Shreddin' Eleven, Week Two

I just completed Day 8 Level 1 this morning. I swapped out the 3lb weights for the 5lb weights and WOW what a difference. My arms officially feel like jelly, I feel it in my back muscles (go back rows!) and my shoulder muscles. I think this is just the challenge I needed to get me through these last few days of Level 1. I'm really looking forward to the change of routine with Level 2.

My left knee has begun acting up again a little, like it did after my 5K in October. After a period of beating myself up about not doing my 30 minute treadmill run yesterday evening (because of the knee issue), I realized that I may just have been pushing myself too hard all at once this past week, expecting too much of my body, and am potentially right around the corner from a real injury. I still have 37 weeks until the half marathon. There's really no need to push myself to the point of injury; I have a TON of time to train; but, I won't if I'm laid up because I've hurt myself.

Executive decision made. I need to review and revise the half marathon training program, to maybe spread the training out a little more evenly over these 37 weeks, so that I'm well conditioned, but not injured, by the time September 24 rolls around. I need to soak this knee, rest it the remainder of today (with perhaps a walk on the treadmill this evening), and change up the run training to back off just a slight bit. I'm also thinking that incorporating yoga a little more often into my weekly workout schedule might help with flexibility and reduce my risk of injury.

I had the hardest time last night being OK with backing off from my rigorous training schedule. "No excuses" kept running through my mind, and it took a lot of convincing to make it OK in my mind to back off a little at this point, even with the threat of imminent injury. I'm still working on not being so darned hard on myself! But now, it's all good and I'm back to positive-land.. L0L! I love that I have this thread and those of you who participate in it to be able to be open and honest about this kind of thing. Thank you!!!

Let's enjoy and Shred this weekend! :-D

also before I started my fitness journey I was scared of getting injured, so I added a gummy multi vitamin and calcium/vitamin D chew, and when I need it I'll add me a joint juice...but so far I have not hurt anything, and thats the best feeling, knowing your body can keep up with your mind!

I do need to begin taking my multivitamin again; thank you for this reminder!!

Mary - I did level 2 for the first time today and my body feels the same as it did when I started doing level one. I ache, I sweat, I got exhausted and begged for mercy!!!!! Unfortunately this level has a LOT of 'plank' based exercises and I have a bad wrist from injuring it many years ago so I'm not sure how I'll get on with this level. Thankfully when I'm finding something too difficult and I'm not sure how to modify it to suit me I'm working in exercises from level 1 to make sure I don't stop moving. I'm sure I'll improve and adjust in time though! I was surprised that my HRM recorded my calories burn as about the same as level 1 so I may have to work harder next time. Hopefully I'll be able to give it another go tomorrow :laugh:

I'm sure you'll do great tomorrow!! I'm ready to ache again... lol! Felt it more in my arms today since I switched from 3lb to 5lb weights, but ready for more! Sounds like substituting Level 1 exercises for the tougher Level 2 ones will be of great help in seeing you through Level 2!