Cross-Training-What I Have Been Doing

Cross-Training has been something that I have always been lacking in my training plans. I always felt like I didn't have the time to fit it into my schedule because I barely have time to get my runs done. Having a career and a family can sometimes make it difficult but I try to make it happen without spending too much time away from home. I feel too guilty coming home from work and then taking off to the gym or leaving for a run every day of the week. I wanted to find something that I could do at home or with my family and I found the perfect solution-my bike trainer.

I started riding my road bike, which I bought almost a year ago, on my bike trainer about five weeks ago and I really like it. I have been using my bike trainer twice a week for 45 minutes at a time. I am hoping to take it out of the road one day but I am still kind of nervous about it. Cycling is really helping my legs in so many different ways that running does not since it works different muscles. It is also much easier on my legs and allows for a much quicker recovery since there is no pounding. I love that it so low impact that I can go for a decent run the next day and not feel any kind of soreness from cross-training. I read that cycling helps with leg turnover while running and also helps with speed. Intervals also work your legs just as hard as running hills. I hate hill repeats so this got me all excited!

When I ride my bike, I do not focus on the miles but more on time and cadence which is more important to me. My goal is 80-100 pedal revolutions per minute and I am currently at an average of 74. The workout from cycling is great and I can feel definitely feel the burn in my quads! I wear my Garmin which pairs up the cadence/speed sensor which is mounted on my bike frame to help me track my progress. 

This is the data that Garmin Connect provides so I am tracking my progress weekly to see if I am improving and getting closer to my goal.

I have noticed a difference in the way that my legs feel when I run. My quads feel stronger and when I do my hilly routes, my legs are able to handle them a lot better. This is the trainer that I bought from REI for about $340.00. It is a little pricey but my time is worth it and it keeps me at home with my family where I want to be. I can also have food in the oven or a load of laundry going while I do my 45-minute ride. I am determined to stick with my cross-training in hopes of seeing some better results with my running!

What is your favorite method of cross-train? 

How many days a week do you cross train?

Oh and by the way, my son wanted me to tell all of my readers that he says "HI!" Please say "HI" back to him because he will be excited!

Goodbye June and My Plans for July

Aside from the major goals that I have set for 2013, I like to come up with mini goals on a monthly basis. Here are some of the goals that I want to accomplish in the month of July:

1) Start using my bike trainer! My other half set it all up for me so now all I have to do is hop on and get going!

2) Choose a marathon to run! I am all over the place with this one. I see so many posts of different marathons that everyone is running and I want to run all of them. Here are some of the ones that I am seriously considering at this point: 1) Big Cottonwood: I love the course   2) Ventura is local and happens to fall the day after my birthday and 3) Long Beach is local and I really want redemption from 2011. I am not sure what to do! My intial thought was to run a marathon on my birthday but since it falls on a Saturday it is hard to find one.

 3) Cut back on the sweets and treats. I have been loving me some Rice Krispie Treats, cupcakes and chocolate covered raisins and I think it is starting to take it's toll.I would really like to be five pounds lighter before my next marathon but I am not good at dieting and probably never will be. I love to eat!

4) Run more than 140 miles this month. My record miles for a month currently stands at 140 miles.

What are your goals for July?

Weekly Recap-6/17/13-6/23/13

This week was a little tough for me! I had some pains in my achilles from wearing heels  during my graduation! They were not very high at all but I guess I am not used to wearing them!  I am not a fan of high heels and you will rarely see me wearing them! I was also walking funny in them because my heels kept sinking into to the grass. I did not get a run in until Wednesday and it was a pretty easy one. It is no fun to run through pain so I never take any chances. I wanted to allow myself time to be pain free until I would attempt a run and I am glad I did! Everything is good now.

Run #1: 6.2 Miles on the TM @9:40. This was a super easy paced run but it feels good to take it easy every once in a while. It took me a while to get going but once I did I was able to pick it up a bit in the end.

Run #2: 8.0 Miles @8:40 pace. This was a tough run for me! I was barely hanging on to maintain an 8:40 pace!

Run #3: 13.15 Miles @8:56 pace. The weather was perfect and overcast during my entire run so I kept the pace easy and made this a long and steady run. Next week I will push the long race at a harder pace.

Total Miles: 27.35 Miles

In other news, my other half finally got the bike trainer set up this week so I am looking forward to putting in some miles on my road bike that I bought a year ago but have never used! 

I decided not to run the Pasadena 5K so I will spectating a race for the first time. I will stay with my son and switch roles and be the photographer while my other half runs. I know it is going to be a weird feeling because I am not used to being on the other side of things. 

This coming week is going to be tough for running due to a busy schedule. I have to work late on Tuesday to attend a City Council Meeting, the 5K is on Sunday and I am trying to take my niece to Disneyland as well. NO EXCUSES so I will find time to get my runs in no matter what!

Have you ever spectated at a race? Was it difficult to do?

High Heels or Flats?
Flats, Flip Flops and Running Shoes for me!