Monday-Spin, Weights, elliptical. Tuesday-Active recovery and yoga-yup, yoga!

Monday- Race Day Spin today...... I used a repeat class and revamped it a bit. New music and a few new moves and viola. New class. I used my new HR parameters as well. I like having something that makes sense finally!

Totally Toned was next on the list. I usually sit it out after race day and today was no exception! It was a fun class to instruct, I was able to incorporate the exercise stability balls in today's class for some variety. I hope to do this more often this session. Lots of laughs were had!

So that was my classes for the day. With my new training I am not to count my class instruction as a true workout. Awesome.

I headed back to the gym after getting the girl from school to weight train with Ryan. It was a lot of fun. Not overly difficult, but I am not complaining. I have not lifted in months (regularly).

He had me throwing an 8 lb. medicine ball overhead--let it bounce no more than 1 time and then do it again for about 8 passes. Walking lunges with medicine ball rotation, 1 leg squats, 1 leg hamstring curls with the stability ball, push ups, pull-ups, jumping lunges, BOSU push ups + burpee, TRX rows and, and, and. Whew. Oh, we ended with core. I loathe working my core, but I know it will only make running as well as cycling and just about every physical activity easier!

After that torture, it was time to torture myself with my first prescribed workout- It was called Threshold 3. I had 5 minutes of intervals for 60 minutes total. I thought for sure I would stop at 15 minutes in. By minute 25 I found my groove and there was no stopping me now until that darn elliptical said 60:00complete! Ugh. It was pretty hard. Thankfully, I only have to have my heart rate up super high ( 167-168) for 1 minute. It took me about 35 seconds to get it up that high ( I was at 154 at the time). So I need to work on that next time- I was not working hard enough apparently. Gah!

That brings me to today (Tuesday!). My active recovery day! Yay! I got up at dark thirty to hit the elliptical again. My goal was to keep my heart rate between 132-142 for 60 minutes. Mission complete! I averaged 137 beats per minute for the duration. I don't get bored surprisingly. I think it's because I am constantly looking at my Heart Rate monitor --time pretty much flies by that way.

Once at home I actually did some yoga/stretching for a whole 45 minutes! Let's see if I can continue this. Twice a week would be ideal, but I will shoot for once a week for now.

I will be instructing my New Mom's class in a few hours, but I think it will be mostly a cardio day for them on the machines and track and core work and stretching is the plan so far. Well, that depends on if we have a tornado!

Friday - crazy for cardio

Friday~ I am glad that last Friday's spin class was not a fluke (still knocking on wood though). I had about 15 peeps show up this morning for a great workout. I did a version of my Monday class race day profile, but gave a few variations and choices....I think it went over really well.

After spin I went to the gym and did a variation of a workout from Men's Health Magazine.
It was tough!! I was supposed to do 4 sets, but I did 2 instead. I know I could have given more if I did not teach a hard spin class before!
I changed it a bit, but this is what I did:

Squat Jumps (10)
Mtn climber to push up (10)
Jump rope 90 seconds ( I did this instead of the 10 sets of shuttle sprints)
Dumbbell swings + squat ( I added this)
rest 90 seconds
Repeat for a total of 2 sets

Next Round:
Alternating lunges ( 10/per)
Squat Thrust (10)
Jump rope 90 secs
Dumbbell swings
rest 90 secs

About 5 mins. of abs

5 walking laps around the track
Whew. Done. It was good. My butt and legs hurt already. Me likey.

The 2 hour ride that wasn't and Spin Race Day....

Sunday~ Ready to ride!! Oops, the little valve on my tire/tube thing( picture) has broken off so I need to change the whole tube. Awesome. It only takes us about an hour becuase we have no idea what we are doing! We planned on riding a long distance today. 13.5 miles does not equal long mileage today. Oh well, I am just glad that my buddy Andi had a spare- Lord knows I didn't! It ended up being a nice ride despite the hour beforehand! We did the miles in about 55 minutes.

Monday~ Race Day Spin Day! I tried something new today in class. About half way into the race I had the class "do their own thing" for 5 minutes. By that I mean I told them what to do(ha) only at their own intensity. It was basically explained as 5 minutes of attacks or breakaways...I had them envision their age group rival hot on their butts....every time they got too close they were to sprint away from them. It was a tough 5 minutes if I do say so myself. My heart rate topped off at 178! Crap, that is HIGH!!!!!

The rest of the class consisted of (2) 8 minute progressive climbs and some killer flat roads. I received a few kudos at the end of class today. I am glad I tried something new!

Totally Toned was at noon. I participated in 95% of class...I think I did not do lower back and a few planks. My back hurt! I think I need to stretch...story of my life!

Race Day Spin......

Monday- Today was Race Day in Spin class. I always tell the participants to take it easy on Sunday and to give it their all on Monday race day. I never follow that advice myself. Until this time! What a difference! I usually workout on Sunday and possibly run a few miles before Spin on Monday. Well, this time I took Sunday off and slept in ( well 7:30 AM) on Monday morning. I did not plan either of those event, but it happens.
This may have been one of my best performances at a race day yet. Close to it. I was able to push myself to the brink and back! My heart rate was high and steady at times and I was able to take it even higher from there. That usually does not happen too often for me. My Garmin says that my avg. heart rate was 153-- that's included in the warm up and cool down AND the 7 minutes after class that I forgot to shut my watch off. So I wonder what it really was....most likely higher than 153 bpm.
Also different this time was the actual ride. I had more flats then hill climbs and I made a point to tell my class that. I think that mentally for non bikers ( not me anymore!!) it's hard to really push yourself on the flat road when you are used to recovering here. Not the case today. My class was rockin' it today!
Today started a new 8 week session for Totally Toned. I have a a bunch of new faces in class. I did the whole workout today too! haha..so there is 1 full body weight workout for me.
Let's see class consisted of the following exercises-- we did a lot of reps with light weights, pulses and so on.

Plie squats (and regular squats)
lat raises (and front raises)
lunges (and more lunges!)
Leg lift series ( lots)
Abs ( about 200 ish)
stretching

I hope I did not scare the new peeps away!

A kind of maybe sort of Tuesday and Wednesday....

Tuesday~ What the heck did I do on Tuesday anyway? It was such a long time ago.........
Oh yes, I taught a Cardio Sculpt class. I had one person show up!! ( Thanks Kristy!-- she is my die-hard athlete mom of 3!) She had her very own personal training session of sorts. She's tough and proved it!
After class I headed over to the E. side ( of Grand Rapids) for running club. On tonight's torture: after the standard 2 mile warm up the advanced group's workout included (12) 200 meter sprints with a walk/jog recover of 200 meters. Yup, 12!! It actually went by a lot faster than I expected and it was actually fun ( kind of). I really enjoy running with my buddy that is faster than I am. She pushes me just enough to where I did not think I could go. I am not sure why I enjoy that, but I do! After the workout is the 2 mile cool down and then that's all! It was a good Tuesday!

Wednesday~ Spin class instruction. I actually had a request to repeat Monday's Race Day format--nope! I stuck to the plan and did an interval ride. I stayed at the gym to welcome a new instructor as she taught Turbo Kick! I am trying to motivate myself so I can get back into Turbo Kick. I plan on taking this class as often as I can until I am comfortable teaching it again...maybe.
I failed to get up early today and do a lower body workout. I did do my own version at home while watching The Young and the Restless though. I did everything with 10 lb. weights.
Just a very simple workout before I get back into lifting heavy.
3x10:
1 leg dead lifts
Plie squats
Lunges

My day was jam packed today with stuff, but that's that way I like it...kind of.

A breathing lesson, Speedy Bike Ride and A Case of the Monday's....

Thursday~ I had my speech pathologist appointment on this day. It went as expected. My speed lady was really nice and funny and helpful. She did make a point to tell me that it is rare to see someone my age in her pediatrics office! That made laugh. Oh well. We went over breathing techniques for me to use and practice a few times a day. The "panic breathing" is very easy to do.
Pay attention: If you ever hyperventilate-- DO NOT take a deep breath in and out. Totally wrong-who knew?!?! Not me. One short breath IN and a relaxed 4-5 count breath OUT. Good to know. This will come in handy later in the week.......
I also taught 3-2-1.

Friday~ Early spin and core. I left out the ploys today...just was not feelin' it. Oh, and lots of yoga type stretching! I'm trying.

Saturday~ 8 mile run. It was majorly humid and warm. It's about time! I actually did not mind the heat. I attempted to push the pace a little bit. It worked. I had an "episode" I was running just under an 8 MM pace when it happened. I slowed down just a bit and practiced my newly learned techniques. I think it worked. I hope it worked. PLEASE work!!
So frustrating, but it is what it is-right?? I think my ending pace was 8:31 for 8 miles. It felt good.

Sunday~ 22 mile bike ride. I had a buddy take me out on the road to show me his ways! He is a mountain biker, but took me on the roads to teach me how to tackle hills, shift and go 30 MPH...what a rush! I learned a lot and hope it know it will help me in the future.

Monday~ Spin race day! The day started out horribly. I stayed up late Sunday night making a spin profile and getting new race day worthy music downloaded and onto a CD. Guess who forgot the CD and profile at home. Yup--this chick!! I was beyond ticked!! After I collected myself I looked further in my bad and found that I did pack another CD. Whew. I had to scribble out a new profile in about 4 minutes flat. I did. Class rocked-if I do say so myself.....I was lucky!! Ha! (note to self: do not under any circumstances plan a 22 mile hilly ride the day before a Race Day. Duh.)
Totally Toned was at 12 noon.
That is all!
Oh--my 10k is Saturday!! WoooHooo!!

Recaps galore!

I don't even know where to start!
Saturday~ 12 mile run in a place that has CRAZY rolling hills. The good news is..the biggest hill was inaccessible due to construction on the bridge you need to cross to get to the 1/2 mile hill. What a shame! My run was a nice and slow 9 minute average. Here are my stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31103114
I love my Garmin!
Sunday~ OFF
Monday~ Spin Race Day. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31560539 I was a bit surprised by my calorie burn for this class. I expected it to be higher due to it being a Race Day and all. I am not questioning the accuracy of my awesome watch, just curious is all. ;-)
Totally Toned was at noon.

Tuesday~ Kickboxing! So glad to be back at this!http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31459311
Very intense at some points-- 173 was my Heart Rate max-- she has us do 50 jumping jacks in between one of the songs and yours truly was The Counter! Such pressure!
After class I did a mini full body lift. 3x10
Squats
Plank Row
Lat pull down
**I skipped my 4 mile tempo run-more on this later! (news at 11)

Wednesday~ Spin. Endurance AKA: Fat Burner! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31560534 I am not sure of my correct HR Zones yet..I keep forgetting to take my resting heart rate in the morning. But this class was kind of hard in a good way.
Totally Toned at noon.
I went for a little run later in the evening.http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31609544
How tired of these links are you? Too bad!! haha! I am pretty much link crazy.
I have not had any significant breathing issues this week. A few minor ones that I worked through. I also have had 2 instances when my neck sort of tighten up for about 10 seconds. It's hard to explain, but it was weird. It did not hurt, but because of what is going on with me it was kind of scary. Oh, and very annoying.

**Soooo..I have yet to sign up for the 25k!!! I had a minor major pity party for myself all week long ( thank you Ben and Jerry for being such good friends to me--I can always count on you.). I am actually surprised at my feelings on this vocal cord fiasco. I did not know I would react this way. I have no idea what to do!!!
~Sign up for the race and just run it relaxed and not for time.
~Sign up for the race with my original goal and if I have a spastic vocal cord attack --umm give up and walk.
~Sign up for the 5k and run/walk it with Matt and Amara.
~ Don't sign up for anything and just cheer on my friends and teammates.
See?? I am in a pickle. yumm pickles..... Anyway- the race is 1 week from Saturday so I best figure out what the heck I am going to do. Any suggestions besides telling me to shut it?!?
I have some very exciting news. Well, I think it is. I found a road bike to borrow this duathlon season! Yahoo! I am to pick the bike up next week- looking forward to riding outside again!
I would like to end by saying that in light of my so called issues-it's really not that horrible.
I can run. I can walk. I have a roof over my head. I eat everyday. My family is healthy. My kids are happy. I don't have asthma.
The list goes on and on and on and on.
Life is good!

Monday- Spinning Race Day and a stolen workout.

Monday in spin class was the monthly race day.
It was a good one. I had a hard time talking/coaching my class. Was it the asthma stuff or was it because I was working oh so hard? Probably both !
Hill climbs, short standing run and flat roads was today's themes. The object of a race day is to keep a high heart rate after the warm up. The "rules" are to keep it between 80 and 92% of your maximum heart rate. Easier said then done my class ( the ones with HR monitors) found out. It was a good lesson for them though. I love to teach!
Totally Toned. I TOTALLY took a workout out of a magazine--either SELF or SHAPE I can't recall- and did the whole thing in class. I never do that....I am interested in the feedback I get on Wednesday. I did tell them ahead of time that I "borrowed" the workout. I am sore and I only partially did it!
Monday was a good day even though i was majorly tired all day long.

Sunday and Monday..resting and racing!

Sunday- Off day. It was not going to be one, but now I am glad it was!
I woke up with a sore body. All from the 5k ( or 3.2 mile..haha) on Saturday. My abs were (and still are) sore.
Monday- Since it's the last Monday of the month it was Race Day in spin today. I am surprised that I was not recovered from Saturday. My legs felt like logs when the race started. I am glad I extended the warm up to 7 minutes. It probably had something to do with my lack of stretching and warm down after the race (doh!)
We did 2 minute segments ( flat road, standing run, standing climb, flat road..and then we turned around-- flat road, standing climb, standing run, flat road) 30 seconds standing sprint into a regular standing climb for 2 minutes. WHEW!! The rest was in 1 minute segments with 1 more sprint and a 1 minute race to the finish line on a flat road with resistance. It was a doozy. My HR maxed out at 180 bpm, while my average was in the mid 160's! CRAZY. It was fun though. I am getting better at giving more Race Day visuals for the riders. That's not my usual thing or style so I hope they don't think I am weird or something!
Totally Toned was at noon. My visuals for today's class was Tank Tops and Bikinis! We did lots of shoulders and abs/core work!
Today was a great day!
Running tomorrow!

Monday- Spinning Race Day- Sweat Fest.

Today was the day!
The last Monday of the month = Race Day. I feel kind of sorry for the new people that came to class today. Today is not a typical class due to the intensity. I did tell them that and chatted with them afterwards to make sure they were OK and understood......they seemed to, so I hope to see them again. All the bikes were utilized this morning so it was even warmer then normal-we have the fans going-thank goodness. It was hot up in there!
It was a pretty good ride today. I gave more visual cues today the I normally do. We had a few times where I had them "see" a person they wanted to pass and then we sped it up even more for 15-20 seconds. All the hills I had in the race today were short and too the point. Some were steep and some were at a fast pace, but challenging nonetheless. Good stuff.
Totally Toned was in the afternoon. Lots of core again. They seem to
hate/love it--so they say. I just give the people what they want!

Monday!

Race day spin was today. It was a full class (24) and the bikes got rearranged again so it seemed the front row was right in my face and the people were more tightly packed together too. It was a hot one. We did a continuous 9 minute loop 3 times and I added a little something special at the end! It went over well I think. I always think that when a few people clap at the end! Ha. I personally had my heart rate up to 170 bpm for the most part. During some of the tougher sprints and breakaways it got up to 180.
That's all for me today.