Mileage Plan

This is my Master Plan - Muahahahah!!!

I realized that if I want to run a Half Marathon on 9/3, that my training will have to overlap the INSANITY program. So I sat down today and figure up the next 20 weeks or so for mileage. Gotta work up slow so I don't hurt my knees. Oh, and lets throw a long distance relay race in there on 10/1 for good measure.

Yah. That ought to keep me out of trouble for a few weeks.

Day 11

Cardio Recovery

This is a cute little workout - only about 35 minutes - that barely breaks a sweat. Don't misunderstand, you WILL work, but you're heart rate will stay down. The workout starts with a nice stretch, then some deep squats and lunges held for an 8 count. We get a little core work with some slow Level 2 style drills and a nice long stretch at the end.

Thankfully - none of THIS today!!

Tomorrow.

Day 10

Plyometric Cardio Circuit

Dear Tony Horton:

I used to be very afraid of the P90X workout entitled "Plyometrics." Each time that workout came in to the rotation, I shuddered with painful anticipation of varying forms of jumps, hops, and hopping jumps. While I respect and fear your weight training prowess, Mr. Horton, Shaun T. has brought the word terror to my mind with his version of the dreaded Plyo. This routine has blown my mind and - I think - a heart valve or two.

Keep Bringing It and Digging Deeper,

Andrea

Day 9

Pure Cardio

Well, I should have been doing this:

But, instead, I decided to do this:

Running is therapy for me. Yesterday was really tough, and I had a hard time falling and staying asleep last night. I had dusted my alarm in advance, knowing that I would be in no shape for a 6am INSANITY workout. I figured that if I felt better later, I could always do it over nap time.

I was actually pretty tired yet and should have laid down, but my back was hurting me so bad that I wouldn't have slept anyway.

So I opted for a 5 mile run. I made pretty good time - less than an hour. I didn't wear my new kicks, as they are far from broken in enough for trail running. But I was free of my knee brace and concentrated on that mid-foot strike that is supposed to cure my ills. :)

Tomorrow - back to INSANITY.

Day 8

Cardio Power & Resistance

I am starting to see an increase in agility in these workouts. My high knees aren't so low, and my power jumps are starting to resemble a jump, rather than a sorry attempt! I also learned a valuable lesson today.

I can't catch my breath while standing on my head.

It's true.

During the last sequence of intervals, we do Walking Push ups followed by Floor Sprints for the last two sets. I'm pretty winded by the time we get to the floor and got a little nervous when I couldn't catch my breath in a push-up position. No worries, all it takes is dropping my knees and sucking wind for a few seconds to recover.

INSANE.

Tomorrow is the workout that even scares Shaun T. During the stretch, he says that he's "Gettin' scared for what's to come, y'all." Pure Cardio - no breaks - all INSANITY.

Day 7

Rest Day

I had grand plans of running today - but I stayed up way to late last night, our 2yo son had a Mommy episode for about an hour around 4am, and dog-gone it - I was just to tired.

This is a good time to go over the Elite Nutrition Plan that comes along with the INSANITY program. I can appreciate the sane advice of this program - choose lean meats, whole grains and lots of fruits and veggies. Limit the candy and junk and NO alcohol. Pretty basic.

It uses the Harris Benedict Equation to calculate your BMR. That number is then multiplied by 1.7 (assuming 6 "hard exercise" days per week) to arrive at your calorie intake needed to maintain. Subtract 500 if you want to loose weight, add 300 if you want to gain.

Mine looks like this:

BMR = 1500

1500 x 1.7 = 2550

2550 - 500 = 2050

The idea, then, is to eat 5 equal calorie meals per day. So, for me, this would be 5 x 400kcal meals each day. I have messed around with my intake enough to know that 2000 calories per day will NOT help me loose weight. So, I put it right around 1500 with a little room for a case of the hungries now and then. I eat 300 calories at each sitting, making sure to count my Powerade and Recovery drink (ahem...chocolate milk).

I did take a cursory glance at the scale today. After some salty snack indulgence this week, the scale said nothing has changed. No worries. I know that I need to start pushing more water during the day and stay away from the pretzels, etc after dinner.

I plan to report my weight and measurements next week when I complete the 2nd Fit Test. Until then - I will be here "Digging Deeper" and getting fitter!

Day 6

Plyometric Cardio Circuit

This was the second time for this workout. This also is the Day 2 workout. I was less afraid of this workout since I knew what was coming. At least there are BREAKS! Read my full breakdown from Day 2, HERE. I didn't feel like crying - this time. Overall, I think I am already seeing increased agility. I've been so incredibly hungry lately, that I hope I'm losing a little poundage to! My core is so sore that my belly has just got to be decreasing, right? Right!?!

Day 6 is the last day before a total Rest Day. I think I will get up early and go for a nice, slow run tomorrow.

Or maybe I will sleep in.