Where's the Beach?

Two on Tuesday  This morning started off way too early. I slept fairly well until around 2am then I was tossing and turning a bit, but refusing to look at the time. The alarm was set for just after 5 so we could get up and get in a run. The plan was 6 miles (or that was my plan anyway). I had hoped the temps would be a lot cooler after a recent front moved through. They were, sort of. It was still around 74 degrees but the humidity was 90% and the dew point in the upper 80's. In other words, it was soupy out. I felt pretty good for the first mile, of course we were taking it slower. But I could feel the humidity start to affect my breathing. While I don't get exercise-induced asthma, I have severe asthma that has always affected my exercise. Usually, Singulair keeps me on track unless I have some major allergy issues OR extreme humidity. Singulair can't fix humidity. Somehow I did manage do pull out fairly good times for miles 2 and 3, but definitely started slowing ...

Weight Day Good news is that my heel and piriformis are still doing good. The bad news is that my hams and calves are totally revolting against me. I've never felt so sore after any run - even my 14.5 miler. I seriously thought that all the leg workouts, spin, even the darn elliptical would keep me in fairly decent running shape. Actually, I thought the leg workouts would really help me out too. Um. Apparently the only way to stay in running shape is to actually run. This has been noted now. I had hoped I'd feel up for spin today, but that was not going to happen. Instead I did an easy 30 minutes on the elliptical to try to help loosen up the legs then I hit the weights for biceps and triceps. I went with supersets of 3x8 unless noted. SS#1 Alternating biceps curls Double-arm overhead triceps extension SS#2 Hammer curls Double-arm kickbacks - 10 reps SS#3 Incline curls Triceps pulldowns - happily increased weight today. I did some ab work before calling it do...

Spin & Triceps Today I went with spin during lunch. In all honesty, I was feeling very sluggish. Just not wanting to do anything. Of course, sinus headache and constant sneezing can do that to you. I don't feel bad or sick, just slightly drained. I'm glad I forced myself to class though. Once I got moving, I felt much better. Well, except for quads on freaking fire from spin of course ;-) I guess it's all about one's perspective of "fun" when it comes to working out. Before spin, I did get in triceps. Wasn't sure if that was going to happen actually. I ended up doing 3x10 as giant sets because someone was using (hogging MY weights) the dumbbell I needed for the double-arm overhead extensions. I had to go lighter so I increased the reps: GS Double-arm overhead triceps extension Double-arm kickbacks Triceps dips Since it wasn't really a struggle to add the extra reps to the kickbacks using the weight I've been using, I know it's t...

Rewind to Tuesday - Taco Bowls I made a big oops in my dinner post last night. I apologize because I was rushing through and failed to explain the "bowl" part. I actually started making them after reading about how easy they were to make on many other blogs. They are super simple to make and a fun alternative to a burrito or quesadilla. How to make a Taco Salad Bowl : Preheat oven to 425 degrees F Prepare a pyrex bowl (or other oven-safe baking bowl) with a non-stick spray. Insert your favorite flour tortilla  (I use a whole-wheat variety) and shape - you will have some fluted edges. Bake for approximately 15 minutes until golden and crispy. No Whimpy Wednesday Well, I must admit to having very little sleep yet again. One of our sweet furbabies is about to start sleeping downstairs. I love her dearly, but the girl doesn't stop moving...ever. She wakes up frequently throughout the night to itch, lick, move about her kennel, causing general raucous. She seems to...

2nd Step Day and Weights This morning I got up and did the cardio only premix from Cathe Friedrich's Low Impact Circuit . It's about 40 minutes long and very doable first thing in the morning. I really had thought about running, but it was just too sticky out. It was already 80 degrees at 5:15 am, and the humidity made the air just feel thick. Not conducive to an enjoyable run for certain (yes whining again). I wasn't sure if I was going to do legs or biceps and triceps today. My legs are still just a bit sore from Sunday's workout though and then two days of step, so I opted for biceps and triceps. Plus, I knew I could get that done during lunch and have a free evening. I did drop sets again doing 4 sets of 10 reps quickly decreasing the weight by approximately 10%. The key is no rest between changing of the weights. Dumbbell biceps curls Overhead triceps extensions Cross-body biceps curls Double-arm kickbacks Incline dumbbell curls Lying dumbbell triceps e...

Rest for the Weary  Today I have some DOMS going on from yesterday's biceps/triceps/shoulder workout. I only briefly thought about getting up for an early run, but our lows were going to be 79/80 degrees, and the humidity is extreme - makes the heat so much worse. So I didn't even bother with a run or pretending to think about a run. I had really wanted to do back and chest today, but my arms are too sore and the workout would have suffered as a result. Believe it or not, I do know my limits. So today was a rest day. I really wish that I could have mustered the energy for a cardio only day though because this means I'll have to force my rear out of bed tomorrow morning in order to get the workout done. The dogs are getting groomed (very much overdue) in the morning so Jason will take them in, but I will have to pick them up after work. Sometimes I think morning workouts are worse when I know they are a must. Hmmm, need to refocus how I think about them. Tomorrow I wil...