Friday, January 23, 2009

Dazed and confused at the gym

With my nice "kick start" from last week, I feel like I'm slowly getting back into a routine. Here's a recap of this week's workouts so far :

Tuesday

On Tuesday night, I headed to the gym. I was going to take one of those "Body Conditioning" classes but didn't get out of work in time so I decided to do my own thing instead. Now I don't know enough about strength training or basic anatomy in general to come up with own routine so I usually do one of the two workout routines that were "prescribed" to me during those free sessions you get when you first sign up at the gym.

I decided to do the newer one which I got last summer when I first started training for my half marathons. Luckily, I was able to find my workout card (you know - the one that has a big grid where they list out the routine step by step with the number of reps / amount of weight, etc) in the massive file cabinet. I'm one of those nerds that takes my card with me to the floor because I have a horrible memory. I think I'm pretty good with documenting all my workouts on the card as well. Last recorded workout was on September 4th. Oops. But I guess that makes sense because that's right about when all the races started to kick in and I didn't have time for such nonsense like having a well-balanced and strong body.

Anyway, with the four months that had gone by, I realized I could no longer decipher my trainer's codes for the different exercises and for the ones I could understand - I couldn't remember the proper form. Double oops. Luckily my trainer was there that night, who promptly greeted me with a "Where have you been???" Busted! Anyway, he was nice enough to give me a quick refresher. But after all that, I still ended up doing one of the exercises wrong which I didn't figure out until I got home that night. (I was supposed to do an upright row using one of those pulley things, but I had the pulley at the top instead of the bottom so I ended up doing something like a lateral pull instead which was ridiculously effortless given the amount of weight I had on it.)

The whole thing was pretty uneventful. I mean, I got a good workout in and was sore the next day but it's not like I left the gym on an endorphin high or anything. If nothing else, it helped to ease my guilt for neglecting my gym all this time.

Wednesday

I had plans with my friends Wednesday evening so I actually got up early and got a quick run in before work that day. That's right, morning exercise!!!

ORN:
3.0mi
0:30:40
Avg pace: 10:14min/mi
Avr hr: 174bpm

Friday

Even though I stayed up way too late Thursday night watching all sorts of TV (Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, The Office, 30 Rock, bits and pieces of America's Best Dance Crew) - I still managed to make it to the gym Friday morning. I did weights again (part of my plan to do strength training at least 2x/week) with a quick run on the treadmill for a warm up.

ORN:
1.5mi
0:14:53
Avg pace: 9:55min/mi

I'm happy to report that I did all exercises correctly this time. And does anyone else get the shakes when they do the plank?

It is such a nice feeling to have your workout out of the way first thing in the morning! We'll see if I can keep it up next week. Hopefully, I can squeeze in some running and biking over the weekend.

Happy Friday!

14 comments:

Mica said...

Whoa, you're a gym rockstar! You'll get back in the swing of things in no time!

I get the shakes every time I do the plank...which is like once every four months.

Chic Runner said...

Ahhh the gym can get you! Esp. when trainers spot you! :) You'll get back into it no problem, good workouts too!

tfh said...

I hate it when I don't figure out that I've done an exercise wrong until after I finish my workout. Oh, and I definitely shake when I plank-- if I'm not shaking, I'm not going long enough. :) Have a great weekend!

Alisa said...

I TOTALLY get the shakes with plank! Even when I was stronger I got them...especially if there is any leg lifting involved...forgetaboutit!

Great job gettin in the workouts! I'm *planning* to hit up swimming tonight but we shall see it's been a busy and exhausting week BUT I haven't done anything since the marathon--BAD ALISA!

Morgan said...

I just started doing planks but yes I shake like crazy and I feel like my heart rate jumps! The side planks are wicked hard, too

Anonymous said...

Great job on the morning workouts! once you get into a routine they are soooo nice! and the plank always makes me shake! but at least it means you're doing it right! haha

RoadBunner said...

Haha! I'm with Mica. Yes I shake. No, I don't do it more than once or twice a year :)

Cindy said...

oh yeah- i definitely get the shakes doing planks! you are so right about neglecting all that other stuff when race season starts - and your season was a zillion times busier than mine, half marathon princess!

The Laminator said...

Good job Audrey..Way to fit that all in. Your morning exercises are impressive!

joyRuN said...

The trainer's not allowed to give you a hard time about not having been there. Did you tell him how many HMs you ran?

Laura said...

Nice job getting the routine going again! I need to do the same...

Marathon Maritza said...

Whoo-hoo!!! I think we have another morning gym convert!!! I absolutely LOVE going early in the morning...it's a pain getting used to, but I think it's worth it.

Great job on your week! :)

Julianne said...

Yay for getting back into the routine! I seriously hate seeing my old trainer at my gym. It's a reminder that I haven't signed up with him (I told him I would) and well, I haven't really gone back to the gym that often!

Run Mommy said...

Its great to get in a gym sometimes don't you think? LOVE the plank - but hate them at the same time :) I see your doing Disney again - just did 2009 marathon (my first) at it was fantastic!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...