I've gone insane

It all started two and half years ago with Shaun T's Insanity.  Since completing that intense 60 day challenge, I've come to really like the home exercise programs. I know that in many of the nearly three hundred posts on this site I’ve raved about being outside and running.  I've been equally as clear that I don't care for chilly or rainy weather.  So these DVD workout programs are the perfect solution.  I own a treadmill, but like many other runners, I find it a bit monotonous.  Here’s the thing, if your follow the plan, these in home programs work. I admit I’ve never followed the meal plans (bad idea). Yet, I have reaped benefits in all areas- weight management, increased strength, improved balance and flexibility and development.

All that is to say, I purchased the brand new Les Mills Combat. Before I tried every workout in the program, I ordered the predecessor, a resistance program, Les Mills Pump. There are two reasons. One I really like the Combat program. It gets the job done.  The other part is I feel like between the two I can create the perfect cardio and strength combination to use as we enter the New Year, aka winter. 

I completed the first two workouts of Pump and I love the Rep Effect. It's a twist on Tony Horton's systems of sets, but still gets at muscle confusion and the use of multiple body parts per exercise. It's a winner. I'm going to create my hybrid schedule this week. I think this is going to be great.

Lift. Move. Sweat.

Tom

Winter Workout

Over the last three years I have broached the topic of how in modern times humans have to exercise for fitness, as opposed to the not too distant past where people’s work was more physical in nature. Work and other daily chores kept people more active and fit. I've written about aspects of farming and other activities that burn calories and build strength. I’ve also noted that I am on a trend of becoming more and more earthy.

As part of that, last year I decided to cut our firewood rather than purchase it. We are fortunate and have a wooded area, so there’s lots of opportunity. Over the years a handful of trees have fallen. It was a nice day and I had some free time so I decided to store up some wood. I took my handy saw and machete, and went to work.  

Early on I realized many of the movements of cuttings, splitting, collecting and moving the wood were the exact same as the those used in Tony Horton, Shaun T. and Les Mills workouts. I knew good and well that wood collecting worked up a sweat, but as I thought about all I was doing over the course of time, it turns out I worked my core, back, legs, chest, shoulders, wrists and arms. Not bad considering I had already been for a run and the wood would (naturally) warm the house.

Yes, you are correct; it won't be long before we move to a little house on the prairie.

Work. Run.

Tom

Les Mills Combat

I just received the Les Mills Combat package. It's an intense 60 day workout program. I read a fair amount about it prior to my purchase. From what I gathered, and saw on a short video spot, the program is filled with high impact cardio and plyometric moves in a martial arts format. It looks like someone combined Tony Horton's Kenpo and Shaun T's Insanity.

 

When the box arrived today, I tore into it like the proverbial impatient child at the holidays. I used the Combat Live disc as a first sampling. The routine lasts just over thirty minutes. If you don't think punching and kicking can get the job done, you have to give this one a go. I didn’t work at the highest intensity level as I was learning the moves and sequences. Still, the routine left me a sweaty mess. My heart rate blasted in this one. I have to admit, it was fun. I generally I don't care for music or peppy trainers but, Dan and Rach are compelling.

More details as I dive in deeper. I plan to give each routine a try, and then January 1, 2013 seems like as good a day as any to begin the official 60 day program.

Kick. Punch. Sweat.

Tom

Don't tell Percy Jackson, for fear he'll think me the lightening thief.

Late night we pulled into a hotel parking lot just outside of the Milwaukee airport. I lamented that the morning run would be the standard fare for airport neighborhoods-industrial and commercial cement and concrete, blah! Shannan tried to ease my concern by saying the next night will be better. To my utter surprise, lighten struck in the morning. I was delighted to find a lovely neighborhood, a sports complex and a nice park with running/walking trails, all right by the airport. I took longer on the road as it turned out to be a grand place to run.

Later that evening, Shannan's words echoed in my head from the night before when I prematurely complained about the prospect of a morning run by the airport. "Tomorrow will be much better," she vowed. I recalled this as we arrived in Madison, WI to find our hotel tucked in an ever present mall sprawl area. I complained bitterly about the boring scenery for the morning run. For shame! I should have learned better, especially given the morning run near the airport turned out to be a real winner.

We left the hotel that night for dinner and I happened to notice a viaduct going under the expressway. I knew it was not the smartest idea (Shannan agreed), but an interesting prospect for certain (Shannan did NOT agree). Nonetheless, at morning’s first light I investigated. After a slow trot through the damp viaduct I found the other side opened into an industrial area. I decided to give it a quick look around, and to my pleasure I discovered Elmer's Park Trail. What a sheer joy! The trail cut through beautiful well planned green-space area of neighborhoods and businesses. Ultimately the trail ended in a large community park. Unbelievably, lightning struck, again.

Who know what the road holds? Run.

Tom

Fitness Apps

A reader asked what fitness apps I use. I know of a number out there and I've downloaded a couple in the few years. The ones I tried were mileage tracker and exercise journals. For me, none really met my needs, so I have deleted them all. I found some buggy, but mostly I find it far easier to use the same 15 year old method of logging exercise activity, notes, miles, and so forth in a daily calendar.

I purchase a (paper) calendar each year solely for the purpose to record The Streak. I don't keep any other information like the weather or meals for the day, though I do see the benefit of that practice. My notes are quick, easy and reliable.

I realize I’m set in my ways and the world is changing around me. I hate I can’t offer any experiential advice, but I do encourage folks to find apps that fit in with your lifestyle. Use whatever it takes to keep you engaged and interested in running and exercise.  If I have a change of norms and move to an app for regular use, I’ll be sure to write about it.

Use apps if they help, but whatever you do, run.

Tom

Hidden in Plain Sight

Our tax dollars have been well spent over the last 7 or 8 years. Our county has made significant improvements to one of the parks in our area. Some time ago a bridge was added to provide access to trails across the river. The problem is the trails on the other side, mostly maintained by utility companies, have terrible water drainage issues. When it rains the main thoroughfare develops several pools of standing water, and mud is formidable. It's been dry for a while, not to overlook today was an incredible 67 degrees (I love that in early December). So, I decide to explore the other side of the river in my new trail barefoot running shoes.

It was a win/win for the trails and the shoes. The main path had many off shoot trails. The main part snaked along the river. The surface changed along the way including packed dirt, gravel, sand and rocks. I delighted in the run. I really liked the barefoot trail shoes. I admit the rocks were a little rough, but not unbearable. This side of the park has tons of potential. I think it is now my favorite place for long runs in the area. The funny thing is the paths are well worn. It's all been there for years and I've been living a couple miles away oblivious to this running paradise. Shame on me!

Find the good running trails and run.

Tom