Having a major event to train for really kept me in the habit of planning out my workouts a few months in advance. After the Goofy Challenge, however, I felt kind of lost for the past two weeks. Sure, I have a goal of running 12 more half marathons this year and I want to run them sub 2 or faster. I also really need to strength train as well.
Putting together a workout plan wasn’t so cut and dry anymore. I couldn’t just go to RunnersWorld.com and print off my plan and follow it. Sure I could add in a strength training workout a few times a week and then run, but how many miles, what strength program?? Ugh!
I was getting caught up in the little details last week and not moving ahead. Then, things started to fall into place over the weekend. In the morning Hubby and I ran the Freeze Your Franny 5K and freeze we did!
Later that night, Hubby and I visited a Cross Fit BOX as part of date night on Saturday. Yea, we are an exciting bunch! Ha!
We actually did have a nice dinner in town before and got to walk around and enjoy the Fire & Ice Festival that was going on.
I was pumped and loved what I saw, freaked out a bit too! Hubby was excited and thought it was a great Box too and a great way to workout. There was one thing, the $300 a month…. After we left we walked around town some more and chatted. There was also the 3x a week class commitment for the first month. Two huge things to consider.
Hubby, bless his heart, never says BOO about my running. We both work full time and make equal decisions about big expenses, but I did book several huge trips last year without more than a mention to him. Something like, “I might as well get my Coast to Coast medal this year, let’s go to Disneyland too!” His response, “Ok.”
Well, on our walk Hubby gently mentioned that this Cross Fit expense would take a nice bite into my funds for running. STOP THE PRESS!!!! WHAT? I knew he had a point. I love racing, the kids love racing and heck, even Hubby loves racing. Well, that’s not going to happen J
Truthfully, I was also intimidated by the BOX. Sure, I can run 40 miles in one weekend, but doing a pushup? Nope, maybe 3. I need to strength train and I need it badly. The thought of doing pull ups, even assisted ones, and pushups in front of others… Yea, kind of scary at this point.
I woke up Sunday morning all excited to strength train after seeing what was going down at the BOX the night before. I needed to figure out what to do. Hubby mentioned that I did buy Insanity last Fall and it is still downstairs. Perfect! He even said he will join me in working out together! STOP THE PRESS AGAIN! Bonus!
So, we headed downstairs and did the Fit Test.
It was pretty cool to have a partner. Tough test, but lots of laughs!
We were at it again Monday morning and completed the Insanity Plyometric Cardio Circuit. What an amazing workout, I really enjoyed the 10 minutes in the middle of yoga type, deep stretches. The stretches and poses really loosened up my hips with all the movements. The other 20 minutes were, well insane. Lots of jumps, squats, pushups. I did a few sets of pushups using my knees, the others I think I just laid flat on the ground pretending I was doing them.
Tuesday morning I was ridiculously sore! Almost, dare I say it, worse than the Goofy Challenge. Everything hurt, my feet were killing me, my legs were sore, my upper body was ok, but not the best. I put on my compression tights for the day and wondered why I didn’t put them on right after the workout Monday am. Compression tights are not just for running 
The soreness got me thinking that there is no way I can do Insanity 6 days a week, as they recommend, and keep running too. I have come too far to get hurt again, and I know my body will need to recover. Seems to me though, the Insanity program is not designed for full recovery. Fine, but once again, no need to get hurt here. I am the type that likes to get into things slowly and help my body adapt instead of just pushing more and more.
I sat down with a calendar and a printout of the Insanity schedule as well as Hal Higdon’s Intermediate Half Marathon training plan and attempted to combine the two. After all was said and done, I think I did a pretty good job!
For the month of February:
March I switched over to the Insanity Max DVDs:
I tried to rotate the Insanity DVDs to switch things up and keep it fresh. I also put in the miles, somewhat according to the Hal Higdon plan, but mainly what I thought I needed, and could handle. I figure I am getting speed type running workouts by using Insanity, so Tuesday runs will be faster, Thursday slower, and Sunday recovery.
I am so relieved that I have a plan in place now for February and March that ends with my next Half Marathon, Rock CF on March 24th. I will reassess again Mid March, but for now, I’m good. I need to see things written down and excited about seeing the awesome benefits I will get out of Insanity.
I did a quick 2 mile run last night in 17 minutes and all was well until it started sleeting. It felt good and once I started running the soreness went away.
This morning I did 20 minutes of the Insanity Cardio Power and Resistance DVD. It was hard to get through the first 10 minute warm-up as I was sore, and not really keeping good form, the next 10 minutes were stretches and yoga and felt great. I decided to cut it short as my form was really poor due to being so sore, better safe than sorry and better doing 20 minutes than nothing at all Got to stay with my plan now
How far in advance do you plan your workouts?
Do you design your own plan to fit your needs or go with a schedule already designed?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I swear if I put my cross training and strength training on my calendar like my running I would probably do more of it. You have inspired me. I plan out months at a time.
Twitter: runfastmama
January 31, 2013 at 7:59 am
Thanks for commenting Nicki! To me, there is just something so powerful about using old school paper and pen to record workouts still. Having that plan in place just keeps me really motivated.
I know what you mean about feeling lost after a big race. I’ve felt lost after the Detroit Half though I admittedly decided to take it easy over the winter on my treadmill. My hubby bought me a 501 Club membership for the winter. It forced me to pick a goal so I signed up for Fifth Third River Bank Run. It feels good to have a goal and I’m using the 501 plan, though it’s much more aggressive than I would have planned, but for now I’m sticking to it. I have used Hal Higdon’s plans in the past and did well with them. Last year I planned out 3-4 months in advance and as I got a month from the end, I’d plan the next 3-4 months. I’m like you in that I have to have the calendar written out to see it. it keeps me motivated! Great job to you on the Insanity workouts!! All those different workouts are way too complicated for me!
Twitter: runfastmama
January 31, 2013 at 8:00 am
Hi Jackie, Never heard of a 501 Club? The River Bank run sounds fun and I was thinking about doing that, but it is on the other end of the state for me so I will probably just try to do a local one instead.
Yea, Insanity has a few moves that get really confusing but I just try to do the best I can
The 501 Running Club is out of the Running Fit store in Northville and A2 – workouts Wed nights and long runs on Sat. It’s only been about 3 weeks, but already I feel my focus and overall running has improved. If anything I’m just re-motivated after a long break from the Detroit Half. I keep hearing about the Insanity workouts from you and others and now I’m feeling an itch to try it. We’ll see…thanks for all the insight and tips!
Twitter: runfastmama
February 3, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Sounds like you found a great club to run with and get motivated again!
You should give Insanity a try and incorporate it. Can not believe how much stronger I feel, well sore too but that means I’m getting stronger.
I give Insanity credit for bringing back my endurance to start running again! I was back in the gym (about 2 years ago) but needed to increase my endurance (asthma took a beating on my lungs) – I did the whole Insanity program in 60 days and not only lost weight but was in beastmode! I used it like you are, in a running plan, and now I’m better than ever! I love Pure Cardio
Twitter: runfastmama
February 1, 2013 at 3:24 pm
It is really cool how strong I feel after doing insanity! Total BEAST mode and can’t wait to see what it does for my running!
Glad on Insanity helping you get back into running. Seems like the ideal workout for all types of athletes.
I love Insanity for the way it really pushes you to “dig deeper” – haha! I incorporated Insanity with running from November through December. There have been numerous occasions when I would only do the warm-up and stretching because of the same reasons you mention – sore and not good form. I love that someone else is like me in that way!
Twitter: runfastmama
February 1, 2013 at 3:26 pm
LOL
My new motto is to avoid injury! I went through too much of that last year. I’m going to push myself but not to the point of loosing form and risking injury. Recovery is just as important as training. Thank you for the comment.
I always plan out my training with my races. I have a plan through April which is my second half marathon this year. I will assess again in April. I need a plan for the most part but after November 15, I enjoy just running whatever through the end of the year.
Twitter: runfastmama
February 1, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Wow, that sounds like a great way to plan and then give yourself a break after Nov15 from structure! I just might have to do that this year!
I tried a month at Crossfit with a personal trainer but hubby put the stop to it when I wanted to sign up again in September for their regular classes and made the same point that your hubby made. And like you, I am not giving up running!
I plan my own workouts at home here but when it comes to training for a race I follow a plan that I find on the web.
Twitter: runfastmama
February 1, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Glad I’m not the only one
It has worked out good this week at home and truthfully I am much more likely to work out if I can do it at home because it is easier with kids and takes less time away from other things due to zero commute time.
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