Motivational Mondays (May 11)

This is it.

This is the start of my training.

I think that Saturday's run was a great start to this next phase of my training routine. It was kind of a good send off into these next 4-5 weeks or so.

I'm not exactly starting from scratch here but I do feel like I'm wiping the slate a bit, and it's good to focus and set some goals. There's a difference between having vague goals (ie I'm going to run a few times this week) to having definitive goals (I will run at least four miles three times this week).

Up until now, I had vague goals regarding the Mud Run. Now, I have definitive goals.

First, though, here's what I'm facing.


It's a 10K obstacle-course style race. There are such obstacles as mud crawls, two walls, a muddy hill and even a river crossing. Since I've done this course before, I have an idea of what I have to do in order to run the race effectively.

In terms of the cardio, I know I can run the distance. That part isn't a question like it was when I signed up for it a year ago. But to run the distance this time will require some hill training as a lot of this course is hilly. That was a bit of a surprise last year but it shouldn't be this time around.

So this means more hill runs. There is a hill near my house that I've ran completely over once, but I've run up to a certain point many times before. I have to run over and back that hill at least once a week. Yup, I'm laying the mandate here right now. It's not a fun run, and the last time I ran it, I ran to a Target that is about four miles from my house and I crossed the hill but I met Mrs. LB at the Target and drove home. No free rides now.

I think all told that run will be at least four miles but I can stretch it out longer obviously. The purpose will be to go over and back, not necessarily the distance.

I will also try to run The Interval at least once a week as well. With those two runs each week and maybe a longer-distance run mixed in as well (six or more miles), that should get me to where I need to be with my cardio.

It's the other part I need help with. I have to get some resistance training in, and unlike my last attempt I have to do more than just a one-off weight session.

First, my core. I have to work my core. I have to do bridges and crunches and hang from the torture machine (I'll have to write a separate post on this one; I hate it, but it's effective). I need to do solid core exercises at least twice a week, and there are exercises that I can do at home. I'm not a big home workout type person so this will be a challenge. But still with the girls around maybe we can make it a fun thing. Or not.

As far as upper- and lower-body workouts, I've not worked out my legs in months and my arms, well, I need to get back into the routine of working out my entire body, not just running. (boo, hiss)

I was doing some combination lifts. That helps work out more than just one set of muscles. For instance, if you combine a step-up with a dumbell arm raise, you're working out more than just one thing at a time. I had a little routine worked out last year where I did a little circuit where I did a few combo lifts in succession. This one actually is something I can't be too definitive about since I don't have all the workout names in front of me. But I do know that I have to have at least two days of this type of gym work.

I think the most challenging part of this will be the time. I have to have the time to go to the gym primarily. I can run outdoors obviously but going to the gym sometimes can be a challenge with my daughters' schedules and my crazy random work schedule.

But there it is. My plan. Now I feel energized.