My PT test was Saturday and my arms and abs are STILL sore from it! I have been away from the gym for almost 2 months and it is blatantly apparent that I need to get stronger. It is unbelievable how easily I have lost strength and muscle tone. In 2 minutes each, I managed to max situps(80) and almost max pushups(45)-- missed max by 1-- and I could not believe how hard it was for me to crank them out! Usually that's the part of the test I find easiest. I laughed to James that this is the first PT test in my life where running was the easiest part for me. I suppose it should be, because that's what I have been training for the hardest. I scored a 283/300, which is about what I expected. I am always so nervous before a PT test, so I changed my mindset this time. Mentally, I placed myself in a road race as we lined up behind the start line and I pretended we weren't in our PT uniforms. As they called "GO," I imagined playing the song I always begin with (love my MP3 player) on any 5k and 10k race-- Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run"-- the song's speed and rhythm helps me set an ideal pace by not starting off too fast or too slow. By NOT associating the running with the ARMY I was able to enjoy it.
Breakfast:
1/2 cup flaxseed bran cereal w/ handful of blackberries
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 organic banana
1 cup black coffee
Workout: No music today.
2 miles: 17:14-- Held 8:20 pace for mile 1, slowed down to 9:00 pace for most of mile 2. Picked it up to a half-sprint on the last .10 mile. All on treadmill.
Lower Body Workout:
Pre-run:
3x10 leg presses @ 100 lbs
3x10 leg lifts on machine (difficulty on 1-10 scale= 8)
3x10 reverse crunches
3x10 calf raises @80 lbs
Post-run:
3x5 leg lifts on machine
3x10 reverse crunches
50 full-fledged situps
10 each "dance crunch" sets
Snack immediately after workout:
Myoplex Shake-- aids with muscle recovery
Drinking 6-8 bottles of water daily.
I have found that a good pair of running shoes and non-cotton, BREATHABLE clothing makes all the difference in the world. I used to swear by Asics running shoes (which I still endorse!) but my most recent purchase was the Mizuno Wave Creation 7. I have high arches on my feet and these shoes provide excellent arch support. They are extremely breathable, too.
Lunch was later-- about 2 pm-- turkey, organic hummus, and organic greens in a whole-wheat wrap served alongside organic baby carrots and 1/2 organic banana.
Snack: 1 green apple with 1 tbsp natural peanut butter.
Workout #2: James came home from work. We ran my 2-mile course around the neighborhood. I came in at 18:15. There are slight variations in elevation throughout the course and I was pretty darn hungry. James left me in the dust after mile 1.... Once again, mile 1 was my slowdown point, this is a problem that I need to address. Lots of stretching in our front yard followed this run.
Snack: 1/2 Myoplex shake... James and I split one. Drank bottled water, and watched Bill Cosby standup comedy from 1983.
Dinner: Homemade vegetable soup with a pesto base and ground beef. I helped myself to seconds. Also indulged in a grilled cheese sandwich. Drank another bottle of water. We should just invest in a Brita filter.
That's it for today. I am thoroughly pooped and I think this 2-a-day stuff is going to take some adjustment on my part! At least I know I'll sleep well tonight!
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