Last night's workout was tough. It was 50 min in total. I spent 10 min warming up on the bike and then did 6 sets of 2 min hard and 1 min easy pedaling. I always try to push myself. I don't like listening to the voice in my head that tells me I can take it easy. I mean c'mon, isn't that what I've been doing most of my life (regarding excercise)? I have to something different.
So normal fast RPMs on the bike for me are between 95-100. So I wanted to do better last night. I kept a couple of the fast 2 min segments at around 110 RPMs and then for the last, I kept hearing Master Kunkel say "This is your last. Make it your best!" So I pushed as hard as I could and got it up to 120 RPMs. Whew! I did it! I finished up with 6 minutes of pretty easy riding at about 80 RPMs.
Then onto the elliptical. With my legs already burning I knew these last 16 minutes would be hard. I was supposed to do 10 min moderate and 6 min easy. I guess moderate for me would be 50 RPMs but I'm trying to increase that, so I shot for between 55-60 rpms. That lasted for about 6 minutes and then I had to bring it down (right around 50 rpms). I didn't know if I'd actually be able to finish but I kept pushing and I did.
I am trying to focus on celebrating when I make it through a really tough workout. Usually I'm a little pooped and feeling worn out and just glad it's done but I am finding I really need to celebrate these accomplishments. It changes my mindset from being a big woman on a bike trying to do something I can't to that of an athlete. :)
What's a recent accomplishment I can celebrate with you?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Accomplishment!
To give you a little back-story, because being a good story teller means I have to, prior to about one month ago, my least favorite piece of equipment at the gym was the Elliptical (not counting the stairsteppers, which I don't even count as a possibility at this point).
Prior to my Black Belt test and through about a year ago, I could spend a good half hour on the treadmill, even about 15 minutes jogging and be fine, but I would get on the Elliptical and last no more than 3 minutes and then I would hurt like the dickens for days. I just decided my body wasn't built for it.
But having trouble with my knees as I've been training this year I've had to try knew things. I've spent a lot of time on the bike and decided several weeks ago that I'd give the elliptical a go. After riding the bike for a good workout I went to the elliptical and lasted 7 whole minutes!
But until today, I hadn't lasted more than 21 minutes and THAT was a BIG accomplishment.
However, tonight, I went for a full 30 minutes! I'm not speedy but I did last 30 minutes. That's after riding the bike for 10 min to warm up and then I finished with another 14 minutes on the bike.
Small stuff for some but an accomplishment I'm proud to share!
What do you think about the Elliptical?
Prior to my Black Belt test and through about a year ago, I could spend a good half hour on the treadmill, even about 15 minutes jogging and be fine, but I would get on the Elliptical and last no more than 3 minutes and then I would hurt like the dickens for days. I just decided my body wasn't built for it.
But having trouble with my knees as I've been training this year I've had to try knew things. I've spent a lot of time on the bike and decided several weeks ago that I'd give the elliptical a go. After riding the bike for a good workout I went to the elliptical and lasted 7 whole minutes!
But until today, I hadn't lasted more than 21 minutes and THAT was a BIG accomplishment.
However, tonight, I went for a full 30 minutes! I'm not speedy but I did last 30 minutes. That's after riding the bike for 10 min to warm up and then I finished with another 14 minutes on the bike.
Small stuff for some but an accomplishment I'm proud to share!
What do you think about the Elliptical?
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Black Belt Testing
Last night I joined other black belts at the Dojang (school) and sat on the panel as we watched the current black belt candidates go through all their curriculum. This is their official test. How well they did last night determined whether they passed as black belts, with one final test...the dreaded fitness test.
Overall they looked really strong as a team. And they were pushed pretty hard. During the several minutes of sparring (this being after they demonstrated all their forms, blocking sets and kicking sets) I saw slumped shoulders and longer breaks between kicks (when they could manage it). But they pushed through and didn't give up. Giving up is something a black belt doesn't do. You know what we call a black belt that gives up....a color belt.
I then had the pleasure of watching a current group of black belts who are testing for their 2nd degree. They looked stellar. The actions and grunts and groans of pain as they did their Jujitsu demonstrations seemed authentic...but having done this I know are just for show.
I'm inspired now. Hopeful that I can continue to work on my 2nd degree. I'm only two stars away from the final stretch. In theory, I could test next May. We'll see. There's a lot going on right now, but perhaps working on this would help in my fitness and enable me to be a better runner.
I've still got my sights on the half-marathon in January 2011.
Overall they looked really strong as a team. And they were pushed pretty hard. During the several minutes of sparring (this being after they demonstrated all their forms, blocking sets and kicking sets) I saw slumped shoulders and longer breaks between kicks (when they could manage it). But they pushed through and didn't give up. Giving up is something a black belt doesn't do. You know what we call a black belt that gives up....a color belt.
I then had the pleasure of watching a current group of black belts who are testing for their 2nd degree. They looked stellar. The actions and grunts and groans of pain as they did their Jujitsu demonstrations seemed authentic...but having done this I know are just for show.
I'm inspired now. Hopeful that I can continue to work on my 2nd degree. I'm only two stars away from the final stretch. In theory, I could test next May. We'll see. There's a lot going on right now, but perhaps working on this would help in my fitness and enable me to be a better runner.
I've still got my sights on the half-marathon in January 2011.
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