Circuit Training- Ever Heard Of It?

What?! So Tuesday

Thi says- "did you get the email about training tonight?"

I say "No, what are doing?"

Thi- "Circuit Training! I'm nervous!"

Me- "Oh wow! Wait...what's circuit training?" (I think to myself, I have a circut machine...is it anything close? LOL)

Thi- "It's like push ups, sit ups, and stuff."

Me- "Oh great I'm screwed! I'm going to die! I can't do push ups...great- we still on for training?"

Thi- "Heck yeah- see you there!"

When I got to the work out I was a little confused. I didn't know what to expect. We started out on a 1 mile run. Then coach Tim put us in 3 groups. Easy enough right?! Wrong. He then told us what our circuit training would be. Each group would rotate through each exercise.

Circuit #1

• V-ups, which are sit ups in which you must bring your legs AND upper torso up at the same time, creating a V.
• Push ups, regular "boy" push ups and each time you have to alternate lifting a leg.
• Forward lunges, making sure your lower knee almost hits the ground.

After that circuit coach says- run once around the field! What?! You want me to run?! huh? Well better get to it!

Circuit #2

• Forward Planks, you get into "boy push up position" and put your forearms on the ground keep your body straight and tight like a plank!
• Mountain Climbers, again "boy push up position" this time keeping knees bent " alternate bending of legs by pushing one out while the other is bent and brought in
• Side Squats, make sure while you do this you're "sitting" on a very LOW chair

After the second circuit coach says- run another lap! "AHHHHH!!!" We come back, and Coach Tim says, halfway there! So we repeat circuit #1, run a lap, repeat circuit #2 and run TWO laps. After which we stretch, breathe, and hope to die!

So I'll give you the little run down of the fun. Here's where it all took place

The pink line shows ONE lap = 1/2 mile

The green circle is where we did our circuits

So all in all we Ran 1 mile + circuit #1 + 1/2 mile run + circuit #2 + 1/2 mile run + circuit #1 + 1/2 mile run + circuit #2 + 1 mile run = 3 miles of running, circuit #1 and #2 two times and delirium. :) OH the joy of training!

Let's make it enjoyable!

Last weekend was our 2nd official coached run at the Berkeley Marina. I have to say that there are a few things I like about the coached runs and a couple of things that are challenging. (the nice thing, there are definitely more things I like about it)

First I love that I get to be with my teammates...

What's challenging?! Getting up early on a Saturday to be in Berkeley and ready to run at 8:00AM!!! Now I'm usually an early riser and enjoy have the whole day to do whatever I'd like, but there is just something about getting up that early in the morning to run that is challenging for me. I mean I have to say that I still haven't found that LOVE for running, that I hope to attain so maybe that's my hang up. I just need to suck it up and be HAPPY to get up early on my Saturday to go run!

Ok hello?! Look at how nice this trail is. I mean now that I've gotten up early, made my way to Berkeley, am freezing because the sun hasn't even gotten up yet, look at where I'm running! I LOVE IT! I love the water and it is soooo nice to be able to have a nice little cool breeze from the water hit you while you run! I love that we've gotten to run in nice places so far!

There really isn't thing else that I find challenging about these runs. I just have to "Get over myself!!!!"

When we complete a run it's exhilarating! Before we think about the honorees, past and present and those whom we have a special connection to. That is really what keeps me motivated in this quest. By the time I am done running, I am just grateful to be healthy enough to run. Besides, look at how gorgeous the marina was when we were done! Loving the BLUE sky!

Like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde says, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy..." So true- I mean look at how happy we are! To add to the fun of completing yet another great coached run, we went to breakfast at the greatest place in Berkeley thanks to our friend Maja! She used to live in the area and came to support us in our training run! We went to Rick & Ann's - Yum!

And if that wasn't enough- we made our day complete and totally enjoyable with a trip to Lululemon! (The cutest yoga/work out clothes EVER!)

Three is the magic number

I can run 3 miles! What?! Um yes, I did it today. I had no clue that I could do it and to be honest, I thought it was a fluke that I could run 3 miles. I did it last Saturday as a part of my first coached run. Totally thought it was the adrenaline that got me the whole way, but let me tell you, I did it! I am so grateful to have health and strength to be able to run that far. I love being outdoors and that you to mother nature she has allowed the sun to stay out long enough for me to get in a run after work! I hope it stays super sunny and not too hot so I can keep it up and continue to share in the journey. I'm happy to report, that though I may not consider myself "a runner" I feel like I am well on my way! Hooray! Thanks for all the support :)

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf10/ttanihara