I'm back!

For those who noticed, I was on vacation and took a hiatus from my blog (and P90x) for a week. No worries though, I am back to working out and eating right once more. (How I miss those avocado cheeseburgers in California...) 

However, my regimen has changed a bit since I have a 5k race coming up in two short weeks. I am still incorporating my P90x ab workout into my running schedule every other day, but I am doing things like strenuous leg workouts and plyometrics less frequently. I am trying to do an arm workout on the days that I do not do that ab workout. 

My new schedule consists of running about three miles (give or take .2 miles) every day until my race. After my race, I will revert to my previous schedule, which was a blend of P90x and running. There will probably be more of an emphasis on P90x after the race.

If you are all wondering what it feels like to train absurdly hard then take about 10 days off to eat a bunch of unhealthy food and lay on a beach - it's rough. Ok, so I did a lot of walking on vacation and I didn't eat food that was all bad for me, but I felt it when I started working out again.

The first 3.5 miles was brutal and I thought for a minute or two that I wouldn't be able to get back into the groove of training but after 3.5 miles last night and another three this morning, I am ready to train hard again.

Improvements: better balanced diet- My daily diet looks a little like this: fish, broccoli, chicken, fat free cheese stick, fat free yogurt, 100 calorie granola bar, grapes, wheeties, 1 percent milk and orange juice.

Splurges: 1/2 a bacon cheeseburger. I plead guilty. (but it's protein!)

Still slacking: Especially now that it's hot outside, I need to drink more water. Anyone have tips on how to trick myself into this?

All the help I can get is appreciated. Good luck with your workouts! I'll write again all the week of my race.

Last week, I did the P90x legs and back workout and it was wonderful. I upped my weight by 5 pounds (don't get too excited - I am only using 10 pound weights) and I breezed through it. I'm not sure if it is because I work some of those same muscles running, but whatever it was, I liked it. 

Today I want to talk about a different kind of workout that many people have most likely accidentally done before: wearing high heels. Better yet: running in high heels.

Today I wore 3 inch pumps to work and was called out to cover a story. Not a big deal. But I went out to cover this story in a torrential downpour that didn't let up. 

I found that running to and from my car and buildings in the rain made my calves feel great. I've noticed this when I have danced in heels or walked all day in heels but I haven't ever really tried running in heels.

For the record, I don't recommend it as I almost fell on my face and I don't want you to fall on yours. But after a day when I already ran and did some other leg workouts, the heels helped me feel like I did a little more work.

While that isn't a feasible unconventional workout, I'll try to find some more that are actually good (and safe) to do. I don't want to bore you all with straight P90x and running talk.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Ready for this? I think that I have found the perfect exercise balance that cheats both training programs I am working on, but also combines them. Doesn't make sense? I'll explain...

The new schedule that I am following fell into place without any coaxing from me this week. It was really based on how much pain I could handle in a given time period.

Here's what happened:

I interrupted my 5-day running spree I had going to do the P90x arms, chest, back and abs workout Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning I discovered muscle pain in places I didn't know muscles existed. I have already done this workout sequence and those muscles have not hurt or even felt a slight burn. I took this to mean I am doing the workouts correctly. My form has gotten better, therefore I am feeling pain where I am supposed to feel pain, er, feel toned I mean.

It was too much pain to run, let alone move, yesterday, so I spent about 30 minutes stretching and was in fine shape for my run this morning. 

For beginners who are trying to increase their fitness level AND train for a race, I recommend the following schedule, from one amateur to another:

Mon: P90x - back, chest and arm workout (1 hour) + P90x ab workout (15 mins)

Tues: Stretch arms and legs for a lengthy period of time (30-45 mins) add some yoga moves so you are still strengthening your core.

Wed: Run - three miles (25 mins) + P90x ab workout (15 mins)

Thurs: P90x - arm and shoulder workout (1 hour) or Run - three miles (25 mins)

Fri: Run - three miles (25 mins) + P90x ab workout (15 mins) or P90x yoga and stretching (1.5 hours)

Sat: Run - three miles (25 mins) *Only do ab workout if you did not do it Friday. It isn't good to do it everyday

Sun: Rest (if you're weak!) Ok, ok, a rest day (in my amateur opinion, is fine.) Just don't munch on an entire bag of potato chips or a gallon of ice cream and you should be ok.

Now for my observations:.

Perks: This thrown-together schedule has given me four times the energy than I had starting out and it has helped me fall asleep at a reasonable hour and wake up at a reasonable hour after eight hours of peaceful sleep. 

Diet tips: I have been having one protein shake on the days that I run or do intense P90x workouts. I have also found that eating 4 small meals per day is keeping me full and satisfied. On nights that I come home from work at midnight, I'm not tempted to go straight to the fridge. I'm now tired (and full) enough to go right to sleep. 

Slacking: I have to make sure I stretch everyday. No matter what. Even for five or 10 minutes. And most importantly, I need to drink way more water. I mean, quadruple my water intake. I drink about 2 full water-bottles per day but should be drinking around eight during this workout plan.

This is a learning process, but I am finding it more enjoyable and less chore-like as I progress. As always, feel free to offer tips or share workout experiences. Happy working out!

I may have mentioned in a blog post from eons ago that I am running a 5k this summer and started some sort of doable training schedule a few months ago until P90x came into my life. My view was: This will be even better than running because I will be super fit, right? Wrong.

My former co-worker, who I am going to (attempt to) run this 5k with, sent me a friendly e-mail the other day about how she has been sticking to her running training schedule and she is, in fact, running a 5k this weekend.

What 5k? Oh yeah, that whole thing I agreed to a few months ago... 

I panicked slightly because although the race isn't until June 25, I haven't run in a few weeks thanks to the rigorous P90x workouts. I was at the point where I was running a comfortable three miles and trying to improve my speed. I never thought a two week slump would make much difference, until I ran yesterday.

It may have partially been the humidity, but I don't remember the last time I had such a miserable run. My legs, which I thought were turning into legs of steel thanks to P90x, felt like lead. I tried again this morning and it was slightly better, but I was still lumbering up hills instead of gliding.

What I've learned: I can't stop running unless I want to look like a fool in this race.

My new plan: Combine P90x with a running schedule. Days that call for plyometrics or leg workouts will be running days.

Caveat: I am not giving up, just switching it up so I don't die in this race. 

Slacking: I haven't been drinking my protein shakes, which seemed to keep my energy levels up. But I'm learning. My excuse is that I'm a rookie.