Well, we have two full weeks of school under our belt, and we are settling in to the groove of the end of the year. I always feel better when things become a bit more structured and routine, so even though the last few weeks have been challenging, I’m feeling less chaotic.
Sunday
- Cardio: 3.76 miles, walking
- Strength: 20 lunges, squats, pushups + :45 plank + 30 crunches
Good morning, Sunday! Of course, after a party night, I was all for getting a little extra shut eye.
Once I was done with my walk, I headed off to shoot some content. It was a shorter session, where we are learning to work together and it went great.
Monday
Cardio: 4.22 miles, running + 3.34 miles, walking
Strength: 20 lunges, squats, pushups + :45 plank + 30 crunches, lower body workout (3×12 banded glute bridges, banded lateral steps, banded kickbacks, squats with pulse and jump, reverse lunges)
This was a good and busy morning workout. While I still hate the strength portion, I am making it a priority.
Tuesday
- Cardio: 4.06 miles, walking
- Strength: 20 lunges, squats, pushups + :45 plank + 30 crunches, upper body workout (3×12 front raises, lateral raises, plank rows, tricep extensions, hammer curls)
Tuesday promised to be a long day, with a big to do list. And that was ok. I hit the road immediately.
I worked the upper body with a fairly enjoyable combination of moves. Sometimes, that happens. I also bathed the pugs, which is a workout until itself.
Things got a little more difficult as we attended a celebration of life service in the evening. It was beautifully done, but those event are alway emotional and hard.
Wednesday
- Cardio: 3.88 miles, running + 3.25 miles, walking
- Strength: 20 lunges, squats, pushups + :45 plank + 30 crunches, inner thigh workout
Alright, Wednesday. We started with a run.
And then I did some work on the thighs. That ended up being a bit more difficult than anticipated. But I checked if off the list. Yay.
It was a busy day of design and writing, but I felt good to cross a lot off my list.
Thursday
Cardio: 4.17 miles, walking
Strength: 20 lunges, squats, pushups + :45 plank + 30 crunches, bicep workout (3×12 wide curls, zottman curls, 1.5 hammer curls, and regular curls with a pause)
It’s definitely staying darker in the mornings, which means I have better access to sunrises. I’m not mad about that.
Thursday was a scramble! I had footage to edit, and errands to run. Once I picked up the kids from school, I had to go back to help with some marching band props that needed repair. There were about six parent who spent the evening cutting and reinforcing PVC pipes, and reattaching vinyl banners. Good times.
Friday
- Cardio: 4.59 miles, running + 2.96 miles, walking
- Strength: 20 lunges, squats, pushups + :45 plank + 30 crunches
Today felt like the most normal run in ages. I loved it.
Today is our big rivalry game and the theme was “Gone Fishing” so A was super into it. PS: we won!
I did some birthday shopping for my friend, and then scooted to the karate studio to shoot guest Justin Ortiz (former Power Ranger) leading some incredible seminars for martial arts students.
From there, it was straight to the game to cheer on the team. By which I mostly mean the band. But you know that.
Saturday
- Cardio:
- Strength: 20 lunges, squats, pushups + :45 plank + 30 crunches
Let’s get these miles!
A and I headed to a local venue to help out at our area’s first every martial arts tournament. What an event! We are so proud to be a part of it.
Then we had another birthday celebration! Yay!
Thoughts + Goals
I know I always say this, but I am on Day 13 of my personal strength challenge. I am really proud of myself, because even if I don’t have much time, I’m still powering through my daily combo of squats, lunges, crunches, pushups, and squats. I have noticed an increase in ankle flexion, and even in stability, so that’s good. One-legged jumps and hops are still tough, but not awful. One day closer to a real gym.
I have been extra tired lately, which sucks. But I’m trying to maintain healthy sleep hygeine and do the best I can.
Also, I have no races on the horizon, and I need to fix that. Labor Day? I feel good about that.
How was your week? Any goals coming up?
Weekly Rundown
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
It is nice to see your dedication to strength training! You know I am a fan–it has been so important to keep me running. As busy as you are, it is so important to make time for yourself!
It is nice to see your dedication to strength training! You know I am a fan–it has been so important to keep me running. As busy as you are, it is so important to make time for yourself!
Yes, you need to add some races. LOL
As Wendy said, you are so active both physically and socially. Both are equally important.
Good for you for powering through the strength for 2 weeks. It will become a habit and you will start feeling the difference. You got this!
You are killing it with the strength!!! It feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, not while you’re doing it (ha ha) but it feels good to get stronger.
I’m always amazed by how much you do outside of workouts and work. Volunteering and socializing- those things take up a lot of time! I tend to be a hermit (whenever I can) but I’m trying to get out and do more. All I want to do at night is sit on my couch and read.
My next race is in February. Ha, maybe I should do a couple before then!
Well done on your strength work and it’s great you’re seeing an improvement as that always helps with motivation.
Nice job with your commitment to strength work! It takes 21 days to forma habit (or so they say), and you’re almost there 😉
So glad about your good Friday run! And well done keeping up the good strength work! I’m delighted you’ve already started to see some results. Do you know what makes you dislike the strength portion? Is it something you can overcome?
Aaaw your pugs. I don’t think I’ve seen a photo of them before!
Nice work on this consistency for cardio + strength. It sounds like you have a good routine going.
Sorry about the celebration of life service – they’re bitter sweet (emotionally hard, but also beautiful).
Hugs on the service. But hurray for a morning run that felt good! Excellent job working in the strength amidst all your other activities! Bandit needs a bath before it gets too cool to do it outside. We do it on our raised deck. There’s no escape. 😉
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Way to go sticking to the strength Jenn! You should be very proud that you are making it a priority, it will continue to pay off.
Your gorgeous sunrises- love it! I know you have to start early to beat the heat there, but it really is very pretty.
Glad to hear you’re settling in well to the school year routine. It’s always fun to cheer on the band! Our halftime show is a Taylor Swift medley, of course! Yay for staying consistent with strength!
So glad to hear everything is going well as you settle into your fall routine.
Keep up the good work with your strength training so it becomes a regular part of your workout routine. Your older self will thank you!
Kudos on your strength streak! I am trying to do an abs workout streak, and even though it’s only an 8 min workout, some days I’m just not feeling it! So I know how difficult it is to keep those streaks going. But I have managed to fit it in so far.
Enjoy those band nights!!
Yay for setttling in! We’re not quite settled into our back-to-school routine yet, but hopefully soon.
Nice job getting in all the strength training! It’s an area I really need to work on.