Last Week in Workouts: The Longest Run

Last week, at 2:00 in the afternoon with a cloudless sky and 82 degree heat, I ran my longest run yet. It was hot, It was sunny, but it was also incredible. I keep doing the math and checking on my run keeper apps and Google maps to see that I actually ran that far, because my ody just does not feel like it usually does after a 3+ mile run. 

Maybe it was the heat that helped lubricate my joints and loosen my muscles. Maybe it was the incredible views of running next to the bay and by the beach. Maybe it was the run-walk-run time that I was using, but something was definitely different from the prior week's 5-miler from hell, and I am so happy for that!! 

Other than running this week, I did a wee bit of yoga and walked. That was it. I know, should have done more. But, with Easter, work, and just not wanting to, I just did not want to. So here is my workout sum-up and a hope that next week your will see a bit more yoga on my list! 

Oh, and the picture above, that was taken while on the six-mile run. With that view, running really cannot be too bad! 

Monday: 5-mile long run. This was definitely the hardest run yet. My pace slowed to an 11:33 average and my knees and ankles hurt like nothing else. There were also plenty of side stitches and lots of exhaustion when done. Yuck. 

Tuesday: Rest day. Still in pain from Monday. But, have been using this, and it makes everything better! 

Wednesday: 30-minute run using the 3/1 Run-Walk ration. Ended up doing a bit over 3 miles! 

Thursday: This new yoga sequence from Candace! 

Friday: 6-mile long run. This week I only fit in one 30-minute run since I was still catching up from last week. But, this run was incredible and my pace ended up being 11:16. Getting better!!

Saturday: Some nice walking :)

Sunday: I cooked a lot, but as far as a workout goes, that's about it. 

Happy Monday! Do you have any fun workouts planned for this week? 

A Challenge for the Week

Happy Monday! Today we have the first challenge for all those who have decided to take part of the January/February Slim Down Challenge... And even for those who have not. Yes, usually we have one day challenges on P+K and even a few month challenges, but weekly challenges are very rare (barring last week's, of course).

So, this week is something that you may be able to do already, or, you may need to work up to. Two minutes is a long time to hold a plank pose and it will work a lot of muscles. Planks help the core, back, arms, and legs get lean and gain muscle. These are a static workout that will seriously have you shaking by the end.

If you laugh in the face of two minute planks, try two minutes of plank rolling instead. Or, you can even try plank on the forearms. You can even do this in a two legged plank pose. Just split the time so you are half with the right arm and left foot on the ground and half with the left arm and right foot on the ground. No matter which way you swing it, this is a great challenge for activating that core and getting a fast whole body tone.

When doing plank, be sure to keep your arms directly under your shoulders legs straight, and head up in line with the spine. You want to also make sure that you are keeping the back straight and bum even. Raising the bum up too high will bring you to down dog and work way different muscles. Letting the bum sink down will compound the vertebrate in your lower back and bring a lot of pain. Keeping it straight will make sure that you are working the right muscles without injury.

I cannot wait to hear how this goes for you!

How was Your Weekend?

Happy Monday! We had a wonderful weekend which included a mystery dinner party. It was Hollywood 1950's themed and I played the role of Grace Killy, a talentless actress who came from wealth. Style-wise, I was meant to be a mash-up of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. It was great. The hubs played the reporter so he could snap plenty of pics. Him in the first act and me in the second. Up until my most unfortunate death, I was calling everyone "darling" and competing for the next big movie role. It was pretty great, but then I died. Hmph.

There ended up being four killers and I guessed one. Ha! Guess we know who should not be a detective. Me.

It should also be noted that I was totally in character and even wore a girdle that night. Yes, my poor character died in a girdle. I think getting down to the floor was enough to kill me in real life. Those girdle and corset wearing girls have my respect. They had to be some seriously tough ladies!

Earlier in the day on Saturday I was also able to take my favorite advanced power yoga class and go on a jog before it started. Needless to say, Saturday was a pretty busy and pretty fun day- which left Sunday for relaxing! Our local Pottery Barn (right across the street now!) was having a Christmas decorating workshop that I was able to attend yesterday morning. It was pretty fun and gave me tons of DIY ideas along with a discount that just had to be used. All pillows and throws were 30%-50% off, plus I got a 15% discount on anything bought the day of the workshop! Yes, our has has plenty of new pillows now and a few holiday decs starting to show.

Since I was in the holiday spirit, I followed in a good friend's footsteps and started wrapping presents this weekend as well. Five are done and only about a billion to go! Wouldn't that be wonderful, though, if we could have all gifts wrapped by Thanksgiving? I think it just might be a holiday goal of mine this year.

Wrapping also seems a bit more cumbersome than usual because we have opted for a classic Christmas theme this year with browns, grays, golds, white, and green. This also means all gifts are getting the brown paper package treatment and binging finished off with simple string. It is so pretty, but brown paper is quite thick. If anyone has any suggestions for wrapping with thick paper, I am all ears! 

I am also thinking we will have a how to decorate post in the days leading up to or just after Thanksgiving. There are a few DIY workshops that I am signed up for as well and cannot wait to share the info with you!

As for workouts, yesterday's post did not get out for some reason, so I will fill you in real quick today. Sunday was a rest day since last Saturday my hot power yoga class did 108 sun salutations and I was sore until Thursday. Monday was a simple 2.5 mile jog in the morning followed by hot power yoga that evening. Tuesday was a 1.5 mile jog. Wednesday was this yoga flow which was great! Thursday was a break for our anniversary, and Friday was a simple bum workout that I will have to share on the blog soon!

Also, I was going to add a motivation bit on to this, but think the post is quite long enough already. Let's get some motivation in tomorrow instead! It is going to be one of my favorites and a mantra for the holidays!!