2015 Exercise Log/Challenge

[Jolt]

MicroSpikes are definitely the way to go for winter hiking (or just navigating ice-covered sidewalks if your town is horrible about keeping them clear), and Stabilicers Sport are great for running. There is a lot to be said for being able to safely run/walk outside in the winter--keeps you off the dreadmill!

[Crankin]

Went to boot camp this morning. Was really hard to go when it was 16 degrees out!
And, the usual instructor was not there. It was OK, until some weird guy came, late, stod behind me and proceeded to do all of the stuff with too many weights with horrible form and heavy breathing on top of all that. If the regular person had been there, he would have lasted one minute, because there would have been a lot more cardio.

[Crankin]

It was 28 degrees and icing this morning, so no spin class for me. I dragged myself out of bed and got on the treadmill for 30 minutes, doing an increasing gradient of hill walking.
Not much, but something. At least by the time I left for work the ice turned into torrential rain, of which it is still doing now. Going to a bike leader holiday party. Thankfully, it's the next town, it's nasty out.

[ny biker]

It was 28 degrees and icing this morning, so no spin class for me. I dragged myself out of bed and got on the treadmill for 30 minutes, doing an increasing gradient of hill walking.
Not much, but something. At least by the time I left for work the ice turned into torrential rain, of which it is still doing now. Going to a bike leader holiday party. Thankfully, it's the next town, it's nasty out.

I find that setting the treadmill incline at 8-10% can give me a good workout, walking at a somewhat-fast pace (3.5 mph or so).

[Catrin]

I find that setting the treadmill incline at 8-10% can give me a good workout, walking at a somewhat-fast pace (3.5 mph or so).

This gave me a flash-back from my previous coach - during "warrior cardio week", he would have us to SPRINTS on the treadmill at 10% incline AND a 5-8 mph pace depending on the individual. No lower incline than 10%, thankfully he never had me go higher than 5.5 mph and THAT was scary enough without hands Very good at getting the heart rate up though!

Tonight I had my usual Tuesday evening kettlebell training group. I did a full competition 10-minute set of KB LongCycle (clean and jerk), but not at a competition pace. He had me mix up my pace. After a good break I did several sets of accessory work such as heavy KB cleans and KB push presses, etc. Tomorrow morning, if I get up early enough, I will head to the gym before work and row...IF I get up early enough. If not I will do that after work.

[Catrin]

BTW, it isn't too late if anyone else would like to join Crankin and I on the spreadsheet. No need to post details here unless it is helpful to you. I find it useful.

[Crankin]

So, today I went to the same step and sculpt class I went to last week. Last week, it seemed to be the thing that pushed my immune system into overload. But, I really tried to figure out what happened and it was more like 5 days in a row of intense exercise, including nordic skiing, riding outside, boot camp, spin, and then this class. I do everything I can to mitigate the things about the class I know affect me a lot, mostly the heat and humidity that build up in the room. Started using Nuun in my bottle and wearing the coolest clothing I have. I use the teeniest weights (2 lbs.), even though for some of the stuff they feel too easy. But moving on the step combined with anything bigger than this is not good for me. I stand by the giant fan and also near the door to the outside that can be opened. I felt much better during class today, but I also have not been on the bike (either outside or inside) in a week or skied, although I have been exercising. Also, last week, the instructor (who is good) was injured and she stayed off the step and modeled everything, which actually I think, made the class harder.
I hate admitting that I seem to fall apart with intense stuff after a few days, and the thing is, it's not always. Currently trying to figure out what nutritional things may be contributing. We are going on a nordic ski trip in the Cascades at the end of February. I want to be healthy and trained. The skiing will not be any harder than I usually do, it's just skiing 6 days in a row that worries me. This has affected every bike tour I've been on... my sensitive stomach, combined with traveling is not always a good combination. I'm better than I used to be, but I also don't want to give up experiencing the food/wine part of travel, either.
Onward.