Turtles Can Run

I’ve been doing very little strength training lately.  No weights though, mostly just body weight things  combined with the stability ball exercises which can really be a great workout.  I was talking to one of the ladies at the gym (who really knows her stuff) and she told me I should be doing some weights and that doing a Bodypump class twice a week would really help to improve my speed.  I knew she was right about me needing to do some strength training and I thought a class would really be perfect.

So I ran 3 miles on the trail this morning, got on ran away from my house and then back and past where I came in all the way to the gym.  That part of the trail is so hard on my knees because of the concrete..ugg.  I struggled through my miles because it was a bit hotter at 7:30 than it is at 6:30 when I have been doing my runs, but I got there.  As always when trying something new, I was nervous. But the instructor was very helpful, she told me everything I needed and showed me all the basic moves before class.  A step, a bar, and some weights were what I need it.  She told me to get two 10, 5, and 2 pound weights for the bar.  I kept my weight light, I didn’t use the 10s at all and made it through.  We did a lot of weighted squats, lunges, push ups and dead lifts.  We also worked our back, chest, triceps, and abs.  My muscles were really feeling it by the end of each set and I struggled to make it through to the end of each song.  I know I will be sore for a couple of days especially my arms, chest and back since they are very neglected.  But I enjoyed the workout and am going to try to fit this in twice a week as she recommended, in addition to taking two spin classes a week and my running of course.  When I get further along in my Marathon training I may cut back on the spin and a month before Marathon lay off the weights.  We will see how I feel.

I ran the 1 mile  home after class and that really took the rest of my energy, boy was I tired. And if I thought it was hot at 7:30, it was nothing compared to the heat at 9:30.  Temperatures were in the high 80s but the Real Feel was 94 already.  I am glad I decided to only do a mile after class, the other two ladies I was with were doing 5, I can’t imagine.  They would have had to drag me home.

Here is a link to the BodyPump if you are interested in learning more about it.

Filed under: Diet and fitness, Running Blog