Getting Back in Shape

This morning I did my first P90X workout. I only had time to do ab ripper but I could tell from just one workout that I'm going to really like this program. I don't plan on following the program for 90 days but instead I want to use it as a supplement to my off-season running. I love the feeling you get after during strength workouts but I hate going to the gym at my school. Plus it will be really easy for me to just pop in the video and not have to drive anywhere.

I was really surprised this morning with how out of shape I have gotten since high school when I was swimming. It makes sense that going from training for 18 hours a week to less than 10 will decrease your fitness but it really hit me today. I used to be known for being really fit and a good swimmer. Once I quit swimming I feel like I lost my identity. My upper body & core especially were strong. Since I've started running my legs have become much stronger than ever before but still my overall fitness level is not where I want it to be.

Well I want to do something about that. I want to feel strong and fit again. I want to be happy with my body & proud of it. I don't start training for my spring half marathon until the middle of January so I am going to use this time to whip my butt back into shape. After taking a few weeks off to recover from the Harrisburg Marathon I am really antsy to start working out again. My plan is to run at least 3 days a week and do some form of strength training 3 days a week.

I want to ring in 2012 & kick off 2013 healthy & happy!

A Healthy Diet & Yoga

I'm not really sure why, but I have had so much energy this week. I have also been in a great mood all week. I'm going to credit both of these things to eating healthier. I have been trying to pay more attention to what I eat and when I eat it. And I think it is really paying off.

My kitchen is full of all sorts of veggies and other healthy foods. I have been making sure to eat three balanced meals a day plus a few snacks to hold me over. I have also been drinking a ton of water. Being fueled properly feels pretty amazing!

After Tuesday's break through run I decided to make Wednesday a rest day. My legs were pretty tired and I didn't want to push them too hard considering I'm running my spring half marathon next weekend (eek!). With the beautiful weather we have been having plus not running yesterday I was itching to go for a run all day today. Even though I would have liked to spend more time outside enjoying the weather, I did two shakeout miles. My legs felt terribly slow and heavy during the first mile and loosened up during the second mile. I was loving every minute of this super easy run.

I made it back to my apartment with just enough time to grab a snack before going to free yoga at my school. Normally Thursday night yoga is Pilates based and taught by a student but today it was P90X yoga. I have never done P90X yoga but boy was I excited to try it.

I was pretty nervous to hear that it was 90 minutes long, but ready to stretch out these tight legs of mine. I really enjoyed the video although a lot of the moves were pretty repetitive. By the end of the 90 minutes my whole body felt so relaxed. I am hoping to go to yoga twice next week before race day so my legs are refreshed and ready to run.

What are your weekend plans? Any races this weekend?