Any runners do ChaLean Extreme?

Amy_B

I might be crazy in doing this, and that's what I want you to tell me (honestly). I am planning on starting CLE on August 2, which is also the day I plan on starting my half marathon training. Both are about 12 weeks in length. I'll actually finish CLE exactly one week after the half since I'm going to take three extra days off of CLE before the half, the half day, and the day after the half. Would it be crazy to do both at once?

My other question to help me incorporate both programs, do you think during the Push phase that my weeks could look like this (for just CLE):
Push Circ 1, Burn Intervals + Ab Burner, Push Circ 2, rest (which will actually be my long run for the week), Push Circ 3, Burn It Off + Recharge, Rest


What exactly is Recharge?

Thanks!


Edited to add: I've run several 5Ks and a 10K so far. If I'm going to cut something, though, it's going to be the half marathon. I really need to firm up and break this six month plateau before I go nuts, but I can wait to run a half next year.

vhuber

I think both is doable! I do not run farther than 4.5 and I am doing CLE. It is a great series but NOT a long one so you can still run on both the lift days AND the cardio days! RECHARGE is a stretch/yoga session! Awesome job on the weight loss and for running the distance you already run!!!!

glfprncs2

I think it's quite doable...just make sure you give your upper body a rest day between strength days...you can throw the two cardio workouts in where they fit, even if it means tweaking your rest day(s). I only took one rest day/week, and oftentimes doubled up with extra cardio workouts. While I'm not a runner, I do walk for an additional 60-75 minutes each day...

As long as you give yourself a TRUE rest day each week, and make sure you're doing plenty of extra stretching, your body should be able to handle it. That said, be sure to listen to it, and if you get tweaky, take care of your body before it 'blows up' into something that will force you to take an extended recovery period.

Amy_B

Thanks! I worked the schedule to give myself a true rest day each week, and some days, I'll only being doing one workout (unless I want to throw something different in there periodically). I think my plan looks do-able. Yeah!

kicklikeaGIRL

Amy-- i know i already told ya a little bit about my routine. Right now I'm training for a Half MArathon. I do use CLX on my "non running days"-- so Tues/Thurs. So, I'm not following the plan to its perfection right now, since the plan is pretty much you do CLX lifting (burn, push, lean circuits) 3 days a week. (I only do 2 days) I pretty much skip the Re-charge right now. This is what my schedule looks like:

Mon- short run (3-5 miles)
Tues- 15 minute cardio (kickboxing or light jog or burn it off), CLX BURN 1* (next week I start my push phases)
Wednesday-short TIMED run (3 miles)
Thursday 15 minute cardio (kickboxing or light jog or burn it off) CLX BURN 2*
Friday- Rest day before long run
Saturday-- Long run (then ice, ice, ice my legs!)
Sunday-- Walking, Yoga, Pilates, Leisurly Biking & Swimming...whatever I feel that is RELAXING so I can do a major stretch afterwards (just NO stair climbers!) IF my run is less than 7 miles on my "long run" day, then I sometimes will do Burn Intervals on this day or Burn It Off. But, my HM training schedule allows for shorter "long run" days, some schedules don't. So, if you are going long-long each week, don't risk it and take it easy the day after!

*Since I'm only doing CLX 2 times a week, I rotate between the 3 circuits. So, the next Tuesday I would do BURN 3, and keep rotating through. I only use the Burn Intervals and Burn It Off occassionally. I think those are fine workouts to use on non-running days, but I wouldn't worry about using them as intensely as the strength training. I will do the Abs whenever I feel. Sometimes after a long run or on my lifting days, whatever I feel like.

My only concern with starting it out for the first time while training is that you will be very sore, and stretching will be key. I still get pretty sore after workouts. Stretching and warming up before stretching is sooo important. Otherwise you could injure yourself. I ended up doing a hard session of BURN 2 (i believe) and the next day my quads and hamstrings were so tight. And then I decided to do some sprints without properly warming up and stretching... and I completely pullled my hamstring and was out of commission for 2 weeks.

But, with that said, I personally feel like strength training (especially ChaLean Extreme) has really improved my endurance for my long runs. My muscles are strong. The thing with running long distances and doing a lot of cardio is your muscles start to reduce because they aren't being strengthened with lifting. So, I personally believe we really need some lifting, even if its not as much as what we might do when we aren't training.

And finally, don't be worried if you have to take a day off to rest. Training for a Half Marathon can be grueling and really can put a lot on our bodies, especially for us first timers! But, its a great feeling to run more than you ever have before! If you are ever feeling worn out or pain at any time...take a break. I promise you won't lose any of your progress with rest. In fact, after my hamstring injury I feared that 2 weeks off of running would put me back to square one...but I jumped right back in very comfortably!

Good luck Amy! PM me if you have any questions. I also have a good MFP friend who has run several Half Marathons who SWEARS by using CLX. She actually gave me great advice before I started up the program for the 2nd time while Training. Her name is YogaRunner. She's super helpful, tell her I sent you..haha! Ok, I'm long winded. Haha.

BTW, you are not crazy! Haha

Amy_B

Thanks, Dawna! I think I'm going to add your friend right now.