the chair of the Merchants Committee!).

That reminds me, I haven't said anything about work on here, and since we're still in the "introductory stage", now would be the appropriate time to do so.  I work as the marketing/fundraising director for a regional group.  I don't plan to give too many details away as my job is quasi-political and well, I just don't feel comfortable throwing it all out there.  Plus, I'm not one that likes to bring work home. 

Moving on.

I am turning over a new leaf this week.  A workout leaf.  You see, I used to work out all the time and run almost every day.  Lately, as in the past month, I haven't.  I've been busy, tired, and full of excuses, and it stops.  Today.  I'm going to the gym after work.  Working out consistently and eating right makes you feel so much better so there's no excuse for not doing it. 

One more thing: The Event.  Did you watch it?  Like it?  I watched it Saturday morning and I'm not sure about it.  I wasn't in to LOST, but I think I might like this one.  I need to give it another try.

Happy Monday!