Sunday cross training day got off to a bumpy start. I woke up to a dead phone that had been on the charger all night. It’s a fairly new phone so it was a real shock. The screen was black and it would not turn on no matter how many buttons I pushed or how many times I tapped (really hard) on the screen.
I plugged the phone into a different charger and took the dog for a very quiet walk. It’s amazing how reliant I, and many of us are, on our phones for ancillary activities like music, podcasts, camera and special apps. My scale and my nutrition apps are on my phone and that’s where I keep track of all my stats and meals. Thankfully, I’ve been following this dietary program for a while so I knew what I was eating for breakfast but not having my normal routine really threw me off my game.
Once I got back from the dog walk, I was able to trouble-shoot my phone issue and traced the problem to a recent software update. The fix was pretty quick once I figured it out but by then I found myself starting my normal morning routine at 10 A.M., rather than 7 A.M.
Cross training on spin bike
Today was my last ride through Patagonia, Argentina on my spin bike with iFit. I finished the series with an interval ride through Santa Maria. After yesterday’s 14 mile run my legs were feeling tired and heavy, so I kept the resistance lower than normal. I wasn’t looking for a leg strengthening ride. I just wanted my legs to move in a different motion than running.
Runner’s strength mash up
Following my bike ride I headed to the living room for Runner’s Strength. I decided that I’d had enough cardio the day before so I took out the burpees. I also replaced the stability ball core work with fewer concentrated core moves from Running Rewired. The move I love to hate most is the Super Swiss Side Plank.
For this move, you lay on your side with your upper body supported on your elbow, as you hold a large exercise ball between your feet. This naturally raises one leg a couple of feet off the floor. Then, you lift your hips up while balancing on your elbow and ankle that is pressing into the mat to hold you steady. I do 25 reps on each side; lifting and lowering my hips back to starting. It’s a very effective move but hard to stay balanced.
I only completed one round of MOBO board knee strengthening exercises before I was tired and ready to move on with my day. It was already 11:30 A.M. by the time I’d finished but I still got in a 45 minute strength workout.
Where does the energy go?
There seems to be a pattern emerging when it comes to my energy levels following my Saturday long runs. I’ve noticed that I can usually keep going on Saturday and function well until it’s time to go to bed. Then, on Sunday my cross training and strength workouts wipe me out and I end up taking really long and necessary naps.
I no more than laid down to cuddle with the dog when I found myself waking up an hour and forty-five minutes later alone. No dog in sight. It felt great but it sure put a dent in my already jilted schedule.
I’ve worked out a new moto: Marathon training is hard work. Take naps as needed.
Workout
- 37 minutes cross training on spin bike
- 45 minutes runner’s strength workout with MOBO board segment