Recovery Week!

I've made it to the Recovery Week in my Insanity program! That means I've made it to the 5 week mark of the program and that next week will begin the 2nd phase of the program.....the Max workouts! I'm nervous and excited all at the same time!!

I was able to go for a 7 mile run on Saturday and it went really well. I wasn't sore afterwards - like I was after the 11 miler the week before. The first 3.5 miles were completed in about 10:30 splits and the last 3.5 miles were in the low 9's. I was very pleased with how my legs felt at the faster pace. I could definitely feel that it was faster - thanks for pushing the pace Cathy! I was happy when we reached the end of the run but I know that I could have kept going.

I did not complete the last Plyo CC session on Sunday because I tweaked my foot on Saturday. I was coming down the steps and a tendon, or something, twinged and it has been a little sore. I decided it would be better to rest it than to do a lot of jumping an lateral movements. It is still a little sore but I didn't have any trouble with the Core Cardio & Balance workout. This was a new workout for me and I liked it - good thing because I do this same workout all week long. There is one section of the workout where you just BLAST your hip flexors and then your shoulders. I'm really hoping that the shoulder work will help me with the plank work in the sessions (I usually start to give out in my upper body before my core "dies").

I think I'm also going to take some 1/2 way photos. I really haven't seen much scale motion but I do feel better. I also feel like my core is stronger and firmer. As these workouts ramp up I'm really hoping to see some downward movement on the scale. My nutrition isn't perfect but I really feel like I'm starting to correct some things.

I'm off for meal #2 - trying a Shakeology drink that I got from a friend. Make it a great day!

The Day After.....

Yesterday, I went on my first run in about 3 weeks. It was great to get out with my running buds! I have really missed them! My plan was to run about 9-10 miles at a nice easy pace. I ended up running 11 miles. The pace was OK - I did the first 5 a bit faster than I probably should but I was running with a friend that I haven't seen in probably 2 months and we got caught up in the conversation.....I wouldn't trade it for hte world!

The second half of the run was pretty hilly but the pace was slower. Cardiovascularly, I felt great! I was thrilled with the way my Insanity program has kept my cardio shape up. I didn't know how I would feel over a long run because the Insanity workouts are shorter (about 45 min. and I ran for over 2 hours) and they work different energy systems. I was also pleased at the amount of spring I had in my legs going up the hills.

Things felt great until about miles 7-8 which was when I started to feel tight in my legs. There wasn't any pain involved, I just started to feel a tightness, especially in my hamstrings. I was running with a friend who is in PT for a hip problem so we did do some walking which was nice. By the time we got back to our cars at mile 11 I was really ready to be finished!

I did some quick stretching for my legs and sides but boy did I tighten up on the ride home. As soon as I got home, I changed and settled in for some stretching. I was VERY tight! I find that my core area is really effected when I run. I get these little spasms, especially in between my ribs, when I'm finished my runs. I've been trying to work on strengthening my core but I still get those spasms when I'm finished. In addition, my legs, feet and hips were pretty sore for the rest of the day - not injury sore just sore from doing something I haven't done in 3 weeks.

Fast forward to this morning....I am still pretty tight and a bit sore. I was planning on doing my Insanity Plyo CC session this morning but I decided to take a rest day. I figured that if my hips and knees were sore, jumping on them probably wasn't a good idea. I am focusing in stretching today!

I'm also thinking about becoming a BeachBody coach. There is some initial cost involved because you are starting a home business. I'm trying to get a handle on exactly what those costs are and then I'll talk it over with the hubby and decide what to do next. There is a lot of opportunity there but I'm not sure if it is for me - still on the fence. I love the exercise products that is for sure! I haven't tried the nutritional products but everyone on the message boards seem to love them.

Looking forward to a nice day with friends! Also looking forward to getting back to my Insanity workouts tomorrow - I think it is Pure Cardio!